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Men at Work already had an album in the Top Ten when the Australian ensemble released Cargo, which continued the momentum gained by its record-setting debut. As ambitious and even more diversified than its initial salvo, the 1983 effort firmly established the band as new-wave pioneers – a group whose goofy playfulness, sharp hooks, brass accents, and memorable choruses helped define the decade's landscape. Any doubts about Men at Work's quirky sensibility were promptly answered by the iconic cover art gracing this multi-platinum set.

Mastered on our world-renowned mastering system and pressed at RTI, this LP not only brings the artwork back into full-scale glory but also takes the enjoyably melodic pop-rock to new sonic heights courtesy of improved imaging, separation, and balance. Previously obscured details jump to the surface, and leader Colin Hay's unique voice takes on life-like dimensions that hover between the speakers.

While remaining true to the approach that garnered them a Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Men at Work expands the creative palette on Cargo by giving guitars a more prominent role and increasing the rhythmic textures. With the sweeping ballad "Overkill" and politically savvy cynicism of "It's a Mistake," the band furthered their radio domination and extended their run of Top 10 singles. A third hit, "Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive," cracked the Top 30. Well-tailored melodies and whimsical imagination definitely had a place in the public's consciousness, and no group understood this more.



As the final album captured by the original lineup, Cargo remains an indelible piece of the 1980s audio terrain and a reminder of the era's endless fun. Bolstered by lively saxophone solos, self-effacing humor, and instantly catchy refrains, the album is as good as excuse as any to turn on the stereo, sit down, forget your worries, and dance to leisurely pursuits so perfectly captured by this beloved group.

"Life Plans and Parallel Side Tracks" by Ismael Zouaoui (aka Ish) is the highly anticipated album on Libertine Records. Spanning Electro, Drum 'n' Bass, Dark-Wave, and Ambient, Ish's versatile production shines. Inspired by diverse influences like Brave New World, Japanese Anime, and early Techno/Trance, the album's contemporary, textured sound captivates.

Special Limited Edition of LN001 and LN002 as a double pack 12″ - 100 only available... The interdisciplinary collective and record label Liber Null proudly presents its newborn vinyl series, kicking off with two releases “ Vol I & II”, taking eight of the best cuts from it’s Seven Years Anniversary compilation, “Delirium”.

The releases showcase unique music from a diverse selection of artists and friends, including tracks from Phase Fatale, Alessandro Adriani, An-i + Unhuman, Zanias, Celldöd and SSSS.

Loyal to the concept of Ritual Magick and with a deeply ideological approach towards darkness and chaos in performance art, the two records complete a cutting-edge journey through mutant soundscapes and electronic body-music, made by the finest producers. Distributed by ReadyMade Manufactured by Forged Sound Mastering by Dadub Studio Cover/Design: Eloise Leigh

"Don't Stop" is the third album retrospectively released by Ghia. As the subtitle "Early Works & Artefacts 1984-1987" implies, it features some of their earliest compositions as well as tracks that were recorded during the same period as their "Curaçao Blue" LP.

The album is a fusion of diverse music styles. Listeners will delight in a range of genres, including electro, funk, soul, jazz-funk, synth pop, and even rap/hip-hop, all woven together as a cohesive work that remains mostly instrumental. As a whole, "Don't Stop" represents Ghia's funkiest and most experimental release to date. Notably, the LP features a rap version of Hermann Hesse's controversial German poem "Armer Teufel am Morgen nach dem Maskenball" ("Poor Devil the Morning After the Costume Ball") from 1926, accompanied by a drum machine rhythm and funky guitar. This poem depicts a person who drank too much the night before, telling the story and describing his hangover. The title track "Don't Stop" and the thrilling minimal electro-funk tune "3 A.M. at Moëf Gaga" both evoke old-school electro influences. The latter references the Spanish discotheque Moëf Gaga, located on the Balearic coast, which the dynamic duo of Lutz Boberg and Frank Simon frequented during their 1980s holidays. While the exact music played at 3 A.M. is unknown, listening to Ghia's track will undoubtedly capture the mood of the place.

One of the key tracks of the album is "Message From The Other Side", which could easily be noted as one of the nicest European synth-funk instrumental pieces ever. The track is based on a sick synth bass line, sparkled with DX7 chord hits, funky guitar, and a delightful "marimba" solo in the last third. The solo was actually played on Boberg's keyboard, using a special sound cartridge. This particular track had to be edited and technically revised by Marian Tone and DJ Scientist as the existing demo version of the song could not be used as is. With its stunning groove, this track will surely be a DJ's favorite.

Listening to the complete album, there is more of Boberg's keyboard wizardry: could you believe that the trumpet solo on "Jump In The Water" as well as the short but stunning slap bass solo on "Talk Too Much" were both played by on the DX7? However, this new release, unlike the jazzy "Curaçao Blue", is not about solos or virtuous playing - it clearly shows the duo's direction towards more electronic composition and clear song structures. The versions of "September Garden", "When The Rain is Falling" as well as "Talk Too Much" are actually instrumental mixdowns of vocal songs. And again, we get a blissful take of "Close To You", here a version from 1986. This soulful jazz-funk ballad could already be heard on "Curaçao Blue" while the final vocal version with singer Lisa Ohm can be found on the recently released "This Is" LP. This shows that the Ghia composers, Boberg and Simon, were perfectionists - tracks were reworked again and again, making them better and better.

The album was mastered and restored with great care, and we are pleased to provide you with a perfect example of mid 1980s home-recording pleasures, tinged with a youthful spirit and providing a sound that cannot be recaptured anymore nowadays. Alongside "This Is" and "Curacao Blue" it should be another perfect addition to any 80s groove collection as well as a great pick for DJs that love and play disco, leftfield electro and funk. The LP is limited to 500 copies.

Emil Amos (Grails, OM and podcaster plus) decommissions pieces originally bound for the KPM library. A personal interpolation of "music for films (& television)" expounds upon diverse sounds: synthy 80s soundtracks, contemporary hip-hop beatmaking, ambient music, and The Hulk"s "Lonely Man Theme". Emil"s dark visions are full of noirish shadows and eerie neon glow - mood music for drug trips spent dreaming up new soundtracks to take drugs to! Emil Amos" forthcoming Zone Black album is a fully inhabitable world, its episodic narrative divided into an improbable balance between morbid ambient anthems and insouciant hip-hop instrumentals. Emil hadn"t heard it done quite this way before, so he took it upon himself. And it sounds real! Straight out of Madlib"s kitchen sink, and with a sense of brooding dread, "Jealous Gods" features throbbing beats, low synth paired with high vocal melody, layered together into something even more impossibly bizarre than the sum of their parts - like say, monks singing from on high, over a battleground littered with remnants of the old guard. Emil warps evocative tones, taking familiar sounds into new dimensions, reaching for the kind of depth and resonance that defines moments with an almost invisible touch.

No. is the tenth Soft Riot album by Glasgow-based Canadian synth auteur Jack Duckworth (also known as JJD). With origins from the mid-nineties in the vibrant art-punk/hardcore dominating the West Coast American/ Canadian underground at the time, he has clocked in over twenty five years of musical output in various bands and projects.

