Suche:dj lab

We all hear the music of the World but we don't often stop to listen'. So says David Lyn by way of explaining the raison d'etre of his debut album The World I Hear (Essence of Life). This album is the first in a series that explores the elements of fire, earth, water and wind and focuses on the twin entities of love and water; both of which flow and ebb, trickle and crash. It is an album of songs and musical collaborations which interprets David's own visions of love as the foundation of everything. As he says, 'we all need more love'.
Releasing on the 1st of June on vinyl and digital The World I Hear (Essence of Life) will be available for pre-order from Friday 24th May with the two tracks, Drum Connection and Maria Juana, leading the release. Drum Connection has been remixed by Chicago legend and Frankie Knuckles protege Elbert Phillips whilst Maria Juana features the Ibero-Cuban artist and songwriter Arema Arega (Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura) and the composer and producer Andrew Nicholas AKA Born74 (Earthsouls, Colin Curtis' Jazz Dance Fusion Vol. 4).
Engineered by Shamrock Guitar and mastered by Andy Compton at Peng Studios, with arrangements from Dr Bob Jones and Gee W and vocal contributions from Vuyelwa Mgatyelwa and Elena Rogozhina, The World I Hear (Essence of Life) truly is an international collaboration of music for the heart, the soul, the dance floor and the head. David Lyn, whose creative vision for this album is adulterated with his love of Jazz, Reggae and Country music, is playing the flute, clarinet, saxophone and piano and his vast experience of creating diverse DJ sets of Music Without Labels

Another brutal label has seen the light

Pushing the boundaries of intelligent dance music higher into experimental-adjacent analogue territories, where abstract serenity and complex analogue developments entangle in an organic symbiosis of sorts, Noordens newest puzzle in sound comes courtesy of two label habitues, Orion Moustache and Panta Rex. Staying true to their genre-unbound DNA and innovative vision, both artists each contribute a trio of oblique sound equations, conjuring up both identifiable rhythmic patterns and off-piste downtempo digressions to shape a grammar truly their own - not quite your usual function-oriented DJ tool, but not floor-opposed either. Hybrid and agile, this co-op between Orion Moustache and Panta Rex oozes inspirational spaciousness and ascetic sophistication thru and thru.

In the history of Black American soul music many recording artists have been called “Legends” some deservedly and perhaps some not so deserving of this current over used accolade? I might be a tad biased here, perhaps? but in my book one James Howard McCelland a.k.a Jesse James has surely earned the right to be called a “Legend” this octogenarian performer has weathered many storms and shifts in musical trends and styles over the years but like the trouper that he is albeit in lower keys these days he still manages time and time again to come up with the goods! “Back On Top Again” is Jesse James latest production album, a project filled with recent and current recordings in a southern soul style that has likened in passing by several respected soul scribes to the Malaco Sound I’ll let the record buying public make their own minds up on that one, I’m sure veteran DJ Bob Jones won’t mind me using his quote below:

The album also features two of Jesse’s friend’s with Donnie McKisic providing the rapping and additional backing vocals on the upbeat “I Lost My Baby On Face Book” and Shirley Diamond who you may recall from Soul Junction’s recent 45 release “You Don’t Know Who You Sleeping With” (SJ1021) returning with another excellent Diamond & James duet “Another Love Lay Over” as a further foot note the featured song “I’d Be A Fool 2 Fool Around On You” is an excellent cover version of what was a previously unissued Harvey Scales song until Soul Junction released it as the flipside their thirteenth 45 single release way back in 2011.

Album Sleeve Notes:

At the dawn of the 1960’s a young aspiring soul singer from Richmond, California by the name of James H. McClelland was honing his performing skills in several local nightclubs. At one particular show the compere struggled to pronounce the young performer’s surname and to hide his embarrassment he hurriedly introduced him as ‘Jesse James’, which became Jesse’s Stage name to the present day.

