Cerca:det

Parsley Sounds was the glorious debut album for Mo Wax by Parsley Sound. The album was one of the iconic label’s final releases before it closed in 2003 and locating a clean copy has been extremely tricky of late, unless you're flush enough to drop 150 notes on it. Mercifully, the Be With reissue, put together with invaluable assistance from the group, should remedy this situation. It's a lo-fi, bass-heavy, blunted beat treat, warped with heat haze and dreamy soft-psych and has been criminally under-heard for far too long.

As with most cult-like records, Parsley Sounds has many influential fans, far and wide. From Four Tet and Caribou to NTS's modern day breakfast hero Flo Dill, its reputation has only grown in stature. At the time, the notoriously hard-to-please Pitchfork garlanded it with a scarcely achievable 8.8 whilst, just recently, the Numero Group's Rob Sevier described it as a "visionary bit of proto-Salvia Palth (or Steve Lacy)" via a Ghostly International missive.

Parsley Sound comprised super-talented duo Preston Mead and Dan Sargassa. They released an early single (the perfect "Twilight Mushrooms", featured here) on Warp Records as Slum, before signing to Mo Wax. Hidden behind a wall of sound - fuzzy layers of beats, bleeps and symphonic synths - they were convinced they made mainstream pop music. And, in many respects, Parsley Sounds really is a beautiful pop album. It overflows with memorable, gorgeous melodies and inspired songcraft. As the contemporaneous Pitchfork review correctly had it: "Parsley Sounds is one of those rare records that manage to sound modest while frequently pushing the sonic envelope."

Killer opener "Ease Yourself And Glide" is a thing of aching, soft-psych, wonky beat-beauty. A melodic masterpiece, part Crosby, Stills & Nash, part proto-Koushik, it presents a melancholy falsetto, surging bass and blunted lead guitar. As it climaxes, gorgeous strings are ushered in to see us out. Sublime. "Twilight Mushrooms" is up next and it's an acid-drenched, strung-out acoustic-led campfire wonder. Amid layers of tape-hiss and beautiful, sun-dappled strings, its understated vocal track provides a haze of wistful innocence.

The breezy "Spring's Near" is a krautrock-inspired chiming instrumental of heavenly excellence, its warm, skipping, motorik groove and dreamy synths completely infectious. Another total highlight, the technicolour "Yo Yo" initially presents itself as a more abstract, bleepy offering but as it organically swells into ever more beautiful places, with the addition of a choppy insistent drum loop, flute bursts, horns and sweeping strings, it puts one in mind of early Manitoba and Four Tet releases. Shimmering, blissed-out greatness.

The celestial harmonies and glistening harps of the wonderfully beatless, serenely sullen "Ocean House" are very much in conversation with late-60s meditative psych whilst, closing out Side A, the jaw-dropping, lushly experimental effort "Find The Heat" comes on like Arthur Russell meets Brian Wilson. Yep, *that* good.

Side B opens with the warped, bleepy "Stevie", a brief but beautifully wonky, soulful and intricate instrumental. The more upfront vocals that propel the fuzzy "Platonic Rate" have a refreshing swagger to them, the heavy bass and neck-snapping in-the-red beats too much for any system to deal with whilst the guitars and strings have a sweeping, cinematic feel which just beguiles. The slow, urbane soul of "Candlemice" will stop you in your tracks, no matter what you're doing. It carries a delicate sadness, as does much of the album in that classic "down lifting" style we so love here at Be With.

The fuzzing, buzzing "Templechurchmansions" is a searing, soulful dubwise detonation. Heavily stoned with slow-burning jazzy snatches and a tense, moody atmosphere, it's a Tricky-adjacent gem. The album rounds out brilliantly with the ominous instrumental "Neon Breeze" before giving way to the propulsive, almost incongruous punk-funk / disco-dub of secret "untitled" track "Caution", a scratchy, smacked-out groove-fuelled workout with a female vocal dripping with 'tude. Just sensational.

Under the watchful eye - and attentive ears! - of Parsley Sound themselves, the audio for Parsley Sounds has been carefully mastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, with a few much needed tweaks here and there, according to the artist's wishes. 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 the always stellar Record Industry in Holland.

