Hailing straight from Quebec City, Canada, GET THE SHOT is a hardcore band formed in 2009. With their strong work ethic, they quickly established themselves as one of the flag bearers of the Quebec hardcore and metal scene.
Their powerful music incorporates elements of thrash, death metal, and hardcore, creating an intense and brutal sound that captivates fans of the genre. Inspired by iconic bands such as Hatebreed, Obituary, and Slayer, GET THE SHOT has developed a unique style of extreme music.
With an impressive discography including albums such as "Perdition" (2012), "No Peace In Hell" (2014), "Infinite Punishment" (2017), and their latest album "Merciless Destruction" (2022), nominated for a JUNO award, GET THE SHOT has built a solid reputation with impactful tracks and explosive live performances.
“CRUCIFIXION DEPICTION”, marks a shift in attitude and resolve for the band. While celebrating the addition of a new vocalist and the comeback of the original guitar player, the latest EP sees the band undergo a transformation into a new persona and exploring a more visceral sound, while sticking to its hardcore roots.
After more than 700 concerts on three continents, including some on the biggest international stages such as Wacken, Hellfest, FEQ and Resurrection Fest, the six members remain committed to the core values of authenticity, integrity, and equality at the heart of the hardcore movement, while addressing with disillusioned realism the flaws of an era defined by blind individualism.
Tony Reed is undoubtedly one of those artists whom fans of “heavy music” have, at least unknowingly, encountered on stage or on their turntables at some point. Bands like Pentagram, Mos Generator, Hot Spring Water, and the so-called supergroup Big Scenic Nowhere are just a small part of his discography, which he continues to expand as a producer and mixer.
CONSTANCE TOMB was Tony Reed’s first band, which he founded at age 19 and which was heavily influenced by the gothic movement of the early ’80s. There are recordings online from when they made “boombox recordings” or, later, when he recorded everything “hi-fi” on his own in the garage with just a microphone, preserving it all for posterity on cassettes. You can also find several solo cover versions released under the band’s name. It was a labor of love that Tony Reed never let go of, but there was never a real band that toured or released an album—until now!
Now Tony has breathed new life into his childhood love, CONSTANCE TOMB, and fused his fondness for dark ’80s bands with his heavy metal past. Bands like Southern Cult, Bauhaus, The Cure, Bowie, as well as Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy have shaped his musical tastes. Now, a mix of old and new songs is being infused with fresh energy, reviving a solo project that had taken on a slightly artificial feel.
With Bo McConaghie on bass and Christian Roney on drums, the band has already played its first concerts in the northwestern United States to find their sound as a group. Joint rehe
Eight years ago, a deep tragedy struck the West Coast and global electronic music world when Navid Izadi and his mother, Floria Hakimi, died in a plane crash in Southern California. Navid was a true rising star, as anyone who heard his earlier works or felt his magnetic stage presence can attest to, and we all mourn the loss of his creative gifts and one of a kind spirit. In the years that followed, through the diligent efforts of his cousin, Lily, and brother, Aden, Navid's destroyed laptop and hard drive were miraculously restored, recovering crucial files for his work-in-progress debut album, Ayande. Those files were then placed in the adept and careful hands of fellow studio maestro Dave Aju, to complete Navid's mission, along with a gathering of musical family collaborations throughout the wondrous LP
"Birds Of Prey" kicks things off, setting the scene with the deep, spacey, soulful feels Navid was well known for. It includes live drums by John Bryars and additional production work by Tavish DJ & Dave Aju (aka DX3) that send the otherworldly vocoder and arpeggios into the next dimension. Keeping the interstellar vibe high, Diagnostics/Escape" sees Navid take the Trans-LA Express electro flex a step further with cyborg vocals waxing love poetic, leading to an entrancing second movement to finish as an Escape, indeed.
"Andromeda" follows with excellent updated production work by Charles Levine of Soul Clap/Crew Love fame, along with harp bliss from Caroline Campbell, vocal chorus duties by Ayako, Jackson Englund, and Shuggie Quezada, with some bonus piano plot twists and turns from Rodney of Elbow Grease.
"Islands" is an irresistible West Coast boogie jam of the highest order, with the gorgeous lead vocals of Angelica Bess blessing the floor-filling piece perfectly.
"Chica Go,” as the title implies with a wink, functions as a beautiful homage to the windy city, which tactfully ropes in not just deep house flavor but also hip hop via a couple of witty Nav freestyle verses, as well as Chicago blues and jazz motifs via harmonica and trumpet stylings by Matias Tasley and Greg Paulus, respectively.
"IMX" acts as an excellent mid-tempo interlude piece, with bonus hypnotic production by former studio mate and fellow Cali to Berlin brethren Lando Roy, before "Keep It Movin" sends us through the stratosphere complete with a trippy narrative intro by Nima Barsarani and soaring build-up to bridge vox by long time collaborator Sammy D of Pillowtalk. The family collabs continue at scorching temps on "Space Race" where Jesse Rennix lays down beyond heavenly vocal layers, and other other studio sistren Dina Moursi then drops an emotive posthumous duet on "Fingertips" with Paulus again tying lovely horn ribbons in.
"Stardust" launches straight into the cosmos with crisp co-production work by C-Love and appropriately free vocal finesse by Sisters Of Z, before Navid's brother Aden Hakimi offers up a stylized lyrical intro to the new jack-shouting production-prowess touting "Mm Mm,” followed by the grand finale "Never" which flows to a finish lushly with sultry Navid vox, classy harp touches by Campbell again, along with guitar by Chase Aldridge, E-Bow by Cole Odin, and very special guest flute blessings by King George of Sade fame.
Executive produced and mixed by Dave Aju at the Point Winona Sound Labs studio in LA, mastered by Thomas Baanks of Psychemagick, with album cover artwork hand-bedazzled by Sundeep Grewal and package design by Lando Roy,
Ayande (meaning Future in Farsi) is equal parts an incredible debut album and a true family affair tribute to one of the most inspired creative souls we've ever known and so dearly miss. It is dedicated in full to his beloved son, Tesla.
__________
Early DJ/Radio support feedback:
Sandro Bianchi:
"What magic to have this gem, it's like a miracle. Love the whole release, hard to pick a fav. He's still with us thru his music! Honored to receive this one!! Eternal!"
Horse Meat Disco:
“BEAUTIFUL”
Masha Mar:
"incredible from start to finish. I just played islands on NTS yesterday, will be listening to and playing this album forever. Navid is so missed and his legacy and music lives on
Ashley Beedle:
"Downloaded for forthcoming Mixcloud mix."
Brett Johnson:
"Wow, this is massive. Sadly i never had the pleasure of knowing Navid but remember his passing. So far everything I've heard sounds great, looking forward to absorbing the rest. Thanks and RIP."
