Otik joins the Shall Not Fade family serving up five killer jams for their new ‘Basement Tracks’ series.
London based DJ // Producer Otik has been putting out some eclectic records over the past few years, including stand out twelves on Keysound, Nous & DEXT, amongst others. His latest outing sees him share some of his finest work to date, dark, moody synths dance gracefully with heavy drum sequences and weight basslines on ‘Zero-Sum Game’ EP.
The MUSHROOM HOUSE compilation is a collection of balearic, afro and cosmic tracks that have been released on Toy Tonics EPs over the last 5 years. Original tracks and remixes by friends of the label: Auntie Flo, Rebolledo, Hyenah, Daniel Avery, WhoMadeWho & DJ Koze, Munk … and there is also legendary italian cosmic DJ Baldelli featured.
All these tracks are exclusively produced for Toy Tonics. A few had been already released before on Gomma records. The now sleeping indie-electronica label that was the „mother“ of Toy Tonics. It’s fun to see that these tracks seem not to get old. They sound still fresh and ace. Like the DJ Koze remix of WhoMadeWho or Munk’s Nigerian Jam. Now they all come together on double vinyl. Vinyl comes Including the new 60 page TOY TONICS MAGAZINE no 1.
Jamie Clarke is a producer, musician and DJ. His label Either// hosts his recent work. Its first release, ‘Mirror Talk’, features remixes by Pablo Mateo, Casanova, and Philippa with early support from Tensnake, Ame, Piem, Joyce Muniz, Alinka, DJ T, Acid Pauli, Gene Farris bc, Severino… You can find earlier work appearing on diverse labels of favoured artists. “The Gene Krupa of electronic music” an admirer commented of his style: rolling, syncopated, digressive but ultimately melodic. Now, late 80s, a dark Detroit basement, eyes shut, the pound and sweep of that sound - you’re there.
Residencies at home in Dublin include The Pod, Hospital and his own UP!, the renowned rooftop party. He regularly guests across the continent and has projects in development in the US. In recent years the Reykjavik music scene has been a second home where Kaffebarrinn is a favourite haunt.
The latest release in the much loved Mr Bongo Record Club Series, Available on CD, 2LP Standard Vinyl & Special Edition 2LP Pink Translucent Vinyl.
Curating the tracks for a Mr Bongo Record Club compilation is always such a pleasure. At a time when the expression "Music is My Sanctuary" has an even greater cathartic impact for many people, we set out to make this volume an extra special one - like an old favourite mixtape or playlist.
For Volume 4 in this series we continue in the same mould as with previous editions, selecting current favorites and rare lost gems from the Brazilian, African, soul, funk, and disco genres. We present tracks from artists such as Azwon, Cindy & The Playmates, and Zé Roberto to name just a few. However, one main departure and progression to this edition is the first time inclusion of recordings by contemporary artists. These come from Matthew Tavares (of BADBADNOTGOOD fame), Wax Machine, and DJ Format & The Simonsound, which were originally featured on either limited private press vinyl releases or were previously only available digitally. We felt their inclusion was important and wanted to share these wonderful discoveries with a wider audience. They also complement, enrich, and fit perfectly with the flow and journey of the compilation.
Here at Mr Bongo we hope you will enjoy this selection of seventeen eclectic songs (in tempo and style) as much as we do, whether they make you move your feet, take you on a trip somewhere, or trigger a happy memory.
Released on 20/11/20 on double vinyl and CD with artwork illustration by Nicolas Burrows.
Beartrax is back on his own taste-making electronic label Melodize with a pair of fantastic new singles that get fine remix treatment by the cult underground figure that is Carl Finlow.
American Beartrax has been experimenting with electronic music for 10 years now, and has built up a fine reputation and discography that often leads to Beatport chart toppers and gets big support from high profile DJs.
Up first is Dream Riff, a low key roller with nice melancholic pads and crisp, crunchy hi hats as well as killer bass. It's a melodic musing that really carries your mind away from this world while keeping your body locked to the drums. Remixing is Carl Finlow, who has been an electro mainstay for decades. His version is haunting and minimal, with spooky bass notes and clacking hits that makes for a deep and atmospheric jam. Repentance closes out with nagging bass and a lead melody that is cautiously optimistic.