No. is the logical follow-up to When Push Comes To Shove, released in November 2019 on the Glasgow UK-based label Possession Records, which saw some critical acclaim in the increasingly diverse synthwave scene — a crystallization of the artist’s signature “SynthLord” sound.

With No. things have been shaken up and pushed into new directions. Many different factors came into play, including the conditions of the pandemic lockdowns and an urge for listening to music favourites from beyond his own scene informed developments on this new record. One key feature of these tracks is that under these conditions they were developed as individual pieces — a contrasting approach from previous albums where tracks were written with an album in mind. An evaluation of all of these individual tracks in the summer of 2022 unveiled a common pattern going through these new compositions.

One can still hear any number of echoes of the spirits of original synth artists in his sound, such as Images in Vogue, The Box, Section 25, Thomas Dolby, Skinny Puppy, Chrome, Cabaret Voltaire, Fad Gadget, Japan and Bill Nelson. However, some of Jack’s halcyon punk influences surface as well, taking inspiration from legendary punk/hardcore labels such as Dischord and Gravity, as listening habits over pandemic steered back towards more guitar-based styles. The introduction of expanded production techniques, experiments with vocal styles and tones, and stylistic shifts mark a progression of Soft Riot’s sound. The result is a snarkier, urgent and more playful, with a focus on pure synthpop, new wave, art-punk, proto-EBM as well as grittier synth-punk and post-punk tones.

The variation, energy and tone of this collection of tracks illustrates Soft Riot’s ability to transcend the hallmarks of today’s music environment, which increasingly is fragmenting into smaller and smaller micro-genres. Dry wit and dark humour take the lyrics and the tone of this album on a fun ride through music scenes, dark alleys and inside jokes.

Re released in the UK after many years and due to huge popular demand on 180g vinyl Hang On Little Tomato – a title inspired by a 1964 ketchup ad in LIFE Magazine, depicting a single tomato clinging to a vine – the result of Pink Martini’s diverse collaborations and inspirations. The celestial anthem ‘Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love" nestles next to a dance sequence from the 1950 Italian film, "Anna". The reworked Japanese track ‘Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu’, sits happily alongside the Brazilian composer Hector Villa-Lobos’s ‘Song of the Black Swan’ and ‘U Plavu Zoru’, There are torch songs, instrumentals, lyrics of poetic beauty. The mood is playful but never, ever kitsch.

A reissue of Jorge Ben's Solta o Pavao, originally released in 1975. Jorge Ben is one of Brazilian music's iconic and best-loved figures. Born Jorge Duilio Lima Menezes in Rio in 1942, he took the stage name, Jorge Ben, in deference to his mother's Ethiopian roots, and later used Jorge Ben Jorge for further distinction. Playing tambourine and singing in a church choir from an early age, Ben began playing in Carnival blocos and was performing in nightclubs as a teen. Signed to Philips in 1963, his "Mas Que Nada" became an instant international sensation that has never waned, despite being sung entirely in Portuguese. Beginning in samba, Ben's openminded approach saw him embrace aspects of bossa nova, the "Jovem Guarda" rock movement of the mid-1960s and the experimental Tropicalia form, the broad palette and diverse influences yielding a number of adventurous and abstruse albums during the 1970s, of which Solta o Pavao is one of the most rated by connoisseurs, though somewhat overlooked in general; its title translates roughly to "Unleash the Peacock" and apparently concerns the outward expression of inner beauty. Against a backdrop of lushly produced samba rock with shades of MPB, highlights include opener "Zagueiro", in which Ben salutes football center-backs in typically playful and poetic language; closing number "Jesualda" is a heady ballad of a chance encounter leading to a girl's social climbing and "Para Ouvir No Radio (Luciana)" a love song with striking flute and string arrangements; Dadi Flavi's bubbling bass and occasional string synths help keep the sound non-standard.

Formed in 2004 in York, UK, Deitus create sonic terror through the medium of Black Metal with no limits and no compromises. The band have released two highly acclaimed studio albums to date (‘Acta Non Verba’, 2016 and ‘Via Dolorosa’, 2018).

The band recently completed their third full-length album, ‘Irreversible’, released through Candlelight Records, which will only serve to inflict the sinister and vicious art of Deitus to an even wider audience.

‘Irreversible’ will consolidate Deitus as masters of their craft whilst at the same time introducing a much more diverse sound overall, with tracks such as ‘Voyeur’, which features a collaboration with an independent female singer songwriter, along with their first ever music video.

Formed in 2004 in York, UK, Deitus create sonic terror through the medium of Black Metal with no limits and no compromises. The band have released two highly acclaimed studio albums to date (‘Acta Non Verba’, 2016 and ‘Via Dolorosa’, 2018).

The band recently completed their third full-length album, ‘Irreversible’, released through Candlelight Records, which will only serve to inflict the sinister and vicious art of Deitus to an even wider audience.

‘Irreversible’ will consolidate Deitus as masters of their craft whilst at the same time introducing a much more diverse sound overall, with tracks such as ‘Voyeur’, which features a collaboration with an independent female singer songwriter, along with their first ever music video.

Next up in Veyl’s ever-evolving and diverse catalog comes of an experimental sonic experience from Llimbs.

The project of Hagen Ebejer, he began making music in the early 2000’s and started Llimbs in 2016, which allowed him to officially release music and perform live, making his debut at Berlin’s legendary Tresor. Now he arrives on Veyl with Midnight Amber, an 8-track album which fully realizes the Llimbs sound and vision. Inspired by dark and experimental sounds, Midnight Amber is a tour de force of genre-bending compositions, conjured using downtempo and dreamlike sounds which explore both the organic and digital.

The result is an undefinable affair which is both haunting and infectious at once. 'Unfold' commences the album with a soft yet powerful piece of melodic melancholy, inviting the listener through the gates and into the world of Llimbs. 'Divergent' picks things up with a ritual work of stirring chants which leads us to the evocative chords on 'Origin'. Finishing off side A is 'Absent', a slow burning rhythmic piece which encapsulates the listener, creating an almost nostalgic atmosphere for a time unknown.

'Phase' begins the B side with cinematic flair, creating a palpable tension which then evaporates into the ether. 'Eclipse' returns to a familiar dreamworld, traversing the skies which feel both familiar yet mysteriousbefore 'Fragment' dives deeper into a hidden universe of emotion, fusing ancient works with modern technology. Concluding the album is 'Midnight', a perfect end to a journey which exists at the intersection of the natural and mechanical, reality and surreality, marking a tremendous finale which can only lead to a new beginning.

Celebrate Hip-Hop At Fifty and Bad Boy records with the ground-breaking self-titled album by the R&B group, 112. Double Platinum Debut Album from 112, who carry the distinct honour of being one of the 1st R&B records released on Bad Boy.
With chart-topping hits like "Cupid," "Only You," and "Peaches & Cream," this album is a collection of timeless classics that will have you singing along and reminiscing about the magic of love. Whether you're in the mood for slow jams or upbeat grooves, 112 has you covered with their diverse range of soulful tracks.

