In their fifth release, DC label Partial Magic welcomes four friends and producers from the Knoxville, Tennessee based collective TEKNOX. Alex Falk opens the record with an upbeat slammer, looping cocky vocal samples over brash, noisy textures sure to please those familiar with his sound. Second on the A side, Saint Thomas LeDoux follows with an introspective track perfect for building or releasing dancefloor tension. On the B side, Nikki Nair brings back the raunch with a cheeky breaks-and-bleeps acid track. Dialectic Sines closes out the record with an ethereal cut backed by a hypnotic, tropical electro-techno groove.
People Places & Things is the single project of Manchester born & London based Mike Checuti. Mike grew listening to a heavy mixture of horror & film soundtracks an equal dose of the early electro via the legendary Spin Inn records & then the hedonistic sounds of The Hacienda & the more underground Thunderdome nightclub.
Mike was encouraged to press ahead with the project after a visit to Los Angeles & spending time in the studio with Atticus Ross (Gone Girl & The Social Network soundtrack composer).
Treating Patient A is the first in a trilogy of releases by People Places & Things each pulling from the above mentioned influences but each EP having it's own variation whilst keeping the references points clearly audible along with People Places & Things own take of these sounds at the forefront.
People Places & Things along with Gabe Guernsey of Factory Floor have recently just composed the soundtrack for the latest film for the forthcoming Adidas Spezial range which commemorates 30 years of Acid house.
Artwork for each 12" is designed by Andrew Jackson & each sleeve is individually hand printed thus having its own unique imprint and limited to only 200 copies.
The press & publicity for the release and project as while will be handled by 'The Rest is Noise'
Fresh from his 'Let's Roll EP' on Radio Slave's Rekids, Hopeworks curator Lo Shea further cements his status as a true innovator of the UK underground with the 'Iterations EP' on Dusky's 17 Steps.
Leading the charge, 'Iterations' is 8 dark twisted minutes of tripped-out melodic techno that will sweat the walls of warehouses from London to Tokyo - drawing a lineage from The Omen, Atomic Jam and The Orbit through to Berghain, De School and - indeed - Hopeworks itself.
On the remix, Stockholm's Peder Mannerfelt takes it down an industrial rabbit hole of terror-core synths, rave sirens and sonic paranoia.
Across rest of EP, Lo Shea flexes his sonic diversity with 'Ornithurae' offering an intruiging mix of bruising bass, twitchy layer loaded percussion and sinister soundscapes - somewhere between d&b don Dillinja circa '96, early Claude Von Stroke, Radioactive Man and fellow Sheffield legend Oris Jay.
Dark, soulful and ravey, 'Higher' closes things off with a uniquely UK hybrid that traces lines through militant Tresor-heyday techno, vintage Strictly Rhythm diva house and hardcore vibes.
Off the back of Rudeboyz follow up EP entitled Gqomwave, Goon Club Allstars are back with an EP from UK Funky producer KG. In 2007 Karen Nyame, otherwise known as KG, was at the Nottingham Trent University producing beats on Fruity Loops. Slightly isolated in Nottingham - away from the UK Funky scene's London epicentre - KG posted her tunes on popular UK Funky message boards and Facebook pages, but never had an opportunity to properly stake her claim as one of the scene's heavy hitters. 808 and Midnight (Flute Riddim) are two lost anthems from that era, although receiving support from the likes of Marcus Nasty and others, they were largely forgotten amongst the numerous stand out tracks of the era, appearing rarely in mixes of those lucky enough to have digital copies. 808 is the party anthem, it's joyous, quivering melodies ascend above the thumping kick drum, while relentless crashing snares and carnival whistles rain down - guaranteed to heat up the coldest of dancefloors. Midnight (Flute Riddim) on the flip side is the softer, slinkier bubbler. Built for smouldering club action and hot sunny days. BSNYEA is a new addition to Goon Club Allstars' burgeoning family of artists. Hailing from the Bronx he is a veteran of the Borough's Litefeet genre that soundtracks the performances of subway dancers cross New York City's transit system. On his remix of 808 he focusses on the whistles and gutter synth lines adding in booming bass drums and lock inducing chants. Hitmakerchinx comes fresh from his anthemic Night Slugs compilation. Bringing his signature FDM energy he drops the tempo and builds on the light, airiness, letting the flutes play out softly underneath the thumping drums.
A rich and diverse palette of 7 tracks occupies the record, touching on italo disco, some sparks of bass driven synthwave and the late '80s house sound. 'RITMO!' is full of melodies, injecting beats and energy that create an addictive drive and momentum. The record is featuring an impressive list of artists as vocal collaboration as well, leading to an expressive journey that evolves throughout its infectious grooves and powerful 4/4s. It's the dynamic and propulsive power sparked by the 80s sounds that makes 'RITMO!' an album you would want in your collection, or on your decks while playing at the club
Red Vinyl
In 9 records and 22 years Schmer has given you the same four dudes: Prototype 909, DJ RX-5 and bpmf. Now is the time to unleash a new generation of Schmers on an unprepared world and they are prepared to set the world on fire.
