For his sixth solo album, Ezéchiel Pailhès returns with a new collection of songs infused by a sunny wandering spirit.
Within each of the twelve songs on SOL is a thread of melancholic happiness that has permeated much of Pailhès’ music and songwriting. He addresses love, the passing of time, hope, lost illusions, fleeting moments of grace, the temptation of forgetting, a need to escape, and desire. All this is
insulated by understated orchestrations that blend acoustic and electronic instrumentation with deft confidence.
The Portuguese and Brazilian concept of saudade—a form of melancholic longing and nostalgia— pervades, thanks in part to Pailhès decision to record the album in Rio de Janiero and to reinterpret some of the finest works of Música Popular Brasileira (MPB). In particular, he revisits a handful of
lesser known classics from the mid-century samba and bossa nova era—originally written or performed by talents including Vinícius de Moraes, João Gilberto, Tom Zé, Dorival Caymmi, João Donato, Os Tincoãs, and Ataulfo Alves.
The shift from Brazilian Portuguese to French and the decision to adapt rather than perform a straightforward cover versions, allows Pailhès to invent a form of prosody and euphony (the musicality and harmonious combination of words) that feels vibrant and unlike anything else in today’s French
chanson landscape.
“Some lyrics are simple translations from Portuguese, in what I’d call an expanded version. For others, I started from a single word or a single phrase and embroidered an entirely new text that carried me elsewhere,” explains Pailhès. “I allowed myself great interpretive freedom, while preserving the humanist dimension of the original songs. I’ve always been deeply moved by the way Brazilians transfigure reality through heightened emotion. I love this visceral and spontaneous country, which always seems to live through emotion. And above all, I love its music both popular and unifying,
bringing together all social classes. In that sense, it’s very political music, but even more so utopian, made by the people and for the people.”
On this new album, however, the French artist was keen to avoid cliché. Each song is therefore built around a carefully balanced interplay between Pailhès’ piano and synthesizers, alongside restrained arrangements of percussion, brass, bass, and cavaquinho (a small four-string plucked guitar). These parts were recorded in Rio de Janeiro with two musicians who regularly perform alongside the legendary Caetano Veloso—Kainã Do Jêje and Alberto Continentino—joined by Thomas Harres, Antônio Neves, Eduardo Neves, and Gabriel Loddo.
Since the 1960s, France and Brazil have shared a long-standing cultural and musical relationship. Some Brazilian artists, most famously Gilberto Gil, took refuge in France during the dictatorship years (1964–1985). But above all, French chanson quickly fell in love with the richness and ingenuity of
bossa nova and samba, translating and reinventing them in the language of Molière. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, albums and hits by Henri Salvador, Georges Moustaki, Pierre Barouh, Pierre Vassiliu, and Claude Nougaro all drew from the MPB repertoire.
Fifty years later, with SOL, Ezéchiel Pailhès reinvents this rich Franco-Brazilian musical legacy, bringing to it a personality and modernity that stand confidently alongside those of his forbears.
There is a strong sense of place running through 'North West Tonight', as God Colony aka Crack Copies label heads and Liverpool-raised duo James Rand and Thomas Gorton sketch out a hazy, after-hours portrait of their hometown. Drawing on 80s new wave melodies and rough-edged club rhythms, the EP balances sounds of yore with present-day energy. There is crunchy, disrupted bass on 'The Column', backlit broken beat on 'Middle Eye' and more sun-kissed depths on 'Rhyll Sun Centre'. 'The Paradox' stands out as a darker, more edgy and club-ready sound while the rework by Sasha stretches the track into something built for wide-eyed dancefloors.
