At 15 years of age Danny aka DJH worked at Dance Force Records, his Dad’s record shop, at the weekends in Kings Lynn. He also built himself a basic studio in the back of the shop where he linked up with a local customer and started to make music. These tracks would form an EP called The Bass Project which went on to be one of the most sought after hardcore records, being offered for up to £750 a copy. Not bad for a 15 year old kid who made his one and only release back in 1993.
This is the 3rd and final release for the DJH series whilst he takes a sabbatical from music, leaving us with 4 heavy hardcore tracks, with that authentic early 90’s feel with ‘Bad Boy Sound’ being a firm favourite of Jay Cunning over recent months on his Kool FM show. Sourcing original samples and memories from his time embedded in the scene as a teenager, this whole EP pays respects to the analogue dance scene that paved the way for all forms of UK bass music that followed.
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- A1: Meow In The Club - Ft Tentato
- A2: Chlad - Ft 3Ck, Monika Naceva & Prezident Lourajder
- A3: Star Riders - Ft Gruzo
- A4: Paralyzer - Ft Dj Flux
- A5: Synthymn
- B1: Timeless Journey - Ft Moimir Papalescu
- B2: For A Few Coins - Ft Ljut
- B3: Leadership
- B4: We Never Die - Ft Cabaret Noir Combo
- B5: The Truth - Ft Tru5Tm3
- B6: Empty House
“Django” and “Japanese Funk Machine” are 2 mid80s outstanding avant-garde dance tracks released by UnknownmiX, a Swiss avant-experimental group with unique vocal, punkish/art-pop/minimal wave atmosphere, solid synth and percussions in an anarchic world.
At the center of the project were the very talented vocalist Magda Vogel and the well-known experimental composer Ernst Thoma, who with this radical project sought to push boundaries and explore extremes with sounds that moved between tribal and distorted far ahead of their time.
The remixes were made by cosmic wizard Daniele Baldelli, assisted by the faithful Marco Dionigi, and Delphi (half of Tiger & Woods).
Xylitol is the alias of Catherine Backhouse, producer and DJ under the name DJ Bunnyhausen. She was a resident DJ at Kosmische, the now dormant Krautrock club and is a fan of jungle and hardcore. She currently co-hosts the radio show Slav To The Rhythm, which focuses on vintage central and eastern European pop and electronica and she's also co-writing a book on Yugoslavian pop culture. 'Anemones' is a total project from the cover to the music. Backhouse is fascinated by early botanical illustrations of anemones and other aquatic fauna, and how the act of taxonomy reveals as much about human psychology, desire and sublimation as it does about the organic specimen as a thing in itself. Each track is a microcosm of this 'other life', an allegory for the extraordinary potential latent within bodies that the dancefloor has the power to activate. Using early jungle and garage as starting points to connect dots and open up contrasts between dance music and vintage electronics, Backhouse finds a sweet spot which, in her words "feels like something that's simultaneously still and ancient yet propulsive and ecstatic." Not afraid of letting the the hiss and flutter of the music show, 'Anemones' holds attention with ancient bubbling synths and gracefully drifting arpeggiations, occasionally brought to heel by charming melodies, all accompanied by breakbeats that explode like fireworks. 'Anemones' has a lively and unpolished aesthetic that's a kindred spirit to Nondi_'s 2023 album of smeary, water-damaged footwork, 'Flood City Trax'. 'Moebius' pits the spaced out neon chords of the track's namesake against absolutely tearing breaks, allowing time for this almost overwhelming combination to become near enough transcendental, while the bleeping melody and sad slavic chorus motif in 'Okko' feels like an artifact from an alternative future. The Drexciya meets 2-step garage of 'Dobro Jutro' creates a welcome respite at the album's midpoint before the flow builds up again to 'Daša' with its glassy sounds from a lost radiophonic workshop miniature meeting bruising kicks and snares. Meanwhile 'Iskria' has purring synth chords and 8-bit melodies evoking the cosmonaut age. The subliminal influence of the Yugo era is felt in DIY synthesis and Mitteleuropean melody and seen in song titles such as 'Jelena', 'Miha', 'Daša' (named after novelist Daša Drndič) and 'Iskria' (taken from the fictitious Balkan region in Ottessa Moshfegh's bleak fable 'Lapvona'). 'Anemones' very effectively folds experimental genres from different times and places into a very enjoyable new sound.