Sean Innit/Midnight Riot:
"Wonderul to see these tracks see ethe light of day against the odds . Really feeling the slower jam IMX here Chica Go and Andromeda are really heavy too. I'll be playing some oif these out and giving them the attention they deserve. Thank you for Sending."
Rainer Trueby:
"i just love everything that Navid touched musically. His talent was very special. I really wish he would be still with us. This is great. Thanks for revealing & retouching this. May his legacy live on xxx"
Ross Allen/NTS:
"Lots of great tracks here Never, Birds of Prey, Diagnostic/Escape, Andromeda, Chica Go - IMX - Fingertips - Stardust - All have something for me.
So sad he's not here. What a great record"
Jaye Ward/Netil Radio:
"wow what a tribute to lost talent!! beautiful set of super deepness. it's an honour to recieve. thx x"
214/Klakson:
"This is a beautifully finalized album that I'm glad was completed"
David Lopez/KZSU
"Wow, the talent really shines through on this moving release. Especially like the cerebral ones."
Jensen Interceptor:
"Love at first listen! thank you for sharing and congratulations on a very fab album
Tottie/SOS:
"Rest in peace to a legend, so nice to see the music genius out in the world."
Mr Beatnick/NTS:
"Really like diagnostics escape, birds of prey and andromeda in particular!"
James Zabiela:
"What a wonderful body of work! Big love x"
Semi Delicious’ second instalment of its three-part VA series continues the journey with another carefully curated selection of cuts. Chapter two brings more essential sounds to the table, building on what came before.
Semi Delicious closes out a standout year with Café Gelato, a sprawling new VA compilation bringing together 17 tracks from the label’s extended family and wider orbit.
A&R’d by head honcho Demi Riquísimo, this three part collection captures the broad, playful club sound that has become central to Semi Delicious.
Across the compilation, familiar faces sit alongside new additions, with contributions from Kamma, Regularfantasy, Big Miz, Retromigration, BELLA, Manuel Darquart, DaisyBelle & Medlar, Baldo & Revivis, Kepler and Demi himself among a 17-track cast.
Landing as the label’s final release of the year, Café Gelato puts a full stop on a major chapter for both Semi Delicious and Demi Riquísimo in 2026, celebrating the community of producers that has grown around the imprint while maintaining the musical pillars at its core.
Big, colourful and built firmly for the dancefloor, Café Gelato closes the year by taking stock of where Semi Delicious is now, while offering a taste of where it heads next.
Semi Delicious brings its three-part VA series to a close with one final selection of carefully curated cuts. The closing chapter completes the series in style, rounding off a collection built for those who know.
Semi Delicious closes out a standout year with Café Gelato, a sprawling new VA compilation bringing together 17 tracks from the label’s extended family and wider orbit.
A&R’d by head honcho Demi Riquísimo, this three part collection captures the broad, playful club sound that has become central to Semi Delicious.
Across the compilation, familiar faces sit alongside new additions, with contributions from Kamma, Regularfantasy, Big Miz, Retromigration, BELLA, Manuel Darquart, DaisyBelle & Medlar, Baldo & Revivis, Kepler and Demi himself among a 17-track cast.
Landing as the label’s final release of the year, Café Gelato puts a full stop on a major chapter for both Semi Delicious and Demi Riquísimo in 2026, celebrating the community of producers that has grown around the imprint while maintaining the musical pillars at its core.
Big, colourful and built firmly for the dancefloor, Café Gelato closes the year by taking stock of where Semi Delicious is now, while offering a taste of where it heads next.
Semi Delicious kicks off a three-part VA series, bringing together a carefully curated selection of cuts that set the tone for what’s to come. The first chapter in a series built to deliver something special.
Semi Delicious closes out a standout year with Café Gelato, a sprawling new VA compilation bringing together 17 tracks from the label’s extended family and wider orbit.
A&R’d by head honcho Demi Riquísimo, this three part collection captures the broad, playful club sound that has become central to Semi Delicious.
Across the compilation, familiar faces sit alongside new additions, with contributions from Kamma, Regularfantasy, Big Miz, Retromigration, BELLA, Manuel Darquart, DaisyBelle & Medlar, Baldo & Revivis, Kepler and Demi himself among a 17-track cast.
Landing as the label’s final release of the year, Café Gelato puts a full stop on a major chapter for both Semi Delicious and Demi Riquísimo in 2026, celebrating the community of producers that has grown around the imprint while maintaining the musical pillars at its core.
Big, colourful and built firmly for the dancefloor, Café Gelato closes the year by taking stock of where Semi Delicious is now, while offering a taste of where it heads next.
Another big release on SOUNDS. in the rebound!
This time it's "Northern Lights" by Gene Farris from 1997, incl. DJ ESP Edit!
Re-mastered from original DAT
We a re happy to welcome back the wonderful Lis Sarroca! After her heavy debut on CHIWAX
5 years ago, it was more than about time to bring this great artist back to out label pool.
This upcoming release on RAWAX shows again Lis' big range of music. Future -Retro-Techno at it best!
Highly recommended!
Two of Jean Carn's seminal hits combined. 'Was That All It Was' is a big hitting disco exploration with hints of Jean's gospel choir background coming to the fore. The flip houses the classic 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head' - covered on many an occasion since it's release back in '78.
A much loved and missed record label headed up by Jacob Kelly (J.Cub) & Leena Sharma. A label that isn’t there to follow fashion, trends or be the next big thing, but a record label that is a platform to release music from Artists they love and support.There are no boundaries with the style of music they release, after all it is an Eclectic Avenue. WE ARE EAR!
Kicking things off on the A side is "Baby I’m 4 Real" is a summertime feel Deep House groove with a beautiful Soulful vocal running throughout.
On the flip is "That Storied Word" another Deep House groove with Steve Cobby playing a beautiful bassline that takes you throughout the whole track.
Rounding off the EP is "Juvenile Delinquent" which takes a step back in time with a break beat, heavy baseline and a familiar vocal sample, one for the “Heads”.
It’s as sure as night follows day, one of the last truly reliable things in these uncertain times, a rock in the storm of information overload, and still one of the best things you can make from PVC: The new TOTAL compilation is here!
