Forest Jams continues the journey into the great beyond with Mori Ra’s Mantra–an EP composed of four edits created for any inquisitive earthling and forest wanderer.
Mori Ra is a DJ based in Osaka, Japan his sets are a witches brew composed of balearic, cosmic, and electronic disco ingredients. He has released on other labels such as Rotating Souls, Macadam Mambo, Berceuse Heroique, MM Discos and more. In Mantra, Mori Ra acts as a mysterious wanderer who has stumbled upon the doors of our minds in the middle of the night. When we answer the door he is bearing gifts of creative glory and all we need to do is provide shelter in return. We invite him in so that he can rest, recharge, and continue his journey.
During his visit in our minds Mori Ra shares “Mantra” the secrets of the universe disguised as parables packaged neatly into four tracks. Catharsis begins the journey and immediately throws us into a sound that feels like we are driving a spaceship in Gran Turismo 37, the spaceship simulator. Now that we have successfully crossed the plane and have entered the digital unknown, Seinn O! becomes the story of communication. Seinn O! gave the smoke leaving my mouth color and the shamanistic chants placed me in an atmospheric state with the ability to cross over and communicate in the digital space. Then comes 孫行者 the Grandson Traveler, which embodies the story of the simulation. Imagine the sound of a bustling dystopian city in the matrix–neon signs, dancing billboards, talking vending machines, radioactive wildlife, and overgrown foliage leaking in from the jungle the city is carved into. Mori Ra seems to have melded all of those sounds together to create the soundtrack of the big city where everyone is lost. Finally, before leaving our minds Mori Ra offers the final parable, あの星 That Star. Which becomes the story of realization, the journey back home from the exploration of the mind. That Star brought me into a cave and I could see the opening at the end of it, all I had to do was walk towards it. However, I couldn’t walk. I could only galumph forward, while bouncing up and down to the beat. My arms slivered and guided my body forward as the vocals came in. As I moved forward the opening, the clearing, the destination remained the same distance away. The endless tunnel of the mind gave me a feeling of comfort because I did not want this journey to end.
The EP ends and we will never know who visited our minds that night, but we know we loved the journey. Mori Ra is the steward of our journey through consciousness, and the vessel is “Mantra”.
quête:dj smoke
- A1: Michel Cleis Feat. Totó La Momposina - La Mezcla (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix)
- A2: Freaks - Where Were You When The Lights Went Out (Extended 12" Version)
- B1: Undercatt - Britannia
- B2: Juliet - Avalon (F*** Me I'm Famous Remix By David Guetta & Joachim Garraud)
- C1: Lustral - Everytime (Nalin & Kane Mix)
- C2: Walter One - Startrack
- D1: Markus Schulz Presents Elevation - Clear Blue
- D2: Sander Kleinenberg - Sacred
- E1: Whirlpool Productions - From Disco To Disco (Extended Disco Mix)
- F1: Smoke City - Mr. Gorgeous (And Miss Curvaceous) (Mood Ii Swing Vocal Mix)
- F2: Tony Di Bart - The Real Thing (Original 12" Dance Mix)
- G1: Binary Finary - 1998 (Paul Van Dyk Remix)
- G2: Delegate - Want You To Stay (Remix)
- H1: Cevin Fisher - Loving You (When It Comes To) (Cevin Fisher's 2001 Summer Mix)
- H2: Dj On - Super Sexy Girl (Deeper Discomix)
- I1: Michael Forzza & Dimitriandreas - Kahana
- I2: Fanny Cadeo - I Want Your Love (Mr. Marvin Mix)
- J1: Jason Downs Feat. Milk - Cherokee (John Creamer & Stephane K Remix)
- J2: Wishmountain - Radio
- K1: Soma - Soma Romanz
- K2: Didier Sinclair - Lovely Flight
- L1: Kosmas Epsilon - Innocent Thoughts
- M1: Maria Nayler - Angry Skies (Terrestrial Vox Mix)
- M2: Nikolai - Ready To Flow
- O1: Tomcraft - Prosac
- O2: Paragliders - Oasis
- P1: Josh One - Contemplation (King Britt Funke Remix)
- P2: Sarah Mclachlan - Fallen (Gabriel & Dresden Anti-Gravity Mix)
- Q1: Perry O'neil - Wave Force
- R1: Corvin Dalek - Pornoground (Mr Sam's Acid Pornstar Remix)
- S1: Travel - Pray To Jerusalem (Incisions Remix)
- T1: Jamnesia - My Memory Is Back
- T2: Reckless - Still In The Groove (Def Offenders Remix)
- N1: Dj Buzz - Situations
- N2: Aerosoul - Celebrating Life In Independance
Limited Edition! The "LaBush - Temple of House" Volume 2 Vinyl Box Set for the 30th Anniversary of the Legendary Club!
