OLC003 brings another slice of late-90s South London tech house back into circulation, with a repress of Swag Records SWAG003 now brought home to the Online Collective catalogue.
“Takedown” from Dave Ivy opens with a distinctly 90s feel, built around analogue synths, punchy drums and processed movie vocals. Raw, driving and full of character, it’s a proper snapshot of the era.
“Diversion” sees Rob Pearson and Lee Humphreys developing their early collaborative sound, with lush Detroit-tinged chords, analogue drum rhythms and plenty of subtle detail. Even the slightly wonky vinyl noise was recorded by Rob and Lee themselves while miking up a wobbling record — a small touch that sums up the hands-on approach behind the track.
On “Checkout” Rob & Lee head into deeper and slightly cheekier territory, with a few familiar voices from a particularly strange night south of the border weaving through analogue hardware textures, resonant sounds and deep bass. A stripped-back late-night groove with plenty of attitude.
Three tracks from a very particular moment in UK tech house history now back with the original artists on Online Collective.
Drop Music marks a marvellous quarter of a century of releases with this new slab of vinyl featuring some gems from disco funksters Crazy P and the house mainstays Inland Knights. Crazy P go first with 'Disc Odyssey' which is perfectly indicative of their much beloved sound with its low slung kicks and funky bassline. Inland Knights then offer a trio of in demand & unreleased tracks. 'Overnight' is a bumming deep house joint, 'Walk On' has an icy late night vibe and balmy pads and 'Do It Again is a more playful closer, with some killer b-line action. All four, needless to say, are timeless gems, and the fact the last two are appearing on vinyl first the first time makes it an even more desirable cop.
Nottingham duo Andy Riley and Laurence Ritchie AKA Inland Knights, continue to celebrate a quarter of a century of Drop Music with a third special EP. This one features two utterly new and exclusive cuts - the first is 'Bad Situation', a brilliantly loose and soulful deep house sound with well-treated vocals, and the second is 'Some Lovin', a more raw and jacked-up cut but with magnificently elastic bass, funky riffs and old-school vocals. The steamy house throb of 'Slummin It' and twitch future tech of 'Get High' round out a fine EP from these enduring greats.
LP,180g, 2027 REISSUE - REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL TAPES, CAREFULLY REPRODUCED ORIGINAL ART
When Alan Parker recorded the killer library soul-funk LP The Voice of Soul with session vocalist Madeline Bell in 1976, some bright spark at Themes decided to also release all of the backing tracks as a separate, and equally innocuously title LP called The Sound of Soul. Thank goodness for bright sparks.
Released as a collection of unobtrusive musical backings in various rhythmic styles', the LP's original description dryly explains these tracks have been issued without melody and are therefore particularly suitable for use behind commentary. Female vocal versions of these tracks are issued on TIM 1021 The Voice Of Soul and it is possible to edit from vocal version to instrumental version or vica versa where commentary or scene changes occur'.Madeline Bell was backed by The Rhythm Section, who were for all intents and purposes the Themes International Music house band. So what we end up with here is entire album of instrumental work-outs by a band comprised of the formidable talents of Alan Hawkshaw on keyboards, Alan Parker on guitars, Barry Morgan on drums, Les Hurdle on bass guitar and Frank Ricotti on percussion.
Without Bell's vocals these backing tracks are given all the room they need to breathe. Each one more than stands up on its own.
The Sound of Soul is a real diggers' delight and, unsurprisingly, a must-have counterpart to The Voice of Soul.
As with all ten re-issues, the audio for The Sound of Soul comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We've taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity.
Due to high demand, MEU has revisited two of Mr. K’s classics, previously only available as 12-inch extended mixes, and asked the master editor to pare them down to 7-inch size.
A true top-five peak record at the Garage, Thelma Houston’s “I’m Here Again” was “a highlight whenever Larry played it,” Danny Krivit recalls, “and he played it a lot!” Danny’s edit is a homage to Larry and Frankie Knuckles – in particular a similar private edit that Frankie did back in the day and shared with Krivit. “It was on reel to reel and I didn’t copy it correctly and lost it,” Danny remembers. “Reels were problematic! When I tried to get it again from him, unfortunately he had lost it too.” The song (likely an attempt by Motown to capitalize on the previous year’s monster hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way”) is, in its original form, a virtual retake of Thelma Houston’s breakout single, from the subdued, schmaltzy intro to the “oooh BABY!” leading to the chorus. What sets “I’m Here Again” apart though, is the incredible second half of the song. Naturally, it is here that Mr. K’s edit focuses. Over a vicious groove reminiscent of the Originals’ “Down To Love Town” breakdown (Michael Sutton wrote and produced both “Love Town” and “I’m Here Again”) Houston delivers soul-stirring ad libs as the band crackles with electricity behind her, the piano chasing a descending string riff so eagerly. Pure dancefloor peak energy! And the very first time having all these parts on a 7"!
For our flip, Danny has reached deep into the earliest foundations of his voluminous collection, and come out with a psychedelic pop classic rearranged for today’s sound systems and setlists. Recorded in the Beatles’ Abbey Road studio at the height of the Summer Of Love, the Zombies’ “Time Of The Season” is firmly linked in pop culture to the late ‘60s and the Vietnam era, breaking big in the summer of 1969. Krivit’s edit highlights the parade of lush sonic textures that ornament the hip composition, from the iconic, exquisitely echoed bass-clap-exhale riff that opens the song to the cascading Hammond organ solos of Rod Argent. “It’s a song from my childhood that really struck a chord,” Danny says. “Over the years I often played a rough edit which always seemed to go over great. The song seemed to get better and better, and age like fine wine.” We agree!
These two songs have both appeared on previous (separate) MEU 12-inches, but are presented here in custom new edits for the 7-inch format.
Cari Lekebusch is one of the architects of the Swedish techno scene whose influence naturally spilt out over the wider European landscape as part of the second wave in the late 80s and early 90s. Under his Yakari alias, he explored a tear-jerking and trance-infused style that was about looking outward to distant worlds beyond our own. This EP is a classic example and was originally released in 1994 on Loop Records. 'Positive Transphere' is an absorbing opener with dirty bass offset by sprawling synths, 'The Sound Ordeal' gets darker and more involving emotionally, before 'Lotus Trance' explodes in bright colours and new age love. 'Water Of Tranquility' is a more deep, insular closer. An EP that has aged perfectly and will still turn heads 30 years on.
The Apricots, composed of Alexandra and DJ Slim Fit, debut on Limo Trax with 5 tracks that combine acid flecked machine workouts with UK bass weight. The Romanian duo and couple expertly marry the sounds in a package that begins with the emotional but sub-heavy 'A Split Second' and later finds itself lost in the sauce of the head-spinning 'Undertow.' It's pure underground tackle.
Kaveon launches on wax with an anonymous three-track transmission, drifting somewhere between the darker corners of minimal and the restless pulse of the UK underground. The A side moves patiently, carried by a deep, shadowy bassline, hazy pads, and groovy vocal fragments that give the track an almost cinematic tension. Turn the record over and the mood shifts gears - sharper, faster, and full of garage swing, with bouncing basslines, loose rhythms, and eccentric vocals bringing a playful edge to the floor.
Unusual Traxx welcomes Young Adults, the Dutch duo who have been making their mark in the underground scene with standout releases on Mood Waves, Private Parts, Seven Hills, and more.
Their four-track EP is a powerful showcase of groove and sound design, built around solid basslines, otherworldly synths, and some of the strangest vocals you are likely to hear. Each track is designed for a different moment of the night, taking you deeper into dark, sweaty rooms where anything can happen.
Pressed on limited edition vinyl, with only 200 copies available. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Seb Zito breaks a brief hiatus with a release on Kepler’s Perspective imprint, unveiling a refined new sound rooted in the golden era of UK tech house. Rolling basslines, tripped-out sonics and relentless looping grooves channel the raw energy of the genre’s formative years, reworked with a distinctly modern edge and serious dancefloor impact.
Built firmly for the after-hours, this four-track EP explores the deeper and more hypnotic corners of Zito’s sound, showcasing the depth and versatility of the original FUSE resident’s ever-evolving palette.
Straight from Girona, Roto lands on SPHERART Records with Sardaukar, five cuts of stripped-back electro. Dry drums, heavy basslines and raw machine funk run across the record, from broken grooves to colder, more introspective moments. Direct, restless and full of character, Sardauka carries Roto’s own language from start to finish.
Back after its first release, Life Enigma returns for a second chapter: a dark and warped dispatch from the void.
This time, the London-based artist of many aliases Zuul takes the reins, exploring moodier territory at the low end of the frequency. The result is three slow-burning, horror-flecked cuts that sit somewhere between electro and new wave, each driven by a sinister vocal. The release is rounded off by a more dancefloor-oriented remix from C.ru.z on the B2.
On the A-side, My Mind Is Mean is a driving, sub-heavy opener with menacing synths that do the title justice. It's Hell In There, It's Horror shifts into something more melodic and upbeat, with eerie textures and an ominous undercurrent.
And when we thought things couldn’t get any meaner, Ask Me sinks into haunted, mid-tempo bass hypnosis on the flipside, while C.ru.z’s remix leans further into its darker side with an even nastier groove.
Sucre Discos returns with its second vinyl release, continuing to shape the label’s identity with music made for the dancefloor.
For SUCRE02, Donnie Cosmo, Andy Somoza and Santiago Ritacco join forces across four cuts packed with groove, personality and pure club energy.
Rooted in the spirit of 90s house, but with a fresh and contemporary approach, the EP moves through infectious basslines, playful rhythms and timeless grooves designed to keep bodies moving.
SUCRE02 keeps the label’s essence alive: club music with personality, made for the dancefloor and for selectors looking for house with groove, soul and quality.
A hard to find sci-fi Detroit techno classic - it's featured everywhere from Marcel Dettmann to Zip's SW sets.- gets a timely reissue complete with a new, super solid Delano Smith remix. It's hard not to love the original in all its futuristic glory, led by a sturdy four-to-the-floor pummelling but boasting a throbbing neo-disco bassline - imagine a lost Gorgio Moroder classic being remade by Jeff Mills in PurposeMaker mode. But the Delano Smith remix updates it for modern palates, ironically by delving back even further, to the early 70s model Kraftwerk from whom he borrows some very austere but classy synth sounds and a touch of electro syncopation. Take your pick according to mood, they both do the job admirably.
A flash of light hits your eyes. Your ears hear muffled bass. As bright white fades to amber, you find yourself in a familiar place. A place you have been to many times. Though the edges of your memory are no longer sharp, the shape of it all is in your DNA.
The smell of rusted metal, dirt-covered floors that once hosted workers, machines and industry mixed with spilled beer and the sweat of a thousand bodies moving to syncopated music. As your vision comes into focus, you’re back there.
A warehouse in the former industrial part of town. You’re surrounded by hundreds of strange but familiar faces, each of you dancing into a frenzy countless times under the moonlight — moving, jumping, laughing and connecting.
Sunlight pours through warehouse windows or appears over a distant horizon.
The DJ plays a song that completes the journey you all just shared. You are desperate to hold on to the feeling of the last song that lands you safely from the night and into a new day. The feeling is deep. Pure.
Especially when communal ecstasy is juxtaposed against the edges of the warehouse floors, the intimacy of city lofts, the spiritual nature of open fields or forests.
The Custodian
I spent just shy of two decades in spaces like that — as a raver in early 1990s Los Angeles, then a DJ, producer, label owner and head of Moulton Studios in San Francisco.
The Custodian Project is a memoir of a life lived deep inside the culture and business of house music from 1990 to when I stepped away from music as a full-time life in 2015 — told through music, stories and DJ events.
Each release of new music draws inspiration from feelings, emotions and memories of that life — different rooms, different eras. It is an exploration to understand and capture what those feelings were, and in some cases still are.
The Music
This EP is the beginning. 1990. When I first found the rave and re-ordered my DNA based on the sounds, songs and feelings of that era that can be summed up in the title track — Sunrise Through Warehouse Windows.
All three tracks here are an attempt to reach back and touch those mornings again. To put the listener back in the warehouses or open spaces where we would dance as the sun rose over the horizon.
To capture what I felt back in 1990 when the night transitioned into daybreak. Bodies moving in unison. People, places and music all connect. An era before algorithms.
(tracklisting)
A1 — Sunrise Through Warehouse Windows — 7:51
B1 — *Truly Amazing — 8:16
B2 — Sunrise Through Warehouse Windows (Floating Beatless Mix) — 4:20
Written and produced by Chris Lum for Abitare Music (ASCAP)
* Written and produced by Chris Lum - Abitare Music (ASCAP) & Jay-J Hernandez Stopped in Time (ASCAP). Originally released on Leaf Recordings 2000
For Club Vision’s 15th anniversary, we wanted a record that would move beyond genre classifications, reflecting a project always driven by passion and musical discovery.
Giuglio’s CV11 follows this philosophy, with five tracks exploring different rhythms, atmospheres and sonic territories while coming together as one coherent journey.
“Spell Caster” opens the EP with dark, hypnotic Techno, blending deep basslines with an ethereal and melancholic melody. “Back in Time” moves into warmer Housy and Progressive territory, echoing the label’s sonic roots.
On the B-side, “Dumb” delivers a direct and dynamic energy, while “Transfer” brings the record to its peak with a dirty, acidic bassline and sharp melodies, built purely for the dancefloor.
The EP closes with “Made Man”, a deeper and more trippy track that brings the journey into a suspended, introspective dimension.
This solid jackin' house EP feat. PAKA PROJECT is packed with groove and a summer-ready vibe. Crafted with DJs in mind, perfect for layering, cutting basslines, and blending.. Cool brass elements, soulful textures, and hints of blues-style vocal samples woven throughout. Full pic sleeve.
Club Dream is an exclusive Daydream side project dedicated to pumpy, uplifting house music. For its second volume, the one and only Salomo steps up. The Berlin-based producer delivers four tracks combining punchy drums, driving basslines and playful melodies, somewhere between classic house and a more contemporary club sound.
Weight meets wriggle on DJ Life's five-tracker for Haŵs, and oh boy is it hefty. Gritty basslines get right under the skin, swinging drums sit deep in the pocket, and skippy FX keep things light on their feet. A murky, moody streak runs through the record, with an electric tension giving even the loosest grooves a touch of menace. Fat low end and a restless edge, with enough bite to leave a mark. Serious tackle with a wicked sense of swing, primed for the dancefloor. Use at your own peril, you’ve been warned!
Corrie is back with 3 fresh tracks, all made this year, and they're exactly what you'd want from him: fun, catchy, and built for the dancefloor. Driving percussion, basslines that stick in your head, and mischievous vocal samples weave together across all three, built to work instantly in any set.
No unnecessary frills, no gimmicks, just club house made with craft, steady groove, and that cheeky edge Corrie has kept intact throughout the years.
"Potency rolls into double figures with a new release from Malik Kassim, aka Retromigration. Following albums and singles on labels including Love On The Rocks, Rhythm Section and Wolf Music, the tenth release on Cromby's rapidly-evolving, floor-focused imprint locks into the sound of one of house music's most consistent and consistently exciting producers, seamlessly bridging the established Potency energy with a luxurious vision of the genre. 'Love Rock' summons an instant block party energy, showcasing the expert weight of Kassim's basslines, as well as hinting at the fusion of hip-hop and jazz that bubbles through the textures of the German-Nigerian producer's studio work. Meanwhile, 'I Do Dance' stays true to the promise of its title, delivering blissful sun showers of synths amid emotional pads and hints of the classic Korg M1 organ sound, a universal signal to party. Ushering in the flip, the more tightly-wound percussion of 'Neighbourhood' maintains Kassim's driving groove, while dancehall samples and dub influences expand the established Retromigration sound into new spaces. Finally, 'Go 2 Nowhere' completes the dance, masterfully blending pillowy breakdowns and wistful keys with the EP's most urgent groove. Rich in detail while keeping the floor in constant motion, 'I Do Dance' reinforces Malik Kassim's timeless touch for unmistakably modern house music."
Body2Body's first release is from its three founders: Elia, Nikizi and Axel. Three friends who've spent the last 6 years making music together. The label is new. The friendship isn't. Four tracks, each one its own room. Nikizi opens with a fearless, percussive-driven groove. Axel follows with classic, raw bassline-driven depth. Elia brings a hypnotic groove with subtle vocal infusions. Oclock closes with a jazzy hip-hop turn with tantalising vocals. A debut for the long bag. Made for the kind of nights that don't end early.
TM Shuffle teams up with Konstantin Kost to deliver a pair of deep, meticulously crafted tracks designed to transport the listener. Built on sprawling echoes, immersive reverbs, and subtle vocal textures, the duo weaves an ethereal sonic journey that resonates just as powerfully in the intimacy of your living room as it does on a packed dancefloor. On remix duties, Brenno reworks the original samples into a weightier, club-focused weapon. Stripping back the atmosphere in favor of driving dub house sensibilities, he pairs classic drum machine rhythms with crisp, dry dub aesthetics, allowing listeners to sink completely into the duo's heavy basslines. Following TM Shuffle's stellar remix on our fifth release, we are thrilled to welcome him back alongside Konstantin Kost for a release that demands your full attention.
DJ Support: Fantastic Man, Sedef Adassi, Shanti Celeste, Tornado Wallace, OK Williams
F-Man flips an early 00’s RnB classic into a haunting, West Coast–flavoured club edit with stripped drums, deep low end and sweeping strings. Summer festival favourite via Sedef Adasi & Shanti Celeste. Comes with Instrumental + a heads-down acid Bonus Bass Mix. White label, limited run.
A year or two back, original Nottingham deep house don Gavin Belton (famed for being part of Smokescreen and Drop Music-adjacent duo The Littlemen) returned to the UK after living in New Zealand. One thing led to another and soon he was back in the studio alongside former creative partner Steve Lee for the first time in 15 years. Featuring heady spoken word vocals from Hector Moralez, the result is 'House For Change', a lightly electrofunk-fired slab of classic East Midlands deep house. Raising funds for homeless charity Help The Framework, this surprise EP also includes 2004 classic 'Tell Me' (a free party deep house classic) and two fresh reworks: a TB-303-bass-driven revision of 'House For Change' by their old pals Inland Knights, and a squelchy, spacey take on 'Tell Me' by Lee under his solo alias, Positive Divide.
Milan-based independent label WEorUS Records celebrates its 10th vinyl release with WU010, a four-track Various Artists EP bringing together four distinctive names from the international minimal and deep house underground.
Moving between deep, hypnotic house, micro-minimal grooves and darker after-hours territory, WU010 is a carefully curated selection built for the dancefloor, with each track offering its own take on rhythm, atmosphere and club functionality.
Chicago veteran DJ Jes opens the record with a deep, rolling groove driven by a solid bassline, hypnotic vocal cuts and enveloping synths.
Pressure Point delivers an atmospheric micro-minimal cut, combining crisp percussion, dreamy pads and subtle melodic elements into a versatile and uplifting club track.
Romanian producer Dragosh returns with a tight piece of micro-house, built around precise drum-machine programming, organic glitches and hypnotic delay work.
Renè Audiard closes the record on a darker note, combining deep sub-bass, sparse clicks and a stripped-back nocturnal groove designed for extended after-hours sessions.
WU010 marks a decade of vinyl releases for WEorUS — four artists, four distinct approaches, one focused journey through the deeper side of the underground.
Polish rapper Wiktor Zapala aka Abel has been laying down albums and EPs for 20 odd years and now features on a new 7" with apparent production debutants Sheak and RareMatthew for Milkshake Mondays. He takes care of the A-side with 'Livin' Fast', a low slung and unhurried jam with elastic bass stretched between lazy, slouchy beats with storytelling and classic-era bars unfolding up top. Sheak/RareMatthew completely flip the script on the B-side with 'La Murga,' a Latin-flavoured sound with Spanish vocals over a live instrumental topped with horns and carnival atmospheres. Two equally effective tunes.
The “Late Loop” LP by Andy Stott is released on Modern Love and marks the producer’s return after a five-year break from the studio. The album brings Alison Skidmore, Stott’s long-time vocal partner, and for the first time Elaine Howley to the forefront; their voices are used partly as full vocal performances and partly as fragmented, pitch-shifted loops, forming the emotional center of the record. Stott largely avoided established production tricks: no basslines, no reverb, just a delay as the sole effect, giving the arrangements an unusual clarity and fragility.
“Late Loop” sits somewhere between downbeat, electronica, and leftfield, and emerged from an experimental process that ranged from drone passages and brass-like concrète moments to song-oriented structures. Rhythm often emerges indirectly here: a drum machine was played back into the room, re-recorded, and pitched down; a pump organ was recorded with a microphone placed on the floor; valves and an aging mixing console audibly contribute to the atmosphere. Lyrically, themes of separation predominate; the voices were layered multiple times, then pared back until only the essentials remained. Mastering was handled by Rashad Becker, and the cover photo is by Myriam Boulos. With “Late Loop,” Modern Love presents an austere, meticulously crafted album whose details gradually reveal themselves with repeated listening.
T. Jacques presents ‘Rowhill Trax’: - four cuts of straight-up house music, drawing on the raw sound of the ’90s and early ’00s. Heavy low-end, swinging rhythms and resonating chords run throughout, keeping things stripped back and firmly focused on the dancefloor.
Opening with ‘Worked Up (House Mix)’, a high-energy groove of filtered chords and analogue drum programming, followed by ‘Rub Down’, built around slamming, hard-hitting drums and a low-slung bassline.
Over on the B-side, ‘Under Cover’ settles into a heavy swing with big drums, low sub and classic house chords, while ‘Do It Right (Deeper)’ closes things out with a deeper sound, warm chords and swinging drums.
On the 9th instalment of MAXIMILIAN’s vinyl-only MIKROKOSMOS EP series, he returns with two atmospheric tracks: speedy Deep House and spaced-out Acid House. It’s time to squeeze the Roland TB-303 once again with our boy MAXIMILIAN, delivering two tracks that move from raw acid basslines and hypnotic grooves to deep, atmospheric territory.
Some records suggest another version of themselves.
STRIKER SECRET SERVICE is an anonymous white-label series built around that possibility.
For SSS001, Hardrock Striker takes “I Feel So Free” into different territory. Across twelve minutes, the track is dismantled and rebuilt around the pulse of late-'70s electronic disco: sequenced bass, repetition, tension and gradual release. Familiar elements remain, but the arrangement opens out, the machinery takes over and the vocal slowly becomes part of the rhythm itself.
On the reverse, the full instrumental reveals the machinery underneath : an extended DJ tool built for long blends, layering and late-night sets.
Pressed on heavyweight 180g Milky White vinyl, housed in a clear poly sleeve with the STRIKER SECRET SERVICE sticker.
For our second release, not only do we have a true artist with an extensive catalog of big releases and support. He is also our close friend. From first connecting with Joolmad as he walked through our villa in Croatia, we instantly had a bond and from that moment, we both knew sooner or later we will be bumping heads. The label was still a developing idea but Joolmad was one of the first to hear about it and see the vision. And for that we couldn’t be more thankful to have him on the second release, shaping the early chapters of Human Behaviour.
A1 taking a stripped back approach with a fast pace tempo, complimented by hypnotic sounds. A2, as soon as we heard this track we knew we had to sign it. A track that blends sub genres for a truly unique listening experience. An old war sample, techno bass line with a touch of techy drums is almost guaranteed to get hands in the air. B1 a swung feel good rhythm that fits nicely in any part of a set. Floor filling drums and light melodies is sometimes all you need! B2, taking you behind the wheel of driving you through the sun set.
Relieves debuts with its very first release, “Layers 1,” a timeless journey into house music with old-school and minimalist undertones on vinyl-only format. This foundational first chapter comes to life under the direction of producers Ronan Portela and Ariel Rodz, the label owners, who join forces with Franco Cinelli and Jorge Savoretti to solidify the sonic identity of this compilation.