Waking at Dawn was released in 2016 as a follow-up to Roy's debut EP, Exis. The projectfeatures the hit single, "Gwan Big Up Urself", inspired by his Caribbean roots & brought to lifeby Jamaican producer KRS. Another critically acclaimed single off the project, "How I Feel",shines light on Roy's ability to bend genres and vocal styles effortlessly.


The release brings to life the diverse talents of Roy Woods and his ability to write and singsongs that range in sound. Now his fans can finally listen to it on limited edition red vinyl

On The Deep and the Dirty, Eric Johanson is a roots-rock innovator and
modern-day guitar hero who uses blues as a springboard for an edgier,
broader sound
The Louisiana native teams up with Producer Jesse Dayton (Rob Zombie,
Supersuckers) and a taut power trio, firing twin barrels of sharp songwriting and
fiery fretwork along the way. The album arrives on the heels of four solo records
that all reached the Top 10 on the Billboard blues chart. Johanson fills The Deep
and the Dirty with revelatory anthems about embracing the modern moment and
the raw, honest sounds of a band performing together live. Offering everything
from roadhouse roots-rock to dark, bluesy Americana, it's a diverse album glued
together by a musician who's never been afraid of the grey area between
traditional genres.

Unitas Multiplex
The unity in diversity
Out of many sounds, one track.
Out of many tracks, one ep.
Sixth release by Vincent Neumann including a remix by Blind Observatory.

Archaic Vaults is pleased to present the first vinyl album for the label, cataloguing ten tracks from ten artists spanning the globe. This curation brings together a multiplicity of genres within the label’s ongoing thematic output - durational ambience, field recordings, oversaturated improvisations and spatialised synthetic loops among them. A diverse cohort of familiar and new collaborators alike.

Second album from West London, singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Oscar Lang. A split from his childhood sweetheart sent Lang spiralling, dramatically changing the course of the follow-up to the psychedelic-tinged fuzzy-rock of his 2021 debut Chew The Scenery at the same time as driving Lang into the most creatively fruitful period of his short career. The diversion has resulted in Look Now, an astounding record that makes Lang’s previous output sound like he was just testing the waters. Chew The Scenery and three melodically-breezy EPs that preceded it introduced Lang as a songwriter of rare talents but here is where he really lays down a marker, emerging with an album that takes in playful hooks, poignant lyricism, orchestral swells, ba-roque-pop instrumentation, a record that’s expansive but never overblown, intimate at the same time as being epic. It is his definitive artistic statement. Formats; CD, LP

Only a few copies available... PULZAR Recordings first physical release explores the genres of Acid House, Breakbeat, Electro and Techno. With this EP the Berlin born and raised main artist Smooth Operator declares his love to the Berlin district Neukölln. This area of Berlin is known for its multiculturality and the unconventional and sometimes even crazy experiences you are able to make there because of that diversity. The two original mixes, but also the four remixes by highly talented artists, form a soundtrack for walking the streets of Neukölln.

In loving memory of Darrell - you will be missed. "On Wednesday the 15th of June we lost our best friend, our Bobby. Words can’t describe how shocked and heartbroken we are. The joy, or what he would call ‘hot sauce’, that he brought to our lives has left a massive hole in our hearts. This is a photo taken at our last show on Saturday night. After we finished our set, he said “that was fucken sick, I think that was the best show we have ever played.” Darrell, we will love you forever." Love always, Greg & Steph x Eora/Sydney 3-piece Display Homes are back with new music! The asymmetric guitars, bass grooves and dynamic drums we’ve come to love on their previous two EPs are all there brighter than ever on forthcoming debut album What If You’re Right & They’re Wrong?. It’s raw but sharp, minimalist and danceable. Their pop sensibilities make it accessible while their post-punk leanings make it exciting. We’re calling it now as one of our favourite albums of the year! When I put this on I listen all the way through. The other day two times in a row. Unbelievably catchy. I will love this even years and years from now, for sure. Can’t pick a favorite song. This sounds like it could have been released in any of the last 5-6 decades. Solid, tight songs that warm the soul. I’m picking up on a wide diversity of sounds, from The Pixies to Blondie. Really glad to have stumbled across these guys! Extremely catchy, every song is a bop.

Wisdom Teeth co-founder K-LONE returns with his second full length project, ‘Swells’: a kaleidoscopic and expansive record that looks to deep house, synthpop, leftfield R&B and beyond for a spellbinding masterwork of melodic electronica.

His debut LP ‘Cape Cira’ became the accidental soundtrack of the long strange summer of 2020 - its lush marimbas, hazy atmos and synthesised bird calls providing the ideal soundtrack for some much needed collective escapism. The record was widely deemed one of 2020’s standout electronic LPs, gaining glowing reviews in Pitchfork, DJ Mag, Mixmag and Resident Advisor, and ranking highly in end of year lists by Crack Magazine.

Approaching its follow up, the Brighton-based producer felt a fresh perspective was needed. Originally landing on the name ‘Swells’ as a secret pen-name to write the record under, the intention was to keep the project as separate as possible from ‘Cape Cira’ to avoid settling into familiar territories - but as the record took shape it became clear that it made perfect sense amongst his already diverse discography.

Like ‘Cape Cira’, there is a distinct and intentionally limited sound palette at play on ‘Swells’. Looping vocal cuts, rich cluster chords and undulating arpeggios sit front and centre here - as does the lo-fi plonk of of the CR78 drum machine. But while the record clearly takes influence from a range of vintage sound sources, its overall aesthetic is unmistakably contemporary. Sounds are not artificially degraded nor obscured under washes of sampled tape hiss. Rather, everything is processed with a gloss, hi-fidelity sheen. The record’s rhythms are bright, dry and snappy, and its melodies are processed with a neon poppy glow.

The producer’s unabashed love of contemporary pop music is most obviously exemplified by the appearance of British singer-songwriter Eliza Rose. The pair met for a session at a North London studio back in 2021, and the now Brit Award-nominated singer’s warm, emotive vocal takes became an immediate source of inspiration early in the record’s conception. As such, Rose’s voice is heard in various states of manipulation throughout its duration - initially as reduced and looped phrases, and then finally in full form on ‘With U’: a low-lit, dubbed-out slice of leftfield R&B that beckons comparisons with Tirzah, Little Dragon and even Erykah Badu.

Elsewhere, there are references to G-Funk (‘Oddball’), Autonomic drum and bass (‘Shimmer’), hip-house (‘Love Is’) and even Metronomy-era electro pop (‘Love Me A Little’).

As always, the true magic of K-LONE’s artistry is to present complex, subtle and original ideas in ways that feel familiar and immediate. Melodies are introduced as effortless earworms, only to be twisted out of shape into strange and unusual formulations. Looping rhythms unspool into washes of hazy, dubbed-out ambience before rebuilding themselves. Refined and endlessly creative, ‘Swells’ marks a captivating next step for a producer and record label that have both reliably positioned themselves at the very forefront of contemporary electronic music.