The cheerful opener “Xtasy” comes from the up-and-coming Cologne-based DJ H0TLINE. If it says ‘Ecstasy’ on the label, that’s exactly what’s inside. The term ‘legend’ is all too often bandied about lightly. In the case of ORLANDO VOORN, it’s almost an understatement. His ‘So Deep Remix’ is a goosebumps-inducing masterpiece in its purest form. Simply wow. FRANKEY & SANDRINO haven’t visited us for a while, but their key still fits the lock. Watch out – “Disruption” might expand your consciousness! Ah, nobody grapples so beautifully with life’s big questions as TEE MANGO, but what would the world be without melancholy? A Disneyland of triviality! TEAM 85E, newly formed around JÖRG BURGER, takes on a classic from the German songbook by Ton, Steine, Scherben and opens hearts with the same ease as others open tins of beer. Speaking of hearts, MICHAEL MAYER pays tribute to the successful Artemis 2 lunar mission, as a small thank-you for reminding us that it should really always be about love. SOG, aka WOLFGANG VOIGT, agrees wholeheartedly. Sometimes all it takes is a bass drum, eight notes and a bit of love for total satisfaction. ROBAG WRUHME does what he does best: luring us down the proverbial rabbit hole like the White Rabbit, just not quite so frantically. JÜRGEN PAAPE, together with FENJA LUDWIG, doesn’t pull a rabbit out of the hat, but rather a modern dub-techno hit. We watch in amazement as a new genre takes shape. Finally, it’s time to sit back and relax with REINHARD VOIGT and just let things be. Cocktail or beer? The main thing is: it’s cold.
Although Shoot Your Shot sits slightly under the radar compared to Divine’s signature anthems such as You Think You’re A Man, I’m So Beautiful, Walk Like A Man and Native Love, this remix stands proudly alongside them. Liebrand injects the track with a driving Hi-NRG pulse, unmistakable Italo-disco flourishes and a powerful club groove, while Divine’s larger-than-life vocal performance and the unforgettable spoken-word alphabet breakdown remain front and centre.
On the flip, Liebrand delivers an inspired bonus, seamlessly blending the music from Divine’s worldwide club classic Native Love with the vocals from Shoot Your Shot, one of the artist’s biggest European hits. The result is a brilliantly executed hybrid that captures the excitement and creativity of the late-’80s remix scene while celebrating two of Divine’s most enduring recordings.
A rare glimpse into a golden era of European dance music and a testament to Ben Liebrand’s reputation as one of the most innovative remixers of his generation.
DJ Support: Bob Sinclar, Roger Sanchez, Danny Howard, Sam Divine, Claptone, Martin Garrix, AFROJACK, Rebuke, Disciples, Carl Cox, Martinez Brothers, Melvo Baptiste, Nicole Moudaber, Ilario Alicante, Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, Ferreck Dawn, Danny Howard, Don Diablo & more.
Toolroom’s next Sampler showcases 4 big releases from Illyus Barrientos, Aden Remai, Tony Romera, Gene Farris, Wh0, David Tort.
On 24th May, 2024, the exact day of its Golden Jubilee, Diamond Dogs will be issued as a limited edition 50th anniversary half-speed mastered LP. The first single from the album, ‘Rebel Rebel’, reached number 5 in the UK and the album would also reach similar heights on both sides of the Atlantic reaching number 1 in the UK and number 5 in the USA.
This new pressing of Diamond Dogs was cut on a customised late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from 192kHz restored masters of the original master tapes, with no additional processing on transfer. The half-speed was cut by John Webber at AIR Studios
The writing of the album was influenced by Bowie not being able to secure the rights for a theatrical production of George Orwell’s 1984 and the work of William S. Burroughs, whom Bowie had interviewed for Rolling Stone in November 1973. The songs on the album created an urban apocalyptic scenario with Bowie appearing on the cover as a controversial half-man, half-dog hybrid painted by the Belgian artist Guy Peellaert from photos by the world-renowned photographer Terry O’Neill. Since its release, tracks from Diamond Dogs have been covered by artists such as Beck, Tina Turner, Duran Duran, Def Leppard, Joan As Police Woman, Dead Or Alive and The Struts.
Houston’s premier street griot is stepping into his most profound chapter yet with his highly anticipated upcoming album, O.Y.N. Throughout a decorated career that spans over 1.2 billion global streams and a fiercely loyal fanbase, Maxo Kream—born Emekwane Ogugua Biosah, Jr.—has established himself as one of rap’s most authentic, uncompromising storytellers. From the raw trenches of Alief to the critically acclaimed triumphs of Punken, Brandon Banks, Weight of the World, and his triumphant 2024 independent pivot Personification, Maxo has long been celebrated by Pitchfork, NPR, and Complex for his cinematic, hyper-detailed world-building. Now, O.Y.N. finds the Houston icon turning his gaze inward, pairing his signature Texas grit with an expansive, global perspective that redefines his artistic boundaries.
If his previous work was about Maxo taking full creative control as an independent force, O.Y.N. is about him uncovering who he is at his core. Following the passing of his father, Maxo found himself searching deeper for his family origins, leading to a pivotal moment of artistic and personal rebirth. For the first time in his life, Maxo traveled to Lagos, Nigeria, anchoring his new music in a profound celebration of his Nigerian heritage. The emotional centerpiece of this journey is the JPEGMAFIA-produced single “Time Out,” an introspective track that moves away from the frantic energy of his past releases to offer a stripped-back look at love, loss, and legacy. Featuring a heavy, resonant drum presence on the outro, the song’s accompanying music video was filmed on location in Lagos, capturing Maxo navigating his ancestral roots in real-time.
While O.Y.N. reaches new emotional depths, it doesn't sacrifice the hard-hitting, volatile street persona that made Maxo a star. The album expertly balances soul-baring vulnerability with cutting-edge hip-hop experimentation, showcasing elite chemistry with some of the genre's most forward-thinking visionaries. Look no further than “Fake Jeezy,” a collaborative explosion featuring Denzel Curry and masterminded by JPEGMAFIA. The track is a masterclass in industrial chaos, combining sharp lyricism and early-2000s trap imagery with cold, surreal visual aesthetics. This duality highlights Maxo's unique positioning in the culture as a trusted street general who can effortlessly trade bars with rap's avant-garde elite.
From his early days flipping Kendrick Lamar's “Rigamortis” to sharing marquee tracks with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, and Tyler, The Creator on hits like “Big Persona,” “Cracc Era,” and “Cracc At 15,” Maxo Kream has always been a rapper's rapper. O.Y.N. represents the ultimate synthesis of this incredible journey. It is an album born from the soil of Alief but elevated by the spirit of Lagos—a raw, beautiful, and heavy-hitting testament to an artist who has survived his past, honored his losses, and fully embraced his destiny.
Impossibly rare slab: a capital-C-cult bit of millennial business from perhaps the most enigmatic member of the Gush Collective crew, who in the early 00s not so much redefined, but refined UKG… and then some. Alongside folks like Herb-LF and Lorenzo, Yoshino was a stalwart: releasing and remixing on the legendary but somewhat overlooked German labels Draft Recordings and Gush. It was here these cats smoothed out the UKG sound with a spliffed out vibe that fucked with the raw warm herby sounds of Tyree Cooper and QX-1; Yoshino, more than most though, flirted with sounds you wouldn’t expect to find in the UKG realm: think ethereally stuff man, I’m talking Placid Angels with the pseudo Japanese pop sensibilities of Faye Wong - but when when the cards fall down, his productions equally bang. So: splice in a bit of Serious Danger and Makesome Breaksome, light a phat one or zwei… & welcome to the wheelhouse.
