quête:back on track

Since we finally brought Countdown into the Acid Jazz orbit
four years ago, we have released a series of excellent records,
all tied to our own Ed Piller’s roots in the mod scene. After all,
Ed originally founded the label (with Maxine Forte and Terry
Rawlings), as an offshoot of Stiff Records, against the backdrop
of the mod revival of the early ‘80s.
Something that we have been looking to do for a while is launch
a special series of Countdown 7” singles, looking back at the
original Mod classics of the 1960s – and the time is now!
The first release is from the Fleur De Lys – who we have been
working with for some time – pairing their 1965 cover of Pete
Townshend’s ‘Circles’, with the first-time single release of their
cover of The Temptations’ ‘You’ve Got To Earn It’.
The band emerged from the vibrant Southampton scene with a
love of Soul and R&B, and were signed to the Immediate label
by Tony Calder, who had connections on the South Coast. Their
first single was ‘Moondreams’ (produced by Jimmy Page no
less), before their incendiary take on ‘Circles’ – a number
originally slated as The Who’s follow up to ‘My Generation’,
before getting caught up in legal matters. The Fleur De Lys
version remains one of the finest slices of the Pop Art Mod
sound, and is as fresh today as it was then. Originally released
to take advantage of The Who’s misfortunes, it was rushreleased and failed to chart. It proved to be their final release on
Immediate, before they signed with Frank Fenter.
‘You’ve Got To Earn It’ is from a tantalising, lost session from
1966 (which also included takes of The Impressions ‘Amen’ and
Don Covay’s ‘Sookie Sookie’). All that survived from the
session was an acetate of this amazing cut, found by group
member Gordon Haskell, from which this cut derives. We
originally released it as the title track of the first Fleur De Lys
compilation on Acid Jazz in 2013. It has never before been
available on 7” vinyl.

Slush Records are back for their second outing, remastering and rereleasing Sedona’s highly sought-after 1995 track, ‘Pulsation’. A portal to the underground of the ‘90s, Sedona’s original mixes and the remix from Robert Vaughan, fuse progressive house, trance and breakbeat, each oscillating to their own unique frequency. Not stopping there, Slush Records enlist the expertise of Seoul-born, Amsterdam-based Naone for a mesmerising new remix that harnesses all of that early ‘90s energy, with a fresh dynamism.

The story of Sedona begins with Dale Charles and Benny Blanco. As a touring DJ and buyer at Boston Beat Records in the mid ‘90s, Dale Charles was in diggers paradise. Freestyle was big business at the time and as a progressive house and breaks DJ, Dale couldn’t help but notice how good the drum programming was on some of the tracks. He spent endless hours trawling through the shops near 10,000 freestyle records, hoping to find that elusive secret weapon.

One day Dale found the break he was searching for and took it to Benny’s studio. Benny was an aspiring DJ and, more crucially, a producer with a conveniently concreted basement apartment he was slowly filling with synths, samplers and drum machines. Sampling and chopping up this gem of a break, utilising two TB-303’s that Benny recorded live for the acid lines and creating that signature throbbing arp on a Roland JD-800, the basis of ‘Pulsation’ was born.

The duo created a series of different mixes to tweak the feeling of the track. The ‘Ascending Mix’ and ‘Sinister Mix’ bookend this reissue. The former, a club-focussed cut with subtle to squelching 303 lines, rumbling sub bass frequencies and pulsating arps that anchor the track, as the sacred drum break fires your brain into trance-infused euphoria. The latter, an ominous slice of teleportational ambient electronica, sucking you into a wormhole of galactic synthesis and dream-state harps.

The first of the remixes sees Slush draft in the progressive wizardry of Naone to provide a fresh new take on the track. Leaning into the otherworldly ‘90s atmosphere of the original, Naone radiates the pulsating theme through swelling synth stabs and a driving acid bassline. Switching up the feel with an electro-tinged drum beat, she distorts the acid dials till the track explodes into a dystopian realm of twisted techno.

The second is Robert Vaughan’s ‘Test Tube’ mix from the original 12 Inch. A no-nonsense prog headspinner, that garnered plays from the likes of Sasha and Digweed. An acclaimed DJ and producer across the ‘90s, with releases on the likes of Space Records and Metropolis, Vaughan injected the track with added breakbeat energy and swirling, tripped-out breakdowns to masterful effect.

A timeless dancefloor classic, expertly remastered and reissued with a remix that both honours and updates the original.