Als SOUNDGARDEN gegen Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts ins Rampenlicht traten, war die Band aus Seattle ebenso authentisch, heavy wie völlig unbeeindruckt von allem, was damals als angesagt und cool galt. Ihr kraftvoller Sound, erhabene Melodien und punkige Attitüde ließen die Amerikaner zu idealen Vorreitern des Grunge werden. Als diese Welle abflaute, gelang es SOUNGARDEN durch überragende Musikalität und intelligentes Songwriting die Ära des Grunge zu überdauern und sich auch international an der Spitze zu halten. Ihr ikonisches Album "Superunknown" war nicht nur ihr kommerziell erfolgreichstes Werk, das SOUNGARDEN weltweit zu Megastars werden ließ, sondern es enthält auch die eingängigsten, bedeutendsten und härtesten Songs, die diese Band je geschrieben hat. Auf "Superunknown Redux" spielt eine handverlesene Auswahl der lauteste, coolsten und vielseitigsten Bands der heutigen Rock- und Metal-Szene alle fünfzehn Tracks dieses bahnbrechenden SOUNDGARDEN-Albums in fesselnden eigenen Interpretationen neu ein. Wie bei den Redux-Alben üblich, erscheint auch parallel zu "Superunknown Redux" ein Begleitalbum unter dem Titel "Best of Soundgarden". Dieses enthält weitere 15 von diversen Interpreten neu aufgenommene Klassiker aus dem umfangreichen Repertoire der Grunge-Götter. Die Magnetic Eye Redux- Reihe lässt ausgewählte Künstler handverlesene klassische Alben aus der Geschichte des Rock und Metal komplett neu interpretieren und respektvoll in das neue Jahrtausend übertragen. Bisher hat das Label solche Meilensteine wie PINK FLOYDs "The Wall", HELMETs "Meantime", BLACK SABBATHs "Vol. 4", JIMMY HENDRIX' "Electric Ladyland", "Dirt" von ALICE IN CHAINS und AC/DCs "Back in Black" in Redux-Versionen veröffentlicht. Unter vielen anderen haben sich solch herausragende Künstler wie MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, SCOTT REEDER an diversen Redux-Projekten beteiligt. Mit "Superunknown Redux" zollen Magnetic Eye Records und zahlreiche musikalische Freunde der Legende aus Seattle den gebührenden Respekt und laden mit faszinierenden neuen SOUNDGARDEN-Interpretationen zum siebten Streifzug ins Redux-Territorium ein.

Als SOUNDGARDEN gegen Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts ins Rampenlicht traten, war die Band aus Seattle ebenso authentisch, heavy wie völlig unbeeindruckt von allem, was damals als angesagt und cool galt. Ihr kraftvoller Sound, erhabene Melodien und punkige Attitüde ließen die Amerikaner zu idealen Vorreitern des Grunge werden. Als diese Welle abflaute, gelang es SOUNGARDEN durch überragende Musikalität und intelligentes Songwriting die Ära des Grunge zu überdauern und sich auch international an der Spitze zu halten. Ihr ikonisches Album "Superunknown" war nicht nur ihr kommerziell erfolgreichstes Werk, das SOUNGARDEN weltweit zu Megastars werden ließ, sondern es enthält auch die eingängigsten, bedeutendsten und härtesten Songs, die diese Band je geschrieben hat. Auf "Superunknown Redux" spielt eine handverlesene Auswahl der lauteste, coolsten und vielseitigsten Bands der heutigen Rock- und Metal-Szene alle fünfzehn Tracks dieses bahnbrechenden SOUNDGARDEN-Albums in fesselnden eigenen Interpretationen neu ein. Wie bei den Redux-Alben üblich, erscheint auch parallel zu "Superunknown Redux" ein Begleitalbum unter dem Titel "Best of Soundgarden". Dieses enthält weitere 15 von diversen Interpreten neu aufgenommene Klassiker aus dem umfangreichen Repertoire der Grunge-Götter. Die Magnetic Eye Redux- Reihe lässt ausgewählte Künstler handverlesene klassische Alben aus der Geschichte des Rock und Metal komplett neu interpretieren und respektvoll in das neue Jahrtausend übertragen. Bisher hat das Label solche Meilensteine wie PINK FLOYDs "The Wall", HELMETs "Meantime", BLACK SABBATHs "Vol. 4", JIMMY HENDRIX' "Electric Ladyland", "Dirt" von ALICE IN CHAINS und AC/DCs "Back in Black" in Redux-Versionen veröffentlicht. Unter vielen anderen haben sich solch herausragende Künstler wie MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, SCOTT REEDER an diversen Redux-Projekten beteiligt. Mit "Superunknown Redux" zollen Magnetic Eye Records und zahlreiche musikalische Freunde der Legende aus Seattle den gebührenden Respekt und laden mit faszinierenden neuen SOUNDGARDEN-Interpretationen zum siebten Streifzug ins Redux-Territorium ein.

Dark, evocative beats engulfed by bold raw vocals: this is
TOTEK, the genre-defying electronic project of Allysha Joy and
Max Dowling.
In their own right, Allysha and Max both lay claim to an
extensive musical prowess: the former as a member of the
internationally-acclaimed nu-soul outfit 30/70 and her equally
revered solo project, the latter as a prolific producer, performer
and collaborator (Client Liaison, NO ZU, Parvyn and countless
others).
Born out of burn out and edging frustration for the pace and
complication of life at times, this collaboration came together
almost immediately. TOTEK found itself in the dark edges,
wanting to punch a little harder and move through it all quickly,
boldly, unafraid in relief. The chemistry held between Max and
Allysha found songs written in mere moments that expressed
something new that neither artist had been able to access
alone.
On face value, the six tracks on ttk.1 could feel musically
divergent: representing different idioms, different tempos and
different themes. Yet they are unified on a more holistic level
through their energy, ethos and character. TOTEK prefers to
view music in this way: what is the overall experience of a
record? Pushing boundaries and eschewing conventions has
been organically at the heart of TOTEK from the beginning. The
process of crafting a record was no different: The artists
intended to create a work that is characterful and unpredictable
yet unified by a throughline of potency and intensity.
TOTEK represents a masterful coming-together of influences: a
blend of multiple electronic idioms with a unique soul sensibility;
channelled through two creatively potent individuals. While their
music conjures shades of Dorian Concept, Jana Rush and
Flying Lotus, ultimately their sound is eclectic, elusive and
unique.

ENG Batov Records opens another chapter, introducing "Five Seasons, the debut album of Eje Eje, the brand new solo project of Itamar Klüger, of the Satellites, presenting a fresh and contemporary world incorporating the rich diversity of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean musical styles with psych, funk, dub and other internationally known sounds.

How could a combo named the Insect Trust be anything other than eclectic? Hoboken Saturday Night (1970) is their second studio album. The core of the band consisted of multi-instrumentalists Luke Faust, Trevor Koehler, Robert Palmer, Nancy Jeffries, and Bill Barth. The rhythm section was fleshed out by a sizable and equally diverse range of session musicians such as jazz legend Elvin Jones, Bernard Purdie, Donald MacDonald, William Folwell, Ralph Casale, Hugh McCracken a.o.

