Klur (Patrik Kindvall) has quickly become one of the most exciting names in melodic and progressive house. Since his breakout debut, Summit / Odysée, the Swedish producer has captivated listeners with his signature blend of organic textures, meticulously crafted synths, and evolving melodies, garnering over 100 million streams across DSPs and a loyal fanbase of over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
His music across labels including Colorize, Anjunadeep and This Never Happened, has found global resonance, earning radio support from SiriusXM Chill, where he is one of the most-played artists in the last few years, and DJ endorsements from Lane 8, Madeon, Tritonal, Above & Beyond, Black Coffee, Sultan + Shepard, and more. Recognised as one of Sweden’s fastest-rising songwriters (+100! by STIM), Klur continues to push boundaries, proving that electronic music can be both deeply emotional and sonically cutting-edge.
Beyond the studio, Klur has taken his immersive sound to stages worldwide, with performances in New York City, ADE, London, L.A., San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Austin, Toronto, Montreal and beyond. His music is more than just sound—it’s an invitation to explore a world where the digital and natural coexist in harmony, stirring emotions and inspiring connection.
Klur drops his sophomore album ‘After The Rain’ on Colorize this October, followed by an album tour across Q4 and into 2026.
System Olympia presents a bold, cinematic compilation that redefines the sound of sensuality. Love Language is an
18-track double-vinyl release pressed on deluxe heavyweight black vinyl.
It’s accompanied by a provocative, limited-edition 24-page fanzine, exclusive to 18+ audiences.
This is not just a compilation, Love Language is a manifesto. A carefully curated sonic journey through eroticism, artistic rebellion,
and liberation, it spans nearly five decades of music and features exclusive edits and rare gems that illuminate System Olympia’s
radical aesthetic vision.
****
Since her emergence on the electronic underground, System Olympia has carved out a distinct, sensual sonic universe, equal parts
vulnerable and defiant. With Love Language, she presents her most audacious project to date: a compilation rooted in what she
calls The Aesthetics of Sexual Desire in Sound.
It’s a daring declaration that desire is more than a feeling - it’s a language. Across 20 tracks, including her own sultry opener “The
Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN)” and a rare System Olympia edit of Working Men’s Club’s “Ploys”, this compilation speaks in
rhythms and textures that evoke longing, intimacy, and ecstatic release.
This is not a traditional compilation. System Olympia’s sequencing is cinematic and deliberate. Every track a scene in a film that exists
only in the listener’s imagination. From the retro-futurist seduction of Flavia Fortunato’s Italo gem “Se Tu Vuoi” to the deep, extended
tension of Musclecars’ “Running Out of Time,” each piece plays its part in an arc of anticipation, climax, and reflection.Uniting artists as diverse as Daniele Baldelli, Piero Umiliani, and DJ Rocca, Love Language refuses boundaries of genre, era, or
expectation. It dances between vintage Italo-disco, dreamy electronica, sweaty club tracks, and avant-garde jazz, forming a rich
tapestry of sound and sensation.
System Olympia explains, “This is music for lovers, outsiders, and dreamers. It's a rebellion made of velvet and
basslines.
The accompanying 24-page fanzine insert, restricted to adults, further deepens the narrative, with erotic visual fragments and
poetic texts that amplify the compilation’s raw, sensual energy. A tangible extension of the music’s spirit, the zine invites listeners to
step into Olympia’s world and engage their senses fully.
As much a provocation as it is a celebration, Love Language is a deeply personal curation and a radical act of creative freedom. It
champions eroticism as art, desire as dialogue, and music as a liberatory force.
a A1. System Olympia - The Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN) 3:44
b A2. Flavia Fortunato - Se Tu Vuoi 3:38
c A3. See Thru Hands - Hot City 3:57
d A4. Daniele Baldelli, Francesca Amati - Inner Light [4:43]
[e] A5. Ruins - Sexual Desire [3:14]
[f] B1. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Eli's Mix) [5:13]
[g] B2. musclecars - Running Out Of Time [5:10]
[h] B3. Working Men's Club - Ploys (System Olympia Edit) [4:56]
[i] B4. Royalty - Heart Strings [5:05]
[j] C1. Dirty Art Club - Daysleeper [3:45]
[k] C2. Admiral - Soho Girl [4:14]
[l] C3. Tom Sharkett & Raf Rundell - Where's It All Go? [3:41]
[m] C4. Gina Calabrese - Nobody Lives Forever [4:40]
[n] D1. Romolo Grano, Gianni Oddi & Edda Dell'Orso - Kilimangiaro [3:55]
[o] D2. LNDFK - Hana-bi [1:55]
[p] D3. Fitness Forever - Vederti Distante [2:47]
[a] A1. System Olympia - The Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN) [3:44]
[b] A2. Flavia Fortunato - Se Tu Vuoi [3:38]
[c] A3. See Thru Hands - Hot City [3:57]
[d] A4. Daniele Baldelli, Francesca Amati - Inner Light [4:43]
[e] A5. Ruins - Sexual Desire [3:14]
[f] B1. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Eli's Mix) [5:13]
[g] B2. musclecars - Running Out Of Time [5:10]
[h] B3. Working Men's Club - Ploys (System Olympia Edit) [4:56]
[i] B4. Royalty - Heart Strings [5:05]
[j] C1. Dirty Art Club - Daysleeper [3:45]
[k] C2. Admiral - Soho Girl [4:14]
[l] C3. Tom Sharkett & Raf Rundell - Where's It All Go? [3:41]
[m] C4. Gina Calabrese - Nobody Lives Forever [4:40]
[n] D1. Romolo Grano, Gianni Oddi & Edda Dell'Orso - Kilimangiaro [3:55]
[o] D2. LNDFK - Hana-bi [1:55]
[p] D3. Fitness Forever - Vederti Distante [2:47]
[a] A1. System Olympia - The Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN) [3:44]
[b] A2. Flavia Fortunato - Se Tu Vuoi [3:38]
[c] A3. See Thru Hands - Hot City [3:57]
[d] A4. Daniele Baldelli, Francesca Amati - Inner Light [4:43]
[e] A5. Ruins - Sexual Desire [3:14]
[f] B1. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Eli's Mix) [5:13]
[g] B2. musclecars - Running Out Of Time [5:10]
[h] B3. Working Men's Club - Ploys (System Olympia Edit) [4:56]
[i] B4. Royalty - Heart Strings [5:05]
[j] C1. Dirty Art Club - Daysleeper [3:45]
[k] C2. Admiral - Soho Girl [4:14]
[l] C3. Tom Sharkett & Raf Rundell - Where's It All Go? [3:41]
[m] C4. Gina Calabrese - Nobody Lives Forever [4:40]
[n] D1. Romolo Grano, Gianni Oddi & Edda Dell'Orso - Kilimangiaro [3:55]
[o] D2. LNDFK - Hana-bi [1:55]
[p] D3. Fitness Forever - Vederti Distante [2:47]
[a] A1. System Olympia - The Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN) [3:44]
[b] A2. Flavia Fortunato - Se Tu Vuoi [3:38]
[c] A3. See Thru Hands - Hot City [3:57]
[d] A4. Daniele Baldelli, Francesca Amati - Inner Light [4:43]
[e] A5. Ruins - Sexual Desire [3:14]
[f] B1. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Eli's Mix) [5:13]
[g] B2. musclecars - Running Out Of Time [5:10]
[h] B3. Working Men's Club - Ploys (System Olympia Edit) [4:56]
[i] B4. Royalty - Heart Strings [5:05]
[j] C1. Dirty Art Club - Daysleeper [3:45]
[k] C2. Admiral - Soho Girl [4:14]
[l] C3. Tom Sharkett & Raf Rundell - Where's It All Go? [3:41]
[m] C4. Gina Calabrese - Nobody Lives Forever [4:40]
[n] D1. Romolo Grano, Gianni Oddi & Edda Dell'Orso - Kilimangiaro [3:55]
[o] D2. LNDFK - Hana-bi [1:55]
[p] D3. Fitness Forever - Vederti Distante [2:47]
System Olympia presents a bold, cinematic compilation that redefines the sound of sensuality. Love Language is an
18-track double-vinyl release pressed on deluxe heavyweight black vinyl.
It’s accompanied by a provocative, limited-edition 24-page fanzine, exclusive to 18+ audiences.
This is not just a compilation, Love Language is a manifesto. A carefully curated sonic journey through eroticism, artistic rebellion,
and liberation, it spans nearly five decades of music and features exclusive edits and rare gems that illuminate System Olympia’s
radical aesthetic vision.
****
Since her emergence on the electronic underground, System Olympia has carved out a distinct, sensual sonic universe, equal parts
vulnerable and defiant. With Love Language, she presents her most audacious project to date: a compilation rooted in what she
calls The Aesthetics of Sexual Desire in Sound.
It’s a daring declaration that desire is more than a feeling - it’s a language. Across 20 tracks, including her own sultry opener “The
Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN)” and a rare System Olympia edit of Working Men’s Club’s “Ploys”, this compilation speaks in
rhythms and textures that evoke longing, intimacy, and ecstatic release.
This is not a traditional compilation. System Olympia’s sequencing is cinematic and deliberate. Every track a scene in a film that exists
only in the listener’s imagination. From the retro-futurist seduction of Flavia Fortunato’s Italo gem “Se Tu Vuoi” to the deep, extended
tension of Musclecars’ “Running Out of Time,” each piece plays its part in an arc of anticipation, climax, and reflection.Uniting artists as diverse as Daniele Baldelli, Piero Umiliani, and DJ Rocca, Love Language refuses boundaries of genre, era, or
expectation. It dances between vintage Italo-disco, dreamy electronica, sweaty club tracks, and avant-garde jazz, forming a rich
tapestry of sound and sensation.