This is another classy EP from all involved.
This 10th anniversary release of Spaven's 5ive on vinyl for the first time celebrates one of the UK's most phenomenally talented drummers. With roots in the UK club and hip-hop scenes, Richard Spaven brings a fresh approach to the instrument that's at once modern and traditional.
Combining machine-like accuracy with jazz-influenced improvisational sensibilities, Spaven's drumming landed him gigs with vastly varied artists such as Guru, Flying Lotus, The Cinematic Orchestra and jazz/hip-hop vocalist Jose James. His brilliance is evident beyond his world-class performance abilities as he's equally impressive in production and compositional territories.
Spaven's signature drum sound often sees him combine high-pitched, crisp snares, round jazzy toms and small punchy bass drums. His cymbal choices are a sonic contrast of dry, lower-pitched hi-hats, rides and crashes.
Altogether, the drummer's tone could be described as a nod to the past while keeping an ear to the future.
Spaven's 5ive is released as a limited clear vinyl edition for Record Store Day 2020.
Third number in the DDS split series after a pair of releases courtesy of Betonkust/Uj Bala and DJ Overdose/Sematic4, "DDS03" sees Budapest duo SILF (alias Farbwechsel chief-operators Alpar & S Olbricht) and Den Haag-based pair Intergalactic Gary and Pasiphae join forces on a quartet of elusive, unpigeonholeable power moves.
Four years after the drop of their debut joint EP on Biorhythm, "Made of Glass", I-G and Pasiphae are back at it with two left-of-centre hybrids of futuristic techno on a whirring electro-industrial tip. An off-kilter jam percolating fine hints of spiritual elation and post-apocalyptic anxiety, "Microwaves" gets the ball rolling on a dichotomous note. To slo-scudding flocks of loud, bouncy kicks supersede skeins of brittle chimes and rattling drums, all woven together by subtle tectonic shifts of moody pads.
A further hi-intensity affair, "Indistinct Chatter" drives that essential heavenly/nightmarish duplicity to higher spheres of consciousness. Fusing lighthearted, daydreaming tonalities with brooding, cavernous onslaughts from the depths, the track has us navigating in a zone of its own, deftly oscillating betwixt moments of mystique-imbued euphoria and darkling introspection. A choice exponent of the Hague-based dyad's capacity at busting antiquated patterns and limitations.
Having slept in the label's vaults for a few seasons, the two tracks composing the B-side emerge from their slumber in all their time-proof bravura. An in-your-face trampler, the ten-minute long "Mono Miner" takes no byway to get its point across, all set to smash basements and warehouses by the dozen with its electrifying compound of 909-emulated gut churn and spinning synth arpeggios circling like birds of prey over your sore, rhythm-enslaved carcass.
Closing the journey on a much softer, hazier vibe, "Aces" steers us towards a realm of ambient wonder, where slo-drip cascades of tapping percussions and elegiac synth waters flow into warm, glimmering summer beds. A most contrasting, tranquillising finale to an EP defined by its propensity to change colours and intensity throughout.