Preston and Dan always thought the colours on the first vinyl pressing looked a bit "washed out" vis-a-vis the original artwork which was way more vibrant. We feel we've got it popping back to the original intention with the restoration work here at Be With HQ. So with the audio and artwork now approaching completeness after 20 years, this long overdue re-issue could be considered its definitive vinyl release.

A1 Dharma
Opening the LP in lively fashion, JLM liberally flecks a detailed composition with exquisite breaks cymbals playing a key role in the evolving patterns as the track progresses while heavy layers of synth work forms a substantial atmosphere. Musical and resonant with micro melodies and sprinkles of FX, Dharma encapsulates JLMs everimpressive attention to detail throughout its seven minutes.

A2 Artha
Where to start with Artha Setting the scene immediately with an epic synth intro that whooshes through your mind to prepare you for what is to come, its immediately obvious JLM has crafted a modern day classic here. Crisp Hot Pants breaks drop before we are treated to inspiring, continually developing and rousing melodies with a tuneful 808 bassline playfully dancing below. One to drop any chance you get Artha deserves to be heard.

B1 Moksha
Delightfully clear, characterful percussion introduces Moksha, a dancefloor friendly piece which rolls along beautifully thanks to old school breakbeats seizing the initiative while fluid keys, filtered synths and waves of serene effects punctuate the production. The
kick-light breaks will stay long in the memory as perfect for both the headphones and the discerning dance floor, just as weve come to expect from JLM.

B2 Kama
Taking you back to the early Progression Sessions era with a modern scifi twist reminiscent of your favourite space operatics, Kama will sit effortlessly alongside tracks from those days and now with its simple yet memorable core wind melody, sprawled
across energetic breakbeats and wide layers of synths & pads to a typically appropriate bassline. Another fine example of the evolving diversity in JLMs production with Spatial.

C1 Boundary
Switching things up, JLM treats us to a notably laid back vibe as Boundary is introduced by understated, filtered synth work and explorative kicks before a mellow yet chunky break pattern provides energy to the track. Detailed as ever, a myriad of effects and
samples are introduced and dance around the mix with a wistful complexity, in a track destined to be in your playlist for some time to come.

C2 Hexis
Kicking things off with a filtered DJ friendly beat intro, Hexis soon drops with constant old school jungle synth work and periodical strings alongside rasping, striking breakbeats that drive the track forward with impressive energy. The breaks reverberate in and out of the mix at intervals as JLM toys with the listener at will, creating a tonally unique and vibrant composition very much worthy of our attention.

D1 Ideal Forms
Low pass breaks echo and jostle for position with FX free counterparts early doors in the finely crafted intro to Ideal Forms, slowly developing with a triumphant assortment of keys and synths before a third layer of breaks are added which underpin a detailed, yet never busy, breakbeat landscape. Occasional breakdowns offer respite in a glistening wilderness of comforting melodies and light ambience.

D2 Physis
JLM rounds the album off very much on form with Physis a suitably climactic piece that opens with a detailed array of percussion, synths and effects before superbly programmed breaks take over the mix. An occasional, all encompassing sci fi synth rush
permeates the atmosphere to almost cinematic levels, while a melodic bassline nestles below leaving you with a track (and an album) you will not forget.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Detroit's Julion De'Angelo returns with his second release for Maybee Hill Music, the Consciousness EP.
"Ramble of a Revol" channels raw emotion in a 12-minute acid jack journey, a defiant cry against oppression, past, present, and future.
The title track, "Consciousness," takes on a more atmospheric tone, with airy keys that drift over a pensive bassline, reminiscent of Larry Heard, and metronomic percussion throughout.
Consciousness EP aims to reimagine the dance floor experience, it’s emphasis on minimalism inspiring kinetic flow and spiritual elevation.

Hybrid is a word used indiscriminately in our daily lives. This record isn't a hybrid; it's beyond hybrid, post-hybrid, so to speak. Does this phrase sound complicated to you, and are you never overly convinced by music theory and its caricatural aspect? Then forget what you’ve just read and listen to both sides of this record. You'll soon realise that these tracks are deliciously deft, drawing their essence from dub while leaving room for some skillful jazz writing. For those of you intrigued by melodies, the art of musique concrète or the exploration of dub music’s deviant angles, this record will easily find its place on your turntable.