Jesse’s big break came through his aunt who at that time just happened to be dating West Coast Blues and R&B Legend Jimmy McCracklin. The aunt suggested to McCracklin the he should take a listen to her talented nephew, suitably impressed McCracklin produced Jesse on a song he’d written “I Will Go” for the local Shirley label. The release is credited to Jesse James & The Royal Aces a bunch of local musicians that Jesse had grown up with which included Slyvester Stewart a.k.a Mr “Dance To The Music” himself Sly Stone” on guitar. “I Will Go” was quite a popular record locally and led to a further four Jesse James releases on Shirley culminating in Jesse’s most sought-after record the delightful “Are You Gonna Leave Me”in 1966. The following year Jesse recorded the minor hit “Believe In Me Baby” released by the local ‘Hit’ label before being picked up by 20th Century for national distribution. While signed to 20th Century Jesse recorded a self-titled album and three other 45 singles before leaving the label.

Following a solitary 45 release for the Uni Label in 1969 Jesse formed his own Production and Publishing company ‘South Richmond Music’ releasing 45’s on his own label logo’s Zea and Zay before returning to 20th Century for a second time during 1974, releasing two 45 singles of which the sublime “If You Want A Love Affair” reaching #92 in the Billboard R&B charts in 1975, a song that would later receive worldwide acclaimed and is now regarded as Jesse’s signature tune. Ron Carson had been the producer on the later 20th Century releases and it was he that placed one of Jesse’s songs “The Same Thing Happens” on the Happy Fox label’s blaxploitation album “Black Fist”.

Into the 1980’s Jesse leased some of his songs for release on the Atlanta Georgia, Midtown label, a solitary release on the Moonlite Hope Music label (a lead single for a proposed album that never materialised) followed before Jesse joined Max Kidd’s Washington based TTED label. The TTED imprint was to yield Jesse’s biggest hit record “I Can Do Bad By Myself” reaching #61 in the R&B Charts. Following TTED Jesse formed Gunsmoke records releasing “Love On The Side” in 1988, from there on Jesse has continued to regularly release numerous studio albums though the 90’s into the new millennium and on to the present day.

Now well into his seventh decade as a performer this most resilient and enduring performer, has never been one to let the grass grow under his feet. He still performs live shows and is actively writing, producing and recording fresh new material. Soul Junction have now gathered together some of Jesse’s most recent and new recordings to form this album project which is aptly titled “Back On Top Again” Ride on Jesse James!

repress !

Network’s 30th Anniversary celebrations continue with the re-issue of the debut release from the iconic label. The launch of the logo with Neal Howard “Indulge” in 1990 caused a sensation, with the track being instantly acclaimed as a Classic, and Network noted as a new label to watch.

“Indulge” hails from Chicago, but sounds like its’ DNA is Techno City Detroit.
A futuristic call to dance from Windy City mystery man Neal Howard, whose previous releases “The Gathering” and “To Be Or Not To Be” had already reached cult status. Those gems, and “Indulge” were recorded by Chicago label Phuture Sound. Plans were being laid for the transformation the Kool Kat label - the UK outlet for Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and Juan Atkins - into Network, but the dilemma was finding something “really really special” for the first release. That search for the perfect beat ended when Network’s Neil Rushton on a visit to Chicago heard the just mixed “Indulge” on a cassette played by Phuture Sound boss Terry Baldwin, who after prolonged negotiations agreed to cancel a USA release so the new UK label could have an exclusive.

The label design for this release is a replica of the original DJ Promo 12” that introduced Network to the World with exactly the same tracks; Terry Baldwin’s much loved Club House and Deep House mixes of “Indulge”, coupled with “To Be Or Not To Be” remixes by Chicago’s Bad Boy Bill and Detroit’s Derrick May. network - it is what it was...

Can be either blue or black.

Originally a club hit in the early 1980s when recorded by American singer Sharon Brown, the niece of songwriter Phil Medley. Released in March 1982, by the legendary Profile Records label from NYC. It was the he first ever record produced by Eddie O Loughlin who would later establish the famous Next Plateau label. “I Specialize In Love” spent three weeks at number two on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. The single also charted on the UK Singles Chart, and charted In the Dutch Top 15 thus becoming an international club hit. A remixed version of the song was released in 1994, entering the UK Singles Chart for a second time.

Ben Liebrand now steps up and delivers yet again with his Classic Rework and the more club oriented DJ Mix. He manages to retain the pure disco vibe of street and fusion sounds, that, along with a simple rap is total boogie pop. Fantastic and still sounding as fresh as it did forty years ago. A filler on the Dancefloor!

