Feeling both familiar and forward-looking, MBK004 expands its reach with an international lineup of
producers united by a shared appreciation for the New York underground sound.
Crafted by Tunisian producer Gringow, our first two tracks take listeners to the darker side of minimal.
Also owner of the HeardOf label, Gringow lends his talent to Minimal Brooklyn with 15 minutes of
hypnotic rhythms. “Black is the new color” gives chills, while “My K” triggers introspection.
Flipping the record will bring listeners to a brighter space. We begin with Chilean DJ/producer
Francisco Ruíz-Tagle and his original track “Primal Depths”. Francisco introduces textures that have
been cultivated throughout his life. His submission to Minimal Brooklyn holds nothing back, delivering
a multidimensional auditory experience to listeners.
MBK004 ends with “Bean Water”, an original track from Chicago-based producer Double Dipp. This
spell-casting production truly highlights the attraction of minimal. Dynamic instrumentals with clean
resolution. This is Double Dipp’s formula for timelessness.
It Takes Two is at it again. The 45 duo consisting of Deejay Irie and Friss, founded in 2020, is here with a brand-new release.
Played by DJ Koco aka Shimokita, DJ Robert Smith, Marc Hype of Dusty Donuts, and many more. Edits by DJs for DJs, filled with scratch samples and perfect intros/outros. After 001, 002, 003, 004, and 005 sold out, they're back with 90 BPM of big fun with small records!
The A-side is an ode to one of hip-hop's first beef tracks, flipped with a reggae twist, a clean intro, and a scratch sample to get funky with.
The B-side contains an instrumental version of the A-side.
CFUNK 050 is presented as a special collector edition commemorating the 50th Cyberfunk release. The package celebrates more than two decades of the label's music, artwork and visual identity.
The accompanying booklet brings together artwork from across the Cyberfunk catalogue, including labels from some of Quest's biggest and most memorable releases, alongside a personal retrospective from DJ Quest looking back at the creation of the label, the artists who shaped it and the journey back to vinyl.
Dedicated artist pages introduce DJ Quest, Paket, Destroyers, Code BreakerZ and Groovebox, connecting the artists behind release 050 with the wider story of Cyberfunk and the international breakbeat community that continues to support it.
More than simply a four-track 12", CFUNK 050 is designed as a physical celebration of Cyberfunk: its records, its artwork, its artists and the people who have kept the sound alive.
Cyberfunk reaches release number 50. To mark the milestone, DJ Quest opens up the Cyberfunk archives for a special four-track vinyl release featuring new interpretations from Paket, Destroyers, Code BreakerZ and Groovebox.
CFUNK 050 connects the label's original UK Bassline Breaks foundations directly with a new generation of producers. Each artist has been given the freedom to reinterpret classic Quest material in their own style while retaining the character, bass pressure and dancefloor attitude that made the originals unmistakably Cyberfunk.
From Paket's reworking of Muffled Mayhem and Destroyers' take on Cybanet, through to two very different versions of Back To The Old Skool from Code Breakerz and Tech House maestro Groovebox, the release moves across modern breaks, heavyweight club production and rolling groove-led territory.
It is both a celebration of 50 Cyberfunk releases and a statement about what comes next.
A1. DJ Quest feat. Yoof - Muffled Mayhem (Paket Remix)
Spanish breaks heavyweight Paket takes on Muffled Mayhem, retaining the attitude and personality of the original while rebuilding it for contemporary dancefloors with heavyweight drums, powerful bass and the polished low-end pressure that has made him a leading figure in the new generation of Andalusian Breakbeat.
A2. DJ Quest - Cybanet (Destroyers Remix)
Destroyers turns his attention to Cybanet, pushing one of Quest's darker electronic productions firmly into modern club territory. Futuristic electronics, heavyweight rhythm programming and serious dancefloor pressure meet the machine-driven character of the original.
B1. DJ Quest - Back To The Old Skool (Code BreakerZ Remix)
Code BreakerZ completely re-engineer one of Quest's defining tracks for a new generation. Their acid-tinged, hard-hitting approach injects fresh energy into Back To The Old Skool while keeping the hooks and attitude that made the original such an important Quest record.
B2. DJ Quest - Back To The Old Skool (Groovebox Remix)
Groovebox closes the release with a deeper, tech house, groove-led interpretation. Built around movement, rhythm and rolling dancefloor momentum, his remix takes the original somewhere different while preserving the unmistakable old-skool spirit at its core.
Toy Tonics Italomania Vol. 4 is a compilation dedicated to new ITALIAN DISCO. Not ITALO DISCO.
10 new tracks made by young producers from Italy, exclusively made for Toy Tonics. All songs with Italian vocals.
Made with a lot of love by
Cleeeo, Giorgio Lopez, Magnolia, Juan Soto & Sam Ruffillo, KOKO, Luca Averna, Ricardo Baez, Euro Nettuno, The Cube Guys and Paccone.
The Italomania compilation was initiated by Mathias ‚Kapote‘ Modica. Creative mind behind Toy Tonics and half italian producer himself.
The series is a manifesto to show the status of Italian disco of today.
Kapote invited the most relevant producers to show different new styles of modern Italian disco and house music.
With a wide range of influence: Live disco, indie dance, italo pop, and italo house.
Italian disco is not Italo disco. The last few years saw a big revival of the trashy pop music of the 1980s called Italo disco, mostly with English lyrics.
But this compilation is about something else. It is about this new Italian disco. Toy Tonics wants to show a new way to combine Italianity with dance culture.
The Italomania Vol. 4 Artists
Cleeeo - Come Tocchitu: A sexy and sophisticated disco house track by 22 year old newcomer DJ and producer Cleeeo. Driven by a warm, uplifting groove and strong dancefloor energy. The record is dedicated to Brazil. The vocals move between Italian and Portuguese. This creates a natural bridge between two cultures.
Giorgio Lopez - Italiani Brava Gente: Giorgio Lopez is an important player from the much talked about new music scene from Napoli.
For "Italiani Brava Gente," he teams up with Los Angeles artist Sueño. The track is a tongue-in-cheek take on the stereotypical Italian male. It pays homage to late Italodisco legend Pino D’Angiò. The story unfolds from the perspective of a foreign tourist navigating the contradictions of self-proclaimed Casanovas.
The Cube Guys - Saper Ringraziare: The legendary italo house duo shows their Italian vibes and musical taste with “Saper Ringraziare”. The track captures the warmth of summer and the infinity of urban nights. A combination of early Italo disco elements mixed with their typical groovy beats.
Magnolia - Vesuvio: Magnolia’s “Vesuvio” is a cover version of a song from the 1960s by artist E’ Zezi. While the original is more in a folk vibes, the new version is an irresistible piano house track with groovy, sun-soaked vibes. It is made for the dance floor. This track blends Mediterranean roots with the euphoric energy of modern house. Some might know the vocals already from another cover version by Nu Genea from the previous album.
Juan Soto & Sam Ruffillo - Italomexicano: What happens when a Toy Tonics artist hangs out in Mexico city and teams up with the local scene? The result is here. A blend a Toy Tonics sound and tons of vintage synthesizers and some additional production by Mexican producer talent Juan Soto.
You get "Italomexicano". A fuse of the mystique of Mexican mariachi with the magnetic pulse of Italo disco.