Long sought after by collectors, DJs and lovers of hard salsa and boogaloo alike, 'Yo Traigo Boogaloo' is now lovingly reissued in replica form with the original cover art, remastered from the studio tapes, reproducing that magical MAG studio sound for today's aficionados to enjoy like it was 1969 all over again. Alfredo Linares is a globetrotting pianist, composer, bandleader and producer from Peru with a long, prolific career in latin music. His long sought after by DJs and collectors of hard salsa and boogaloo alike, 'Yo Traigo Boogaloo' is now lovingly reissued in replica form with the original cover art, remastered from the studio tapes, reproducing that magical MAG studio sound for today's aficionados to enjoy like it was 1969 all over again. Details: Alfredito "Sabor" Linares is a globetrotting pianist, composer, bandleader and producer from Lima, Peru with a long, prolific career in hot Latin music spanning more than half a century. Though Linares has come to recent international fame through his work with William "Quantic" Holland, he was already quite popular and famous in his adopted countries of Colombia and Venezuela in the 1970s and 80s during the salsa boom. However, his career began in Lima, backing timbalero Ñico Estrada at age 17 in 1961, and Alfredito's first notable recording as a sideman was a few years later on the now legendary 'El Combo de Pepe' album for IEMPSA/Odeon. Subsequently Linares would advance his career by recording two fabulous records under his own capable leadership as Alfredo Linares Y Su Sonora at the end of the decade for the MAG label. These releases capitalized on recent developments in New York Latin music, namely Latin jazz, boogaloo, descarga (jam session) and what would later be marketed as "salsa" with roots in the Cuban guaguancó and guaracha genres. One can hear direct inspiration coming from Joe Cuba, Ricardo Ray, and Eddie Palmieri, especially on the first album, 'El Pito', and yet by the second record, there are plenty of original tunes as well. More importantly there is a 'swing' and assertiveness to the playing (and arrangements) that prove every bit as authentic, tough and danceable as their New York inspirations. As Linares himself recounts, "In that era, we fought against a generation that was half-blind, because the people who understood what we were doing were few. We had to fight hard for our space in Perú, that's where the swing comes from." That special 'swing' also emanated from Linares' ace backing band, which happened to be a talented stable of MAG studio musicians who all understood Cuban and jazz music: percussionists Mario Allison and Coco Lagos, bassist Joey di Roma, Kiko Fuentes and Carlos Muñoz on lead vocals and Melcochita on coro (vocal chorus). According to Linares, the studio band was "open-ended, some musicians came some days, others on other days_Nilo Espinoza on saxophone, Betico Salas and Tito Chicoma on trumpets. Otto de Rojas played piano, and so did Charlie Palomares, who played vibraphone. Another good musician was guitarist Carlos Hayre." Though the recordings were cut "live in the studio" and many were basically composed on the spot, the intrinsic strength and maturity of the performances on 'Yo Traigo Boogaloo' stand the test of time as one of Peru's most important contributions to tropical music across the decades, establishing Alfredito Linares as a master of the idiom and serving as a harbinger for great things to come for him in Colombia and Venezuela. Long sought after by collectors, DJs and lovers of hard salsa and boogaloo alike, 'Yo Traigo Boogaloo' is now lovingly reissued in replica form with the original cover art, remastered from the studio tapes, reproducing that magical MAG studio sound for today's aficionados to enjoy like it was 1969 all over again. Pablo E Yglesias DJ Bongohead of Peace & Rhythm
Craig Charles has been a soul & funk fan since his teenage years in Liverpool, going to see local heroes The Real Thing live, and wearing out his shoe leather dancing in the city's many underground clubs. Craig has been sharing that passion for the music via his 6Music and BBC Radio 2 shows and DJ nights for nearly 20 years. His brand new 'Trunk Of Funk' compilation series, blends up-tempo club classics, with fresh music from the cream of the crop from the contemporary soul and funk scene, and will be Craigs very first vinyl release - a beautiful, double vinyl gatefold LP and he's certainly excited about it, stating; "I can't wait to bring you big beats, bass lines and booga-bloomin-loo! Presenting The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Volume 1 as my first ever vinyl release has put a proper wiggle in my walk!" This collection of 21st century disco, soul, funk & afro grooves from includes tracks from contemporary heroes of the scene such as Monophonics, Amp Fiddler and The James Taylor Quartet, it's also peppered with some old school classics and rare grooves from legends such as Roy Ayers, PP Arnold, Miriam Makeba and Patrice Rushen. Craig has personally selected and sequenced this collection to take the listener of a musical journey, the closest thing to having Craig visit and personally DJ for you in the comfort of your own home! It also includes two 'Trunk Of Funk Edits' that are 100% exclusive to this compilation and not available anywhere else.
