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Bernard Szajner is a French composer, musical theorist, visual artist. He is credited with the invention of the laser harp, which he patented.

Between 1979 and 1983, Szajner released five albums of innovative and Avant-garde electronic music. He became renowned as a light and visual effects technician with artists such as Magma, Gong, Stomu Yamashta and The Who.

During the 1970s, he became a pioneer in the field of using laser technology as an artistic tool. As a measure of his success, he became renowned by his work with companies such as Cartier and Renault. In 1980, inspired by the novel, Nova, by Samuel R. Delany, he first created the laser harp. The laser harp became so successful that Jean-Michel Jarre ordered a version from Bernard Szajner for his tour of China. Despite all this, Szajner would only occasionally use this instrument in his own performances. He has stated that he would rather the public not know him solely for his work on the laser harp, and that it not be allowed to take precedence over his work in musical composition that it enables. This is also why he continues to develop other instruments which use other innovative methods of interaction, such as tactile or holographic.

Towards the end of the 1980s and disgusted with the music industry, he chose to abandon music entirely, and shifted his focus towards digital and visual arts, and theatre.

From Bernard Szajner : “These tracks are my preferred ones .... Ever ! ... For a long time I've been waiting for a record label to release what corresponds to what I like playing these days... Until Sleepers records decided to release this compilation which contains most of the tracks I enjoy playing live on stage ! At last my wish is fulfilled !”

'Intensely textured, interlocking guitar riffs weave together on New Bright Object, the debut album from Berlin and Edinburgh-based duo I’m Not You.

Working under the name I’m Not You, artist Alex Gibbs (bass & vocals) and sound designer Niall McCallum (guitar & drums) have honed a sound that draws in equal measure from jazz funk of Weather Report and the math rock of Don Caballero. Their debut album, New Bright Object is their most developed statement to date, an intricate, robust and unique collection of songs born from serpentine jam sessions in rural idylls.

The duo make no secret of their admiration for bands like Battles and Tortoise. They reference Jim O’Rourke’s lounge numbers and the droll lyricism of Modern Lovers’ Jonathan Richman. There’s a touch of Vini Reilly in their sparse and serpentine guitar lines. A hint perhaps of Mogwai. All these names place New Bright Object within a constellation of albums made with bigger budgets for wider audiences.

New Bright Object opens In a flash of light, comet-like, with the sound of ‘Mr. Wind- Up Bird’. The threads they weave are full with intent, as moments of density rise like hills from the track’s quieter valleys. It’s easy to imagine the pair looking out over the rolling fields of the garden studio in East Lothian where they recorded the album, as they assiduously try and draw their own landscapes in sound.

Similarly, there is a crispness to ‘A Certain Arrangement Of Atoms’ - every clipped hat, rim-shot snare and tightly wound tom a fine-tipped mark on the score. It is intricate and precise, a result perhaps of Niall’s attention to detail. Then there is the piano, Alex’s grandmother’s, slightly out of tune, which adds a few expressionist strokes to this pointillist composition. The piece loosens, until all we’re left with is the bass.

Although the album orbits around the pendulum sway of ‘The Older I Get’, it is ‘What Cats Think About’ that stands out most. That it does is by design – a nod to the Sun City Girls and albums that like to throw their listeners a curveball every now and then. Pleasantly ramshackle, confusingly domestic, agreeably strange.

All this speaks to the spirit of the album and the creative relationship between two best friends whose differences seem to have been the only things they could agree on.'

Following up on the worldwide success of their new album Education & Recreation, Surprise Chef drops a must have two-sider for those of us who can't get enough 45s. The A side, "Money Music" is a bassline driven mid tempo tune that catches you from the first note and carries you through all the gorgeous changes. Piano, vibraphone, and guitar trade places over a watertight drum track that builds up, drops down, builds up again, and changes to half time to take it all home. The B side "Suburban Breeze" kicks in the door with an intro that is bound to be sampled and will get your blood racing and your head nodding. They lure you in with the neck snapping intro that is bound to be sampled and bring you from mood to mood as they change the energy from tough as nails to floaty and groovy, and back to tough as nails. Also Available From Surprise Chef: Education & Recreation LP / CD, Velodrome b/w Spring's Theme 7”.