Im Februar 2026 erscheint zum zwanzigjährigen Jubiläum Hard to Love a Man" von Magnolia Electric Co. als erweiterte Edition und zum ersten Mal auf Vinyl. Diese Jubiläumsausgabe der ersten EP der Band enthält drei zusätzliche Tracks: remasterte Demos von 31 Seasons in the Minor Leagues" (zuvor unter dem Titel Tonight I'm So Down" bekannt) und Lonesome Valley", aufgenommen in den Echo Park Studios in Indiana während der Hard to Love a Man"-Sessions, sowie One Thin Dime", aufgenommen während der Black Ram"-Sessions in den Sound of Music Recording Studios in Richmond, Virginia. Working-Class-Rock" ist ein Begriff, der häufig zur Beschreibung von The Magnolia Electric Co. verwendet wurde. Kategorisch hatte sich die Band ihren Platz unter gleichgesinnten Ikonen wie Bob Seger, CCR, Tom Petty und Bruce Springsteen gesichert, doch es handelte sich nicht nur um eine ästhetische Beschreibung, sie untermauerten dies mit ihrer Arbeitsmoral. Im Jahr 2005 waren The Magnolia Electric Co. erstaunlicherweise acht Monate unterwegs. Diese Tatsache wurde den Bandmitgliedern selbst am deutlichsten bewusst, da sie so lange von ihrem Zuhause und ihren Liebsten getrennt waren. Daher die Bedeutung des Titeltracks. Wenn Jason Molina die Perspektive der Person einnimmt, die er zurückgelassen hat, und in Hard To Love A Man" singt: "It was hard to love a man like you / Goodbye was half the words you knew / While you were waiting for me not to call / I sent my love", dann wird die Einsamkeit und Schuld der Trennung schmerzlich deutlich. Jennie Benfords verletzliche Stimme, gepaart mit Jason Groths fließender Gitarre und Mike Kapinus' klagender Orgel, unterstreicht dieses Gefühl eindrucksvoll, unterlegt vom charakteristischen, präzisen und geschmackvollen Rhythmusfundament von Mark Rice und Pete Schreiner, während Nicole Evans eine neue, dynamische Stimme hinzufügt. Hard To Love A Man" und der Live-Favorit Werewolves Of London" wurden mit Steve Albini in seinen Electrical Audio Studios aufgenommen, die übrigen Tracks entstanden während eines kurzen fünftägigen Heimaufenthalts in Indiana bei Echo Park Studios mit Paul Mahern, dessen Engineering-Resume schon damals Projekte wie The Blake Babies, Lisa Germano und John Mellencamp umfasst. Während die Magnolien weiter wuchsen und erblühten, ließ Jason Molina die Insassen das Irrenhaus regieren.
Verb T – Homer Loan 1 & 2 (Half 'N Half Splatter Vinyl Release)
UK hip-hop veteran Verb T returns with the long-awaited vinyl release of Homer Loan 1 & 2. A definitive collection capturing two distinct creative periods from one of the scene’s most respected voices.
Originally released digitally, the Homer Loan series has become a cult favourite among Verb T fans, offering an intimate glimpse into his trademark balance of sharp lyricism, dry humour, and unfiltered honesty. The vinyl release brings both volumes together for the first time, celebrating the evolution of a prolific artist still pushing his craft forward. Homer Loan 1 is entirely self-produced, showcasing Verb T’s production skills and ear for soulful textures and lo-fi warmth. Built around introspective rhymes and smooth, laid-back beats, it reflects the self-contained creative process that defined its making.
With Homer Loan 2, the palette expands — featuring production from Cuth, Farma G, and Forrest Moon, each contributing their distinctive sonic fingerprints while complementing Verb T’s unmistakable flow and storytelling. The result is a cohesive yet dynamic project that bridges the personal and the universal, the underground and the timeless. The Homer Loan 1 & 2 Yellow and Purple Half 'N Half Splatter vinyl release stands as both a collector’s piece and a testament to Verb T’s consistency and artistry within UK hip-hop’s ever-changing landscape.
Repress
the journey continues...
The third part in the Drexciya re-issue series! Another part of the exciting journey of Drexciya with mind blowing tracks such as You Don't know, Intensified Magnetron, Aqua Worm Hole etc.
One of the finest moments in electronic music history and Detroit techno available in remastered versions including unreleased material. Essential in every serious electronic music collection
The rare and resonating auras of CCO arrive on Analog Concept Records with the EP Cosmic String, designed to take the listener on an electro journey of melody and mystery.
Side A opens with confident missions captivating the soul and body through building layers of acidic 808 funk, ghostly ethereal chords, and the deep vision of Breaking Phase Transition; while the analog chords, tropical electro design and warm bass taste of Topological Defect are sure bets and your soundtrack to explore lands not seen yet.
The B side manifests the acidic imagination with the lysergic proliferation, late nite synth auras and kick driven electro rhythms of Zero-Width Approximation.