"Best of Soundgarden Redux" ist das bereits traditionelle Begleitalbum zu den Werken der Redux-Reihe. Es ergänzt "Superunknown Redux" mit 15 weiteren Coverversionen klassischer Titel aus dem umfangreichen Repertoire der Grunge-Götter, die von ebenso vielen spannenden Interpreten aufgenommen wurden.
Als SOUNDGARDEN gegen Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts ins Rampenlicht traten, war die Band aus Seattle ebenso authentisch, heavy wie völlig unbeeindruckt von allem, was damals als angesagt und cool galt. Ihr kraftvoller Sound, erhabene Melodien und punkige Attitüde ließen die Amerikaner zu idealen Vorreitern des Grunge werden. Als diese Welle abflaute, gelang es SOUNDGARDEN durch überragende Musikalität und intelligentes Songwriting die Ära des Grunge zu überdauern und sich auch international an der Spitze zu halten.
Ihr ikonisches Album "Superunknown" war nicht nur das kommerziell erfolgreichste Werk, welches SOUNDGARDEN weltweit zu Megastars werden ließ, sondern es enthält auch die eingängigsten, bedeutendsten und härtesten Songs, die diese Band je geschrieben hat.
Auf "Superunknown Redux" spielt eine handverlesene Auswahl der lautesten, coolsten und vielseitigsten Bands der heutigen Rock- und Metal-Szene alle fünfzehn Tracks dieses bahnbrechenden SOUNDGARDEN-Albums in fesselnden eigenen Interpretationen neu ein.
Die Magnetic Eye Redux- Reihe lässt ausgewählte Künstler handverlesene klassische Alben aus der Geschichte des Rock und Metal komplett neu interpretieren und respektvoll in das neue Jahrtausend übertragen. Bisher hat das Label solche Meilensteine wie PINK FLOYDs "The Wall", HELMETs "Meantime", BLACK SABBATHs "Vol. 4", JIMMY HENDRIX' "Electric Ladyland", "Dirt" von ALICE IN CHAINS und AC/DCs "Back in Black" in Redux-Versionen veröffentlicht. Unter vielen anderen haben sich solch herausragende Künstler wie MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, SCOTT REEDER an diversen Redux-Projekten beteiligt.
Mit weiteren SOUNDGARDEN-Klassikern des Begleitalbums "Best of Soundgarden Redux" vergrößern Magnetic Eye Records gemeinsam mit fünfzehn Freunden das enorme Vergnügen von "Superunknown Redux", welches dem ikonischen Album der Legenden aus Seattle den gebührenden Tribut zollt.

"Best of Soundgarden Redux" ist das bereits traditionelle Begleitalbum zu den Werken der Redux-Reihe. Es ergänzt "Superunknown Redux" mit 15 weiteren Coverversionen klassischer Titel aus dem umfangreichen Repertoire der Grunge-Götter, die von ebenso vielen spannenden Interpreten aufgenommen wurden.
Als SOUNDGARDEN gegen Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts ins Rampenlicht traten, war die Band aus Seattle ebenso authentisch, heavy wie völlig unbeeindruckt von allem, was damals als angesagt und cool galt. Ihr kraftvoller Sound, erhabene Melodien und punkige Attitüde ließen die Amerikaner zu idealen Vorreitern des Grunge werden. Als diese Welle abflaute, gelang es SOUNDGARDEN durch überragende Musikalität und intelligentes Songwriting die Ära des Grunge zu überdauern und sich auch international an der Spitze zu halten.
Ihr ikonisches Album "Superunknown" war nicht nur das kommerziell erfolgreichste Werk, welches SOUNDGARDEN weltweit zu Megastars werden ließ, sondern es enthält auch die eingängigsten, bedeutendsten und härtesten Songs, die diese Band je geschrieben hat.
Auf "Superunknown Redux" spielt eine handverlesene Auswahl der lautesten, coolsten und vielseitigsten Bands der heutigen Rock- und Metal-Szene alle fünfzehn Tracks dieses bahnbrechenden SOUNDGARDEN-Albums in fesselnden eigenen Interpretationen neu ein.
Die Magnetic Eye Redux- Reihe lässt ausgewählte Künstler handverlesene klassische Alben aus der Geschichte des Rock und Metal komplett neu interpretieren und respektvoll in das neue Jahrtausend übertragen. Bisher hat das Label solche Meilensteine wie PINK FLOYDs "The Wall", HELMETs "Meantime", BLACK SABBATHs "Vol. 4", JIMMY HENDRIX' "Electric Ladyland", "Dirt" von ALICE IN CHAINS und AC/DCs "Back in Black" in Redux-Versionen veröffentlicht. Unter vielen anderen haben sich solch herausragende Künstler wie MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, SCOTT REEDER an diversen Redux-Projekten beteiligt.
Mit weiteren SOUNDGARDEN-Klassikern des Begleitalbums "Best of Soundgarden Redux" vergrößern Magnetic Eye Records gemeinsam mit fünfzehn Freunden das enorme Vergnügen von "Superunknown Redux", welches dem ikonischen Album der Legenden aus Seattle den gebührenden Tribut zollt.

From the trademark melancholy tone of Scandinavian Jazz, to cinematic synth textures and propulsive programmed drum machines, Danish quintet "Andorra" embodies the melting-pot spirit of jazz. Their sophomore album "Current", set to release March 23rd on April Records, brings a hard-hitting indie-rock-esque attitude to a sound which is bold, fresh, and full of twists. Jazz"s ability to evolve, grow, and remain relevant over the past century is arguably due to its capacity to transcend genre and classification. Andorra"s 2021 debut (conceived and recorded during covid) re-united five musicians who met at the Funen Music Conservatory in Denmark and work in a range of areas, from film music and orchestral, to large ensembles and chamber jazz. With their long-held desire to explore their creative potential together finally launched, "Currents" shows them diving deeper into their self described "modern vintage" sound. Distorted guitar riffs, modern effects processing, warm soaring trumpet melodies and deep grooves carry the listener through an exciting journey that pays homage to their roots whilst pushing confidently into the future. With a focus on lyrical melodies, the record features intricate compositions, open passages of ethereal texture, and virtuosic, interactive improvisations from all corners of the ensemble. Each member of the quintet is a highly active member of Denmark"s vibrant music scene; Mads La Cour is an award-winning horn player who runs his own band Almugi and plays in the DR Big Band; Morten Jorgensen plays with The White Album and Soren Huss; Nikolaj Bundvig has played for Alex Canasta and Blue Foundation; Simon Krebs has recorded with the likes of Tomasz Dabrowski; and Peter Kohlmetz Moller"s diverse back catalogue includes compositions for Den-mark Radio"s documentary department, and multiple theatre productions.

Back again, Dold and Blue Hour are teaming up on yet another split EP for Arsenik. The two explore new and diverse sounds, broadening the label output with four tracks ranging from dub soaked and dreamy house to early rave and obscure techno/electronica. Blue Hour hosts the A-side opening up the record with ‘Straight up’, a raw drum work out with dubbed out attitude, deep sub bass and tumbling chords. Next is ‘Phases’, which feels lighter in comparison with a mood embracing after-hours moments wrapped in warm pads and emotional string melodies that are reflective of his early productions and signature sound. The B-side by Dold switches the mood up with both tracks referencing the early years of dance music. Ninety-three is a enchanting tribute to when genre cross pollination in the UK was prevailing. Closing the EP ‘Odyssey’ traces further back with a surprising twist of techno/electronica reaching into a futuristic soundscape and through the cosmos.