Hailing from Playa Del Carmen, Mexico our dude Hotmood keeps it funky with his 'Baby Come Down EP'! Hot off his multi pressing sellout release on Blur Records Hotmood gets straight to the funk with the title track 'Baby Come Down'. All heat for your feet for this jam! House music legend DJ Sneak comes correct with his bangin floor stomper B.B.B. (Big Boss Bizness) Remix of 'Baby Come Down'. Peak time biz right here, bang it out! Back to the Hotmood sure fire floor filler 'Disco Lady' with baseline for days, and a catchy spoken word over steamy funk filled disco heat. Natural Rhythm kicks in the cruise control as we hit high velocity with a deep and funky slice & dice of 'Disco Lady'. Heavy drum work and tight percussion is the call with this cleverly woven gem that’ll fill the floor and get em moving! Next up we have the House music icon Nail of Robsoul, Classic and Diy fame with his 'Fleng EP'.

Luis Malon, dropping a super groovy track with a heavy kick, bass variations, and killer melodies perfect for the dance floor. His second track brings darker vibes, break dance variations, and well-crafted bass and melodies.

For the flip side of the record, Omar (UY), who's already dropped some heat on the label, is back with two tracks. The first one hits you with some bass variations and hypnotic vocals, plus some slick drum work and background melodies. The second one is a tool track with dark sounds.

Support from David Holmes, Sean Johnston (ALFOS), PBR Streetgang, Phat Phil Cooper, Leo Mas, Balearic Ultras, Cesar de Melero, Pathaan Ahmed, Chris Coco

We have been huge fans of Spacemen 3 since the late 80s, so this track definitely has that classic indie dance vibe and it pushes all the right buttons on the dancefloor. We have also paid homage here to another favourite track which is 'Loaded' by using the same Edie Brickell drum sample to create our own uniquely laid back sunshine groove.

DJ Support: Louie Vega, Ralf Gum, Jihad Muhammad, Zepherin Saint, Mr. V, Doug Gomez DjPope, DJ Beloved & Brutha Basil to name a few.

Sean McCabe’s Good Vibrations Music label opens the vault doors for a peek inside some of its closely guarded & much-loved releases courtesy of this special limited edition 12 inch. Featuring 4 new to vinyl releases & including a raft of luminary names from across the soulful spectrum this is sure to be a be a hot fave with long standing fans of the label.

Glenn Underground’s Jazz-Funk fuelled rework of 'This Place' kicks things off and needs no introduction… heavily supported & much loved through the soulful circles & beyond with the likes of Louie Vega, Dave Lee, Jimpster, Jamie 3:26 & Fred Everything (to name a few!) all loudly banging the drum – people have been clamouring for this to be on vinyl. You spoke, we listened!

Up next is 'Modulate', a collaborative force of the highest order between Sean & long-time friend Black Sonix. Expertly fuzzying the lines across Deep, Soulful & House is somewhat of a speciality for the duo respectively and there’s bags of all 3 intertwined throughout alongside a hefty sprinkling of sun-kissed, Latino-inspired pianos.

'Still Standing Here' kicks things off on the B-side and begin in March 2022 as vocalist Madeeha recorded an accapella vocal idea in a phone voice message, quietly singing into her phone to avoid waking the neighbours. She sent the idea to drum & bass producer from Bristol, DJ Mixjah, who then approached friend Sean McCabe with the idea. Together they produced a hypnotic afro-tinged soulful backing track to fit with the voice message, with an intention to re-record it in a studio environment. Sean and Mixjah soon realised that the music they had created blended perfectly with the sincerity, intimacy & rawness of Madeeha's heartfelt performance in the original voice message and decided to stick with it. A firm fave for Atjazz, Crackazat , DJ Spen & Emmaculate.

Wrapping things up is 'You Don’t Know', a slick & energetic dancefloor bubbler from London based producer/DJ ‘David Bailey’ and Canadian soulful songstress ‘MissFly’. David Bailey is a firm favourite amongst the London house music community. He’s produced standout releases on labels such as Idris Elba's 7wallace, Makin Moves, Good Vibrations Music, Rhemi Music & Unquantize. MissFly is known for her soulful serenades and ability to write songs 'on the fly' in the studio. She has carved out an impressive discography on soulful house nuggets such as '1972,' 'Wanna Love You' and 'Thankful'

Marking 20 years of Logistics' seminal drum & bass anthem 'Together'.

The track originally appeared on the classic double pack ‘The Future

Sound Of Cambridge’ back in the heady days of 2004.
Hospital Records are set to release a celebratory repress of this absolute anthem of a track, I sold a lot of this one ‘back in the day’ and rightly so!

It’s now paired with the one of his most renowned underground belters 'Krusty Bass Rinser' on the B-side, that was originally released as the B-side to Blackout in 2006. Most definitely one for the ‘bass face’ crew if ever there was one! Grab yourself a piece of history right here!

