quête:d tune

Based in Berlin Max Newton & Matalo! have delivered percussion heavy funk and gritty Nuyorican rhythms on both GAMM and Take Away Records.
Their new release on Omena LTD continues on the same path and adds deep house and breezy latin flavours.

U-Bahn at Midnight sets things off sounding like a classic MCDE house jam with ringing melodies and sharp horns.
Walkin' On uses that classic Freddie Hubbard sample we all love and makes it even more classy.
On the flip Pao de Acucar vs Vesuvius is a 110% feel-good and summery TUNE, and finally Brooklyn Survivor ends things on a jazzier note with its deliciously deep, Disco-House groove.

A mighty fine way to close the Omena LTD series.

UK artist Jayson Wynters debuts on Pulp with four tracks of atmospheric house and funk that come complete with remixes by Jarren and Mogwaa.

Kung fu master Wynters hails from Birmingham and has been a key player on his local scene for years. More recently he has broken out with impressive EPs on mighty Dutch label Delsin and Adam Shelton's EON. He has a real love of hazy house and always brings his own unique take on that to his timeless analogue grooves. This latest EP was written during lockdown, which provided Jayson a chance to explore different sounds and delve into different styles.

Opener 'Solitude' proves that with its misty-eyed melodies and dreamy pads. The drums tumble loosely, the percussion has a frayed edge and the whole thing is coated in warmth and soul. Half Moon's Jarren is based in LA and brings plenty of that city's musical charm to his remix. It has far-sighted chords, soft-focus harmonics and well swung claps and drums that are simply irresistible.

Wynters then offers 'Corns Funk,' which pairs another dusty drum line with pinging kicks and woodpecker-like percussive hits. A superb twanging bass riff brings some real funk and retro-future feels as the groove builds and bright synths shine through the haze to enrich your soul.

'Night Drive' is a lush downbeat tune for sunset cruises. It has heart-melting chords that prompt deep inward reflection and features an aching guitar riff full of melancholy. The remixer for the one is Seoul musician and master beatmaker Mogwaa who layers in squelchy synth bass and dreamy, loved-up pads. Last of all, 'Uncle's Jam' is Dam Funk-style electro bliss doused in lo-fi chords and languid late-night funk and packed with romance.

Jayson Wynters shows off another superb side to his sound with his expansive Solitude EP.

Assured UK house producer Andy Ash takes care of the next EP on SAFTX while the equally esteemed Mark E steps up to remix.

For well over a decade now, Andy Ash has been turning out high-quality house music on a range of labels. Last year he served up a tasteful full-length on Quintessentials, the year before he dropped a double 12" on Still Music and he is also a regular at the likes of Delusions Of Grandeur. From deep and dusty to disco-tinged and dynamic, he has a stylish sound that is well-versed in the classics but always his own twist. He shows that again here with four fresh tunes which cannot fail to make you feel good.

Opener 'You:Me' features Faber and os brilliantly warm house groove. The drums and hi-hats are prefectly designed, the vamping chords bring a playful funk and swirling pads add diffuse late-night energy. It's timeless cut with nods to the US midwest and subtle vocal sounds.

Remixer and Merc label boss Mark E has a rich history of edits and originals on the likes of Running Back, Delusions Of Grandeur and Studio Barnhus. On this version, he lays down hazy, heavy kicks for a beatdown workout that comes alive with gorgeous synt work akin to all the best Detroit dons.

Ash's 'Momentary Days' is a slow and roomy, dubbed-out house swinger. Well-placed samples - vocal coos, guitar riffs, jazzy chords - all peel off the loose drums and can't fail to get you moving. 'Reach' is another humid house cut for cosy back rooms and basements. The Scruffy drums have frayed edges while dreamy melodies loop up top. It's a heartfelt sound that slowly turns you to deep inward reflection.

Last of all is 'Rico! Rico!', a downtempo jazz-funk jam with crisp broken beats, keys that take you to the Riviera and strings so lush you can almost feel the sun on your face.

This deep house music as it should be - raw, expressive and full of human soul.