Samuel L Session and Van Czar drop a four-track techno EP on Unrilis that showcases a deeper and more hypnotic sound with dystopian atmosphere and driving percussion. Rino Cerrone launched the Unrilis record label over 15 years ago, and part of the label's back catalogue is its iconic Rilis series. 2022 sees the relaunch of the Rilis series that has a focus on underground DJ tools with raw analogue sounds. The Rilis series was originally launched in 1999, and was restricted to a concept on only 10 releases, each pressing a limited run of vinyl. It was hugely popular with each one often selling out in only a week and picking up DJ support by people ranging from Jeff Mills to Richie Hawtin. Those first 10 releases were focused on Rino Cerrone's own music, but since his retirement from the industry, the revitalised Rilis series will welcome other artists whose sound matches the label's underground concept.
This latest release in the Rilis series features collaborative tracks by Samuel L Session and Van Czar who have previously teamed up for releases on other imprints ranging from Marco Bailey's MB Elektronics to Ben Sims' Hardgrooves. Both are also successful solo artists, Sweden's Samuel L Session being well-known for his headline DJ sets at clubs around the world, along with the music he has released via iconic imprints such as Slam's Soma, Shlomi Aber's Be As One, Len Faki's Figure and Emmanuel's ARTS plus his own imprints SLS, Cycle, New Soil, and Klap Klap Belgium's Van Czar is also an accomplished DJ who is well-established across Europe and he has also released music on respected record labels ranging from Kevin Saunderson's KMS Records as well as the classic imprint, Yin Yang.
'Air Raid' opens the release with its eerie pads, spine-tingling melody loop and machine-driven percussion. It's got a raw aesthetic with dramatic claps and snare fills that add to the building suspense.
'18-022' is a dark and stripped back track with modulating synth textures layered with fast-flowing high-end percussion. Its pounding kick drum and clap rhythms add rigid structure to its expansive atmosphere and dance floor focused groove.
'Route 200' has thrashing cymbals punishing claps and rippling pads that create a stripped back groove submerged in deep atmosphere. Rich with analogue textures and gritty sound design, its relentless energy is tailor made for club sound systems.
'Objectivism' closes out the release with it's funky bassline and bleeping melody. Whirling textures and fluttering percussion maintain an unrelenting tension that's driven forward by the pounding kick drum.

Everything that can be measured passes, everything that can be counted ends. Only three things are infinite: the sky in its stars, the sea in its drops of water, and the heart in its tears. Gustave Flaubert

Alignment is back on Charlotte de Witte's KNTXT label for a fourth time with his Attack EP. It offers four more forward-thinking tracks of trance infused techno.

Berlin-based, Italian-born artist Alignment, whose real name is Francesco Pierfelice, has emerged as a real force in the techno world in recent years. He has had an outstanding array of vital productions, and his sound helps carry forward the diversity and musical identity KNTXT stands for. His sound has smartly evolved since as he continues to pick up new influences. All that comes out on this superb new release.

Says the artist, ‘I am more than happy to contribute with ‘Attack EP’, another release on such a renowned imprint like KNTXT. Charlotte has supported me since day one, and I am hugely grateful to release for the fourth time on her label. Four tracks that are straight to the floor, they are the outcome of touring clubs and festivals again now in 2022. Enjoy this selection and see you soon on the dance-floor!’

Says label boss Charlotte de Witte, ‘Alignment is one of my favourite producers out there. His high energy style and sound always deliver on the dancefloor. I'm very proud and honoured to have him once again on board for another four killer tracks on KNTXT.’