Coming out strong to whip us all into shape we've unleashed Isabella and she'll leave you "Spun Out". Isabella has done tracks for Jacktone, Embalming Lately, Borft, S1, Peder Mannerfelt Produktions. She uses hardware, live, to produce unhinged techno. Now she has done one for Schmer, which had already lost its hinges decades before.
Since 2015, Ciel's monthly radio show "Work In Progress" in Montreal has been highlighting the best and weirdest in underground electronic music produced by women. She has released tracks on Junted (Marshall Applewhite's new imprint), the benefit compilation Power Puerto Rico, and a three- track EP on Peach Discs which landed on numerous year-end lists from Fact Magazine, Mixmag, and Resident Advisor. She provides Schmer with the pristine sounds of "Bad Luck Comes in 3s".
Hiroko Yamamura is the Classic Chicago ride or die style DJ/producer influenced by The Warehouse, technology, and straight up techno, its no wonder she has been named one of Chicago's top 10 DJs by XLR8R magazine. Finally Schmer stops messing around with the Chicago sound and puts the real thing out with Hiroko's "Babyayez" track.
Experimental Housewife is Evelyn Malinowski, a longstanding DJ and maker of music.(Run The Length Of Your Wildness / Jacktone Records / Perfect Location / Juxtatextureall) Now based in San Francisco, she partakes in multiple open collaborations, like the one with the highly skilled DJ and producer Andrew Bowen aka Bilaga´ana. "Free Ends" was created, a track with grit yet full of innocent meandering. Its the cherry on top of our Schmerlicious cake.
out of Stock
Last delivered 3 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
"The more I hear this the more I'm loving it. As a starter while we wait for the main course which will be the album this is just perfect."
"It's fabulous and it sees the return of one of my favourite UK vocalists - the pocket rocket that is Gizelle Smith" - Craig Charles (BBC)
"such a powerful singer...a real british soul talent" - Eddie Piller (Acid Jazz)
Radio support:
BBC 6 Music: Craig Charles - 'STAY' (25.11.17) (2.12.17) (9.12.17), 'Sacred of Something' (13.01.18) (17.02.18)
KCRW (USA): Garth Trinidad - 'STAY'
Jazz FM (UK): John Osborne - 'Sweet Memories'
Delite Radio interview w/ Chris Forbes
Colourful Radio interview w/ DJ Sly
3Fach (playlisted), Delite (playlisted), MiSoul , NTS, Solar, 1BTN, Radio Krimi, Ibiza Sonica, Radio Pepper, Republic 100.3, Kane FM, WUTK 90.3, Juice brighton (playlisted) , Colourful Radio, Crackers Fresh, Radio Cardiff, Starpoint Radio,
DJ: Felix Da Housecat, Benoit C, Yamwho,Doc Scott, Basement Freaks, Dom Servini, Mat The Alien, All Good Funk Alliance, Marc Hype
Online and print press: Blues & Soul, Echoes, Afropunk, EARMILK, The Cocoa Diaries, Vents Magazine, FIP, Wax Poetics, FleamarketFunk, Monkeyboxing, Monkeyboxing, Blue In Green Radio, Groovement, Reductive Reviews,
Lagaffe Tales co-founder Jónbjörn drops four tracks on Iceland's FALK Records beat driven sub-label, FALK DISKS.
Since 2008 FALK (Fuck Art Lets Kill) has become a creative hub for Icelandic and international artists involved in experimental and electronic music, spanning noise rock through to power electronics, underground hip-hop to DIY techno and electro. 2017 saw FALK continue with releases from Icelandic hip-hop producer LORD PUSSWHIP, techno/electro producer ThizOne and Canadian industrial techno musician //HUREN//. Berlin based Icelandic producer Jónbjörn, known for curating Reykjavík record label Lagaffe Tales - one of the main pillars in the Icelandic house scene - now joins FALKS' club focused sub-imprint with a robust four tracker.
Moving away from the deep house sound he's renowned for towards a darker and leaner night time aesthetic, 'Amsiak' inaugurates the release with an infectious electro groove as gurgling pings and acidic clangs and drones are liberally dropped throughout the track. 'Aspekte' is a spacious track with blown-out bass sounds that morph and glide across a tempered, slow burning planar rhythm.
