Suche:contemporary

As Freerange hits another landmark release with their 300th EP we see label head Jimpster join forces with Philippa who together deliver 3 original tracks which epitomise the labels’ sound over the past (almost) three decades.

With recent releases appearing on Slothboogie and Razor n Tape, remixes for Roach Motel on Faith, and James Curd and Robert Owens on Pronto, not to mention her recent Panorama Bar debut, it’s safe to say Philippa is making waves. The Berlin-based New Zealander has a sound all her own with an organic, deep and musical style winning her many fans from Terry Farley and Aroop Roy to DJ Spen and Dave Lee.

Lead track All I Wanted sees the duo pooling their influences with both producers sonic touches shining through. Chunky drums and bassline are the bedrock for pulsing synths and MON’s vocal which is chopped up and looped bringing a rolling momentum to the track.

Dreaming features the wonderful vocals of Care and goes on a floaty vibe with chiming synths and crusty Rhodes keys layering up to produce a densely textured track. The mood is powerful yet subtle and refined and will work as nicely on a chilled house playlist as it will on a discerning dance floor at 4am.

Closing out the EP we have Say What which goes on a jazzed out, UKG inspired excursion. Shuffling beats, bouncing square wave bassline and big brash synth chords all combine to form a track which sounds both retro and contemporary.

Heavyweight special-effect 12" vinyl (three colors, marbled) with two-sided printed information insert about the album. Mastered and lacquer cut by Stefan Betke (Scape Mastering).

Taevalaotus delivers his second album "Ringlus" ("Circulation") as the second release from Estonian based Taevas Records label, comprised of five original tracks plus a remix from Octal Industries.

In a way, everything eventually returns to its starting point. With everything in constant movement, departure and arrival are nothing more than the beginning and the end of a circle. "Ringlus" as an album wanders along the path of its creator's fantasy. No third-party samples are used, the music's fabric is woven from original, natural sounds such as analog oscillators, vibrations of bass guitar strings, sonic echoes of nature, and cracking of the ice recorded underwater. The tracks contain sound and field recordings from the years 2013 to 2017 that were almost forgotten but then rediscovered from Studio Master 468 archive tapes. The aim was to circulate without taking notice of time and to create soundscapes with original resonance, structure and flow that serve as an antidote to contemporary rushed consumerism.

Hardware used: Alesis A6 Andromeda, Dave Smith Instruments Evolver, Elektron Analog Rytm, Yamaha electric bass, Tibetan singing bowls, wooden drum, Otari MTR-12, Drawmer 1974. 1973 & 1978, various analog effect pedals, scientific hydrophone in ice lake, Konka hand made ("organ-pipes") long distance microphone and portable Sony pcm-d50 in the field recordings.

Welcome to Aqualaxy, a collaborative project where Warning joins forces with art historian C.C. McKee from Philadelphia and international queer activist dia_shi from Berlin. Accompanying McKee’s book on the debut album by late-90s electronic pop band Aqua, Aqualaxy is a compilation of contemporary queer artists from North America and Europe commissioned to create their own takes on songs from Aqua's debut album. The result is an expansive blossoming variety of music, from sizzling trance pop, to eerie darkwave atmospheres, to cheeky dancefloor weapons.

With Aqualaxy, Warning presents a release that playfully deviates from the label's usual tracks, highlights trans musicians, and offers fresh takes on nostalgic favourites to the community. Embrace Aqualaxy’s endless fluidity, a space where everything becomes possible, where some changes aren’t even a second thought. Did you know that when the kobudai reef fish reaches a certain size she changes her sex from female to male? Did you know that when the largest female in a school of Clownfish dies the male swaps sex to take her place? Protogyny, protandry, it all just seems like fun; not to mention the host of genders and ways of fucking we don’t even have words for as humans! In Aqualaxy, everything is possible under the water. Imagination, life is your creation!