Catz ‘n Dogz make a standout debut on Crosstown Rebels with two compelling new house tracks on ‘Can’t Stand’, complete with a remix from leftfield innovator Robag Wruhme.

A pairing whose renowned reputation has been built and shaped across an illustrious career, Polish duo Grzegorz Demiañczuk and Wojciech Tarañczuk, aka Catz’ n Dogz, have been serving up their own diverse and varied take on house for more than fifteen years. Founders of their own Pets Recordings imprint, in that time they have released on esteemed labels, from Diynamic to Defected, Glitterbox to Watergate and more, while playing at almost every major club and festival across the globe. Their fresh in-between sounds and knack for cooking up curious and impactful sounds have made them mainstays of the scene, and that run of stellar releases continues here with a debut appearance on Crosstown Rebels as they link with ZenSoFly for ‘Can’t Stand’ - with longstanding German favourite Robag Wruhme on remix duties.

Opener ‘Can’t Stand’ sees the pair reunite with vocalist ZenSoFly, a talent they’ve worked with on notable hits like ‘Wave.’ Her vocals bring soul and attitude over a tight, rubbery and sleazy house beat, underpinned with a heavy bassline - providing the sort of chunky cut to lock in a dancefloor and make it march in unison. Robag Wruhme has been a Pampa label mainstay and famously curveball producer for many years with his scintillating blend of minimalism, melody and unusual sound sources. That is the case again with this remix, a dark workout that hurries along on snappy drums, detuned vocals and scuzzed up, droning synths to ensure maximum impact.

The EP is closed out with ‘Wake Up’, a widescreen and atmospheric cut packed with detail. The bassline is taught, freaky vocals echo within the mix, and synths spray about to dramatic effect, delivering another full flavour house cut with a dark soul and futuristic designs.

Bunker New York luminary Abby Echiverri joins the Patterns of Perception imprint with her Deformation EP, a diverse collection of playfully psychedelic techno tracks infused with a radiant cosmic energy.

Produced in 2021-22, Abby drew inspiration from the captivating physics simulations her partner was working on at the time, ultimately imbuing the music with an ethereal atmosphere that permeates the entire EP, and from which the tracks derive their names.

PTN03 presents a cohesive yet diverse collection of tracks, blending psychedelic energy with delicate and profound moments. Abby's music carries an almost hopeful quality, with drum programming that leans towards groove and shuffle, and the incorporation of diminished chords and progressions that pose questions to the listener. The Deformation EP is an intricate record that showcases Abby Echiverri's distinctive, three-dimensional approach to techno: one that never feels oppressive, but calls to mind a sense of exploration and freedom.

We are super excited to present this third slice of exclusive and brand new music from friends and family of the label. We hope you love these big orange slabs of vinyl as much as we do.

Volume 3 takes another deep dive into the diverse range of styles that we love here at SB. Ranging from disco and soul tinged house, to some deeper goodness and on to raunchy acid and techy stompers. Everything you would expect to hear at any one of our parties.

As always a huge thank you to all the incredible artists who’ve contributed to this edition. These wouldn’t happen without you… Now grab your mates, stick these tunes on loud, and DANCE!

Official re-release, retrieved from original cassette tape (1988). First time on vinyl! Includes Turkish musicians like jazz & percussion star Okay Temiz.

Brought to you by the compiler of the Saz Beat series as well as the Bosporus Bridges series.

A Danish-Lebanese Afro-American who has learned Turkish and knows how to play the saz? Who entered the Anatolian Pop scene in Istanbul right in the heyday, the early 1970s? And who got so much musical credit that the renowned Turkish producer Nazmi Senel released a solo album with him in 1988, recorded in Istanbul and including musicians like Turkish percussion star Okay Temiz? Sounds pretty unlikely. Sometimes miracles happen and highly improbable music gets released. A person with a diverse heritage as Nyofu Tyson can be seen as a 'melting pot', as a 'synthesis'. Yet, he can be also seen as someone who is able to step out for new paths.
This is the case for TÜRK LOKUMU - TURKISH DELITE. Like nobody before, Tyson connects and opens up Anadolu Pop towards a whole range of styles: Synth-Pop, New Wave, Reggae, Hip Hop/Break, Latin, Disco Boogie… He shows us how vital, compatible and versatile one could think Anadolu Pop at the end of the 1980s. The compositions are basically all Türkü-s, traditional Anatolian folk songs, yet updated with a poly-cultural music practice, which involved a lot of the then current musical trends. So, this is Turkish folk music and it has at the same time all what you like about the late 1980s pop music: cold electronic drum sounds, crisp-flashy synths, crunchy bass - all in contrast with warm distorted saz tones, wooden Turkish wind instruments, and a disco-soul proven female choir. This is crazy music. This is a miracle. This is Anatolian-Synth.

Cable Ties are a fierce, tense rock’n’roll trio. They take the three-minute punk burner and stretch it past breaking point to deliver smouldering feminist anthems. Post-punk and garage rock hammered together by a relentless rhythmic pulse. Jenny McKechnie channels her struggles into songs that resonate deeply, giving voice to feelings often buried in modern life. Shauna Boyle and Nick Brown are a rhythm section anchored in Stooges primitivism, relentlessly hammering out a bedrock for McKechnie’s guitar pyrotechnics and vocal wallop. Three friends summoning a rhythmic tide to deliver anthems that turn latent anxieties into a rallying cry.

The band has been committed to an inclusive feminist and political outlook since its inception in 2015, exploring issues of gendered violence, colonialism, and sexual assault. The band members have been involved in benefit shows, organized DIY festivals, and volunteer with Girls Rock!, a not-for-profit organization that aims to empower female, trans, and gender non-binary youth in music.
Cable Ties are dedicated to their local community and independent networks, and to playing diverse and inclusive shows. They have toured Australia a number of times and have developed into a lean and efficient touring band who deliver powerful and meaningful shows. Their debut self-titled album, released in 2017 on Poison City Records, was a Triple J feature album and album of the week on 3RRR, with strong support nationally from community radio. They have also self released three 7” singles which have all sold out. The debut album is on its third vinyl pressing.

The band toured UK/Europe in 2017 supporting Jen Cloher, and played Punk’d Festival in Berlin. They returned to the UK in May 2019 to play The Great Escape and shows with Tropical Fuck Storm and Amyl & the Sniffers. In Australia they played Bigsound 2018 and festivals such as the national Laneway Festival tour in 2018, Boogie Festival 2018, The Plot 2017, and Meredith Music Festival in 2016. Cable Ties have supported artists such as Joan Jett, The Kills, Camp Cope, and Cash Savage. They won Best Hard Rock Act at the 2017 National Live Music Awards and were nominated in five categories. They won the Corner Music Award in 2017, have been nominated for eight Age Music Victoria awards, and were longlisted for The Australian Music Prize 2017.