‘Back to Basics' is a celebration of Yoshino as an artist: featuring a repress from our favourite Gush Collective stash (which is now so dear it makes me wish I’d better taken care of my records at after parties); three first time cuts of his on wax that we’ve curated from over the years that feature appearances from Peaky Beats and Miss Angel - and of course, there’s a killer remix from deep digging DJ and producer, Enchanted Rhythms (whose Youtube archive is packed to the veritable rafters with the most overlooked gems and updated with such frequency that it is hard to keep up). Apart from being a head’s head, Rich is also part of the Pace familia, so we're happy to welcome him to the catalogon a terrain he has endlessly kept fresh since day dot - he knows his shit here, and of course, he taps into that Yoshino flava big time.
It all started with a small party in 2006. Peter Invasion simply wanted to create a home for his band. That small party grew into something bigger, and eventually Riotvan became a record label in 2012 — a home for many different people, all brought together by a shared love for music and art. When Panthera Krause joined the journey in 2017, Riotvan evolved once again, adding a new perspective and another creative force to what it had become. The journey began 240 months ago — or, for those too lazy to do the math, 20 years. A lot has happened since then, but one thing has never changed: the passion. People have come, gone, and stayed. And here we are, celebrating 240 months of Riotvan with our friends, our loved ones, and ourselves. To mark the occasion, we're hitting the road on tour and have put together an extended edition of our Familiar Faces series. It's a colorful collection of music that brings together everything we love and everything that makes sense to us. It couldn't represent the Riotvan spirit any better. We'll definitely see each other somewhere along the way. Here's to the next 240 months.
Some recordings herald the future in ways that are impossible to see in real time. Teodros Makonnen With His Organ (ቴዎድሮስ መኮንን ከኦርጋኑ ጋር), by the artist Teodros Makonnen, also known as Teddy Mak, is one of those. Today, electronic sounds, synthesizers, and digital production are taken for granted in Ethiopian music, but in the early 1980s, they were novelties that polarized opinion. Even to this day, the story of Teodros Makonnen’s legacy has never been properly told. He played a decisive role in defining the sound of the digital era of Ethiopian music that emerged in the 1980s and beyond, both as a keyboard player and as a producer, songwriter, performer, and sound designer.
Ethiopian music was at a crossroads in the early 1980s. Much like music in the rest of the world, technology and automation heralded either a quantum leap in musical development or the annihilation of musicianship, depending on who you’d ask. The changes were incremental nonetheless, but with the benefit of hindsight one can clearly see that the changes meant different things in different contexts. Drum machines and electric organs came to replace many hotel bands because, all of a sudden, one musician could control drums, melody, and accompaniment. Teodros was one of the first musicians in Ethiopia to explore the possibilities this opened up.
Teodros’ father, Captain Makonnen Beri, was a chief pilot at Ethiopian Airlines and a music enthusiast at that. This would prove important to his development, as Makonnen brought back a piano from Germany, which would lead to the first steps in Teodros’ long musical career. Captain Makonnen’s work as Head of Flight Operations and as a pilot exposed him to the wider world that was far from commonplace for most Ethiopians. In a house where music captivated the whole family, the piano gave Teodros’ talent an outlet. Not only was a piano at home rare in Ethiopian households, his father also brought an Indian teacher to their home to teach Teodros and his brother, Captain Samuel Makonnen, music theory (solfeggio or ear training) and piano. Teodros and his youngest brother, the late great Dereje, a member of both the legendary Ibex Band and the Ethiopian reggae group Dallol, took up music from that point onward, with Teodros beginning to develop his proficiency at the age of eight. His father encouraged him to practice tirelessly at home, and Teodros later received musical schooling at the German School in Addis Ababa. His obvious talent led to studies and formal education at the Yared School of Music, followed by continued studies in American jazz at Northern Virginia Community College in Virginia. Teodros cut his teeth professionally in his mid-teens, not only as a keyboardist, but also as an arranger for the Wabi Shebelle and Dahlak bands in the 1970s. He mastered electronic sequencing early, rising to prominence through the midnight recording sessions held during the military curfew. The pressures imposed by the curfew required precise and disciplined recordings, and Teodros delivered just that. This, in turn, led to collaborations with iconic artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Aster Aweke, Menelik Wossenachew, Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, and Alemayehu Eshete. In those days, he sat in as a keyboardist with the Dahlak Band when Dawit Yifru took a hiatus to study in Russia, and also with the Ethiostar Band. He secured a residency at the Wabi Shebelle Hotel with the Shebele Band, together with Zelalem Tadese (drums), later succeeded by Elias Bekele, Mulugeta Hailu (bass), Teferi ‘Bibisha’ Mengesha (guitar), Kumelachew G/Selassie (trumpet), and Teshome Deneke (saxophone). A friendly competition developed between the bands associated with the Ras Hotel (the Ibex Band), Ghion Hotel (the Dahlak Band), and Wabi Shebelle Hotel (the Shebele Band). The music scene at Wabi Shebelle saw teenagers commanding the spotlight in an industry otherwise dominated by musicians of an older generation. At the Wabi Shebelle Hotel, Teodros met a diplomat from Saudi Arabia and later visited him at his home in Addis Ababa, a meeting that had unexpected musical consequences. The man owned a Yamaha double-deck keyboard. That evening, they recorded Teodros Makonnen With His Organ (ቴዎድሮስ መኮንን ከኦርጋኑ ጋር) in one take. This recording, a cornerstone in the early digital sound of Ethiopian music, came about almost by chance, simply because Teodros got the opportunity. Traditional Ethiopian songs were cast in a wholly electronic style. Once freed from backing duties, Teodros’ keyboards could explore dreamlike soundscapes that took Ethiopian music in new directions. Even though the cassette contained well-known Ethiopian songs, they were given highly original arrangements, performed on an electric organ with drum machine backing and rhythm patterns that left the listener with suggestive, lingering sounds. “Libesh Kabashen” (also known as “Anchi Bale Game”) and “Odu Gol Golesa” wrap you in the very stuff that dreams are made of. Originally released on cassette only, this recording exudes a mystique that surpasses even some of the most obscure Ethiopian recordings of the day. It remained more or less unknown outside of Ethiopia until now. Some of the tracks, like “Addis Fikir,” are permeated with an almost naive buoyancy, free-floating sounds that lost contact with the ground the moment they were conceived. Others, like “Meche New Hageren Yemayew” and “Lelitu Alnega Alegn,” carry a moodier, quirkier timbre, with pulsating rhythms in the background. Yet even the darker pieces contain an unmistakable wave, something essentially Ethiopian. If most recordings of Teodros’s contemporaries at the time were teeming with atmosphere, his songs seem instead at home in the stratosphere, almost ethereal. Some of the music here could be filed under “lullabies,” were it not for the recurring, almost brooding feeling that engulfs the listener on the aforementioned tracks. You could easily be forgiven for drifting into a blissful haze as the music washes over you.