KOKO feat. Elena Moroder - I Can't Understand: This melancholic piano house track is a serious floorfiller! Goosebumps! Italian DJ and producer KOKO teams up with Elena Moroder on "I Can’t Understand". Elena delivers a captivating vocal performance. The track explores the misunderstandings of a relationship where emotions were never fully expressed. It blends an iconic piano melody with warm, uplifting grooves.
Luca Averna - Le Luci Della Pista: Luca Averna is a DJ, producer, and resident at the iconic Pikes Hotel in Ibiza. "Le Luci Della Pista" is an energetic track designed for peak-time Ibiza moments while keeping a strong groove and a playful spirit.
Ricardo Baez - È Venerdì: Ricardo Baez is an Italian-Venezuelan DJ and producer. He is known for his distinctive blend of house, dark electro, italo disco, and leftfield electronics. Well respected in Italy's contemporary electronic scene he has been releasing on labels such as Running Bag, Permanent Vacation, Bordello a Parigi, Correspondant, Mule music, Live at Robert Johnson.
Euro Nettuno - La Notte Chiama: These guys are hot! Part of the Polyamore Crew, one of the rising italian new disco collectives their sound mixes Italo house from the 1990ies, electro and Pop in a very cool new way.
Paccone - J'Adore Napoli: Vincenzo Paccone is a DJ, producer but also very renowned graphic designer. He is co-founder of NSS. A fashion agency that is by now one of the leading italian fashion crews. He has been also working as a designer for Circoloco Ibiza for many years and organizes some of the hottest parties in Napoli currently. He makes his official debut as a producer with “J’Adore Napoli”. It is a vibrant tribute to the house music culture born in Naples. The track draws inspiration from the late 1990s and early 2000s. And is part of a NSS campaign about the ’new coolness of the city of Napoli“.
heavily sought after Companion, DJ Sprinkles indelible touch has become legendary.
You Can Always Leave (Curtains) feat. Gry Bagøien (DJ Sprinkles Remix) was originally released on the vinyl only single You Can Always Leave in 2013. The original appeared on Francis Harris album Minutes Of Sleep (2014) and features the vocals of danish singer Gry Bagoien alongside Greg Paulus on trumpet.
Likewiese Companion was released vinly-only on the first out of three EPs that formed Frank & Tony's debut album You Go Girl in 2014.
Both vinyl releases have been out of print since their initial release and now, after much demand, Scissor & Thread presents a limited re-issue including new DJ Sprinkles remasters.
For ONO006 we welcome born ‘n’ based Palermo producer, DJ, record shop owner and label head Riccardo Schirò to the ever evolving ONO roster. The Sicilian madman plates a killer exxxtended single, Raga Della Sera, complete with a royal remix treatment from downright hero DJ Sotofett.
Riccardo’s Raga Della Sera is a ritualistic summoning of the 303s and 808s of the past, calling on the sounds of old to conjure up a thrilling 11-minute freakout. Signor Schirò combines an acid-inflected proto-trance and a certain Gregorian Giallo flavour to bring forth one truly unique piece of music. Bellissimo!
On the flip, DJ Sotofett reshapes Raga Della Sera with a signature 909 dub, tried and tested at his preferred romping grounds, Globus. The maestro contorts, unravels and reassembles the mystical original into a club demon – ferociously dance-direct and itching to possess heads around the world.
Riccardo has been producing and releasing music on his excellent Gravity Graffiti imprint since 2019, with more than 20 records under his belt he is a hard working and brilliant musician and label curator in our humble opinion. We are proud to be welcoming him to the family and have this brilliant record as a part of the ONO arsenal.
We are beyond excited to unleash this disc upon the world, with both versions coming to a dancefloor near you very, very soon! Let it rip and turn it up!
The year was 1989, and Derrick May was at a creative peak as both a DJ and producer. Under his Rhythim Is Rhythim moniker, he released a string of landmark records on Transmat, while his residency at Detroit's The Music Institute showcased the distinctive DJ style that would soon take him onto the international stage. Around the same time, he hosted a weekly radio show on Detroit radio station WJLB, alongside influential programs by The Electrifying Mojo and The Wizard (Jeff Mills).
For one of these broadcasts, May assembled a 15-minute megamix in his studio during the week leading up to the show. He opened his radio set with this continuous mix, blending his own tracks and versions into a seamless introduction that reflected his approach to DJing at the time. It includes unreleased versions of classics such as ‘Nude Photo 88’ and ‘Strings Of Life’.
‘All of this is unreleased because I made it as I was playing it on the spot as a special Mayday Mix for my show on the radio station WJLB in 1989, edited together straight from the keyboards live to tape. There is no other recording of these tracks in this form, only here’.
The original WJLB master tapes have since been lost, and no official recording is known to survive. Fortunately, many listeners recorded the broadcasts at home. One such cassette, preserved by Richie Hawtin, eventually made it our way. It has been carefully restored and mastered, with the artist’s approval.
To highlight this remarkable document of techno history, the recording is now available as a limited-edition, one-sided 12-inch release. The mix has been cut as a continuous side, visually divided into eight sections, while the reverse features a custom engraving.
Over recent years, Aroop Roy has been responsible for some wild scenes across international dancefloors. Key to this has been his exclusive reworks and 'DJ Weapons' which are now fully remastered and available on vinyl for the first time.
Like his DJ sets, the reworks cover a wide spectrum of music, with original synths, bass and drums giving a modern dancefloor edge to funk, RnB, Hip Hop and Latin originals.
That infamous bassline from Mr Fingers timeless 'Can You Feel It' has been featured in various shapes and forms, over the years, but definitely never like this !
This rework by UK producer Diesler has been circulating as a secret weapon among a small circle of DJs for years, but it's never been available to the public until now.
Blending together percussive latin rhythms, B-Boy breaks and Chicago 4/4s...all put together, it becomes a serious DJ weapon.
For good measures there's also a highly percussive dub version on the flipside...if you wanna work the floor a bit deeper.
We are honoured and excited to share the fourth Dream Space EP with the world: Domenic Cappello - Celestial Wave.
For more than three decades, Domenic Cappello has been at the helm of Subculture - the innovative and vastly influential Saturday night at Glasgow’s Sub Club. A true master DJ with deep rooted influences from Detroit & Chicago, Dom has consistently pushed things forward over the years and remains at the cutting edge of modern dance music.
Throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s, he put out high-quality records under various monikers on labels such as Soma, 20:20 Vision & Seventh Sign. Fast forward to recent years and Domenic has been on nothing short of a hot streak - releasing music under his own name on Craigie Knowes, Clone Royal Oak and his outstanding ‘Basement Philosophy’ LP on Alien Communications.
He brings the heat once more for this record; blurring the lines of house, techno and electro to deliver four awe-inspiring cuts of electronic music.
‘The Secret Moon Party’ sets things off, nodding to a certain Highland gathering by some of Scotland’s finest purveyors of quality tunes. A warm, gritty bassline carries the track, evolving into a symphony of precise sound design that is in equal parts playful and euphoric.
Dom’s knowledge of the dancefloor shines through on ‘Acid & Love’. This early night floor filler is the alchemy of just about everything you want to hear when things are getting going. Pure warmth and bliss throughout, also holding its place played deep into the late hours.
‘We Loved Your Ears (in memory of Keith)’ is a heartfelt tribute to the one and only Keith McIvor aka JD Twitch of Optimo. Dom wrote this track as something he thought Keith would have loved, and for this one, we’ll let the music do the talking.