Reel People Music breaks new ground, in more ways than one, with the launch of fresh compilation series Broken, Deep & Dope. A spin-off from acclaimed compilation brand Soulful, Deep & Dope – introduced back in 2015 – this new series sees the much-loved independent imprint pushing further at the boundaries of soulful music. All with that customary Reel People feeling.

Broken, Deep & Dope 2024, the series’ first instalment, unleashes 20 superlative examples of the soulful ‘bruk’ (broken beat), nu beat and nu jazz sound that has so innovatively informed contemporary dancefloors around the world since its inception back in late Nineties West London.

Bringing together classic cuts from the Reel People Music stable (including those by Daz-I-Kue, Monkey Brothers and Reel People) and key productions from some of its closest affiliates and biggest inspirations (such as Vikter Duplaix, Jazzanova, Bugz In The Attic, Kaidi Tatham, and Sean McCabe), this white-hot selection nips and tucks beautifully between stuttered Latin and Afro rhythms, deep house-edged jams and soaring flights of soul-jazz fancy.

Reel People Music is a label borne out of the soulful success of acclaimed collective Reel People but representing so much more. Launched in late 2009, the imprint has built a fiercely loyal international fanbase through its passion for artist development, musicianship, song-craft and authentic soulful groove.

Broken, Deep & Dope 2024, with its scattered yet compulsive beats, frisky basslines and acrobatic melodies, promises to further expand Reel People Music’s reputation for soulful depth and drama. Gathering old and new favourites from some of the world’s finest taste-making DJs and producers, this is another scorching, oh-soul essential hustle. End of.

Nova Vida is a unique producer's album project injecting new life into classic songs, colouring them with the broad palette that are DJ / Producer Chris Bangs’ influences from his lifetime in music. 10 classic songs have been given the distinctive Nova Vida treatment, Ritmo Da Vida features unknown vocalists and musicians Chris has discovered and incorporated into the project from around the globe. Drawing on Bangs' influences such as Sergio Mendes and the sounds of Brazil, Samba, Bossa etc thru Classic British Pop, 70’s West Coast and beyond Nova Vida fuses all of the above with ten truly classic songs taking them into new musical arenas they haven't previously graced.

The first single “My Only” ft Klei came out in July 2023 on limited vinyl, got lots of club plays , specialist radio support and spent a month on the Jazz FM A List. The album already has serious upfront tastemaker support many who are digging Empty Faces (Vera Cruz) , the sublime instrumental Affirmation and the sultry samba vocal version of Stormy. Our favourite in the BDQ office is Each and every one, its fabulous, the whole album is just perfect for summer 2024. We here at BDQ are privileged to release this album on the label, as usual vinyl will be super limited.

Session Victim need little by way of introduction having been releasing on Delusions consistently for the last 10 years and becoming the undisputed poster boys for the label in the process. Despite their regular appearance however, it’s always a real treat to announce a new record from the German duo and we have to say, the Screen Off EP may well find them in their finest form to date! Coming hot off their latest downtempo LP entitled Low Key, Low Pressure for Night Time Stories, you can tell Hauke and Matthias were ready to take things back to the dance-floor and have delivered an EP which looks set to become a future classic and no doubt big in the box of discerning DJ’s the world over.

Screen Off is really it’s own thing, living somewhere on the long and winding road between the Bar Kays and the Bad Brains, suffice to say that what it lacks in easily definable attributes it makes up for in sheer energy and raw attitude. Hauke and Matthias re-invite Jamaican poet and vocalist Ras Stimulant, who contemplates our screen addictions and urges us to disconnect and be present in the moment. Matthias’ rolling bassline provides the backbone, whilst hints of crunchy Moog and chopped guitar samples all bring a sense of urgency to the track.

Light The Way acts as an antidote, bringing a sense of calm melancholia in contrast to the title track’s low-end, funked-up fervour. A soft focus and almost distant drum groove draws us in whilst arpeggiating synths add a sense of optimism, reinforcing the tracks title.

Closing out the release we have Session Victim’s studio partner, good friend and all-round top producer Iron Curtis in for a remix of Light The Way. Johannes takes an interesting approach for his Illuminati interpretation, enhancing the breakbeat feel and mixing up chopped samples with classic 808 drums. A muscular bassline adds extra weight to his remix but without losing the subtle musicality and positive vibe of the original.