Simply Connected Space arrives next characterized by golden era Chicago House design, sunny ambience, and 707 percussive chase concluding the ep in classic taste.
We are delighted at Analog Concept for you to Experience the class production quality of CCO - Cosmic String.
Repress
The journey continues... Clone Records continue with the re-issue series of the early catalogue of one of the most groundbreaking and influential techno acts ever... Raw, uncompromising music made with soul and creativity that has always been the trademark of Drexciya. This is the 4th release in the series and contains arguably some of their rarest and most astonishing tracks such as Black Sea, Mantaray, Hydro Cubes and Depressurization.
Design and layout by Klen.
Mastered by Alden Tyrell.
New compilation by Coco Maria on her own new founded imprint Club Coco. Comes with a 4 page folded insert.
There are albums that aren’t just listened to—they’re lived in. Club Coco – New Dimensions in Latin Music is one of them. This compilation, curated by Coco María, marks the first release on her own label and serves as a sonic portrait of what Latin music can become when it’s guided by intuition rather than labels. Eleven tracks open the windows and cross continents as effortlessly as changing a song. Here, Neapolitan synthesizers coexist with digital cumbias, voices whisper from within the groove, and rhythms invite movement—without urgency or pretense.
This selection isn’t defined by a genre but by a feeling: that of someone dancing with an open heart and keen ears. Each track is a postcard from a corner of the world, and also a love letter to rhythm and the emotions it stirs. From Bogotá to Naples, passing through Lima, Amsterdam, and New York, this compilation offers a journey where past and future brush against each other in the present moment. Club Coco doesn’t aim to define a sonic truth, but to invite listeners to discover new ways of hearing and feeling.
The party has already started. Come on in.
Montreal duo Flabbergast—aka Guillaume Coutu Dumont and Vincent Lemieux—return to Circus Company, the label where it all began with their debut EP in 2015. Now seasoned veterans of leftfield club experimentation, they deliver Weirdo Active, a two-track vinyl release that distills their signature
blend of groove, absurdity, and refined weirdness.
On the A-side, “Timecrowave” is a swung, syncopated burner built around fragmented drum programming, warbled synth textures, and subtly detuned atmospheres. It's a tool that thrives in the inbetween moments of a set—unpredictable yet fluid.
On the B-side “Serpentoute,” a slinky groove laced with dubwise processing and modular squelch, maintaining tension through micro-edits and playful FX. Perfect for after-hours transitions or more openminded floors.
Following standout releases on Yoyaku, Copier/Coller, and Chapelle XVI, Flabbergast continue to offer up dance music that’s deeply heady, subtly unhinged, and always full of intent. A finely sculpted dose of dancefloor surrealism—just the way Flabbergast likes it.
RedNilo is an Italian-Moroccan duo composed of Reda Zine and Danilo Mineo, two musicians based in Bologna linked by a deep passion
for world music, particularly African music. Their ongoing and tireless musical exploration has led them to collaborate for over a decade
on numerous artistic and recording projects. Their new album, eponymously titled RedNilo, features six tracks characterized by a sound
reminiscent of Gnawa, Hassani, Tuareg, and experimental rock. The psychedelic, raspy riffs of the electric guitar, the repetitive rhythms
of the percussion, and the rhythmic-melodic lines of the guembri represent and evoke their journey. The resulting sound material is the
culmination of their journey and their encounters with masters, artists, griots, artisans, and instrument makers in the Draa Valley in
southeastern Morocco, bringing together the two musicians' urban and experimental backgrounds and souls. The album's artwork was
designed by Moroccan artist Aali Wica, initiator and mentor of their spiritual and artistic journey to the southern African continent,
across the long black snake.
Réda Zine, a musician and documentary filmmaker born in 1977 in Casablanca, launched his musical career in the 1990s, contributing
to L'Boulevard, Africa's largest independent festival. Raised in the Casablanca medina, he was introduced to Gnawa music by various
Maallems. After studying at the Paris 3 Sorbonne University, he founded Café Mira, a project that has performed at several international
events.