DJ Support from Danny Howard, Annie Mac, Mistajam, Pete Tong, Charlie Hedges, Kraak & Smaak, Maxinne, Todd Terry, Alex Preston, Full Intention, GW Harrison, DJ Rae, Rudimental, Alaia & Gallo, Illyus & Barrientos, Johan S, David Penn, Sam Divine, Riva Starr, Claptone, Nice7, Dario D’Attis, Mousse T, SMan, Huxley, KC Lights, Friend Within, Dombresky, Gorgon City, Chris Lake, Format:B, Pirupa, TCTS, Alan Fitzpatrick, Low Steppa, Mat.Joe, Raumakustik, Eskuche
Kicking things off on Toolroom’s next 4-track vinyl sampler series is Mark Knight’s hugely successful rework of Groove Armada’s seminal classic ‘Get Down’. Considered one of the holy-grail records of their back catalogue so it’s an absolute honour for us, and Mark Knight, to be re-presenting this incredible record to a new audience. Fusing those unique vocals from Stush and classic Groove Armada synth line, coupled with the energy and insatiable groove of a Mark Knight record, this is a sure-fire dance floor weapon for 2024! Next up are a fan favourite of the label, the mighty duo Illyus & Barrientos who make their long overdue return with ‘When You Gonna’. Tracks such as ‘Shout’, ‘Promise’ and most famously, ‘So Serious’, propelled them to be one of the most exciting and sought after acts in the World. This record is trademark Illyus & Barrientos and reflects their personalities as artists perfectly. Think high energy house music filled with fun and peak-time dance floor vibes! Leading the charge on the b-side is an incredible collaboration from 2 heavyweight house artists, working together for the very first time! David Penn has a career spanning over 25 years. He was recently crowned the #1 house artist on Beatport and boasts over 1 million monthly listeners across leading streaming platforms. OFFAIAH appears on Toolroom for the first time in his career under this alias, although he was a firm part of the original Toolroom Family line up as Michael Woods. So this is a SPECIAL ONE! The record screams sun-drenched terraces, pool parties and chilled cocktails! A huge bass line, infectious tribal vocals and some lush house pianos for good measure. Last but not least, Long-standing Toolroom Family member and fan favourite, Ben Remember returns to the label with ‘Waiting 4 You’. As with all of Ben’s records, this is super creative and super original. Based around an infectious disco vocal sample and all created using out-board, analogue studio gear which gives the track a real gritty
undertone.
Countless radio plays on Radio 1 from Danny Howard, Sarah Storie, Pete Tong Other notable radio plays – Kiss FM, Toolroom Radio, Sirius XM, Data Transmission Radio, Radio 1 Dance Anthems, Radio 1 Party Anthems, Rinse FM, Select Radio, Tomorrowland Radio
- A1: Oasis - Live Forever
- A2: Manic Street Preachers - A Design For Life
- A3: Ash - Goldfinger
- A4: Ocean Colour Scene - The Day We Caught The Train
- A5: The La's - There She Goes
- A6: The Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo!
- A7: Supergrass - Alright
- A8: Sleeper - Sale Of The Century
- B1: New Order - Regret
- B2: Mcalmont & Butter - Yes
- B3: Suede - Beautiful Ones
- B4: The Cure - High
- B5: The Cardigans - Erase/Rewind
- B6: Babybird - You're Gorgeous
- B7: The Bluetones - Slight Return
- B8: Stereophonics - Local Boy In The Photograph
- C1: The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go
- C2: Iggy Pop - Lust For Life
- C3: Kula Shaker - Hey Dude
- C4: Paul Weller - Peacock Suit
- C5: Happy Mondays - Step On
- C6: The Soup Dragons - I'm Free
- C7: The Lightning Seeds - The Life Of Riley
- C8: The Fram - All Together Now
- D1: The Stone Roses - Fools Gold
- D2: Primal Scream - Rocks
- D3: Leftfield - Release The Pressure
- D4: The Chemical Brothers - Setting Sun
- D5: Faithless - God Is A Dj
- D6: Electronic - Getting Away With It
- D7: The Wannadies - You & Me Song
- D8: Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
"Loaded – The Collection highlights a stellar selection of 32 tracks from the genres that defined the 90s alternative music across a 2LP.