The two sides of the record are cut with play, improvisation and effects, while leaving room for themes and ideas. If this record’s first chapter was born from a request to remix and pay homage to Jackie Mittoo, its themes tell another story. They have been declined and even reduced to an explosion point. The tracks are also driven by subtle details of musique concrète, giving the record the effect of an intimate musical production – but, above all, one of uncategorisable beauty.

In Androo’s case, this is hardly surprising. He is a craftsman who is unassailable in every respect, a poetic dynamiter and, for this reason, one of the most unpredictable musicians in Geneva (and beyond). His appetite for dynamite is perhaps an indication of his conception of music as, first and foremost, an experience. His highly personal and inventive tribute to figures from free jazz and contemporary music proves the point. But perhaps it is also an indication of his attachment to Jean-Luc Godard. You'd have to imagine Androo at his mixing desk without a pre-written script. The idea of editing infuses the record. The two sides are very much in this style and spirit: (un-)shot, meticulous, (ir-)reverent. In this respect, this record is a formidable proposition, and perhaps difficult to understand, but not striving to be understood.

Its combination of improvisation and composition is underpinned by a razor-sharp precision and dexterity that's hard to ignore, especially if you're curious about the art of sound mixing and the romantic accidents. It has a dexterity that transforms musical grids into romantic essays and sketches. A romanticism in which Androo takes us on a liberating musical experience that makes us forget the inertia of the ramping formatting of the record industry. In any case, this record is an invitation to (un-)think the category, and will delight any ear curious to wander into territories of intuition where the word hybrid no longer makes sense.

Text by Carl Åhnebrink

Returning to Berlin has reignited a fresh, playful side to Benjamin Damage’s techno productions. Drawing inspiration from NIX’s bold direction, he has challenged his own sound and delivered a cheeky EP, Violet Ray, with great attention to detail, combining sharp sound design with strong dance floor energy.

Each track is born from live studio sessions, with long takes of experimentation and play. Carefully chopping and refining these moments, Benjamin ensures energy flow while maintaining maximum sound quality, perfectly crafted for a 12” vinyl release.

Comprised of Clams Baker Jr., Benjamin Romans Hopcraft, Adam J. Harmer, Marley Mackey, Quinn Whalley, and Bleu Ottis Wright, Too Cold To Hold is undoubtedly their best and most ambitious album to date. Taking on board the repetitive and polyrhythmic grooves of gqom (an alluring South African take on house music), adding in a dash of hip hop flavours and even jazz, and then harnessing that to their punk-funk, disco pogo, it’s a spellbinding mix. The album is produced by the band’s Ben Romans Hopcraft alongside Jamie Neville.

Talking about the first track to be taken from the album, ‘Fashion Week’, which is a joyous account of fashion’s die-hard fans rather than the more visible arrivistes or dilettantes, Clams said: “Those that will do anything to become that thing. That creation. And live it. It’s real artistry when you don’t have the means and you’re doing it. You’re hustling to get on the guest list, you get in, you’re done up by means that you can’t really afford, whatever you do… It’s a celebration of people who will do whatever to look good and feel good and step above wherever they are in their own minds.”

With a reputation as one of the most exciting and mesmerising live bands out there right now, they have also today announced both details of a very special ‘Fashion Week’ launch show at London’s Lexington on 10th July and a run of U.K. / EU dates to coincide with the album release in November – the dates include their biggest London headline show to date at The Troxy. The full list of dates, which is as follows:

Elektorni, based in Oulu, Northern Finland, lands with their second release, this time with three original cuts from the singular Finnish legend Mesak (Klakson, Orson) and a mesmerising remix from Århus-based Picture (Help Recordings, Kalahari Oyster Cult), who you might know from many different aliases as well.