Being the vinyl purists they are, Session Victim and Iron Curtis top up the physical 12“ EP with the exclusive Screen Off Acapella and an additional Iron Curtis Remix Reprise.

Club music culture necessarily shifted gears in many ways during and after the course of the pandemic. Older participants found their way into other interests and younger participants took new reigns to orient spaces they felt good inside of. The agenda for the music, and the cultural industry surrounding it at large, took a more frivolous and “fun” turn. Clubs needed to recoup lost money, people needed more refreshing catharsis for their nightlife escape, and in some pockets scattered around the globe a newer and younger cadre of producers/promoters/DJ’s pulled optical cues from a scattering of “darker” influences to give an alternate aesthetic to the aforementioned “vibes” culture. In the midst of this, a large polarization of conceptual energy shifted within the compositional and utilitarian machinations of the club music culture leaving behind the brooding and cerebral placeholders for different kind of enjoyable hedonism. Terrestrial Paradise’ “Artificial Hell” harkens to another prescient time before that shift occurred. “Artificial Hell’ might just be an illustration of what all of this fun escapism encapsulates.

Terrestrial Paradise is the latest moniker from Montreal come Los Angeles based producer Jaclyn Kendal. Having developed and cemented her sonic positionality with releases on North American labels like Ascetic House and Summer isle over the years, as well as a series of monolithic live sets, Bank is pleased to announce Kendal’s Terrestrial Paradise first full length album “Artificial Hell”. Over the course of nine recordings, “Artificial Hell” gives a master class in pressurized industrial techno of the slower variety. Fitting with the legacy of Bank’s output since it’s inception, Terrestrial Paradise’s aesthetic sensibilities sit within the canon of a certain tinge of club music imbued with a sense of natural grit, sans pretense.

“Artificial Hell” nods to artists like Scorn, Regis, and 400 PPM while maintaining it’s own territory in the landscape of cerebral and brooding rhythmic techno. Ominous, mechanistic drones sit above succinctly exacted percussion composition and sound design. Throughout “Artificial Hell”, Kendal shows her proficiency with the push and pull of building and releasing tension. On tracks like “Salvation” and “Relativity” she melds her synth wash wallscapes with driving percussion, serving as both a hint and counterpoint to the the entirety of the latter part of the album taking on spartan ambient compositions as a way to keep the listener in a subdued stasis. This album is a statement piece from a long time participant in the North American underground music sectors. It reminds the listener through perilous, considered rhythms and darker drone impositions to cement themselves back into a place where not
everything is always a good time.

IMOGEN presents WIGS002 - a four track EP celebrating the women of Wigs, featuring Grace Dahl, NVST, Rebecca Alle Paine and IMOGEN.

WIGS002 kicks off with heavy breaks and kick drums bringing a rough hardcore vibe to IMOGEN’s latest single ‘SHOUTOUT 2 LDN’, premiered by radio legend Mary Anne Hobbs on her Radio 6 show.

IMOGEN samples a vocal from her favourite 90s MC Alex Pearce, adopting the same “zero f***s attitude” of the early 2000s techno scene. She combines this with squelching reese basses and slick programmed breaks to bring the same energy of early warehouse parties to the dancefloors of today.

Next up, Grace Dahl departs from her usual rolling techno style with electro banger ‘I Like Em Sexy’. A fast-paced distorted vocal slides its way through the drums into an epic breakdown before an unexpected 4/4 drop. IMOGEN and Dahl’s musical chemistry shone in their B2B on the Wigs NTS show, making this the perfect A-side combo of the EP.

Upcoming Italian DJ and producer Rebecca Alle Paine keeps up the EP’s high energy with the perfect DJ tool of rolling 909 drums. Hardgroove is having its resurgence right now and Rebecca is a leading light in the genre currently flooding the scene. Wigs isn’t the only label to pick up on Rebecca’s driving style - she recently released an album on hardgroove legend Ben Sims’ label as well as featuring on Freddy K’s KEY. It is clear Rebecca is one to watch for 2024.

NVST closes off the EP in a mind bending Aphex Twin-style crescendo. ‘A Face Has No Voice’ is an eight minute long saga boasting her skill as a multiverse producer. It follows a journey through dub, breaks and IDM. WIGS002 showcases the true diversity of the next generation of musicians, and that one piece of music can traverse many genres.