A monumental music and cultural movement celebrated in this album includes ‘Britpop’, demonstrated in songs featuring the amazing artists Oasis, Suede, The Stone Roses, The La’s and Supergrass. Defining 90s Indie rock and pop is featured on this album from bands including Stereophonics, The Boo Radleys, New Order, The Wannadies, Sleeper, The Cardigans, Ocean Colour Scene and many more. Plus, we celebrate the electronic/club scene of the 90s, showcased by dance hits from The Chemical Brothers, Faithless, Primal Scream, Happy Mondays and Leftfield. For your nostalgic trip through the alternative 90s music scene… we are proud to present Loaded.
Loaded – The Alternative Album is the must have 3CD that combines 62 tracks from multiple music genres that defined the alternative music of the 90s.
"
- A1: Bergendy - Randevúm Lesz Délután
- A2: Neoton - Majd Ha Nem Leszek…
- A3: Kék Csillag - Ki Volt Ez Az Ember?
- A4: Meteor - Kívánj Te Is Nekem Szép Jóéjszakát
- A5: Apostol - Az Esti Utcán
- B1: Kex - Elszállt Egy Hajó A Szélben
- B2: Non-Stop - Szelíd Tüzek
- B3: Echo - Boldogságból Építettem
- B4: Juventus - Egy Pont A Térben
- B5: Scampolo - Levegőben
(Physical release only, Limited edition of 300 hand numbered copies + insert) Psyched Out Grooves from Hungary compiles ten of the most outstanding singles recorded by the underdogs of this period.
The psychedelic scene that never was – the perfect subtitle to this compilation. There were barely any drugs in Hungary to begin with. In this era, alcohol, music, and imagination have served as the primary means of mind alteration among the youth. The Communist party had a firm grip on culture through monopole control over venues, the media, and the recording industry, western records were not available, clubs enforced a strict dress code of suits, shirts, and longer skirts, and the police harassed young men for not more than having long hair or wearing blue jeans.
There was, however, an undercurrent of smaller semi-professional bands striving to succeed in the shadow of the very few stars privileged by the sole state owned record company. Given their chances to release music were at best limited to a few 7“ singles at the mercy of said record company powers. Psyched Out Grooves from Hungary compiles ten of the most outstanding singles recorded by the underdogs of this period. Some of the bands featured on here have eventually reached wider success by switching to more commercial styles, like Bergendy, Neoton, and Apostol. Most, like Echo, Meteor, Kék Csillag, Non-Stop, were temporal formations that dissolved after a few years due to personal conflicts, lack of success, or both. Others, like Scampolo or Juventus, lasted a longer time without an actual break through. Most of these bands never had a consistent, lasting ’psychedelic’ repertoire or identity at any point. These tracks were the exception, not the norm. That coherence - the illusion of a scene - comes from the curation and sequencing of Budabeats head honchos Von Yodi and Gandharva. It is the arrangement of these puzzle pieces that makes them fit together.
Limited edition of 300 hand numbered copies. Edited excerpt from the liner notes written by Gábor Vályi (Dj Shuriken)
First Word Records are very proud to present a brand new album from Kaidi Tatham!
'An Insight To All Minds' is Kaidi's 3rd solo album under his own name, following several EPs and two albums for First Word; 2018's acclaimed 'It's A World Before You' and the re-press of his seminal 2008 sophomore album 'In Search Of Hope' last year.
For those that don't know, Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist. Once dubbed "the UK's Herbie Hancock" by Benji B, he's a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound. Over the years his musical prowess has blessed numerous projects, initially with the likes of Bugz In The Attic and The Herbaliser, and more recently with DJ Jazzy Jeff (through the PLAYlist projects), Andrew Ashong (on the acclaimed 'Sankofa Season' EP last year) and with longtime accomplice, Dego. This in addition to session work for artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Slum Village, Amy Winehouse, Soul II Soul and Leroy Burgess, along with First Word label mates such as Eric Lau, Children of Zeus and Darkhouse Family. Kaidi is also a revered DJ known for rocking parties globally, whilst his solo catalogue spans tons of EPs and releases for labels such as 2000 Black, Eglo and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature.
On 'An Insight To All Minds', Kaidi says it's "not about a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going. Nothing in this world can torment you as much as your own thoughts… We are all going through it. We can all feel what the next person is feeling, believe it or not. It's learning how to tap into it".