Up to the advent of electronic music production, Ethiopia was totally dominated by big bands on the one hand, and small groups on the other. The former were tied to large institutions such as the military, the latter emerged from the entertainment industry, in hotel bars and nightclubs. These groups were commercially driven, and bands ultimately had to foster a mercenary approach to employment, albeit not to the passion for music. In the light of this, Teodros’ musical legacy can be seen in two ways. On the one hand, he is a key player in Ethiopian music from the 1970s onwards, leaving an indelible mark through hundreds of compositions and arrangements, including soundtracks for numerous documentary films and advertisements for different companies. On the other hand, the way he and others employed electronics brought Ethiopian music onto a fork in the road.
The replacement of traditional instruments with electronic equipment was seen as impending doom by some. Others, like Teodros, saw new avenues for performance, production, and creativity. Just as later producers like Abegasu Shiota of Admas, Teodros was a trailblazer who opened paths that it took Ethiopian music as a whole more than a decade to rush into. The hotel scene had already been pushed toward electronic music by financial necessity and cost-cutting. Today’s revived global interest in Ethiopian music from the seventies and eighties, alongside a broader resurgence, has changed the reasons for using digital means of music production. They have become tools for musical dreaming. This is where the dreaming began.
Amsterdam-based multidisicplinary arts collective and, in this case, ambient electronica-producing duo Wanderwelle created several of the biggest releases that Silent Season have enjoyed to date, this previously digital-only single being one of the very biggest. The public's been clamouring for a vinyl release of this one for an entire decade now, so the label have finally obliged. Four tracks here catch Alexander Bartels and Phil van Dulm in reflective but lively chilled techno mode and from the gliding depths of 'Leaving Port Logan' to the eerie siren song of 'A Watery Grave' there are shimmering subaquatic atmospherics aplenty but also pulsing, underplayed rhythms too. Liquid gold.
What's Left is the new album by Tom Henry, releasing November 20th, 2026 on Royal Oakie Records. Where his debut album Songs to Sing and Dance To leaned into big dreams, What's Left is a record about what remains once the dust settles, delivered with the wit and charm of a young rocker in his prime. The familiar influences are still there — Paul McCartney and Big Star loom large (though there's a little more Third/Sister Lovers this time around), but now the songs are lush and polished, with new sounds creeping in around Henry’s trademark power pop hooks. On a handful of tracks you can even hear strains of Syd Barrett influenced acid-folk alongside psychedelic rock that recalls The Brian Jonestown Massacre or The Beatles at their most lysergic.
Produced in collaboration with David Glasebrook (Patti Smith, Peter Case, Sugar Candy Mountain), and engineered by Glasebrook and Stephen Shirk, the album was tracked across two cities at Shirk Studios in Chicago, IL and The Garden Shed in Oakland, CA, where Glasebrook also handled mixing and mastering. The record's cross-continental origins reflect the movements of Tom’s own life over the past half decade, which found him departing his native Chicago for Los Angeles before returning home four years later, and lend the album its distinctive sound of Midwestern grit mixed with California sunshine across all twelve tracks.
Opener "Someone I Need" sets the tone: an old-fashioned, up-beat rocker built for a roadside diner jukebox somewhere out along the backroads of your mind — it's crunchy tape tones and horn arrangement lending warmth to the song as the narrator asks for a dance and beckons the listener along for the ride. By "It's Not Meant to Be," the record turns inward, wrestling with the exhaustion of trying to find love in the modern age — especially for someone who wears their heart on their sleeve and often comes to find their suitor's wardrobe doesn't have room. "Silverlake Song," reminiscent of early Donovan, kicks off with otherworldly sitar — a wry postcard from the west, tracing how the shimmering promise of L.A.'s Silver Lake enchants, bargains with, and ultimately tries to ruin the starry-eyed dreamer — and very nearly succeeds.
In addition to Tom–who sang and played guitar, bass, and keys–the album features musical contributions from co-producer David Glasebrook, Brian Daley, Joe Daley, Finn Swingley, Lewis Patzner, and labelmates Graham Patzner, Charles Lloyd, and Simon Beins. Liner notes come courtesy of Ian F. Svenonius, who — in the guise of one Johnny Sincere of Integrated Star Management Ltd. — recounts his company's failed attempt to sell Tom Henry a gimmick: a space suit, a coal miner's neckerchief, a lounge pianist's dead-eyed shades. Tom turned them all down. As Svenonius tells it, when reminded that every story's been told and every gimmick's been used, that all that's left is to admire the photographs of what's gone before, Tom simply shrugged: rock 'n' roll is an eternal spring, and if this is what's left, that's just fine with him — it's what he likes to do.
Yung Lean - That's It (feat. Future & Metro Boomin)
Travis Scott - RHYNO (prod. by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo)
CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, PinkPantheress,
Fred again.., & Etienne de Crécy - Sexy Magic
Morgan Wallen - Last Thing You Need
Rauw Alejandro - Macacoa 2000
Keith Richards - Bright Lights, Big City
Ezra Feinberg's third album Soft Power sees the composer-guitarist enlist an impressive array of fellow musicians including Mary Lattimore, David Moore (Bing & Ruth), Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, Robbie Lee and share the life affirming lead single 'Future Sand'.
Defined by its abundance of melodies, repeating figures and ecstatic improvisations, Soft Power exudes an enlightened and transformative spirit to empower the listener. Feinberg, a practising psychoanalyst and former founding member of the San Francisco psychedelic collective Citay (Dead Oceans / Important Records) resides in the artistic enclave of upstate New York's Hudson River valley. Initial recordings emerged in the late summer of 2020, before added synthesis with collaborator John Thayer (Arp, Sunwatchers) during early 2021. Soft Power follows previous albums 'Recumbent Speech' (2020) and 'Pentimento and Others' (2018).
Feinberg artfully transcends the listener to an enriched place, his compositions distinguished by the deep humanity that lies at their core, plugging the listener into a state of wide eyed being, open and alive. Soft Power then is Ezra's own mantra but also one of power giving - a colourful catharsis translated into music.
Feinberg's music always speaks to the listener, but Soft Power, in whispering, speaks loudest.
