quête:crunch

Big news on the Apparel Tronic side. We're here to celebrate another step forward of our newest label introducing the 7th release on the catalogue & 2nd on vinyl, by an artist we really admire and we're delighted to have on board with us: Julian Habib aka Inkswel, on this project with his alias 'That Dude Inkswel'. The man himself created an 8 tracks LP which truly represents our spirit of experimentation, this time round steering towards a more jazzy influenced hip-hop, shaped up staying true to the sound we love. 'The Sound' LP features dope collaborations such as the Detroit vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Brownstudy singing on the opening and title track, the amazing progressive artist Maia Von Lekow giving her voice for B1 track 'Mother' alongside Mista Monk, the superb Han Litz's flute and Trujillo on Kellin' it & also Divine Species on 'Galaxies' and Mr. Shem rapping on A3 track 'Dedicated to Mr. Schem'. This work is a bold and captivating selection of different styles belonging to the same soul orchestrated by Inkswel and his musical mastermind, listening to 'The Sound' is like jumping on a caravan for a journey where every track is a different stop: crunching beats, deep bass lines, psychedelic melodies. The ingredients for this amazing recipe are all coming from different parts of the planet, a place that Inskwel seem to have written on his palms seen his capability of bringing different music influences under the same roof, where he finally invited Apparel Tronic to hang for a bit.
racks such as 'Snooker Club' and 'Viejos' delve into more caliginous, IDM territory. The result is a rich and varied collection that demonstrates Apparel Music's unwavering ability to continue to keep listeners guessing.

The godfather of acid house, DJ Pierre, is back - bringing four heavyweight Chicago cuts to the fore, two of which, 'Pinball Machine' & 'The Spirit' are unreleased, exclusives.

'Sexy Aquarian' showcases Pierre's unique style putting his trademark spin on this classic vocal, combining it with a bumping bass and dizzying acid lines, to trigger old memories whilst giving you something new for your mind, your body and your soul.

Next up 'Pinball Machine' goes in heavy on the percussion - filling those speakers with a barrage of weighty toms, crisp hats and crunched up snares. The frenzied synth line bounces around relentlessly, pinging off the sides of your brain like a sonic arcade.

Take to the flip for a lesson in how to take jackin' house to another level. 'Whats Mine is Mine' delves beyond the beat, mixing sassy vocals and spiritual organ stabs, with a touch of swing reminiscent of an era long gone.

Closing out the EP, 'The Spirit' utilises another treasured vocal layering it behind punchy drum programming, a rumbling bass and atmospheric touches that add an ethereal tinge to the track.

DJ Feedback:

The Black Madonna - We Still Believe / Liaison Artists - Excellent!

Eli Escobar - OH yes.

PBR Streetgang - 20/20 Vision - classic

Andy Caldwell - Nettraxx / Cr2 Records - Ooh so so sublime. Good shit here!

Tony Humphries - The Zanzibar / New York - Nice peak time banger.

Danny Howard - BBC Radio 1 / Nothing Else Matters - Aceeeee. Wicked vocal!!! Love the vibe

Verbos Electronics, Xaoc Devices, Noise Engineering, Metasonix, Folktek and Trogotronic might not be familiar names to many but modular enthusiasts will surely pounce. Moto Music, home for experimental and alternative dance music, turns its head towards the tiny island of Malta for a new project titled Parallaks; a project formed by duo Owen Jay (Gauss/Metrolux) & Ed Blank and themed around the concept of Nuclear Power Plants. While both artists have been involved in modular synthesis since the late 90's, they recently teamed up with the scope of performing a few live gigs at their locals events and the live recording from 'Klang@Liquid Club' caught the attention of Moto Music which lead to a debut EP of pure, raw & crunchy deep techno with Detroit & Chicago influences.

It has been a good year for Idle Hands. The label reached its 50th release with a release from Livity Sound's Pev and November saw the release of Parris' latest 12' featuring a KMOS remix.
For the labels final vinyl release of 2018 it is the turn of Stockholm's Pistol Pete. Idle Hands boss Chris Farrell has long been a fan of this artists work. He may not have put much out over the years but each release has found a welcome home at the Bristol record shop from which the label operates.
On this release we find three club focused House tracks, each exuding a warmth one would hope for in these cold winter monts. 'Orphan' opens the set with crunchy, swinging drums and the deft use of a sample. 'Lundagatan' continues things apace with some concentrated drum programming and a chopped up soul sample. 'Esqpads' rounds things off with a warm Deep House feel and grooving bassline.