System Olympia explains, “This is music for lovers, outsiders, and dreamers. It's a rebellion made of velvet and
basslines.
The accompanying 24-page fanzine insert, restricted to adults, further deepens the narrative, with erotic visual fragments and
poetic texts that amplify the compilation’s raw, sensual energy. A tangible extension of the music’s spirit, the zine invites listeners to
step into Olympia’s world and engage their senses fully.
As much a provocation as it is a celebration, Love Language is a deeply personal curation and a radical act of creative freedom. It
champions eroticism as art, desire as dialogue, and music as a liberatory force.
a A1. System Olympia - The Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN) 3:44
b A2. Flavia Fortunato - Se Tu Vuoi 3:38
[c] A3. See Thru Hands - Hot City [3:57]
[d] A4. Daniele Baldelli, Francesca Amati - Inner Light [4:43]
[e] A5. Ruins - Sexual Desire [3:14]
[f] B1. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Eli's Mix) [5:13]
[g] B2. musclecars - Running Out Of Time [5:10]
[h] B3. Working Men's Club - Ploys (System Olympia Edit) [4:56]
[i] B4. Royalty - Heart Strings [5:05]
[j] C1. Dirty Art Club - Daysleeper [3:45]
[k] C2. Admiral - Soho Girl [4:14]
[l] C3. Tom Sharkett & Raf Rundell - Where's It All Go? [3:41]
[m] C4. Gina Calabrese - Nobody Lives Forever [4:40]
[n] D1. Romolo Grano, Gianni Oddi & Edda Dell'Orso - Kilimangiaro [3:55]
[o] D2. LNDFK - Hana-bi [1:55]
[2:47]
[a] A1. System Olympia - The Heat Of The Night (feat. REINEN) [3:44]
[b] A2. Flavia Fortunato - Se Tu Vuoi [3:38]
[c] A3. See Thru Hands - Hot City [3:57]
[d] A4. Daniele Baldelli, Francesca Amati - Inner Light [4:43]
[e] A5. Ruins - Sexual Desire [3:14]
[f] B1. Midnight Magic - Beam Me Up (Eli's Mix) [5:13]
[g] B2. musclecars - Running Out Of Time [5:10]
[h] B3. Working Men's Club - Ploys (System Olympia Edit) [4:56]
[i] B4. Royalty - Heart Strings [5:05]
[j] C1. Dirty Art Club - Daysleeper [3:45]
[k] C2. Admiral - Soho Girl [4:14]
[l] C3. Tom Sharkett & Raf Rundell - Where's It All Go? [3:41]
[m] C4. Gina Calabrese - Nobody Lives Forever [4:40]
[n] D1. Romolo Grano, Gianni Oddi & Edda Dell'Orso - Kilimangiaro [3:55]
[o] D2. LNDFK - Hana-bi [1:55]
[2:47]
Part 3 of 3 opens with an absolute weapon of a track from Medlar, ‘Hardly Workin’ is a peak time track of the highest order fusing straight up House with a UK baseline to rattle any system. Next up is Texan Father Sheed (full EP from him coming very soon) with a jack track to get the body moving.
Over on the B-side Kenny Blacksmith takes us in a deeper direction with ‘Church’ full of lush pads and warming baselines. To close out the record Dim City takes it up a notch with an end of the night rave anthem.
SCALER are the electrifying Bristol-based band hailed as the city’s “next national breakthrough” thanks to their pulverising live show and meticulous, mind-warping sound. Now they’re back with ‘Endlessly’, a sublime and stylistically expansive new album. 10 potent tracks written and recorded more collaboratively than ever before, as SCALER explore what it means to make music with no ceiling.
Building on what they know and taking it in new directions has been a constant throughout the three-year journey behind ‘Endlessly’, which came together in the studio beneath Bristol’s legendary The Louisiana. Inspired by time apart, the album finds them reconnecting with their diverse sonic touchpoints – many tangled in their city’s much-mused-on musical heritage – and the creative energy of collaborators around them. Close friends and long-admired peers, including Akiko Haruna, Art School Girlfriend, Tlya X An, Shadow Stevie, Thomas Ridley and Cold Light’s ELDON add colour to SCALER’s darkened palette and point to the left-turns they’re leaning into. The intense softens into introspection. The blistering becomes a balm.
‘Endlessly’ is the second album from SCALER, a.k.a. Alex Hill, Isaac Jones, James Rushforth and Nick Berthoud, alongside visual artist Jason Baker. The record follows 2022’s acclaimed ‘Void’ and marks their debut for Bristol’s revered Black Acre, a longtime champion of genre-defying electronic music.
NOW Music proudly presents the next release in our “NOW That’s What I Call An Era” series - Such A Good Feeling: 1988-1995 – a euphoric celebration of a truly transformative time in music.
This stunning 3LP set pressed on blue, white and yellow vinyl showcases 46 essential tracks that soundtracked the dancefloors, charts, and airwaves from the late ’80s through the ’90s — an era when dance culture reshaped the mainstream, soundtracked a generation, and lit up the charts across the UK and beyond
LP1 – Side A opens in style with ‘Such A Good Feeling’ from Brothers In Rhythm, this collection’s inspiring title…followed by Black Box with ‘Ride On Time’ — the best-selling UK single of ’89, and one of dance music’s defining tracks. Massive club classics continue with C+C Music Factory’s ‘Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)’, house anthems from Inner City with ‘Good Life’, and ‘Dirty Cash (Money Talks)’ from Adventures Of Stevie V, plus dance-pop gems ‘Not Over Yet’ from Grace, and Billie Ray Martin with ‘Your Loving Arms’…Flip the LP over for the pioneering ‘Theme From S-Express’, a chart-topper from 1988, before dancefloor earworms from Kenny “Dope” Presents The Bucketheads with ‘The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)’, Nightcrawlers with ‘Push The Feeling On’ and ‘People Hold On’ from Coldcut and Lisa Stansfield. The influential ‘Beat Dis’ from Bomb The Bass is up next ahead of Tony Di Bart’s #1 ‘The Real Thing’, Saint Etienne’s sophisticated dance-pop nugget ‘He’s On The Phone’, and LP1’s closer from D:Ream with the Perfecto radio remix of ‘U R The Best Thing’.
LP2 – kicks off with a run of electrifying Eurodance – all massive club anthems. ‘Rhythm Is A Dancer’ from SNAP! leads off; a UK No. 1 and another defining track of the decade – followed by smashes from Corona, Real McCoy, Dr. Alban, Haddaway, KWS and Cappella, before the side closes with the techno-pop of Opus III with ‘It’s A Fine Day’… The party continues on Side B with an irresistible lineup led by Deee-Lite with ‘Groove Is In The Heart’, their brilliant fusion of funk, house and pop that continues to be a massive floor-filler… as is ‘Dreamer’ from Livin’ Joy, a 1995 No. 1 smash, and vocal house classic ‘Finally’ from CeCe Peniston. Urban Cookie Collective scored a huge hit with ‘The Key, The Secret’, which is followed by the rave energy of Oceanic, N-Trance, Felix – and Utah Saints who sign-off LP2 with the epic ‘Something Good’.
Kicking off the final LP, Side A explodes into life with massive feel-good tunes:- Yazz & The Plastic Population’s ‘The Only Way Is Up’ – a 1988 No. 1 and landmark UK house hit ahead of 49ers with ‘Touch Me’ and Baby D with their #1 ‘Let Me Be Your Fantasy’. Another run of floor-fillers from Rozalla with ‘Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)’, JX with ‘Son Of A Gun’, Blue Pearl’s ‘Naked In The Rain’ and ‘U Sure Do’ from Strike follows and the side closes with the electronic acid house of ‘Killer’ from Adamski that hit the top of the charts and introduced Seal… and over on the final side, the collection moves toward it's close with stunning and enduring tracks of the era – opening with Soul II Soul & Caron Wheeler’s #1 ‘Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)’ blending soul, R&B and club rhythms to perfection, while Beats International’s fusion of dub reggae and house: ‘Dub Be Good To Me’ (another chart-topper) follows with its iconic bassline and leads us into the stylish and smooth ‘Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out’ from Freak Power. The journey through this incredible era is completed with genre pioneers The Prodigy with ‘Charly’, ‘Infinity’ from Guru Josh, and closing with ambient house, ‘Pacific - 707’ from 808 State, and the timeless ‘The Sun Rising’ from The Beloved.
An unforgettable journey through the sounds that defined an era:- NOW That’s What I Call An Era - Such A Good Feeling: 1988-1995 — the definitive celebration of a golden age of dance music.
This exciting 45, features two previously unheard 60s, New York soul, dance tracks.
Big Apple session singer and occasional composer, Doris Willingham, first had a rare release on the Hi- Monty label in 1966 and then in 1968 cut four sides for drummer Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. All were produced by Richard Tee and co-written with Doris. They were licensed to Ed Kassner who launched his Jay Boy label with ‘You Can’t Do That’ in both the UK and the USA. A change of strategy caused the US label to be discontinued after two releases and the UK then switched primarily to home-produced recordings. The two best Willingham sides lay dormant at President’s tape library until Ace released the killer ballad ‘Too Much To Bear’ in 2005. The fourth track is this superb dance number featuring the great Purdie band, no doubt featuring his usual bassist Jimmy Tyrell, who arranged the Hi-Monty 45.