‘Borderline’ is the debut single from hotly-tipped Jamaican-Canadian artist and musician, SeeMeNot. Released on 18 September, 2020 and accompanied by a remix from Roman Flügel, ‘Borderline’ is available via SeeMeNot’s own imprint, Brainstream. Her debut will be followed by the release of ‘Invisible Me’ produced by Peace Division’s Justin Drake, and ‘Chez Renee’, remixed by Joe Goddard, all in the coming months. A 21 st century house anthem, ‘Borderline’ is a stunning debut that shows the power of both SeeMeNot’s voice and her lyrics, and has been championed so far by Skream, Anja Schneider, Solomun, Adriatique, TSHA, Erol Alkan, Adana Twins, Monika Kruse, Andhim, Tim Sweeney, Chloé, Marco Carola, Digitalism, and many more.
‘Borderline’ was sampled on SeeMeNot’s July 2020 debut mixtape ‘Long Overdue: The Sound Of A Revolution’ along with an excerpt of the powerful speech by Tamika Mallory in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
Reclaiming house music as a form of protest, ‘Long Overdue: The Sound Of A Revolution’ was SeeMeNot’s first creative work. Released via her Soundcloud page, ‘Long Overdue’ featured SeeMeNot singing a cappella over a mix from DJ Oliver Baptiste. The 30 minutes of music is the sound of a Black female artist detailing the journey of Black people from Fight to Flight, channeling the pain she’s experiencing – and experienced – into something beautiful that pays respect to her ancestors but serves as a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional healing through singing and music. Influences from country music to gospel are joined through a shared history of hymnals as both protest and healing music. SeeMeNot recently released a PSA on her YouTube featuring an acapella from the mixtape – “a childhood cover” of the late Ray Charles – paying homage to Black Lives Matter.
German funk stalwarts The Mighty Mocambos unleash another sample of their explosive live energy, a 7" of two brand new tunes recorded straight to 8-track tapeduring JAM PDM! Breakdance Battle at Fabrik Potsdam on February 1st 2020.
"Arabesque Breakin' Suite" on side A is an original instrumental medley written for the occasion and delivers the raw, heavyweight sound that has made The Mighty Mocambos a staple of b-boy battles the world over. Side B is a cover of the Axel F Theme from Beverly Hills Cop, taking the tune from 80s synth-heavy electro-pop to soulful, tropical-flavored b-boy funk.
In these peculiar times without concerts, these live recordings are a real labor of love that capture the special vibes of a Mighty Mocambos performance while remaining suitable for DJ-use and enjoyable to the dedicated listener.
The 45 comes in a beautiful picture sleeve - a reproduction of the tape box used for the recording with a b/w photo from the event.
Daniel Bortz, a staple among electronic music producers, returns with his new album "Stay". After "Patchwork Memories" on Suol from 2013, it's the second album for Berlin-born and Augsburg-rooted Daniel. From his early days of James Blake editing and riding the slow house wave, Daniel has perfected and diversived his production skills over the seven year course between the albums. His range spans euphoric techno, cinematic breakbeats, heart warming electronica and classic deep house, you can witness on his eps for Innervisions, Pastamusik (the infamous Bella Avgvsta trilogy) or even on the legendary DJ Kicks mix series from grandmaster Moodymann, who selected one of Bortz's tracks on his volume. After his three eps (one with his friend and long time collaborator Sascha Sibler and one under his DJ Hotel alias) on Permanent Vacation, Daniel takes the consequential step and releases his second full-length album with the Munich based label. With the 11 tracks on "Stay", Daniel Bortz evokes his teenage years and dreamwalks through his upbringing during the 90's. Musically he brings together what never should have been separated: House, Acid, Downbeat and Breakbeat all rooted in the sample aesthetic of Hip Hop, thereby capturing the full emotional spectrum of life and love. Music that came to stay.