Keith was, and continues to be, an enormous inspiration for us and so many others. In his memory, all proceeds from the digital sales of ‘We Loved Your Ears’ and 25% of all vinyl sales will be donated to Beatson Cancer Charity and The Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.
Closing the EP is title track ‘Celestial Wave’, which does exactly what it says on the tin. A beautiful piece of music and fitting soundtrack for star gazing, moon dancing and dreaming.
Juxtaposing acid-tipped breakbeats with influences of acoustic behaviour in nature, Sully unveils a debut release for Critical Music with two-track 12” ‘Flux’ b/w ‘Chatter’. Sully says: "‘Flux’ and ‘Chatter’ were another attempt to take the groove and feel of the breakbeats I've been previously working with and build them from the ground up. The aim was to find space for the tonal elements to breathe and end up in a place I'd not been to before." Birdsong became an unexpected reference point during the writing process, with Sully using synthesis to analyse and recreate natural calls as compositional material. The resulting dialogue between acoustic behaviour and digital sound generation forms part of the release's underlying methodology rather than a surface aesthetic. "The contrast and contradiction of the organic world captured by digital processes is always a pull for me," Sully explains. "It never fails to inspire." Jack Stevens aka Sully has spent much of the last two decades developing a body of work that sits slightly outside the obvious cycles of revival that have shaped UK bass music. While his records draw from established rhythmic forms, they rarely settle within a single tradition, instead examining the shared characteristics between them. His releases have consistently explored the points where 2-step swing, breakbeat construction, and jungle's rhythmic vocabulary begin to overlap. Sully’s records retain a relevance that extends beyond the moment of their release, continuing to circulate through DJ sets and specialist record collections. This 12” adds another chapter to a catalogue defined by sustained investigation into rhythm, texture and soundsystem music.
Larry Thompson and Rick Lenoir AKA LNR were early house pioneers who dropped seminal cuts from the late 80s onwards, but few had the impact of their debut, ‘Work It To The Bone’.
The darkly alluring anthem mixed tribal percussion with a minimal groove that went deep and soon became a dance floor classic, spawning a thousand copycats. It has remained an evergreen favourite across the years and now gets covered by New York’s long-time house heavyweight and Grammy-winning producer, remixer and Elements Of Life founder Louie Vega under his Funki Cadets alias. He hooks up with Chicago mainstay Mike Dunn and go-to contemporary house producer Wade Teo for a new version that beefs up the original for modern dance floors.
The opening Louie Vega Mix dials into the original’s tribal energy with a chunky, bouncing groove and hard-hitting percussion, then layers in more synths, effects, and drama to the full-fat sound. It’s a sweaty, steamy affair with a constant sense of momentum as the arrangement evolves, different hooks take the lead, and the pressure stays high. In addition to a DJ Tool Acapella and Louie Vega Beats mix, Wade Teo remixes the track with a deeper groove and dusty drums. It’s a more subtle, heads-down sound but packed with the same edge and rawness that made the original so standout.
Ian Pooley's 'Roller Skate Disco EP' Returns with Digital Debut and Vinyl Repress
Definitive Recordings brings back one of the label's early house gems with a remastered reissue of Ian Pooley's 'Roller Skate Disco EP'. Originally released in 1994, the EP returns for the first time as a digital release while also receiving a new vinyl repress. Alongside the original material, the reissue expands the package with the previously unreleased track 'Unity' and the Bandcamp-exclusive 'Never Give Up'.
For more than three decades, Ian Pooley has been one of house music's most respected producers and DJs. Emerging from Mainz, Germany, with a deep love for the sounds of Chicago and Detroit, he has built a career defined by subtle artistry, impeccable groove, and timeless musicality. His acclaimed albums 'Meridian' and 'Since Then', remixes for artists including Daft Punk and Jovonn, and releases on labels such as Plus 8, Innervisions, Rekids, and his own Pooledmusic have established him as one of the true masters of deep and soulful house music.
The title track, 'Roller Skate Disco', immediately captures the uplifting spirit of classic 90s house. Built around an infectious disco-inspired sample, funky guitar loops, and a warm, rolling house bassline, the track is complemented by a looping female vocal that gives it an unmistakable feel-good energy. 'Sure!' follows with a groove driven by crisp TR-909 drums, deep synth chords, and a playful TB-303 sequence, while a repeated female vocal ties the arrangement together into a hypnotic club workout.
'The Brückenkopf at 7 AM', named after the legendary club in Pooley's hometown of Mainz, moves into deeper territory. Dreamlike synth textures, a memorable deep house piano motif, and another signature 303 sequence combine to create one of the EP's most atmospheric moments. The previously unreleased 'Unity' continues this journey with a hypnotic groove, deep house aesthetics, and another beautifully woven acid line, making it a natural addition to the original release. Completing the digital edition, 'Never Give Up' arrives as a Bandcamp exclusive, pairing playful M1 organ sounds with a rolling 303 sequence and an effortlessly flowing house groove.
More than thirty years after its original release, 'Roller Skate Disco EP' remains a perfect snapshot of Ian Pooley's early sound and a testament to the timeless appeal of classic house music. This expanded edition celebrates one of Definitive Recordings' defining releases while introducing it to a new generation of listeners.
Landing suitably on co:clear, At the Right Place at the Right Time is the spellbinding debut record from luminary figures of the Roman underground, Portamento.
As DJs and promoters of Scivoliii, the duo of Filipo Tosti and Álvaro Labao Garcia has been peddling a range of sounds over the last years. This time though, their attention firmly turns to transportative ambience, where melodic lines and mummering voices are rarely paired without weighty sub-bass. It's absolutely an ‘ambient’ record but the (soft) influence of the club sometimes peeks through.
Written between Forum Studios (fka Ennio Morricone Studios) and Álvaro’s tiny apartment in Trastervere during Rome’s torrid month of August, its sound owes itself as much to burning intimacy, as it does to the weariness of distance. It truly operates in those moments of devotion/desire between the late-night/early-morning, like a candle at the end of its wick that flickers, before it's finally extinguished as your eyes become too heavy to resist sleep.
“Neither from here nor from there” is often used to describe migrant identities in territorial terms. In the case of Siete Catorce, it works better temporally: his music has always been so far ahead of its moment that it ultimately carved out a space of its own within both Latin American and global electronic music.
Born in Mexicali and shaped between the Bay Area and northern Mexico, his musical identity emerged through hip hop, dubstep, and the independent borderland scenes. After several years in Mexico City — without a clear place inside the local circuit — he created his own space through his music, developing a distinctive DJ/live set and a singular vision of contemporary Mexican electronic music, becoming a key figure within the city’s most forward-thinking underground.
In 2026, he releases El Valle, his first album in nearly three years. The record moves through different currents of electronic music — ambient, techno, cumbia, and tribal — filtered through a unique rhythmic language marked by syncopation, unpredictable breaks, and a constant tension between restraint and energy.
The album opens with “Mexicali,” alongside Andre Pereda, a tribal track stripped down to its percussive essence, evoking the genre through an ambient and synthetic approach. From there, “Aragón” and “El Rancho” progressively increase the tempo and intensity, combining cadenced phrases with minimalist tribal beats and unexpected turns.