On the flip, Jónbjörn goes for a harder techno sound influenced by his relocation to Berlin. 'Sunnudagskaffi' is a bendy, 4/4 roller that contains hidden grooves below the basslines and the acid pings that wouldn't be out of place on a Livity Sound release. Meanwhile, 'Holy B' is pure warehouse creeper techno, complete with machinic tones and the atmospherics of sweat and grime on dungeon brick walls.
Yoruba Records is proud to welcome back Toto Chiavetta with our latest release, 'Nagnu Jubo' (Remixes). This follow up to the debut album, 'Impermanence', includes remixes by Osunlade as well as new and unreleased work from Toto himself. Kicking off proceedings is the Yoruba Soul Mix of 'Nagnu Jubo', a deep and smooth groove rich in personality. The warm chords reel you in as the underlying rhythm engages and inspires. The Yoruba Soul Dub retains the warmth of the original without the track's signature chant. This is followed by a new, previously unreleased, version of 'Minds'. Originally appearing on 'Impermanence', this version is decidedly more floor focused. A 303-style bassline keeps this moving right along as percussive elements add texture and drive to this forward thinking dance tune. Finally, closing out this release is 'Hunters', a track which showcases Toto's dark and techy side. This expressive tune is ripe with emotion and will have discerning listeners locked in introspection while their feet do work on the floors below them.
'Intimate Connetion' by Kleeer on US 7' single is one record that's been indemand in recent times and has seen it's value soar in price. The rare 7' mix has never been previously released in the UK. 'Intimate Connection' is one of the smoothest of cuts of the early 1980s and that has a groove that glides effortlessly with great ease. For us in the shop it epitomises the changeover sound from full live bands to electronic based recordings with the amazing Deodato at the production helm overlording the groups synthesisers & drum machines. On the flip with 'Tonight' the jam continues with great aplomb and features it's distinctive vocoder lead. This was always one of the finest double headers of the 1980s and one that we're proud to be re-releasing in 2018
The third chapter in the vinyl installments on Gaze ill's Danish Cue Line Records is written by Belgian artist Zygos, Georgio Roumans. An unforgettable piece formed by 3 distinct original tracks plus an outstanding remix by Italy's most wanted, DPRTNDRP (D- Operation Drop).
The EP opens with the toxic symphony of 'Laicism'. By chest pressuring hits right from the beginning, we're pushed into another world where everything is moving though it feels like time stands still for a moment. Mellow melodies formed in layers of feedback alike sounds and endless reverberated stabs generate a persistent tension held tight by the static, marching drums. The title track 'Sudd' forms part 2 of the journey through Georgio Roumans' explorative universe. To think everything can move this fast yet keeping a minimal expression is beyond reality. From 8th to 16th to 24th notes - variations through the bass, percussion, and melody sections - a discreetly conducted progression is reached throughout the track. Accompanied by weird background soundscapes the sub bass takes the lead on the tight Halfstep- package of 'Tapered'. The drums are simple and hard, which is just what's needed to tame and control the strong movements from the sub. Super minimal for the sound system. Italian DPRTNDRP brings new life to 'Sudd', which awakens in a completely different light than the tempo- filled original. Strange sounds and rhythms, raw and dirty. DPRTNDRP makes the remix a must hear.
The vibe is intense from start to end, and the EP hits perfection due to Georgio's naturally alive style, and the clever remix from the ever boundary pushing DPRTNDRP. Signature sound, deluxe on 180 grams heavyweight vinyl!
We live in the time when rave is the word that is only used when people want to describe a fierce party or to describe colors, styles and some types of electronic music. Basically, the word "Rave" became sort of a metaphor. But back in the days, it was the name for the revolution, no less than that. Warehouse Memories was born to give a direction to that Revolution, this is Rave 001.
After a first EP of the year from STL, the Solar Phenomena label now welcomes Romania's Romansoff. The Raw Tools label boss hails from Bucharest and has also released his gritty, stripped back house and techno on Creme Organization and Sportiv. Here he offers four new tracks, with one remix from Timedance man Ploy completing the package.
'Halo' epitomises Romansoff's style with its slow, heavy drums and sparse, scattered perc sounds. A lo-fi melody adds colour, while 'Coach Jacket' ups the ante with busier claps and crashing hits laid over a turbulent, unsettled bassline. Increasing the pressure further, 'Graded' grows manic with punchy drums, layers of fuzzy synths and bass and distant cries that are dark and unsettling. Ploy flips this one into a prickly and atmospheric drum track that keeps you on edge and Romansoff's digital exclusive 'Michigan Lake Tapes' is a slow motion workout with unsettling synths and tortured pads that grows ever more unhinged. It rounds out a leftfield house EP in style.