The a-side opens with Mutella, a slapping electro track dripping with gothic emotion and powered by a growling bassline. Next up is Ei Damagea, a smooth slice of electrohypnotism calling to you from an otherworldly dimension inhabited by floaty rhythms and quirky synth stabs. Flip the record, and Mesak flexes his versatility with the 155bpm piece Musantropia, cruising top down and top speed somewhere between IDM, d&b and electro. Fresh! The journey ends with Picture’s remix taking Musantropia deep into an eight-minute techno meditation reminiscent of Basic Channel material, but with an Århusian take on the sound.

A bass heavy record with intricate detail, this is a release as ready for the club as it is for your home hi-fi system.

Olivan makes an impressive return to Bunte Kuh with a remarkable EP featuring two brand new tracks!
The title track Hundred Years is elevated by captivating remixes from Acid Pauli and Nhii, while Father and Son – a heartfelt collaboration between Olivan and his father – shines with a groovy remix by Dandara.
This release is not only a musical triumph but also a deeply personal milestone for Olivan. As an ecological offset for vinyl production and in memory of the old and massive copper beech described in the title track, which was destroyed by a severe storm, Olivan has planted a tree for each vinyl record produced.Every record comes with a personalized tree certificate, which can be customized with your details. The certificate provides information about the project, the tree species, the tree's location, and its ecological impact.

The enigmatic Ukrainian label Jerelo presents a 4-track vinyl-only EP by the talented Greek producer Cirkel Square. Each track on the release is like an antique sculpture — exquisite, graceful, and made with attention to every small detail. This comparison is not accidental, as Cirkel Square dedicated each of the four “sinister harmonies” to one of the gods of ancient Greek mythology. The opening track, “Kronos Reckoning”, with its new-age melodies bristling with pathos, carries the spirit of the greatness of the age of Titans, frozen between the dense bricks of a micro-house beat. “Hades Symphony” and "Persephone's Whisper" are inspired by existential reflections, while “Ares Beat” surprises with an inventive pseudo-acid drop.

The Malevolent Harmonies EP features tracks perfect for the dance floor, especially when played on a high-quality PA system. Despite each track's unique style, the EP as a whole is surprisingly cohesive. Just as the mentioned gods in the EP are related to each other, the
tracks share common elements, showcasing the high skill level of the rodub / rominimal producer from Stockholm.

Spanish duo Los Suruba have done it all over the last 25 years, captivating dancers with their blend of House, Minimal, Electro, psychedelic, and deep vibes.

They have established their own network of record labels, with almost 250 releases, Nazca being the latest addition. They’ve also released music on labels like Crosstown Rebels, Diynamic, and Get Physical and have been remixed by international artists such as Solomun, Adriatique, Clarian, and Okain. They describe their music as "Memories of the Future," the motto of their brand Nazca.

As DJs, they’ve performed at the world’s best clubs and festivals, bringing their unique sound across the globe, holding residencies from Ibiza to London, and creating countless underground hits.

They are in top form once again with this latest journeying EP, where Los Suruba and their label Nazca return to vinyl releases, featuring two new remixers for this vinyl edition of the ‘+33 EP’.

Innovative opener 'Dial Banger' is a wonky house sound with wet claps and a gurgling bassline that gets ever more wild. It's a playful cut that teases and pleases in equal measure as the low-slung grooves, string stabs, and unhinged leads keep dancers locked.

'Elegancia La de Francia' is a more experimental house affair with eerie synth leads and freaky filtered vocals, making a dark and menacing atmosphere.
Warm melodies infuse the track with soul and make it perfect for the late-night hours.

First remixer Cristina Lazic launched her own label La Zic, earlier this year. It's a platform that looks to uplift and mentor exceptional female talents next to the Italian's own blend of minimal, deep and tech house sounds. Her fantastic take on 'Elegancia la de Francia' is stylish and stripped back with supple minimal drums and the muted synth sounds bubbling away over punchy kicks.

Romanian artist BRYZ has a refined minimal sound that has established him in the European scene over the last decade. He deals in intricate melodies, pulsating rhythms, and atmospheric textures on labels like Storytellers and Esente Records.

His version of 'Elegancia la de Francia' is silky and deft, with sustained pads locking you into a trance while gurgling bass and trippy melodic motifs add great detail to the rolling minimal house grooves.