Third in a trilogy of LPs of Library Music miniatures from composer and multi-instrumentalist Daniel O’Sullivan (Æthenor, Ulver, This is Not This Heat, etc) following 2020’s Electric Māyā and 2021’s Fourth Density. For heads, the term “Library Music” in 2021 might evoke dodgy Italian gray market LPs and crate diggers hunting for “funky breaks” - but London’s venerable KPM Music is working with groundbreakers like Daniel to open up new avenues for composers to experiment. The 15 tracks on “The Physic Garden” are fully-formed and orchestrated compositions, which would be highlights on anyone’s LP, never mind as incidental music. Of the music, Dan says: “The Physic Garden is an album of diverse instrumentals inspired by a swathe of verdant vistas from manicured gardens and follies to urban common land, overgrown and forgotten. Convalescent memories in the shape of psychedelic auditory botanics.”

Key tracks include the droning acoustic folk of the title song; the Canterbury-esque rolling horn and woodwind melody of “Return the Heart” (with expert drum kit from Frank Byng); The prog-ish odd meter interlude “Buttercup Tea”; The quiet ambience and delicate melody of “Dusty Feather:”; and the Eno-like drift of “Vapourer Larvae.”

“Library music. Akasha. Here you accept that music behaves like a thing to accentuate another thing, seemingly unrelated. A beautiful, shining blankness. Not passive. An opportunity to wade. A brief encounter with an open-ended destiny. As in, you never know who or what it will be partnered with. With library music the emphasis tends to be on functionality and less on sonic self-portraiture. So it compels you to be concise, like what is the function of this work? The distance is liberating. It’s less “What Am I? and more “What Is This?”. It compels you to be brief, each little cell is a world of its own in an assemblage of miniatures all vibrating in their collective identity. Then there is the occult nature of library music which is fetishized by many for its ability to induce time travel, often to send us back to some televisual memory. However, despite its broad-brush strokes, the library can be so profoundly alien, especially when experienced independently of the televisual realm; an unruly chimera of genre mutations, compositional curiosities and the deepest wallpaper you ever laid ears on. Perhaps the observances of library music can help unshackle us from our artistic insecurities and delusions, where one is drawn to the shape of music as a whole instrument unto itself; as a vehicle carrying our intention and consisting of everything we have to give at that moment; so things that are seemingly unrelated are ultimately connected.” – Daniel O’Sullivan

Batov Records “Middle Eastern Grooves’ 7” series have become staples in the sets of DJs looking to broaden their sets to incorporate psychedelic and Middle Eastern sounds alongside the familiar funk, jazz, and soul catalogue. In the process, the series has enjoyed support across BBC 6 Radio Music, from Gilles Peterson to Gideon Coe, and made waves around the world, from Radio Nova and FIP in France, across the Atlantic to KEXP and Music Is My Sanctuary,
and laid the seeds for debut albums from series staples, Sababa 5 and Şatellites.

The compilation opens with the desert funk sound of "Badawee" by the iconic producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kutiman, followed by the instrumental edit of "Ya Raiyat" by Tel Aviv digging pioneers Radio Trip. Other highlights include the deranged & spooky synths of “The Egyptian” by Baharat, a prime example of the label's core sound, the
psychedelic Middle Eastern groove bomb "Deli Deli" by Şatellites, and “Nasnusa”, Sababa 5’s acclaimed collaboration with Japanese vocalist Yurika Hanashima.

Batov Records is thrilled to announce the release of ‘Middle Eastern Grooves’, a double gatefold LP compilation of standout tracks from the label’s highly successful series of 7” singles released
under the same name, hand selected by label co-founder DJ Kobayashi. Spanning from 2015 to the present day, the compilation features a mix of classic favourites, new releases, and neverbefore-heard gems from some of the most talented emerging artists.

The compilation also includes some exclusive tracks, released here for the first time. Following their recent collaborative EP, Sababa 5 back the newly discovered vocalist Shiran Tzfira with a simple but
effective combo of synths and percussion on the haunting “Manginat Mahepeha”.

Şatellites band leader Itamar Kluger contributes “Saved From The Jazz” from his new psychedelic funk project Eje Eje - watch out for the drums on this!

And finally, underground belly dancing princess turned Mediterranean psych chanteuse, Cherry Bandora, contributes the hypnotic “Esý”.
This first volume of highlights from the Middle Eastern Grooves 7" series offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of the label's sound and its place in the wider musical context. From surf rock
to Mediterranean psych, this collection showcases the diverse and captivating sounds of the Middle East and its influence on modern music. The compilation will be available on double gatefold vinyl and for digital download and streaming from 19th May, 2023.

When he isn’t managing Batov Records, DJ Kobayashi can be found digging for grooves and melodies that stand out from the norm, and sharing them at the likes of Brilliant Corners, Spiritland, and his biweekly show on Soho Radio. His vast collection spans funk and beats from across the globe, and reflects, of course, a particular
predilection for Middle Eastern grooves. His refined tastes have created a great demand for his selections, leading to him playing alongside the likes of Islandman, Balkan Beat Box, The Apples, and Baba Zula.