The Taylor Brothers ‘Holding On’ is a much grittier affair, produced by Maxine Brown’s husband at the time, Mal Williams. The duo were Bennie “Earl” Bunn and Sam “The Man” Taylor and they wrote this, the third track recorded at the session that produced the ‘People In Love’ single on Joy. Sam had been a major mover in NYC black music circles since the 50s with his own bands and had fingers in many pies. The duo gave a performance worthy of some of the great 60s male soul couplings.
Hilit Kolet and The Illustrious Blacks team up for the ‘Transatlantic Kiki’ EP. Dropping on Rekids late August, the package is remixed by Floorplan.
London-based artist Hilit Kolet returns to Rekids, collaborating with New York’s The Illustrous Blacks, the project formed by Manchildblack and Monstah Black, for the ‘Transatlantic Kiki’ EP, landing 29th August 2025 via Radio Slave’s Rekids. Legendary father-daughter duo Floorplan remix the single, with the release following up Kolet’s 2024 ‘Snap Talk’ EP, which won support from artists like Dam Swindle, Chloé Caillet, Bradley Zero, and more.
With lyrics that connect London and New York, ‘Transatlantic Kiki’ is a tough, funk-fueled roller true to Hilit Kolet’s signature production style, infused with an unmatchable personality via The Illustrous Blacks’ playful, vogue-like vocals. It’s hypnotic, bold, and irresistible, with the pair supplying a loopy ‘First Class’ mix that introduces vocal elements not featured in the original, amplifying the track’s qualities to hit even harder, and works the dancefloor into a sweat.
Robert and Lyric Hood, known together as Floorplan, remix Hilit Kolet & The Illustrous Blacks’ ‘Transatlantic Kiki’. Equally infectious as the original, they transform its rhythm into a drummy late-night cut. Stabs and vocal chops ride the groove, culminating in a proper lose-yourself-in-the-dance House cut that also comes with an instrumental version.
London’s Hilit Kolet came up through the former Soho Black Market Records shop, and has since become synonymous with the city’s House scene via releases on Defected, Snatch!, Domino, and Rekids, with a #1 debut on Music Week’s Upfront Club Chart and support from BBC Radio 1, Jamie Jones, HAAi, Skream, and more. NYC duo The Illustrious Blacks, comprising Manchildblack and Monstah Black, blend Afro-Electro, Funk, Disco, and House across releases on Soul Clap, Classic Music Company, and Defected, as well as collaborations with artists such as Osunlade, DJ Minx, Seven Davis Jr., and David Morales.
Als Beck 1994 mit seinem offziellen Debütalbum „Mellow Gold“ auf den Markt kam, gerade als Alternative
Rock zum Mainstream wurde, übertraf er schnell alle Erwartungen, als „Loser“ sich von einer abgelehnten
Demo zu einem allgegenwärtigen Hit entwickelte. „Loser“ zeigte Becks unkonventionellen Ansatz beim
Songwriting und festigte seinen Status und seine innovative Stimme in der alternativen Musik. Der Song
enthält ein Sample aus „I Walk on Guilded Splinters“ von Dr. John.
Mellow Gold wurde von Beck, Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf und Karl Stephenson produziert und von Tom
Rothrock und Rob Schnapf gemischt.
Nun erhältlich auf einer 180g schwarzen Vinyl.
Drummer and Composer David Lee Jr.’s stunning and rare album Evolution (1974) blends the deep experimentalism of John Coltrane and Sun Ra with the pulsating second-line and parade rhythms of New Orleans to create a stunning sonic and rhythmical tour de force. In a lineage of incredible New Orleans drummers that includes James Black, Idris Muhammed, Zigaboo Modeliste of The Meters, and stretching back to Earl Palmer and Baby Dodds, David Lee Jr. stands out for his fire, experimentalism and an out-there-ness like no other. 'Evolution' is a super deep, ‘lost classic’ radical and groundbreaking deep spiritual jazz album. Originally released in New York in 1974 (400 copies only ever pressed!), ‘Evolution’ is an extraordinary one-off solo album, pressed on the artist’s own Supernal Records, a record company whose slogan ‘seeking creative progress’ and dedication ‘to peace and freedom’ clearly displayed artistic intent over any commercial or market-led forces. David Lee Jr was born in New Orleans and the deep experimental drum-compositions featured on ‘Evolution’ are as rooted in this southern city rhythmically as they are in the spiritual and metaphysical musical ideas of Afro-Futurist pioneers like Coltrane, Sun Ra and others. In the early 1970s Lee Jr. headed off to New York, playing in Roy Ayers’ Ubiquity and later immersing himself in the thriving loft deep jazz scene playing with Leon Thomas, Lonnie Liston Smith, Harold Alexander, Charles Rouse, and recording for a host of seminal deep jazz labels including Strata-East, India Navigation and Flying Dutchman. Today 'Evolution' remains one of the rarest and heaviest of all deep and spiritual jazz albums ever made. One-off super-limited edition magenta colour vinyl, newly digitally remastered, complete with new reproduction artwork, sleevenotes and download code.
A collection of essential jazz from the NABEL record label (1980-1994), compiled by miche & Rainer Truby.
The Aachen Jazz Files celebrates the pioneering spirit of NABEL Records—one of Germany’s most underrated yet influential independent jazz labels. Founded in 1980 by Rainer Wiedensohler, NABEL became a home for innovative musicians blending classic acoustic jazz with fusion, Brazilian rhythms, and avant-garde flourishes.
This compilation collects some of the label’s finest moments, including the soulful and Latin-tinged brilliance of Monika Linges Quartet (whose album *Floating* was reissued last year by PANORAMA Records for RSD Black Friday), the cosmic jazz explorations of John Thomas & Lifeforce, the deep jazz-funk grooves of Hipsters In The Zone, and the stunning, expressive vocals of Maria João’s quintet.
Nestled in the far west of Germany, near the Dutch and Belgian borders, Aachen has long been a hidden gem for jazz lovers. Its vibrant scene, fueled by music schools and the legendary Malteserkeller jazz club, cultivated a unique sound that resonated far beyond its city limits. In fact, the city didn’t just birth a jazz movement—it also lays claim to opening Germany’s first discotheque in 1959.
From London to Tokyo, NABEL’s releases became secret weapons for jazz DJs seeking deep, danceable cuts. The label’s trademark blend of acoustic jazz, fusion, and Brazilian influences made its way onto turntables in underground clubs and festival stages worldwide.
Expect elegant samba jazz, spiritual grooves, and modal masterpieces that capture the essence of NABEL’s golden years. Monika Linges’ contributions shine with her rich harmonies and heartfelt compositions, while John Thomas & Lifeforce deliver a perfect storm of fiery instrumentation and deep soul. Maria João’s early recordings showcase her extraordinary vocal range, and Hipsters In The Zone bring a forward-thinking, acid jazz-infused perspective to the NABEL sound.
As co-compiler Rainer Truby puts it:
'NABEL Records always had this special ‘Aachen sound’—a jazz flavor that carried its own energy, somewhere between the cool sophistication of fusion and the warmth of Brazilian music. It’s a pleasure to finally bring together some of these classics in one essential collection.'
Compiled by miche & Rainer Truby.
PANORAMA Records is a London-based label dedicated to unearthing and reintroducing rare and essential music to new generations. With a focus on jazz, funk, and global grooves, the label has built a reputation for high-quality reissues that capture the spirit of the originals while providing fresh context for today’s listeners. Their past releases have garnered support from tastemakers like Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, and Mr Bongo DJs.
Unearthed in a storage facility in Jersey City, NJ these lost Joe Claussell instrumental takes of the Blaze produced classic Black Rascals ’So In Love’ are finally available. Produced during Claussell's formative years at Dancetracks, a time when he was always creating original jams under the ‘Instant House’ moniker, they still sound as fresh as they did in the early nineties. This is an EXTREMELY LIMITED pressing 7” on red vinyl. Comes in stamped white 7” cardboard sleeve.
Celebrating 40th anniversary of Yves Deruyter's musical career with this 10 x 12" Vinyl Box Set. Including tracks from F.U.S.E. vs LFO, Tronikhouse, Robert Armani, L.S.G., Edge Of Motion, Plastikman, The Prodigy, Ecstasy Club, and the master himselfYves Deruyter.
Yves Deruyter - 40 Years at the Pinnacle of the Night
Forty years. A rollercoaster of a musical career, meandering through five decades, leaving timeless marks on the collective dancefloor memory. Yves Deruyter is the exception that proves the rule. An icon behind the decks, celebrated far beyond national borders for his legendary sets, impeccable musical choices, and the anthems released under his name. The result of collective effort, where Yves, with his vision and unique touch, consistently left his mark-transforming good tracks into inescapable bombs that still resonate through time.
If you've spent forty years living to the pulse of music, the night is in your DNA. Yves Deruyter, a DJ to the core-the real deal. The man who bent the night to his will, dragging weekend vibes into the workweek like a warrior, a true master behind the turntables who made his people dance. His beats: the oxygen that generations lived on.
Yves sharpened his musical weapons in the early '90s within the iconic afterparty scene of Barocci and The Globe-places that became sanctuaries in Belgium's endless night. Here, die-hard dancefloor warriors, cutting-edge music lovers, and night owls from the four corners of the globe gathered. They willingly followed Yves' masterful mixing and his razor-sharp set construction. Clubs with a more conventional timeframe were the next step, with the iconic Cherrymoon as his home base for years-alongside endless guest DJ spots and global gigs. From there, the underground pulsed through Yves' hands and crates, reaching ever-larger crowds-without ever compromising for commercial or crossover sounds. Yves stayed true to his choices, lifting his audience to euphoric heights like a craftsman, armed with his hits, hidden gems, and freshly unearthed nuggets.
