quête:character

Character has many forms. Musical interests too.

Mr. Mau shows his deeper side in this very diverse EP, translated in three brilliant tracks.

Inspired by many other artists, he managed combine the hardware and software into a must have EP for people who want to experience the essence of the style of life that's called techno: a broad way of interpretation and translating feelings into music.

For this special EP, Mau invited one of the most underestimated, yet well-known and very respected artists of Portugal: michaelangelo, the man behind Labrynth Records.

What many describe as a Aphex Twin like touch to it, "Black" is a piece of patience, feelings and excitement captured in an instrumental track that is strongly recommended to be played in a laid-back modus, but also can be used as a DJ tool in darker sets.
michaelangelo takes "Black" to a whole other level. Well-known for his very atmospheric dark drones inspired techno, m surprises again with his creative approach with swirling glitches and an in your face off-beat kick. A must have in your collection!

Are you more into the minimal side of techno With a twisted side to it Than "Lion" is the track for you!
The subtile power of the TR-909 machine combined with atmospheric dark touched stabs and leads.

"Walking" is definitely one of the more deeper tracks of this album.
With it's lounge like jazzy feel to it, Mau manages to capture the beauty of electronic music that doesn't leave anyone untouched.

with RV8, the osaka-based producer and musician AOKI takamasa continues his long-
term project that focuses on the modulation of rhythms and grooves. it began with his frst ep
‚rhythm variations' in 2009, released as part three of the unun-series. besides his collaboration
with raster-noton, he released records on several labels like commmons, progressive form
and op.disc, produced remixes for well-known musicians like ryuichi sakamoto or yoshihiro
hanno and played performances at, for example, elektra/montreal and club transmediale/
berlin, all in all making him a renowned producer in japan and beyond.
starting with a frework of bleeps and bops, already the very frst minutes of his new
record reveal aoki's preference for vibrating beats and likewise his playful approach to music,
generating a sound that is aiming at the dance foor.
like the frst ones, almost all tracks of the record are characterized by a constant modulation
of chords and lines that sometimes appears somehow hyperactive, but nevertheless results
in a natural fow that perfectly refects AOKI's laid-back attitude combined with his will to
produce danceable and funky music.
the fuent arrangement is only interrupted by the third track which forms a caesura by
being more reduced and slower. in contrast to this, the following tracks present a faster
tempo and an increased intensity; and whereas the frst tracks refect downbeat and r'n'b
infuences due to their broken beats and chunky sound, the later songs are characterized by
a more sleek and technoid style, incorporating dribbling basses, clappy sounding snares and
modulated voice snippets.
although all of the musical components are constantly broken down, modulated, and
rearranged, the overall sound of the record is dense and compact, featuring a groove made
up of numerous elements that are complexly intertwined. the eight tracks of the record ft
seamlessly together and create a composition that nearly functions like a dj set.
the album was mastered by yoshinori sunahara. needless to say that RV8 will be released
as cd and lp.
[A] a1 | rhythm variation 02 [B] a2 | rhythm variation 04 [C] a3 | rhythm variation 05 [D] b1 | rhythm variation 06 [E] b2 | rhythm variation 07

Struments Records starts 2013 launching Nuevo Dia EP, second release of the label from Barcelona. In this occasion the reference is signed by the Catalan duo Aster, which counts with high quality remixers such as Benjamin Damage and Dexter. Nuevo Dia, the homonymous topic that starts and gives name to this second reference Struments Records, backs seven minutes in which multiple and varied melodies of different natures mix up with rhythmic patterns coming from a dynamic bass and evoking feminine vocal samples. A cut treated with strong dynamism in which the allusion of movement is constant. In Placido Domingo an acid bass line goes along the minutes transforming into the main character. The theme goes on for five minutes at a slower pace responding to the classical patterns of acid-house, introducing initially percussive rhythms, followed by dynamic involving notes and ending with a fantastic melodic take-off. The remix brought by Dexter increases and decreases during seven minutes, converting the original melody into an easily adapting scale to the first hours of the night. Using vocal samples it gives a surrounding perspective and introduces a powerful bass perfectly suitable for this newer clubber version of Nuevo Dia. Benjamin Damage bends Nuevo Dia with frequencies and filters, darkening brief melodic spaces to introduce a powerful and raw drum which reveals a postindustrial background through the late hours of the night. The monotonic rhythms of this reconstruction include in itself a progression of a surrounding physical and mental dance.