On the A1, "Unison" by Ariel Rodz showcases his signature sound engineered for the dance floor, featuring wrapping basslines, percussive rhythms, musical textures, and a hypnotic groove inspired by the West Coast wave.
Followed on the A2, Franco Cinelli takes the reins with his remix of "Unison," delivering a track of his minimalist footprint with perfectly defined elements and that organic, characteristic sound that defines him.
Opening the other side on the B1, Jorge Savoretti delivers "Speziale Spaziale," a piece that radiates his signature aesthetic by flawlessly blending dancefloor flow and purist sounds with soulful melodies inspired by classic house.
Finally, the closure of this compilation arrives on the B2 with Ronan Portela's remix of Jorge's track, showcasing his rawest house music persona where he fuses percussive rhythms, synths, and a baseline that drives great dynamism and character into the end of the record.
Abacus, Analog Stories Vol. 9. Three cuts, all heat: deep basslines, swung drums, and that raw machine soul you can only get from analog gear. Built for the floor, pressed for the heads.
Inner City Sound Archives reaches its third transmission.
Six extended cuts built around the language of late-night New York disco — loose percussion, rolling basslines, open arrangements, raw repetition and the kind of long-form movement made for a room rather than a radio.
Volume Three moves deeper into the series.
Midnight Passage opens the doors slowly: nocturnal, hypnotic and suspended in motion. Afterglow stretches the groove into warmer territory, while Mercury Rising pushes toward a rougher, more physical pulse.
On the reverse, West Side Motion locks into an extended downtown groove, Golden Hours drifts between soul and after-hours disco, and Crosby Street closes the record with the stripped-back intimacy of a late-night loft cut.
Six cuts. Two sides. No filler.
Straddling an intriguing intersection of Drum & Bass, Jazz, Fusion and unidentifiable electronica, ‘You Won't Find Your Way From Here’ is the debut album from Jhauk.
An extremely talented multi-instrumentalist from Sheffield, UK, Jhauk came to Blu Mar Ten’s attention when, in 2017, he created a wild prog-rock inflected remix of BMT’s track ‘Titans’
Further conversations with Jhauk revealed the depth of his unorthodox approach to electronic music and unearthed a treasure trove of production skills, culminating in the album before you.
Oscillating between the late-night, moody calm of late 50s Miles Davis, John Coltrane & Bill Evans, the riotous 70s instrumentation of Weather Report, the modern cool stylings of Matthew Halsall and the gritty edges of modern D&B production, it’s scarcely believable that this collection of tracks came from one person working alone in their studio. With tempos and time signatures skittering all over the place, Jhauk uses genres as catalysts rather than containers, he finds the interesting stuff in the hinterlands of their structural relationships and tensions.
Talking about the album, Jhauk has strong opinions:
“Drum & Bass emerged as club music, and club music comes with its own logic. Specific structures, specific build-ups, a formula that supports that context.
That's fair enough, but almost 40 years later, why is 99% of D&B still made the exact same way when 99% of the time it's never heard in a club? The same structure, the same formula, barely any development beyond the core idea. Tracks where you can hear 10 seconds of the drop and know almost beat-for-beat how the next 5 minutes sound. No real musical depth or exploration. People regurgitating the same material ad-nauseum but never actually saying anything for themselves.
This period of composition for me was about taking what I love about D&B, the rhythmic energy and potential for creative freedom it presents and really stretching it to its limits. Of taking drum & bass as a starting point and seeing where it ends up without an idea of what that destination might be. Most people would probably never call a lot of the results D&B, but that's okay because it was never the point.”
Dripping with melancholy, euphoria, longing and pure urgency ‘You Won't Find Your Way From Here’ is unlike anything else you’ll hear this year. The sound of an artist entirely unconcerned with impressing peers or performing on ‘socials’; you're hearing a true musician at work, expressing ideas through the skill of his hands, mind and ears. The album’s secrets aren’t revealed with a single play-through, but bears (or even requires) multiple listens to expose its layers.
In previous times, they called this ‘art'.
HolyBrune begeistert mit ihrer sanften Stimme und eingängigen Toplines. Als Singer-Songwriterin und Komponistin erlangte sie erstmals Aufmerksamkeit an der Seite von Dabeull mit dem goldzertifizierten Hit „You & I“. Mit „Visions“ liefert sie eine intergalaktische Ode an die Liebe, die kosmische Romantik und Retro-Futurismus miteinander verbindet. Verspielt und luftig vereint der Track Vocoder, Talkbox, groovigen Bass und kitschige Synthesizer – eine lebendige Hommage an die 80er-Jahre und The Rah Band.
Straddling an intriguing intersection of Drum & Bass, Jazz, Fusion and unidentifiable electronica, ‘You Won't Find Your Way From Here’ is the debut album from Jhauk.
An extremely talented multi-instrumentalist from Sheffield, UK, Jhauk came to Blu Mar Ten’s attention when, in 2017, he created a wild prog-rock inflected remix of BMT’s track ‘Titans’
Further conversations with Jhauk revealed the depth of his unorthodox approach to electronic music and unearthed a treasure trove of production skills, culminating in the album before you.
Oscillating between the late-night, moody calm of late 50s Miles Davis, John Coltrane & Bill Evans, the riotous 70s instrumentation of Weather Report, the modern cool stylings of Matthew Halsall and the gritty edges of modern D&B production, it’s scarcely believable that this collection of tracks came from one person working alone in their studio. With tempos and time signatures skittering all over the place, Jhauk uses genres as catalysts rather than containers, he finds the interesting stuff in the hinterlands of their structural relationships and tensions.
Talking about the album, Jhauk has strong opinions:
“Drum & Bass emerged as club music, and club music comes with its own logic. Specific structures, specific build-ups, a formula that supports that context.
That's fair enough, but almost 40 years later, why is 99% of D&B still made the exact same way when 99% of the time it's never heard in a club? The same structure, the same formula, barely any development beyond the core idea. Tracks where you can hear 10 seconds of the drop and know almost beat-for-beat how the next 5 minutes sound. No real musical depth or exploration. People regurgitating the same material ad-nauseum but never actually saying anything for themselves.
This period of composition for me was about taking what I love about D&B, the rhythmic energy and potential for creative freedom it presents and really stretching it to its limits. Of taking drum & bass as a starting point and seeing where it ends up without an idea of what that destination might be. Most people would probably never call a lot of the results D&B, but that's okay because it was never the point.”
Dripping with melancholy, euphoria, longing and pure urgency ‘You Won't Find Your Way From Here’ is unlike anything else you’ll hear this year. The sound of an artist entirely unconcerned with impressing peers or performing on ‘socials’; you're hearing a true musician at work, expressing ideas through the skill of his hands, mind and ears. The album’s secrets aren’t revealed with a single play-through, but bears (or even requires) multiple listens to expose its layers.
In previous times, they called this ‘art'.
Loom has the privilege of releasing T-Flex ‘Reconstruct, Mutate’ – blending analogue warmth with digital clarity from the producer’s nomadic phase to deliver a widescreen yet club-ready arc of techno/electro for the connoisseur.
* Casimir: Lean, driving Detroit electro groove weighted by tight bass and percussive punch.
* Liminal: Spacey, immersive and precise modulation station.
* Mutate 2: Darker, textural, warping tension.
* Face The Infinite: Expansive synth territory – the cinematic, resonant finale.
Sextile, das in Los Angeles beheimatete Duo, das für seinen unbeugsamen, elektronischen Punk-Sound gefeiert wird, hat Details zu ihrem kommenden, starken Album „Yes, please.“ bekannt gegeben, das am 2. Mai 2025 auf Sacred Bones erscheint, sowie Pläne für eine umfangreiche Europatournee in diesem Sommer geteilt. Sextile, die sich derzeit mit ihren Labelkollegen Molchat Doma auf einer großen US-Tournee befinden, kündigen ihr neues Album mit der Single „Freak Eyes“ an, die ihren dunklen, pulsierenden Sound in neue Höhen treibt. Der Song beginnt mit einem fiesen Bass-Growl, das abrupt in einen Techno-Beat übergeht, der mit klirrender Kuhglocke und scharfer Hi-Hat gespickt ist. „I feel the pressure / Man the pressure I feel when we're together“, singt Sänger Brady Keehn kühl, aber bestimmt, in den ersten Zeilen. Inspiriert von der Art und Weise, wie Druck sowohl Herausforderungen als auch Verbesserungen hervorrufen kann, beschwört „Freak Eyes“ elektrisierende Bilder von schäbigen Hinterzimmern auf dem Sunset Strip und von in Leder gekleideten Tanzflächen in Lagerhäusern herauf.
Manche Bands finden ihren Groove und bleiben dabei, andere erfinden sich ständig neu. Sextile gehört zu den letzteren, die den Nervenkitzel einer sich ständig verändernden Landkarte genießen. Das Duo Melissa Scaduto und Brady Keehn aus Los Angeles macht Musik mit Lebenslust und lässt sich dabei von No Wave bis Hardstyle inspirieren. Ihr neuestes Album „yes, please.“ stößt in kühnes Neuland vor, indem es anarchisches Elektro-Feuer mit rohen persönlichen Erinnerungen verbindet - und mit genug aufgemotzten Bässen, um ein oder zwei Boxen zum Platzen zu bringen. „yes, please.“ ist ein Album der Kontraste: eine verletzliche Platte, die ihre Seele ebenso entblößt wie sie im Exzess schwelgt und zeigt, wie weit man seinen Sound treiben kann, wenn man seine Hemmungen abschüttelt. Zusammen verraten die beiden ein Selbstvertrauen, das niemals schwankt, und machen einen kühnen Spritzer auf dem schnellen Intro mit einer Rave-Sirene, die aus einer New Yorker Hausparty der `00er oder einem verschwitzten Brooklyn-Lagerhaus stammt. Auch der Geist des Electroclash pirscht sich an das Gebäude heran, zeigt seine Identität bei den mit Kuhglocken gespickten Donnerschlägen von „Freak Eyes“ und „Rearrange“ und sorgt mit „Women Respond to Bass“ für eine schmutzige Dancefloor-Bombe. „Push Ups“ - mit dem Gesang von Jehnny Beth - ist pure Muskelmusik, gestärkt durch einen wummernden Bass und ergänzt durch Synthies, die so hart hämmern wie Hagelkörner auf einem Glasdach. Aber hinter den Slogans, der Frechheit und der monstermäßigen Tanzenergie verbirgt sich eine Intimität, die man nur finden kann, wenn man sich über schmerzhafte, lebensverändernde Ereignisse öffnet. „Hospital“ und ‚Soggy Newports‘ reflektieren Scadutos erschütternde Erfahrungen in einer staatlichen Einrichtung in New York nach einem beinahe tödlichen Unfall. „Resist“ befasst sich mit Abtreibungsrechten, während ‚Penny Rose‘ das amerikanische Bildungswesen, künstliche Intelligenz und zukünftige Generationen thematisiert. Scadutos elastischer Gesang glänzt überall, von den messerscharfen Synthesizern von „S is For“ bis zu den Trance-Pop-Höhen von „Kids“ mit Izzy Glaudini von Automatic. „yes, please.“ ist eine actiongeladene Dance-Platte, vollgestopft mit wilden, berauschenden Gassenhauern, aber im gleichen Atemzug auch ein Zeugnis dafür, zu leben und niemals zurückzuschauen. Indem sie sich für eine neue, „befreiende“ Art des Musikmachens öffnen, haben Sextile ihr bisher kreativstes Werk geschaffen. Bisher, denn man spürt einfach, dass sie noch so viel mehr zu geben haben.
Maltese talent Human Safari debuts on Mutual Rytm with jazz-influenced techno EP, 'Culture Shock'.
Human Safari is a key player in his native scene in Malta. He's a resident at Glitch Festival, has played cult spots, and has a dynamic sound that brings jazz improvisation to techno, often featuring live instrumental elements. His music has found its place on top labels like R&S Records, and most of this new EP for SHDW's Mutual Rytm imprint was produced during his Colombian summer tour last year - written and recorded amongst inspiring and unusual settings with just a laptop and headphones.
"This EP represents embracing new beginnings that, though might bring uncertainty and fear, the
light always guides you to where you were always meant to be." - Human Safari.
Opener 'Mouse on Keys' has been a key cut for the label boss across the past year, a unique track that peaks curiosity from dancers to DJs whenever it's played. Its cantering techno rhythm is overlaid with delicate, heartfelt piano keys straight from a smoky jazz bar, making for a great counter to the physical drums. 'Fragments' is a deeply personal track dedicated to the artist's late grandfather. It's a funky, soulful techno roller with blissed-out and sunny chords full of hope.
Next, 'Classique' gets more gritty with loopy drums and bass and glitchy percussion that fizzes with energy, while 'The Labyrinth' features piano motifs recorded in just one take. It brings a dark paranoia in the uneasy, off-grid keys which dart about with nervous energy over the booming low ends. There is just as much intensity and edge to the unresolved keys that loop over the raw drums on 'A Rainy Day in Bogota', before digital bonus cuts 'Dorian' and 'Phantom' bring more jazzed out techno madness with warped keys and expressive elements bringing great invention.
The free folk/jazz sound of modern Los Angeles. Featuring a heavy bunch of musicians and vocalists including Moor Mother.
"Fearlessly Accessing the Divine Spirit From Here on Out" is the vinyl debut from pianist, composer, and producer Diego Gaeta. He has previously released projects as Club Diego and with the trio Human Error Club (whose members Mekala Session and Jesse Justice helped produce this record). He has quickly become a fixture in a number of Los Angeles musical environments, working with Lionmilk, The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Carlos Niño, Black Nile among others. This album is a synthesis of these many LA environments, and carries chamber, jazz, ambient, and folk influences, ultimately giving it an uncategorizable feel similar to works by Arthur Verocai or David Axelrod.
Gaeta recorded the initial ideas for the album by himself after experiencing a burst of creativity during the lockdown of 2020, in the aftermath of a season of protests in Los Angeles, on a piano at his home in El Sereno. "I was constantly not in tune with myself, always awaiting outrage and tragedy in a very unstable world. However, hitting the streets in support of various ongoing pandemic community actions felt necessary and it marked a point in time that ushered in large societal changes. The weight of that era made me feel allergic to making art at the time. All of these ideas came after that period, expressing my reflections subconsciously. I remember that the ideas came in a short amount of time, and then they developed."
Once he had created the tracks as Ableton sessions, he realized the gravity and context of how he was processing his ideas so he, as he puts it, "felt like taking them outside the hands of midi and into the hands of friends." Gaeta was able to assemble his dream band, which ended up being a 9-piece ensemble, or a nonet. "I felt that at some point I was channeling the geometrical balance of that nonet...it's almost as if I had a sextet and then the three of the sextet that's not the rhythm section were doubled. It's a really dense sextet, that's how I see it."
The recording process began the following summer in June 2021 as the musicians were all adjusting to the newfound dynamic of getting tested for COVID, waiting a few days, and then meeting up to record. "We were eating Indian food, some of us were smoking, it was a nice memory, but I felt a little stressed, because I was the bandleader, and I felt the emotional weight of my music."
The title track and single, featuring vocals by Jimetta Rose, begins with a speech by Gaeta delivered when playing with Black Nile in 2019 at the Levitt Amphitheatre in MacArthur park. Gaeta provides the following account: "Even though it was in 2019, socio-political tensions and issues were at the forefront for me at that time. I wrote a speech that was intended to be critical of the US but it ended up becoming a collage inspired by different women that had messages of freedom that spoke to me the most. I quoted Nina Simone and Georgia Anne Muldrow, it wasn't something that I read but something that she said "kicking it with consciousness and style" that phrase stuck with me, so I used it in that speech. Although critical, the speech had a positive feeling to it, and it was hopeful. I gave that speech while fireworks were going off."
Moor Mother & Zeroh are found on their respective tracks, Memory Screen & Eccolo - both delivering a distinct, commanding vocal performance. Low Leaf colors the track Soft Spot with harp, a beautiful ballad nestled in the center of the album. Other players include Gregory Uhlmann on guitar, Jon Kaye on violin, Devin Daniels on alto saxophone, Caleb Buchanan on bass, Dante Luna on vibraphone, Patrick Behnke on viola, Bryan Baker on tenor saxophone/flute, and Mekala Session on drums.
"I’d like for us tonight to embody a freedom oriented life. Freedom isn’t just a dream, it’s a place we must all arrive at together, as one by one the people of the Earth help each other to be Free of power, hate, and insecurities. Let’s kick it with consciousness and style. Can y’all dig that? YEAH. I can too. So now we’d like to present to you a spiritual transmission I like to call: 'Fearlessly Accessing the Divine Spirit of Freedom From Here On Out.' YEAH" - Diego Gaeta
SHDW & Obscure Shape are back with their second EP for 2023, following their debut release on their mothership label From Another Mind. The German duo's latest release, 'Basic Instinct', is a collection of five dancefloor anthems that provide the perfect soundtrack for any moment in a set. The EP features their signature die-cut cover and includes a digital bonus track.
'Basic Instinct' is the 12th installment of their Mutual Rytm label and showcases the pair's exceptional production skills and innovative approach to electronic music, with a mix of old and new school flavors, vivid drum programming, organic percussion and captivating melodic elements. The A-side kicks off with their signature track 'Eraser', which blends crisp drums with warm sub-bass and piercing synth stabs.
"Dancer in the Dark" takes a deeper dive into late-night territory, combining lush dub-influenced synths with a rolling acid bassline. "Disturbing Behaviour" closes the A-side and shows why the 303 has become an iconic tool for producers. Despite the sirens dominating around the breakdowns, the simple two-tone acid stab is the defining element of the track, complemented by amen-break leaning drums that hint at a UK rave direction.
The B-side goes in a different direction, with 'Memories of Nobody' taking a filtered and less aggressive approach, as echoing dub pads gather around a growling bassline and kick drum combination, topped off by brushed hats. The EP concludes with 'The Last Seduction', a track that reveals the full organic breadth of the previously hinted at Amen break. The fusion of said amen break with the warmth and familiarity of waxing and waning pads is reminiscent of the golden days of electronic music. With its expertly crafted soundscapes and diverse range of styles, 'Basic Instinct' is yet another stunning release from SHDW & Obscure Shape.
Chontane returns to Mutual Rytm with a more raw and aggressive sound than before across six powerful new tracks on his latest EP, 'Permanent'.
Berlin-based Ukrainian DJ/producer Chontane has had a busy twelve months. Capped off by recently launching his own new TANE label, the exciting talent has been working hard to reinvent and refresh his sound in the studio. Mastering new techniques to push things to the next level, this EP and return to SHDW & Obscure Shape's Mutual Rytm proves he has succeeded and then some. Where previous works on the likes of ARTS and Rekids were full and more melodic, here he has restricted himself and gone for a more visceral sound. Developed and built in all new ways with an innovative approach to sound design and arrangement, the tracks on the package showcase a more serious and harder-hitting side to his sound as he unveils his impactful 'Permanent' EP.
Opener 'Graze' has a monstrous feel to it, with ghoulish synth loops and industrial textures all coming on strong and heavy. As it bangs along, incendiary hi-hats and lithe pads all bring extra weight and detail. 'Cumaru' is a highpaced techno workout with a frenzy of synths and percussion, all making for dense layers of heavily textured sound. 'Schima' brings some big techno bounce in the drums and more hurried, rusty synth loops that lock you into the darkness. Showing yet another side, 'Lauan' is a little more paired back with pounding tribal grooves and bright synths, bringing relentless yet funk-fuelled intensity. 'Vevis' is the most melodic of the lot - a heavy track but with subtle optimism in the rising background synths that will surely get hands in the air.
Last of all is digital bonus 'Makore', a cauldron of intensity with scraping hits and relentless drums, vastly oversized hi-hats and slamming bass. This high-impact, beautifully brutal yet groove-heavy techno takes Chontane's sound into new realms, and delivers an impressive return on a label continuing to push the genre forward.
Die Gründungsmitglieder von Mojave 3 sind Sänger/Gitarrist Neil Halstead, Bassistin/Sängerin Rachel Goswell und Schlagzeuger Ian McCutcheon. Die Band trat 1995 erstmals in Erscheinung, als ein Demo mit sechs Tracks 4AD so sehr beeindruckte, dass ihnen ein Plattenvertrag angeboten wurde - trotz des damals vorherrschenden musikalischen Klimas des selbstbewussten Britpop, der scheinbar völlig im Widerspruch zu dem stand, was Mojave 3 machten. Diese Unvereinbarkeit war kaum überraschend, wenn man bedenkt, dass Halstead, Goswell und McCutcheon zuvor Mitglieder der prägenden Shoegaze-Band Slowdive waren, während Gitarrist Simon Rowe zuvor bei den Dream-Pop-Verwandten von Chapterhouse gespielt hatte. Das Debütalbum von Mojave 3, Ask Me Tomorrow, war eine erfrischend reduzierte Sammlung von Songs, die sich kaum von den ursprünglichen Demos unterschied. Halsteads melodische, von Folk und Country geprägte Stücke wurden wohlwollend (wenn auch etwas oberflächlich) mit Künstlern wie Nick Drake, den Cowboy Junkies und Bob Dylan verglichen.
‘Italo Disco Compilation V1’ Italo Hub delivers a refreshing various-artists compilation where four distinct voices reinterpret Italo Disco through their own lens.
Featuring contributions from Philipp Lauer, K!pz, Marta Paradise and Marcello Giordani, this release seamlessly blends nostalgia with forward-thinking production.
The A-side opens with Lauer’s “Buongiorno”, a sun-soaked anthem packed with signature grooves and an unmistakable Italo flair. K!pz follows with “Notte di Sicilia”, a darker, more introspective cut, fusing driving Hi-NRG basslines with sentimental melodies.
On the B-side, Marta Paradise delivers “Please Don’t Let Me Go (A-U-A-I)”, an irresistible floor weapon driven by a catchy vocal hook and shimmering synth work. Closing the record, Italo Deviance’s “Hyperactive (1983 Mix)” dives deep into nocturnal territory—an atmospheric electro piece built on repetition, texture, and immersive energy.
An essential release for lovers of contemporary Italo Disco with a deep respect for its roots—equally suited for the dancefloor and the record bag.
Bruno Berle is a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and figurehead of a contemporary Brazilian music movement. With a quiet mastery of songwriting and an astonishing voice, his music has won hearts around the world. Since the release of his debut album No Reino Dos Afetos (2022), Berle has performed across the UK, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and China, only leaving his home country for the first time in 2023. Shaped by these journeys, Berle’s third studio album, Sem Fronteiras (Without Borders), reflects a utopian vision of a unified world.
Recorded across London, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Germany, and Maceió, the album–co-produced alongside his longstanding musical partner Batata Boy–is the most expansive canvas Berle has worked on to date. Shot through with the imagery that has always animated his songwriting: open skies, morning light, vivid colours and the magic of human connection, Berle’s carefully crafted poetics and warm, delicate instrumentation drive this vivid body of work.
“I came from nothing”–Berle doesn’t take his rise to global prominence for granted.
Born to a working class family from Brazil’s northeastern Alagoas state, one of Brazil’s most economically deprived, Bruno moved frequently in his youth to follow any job opportunities his parents could find, before eventually settling in the coastal capital of Maceió. “I used to travel to Caruaru, Santa Cruz, Recife, Garanhuns, Arapiraca, which I loved and feel it made me ready to be in this rhythm i’, but at the same time I think not having friends from childhood and being in constant change made me a little numb to the constant upheaval”. On Sem Fronteiras, there is a similar duality at play. The album celebrates the collective joy and human connection that live touring brings, but it also sits with the darker realities of crossing borders. While music moves more freely around the world than ever before, our bodies are not granted the same privilege.