The second release on the BINÄR-Label is a split between Kaiser and FORUM. The EP starts with a bouncy track, continues with dreamy noises and ends with two massaging and tooly tunes. The tracks are mastered by Nihad Tule.

Infernal Sounds dish out the 3rd and final instalment in their IFSDIGIV series, loading up 4 more of their digital tracks onto a jam-packed 12". Mungk & Ego Death kick off proceedings with the beautifully oriental and melodic 'Crestmoon', before Drumterror takes charge in magical fashion on 'Likeness', incorporating a weighty and spacious mainframe to wrap around the saxophone wizardry of Ed Hodge. The B side takes a slightly more subterranean vibe with 'Memento' by Metafloor, dropping in on a heavy and bass-loaded swinger, before Grawinkel rounds off the EP with militant and wonky 'The Future', a tune that'll be battering the speakers with mid-range punches and flurry of low-end jabs. It's a release that has everything you need - four very different selections but packing variety and substance.

Recieved heavy support from the likes of Truth, N-Type, Deep Tempo, Bukez Finezt, Enada, Sicaria Sound, BunZer0 and many more.

Super limited edition. 2LP comes with an alternative artwork and three bonus tracks! Gatefold, neon pink / black / blue striped vinyl. Limited to 250 copies.

Alright! 2023, Black Rainbows are back with 12 fresh, brand new tunes! The new album sounds huge, with of a great deal of attention paid to the guitars in the recording, and it seems that the band has finally found the perfect balance and tone for their heavy super stoner sound!

This album gives you not only incredible heavy rock-stoner gems, but also: one space acoustic song, one super psychedelic suite and one melodic trippy ballad that adds a perfect mixture of what is sure to be the best album released by the band so far! "Superskull" has been recorded by Fabio Sforza (the same producer of the last two recordings), in May 2022, and after much work and effort by the band in mixing and mastering, the album will see the light of day one year later. The incredible artwork has been delivered by the brazilian artist Pedro Correa.

Super limited edition. 2LP comes with an alternative artwork and three bonus tracks! Gatefold, neon pink / black / blue striped vinyl. Limited to 250 copies.

Alright! 2023, Black Rainbows are back with 12 fresh, brand new tunes! The new album sounds huge, with of a great deal of attention paid to the guitars in the recording, and it seems that the band has finally found the perfect balance and tone for their heavy super stoner sound!

This album gives you not only incredible heavy rock-stoner gems, but also: one space acoustic song, one super psychedelic suite and one melodic trippy ballad that adds a perfect mixture of what is sure to be the best album released by the band so far! "Superskull" has been recorded by Fabio Sforza (the same producer of the last two recordings), in May 2022, and after much work and effort by the band in mixing and mastering, the album will see the light of day one year later. The incredible artwork has been delivered by the brazilian artist Pedro Correa.

Super limited edition. 2LP comes with an alternative artwork and three bonus tracks! Gatefold, neon pink / black / blue striped vinyl. Limited to 250 copies.

Alright! 2023, Black Rainbows are back with 12 fresh, brand new tunes! The new album sounds huge, with of a great deal of attention paid to the guitars in the recording, and it seems that the band has finally found the perfect balance and tone for their heavy super stoner sound!

This album gives you not only incredible heavy rock-stoner gems, but also: one space acoustic song, one super psychedelic suite and one melodic trippy ballad that adds a perfect mixture of what is sure to be the best album released by the band so far! "Superskull" has been recorded by Fabio Sforza (the same producer of the last two recordings), in May 2022, and after much work and effort by the band in mixing and mastering, the album will see the light of day one year later. The incredible artwork has been delivered by the brazilian artist Pedro Correa.

After some time of laying in the dark, the Warsaw-based Syntetyk label and club night series emits waves yet again with their very first cassette release by various friends from the local and global underground.

Tape starts with a pathos ambient track by Mchy i Porosty, followed by a desert night drive dub by Rapha. The A side continues with a wavy melodic thumper by Olivia, accompanied by a nostalgic club diver by Czech maestro Exhausted Modern and a punkish fast paced hymn done by the Colombian prodigy – Filmmaker.