Tablon is a new France based independent record label. Supporting artists with a characteristic style, tablon releases music by passion, developing its own vision of today's and tomorrow's dance music.
After a first EP by Arnaud linked in a certain way to Greece, tablon 002 will come from Istanbul. Far from us the idea to make a worldwide music label or refer to any old war between two countries. It just happened like that. Sarp makes amazing music and we are proud to present his new EP. It is called "I care because you don't", the artwork is made by Nefelie and the mastering by Mathieu Berthet in Paris. As we care a lot about the vinyl thing, our releases appear first on 12" and then in digital.
"Hi, I am Sarp Yilmaz. No, not your household name, not the next megaDj, not the chart topper, just a guy with some machines and a passion in his heart, who is supported by some other guy who runs this young, fresh label, who is mad enough to release music that is not bassline obsessed, not fitting any of the genre slots of your favorite online store, that is as much hip hop and jazz as it's house. No, this will not destroy your dancefloor, nor will it make you dance like there's tomorrow, it's moody, sometimes even depressive, but I made it with a smile on my face. It's trippy, it's glitchy and it's slow. Music, I make to cure the sicknesses of my heart. Hope it puts a smile on your face too. I care because you don't".
Sarp Yilmaz - I care because you don't EP

The time has come. The funky nerd and knob-handler Erdbeerschnitzel alias Tim Keiling is releasing his first physical album on Mirau. The young producer, who has moved from his hometown of Mittelfischbach to Bonn, tapped into the lode of versatility early on, and has been extracting one surprise after another ever since. After single-handedly releasing a first digital album that was obviously bursting with ideas ('Pathetik Party', 2009), Erdbeerschnitzel rapidly made himself a name with first-class single releases in the following years on 3rd Strike Records, 4 Lux and Mirau - a name not easily forgotten. The release of the much-celebrated single 'To an End' on Mirau made clear that this was but the beginning of a work together. In the wake of anticipation created by the digital single 'Through the Night', the album 'Tender Leaf' is now available on beautifully packed double vinyl. 'Tender Leaf' is a collection of 12 wonderful tracks, splashing at the edges with Erdbeerschnitzel's signature deep, driving vibe throughout the entire album, pulling us into a pool of swinging, iridescent oomph. Each elaborate audio-bouquet is full of spirit. Sometimes weirdly romantic and introverted, then breaking out into raucous assemblage, flaunting sonar reverb. Keiling's production makes these gems sound like an essence of all the music around us today, which calls out to us in echoing vocal traces. In 'The Mattress Excursions', guest singer 'The Drifter' steers his soulful voice through the escalating arrangement and broken beats as we remember from early Jamie Lidell tracks. Erdbeerschnitzel frequently gives things a humorous turn, flashing us winks from the midst of the fray. His characteristic beat programming, clever and exulting, makes otherwise bland patterns swing into pulsating vivacity; picking up on contemporary styles and aesthetics, he re-animates sounds within his own parameters. Multifacet-flow

After two years of consistently pushing cutting edge fresh talent on CD as well as in tandem with a series of well-received free digital releases (all still available at (absysrec) Absys Records are proud to present our very first vinyl release. Mastered to crisp perfection by LXC, this three-track vinyl continues to mine the deep, cutting edge atmospheric vein with an Eastern European twist that people have come to expect from us as a label, and with all the variety that has characterised our various CD compilation releases over the years.