Attack opens up with hammering drums and turbo-charged synths. It is an all powerful track that drills deep and brings a real sense of rave to the club. There is an ever present sense of euphoria to Dream State as the trance synth loops bring real light and emotion to the flat footed and slamming drums. Some steamy vocals add that all important hook and ensure real dance floor destruction. Multiverse brings bouncing techno funk beneath edgy synth stabs and industrial percussion design for soot-black warehouse spaces. Last of all is The Way, another unstoppable and supersized techno offering with hands-in-the air synth designs and drums that just don't quit.

This is another fiery offering of new school techno from Alignment.

zzzahara (They/Them) is the solo moniker of Eyedress/Simps/US Velvet
guitarist Zahara Jaime
Plenty of people come to Los Angeles looking to make their California dreams a
reality. But zzzahara has always been here, turning reality into a dream.
Attwood: "A feverish indie rock song drowning in intimate emotion and frenetic
energy, zzzahara's "they don't know" is a vulnerable and raw outpouring from the
heart."
Dummy: "An infectious indie rock number overflowing with emotion and frantic
energy, zzzahara's 'they don't know' is a clear statement of intent from a solo
artist coming into their own."
Paste: "…this single feels like something special."
Guardian: "Cantering through the gloaming with a blend of coldwave and early
Cure, the Los Angeles guitarist and songwriter banishes summer, to cheers from
neo-goths everywhere."

Robert Babicz started his musical career under the Rob Acid moniker in 1992 and this triple 12“ vinyl pack is a compilation of 12 of his most essential tracks of all times. In this bundle you can find the iconic club tracks like „Homeless Part 1“ and „Android“, rare material like „Herz aus Gold“ Rob released on Force Inc. and his melodic acid UK chart hit „Happy answer“. But also Rob´s collaboration with Marc Romboy „Wall of sound“ and of course the deep, dark and pumping Detroit techno influenced „Acid Warrior“.

This vinyl package was drafted in collaboration between Rob, Marc Romboy and their Marotopia community who were responsible for the tracklisting and name of this release.

Lined up next on Toolroom, we’re set to welcome the return of WEISS to the label 3 years after his last outing. Most known for his certified gold, 2018 smash-hit ‘Feel My Needs’, which received critical acclaim, topping 5 international music charts at #1, and earning DJ Mag’s ‘Best Of British Winner’ in 2018. WEISS himself has locked in an incredible collaboration with legendary Soul act The Jones Girls, using their classic record ‘You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else’ to create the club stomping cut that is, ‘I Need Some’.

A prolific DJ and producer, WEISS has released cuts on DIRTYBIRD, Universal, Island Records, D4 D4nce, Glitterbox and Toolroom along with remixing A-list artists including Kylie Minogue, Robyn, Calvin Harris, and Rag n Bone Man to name a few. When it comes to the House Music elite, Weiss is amongst some of the best there is, touring worldwide and sharing stages with Armand Van Helden, Todd Terry, and MK.

Of course, The Jones Girls are an act that needs no introduction, the legendary Philadelphia trio of sisters are the vocalists behind the classic Soul cuts ‘Nights Over Egypt’ and ‘Who Can I Run To’, released on the renowned Philadelphia International label.
Backing singers to both Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross during the 1970’s, The Jones Girls have left their mark on Music History and still influence artists and vocalists alike today.

With a passion for all things Soul, Disco and R&B, WEISS has officially fulfilled a childhood dream working with The Jones Girls to create ‘I Need Some’. This is a Disco House focused cut that pays homage to the original record ‘You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else’, whilst reinterpreting the sample and making it club ready for dance floors.

After successful releases on Transatlantic and Monnom Black, German FM synthesis wizard Luca Daniel Schwarz (aka LDS) presents his latest record ‘algo5’. The EP captures a wide range of sonic ground with innovative and futuristic edge.