Seeking the overwhelming vibration of the genuine sound wave and its profound echo on the soul, Kenneth James Gibson has spent his career experimenting under a variety of aliases like as many brushstrokes to an ever polymorphic palette - successively releasing as (a)pendics.shuffle, Bell Gardens, Reverse Commuter, dubLoner, Kenneth James G., KJ Gibbs, Bal Cath, Eight Frozen Modules, and Premature Wig... the list is long. Near to two years after his first incursion on Kompakt with his third studio LP 'The Evening Falls', Gibson returns with 'In The Fields Of Nothing', his second full-length delivery for the Cologne-based imprint.
A piece of intricate scales and moods, by turn streaming with the quiet flow of a small meandering rill, then suddenly veering off into an oceanic kind of tumult, 'In The Fields Of Nothing' was conceived as a proper film soundtrack with its rhythmic ebb-and-flow and deep sense of immersion, pulling the strings to an imaginary scenario where the uncanny rubs shoulders with a minute care for the immersion and deep emotional involvement of its whole.
Like entangling multiple levels of consciousness through a millefeuille of textures, piano and strings as well as a flurry of subtly FX-soaked instrumentals, Gibson reflects on his new album - created and recorded right after 'The Evening Falls' came out - as hugely inspired by the lushly forested mountain landscapes of his home region, the bewitching Idyllwild, California. With each track being an essential petal in the narrative corolla figured by Gibson, it's a breathing forest of sounds that deploys, bearing the memories of Kenneth's early morning and late night wanderings in the wild, alone and not, with the ancient trees' vital force for main companion.
An attempt at capturing a slice of these ephemeral sensations felt when striding along across the steep ridges and stony paths of the San Jacinto mountains, staring at the star-studded dome or gazing into the quiet horizon at dawn, 'In The Fields Of Nothing' eludes the single genre encapsulation, opting for the all-embracing openness of scope as it hops from droney melodic interplays ("Her Flood") and roomy string-laden folk drifts ("Further From Home") through Ligetian webs of sound ("Thirsty Lullaby", "Fields Of Everything") and poignant threnodies ("Unblinded"), onto sorrowful pop ballads ("Far From Home") and lulling ambient scapes ("To Love A Rotting Piano", "Plastic Consequence")
Bubblewrap Collective and The Gentle Good are proud to present 'Y Gwyfyn', a new EP entirely in the Welsh language to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day 2018. The EP contains brand new tracks and previously unreleased material as well as outtakes and an album track from the recent Welsh Music Prize winning 'Ruins/Adfeilion'.
In keeping with the'Ruins/Adfeilion'album, themes of the naturalworld,cultural identityandsocial justice feature prominently in 'Y Gwyfyn' EP. The title track describes a hot summer evening as perceived through the senses of a moth, whilst 'Briwsion' (Crumbs) is a critique of social inequality in today's modern world. Fan favourite track 'The Fisherman' (Y Pysgotwr) is reworked into the Welsh language, followed by a brand new recording of traditional Welsh folk song 'Cariad Cyntaf' (First Love). The EP ends with an epic 8 minute instrumental, 'Golwg y Gwdihw' (An Owl's Eye View), a musical representation of a nocturnal woodland scene originally recorded as part of a project for National Museum Wales. The EP features some of the finest musicians in Wales, including Jack Egglestone on drums, Callum Duggan on bass and Georgia Ruth on vocals. The EP also gives a platform to the stunning string arrangements of Cardiff based composer Seb Goldfinch, performed beautifully by the Mavron Quartet.
For our second release we may introduce the Rotterdam-based beatmaker The Soul Pilot. He is known for his funky, soulful and beats heavy productions. For Les Cidres he created two summer tunes Lawless and Craving showing more of his repertoire.
Lifting off with Lawless. In this hot, sweet, bassy piece of sexyness, being true to his name he shows his passion for vocalizing himself - letting you blush and sweat with him in this heat.
The journey continues with Craving - with this funkiness blowing through your hair, body and soul.
A summer must have! <3
Born in Poland and now operating out of the ever-effervescent London, the adoptive city where she's learnt the ropes of music production and Djing, Anii - real name Ania Iwinska - has lived many lives in one. Yet if one thing's remained a constant over the years, no matter the harshness of the obstacles life threw at her, it's indeed a deep and inextinguishable love for music; be it behind the mixing desk at Wired Studios or in her own Shoreditch workroom, the key place where she's kept honing her skills with unfazed diligence, up to the point of making it her actual second home.
Anii lands her debut transmission on Kompakt and surely not the last. Named after the Polish word for 'roots', 'Korzenie' finds Ania threading her way in between subtle deep-house and techno folds, delving into the essential strength of her past and present to carve out an hypnotic maelstrom of traditional Polish music strings, tribal percussions and elegiac melodies. Coupling eerie ostinatos with stealthy bass moves, it's an ode to the magnitude of memory and power of resilience that reels out, blurring the line between late night club environment and further spacious, moony soundscapes.