An excellent package from Hospital, do not sleep on this one!

'SOL' features 10 solid electro-funk tracks, each with the unmistakable Bas Bron sound. From club-ready four to the floor to dreamy melodies, the whole album is another innovative blend of vocoder-electro and machine funk exploration. Following the success of his previous album "Spontaneous Order", the EP "Built Back Bangers" and more recently the OST for the Dutch documentary 'Onzichtbaar'. Fatima Yamaha is back with a new chapter. 'SOL' showcases Fatima Yamaha's evolution, while staying true to his fundamentals. In conjunction with the album release, Fatima Yamaha will embark on an extensive tour this spring, bringing his live performances to audiences in London, Glasgow, Paris, Amsterdam, and more.

The brothers Fognini aka Mind Against return to Life And Death with their new single Love Seeking with a remix from friends and fellow masters of the emotional dancefloor Âme.
It’s fitting that techno storytellers Mind Against should revisit the home of their first EP with a revamped sound and turbo-charged take on current-day disco. Their history with DJ Tennis and Life and Death is almost as old as the label itself, harking back to their days living together in Berlin.
Now the brothers leave behind their signature hypnotic techno palette for a boogie-fied stepper that’s equal parts pop breeze and deep synth trip, full of hopeful anticipation. For the remix, Innervisions duo and cultural tour-de-force Âme twist the knobs and stretch out the heartstrings for an extended slice of big room goosebumps.
In the words of Mind Against themselves:
“10 years after releasing our very first EP Atlant on Life and Death, we’re excited to come back to our first imprint with such a special track and remix by Âme.
We’ve stepped out of our usual comfort zone and done something that can be both linked to our own musical world and to the sounds that Life and Death have evolved in recent years.
Our friendship with DJ Tennis is about as old as the label is, bringing us back to the times we used to share a flat in Kreuzberg. One may say this release is both an ode to the past and to a bright future, full of promises.”

Polish DJ and producer Gogan gets back with vinyl-only "Ride On" EP on his own label Kooky. Side A of the record offers the title track which is a more than seven-minute journey into raw and a bit smoky but well-crafted minimal with a house feeling. The composition is nicely counterbalanced with more rounded, detail-oriented, and dancefloor-friendly remix by Lizz. Side B offers 2 more original tracks by Gogan, where the producer openly experiments with a few genres, intelligently searching for a fresh blend of breakbeat, house, minimal or electro ("In a Perfect World"), at the same time not losing focus on minimal and techy house ("Me and You") in which he definitely feels the most confident.

Dark Entries again shines a spotlight on bathhouse disco don Patrick Cowley with a newly remastered release of Kickin’ In. Although Cowley tragically passed from AIDS-related illness in 1982, he left an extensive archive of unreleased tapes, many of which Dark Entries has had the honor of releasing. While working as a lighting technician at The City, SF’s disco cabaret, Cowley saw rising star Frank Loverde perform. Cowley asked Loverde to contribute vocals to some material in progress, and Frank, Linda Imperial, and Peggy Gibbons joined Cowley in the studio. The resulting songs included “Kickin’ In,” a 9-minute cybernetic disco stormer that taps into the essence of Cowley’s hi-NRG sound: equal parts spaced out and zoned in on the dancefloor. In May 1978 Cowley joined Loverde on stage at The City to perform “Kickin’ In” as they opened for disco diva Sylvester.

“Kickin’ In” was initially released in 2015 via Honey Soundsystem who found the tapes in the basement of Megatone Records owner John Hedges. This newly remastered version was made possible due to the discovery of the original multi-track recordings of "Kickin’ In," allowing for a fresh mixdown by Jim Hopkins as well as the creation of a new instrumental version. Also included are two impeccably sleazy Cowley jams recorded in 1980, “Thief of Love” and “Make It Come Loose.” Cowley narrates excerpts from his erotic journals on these raunchy slow-burners, capturing the vibe of SF’s leather bars and backrooms. “Thief of Love” features frequent Cowley collaborator Paul Parker on background vocals. This reissue of Kickin’ In includes features an illustration by Gwenaël Rattke that originally appeared Cowley’s erotic journal, Mechanical Fantasy Box, as well as a postcard with lyrics. “Patrick parted the veil and entered a dark world of forbidden vices, wondrous musical panoramas and bold, strident, hopeful possibilities. Patrick brought the future to us and laid it at our feet.” – David Diebold, Tribal Rites

Hello music lovers!