’nbdfoil’ the opening track starts the voyage with mesmerising awe before sliding into ‘kizzt_VF’ where reality distorts and mind-warping events unfold. Closing out the A side the interlude ‘<13’ stumbles along with playful weirdness and explorative sonic gestures. Back in more familiar territory the B-side’s ‘fl+’ and ‘Vone’ propel dynamic rhythms through the ether until arriving at the final track, ‘mfäg’ where fragmented arps and cinematic ambience give an emotional sense of closure.

LDS’s ability to compose to a high level of depth and intrigue is unmistakably a significant feat for any electronic dance music producer and testament to the possibilities of modern sound design.

Mathis Ruffing’s Transatlantic debut cuts to the chase. This is getaway music, music designed to vaporise your long-dormant adrenal glands. ‘Skybox’ is made up of tracks that surge like quicksilver through veins, pulsing, flexing, relentlessly disciplined in execution. These tunes are crystalline and shimmering, eight sleek and streamlined club constructs rendered with what feels like the precision-engineering of some advanced alien DAW.

Opener ‘Ultranova’ hits like a cyborgian headbutt and refuses to let up. It’s followed by the one-two punch of the title track and ‘Hitherto’, which install cooling, gaseous pads and synths within breakneck drum&bassian exoskeletons. ‘Crater Edge’ and closer ‘Raytraced’ offer cryochamberesque respite from the cold-blooded fury enclosed within this release — well-earned breathing room in an album that takes hold with crisp and calculated force. Pure focus.

Rising star SOSA collaborates with established producer and DJ duo Prok | Fitch. Together, they weave their distinct sound of groove-based tech house, releasing a club-driven creation suitable for transient and peak-time moments on the dancefloor.

The title tune opens with a minimal vibe before a sultry vocal slip into the soundscape, evoking a sunrise-at-the-rave mood. Stripped-back percussion allows the lyrics to breathe, while a robust kickdrum conveys a clubby feel. Like the title suggests, Sweat is a pacier tune that ripples with a low-slung bassline and sizzling vocals with a touch of reverb—the perfect late-night groover. Final tune Footsteps In The Dark unfurls with a stabby synthline and snappy percussion, offering a peak-time production primed for a club soundsystem.

Since breaking through with groundbreaking releases on Sola, Hottrax and Cuttin Headz, Liverpool-born SOSA has gained support from leading names in house music such as Jamie Jones, Michael Bibi, The Martinez Brothers, Chris Lake and East End Dubs to name a few. Having launched and established his imprint and event series COCO in Liverpool, SOSA now plays across the UK, counting gigs at Printworks, Motion, Mint and beyond into America and across Europe. Brighton-based producer and DJ outfit Prok | Fitch remain two of the most alluring producers on the house circuit, with their music gaining strong support across a spectrum of the biggest names in the industry from Marco Carola, Michael Bibi, Hot Since 82 to Carl Cox, Adam Beyer and Fatboy Slim.

RAMZi's 'hyphea', the new album by Montreal based artist Phoebé Guillemot. It is her latest sonic quest containing 10 new tracks, of which some are versions of the score she made for a documentary about mushrooms called 'Fun Fungi' (directed by Frederic Lavoie).

Recorded between November 2021 and May 2022, writing 'hyphea' started off somewhat as an attempt to escape boredom and frustrations imposed by the severe restrictions during the pandemic. For Phoebé it was a way to reconnect with RAMZi who's spirit brought her back to mystical feelings and gave hope for future magical adventures after having felt disconnected for a while.

RAMZi is a wild spirit from the forest and refers to a parallel autonomous world that keeps evolving. In her own words: “The music remains as a doorway to that world. It has never been about me, I always see that entity bigger than myself. The process of writing 'hyphea' was rather intuitive. I don’t think about styles of music before producing tracks. Those are more like an adventure in itself, each one set in a different ecosystem.”

Artwork by Marinka Grondel.