The album is comprised of an assortment of Kaidi's unique flavours - uptempo jazz-funk bruk, laced with rhodes, flutes, live bass and delicious percussion. Using that blueprint he moves effortlessly through latin and samba, half-step, deep afro house and a sprinkle of curveballs, all presented in Kaidi's inimitable way.
'Intergalactic Relations' brings with it some 110bpm synthed-out spacey electro-breaks, 'Could It Be' sets off sounding like a Morricone film score, whilst 'Rodney' is some serious heads-down business; stark and punchy off-kilter broken beat and vocal stabs. There are a few guests too - 'Chungo' sees the return of Uhmeer (who previously appeared on 'Cupid' on the album 'It's A World Before You'); here the young Philly MC deftly rides a 9/4 time signature beat. Meanwhile 'Stro Kyat' invites in another supreme talent, Stro Elliot (The Roots), who provides a suitably crisp & crunchy riddim to accompany Kaidi's key play over a mind-bending 5/4 time signature.
With this new album, Kaidi Tatham adds further to his already impressive catalogue, a body of work that falls within the cracks of jazz and dance music, exemplifying modern British black brilliance once again; uncompromising, innovative, groundbreaking, intricately sophisticated and deeply funky. His fanbase expands on every release and it's no surprise that that fanbase includes peers such as Madlib ("ahead of his time"), Gilles Peterson ("a key part of an entire movement"), K15 ("a limitless source of inspiration"), Alexander Nut ("a true virtuoso") and Kyle Hall.
Following the recent vinyl reissue of Manuel Tur's cinematic downtempo album "Intertextural", originally self-released during the Covid 19 pandemic, comes this package of fresh remixes featuring interpretations of four standout tracks from the record by DJ Counselling, All Is Well and Yuu Udagawa.
London-based DJ Counselling opens the EP with his energetic version of "Omina", raising tempo and hands with an expertly executed arrangement, while the newly added filtered synth chords echo some of Tur's best-known releases of the late noughties. Next up is Montreal's Frédéric Blais aka All Is Well, who after his recent LP success on Drumpoet and another brand-new album under his main moniker Fred Everything just released, turns "Flakon" into a head-nodding groove masterpiece that recalls the subtle 90s trip-hop flavor of the original version. On the B-side, Tokyo native Yuu Udagawa, who has collaborated with Tur on several occasions, unleashes two beautiful and ethereal remixes of "Slow White" and "Shadowgraph" that let us float through her signature sparkling sound.
Atlanta native Stefan Ringer steps up for a solo release on Bristol’s Black Acre, tracing a lineage of sonic references into an unmissable four-track EP. From radiant, soulful house to wonky machine funk, Soulflow is a distillation of cultural and personal narratives, tracing the evolution of his sound over a number of years. As an influential force in Atlanta’s dance music community - and with a strong connection to the sounds of Detroit - Stefan’s music reflects a genuine love for the underground. He held a residency at the legendary Sound Table with Ash Lauryn until its closure, runs the beloved monthly party Kudzu, and has spent years committed to his craft as a producer, DJ, promoter, and label manager. Tying the threads between an ever-expanding pool of sounds, his approach to production looks beyond the restraints of formal genre, and instead towards community, offering new sonic frameworks for others to soundtrack their own personal journeys. Black Acre has, since its inception in 2007, focused on strains of electronic music that mutate across different styles, and as such, Soulflow touches on a number of subcultural moments. As the name suggests, the title track is an uplifting, 101 groove of stripped back soul, driven by Stefan’s vocal treatments. ‘What’s Your Sign’ heads into hazier territory for an angular cut of minimal hypnotism. Taking a trip further into Stefan’s musical heritage with a nod to mid-2000s dubstep, ‘Cleanse’ is a half-time stepper adorned with glistening keys and improvised melodies that flawlessly embodies the cross-pollinated spirit of the genre, continuing the lineage of what occurred before with a sincere appreciation. Rounding things off is ‘Body Know’ - born from an experiment with a bass guitar and beat-boxed percussion - that fuses echoed vocals with a driving, analogue funk. Soulflow offers an honest portrayal of Stefan’s musical story, honing in on its past to build an expansive vision of its future. As he summarises succinctly: ‘This collection offers a glimpse into my journey thus far, with the anticipation of more to come.