The B side opens with Dogpatrol’s broken jungle track and carries on with Astma’s industrial dub-driven tune. Album slowly comes to a close with a nasty distorted wave by Dyktando, dystopian radiation emitter by Chino and ends with Mala Herba’s folk inspired epic ambient drone.

Band: VORNA Album: Sateet palata saavat Release Date: September 27th Clichés almost always have a true core. That artists from the (European) Far North tend to melancholy is one thing that has already been confirmed many times. VORNA is no different. The band from Tampere has been in existence since 2008, and still is today in its original line-up. The six-piece group is well-rehearsed and has continuously developed its sound over the years. With pride and self-confidence the musicians grasp their playing as "Finnish melancholic metal". This means songs with a dark mood and an emotional state-of-mind, which cause reactions from the developing atmosphere. The melancholy comes to bear on different levels, but without ever slipping into pessimistic gloom. VORNA's access to the heavy spectrum is broad and open-minded. The six musicians are guided by their emotions and transform them into dark tuned music. Starting from a base between Folk and Black Metal, the Finns have enriched their playing since 2008. The symphonic extension of the third album underlines the atmospheric and melodic composition of the songs. "Sateet palata saavat" means something like "Return to Rains". In other words: something is brewing before the sky opens its floodgates and the power of nature discharges. This picture fits very well to what VORNA musically have to offer. "Sateet palata saavat" develops to be tense and intense. VORNA's vocals, left in Finnish, don't compromise the access to VORNA's "Finnish melancholic metal". The underlying emotions can be empathized and create an interaction with the listener right from the beginning. The organic songwriting of VORNA underlines the down-to-earth approach, the Finns are following. Partially, however, "Sateet palata saavat" sounds uncanny and creepy.

A famous anthem once begged: “Don’t Make Me Wait.” Sometimes, though, it’s good to make ‘em wait—even just a little bit. Case in point: The production duo of Fabrizio Mammarella and Phillip Lauer, known to clubbers, DJs and music heads as Black Spuma.

Three years after their last EP—and nearly a decade into their production existence—the duo have finally given us a full-length manifesto. Sure, there have been a smattering of remixes and EPs over the years on labels like Futureboogie, International Feel and Live At Robert Johnson. But on their new LP “No No No,” the Spumas at last get to stretch out and give us their full-meal-deal.

The pair birthed the tracks at Lauer’s famed Pyramide III studio, with 10 tunes finalised and selected remotely, thanks to the wonders of high-speed Internet. While the Spumas are well-known (both together and as solo acts) for their melodic, 80s-tinged club workouts, the album format has allowed the guys to push their sound into parts unknown. The album drops at the end of May on Permanent Vacation, and it distils all the things we love about the duo: The melody, the playfulness and the musicianship of two veterans in full command of their powers.



Take the tune “Obereggen,” which expands a punchy, staccato bassline into that sweet spot where trance and italo can play next to each other. Or the cut “Fracture,” which is built on a Detroit-like chassis but makes room for gorgeous pads, subby bass and a nimble breakbeat.

For the established fans, there’ll be plenty to latch onto, including the title cut (and first single), which sounds like something Robocop may have produced if he’d taught a violence diversion program.
Meanwhile, cuts like “Dillingen” remind us of one of those lost Eurythmics B-sides that show up in the dark corners of MixesDB. The album was mixed and mastered by Lopazz, and boasts a colourful cover from Berlin-based artist Ilja Karilampi.

So, 17 years after initially meeting, we finally have a full album from these Spuma Men. And in the end, it was worth the wait.

It's hard to think of any other act whose music being added to digital streaming sites would make as many headlines as De La Soul. It has been followed up with a big reissue project that's brought all their many great albums - they made more than just that one iconic one, you know - back to print. Stakes Is High brought the same high levels of wordplay, great beats and overall narrative as any of the band's albums, and all at a time when hip-hop's initial popularity began to wane. Fact fans, take note - Mos Def guested on one tune 'Big Brother Beat' and Common on 'The Bizness' way before anyone knew who either of them was.

Repress!