Frankey & Sandrino make their HABITAT debut with *The Moment,* a thrilling three-track EP that reimagines early trance and house through a contemporary lens. The title track "The Moment" features a haunting female vocal line, "The moment is eternity and now is just a dream," set against lush, layered synths that evoke the euphoria of rave's golden era. Balancing out the EP are “Intrinsic”, with its hypnotic grooves and futuristic vocals, and “Motivation,” with its powerful, driving synths that are sure to take over any dance floor.

Here, the celebrated German duo has crafted a package that balances underground credibility with mainstream appeal, offering a masterclass in immersive electronic music. With a rich legacy releasing on labels like Innervisions, Diynamic and their own label Sum Over Histories, Frankey & Sandrino make for a welcome addition to HABITAT, pushing new boundaries, and solidifying their impact on the global electronic music scene with this mesmerizing new release.

Oráculo Records proudly presents the vinyl debut of one of the most promising contemporary Italian post-punk acts. The Bolognese duo delivers a fresh take on what this movement should embrace today. Their approach combines elements of krautrock with some dub influences and grunge clichés, resulting in an advanced proposal that invites repeated listening.. Presented in a ONE-OFF truly limited edition of 300 copies lacquered pressed on 180 gr. high quality solid BLACK vinyl. All tracks have been specially mastered for vinyl by Daniel Hallhuber at Young and Cold Studios (Germany).

Review: Sade's Lovers Rock marks a significant evolution in the band's sound and image. Departing from their signature luxuriance, the album embraces a sparser, knottier sound that beautifully balances past influences with contemporary trends. Adu's vocals, thick and low as ever, blend seamlessly into the breezy landscape of acoustic guitar, reggae bass, and simple percussion, creating an atmosphere of understated sensuality. The album's themes range from new love to motherhood to societal issues, showcasing Adu's lyrical prowess and her ability to navigate the complexities of human emotions. Lovers Rock also pays homage to the cultural influence of Caribbean Britishness, both in its title and its musical style, adding depth to Sade's sonic palette. While the album was released amid a pop landscape dominated by shiny, slick productions, Sade remained true to their sound, avoiding obvious trends and opting for a more introspective approach. The album's impact reverberates through contemporary music and allowed Sade to maintain their unique identity and continue evolving with each release.

"Described by Zimbabwean journalist Liam Brickhill as “a new star in the southern sky”, and by his legendary mentor, Bra Johnny Mekoa, as “the future Jonas Gwangwa”, Malcolm Jiyane is a cornerstone of the contemporary South African Jazz scene. From his teenage years, it was under Mekoa’s tutelage that Jiyane developed his prodigious talents into the multi-instrumentalist that he is today. What Theon Cross is to the tuba, Malcolm is to the trombone, although his ability to embody musical production extends far beyond one instrument. His work thus far constitutes, amongst other works, film score (which he composed as a teenager), and debut album UMDALI (meaning ‘creator’ in Zulu), which was received to universal acclaim, including a 5-star review (and Global Album Of The Month nod) from The Guardian. In 2024, Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O (Tree-O is the name of his band), returns with his sophomore album ‘TRUE STORY’, an exploration of the current state of the rainbow nation through a series of songs inspired by real people and their stories. TRUE STORY releases on 14 June, on digital, vinyl and CD. "

DJ support: Tim Sweeney, Make A Dance, Parris, Pleasure Voyage, Camillo Miranda

Back yard - Back yard is the first single from the new Teen Daze album, Elegant rhythms, and features singer-songwriter Andy Shauf on drums, and LA jazz staple, Sam Wilkes, on bass. This is a stark change in sound for Teen Daze, who’s last album Interior was an exploration of neon-lit House music. Back yard is a mellow groover, conjuring up images of Laurel Canyon in the 70s, yet still with its flourishes of contemporary sounds.

We’re out of phase again - We’re out of phase again is another vulnerable glimpse into the inner world of Teen Daze, and marks the release of his most personal album to date, Elegant rhythms. In contrast to the synthesized, digital world of his prior album, Interior, here we’ve been brought into a lush, organic arrangement, brought to you in large part to the stunning bass playing by Sam Wilkes. While the verses pulse forward, the chorus slows things down, and evokes the sophisti-pop sounds of The Blue Nile. This track is a stunning showcase of the world of Elegant rhythms.