A wild and funky collection of Afro grooves that was ahead of its time in 1977 and has become a collector’s item in recent years, especially due to the growing international interest in Colombian picó sound system culture. Fruko and his studio bands Wganda Kenya and Kammpala Grupo treat us to a diverse set of African and Caribbean styles, laced with crazy synths, psychedelic guitar and infectious pan-African polyrhythms. By the time Discos Fuentes released the album “Wganda Kenya Kammpala Grupo” in 1977, Wganda Kenya’s discography was expanding with many 45 singles and appearances in various artists collections. The group’s 1975 debut record “África 5.000” was a full length LP in the U.S. and a various artists compilation in Colombia, which was followed by the self-titled long player the following year. However, Kammpala Grupo, which shared the album’s title and was credited to three songs on the record, had never appeared before, yet was basically the same studio group as Wganda Kenya. Most likely the creation of this short-lived studio band was just a ploy by the label to make it seem like there were more groups playing the type of exotic afro tracks favored by the picotero DJs of Colombia’s Caribbean coast (especially in Barranquilla and Cartagena). 1974 Discos Fuentes’ management had sent musician, band leader and producer Julio Ernesto “Fruko” Estrada to the coast on an A&R mission to discover what people were dancing to in the verbenas (communal open air neighborhood parties) run by the owners of picó sound systems (decorated mobile DJ rigs). Always game for an adventure, Fruko was tasked with bringing some popular examples of these esoteric, hard-to-find African, French and Dutch Antillean records back to Medellín to serve as inspiration (or to outright copy) so that the label could enter into the growing regional market and spread its popularity to the interior of Colombia and other Latin American countries via its own studio creation, Wganda Kenya. Fuentes was always returning to exploit the rich African-rooted culture of the coast as it had with the cumbia and other regional genres before, so in a way it was not surprising that they were attuned to this particular niche phenomenon from a marginalized sector of the population. The most popular genres with the champeta dancers in the 70’s and 80’s were styles like Congolese rumba, highlife, afrobeat, juju, mbaqanga and soukous as well as the music of Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Curaçao and Dominica, all of which were fiercely guarded by the DJs who had managed to acquire them often through extreme means of travel, barter and intense digging. The record kicks off with the joyful ‘El Gallo Africano’ which features exquisite interplay between Sepúlveda’s highlife style guitar and an authentic-sounding African style saxophone, perhaps played by Carlos Piña. In reality it was ‘Go Call Police Chief’ by prolific Nigerian highlife guitarist Chief Oliver Sunday Akanite, aka Oliver De Coque. Next up is Kammpala Grupo’s ‘La Yuca Rayá’ (‘Grated Yuca’), written by Isaac Villanueva in a style he termed son haitiano which sounds much more like Zimbabwe Shona mbira music. Wganda Kenya’s ‘Caimito’ (star apple, a type of tropical fruit), on the other hand, is actually a cover of a relatively well-known Haitian merengue song. Kammpala Grupo then takes us from the French Antilles to the multi-cultural discotheques of Paris, where a cover version of Black Soul’s Afro-boogie anthem ‘Black Soul Music’ is retooled and renamed ‘King Kong’, perhaps in a nod to the 1976 remake of the monster flick of the same name. Side two introduces us to the infectious merengue rebita of Angola via ‘La riphyta’ with “Paparí”, aka Mariano Sepúlveda, doing the vocals and faithfully replicating the Angolan guitar style. ‘La Trompeta Loca’ (‘The Crazy Trumpet’), probably the nuttiest track on the album, is an ingenious cover of ‘Ye Gbawa Oo Baba (Tribute To Nigeria)’ by Joe Mensah of Ghana. As with all their covers of African tunes, this rendition tightens up the original with some pop sheen, more consistent drumming and higher production values, remaking it into a powerful slow-burning dance floor filler. This is followed by one of the most powerfully original songs to come out of the entire Wganda Kenya project, Mike Char’s reggae anthem ‘El Nativo’ with Joe Arroyo on vocals. The record ends on a more authentically Caribbean sounding note with the instrumental ‘El testamento’, a cheerful islands banger with bright brass, syncopated calypso beats and chunky cuatro guitar (or ukulele). The original was in the mento genre and titled ‘Sweet meat’, written and recorded by Jamaican trumpeter Bobby Ellis. First time reissue. 180g vinyl.

In the centre of deep space we tune in to the radio broadcasts from an old Class T interstellar spaceship. The emissions endlessly resonate the frequencies of the seventeenth release on the label HC Records by one of the titans of the Valencian scene, The Lost Boys, new pseudonym of the DJ and producer Raszia.

With releases on labels such as Bass Agenda, Subsist or Hxagrm Records, the artist mesmerises our senses with the Exiles of Mars Ep, available in both double vinyl and digital.

Syncopated rhythms are the protagonists across four original tracks together
with remixes by four electro legends: Boris Divider, Estrato Aurora, Dark Vektor, and Filmmaker.

The EP’s first cut is a remix of "Wall Of Bricks" by the legendary Boris Divider, which gives the track an air of crystalline, synthetic and cosmic sound, very much in line with his latest works on the Generative Operations series. Next, we find the original version, where the kick drums are heavier, the synths and basses more colourful and the acid sequences take centre stage in an odyssey of sidereal intensity.

On the record’s flip side, a feeling of overwhelming melancholy takes root in our soul. Valencian Estrato Aurora mentally transports us to the mysterious red sand of Mars in a precise exercise in symphonic minimalism with his remix of "Exiles of Mars", which mutates the original idea with velvety pads, synths and a slow and rapturous hypnotism that sinks us to unfathomable depths.
The Lost Boys' original concept on B2 is a combination of Miami Bass-style breaks and a demonic mantra-like main synth line, backed by what seems like an infinity of pearly effects and secondary melodies, pushing the track towards a crescendo punctuated by a dry and sharp snare.

The second disc’s opener "Bust My Moves" is a masterclass in deconstruction and reconstruction by Dark Vektor with his "Electro Escuadrón Remix”. The genius from Terrassa provides powerful lyrics loaded with a message about the modern rise of the 808 movement. We return to the original Lost Boys version on C2, a futuristic martial discourse takes shape with combating breaks combined with rave chords and brief episodes of respite, almost dreamlike, in the middle and end of the track’s exciting development.

On the D side, rough frequencies verging on distortion materialise through our ship's speakers as we pick up the Colombian Filmmaker’s remix of "Data Recovery For Brains". A psychotronic final appetiser that combines harshness and elegance in the use of the rolling kick drums and saturation of the sound, it is without a doubt the ideal soundtrack to narrate the collision of two galaxies. The closing of the EP features the original track, in which The Lost Boys show us his most mental and lysergic side as the track progresses along a slow and comforting broken rhythm, made dynamic by clever use of diverse acid sequences and clairvoyant stellar melodies.

The complete artistic experience is enhanced in all dimensions with accompanying artwork by
Daniel Requeni and videos elaborated by Frank-F.

Mastering as usual by Steve Voidloss at Black Monolith Studios in London (UK).

The apartheid boycott In the 80s, the world – rightly - stepped up its boycott against South Africa’s apartheid government. But this had unexpected and sometimes adverse consequences for South Africa’s music professionals and consumers. Musicians still needed to work live shows both at home and abroad, and to make and sell records. The youth still aspired to clubbing and partying at the weekend after hard, poorly paid jobs under the thumb of an oppressive government. Music was their sanctuary: specifically, African- American inspired soul, jazz, boogie, disco and funk. Unique diversity Producing musical excellence was nothing new for South Africa, even in the 80s: both traditional and jazz music of various genres had been performed, showcased and recorded for decades with the assistance of some of the most skilled and ingenious sound-engineers and producers in the world, the jazz players rivalling their American peers in many cases. But what makes Mzansi 80s popular music unique is that it had to – and for the most part, did- appeal to a multi-ethnic, multilingual population almost like no other in the world, for its geographical size. There may have been many tribal and political differences between Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa, Tsonga and others day-to-day, but when it came to the weekend, those differences often melted away for a while on the dancefloor. Paul Ndlovu had kwaZulu fans as well as Shangaan followers; Black Moses and the Soul Brothers had followers and fans with everyone..and so on. And everyone- detractors and lovers alike- were content to settle on the monicker ‘Bubblegum’ as a general description. Mzansi took disco- and slowed it down a bit.. ..exactly as 90s and early 2000s South African DJs and mixers took House- and slowed it down a bit to develop Kwaito, Gqom and – later – Amapiano. The Roland TR-707 sampler came along in 1985- at just the right time for the flowering of Mzansi disco and boogie. And in the artful hands of arrangers, engineers and producers such as Peter “Hitman’ Moticoe, whose work figures on several of the tracks here, it became something unique to South Africa. 'Yebo! Rare Mzansi Party Beats from Apartheid's Dying Years' compiled by John Armstrong is out BBE Music on x3 vinyl set in a gatefold sleeve, CD, and across digital platforms for download and streaming.