From the pounding energy of Rave City to the flippy, epic flashes of Calling Earth-tracks that not only captured the spirit of the times but conquered dancefloors worldwide. This isn't just music; it's a time capsule-a connection between generations and a reminder of the energy from a golden era.
With musical partners like Roel Butzen, Frederico Santini, M.I.K.E. Push, and more recently, Insider, Yves forged a sound that etched its place into rave and dance history. From The Rebel to The House of House, parts of Yves' musical taste have become immortal pillars of dance music heritage. In the early rave days, he topped Belgium's DJ rankings year after year, elevating every club he played to the highest echelons of popularity. The same held true for the records where his name appeared like a badge of honor.
From The Globe to the globe itself-it seemed almost written in the stars. Yves, thestar DJ, became one of the instigators of the electronic music storm that put Belgium on the global map-a storm that never subsided. Festivals like Love Parade, Mayday, I Love Techno, Nature One, and Tomorrowland saw Yves as a trusted force, effortlessly commanding crowds and turning dancefloors inside out. Forty years later, that storm still ignites partygoers, vibrates through dancefloors, and keeps entire generations moving.
Even today, Yves still holds a steady residency with Yves Deruyter and Friends at Club Moustache, where his concept always sells out. Here, both fresh talent and seasoned DJs deliver a killer blend of modern electronic dance music and timeless classics, creating an atmosphere that hooks the crowd every single time.
Because partying doesn't need an excuse. But forty years? That deserves the spotlight-not as a mere milestone, but as a showcase of timelessness. Music mutates, reinvents itself for new generations, yet retains the same impact as that very first time. Yves proves that forty is just a number, and relevance isn't about trends-it's about vision, energy, and an unmistakable touch. His sets? Indestructible. His sound? A heartbeat echoing through time.
And Yves? He doesn't live in the past. Today, Yves distills those four decades into a compilation capturing the essence of his career. Belgian beats, interpreted and refined into a sound that powered raves around the world. Ten vinyls featuring not just a fiercely curated selection that contextualizes the magic of his early days, but also new versions of three unbeatable anthems-potent hits designed to turn dancefloors upside down in wonder, without losing a shred of their soul. Yves remains a beacon in the night, a searchlight for that one perfect beat-always relevant, always chasing that magical moment.
Yves Deruyter-a name spoken in the same breath as the greats of the scene. A ten-vinyl compilation is more than a celebration; it's a well-earned trophy. As unique, indestructible, and uncompromising as the man himself.
20th May, 2016 marks forty years to the day that David Bowie's first ever best-of compilation, including songs from 1969 to 1976, CHANGESONEBOWIE was released. To mark this anniversary the album is being reissued on 180g heavyweight vinyl, cd and digital formats. Half of the limited vinyl will be pressed on black vinyl whilst the other half will be pressed on clear vinyl, this will not be mentioned on the sleeve so it will be completely random as to which one you receive.
he initial seed for this project was planted in 2020 when Nicolás Jaar wrote the song “Piedras” for a concert at the Museum of Memory & Human Rights in Santiago, Chile, which commemorates the victims of human rights violations during the military dictatorship led by Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990. Between 2022-2023 it took on a new form as a radio play entitled 'Archivos de Radio Piedras', which was shared on a dedicated Telegram channel. In 2024, the play was converted into a 24 channel installation at the University Museum of Mexico City (MUAC), where it was exhibited for 5 months.
Piedras 1 and 2 is a collection of the tracks featured within the play, all new music by Jaar, but partly presented within the play as the music of Salinas Hasbún (the name a composite homage to Jaar's grandmothers, Graciela Salinas and Miriam Hasbún).
The play follows two friends mourning the disappearance of Salinas Hasbún, a musician and writer who vanished in the early 2020s. Although they live in a future where technology is advanced, they
resort to DIY radio methods because the anonymous group “Las 0cho” has launched a worldwide attack on undersea internet cables, causing a global internet blackout.
The play's central theme revolves around the idea that truths, memories and identities speak from the cracks (“rasgaduras”), or the "in-between" spaces ("en el entre"). This concept is supported by the
way much of the narration unfolds - in the liminal spaces between radio frequencies. The instability and transitory nature of a constantly shifting radio dial becomes not just a metaphor but the structure of the play itself. It’s in these moments of noise, static and interference that the deeper revelations of the story emerge. This disjointed, ever-changing medium mirrors the way memory and trauma operate within the play - non-linear, slipping through the gaps, found in fragments or ordinary moments, rather than direct transmissions of “official” historical accounts.
This notion reaches its climax at the end of the narrative, when a text is discovered in which Salinas speaks of finding a new number in a small pond in a cave mentioned in the first episodes of the radio play. This pond, inside the “cochlea of the world”, is seen as a way to introduce real-life randomness to computation. Embodied in the salt lakes of northern Chile, home to the world’s oldest bacteria, this randomness disrupts the rigid order of binary code, paving the way for a transformation of digital life.
First solo release by Nicolás Jaar since 2020’s Telas and Cenizas.
You’re NEXUS 21, central to the dizzy zeitgeist of the 1991 adrenaline rammed UK House Music juggernaut, and you have just recorded a masterpiece of an album MIND MACHINES.
DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT - somehow even though your record label love the album it does not get released.
DO IT LIKE THIS - it finally gets issued now.
When Mark Archer and Chris Peat flew back from a seminal recording session at Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Studio in Detroit there was a palpable feel of excitement. Instead of merely paying homage to their Techno forerunners, they were now creating their own just as innovative waveforms.
In the can was a gem - DON’T DO IT LIKE THIS, DO IT LIKE THAT. Motor City songstress Donna Black had unconsciously seemed to add Ma to the start of her name and her recorded in the dark vocals helped conjure up an almost Madonna and a drum machine meets Techno hybrid. This it was agreed could be a huge breakthrough single which - preceded by strategically released set up tracks - would build up Nexus 21’s surely inevitable rise to glory. And the release of the MIND MACHINES album. But it never happened. Instead one day Mark and Chris burst into Network’s Birmingham office excitedly brandishing no less than 8 new recordings infused with a propulsive Rave energy flash compared to their more cerebral Nexus 21 work. The label agreed that the new tracks should be released under a new artist name and an initial suggestion. Alien 8 replaced by Altern 8. What was planned as temporary dalliance became a long term relationship. You all know the score - Altern 8 became surf riders supreme on the rave tsunami, not just music makers but myth creators. The plan has been to run Nexus 21 and Altern 8 parallel, a kind of schizophrenic experiment by two men, a drum machine and a mad for it record company. History shows that Altern 8 became too DOMIN 8 and the lovingly recorded Nexus 21 album was left on the proverbial shelf (actually a box in Birmingham)
So now MIND MACHINES finally meets the World. First thing that screams out that it hasn’t half aged well. Obviously it is a wet dream for the anoraks of electronica, that goes without saying. But above and beyond the history lesson of how 2 young UK techno mad kids got the dots from Detroit and deconstructed them to create something very British the music they created, sometimes naive but frequently knowledgeable, sounds .. well just great.
The four Detroit recordings - NEXODUS, TOGETHER, DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT, DO IT LIKE THIS and EVERYTHING (NO STATUES) - variously feature contributions from Motor City luminaries Marc Kinchen and Anthony Shakir.
Only two of the twelve recordings were properly released in 1990/1991 with two more making it on a withdrawn white label 12 inch at the time. Three of the tracks, including a live recording at London’s Brain Club that has been retrieved from a DAT that was thought to have disappeared, are previously unreleased. And as well as two previously unreleased much altered versions of Nexus 21 gems there is the legendary much tougher mix of the duo’s signature techno treasure Self Hypnosis.
Fresh and direct from Toronto, Pacific Rhythm is pleased to welcome Emissive (aka Evan Vincent) for a solo cruise on the label. While Vincent has appeared on the label twice as part of house music duo Active Surplus (alongside Ian Syrett), this new EP entitled Wave Science sees the young musician push his sound into warmer and more melodic waters.
Vincent says the new tracks pay tribute to the Black American roots of electronic music; a historical fact the producer says is an ongoing source of motivation and inspiration in his work.
Indeed, this new four-tracker sees Emissive bring in a pinch of futuristic boogie and cosmic funk to his dancefloor recipe—versatile flavours that should go down quite well at a variety of Dance Opportunities in the very near future! All of the tunes were composed and mixed at Vincent’s home studio in Canada’s largest city, with the tracks getting a warm, Hi-Fi mixdown via Syrett’s Nagra IV reel-to-reel. Tech talk aside, Vincent says he wanted to avoid over-analyzing the production and instead summon the spirits of dance, love and seasonal warmth.
Or as the artist himself says: “Less thinking, more feeling.” Check it out and we’re sure you’ll agree his approach paid off!
Musician and Zoitrax record label owner ZOiD, also known as Daniel Jacobson, announces the release of his sixth album, ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2.
Featuring thirteen tracks digitally, seven of which will be released on a 12” purple marbled translucent vinyl album distributed by Rubadub, ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 will be available in record shops and on all streaming services and Bandcamp starting Friday, 22 November 2024.
ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 is an electronic music album showcasing ZOiD's global collaborations with jazz musicians, creating a unique form of electronic jazz. Notably, his work with jazz drummer and brother Matthew Jacobson shines on the first single “Fit In Tree” debuting on September 13. Building on this momentum, the second single, "Module Bone, " featuring jazz trombonist Colm O'Hara, will be released on September 27, followed by the third single, "ZVSW, " featuring saxophonist Steve Welsh, on October 11. A special REMIX EP by Kirk De Giorgio, Sunken Foal, Americhord, and TR-One will be out on October 25.