Nothing’s gonna change my love - Teen Daze returns with his second single of the year, Nothing’s gonna change my love. The stark change in sound, as heard on previous single Back yard, is on display here again: a smouldering, 2 and a half minutes of slow jazz-pop, indebted to the great Sade, or perhaps the feeling of leaving downtown LA at 2 AM. Lyrically, we hear a story of a love, challenged by the unpredictable nature of our lives. This may be Teen Daze’s smoothest song to date.

Neighbourhood - Neighbourhood is the third single from the recently announced LP from Teen Daze, Elegant Rhythms. Along with Andy Shauf on the drums, and Sam Wilkes on the bass, Teen Daze gives us a languid tour of his quiet neighbourhood. The sun has set on the pleasant, tree-lined streets, and a stranger, more surreal environment presents itself. The song plods forward at an extremely comfortable pace, held down by the paradoxically loose-yet-tight rhythm section. Lyrically, we walk around the Neighbourhood at night, and while the chorus reveals a type of sobriety, the vibe of the song makes it easy to feel a little…effected.

Fade away - Fade away sets the tone for Elegant Rhythm’s side B: a deeply personal, though somewhat veiled, confession of loss. How does it feel to grieve something that was never really here? A smouldering, slowly progressing first half erupts in synthetic noise, and then fades into the ether with it’s repeating refrain, “I can feel you / feel you fade away / when there’s nothing / nothing left to say”.

Fall ahead - A sweet piano tune which serves as a quiet break in the record, intended to help the listener reflect and take a moment of pause before we reach the final two songs on the album.

HST underwater - The penultimate track on the record tells a story where the narrator finds themself in an alien, yet oddly familiar place. Arpeggios soaked in crystal blue water flow through the stereo field, while the narrator, vocoded and drenched in autotune, searches for meaning and purpose in a confusing world. This is one of Teen Daze’s most cinematic, emotional songs yet.

In the rain - It’s never really made explicitly clear on this record, but a lot of these songs find Teen Daze wrestling with life as a new father, and this song, the final on the album, expresses the fears of generational trauma. A touching, tender ode to his children, we hear Teen Daze at his most personal and vulnerable. The falling rain surrounds some absolutely breathtaking bass playing from Sam Wilkes, and Teen Daze’s signature ambient keyboard sounds.

Radio Support: Ruf Dug (Soup To Nuts on NTS)

Markantonio's record label, AnalyticTrail, proudly presents "Groove Impact," an dynamic techno EP by young Irish talent CULT, known for his fast-paced rhythms sequenced into jackin' grooves.

CULT, one of Europe's most talked-about young talents, has a raw style defined by intricate synths creating upbeat machine-funk. Influenced by '90s techno, his music perfectly blends captivating atmosphere with driving energy. Known for his warm, punchy basslines and tribal drum patterns, CULT's tracks are already staples at Vault Sessions events and are championed by DJs like Alarico and Future666 among others.

Founded in 2001 and based in Naples, Italy, AnalyticTrail has been pivotal in shaping the Neapolitan techno sound. A cornerstone of the scene, the label has achieved great success with
its groovy, dancefloor-engineered tracks. With "Groove Impact," AnalyticTrail returns to its roots restarting vinyl releases driven by the desire to produce timeless music that endures on physical formats, just like in the good old days. The label has also started signing techno that puts a contemporary spin on the classic hardgroove style that first brought it success in the early '00s.

The EP opens with A1 "Jumpin' Traxx," featuring cowbells and a dramatic hip hop vocal sample layered over a throbbing bassline to create an upbeat groove. On A2, "High Pressure" follows with booming percussion, fizzing ride cymbals, dystopian synths, and invigorating vocal stabs. B1 features "Anotha Beat," combining hypnotic vocal tones, relentless percussion, and intense synth stabs. The release closes with B2 "Brass Tac," offering a jazz-infused groove built around a live percussion loop.