Though he’s never lacked self-belief, Berle recognises that talent alone doesn’t guarantee opportunity. “Before my second album No Reino Dos Afetos 2 everything I had ever recorded was made with the help and kindness of people who believed in my ability”. Determined to pay that kindness forward and help others from the sharp end of Brazil’s desperately unequal society, Berle produced and featured on the recent self-titled albums by his northeast Brazilian compatriots, Nyron Higor and Phylipe Nunes Araújo (both 2025), helping propel both onto the international stage. In turn, following the successes of Nyron & Phylipe’s albums alongside his own, Bruno finds himself at the forefront of a thriving community of artists now based in São Paulo, but primarily originating from northeastern states like Alagoas and Pernambuco.
Much like the famed Clube Da Esquina movement that spawned in 1970’s Minas Gerais, they operate with a free-exchange of ideas, writing songs with and for each other, performing on each other’s albums and on the live circuit together. Lead single ‘Manha’ flows from this ethos. It was written by Berle’s friend and fellow Alagoan João Menezes (writer of ‘Ate Meu Violao’ and ‘Te Amar Eterno’ from Bruno’s previous albums) and Marvin Viera, and originally recorded on their 2018 album Areia e Mar.
Sem Fronteiras opens with ‘Você Já Sabe Que Eu Te Amo’, just six beats of one nylon guitar chord ring out before changing key, paving the way for the gentle strike of fender rhodes and the arresting call & response duet between Berle and Higor. On ‘Amor Inteiro’, the album reaches a celebratory burst of catharsis, with the punch-packing drums of Pedro Lacerda and Nina Maia’s joyous backing vocals encapsulating the live energy that Berle and his band bring to the stage.
With the abundant talents of this musical community at its heart, Sem Fronteiras releases 10th July 2026 via Far Out Recordings, supported by a summer tour across Europe. Bruno Berle will perform in a four-piece band alongside Nyron Higor, Phylipe Nunes, and Batata Boy, culminating in an appearance at Roskilde festival, Berle’s biggest live show to date. He’ll continue to carry a hopeful vision of a world where artists and musicians can move as freely as their music flows.
Tracklist:
A1 “Você Já Sabe Que Eu Te Amo”
(Nyron Higor / Bruno Berle)
Nyron Higor – drums, bass, acoustic guitar, electric piano, synthesizers, vocals
Bruno Berle – piano, vocals
Batata Boy – piano
Jorik Bergman – score preparation and conducting
Klara Gronet – violin
Ségolène de Beaufond – violin
Cristina Ardelean Montelongo – viola
Ilektra Stevi – cello
A2 “Não Posso Viver Sem Você”
(Batata Boy / Bruno Berle)
Batata Boy – electric piano, organ, synthesizer
Bruno Berle – drums, bass, synthesizer, vocals
Jorik Bergman – score preparation and conducting
Klara Gronet – violin
Ségolène de Beaufond – violin
Cristina Ardelean Montelongo – viola
Ilektra Stevi – cello
A3 “A Noite de Estrelas”
(Nyron Higor / Bruno Berle)
Nyron Higor – synthesizers
Bruno Berle – bass, drums, vocals
A4 “Outra Noite”
(Bruno Berle)
Nyron Higor – drums
Bruno Berle – acoustic guitar, bass
Felipe Berle – congas
Lucca Francisco – guitar, vocals
B1 “Amor Inteiro”
(Bruno Berle)
Pedro Lacerda – drums, choir
Nyron Higor – bass, choir
Batata Boy – guitars, organ, electric piano, choir
Nina Maia – choir
Bruno Berle – guitars, acoustic guitar, congas, vocals
B2 “Ideias Mágicas”
(Batata Boy / Bruno Berle)
Heloisa Alvino – trombone
Batata Boy – synthesizers, beats, electric piano, organ, bass
Bruno Berle – synthesizer, vocals
B3 “Vim Dizer”
(Batata Boy / Bruno Berle)
Batata Boy – electric piano, organ, synthesizer
Thomas Stankiewicz – synthesizer
Nyron Higor – synthesizer
Bruno Berle – acoustic guitar, bass, vocals
B4 “Tô Assim”
(Bruno Berle)
Bruno Berle – acoustic guitars
Batata Boy – synthesizer
Nyron Higor – bass, synthesizer
B5 “Manhã”
(João Menezes / Marvin Silva)
Bruno Berle – acoustic guitar, vocals, congas, shaker
Batata Boy – piano, shaker, electric piano, vibraphone, synthesizers
Nyron Higor – drums, bass
B6 “Sem Fronteiras”
(Bruno Berle)
Filipe Mariz – guitar
Bruno Berle – acoustic guitar, vocals, bass
Jennifer Souza – vocals, acoustic guitar
Rudson França – drums
Credits:
Produced by Bruno Berle and Batata Boy
Mixed and mastered by Bruno Berle, Batata Boy and Felipe Berle
Audio engineering:
Nyron Higor (track 1 – production; track 4 with Felipe Berle)
Joe Osborne (tracks 7 and 9)
Victor Gelling (strings on tracks 1 and 2)
Filipe Mariz (track 10)
Photography: Claudio Virgínio
Design: Minchai
Recorded in:
Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Tamandaré, Pernambuco, Brazil
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
London, England
Cologne, Germany
Those with long memories may remember the hush-hush Needlewreckordz imprint, an outlet that delivered B-more club, Miami bass and house style versions of r&b and hip-hop jams. Here the same crew returns with two killer cuts that once again make use of uncredited soul vocals. A-side 'FloYes' is a genuine triumph, with sensual (sampled) vocals, synth-sax, heavy sub-bass and deep, languid piano motifs rising above an infectious bossa-house beat. Over on side B, 'Motto Talk (Degrassi Mix)' sounds like South African deep house with a twist - all DJ Mojave beats, warped sub-bass, heady soul vocal samples and raw synth-strings. Excellent stuff all told.
Don't Know How To Change: a timeless house music masterpiece.
Since Julian Lindsey slid smoothly into the New York House scene back in 2014, he has become renowned for his sharp musical intuition, slick selections and a symbiotic relationship with the crowd. He takes the groove on the record and transmits it to the groove on the dancefloor.
Don't Know How To Change is Julian Lindsey’s debut EP, released on the Sound of Vast. The title track is smooth beyond belief, funky house keys and a laid back soulful vocal work with the bass to make your hips start to move, before a house backbeat takes you by the hand onto the dancefloor. At 3:15 mins, Julian Lindsey plays his ace card with a TB-303 acid tweak drenched with emotion. Just superb. The Subb-an Dubmix stays true to the original, claps and snares bring a dancefloor immediacy, the vocal line chopped to bring the funk. Ibiza will go wild for this Dubmix.
Miami Air starts with a Funktion-1-lovin’ deep velvet groove. Close your eyes and you can almost smell that dusky, warm Atlantic coast beach at sunset, driving with the roof down as the lights start to twinkle across Vice City and the bass drum beats through your fulcrum. A perfect companion for Don’t Know How To Change. Francesca Lombardo’s remix takes Miami Air from dusk to deep night, A mini Moog 4/4, rimshot claps and a vintage synth line guides you past midnight onto the dark, humid dancefloor where bodies writhe.
Julian Lindsey tells us more: The EP is really the story of my relationship with house music and a snapshot of where I was in my life when I made these tracks. I have an obsession with house music that is borderline unhealthy. The sound is rooted in 2010s house music, which is the era where my love for house music really developed.
東京 / アムステルダムを股にかけるレーベルSound Of Vast から、NYC拠点のアーティスト Julian LindseyによるデビューEPをリリース！
レイドバックしたグルーヴに物憂げなコードとスムースなヴォーカルが踊るレイトナイト・ダンサー"Don't Know How To Change"、現代的でクリスピーなタッチと虚飾を捨てた洗練が宿る"Miami Air”。新鋭と聞いて疑いたくもなる研ぎ澄まされた感覚からは、さながら10年代「Pampa」や「Smallville」作品のメランコリア、Galcher Lustwerkのロウなアウトサイダー・ハウス、あるいはRed Pig FlowerやThe MoleによるSound Of Vast 原典を思い出す。実際Julian Lindsey自身、この年代のディープ・ハウスへの熱狂からキャリアを始めているようだ。
A-2には Sound Of Vast への帰還を果たしたベルリンのベテラン Subb-anの、B-2にはUK拠点のFrancesca Lombardoによるリミックスを収録。ここ数年「X-Kalay」やThomas Melchiorの「My King Is Light」等からプログレッシヴな快作を飛ばすSubb-anがアクアティックに再構築した前者、期待以上のサイケデリックなテクスチャーで時間感覚を狂わせる後者。それぞれの卓越したサウンドメイクで昇華されたDJツールが出揃っており、いずれも現代ダンスフロアからの要請に真正面から応えてくれるはずだ。
本作はJulian Lindseyのバイオグラフィーの第1弾を飾るエヴァーグリーンなディープ・ハウス作品であると同時に、常にダンサーを見つめてきた Sound Of Vast から送り出された、信頼のおけるフロア・フレンドリーなEPでもある。
Peach Discs celebrates peak western-hemisphere summer with the perfectly-timed-and-titled "Soft Serve Summer" EP from I. JORDAN. We were delighted when they sent us these tunes, which represent a brighter, housier and more personal side to their sound than many have seen before. Inspired by their recent tour of Australia, the EP (named after the title track that got the ball rolling on the other side of the planet) bottles a loose, sun-kissed feeling across all five tracks that's keen to be unleashed at festivals, beaches and dancefloors worldwide.
Opener "Your Love" boots things off in style, sitting somewhere between Power House and French Touch as layers of oscillating synths, percolating drums and vocal chops take turns in the spotlight – but when all's said and done it's the bassline that gets the flowers, duh.
Things turn a little more introspective on "Little Tinker", as the titular bells sprinkled throughout summon up something…else? Whatever you think that is, the muscular bassline once again keeps us grounded, as washes of dreamy synths lap at the shore and everything is in its right place, before the urgent organ stabs and diva moans of "Soft Serve Summer" pull us straight back to the middle of the floor.
The A side kicks off with an infectious bass-heavy hypnotizer from DEMARKUS LEWIS. FRANK AMODO's remix adds a funky twist with a rubbery bass line and filtered keys. JOSH STONE crafts an absolute masterpiece of chunky disco that will be played for years to come on the B side.
Innate launched out of Bristol in 2018 as an extension of a well-respected blog run by Owain K, and is now one of the more cultured outlets in the realm of advanced techno. This ninth 12" heads across the Irish Sea for a split EP featuring top heads Eddie Reynolds aka TR One and Americhord. The former goes first with the snappy drums and reverberating bass twangs of 'We Lost An Hour' before 'I'm Alone' zones out into more widescreen and far-sighted deep techno laced with malleable acid lines. Americhord then keeps it deep with the interplanetary 'Parallax', a supple, comforting cocoon of synth and bass warmth before flipping into kicking electro territory on 'Sub Level'. Proper classy tackle.
Freerange welcomes Italian via Berlin producer/DJ/label boss Enzo Elia for his debut on the label entitled The Lost Guitar Tapes. Enzo is someone who has been releasing consistently great music for many years, although
often hidden behind a myriad of pseudonyms and underground imprints. For starters he's responsible for a mysterious yet established and very excellent edits label as well as being a member of Balearic Gabba Sound System alongside Bjorn Torske amongst others. Following the philosophy of this collective, Enzo is also producing lovingly and respectfully created re-edits of long lost techno and house tracks as well as many new tunes
for influential labels including Golf Channel and Compost.
But for now we turn to The Lost Guitar Tapes and specifically the original mix of Drifting which opens up the release with a brilliant tension builder. A rolling bassline, crisp minimal drums and a subtly Middle Eastern-influenced melodic line give just a hint of mysticism to this jewel of a track.
For the remix we have none other than the Tel Aviv via Berlin producer Moscoman, fresh from his brilliant debut LP on ESP Institute and releases on Eskimo and his own Disco Halal label. Moscoman's organic, percussion- heavy sound and Middle Eastern roots make him the perfect choice to take
on Drifting and we couldn't have wished for a better outcome. He manages to inject his own identity to the track with newly recorded live guitar and bass parts and taking in elements of techno, new wave and house, he's created a sublime piece of dancefloor drama. Finally we have an alternate Dub version which lays down a firmer four on the floor, extra percussion and dubby stabs for a more driving atmospheric club tool.
Skinned' ( released digitally in 2020) - the debut album from Danish composer, producer and singer ML Buch.
Comes with lyrics printed the inner sleeve.
After releasing her debut EP Fleshy in 2017 - Skinned that takes her expansive guitar work and catchy melodies to another territory.
With her unique experimental pop and vocals that seem to slide into your ears as fluorescent liquid, ML Buch portrays the reality of intimacy in a digital era. Working primarily with synthetic midi sounds, the general love of songwriting and guitar music is ever present.
As if in search for something real, ML Buch takes the listener on the other side of the skin. Led by tender love songs like I’m A Girl You Can Hold IRL and Can’t Get Over You With You we journey through her throat and into her intestines, discovering a fascinating realm of shiny mucus and bile in flesh and yellowish colors. Panoramic images were captured by a small pill camera travelling through the body of ML Buch and act as extensions of the architecture of the music. This literal way of internalizing modern technology is symbolic of Skinned where eclectic instrumental compositions share the space with strong hooks and ML Buch’s spherical voice.
credits
All songs composed, arranged and produced by ML Buch
All lyrics by ML Buch
‘Touching Screens’, ‘O’ and ‘I Feel Like Giving You Things’ co-written by Oliver Nehammer
Bass on Can You Hear My Heart Leave, Touching Screens and Mw by Johan Polder
Drums on Touching Screens and Mw by Kristof Gasior
Viola on Stone Bridge by Astrid Sonne
Midi drums and keys on Touching Screens by Oliver Nehammer
Mix by ML Buch, Oliver Nehammer & Jacob Brøndlund
Mastered by ET Mastering
Cover photo by David Stjernholm
Artwork by Aske Zidore and ML Buch
Sticky Plastik returns with its fourth album. Side A features two peak-time tech-house cuts by Romanian artist Mar.c., while Side B resonates with warm-up and after-hours deep house from South African producer Saunter.
A1 “Errand" is hypnotic and driving tech-house groove built around stripped-back percussion, rolling low-end pressure, and subtle tension. “Errand” delivers a raw late-night energy designed for peak-time dancefloors. A2 “Advised” refines a rhythmic journey with crisp drums, infectious grooves, and atmospheric textures. It balances deep minimal elements with dancefloor momentum, making it equally effective in intimate clubs and larger spaces. Side B opens with “Memories of Venice”, a dark and emotional composition enriched by an unfiltered acid bassline and deep tech-house aesthetics, the kind of track made for dimly lit and intimate environments. The closing track, “Plastik Dreams”, is a deep and airy composition, perfect for warm-up sessions or open-air settings surrounded by nature.
STAR CREATURE is proud to welcome aboard a new collaboration between some of the globe’s heaviest funkers. French disco collective Spaced Out Krew (S.O.K.) and Geneva’s Ghostape have teamed up for two sides of cosmonautical freaky mutant funk selected from vaults by label-head TIM ZAWADA. Drawing inspiration from the backroom and basement boogie bombs of yesteryear, the krew has assembled 2 giant cuts of bass heavy, booty shakers with a dangerous feeling twist, perfect alternative cuts to keep a set on the edge.
Large Kimono by Praecox touches down on BPitch, channeling austere textures,head-down minimalism, and relentless floor pressure into a widescreen, afterhours voyage.
Warsaw’s Jurek Prze?dziecki, aka Praecox, fuses abstraction with dancefloor intensity. On this record, tension, groove, and subtle emotion weave into a club-focused yet expansive narrative - acid-tinged motifs, rolling subs, and textured synth layers crafting immersive sonic spaces for both peak-time impact and deep listening.
Opening track, Large Kimono, sets the tone immediately: arpeggios surge and retreat in a restless rave-like momentum, anchored by a sense of harmonic balance. Funeral Buddy collapses time, conjuring a 1968 bar scene. Haunting, playful synths twist around a voice that blends memory and imagination. On System Combi, acid melodies crash into robotic chants, while fractured percussion tears through colliding sonic worlds. From there, Lorenz Attractor expands the scope, weaving Brazilian favela vocals into rolling percussion and a deep, kinetic bassline. Warm analog chords meet raw emotional edge, crafting a dancefloor architecture that feels both intimate and expansive.
Taken as a whole, the EP is a study in contrast and continuity: physical yet introspective, precise yet unruly. It reinforces Praecox’s position as an artist unconcerned with trends, focused instead on building immersive electronic worlds that hit hard on the dancefloor while offering layered detail for those who dive in.
The SuckaSide duo have tagged in label regular LROY once more for another irresistible blend of classics on this crucial new 7". 'Pacific Life' kicks off with a laid-back, deep and elastic fusion of a house classic and a rave staple, reimagining both as blissed-out warmth with instantly recognisable vocals and loon bird samples. On the flip, the beats become even slower and more swaggy, with sunny chords lighting them up and real Caribbean heat fusing with elephantine bass. These tunes are high-level blends that are playful and immediately effective but never cheap or obvious.
Diso Gram is based in Barcelona and deals in global disco, nu-disco and edits with in-house production from we don't know who, but we do know they're skilled in the studio. 'Bobby' is a life-affirming opener with proud trumpets and classic disco vocals before 'The King' taps into a funky bassline and slapping hits that all feel wonderfully live. 'Me Enciendes' brings more strutting disco house with massive claps and falsetto vocals that will take any crowd to a better place and 'Tropical' closes the account with a more subdued, early evening dub-disco builder with Afro flourishes.
Anyone lucky enough to have lived through the 90s will know that Coco Steel & Lovebomb were a key acid house duo who dropped early tunes on Warp and penned a number of underground anthems including 'Feel It'. Now they are back with new tunes on Coco's Disappear label and the remit, stylise, is wide. This EP opens with gentle breaks and dubby undercurrents on 'El Acido,' which has already become a favourite after its digital release. DJ Rocca remixes with a blissed-out energy and 'Our Thing' (named after Coco's new party in Hastings) then taps into a more expressive sound world with new age pads, affirmation vocals and dusty broken beats plus lashings of bass. A dub version of the same tune, named Dub Thing, closes down with aplomb.
London groover Sam Shelly plays everything from new jack swing to boogie, disco to soul, jazz funk to soulful house, and much of that feeds into his work in the studio. After outings on the likes of Midnight Riot, he now features on Soul Service Sabrosura with a new 7" full of love, life and soul. 'Spirit Love' is a life-enriching funk and jazz fusion with positive messages in the celebratory vocals, drama in the horns and killer groove in the drums and bass. On the flip, 'The Latin Strut' is a much quicker funk workout with shades of 60s styles and the narrative flow of a cop chase. It's a brilliant flip side to complete a gorgeous 45.
CEPX002 is around the corner and marks the second chapter of the X Series on CEP Records. With this release we welcome vinyl head Eubo from Glasgow to the label. From the first track he sent us it was clear that this is the direction we want to push. A strong old-school influence, shaped by vinyl culture and the energy of the early two thousands. The connection felt natural from the start.
A1 'Iron' is probably the most intense track on the record. A rolling bassline, sharp and slippy drums, and a lead that lays over the track with deep mids. It brings a short moment of calm, while the drive stays constant. A2 'Aluminium' stands out with its clear high hats and a modular synth that recalls sweaty and dark mornings. The sound has a slightly hypnotic and metallic touch. On the B side, 'Steel' moves through the interplay of its synths. The kick and bass stay steady and driving. A timeless track that can underline the peak moments in a DJ set. Closing the release is 'Lead'. It brings a funky bass together with serious, almost contrasting synth stabs.
X-Coast unveils 9-track 2xLP The Riviera Collection on his label Riviera Records.
Hot on the heels from remixing instant dance hits such as Shygirl's '4eva' and DJ Gigola's 'La Batteria' and spotted in the studio with adored vocalists Eartheater and Miss Bashful, Serbian-born, NYC-based DJ/producer X-Coast returns with a collection of signature tracks that feel like the lost treasure chest of his dance island.
X-Coast is your favorite DJ's favorite producer, whose tracks you’ve undoubtedly danced to, whether on a massive festival stage or at an intimate, underground rave. Over the past decade, he has quietly but consistently shaped the pulse of dancefloors worldwide, with a distinctive style that traverses genres like house, techno, electro, drum and bass, and trance. This rare versatility has led X-Coast to release on the likes of Mall Grab’s Steel City Dance Discs, Diplo’s Higher Ground, Anetha’s Mama Told Ya and DJ Haus’s Unknown To The Unknown, to name a few.
What sets X-Coast apart is not just his ability to move fluidly between styles but the unique character embedded in every track. His productions have an undeniable warmth and authenticity, often evoking the raw, euphoric spirit of the 90s and 00s rave era. This nostalgic yet forward-thinking approach makes his music feel timeless, effortlessly blending old-school rave energy with modern production techniques. It's a quality that has made him a go-to for DJs across the board, whether they’re playing peak-time techno sets or deep, groovy house sessions.
On The Riviera Collection, released on his own label, Riviera Records, X-Coast opens the vault to reveal a diverse range of tracks that showcase his deep connection to multiple eras of electronic music. This collection reflects the breadth of his eclectic DJ sets, where various sounds and styles converge into a cohesive journey. Each track feels like a contemporary reimagining of a classic moment in dance music history.
From the early 2000s tribal influences layered with X-Coast’s signature chord work on ‘Neapolis,’ to the soaring, synthetic trance energy of ‘Desert Storm,’ and the infectious, camp vibe of the diva house ‘Hold Me Baby,’ the collection takes us on a nostalgic trip back to the origins of rave culture. It echoes a time when DJs crafted a journey through genres, playing everything from house to trance to techno in one seamless night.
The collection’s first hidden gems and long-awaited singles are “Da Boing Boing Trak” and "Put Your Hands Together". Both staples in his sets at iconic venues and festivals like Pitch Music & Arts, fabric, Circoloco, AVA Festival, Melt!, and Intercell, this track has been in high demand among fans, finally seeing its release. With The Riviera Collection, X-Coast continues to cement his status as a versatile producer capable of bridging the gap between past and present, while delivering music that moves crowds everywhere.
Mihai Popoviciu, one of the most esteemed names in the deep house and minimal scene, is set to unveil his anticipated new album, ‘Puzzle Box’, on Bondage Music. As one of the label’s core artists, Popoviciu returns for his second full-length album release on the imprint following his successful 2016 album, ‘Home’ - available on vinyl from 15th November 2024.
With a career spanning over a decade and with releases on numerous influential labels such as 8Bit to Berg Audio, Popoviciu has firmly established himself as a go-to within the minimal-leaning realms of house music. Known for intricate soundscapes and deep, hypnotic grooves, his work continues to captivate audiences globally. On ‘Puzzle Box’, he delves deeper into his signature stripped-back yet soulful aesthetic, offering a diverse collection of tracks that traverse through various sonic textures.
“With Puzzle Box, each track unlocks something deeper with every listen” - Mihai Popoviciu.
Consisting of thirteen tracks in total, ‘Puzzle Box’ showcases the Romanian’s sound to its fullest. On the vinyl edition, fans are treated to standout tracks like ‘Batiscaf’, ‘Storm Rider’, and ‘Far Gone’ — vinyl-only gems that capture Popoviciu’s talent for layering subtle, dubby tones with groovy rhythms. The opening track, ‘They All Say’, sets the mood with smooth, atmospheric beats with a skippy groove, followed by the dynamic “Video” and the driving, pulsating energy of “Frankfurt.”