Expanding the album's diverse sound, ZOiD collaborated with Dublin vocalist, composer, and jazz improvisation specialist Jenna Harris on “ZVJH” and with Niwel Tsumbu, a Cork-based Congolese guitaristwho tours with Rhiannon Giddens on “ZVNT.”
ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 is further enriched by the talents of Shane O’Donovan (H-Ci), who combines electronic and jazz elements, Australian saxophonist Daniel Rorke, US-based free improviser Catherine Sikora, Galwegian multi-instrumentalist Matthew Berrill, Dublin saxophonist Matthew Halpin (flute), and trumpeter Bill Blackmore, a key figure in Dublin's jazz scene.
ZOiD released his debut album, ZOiD Vs The Jazz Musicians of Ireland Vol. 1, in 2007. Production of ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 began soon after, taking nearly 17 years. For Vol. 2, some musicians recorded their parts independently, while others recorded in Arad Studio with Les Keye and ZOiD's Dublin studio.
The album artwork is by New York-based artist Shane Ingersoll. The front cover displays black-and- white illustrations of Dublin in the year 2116, a city at war centred around a bold purple "ZOiD" logo, with the title "ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2" on the upper left. On the back cover is a 12-panel comic book story (originally written by ZOiD using stick figures) and a glowing robotic hand.
Black Vinyl. A trio of Kansas City soul sweepers, from the sprawling midwest burg's storied Cavern, Damon, and Forte concerns. Bump and the Soul Stompers' 1970 sweet soul double sider "I Can Remember" was a tail pipe-dragging, low rider classic in the making, had it ever been released. A few years later Jerald "Bump" Scott took his new group to Cavern's subterranean confines to cut the group harmony masterpiece "Living In The Past," but remained unissued prior to Numero's discovery of the Cavern tapes. As disco was cresting at the top of the next decade, Sharon Revoal tracked her James Brown meets James Bond stepper "Reaching For Our Star"_ the last 45 released on Marva Whitney's peerless Forte label.
Rzee Jackson, also known by his stage names Esso Jaxxon and Castro Pink, has been a transformative figure in the reggae music scene, both in Jamaica and Canada. Originally from Clarendon, Jamaica, Jackson's musical journey began in earnest when he moved to Canada in 1975 after a cultural exchange program in the United States. Toronto's reggae scene was vibrant with legendary figure such as Jackie Mittoo of Studio One fame, and Rzee Jackson was at the forefront, contributing to the city's unique Jamaican vibes.
Leroy Sibbles, the lead singer of The Heptones, recognized Jackson's talent and brought him into the Ital Groove Band, where Jackson sang harmonies, played Gong Bap/Congos, and engineered. The Ital Groove Band became one of Canada's most prolific reggae bands, with Jackson touring extensively. With The Ital Groove Band, Rzee Jackson quickly made his mark, collaborating with renowned producer Oswald Creary of Half Moon Records.
Through his own indie labels : Ital, BeeZee Sounds Production, and Radio Plus, Rzee Jackson has recorded and distributed music with CC Records and Jet Star in the UK. His records have resonated on radio stations across Canada, the USA, Europe, Africa, and Brazil.
On this new Jamwax release, you will play two standout tracks from the "New Beat" album, originally released in the mid-80s in Canada on Ossie Records, the label owned by Oswald Creary.
The reissue features on A-Side "Row Fisherman Row," a timeless classic from Cedric Myton & The Congos, "Blackheart Man" the iconic song from Bunny Wailer and on the B-Side "Long Long Time" a deep extended 12-inch roots track with dubwise elements reminiscent of King Tubby's style. All songs, produced by Rzee Jackson, were recorded at Half Moon Recording Studio in Toronto, Canada, under the expert engineering of Oswald Creary.
This reissue also boasts new sleeve artwork by Ras Mykha, capturing an Ethiopian-inspired scene that depicts Rzee Jackson, Jackie Mittoo, and Cedric Myton in a fisherman boat, celebrating the unity and legacy of these reggae legends.
In recent years, Rzee Jackson has been collaborating with Cedric Myton and The Congos. As a producer, engineer, singer, and songwriter, Rzee Jackson continues to contribute to the rich tapestry of reggae music, bringing authentic Jamaican and Rasta vibes to audiences globally.
Hardcover Book which includes a 208-page book documenting Louisville's rich Black Gospel music legacy and access to a comprehensive digital archive.
In the mid-20th century, Louisville gospel music was occasionally recorded when members of the local gospel community pressed 45rpm records and LPs, and released them through grassroots record labels such as Sensational Sounds, Grace, Blessed, and D.J.S. Over the years, a substantial body of work was produced in our city, but those recordings are in danger of being lost forever.
The Louisville Story Program has been working with dozens of people in the local gospel music community to locate, digitize, and preserve hundreds of these recordings and to develop a book that documents and honors the legacies of the people and communities that produced them.
For decades, the passion, hard work, and support of countless people across dozens of Black church communities in Louisville have nurtured and sustained a rich gospel music ecosystem. This music has served as a central part of people's religious practice and as an expression of Black pride, joy, affirmation, love, dignity, determination, and hope. This legacy continues to this day.
With support from The Owsley Brown II Family Foundation and Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation, LSP has partnered with members of the gospel community and a local advisory group of local gospel historians and luminaries:
To locate, clean, and digitize gospel records of local artists released by small local labels
To accompany the local Black gospel music community in developing a 4 CD box set that includes a 200+ page hardcover book with first-person documentation of their rich history
To create an accompanying double LP featuring 26 of those songs
To create and maintain a public-facing digital archive of 1,000 songs and 1,000 photographs
To celebrate the final release with a large concert at the Brown Theatre (September 28, 2024)
‘Ayo Ke Disco’ (meaning ‘Let’s go to the disco’ in Malay
and Indonesian) celebrates the musical identities
emerging from the newly independent countries in
South-East Asia during the 1970s and 80s.
Soundway general manager Alice Whittington, aka
Norsicaa (DJ), selects 10 deep cuts from local labels,
officially reissued on vinyl for the first time – forming a
snapshot of the vibrant discotheques and live scenes
across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong
Kong and the Philippines.
The artists featured here were known for exploring
traditional sounds alongside funk, disco, city-pop and
even political psych-rock, genres that were indicative
of the exciting but often turbulent period. But despite
the post-war backdrop of instability there came
unprecedented levels of economic prosperity. With a
hopeful buzz filling the air, the music scene was helping
lead the way in reshaping the new identities of the
region.
OVERVIEW:
FOR FANS OF:
Sound of Siam compilations, Priscilla Chan, Lovin’ Mighty
Fire compilation, Tanamur City compilation
"LATZFONSER KREUZ / FELTUNER HÜTTE scheduled for release on September 20th 2024 is the third single to be lifted from Ulrich Troyer's TRANSIT TRIBE due later this year.
Mamadou Diabate, originally from Burkina-Faso and now resident in Vienna, who is also a world-famous virtuoso balaphon player, collaborates on "Latzfonser Kreuz" with fellow countryman Hamidou Koita to produce a remarkable percussion track, both singing and employing talking drum and djembe to come up with a sound that can only be described as dubbed-out Nyahbinghi-style electro-beats! The track references the little church at Latzfonser Kreuz, which is the highest pilgrimage spot in South Tyrol, one of the highest in Europe; every year in June, the Black Lord, a black carved Gothic wooden cross, is brought from the village church in Latzfons to thepilgrimage church, where it remains throughout the summer.
On the flip for "Feltuner Hütte" Ulrich Troyer is joined by co-producer Osman Murat Ertel, founding member of the electro-psych-folk group Baba Zula from Istanbul, who has worked internationally for many years collaborating with the likes of Jaki Liebezeit, Fred Frith and Mad Professor. But here Murat takes us on a dub psych-out trip with his favoured electric saz, with wha wha FX, delay and echo, like Link Wray meeting King Tubby on the old streets of Istanbul."
Steve Barker (DJ, Radio Presenter - On the Wire, BBC 1984 – 2023, now Slack City Radio & reggae/dub columnist and contributor to The Wire)
Credits:
Mamadou Diabate: vocals (A) & talking drum (A)
Osman Murat Ertel: electric saz (B)
Hamidou Koita: vocals (A), djembe (A)
Didi Kern: percussion (A), drums (B)
Flip Philipp: percussion (B)
Ulrich Troyer: analog synthesizers & drum-machines, sampler, field recordings, dub effects (A+B)
A written by Mamadou Diabate, Hamidou Koita & Ulrich Troyer
B written by Osman Murat Ertel & Ulrich Troyer
Recorded by Ulrich Troyer at 4Bit Studio & 4Bit Bungalow, Vienna - except electro saz on track B recorded by Osman Murat Ertel at Saniki Studio, Istanbul
Mixed & arranged by Ulrich Troyer at 4Bit Bungalow, Vienna
Produced by Osman Murat Ertel & Ulrich Troyer
Mastering & Lacquer Cut by Kassian Troyer at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin
Cover Drawing by Ulrich Troyer
Special thanks to Steve Barker, Mamadou Diabate, Osman Murat Ertel, Diggory Kenrick, Eva Kelety, Didi Kern, Hamidou Koita and Flip Philipp
Kindly supported by the City of Vienna (MA7 - Kultur), Federal Ministry Republic of Austria (Arts, Culture, Civil Service & Sport), SKE-FONDS (AT) & Amt für Kultur, Bozen (IT
Sameheads & Mutant Radio are going a teenie weenie bit further and unifying their ongoing collab in plastic. The kind you play, not the stuff you throw away.
Released in Spring, at a party we’re throwing together in Tbilisi, this little beaut is a double sided 7”.
The MUTANTHEADS split 7” features some solid sound rep from both projects….