Materia Obscura, launches with witchcraft themed three-part techno series entitled "Trilogia Del Aquelarre", inaugurating with Abstract Division, Cadans, NX1 and Lucindo. Based on Francisco de Goya's black paintings "El Aquelarre", which is exhibited at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

"Parte 1" is a high-octane and thunderous techno package that includes contributions from Dynamic Reflection duo Abstract Division, Neighbourhood and Clone's Cadans, Nexe Records bosses NX1 and 3TH Records co- founder Lucindo. Kicking things off, Dutch duo Abstract Division's "Blue Void" delivers winding transcendental polyphonics balanced over synthetic techno drums. Cadanss "Don't Tell Me" employs tough heads down percussion and pulsating, metallic drone-like sonics. Then Spanish pair NX1's "MO1" offers heavy duty, machine-like crunches layered over resilient twisted modulations before Berlin's Lucindo concludes matters, supplying thunderous kick drums in "Atto 170" as unearthly type bleeps join vigorous swells.

Electro master Dez Williams joins the Discos Atónicos camp for the label's 4th installment and delivers 5 dystopian cuts infused with his signature sound - crunchy bass lines, spaced out drama, alien funk and a touch of acid. Strongly recommended!

Hailing from the north of England, he is no stranger to the global electronic music scene yet prefers to stick to the underground and stay true to his own artistic and creative spirit.
Dez started releasing in the early 00's and has tracks on such labels as SCSI-AV, Cheap, Bass Agenda, Earwiggle, Killekill, Mechatronica, Bedouin, Shipwrec, New Flesh as well as his own imprint Elektronik Religion.

Danish producer Asmus Odsat debuts on Iceland's FALK DISKS with four leftfield dancefloor cuts entitled 'Ecstatic Half Truth' this September.

Before moving to Iceland, Asmus Odsat was a key figure within Copenhagen's electronic music scene for nearly a decade. A former resident at Culture Box, Odsat was also co-founder of Ritual Malmö as well as the BULK club night, which has hosted artists like Surgeon, Dasha Rush, Lucy and Sleeparchive. Odsat now joins FALK DISKS, the club focused sub-label of FALK Records (Fuck Art Lets Kill) with his 'Ecstatic Half Truth' EP, receiving early support from names like Courtesy who included it in her guest mix on B.Traits' BBC Radio 1 show.

'Deal With It' sets the tone of the package with frenzied synths, warped atmospherics and a crunchy kicks before title track 'Ecstatic Half Truth' delivers a cacophony of percussion alongside twisted melodies and off-kilter breaks.

Up next, fast paced arpeggios meander alongside metallic top lines and a filtered 303 that unfolds throughout, making way for 'Soften The Clocks' which rounds off the package utilising disjointed rhythms, intense acid sequences and thundering low-end throbs.

Here we see San Proper and The Mole make a welcome return to the imprint following solo EP's, this time they join forces with Hreno for a three track EP from the powerhouse trio.
Leading on the package is 'Friendly Tears' which features yet another leading figure in the house scene, Dekmantel regular Tom Trago, as you'd expect from such an impressive array of artists we're treated so soul drenched house driven by swinging organic drums, infectious funk licks and hooky synth lines before the 'Chunkless Mix' strips things back a little, laying focus solely on the 80's tinged synth work, delayed vocal murmurs and
minimalistic percussion.'On The Floor' then rounds out the package, retaining a similar aesthetic with choppy guitar melodies, penetrating bass stabs, crunchy rhythms and resonant arpeggio synths ebbing and flowing dynamically throughout.

Warehouse Find!

Helsinki-based producer Saine makes his Delusions debut following amazing output on such revered labels as Voyage Recordings, Odd Socks, Omena and Fina. A producer who can flit from hazy instrumental hip hop through to raw, dusty house at the flick of a switch, Saine has built a solid following amongst lovers of left field leanings we've come to expect from the likes of Max Graef, Glenn Astro, Henry Wu and Leon Vynhall.

On lead track Act Natural we find Saine in perhaps his heaviest mood to date, delivering a crunchy uptempo house jam which retains his unique sound despite being aimed firmly at the dancefloor. A speaker wobbling eighth note bassline locks down the groove whilst familiar, much-loved frag- ments from the rave days punctuate the crackling beats. Add to this some simple syncopated chords and you have a winning formula for a timeless track which looks to the future whilst respectfully doffing it's cap to the past.