Popoviciu’s skill in crafting versatile productions is showcased throughout the album, with each track offering something unique.
From the sleek, melodic strains of ‘Puzzle Box’ to the hypnotic, rolling basslines of ‘Kinetic’, this LP is a journey into his meticulously constructed sound. The digital version also features the bonus track ‘Body Count 2’, offering a final, rhythmic flourish to round off the release.
‘Puzzle Box’ further cements Mihai Popoviciu’s role as a mainstay on Bondage Music, a label which continues to champion forward-thinking, minimal-leaning house music. With this latest LP, Popoviciu once again proves why he remains a favourite, building on his storied career with another masterclass in refined, deep electronic music.
Enter the debut LP of the now Spatial regular Chronicle - Expect a joyous, varied blend of old school brand new atmospherics from one of the scene’s most talented producers. A1 - 20th Century Man Straight into the beats for the deliciously cheery opening, 20th Century Man encapsulates so much of what Chronicle does best - old school breakbeat sensibilities delivered with an inimitable atmospheric charm, strongly reminiscent of that peak Good Looking era we all adored. Incredible synthwork and analogue drums layered with danceable 2-step breaks and melodies take your mind exactly where you want to be. A2 - Terraformers Seminal synths and birdsong effects prepare us for an impossibly crisp breakbeat and 808 bassline to drive this track along, coloured by a myriad of subtle blips and bleeps, delicately flecked across a detailed and optimistic soundscape. Very DJ-friendly from the first to the final bar, the purity of Chronicle’s approach to atmospheric drum & bass is once again at its best here on Spatial. B1 - Boundless Space Playful twittering birds, gentle hi-hats and panning synths introduce Boundless Space, a blissful, serene treat for the senses which soon kicks into flourishing life with the timeless Circles break. Vocal samples punctuate the soothing breakdown with exquisitely programmed effects dotted here, there and everywhere, completing a stunning composition that both reflects on the past and looks forward in equal measure. B2 - Ephemeral Style A light, delicately calming pad-laden intro with echoing melodies opens Ephemeral style, soon punctuated by a sublime 808 bassline preceding the drop. Chronicle showcases his dancefloor breakbeat prowess with an energetic 2-step break pattern, expertly programmed and riddled with detail and density, creating a wonderful collage of sound and a perfect addition to any era-spanning atmospheric set. C1 - Modular Expansion Eerily reminiscent tones harking back to the golden, ultra-classic Good Looking era introduce us to Modular Expansion, a track which quickly adds layer upon layer of original identity to the vibe with crisp breaks, a wonderful metallic backdrop snare and subtle vocal samples. The joyously retrospective breakdown complements the energy of the track beautifully, capping off another gem for the record box. C2 - Limbic System Chronicle introduces Limbic System with swathes of swirling pads and synths, straddled with a subtle yet enigmatic melody carrying us through the drop, where we are treated to a lusciously constructed old school break pattern with a modern twist. Enter the breakdown and the keen ear will spot sampled quotes from Total Recall, which fit the vibe perfectly. “You went to Recall?” - yes, we sure did. And we enjoyed the trip! D1 - Non-Euclidian Continuing the blissful retrospective atmospheric tone of the album, Chronicle serves up Non-Euclidian which opens with a wonderfully synthy intro flecked with old school break samples and an earworm melody, before the onslaught of layered breaks provides variety as well as a thoroughly danceable pattern to unleash on the discerning dancefloor. Trademark dotted effects punctuate the track throughout. D2 - Deep Thought Capping off the LP we have Deep Thought, setting a calming and quietly brooding vibe before impossibly crisp beats kick in and elevate proceedings nicely. Chronicle effortlessly leads the listener through the drop with an analogue punch, earthy basslines and fluttering effects with the kind of flair we’ve come to love from such a vastly experienced and talented producer - perfectly complementing the vibe here at Spatial. Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)
A snapshot of UK tech house in its formative years, OLC002 finds Rob Pearson laying down the blueprint for a sound he’d continue to refine through Evasive Records. Released on Online Collective—the label arm of South London’s Online Studios—this EP captures a raw, forward-facing moment in underground dance music.
The title track Slipstream leads with intent: tight tech drums ride alongside a chopped breakbeat groove, underpinned by weighty sub bass and warped melodic textures. A fluid lead synth drives the track forward, locking into a hypnotic, evolving flow built for the dancefloor.
Vortex channels early Detroit techno through a South London lens—crisp edits, filtered drum machine rhythms, and a hypnotic vocal loop combine for a stripped, late-night roller with serious intent.
On Metaphor, Pearson taps into the spirit of early bleep and warehouse house, fusing it with late ‘90s tech house sensibilities—raw, swung, and deeply functional.
The Metaphor (Bonus Beats) rounds things off as a pure DJ tool, primed for layering and extended blends.
A sharp, authentic document of a pivotal era, Slipstream EP showcases Pearson’s early command of groove, texture, and dancefloor dynamics.
All dubbed-out edges and low-end pressure for listeners and advanced record entertainers — former London, now Seoul-based DJ Botermelk drifts into dubwise territory with ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ : delay-led, sirens and bass heavy. Jorg Kuning reworks the track, soaking further in with his trademark modular sound palette. Flip-side business: ‘Knock Knock’ locks into a straight acid line, tight and elegant, while ‘Chunky Monkey’ opens the frame again — rhythm breathing, dub fragments drifting loose.
Deep Inspiration Show Records continues to defy the norms of electronic music vinyl culture, seamlessly bridging the gap between dancefloor energy and deeper, more emotive soundscapes. Their latest release, “Friends of the Deep”, is another standout EP to celebrate the 10th record. The original coming from Sundaze Lab & Melchior Sultana, and the remix by the legendary Zarenzeit. In addition, there are two exceptional contributions from deep house stalwart Brad P (Brad Peterson) which help deliver a rich, immersive journey through classic original deep house. From the sundrenched textures of “Seaside,” with its lush pads, rolling bassline, and signature jazz guitar touches by Melchior Sultana, to the dreamy, exploratory tones of “Zarenzeit,” the A-side sets a warm, evocative mood. On the flip, Brad P brings his unmistakable depth and musicality — “Years Don’t Lie” unfolds as a mature, emotive piece layered with soulful strings and an bass driven groove, while “Metaphysics” channels the timeless spirit of classic labels like Deep4Life and Nu Groove, building from stripped-back percussion into a full, uplifting but heady arrangement. A must-have for true deep house heads — “Friends of the Deep” is a heartfelt, groove-driven collection that rewards both the deep dancefloor and the soul
Riviera Records is a brand new label that kicks off with ‘Move’ - a statement of intent from founder X-Coast. Continuing to perform across the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia, X-Coast is an unconventional character and little is known about the mysterious Serbian other than the concept for the alias is that it exists “somewhere in the deep blue Caribbean Sea, between your imagination and what’s real.” Having released on labels like Hot Haus, Lost Palms and Steel City Dance Discs, X-Coast now launches Riviera Records with a promise to be an uncompromising clash of sounds” and the label stays true to that from the get-go.
There is no mucking about here as X-Coasts demonstrates his versatility as a producer with three varying mixes of ‘Move’ making up the bulk of the package. First up is the Trans Mix: an arms-in-the-air, throwback trance track with euphoric vocal stabs all primed to inject real energy into any set. House Mix then bounces and bumps with a refracted garage vox and endless old school dynamism, before the twisting and turning Breaks Mix follows with its thumping drums, hits and rattling dub sounds that all explode to life. Finally, ‘Naos’ totally flips the script with a slow, deep, cosmic workout build on a rugged bassline. A breathy voice, warm chords and balmy pads all wash over you like a Balearic breeze and take you to hedonistic dance floor somewhere in 80s Ibiza.
Baba Stiltz continues to showcase his songwriting capabilities with Relief.
Backed by Ilari Larjosto on drums, Relief sees Stiltz delving deeper into the slacker-country territory explored on his last album, Paid Testimony, though here the sound is more refifined and hi-fifi. The track hints at the indie apathy of decades past while maintaining a distinctly contemporary sensibility.
A dubby yet fractured-sounding bassline and sparse three- chord verse structure intertwine with Theo Stocks’ beautiful lap steel arrangement, while Larjosto’s steady, Moe Tucker- esque drumming keeps the song moving forward.
Lyrically, Stiltz navigates pop songwriting tropes with restraint and precision. The repeated refrain of “congratulations” feels both strung-out and melodic, while fragmented, Garielle Lutz- like imagery — “tick tock, wrist watch, clif bar, trunk car, its cargo” — quietly sets the scene. Somehow, the juxtaposition resolves elegantly.
When asked about the theme of the song, Stiltz simply responded: “There is relief in acceptance.”
With Relief, Stiltz offers another compelling glimpse into his evolving songwriting practice, and perhaps an indication of what is still to come. The release follows a prolifific start
to the year for Stiltz, including Blurb 2 with Okay Kaya, co- production, writing and mixing work on Ana Roxanne’s Poem 1, and co-production and mixing on the SY3 EP for Music From Memory.
Pianist Elias Stemeseder and bass player Thomas Morgan debut on Squama with 'Io Pur Respiro'. Recorded live at Sala Vanni in Florence, the album shows a duo at the height of their craft with an unmistakable instinct for melody and balance.
Io Pur Respiro ("Yet I breathe") is the title of an early 17th century madrigal by Italian renaissance composer Carlo Gesualdo that's also the harmonic basis for the album's opening track Madrigal, Variation, Courante. With two standards from the 1930s (Love Came / I Have The Room Above Her) and two original compositions by Stemeseder there's 400 years of melodic evolution enshrined in this record. Yet, the music sounds neither new, nor old giving the album a profound sense of timelessness that's owed to the eternal force of melody and harmony.
The master of ambient soundscapes, intertwining authentic old school breakbeats with his inimitable style returns with a fresh album of choice cuts for the Spatial crew. A1 - Form of Defraction Opening the LP in his gloriously unique style, Aural Imbalance sets the tone with a powerfully ambient intro of padwork and delicately filtered breaks before dense, analogue old school breakbeats roar to life sending the track skyward. The sublime 808 bassline simmers beneath an ever-evolving soundscape of twinkling melodies and strings, the very essence of serenity captured in just under 7 minutes of audio bliss. A2 - Discreet Function Enveloping the listener with a warm blanket of silky ambience, Discreet Function soon jolts to life with a crunchy breakbeat that counteracts yet compliments the pads and myriad of delicious micro melodies so well, you wonder how it’s possible to take such extremes and mix them down so expertly that our ears accept it as one. After a relatively brief breakdown the track rolls out before the breaks are snatched away at the death - capping off a quite unique composition. B1 - Softlight Light cymbals and delicate textures introduce us to Softlight, a track which sees Aural Imbalance guiding the listener through the clouds to a haven of gentle serenity where your troubles simply fade away, punctuated by a stunningly programmed and memorable Hot Pants break pattern, timid classic basslines and an overall plethora of sun-baked energy - perfect for the headphones and the record box - as always. B2 - Airwave Immensely old school vibes are immediately present in Airwave, with analogue breaks and succinct female vocal samples that mingle with echoing melodies and synthwork to create a beautifully flowing and unique slice of atmospheric gold. Additional breaks are fused into the mix as the track progresses, elevating the piece to the heights we have come to expect from Aural Imbalance, yet never cease to amaze. C1 - Speed of Light Gentle cymbals and filtered breaks open Speed of Light, before a crisp barrage of amen goodness descends and dominates proceedings - just as a good amen should! Programmed to perfection with an immensely danceable rolling pattern, the amens lead us through a sea of washing synths and delicate melodies, intertwining and frolicking in the mix, completing a charming and memorable piece. C2 - Fading Star Playful strings and a luscious 808 bassline play with sumptuous padwork in the intro to Fading Star, a track which sees Aural Imbalance capture the essence of 90’s jungle and it’s symbiotic relationship with atmospheric drum & bass perfectly. Developing throughout with an array of unassuming effects and a quietly moving vibe, Fading Star is the perfect addition to sets spanning the entire history of this music. D1 - Drifting Under Bright Skies Aural Imbalance resurrects the excellent break last featured on Spatial in his sublime track Surface Area, this time chopped and sliced to a different vibe, with kickdrums at the forefront and that fantastically crunchy snare deployed more sparingly. Shimmering padwork and light melodies dance across the mix throughout to leave us with a refreshingly unique and memorable track you won’t be able to get enough of. D2 - Violet Completing this fine LP of old school ambient breakbeat mastery, Aural Imbalance deploys Violet to see us out - a climactic-feeling romp that opens with quiet intent before launching the listener through cheery melodic tones and bustling soundscapes, sprinkled liberally with airy pads and fluttering micro melodies that zip and whoosh around thick analogue breakbeats. A fitting end to a thoroughly enjoyable album. Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist) credits
Based out of Brighton, UK, Murmurations have been steadily carving their path as an essential label for distinctive dancefloor moods. The fourth record on the imprint is the launch of a new series titled 'Flock', focusing on bringing different artists together who share similar visions and tastes. Volume one features Evasive frontman Rob Pearson with Paul Donton and label founder Leo Christopher on the A-side. On the flip, you have rising Manchester talent Huw Shipps and Bubble resident The Adventures Of Dogman. This amalgamation of producers has materialised into a record that focuses on nostalgic tech house textures, infused with modern elements and deep, dub tones.
First up is Rob Pearson & Paul Donton's excursion, 'Ideas Abstract'. Slinky drums pave the way, as pensive vocals circulate around the distinct and perky drive of the track. The aptly named 'Underground' from Murmurations boss Leo Christopher teases a more mysterious energy, with pulsating bass in combination with tight drum arrangements. The emerging producer Huw Shipps kicks off the B-side with a playful outing; quirky elements splash in and out throughout the track. Finishing off the release is dancefloor heater 'Cruising Around On A Pair Of Naughty Pennies', chunky and driven as it moves, ready to do the damage, keeping the club locked in.
The Murmurations curation thus far has seen each release shine bright, with timeless music for the club, no-nonsense, heads-down action, and long may that continue.
Eric Cloutier's career has always been defined by a certain kind of relentless, monastic discipline. With My Friend The Abyss (PALINOIALP01), Cloutier continues to bridge the gap between the selector and the creator. The album title itself suggests a reckoning with the internal-a realization that time is the only distance between an artist and their masterpiece-resulting in a body of work that feels less like a collection of tracks and more like a hard-won transmission from the deep.
Forged in a crucible of stress, chaos, and loss, the LP eschews the easy loops of his earlier output for a far more complex architecture. While Cloutier's signature hypnotic pulse remains the bedrock, the record expands into a startlingly broad lexicon: the dub-wise weight of "Havittaa" and the tribal intensity of "Desassossego" sit alongside moments of fragile ambient beauty. Perhaps most surprising is the inclusion of "Ligrothism," where Cloutier explores the broken rhythms of drum and bass, proving that his obsession with "Palinoia"-the Greek term for perfecting an act through obsessive repetition-has led him to a place of total creative fluidity. This isn't just club music; it's a masterclass in atmospheric tension.
Bassmæssage is the oldest and most consistent bass night in Leipzig Germoany, pushing local soundsystem culture and grass roots artivism. We are about to welcome a fresh release "for all who like it low and want it vibrant"!
After two installments of bass-heavy multi-genre various-BPM grooves on Volume One in 2015 and on Second Drop in 2023 here comes the full triplet in this line of bass music vinyl compilations featuring acts who have been mÊssaging our nights. This time on Threenity, one side side is running garagewise 130, flipped by a more dubsteppish 140 area, all drowning in dark sinister midranges, mindful drum programmings and heavy-weight lows for huge speakers, to be released around 9th May 2026 on a 2 floor DIY soundsystem night in Connewitz!
Opening with genre wizzard LUI from Leipzig, showing how dirty and fonkey a garage bit can actually go. Bricks of beats on a fundament of nasty bass concrete, roofed by a vast selection of uplifting samples are vibing for sure.
Trainsient is the deep bass moniker of Leipzig's Plastiks running DDNBC, delivering a heavy tribal statement of a lost place of a deep grime, overgrown with flutey leaves and dreamy synth lianes hiding da moddership.
Psionide from Dresden with estonian roots is celebrating a vinyl debut with a slow-jungle dream-breaks bit between retro and future, braindance and dance, listening and bassline coaster.
Son du Maquis outa Toulouse sneaks in low in a classic dubstep manner, only to drop the lowest wobble possible right throughout the ride.
Miles Won transmitting from Plugwhiz, nails headnodding with his beat writing skills. Where bass meets hip hop, the grass has never been greener.
Finally, veteran like Dub Across Borders cabling from Copenhagen is delivering the contemplating outro: a melancholic 140 halftime not only to send you home but right into the night sky.
These six peaces are found on a heavy cut vinyl, ready to shake your system. As bonus there is another papercraft Basstelbogen cover, which lets you build your own BM logo and a 1:3 ratio record player on top. Mach's mit, mach's nach, mach's b‰sser!
One of Japan’s most world-renowned female keyboardists, Himiko Kikuchi released "Flying Beagle" in 1987, and this classic album now returns on vinyl. Having collaborated with artists such as Takuro Yoshida and Junko Ohashi, and performed as a member of prestigious bands like Nobuo Hara’s Sharps & Flats and Minoya Central Station, Kikuchi — along with guitarist Masatsugu Matsumoto — became a key figure in Japan’s live fusion scene. From the 1980s onward, she consistently released solo albums, including several recorded overseas, establishing herself as a legend in the crossover and fusion genres.
Featuring Kikuchi (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, organ), Matsumoto (guitar), Akira Okazawa (bass), Naoki Watanabe (bass), Katsuo Okamoto (drums), Yasushi Ichihara (drums), Yuichi Tokashiki (drums), Keiichi Ishibashi (bass), Yoshikazu Kishi (trumpet), Kenji Yoshida (trumpet, flugelhorn), Michio Kaguwada (trombone), Jake H. Concepcion (alto saxophone, flute), Hirofumi Kinjo (tenor saxophone, flute), Masamichi Takano (baritone saxophone), and Yoshinori Nomimi (percussion), the album assembles top-tier musicians — including members from Spectrum, AB’S, Yuji Ohno’s You & The Explosion Band, and Toshiyuki Miyama’s Inner Galaxy Orchestra.
A masterpiece of Japanese fusion, reissued as a 180g heavyweight, limited-edition analog pressing. Originally released on October 21, 1987.
The next release in M-Plant's Perpetual Masters series is Robert Hood's "Invincible" EP, freshly remastered for 2026 by Thomas Heckmann.
Originally released in 2001, "Invincible" stands as another defining example of his stripped-back, approach to Techno while still radiating tough funk and groove. Released during a period when Hood was refining the minimalist aesthetic he helped pioneer, the record balances mechanical precision with emotional intensity. The tracks unfold through subtle shifts in percussion, looping synth patterns and driving basslines, to create a meditative momentum that sounds just as fresh today. "Invincible" draws its power from restraint, demonstrating Hood's belief that minimal elements can produce maximum impact on the dance floor.
Each track will be released digitally in May, followed by the full vinyl EP in July.
Trinidad-born, Bristol-based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Corysan releases his first new single in five years on the newly launched Nine Channel Records.
He met producer and label boss Grant Dell in 2016, the pair hitting it off and collaborating on 2018’s Hijacked single for the latter’s Legsman reggae imprint. Described as “proper righteous business” by Andrew Weatherall before spinning the single on his Music’s Not For Everyone NTS radio show, Corysan deeply intones his lyrics over Dell’s supremely deep, heavyweight roots manoeuvres.
When Dell asked Weatherall’s long-time studio partner Nina Walsh to pick one of the three artists on his planned new label to remix shortly after his untimely passing in 2020, she selected Corysan’s “Heavy Load”, not knowing Andrew had been such a major fan but, at that difficult time, relating to the song’s positive punchline: “The burden that I carry here, can only make me stronger now.”
Nina’s modern dub masterpiece graces the flip of Dell’s two mixes, her seismic bassline and other-worldly music perfectly complimenting Corysan’s message, represented in spatially planted extracts along with a new spirit-flying midsection.
Now it’s time to let “Heavy Load” into the world as a roots milestone from this unique artist, with enough extra weight to anchor it anywhere from sound systems and clubs to front-room dancehalls. Those few years since its creation have given its timeless message of hope and defiance a deeper relevance in turbulent modern times.
What changed between Av. General Roçadas and Junkeira? Seven years in people's lives — yet the team's commitment remains untouched, and the steady hand on the plumb line that keeps dance music (still) upright holds firm. Years of sustained research and field work from both producers, with their own records, mutually independent and independent too in how they brought them to life. Moreno Ácido has been navigating detours through a conceptual yet grounded underground — in sound and in format (two self-released cassettes since 2019) — while keeping one eye on the floor. His post pandemic reawakening carries a clear message: Call to Action is the label that in 2023 put the still-in-demand Trash/Treasure out on vinyl. Diogo keeps Discos Extendes as his shelter, gathering talent and retreating into it. At the same time, a disseminating vocation — that talent turned outward, on a mission to champion the different sensibilities that can converge in music made for dancing.
Junkeira is direct. It hides nothing in its intent, nor does it conceal the origin of its love, nor the way it exercises its fascination with the source. Geography can define movements, described and echoed countless times outside and then inside the net. The signifiers are known to all — it's a matter of applying them with respect and flow. Perhaps the craft in this production really does come down to love, when it comes to it. What is "WTF" if not a declaration of love — at the very least of closeness — to the sonic essence of the English rave? The piano stab, the breaks defining that hardcore state of mind, the string bed lifting feet off the floor. Closing out the EP, "Freak" gathers different emotions — eyes still shut, body in comedown while still moving. Chill. Everything rounded. Bassline, vibes, vocals woven into the rhythm.
Rewinding, the opening track "100 Planos" is a throwback to Roçadas (2019) — harder on the ground, with a 4/4 beat broken up by claps, a circular structure built for DJs, with mix-friendly entry and exit points. Then "Turbo Love" puts the keys in control, foregrounding them, letting a car alarm ring out and balance the beat — a reverential nod to UK Garage felt as raw material, already part of the lineage that has been the continuous evolution from Disco onwards: an evolution that traces a line and its branches, from which you can isolate any chronological point since at least 1977 and combine whatever elements form a personality. The spirit lives, as summer kicks in.
(180gr) The 1980 solo album by legendary jazz bassist Isao Suzuki, who has earned worldwide acclaim, is set to be repressed in a new heavyweight pure clear vinyl edition! Created entirely by Suzuki himself through extensive multitrack recording, the album layers an extraordinary range of instruments, including double bass, Hammond organ, vocoder, Taisho koto, and erhu, together with his own vocals. Suzuki handled not only the composition and performances, but also the jacket artwork and liner notes, making this an extraordinary one-man album that literally brings together and embodies every aspect of Isao Suzuki.
(180gr) The album recorded in 1981 by internationally acclaimed jazz bassist Isao Suzuki together with his longtime musical partner Tsuyoshi Yamamoto is set to be repressed in a new heavyweight pure clear vinyl edition! Featuring Brazilian rhythms throughout, the album captures a festive and vibrant session with outstanding musicians including Takayuki Kato, Ichiro Doi, and Donald Bailey.
At the cusp of a new millennium, British electronic music was rapidly changing. Jungle and garage had broken into the mainstream, but were running out of creative gas – what fresh movement would next captivate the underground? On the outer edges of London, a small group of bass lovers had the answer. Through a new strain of subloaded beats that stripped jungle, rave, techno and garage for parts, this scene returned to the dub roots, prizing the fundamentals of soundsystem culture: bass, space and togetherness. They called it dubstep.