We're thrilled to present a very special vinyl release that's sure to bring back some amazing memories. It's been exactly 20 years since the 2 Black scored an incredible hit in Italy and abroad with their unforgettable track "Waves of Luv" - you know, the one that takes us “in alto mare"!

To celebrate this milestone, we're releasing a commemorative vinyl that's packed with goodness. On Side A, you'll find the two most-played original versions: the Soulstatic Radio Mix and the Mattara Vs Vtraxx Extended Mix. These are the classics that made us fall in love
with the track in the first place.

But wait, there's more! Flip it over to Side B, and you'll discover three brand new, super-fresh remixes that bring "Waves of Luv" right into 2024:


This vinyl is the perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary sound. It's a must-have for any dance music enthusiast, and it'll be the perfect addition to your summer playlists. Don't miss out on owning this piece of dance music history!

Get ready to ride the "Waves of Luv" all over again!

Brownswood Recordings are proud to present a brand new 12” series showcasing new remixes and old reworkings from the label’s rich back catalogue. Brownswood’s roots are nestled deep in the dancefloor; extended versions, edits, remixes and 12 inches, cut loud for extra bass-weight for club subwoofers, have always been part of the label’s repertoire. The Remix Editions is a new platform to showcase some of these tracks on wax for the first time, shining a light on exciting contemporary producers as well some of the forgotten club weapons from years gone by. Each drop will be on 45 & will be limited to 500 units - so grab them before they’re gone.

The first instalment in the series features two reworkings of South African pianist Bokani Dyer’s Ke Nako (feat. Sereetsi & The Natives).

Side 1 features Kid Fonque’s hypnotic and stretched-out house refix of Dyer’s scintillating funk track. He stretches Ke Nako into a 10-minute epic cosmic dance floor journey that perfectly manages to trace a line between the South African electronic sounds dominating the globe and the nation’s Jazz underground, bubbling below the surface.


a A1 Ke Nako (feat. Sereetsi and the Natives) Kid Fonque Refix
Ntokzin Remix

Repress!

Can you feel it? It’s the “Rush Fantasy”…Striking whilst he is hot is Berlin based Norwegian - Henriku. He follows on from his sought after “New York Popcorn” EP with another atmospheric house and minimal exploration, laced with distinct rave energy. The animated four-track vinyl lands on Oslo based, Det Gode Selskab, an ongoing chemistry between artist and label have led to this hedonistic trip, captivating club sounds from a producer in his element. Live out your fantasy, and your wildest dreams.

Taking the lead is “I Do”, a seductive trip of house nostalgia, driven by chunky drums and a pulsating bass line, teased into the trip by the provocative vocals. The title track “Rush Fantasy” strips things back mechanical minimalistic movements converse with a hypnotic sub heavy bass, swaying under the influences of the after party.

On the flip is another steamy encounter with “Pillow Talk”, the vintage samples go hand in hand with the rugged and raw energy of the track. Mysterious textures melt your mind in “Nicotine 4 U”, a smoky vibe for the small hours of the night.

Henriku’s free spirit lives up perfectly to the DGS ethos, a safe haven for artistic freedom, making this a perfect home for the “Rush Fantasy” experience. “It Feels Sooo Good!!”.

microCastle’s second offering of 2024 welcomes Upercent back to the label for a new EP. Since first appearing in 2011, Valencia based sound architect Upercent has developed a distinct brand of electronic futurism. An enthusiastic attitude towards experimentation, coupled with extraordinary creative vision has made the Spaniard one of the more unique artists to emerge in the last decade. Upercent’s first microCastle project, 2018’s 'Vuit', not only served as the imprint's second ever vinyl release, but continued the Valencia resident’s mission to create contemporary club tools and destabilizing sound explorations. Seemingly in constant motion moving forward, Upercent would go on to record projects for Diynamic, Kompakt and Watergate, amongst others, firmly establishing his place amongst the underground’s premiere talents. Now more than five years on from this elusive string of projects, it has been Habitat, Innervisions, Sum Over Histories and TAU which have been vehicles for his creative swell over the last two calendar years, reminding us of the niche he carved out during his initial rise, as he continues to maneuver himself through the confines of electronic music. With 2024 being highlighted by ‘Falling’, a two-track collaborative project with Germany’s Adana Twins, Upercent now returns to microCastle with ‘Persevere’.

Beginning with the organic monochromes of ‘Oracle’, Upercent’s craftsmanship reveals itself across the slow-burning piece, one where funked-up beats and rubbery basslines get peppered with skittering rhythms, thought provoking vocal samples and glitched-out electronics. Its subdued yet swing-heavy suspense while perfect for an astute dancefloor, also acts as an ideal segue into the hopeful qualities of ‘As It May See’. Paul Brenning’s vocals feature here, falling like raindrops atop woody kick drums and clustered sonics, eventually giving way to an interlude of soulful phrasing, coaxing beautifully with granular textures and ghostly swirls of wind, before tastefully moving forward as panoramic arps emerge for a mesmerizing finale.