In the second half of the album, now moving through territories of 140 BPM and beyond, tracks like “Montecarlo 1” and “Tierra Roja” drift between futuristic bass music and large-scale techno structures. This is followed by the 8-minute epic “East LA,” where Siete Catorce expands the energy of syncopated techno before releasing it into a pre-Hispanic tribal journey with flute and all the drums required for the occasion.
The closing section arrives with “Tlatelolco,” accelerating into an epic cumbia infused with trance references, and “Los Pinos,” a direct and forceful finale sustained by some of the album’s most precise sound design.
More than genres, Siete Catorce’s work is defined by meticulous sound design and an exceptional rhythmic sensibility — qualities that have established him as one of the most respected drum programmers of his generation.
UK underground legend Acerbic aka Ant, Chicago Loop and many other alias returns to Perc Trax after the huge success of this Acerbic remix of Perc's 'Imperial Leather' last year. A regular on labels such as Stay Up Forever, Cluster, Hydraulix, Maximum Minimum and his own Power Tools label, now it is time for his over overdue first full EP for Perc Trax. Across the four tracks on the Doom Circuit EP Acerbic sets out is vision of club techno. Hard driving and powerful with a constant sense of forward momentum. Opening track 'Doom Circuit' has been a key part of Perc's sets for months now. Acid techno without the acid as a succession of computer bleeps take over the role a 303 would usually play in tracks like this. Next up 'Lukla' floats echoing lead lines, looping house music stabs and just a touch of London underground acid to create a fusion of key underground sounds. B1 track 'Metroliner' is the most energetic track on the EP as a stomping kick and clap rhythm is topped off synths stabs reminiscent of Luke Slater's classic 'Forklift. Finally 'Helter-Skelter' takes things down a notch to finish the EP to focus more percussion intricacy making it the perfect mixing tool for the more creative DJ.
For the first release on Agingwell, we are proud to present a selection of artists who have
been working hard in the music scene for years. Some have spent decades behind the scenes, building soundsystem and shaping parties from the ground up, while others have made DJing and production a way of life.
Agingwell is about giving space to their own vision of electronic music, with no boundaries and no fixed rules.
This is Timmy Stewart & Jordan Nocturne's debut single together as TNI, a raucous percussive club weapon designed by The Night Institute residents to reflect the pair's shared history & energy as DJs.
First up on remix duties is Shit Robot. The Dublin-born, DFA mainstay cranks the energy right up, driving things further forward with punchy drums and bright insistent synths built for the peak of the night.
Irish collective LA Dysto have been on a roll recently, with their unique brand of chugged-out electronics. Here they get psychedelic, dubbing out the vox and adding a driving hypnotic bassline,
The finale belongs to fellow Belfast artist Viper Patrol, who strips the track back to its bare bones and heads off on a tripped out breakbeat mission with even more middle-eastern twists.
Naya Beat is incredibly excited to announce the release of an astonishing lost “holy grail”, Mohinder Kaur Bhamra’s 1982 masterpiece ‘Punjabi Disco’. Unknown and inaccessible to even the deepest of diggers, it is the first British Asian electronic dance album recorded and a true lost relic. A chance find of the original multitrack masters during the Covid lockdown led to ‘Punjabi Disco’ being rediscovered. Lovingly mixed down and remastered from these very studio recordings, the reissue also includes remixes by Peaking Lights, Baalti, Mystic Jungle, Psychemagik, and Danger Boys, as well as a cover by Say She She’s Piya Malik and Turbotito & Ragz and a previously unreleased track. It is available for pre-order and out on x2LP vinyl and all digital platforms on October 31st, 2025.
Released the same year and into equal obscurity as ‘Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat’, Charanjit Singh’s acid house opus, the reissue of ‘Punjabi Disco’ is set to have similar reverberations in the world of dance music. Produced by Mohinder’s eldest son and legendary bhangra pioneer Kuljit Bhamra using a recently acquired Roland SH-1000 synthesizer and a CR-8000 CompuRhythm drum machine played by his then 11-year-old brother, the album was recorded at Roxy Music bass player Rick Kenton’s studio in London. The concept for a Punjabi disco album was subsequently stolen from the Bhamra’s by the very record label that had agreed to distribute the album. Eventually self-released with no label support, ‘Punjabi Disco’ vanished into complete obscurity.
A pivotal figure in British Asian music, West London-based vocalist and first-generation immigrant Mohinder Kaur Bhamra became the first woman to sing at Punjabi weddings and other community events in the UK. Her son, Kuljit, would accompany her, playing tabla at her events from the age of six. Wedding music was traditionally a tame, segregated affair: men and women seated and separated on opposite sides of the room. ‘Punjabi Disco’ was born out of a desire to create an unsegregated dancefloor and inspired by the sounds of disco from the era. A tapestry of electric drum rhythm, warbling bass, and psychedelic siren-like Roland synth melodies provide a vehicle for Mohinder’s powerful voice. Part disco, part funk, part acid house, and infused with Punjabi folk melodies, the sound of ‘Punjabi Disco’ is as mesmerising as it is undefinable.
Featuring an incredible gatefold package and exhaustive liner notes by the Guardian’s Global Music Critic, Ammar Kalia, the x2LP release has been cut to vinyl for the discerning listener and DJ by Grammy-nominated Frank Merritt from The Carvery, London.
This is Naya Beat’s ninth release in a series of reissues, remixes, and compilations dedicated to uncovering electronic and dance music from the subcontinent and South Asian diaspora.
Weirdos Inc. share five chuggy heaters from Glaswegian via London producer Adam Low, aka Pigeon Steve. Leave Some Trace traverses a cinematic palette across five tracks. Euphoric acid, palmy Balearic touches, prog heavy nods to Goa trance. All fused influences shape an original and unique take on club music primed for a proper basement session. Perfect material for any dancefloor moment.
Adam Low has been turning heads over the last couple of years with his DJ sets and finely dialled productions. This EP spins our heads a full 360 on itself. This marks Weirdos’ first release of the year. Hope you enjoy.
Every coastline develops its own rhythm. The Adriatic is no exception.
For decades, Italy’s eastern coast has been shaped by funk, Cosmic Disco, Balearic sounds, Italo Disco, House, Latin rhythms, Brazilian music and countless other influences. Rather than blending into a single style, these musical worlds have lived side by side, constantly inspiring new generations of DJs, musicians and dancers. For more than fifteen years, Soul Fingers and Funk Rimini have explored that landscape from different perspectives. Founded by Claudio Cavallaro in 2013, Soul Fingers grew into a vinyl-driven community where groove matters more than genre. Its philosophy has always been simple: if the groove is right, genres stop mattering. Brothers Ricky and Francesco Cardelli developed Funk Rimini into a project rooted in funk, disco, live performance and electronic production. Anima Adriatica is where these two journeys meet.
The project didn’t begin with the ambition of making an album. It began behind the turntables. As DJs, Claudio Cavallaro and Ricky Cardelli found themselves constantly searching for records capable of connecting distant musical worlds inside their sets; from Afrobeat into disco, from hip hop into Latin, from Brazilian grooves into boogie, from cosmic electronics into deep funk. Sometimes those records existed. More often, they didn’t. So they stopped searching and started writing them. Not records designed to belong to one genre, but records designed to travel between genres. That space between musical worlds became Anima Adriatica.