Ethimm scratches the pop, does a pirouette and then takes another direction. Both on stage and in his productions, the young producer from Zurich shows his unique style. After three releases on the cult label Light of Other Days he now shows himself more danceable and club-oriented than ever before. ‘Don’t Go Away’ has already been approved in clubs several times. At peak time the track shows all his power. On ‘Lies (feat. T.A.V.)’ Ethimm speaks directly to us. His pitched voice perfectly intertwines with the beat and the melodies. The slow groove of ‘Island Jam’ is peppered with a penetrating bassline and playful sound snippets. This EP is for DJs and home listeners alike.
Produced by Elisabeth Thimm. Vocals on A1 by T.A.V. Bass on A1 by Reto C. Gaffuri. Vocals on B1 and B2 by Geraldine Roth. B1 written by Warren Doris, Deirdre Heart and Elisabeth Thimm. Mixed by Hannes Bieger. Mastered by Reto Muggli.
Meda Fury is so gassed to welcome Silvestre back for a virtual hug and a 5 track EP of new jams and remix fire! The Lisbon boy done good has been enjoying some well earned praise for his last few releases - his '...is boss EP' on Secretsundaze, 'Girar' on Diskotopia, and 'Yeah' via yours truly. Gigs in Amsterdam, Bristol, Porto, London and Lisbon followed - including his debut on Boiler Room. For this new EP we are served 3 brand new Silvestre tracks and 2 huge remixes from one of the most respected labels in Lisbon - Príncipe! 'Todos Bem' starts as an organ led scratch-fest, with a tight auto-tune vocal from Silvestre himself, before mutating into an anthemic/hedonistic 303 acid and whistle banger! This euphoric string-laden track equally at home in Ibiza or Notting Hill Carnival! 'Paga O Que Deves' is up next; Joao's love of grime and UK bass culture is evident from the drop, twisted synths and breaks recall everyone from Eastman to Wiley. On the flip we find serious remix pressure from Silvestre's friends and contemporaries - the Lisbon crew of Príncipe! DJ Firmeza is up first, pushing the tempo way up on 'Yeah', turning it into a banging kuduro rave monster, propulsive batida drums upping the temperature. DJ Lilocox follows with an intense remix of 'Demónios Na Cabeça', converting it into a percussive trancey big-room bomb. Layers of mixed afro/gqom drums follow a strict samba-like rhythm forcing hands and possibly the ceiling higher.
More glorious heat from the vaults of NYC's Disco powerhouse - P&P Records!
One of many labels operating under the equally legendary tutelage of Patrick Adams and Peter Brown, two truly colossal figures in NYC's music scene, the P&P records catalogue is still fascinating underground dance music lovers to this day. Covering a wide range of styles including Gospel, early Rap and Disco the label's output continually finds its way into the playlists of respected DJ's and selectors across the globe. This latest repress from the vaults is a real biggie - a true NYC underground disco CLASSIC!
Cloud One was one of Adams' numerous studio outfits, featuring a ridiculously healthy dose of the man's virtuoso keyboard and synth playing. This was a progressive Disco sound, the pairing of extremely danceable funk and R&B with some spaced out over-dubbed analogue synthesizers and keys made for a heady concoction indeed, especially in 1976 when this cut was released. This was one of many Cloud One trademarks and one of the things that make these records still sound so way out today! 'Atmosphere Strut' could not be a better title for this immense slice of true NYC space Disco - it's got it all - the driving rhythms of the Cloud One band, the killer vibes, celestial vocals and Adams' totally wigged out synthesizer workouts. On top of all this goodness, the main man Kon, Boston's editor supreme and self confessed DIsco fiend and digger, has dropped a stellar and respectful edit of Atmosphere Strut' for all your disc jockeys out there, featured here across the length of the B-side thus making this an essential repress of this legendary 12". If you don't know this jam, and you're a Disco head - you're in for a treat! You're gonna fly......!
This is a 100% legit reissue, made in conjunction with Above Board distribution and the Phase One Music group, lovingly remastered with love by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK.
Another all-time classic from the extensive back catalog of the legendary Miami songstress Gwen McCrae.