Barely six months after the phenomenal success of the first box set, La Bush - Temple of House makes history once again, celebrating its 30th anniversary with the release of Volume 2 in a limited edition 10x12" vinyl box set. A true must-have for collectors and electronic music enthusiasts!
This exclusive box set features no less than 35 tracks, an incredible number for a vinyl collection, offering unparalleled pressing quality that guarantees an exceptional listening experience, perfectly suited for any turntable. Each track has been meticulously remastered, preserving the essence of the original versions while enhancing every sonic detail.
The deluxe packaging of this box set is a work of art in itself, designed to captivate the most discerning vinyl lovers. Moreover, with tracksfrom legendary artists like Paul Kalkbrenner, Paul van Dyk, David Guetta, Tomcraft, Oliver Lieb, Matthew Herbert, and La Bush resident Mr. Sam, this box set is an essential treasure.
For those who already own the first box set, this new volume is the perfect opportunity to complete your collection in the best possible way, adding a new centerpiece to your La Bush ensemble.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to add a masterpiece to your vinyl collection. Order now before it's too late!
Ten years after his first full-length effort ‘Man Is Deaf’ landed him firmly in the runnings for DJ Mag’s album of the year, prodigal son Michael Anthony Wright AKA Brassica returns to Civil Music with a deeply accomplished, painstakingly whittled LP of hydraulic electro slickness, rich synthscapes, and hooky, peak-time tearjerkers for the most discerning front-left lifers. ‘Tribeless Gathering’ is a barnstorming testament to Brassica’s stylistic and timbral deftness, touching down in the elusive epicentre of the club/home listening venn diagram with ease.
From the elastic, neon acid pointillism of opener ‘Hop Kweng’ to the mardy, miasmic plod of closing chugger ‘Changa Hill’, Brassica seamlessly segues between avenues of influence, his notoriously omnivorous musical knowledge roadmapping each turn. Raised on a diet of everything from early rave standards to metal, and schooled in avant garde sonics as a student of sound design at LCC, Brassica does a peerless job of sublimating his countless influences into a record of refined, heterogeneous, and most crucially, catchy, club moods.
Less spartan than his more recent oeuvre on Feel My Bicep, and less baroque than his technicolour experiments in postmodern synth pop with vocalist Stuart Warwick, Tribeless Gathering represents Brassica’s triumphant return to the main room, replete with rushy hooks primed for the planet’s finest soundsystems, and passages of heads-down tension bound to draw listeners right to the edge of their seats. Overall it is a concise and refined testament to Wright’s command of spectral sonics and effortless ability to pressurise a dancefloor. It is no surprise that he has also worked as a prolific mastering engineer, tuning music from a plethora of dance disciplines for maximum club impact. This work extends to his own projects (including this one), cementing them as rare expressions of complete artistry from studio to turntable.
As we delve deeper into the record, we are ushered through a series of accomplished and varied club moods, each channelling a unique cocktail of influences, but retaining a warm, ebullient analogue sensibility unique to Brassica’s work. This playful scope of influence calls to mind James T Cotton or Machinedrum’s experiments in dance music form, but Wright manages it all under one roof, wrangling everything from sashaying wub-laden two step to snarling Dillinja-esque FM damage into something inherently his.
Choice cut ‘Change Yourself’ layers an almost Cerrone-like piano refrain over radiant surges of saturated bass, dubby, strobing chords and a jagged, driving break, building to a jaw-clenching apex of dancefloor elation, while the rude, playful half-step of ‘Elevation’ breaks down the vintage speed garage formula into linear fragments, utilising a tight palette of resonant bass slugs, infectious synth leads and Papua New Guinea-style vocal strobes. The aptly named ‘Hold Tight’ fuses heart-in-mouth UK ‘ardkore pads with glissando acid disturbance and surgical snare fills in a formula which recalls the ethereal grit of Nubian Mindz’ 00s experiments in big-smoke break science, while the questing melodic arcs and arpeggiated squarewaves of ‘Pinball Marinara’ could easily have soundtracked an 80s sci-fi epic, beset with sparkling, bare-bones drum programming and hazy beds of sub sediment.