The music grew through spontaneous jam sessions with Ricky and Francesco Cardelli, drummer Enrico Mao Bocchini and, gradually, a wider circle of musicians, singers and longtime friends, making Anima Adriatica less a traditional band than the beginning of an open collective. Recorded at SynthPosio Studio, founded by Ricky and Francesco Cardelli inside Rimini’s iconic skyscraper, the project also carries a symbolic connection to the building itself, where many Italo Disco classics (including records by Betty Miranda, The Creatures and many others) were recorded decades earlier.
Betty Miranda returns not as a nostalgic guest, but as a bridge between generations. On the title track she performs a spoken-word text written by Claudio Cavallaro, reflecting on the invisible thread connecting the Adriatic dancefloor across time. From Baia degli Angeli to Cocoricò, from the legendary clubs of Riccione to today’s independent communities gathered around projects such as Soul Fingers and Funk Rimini, the places have changed, but the dancefloor continues to tell the same story. Much like Pier Vittorio Tondelli’s Rimini captured the Adriatic through literature, Anima Adriatica imagines its soundtrack.
Brazilian musician Daniel Plentz (Selton) expands that vision on Açúcar and Alegria, bringing another coastline into the story. Across its four tracks, the EP moves naturally between analogue funk, boogie, Brazilian music, underground disco, cosmic textures and the wider Black musical tradition, with All Down The Line paying tribute to the Paradise Garage era.
Released by Bordello A Parigi, the project found its natural home through a shared love of adventurous dance music, records and club culture. More than the title of an EP, Anima Adriatica marks the beginning of an open collective; a meeting point where musicians, DJs, producers and friends continue building bridges between genres, generations and communities.
Because Anima Adriatica doesn’t live inside a genre. It lives between genres. If soul music has always reflected the places where it was born, Anima Adriatica is simply our own Adriatic Soul.
'You & Me', 'The Ballad of John Henry' and 'Live from the Royal Albert Hall'.
It is in a live setting where Joe Bonamassa the performer really thrives and in May
2009, he played the historic Royal Albert Hall in London. It was an incredible
memory for everyone present and one of his greatest live performances has been
remastered on high- quality 180g heavyweight triple vinyl for the first time. The
majestic evening saw him glide through his back catalogue of original hits as well
as inspired covers and featured guest performances from Eric Clapton and Paul
Jones – truly a special night to savour.
With 25 #1 albums, yearly sold-out tours worldwide and custom annual cruises,
he's a hard act to beat. These albums are a testament to his credentials and a
toast to his longtime fans who remember them originally and new fans who can
experience them for the first time. It's Joe Bonamassa at his finest, ready to rock.
Electronic music legends Soft Cell release ‘Out Come The Freaks’, the very first single from singer Marc Almond and multi-instrumentalist and producer Dave Ball’s final album ‘Danceteria’. Download and stream the track, featuring vocals from the late Dave Ball and special guest vocals from Nona Hendryx.
‘Out Come The Freaks’ is a cover of Was (Not Was)’s mutant disco classic and sends Soft Cell into prime disco territory, conjuring the hedonist spirit of early 80s Manhattan and a Danceteria floor filler spun by DJ Mark Kamins. There couldn’t be a more fitting alternative disco banger to pull back the curtain with and beckon you into the world of ‘Danceteria’. The final album is a homage to the legendary nightclub where young Marc and Dave would party until the small hours after the recording sessions for their seminal 1981 debut ‘Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret’. The final flourish of glitter to Soft Cell’s ‘Out Come The Freaks’ comes courtesy of guest vocals from Nona Hendryx, the iconic singer, one third of Labelle of ‘Lady Marmalade’ fame, and producer of Lisa Lisa and Bush Tetras.
This is the very first material to be released from ‘Danceteria’, Soft Cell’s forthcoming sixth and final album. It is also the first time new music has been released since the sad, untimely passing of Dave Ball in October 2025. Almond led the tributes, describing Ball as a “brilliant musical genius” and the world’s media hailing Dave as an electronic music pioneer. Dave finished ‘Danceteria’ very close to his passing and it is in full tribute to him that the album release goes ahead as planned. More details are to follow very soon about the release date.
After fifteen years of shaping dancefloors around the world, Mele is set to release his long-awaited debut album Alive On Arrival via Defected Records Far from an introduction, the album marks the arrival of an artist operating with complete creative clarity, bringing together the sounds, collaborators and influences that have defined his journey into one cohesive body of work.
"Alive On Arrival draws inspiration from what feels like my entire life as a producer, a DJ and a music fan, bringing together everything I love about house, hip- hop, UK music, soulful R&B and wider global sounds. The name comes from Wu-Tang Clan's C.R.E.A.M., which felt fitting to where I'm at in my musical journey. It's been 15 years as Mele, but I'm still alive and feel like I've got so much more to give. I've finally arrived at this point with my debut album. The album was made in, and heavily influenced by, London, Miami and Liverpool - three places that are close to my heart. Sonically, it's inspired by some of the best: Jungle, The Neptunes, Gorillaz and Masters At Work." - Mele aka Krissy Peers Set for release on 25 September, Alive On Arrival is Mele's most expansive project to date. Across fourteen tracks, he draws together house, hip-hop, soul and R&B into a record that reflects a lifetime spent moving between genres rather than being limited by them. Created between London, Miami and his hometown of Liverpool, the album captures the energy and musical history of three cities that have shaped both his sound and perspective. At the heart of Alive On Arrival is collaboration. Rather than simply assembling a list of featured artists, Mele has curated a cast of voices whose individual perspectives deepen the emotional and cultural narrative of the album. Long-time collaborators sit alongside new creative partnerships, each contributing to a record built on shared musical language and mutual respect.
Sometimes things go quickly. After meeting Canadian artist Pascale Project early this year (twice in one month) on the same dancefloor of a crusty underground club in Neukolln, we sent this Berlin-based DJ and producer a short appreciation email to show curiosity and interest in her unreleased music. Our hope was to listen to it and maybe just maybe start a record-release project. Pascale sent back quickly, and she shared some fantastic club music with us. We had separate listens to the full playlist, and, funnily/coincidentally, we chose the same 4 tracks as highlights from the big playlist. One week later, Pascale emailed us back, mentioning the tracks she would feel/see/love to be released on the label, and they were the exact same ones we had naturally and unanimously chosen. Stars aligned for sure. Having long been active in the Montreal music scene, Pascale absorbed the essence of all her different experiences and years of training and creating, and then let it all start Sparkling into the 22nd Basic Moves release entitled "Watch EP". The record is based on the concept of losing and breaking things up, and eventually finding it all back. Reflecting hope in between the fog of life. It is clever modern underground club music rooted in the textures and energies of the golden days of progressive house, breakbeats and (real!) tech-house. These 4 tracks reflect an artist who expresses herself honestly, fully understands how to creatively arrange and produce club music, and never loses sight of the dancefloor, as she is often found on that dancefloor herself. Dive in and let us know what you think of it. We are stoked to play out and vibe on these tunes for real!
We are delighted to welcome back one of our most cherished artists, Life Recorder, for the third instalment of his remarkable Time Moods series on Visions Recordings.
This latest release delivers four vibrant and immersive tracks, blending deep techno textures with refined grooves, another strong statement in the series.
Far from the hype, French DJ and producer Kriss, aka Life Recorder, has been steadily shaping a distinctive sonic identity over the years. Deeply influenced by the heritage of Detroit and Chicago’s house and techno scenes, his sound travels effortlessly across genres while remaining rooted in soulful depth.