As Freerange hits another landmark release with their 300th EP we see label head Jimpster join forces with Philippa who together deliver 3 original tracks which epitomise the labels’ sound over the past (almost) three decades.
With recent releases appearing on Slothboogie and Razor n Tape, remixes for Roach Motel on Faith, and James Curd and Robert Owens on Pronto, not to mention her recent Panorama Bar debut, it’s safe to say Philippa is making waves. The Berlin-based New Zealander has a sound all her own with an organic, deep and musical style winning her many fans from Terry Farley and Aroop Roy to DJ Spen and Dave Lee.
Lead track All I Wanted sees the duo pooling their influences with both producers sonic touches shining through. Chunky drums and bassline are the bedrock for pulsing synths and MON’s vocal which is chopped up and looped bringing a rolling momentum to the track.
Dreaming features the wonderful vocals of Care and goes on a floaty vibe with chiming synths and crusty Rhodes keys layering up to produce a densely textured track. The mood is powerful yet subtle and refined and will work as nicely on a chilled house playlist as it will on a discerning dance floor at 4am.
Closing out the EP we have Say What which goes on a jazzed out, UKG inspired excursion. Shuffling beats, bouncing square wave bassline and big brash synth chords all combine to form a track which sounds both retro and contemporary.
Arguably the biggest and most in-demand electronic artist in the World, James Hype, puts his spin on Toolroom’s classic ‘Feel My Needs’. James needs little introduction, attracting more than 12 million listeners to his music monthly, accumulating over a billion streams and selling out arena’s all over the globe including his weekly residency at Hi, Ibiza.
The record is a peak-time monster and has become the ‘ID’ everyone is asking for on his social media and in his DJ sets! James has taken the essence of the original and added trademark tough drums and bundles of energy, very much akin to the vibe of his DJ sets.
Included on the flip is the unmistakable original from Weiss.
2024 Reissue
DE-TÜ make their long awaited return to Infernal Sounds. Having previously released on IFS008, IFSXXX002 and also featuring on IFS018 alongside DRPTNDRP, this double header may be their highest calibre of dub-influenced 140 to grace the label. 'Roadblock' kicks off proceedings in the best way possible, hitting you deep in the belly with monumental amounts of weight on the drop, whilst layering a reverberating vocal lead and a daunting backdrop to bring you deeper inwards. The flip however, 'St. Paul's (City Road Dub)' takes things in a slightly different direction. Although it still provides that trademark DE-TÜ sound, it's certainly orientated more around the soundsystem, providing a perfect flex within the dubwise sound. It's the perfect example of progression as all the elements fold and merge, creating a track that will captivate you from start, to finish.
The release has already received heavy support from the likes of J:Kenzo, Truth, Leftlow, Kursk (Innamind Recordings) and a few other reputable DJs.
Stockholm repper Patrik Eriksson is a proponent for deep and loopy techno, under his Dold moniker the DJ/producer delivers all manner of introverted compositions, moments designed for home and club that resonate with an evocative and redoubtable simplicity. His catalogue of releases on co-run label Arsenik are an ongoing dialogue with live partner Kuf and a selection of well-known peers, stripped down techno that conveys a cogent message with its straight talking approach.
The Revival Recordings (BAS 014) is another vinyl feather in Dold's cap, a five track release that takes the relay from his developing opus and sprints assuredly on. A1 Work Me pairs mercurial hi-hats with subaquatic squeaks, while its successor keeps tempo and switches its leitmotif for hollow, metallic repetitions. The temperature rises with Solid Solitude, the A3 banger that's likely to make its way into many a closing set towards the end of summer. The B side takes a darker turn with Insight (B1), a slower, more philosophical entry suggestive of breezy Scandinavian nights. B2 points its arrow in another direction still, more urban, more clubfloor, shuffling acid beats that tie the record and Dold's many-faceted influences together in a neat package. There's a bit of everything here, and a hint at both Dold's capacity as a producer and what might be yet to come. A promise of compelling techno from the north that's sure to put his star on the rise.
Flashback - Frankfurt am Main in the 1990s: Matthias Vogt writes record reviews for Groove magazine, works as a DJ in various clubs and studies jazz piano. His first releases as a producer are already on the street. When one of his favourite labels, for which he had written numerous reviews, Force Inc, opened a house sub-label (Force Inc US), Matthias submitted two of his own tracks to the label. The "DJ Matt" EP entitled "Die Tiefe / Augen zu" is released. The two completely analogue-produced tracks mark the beginning of Matthias' journey into the realms of deep house music.