For Sameheads, Andrea & Alexander release their first material together, acting as a kind of trailer to an upcoming album released later this year on R-I-O. The track “Olias” finally gets its press after once being performed live at the fabled Sameheads festival “City of a Thousand Suns”… those were the days eh…..
On the Mutant Radio side, fresh talent TINA delivers her debut release, and for that matter, the first ever track Mutant have put onto a piece of vinyl….. The track “Vacation” is the squelchy black sheep counter balance to the silky synth vibe of the other side. Just how they like it.
The release will be up for pre-order from next week, and the digital stuff too…. Just the 300 copies available…… So,,, fix up look sharp……
Kicking off 2024, Modern Life Is War introduces the Tribulation Worksongs sessions as a single 12"EP/Digital album. This release consolidates all three 7"EPs along with "End Times Dub," a dub version of "Feels Like End Times," creatively reimagined by Urian Hackney (Rough Francis, Iggy Pop, The Armed, etc). The packaging for this release features a collaborative visual effort from Jeffrey Eaton, Thomas Hooper, and J. Bannon. Tribulation Worksongs was recorded by Luke Tweedy at Flat Black Studios, mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City Studios, and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Originally released as a series of three 7"EPs between 2018 and 2021, the lyrics and credits for each song were typed by vocalist/lyricist Jeff Eaton on his 1950s Royal "Quiet De Luxe" typewriter during the initial presentation. These typewritten elements were later hand-stamped on the front and back covers of the EP by artist J. Bannon, resulting in each cover being entirely unique. Additionally, the labels on the vinyl were hand-stamped before final assembly by the team at Deathwish, which will see physical release on March 22nd.
In 1969, Albina in the US underwent a pivotal transformation which saw the arrival of Black residents displaced by the Vanport floods. While a local Black economy thrived to start with, the neighbourhood eventually got neglected due to disinvestment by the city's elites but citizens didn't take it lying down and some of them formed Shades Of Brown, a group that emerged at the Albina Arts Center which was a haven for artists during civil unrest. With members from various musical acts, they found unity under leader Thara Memory who instilled discipline and required them to read and write music before performing. This EP, which is the group's sole record, embodies their camaraderie and the community's struggle against neglect across six raw-as-you-like funk cuts laden with emotion and narrative.
Aerials live, dials tuned, Transmission Towers broadcasting. On either side of the river Mersey, transcendental communications are traded back and forth. Two late-night revellers, one firing messages filled with music, the other returning them laced with lyrics. The result, a dopamine hit of oddball machine soul, melded with a highlife, Afrofuturist touch. Wonky and murky yet deeply emotional, Transmission One, is a debut album that also marks the first release on Luke Una’s É Soul Cultura label, encompassing expertly the off-kilter atmosphere the label sets to orbit.
A synthesised landscape with a Northern charm, Transmission Towers marry the musical worlds of two artists that last collaborated over a decade ago. 10 years have passed, lives have been led, but a gravitational pull has placed Mark Kyriacou and Eleanor Mante back in each other’s spheres on opposite sides of the city of Liverpool. Energised with a newfound desire to strip it all back to the sounds that influenced their formative years in the late ‘80s and ‘90s - astral travelling, intoxicated on Motor City techno, Black Dog IDM and mystical Sun Ra.
Mark half Irish, half Greek Cypriot, Eleanor half Nigerian, half Ghanian, the music contained within is an alchemy of those roots and the pivotal acts that buried deep into their minds. A cosmic contrast, part machine-made, part distinctly human. Take the opener ‘UP’, an ESG-channelling, sci-fi punk beatdown or the polychromatic hyperspace anthem ‘Roller Skater 23’.
Transportive throughout, you ride the solar waves, pace and emotion ebbing and flowing. Tracks like ‘Go Slow Heart’ and ‘Cosmic Trigger’ step to a slower beat but hit with a punch. The former, a slo-mo blast of celestial tenderness, the latter an otherworldly, chugged-out lunar excursion, micro-dosing on whacked-out Wah Wah and Eleanor’s ethereal vocals. Beaming love letters to space and back, ‘Sparse’ marries the organic with the artificial, pianos and percussion circling around synth pads and broadcasting bleeps.
Elsewhere, vibrations move faster. ‘Mega’ strikes, fusing sonic tribalism with psychedelic swirls, as ‘Everything’ sweeps you up in its extra-terrestrial new wave grip. Synth stabs and basslines fizzing from every angle.
Demos of Transmission Towers music surfaced on Luke Una’s radar, making him stop in his tracks. Something magical was emerging, perfectly aligned with the E Soul guardian’s tastes. Guidance followed, quickly turning into conversations about Transmission One becoming the first release on Luke’s own label.
Escapist and futurist yet grounded and relatable. Transmission One is synthesis meets sentiment with a deep, spine-tingling soul at its core.
Regular Offcial Authorised Vinyl Version, Original Soundtrack, 350g Sleeve, Black Inner, Sticker, 12 140g Vinyl - The first ever OFFICIAL vinyl release of the soundtrack for Mamoru Oshii's legendary science fiction anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995). - LP cut from the original master reels at Emil Berliner Studios, official Ghost in the Shell artwork
We Release Whatever The Fuck We Want Records is thrilled and honored to announce the first ever official vinyl pressing of the soundtrack for Mamoru Oshii's critically acclaimed and all around legendary science fiction anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995), adapted from Masamune Shirow's groundbreaking manga series of the same name. Cut from the original master reels at Emil Berliner Studios (formerly the in-house recording department of renowned classical record label Deutsche Grammophon), the album comes as a LP accompanied by a bonus one-sided 7 housed in official Ghost in the Shell artwork sleeve with silver gilt printing and a Japanese obi, and contains extensive 24-page liner notes. The haunting score is composed by Kenji Kawai, one of Japan's most celebrated soundtrack composers, alongside Joe Hisaishi and Ryichi Sakamoto, whose work includes Hideo Nakata's Ring (1998) and Ring 2 (1999), Death Note (2006), Hong Kong films Seven Swords by Tsui Hark (2005) and Ip Man by Wilson Yip (2008), and countless others. Kawai's compositions see ancient harmonies and percussions uncannily mesh with synthesized sounds of the modern world to convey a sumptuous balance between folklore tradition and futuristic outlook. For its iconic main theme 'Making of Cyborg", Kawai had a choir chant a wedding song in ancient Japanese following Bulgarian folk harmonies, setting the standard for a time
Syncrophone proudly presents 'Proceed with Caution' by Detroit's Filthiest. This 4-track catalog masterpiece is a rhythmic exploration, featuring infectious funk-infused beats and a distinctive style that pays homage to the city's illustrious musical heritage. Detroit's Filthiest seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, creating an electrifying experience that echoes the Motor City's iconic sound.
Feedbacks :
Luke Slater : dope
Serge (Clone) : Sick release! Another banger from Dj Nasty!
Elena Colombi (NTS) : Check Out the Technique is great!
Lukas Wigflex (Wigflex) : wonk
Tijana T : huge fan!
Hodge (Livity Sound) : lovely
Eclair Fifi (Lucky Me / NTS) : fk yeah 5/5
Monty Luke (Rekids / Black Catalogue) : fear in your eyes is a banger
Dave Clarke (white noise radio) : Will support ! Love the first track
Marcel Dettmann : thx
Machine Woman (Take Away Jazz Records) : cool
Ben Sims : Technique is my pick, thx!
Will Hofbauer (Third Place, Wisdom Teeth, Rinse) : very slick
Blasha & Allatt (Meat Free) : Fire! Up In Smoke + Nuttin But Chedda are the ones for me :) Thanks, Steffi x
Lena Willikens (Cómeme) : Fear In Your Eyes for me!
Lauren Flax (The Lot Radio/ Young Turks / K7) : incredible EP, thanks!
David Martin (Dimensions Soundsystem) : his is superb. Love it! Thanks DM
Amy Dabbs (Shall Not Fade, Distant Horizons, SlothBoogie, ) : Beautifully sleazy - love it
Bloody Mary (Dame-Music) : track 2 :))) thanks
DMX Krew (Breakin Records / Fresh Up) : Nice trax :) Will try to fit in my December show for Rinse FM.
mi-el (NTS show) : heavy
There’s something to be said for getting noticed, for standing out from the crowd. West London’s T.Williams is one of those people, having accomplished a full sweep of merited recognition over the years. Emerging onto the house scene in 2010, T.Williams instantly marked himself as a breakthrough artist with a difference; his unique take on house music turning heads.
Far from a newcomer, his path as a musical artist started in the grime scene as Dread.D. Signed at the tender age of 17 with grime anthem Invasion on Jon E Cash’s Black Ops label, Williams went on to have mass success in the grime and bass world selling thousands of singles worldwide. After a five-year reign, Williams found himself veering towards the world of house music. With a new found love for the sound and its sub-genres, T.Williams forged a signature sound influenced by his grime days, jungle, and garage. With a style that undoubtedly impacts, T.Williams’ crossover has been the catalyst for his success. Not only rife with groove and feeling but meticulously produced and engineered with deep rumbling basslines, the unapologetic bounce of grime and smooth vocals that bleed through African infused percussion work.
While in 2010 the industry took note when hit record ‘Heartbeat’ featuring vocalist Terri Walker made an impression, it was throughout 2011 that T.Williams defined himself - releasing solo works on his imprint Local Action and Pattern with remixes for Maya Jane Coles, Ben Westbeech and Skream. Not stopping at pricking the ears of fellow artists and those on the dancefloor, the end of 2011 saw Williams nominated for ‘Best Breakthrough DJ’ by DJ Mag, ‘DJ Stars of 2012’ by Time Out and featured in The Guardian.