It can take a while for an artist to find their musical voice. For Alex Andrikopoulos, it’s been a journey that’s taken the best part of two decades. Now he’s set to mark a major milestone in his transition from record store owner, label co-founder and DJ to producer with the release of his long-promised first solo album for Leng, Waving. The Greek artist first joined the Leng Records roster in the autumn of 2020 and has since gone in to release the acclaimed ‘Punta Allen’ EP for the imprint. Before that, he spent the first decade of the century running the popular Radical Sounds record shop in Athens, before refocusing on running Quantized Music with fellow DJ/producer Tolis Q and developing his DJ career, where his unique blends of disco, house and techno tracks earned him bookings at some of Europe’s most storied clubs.

Waving, which appears on the back of a handful of fine EPs for a variety of labels, is his boldest and strongest statement yet as a musician and producer. Created with a little help from guest musicians and collaborators including keyboardist Artis Boriss, bassist Brotha Gilla, percussionists Ilario Arnel and Harold Perez, pianist Luciano Ledesma and guitarist Alex Searle, the album brilliantly blurs the boundary between 21st century disco, afternoon-ready downtempo grooves, and the kind of dancefloor-minded Balearic fare that’s devilishly difficult to pigeonhole.

Fittingly, the set begins with previous single ‘Punta Allen’, an eight-minute chunk of organic dancefloor goodness which slowly unfurls before rising towards and gorgeous and joyous conclusion, and ends with the squelchy, slo-mo cosmic funk of ‘Patrol Di Caribe’, where trippy synthesizer lines, layered percussion and more tuneful style pan style lead ins catch the ear.

In between, highlights are plentiful, from the driving, piano solo-laden dub disco brilliance of ‘Down My Soul’ and the languid, sun-kissed, beach-ready downtempo grooves of ‘The Jamail Pass’, to the rubbery, pitched-down electrofunk of ‘Window Spells’ (featuring a fine lead vocal from Max Giovara, the flash-friend, dubwise Balearic funk of ‘Waving’, and the throbbing brilliance of ‘La Di Da Di’, whose crunchy Clavinet lines, fluid electric piano solos, snappy drums and pulsating, arpeggio-style bass encapsulate all that is good about the album.

The digital edition of the album also comes bundled with eight more tracks not featured on the double-vinyl LP. Featuring the same blend of expansive musicality, organic drums and dancefloor nous, this octet effectively extends the album via a string of similarly playable, club-ready and sofa-friendly tracks. Standouts include the non-stop, nu-disco-meets-house excellence of ‘Large Stacks’, Hammond-laced head-nodder ‘Take The High Road’, horizontal Balearic funk shuffler ‘Prezend’ and hazy, vocal-sporting dub disco roller ‘Angels of Rhythm’, which previously appeared on the flipside of Lex’s ‘Punta Allen’ 12”.

Wah Wah 45s hail the much anticipated return of one of their most beloved artists. Way back in 2006, the label first unleashed the anthemic "Modern Sleepover" by two man, smooth music loving outfit Talc. The song - an ode to a tortured love affair between a computer and its owner - with its shades of Zapp, Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers - found favour with Djs and tastemakers from across the board from Bill Brewster to Gilles Peterson. Such was the cult status of the tune, that it spawned a sequel, naturally entitled "Modern Sleepover Pt.2: Robot's Return" which has recently had something of a renaissance thanks to an inclusion by legendary Detroit DJ and producer Moodymann on his "DJ Kicks" compilation.

Sixteen years and two albums later, and having seemingly put the project to bed for good, Talc (much like the robot) return for one final and very special release. This brand new 12", as well as featuring the sought after "Modern Sleepover" pairing together on vinyl for the first time, also includes the rarely heard Michel Legrand cover "De Gui Ding", previously only available in Japan (where Talc enjoyed a huge underground fanbase) as well as two stunning remixes from our old friend, The Reflex.

The Frenchman was the obvious choice to rework Legrand's 1964 camp jazz classic, and on his first mix delivers an uplifting disco friendly, vocal led take that should raise a few smiles on the dancefloor. His second mix is more of a late night affair with more of a deep, dubbier, house feel. Something for everyone then on this essential release, complete with gorgeous artwork from our award winning in-house designer Animisiewasz.