"90% Of Me Is You" is instantly recognizable, it's been sampled countless of times by some of the most seminal Hip Hop artists ever (Large Professor, Jaylib, Mobb Deep & more) & is a bonafide "Rare Groove" sure-shot that never loses it's appeal & is always in demand with DJ's & producers. Perhaps it's the pairing of the languid guitar & strings, or Gwen's sultry vocals & that steady breakbeat that keeps people hooked some 40 years after it's original release Whatever it is, it's classic material from start to finish!
Backed here with it's original b-side slow jam "It's Worth The Hurt" this super-rare 45 has been re-mastered, re-pressed & brought back for 2015's dance-floors in conjunction & with the permission of T.K. Disco / Henry Stone Music, Miami USA.
Berlin techno luminary Jamaica Suk announces her most ambitious project yet: Uncertain Landscape.
This 17-track, 4x 12” vinyl release on her acclaimed Gradient label will be released in four installments from Autumn to Winter 2020 and brings together a host of diverse techno talent. She will release a DJ mix featuring all 17 tracks to complete the series accompanied by a film from Anthony Vouardoux. The project is made up of a wishlist of names whose music she has been heavily supporting in her sets over the last few years. “I wrote specific producers inquiring for tracks that would be fitting to the label and also fit the DJ mix that I’m recording from these tunes. I’m looking to promote music that shares the same vision as I do.”
It marks the first original releases on Gradient from producers other than herself, which is a change of tact from her original plan for her imprint. “Initially I wanted to only release my music on Gradient including remixes - but it doesn’t make sense as there’s so much inspiration out there. By expanding the label’s network we create our own tribe.”
Jittery rhythms with a touch of ‘Spastik’ about them propel BNJMN’s ‘Abyssal Surge’ into life, with a big riverbed sound abounding as the track builds through haunting sustained tones and glitching mechanics.
Arthur Kimskii thundering ‘Natasha’ pummels from the first moment, with shuddering sub bass carving its way through the sound field as hypnotic bleeps pulse in the distance. Rapid-fire. Filtering percussive waves accentuate the bassline’s incessant 16ths rhythms, all the while the resonant kicks hammering away beneath.
Wrong Assessment’s ‘The Eight’ is a dissonant avalanche of warped textures, where grunting synth thrusts rub up against industrious pulses and chattering hi-hat patterns weave in and out of the mix. Stuttering bass and cymbal rides complete the urgent feel.
Introspective respite comes from Electro Indigo’s ‘Volcanite’, a stirring piece of broken beat experimentation where graceful pads slide hauntingly over taut kick and bass patterns and beautiful ghostly analog synth notes.
Look out for parts 2-4 coming soon and special audio + visual showcases.
Freshly signed artist named Ian Ash (also know as “H” and Sunny G) delivers a massive filtered boogie house track. So What U Want will also come with a Lord Funk remix which sound a bit more electro funk to blast the dancefloor.
This track is a radio killer and should be loved by many musiclovers including DJs, producers or simply people who like to listen to mainstream vocal house as French touch production. A bunch of samples and played instruments make it efficient and support the
sweet voice of the singer Djemaïli. He is known first as an R’n’B singer, but he liked to perform on this future classic – and you can hear it! Ian Ash is known as a resident DJ of the World-famous Montreux Jazz Festival where he has spun records yearly between 2001 and 2019. Including 1st and 2nd parts of George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic, Spearhead feat. Michael Franti, Doctor L, Tony Allen,Jean Grae, Raphael Saadiq, Will Calhoun, Common,Dj Cam, Mister Mike, Benji B, Souljazz, Andy Smith,Buddah Monk, Jimmy Cliff back band, Jamie Lidell, and Claude Nobs himself! He spun also at Cargo (London), SPACE (Ibiza), NL (Amsterdam), Divans du Monde
(Paris), etc. He surely is in the top 10 Funk DJs in Europe. He also has been stage and studio audio engineer for 2 decades and has mixed a couple of live artists such as Joe Sample, Mandrill or even AIR. He has mixed more than 90 concerts at Montreux Jazz Festival 2002 and deeply participated in producing 4 Days in Geneva by Ohmega Watts
more recently.