Wigs kicked off as a project aimed to offer a new approach to party series and workshops with an emphasis on community, bringing like minded ravers together to build a platform for the next generation of artists and party goers. As well as a residency at Tresor Berlin, Wigs has hosted sold out parties across Europe bringing names such as Daria Kolosova, Dr Rubinstein Salome and more. After the success of WIGS001, Wigs is proving itself to be a staple sound in dance music right now.

Dark Distorted Signals proudly presents their 50st release: "Ordin Air - Ordinize" with a sampler vinyl, including 3 tracks, and a full album, 10 tracks as a cd and via downloadcode, all in one sealed package.
The digital release is also available on all mayor platforms. The vinyl comes as a black and white splatter. That same graphical theme extends to the layout of the cd. This special release is of the hand of Ordin Air, who again delivers his craftsmanschip in melodic techno. Hint: for those who bought the fysical package, look for the hidden gemns!
This full album is not a retrospective of himself, nor of the label. But all tracks combined are like a milestone, a beacon for those who need a textbook example of true dark melodic techno. Each track is unique and independently playable and essential for any DJ who wants to play relevant music. These are power tools! Play it loud!

Is a (4 Track) offering from the (Trax) 'Golden Boy' Daniel Smith AKA (Late Nite 'DUB' addict). The self confessed 'House' Addict says he is privileged to release on the same label as some of his heroes in the house world such as (Mr Fingers) aka (Larry Heard) / Joey Beltram / Jesse Saunders / Chip-E / Phuture / Saytek & DJ Rush. He is a prolific producer that has released more than (x200) original tracks on (Trax Records) alone with
some remixes under his belt from (Screamin Rachael) / (Joe Smooth) / (Todd Terry) & (Armando). This Solid Underground House EP once again shows that this New Cat in the Chicago House Scene is still hitting with the Big Hitters and is a statement that his sound is here to stay.

DJ Cat comes through on Scruniversal here as the young label continues to go from strength to strength early in its existence. This time he serves up some re-edits and reworks of old and rare records from Scru's friends' collections. Up first is 'Roots & Culture' which is a languid funk workout with Prince style vocals bring some libidinous vibes up top while sci-fi synths and raw claps and perc all flesh out the groove. 'Possibelle' then cuts loose on a much more laid back and steamy summer vibe with the sort of chords that have you laying back in the park and staring up at a cloudless sky.

Riot Records offshoot Disco Juice kicks off with 4 massive disco house bangers featuring some big hitters in the scene. Soul Sonic Orchestra Ft the legendary Kathy Brown / Da Lukas & label boss Yam Who?

DJ Support: Lee Burridge, Lost Desert, Sebastien Leger, Roy Rosenfeld, Volen Sentir, Gorje Hewek, Izhevski

The first ever vinyl from Ruvenzori, including tracks from Volen Sentir, Stan Tone, Talemastes, and label honcho Izhevski.

The latest EP for Tee Mango’s SUPERUNKNOWN imprint shines a light on up and coming Mancunian DJ & producer Joey T.

With the SUPERUNKNOWN label continuing to shine a light on artists Tee has met via his ‘FINISH YOUR F***ING EP’ coaching and mentoring program.

This aptly titled STRONG TEAM EP combines original tracks from Permanent Vacation favourite Tee Mango & Joey T. It feels very much like a family affair, and comes fresh off the back of Joey’s sold out shows with Luke Una’s excellent E Soul Cultura.

The lead track is by Joey T titled "When You Are Not On My Mind" (WYNOMM) comes in original (Maurice Fulton inspired) loose house flavour, courtesy of Joey himself.

We are also treated to a Tee Mango remix, which channels Joe Claussell’s seminal Instant House via warehouse era Chicken Lips.

The remaining x2 Tee Mango's trax are a left leaning electronica made in his inimitable style. Plenty of feel and colouring outside of the lines.

This is house music for cultured dancefloors, sparse, minimally melodic and just the right amount of weird.

Support from: Mixmag, Tim Sweeney, Crazy P, PBR Streetgang, Hot Toddy, Bill Brewster, Will Saul & Mano Le Tough with others sure to follow.

2024 repress.