"Much like everyday life, I wanted to convey these very plain, simple, tranquil, nearly quotidian aspects, but each piece contains this arc in which that form expands, is broken out of, so what starts out like a painting of flowers in a seaside motel turns into a riot of color and sound, or you feel slipped into a dream that feels like it could go on forever"
With this seventh instalment of retweaked heat, Perro Bueno Edits once again prove that less is more when you know exactly what you're doing. Both refixes strike a sweet spot between respectful crate-digger sensibility and dancefloor punch while updating Afro-funk classics without sanding off their soul. 'TFOM' puffs out its chest with big, bold, playful horns leading the charge as Latin vocals bring some sunshine and funky bass keeps things moving. 'SMPP' slows the tempo, which means more room to luxuriate between the dumpy kicks and appreciate the sharp horns and organic percussion before some raw vocals bring a Brownian funk edge.
Limited Edition 2026 Black Vinyl Repress.
Up in Flames is Dan Snaith's second album, originally released under the Manitoba moniker on March 31, 2003 .
Made with the same modest home setup as its predecessor, it nonetheless sounds like a different artist entirely - a kaleidoscopic rush of sun-bright melodies, tumbling percussion, and psychedelic pop that traded the hushed intimacy of Start Breaking My Heart for something warmer, bigger, and more joyfully overstuffed, encompassing 1960s psychedelia, Madchaster swagger and shoegaze swoon.
Snaith was later forced to change his artist name after a well-documented lawsuit, and Up in Flames stands as the final album released under the Manitoba name - a high point to go out on. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim, and has since been recognized by Pitchfork as one of the standout albums of the 2000s. It remains, by most accounts, one of Snaith's finest and most beloved records.
Atlantic Records and Rockstar Games announce Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album, the upcoming official soundtrack album from the biggest, most immersive evolution of the groundbreaking Grand Theft Auto series yet; Grand Theft Auto VI.
Launching alongside the hotly anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album features 34 original tracks that capture the electric energy of GTA 6’s world of Vice City and Leonida, with a genre-defying roster of the most exciting and preeminent artists in the world.
With 34 original tracks that capture the electric energy of Grand Theft Auto VI’s world of Vice City and Leonida, Grand Theft Auto VI: The Album features a genre-defying roster of the most exciting artists in the world.
Two of the most prolific remixers in the world of Disco,Dave 'Love' Lee and John Moraleshave teamed up for one of their biggest projects to date - 'Mixed To The Maxxx'. After gaining access from the legendary original artists, the pair take the multi-track tapes of many classic Disco, Funk & Soul tracks and re-work them...to the Maxxx!
Where Remixed With Love stands as Dave Lee's own gold-standard body of work, Mixed To The Maxxx sets that legacy alongside Morales' own decades-deep M+M body of work: Lee brings his musically dense, groove-first touch to the likes of Harold Melvin, Syreeta, Lenny Williams and The Brand New Heavies, while Morales applies his extended, dancefloor-built M+M treatment and crushes the likes of Barry White, The Temptations and Loleatta Holloway, plus Dennis Coffey's breakbeat classic "Scorpio" for the DJs and collectors alike. Both work from original tapes, surfacing parts barely audible or entirely unheard in the source mixes, and both know when to let a classic breathe rather than bury it under modern production. It's a pairing a long time in the making. Lee and Morales first talked about working together around a decade ago, and getting Mixed To The Maxxx off the ground took five years of patient work: tracking down usable stems, securing approvals, and navigating a licensing landscape where much of the best material is now tied up with major labels increasingly cautious about clearing remixes. What's landed here is the product of that graft as much as the pair's shared ear for a great record, the sound of two people who know exactly what they're looking for and are willing to put in the time to find it.
A double 12" sampler in summer 2025 previewed the record's range. A bass-driven overhaul ofThe Brothers Johnson's "The Real Thing" and an extended mix of Philly legends Bell & James' "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" showcased Lee's side, while an anthemic take on Inner Life's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and a tempo-lifted Light Of The World"London Town" flew the flag for Morales. Both drew strong early support ahead of the full LP.
Delinquent Habits is the self-titled debut album of the Chicano hip-hop group that was formed in Los Angeles in 1991. As a group they got widespread attention with their, both melodic and hardcore, Latin-tinged rap. For the album they got help from Sen Dog, known from the very popular hip hop group Cypress Hill. He was the executive producer and also made a guest appearance on "Underground Connection".
The group was one of the biggest breakthrough acts of 1996. It started with the single "Tres Delinquentes" that attracted much attention and sold over one million copies. The album followed quickly and was equally successful by reaching the Billboard Top 200. The genre gained a new classic!
Delinquent Habits is available as a 30th anniversary edition of 2000 individually numbered copies on blue and white vinyl.
Nailbomb's live album Proud To Commit Commercial Suicide, was recorded at the legendary 1995 Dynamo Festival in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
With 110.000 attendees, this was the biggest Dynamo Festival that was ever put together. Featuring a line-up of bands like Machine Head, Life Of Agony, Biohazard, Downset, Dog Eat Dog, Fear Factory, and many more, this was truly an event people from around the world wouldn’t miss.
Nailbomb's legendary live show (featuring appearances from former Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro, Biohazard bassist Evan Seinfeld, Sepultura's Igor Cavalera and Front Line Assembly/Fear Factory keyboardist Rhys Fulber) is still being talked about to this day. The last two studio tracks were recorded at Chaton Studios, Scottsdale, Arizona, in July 1995.
Proud To Commit Commercial Suicide is now available on black vinyl and contains an insert.
Channeling his honed sample craft towards the ominous portent of modern times, Romare returns with his fifth album Oblivion, with the previous 3 out of 4 LP's appearing on Ninja Tune. Across a suite of downtempo, broken beat, bubbling grooves and brooding reveries Archie Fairhurst threads a narrative that wrestles with the big questions of the present moment — the tipping points of the planet and technology, the fight for social justice and the power structures that govern our existence. While his trademark source material continues to cast a long line back through recorded history, this is Romare at his most contextual.
Nothing is placed by accident. 'Machines' hums its throbbing 4/4 pulse along to a German language recital of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 'Blessed Longing' — an enduring reflection on the human condition that rings true from way back in the 19th Century when it was written. 'Computer Love' slinks into a sumptuous trip-hop lull laced with sci-fi flourishes sculpted from samples of old computer documentaries — a bittersweet romantic backdrop to our complicated situationship with the devices in our lives. 'Take Us' goes one step further on its hard-stepping boom-bap strut as a subtle tale of possession by screens unfolds around Romare's signature strain of technicolour mutant funk.
There is space for optimism in the message on Oblivion as well — the strength of the suffragettes as a benchmark for social justice and activism amidst the speakeasy slink of ‘Deeds, Not Words', and spring-loaded acid house joint 'Change' pointing to the need for positive action in the face of imminent calamity.
The artwork for the album follows Fairhurst's thought process, drawing on Edvard Munch's iconic 'The Scream' along with Philippe Halsman and Salvador Dali’s ‘Voluptuous Death’ to help render the ideas of the album visually.