Jus Right continues in a deeper, more musical fashion with Saine getting busy on his synths, building up layers of warm pads and soloing Moog lines. A prominent vocal brings a soulful touch whilst the minimal, almost hihat-less groove adds an original and fresh feel to this blissful track.
Flipping over we have Low Key, a shuffling deep house number loaded with sliced Rhodes samples, echoing vocal hits, clipped percussion and sublime bass. As the atmosphere thickens, everything falls away to silence before rebuilding, creating some nice tension in the arrangement.

Finally we have Pontchartrain offering up an excellent remix of Jus Right. The Detroit native responsible for some mighty fine releases for the likes of Rocksteady Disco, Lovedancing, Soul Clap, Kolour LTD and Whiskey Disco takes things in a more straight-up house direction with heavier beats, 909 hats pushed to the fore and a distinctively old school feel to the mix.

The Rapture's Luke Jenner ventures firmly into the dance floor, this time in full force, on Glittering Jewel, the Brooklyn-based producer's debut EP under his Meditation Tunnel guise. Following his initial outing, La La La, on Life and Death's vinyl-only sub-label, Blitz Series, Glittering Jewel sees Jenner step up with three outsider cuts, dripping in personalit Cloaked subtly into the backdrop, Jenner's unmistakable croon features throughout the disk - a highlight across the board. While dilapidated drum machines, crunched beyond recognition, propel the record into techno territory, Glimmering Jewel retains the artist's bespoke youthful sense of blue-eyed naiveté. Red Axes come through with an unclassifiable, stripped-down reinterpretation of Fire Fly, the perfect pair to deconstruct and re-contextualize the original material. Carefully pressed on high-quality, transparent vinyl, LAD039 stands as a testament to the label's shifting auditory ethos. Artwork by Michela Picchi.

This Geneva-based band have finely honed their instrumental "post-internet groove", creating the perfect blend of old-school funk, afro-beat, 70s soundtrack fusion, always adding a pinch of futuristic production and a touch of modernity aimed at bring the groove genre to new generations.

Side A, 'Funky Splash' is an original composition, understated in its groove but with the punch and crunch falling in all the right places, hence can be enjoyed either stewing in the background or as a dancefloor filler. The wah-wah and off-the-wall synths are both used to great rhythmic effect.

Side B, 'O Caminho do Bem', is a cover version of the Brazilian musical heavyweight Tim Maia. Always hard to revisit a classic, but L'Eclair's tight musicianship, perfect pacing and futuristic twist all add an extra layer of groove onto the mellow funk of the original.

Another slice of immaculate sounds for the ears and feet from Switzerland's finest export, Rocafort Records.

Matt Edwards' reissue label R-Time Records presents 'After Dark' this September with three tracks from Mark The 909 King.

Following reissues of excellent music by Sir Lord Commix, FBK and Sanasol (Thor & Yagya), Rekids offshoot R-Time Records now presents definitive cuts from Mark The 909 King. Debuting with the timeless 'Can You Dig It!' on Sex Trax in '94, the producer went on to release via a number of New York house legend DJ Duke's labels throughout the mid-nineties. A huge fan of DJ Duke since the 90s, Matt Edwards even held a Sex Mania night at Berghain in 2009 featuring a rare DJ performance from the Duke himself.

Alongside tracks by Roy Davis JR and Trackman (Jon Cutler), 'After Dark' featured as part of a VA release on the label DJ Exclusive, whilst 'Into Space' landed on Rated X Records, and 'The Loft' appeared on the 'Can You Dig It' album via Power Music Records.

'After Dark' set the tone of the package with a piercing drum groove, airy arpeggios and a funky bassline, before cosmic synths and crunchy snares work alongside scintillating chords in 'Into Space.' Concluding the package, 'The Loft' begins with a hooky bass sequence and filtered effects before soothing melodies come into play.

Berlin-based producer SDX drops an album entitled 'Nocturnal' on Sophia Saze's Dusk & Haze featuring remixes from TXTRL founders 138 and Shipwrec producer SC-164.