In Aftershock: The Seismic Impact of Dubstep, seasoned music writer Lauren Martin charts the origins of one of the 21st century’s most innovative music genres in an oral history format. Through the testimonies of its architects and an immersive array of photography, flyers and unseen scene history, Aftershock chronicles the rise of artists like Skream, Mala, Coki, Loefah, Horsepower Productions and Rusko, as well as labels and parties such as Hyperdub, Tempa, DMZ, FWD>> and Skull Disco.
Together, this movement shook the British underground, exploded onto the internet and, within a decade, had rocked global music at unprecedented scale. Through first-hand storytelling, Aftershock is a testament to how the imagination and persistence of a few can transform culture.
Quotes
“Written via interviews with 28 leading scene figures from London and beyond, Lauren Martin’s oral history of dubstep is a landmark document of British club culture. This heavy, asymmetric music, informed by Jamaican soundsystem culture, garage, grime, breaks and more, could only have mutated in the UK, and Martin’s cast of characters take you back to the Croydon record shops, Shoreditch clubs and online forums where it came together. Amid funny tales of infighting and the inside stories of classic tracks, the artists’ pluck and passion are what shine through brightest, and make this such an inspirational read.” – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Editor at Guardian Music
Fantastic Friends Recordings proudly presents a new vinyl journey through deep, minimal and underground electronic sounds, bringing together four distinctive artists from across the scene.
A1 – Nicolas Duvoisin & Kim Kemi
Swiss underground veteran Nicolas Duvoisin joins forces with Danish selector and producer Kim Kemi, known for his close connection with intimate dancefloors and hypnotic grooves. Their collaboration delivers a refined blend of driving rhythms and atmospheric textures, perfectly setting the tone for the record.
A2 – Mike D.
Hailing from Chihuahua, Mexico, Mike D. is part of the new generation of minimal and underground house producers. Recognized for his sophisticated productions and support from respected international DJs, he brings a groove-focused and highly effective club cut to the release.
B1 – Guedes & Kid Moss
Longtime collaborators and regular contributors to the Fantastic Friends universe, Guedes & Kid Mosscombine infectious basslines, rolling percussion and playful melodic elements. Their productions are known for balancing dancefloor energy with a distinctive underground character.
B2 – Isaac Elejalde
From the Berlin scene, Isaac Elejalde delivers a deep and elegant interpretation of the label's signature sound, blending precision, groove and subtle emotional depth into a timeless late-night track.
A carefully curated four-track vinyl release designed for selectors, collectors and dancefloor explorers alike, continuing Fantastic Friends Recordings' commitment to forward-thinking underground electronic music.
Patchwork Inc. is a multi genre music collective based in Chicago. Inspired by the intricate and repetitive patterns on a quilt, deep grooves are stitched together with vibrant threads of analog synths, fat bass, Fender Rhodes, and a plethora of percussion to form a uniquely personal piece of art. "Whatever Makes You Happy," comes on like one of those unseasonably warm days in late fall. Flute, synth, and congas flutter like a cool breeze before giving way to a sunny and sultry hook. North Carolina native Taylor Williams brings a D'angeloesque vocal to a Roy Ayers style instrumental resulting in a mosaic of neo-soul and jazz-funk. The record's flipside evokes more of an idyllic fall day. The kind of day where you can throw on your favorite jacket and endlessly stroll down a tree-lined path as amber leaves fall to the ground. Chicago journeyman and musical prodigy Wyatt Waddell effortlessly layers his voice over the backbeat of "Last Forever," resulting in a medium-fidelity banger that could be confused for a I Want You-era Marvin demo.
Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based Raxon makes his Lone Romantic debut with a two-tracker that sees him step decisively into breakbeat territory.
A DJ for over 20 years, Raxon's journey through sound took him from the late 90s rock, hip-hop and trance of his early teens through to the Barcelona scene where he began releasing music with some of the most respected labels in dance music — Kompakt, Ellum, Cocoon and Turbo Recordings among them.
Heads will move on 'Vision Mission' - low-slung and deliberate with gated breaks cut sharp into a two-step swing that carries a distinctly UK sensibility, and underpinned by a gritty, warping bassline and a twisted vocal coiling through like a live wire.
'Wrong Song' shifts the weight forward into physical, modern drum and bass terrain. A deep and relentless, undulating bassline drives the momentum while mechanical stabs and a grinding mid-range give the track its industrial edge.
For their fourteenth installment, FELT look once again to their city of Copenhagen, specifically to more alumni of the Rytmisk Musik Konservatorium (Rhythmic Music Conservatory). Following soon after Ginte Preisaite’s debut for the label, this long player from Vincent Yuen Ruiz is a grand departure from Preisaite’s experimental electroacoustic pop compositions, instead offering an elegant and pensive suite of late-night, wide-eyed ambient jazz works centred on piano, double bass and percussion; “I seek a dramaturgy of restraint, where silence, space, and collective attention become structural elements of the music.” (Yuen Ruiz)
Originally forming in Copenhagen in 2019, the group's language sits at the crossroads of contemporary jazz, improvised music, and experimental sound practice and deploys a non-hierarchical collective approach. Taking harmonic cues from Bach and Ravel but expanded into a dialogue between players that is repetitive, spacious and informed by minimalism as much as ECM chamber styles, the resultant four pieces move between precise formal structural rules and spontaneous improvisation. Silence and restraint is as important a device as timbre and unity. The group are concerned with dispelling the traditional jazz trio model, e.g. three unique displays of virtuosity, instead exploring how each player may help add to the overall emotive atmosphere the use of ambient space provides. To borrow a quote regarding the hard to classify music of Czech duo Irena & Vojtěch Havlovi, this interplay strikes at times like the shadows contrasting with the light.
More intimate than Yuen Ruiz’s Le seul salut que je connaisse (2021), an album recorded with a 6-musicians ensemble, this latest album Trio continues the composer’s research and moves towards a more focused, condensed writing style and a clear statement of intent.
Broadcasting from the Portuguese interior, SARaMAGO returns to Carpet & Snares with four more cuts of deep and streamlined technoid house. ‘Flowing’ matches a jacking beat to addictive 90s organs and acidic accents, while the moody, metallic ‘Inner Peace’ evokes the classic UK techno of Stasis or Luke Slater. On the flip, the pulsing bassline and robot vocoders of ‘The Blackbox’ evoke Belgian body music, but housed in a contemporary groove. Saramago closes out the EP with the quirky electro-funk banger ‘Smile’, which is sure to raise exactly that on the dancefloor.
Fausto returns to the Carpet family, this time with three tweaked out jams perfect for the Circuits series. Spread across the A-side, the 9-minute ‘Moonland’ evokes its title with driving acid and cosmic Detroit atmospherics. On the B, ‘Nacho’ is a classic mood builder, tempering its own acid lead with expansive bass and a rolling groove. The EP closes with the stepping ‘Nirvana’, perfect for closed-eyes reverie at the afters.
Constantly pushing his studio craft into unexplored realms, Pugilist returns to Samurai with a fresh clutch of innovative hybridised meditations transmitting from upper tempos. The versatility in Alex Dickson's approach is proven by the broad spectrum of labels he releases on — as comfortable shelling down for Shall Not Fade as he is tearing out on Rupture London. As the Melbourne / Naarm-based producer opens up the Triads EP with 'Rune', he hones in on a dynamic fusion of insistent technoid propulsion and brooding bass snarls with a mysterious portent. 'Pyre' swiftly turns up the percussive intensity with bludgeoning kicks and whipcrack snares that evoke classic electronica as much as D&B. For all the sharp attack of the drums, though, Dickson manages his ingredients with ruthless restraint, creating a fierce kind of meditation in the process. 'Woven' allows a rich variety of snaking synth lines to take centre stage as we tunnel into the second half of the EP, relishing the space for dynamic modulation and slowly evolving, cinematic pads that offer a glacial foil to the twitchy pace of the snappier elements in the mix. 'Machiavellian' plays the consummate closer in its lead in, playing a patient game in ritualistic drums before the herald of rave tropes rear up in some pronounced, choppy snare science. Yet again, Dickson opts for a softer approach where you might be expecting an explosive drop, allowing the skittering drums to roll on until they become a mesmerising texture in the track. In the end, it's an expert flourish demonstrating the energetic possibilities that lie in the spaces beyond more obvious peaks and troughs. Across four brilliantly original, highly advanced rollers, Pugilist nails the balance between subtlety and impact and proves himself a worthy advocate for the path less travelled.
Vertice Di Convergenza explores the intersection between two rhythmicarchitectures. The sub-driven asymmetry of UK bass and dubstep blends thehypnotic cyclic motion of Dutch psy–IDM trance. Both share a focus on low-end design: basslines as structural anchors, kicks tuned to harmonic tension andpercussive spaces engineered for negative pressure. The result is a sonic plane where mechanical precision meets psychoacoustic flow.
Fresh from fine outings on Legofunk Records and Scruniversal Records, Frank Virgilio pops up on historycal Hollywood Records with a quartet of warm and seductive workouts. He kicks things off via the sun down beauty and latin mood of "Is This The Spirit Of The Party ?", before joining the dots between beatdown, disco 80' and dancefloor on the bubbly and hypnotic "That's The Groove!" The other side is dedicated to a double version of a classic killer dancefloor of 80' " DJ's Talk" by the american singer Vivien Reed . Frank Virgilio and L.D.F. aka Lello Di Franco give 2 different ways to read the track . A slightly bolder than the original (but no less deep) mixture of drifting melodies, head-nodding house beats, groovy bass, select vocal snippets and enveloping chords.
BB. Angel makes his debut on Harmony Rec. with “Shaitania,” a record that beautifully drifts between mystic storytelling and swampy trance inspired by a fictional country. Each track references a certain place, balancing hypnotic rhythms and warm progressive basslines with melodic depth.
The Gravitate label is back with a new drop from an artist who has chosen to remain anonymous. The EP is anything but, however: it's the sort of characterful garage, minimal and tech melange that is going to announce itself in any setting. 'Track 1' builds with layers of percussion and a rolling bassline that becomes more sleazy on 'Track 2' with retro stabs and soulful pads harking back to early US garage days. 'Track 3' is another gritty bumper with plenty of details that make it pop before the closer flips the vibe with a more wavy slice of comically inclined space tech for smooth late-night cruising.
Californian deep house stable Seasons Recordings welcomes Shaka for the first time, with the long-serving Swiss label-hopper popping up on the imprint's 'Limited' vinyl offshoot with a typically strong three-tracker. In keeping with his work for the likes of Local Talk, Yore, Housewax and Vibes & Grooves, we get high-quality deep house warmth peppered with flashes of jazzy instrumentation. This is particularly noticeable on slow-building opener 'Coming Storm', where jammed-out electric piano motifs and dreamy chords ride jazz-flecked house beats and a warm, smooth bassline. Elsewhere, 'Smooth Move' is an even smoother and classier slab of summery deep house headiness, while 'Ticklish Issue' is an ultra-deep, percussion-splashed beatdown shuffler.
Bernardo Pinheiro and Joutro Mundo seek to make a connection between house music and their native Brazilian traditions on this new EP for Banana Gold. Pinheiro brings over two decades of experience and Mundo is the founder of Onda Boa, so these two have serious chops and it shows. 'Viva Liberdade' is a hands-in-the-air piano house tune with Portuguese vocals but a sense of nagging melancholy that adds a distinct edge. 'Salve Salve' is chunky, bubbly and bass house with a lively vibe and 'Eu Amo A Vida' closes with some soft acid and a playful touch of Euro energy. A fine cross-pollination of styles.
Following a nine-year hiatus, Willie Burns' WT Records imprint is back in business. To kick off a new era, the New York producer has chosen to reissue sometime L.I.E.S man Entro Senestre's hard-to-find 2016 EP 'ES'. It remains one of the producer's greatest moments. For proof, check deep, emotive opener 'Rosegold', where cascading pianos and melancholic chords ride tough house drums and a moody bassline, and the techno-tempo deep acid shuffler 'DOHC'. 'TriState' sees him go deeper still on a hybrid ambient/deep breaks flex, while 'Sb Dauntless' fixes similar ambient sonics to an experimental, oddly swung, lightly UKG-influenced beat.
Jack Stevens aka Sully has become somewhat of a cult figure in the jungle world with his output being in high demand. His work is unmistakable. It’s always true to it’s origins while simultaneously adding new takes and juxtapositions in palette and composition. A true artist that excels in his field.
Stevens returns to Astrophonica with Swandive, a body of work presented in dual energies - dark & light, body & mind, Yin & Yang. In Werk you’re put to the test physically as es- ki-like percussion stabs grab the attention and demand a response. A staple in Fracture’s DJ sets for the last year or so.
Poison demonstrates a side to Stevens’ production that is harder, meaner, cruder and all together more brutal than he is known for. The result is an infectious mix of venomous bass and corrupted drum breaks fit to kill any dance.
The title track Swandive begins to counterbalance the fierce energy and bring some harmony opening with calming strings and trademark icy melodies before elevating to an intense state of amen divinity that twists and turns in a story like fashion.
Memories completes the balance with euphoric bass stabs and emotional strings culminat- ing in a searing and conclusive anime-like solo. Some of Stevens’ most daring work. The cycle is complete.
Rain Dance is the debut album from Bristol-based producer Arcane, released on Over/Shadow. Across eight tracks the record explores atmospheric jungle, drum & bass and breakbeat influences, combining deep bass pressure with rich melodic detail and immersive sound design. The album moves between expansive, journey-like pieces such as “Nebula” and “Metropolis”, heavier dancefloor cuts like “Underground” and “Fear", resulting in a spacious but rhythmically detailed LP that balances classic junglist energy with a cinematic sense of atmosphere.
After the success of the first two chapters, label owner Sciahri returns with the third installment of Pareidolia, further expanding the series' distinct sonic narrative.
The EP opens with No More Time, a perfect balance of power and finesse, where hypnotic vocal loops elevate the tension. It then transitions into Near the Bar, a groove-driven gem with refined textures that make it simply irresistible.
On the flip side, Two Letters follows up on the iconic One Letter, bringing back its unmistakable, heavy-hitting bassline and perfectly placed vocals that make it truly unique.
Closing the EP is Hit and Run, a deeply hypnotic yet driving cut, blending mental intensity and epic energy into a captivating sonic experience.
DJ Support: Danny Krivit, Brian Tappert, John Morales, Craig Charles, Dr packer and more
Italian producer Corrado Alunni returns to the 7-inch format with a high-caliber double-sider. The A-side, 'Black Pearl', is a masterclass in jazz-funk-house elegance, weaving warm Fender Rhodes melodies with vibrant flute and trumpet solos over a sophisticated, sun-drenched groove. On the flip, 'Turn It On' keeps the energy high with Alunni’s signature blend of infectious Rhodes riffs, chunky basslines, and dancefloor-ready drums. A must-have addition for fans of soulful house and nu-disco lovers alike.
Christian Prommer – producer, drummer, DJ and multi?instrumentalist best known for his work with Trüby Trio, Fauna Flash, Drumlesson, Voom:Voom (with Peter Kruder), Prommer & Barck (with Alex Barck), and as the producer of DJ Hell’s Teufelswerk – presents his new album Rhythmic Nocturne, spanning spiritual deep house, jazz, balearic trip?hop and hypnotic rhythm explorations. A must for fans of St. Germain, Floating Points and refined grooves at all speeds.
This album distills ten years of Berlin into a twilight drift between order and abandon. Daytime studio sketches are pulled apart at night, reshaped by shifting perspectives that swing between jazz harmony, textural experimentation, and the heavy gravity of techno basslines and analog drums. Intimately close-mic’d piano, drums, percussion, cello, and strings are constantly recontextualized—dropped into new rooms, resonances, and imagined spaces—so their meaning keeps mutating. Room noise, human breath, and accidental sounds are folded into the pulse, turning spill and imperfection into rhythm. Even a piano lid thudding shut on “Dark Matter” is claimed as part of the beat, underscoring an album that embraces freedom, spontaneity, and the beautiful lack of accountability that defines this city at night.
Roman Flügel returns to Running Back with another chapter in an ongoing love affair between machine funk and dancefloor euphoria. Following a string of releases stretching from Garden
Party to the recent Dusty Jukebox EP, this latest offering continues a path that has become unmistakably his own.New Release Information
There are no dietary restrictions here. Just generous portions of basslines, rave signals, bleeps, and rhythm tracks, all layered with the kind of instinctive musicality that makes Roman’s productions feel both immediate and timeless. The spirit of early rave culture remains a guiding force, not as nostalgia but as a living source of inspiration, feeding into House music’s endless capacity for joy, surprise, and communal release.
As ever, the objective is simple: celebrate the moment. Preferably loud, preferably together, and preferably with plenty of icing on top
Undo & Casiowaves join forces to bend minds on their new EP “Chemical Eyes”. The Catalonian pairing, collaborators for the past five years, have built a body of work that’s conceptually rich and sonically sophisticated. The “Chemical Eyes” EP is a love letter to analog synths, taking us on a psychedelic trip through past and present, nostalgic but never mimetic.
Reality begins to warp the moment “Chemical Eyes” kicks in. The title track opens in post-punk territory, leaning into nostalgia both lyrically and sonically and with synth outro that lingers like a memory.
Parisian producer Chloé’s remix takes us firmly into the 21st century, chopping up the title track until it mutates into something more minimal and syncopated. This electronic take still retains the track’s post-punk mood, with contemplative loops and reverb-drenched guitar as we begin to move from the concert venue into the club.
B side “Trumpsky Beats” picks up the pace with neon-soaked synthwave that references the 80s synthpop icons in more than just name. Crisp, shimmering synths dance through warped bass lines and new wave drum patterns, creating a lush contrapuntal soundscape that thrives as much on nostalgic memory as it does on contemporary creativity.
Italo Brutalo’s remix amps up the intensity further with infectious snares and acid twangs. The German producer and synth enthusiast adds a tasteful complexity that pulls the EP fully onto the dancefloor.
Deeppa Records kicks off a new 7" series here that aims to pair emerging artists with established names from the label's artistic circle. The opening release introduces Tolyatti producer Pasadena with 'Vodichka Nice', a laid-back, groove-led gem that recalls 'Stepoing Into Tomorrow' era Donald Byrd with its seductive drums, squelchy slow-bass and soft-focus melodic wonder. It's already becoming a fave on the scene and on the reverse, respected producers Scruscru and Tony Lavrutz reshape the original with a remix that leans into deeper club territory, though keeps the bright melodies and inviting horizontal feel. Two sides, two moods, two essential cuts.
The Reflex has been back remixing on his multitracks again and if you have been out anywhere decent in recent times you might already have heard this one as it has been a favourite of those DJs in his inner circle. Finally, the unrelated rework of a legendary disco diva arrives on wax and dazzles from front to back. 'Lolita' has it all - the deft hi hats sliding above funky bass, a rhythm driven by busy piano chords and lung-busting vocal full of burning soul. 'Camels' rides funky, chunky drums and has more expressive tones this time in unison with an off-balance chord sequence and fluttering sax. Lovely stuff.
¿DONDEDOS is young dude/unc duo hailing from the Mission. Pascual Martinez (young dude) and BPT head honcho Jeremy Castillo (unc) have spent the last few years in the stu, cooking up this deep fried, groovin' 4 tracker. Fans of 2011-16 LIES and Future Times releases, “Biology" era Young Marco, Juju and Jordash, and the Wah Wah Wino crew are in for a treat.
In an era where literally every aspect of dance music is overly programmed and manicured, ¿DONDEDOS take a massively refreshing approach marked by true experimentation. All drums were recorded on the Roland R8, and the melodies were live played with a loose, jammy feel not felt on many electronic 12" releases in 2026. They're a jam band baby!!!!!
The fun starts with "Drifting Nowhere," a fried oddball deep house record with one of the year's most infectious basslines. Be ready for it to be on a loop in your brain long after the track has stopped playing.
2nd track "Dies Varos" was described by BPT fam Izaak from Loveshadow as sounding like "part of the Mediterranean touching Mexico." Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. (that was a deep relaxed sigh, not a scream for once!!!)
"Music for Patios" sounded pretty good on a walk and not on a patio so, just FYI, only a suggestion not a requirement.
Ender Noche Caminando features Diego Herrera (AKA Suzanne Kraft) on sax. In Jeremy's own words, this track features "oddball dancehall drums on the R8 with 80s synth pop dub melodic sensibilities."
Inweys is the new project from Scottish musicians Conal Blake (Feedback Moves, Domestic Exile, Infant Tree) and Murray Collier (Dip Friso, Grim Lusk, Real Landscape). Their debut self-titled 12’ was recorded in the summer of 2024 at La Chunky Studios in Glasgow.
They asked Fielding Hope of Counterflows Festival to write a short summary of the record:
“Inweys debut release arrives as four pieces of broken body music. Lurking, barely human fragments brought into the present. Using a short drum-machine improvisation as core material, the pieces are formed from a processes of mining and re-mining for small details, with each fragment zoomed in on and turned into new pieces. There’s a transformation taking place, but one that doesn’t obscure the materiality of the recording tapes as sticky, corrosive matter. On skewed and stretched fabric they enact their palimpsestic play, sketching and altering the grid with itchy technologies. What their edits and improvisations don’t say they let space say the rest, with vacuum aerated frames for bass to diffuse and beats to wriggle. More King Tubby than Cage, more Mantronix than Reich: minimalism with molten tips.
Both Conal and Murray’s past work has embraced malleable and iterative technologies; music whose feeliness figures itself out in space in a messy precomposed/improvised dialectic. This is the sort of thing most “new music” experimentalists (or anyone who spends most of their time obsessively manipulating tapes in expensive studios) often can’t achieve; a liveness, birthed from learning in situated play. Like the lore of Phuture’s Acid Trax, a poverty of material is at the heart of this, rendering the work with an abortive conviction: a corpse waking to consciousness becomes amphibious. Instead of the composer we have a relation, two people navigating the awkward spooling between the two reels of tape. Inweys is scots for “inwards”, and in their working process this is what they do. But the result is circular motion. Until the tape runs out, all in ways move out.”
Chlar returns to his Primal Instinct label with 'Modern Survival'
Following the widely praised Funk Assault (Chlar & Alarico) 'Minimum One Post A Week' EP, which kicked off the Primal Instinct label last summer and won the support of the likes of Rodhad, Tasha, and Luke Slater, as well as routine plays from Sarah Story on BBC Radio 1, Chlar now returns to his imprint with solo venture 'Modern Survival'. While the first Primal Instinct release saw references to artist urges and behaviours on social media, this next instalment explores a modern recontextualisation of humanity's hierarchy of needs in yet another high-concept EP.
First up, 'Internet Soulmate' boasts a crunchy bassline as its drum work chugs along the track playfully. The groove twists and turns before the hypnotic and tribal 'Supermarket Hunting' continues with sounds of nature, loopy rhythm and syncopated bleeps.
On the B-side's 'Body Control Officer', human-made grooves intertwine with machine-like thrum, synths whirring and zapping, while 'Competitive Influencing' takes off with rolling percussion, subtle whistles and distorted vocal one-shots. Closing out another stellar offering from the Primal Instinct frontman, Chlar brings the dark 'Scout My Algorithm', a brooding slow-burner offset by smooth arpeggio snippets and warped slices of digital noise.
"In an era where technology entwines our everyday existence, where the virtual realm shapes our interactions, and where the pursuit of influence takes centre stage comes an EP that delves deep into the modern tapestry of human existence. 'Modern Survival' is not merely a collection of songs and visual clips, but a poignant reflection on the intricate dance between our primal instincts and the brave new world we navigate today. The EP invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and reflection, prompting them to ponder the fundamental essence of our existence in an environment of fast-paced technological evolution." - Chlar
Last year Ace Records were delighted to reissue The Brides of Funkenstein’s debut LP from 1978, “Funk Or Walk”. Featuring their hit single ‘Disco To Go’, this album put the Brides on the map and sold strongly.