DJ Support: Louie Vega, Dimitri From Paris, Danny Krivit, Michael Gray, Dr. Packer, Terry Hunter, Kevin Yost, Reel People, Mr V, Bobby & Steve, Derrick McKenzie and many others…

Micky More & Andy Tee’s Groove Culture looks back to go forward as it offers up a spiffing new 7 Inch of contemporary reworks of 2 classics Jazz Funk cuts. The A-Side features a special cover dj-friendly of Lonnie Liston Smith’s HIT Expansions. The B-Side Showcases a beautiful remake, sung by Angela Johnson, of 'Time' by Light Of The World

Brownswood Recordings are proud to present a brand new 12” series showcasing new remixes and old reworkings from the label’s rich back catalogue. Brownswood’s roots are nestled deep in the dancefloor; extended versions, edits, remixes and 12 inches, cut loud for extra bass-weight for club subwoofers, have always been part of the label’s repertoire. The Remix Editions is a new platform to showcase some of these tracks on wax for the first time, shining a light on exciting contemporary producers as well some of the forgotten club weapons from years gone by. Each drop will be on 45 & will be limited to 500 units - so grab them before they’re gone.

The first instalment in the series features two reworkings of South African pianist Bokani Dyer’s Ke Nako (feat. Sereetsi & The Natives).

Side 1 features Kid Fonque’s hypnotic and stretched-out house refix of Dyer’s scintillating funk track. He stretches Ke Nako into a 10-minute epic cosmic dance floor journey that perfectly manages to trace a line between the South African electronic sounds dominating the globe and the nation’s Jazz underground, bubbling below the surface.


a A1 Ke Nako (feat. Sereetsi and the Natives) Kid Fonque Refix
Ntokzin Remix

Hello music lovers!

We're thrilled to present a very special vinyl release that's sure to bring back some amazing memories. It's been exactly 20 years since the 2 Black scored an incredible hit in Italy and abroad with their unforgettable track "Waves of Luv" - you know, the one that takes us “in alto mare"!

To celebrate this milestone, we're releasing a commemorative vinyl that's packed with goodness. On Side A, you'll find the two most-played original versions: the Soulstatic Radio Mix and the Mattara Vs Vtraxx Extended Mix. These are the classics that made us fall in love
with the track in the first place.

But wait, there's more! Flip it over to Side B, and you'll discover three brand new, super-fresh remixes that bring "Waves of Luv" right into 2024:


This vinyl is the perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary sound. It's a must-have for any dance music enthusiast, and it'll be the perfect addition to your summer playlists. Don't miss out on owning this piece of dance music history!

Get ready to ride the "Waves of Luv" all over again!

microCastle’s second offering of 2024 welcomes Upercent back to the label for a new EP. Since first appearing in 2011, Valencia based sound architect Upercent has developed a distinct brand of electronic futurism. An enthusiastic attitude towards experimentation, coupled with extraordinary creative vision has made the Spaniard one of the more unique artists to emerge in the last decade. Upercent’s first microCastle project, 2018’s 'Vuit', not only served as the imprint's second ever vinyl release, but continued the Valencia resident’s mission to create contemporary club tools and destabilizing sound explorations. Seemingly in constant motion moving forward, Upercent would go on to record projects for Diynamic, Kompakt and Watergate, amongst others, firmly establishing his place amongst the underground’s premiere talents. Now more than five years on from this elusive string of projects, it has been Habitat, Innervisions, Sum Over Histories and TAU which have been vehicles for his creative swell over the last two calendar years, reminding us of the niche he carved out during his initial rise, as he continues to maneuver himself through the confines of electronic music. With 2024 being highlighted by ‘Falling’, a two-track collaborative project with Germany’s Adana Twins, Upercent now returns to microCastle with ‘Persevere’.