From 2011 to 2014, Zine was artistic director for Creative Commons (Middle East and North Africa), where he won the #CC10 Korea
award in 2012 with the project "It will be Wonderful," which brought together musicians from over 12 countries. He has also been
involved in exhibitions on music and censorship, participating in events in major cities such as Paris, Buenos Aires, and Seoul. In Italy,
he continued his musical research with the Hardonik project and was part of the Afrobeat group Voodoo Sound Club, recording the
album Mamy Wata. Zine collaborates with artists such as Seun Kuti and has initiated educational activities related to Gnawa music,
contributing to initiatives such as the African Symphony Laboratory for improvisers. He is the co-founder of Fawda, a Gnawa-based
project, and is part of the Gnawa Rumi collective, which explores the music of the Moroccan diaspora in Italy. He directed the documentary "The Long Road to the Hall of Fame" about Public Enemy, which won an award at the Pan African Film Festival in 2015.
Danilo Mineo graduated as a national educator from the AMMnationalscholl music academy in Milan, with a thesis entitled "Afro-Cuban
Music and the Rhythm Section." Over the years, he has attended workshops and masterclasses with international artists and masters
of percussion and drums, including Horacio El Negro Hernandez, Airto Moreira, Trilok Gurtu, Luis Agudo, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Dudu
Tucci, Dom Famularo, Karl Potter, Rodney Barreto, and Eno Zangoun, exploring the rhythmic language of various musical genres and
styles.
In addition to publishing several educational manuals for percussionists, music critics consider him a versatile percussionist, active in
various musical productions and recordings: Mop Mop, Fawda, Guglielmo Pagnozzi "Voodoo Sound Club," Fabrizio Puglisi "Guantanamo," Panaemiliana, The Mixtapers, and many others, with whom he has performed at numerous national and international music festivals (in Europe and Africa). As a percussionist and side man he has recorded numerous albums and collaborated with Italian and
international artists including: Giancarlo Schiaffini, Gianluca Petrella, Roy Paci, Roberto Freak Antoni, Famoudou Konate, Melaku Belay, Baba Sissoko, Kalifa Kone, Jamal Ouassini, Deda, Dj Lugi, Bioshi.
DJ Support: Midland, Craig Richards, Vladimir Ivkovic, Benji B, Emerald, Cici, Darwin, Jossy Mitsu, I JORDAN, Daria Kolosova, Alienata, Carl Craig, Paula Tape, OK Williams, Hammer, Kassian
Kilig Unveils New Era with Air In The Dark / Back To Sofa Surfing
Elusive leftfield electronica producer Kilig emerges from the shadows to unveil a new era on Cross Country with Air In The Dark and Back To Sofa Surfing—two tracks that signal a matured, exploratory sound, balancing introspective ambience with subtle rhythmic propulsion.
In a celebration of London’s enduring spirit of community, experimentation, and unity - fabric resident Bobby. and FOLD’s own Voicedrone join forces to rework Air In The Dark. Bobby. crafts an epic, psilocybin-inspired reinterpretation; Voicedrone - a hard-hitting high BPM electro reinterpretation; and cult favourite RAMZi offering a warm, deep ambient cut.
Back To Sofa Surfing receives its own forward-facing treatment from Manami and Dufraine — two voices at the cutting edge of London’s bass and electro underground. Hailing from a shared studio space , the remixes are infused with raw dub, bass, acid, and electro infused energy.
Formed by George Thompson, Kyle Martin and Jonathan Nash, Kommune were active between 2014-2015. As close friends living near each other, their musical journeys were intertwined; Nash and Martin had recently completed their debut album as Land Of Light, while Thompson (aka Black Merlin), at that time putting the finishing touches to his debut album ‘Hipnotik Tradisi’, was also working with Martin as part of the duo Spectral Empire. Sharing equipment and ideas, Kommune arose organically, serving as a creative outlet for exploring analogue machine music in an improvisational context.
Sessions in their North London studios led to a handful of gigs at venues including Hamburg’s legendary Golden Pudel and London’s LN-CC. This fleeting chapter of musical history may well have gone entirely undocumented had it not been for the fortuitous decision to meet up for a recording session in October 2014. Filling a car with their machines, they drove to a converted barn in the south of England, proceeded to set up, settle in and hit the record button. Over the course of two days, fuelled by the experiences of recent performances, the trio immersed themselves in the machines, crafting subtly evolving, long-form compositions with an enchanting balance and flow.