Before sessions commenced for a second album, Lynn Mabry left the group before sessions commenced for a second album, leaving Dawn Silva alone at the altar. George Clinton added P-Funk backing singers Jeanette McGruder and Sheila Horne to the mix, creating a three-pronged vocal attack.
Sessions featured the cream of the P-Funk players including keyboard wizard Bernie Worrell, bassist Bootsy Collins and guitarist Garry Shider. The resulting album, released in 1979, was even better that their debut.
The title track ran for over 15 minutes on side one, showcasing the vocal and musical prowess of all concerned. Other tracks included ’Party Up In Here’, ‘Smoke Signals’, ‘Mother May I?’ and the gorgeous ballad ‘Didn’t Mean To Fall In Love’.
Although it did not spawn a hit single, “Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy” sold as strongly as “Funk Or Walk” and over time has been hailed as a classic P-Funk album.
With liner notes from Ace’s Ian Shirley, we are delighted to release it on orange vinyl and CD. You don’t need your mother’s permission to buy it either.
Ring Noord and Anetha connect on Everything Is Still To Come EP for Mama Told Ya
Ring Noord return with a five-track EP on Mama Told Ya, marking their first collaboration with Anetha and their first release on the label. Developed between studio sessions in Groningen and sustained time in the club, Everything Is Still To Come places their work in a broader context, moving between bass music, techno and rave, where instinct-driven writing meets a more direct sense of physical function.
Dieses Jazzensemble ist durch und durch skandinavisch. Schlagzeuger Emil Brandqvist stammt aus Schweden, Pianist Tuomas Turunen aus Finnland und Bassist Max Thornberg ist ebenfalls Schwede. Seit etwa drei Jahren bilden sie das Emil Brandqvist Trio – mit großem Tatendrang und großem Erfolg. »Falling Crystals« heißt ihr drittes Album.
Auch ihre Musik ist typisch skandinavisch: geprägt von unaufgeregten, meditativen Klängen und nordischer Melancholie.
Und obwohl man von einem Trio, das nach seinem Schlagzeuger benannt ist, eigentlich das genaue Gegenteil erwartet, zeigt Emil Brandqvist auf »Falling Crystals« ein weiteres Mal, wie gut musikalische Zurückhaltung klingt. Das hat er bereits mit seinen beiden Vorgängeralben »Breathe Out« (2013) und »Seascapes« (2015) bewiesen, für das der Schlagzeuger unlängst für den Echo Jazz 2016 in der Kategorie »Instrumentalist/in des Jahres international Drums/Percussion« nominiert wurde.
Neben all der Leichtigkeit und Stille des neuen Albums, darf aber nicht vergessen werden, dass es sich dabei auch um herausragende, starke Kompositionen handelt, in dessen Zentrum das Klavier steht.
Beim Emil Brandqvist Trio treffen technische Finesse und punktgenaues Zusammenspiel auf bildhafte, berührende und vor allem eingängige Melodien. »Falling Crystals« bleibt also lange im Gedächtnis – wie der letzte Skandinavienurlaub.
Rezensionen
»Emil Brandqvist scheint ein ausgeglichener Mensch zu sein, der mal ausgelassen und fröhlich daherkommt, aber auch seine nachdenklichen, leiseren Seiten hat. Jedenfalls versteht sich der Schlagzeuger darauf, mit seinem Trio heiter, schwungvoll, aber auch bedächtig aufzuspielen. In „Through The Forest“ hüpfen die Töne von ihm, dem Pianisten Tuomas Turunen und dem Kontrabassisten Max Thornberg so fröhlich, als hätten sie sich durch Hits von ABBA zu einem Tänzchen inspirieren lassen. Mit „Shine“ hingegen bringen sie eine kleine Melodie zum Strahlen, und die Ballade „Longing“ gewinnt durch ausdrucksstarke, stellenweise an Frank Sinatras Intonation erinnernde Klaviermelodien und ein klares Fundament von Bass und Schlagzeug Ausdruck. Zu dritt oder im Quartett mit dem Perkussionisten Martin Brandqvist verzichten sie auf virtuose Hochgeschwindkeitspassagen – ihre Stärken sind einerseits das gelassene Ineinandergreifen von Piano und Begleitung und andererseits die Fähigkeit, kurze und einprägsame Melodien abwechslungsreich auszugestalten. Mal greifen sie dabei auf minimalistische Variationstechniken zurück, mal setzen sie Brüche, gliedern in Abschnitte, setzen einzelne Segmente hintereinander. Im Eröffnungsstück „While We Are Here“ und dem abschließenden Epilog „The Oak Trees“ und „Early Spring“ unterstützt sie das Sjöströmska String Quartet mit flächigen Klängen und aufgefächerten Akkorden, während das Trio in „The Sea Begins To Freeze“ eher auf die Tradition der Minimal Music zurückgreift. Die im Titel angesprochenen Kristalle fallen nicht nur, sie funkeln auch.« (RONDO, Werner Stiefele, 12.03.2016)
»Die wahre Schönheit zeigt sich hier nicht an der Oberfläche. Brandqvist, Turunen und Thornberg sind wahre Meister darin, elaboriert-komplexe klangliche Architekturen mit einer fein gezeichneten Gradlinigkeit zu entwerfen…Wunderschöne freigeistliche und anrührende Musik.« (JazzPodium)
»Waren schon die beiden vorherigen CDs (s.u.) wertvolle Kostbarkeiten in Sachen Piano-Jazz, so kann das Album Falling Crystals noch mal einen draufsetzen. Ein dermaßen relaxtes, zeitloses und Musikliebhaber aller Couleurs ansprechendes Album hat man selten gesehen.« (sound&image.de)
»Falls Ihnen der Name bekannt vorkommt: Vom schwedischen Emil Brandqvist Trio haben wir schon mehrfach geschwärmt, das wunderbare ›Seascapes‹ Ende 2015 gar zu einem Album des Jahres gekürt. Nun folgt mit ›Falling Crystals‹ der nächste große Wurf. Wieder gelingt es den drei Musikern, ganz simple Ideen zu Stücken von zerbrechlicher Schönheit und anmut zu formen. Mal klingt das Trio fast wie Popmusik, mal erweitert es sein Klangspektrum durch ein Streichquartett. Dann scheint die berühmte nordische Melancholie noch etwas stärker durch die beührenden Melodien.« (Stern, 31.03.2016)
»Dem Schlagzeuger Emil Brandqvist gelingt mit seinem Jazz-Trio nun bereits zum dritten Mal ein gar nicht mal so einfaches Kunststück: hinreißend schöne, cineastisch ausgreifende Melodien zu schreiben.« (dpa + Focus)
»Typisch romantische Brandqvist-Art: Eine eingängige Popmelodie wird von schwebenden Streichern unterstützt, fern von darüber gezogenem Pathos.« (Jazz thing)
»Die klangmalerischen Landschaftsbilder des Trios …entwickeln einen hypnotischen Sog.« (Hörzu + Gong)
»Erstklassiger Piano-Jazz.« (In Music)
»Eine stilvoll und -sicher arrangierte Kreuzung aus Pop-Jazz und eingängiger Kammermusik.« (Nordische Musik.de)
»Dieses Trio besticht durch herrliche Melodien, welche tief ins Herz gelangen. Sounds welche man so schnell nicht vergisst. Es scheint als würden die Musiker ein Gemälde von unsagbarere Schönheit malen. Dieses Album sticht aus der Masse deutlich heraus.« (Jazzdrummerworld.de)
»Um es vorweg zu nehmen, mit Falling Crystals liefert das Emil Brandqvist Trio sein Meisterstück ab. Bereits in den letzten Jahren hat sich der Göteborger Schlagzeuger Emil Brandqvist auf vordere Ränge des europäischen Jazz gespielt, sein Trio steht für unaufgeregte, bildhafte und berührende Melodien und Sounds, die lebhaft in Erinnerung bleiben.« (Medien-Info.com)
Konzert-Reviews
Poesie- und Literaturfestival Bad Homburg – Lesung mit Max Moor:
»Unterbrochen werden seine Sequenzen vom Emil Brandqvist Trio, einer virtuosen großartigen finnisch-schwedischen Band, die mit magischen und häufig melancholischen Klängen, mit Jazz ganz eigener Prägung, den Inhalt der Geschichte aufgreift, intensiviert und weiterführt. ..« (Taunus Zeitung)
»Mit ihren besonderen Klangreisen hinterließen sie ein andächtiges und zugleich euphorisches Publikum, das die einzelnen Songs lautstark beklatschte…Einfach exzellent…mit seiner raffiniert gewürzten Lyrik des Nordens. Dieser teils magische Jazz bleibt in Erinnerung.« (shz.de)
»Klassisches Maß und große Kraft.« (HNA)
»In die Musik des Emil-Brandqvist-Trios kann man sich wunderbar versenken und sich darin verlieren…« (Haller Tagesblatt)
Lambrini Girls kündigen am 15. Januar ihr mit Spannung erwartetes zweites Album „NO REFUNDS“ an. Ihr Debütalbum „Who Let The Dogs Out“ schaffte es in die Top 20 der britischen Charts, wurde von Magazinen wie Kerrang! und NME auf den Titelseiten vorgestellt, sorgte weltweit für ausverkaufte Tourneen und löste einen regelrechten Hype in den sozialen Medien aus. „No Refunds“ ist düsterer, direkter und radikaler. „BANG BANG BANG“ eröffnet die Kampagne mit voller Wucht: scharf, schnell und explosiv.
Lambrini Girls sind ein Punk-Duo aus Brighton, das Musik über all das macht, worüber deine beschissene Regierung, deine beschissenen Chefs und deine beschissenen Männer lieber nicht reden würden. Phoebe Lunny (Gesang, Gitarre) und Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez (Bass) stehen ganz in der Tradition des Riot Grrrl – roh, laut, witzig und wütend. Ihre Songs über sexuelle Übergriffe, Queerness, Sparpolitik, Rassismus und toxische Beziehungen werden mit einer chaotischen Live-Energie vorgetragen, die Veranstaltungsorte in Moshpits und Fremde in Gemeinschaften verwandelt. Ihr Debütalbum „Who Let The Dogs Out“ (City Slang Records, Januar 2025) war eine der meistgelobten Platten des Jahres: eine Metacritic-Bewertung von 83, was auf „allgemeine Begeisterung“ hindeutet, ein Einstieg auf Platz 16 der britischen Albumcharts, Rough Trades „Album des Monats“ und Platz 12 in Kerrang!s Liste der 50 besten Alben des Jahres 2025. NME kürte es zu einem der 20 besten Debütalben des Jahres. Die Band zierte die Titelseiten von Notion, Kerrang!, Paste, New Noise und Variety und erntete Lob von Größen wie Kathleen Hanna, Sleater-Kinney und Peaches, die ihren Hit „Cuntology 101“ remixten. “ Im Anschluss an das Album folgten mehrere ausverkaufte Headliner-Tourneen durch Europa, Großbritannien und Nordamerika, bei denen sie das O2 Forum Kentish Town ausverkauften und sich einen Auftritt beim Coachella sicherten, bevor sich Frontfrau Phoebe Lunny mitten auf der Tournee in Australien eine Halswirbelfraktur und eine Hirnverletzung zuzog. Die US-Termine wurden verschoben. Und dann neu angesetzt. Eine Reihe von Festivalauftritten wurde angekündigt. Ein Auftritt als Vorgruppe von Bikini Kill in New York wurde hinzugefügt. Das ist nicht die Ruhe vor dem Sturm … Die Lambrini Girls sind schon mittendrin, und sie werden gerade erst richtig loslegen.
Lambrini Girls kündigen am 15. Januar ihr mit Spannung erwartetes zweites Album „NO REFUNDS“ an. Ihr Debütalbum „Who Let The Dogs Out“ schaffte es in die Top 20 der britischen Charts, wurde von Magazinen wie Kerrang! und NME auf den Titelseiten vorgestellt, sorgte weltweit für ausverkaufte Tourneen und löste einen regelrechten Hype in den sozialen Medien aus. „No Refunds“ ist düsterer, direkter und radikaler. „BANG BANG BANG“ eröffnet die Kampagne mit voller Wucht: scharf, schnell und explosiv.
Lambrini Girls sind ein Punk-Duo aus Brighton, das Musik über all das macht, worüber deine beschissene Regierung, deine beschissenen Chefs und deine beschissenen Männer lieber nicht reden würden. Phoebe Lunny (Gesang, Gitarre) und Selin Macieira-Boşgelmez (Bass) stehen ganz in der Tradition des Riot Grrrl – roh, laut, witzig und wütend. Ihre Songs über sexuelle Übergriffe, Queerness, Sparpolitik, Rassismus und toxische Beziehungen werden mit einer chaotischen Live-Energie vorgetragen, die Veranstaltungsorte in Moshpits und Fremde in Gemeinschaften verwandelt. Ihr Debütalbum „Who Let The Dogs Out“ (City Slang Records, Januar 2025) war eine der meistgelobten Platten des Jahres: eine Metacritic-Bewertung von 83, was auf „allgemeine Begeisterung“ hindeutet, ein Einstieg auf Platz 16 der britischen Albumcharts, Rough Trades „Album des Monats“ und Platz 12 in Kerrang!s Liste der 50 besten Alben des Jahres 2025. NME kürte es zu einem der 20 besten Debütalben des Jahres. Die Band zierte die Titelseiten von Notion, Kerrang!, Paste, New Noise und Variety und erntete Lob von Größen wie Kathleen Hanna, Sleater-Kinney und Peaches, die ihren Hit „Cuntology 101“ remixten. “ Im Anschluss an das Album folgten mehrere ausverkaufte Headliner-Tourneen durch Europa, Großbritannien und Nordamerika, bei denen sie das O2 Forum Kentish Town ausverkauften und sich einen Auftritt beim Coachella sicherten, bevor sich Frontfrau Phoebe Lunny mitten auf der Tournee in Australien eine Halswirbelfraktur und eine Hirnverletzung zuzog. Die US-Termine wurden verschoben. Und dann neu angesetzt. Eine Reihe von Festivalauftritten wurde angekündigt. Ein Auftritt als Vorgruppe von Bikini Kill in New York wurde hinzugefügt. Das ist nicht die Ruhe vor dem Sturm … Die Lambrini Girls sind schon mittendrin, und sie werden gerade erst richtig loslegen.
Double vinyl reissue of Skullflower’s epochal “IIRD GATEKEEPER” album - the first time that this album has been available on vinyl for 30 years. In addition to the original LP this definitive and expanded edition includes extra and unreleased tracks taken from the recording sessions. For the first time all the tracks recorded by the band during this period can be heard together giving fans unprecedented access to material previously only available in the bands’ archives. Recorded in London in 1991 and released in 1992 on Justin “Godflesh” Broadrick’s HeadDirt label in 1992, IIRD GATEKEEPER established a worldwide reputation and following for Skullflower and convinced many who heard it that they had encountered nothing less than the best band on the planet. Arriving at the height of the “grunge” and the expansion of underground guitar “rock” into corporate America, IIRD GATEKEEPER had its roots deep in the UK noise and power-electronics scene. Guitarist Matthew Bower and bassist Anthony Di Franco were both graduates of the Broken Flag school of British noise making with their respective projects PURE, TOTAL and JFK. IIRD GATEKEEPER was Skullflower’s third album and was the first of the band’s albums to feature a consistent line-up throughout its production: Matthew Bower (guitar), Anthony Di Franco on (bass) and Stuart Dennison (drums). Recorded and mixed in four sessions between January and June 1991the tracks on this edition of IIRD GATEKEEPER shows the band’s new line up developing their sound, warping and evolving in real time. As such this edition of IIRD GATEKEEPER provides a unique document of the band in a state of transition, with the chemistry of the individual playing combusting in the studio to create a wave of astonishing creativity. IIRD GATEKEEPER is perhaps the definitive British underground rock album of the 1990’s – unique and never equalled. With this new edition Dirter Promotions allows Skullflower fans old and new to listen to this classic album as it was intended: spark up, crank it up and prepare to have your ears and mind blown
After more than a decade shaping dancefloors and curating sound, ROOTS steps into a new chapter with the launch of its vinyl imprint: ROOTS LTD, a platform dedicated to exploring the essence of “the sounds of Roots.”
The inaugural release comes courtesy of Gojnea76, delivering a refined four-track EP built with the dancefloor in mind. Drawing on the spirit of ‘90s tech house and memphis rap, the record blends solid basslines, groovy vocal cuts, and rolling pads into a cohesive and timeless journey.
With his unmistakable signature, Gojnea crafts a debut that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking, a statement piece to mark the beginning of ROOTS LTD.
Slope114 are Dmitri SFC & Elise Gargalikis, a duo that makes their house music live from home in San Francisco. That lends it a rare musicality and melodic lushness that sit their work right up there with deep house forefathers. This outing starts with the slouchy goodness and endearing bass of 'Dystopian Blues', complete with aloof vocals that exude cool. The dub is even more pillow and smooth than the Mark Ambrose mix that brings a little more roughness to the drums but still locks into a hypnotic vibe. 'Emu 2' is a gentle rhythm with dusty pads and candle-lit chords for when slow-burn subtlety is prized over immediacy. Classy stuff.
The world of UKG is as fruitful as ever right now and someone who continues to make fresh moves in it is IsGwan, a Melbourne/Naarm-based artist adding his own twist to the classic template. London label Bad Parrot welcomes him for a series of bouncy and bright originals as well as some on-point remixes. 'Next To Me' has low-key groove that skates and scuffs along with a classic r&b vocal from Amber Ferraro, adding the sunshine. There's a slow, more bass-driven heft to 'All That You Want', 'On Your Mind' is sun-baked and blissed out and 'Feel Free' brings more adventurous synth work to a busier framework. Of the remixes, Harvey Sutherland brings his usual sun-facing synth sounds and Rich Ellis makes 'Feel Free' into a more dark and gritty low-end workout.
Released on Polydor in 1972, He’s Coming captures vibraphonist Roy Ayers at a creative apex, as Ubiquity’s sound settled into the blend of jazz improvisation, funk rhythm, soul harmony, and spiritual import that would define his work throughout the decade. Emerging at the start of the 1970s, the album reflects Ayers’s deepening move toward a groove-centred musical language rooted in soul-jazz and early jazz-funk. The vibraphonist, keyboardist, composer, and bandleader is supported by a core ensemble that includes Harry Whitaker on electric piano, organ, and vocals; John Williams on bass, with Ron Carter featured on ‘We Live in Brooklyn, Baby’; David Lee Jr. and Billy Cobham on drums and percussion; guitarists Sam Brown and Bob Fusco; saxophonist Sonny Fortune; and percussionist Juma Santos. Tracks like ‘He’s a Superstar’, ‘Sweet Butterfly of Love’, and ‘Fire Weaver’ embody the record’s mix of urban narrative, spiritual reflection, and deep rhythmic momentum — qualities that would later make Ayers’s catalogue a source of inspiration for soul, funk, hip-hop, and neo-soul artists.
As anticipation for The Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues album grows ever more feverish, the legendary band have served up another irresistible preview with the new single ‘Jealous Lover’. It’s the latest fantastic example of the Stones’ effortless ability to switch between styles, as they glide from the pop-rock dynamism of ‘In The Stars’ to this soulful groove featuring a captivating falsetto lead vocal by Mick Jagger.
Eloquent guitar detail by Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood is further enhanced by the redoubtable rhythm section of Darryl Jones on bass and Steve Jordan on drums and percussion, as well as the Stones’ longtime friend Steve Winwood on Rhodes and organ. ‘Jealous Lover’ continues the band’s lifelong love affair with R&B, as Mick delivers a “hands off” message to an over-inquisitive partner with such whip-smart lyrics as “You pray like a mantis, you’re emerald green”
Derek Kamm is the American producer behind the Kidislive project and brings more than two decades of experience.
The Long Island-raised DJ and producer has previously received support from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Marco Carola and Carl Craig, while releasing on Visionquest, but now hones his craft, combining influences from micro house, minimal and experimental. Fresh off a third outing on 8 Head Records, he is back on his own new label to explore more compelling grooves.
Opener 'Down To The Penny' has a lively carnival feel, with an excitable mix of shimmering synths and subtle guitar riffs bursting through the mix. Sweeping filters ramp up the scale as more delicate melodies hang in the air, helping to hypnotise the dance floor. There is plenty of sunshine in the rich, multilayered instrumental 'Never Stop Reaching', which builds through rousing chords and florid flute lines. Vocals arrive with an empowering message that will bring real rapture. The fantastic 'Dipper Fox' is a rugged rhythm with chunky bass and a muscular feel that's softened by wispy, swirling synths and soaring choral vocals. Last but not least, 'Shorty Circuitry' is a study in emotional soundscaping - a warm, effervescing brew with strings and breathy vocals, long-tailed chords and a sense of joy all swarming around a subtle bass guitar that moves things onward and upwards.
Bifu is a new curation project by Pirka that translates the concept of a gentle wind into a refined electronic signature.
Marking the label's inaugural release, Barut crafts an atmospheric, airy landscape where floating textures meet dancefloor weight.
By seamlessly weaving mellow synths and emotive vocals over the organic warmth of swooshing congas and groovy basslines, this debut defines a space where deep house feels entirely natural, refreshing, and moving as a gentle wind.
The Komudo series is about "exploring the past and future of trance-infused techno" and this second volume looks to the origins of those styles with French producer and live performer Sindh at the helm. He kicks off with a lithe blend of kick and bass infused with wiry electronics and spoken words that bring a psychedelic edge. 'Kulkan' is bolder and more textured, with well-swung kicks and darker bass, while 'Atm Venom' has a mix of deft clicks and subliminal bass and more prominent synths blowing in the wind. It's a pared-back but impactful style that is endlessly lively. '2058' closes with deep space ambient pads, glassy daubs and distant details that make it brilliantly mentally nourishing.
Rhythm Of Paradise captures the essence of modern Italian piano house with the "Ti Sento EP".
A coherent and refined project that blends radio appeal and club depth, all with a warm, Mediterranean soul and pure Italian House Vibe.
The EP opens with the title track, an emotional summer anthem built on a sensual Italian female vocal. Beautiful piano hook in the real Italo style & warm M1 organ bassline, are the foundation that makes this track a unique narrative experience keeping balance between radio-friendly immediacy and a solid timeless club presence.
From the emotional Ti sento going to the festive, sunny mood of "Mi Piace" on A2, where the energy is amplified by a more driving rhythm and piano melodies that celebrate pure joy. It's the EP's track designed to create a peak of collective euphoria on the dancefloor.
On B, Micheal’s partner in crimes St. David reimagines “Mi Piace” track on a tribal dub journey with an Ibizan soul, where the original vocal is deconstructed into echoes, the bass becomes hypnotic, and the groovy organic percussions keeps the floor moving and shaking. A version for emotive charm of early Italo house, evoking euphoric dancefloors, Calypso beach parties in the style of Palmares or Irma records.
Closing with B2. Ti Voglio and its seductive groove, and a refined afterhours atmosphere. It demonstrates how Italian emotion in house music can also be communicated through the power of few elements that hits your sensitive side. Sax atmosphere and deep dub groove capture the rhythm of the listener for this beautiful closing track.
A complete collection of Timeless Italo House journey for those that knows !
Written and Produced by Michele Lamacchia. Includes remix from St. David
Mixed & Mastered by St. David
There was a regrettable time in Turbo's history when our email filters would prevent anything called Groovedeep from reaching our senior A&R braintrust. We felt we needed to shield their sensibilities and sanity from demos by acts like The Rhythm Pilgrims and Loop Addict, but it ended up costing us potential stars like SonicVisions and Beatweaver. Someone had to stand up and say no more.