Born in the French suburbs of Geneva and now based in Marseille, he began his journey in the 1990s, connecting with music through record shops, DJing, and the evolving club culture of the time.
With this third chapter of Time Moods, Life Recorder continues to craft a timeless and introspective musical narrative.
DJ DIE SOON is the apocalyptic alter-ego Daisuke Imamura, whose performances of masked malice have been a fixture in the Berlin underground for the past decade. His latest record My Brothel The Wind takes inspiration from Sun Ra at his most grotesque, conjuring a distorted phantasmagoria with an eclectic crew of compatriots like Rully Shabara, Sara Persico, and longtime collaborator Kiki Hitomi. Film director Hiroo Tanaka’s visual contributions in the album art, poster, and music video complete the album’s narrative, telling a story not of villainy but of phantom caprice in a dying world.
My Brothel The Wind shows DJ DIE SOON as an alchemist of distortion, transmuting the club-forward beats of his 2020 debut Kappa Slap and the seething horrorscapes of DIEMAJIN, his 2022 collaboration with Tokyo vocalist MA. Imamura’s obsession with noise stems from his upbringing in Tokyo, where he grew up hearing the deafening roar of trains every day. “The buildings were really tall, so the sounds reflected so much and it was so loud that you couldn’t even have a conversation on the phone. Hearing this noise every minute when living in this flat, it became a normal thing,” he says. While most would content themselves with avoiding loudness, DJ DIE SOON seeks to unpack its visceral potential.
DJ DIE SOON’s subterranean productions form a monstrous gestalt with the eclectic contributions of his network of co-conspirators. “Unfinished” and “Directions” are pulsating chimeras that highlight animalistic vocalizations from Hitomi and Shabara; Italian MC Franco Franco’s verses snake underneath the noisy onslaught. The tectonic textures of “Dandelion Crackers” are courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Laure Boer’s handmade stone synth. Sara Persico’s mangled vocables hang as fleshy reminders of human fragility on “SAQ4IME”; in the Hiroo Tanaka-directed music video, the track’s sonic uncanniness is made cinematic, with an ambient dread that references Hiroshi Teshigahara’s 1964 psychological thriller Woman in the Dunes.
While Sun Ra’s intergalactic Moog reached for the stars, DJ DIE SOON plunges into the depths of hell. “Everybody, Shake Your Body, We Chill At Party” feels like the sonic equivalent of a wax museum burning to the ground, rigid smiles melting into the fire. Rather than a vision of the future, My Brothel The Wind is a laugh-cry of despair in the face of a Hadean present. DJ DIE SOON confronts the world with a new hand-made mask, reborn in the ashes.
Ashley Beedle’s remix of "Unmask Me" by MAMA is a masterpiece of deep, atmospheric house music. Characterized by shimmering chords and shuffling percussion, Beedle transforms the original into a sunlit, Balearic-tinged gem. It famously became a signature track for the late DJ Andrew Weatherall, he notoriously played and closed his set with it at his Convenanza Festival in September 2017. Where a now trended meme video of The Guvnor vibing to the gem, whist the crowd was in absolute euphoria to the magic being made.
Now released on purple vinyl, with all profits donated to our friend Mr Beedle and his ongoing care.
Still Music are proud to present the reissue of “A Message For The DJ” by one of Detroit’s finest, Delano Smith featuring the distinct vocals of Diamondancer. Featuring the now legendary remix by Jimpster, that has constantly been played since it’s initial release in 2005 by DJ’s across all scenes within the House spectrum.
Original copies of this Deep House classic are hard to come by on the second-hand market, regularly changing hands for close to £70, if you’re lucky enough to find one! Here’s your chance to get one over on those pesky Discogs sharks. Don’t delay!
For the seventh edition of the Vega Records 5 Pack Unreleased series, Louie Vega once again opens the vault to reveal a special collection of unreleased recordings, alternate versions, remixes, demos, tribute reworks and deep cuts from the Vega Records musical family.
5 Pack Unreleased VII brings together 15 tracks across five 12-inch records, showcasing the wide musical spectrum that has always been part of the Vega Records story. From soulful house and deep grooves to jazz, soul, Brazilian influences, live instrumentation, Latin influences, powerful vocals, disco-rooted rhythms and the freedom to experiment in the studio, this collection moves through many different sides of the music.
Some of these recordings have been waiting patiently in the vault. Others represent alternate versions of songs that continue to evolve through different interpretations. Together, they create another musical journey through the sounds, collaborations and ideas that have shaped the Vega Records universe.
These final recordings speak to something that has always been important to Louie’s musical journey: respecting the music that came before while finding a way to reinterpret it through his own musical language.
From Loleatta Holloway and Duane Harden to Elements Of Life, 2SoulFusion, Domo Domo, Brutha Louie & Brutha Basil, and the tribute recordings, 5 Pack Unreleased VII brings together different generations, different voices and different musical influences under one roof.
The Elements Of Life sound continues throughout the collection, with “Sunshine (I Can Fly),” “Every Step” and “Dreamer” offering special previews into the musical direction of the forthcoming 2027 Elements Of Life album.
This is the seventh chapter of the series, but the philosophy remains the same:
Open the vault.
Share the music.
Let the DJs discover it.
Let the dancers feel it.
Five records.
Fifteen tracks.
A collection of unreleased music, special versions, studio discoveries, tributes and musical experiments from the world of Vega Records — with plenty more waiting inside the vault.
It’s as sure as night follows day, one of the last truly reliable things in these uncertain times, a rock in the storm of information overload, and still one of the best things you can make from PVC: The new TOTAL compilation is here!
The cheerful opener “Xtasy” comes from the up-and-coming Cologne-based DJ H0TLINE. If it says ‘Ecstasy’ on the label, that’s exactly what’s inside. The term ‘legend’ is all too often bandied about lightly. In the case of ORLANDO VOORN, it’s almost an understatement. His ‘So Deep Remix’ is a goosebumps-inducing masterpiece in its purest form. Simply wow. FRANKEY & SANDRINO haven’t visited us for a while, but their key still fits the lock. Watch out – “Disruption” might expand your consciousness! Ah, nobody grapples so beautifully with life’s big questions as TEE MANGO, but what would the world be without melancholy? A Disneyland of triviality! TEAM 85E, newly formed around JÖRG BURGER, takes on a classic from the German songbook by Ton, Steine, Scherben and opens hearts with the same ease as others open tins of beer. Speaking of hearts, MICHAEL MAYER pays tribute to the successful Artemis 2 lunar mission, as a small thank-you for reminding us that it should really always be about love. SOG, aka WOLFGANG VOIGT, agrees wholeheartedly. Sometimes all it takes is a bass drum, eight notes and a bit of love for total satisfaction. ROBAG WRUHME does what he does best: luring us down the proverbial rabbit hole like the White Rabbit, just not quite so frantically. JÜRGEN PAAPE, together with FENJA LUDWIG, doesn’t pull a rabbit out of the hat, but rather a modern dub-techno hit. We watch in amazement as a new genre takes shape. Finally, it’s time to sit back and relax with REINHARD VOIGT and just let things be. Cocktail or beer? The main thing is: it’s cold.
Originally released in 2009, this massively in-demand record has been changing hands for anywhere between £50 and over £100 now finally available once again. You only need to check the width and depth of the DJ support tells you all you need to know.