With ‘Tribeless Gathering’, Brassica both irreverently fuses and pays homage to the many unique and weird permutations of UK dance music. The short lived gathering of junglists, ravers and house hotsteppas of a similar name may have long since dissipated, along with the tribes themselves, but across these 11 tracks, he lays a blueprint for a new sound of togetherness.
- A1: Mista Sweet - Queensbridge To The Hague City (Intro)
- A2: Mista Sweet Feat Blaq Poet - Everything's Real
- A3: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Stand Up
- A4: Mista Sweet Feat Blaq Poet - Hit You With It
- A5: Mista Sweet Feat Big Noyd - It Ain't Safe
- B1: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Elite Era
- B2: Mista Sweet Feat Blaq Poet - Way Back In Queens
- B3: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Hood Therapy
- B4: Mista Sweet Feat Godfather Pt3 - Know Ya Enemies
- C1: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi & Nature - Snakes
- C2: Mista Sweet Feat Blaq Poet - Long Enough
- C3: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Queens Commander
- C4: Mista Sweet Feat Piif Jones - Cold Lesson
- D1: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Say Less
- D2: Mista Sweet Feat Capone & Craig G - Second Hand Smoke
- D3: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Stay Committed
- D4: Mista Sweet Feat Blaq Poet - Real Street Music
- D5: Mista Sweet Feat Tragedy Khadafi - Stand Up (Remix)
Mista Sweet presents: Queensbridge To The Hague City
New York City's Queensbridge aka "The Bridge" is one of the most famous and fruitful areas in HipHop.
A raw, gritty street sound with excellent lyricism is the trademark.
Where many new Rap releases seem to have lost their rawness, the double album "Queensbridge To The Hague City" brings back that original hardcore Rap.
The album is entirely produced by The Hague City's Mista Sweet, a HipHop veteran known for his production quality and superb DJ-ing.
For this release he teamed up with some of the most legendary MC's to ever do it, creating one of the rawest albums in years.
"Queensbridge To The Hague City" features: Blaq Poet (of Screwball), Tragedy Khadafdi (aka Intelligent Hoodlum), Big Noyd (rapper Noyd), Capone (of C-N-N / Capone-N-Noreaga), Nature (The Firm/Dr.Dre), Craig G (original Juice Crew), Godfather Pt3 (Infamous Mobb) and Piif Jones (Dave East affiliated).
Not to exaggerate, but "Queensbridge To The Hague City" is definitely what the worldwide hardcore heads have been longing for.
Brought to you by Redrum Recordz and Next Gems.
Tropical Disco Records open their 2023 vinyl account in triumphant form with Volume 27 of their well loved 12” series. Yet again they have successfully delivered a four track paean to the boundless dance-floor power of jazz infused disco. It’s a sound which the label has very much made their own over the last half decade.
Opening proceedings is Scruscru, an artist whose immense rise to prominence has very much followed the same time-line as Tropical Disco. He is in glowing form here with vinyl opener ‘Phunk U Do’, a slinky hip-shaking 70’s funk-fuelled disco bomb. Expect this one to set dancefloors on fire across the summer with it’s swirling keys, James Brown-esque vocals and ferocious bassline.
Next up are Lance and Disco Strummer who keep the feel-good vibes topped up to full with ‘Hey Amigo’. An ever so cheerful Latin bomb, it packs in happy-go-lucky vocal loops with brass stabs aplenty alongside a shoulder shaking bassline which will keep those floors grooving from dusk till dawn. If you want to unleash uncontrollable joy in your DJ sets, look no further.
Over on the Flip Tropical Disco’s own Sartorial delivers a smokey sexy-as-hell vocal gem in the shape of ‘Fly’. Merging 70’s jazz licks with a powerhouse live bass, sublime sax solos a divine vocal and some serious scatt, this is a track that just exudes cool.
Closing out the EP in style is one of Mexico’s finest disco proponents, Monsieur Van Pratt. On ‘Journey’ he deploys a huge brass section and percussive breakdown to serious hip shakin’ effect. With guitar licks and synth stabs galore he has given this one both a ridiculously tight groove and bags of warmth. It’s a winning combination.