With this benighted era behind us, Turbo is proud of itself for presenting you with this pair of decidedly modern bangers from international supergroup Groovedeep, comprised of Toronto's Ciel and DC's James Bangura and Jackson Ryland.
"Funk Solo" packs 145 beats into each and every minute of a delirious techno mindbeast, with remixes from icons such as Shed, Batu, and Mark Broom taking the vibe in all the right various directions. Meanwhile, the bottom of the B-side is a "Big Bass Mix" for those of us who are compelled to slather ourselves in bass-boost ultrasound gel and nestle into the club sub-woofer where the low frequencies massage our kidneys and sacrum and the twinned demons of treble and vision cannot touch us I mean not even close brother.
ORANGE - Limited Edition! SPANDAU20 returns, bridging Berlin and UK lineage, with new material from Mr. G, Elli Acula, FJAAK and Dajusch, continuing to showcase the many shades of contemporary club music through its forward-facing approach. On its 12th release, the Berlin label presents a record that reflects individual artistry as much as the unmistakable identity of the SPANDAU20 sound. Opening the release is Mr. G with 'I Came To See You'. The track is a true embodiment of his distinctive production style, unfolding through bouncing basslines, swinging percussion and hypnotic looping vocals and capturing the raw spirit of old-school dance music with fresh spirit. Sitting somewhere between house and techno, it sets the tone with a particular kind of hypnosis, taking the listeners deep into the endlessly circling groove. Elli Acula follows with 'Take One Higher', a fierce and uncompromising techno track that perfectly reflects the label's hallmark aesthetic. She channels the raw energy of the 90s through a modern lens, pairing rough edged stabs, cavernous kicks and gritty percussion programmed with unfiltered dancefloor intensity in mind. The result is a high-pressure track designed to fully consume the room. On the flip side, FJAAK unleash 'Drip Code', showcasing the duo's signature blend of powerful low-end pressure and analogue grooves. Having spent over a decade shaping Berlin's techno landscape through their machine-driven approach, the pair deliver crisp percussion, huge open hi-hats and teeth-rattling drum machine combinations, while racing chords and looping vocals propel the track forward. It is a direct and highly effective example of the energy that has come to define the SPANDAU20 universe. Closing the release is Dajusch with 'Tongue In Cheek'. Deeply influenced by the foundational sounds of Detroit and Chicago, the classically trained producer leans into warmer, more uplifting territory. The track combines grooving basslines, saturated 909 percussion and piano-led melodies with disco-tinged vocal loops that glide effortlessly across the arrangement. This closer highlights Dajusch's refined understanding of groove, texture and atmosphere, rounding off the release with a distinctly euphoric touch. SPANDAU20 012 is another example of classy production skills merged with genuine dancefloor purpose. As ever, the label lets the music speak for itself. The many shades of sound are on full display, bound together by the singular identity that has made SPANDAU20 one of Berlin's most distinctive voices in the electronic music landscape.
SPANDAU20 returns, bridging Berlin and UK lineage, with new material from Mr. G, Elli Acula, FJAAK and Dajusch, continuing to showcase the many shades of contemporary club music through its forward-facing approach. On its 12th release, the Berlin label presents a record that reflects individual artistry as much as the unmistakable identity of the SPANDAU20 sound. Opening the release is Mr. G with 'I Came To See You'. The track is a true embodiment of his distinctive production style, unfolding through bouncing basslines, swinging percussion and hypnotic looping vocals and capturing the raw spirit of old-school dance music with fresh spirit. Sitting somewhere between house and techno, it sets the tone with a particular kind of hypnosis, taking the listeners deep into the endlessly circling groove. Elli Acula follows with 'Take One Higher', a fierce and uncompromising techno track that perfectly reflects the label's hallmark aesthetic. She channels the raw energy of the 90s through a modern lens, pairing rough edged stabs, cavernous kicks and gritty percussion programmed with unfiltered dancefloor intensity in mind. The result is a high-pressure track designed to fully consume the room. On the flip side, FJAAK unleash 'Drip Code', showcasing the duo's signature blend of powerful low-end pressure and analogue grooves. Having spent over a decade shaping Berlin's techno landscape through their machine-driven approach, the pair deliver crisp percussion, huge open hi-hats and teeth-rattling drum machine combinations, while racing chords and looping vocals propel the track forward. It is a direct and highly effective example of the energy that has come to define the SPANDAU20 universe. Closing the release is Dajusch with 'Tongue In Cheek'. Deeply influenced by the foundational sounds of Detroit and Chicago, the classically trained producer leans into warmer, more uplifting territory. The track combines grooving basslines, saturated 909 percussion and piano-led melodies with disco-tinged vocal loops that glide effortlessly across the arrangement. This closer highlights Dajusch's refined understanding of groove, texture and atmosphere, rounding off the release with a distinctly euphoric touch. SPANDAU20 012 is another example of classy production skills merged with genuine dancefloor purpose. As ever, the label lets the music speak for itself. The many shades of sound are on full display, bound together by the singular identity that has made SPANDAU20 one of Berlin's most distinctive voices in the electronic music landscape.
In a dystopian universe where elites manipulate memory to control the population. Vibracid emerges as a technique of liberation through sound: a method for erasing induced memory.
THE RHYME marks the counterattack phase. The insurgents infect the system used by the elites for control and reprogram it from within: patterns, voices and sequences as active code.
Contemporary bass, electro, breaks, acid and rave converge as transmission vectors. Each track operates as a unit of intervention within this science fiction scenario.
At this stage, new signals are incorporated. Power, with a solid trajectory within the underground circuit, opens the EP in a forceful way, with an acid, surprising and spectacular impact. Exieve, a young producer from Chernihiv, continues the attack with a raw tension where vocals cut through the signal like sharp fragments. Alongside them, Lups Digga, Atix, Parand and Calagad 13 continue expanding the system’s reach.
Music springs eternal. Recognising the enduring power of timeless albums to guide us through life, Forever Records is a reissue series dedicated to rediscovering lost musical treasures from across the spectrum of head-feeding, heart-rending electronic music.
Established by Rush Hour co-founder Christiaan Macdonald and Delsin founder Marsel van der Wielen, Forever Records places heartfelt faith in a carefully curated sequence of seminal, largely forgotten records from disparate eras, scenes and spaces within electronic music history. Tipped towards the mellow and introspective, these are albums that stop time when the needle hits the groove, stirring only when it's time to flip over before you sink back into the experience. That's what albums were always meant to be about, back then, right now, always and forever.
The Release:
Striking the sweet spot between sampledelic downtempo and earth-rooted deep house, Fila Brazillia's Old Codes New Chaos is a maverick patchwork of grooves and soundscapes. Crafted in North East England in the vibrant period before chill-out was co-opted by advertising, Steve Cobby and Dave McSherry's sharp-eared funk formula remains a cult classic suite of exquisite productions spanning deep house, broken beat and ambient shot through with wry humour.
Last physically released in limited quantities in 2002, Forever Records are revisiting this 1994 gem with an extensive reissue led by a triple vinyl pressing. As well as a new LP edition of the album, there will also be a uniquely numbered, limited edition housed in a gatefold sleeve that comes with a bonus 10" featuring two previously unreleased tracks.
'Chemistry' and 'Rankine', plus an exclusive print of Catherine Brennand's watercolour painting that graces the front of the album. All editions also features liner notes by veteran music journalist John McCready.
Press response to Old Codes New Chaos:
"The album that made the world finally sit up and take notice of the avant funk grooves coming from Hull's immaculately stoned tech funk magicians." Frank Tope, Mixmag, UK 1994.
"This album… stands out a mile from most of its peers as a work of untouchable genius." Bill Brewster, DJ Mag UK 1994.
"Fila works because they fit into that no man’s land, the space in your record collection where ambient seems too much like wallpaper and house seems just too braindead for your bedroom " Frank Tope, Mixmag, UK 1994.
"Having already created the perfect desert island disc, "Mermaids" and explored the darker side of sub bass on the 17-minute extravaganza "Fila Funk", Fila Brazillia have just unleashed their moving debut LP, "Old Codes New Chaos", and to be quite honest, you'd be fool to miss out this time around." Mandi James, Melody Maker, UK 1994.
“Where Cobby and Man rip up the rulebook on the four to the floor and probably make the greatest afterhours house album in the word”. Tony Marcus, Mixmag, 1996.
San Dee, TMD - Watif EP - Command Center Records - CCRE001
Command Center Records operates as a unified collective, independent label, and boutique online shop that actively energizes the local Miami community. Launched in 2019, the brand champions multiple musical styles. curating a wide array of genres while amplifying dance music to the forefront.
San Dee and TMD team up to launch this debut vinyl effort, delivering a heavy-hitting release of deep, minimal house and breaks. Across four tracks, "Watif" engineers a landscape of floor-shaking groovers, fusing sub-heavy kicks and rolling bass lines with layering drum machine textures and analog synths.
House titan Adam Collins contributes TWO masterwork Watif remixes that incinerate peak-hour sets. With the first Remix, a deeper rhythmic breakbeat and slapping hi-hats that slightly varies from the original. The second remix, being the Top Down Mix, packs a groovy Detroit electro-house feel, that you'll find yourself cruising at high speed with the top down.
Rounding out the EP is “Listening Minds" which transports the audience through a cosmic soundscape, while a recurring voice instructs the room to "Listen."
Pleasant Systems 014 brings together David Böning and Phillip Kluge for Moonbathed and Sunkissed, a four-track EP rooted in rough-edged ’90s deep house and early protohouse aesthetics. Split across two sides, the record moves through dusty drum machines, stripped-back grooves, raw basslines, and understated club energy. Drawing inspiration from classic US house music without slipping into nostalgia, both producers deliver tracks built for smoke-filled rooms, early morning floors and selectors who like things deep, direct and slightly worn around the edges.
Written in the wake of a relocation year that quietly rewired the Australian-Macedonian DJ/Producer’s instincts, the latest record on Aldonna’s own Re-leaf Imprint trades the melodic density of earlier work for something more intimate, immediate, and bodily. ‘Infatuate’ closes the gap between what she is making and what Aldonna is reaching for in her record bag. That shift manifests in a tighter focus on groove. Gritty, swung drum samples lifted and reshaped from vinyl, FX drenched stabs flickering through delays, and basslines that feel less composed than inhabited.
The A-side rides a continuous low-end groove. The environments that shaped these tracks are still embedded in them: the sunburnt euphoria of a Brussels day party bleeds into “Squeaky,” while “Keep Up” captures the nervous, sleepless churn of a Berlin weekend on the edge of breakthrough.
The B-side’s “My Dear” softens into something more viscous and intimate, its warmth underscored by Aldonna’s own spoken word vocal in the Macedonian language, an understated but pointed nod toward underrepresented Balkan textures in club music. The EP rounds off with a functional remix from Berlin’s ‘Revivis’, applying his signature rolling sound to ‘My Dear’.
As a whole, the record feels deliberately situational, equally at home under low red lights in a sweat-slicked club or stretched across a festival system in broad daylight, but always orbiting that same core impulse: to pull bodies closer, lock them into the groove, and let everything else dissolve.
Still compelled by the space they first opened, Gūsū returns with a second release, “Inhabiting Me”. What began as a shared approach, sprouted from intuition, has grown denser and more defined, holding on to that same fragility and openness. The duo continues to befriend with contrast, friction and proximity, shaping a language that inhabits their uncommon ground.
Vintage drum machines, tape delays and bass guitar widen the sonic ground, adding pulse, grain and instability, while the guzheng holds its place in full clarity. Each sound source becomes each other’s ornament, forming to gesture the next currents.
What emerges is less a fixed composition than a shifting form: precise in detail, impossible to contain. Listeners who have experienced Gūsū’s live performances will recognise this rare quality: a music of great sensitivity that expands with quiet force, drawing them inward rather than confronting them directly. The sound fades, re-enters, and leaves behind the trace of a lighthearted heaviness, echoing back in fragments, reappearing in memory with altered weight and colour.
Time bends inward and tones return altered. Between repetition and resonance, a tensile form begins to emerge. Neither nostalgic nor futuristic, neither static nor loose. Gūsū does not merge its materials into one smooth surface; it lets them stand close enough to sharpen one another.
Gūsū is a transcultural music project born from the confluence of two distinct artistic voices: Xueyan Chen and Nicolas Balmer. Together, they create a complex dialogue of sound that bridges the ancient and the modern, exploring the liminal spaces between tradition and experimentation. Gūsū’s inception was serendipitous, sparked by a shared stage in late 2022. What began as spontaneous improvisations has since evolved into a profound collaboration. The duo has performed under various monikers, finding their ultimate identity in the name Gūsū, a nod to both heritage and transformation.
All Nice Records returns with the 006 instalment, welcoming Raw Takes to the roster for a self-titled six-tracker that lives up to its name. No frills, no fuss, just pure, unfiltered club music pressed on wax Side A kicks off with House of Phreaks, a dense Chicago house sledgehammer built around a heavyweight bassline that sets the pace from the first bar, no introduction needed. Last Figure pulls the tension tighter before One For Gehm closes the first side as a heartfelt nod to Andreas Gehm - the legendary German acid pioneer whose influence continues to ripple through the underground. Flip it over and Piano Jam brings an unexpected melodic warmth to the centre of the record, while AECD wears its influences proudly, a 303-drenched acid workout rooted deep in the classic Chicago house tradition, the kind of track that feels like it could have come straight out of the Warehouse era. Crime Times seals the deal... gritty, atmospheric, and built for the late hours.
Terrestrial Funk presents a piece of Detroit history. Born and raised in Motor City, Karl Fultz knew at the age of twelve that he wanted to be the most talented and successful DJ in the world. In 1999 he released on Juan Atkins’ Metroplex under the alias People Mover and in 2000 he released as Black Electric on Puzzlebox. Inspired by British synth-pop duo Eurythmics, Fultz says Black Electric was a way to get more women involved in the techno movement. Together alongside vocalists Tiffany Elliott, Kim Glover & Talena Fultz, Black Electric brought sex appeal to the scene. Their first and only release stays in demand and has become inaccessible until now. Terrestrial Funk’s reissue provides two fresh cuts on the new 12”; ‘Purple’ a chugging Detroit acid track describing soul modification to enhance intimacy and a proper bassed out club mix of the nasty electro sex song ‘Work That’, which was only featured as an acapella on the original release. The release also features updated mixes of both the title track and the half-time anthem 'Come To Me' alongside the original y2k mix of 'Colors'. Black Electric stands as a testament to turn of the millennia Detroit and the city’s undying devotion to expand our connection to music.
Madonna announced today her eagerly anticipated new album Confessions ll is set for release on July 3rd via Warner Records.
The new album is the continuation of the iconic counterpart Confessions on a Dance Floor. Ahead of the lead single, Madonna unveils the first taste of music with a trancelike visual teaser. Watch HERE. Fans can pre-order the album + the ultimate curation of expansive vinyl and CDs
Madonna sums up her new record best by quoting the first few lines of her song, One Step Away, “People think that dance music is superficial, but they’ve got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold: A ritualistic space where movement replaces language.”
Madonna adds “When Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto”:
We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies. These are things that we've been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect
—with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It's about pushing your limits and
connecting to a community of like-minded people.
Sound, light, and vibration Reshape our perceptions Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it.
Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.
Sciahri and Sublunar are happy to welcome back Clotur with his new EP, One Touch. A release that highlights Clotur’s ability to blend refined groove structures with a distinctive and instantly recognisable sonic language. The EP opens with One Touch, a deep and seductive cut enriched by Suēno’s distinctive vocal, creating one of those tracks that instantly stays in your head. It then moves into Drummz, driven by dynamic and unpredictable rhythms, refined groove work and a strong sense of movement. On the flip side, Endless Love blends deep, repetitive structures with a balance of modern and old-school influences, before closing the vinyl with Fragments of Us, a track that perfectly captures Clotur’s talent for unique sound exploration, paired with an infectious bassline that lingers long after. With this EP, Clotur further establishes himself as one of the most distinctive and hard-to-replicate artists in the current scene.
Nizre debut to Be As One with “Detained,” a rumbling new 4-track EP built with deep and tense late-night driving grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and a raw industrial edge, showcasing Nizre’s signature balance between intensity and precision. Each track unfolds with dark atmospheres, pulsating basslines, and subtle tension, stands as a solid statement on the imprint, reinforcing both the artist’s vision and Be As One’s forward-thinking underground techno.
Better late than never, we’re incredibly excited to finally announce a very special upcoming release on our label.
One of the most rewarding aspects of music is its ability to create meaningful connections across borders and cultures. Through that shared language, we connected with rush2theUnknown, a Japan- and New Zealand-based duo with roots in the foundation New
Zealand jungle / drum & bass scene, and it’s a true privilege to now be releasing their music. Ancient / Future is a journey through time, influence, and emotion. Drawing from the duo’s diverse musical backgrounds and inspirations, the EP bridges ancient echoes with futuristic
sound design, balancing antediluvian nostalgia and far-future energy in equal measure.
Bei dem Album ‘November 89’ handelt es sich um eine Auswahl von sehr frühen GAS Stücken, die zum Teil noch in den späten 1980er Jahren entstanden sind. Sie wurden erstmalig 2008 als CD-Einleger in dem Kunst Bildband Wolfgang Voigt GAS auf Raster Noton veröffentlicht.
Ebenso wie bei den Fotos im Buch handelt es sich bei den Stücken um frühe Vorläufer-Werke,
die in den Folgejahren mit den Alben ‘Zauberberg’ und ‘Königsforst’ zum stilprägenden, audiovisuellen Gesamtkunstwerk aus hypnotisch-fokussierten Waldbildern und abstrakt-psychedelischem Soundrauschen aus Alphorn und Bassdrum werden sollten.
Nun gibt es das Album erstmalig auf Vinyl. Damit wird die bisherige GAS Vinyl-Serie um das bisher fehlende „Erste“ Album quasi vervollständigt.
Das Covermotiv nimmt direkt Bezug auf das 1999 erschienene Album Oktember. Das sehr hypnotisch-verdichtete Waldmotiv war Grundlage für einen der ersten Waldloops Oktember, die es über die Jahre zunehmend in internationale Galerien und Kunstspielstätten geschafft haben.
Teil der Album-Veröffentlichung November 89 sind 2 Siebdruck-Editionen (je 30 + 3A.P.)
Edition 1 - November 89 - 2026 / 30cm x 30cm Siebdruck, Klebeband auf Aluminiumplatte.
Edition 2 - November 89 - 2026 / 30cm x 30cm Siebdruck, Klebeband auf Papier.
Beide Editionen bestehen aus je 3 x 10 nicht priorisierten Farbvariationen.
Die Editionen sind exklusiv nur über Kompakt erhältlich.
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The album ‘November 89’ comprises a selection of very early GAS tracks, some of which date back to the late 1980s. They were first released in 2008 as a CD insert in the art book ‘Wolfgang Voigt GAS’, published on Raster-Noton.
Just like the photographs in the book, these pieces are early precursors that would evolve in the ensuing years with the albums ‘Zauberberg’ and ‘Königsforst’ into a style-defining, audiovisual “Gesamtkunstwerk” (total work of art) comprising hypnotically focused forest imagery and an abstract, psychedelic wash of sound created by alphorn and bass drum.
The album is now available on vinyl for the first time. This effectively completes the existing GAS vinyl series by adding the "first" album, which had previously been missing.
The cover art makes direct reference to the album ‘Oktember’, released in 1999. The highly hypnotic, dense forest motif served as the basis for one of the first ‘Oktember’ Waldloops (forest-loops) works that have increasingly found their way into international galleries and art venues over the years.
The ‘November 89’ album release includes two screen-print editions (30 copies + 3 A.P.s each).
Edition 1 - November 89 2026 / 30 cm x 30 cm Screen print and adhesive tape on aluminum panel.
Edition 2 - November 89 2026 / 30 cm x 30 cm Screen print and adhesive tape on paper.
Each edition consists of three sets of ten color variations, with no specific hierarchy among them.
These editions are available exclusively through Kompakt.
With Panorama, Frank Maston pays homage to the classic era of library records and Italian soundtracks of the 70s. A blissed-out, grooving collection of filmic cues, it continues the unique brilliance of Tulips and Darkland. Elegant and easy, subtle and stylish, breezy and beautiful; this is his Maston-piece. Commissioned by legendary label KPM, Panorama cements Maston as a master of modern classics and the most mesmeric of contemporary composers.
In early 2020, Be With suggested to Frank that he should make a KPM record. He wasn't aware that they were still putting out new library records - but he was super keen: "It was completely surreal and it still hasn't fully sank in that I have a record in that catalog, sitting alongside those incredible albums that were so influential to me."
Frank was visiting family in his hometown of LA in March 2020 when the world ground to a halt so the KPM project arrived at a fortuitous moment. Having fantasised about committing to a record with no distractions, with a proper budget, access to his gear and space to work in - to really dig in and try to write and arrange the best work he could possibly make - it was a real "be careful what you wish for" moment. But, as Frank explained, "it completely saved my year and sanity to have something to focus on and get excited about. It was my lifeline." He spent seven months on it, working almost every day.
Maston had already been making library-influenced music so when KPM outlined the criteria for the tracks it was exactly what he had been doing all along. He thought the best approach would be to make a follow-up to Tulips that had a parallel life as a KPM record. Enjoying complete creative freedom, “gave me the drive to power through and dig in deep. I'm not sure if I could have kept myself on such a rigorous recording schedule under my own steam, and I think the momentum I had writing and recording it is part of the strength of this record."
Maston’s sleek retro-groove instrumentals emulate the classic KPM “Greensleeve” reel-to-reel recordings that provided mood-setting music for mid-century cinema, television, and radio programs. Apparently in close conversation with the John Cameron-Keith Mansfield KPM pastoral masterclass Voices In Harmony, Maston's Panorama could be heard as that record's funky follow-up. Yes, it's *that good*. Another reference point from the hallowed library would be Francis Coppieter's wonderful Piano Viberations.
Opener "First Class" is a blissed-out groove, featuring the soothing vocals of Molly Lewis and a glistening harp over drums, a two-note bass motif (from Eli Ghersinu of L'Eclair) and an assemblage of guitars, synths, French horn and glowing vibraphone. Acid Lounge, anyone? The irresistibly funky "Easy Money" is a gorgeous cut led by more of Molly's vocals, pastoral flute and Rhodes, underpinned by drums and percussion, grooving bass, chilled guitars and synth strings. Kicking the tempo up, the percussive "Storm" is a vibin' filmic-fusion jam where psychedelic guitars (courtesy of Pedrum of Allah Las/Paint) organ, jazzy flute, Rhodes and vibes all compete for a place in the sun, over drums and walking bassline.
The heavenly "You Shouldn't Have" is a delicate, melancholic wonder; a dreamy instrumental where the melody is shared by a whistle, harpsichord and celeste, over a cyclical piano chord sequence and bass, synths, guitars, organ and distant French horn. The tempo rises again with the passionate, sticky "Fling", a summery, nostalgic groove with skipping drums and percussion, warm bass and electric guitar, yearning flute and synth strings. The brilliantly titled "Fool Moon" has that Voices In Harmony sound down pat. A romantic slow-mo dreamscape of Rhodes and harpsichord, piano, light drums and softly strummed acoustic guitar.
Side B opens with "Medusa", a hopeful, mellowed-out track with shuffling drums, feel-good flute, muted horns, glowing Rhodes and synth strings. The soft and gentle "Morning Paper" is an elegant way to start the day; a beatless blend of flute, guitar, percussion, ambient synths and vibes. The upbeat head-nod jam "Scenic" has that widescreen car-chase feel, uptempo drums and percussion, grooving bass, piano, synths and ambient electric guitar. "Adieu" is a smooth summer vibe, relaxing with brushed drums, Rhodes, flutes and horns. Molly Lewis's gorgeous vocals steal the show, alongside vibes, jamming organ and synth strings.