The Untitled was already present on the 'Unruhe' compilation... This one man project is located in the north of Holland far away from trends and hypes... and so is his music... The ingredients are evident: a pounding bassdrum, screaming synths, ear-splitting acid lines and distorted hi-hats. The result: disturbing and intense techno and acid... music that you can also call post-hardcore, tekno or acid core... and for sure sounds that could also interest fans of industrial music... or anybody interested in extreme sounds...
Back To Black vinyl reissue of Nico's debut full solo album Chelsea Girl, originally released in 1967. The album famously features the then-unknown singer/songwriter Jackson Browne (guitar), Lou Reed (guitar), Sterling Morrison (guitar/bass), and John Cale (piano/bass/viola).
Pressed on 180gram vinyl with digital download code.
"Milan, Italy, 1983. In the midst of the 80s economic boom, which gave an injection of optimism after the heavily political 70s, a group of young local musicians meet every night in a basement to rehearse and record a peculiar breed of Italian disco music. Originated from the ashes of various other projects, and rooted in the broader jazz-funk tradition, the group creates music which is equally inspired by contemporary fusion as well as by the first wave of the italo-disco sound. Over approximately 3 years the band has recorded and played live, until the dismantling of the project towards the mid 80's.
Fast forward 35 years and the genuinely mediterranean flavor of Qvark's demo recordings are still enjoyable, both for the actual resurgence of the Italian disco tradition and for the groovy quirkiness of a project which has been too long forgotten. After an intense work of audio restoration of such tapes, heavily affected by time, Early Sounds is pleased to present a compilation which is an important find to define the sound of late 70's and early 80's Italian club sound."
With the A-side offering an Industrial Dancefloor solid Hard techno Kick at a reasonable speed... B side opening with a loud bass kicker trippy acid techno... and last tune for a Dave Clarke kind of techno with a little pinch of Frenchtechno toutch.
Respuesta Alternativa or the Alternative Response was the project of Spanish musician Jesus Mª Catalan, created with the help of Julián C. Pérez.
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As the title implies the music was generated in response to traditional music notions of the time, and reflects how Jesus Mª Catalan would challenge these traditional ideals using a fusion of styles and his unique vision. Jesus laid out his synths and drum machines, while other musicians played traditional instruments over the top. This unique approach worked to create atmospheric tracks capturing simple themes, with each influence being carefully thought of in the joint result. As he explains each instrument weaves independently throughout a passage in a curious game where the listener's attention goes from focusing on a keyboard, guitar to bass or percussion. Previously only released on a cassette album in Spain, Left Ear have polished 5 choice cuts for a 2018 12'.
Inventions & Dimensions is the third album Herbie Hancock ever released as a leader and proof that he was not an artist who was willing to be pigeonholed. Featuring a quartet made up of a bassist and two latin percussionists, Inventions & Dimensions explores the possibility of latin percussion outside the context of a latin jazz album. Comprised of post-bop and modal compositions all from the pen of Hancock, this is a beautiful album that shows the promise of a young and confident pianist and composer who would blossom into one of the most celebrated talents in jazz history. Essential.
These rolls, these hums, these sudden rushes, this song, these peaceful circlings, these sudden outbursts, these returns to quiescence - what do they remind us of
This piece's trajectory could also be a representation of the dramatic unfolding of a day - of a life - from sunrise (climate 1) to night-time (landscape 4) via restless encounters, transitions (1 to 3) that announce the drama climaxing in landscape 3, before reaching its denouement in climate 4... A whole concrete 'story'.
The subterranean properties inherent to listening gently shift our ideas...
François Bayle
First performance: 19 March 1979 - Grand Auditorium of Radio-France,
Ina-GRM's Cycle Acousmatique. .
Toupie dans le ciel (1979), 21'
A wave is swaying on two minors thirds. This constantly uniform yet constantly varied swaying revolves in a swarm of sharp designs that blink on and off in a layer of growing density and mobility.
Distance, speed, pressure, density, temperature, colour, intensity, are the "themes" of the 27 short interconnected cells flowing together though this seemingly unified movement.
Occasionally, a breach in the texture reveals skyes dotted with little comets. In the centre, a slow gliding picks up the distant harmonics of a basic chord. Toward the end, this gliding returns with a fiery burst.
Fine lines and whirs are generated from the song of a spinning antique top.
To end on a lighter note the title Toupie dans le ciel - Spinning Top in the Sky reminds us of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles as well as Lucy, the oldest Australopithecine (3 million years), our African grandmother in the Erosphere...
The overall title Erosphere alludes to the desire inherent to the listening experience, and to the very primitive cues that sustain the auditory attention and are the basis of all musical pleasure.