DJ Support: A-Trak, Andy & Jaymo, Annie Mac, Brodinski, Cagedbaby, Damon Martin, DJ Mehdi, Erol Alkan, Filthy Dukes, Groove Armada, Hell, Jesse Rose, Joe Ransom, Kissy Sellout, Kris Menace, Pedro Winter, Riton, Rory Phillips, Seth Troxler, Severino, Shit Robot, Simian Mobile Disco, Thomas Schumacher, Trevor Jackson and The Whip
Retro Grade, (Serge Santiago and Tom Neville) an exciting act on the electronic music scene, revolutionising the world of Italo House with their release titled "Moda." This captivating track, infused with nostalgic vibes and infectious grooves, promises to transport listeners back to the heyday of '90s dance music while maintaining a fresh and contemporary sound.
"Moda" showcases Retro Grade's ability to seamlessly blend classic Italo House elements with modern production techniques. The track features pulsating bass lines, and euphoric synth melodies all meticulously crafted to create an irresistible sonic experience. From start to finish, "Moda" exudes an infectious energy that gets floors moving.
Not content with delivering a stellar original track, Retro Grade enlisted the talents of acclaimed artist Sound Klash to provide a mind-blowing Remix of "Moda." Sound Klash, known for this boundary-pushing approach to music production, puts his unique spin on the track, infusing it with his signature dubbed-out house sound. The result is an extraordinary reimagining that takes "Moda" to different heights, showcasing Sound Klash's unparalleled ability to reinvent and elevate electronic music.
"Moda" and its captivating Sound Klash Remix are set to make waves across the scene.
We are finally ready to unveil one of the most exciting projects we have worked on in our label's history: a new release by legendary disco project Hudson People, best remembered for their essential classic "Trip to Your Mind" - which just received its anniversary issue on our label!
Now it's time for "Hold On" - a brand-new single featuring several mixes based on an original recording from the late 1980s, with the completely unheard yet incredibly soulful voice of singer Rickey Owens, whom composer and producer Reginald Hudson worked with at the time.
When we first got in touch with Reg Hudson several years ago, we were originally interested in releasing his "Shake It - Make It Loose" album, which he recorded with John Davis (later known as one of the real voices behind Milli Vanilli). While talking about John Davis (RIP) and other great GI singers such as Karl Keaton, Reginald Hudson immediately mentioned Rickey Owens as one of the best singers he had ever worked with.
Of course, we had never heard of him, as none of his music had ever been released. But when Hudson showed us some old demos and sent us the original DAT recordings, we were immediately hooked.
"Hold On" was recorded in or around 1988 with a simple drum machine and keyboard accompaniment - essentially a demo intended to be recorded properly in a better studio. But the vocal performance was simply stunning, complete with beautifully recorded ad-libs. Owens had a truly remarkable, clear voice with an incredible amount of soul. Luckily, Hudson had his old DAT tapes digitized several years ago, so the acapella recordings survived in excellent shape.
We immediately reached out to several producers to create reworks of the track. The 12" EP compiles some of the most club-friendly of these new mixes - but there is more to come…
First up is Thomas Redfern, a senior producer, professional studio musician and keyboardist from London, UK. His version is a catchy, funky yet deep House track that could easily become a favourite on dancefloors around the globe. Redfern also blessed us with a dub mix that takes things even deeper.
But it gets even catchier on side B of the vinyl. Tom Quick sped up the tempo, added filters and delivered a rework that could make fans of Chromeo, Daft Punk, Stardust and any late-'90s French House afficionado go completely nuts. Yes, we mean it! With a fresh twist on the original, the track has a massive club appeal that we hope both DJs and dancers will dig.
The vinyl single is completed by a mix from German legend DJ Friction, whose version is based on synth layers from the Tom Quick mix. Friction added new drums and bass, giving the track the distinctive modern electro boogie funk vibe he is known for. His mix brings to mind classics such as Shannon's "Let the Music Play" and works of Freestyle's Tony Butler.
The vinyl 12" with 4 mixes is released on The Outer Edge's brand-new sublabel, 1st Floor Records, which focuses on more dancefloor-oriented material. More mixes are available digitally and should not be missed.
PR Feedback:
„Killer“ – Gilles Peterson
„Disco, deep house and boogie all in there! Superb!“ – Groove City Radio
„Dope!!“ – DJ Craze
„The boogie mixes are so good!“ – Selvagem
„Awesome and Huge Package“ - Leon El Ray
„Wow, Trip to Your Mind is so good and this is a real grower“ - Ibiza Sonica
„Really liking the Balearic & Redfern Mix, thanks!“ – Mystic Bill
„Both Thomas Redfern mixes are ace!“ – Deeper Shades of House
Some music travels well. Some takes its time. And some spends a few years underwater before deciding to come back up.
Such is the case with Ksky, Saint Petersburg native, DJ, synth enthusiast and the man behind Underwater Tales. Originally released into the world with little fanfare, these tales have been keeping a rather low profile ever since. Not quite forgotten, not exactly missing, just minding their own business somewhere below the surface. Time for a little fresh air.
Now resurfacing across two records, the collection brings together familiar faces, old acquaintances and a few unexpected arrivals. Previously released material rubs shoulders with additional tracks, including Gerd Janson's extended DJ mix of New Era. A small reunion of sorts, minus the awkward conversations.
Also along for the ride is Bad Philly. A deceptively simple piece of machinery with something strangely epic under the hood. No unnecessary detours, no lengthy explanations, just one breath, one story and a direct connection to the morning dancefloor. Sometimes the shortest route is the most scenic. Music for when the night has already happened, the sun is starting to ask questions and nobody seems particularly interested in going home.
Now together at last.
Menace II Society is a 1993 American hood film and the directorial debut of the Hughes brothers. The movie was a huge box office success and featured an impressive cast, including Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett Smith, Larenz Tate and Samuel L. Jackson. Upon its release it received critical acclaim for its gritty portrayal of urban violence and its powerful underlying messages.
The soundtrack was equally impressive and perfectly captured the state of hip-hop in 1993 with essential artists like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Boogie Down Productions, MC EIht and DJ Quik. It was an instant hip hop classic and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 11 on the Billboard 200.
The soundtrack of Menace II Society is available on black vinyl and includes an insert.
In a world that buckles and cracks under our calamitous weight, something at once old and beautiful, bitter and malign, stirs just a shade below what can be seen. It had dreamt of the end of things, and tasted there sweet emptiness, but now a new hominid stench has disturbed its slumber.
So keenly it ponders, un-lidding an eye, and within each potent coil desires fester, many and urgent. And so it untangles, and organises, and lurches upwards like a whale; bloated, rotten and desperate to breathe.
Emily and Joe have caught glimpses of that which lurks beneath. As each has struggled to make sense of what they have seen, they have been dragged inexorably into a frightening new reality; a shadow world of lurid horrors, where nothing is as it ought to be. Yet they have witnessed great beauty too, a joy stark and profound, and an addiction is growing.
iO Pan is about a love for that special era in the UK dance music scene that from the late 1980s onwards mixed funk, soul, hip-hop, electro, reggae, dub and Jamaican sound system culture together with the freshest dance music coming out of Chicago, Detroit, Belgium and Italy. A unique melting pot that would lead to some of the most original and groundbreaking musical movements the world has ever seen in Bleep, Breakbeat, Hardcore, Jungle and Dub Step.
iO Pan is an artist, musician and DJ who has presented live art at the Barbican Centre, the Open Data Institute, the Royal College of Art and Goldsmiths University.