"Hydra" is another laid-back 70s-sounding retro cinema cue with light drums and percussion, walking bass, spacey synths, clavinet, glowing vibraphone, vintage organ and electric guitar. Closer "Jet Lag" is a laconic bow out; bass-driven drum machine soul, featuring hand percussion, Rhodes, vibes, synths and organ.
Multi-instrumentalist Frank played a bit of everything across Panorama. Yet, humble as ever, he believes the time, energy, and enthusiasm of all of the musicians invited to the sessions helped him realise his vision: "There were two Italian flautists who really understood what I was going for. Two french horn players, cor anglais, a vibraphonist and a flügel horn player. I've never involved this many people in my projects before, and yet the result is the most "me" record I've ever made."
Musically, a strong Italian theme runs through the record. Frank is fascinated by ancient Rome and both his parents are Italian (Maston was originally Mastrantonio before anglicisation). So, it felt natural to fully embrace these strands and tie everything together with the striking artwork. The Romans were influenced by Greek culture, emulating their art and architecture, which, in turn, influenced Renaissance era artists. Frank acknowledged this tradition when reflecting on his place in the lineage of library and soundtrack composers. He then asked his friend Mattea Perrotta, a painter and sculptor, for some sketches. What he received was exactly what he had in mind: "Especially the theater mask, which really captures the range of moods on the album". Frank arranged them as per the cover and it soon felt right: "I wanted to make a cover that was reminiscent of the classic KPM albums without making it too pastiche - so it has its own identity and looks at home alongside other library records, while still fitting in nicely in the KPM catalogue." The last step was for us to introduce Frank to Be With-KPM’s Rich Robinson, who helped put together the back and centre labels and align it all within the KPM standard.
Panorama is a perfect title for the album. With no opportunity to travel for tours or recording projects, Frank arranged postcards from his collection on his desk with beautiful views of the mediterranean coast, the Roman Colosseum and Cinque Terre. These also served as visual prompts: "That was part of the sonic concept - imagining myself driving down the mediterranean coast with this music on, with the top down." Additionally, the range of moods and vibes - "I tried to make each song very different from the previous one in terms of tempo and arrangement and feeling" - speaks to the idea of a Panorama of music and sounds and emotions. The last track was originally called Panorama, but KPM already had that title in their catalogue so it was changed to "Jet Lag", which, as Frank notes, "is perhaps even more fitting, since the trip is over".
Digi Dub re-enter the vinyl world with a handful of archival 10” releases, the first collating tracks harvested from four releases which originally came out in the early 90s.
The Aliens EP provides a perfect showcase of the adventurous and experimental approach that the label took at a time when breakbeat hardcore was starting to fragment. Taking none of the paths that their peers took, the artists in the Digi Dub stable infused their breakbeat science with a playful dubwise methodology to create idiosyncratic dance music operating at the interstice between modern dub mechanics and rave dynamics that was a premonition of much of the experimental bass music that the UK has become known for.
The first track comes from the trio L.S. Diezel whose Alien In The Woods marries cosmic interference with a steppers reinforced breakbeat and a tough digital bassline. The Diezel boys are joined by label owner Lee Berwick under his Launch DAT pseudonym for the second track Rougher Than A Lion. Beginning with what sounds like a sort of distorted tribal ritual, the track erupts into a symphony of skittering breakbeats, processed jazz lines, bursts of acid and discombobulated ragga chat.
On the second side the collaboration between Diezel and DAT continues with Poor Mans Glory that sees a weighty sped-up funk break allied with a suitably robust dub bassline overlaid with bursts of rasta invocation rattling around in the echo chamber. L.S. Diezel’s Get Your Spear Out rounds out the package with a clangorous proto-dubstep breaker forging the link between a Jah Shaka dance and Horsepower Productions.
With the original 12s now rare as rocking horse shit, grab yourself a 10” and make your bass bins smile.
After he dropped his full debut with Sneaker back in 2024, Oxford’s own Silas steps back up to serve more crispy grime variations. With a deep affinity for the power of a 140 instrumental, his breakthrough streak continues to yield the toughest beats with a stripped back, steely resolve that could fold into all manner of dance situations.
Continuing the pressure laid down on the ‘Wot’ EP, the A side bowls in heavy with ‘Dimensions’, a cool and deadly whip-up of nervy string stabs and crooked, cubist drums. Meanwhile ‘Lost Souls’ amps up the atmospheric tension and lets the bass flex out behind the groove for a potent sidewinder joint to get the whole club shifting its stance.
‘Book Of Spells’ on the flip stretches the nervous energy out even further, leading in on the iciest ambience before locking into a devastatingly stripped down drop evoking the assured restraint of the weightless grime days. Making sure nothing feels too predictable, Silas pivots to a rugged, 2- step informed structure on final floor wrecker ‘Ritual Step’ . It’s another demonstration of the clear-eyed intention at the heart of everything this must-check producer puts out — a consistency of vision yielding some of the dankest workouts in the wider bass music sphere.
BAILE & Nuage land on Shall Not Fade with their ‘Back 2 Earth’ EP
Four deeeep timeless tracks on this 12 inch. Sleek, progressive, acidy house & trancey ethereal breaks ‘Back 2 Earth’ is full of that headsy 90’s energy à la Underworld and Orbital…..we’ve been getting very lost in these ones!
Written remotely between Brooklyn, New York (BAILE) and Yerevan, Armenia (Nuage) both producers are more than a decade deep in their craft and it shows. They say “this all began with Nuage sending over a few short demos. BAILE took those pieces and constructed them into more fleshed out tracks, after which the two passed the songs back and forth slowly filling in the blanks.” …and that's the key here - no rush, no agenda just the realest takes expertly hewn.
Same Beat on the A1 is just that.. breakbeats, spoken word vocal chops and repetitive synth lines, but less is more. The percussion, bassline and programming do the work. Sometimes it's more about what you leave out than what you put in.
On ‘TSP’ you Nuage’s signature metallic synths. It’s a definite eyes closed/hands in the air weapon. Hypnotic flow building and ratcheting up the energy.
Flip over to title track’ Back 2 Earth’ and we get a trancey, garage and house blend. Sleek synths & arpeggios and minimal chops that seem to whisper ‘heaven…earth’.. BAILE utilized the Prophet Rev2 for pads and synths and a Moog Little Phatty and Minitaur for the bass but we want to know can a breakbeat soothe?
'Catch Yourself' closes out the EP.. More breaks and arpeggios but this time with an acid lead from the TB-03, grungy bass and warm gated synths underneath. Sample spotters you aren’t scoring any points here, the “I know that sample” vocal here come from Felicia Douglass (a frequent collaborator of BAILE’s who is in The Dirty Projectors and Ava Luna) and makes double the point that this EP is one of those ones that even on first listen you already know it. ‘Back 2 Earth’ has been on the SNF schedule for a minute so big up BAILE & Nuage for the patience but what that extra private time has meant, is that we can say with certainty that this EP keeps sounding better & better & better..
First Word Records proudly present ‘One 4 Detroit’; the third single from Above The Clouds (aka kidkanevil & Magic Manfred), complete with a remix by 14KT.
This 7" vinyl release follows on from last Summer's MF DOOM cover 'Arrow Root', which received strong support from the likes of Japan's DJ Koco and Philadelphia's DJ Jazzy Jeff, and their recent cover of ‘Change’ which was originally by Shadez of Brooklyn, most notably appearing on DJ Premier's 1997 mix album 'New York Reality Check 101.
One of the original First Word roster, UK Producer/DJ and all-round laptop music geek kidkanevil has developed a distinctive and progressive sound over the years, gleefully exploring the beats and bleeps of the electronic music universe to international recognition. Leeds born, sound system bred and raised on a (un)healthy diet of video games and anime, his solo work inhabits the curious space between bass frequencies and otaku culture. But as a devoted teenage backpack rap nerd, somewhere in the back of kid's mind was a lingering desire to reconnect with his first love, hip hop.
Not long after moving to Berlin he joined a studio space in graffiti plastered Kreuzberg, where he met multi instrumentalist wizard Magic Manfred; a disciple of all things boogie, disco, funk and soul. Born and raised in Berlin, and currently a touring musician for many an act, Manfred's musical map joins the dots from piano lessons at four, to starting a band with his teenage friends, leading him to his true calling - the bass - via the club vibrations of his hometown, which introduced him to the world of DJing and production, and a stint studying in the explosive London jazz scene to finalise his Jedi training.
Bonding over their mutual love of '90s hip hop, a friendship and musical kinship developed, coupled with a desire to honour past eras but push things forward, Above The Clouds was born; named after their joint favourite Primo beat, with a touch of irony regarding their basement based studio of a windowless variety.
kidkanevil explains that “after we made a bunch of piano joints it felt like time for a switch up, I had these raw drums looped and Manfred started playing this simple synth line on the Prophet - it kind of happened in an instant. This one was really a case of capture a moment and let it be. It had this cold, industrial bounce to it that really felt ‘Detroit’ somehow, so it became something of a tribute to that sound. Obviously there’s a rich musical history there that’s beyond anything we could encapsulate, but I hope the respect comes across. From Berlin to the D with love!
We felt pretty strongly that if we’re gonna nod to Detroit, we needed a remix from someone who reps there directly. I’ve been a fan of 14KT since the early 2000s beat scene, and as he’d previously released music on First Word, it made perfect sense to approach him. We asked and did he oblige!! I’m very comfortable saying we got schooled! He really blessed us with an amazing remix that brought a life and soul to what was originally a pretty stark beat, we’re super honoured to have this as our first ever remix.
‘U3P1’ (named after a synth preset so we didn’t forget!) is on the flip - this also came about pretty fast. I was thinking Ummah-era Tribe with the drums, and Manfred once again put down this super nice riff and it grew from there. It kinda felt like it needed some trumpet and it's always nice to highlight some of the amazing musicianship lurking beyond the club systems here in Berlin, so we called up Berlin based trumpeter and composer Paolo de Jesus, who blessed us with a beautiful performance and arrangement. And that was that; we hope you enjoy!”
‘One 4 Detroit / U3P1’ is released on limited 7" vinyl & digital platforms, June 12th 2026.
180g 2027 Repress They Say: “Descriptive scores for scenes of visual impact”.
We say: Arguably the single greatest album in KPM history. An ensemble piece of staggeringly heavy works from none other than Brian Bennett, John Scott, Steve Gray, Jim Lawless and Johnny Pearson.
For our immense pleasure, Visual Impact includes the insanely ace “Nuplex” by Brian Bennett, a nagging, sweeping, punchy funk piece that exists in a world of its own. If you don’t know, get to know - the record’s worth getting for this track alone. The same goes for the beautifully paced, string-drenched, horn-fed LP opener “Canaveral Scape”, courtesy of John Scott. Truly sublime. Other highlights on the A-side include Bennett’s easy, bass-heavy jazz groover “Sequence Of Events” and the spare, building, undercover funk of Steve Gray’s aptly-named “Low Profile”.
The B-side is straight-up fantastic. The percussive, vibey exotica of Jim Lawless’s “Keeping Pace” is followed by five tracks of slick, weighty funk breaks from Johnny Pearson. Check the pure groove of “Jaguar” with its head-nod drum break intro, the creeping piano-strings combo and… er… giant neck-snapping breaks of “Giant’s Causeway”, the speaker-smashing progressive bass groove of “Fugitive”, the tense "Rock Climb" and the sheer heft of "Heavy Load". Library largeness. If that isn’t enough, John Scott’s incessant “Flight Of The Phoenix” ends the session, brilliantly pilfered by M.O.P. for their much-loved “We Run New York”.
Originally released in 1976 but wonderfully timeless, Visual Impact is a rare example of a library record that’s genuinely great listen from start to finish. Just too good…
As with all of our KPM re-issues, the audio for Visual Impact comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We’ve taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM’s brand identity.
And don’t worry! Those KPM stickers aren’t stuck directly on the sleeves!
Sublunar proudly presents "Pareidolia II," the latest EP by Sciahri, marking the next chapter in an evolving sonic journey following its first installment. This four-track release explores a spectrum of techno landscapes, offering a blend of pulsating rhythms, hypnotic sequences, and emotive soundscapes.
On the A-side, "One Letter" captivates with its infectious groove and fluid bassline, while "Homid" invites listeners on a minimalist journey, where hypnotic synth sequences create an enthralling atmosphere that captivates from start to finish.
Flipping to the B-side, "10k In One Year" enthralls with its sharp stabs and captivating rhythms, while "No Tears" delves into deeper, more introspective territories, combining classic elements with modern sensibilities.
"Pareidolia II" invites listeners to immerse themselves in a diverse array of techno experiences, each track offering a unique perspective on the genre. It's a testament to Sciahri's artistry and Sublunar's commitment to pushing sonic boundaries.
Who, or, what, exactly is a Matured Sinner? In this case it's the result of a meeting of both minds and bodies between Swedish producer Johan Blende, freshly relocated to Athens, and fellow Eskimo artist and native Athenian NTEIBINT. Between the decidedly weak minds of succumbing to night time activities and day time regret an idea was born to create the best Greco-Norse creation since ABBA stole a bouzouki and used it shamefully for the best part of Mamma Mia (OST ?).
"I took one of my half-baked beats to George (aka NTEIBINT) to see what he could add to it and voilà - Mist 9000 was born!" explained Johan. Now complete with pulsating analogue arpeggios, a throbbing bass line and increasinglydistressed synths all writhing together in composed ecstasy that dance floors are made for, the track that emerged from George's studio left them hungry for more.
Returning to the studio, it isn't long before the song that would give this new project its name emerged. Created with the help of a friend Olga on backing vocals and an unnamed, equally sinning, young lad, Matured Sinner paired hypnotic disco beats, sinuous synths, squawking sine waves and almost queasily blissful sighs with a cautionary tale of drugs, flying saucer cults and a spiral deeper and deeper into sin and moral ruin.
Was it enough? It was. But then the third one came around, mainly by sheer want to continue, lingering like the third child of a marriage running out of ideas. Shall we keep going? "Of course we shall, this is our gift to the world!" Like a modern day cult, Bright Bum was conceived in a non-sexual context from leftover sounds after a nightof confusing creations and not necessarily tender compliments in an equal manner, chugging synths squelching their way over a mesmerising guitar loop as bright stabs cut through the humid funk of the track's insistent rhythm which, like all good nights out, increasingly fray at the edges as it rolls towards oblivion. Nobody requested it but like the nature of humanity itself, it must keep going.
Three musicians, three worlds: raga, jazz, and their own imagination. East, West, and the fusion in between. Rhythm, melody, and harmony. Past, present, and future.With 3, Ragini Trio experiences a rebirth - after years of deep exploration into long-form ragas, South Indian Carnatic traditions, konnakkol, and Western jazz.Thirteen years after their debut, this album stands as an homage to both worlds. By refusing to play things "as they should be played," Ragini Trio finds the in-between space - that magnetic tension where jazz and Indian classical music meet and transform each other.
Inspired by the traditional Indian trio of tabla, flute, and tanpura, Ragini offers its mirrored jazz response: drums, saxophone, and double bass. The result unites jazz, which seeks freedom within structure, with raga, which seeks structure within freedom. Far from purism or imitation, Ragini Trio crafts a living dialogue between rhythm, melody, and tone colour.
And it's a statement. Bursting with energy, depth, and self-irony, 3 is a vibrant antidote to the algorithmic recycle-music of today and tomorrow - born from the chemistry of three exceptional artists: saxophonist Nathan Daems, drummer Lander Gyselinck, and double bassist Marco Bardoscia.
Another 1994 banger from the man named Ellis Dee - released originally on White House Records back in the day. A superb release on that jungle/drum and bass crossover tip.
Sound Therapy is the culmination of over ten years of sonic experimentation, developed across the past three years between Sicily, the United Kingdom, and Brooklyn. It builds on the foundation of the 2021 Dub-Stuy single Pon Pause featuring Al Campbell, whose success became the catalyst for the album’s eight tracks.
Conceived across two distinct halves, the album reflects the dual nature of D-Operation Drop’s sound, moving from one drop and roots/steppers traditions into more modern, forward-leaning bass music. The whole is intended to move the listener between foundation and progression, day and night, light and dark, a dynamic reflected in both the music and album artwork.
Sound Therapy also reflects the collaborative nature of sound system culture, featuring vocalists Blakkamoore and JonnyGo Figure (US), Galas and Marina P (Italy), and Rider Shafique (UK), alongside instrumental contributions from Brooklyn-based saxophonist Troy Mobius. The album was collaboratively mixed in person with McPullish (US) and mastered at Star Delta (UK), with a focus on depth, weight, and sound system translation.
Sound Therapy stands as a complete body of work while establishing a broader musical direction for D-Operation Drop, with further singles, mixes, and related projects to follow.
The Soul Surfers join forces with Sunsay for a powerful new 45.
Led by drummer Igor Zhukovsky, the band stays true to its philosophy: fully analog, recorded and mixed to tape. Warm drums, deep bass and dusty guitars shape a raw yet soulful sound straight from the source.
Written during a difficult moment, “After The Storm” leans into a more soulful territory, carrying a message of peace and renewal.
Backed with its instrumental version, this 45 is built for DJs and anyone drawn to honest, analog recordings. Limted edition of 350 copies !
Mermaids is many things at once: The debut single by Fila Brazillia (named after the mishearing of a Brazilian mastiff breed mentioned on the radio), the second release on Pork Recordings, a deep house master piece, the brainchild of the summer of love, a pen friend to A Man Called Adam’s Barefoot in the Head and most of all pure balearic bliss. Originally released in 1991 and subsequently featured on Old Codes, New Chaos, which according to Frank Tope at Mixmag, is "the Best Dance LP ever made”, it marked the beginning of a long and illustrious partnership for Hull natives Steve Cobby and David (Man) McSherry.
Mermaids still sounds as good and as addictive on any kind of beach or natural environment as it supposedly did on Boris Dlugosch’s Front dance floor or any other basement suffused with strobe lights at the time (or any hedonistic place for that matter). Having been already part of the latter’s and Klaus Stockhausen’s Mastermix Front Compilation, it has now been dusted off and remastered for an individual performance. Added for the first first time though is the original demo version that makes use of a different yet not less enchanting bass line.
Also included is Fila’s 1994 trippy, dare we say progressive, UK house blueprint Slacker. A seismic shift from the traditional tropes of house, it set an example for what should rock the dance music boat just a few years later. Delivered in a previously unreleased extended version for your utmost enjoyment.
Artwork note: The sleeve photograph is a proto-selfie taken by Steve in 1983 (the year the two first met). Man still has those braces.
Yaka slips into the APPX catalogue a hi-def 8 part narrative. Coated in silky sonic camouflage the Philadelphian sound designer, producer, and apparent amphibophile, conjures an aquatic instrument-rack straight out the estuary, and re-engineers it into a kind of amphibient-bass eco-system: part poolside bio-luminescence, part Severn-side subsidence. Welling with emotion ‘Dream Big’ is a joyride with your favourite frog-sage homies. It’s devotional, yes, but with a wink. Orchestrated by a bayou-mystic who’s just as likely to kiss the ring-modulator as they is to throw a shaka from his boogie board as they carves a line down stream.
The opening track “chrysalis of peace” builds like a choral summoning, beckoning you outward. “blubstep” shakes itself off and stretches into scattered breaks, sprinkles of underworld energy flickering beneath the surface. On “la pari,” the daemons find their stride in a huge leap into bass, punctuated by vocal satire, kitschy melodic fun, and an Amazonian sweat capable of humidifying any dancefloor. “miss that beach” slows the A-side into a thoughtful drift on a lilo, the distant sounds of cousins playing while wind lifts leaves overhead.
Flipping the disc, “buggged” arrives as a beat you can imagine bounding out of a Timbaland studio, tiptoeing in and out of 4/4 club jack. “back at the pad” breaks stride with a halftime depth that keeps you poised, like the surface tension of a water droplet in zero gravity. “weavin’ web” threads ascending melodic patterns over raised nodules of rhythm. Closing the album, “secret dream” dissolves into a private horizon — something half-remembered, half-invented — left for the listener to discover on their own.
About Yaka
A sound designer and musician based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their work blends emotive aquatic ambience, thick bass layering, and playful rhythmic structures, with an essence that sits somewhere between spiritual and satirical. Their earlier releases Somewhere In That Water introduced a practice rooted in the melancholic and bitter-sweet cuteness dipped in a deep affinity for wet environments.
Beyond their solo work, Yaka co-operates Inner Most, a label run between Philadelphia and Reykjavík alongside Echinacea. The imprint has become a home for boundary-blurring electronic music and features a number of Appendix.files favourites, including a release by our own secret getii, reinforcing a shared ethos of porous scenes and cross-continental collaboration.
There is a quiet, seasoned assurance to how Heimyl operates. Perhaps best known under his Lazer Man moniker the Lyon based producer a fixture in France’s undergroove community.
He burrows deep into a groove and lets the room come to him. On this record, that patience yields a formidable four tracker engineered specifically for proper sound systems and slow-burn dancefloors.
The A side sets the trap with "I Want Speak," a masterclass in tension pairing a skippy lock groove rhythm with a fragmented vocal samples.
"Power Cat" maintains the momentum, threading bell-like melodic fragments through a rolling, hypnotic bassline with a light, remarkably effective touch.
The flip is where the record earns its weight, anchored by "Sector 14." Here, pads rise imperceptibly over a relentless groove, mounting a subterranean pressure.
The closer "New Place" shifts gears gracefully, cooling the room down with a looser, sophisticated house sensibility, a natural exhale that hints at Heimyl's broader sonic palette.
G76 returns to Playedby with a one-sided EP "L5S1" after his debut LP "A World Without Mirrors". The producer is known for a distinctive approach to sound that results in a very original work of art.
"L5S1" represents a part of the spine that is typically subjected to excessive biomechanical stress. The track links emotions in an associative, algorithmic manner with the vulnerabilities of the producer, which are revealed in sonic narratives.
Struggling with severe back pain while in the studio, the producer translated the voice of his physical suffering into arrangements that are arresting. The chords that underpin them are equally insistent and immersive, deep enough to make you close your eyes but with a bass line that could keep a crowd moving forever.
Cote's influence on the imprint adds an extra artistic value to the release, as Playedby strives for a multidisciplinary art vision. The audio is complemented by a special visual support, as the vinyl is fully printed with a stylized, noisy L5S1 MRI scan on its blank surface.
It's clear why Playedby curated this one-sided EP. G76, whose new release already feels like a classic, has reaffirmed his status as an artist to keep an eye on.
Remastered from the original recordings and now presented on a 45rpm 2 LP deluxe audiophile edition, this is first time the complete 7-track album has been available on vinyl. 'In My Own Sweet Way', recorded during a month- long European tour in 1987, captures Woody Shaw in peak form playing with a spirit and a sense of adventure that identify him as a jazz giant. Woody calls the trumpet "the prince of all the horns". Woody is the king of all the trumpet players.
Nobody around plays with such a big, round, ravishing sound - a sound which could easily fool you into thinking that you are listening to a flugelhorn. Woody's musical asociates on this album are Alex Deutsch, a young drummer from Austria who has worked in Europe with many American jazz stars; Neil Swainson, a highly gifted bassist from Toronto who has worked with Pat La Barbera and Peter Leitch but is perhaps best known for his superb collaboration with George Shearing; and Fred Henke , a pianist from Montreal whose credits include backing Clifford Jordan, Steve Grossman and Junior Cook
![TM Shuffle & Konstantin Kost - Dub Stories [180 grams,Colored Vinyl]](https://www.deejay.de/images/l/7/4/1266974.jpg)