The wild ride of Oblivion races towards a final beguiling opiate on 'The Last Lullaby' — the perfect sedative after the rush of information and emotion that comes with a full-length trip through Romare's vivid, uniquely creative world of sound.
The latest in our series of Limited Edition 7x7" Soul Box Sets celebrates the work of Dave Hamilton.
Dave's musical career in Detroit stretched from the 40s into the 80s. He was involved in all black music styles during that period - blues, jazz, and gospel as well as soul music.
A talented songwriter, he wrote or contributed to ten of the fourteen compositions here and produced them all in his studios.
Though his released output was modest, considering the amount of recording he did, the gems in his tape vaults have been surprising and entertaining black music lovers since they were accessed by Ace in 1990.
That purchase came about due to Richard “Gilly” Gilbert’s detective work in discovering that a big covered-up Northern Soul spin at Wigan Casino was actually Dave’s production on “Little Ann” Bridgeforth. The ensuing years have seen soul tracks in all genres, issued on Kent and BGP and we are still discovering great tracks 36 years on. Witness ‘You Got Me Where You Want Me’ by Chico & Buddy, a fabulous funky number from around 1970 that would have been a soul fan’s favourite whenever it was issued; this is its first public appearance.
Funk crosses over to all dance scenes these days and even jazzier tracks like Dave’s own ‘Soul Suite’, a close relation of his coveted ‘Pisces Piece’ will pick up plays now it is on vinyl. Northern Soul lovers have been demanding J T Rhythm’s ‘I Love The Way You Walk’ on a seven, as have Motown connoisseurs with Rita DuShay’s original of ‘All I Need (Steal Away Tonight)’ as covered by Barbara McNair on her 1966 Motown LP.
Original copies exist of the Ravins ‘Your Love Is What I Want’ but unless you have several grand to spare on this fast and furious dancer, our audio-enhanced release is a great substitute; especially with the Kent 45 deleted.
OC Tolbert delivers a tough and menacing Clarence Reid song ‘Along Came A Woman’ which has huge dancefloor potential, like Dave’s own bluesy vocal on his similarly gritty, R&B composition ‘Take Care Of Your Own Business’.
Dave’s accomplishments into the 70s and 80s are admired by modern soul lovers and his ‘Ride The Disco Train’ by the Moderations, hit a perfect groove for progressive clubs of the genre. Both the Felecia Johnson and New Experience tracks thrive on the laid-back atmosphere Dave was able to conjure up in his home studios and the talented singers present his thoughtful songs with panache.
With enhanced audio for both of Little Ann’s uptempo and ballad classics ‘What Should I Do’ / ‘Deep Shadows’ this box set is irresistible as well as being a tribute to the unsung heroes of Detroit Soul music.
Im September 1964 war es Miles Davis endlich gelungen, den Saxofonisten Wayne Shorter von Art Blakeys
Jazz Messengers abzuwerben und mit ihm sein Second Great Quintet zu vervollständigen. Shorters Solokarriere schien darunter nicht nur nicht zu leiden, sondern sogar noch beflügelt zu werden. Und zwar so sehr,
dass Blue Note mit dem Veröffentlichen seiner Soloalben kaum nachkam. Eines der Alben, die zunächst
archiviert wurden, war “The Soothsayer”. Es wurde im März 1965 mit einem Allstar-Sextett aufgenommen,
erschien aus unerklärlichen Gründen aber erst 1979. Denn laut AllMusic gehört es zu Shorters “besten
Werken aus dieser unglaublich fruchtbaren Zeit”.
Children of Zeus return with their third studio album ‘As The World Burns…’
Five years on from their highly-acclaimed sophomore album ‘Balance’, Manchester’s kings of hip hop soul, Tyler Daley and Konny Kon, bring us a brand new 16-track opus.
Sonically the duo continue their story where they left off; crafting an amalgamation of street soul, alternative r&b and boom bap hip hop, with a sprinkle of flavours taken from their original multi-genre pirate radio influences, and a dash of forward-thinking new sounds, ensuring all tracks are destined to become future classics.
The features are sparing but powerful, enlisting the talents of revered UK rapper Knucks (‘Before We Drown’), Colorado-native Young Old Soul (‘Dopamine’), MCR family K S R (‘Do You Want To Get High’, & Australian/Mauritian up & comer Anieszka (‘Water & Vibes’).
As with previous projects, this album is largely produced by the duo themselves, though there are guest productions from previous collaborators too, including Grammy Award-winner Beat Butcha, Grammy-nominated Teo, and broken beat pioneer K15, along with an assortment of new players making moves in the underground neo-soul & beats circuit.
Conceptually, this project continues on with the story to date. An eternal search for sunsets and soulfood, as a respite to the anxieties of the modern world; personally, professionally and globally. Assertive swagger is matched with brutal but sincere candidity. As ever, it encapsulates the rough with the smooth, with reflections on where they’ve been, where they’re at and where they’re headed. There’s no preaching to be found here; just an acceptance of things as they are, an embrace of the environment and people they were nurtured by, and a celebration of some of the finer things in life; slow jams, weed & rum, water & vibes. Raps for listeners, blunt heads, fly ladies and prisoners. All packaged together as another perfect sonic love letter to sound system culture. 50 minutes of big people music.
Since the release of their anthemic debut single ‘Still Standing’ a decade ago, to the subsequent EP ‘The Story So Far’, and their critically-lauded debut album ‘Travel Light’, the duo have received numerous accolades, including nominations for AIM Awards & Worldwide Awards both, along with tons of ‘Album of the Year’ nods care of Clash Magazine, Bandcamp, Complex, Wordplay and many more. This along with huge swathes of support from DJs, radio stations, press outlets, tastemakers, luminaries & fellow artists across the globe.
Children of Zeus have performed sessions for COLORS, Soulection (Apple Music), DJ AG, Boiler Room, BBC 6 Music and at the infamous Maida Vale studios for BBC 1Xtra as well as touring across Europe, Australia and South Africa. This is in addition to collaborating & touring with Mercury Award Winner’s Ezra Collective, including a Wembley Arena show. Other collaborations over the years have included Shy FX, Juls, Goldie, Black Milk, Kofi Stone and the late great Lenzman.
From the Broke ’n’ English / Hoodman-era, to the present day, Children of Zeus have been omnipresent in the fabric of British black music. Proud ambassadors of Manchester music, and of UK soul, it really is “Zeus to the world”.