François Bayle
First performance: 21 January 1980 - Grand Auditorium of Radio-France,
First Word kicks off 2018 with the welcome return of Quiet Dawn, and a new EP, 'Human Being: The Short Story of The Reed'. A suitably ice-thawing six-track opus to compliment the change of seasons, dedicated to the winter blooming plant's desire to be human.
Parisian Will Galland first appeared on the label in late 2014, releasing his debut album 'The First Day' the following year. Collaborations on that album and subsequent mixes since have included offerings from Oddisee, Miles Bonny, Eric Lau, Bastien Keb, Sauce81 (Eglo), Mayaka McCraven and Sarah Williams White.
Evolving his music from a palette accumulated over the years of Hip Hop, Broken Beat and House, he has expanded his talents for arranging and composing, and now drafted in a wealth of musicians for this sublime new EP, his most ambitious yet. Strings glide effervescently atop of Quiet Dawn's assorted analogue synths, and an array of percussive organics combine to build the tale of The Reed. In-places, the set transcends into the kind of grooves that saunter somewhere between the land of Bonobo and Quantic, and the cinematic library record craft of Alan Hawkshaw et al. Deep, organic and epic.
"The reed from the earth and waters,
Human by the flesh and bones,
Bring by the love and others,
Now, you're not alone."
Each track of the EP tells a different chapter of the story. In the words of Quiet Dawn, "This record is about human behaviour, relationships, happiness, sadness, peace, anger, sex, love, birth, death... But as viewed by The Reed. The Reed is a plant that wants to be human, after observing them all around her. Over the course of the record, The Reed evolves and desires to feel feelings, gradually learning that becoming human is not so simple... ."
Also with artwork by Sophie Bass and Grégoire Marty, this glorious six-track vinyl and digital EP is released February 2018 on First Word Records.
Nat Birchall charts new paths toward spiritual communion, connecting jazz with classical Indian influences guided by the wistful flow of the harmonium.
Cosmic Language sees the UK-based saxophonist, composer and arranger return to Jazzman Records with a cross-cultural approach: an exploration of the parallel musical paths of jazz and Indian ragas. Here he takes influence from spiritual jazz forebears such as Alice Coltrane and Yusef Lateef and introduces the Indian harmonium to his band, where it takes the place of the piano. Making new connections to realise his transcendental ambitions, it's a logical next step in making music as spiritual cleanser.
The idea for the album was spawned from a one-off performance at a meditation centre, the Maharishi Golden Dome in West Lancashire. Seeking to bring a band set-up that was fitting to the quiet-minded setting, Birchall brought the harmonium with him. A small pump organ, it's an instrument he'd been in possession of for many years but hadn't previously used in his music. Building on the spiritual context of that show, and the associations of that instrument, it led naturally to the musical approach undertaken on the album.
Both the album and the show which preceded it were recorded with the same tight-knit group of players which have featured on Birchall's previous albums. All members of the group are part of the same like minded circle of Manchester-oriented jazz musicians, sharing stages and acquaintances with the likes of Matthew Halsall (a longtime collaborator with Birchall) and GoGo Penguin.
Birchall has always channeled wide-ranging ideas into music that's simple to understand, and this album is no exception. Album opener 'Man From Varanasi' is an ode to Bismillah Khan, one of Birchall's heroes of Indian music who hailed from the northern Indian city named in the title. It also sees him taking cues from the Indian raga tradition which, as with most other traditional Indian music, is a foundation which underpinned Khan's music.
Crucially, the ragas tap into the idea of of music as a means of spiritual release. As Birchall explains, "The whole act of making music is a spiritual experience. It's during performance and when playing music that I look for a kind of truth. It's with music where I find myself feel closest to attaining that 'enlightened' kind of feeling." "On rare occasions I've actually felt as though I was listening to the music being played rather than being involved in making it, almost like an out-of-body experience."
This natural feeling comes from Birchall's attitude toward jazz music. He sees it as an essential part of day-to-day life: instead of brightly-lit, occasional entertainment in lugubrious concert halls, he considers it an everyday, vital source of inspiration. At a moment where jazz-influenced music is undergoing creative renewal and wider appreciation, it's an important perspective that's found resonance elsewhere. His experiences and the world around him are filtered through his music, and he looks to have his music - be it live or on record - absorbed in the same quotidian way. "To me, it's an integral part of society, an everyday thing," he says. "You should hear the music every day."
Following a string of highly acclaimed releases, Delights is stepping into the new year with an introduction of a new sister label - MonaTone. Established by the studio maverick Uri "Mixmonster" Wertheim (Radio Trip/The Apples/Kalbata & Mixmonster), this new imprint aims to provide a warm home for way-out fuzz-centric music coming from the rock'n'roll side of the psychedelic spectrum.
The label's debut release is a result of collaboration between Mixmonster and the Jerusalem-based power trio The Turbans: psychedelic stomper "Baba Ganooz" on the A-side, backed with Bo Diddley-style tittyshaker "Lost My Mind" on the flip.