Across the four long-form compositions that make up ‘Oast’, the trio summons barely controllable scrapes, acid-like bubbles, and bleeps from their machines, leaning on dub mixing techniques to give the tracks a sense of depth, dynamism and organic ambience. Mastery of the TR-808 drum machine is central, with remarkably nuanced drum programming imparting a hypnotic rhythm to the work, allowing other elements to emerge and unfold at a beautifully measured tempo.
Recorded entirely live and improvised without any overdubs, ‘Oast’ offers a profound journey into minimalist electronic music while serving as a tribute to friendship, curiosity, and the spirit of experimentation.
Sleeve art and design by Michael Willis.
Following their mesmerizing debut Tradition, CHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN return with Correspondances—a 7-inch release that drifts effortlessly between organic textures and delicate electronic landscapes. Expanding on their signature blend of dreamy synth work and nylon-stringed warmth, the trio refines their approach with a more mature, immersive sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
The A-side, “Adan no Umibe” (Adan’s Seashore), opens with a soft, relaxed vocal delivery reminiscent of Haruomi Hosono’s solo work, floating over a gentle groove of nylon guitars and spacious synths. It captures the essence of a quiet shore, where melodies ebb and flow like waves against the sand, infused with the scent of Okinawa.
The title track, “Correspondances,” embraces an airy, ambient minimalism. Whispered vocals glide over sparse beats, floating basslines, and interwoven birdsong—blurring the lines between nature and sound.
Closing the record, “Koe o Kikasete” (Hear Me Your Voice) introduces a subtle rhythmic pulse, with its soft vocal refrain weaving through a beautiful chord progression, layered with nylon guitar and delicate electronic textures. The birdsong theme resurfaces here, echoing the lyrics and enhancing the immersive, weightless atmosphere.
While rooted in the warmth of vintage Japanese pop experimentalism, Correspondances carries CHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN’s sound into new, refined territory.
This is a record of quiet yet deeply expressive beauty—an invitation to pause, listen, and drift.
Collecting orders for Repress
Clone Classic Cuts continues their re-issues series for one of the most influential techno acts ever... Drexciya. The second selection of tracks including favorites such as ''Bang-Bang'', ''Positron Island'', ''Anti Vapour Waves'' and ''Journey Home'' complimented some lesser or unknown tracks. Raw, uncompromising music made with soul and creativity always has been the trademark of Drexciya (and also from their original label Underground Resistance) and this album is another showcase of their talents.
The Collective Cuts sub-label of Cinthie’s 803 Crystal Grooves makes a welcome return
with a fresh VA package, featuring Willy Mikkelson, Luca Olivotto, Batch One and Roque
(CRP).
Since its inception back in 2020, Cinthie’s Collective Cuts imprint has welcome the likes of
KETTAMA, 9th House, S3A, UC Beatz, Anaxander, Azuni and many more onto the label. Here
the story continues with more dynamic house jams from Cinthie’s coterie of underground
artists from across the globe.
Nashville, USA’s WiLLY MiKK leads with Devastate, laying the foundations for the records
with a classic Hip House vibe, fusing crisp drums, bright stabs and bumpy bass with
choppy hip hop vocals. Small Great Things head honcho Luca Olivotto follows with
‘Passion’, the Berlin based Italian delivers his refreshing disco-tinged House aesthetic via
funky guitar licks, bright chord melodies, ethereal pad textures and shuffled drums.
Batch One’s ‘When U R Free’ follows to open the flip side, merging snaking arpeggios and
bouncy bass notes with uplifting piano lines and a raw, robust rhythm section. Spanish
artist based out of Basel, Switzerland Roque (CRP) then concludes the package with ‘Bring
It Down’, perfectly rounding things out on a deeper tip, raw, reduced drums carry the
groove alongside an amalgamation of chopped vocal chants, dubbed out stabs and tension
building strings.
Producer powerhouse duo Crate Classics release their electric debut album, Green Lanes. With a plethora of features from fresh talent to dance music veterans, Crate Classics are working with the likes of Pesolife, Liam Bailey, Bay-C, Jodian Natty, LA Salami, Omar+, Nia Chennai, Not3s, Cres, Joe Cain, Tills & Aphrah. Green Lanes brings an eclectic mix, from dancefloor bangers to sweet melodic bops, spanning the rich practices of Jungle, RnB, Afrobeats and Reggae.