Beginning with the organic monochromes of ‘Oracle’, Upercent’s craftsmanship reveals itself across the slow-burning piece, one where funked-up beats and rubbery basslines get peppered with skittering rhythms, thought provoking vocal samples and glitched-out electronics. Its subdued yet swing-heavy suspense while perfect for an astute dancefloor, also acts as an ideal segue into the hopeful qualities of ‘As It May See’. Paul Brenning’s vocals feature here, falling like raindrops atop woody kick drums and clustered sonics, eventually giving way to an interlude of soulful phrasing, coaxing beautifully with granular textures and ghostly swirls of wind, before tastefully moving forward as panoramic arps emerge for a mesmerizing finale.

Upercent’s distinct aesthetic continues on the fourth selection ‘Cult’. Perhaps the most direct composition on the EP, its six-minute running time quickly sets you adrift in a techno-inspired wasteland of deconstructed vocals and retro chord stabs. Both intimate and wide-ranging, it's a series of crystal-like drones which engulf your attention whole, creating a sombre, ceremonial backdrop for misty glitches and fog-like swells to create a scenic storyboard. Reverberating hits and twitchy rhythms fill the space of closer ‘Blau Cel’, a production where Upercent crafts a trek through mountainous dancefloor trails. Unbound by gravity, orchestral gestures sweep across mossy plains and frost-filled sighs, offering listeners another immersive journey into the uncharted realms of musical expression.

Ruby Red - Transparent - Galaxy effect vinyl in dub style jacket (jacket sleeve with center hole cut out so label of LP shows through) a black paper inner sleeve and poly bag.

PART ONE’ METAL HAMMER - 8/10 review. FOR FANS OF : Lustmord, Om, Sunn O))) . “An exercise in freeform ambience, ritualistic repetition and the rapturous, womb-like power of bass…strange and affecting. We remain lucky to share in the great man’s vision.”


At its heart, music has always been a questioning of inheritance – a dialogue with predecessors and forebears, the forging of one’s own perspective in relation to what has come before, and for some, a plunge into the boundless realms between. For Steve Von Till, that process has always taken on an added dimension to become the most sacred of tasks. Whether through the apocalyptic uprising of Neurosis, the sonic deconstructions of their sister project, Tribes of Neurot, the invocatory intimacy of his eponymous solo albums or his instrumental psychedelic reveries in the guise of Harvestman, that dialogue has never just been with musical influences, but with what underpins them: the primordial, elemental forces now banished to the peripheries of our contemporary consciousness, yet still broadcasting a signal for all who will listen.
Drawn to the megaliths, ruins and ancient sites mapped out along the British and European mainland’s geographical and psychic landscapes, the folklore and apocrypha forever resurfacing as portals from a rational world, “Triptych” is a meditation forged from traces and residues, and an hallucinatory recollection of artists who have tapped into that enduring otherworldliness embedded within us all. It’s a dream diary narrating a passage through Summer Isle where Flying Saucer Attack are wafting out of a window, a distant Fairport Convention are being remixed by dub master Adrian Sherwood, celestial scanners Tangerine Dream are trying to drown out Bert Jansch and Hawkwind are playing Steeleye Span covers, all prised out of time yet bound to its singularity.
Woven together from home studio recordings that span two decades, this latest outing as Harvestman finds parallels with nature’s cycles not just in its release dates but in the repeated structure that binds each album, like an imprint refracted through three separate strata. As with April’s “Part One” and the forthcoming “Part Three”, “Part Two”, starts on a collaboration with Om bassist and long-term friend of Steve’s, Al Cisneros, with a dub take opening the B-Side. Here, the opening track, “The Hag Of Beara Vs The Poet”’s languid, tribal groove expands into a chromatic wash, like an endless drip of oil spreading out under a midsummer haze.
A filtering of the alpha-state travelogues of its predecessor, “Part Two” reaches even deeper into primal yet pristine states. It journeys from the undulating drone and slow-thawing wonder of “The Falconer”, as if the Myst soundtrack were being broadcast from outer space, through “Damascus”’s perpetual-motion, dreamtime bazaar and “Vapour Phase”s seismograph frequencies measuring supernatural tremors to “The Unjust Incarceration”s distorted bagpipes, sounding a noise-frayed lament
If “Triptych” is a multi- and extra-sensory experience, it extends to the remarkable glyph-style artwork of Henry Hablak, a map of correspondences from a long-forgotten ancient and advanced civilization. As with “Triptych” itself, it’s an echo from another time, an act of binding, a guide to be endlessly reinterpreted, and a signpost to the sacred that might not indicate where to look, but how.