From Sweden with Italo to Dresden with love. Stockholm's DJ City drops his first release on Dresden's Uncanny Valley with the COSMICOMICS EP, a 100% fun record for all the senses, deeply inspired by Italo Calvino's iconic short story collection.

The stories have inspired DJ City to a record that aesthetically draws from 80s Italo Disco and 70s science fiction films. In the book, each story is based on a scientific fact about the world and the cosmos whilst using fiction to ask how we understand it. Where Calvino's stories are comical and absurd, DJ City surrenders to the sublime and romantic and moves further into the metaphysical world that Calvino created to come up with three energetic and melodic tracks bursting heavily with fantasy and drama. Deeply rooted in dance music's history, they shine with Hi-NRG-vibes, strict dancefloor commitment and little easter eggs like that Drexciya-reference in COSMICOMICS.

The cover of the record is a painting from 2020 by Swedish artist Jens Faenge called THE INN. The picture seems to have been broken up into several dimensions, and abstract details make it difficult for the viewer to know exactly what and when the scene is taking place. When shown in Shanghai, the painting was censored by government agents and had to be taken down. A testament to the power of the image. Perhaps it shows our main character, perhaps it shows us the author or the artist. Depending on who listens, who reads and who looks, a multitude of universes open.

Following the success of her debut EP Rubi's Acid Spa, Dr. Rubinstein is back with Rubi's Acid Spa: The Remixes, a carefully curated remix EP featuring an exciting line up of producers who each add their unique flair to Rubi's originals, expanding the sonic universe of the Uppers and Downers label. Featuring a jungle rave anthem by Dave N.A., a playful Detroit-influenced remix by Yazzus, a euphoric sunrise festival banger by Blind Observatory, and an electro-flecked techno roller by DJ MELL G, there's something here for every raver out there.

Red Night Recordings is very excited for their first original track release by none other than Chicago’s own Emmaculate.

Growing up on the outskirts of Chicago, Emmaculate aka Eric Welton was exposed to the sounds of House Music in the late 80’s as a young teenager. Eric was nicknamed Emmaculate as a play on words because of his immaculate attention to detail and quality. 2017 marked the year that Emmaculate began releasing music as an artist himself. His break out single, “”Do It”” ft. vocalist Kaye Fox, was released on Terry Hunter’s T’s Box Records and reached the top 10 Soulful House chart on Traxsource. He has gone on to become one of the most important House Music producers in the scene today.

As its title suggests, “Cosmic Funk” is a groovy, spacey, uptempo disco-funk journey to the center of the dancefloor, with ethereal synths and organs anchored by a driving bassline that will take you to the outer reaches of the groove.

Detroit techno at its best. Neurotron is back with a stunning 4 tracker. 190g! vinyl only!

Intrinsic Rhythm is happy to announce a new EP "Is This The End" by label owner and Irish artist Tr One.

The title takes influence on the struggle provided by modern day electronic music and the thoughts on continuing and this EP tries to provide solace in the love and richness that techno and house sounds particularly deeper strains can provide.

The record kicks off with "Conversion" which is an ode to higher tempo Detroit and European techno by working an uplifting string pattern alongside an offbeat loop and MPC workout.

Next up is "Is This Love" where a whimsical vocal sample is built around an acid and bass undercurrent combined with an emotional chord structure.

Starting off the B side is "Sunrise On Juliet" which is an electro and ghettotech influenced rhodes driven house track which takes the listener on a funk driven journey.

Next is "Steroid" where classic Detroit sounds meets UK influenced house music driven by a hypnotic string and bass pattern.

Finally "Phone Voice" finishes the EP with a murky and hypnotic 909 driven house track which aims to transport the listener to a dream like state.

Limited to 125 vinyl copies with no repress"

180G BLACK VINYL

Since Outlaws in 2020, Ludivine Issambourg's flute has not cooled down. How could it have, when with that album of Hubert Laws covers, it had reached incandescence? Still panting, burning despite the lid of its case left wide open, it awaited the opportunity to continue the adventures that Master Laws himself had praised.

A continuation? Above The Laws isn't quite that.