This vinyl includes a sample of tracks from Green Lanes, remixes from the likes of Missing, Potential Badboy & Tyke, and 2 exclusive bonus tracks. Featuring an exclusive Congo Natty Remix of Crate Classics & Jodian Natty's 'Anything'.
Bomj Diego had one simple dream – to spend a lazy summer weekend at his friend’s dacha, kicking back in a plastic lawn chair, sipping on Ovip Lokos, and letting the world spin as slowly as the rusty ceiling fan in the old guest house.
One Friday, he finally got his chance. He loaded up a plastic bag with a few cans of Ovip Lokos, an ancient Bluetooth speaker, and a single flip-flop (he’d lost the other one in a heated game of dominoes the week before). But as soon as he got off the train at the dacha station, Diego realized he had no idea where the actual dacha was. No address, no signal, just the distant sound of a chainsaw and the smell of freshly cut grass.
Undeterred, he followed the smoke of a barbecue like a hungry wolf. After an hour of wandering, he stumbled into a random backyard where a group of old timers were playing cards around a makeshift table. “Ah, Diego! You made it!” one of them shouted, raising a can of Ovip Lokos. Diego had no idea who the guy was, but he immediately sat down, cracked open his own can, and joined the game.
Hours later, as the sun dipped behind the trees and the mosquitoes started their evening shift, Diego realized – this wasn’t his friend’s dacha. In fact, it wasn’t even the right village. But the old men insisted he stay for shashlik, and as the Ovip Lokos flowed, Diego figured, “Eh, close enough.”
He never did make it to the right dacha, but sometimes, it’s the wrong turn that makes the best story.
Christian Kleine continues to unearth long-lost transmissions with Electronic Music From The Lost World: Vol.2 - another batch of pristine artifacts from his personal DAT archive. Much like its predecessor, this release serves as both a time capsule and a reminder of Kleine’s effortless blend of melodic warmth, intricate rhythm programming, punk influences, and a deep-rooted love for the fringes of electronica.
Where Vol.1 felt like an invitation back to the late ‘90s, a time when IDM was still an evolving conversation, this second volume extends the dialogue, revealing more of the sonic experiments and fully-formed pieces that never saw the light of day. Tracks recall specific moments from Kleine’s time living in Berlin, an era of minimal comforts but maximal creativity, where all that really mattered was that the PowerPC, sampler, and synths kept running. This period of introspection, coupled with the musical freedom afforded by cheap rent and late-night school classes, shaped the deeply personal and solitary sound of these recordings.
Visually, Vol 2 shares its origins with the first volume, as Midori Hirano’s stark Berlin photography forms the foundation, and Noah M / Keep Adding pushes the imagery into a brighter, more reflective final space. Final touches remain in familiar hands, with LOOP-O on mastering and lacquer duties, bringing new life to Christian’s OG DAT recordings.
And much like the classic City Centre Offices era that shaped this sound and Kleine’s early career, this release nods to that legacy. A special limited 7” EP with two bonus tracks, designed in tribute to CCO’s iconic DIY aesthetic, will be available on release day direct from the label’s Bandcamp.
There's iconic. Then there's *iconic*.
A MASSIVE speaker-smashing release, decades overdue. It's been bootlegged - shamefully so, many times over the years - but finally we present the first ever officially licensed reissue of this truly special Afro-disco-not-disco LP from 1979. A favourite of Harvey, Antal, Young Marco and, er, every great DJ to ever play deep records ever, basically. It's not hard to see - or, indeed, *feel* why.
Gem after gem of relentless, irresistibly funky gold, it's an incredibly revelatory album with endlessly complex drum patterns and basslines to dive into, throughout. Truly, this is uniquely FIRE music, unlike anything else you've ever heard, based on Gwo ka music from the gorgeous islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. A thrilling synthesis of primal, hypnotic drums - the most tribal of percussive elements high in the mix throughout - with the loping synth pyrotechnics of, amongst a whole host of other greats, Wally Badarou and bass power of disco funk don Sauveur Mallia (Arpadys, Spatial & Co.)
Originally released on the seminal French label Barclay, you'd be hard pressed to even find an original copy in nice condition anywhere, let alone for a reasonable price, so it's high time an officially licensed, remastered reissue came around. It's just the latest in a long line of Be With reissues where the music sounds like the - drop-dead dazzling - cover. This here is a true drum attack. BUY ON SIGHT!