Two relationships came to the forefront in 2012 that propelled Williams to greater heights. The first was his weekly show on legendary London station, Rinse FM and the second, Williams’ relationship with label PMR through his remix of Javeon McCarthy’s ‘Lost Time’. The remix was named Record of the Week by BBC Radio 1 and supported by tastemakers Annie Mac and Fearne Cotton. From here T. signed to the label exclusively releasing his debut EP for the label in September 2012, and in the process receiving further support from BBC Radio 1. Further remixes of Mikky Ekko, Wretch 32 and Lianne La Havas followed suit, as well as his biggest to date - Disclosure’s ‘Latch’. Powering dancefloors across the globe, T. went on to play three US tours, numerous festival stages, and deliver a second EP on PMR titled ‘Feelings Within’. The EP once again spanned a number of bases, from club bangers to heartfelt vocal driven tracks alike. Gaining his own monthly residency show with BBC Radio 1, 2013 ended with T. having played over 100 shows across four continents.
2017 marked the launch and release of the first collaborative EP with UK producer Julio Bashmore, via their joint independent Conch Records, a label aiming to push out more underground cross-genre music with heavy rotation from the likes of Moxie and Shy One. With an ever-expanding global tour schedule and further solo releases on the legendary NYC house label Strictly Rhythm turning heads, T.’s upward trajectory has never showed signs of slowing down. Selected to soundtrack the social media campaign for boxer Anthony Joshua in 2019 and now using his technical prowess as a musician to educate the next generation of rising stars at London’s respected Point Blank Music School has cemented his status as one of the UK music scene’s key players.
There are two versions of the vinyl - classic black and triple-color limited Indie Shop edition.
Both have special insert inside with the bands bio and photos.
Generacja JAZZ is a project showing a fragment of the new wave of Polish jazz, treading its own path, creating, touring and jamming across Europe. Borders don't exist - especially musical - the new generation is engaging with nightclubs, festivals and playlists. The time has now come to show its broader perspective. We created a project which involves a handful of groups that have already racked up debut albums and festival wins, as they set out on their musical odyssey. The groups also have other things in common, like their passion, originality and, for the needs of the project, age - all the artists during the recording of this album were under 30 years old. This is the new generation - the Jazz Generation.
For the Jazz Generation record we invited five bands who had already released debut albums: Immortal Onion, Klawo, Rejoin, Twoosty Mayonez and USO 9001. We also reserved two spots on the compilation for the winners of our open call competition, whereby on the basis of the jury's choice (jury: Monika Borzym, Paulina Przybysz, Envee, Wojtek Mazolewski i Marcin Groh Grośkiewicz) we met the winning bands: Kosmos and quietet.
The sleeve artist is Kornelia Nowak, who won our open call for young designers and graphic artists. Here once again we could rely on the opinion of a prestigious jury comprised of: Beata Śliwińska Barrakuz, Bovska, Maciej Animisiewasz Grochot, Grzegorz Forin Piwnicki i Marcin Groh Grośkiewicz.
Generacja JAZZ LP is also a start of the new imprint - U JAZZ ME, which will be focused on jazz from Poland.
And here are the bands from the album:
1. Immortal Onion - A band from the Tri-City playing a broad spectrum of instrumental music.
The band Immortal Onion has already established itself as one of the most interesting projects of the new wave of Polish jazz, and is consistently being labelled as such abroad. After two well received albums ("Ocelot of Salvation" (2017) and"XD Experience Design" (2020) U Know Me Records) they released their third album "Screens" in 2022, which was recorded with the well known Tri-City composer and saxophonist - Michał Jan Ciesielski.
The inspiration behind the band's formation were such artists as: Esbjörn Svensson, Hiromi Uehara, Tigran Hamasyan and Tosin Abasi.
The group's guiding principle from the very beginning was the fusion of often disparate musical styles, which bore "post instrumental aggressive gay pop". Despite the stylistic discrepancies, between which they swim, the group has forged its own identifiable language, characterised by complicated rhythmical structures, energetic riffs and trance beats with lyrical melodies.
The trio has performed its original material at many venues and festivals around Europe and Asia.
2. Klawo - seven adventurous adventurers from Gdańsk, who were brought together by their love for music, halvah and throwing Frisbee. Their self-named début album, released in 2022 on the local label Coastline Northern Cuts, is an amalgam of the inspirations of each of the team members and played backwards contains tips on how to reach the Kashubian pyramids. After a win at the international competition Jazz in the Park, held in Cluj-Napoca in Romania, the band began work on their second album. Meanwhile, they were also travelling the length and breadth of Poland on a mission to infect people with the idea of Baltic Funk.
3. Kosmos is a Łódż based jazz quintet. It was formed in 2020 by Pianist Stanisław Szmigero, Saxophonist Iwo Tylman and Trumpeter Jan Ostalski. However, it wasn't until 2022 that Kosmos found its true form when Kamil Gużniczak (Upright bass) and Kacper Kuta (Percussion) joined the line-up.
Their compositions are influenced by Polish yass bands, electronic music and hip-hop. Kosmos music is a mix of lyricism, space, intensity and elements of experiment.
The band members are all eccentric characters possessing different means of musical expression - looking at them, one could even argue they are a group of oddballs. Despite this, for reasons unbeknownst to themselves, the members of Kosmos complement each other on stage and form a unified artistic vision of the world around them.
Kosmos officially released their début single "Ja" in June 2023. They regularly play concerts across Poland and recently were selected as distinguished artists at JAZZiNSPIRACJE (JAZZiNSPIRATION) - a competition held during the 13th Lublin Jazz Festival.
4. Quietet (formed at the beginning of 2023) is the result of meetings between five talented musicians with a deep passion for musical creation. Its sound is a unique blend of Jazz and classical music with a hint of hard rock. The band is inspired by the Scandinavian approach to making music, which brings a characteristic atmosphere and melodies to their work. Their music captivates listeners with its originality, refined improvisations and flawless technique. Both classical and modern musical trends feed their inspiration when creating passionate and emotional compositions.
Their works are full of sound experimentation, which equally surprise and expose new musical horizons. Through their compositions, "Quietet" aims to share their emotions evoked during performances, creating a musical journey that affects and inspires.
5. Connecting jazz with electronic music in fresh interpretations, six young musicians make up the group Rejoin. The group re-formed in 2020 after a four-year break, playing their debut concert at Lotos Jazz Festival Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa. The musicians in Rejoin have performed alongside such artists as: Urszula Dudziak, Krystyna Prońko, Marcin Masecki, Szczyl, Kuba Więcek and Paulina Przybysz.
Most of the members of Rejoin are students from the Katowice Music Academy, where they also develop their own projects. Rejoin was a recipient of the Fabryki Norblin Music Masterclass Foundation scholarship.
6. Twoosty Mayonez is something your grandad would listen to with his younger sister. The non-standard approach to jazz alongside a pursuit of strange sounds, culminated in the conceptual album entitled "Carmin". The material was created by Bartosz Wolerta (percussion) and Dominik Kaniewski (bass guitar/synths). "Triceradiplodocus" tells the story of a mechanical dinosaur that lives on the yet undiscovered planet Carmin.
In apartheid-era South Africa, gospel music provided solace and served as a tool for covert communication to circumvent the censorship of the settler regime. By the 2010s, South African gospel, deeply ingrained in the soul of Soweto, assumed a new role—as a heartfelt cry against persistent failures and shortcomings, a cry mourning a South Africa that never materialized.
A new South Africa needed a new gospel sound.
In 2016, nine young men from different parts of Diepkloof, a celebrated neighbourhood brimming with talent within Soweto's sprawling township, came together to form the sound of a new South Africa under the name Diepkloof United Voice.
Diepkloof United Voice's music has gone viral multiple times on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, garnering between 60,000 to 2 million views. The comments section displays flag emojis from Brazil to India, showcasing the global reach of their music.
This album was recorded on site in Soweto, in an abandoned classroom of Lebowa Elementary School in Diepkloof Zone 3, where the choir rehearsed for years. Amid rolling blackouts, Diepkloof United Voice poured their heart, soul, and vocal chords into their debut record, combining classic South Africa gospel, Soweto's own kasi soul, American blues, and Zulu flavor, to present the contemporary gospel sound of a changing South Africa.
The promise of a new South Africa might finally be realized, as Diepkloof United Voice guarantees the country's future is guided by the truth, uttered with each gasp of breath from their inimitable voices.
Wigan Casino - the original UK dance culture super club - ran its’ first Nothern Soul All-Nighter in September 1973. It’s last session was in December 1981, and by then its 500 plus frantic All-Nighter had firmly stamped Northern Soul as an integral part of the British music landscape,
Wigan Casino Classics 1973 - 2023 proudly celebrates 50 years since the birth of the most important ever Northern Soul venue with 14 all time classic floor fillers. The Sandi Sheldon, Major Lance, The Seven Souls and Johnny Robinson gems were originally released on the Uber cool Okeh label but despite being part of the mighty Columbia Records empire sank without trace on release in the USA only to be discovered (and revered) by UK Soul devotees.
The Metros and Lorraine Chandler tracks were produced by Detroit’s mighty Pied Piper Productions crew and demonstrate that Motown were far from the only Motor City set up that knew how to conjure up truly breathtaking music.
In Northern Soul lore there is an intriguing story behind all 14 tracks - who produced and wrote them, which Rare Soul detectives - the original crate diggers - discovered them, what DJs played them..
But at the centre of it all is Wigan Casino, the seen better days Lancashire dance hall where 2,500 plus Soul fanatics flocked to every weekend to dance dance dance at the pre Rave era ultimate Rave. The recent 50th Anniversary celebration in Blackpool attracted a 5,000 turn out. The legend lives on.