A few months later, Matthias Vogt's career takes off, with a move within the same Frankfurt corridor, from Force Inc. to INFRACom! and the launch of his projects re:jazz, Motorcitysoul and Matthias Vogt Trio. Cut. Today: A social media post drew the attention of Berlin DJ, producer and label maker Johannes Albert to the story surrounding the 1999 release. Now, 25 years later, "Augen zu/Die Tiefe" is being completely remastered from the original DAT tape by Gyso Hilger (Nektarium Darmstadt) and reissued - looking and sounding great - as a 10" on Frank Music.
- The Astronauts - The Pier
- Hollywood Persuaders - Persuasion
- The Knight Trains - Surfin On The Rocks
- Don Hinson - Monster Surf Stomp
- The Dawn Beats - Road Block
- Lloyd Terry & The Victors - Ocean House
- The Outlaws - The Scavenger
- The Valiants - Valiant
- The Telstars - Space Walk
- The Astronauts - Surf Softly Dubbed
- Charles Wright & The Malibus - Runky
- Danny Bell - Chili With Honey
- Paul Warges - Olympic Nights
- The Destinations - Rigor Mortis
- Jan Davis - More
- The Raiders Rhythm - The Raider
- Woolsey's Raiders - Devils Dungeon
- The Rimfires - Un-Gowa
Limited to 500 copies! No repress! Transparent red vinyl! Hype sticker on front! 1961 schwappten die ersten Tropfen der neuen Surf-Welle in den Äther. Eine Gruppe kalifornischer Teenager namens The Belairs veröffentlichten mit "Mr. Moto" das ersten lupenreine Surf-Instrumental und viele weitere sollten folgen. Es war ein Lebensgefühl, es ging um Freiheit, Rebellion gegen die miefigen 50er, um Party und natürlich um die nächste Welle. All das spielte sich vorzugsweise im sonnigen Kalifornien ab. Der erste Hit des Genres war "Misirlou" von Dick Dale, das 1962 veröffentlicht wurde. Der Track stellt deutlich die drei Hauptkomponenten des Surf heraus: ein tragendes Gitarren-Thema (eben kein Gesang!), exotische Harmonien und Akkordfolgen sowie ein gehöriges Maß an Wildheit und Lautstärke! Leo Fender entwickelte dann für Dick Dale zwei Innovationen, ohne die die Surf-Musik nicht das geworden wäre, was sie ist: Den Fender Reverb - ein separates Federhall-Gerät - und den Fender-Showman-Verstärker. Dieses Equipment gehört gerade für Puristen auch heute noch zur Grundausstattung eines Surf-Gitarristen, der seinen Job ernst nimmt. Natürlich gab es jede Menge Bands, die nur eine oder zwei 7"-Singles veröffentlichten, die lokal verteilt oder bei Gigs verkauft wurden. Man braucht schon einen Mann mit Spürnase, um die Juwelen rauszupicken und die entsprechenden Preise für das Kleinvinyl zu zahlen. Unser Mann heißt DJ Crille, seinerseits Resident im Komet! Club in Hamburg (nahe Reeperbahn), und anerkannter Surf-Spezialist. Nebenher ist er auch für die Vocal Group Madness! LP und die Born To Hula Doppel-LP in der DJ Set Serie -beide auf Stag-O-Leeverantwortlich. Surfin Burt"s Surfin Safari! - Vol. 2 ist praktisch die perfekte Welle.