Recommended for fans of late 60's garage and freakbeat.
Recently labelled 'One to Watch in 2018' by DJ Mag, Featherstone is the first release of the year by a producer in the ascendancy following his superb release for Fracture's Astrophonica imprint late last year.
The London based Irish producer shows off the diversity of his sonic abilities with the E.P juxtaposing high energy club tracks and hip hop weight with sensual depth.
D.KO Records regular Mad Rey joins Rekids with a pair of deep house cuts this March.
The Parisian producer and Red Lebanese co-founder started releasing music as Mad Rey in 2014, providing D.KO Records with their second release (having already contributed to the D.KO01 various artists EP under his real name Quentin Leroy).
He now joins Rekids with a solid two track package initiating with 'In My House N°6', a lively slice of house featuring funky bass licks and jazz influenced melodies complete with a compelling groove. On the flip, 'L'orage (Dub)' 'L'orage (Dub)' slows down the tempo whilst exhibiting sampled strings, crunchy snares and twinkling effects.
Seven years ago, Unbalance created his own label as a base for his musical ideas; a platform to play around with the conception of what "techno" is and would be alongside his own creative progression. Come to present day and the label is now at its ninth release, reaching a point where the line of accumulated experiences must be drawn in the sand — and the experiences of previous projects and releases lead to venerable conclusion.
Enter Ten, an album of internalized strife that was created during a period of big changes in the artist's life. Between enduring personal experiences, his creative output veering between his straightforward club eccentricities and subdural sensibilities; Unbalance cultivates a symbiotic link between sounds played and sounds portrayed — whilst paying tribute to the essence of groove, vibration and the hypnotic unknown that exists to balance the scales. This album will be the final point in the label's journey into the depths of multifaceted techno music.
This record is special release for the label. It's a tune I have been chasing for years and just had to get released so that everybody can own a copy. Originally written in 2006, Snow Forest was a Slew Dem anthem and when I got to know Spooky in 2009 it was one of the first tunes I asked him for. Rarely given out to anyone, it was one of my favourite dubs but I always dreamt of putting it out on my label. After finding the original CD that Spooky gave me back in 2010 the time was right to finally get it pressed up on vinyl and in the shops. Backed with Funky Dub, a tune from 2009 that still gets a massive reaction.
This release shows that good music is timeless, simultaneously cartoonish and menacing with a blend of rudest bass and daftest melody in a proper UK style.
10" aqua green coloured translucent vinyl in pvc sleeve with sticker
"I challenge you not to get down to this!" - Zoe Ball (Entitled to That quote)
'Entitled to That' - Radio 2 (Zoe Ball, Alan Carr & Mel Sykes, Craig Charles) 6Music (Craig Charles, Steve Lamacq, BBC introducing Bristol)
'Main Event (feat. Andy Cooper)' 'Since You've Been Gone' - 6Music (Nemone)
Love That I'm In (Craig Charles, Nemone)
WW International and specialist radio: Jazz FM, WNCW, Solar Radio, Radio One Italy, Radio Krimi, WNCW, Radio Nova Portugal, Kane FM, Radio Pepper Greece, Radio Fg, Radio Z Nurenburg, WUTK FM 90.3, 100.3 Thessaloniki, 1BrightonFM, FM4 Vienna, Radio Z Nuremburg,
Online press: We Plug Good Music, Stereofox, 45Live, Monkeyboxing, The Dutch Guy, Life Support Machine, KBPS magazine, Flea Market Funk, Sphere Of Hip Hop, 45's Corner, AAA badboy,
DJ support: JFB, DJ Food, Renegades Of Jazz, Basement Freaks, Utah Saints, Qdup, Nutritious, Kid Kenobi, Doc Scott, Featurecast, Mat The Alien, Marc Hype, DJ Love, DJ Format
Summary for previous album 'As We Do Our Thing'
Album of The day on BBC 6 music with additional support from Shaun Keaveny, Lauren Laverne, Nemone, Craig Charles, Don Letts, and Radcliffe and Maconie
Andy Cooper (Ugly Duckling) and the Allergies also performed a Dermot O' Leary BBC Radio 2 session and a Loose Ends session on BBC Radio 4.
Hit top 3 in the iTunes UK Hip Hop chart (47 main overall)
#1 on Juno Download
The previous single Rock Rock featuring Andy Cooper was featured on TV Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and
Rock Rock used to soundtrack Euro football qualifiers on ITV (both National television station)
Rock Rock was Tune of the Month in Mixmag
Rock Rock also went to # 1 on Juno Download Hip hop chart on release.