The atmospheric aquatic adventures of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASPs) provided the perfect grounds for the evolution of Barry Gray’s own musical odyssey. After navigating otherworldly vistas with experimental minimalism in Fireball XL5, Gray anchored Stingray’s underwater exploits with a cannon of earth-bound incidentals. Employing flutes and gentle woodwind sounds to set the scene, Gray’s music drew attention to the wonder of the series premise, employing lush heavenly strings for the series’ closing theme, ‘Aqua Marina’ (a croon brought to life by in-demand vocalist Gary Miller). The off-duty exploits of the WASP characters also allowed Gray to return to his jazzy routes, with the production team adding a loving reference to the composer in the episode Tune of Danger with a ‘Graystein’ Piano. Episodic melodrama was once again brought to life with bold brass, and driving military marches would establish the WASPs’ base, Marineville, and an unforgettable Match of the Oysters (in The Secret of the Giant Oyster). The DNA of the which would foreshadow the iconic theme for the Andersons’ next series…

Since the release of Surprise Chef's 2022 album, Education & Recreation they have been touring across the US, Europe, and Australia selling out shows and cementing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

Releasing three albums and a string of successful 7" singles since 2019, their output is nothing short of prolic and they show no signs of slowing down with the announcement of their new Friendship EP.

Friendship is a six song 12" EP that picks up where the last album left off and pushes their sound in new directions as they take on different energies and make them their own.

The EP opens with "Rosemary Hemphill", a gorgeous yet haunting tune that takes the listener through a myriad of musical changes and moods. "Friendship Theme" is a bouncy and energetic number with an infectious and driving topline that is sure to move danceoors around the globe.

"Over The Moon" is pure mood music that puts Surprise Chef's restraint and tasteful use of space front and center while "Spiky Boi" is a frantic upbeat number drenched in percussion and keyboards. With a year of heavy touring plans in front of them in 2023 this EP will bridge the gap while they write and record their next album due out in 2024.

Humanoid continues the journey on De:tuned and returns with a new 4 track EP of classic acid jams. Brian Dougans harks back to the fundamentals of late 80s and early 90s productions, resulting in a masterclass of 303 action from a pioneer. 'Sweet Acid Sound' delivers guaranteed peak-time party material, while elsewhere tracks like 'Roached' and 'Si-rak' see Brian fusing acid and techno to hypnotic and addictive effect. Eternal love and respect tot he originators Graham Massey, Gerald Simpson and Martin Price.

Kevin Foakes (Openmind, DJ Food, Ninja Tune) created all the graphic work. Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis and pressed on 180 gr vinyl. A separate digital release will also be available at the usual digital shops. Stay tuned!

Humanoid continues the journey on De:tuned and returns with a new 4 track EP of classic acid jams. Brian Dougans harks back to the fundamentals of late 80s and early 90s productions, resulting in a masterclass of 303 action from a pioneer. 'Sweet Acid Sound' delivers guaranteed peak-time party material, while elsewhere tracks like 'Roached' and 'Si-rak' see Brian fusing acid and techno to hypnotic and addictive effect. Eternal love and respect tot he originators Graham Massey, Gerald Simpson and Martin Price.

Kevin Foakes (Openmind, DJ Food, Ninja Tune) created all the graphic work. Mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis and pressed on 180 gr vinyl. A separate digital release will also be available at the usual digital shops. Stay tuned!

Limited edition yellow vinyl of The Adicts’ fourth studio album. Released on RSD2023. Non-Returnable.
Not since the 1980’s has this album been available on vinyl!

Now with a new inner bag, lyrics and a previously unseen colour photo session.

The Adicts came from Ipswich on the east coast of England, dressed in white in an amalgam of The Joker and Clockwork Orange imagery. Their previous two LPs had made a big impact in the UK, with singles
entering the lower reaches of the national charts on Sire Records – (who insisted they change their provocative punky name to ADX or The Fun Adicts when on children's TV!).
With catchy, glam-punk singalong tunes and theatrical shows, The Adicts still continue to grow their audience and have regularly toured the USA, UK and Europe.