Once the last few copies of the 2LP version (BC013LP) have sold through it will be deleted, this new version will be the only vinyl version of this album available. Shrouded in mystery, hailing from Hamburg, Germany, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band (BRSB) releases their long awaited debut '55' on Brooklyn's own Big Crown Records. Long time multi-instrumentalist and band leader Bjorn Wagner spent a few months in Trinidad & Tobago where he became fascinated with Steel Drums. His initial intrigue with local steel pan music culture led him to learning the instrument both through help of local players and on his own. After he became proficient on the pans Bjorn had his own instrument built from a used oil barrel by legendary pan man Louis C. Smith. Upon returning home to Germany, Bjorn set out to blend the Tropical Steel into his already sharply honed Funk, Soul, and Hip Hop sensibilities. The outcome is an updated take on a classic format, a truly unique sound. Their first two recordings were covers of The Meters 'Look A-Py-Py' & 'Ease Back' which they self-released on a 45. Looking back on these two sides you can tell they were just getting their chops up for what was to come next. This is evidenced by how all hell broke loose when they went on to cover 50 Cent's hit PIMP taking the DJ and vinyl collecting communities by storm. Many people thought the recording was the original sample and probably still do to this day when it is played. The original Mocambo pressing sold out quickly and is now a collector's item fetching heavy prices when it changes hands. It was this tune that made the introduction between Bjorn and Danny Akalepse of Big Crown. They immediately hit it off and starting making plans to do a full length project with the band. Keeping in the tradition of Steel Drum records, 55 is a journey through re-interpolations and covers with an updated approach, pushing Steel Pan music to uncharted territory. Flawlessly bringing previously untouched genres into the steel pan cannon ranging from Underground Hip Hop tunes to staple Funk tracks and some of all that falls in between. BRSB's 55 is reinvigorating tunes both well-known and helping to shed some light on tunes still largely undiscovered. However, some of the strongest tunes on the album are original compositions, from spaced out Disco vibes on 'Beetham Highway Ride' and 'Port Of Spain Hustle' to the ugly face inspiring drums of 'Laventille Road March'. Recorded to analog 8 track tape at The Mocambo Studios in Hamburg, 55 is a gritty, punchy journey in sound drawing on music from around the world, using production aesthetics from across both eras and genres, all coming together seamlessly. If the 45s that have already come out on Mocambo, Plane Jane, and Truth & Soul are an indication, this full length is going to be a staple to both casual listeners and Disc Jockeys alike.
From the perspective of people who categorize music by genres and types, Evan Shornstein, better-known under his production moniker Photay, has created lots of different kinds of sounds over the past decade. There’s the Hudson Valley-raised, Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist composer’s quasi-IDM and electronic almost-pop tracks with the occasional vocal; the improvised organic and and experimental music sessions he participates in alongside new age giants, Laraaji and Carlos Niño; the diaspora electronic folk-jazz he makes with veteran musicians from all over the globe; and the disco and house adjacent records he tag-team DJs with Brooklyn producer Cesar Toribio and engineer Phil Moffa (who also masters all of Photay’s records — and those of dance-music dons around the world). But if you’ve listened closely to Shornstein’s prodigious output, you know that separating and classifying the work is actually contrary to the energy of Photay music. That what on-the-surface may lazily appear as differences, is actually brought together by a shared sonic warmth, a hardware pastoralism at play. Whatever category he engages, Photay makes outdoor music under the spell of the elements, for the purpose of different human movements — some physical, some spiritual, some emotional, some philosophica.
Bringing a dance floor sensibility to the deeper end of the electronic spectrum, the Dutch duo Jordi van Achthoven and Micha Heyboer a.k.a. Tinlicker have courted the attention of global labels and tastemakers since breaking out in 2013. Prolific musicians with backgrounds in dubstep and pop production, their journey so far has seen them release on the likes of Mau5trap, Armada, Sotto Voce and Anjunadeep - with an a eclectic array of DJ support from Above & Beyond to Oliver Heldens, Tiësto to Yotto. Able to turn their hand to deep house, techno and electro, the pair have reworked the likes of Lane 8 and Deadmau5; their stunning update of Reflekt ‘Need To Feel Loved’ becoming a sought after mix among fellow DJs over the last 12 months. A showcase for their dynamic songwriting and forward thinking sound design, Tinlicker’s debut artist album ‘This Is Not Our Universe’ will be released on Anjunabeats this September.
Episode three for Leeds-Barcelona collective MASS connects both cities at the heart of their project with two artists from each scene.
A1 features the talented Leeds-based producer Ollie Burgess aka Zuul/R.O.E as he adds another alias to his belt, AS Groove. He is joined by Barcelona-based Driahn, a seasoned artist in the heart of the city and one-half of the DJ Service project.
Monile brings her dreamy visions to the B-side, an artist who continues to blossom with her infectious and spirited taste. Resident Nikol concludes the EP with a timeless breakbeat cut to finish this Leeds-Barcelona connection.




