DJ Support: DJ Yoda, Renegades of Jazz, Featurecast, A Skillz, Dom Servini , The Next Men, Aldo Vanucci, All Good Funk Alliance, Mr Benn, Marc Hype, Smoove, Dr Rubberfunk, Fab Samperi, Slynk
Inventions & Dimensions is the third album Herbie Hancock ever released as a leader and proof that he was not an artist who was willing to be pigeonholed. Featuring a quartet made up of a bassist and two latin percussionists, Inventions & Dimensions explores the possibility of latin percussion outside the context of a latin jazz album. Comprised of post-bop and modal compositions all from the pen of Hancock, this is a beautiful album that shows the promise of a young and confident pianist and composer who would blossom into one of the most celebrated talents in jazz history. Essential.
Label boss Nachtbraker is finally making his solo debut on Quartet Series after a successful EP last year on Heist Recordings. Widely known for exploring different sounds and angles with his productions, this record is the most club-orientated to date. Intricate ghetto house with a slight French touch to straight up 4x4 with a pinch of jacking flavour would be an accurate description of this release. The use of 90's hip hop samples within this auditory concoction successfully highlights Nachtbraker's excellent ear for detail and penchant for exciting, eclectic and downright weird changeovers. The main hitter taking over the full A side is the title track 'Small Towel People". An uplifting bass line accompanied by heated 909 percussion and a hypnotic thriving arp to seal the deal. On the flipside, you'll find 'Kippendijen' on the B1. A heavyweight in the house category, some glimpses of early days jacking house and a little French touch on the filter. Throw in a breakdown even Houdini wouldn't be able to handle and you'll find yourself putting this track on repeat. Then when the needle hits the B2 groove, 'Zomaar' kicks off with an energetic mpc style breakbeat before morphing into a deep jam of lush chords and a thrusting 4x4 beat. The track closes after switching back to the first part of the record and ends in a sublimely deep and dubby breakbeat.
Furcula is a collective work by composer Asger Baden and recording artist & actor Peder. Peder and Asger Baden work as film composers on a daily basis at their townhouse studio in central Copenhagen. They have worked for 'Breaking Bad", 'Beastie Boys", 'Wolfpack' amongst others. Whenever they have some time, they work on Furcula. The music is based on the acoustic colours of two very different rooms: The Village (large orchestral studio in Copenhagen) and Vor Frue Kirke - the biggest church in Denmark which features a reverb of over 7 seconds. All sounds, instruments and samples are recorded in these two rooms and used as samples in the studio to create the music. The result is the depth and contrast between the huge reverb and very close textures that feel as though they're right next to you, scratching your skin. The result is ghostly, dark, cinematic and beautiful. Art by Rob Sato. - Debut album as a collective by filmcomposers Asger Baden & Peder who has had music featured in Breakin Bad. - Peder has 4 solo albums under the belt released by Ubiquity records, Wordandsound, Fake Diamond and allways featured in Radio Nova. Featured artists like Oh Land, Coco (Quadron) Jonas Bjerre from MEW amongst others. - Asger Baden solo debuted with a classical album 2015 recorded in Prague and The Crooked Spoke in 2008. - 2/4 of danish group Cours Lapin - As cinematic as it gets.
A multi-platform production that explores the overlap between the digital and the organic through field recordings of Inuit throat singing may sound, on surface level, to be something that is a rather niche. However, Zoe Mc Pherson's exploration of this world on String Figures is a deeply rhythmic, immersive and forward-thinking piece of electronic- leaning music that remains just as danceable as it does experimental.
The album is fundamentally one of duality, exploring the traditional and the contemporary, organic and electronic, audio and visual, history and the future. Rooted in this duality is also a core theme around string being one of the most ancient and playful art forms and the seemingly infinite possibilities it offers in terms of shapes, structures and figures lines up with this as a trans-global art project. One that over time will involve video art, choreography, 3D motion design, macro film, instrumental and electronic sound. Although for now is being presented through an AV performance, films and a record with Mc Pherson collaborating with director Alessandra Leone.!
Over the seven tracks (which are laid out as chapters) the record explores glitchy electronics, dub-tinged grooves, polyrhythms, and a huge array of instruments that takes in quiet blasts of atonal sax alongside wonky synths. This of course cross-pollinates with the throat singing and experimental field recordings to create an utterly inimitable sonic sphere. For Mc Pherson it's about mixing worlds, histories and timeframes and she uses a 1991 quote from Laurie Spiegel to hit home how she has elaborated upon this original thought of history and future overlapping. 'Folk music is considered anonymous common property in a culture and that's what a lot of computer music and other kinds of music data may end up becoming.' However, there's also a purer reason for the exploration of these worlds and colliding them together. 'Basically I thought that electronic music that is only digital is a bit boring and as I'm connected to jazz music for many reasons, I wanted it to sound organic: real instrumentation, field recordings.'