Ever dreamed to travel to Trinidad & Tobago? Disco Segreta makes this dream come true with it’s 6th release: the much awaited officially licensed reissue of this tropicalo-disco synth bass boogie atomic bomb, from the original analog masters.

Written in late 1983 by Mario Baldoni aka Miro of “Real Life Games” LP (1977) and Brina’s “Stranamore” (1984) fame. Originally released in July 1984 on the small Pineapple label – a sublabel of Armando Sciascia’s “Vedette” – with close to no success and a pressing fault: a glitch on the vocal version, that affected all copies.

This tropical summerish blend of italo and boogie, along with the male/female alternate spanish/english singing, turned into a true classic of the genre over the years, slowly making the playlists of the most respected DJs and diggers worldwide. The 4-tracks 12″ features the original vocal and instrumental versions in their original length, carefully dubbed from the analog stereo masters and taken back to new life through Disco Segreta’s usual respectful mastering. Also, two new remixes are featured.

Needle Mythology, the label founded by music writer, author and broadcaster Pete Paphides, is thrilled to announce the signing of the eagerly anticipated debut album by London singer-songwriter and renowned DJ Iraina Mancini. Iraina’s singular pop vision will be known to regular listeners of 6 Music, where her singles ‘Undo The Blue’, ‘Deep End’, ‘Shotgun’ and ‘Do It (You Stole The Rhythm)’ have all been enthusiastically embraced. Iraina's obsession with music stretches back into her early childhood, much of which was spent absorbing her parents’ collection of old 45s, in particular her dad’s Northern Soul records – an alternative education which meant that, by her early 20s, she was a familiar presence in the DJ booth at many discerning London club nights. Her love of French ye-ye, British freakbeat, Brazilian bossa nova, soul, and Turkish psych will be well-known to regular listeners of her Soho Radio show. Having always sung from a young age, Iraina embarked on a string of collaborators such as Jagz Kooner (Sabres Of Paradise), Sunglasses For Jaws (Miles Kane) and Simon Dine (Paul Weller, Noonday Underground) which truly saw her find her metier as a songwriter, conjuring melodies that stand shoulder to shoulder alongside her impeccable influences. Iraina describes her first single for Needle Mythology ‘Cannonball’ as “a celebration of that moment when you meet someone you really fall for and it knocks you for six. It can be a bit scary, but you’ve just got to go with what your intuition is telling you.” Written with Simon Dine, the vertiginous heart-in-mouth abandon of the song perfectly mirrors the circumstances that brought it into being. Iraina cites Jacqueline Taïeb’s 1967 single 7h du Matin as an early inspiration for the song: “There’s such a great energy about that song. Her vocal is amazing and all those stops and starts that grab your attention.” “This is an artist I absolutely love, one of our rising stars at 6Music.“ Lauren Laverne BBC 6Music “Iraina seizes on the best aspects of the past, blurring those impeccable 60s and 70s influences with a touch of modernity.” Clash “Full of femme fatale poise and swooning chanteuse flourishes.” The Times

Piezo’s Ansia imprint returns for its 8th outing ‘Imago’, inviting Berlin’s Unity Vega for a split EP of uptempo dancefloor explorations that mine that fertile space between footwork, drum’n’bass, dancehall and experimental contemporary club sonics.

Unity Vega leads the charge with ‘No Body No Mind’ - a waterlogged darkside skanker that sits somewhere between the half-stepping jungle of the UVB-76 crew and the kind of oddball dancehall deconstructions often peddled by Ansia's extended circles. 
Appearing again on the flip, Vega ups his pace on ‘Set Em’ - a nervy footwork roller that pits gully hip-hop vocal chops against rising bell chords and washes of delayed noise. Think Rashad dubbed out by Kevin Martin and you’re in the right ballpark.

Label head Piezo’s contributions continue along similar lines, albeit in his own unmistakable style. ‘Toughts, Heavy’ also finds the midpoint between d’n’b and dembow, this time marrying a gurgling acid bassline with a euphoric-turned-paranoiac trance lead. 
Up next, ‘Nel Frigo Ah’ strips things back to the raw, banging basics: a looping vocal call pinned down by a frenetic crescendoing drum workout.

To close, Japanese legend Foodman delivers a pots-and-pans rework of ‘Thoughts, Heavy’ - a true curveball tool for the adventurous DJs amongst us.