The Cryovac machine is maintained and operated by A. Garcia. The components that make this machine function are the artists that push their creations forward to seal off their own vision of the now. What is preserved is the character of a craft that follows its own path. Cryovac believes sound vibration released from vinyl has the proper disposition to express the true nature of the Cryovac approach, and only selects the best vinyl when manufacturing and inspecting its' product. The Cryovac machine's purpose is to keep an independent view of the Detroit sound.
Jason Garcia is an international D.J., producer, and house music aficionado. His production runs the gambit of genres with a knack for injecting his smooth character into each work. For this effort Garcia has chosen to represent himself with a house style that is truly pimp heroic. Jason Garcia will forever have people in the Detroit underground.

Hails from Kurashiki Japan, Haruki Matsuo have released several house gems from highly acclaimed imprints such as Rush Hour and Night Moves. After his contribution to us on 2009's 'hub opus tokyo', op.disc welcomes his landing back with this superb 4tracker. Tough and subtle are the best words to describe Haruki's sound, you'll find his one-of-a-kind characteristics. As you'll see on tracks like 'Commando' or 'Section 1,' he doesn't lean on sleazy gimmicks - tidy drums and clean lines just keep the groove going. Feel what you feel...

Rockwell's rise to prominence as a rare, distinctive talent has been exciting the electronica music circuit the world over. Critical, thankfully, being the trusty forefront for all things audio-aesthetically delicious, presents the 'Aria EP' - 4 tracks of sound sublime, exemplifying Rockwell's refreshing angle on energy in the club combined with the characteristic, meticulously playful technicals, precise and thrilling as ever.The charmingly rustic intro of 'Aria' unleashes striking Flinstones-esque wooden triplets, scaling the track as stirring vocals weave through; haunting and uplifting at once, the title-track exudes sheer class. Slightly more buoyant, 'Live For The Moment' infuses an energetic tempo with profusions of ear-carressing funk and those ever-characteristic percussive twists - naughty all over. Swiftly plunged into apocalyptic darkness, the Ulterior Motive boys take a sinister liking to 'Noir'. Distinctly menacing and genuinely frightening, what better to bully the atmosphere than Hell-raising bass and staccato violins. Listen out for the breakdown bass - horrific and enriching, this track is dark by Devil's definition. Icing on the cake collaboration with underground legend Untold comes in the form of 'Rehoku Sunrise', a tribal earthy worldly masterpiece of running drums and raw, wild samples, glazing the soul in bliss. Bellissimo.

Omar S treats us to a second release in the space of a week, with a much deserved reissue of some 1996 Roy Davis Jnr rawness across the A Side. The Stevie Wonder classic "All I Do" gets chopped up, laid over a killer Chi town beat filled with instantly gratifying raw drum edits and augmented by some evil bass thumps. Relentlessly brilliant and sounds just as fresh some 14 years on. Echoing a current trend this side plays outwards from the inside groove. On the flip Omar S teams up with DJ B Len D for the bongo heavy deep groove of "Da Teys" a track that's characterised by melodic keys which increase with curveball drama as the track progresses.

Iggy goes West! Soda Gong welcomes back Kansas City-based musician Iggy Romeu with his latest collection as Mister Water Wet. "Cold Clay from the Middle West" is a (characteristically) sharp left turn from his last two records, with Romeu offering up a surprising and addictive melange of crackpot Americana and smoky noir beat science. “Cold Clay Suite” opens the record, a five-part ride into the sunset that features Cooder-esque guitars, cat-gut fiddle, horse-hoof percussion, stadium organs, penny whistle, and bleary-eyed polysynth ruminations, among sundry other ephemera. Multi-instrumentalist Will Yates, known to most as Memotone, shows up three times on the album, lending clarinet, keys, guitars, banjo, sarangi, and vibraphone to these kaleidoscopic productions. It’s a wild ride of a record akin to following a dotted bridleway on a crumpled old map, marvelously variegated and stitched together as only MWW knows how. Get along, now.