Tumblack was a short-lived project, produced and arranged by electronic wizard Yves Hayat and it can certainly be regarded as one of the first examples of Zouk, mixing powerful disco-funk arrangements with Gwo ka, traditional music from Guadeloupe. Gwo ka is an Antillean Creole term for "big drum". You can say that again! It refers to both a family of hand drums and the music played with them, which is a major part of Guadeloupean folk music.Whilst the first side is credited to the exceptional Tumblack band, the flip is given over to "Tumblack & Friends". These weren't just any old friends. Oh no, they were the absolute cream of the French scene (think Arpadys, Voyage, Le Club, Giant, CCPP, Synthesis, Swing Family) such as Sauveur Mallia, Wally Badarou, Marc Chantereau on percussion, Slim Pezin on guitar and Jean-Paul Batailley and Pierre Alain-Dahan handling drum duties.
The urgent, frantic "Fracas" gets things moving straight away with a cavalcade of drums and percussive funk before giving way to the stratospheric "Invocation", one of the album's many, many highlights. It's effectively one long heavenly drum break, a really hard, raw, tribal drum workout without a whole lot else going on - and all the better for it! One to make you sweat, no question. Up next, "Jubilé" is announced with a bellowing accapella voice, chanting the titular name before the heaviest of kicks smashes out your system and lulls you into an absolute state of bliss for nearly 6 minutes. Whoooooosh! Rounding out the sensational A-Side, "Vaudou" is a scratchy, funky patterned drum workout which - yep, yet again - absolutely slays your neck muscles, making them snap and contract in extraordinary fashion. TURN IT UP!
Ushering in the B-Side, the brief, fidgety, African chant-funk of "Parlement" segues seamlessly, beautifully into "Waka", an overwhelmingly rich gem of percussive funk. You do not want this to end, once it hits its stride. For maximum heavenly drum pleasure, you'd need to go a long way than the moment "Waka" feels like it's fading out before it kick-drum-blend into the mighty "Caraïba (Intro)". It's just staggeringly good. It's a minute-long layered drum prelude to the gigantic track which follows. Indeed, "Caraïba" is arguably the best loved and most well-known cut off the LP. And with good reason...featuring that Mallia bass, warm Rhodes and clavs, synth magic, memorably alto sax lines and, of course, tribal chanting.
Another mighty super-ahead-of-its-time classic, the bouncing bass heavy synth funk of "Chunga Funk" deploys Mallia and Wally Badarou (on Mini Moog) exceptionally well. I mean, come on, that bassline is just ridiculous. Try not to move to this one. This extraordinary record closes out with the more traditional Gwo ka sounds of "Bateau La Passé", the tribal chorus making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Tumblack really is a gorgeous late-70s disco-not-disco essential. It's an absolute MONSTER that will completely blow you away; and, yes, it's as compelling and trance-inducing as the cover. The audio for Tumblack has been carefully remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, ensuring it sounds better than ever. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at Record Industry in Holland. The cover of Tumblack is so iconic and we sought special permission from original artist Hélène Majera to recreate this at Be With HQ. It absolutely zings off the print and serves as the perfect finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue.
The Shard: A colossal feat in engineering, savagely piercing the London skyline with zero f**ks.
Shard View: An uncompromising moment in Boylan’s bass engineering, piercing the London soundscape with even fewer f**ks.
It’s 2025. We’ve officially moved a second closer to extinction and Boylan’s wasting no time. After years of releasing noxious missives on the most influential likes of FWD>>, Artikal, Deep Dark & Dangerous, Sentry and Mean Streets, he finally launches his own label - Shard View.
A brand new vehicle for the potent strain of ice cold apocalyptic breakbeat he and his closest allies are currently making, Shard View is inspired by the vista he and the likes of Slimzee, Trends, D.O.K, U.S.F and Youngsta see every time they’re cooking up a darkness in his Peckham studio.