fabric Records to announce the highly anticipated release of *fabric presents Confidence Man*, set to drop on 23rd August 2024. The mix features Confidence Man’s innovative sound and includes two exclusive tracks from the band, alongside new music from renowned artists Joe Goddard, Joshua James, and Mona Yim.

Confidence Man, celebrated for their infectious energy and distinctive style, bring their unique flair to this mix, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of dance music. The exclusive tracks, “BREAK IT DOWN (ON THE BASSLINE)” and “Let Them Bells Ring,” showcase the band's signature blend of high energy and catchy grooves, promising to be instant dancefloor favorites.

Complementing Confidence Man’s contributions are cutting-edge tracks from Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard, whose production mastery continues to redefine electronic music. Joshua James, known for his deep house and techno expertise, delivers a track that captures his club-ready sound. Mona Yim adds her ethereal touch with a fresh composition that embodies her innovative approach to electronic music.

fabric presents Confidence Man* stands as a testament to fabric Records’ commitment to curating pioneering music that pushes the boundaries of the genre. This release not only highlights the versatile talent of Confidence Man but also features some of the most exciting contemporary artists in the electronic scene.

The album will be available for digital download and streaming across all major platforms on 23d August 2024.

Pedro Vian and Merzbow release their first joint work, an unbounded expression of creativity and experimentation. Over the album's forty-minute duration, listeners can experience a blend of field recordings made by Pedro Vian at the DIA Bacon Foundation in NYC, specifically inside Richard Serra's sculptures. These recordings are interwoven with the ambient percussion and melodies characteristic of Vian's work, alongside the piercing and sharp computer frequencies produced by Merzbow, one of the most acclaimed artists in the global noise scene.

"Inside Richard Serra Sculptures" is both a complex and spontaneous piece, an abstract journey into the unconscious that may be difficult to grasp for closed minds. This work stands as a masterpiece of contemporary expressionism, merging ambient sound and noise in a way that challenges and redefines the boundaries of sound art.

The collaboration between Vian and Merzbow is notable not only for its innovation but also for its ability to transport listeners to a space where sound becomes an immersive and visceral experience. The use of Richard Serra's sculptures as a source of inspiration and sonic material adds a unique dimension to the project, emphasizing the interaction between physical space and musical creation. Photo by Alba Ricard

For its 16th instalment, Swiss label CAF? invites DJ duo Charlotte aux Fretz to curate a compilation EP, building bridges between the French and Swiss contemporary club scenes. Ignited while organising and attending free parties, “Rave Alert” covers a whole range of atmospheres one could encounter during these summer nights. From phone-lit forest journeys to sweaty peak-time dance floor moments, all the way to hypnotic sunrises where the first rays of light reshape your surroundings.

Dub-tech master Beatrice M. offers a great opening to the compilation, subtly combining their signature sonic ingredients with your favourite DJ meme. Amor Satyr drastically rises the cruising speed to 175bpm with his d&b infused track, while Lia Catreux follows the pace with a bouncy track that will keep your feet off the floor. The flip side starts with an introspective journey with Spirit Vortex Club’s first recorded appearance, while Israfil keeps the energy high (and mercury retrograde away) with an uncompromising rave track. Yolek and Freeky (both previous CAF? contributors) wrap up the release with a slow but heavy closing burner. Last round of applause and you can finally go to bed (you think).