This release marks the return of the always style wise Joe Boy label. Their trademark on point graphics are reinforced with the LP front sleeve being devoted to an iconic photograph by Francesco Mellini taken at the last ever Casino All-Nighter.
The latest offering from Astral Black comes in the form of the 'Metropolis N' LP, courtesy of Queens, New York's number premier importer/exporter of Jungle & D&B, NIGELTHREETIMES. Having initially garnered a name for themselves as one of New York City's most versatile club DJ's, with the release of their 'Call Of The Void; project in 2020 Nigel also began to build a reputation as a producer in their own right. Resulting in residencies on Rinse FM & The Lot Radio, radio support from the likes of Tom Ravenscroft & Uniiqu3 and press support from Resident Advisor, OkayPLAYER & Mixmag – amplifying their talents throughout New York City and beyond.
With 'Metropolis N' NIGELTHREETIMES distills their eclectic influences through the lens of rolling 160bpm breaks – taking in Jazz, 8-bit game soundtrakcs, science fiction & jump up D&B. Starting off the LP with the rhodes tinged double header of 'TSQ MELTDOWN' & 'EARLY MORNING FROM 103RD STREET', the latter featuring some of the best double bass work heard on a jungle track since 'Brown Paper Bag'. Elsewhere, on 'ROAD2RAILS' and 'PHANTOM SHORES', the producer ditches the instrumentation in favour of oscillated square waves, dubbed out vocal FX & 8-bit melodies, without ever losing site of the projects underlying sense of optimism. On the album closer 'INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION', 3X manages to bring together the influences heard throughout the project, tying together a muted rhodes chords, squarewave basslines, flutters of alien melodies and finely tuned, slices breakbeats into a 5 minute symphony.
The consistency and exacting production skills heard throughout the offering elevate this project from another drop in the digital ocean to a landmark opus, from a producer carrying the torch for this timeless sound and making the project worthy of a spot alongside some of the classics this genre has produced.
'Metropolis N' is available Oct 13th on digital and limited edition vinyl via Astral Black.
Nice Coordinated Outfit is a journey through history to a time before the internet and social media and before inner city gentrification, when Fitzroy was the beating heart of Australia's avant-garde music and culture. Musically, it showcases the band's incredible range from deep minimal dub to bizarre electronica with elements of shoegaze and experimental noise.
Back then, High Pass Filter were the kings of the Fitzroy underground. Dark, weird improvisers who aimed for something new each performance. Whilst electric guitars and rock n roll dominated Australian airwaves and stages, High Pass Filter were pioneering a sonic revolution in the shadows. The band's indefinable sound saw them sharing lineups with artists from hardcore and punk luminaries like Fugazi and The Boredoms and to dub heavyweights such as Lee Scratch Perry and The Mad Professor.
Young Detroit-native Kenny Hooper steps up for his debut release on Elypsia Records with not one but three 12 inches full of prime Motor City techno and electro escapism. Titled ,,Detroit Orbiter Volume 1 - 3", each EP features four tracks, showcasing Hooper's brilliant personal take on classic Detroit sounds.
The twelve tracks of the ,,Detroit Orbiter" trilogy signal the arrival of yet another Motor City talent ready to rake the world and dance floors by storm with his chunky and funkafied sonic fictions. Elypsia Records is proud to welcome Detroit's next generation!
Far Out Recordings proudly presents the self-titled debut album by Rio de Janeiro born multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger Tunico. Honing Brazilian roots rhythms like maracatu, xanadu, and samba, to combine with a global contemporary jazz outlook, the newcomer adds a modern classic to the ever rich vein of Brazilian instrumental music.
Consider it a natural evolution from the legacies of greats like Quarteto Novo, Hermeto Pascoal, Banda Black Rio, Tamba Trio, and Dom Um Romão, Tunico’s debut brings together an eye catching ensemble of talents from the Rio jazz community, with whom he performs on a weekly basis at celebrated live sessions and jam’s at venues like Macuna and Comuna Lapa, which often go on all night.
Released in 2022, the album’s rip-roaring lead single “Galope” features the effervescent vocals of Katerina Assef, as well as consummate solos from all over the band, as Sounds & Colours put it “…it exudes distinction and promise”. “Sambola” calls on the signature swagger of Far Out favourite Antonio Neves, indulging us in irresistible swinging samba-funk, undeniably reminiscent of the aforementioned Banda Black Rio in their late 70s heyday.
Born and raised in an artistic Rio household, Antonio Secchin aka Tunico’s father was the painter Guilherme Secchin, whose original work is lovingly repurposed to create the album’s cover. Antonio learned his trade on guitar from a young age, which remains his primary method for composition, but at the age of eighteen he started to gravitate towards the saxophone, and in particular the soprano sax, from which he now leads bands despite being entirely self taught. He would develop his skills busking on curbsides and metro stations before becoming a mainstay player in venues and clubs around the city.
When the pandemic struck, Antonio retreated to his family home in the Rio countryside. With time and space to breathe and reflect in a natural environment, he set to work at fleshing out the compositions he’d written throughout his musical life into full bodied works. His affinity with his rural surroundings is reflected in the luscious, blossoming feel of this groovy, mystical and poignant instrumental debut album.
Tunico will be released on vinyl, CD and digital platf
Global pointing Brazilian jazz trio releases their new album Agôra, that sparkles with electric funk and Herbie-esque eclecticism. It features a myriad of guest vocalists and musicians including Brazilians Xênia França and Zé Leônidas, Jembaa Groove's Ghanaian singer Eric Owusu and South African artists Bongani Givethanks & Mpho Nkuzo
Re-wiring the concept of 'fusion' for 2023, Agôra is Brazilian trio Caixa Cubo's resurgent new record with the title referring to 'now', based upon the intuitive and fluid nature of the trio's method, and this inspired recording. With shoots to black music culture, from Brazil to Brooklyn, Ghana and South Africa, Agôra is the group's ninth album yet is their first where they've invited guests, mainly singers, onto each track and follows their last, Angela from 2020, released on Heavenly Records, which won a BBC 6 Music Album of the Year (Huey Morgan's selection) granting them much deserved international recognition.
The core musical elements of Caixa Cubo are Henrique Gomide (keys), João Fideles (drums) and Noa Stroeter (bass), all from São Paulo, Brazil and where they met as teenagers and would continue their friendship and musical bond at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, Netherlands. Now all in their mid thirties, João and Noa live back in the city where it all started but Henrique has settled in Cologne, Germany where the recording of Agôra took place, over the course of 3 days, at the home cum studio of Chris 'Dusty' Doepke, their friend and owner of the label they signed to, Jazz & Milk.
In line with all their creations where flow and energy provide the magic, allowing what the moment provides, the album shines not only for its virtuosity but for its minimalism, the depth of space, and for the first time, the ability to figure in and outside of the jazz fold, as the trio decided, for the first time, to bring in singers and add a new aesthetic to their sound.
"Agôra is a wake-up call to reality, a reminder that the infinite possibilities of technological progress should not disconnect us from the earth, from eye-to-eye relationships, and from moments lived in person" the band are keen to point out. "And that we must not be consumed by greed, for all we truly possess.... is the NOW."
Turning hope and metaphor into music, the debut single Sábado, an electrified future- jazz-fizz reflects perfectly the spontaneity that permeated the entire recording of the album. "When we got to the studio, we had no idea what we were going to record. We started playing a groove, kind of inspired by Gilberto Gil's 80s albums, and our drummer João started singing this funny song 'Sábado Barrigudão' (Big Belly Saturday) alongside the bass groove and that was that". Inspired by their city of birth, São Paulo, it features long time collaborator and vocalist Zé Leônidas, with cuicas, tamborim, agogo and shakers providing the most obvious Brazilian affect from the album.
Dreams is the band's first foray into R'n'B melding the group's simple and sporadic instrumentation of drums, keys and bass into a Jill Scott inspired song that could have been born in Brooklyn yet sung by Brazilian singer and Grammy nominated Xênia França and Zé Leônidas in both English and Portuguese. Xênia recently performed online for hip-to-it website Colors and it's her latest collaboration with Caixa Cubo, having first met in 2009 for a series of live performances.
South African artists Bongani Givethanks & Mpho Nkuzo come to the record with a wholly different approach on Ndiyakhangela, providing spoken word and vocal refrains on top of an Afro-Brazilian percussion jam with a delivery and verse in Xhosa, Zula and Ndebele. Asase is the album opener and features vocals of Eric Owusu who is part of highlife pioneer Pat Thomas's live band and most recently, co-leader of Jembaa Groove, an Afro-soul band from Berlin. It's a synth wig out with djembe grooves and offers a brand new take on Afro-soul-jazz.
Other contributions come from Cologne based jazz singer Rebekka Ziegler (Oblique Sunshine), São Paulo based guitarist Eduardo Camargo (Caio & Eric) and trumpet player Matthias Schriefl on Kismeti, a gorgeous and rolling number that ebbs and flows, exemplifying the group's effortless ability to craft a sound energised by a belief in one-self and the idea of having faith without the need to look at each other for verification.
As drummer and percussionist João Fideles perfectly surmised upon arriving for the recording session, "What drums do you have? Whatever you have, I'll use it". Agôra is testament to nearly 20 years of camaraderie, friendship and most importantly, trust.
SMK aka South Memphis King is one of the real godfathers of Memphis rap. He released his first album in 1991 and is still active today. This is one of his early recordings, never released on vinyl before, Straight bangin' underground shit for the streets of your city. Roll a blunt and enjoy the sick madness over here.