Children of Zeus have been adorned with plenty of flowers over their career. The unbridled quality and poignance of the music and the message on display throughout this project will see the algorithmic needle move some more. It’s undoubtedly set to be a Zeus Summer. As the world burns…
Available on all digital platforms and physical formats, Friday September 4th 2026.
t 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. K S R ) - Children of Zeus03:26
t 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. K S R ) - Children of Zeus03:26
[t] 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. [ K S R ]) - Children of Zeus03:26
[t] 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. [ K S R ]) - Children of Zeus03:26
[g] B3 | Do You Want To Get High? (feat [ K S R ]) - Children of Zeus03:26
The evolution of Andreas Tilliander's moniker TM404 has reached its third stage. The first TM404 album was a heavily self-restricted concept album, live recorded with classic Roland machines. The subsequent album had a more playful vibe, shaped by Tilliander's extensive live touring. This third TM404 album on Kontra-Musik simply tells the story of what he's been up to since. The third part of a musical diary, initiated in 2013. The TM404 venture might have started out as a dreamy acid dub project, more suited for the chill-out than the main floor. But by popular demand Tillander found himself touring big clubs around the globe and the TM404 sound adapted organically. As a result, the album features tracks like Vactro and Rymdeko: fast paced acidic techno tracks in the same vein as classic Plus 8 releases, but with more space echo. Much more. But never fear, fans of the classic warm and bubbling TM404 sound. You'll certainly get yours as well. A substantial portion of this album was recorded in a studio flat in Berlin as part of an artist residency. For obvious reasons, Tilliander could only bring a small portion of his studio gear to this German sanctuary. As a consequence, this album has a more stripped down vibe than its predecessors, which creates more space for Tilliander's glowing melodies. The last track on the album, a loving homage to Kontra-Musik's label boss, is a sublime example. And for the Instagram generation, here's the short version: The album is called Syra. That translates to Acid. You're welcome.
In the history of hip-hop, certain collisions alter the orbit of the culture entirely. When Busta Rhymes first stepped into the otherworldly, swing-heavy universe of J Dilla, it was an alignment of two unstoppable titans—the most chaotic, kinetic vocalist in rap history meeting the quiet deity of raw soul and sub-bass perfection. Their original pairing set a gold standard for what happens when top-tier lyrical warfare meets sacred production. Now, the vault opens to unveil DILLAGENCE II: a resurrection of that mythic frequency, bridging the raw grit of the streets with a legendary, earth-shattering grandeur.
Authorized directly from the Yancey estate, DILLAGENCE II pairs Busta’s razor-sharp, rapid-fire flows with Dilla’s nastiest, most sought-after unreleased beats. Built upon rare MPC canvases unearthed from Dilla’s legendary vault, the album captures both masters in a state of absolute, unchained ascension. Every track hits like a heavyweight knockout—blending off-grid snares, filthy basslines, and soaring soul chops with Busta’s apocalyptic precision. He treats every lost Detroit tape like a battleground, unleashing a larger-than-life energy that turns unreleased boom-bap into a stadium-sized manifesto.
Forget the cheap nostalgia cash-ins and posthumous butcher jobs. DILLAGENCE II hits with the weight of two master craftsmen operating at the absolute peak of their powers. By locking Detroit’s deepest low-end grooves directly into New York’s loudest, most relentless vocal engine, this record doesn't just honor Dilla's legacy—it kicks the door off its hinges and demands you listen.
Bill Withers was a modest, gentle, and yet towering musical figure responsible for some of the most important, universally known soul hits ever written. It’s no wonder that “Just the Two of Us” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” won him two Grammy awards and undoubtedly played a huge role in getting him inducted into both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Naked & Warm is Withers' fifth studio album, released in 1976. A year earlier, the Sussex label—home to Bill's first four landmark albums—ceased operations. Withers then signed with the mighty Columbia Records, which would remain his home until the end of his recording career. While Naked & Warm retains Bill's unique, earthy approach to soul that made him Sussex's biggest star, it's clear that musically too, he was in transition; the first half of the album is full of synthesized jazz-funk vamps, while "City Of The Angels" is an almost 11 minutes long cosmic funk excursion combining biting Rhodes chords with swirling synth pads and Dorothy Ashby's spiritual harp work. All in all, Naked & Warm might be one of Bill's most underrated records, simply because his previous work for Sussex was just that impactful.
Naked & Warm is available as a 50th anniversary edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on blue vinyl and includes a 4-page booklet featuring lyrics and new liner notes written by Marcia Withers.
Auto-Mirage is the result of an artistic exploration built around the idea of escape.
Many different settings could be associated with this album, without ever having to choose just one. It can feel like a carefree van trip with no particular destination, the start of a relaxed summer evening with friends or even a sleepless night filled with introspection.
Its alternative identity flows between indie and surf pop, with touches of jazz and soul influences. The arrangements are meticulously crafted, adding depth to the compositions as well as authenticity to the voice.
Auto-Mirage brings together recognized talents such as Olefonken (Hubbabubbaklubb) for the mixing part, Brian “Big Bass” Gardner for the mastering, the captivating voice of Swiss singer Sreya and the striking flights of UK harpist Rachel Kitchlew. This album blends visions and influences to create a project that can accompany anyone, in any situation, as long as it brings that sense of escape.
The five members of Semakbelukar grew up in the late 1990s believing Malay music was cheap. They picked up guitars and amps and turned the volume up.
Lead singer David Hersya had played in a hardcore-punk band and worked as a sound engineer in Palembang, a busy port city on Sumatra’s east coast that once hosted the Sriwijaya maritime kingdom.
Around 2010, David and a rotating cast of bandmates grew bored with hardcore punk.
They swapped guitars and drums for mandolin and accordion. David began writing lyrics inspired by pantun (traditional Malay poetry) and set them to minimalist mandolin strums, then layered more mandolin and Malay drums as the recordings progressed. He drew vague melodies from his father’s record collection—1960s Malay music giants like O.M. Kelana Ria, Zaenal Combo, and O.M. Sinar Kemala.
David’s work as a muezzin at his mosque trained his vocal cords, which helped his studio performance. That skills helps him tremendously in the studio and as you can hear in the compilation, his range and pathos are the biggest draw.
Only about twenty people in their hometown bought CDs of their first three releases. Semakbelukar had already broken up when a Jakarta label asked them to record a proper LP in 2013.
What they recorded in two weeks in a makeshift Palembang studio in early 2013 changed their lives: a heady mix of bygone Malay styles and modern sensibility only they could make.
This collection combines eight tracks released in 2013 with earlier recordings from 2009–2011, including previously unreleased material.
Semakbelukar disbanded permanently after their last gig in Java that December.
Ontario-based hip-hop editors, builders and sculptors Suckaside are not afraid of taking on any challenge big or small and have worked across timeless house, r&b, hip-hop and disco joints. This time though, they take on a hip-hop staple and flip it into a Latin hearted with a shuffling samba groove, organic percussion and natty piano melodies. The edit is first up and has a female vocal line oozing soul and attitude and then on the flip one of the East Coast's finest mic men appears with one of his most well-known verses layered into the same groove. Perfect for late summer fun.