Upercent’s distinct aesthetic continues on the fourth selection ‘Cult’. Perhaps the most direct composition on the EP, its six-minute running time quickly sets you adrift in a techno-inspired wasteland of deconstructed vocals and retro chord stabs. Both intimate and wide-ranging, it's a series of crystal-like drones which engulf your attention whole, creating a sombre, ceremonial backdrop for misty glitches and fog-like swells to create a scenic storyboard. Reverberating hits and twitchy rhythms fill the space of closer ‘Blau Cel’, a production where Upercent crafts a trek through mountainous dancefloor trails. Unbound by gravity, orchestral gestures sweep across mossy plains and frost-filled sighs, offering listeners another immersive journey into the uncharted realms of musical expression.

Massano is back on Afterlife with another captivating EP. Following his exemplary debut EP, In My System, Massano returns to Afterlife with Shut Down. This two-track release unveils the next chapter in this artist’s evolution.‘Shut Down’ is full of exhilarating tension, utilising an undulating low end, bright synth lines and playful breakdowns to invigorate dance floors. On the flip, ‘Cybernova’ demonstrates Massano’s ability to combine mesmerising melodies and aggressive basslines to create wonderfully uplifting compositions. Spellbinding music designed to transport you into a realm of awe and wonder.

Locked-In is back in the game with its sixth release, The Amigos EP. This four-track exploration sees rising producers Andy Somoza and Juaan take the helm, crafting an EP destined for the crates of discerning DJs.

Leading the charge is "Disperso," a cheeky and extroverted anthem that injects chopped-up rave stabs and nostalgic vocal breaks into a tight rhythm section. It's a classic Locked-In opener with a fresh twist, sure to get bodies moving.

"5am" dials up the intensity with driving, compressed kicks and dry snares, exuding edgy confidence – perfect for those late-night warehouse sessions where the energy is pumping.

A left turn on the B-side. "Waita" ushers in a spooky atmosphere. Ghostly bells and wet synths dance around an electro snare and airy, galloping hi-hats, creating an intriguing and unsettling soundscape.

The EP closes with "Mi Partner," a masterfully woven tapestry featuring silky vocal samples, driving snares, and a killer bassline. This introspective track beautifully counterpoints the playful energy of the A-side.

Golden Haze Vinyl. After being long out of press (with the exception of a small, instantly sold- out pressing in 2018 to celebrate Captured Tracks' 10-year anniversary), Golden Haze is finally back on limited edition Gold vinyl!The charming and gorgeous Golden Haze EP is the culmination of Wild Nothing's (Jack Tatum) sound in 2010. Fresh off the heels of breakout debut album Gemini, Golden Haze has become a true fan-favorite of Tatum's cata- log, and an enduring fixture of Wild Nothing's live shows across the world. The tracklist features the previously unavailable Evertide EP, a Gemini B- Side, and now, for the first time on vinyl, includes bonus tracks "Asleep" and "Vultures Like Lovers."When Golden Haze was released in 2010, the EP filled with melancholy vocals over addictive guitar riffs offered a perfect continuation to Gemini. It also re-revealed that Tatum has a knack for creating unique, modern ar- rangements based on decades-old influence. On Golden Haze's single of the same name, tweaked drums and a "textural mesh of severely-gated snare and sleigh bells" evoke 80s bands like The Cure. "Vultures Like Lovers," a newly available track on vinyl, presents delayed guitars with tremolo'd vocals. The most different to Gemini, it revealed that Tatum could make more "electronically pulsed" songs with echoey, hollow vocals. Over 10 years later, Golden Haze continues to prove Tatum's ability to create new songs while evoking a musical nostalgia for the past.

Nomada Records welcomes back Icelandic deep house maestro OLI BREIDFJORD A.K.A ILO with “SUPERNATURE EP”; a three track release where We can ride again his hypnotic deep long tracks touch combined with lo-fi drums patterns, deep basslines and music tensión arragements that characterizes ILO”s sound.

The release starts with “Supernature ILO’S Cut” a fourteen minutes rework for Cerrone’s 70’s classic “Supernature” where we can experience a deeper and clubby version but keeping the trance and frenetic from the original track. On the flip ILO opens with an original moody and deep jazzy house track called “You” following of “Am I Feeling Good” a Detroit Dub Techno where we can check ILO’s versatility.. .