As a musician, iO Pan has supported the Arctic Monkeys and worked with the Human League, and with the track ‘Forever’, reached number 5 in the Mixmag Ibiza chart.
As a DJ iO Pan was a resident for legendary Sheffield clubs Gatecrasher, The Leadmill and Plug throughout the 90s.
iO Pan now presents the full-length album When The Lid Opens on Sound Records whose roster includes KiF Productions, Benyayer, Yarni and Lara Jones.
Marking Dwarde’s debut on Up Ya Archives, the first single ‘Show Me’ from his forthcoming EP ‘Energy Exchange’ carries the torch of ‘94-style hardcore while sitting comfortably alongside the new-gen jungle spirit both the label and DJ himself hav e become known for. Built on the energy and rhythmic vocabulary of the old school, but bringing the rawness and euphoria of that era onto modern dancefloors.
Speaking on the single, Dwarde said:
“I was in the middle of making lunch as the house tune with the piano sample came on the radio. It’s a big fave of mine and I was surprised that although it’s 32 years old it hadn’t ever been sampled in hardcore before, so I made the tune immediately after - it came together really quickly.”
Hailing from Darlington and now based in London, Dwarde is a key figure in the contemporary breakbeat and jungle revival as a producer and DJ. With releases on labels like Future Retro and Deep Jungle, and gigs at parties like Rupture, Dekmantel, Distant Planet and Outlook - he’s established himself as one of the scene’s most distinctive voices.
‘Energy Exchange’ brings both sides of that sound together across four tracks: two jungle cuts and two leaning into the brighter, happier end of hardcore, each with big vocals at its centre. Speaking on the EP, Dwarde said:
“I wanted to represent both jungle and the happier hardcore styles, so I’m glad that two of each will be released, all with big vocals at the centre! They’re actually the first set of tunes I’ve finished in a couple of years so I was buzzing to put them all out.
With the stunning Planes In Reverse, Sascha Funke, the Berlin-born producer and DJ, and long-time member of the Kompakt family, releases his first album in almost a decade, since 2017’s Lotos Land. It’s a welcome return for one of the most eloquent and elegant producers in electronic and dance music, someone who’s always been able to say more with less, and the ten tracks here, moving effortlessly between techno, house, minimalism, disco house, and home listening tunes, are all gorgeously sculpted miniatures. With guest appearances from partner Julienne Dessagne (Fantastic Twins), with whom Funke has also worked in Saschienne, there’s something homely and family about it, too; a family of sounds, a home of tone. There’s also something consummate about Planes In Reverse, as though Sascha Funke has perfected the album format. There’s no flab here, no excess – it plays out like a perfectly designed experience, ten tracks, coming in under fifty minutes, an album where every moment matters.
It’s full of variety, but everything has the unmistakable Funke thumbprint, one that was developed during the late ‘90s / early ‘00s minimal techno and microhouse moment, but which was always open to other ideas and other sounds, too. Planes In Reverse came together quickly for Funke: “Last winter, I had two or three new tracks, which gave me a core feeling: ‘Ah, this could be the direction of something like an album.’ Sometimes it can be very easy that you wrap it up and then it becomes something coherent and solid. This happened within two or three months; it was very fast and direct.” Everything fell into place – the ten tracks revealed themselves, the album sat together as a whole, and the final piece of the puzzle was returning home again to Kompakt, who have supported Sascha Funke from the very start, releasing his first single, “Campus”, back in 1999.
Planes In Reverse opens stealthily with “What You See”, where rhythms percolate and bass prowls while gaseous textures fill the sonic spectrum. It’s also the first appearance of Fantastic Twins on the album; here, she speaks a hypnotic mantra, a prelude to the title track, where Dessagne has a pure pop moment, her voice ecstatic and vibrant. Indeed, Planes In Reverse plays out like thesis and antithesis ending in synthesis, the tracks nestling next to each other even as they shuttle between sounds, genres, perspectives. There are some beautiful moments dropped throughout Planes In Reverse – the heavenly textures that make the title track feel so cloud-bound; the glassy and orbital tones that drop from the skies through the disco house inspired “Karat”; the clamour and clatter of hyper-edited voices shuffling through “Splitter”; or the field recordings of Sascha’s son football training session that drop “Zockers” into a different place and space, slowly giving way to a beautifully paced electro-pop mantra. “In Germany,when the kids play a computer game, or when they play football, we describe it as zocken. They’re the players, they’re the Zockers.“ Funke explains.
Planes In Reverse winds down with the beautiful “Kruso”, where ticklish, loving arpeggios careen around the room, and drift-work chords shimmer and shuttle between your ears. It’s a perfect comedown to an album that feels breathes in and out at an organic pace, nothing above 130 BPM, everything sitting together just so. Indeed, that’s the feeling you take away from Planes In Reverse; it sums up the spirit of Sascha Funke productions perfectly, while also existing beautifully as its own world dreamt unto itself. It’s Sascha Funke down to the very essence. Nothing unnecessary, nothing extraneous: Pure Funke.
Italian-Iranian DJ/producer Sciahri lays down a deeply hypnotic seven- track EP on return to Mutual Rytm. Heading up the agenda-setting Sublunar label, which is one of Mutual Rytm boss SHDW's personal favourites, Sciahri has been deep in the scene for more than a decade ever since he turned heads with a debut on Ilian Tape in 2014. Well respected for his carefully balanced love of the classic sound with new school influences, always delivering cuts with a refined and personal touch, highlighted and showcased via his widely-loved ‘Pareidolia’ release series. Returning on the label following his appearance on the ‘Federation of Rytm IV’ compilation, he lands with a freshly evolved EP that kicks off with the much hyped ID, ‘Moonwake’. That cut is built on robust, rumbling drums and layered up with flashy synths that bring stark futurism to the dance floor. ‘Liminal’ follows a similar linear path with musical drums and synths that twist and twitch, firing your synapses while your body is locked to the rhythm, before ‘Night Sentinel’ transports you to a more eerie world of anxiousness and tension - the synths are spooky, and the sonar pulses keep you on edge as immersive drums race nonstop. ‘Unmoved’ lands heavy, the bulky kick drums coming on like a storm with howling synth winds adding to the all-consuming atmosphere. ‘Too Much Time’ closes out with a wall-rattling groove and subtle synth motifs that creep in the shadows. As always with the label, digital cuts ‘Silent Frontier’ - which gets dancers on their toes with a backlit synth glow - and ‘Louisiana’ - which brings a more psychedelic energy and hard, hammering groove, rounding out a stylish, meticulously produced offering.
Almost four decades in the making, Dave Seaman’s very first artist album ‘Mirrorball Sleaze’ has finally been completed and will arrive on Selador on November 6th. Featuring a heady mix of both new and old recordings, all created, revised and / or re-purposed especially for this project, this assemblage represents the best of Dave’s sprawling oeuvre, joining the dots between the some of his most celebrated past glories right up to the present day, where he remains on the frontline of electronic club music. A culmination of a life lived and breathed in the trenches of acid house.
This limited vinyl edition will feature all 11 tracks especially segued together, split into two flowing listening pieces across sides A and B. After a long and storied vocation in music, his own artist album was the one itch Dave has long wanted to scratch. And now, at long last, it has arrived - a sultry, shimmering beauty, by turns deep and euphoric. A career milestone.