Although his name still appears, Hubert L. is no longer the sole guide in exploring the vast galaxies of jazz-funk. Through covers but especially as an enhancer of her own compositions, Ludivine has invoked the spirit and intangible presence of Jeremy Steig, Ronald Sneijder, and Bobby Humphrey—the legends of the flute.

Guided by an unescapable groove, with a musical dial set to the late 70s and early 80s, Ludivine has enlisted the help of a brass section this time, a true propulsion engine for funk that can also shift to a soulful breath if the moment calls for it. Supporting the keyboards, there's a Moog laying down its rich layers or twisting tones.

The flutes are used like levers to stabilize the flight or, conversely, to make it soar even faster through the measures. The alto version, which Ludivine had previously used sparingly, adds the necessary velvety note when it’s time to embark on smoother destinations. Speeding up the tempo to make passengers rise from their seats as if danger were imminent; calming the atmosphere to put them in a reassuring cocoon where they can let their thoughts and spirits wander, the improvisations find their place in the compositions observed from the porthole. Detached from gravity, yet still very much in tune with the vibe of cities marked as hot spots on the current jazz scene radar, it's the scent of these streets that permeates some tracks of Above The Laws.

Directed from the control tower by Eric Legnini, Chassol, Alex Finkin, and Michaël Lecoq, Above The Laws benefits from a few stops along the way where precious connections are established. Nils Landgren and his trombone in the colors of the Swedish flag, Laurent De Wilde for a chase between flute and Fender Rhodes, Céline Bonacina’s saxophone for an Afrobeat detour.

But it's at the edge of a journey where organic intensity has continued to assert itself without losing power that Ludivine connected with Brian Jackson for a cover of "Angel Dust," a track from the era when he and his partner Gil Scott-Heron were creating soul masterpieces. One of them featured a flutist by the name of Hubert Laws.

The starting point of Ludivine's latest jazz-funk explorations also becomes the endpoint. Elevated by the ten tracks of Above The Laws, Ludivine Issambourg closes a loop where she has placed her flute and its flourishes in an undeniably leading role. Opening the doors to ambitious orchestrations, unexplored horizons, she weaves into her compositions the experiences, places, and encounters that have shaped her.

Robert Rental is back on the mighty Dark Entries as the cult label reissues his Mental Detentions album as an expanded double pack. Rental is a Scottish pioneer of DIY electronic music who played a key role in shaping the UK's countercultural sound alongside collaborators like Thomas Leer and Daniel Miller. Though he released little solo music, his 1979 cassette Mental Detentions was a standout of the era that featured raw demos made with budget equipment like a Roland drum machine and Stylophone keyboard. Tracks like 'Stuck' offer a distorted take on the classic motorik sound, while 'Vox' delivers an 18-minute ambient journey in which it is easy to get lost. Rental's work captures the spirit of experimentation and innovation in the face of limited resources.

On his new album ‚forge’, ambient artist KMRU explores the blend of melody and noise, rhythm and drone. ‚forge’ marks the third release on Seil Records for the Nairobi born and Berlin based producer. Made up of 10 tracks, the album effortlessly wanders from intimate compositions over field recordings to deep and rich soundscapes.

The result feels like a living, breathing organism. Music you can immerse yourself in. Like few others, the 27 year old producer carved a niche of his own, capturing the essence of his raw live performances to form a highly unique listening experience that transcends what ambient music is known for.

‚forge‘ can both exist in the background as well as front and center. Filled with intricate details and vast sonic vistas, it invites the listeners to lose themselves in the music. It’s gentle, yet uncompromising; soft and warm, yet growly and dense.

For its landmark 20th anniversary, Apnea Records proudly presents XX, a double 12" compilation that chronicles the label's journey from its inception to its current cutting-edge form. Featuring both original innovators and fresh talents from its recent relaunch, this release is a sonic time capsule and a forward-looking statement. Spanning from deep techno to Detroit-infused house, Jamal Moss's abstract house, electro, and E.R.P.'s signature machine funk, XX dives into the label's broad sonic spectrum. With contributions from Alex Under, Damian Schwartz, Jamal Moss, E.R.P., Dopplereffekt, Thomas Brinkmann, and Kyle Hall & Kero, this collection serves as both a reflection of Apnea's past and a bold vision for the future.