Georgia-born, Brooklyn-based Sophia Saze set up Dusk & Haze to release 'genre-free' experimental music, exhibited in the label's debut release entitled 'Solace' EP featuring four versatile cuts from Sophia herself and twisted electro and techno remixes from Umwelt and Benjamin Damage. The second release comes
from the enigmatic SDX, a masked artist who's fiercely championed left-of-centre dance music for decades. Crunchy drums and a thumping bassline kick things off in 'MS 04' before Los Angeles duo 138 provide an outstanding remix incorporating a cacophony of raw breaks. Modulated flutters, warped blips and white
noise create 'MS 08', leading into the organic drums and off-kilter arpeggios of '007' until New York's SC- 164 reworks '007' delivering a pulsating sub and distorted vocal chops.

As with the previous two releases on the label, 'Rellik' was recorded live and on the first take using a selection of analog synths, drum machines and sequencers, particularly the warm and dynamic sound of the E-Mu SP 1200 as the lead.
'The 'Rellik' project is a mashup between Rock and Hip Hop elements using SP1200 classic drum kits, filtered and distorted synths. We call this Krauttech' - MASK Intense sirens set the tone of the A1 before introducing a thumping sub and delayed snares, making way for harsh bass and dark effects in the A2 to generate an ominous atmosphere. On the flip, the B1 brings crunchy, modulated synths alongside an intense and thunderous kick whilst the B2 delivers a thick, pulsating low-end with an assortment of metallic and heavy drones that round off this cryptic
package.

Todres Records, the uprising middle eastern boutique label from Tel Aviv, is proud to present it's first official 7" reissue release: A double A side bombshell comprising of all the elements searched for by Dj Shadow, J Dilla & Kid Koala.

Led by Dj Todres (The Apples, CRuNCH 22), the label's vision is to expose the world to Israel's finest artists, past or present, all joined by the same common ground: the groove.

A Side:

Composed by organ and keyboard great Haim Shmueli, "Halilit Kesem" was the theme song of his group, "The High Voices", the famous house band at the legendary "Calypso Club" in Ramle, Israel, during the early to mid 70's. The psychedelic, spanish-phrygian flavoured track is built around the Sonata form, with Shmueli's captivating oriental synth solo is shining right at the middle, between beautiful Stop-Time breaks and the African triplet-feel segment. Inspired by Keith Emerson and Jimmy Smith, Shmueli's masterful playing and composing is a unique world to explore.

B Side:

Based on Bach's prelude no 1 in C Major, Shlomo Gronich's re-composing was created while he was under the influence of an Acid trip. The vicious drums, the fat bass line and the flying flute melody, illuminated the track in psychedelic colors, making it one the most unique arrangements a classical piece ever received.

For the newest L/F/D/M drop and his first for Beat Concern, Richard Smith serves up a plate full of his deepest, sizzling cuts that bring dance floor heavy workouts and run the field between acerbic Electro, off-kilter dark room EBM and woozy bass workouts.

After muscular releases on Optimo, Clandestine Traxx and Ecstatic plus regular collabs with Dom from Factory Floor as Green Gums / Bronze Teeth on Diagonal and Opal Tapes, 'Tea Ceremony' opener 'Fang' moves the L/F/D/M project forward by throwing the listener straight into the eerie fairground feels, laid over metallic acid baselines, microscopic hats and pounding kicks that seek to overwhelm as well as inform. The giddy aggression of 'Gold Foil' folds crunching distortion into 120 bpm jacking Chicago territory before closing Side A with the tight ethno-percussive jammer of 'Cylinders Vari II'.

The second side carves a path that starts at the minimal bouncing bass and hardcore of 'Ox' via heavy acid euphoria of 'Skin Slips' that needs to find itself in the golden 3-4am slot on a sticky dance floor this summer, before winding down into the Industrial machine funk of 'STR8 Thick' that clips and clangs all the way.

This record comes with a version for every time and mood of a club night: Jo Pariotas Cut of the Original Mix is the ideal warm up tune. Flowing on a synthline that calls Mike Huckabys Waldorf to mind, it is sweet and driving at the same time. The Original Mix by LOVEiTs own Nico Brun might be called - Casual Affair', but comes rolling on a phat wonky rhode that brings the groove! Between the crunchy drums, a relaxed vocal snipped and warm synth unfold like the first rays of sunlight. The JK & LDS reduction is punchy, minimal and dubby - with its pull and release kind of melody and the stuttered vocal sample it works perfect as a peak time DJ tool. Finally, the A.S.S. Amnesia returns Mix is something else entirely... you just have to experience it in its full 8 min breakbeat Aphex Twin-like glory.
- morri313

Very LIMITED album discs available now:

This is the first album Oscar Mulero has released under his own name, after two acclaimed LPs under the moniker Trolley Route. Well known for his skills as a hard-edged, raw and floor-orientated techno dj, his productions go far beyond, digging deep into the intricate landscape of intelligent techno, floating moods, reminiscent atmospheres, harmony and detail.