Coated in visual armor from Simon Oil Gang, Shard View is London, Detroit and Berlin wrapped up in one. It’s bass, it’s techno, it’s tribal, it’s No U-Turn, it’s Virus, it’s Horsepower, it’s warehouse raves. It’s timeless. And it starts with ‘Tunnel’, an extensive 10 track trip into instrumental, full physical, heavily percussive unapologetic breakbeat music. Boylan is the main consistency throughout but all the above-mentioned names are involved and always will be. Like the great collectives of past bass epochs, the energy here is molten as the friends inspire each other with this fresh take on a classic sound.
Two more EPs should follow later this year. And as the world continues to ramp up the turbulence, so will Shard View. This is not a drill.
Any questions about any of these products feel free to get in touch and we'll help you out!
albert.preston@sequence.cc
Valerio Vaudano joins the roster of Cinthie’s 803 Crystal Grooves sub-label Collective Cuts with his ‘Lose My Mind’ EP.
Valerio Vaudano ‘: ’I'm a fan of Cinthie and feel honoured to release these tracks on 803 Crystal Grooves! This is the kind of sound I mostly love to play and produce at this time: house sound that blend energy, groove and 90s nostalgic melodies with Detroit, Chicago and Italo flavours. this new EP represents me best and explains better than words. The entire EP was produced using a 90s sampler without using a computer, I'm very proud of
the result! I hope you enjoy it!’’ Title-cut ‘Lose My Mind’ leads, laying down crisp saturated drums, crunchy stab sequences, choppy vocal hooks and bright strings all dynamically evolving throughout for ultimate dance floor impact. ‘Sunday Remedy’ follows with bumpy breaks, a weighty kick
and amalgamation of vocal samples in combination with gritty bass stabs and classic piano chords to perfectly encapsulate the essence of house.
Opening the flip-side is ‘Down The Street’, diving deeper with airy chords, breathy vocal chants and bouncy bass stabs intertwined with a more raw, reduced rhythm section. The aptly titled ‘Smooth As Butter’ then rounds out the release with a nod to the Detroit House sound, fusing shimmering keys with jazzy drums, twinkling chime melodies and lowpitched vocals across its near five minute duration.
Subtil Records welcomes newcomer Stoi to the imprint to release his second EP, "No Drugs". This understated (yet powerful) three-track EP embodies Stoi’s signature style — minimalistic arrangements, hypnotic grooves and immersive soundscapes — blurring the lines between dancefloor energy and reflective listening.
"No Drugs (featuring Pae)" (A1), the first track of the EP, clocks at a whooping 10:45 minutes and is a genuine exercise of trance-inducing music. Here, Stoi crafts minimal pulsing beats and intricate modular rhythms, on top of a morphing, massively visceral bass, constantly roaring through the entire track — purpusely making you feel like you are in some kind of altered state of mind. On the B-side, "Ro Id (featuring Cclah)" (B1) brings fresh rhythmic complexity to the EP. Deeply melodic melodies, rich textures and subtle progressions embody a minimalistic charm that unfolds with each beat, making it the most warm and contemplative track on display. The last track of the EP, "Latibulate" (B2), sees Stoi further showcasing his allure for barebones, minimal arrangements where the groove is locked and relentless. And between the wonky bleeps, dissonant melodies and sneaky basslines, there's an undeniably eerie vibe that, through repetition, manages to catch you.
Perfectly suited for both club dancefloors or deep listening sessions, "No Drugs" by Stoi radiates the subtle power that defines minimal techno at its finest, and an essential addition to the Subtil Records catalog.
Girolle takes listeners on a dynamic journey through dark, atmospheric landscapes, blending deep basslines, cinematic inspirations, and nostalgic nods to the 90s rave scene. From shadowy depths to uplifting grooves, the EP embodies a fusion of past and present influences, delivering a cohesive yet diverse sonic experience that is as introspective as it is dancefloor-ready."
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.
Fourth release for Mystic Transfers with the alternative group Zona Utopica Garantita ''ZUG'' with an EP based on the single ''Tanz Minimal'', an infernal circle dotted with minimal wave shadows and rhythmic rustles that convey into a well-defined space in time.
Accompanied by the versions of Gropina, which faithfully reflects the elegance and style, Toulose Low Trax’s dubby version with kraut rock reminiscences and ultimately a hypnotic version native to the dark world of AHEADACHEDAY. ZUG’s music is a marriage between the machine-gunned punk of CCCP and the Body Music of the teutonic DAF, with his own poetry and experimental attitude.