Grey Fades To Green is the affirmation of his maturity as a producer, using both hardware and software in the pursuit of a highly coherent and diverse album.

The concept is split into two parts: The Grey and The Green, each one with its own character. The first part is rougher and meant for the dance floor, although pays full attention to detail and complexity. The second part is quieter, has a slower pace and is best enjoyed at home.

In The Green Oscar goes deep into the intellectual side of techno music and is heavily influenced by the post rave sound emerging from the UK in the nineties: Aphex Twin, Gescom, B12, Plaid, Autechre.. but with a contemporary approach.

This part of the album brings you melodies, harmonies, endless atmospheres, and hours of studio work. Each sound has been carefully constructed, nothing is left to chance: Every stereo panning, every change to the synth's parameters has been meticulously designed for your listening pleasure; just what you want when you listen to techno on headphones. Futuristic music made with the utmost care.

'Last Regrets' shows how melancholic harmonies can be a perfect match for abstract beats and a dub-step reminiscence. A fine piece of sci-fi techno.

'Grey Fades To Green' makes a clean break by offering us an industrial drum'n' bass piece with a techno approach that mutates as the minutes tick by. A dub-step melodic track. Futuristic breakbeat for the decades to come.

The final track of The Green, 'Silent Air', picks up the homage to the intelligent techno sound of the beginning and returns to random grooves, crunchy samples, impossible hi-hats and massive synthesizer and step sequencer routines. A perfect ending to this sound journey from the heart of the dance floor to the core of your mind.

A mature work that confirms Oscar Mulero as one of the most qualified studio animals on the techno landscape.

Warsaw based duo Private Press join Rekids Special Projects this July with four deep techno cuts entitled 'Zero Sum EP'.
Hailing from Poland, Adam Brocki and Jan Wóycicki make up Private Press - a project that's released sought after cuts on labels like Technosoul and Indigo Aera. The duo is also known by the name Raw Feelings, however many will be familiar with Brocki's Newborn Jr. alias, which has dropped releases on Rhythm Section, Echovolt, Dopeness Galore and Les Yeux Orange. 'Miracle Man sets the tone with delayed resonant synths accompanied by crunchy and distorted snares before 'Becomes The Prime' opts for a lo-fi sound with filtered synth blips and enigmatic vocal slices. On the flip side 'Tooms' delivers heavily reverberated horn-like stabs, modulated synth lines and an underpinning bass that rumbles throughout as 'Clan' offers a fast paced cut with high pitched whistling that echoes alongside a thumping kick drum and organic percussion to bring the package to a close..

To Follow A Long Awaited Single From The Legendary D'arcangelo Brothers, Happy Skull Has Turned To A Friend Of The Family And Former Bristol Scene Stalwart, Bass Clef.

The Long-serving Producer First Rose To Prominence Via A Series Of Inspired, Genre-mangling Albums And Singles On Blank Tapes, He Has Since Gone On To Deliver Hard-to-pigeonhole Material On Fellow Bristol Labels Punch Drunk And Idle Hands, As Well As Pan And The Trilogy Tapes Amongst Others.

Those Versed In His Bulging Back Catalogue Will Notice Familiar Stylistic Traits Throughout - Think An Endearing Looseness Built On Hardware Manipulation And A Playfulness Rarely Seen In Modern Dance Music. For His Happy Skull Debut He Takes On Acid House, To Great Effect. This Is Most Evident On Flipside "acid Hearse", A Constantly-rising Roller Built Around A Nagging, Tb-303 Style Riff And A Swinging, Off-kilter Drum Machine Rhythm.

Echoes Of Acid Can Also Be Heard In The Sparser A-side, "charnel House", Where Sharp, Psychedelic Lead Lines And Mind-bending Electronic Motifs Weave In An Out Of A Crunchy Rhythm Track To Create A Track That Is As Fun As It Is Weighty.