Tropical disco have yet again unleashed another exquisite 12” showcasing their unique sound. You can expect to see this one hitting the heights of the vinyl charts in quick smart fashion.
Support across Mi Soul & House FM.
Holly Lester’s Duality Trax Label has quickly become synonymous for its blend of future facing sonics and mind-warping melodies, served together with a healthy dose of nostalgia. A label just as focused on making dancefloor destroyers as it is exploring left-leaning, personal projects, it’s within this duality where the label has found its success, never afraid to shy away from b side oddities or tracks edging more towards good-old-fashioned-fun.
DUALITY5 steers towards the latter, with Manchester based DJ & producer Aiden Francis providing the serotonin on tap with three lively dancefloor cuts, including a huge remix from Italy’s Matisa. Aiden had a big 2022, releasing music on Magic Carpet, Gestalt and beloved music platform and label Houseum, solidifying himself as one to watch in the euphoric unity of house, trance and techno.
Title track ‘Plastic Fantasy’ is the star of the show, a suitably sassy roller that places everyone's favorite blonde icon front left of the speakers. Subtle old school strings contrast with alien electronics, providing familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar world. A bubble-gum vocal then rolls in cheekily over a driving bassline and dynamic percussion - used in a way I’m not sure the original creators had in mind. ‘Future Proof’ meanwhile demonstrates Aidens’ knack for contemporary progressive house music. With warm pads, swirling sonic textures and moments of blissful euphoria, it’s energetic enough to move a dancefloor, but gentle enough for home listening too.
The record comes to a close with ‘Aquamarine’, with Aiden opting in favour of free flowing breakbeats and mind expanding synths, together radiating a feeling of warmth and hope for days to come. Italian DJ and producer Matisa is on hand to round the EP off with a bass-heavy rendition of ‘Plastic Fantasy’ a no-holds-barred speed garage licked stomper, with the power to lure smokers back inside the club with their feet firmly planted on the dancefloor.
- A1: Main Titles
- A2: Dragonstone
- A3: Shall We Begin?
- A4: The Queen's Justice
- A5: A Game I Like To Play
- A6: I Am The Storm
- B1: The Gift
- B2: Dragonglass
- B3: Spoils Of War (Part 1)
- B4: Spoils Of War (Part 2)
- B5: The Dagger
- B6: Home
- C1: Gorgeous Beasts
- C2: The Long Farewell
- C3: Against All Odds
- C4: See You For What You Are
- C5: Casterly Rock
- C6: A Lion's Legacy
- D1: Message For Cersei
- D2: Ironborn
- D3: No One Walks Away From Me
- D4: Truth
- D5: The Army Of The Dead
- D6: Winter Is Here
The seventh and penultimate season of the HBO fantasy drama series Game Of Thrones premiered in 2017. The series received 22 nominations for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards and won Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Peter Dinklage (who plays the role of Tyrion Lannister).
The music for this seventh season was composed by Ramin Djawadi, just like the previous six seasons. The albums opens with a new version of the well-known main title. Djawadi is best known for his scores for Iron Man, Pacific Rim, Prison Break and Westworld amongst many others. For his work for Game Of Thrones, he has won two consecutive Emmy Awards and a nomination for a Grammy Award.
Game Of Thrones Season 7 is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on smoke coloured vinyl, is housed in a gatefold sleeve and includes an insert.
• 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
• GATEFOLD SLEEVE
• INCLUDES INSERT
• PVC PROTECTIVE SLEEVE
• MUSIC BY RAMIN DJAWADI (WESTWORLD, PACIFIC RIM, IRONMAN)
• GOT SEASON 7 RECEIVED 22 NOMINATIONS FOR THE PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS AND WON 2 (OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES AND OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES FOR PETER DINKLAGE)
• GOT SEASON 7 RECEIVED A GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
• LIMITED EDITION OF 1000 INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED COPIES ON SMOKE COLOURED VINYL
We call it EBM Electro Acid! The ND 005 is Dark and Groovy at the same time!
MAN2.0 is a DJ and producer from London and has graced the decks in Berlin, Edinburgh Manchester and recently at the closing party of London clubbing institution the Cause, playing on the same bill as Optimo, Kink and Ben Sims among others.
Mark (as he’s known to his friends), has also released on Nein, Wonder Stories, Hypnotic Connection amongst others and has remixed for numerous artists such as Zakmina, Ali X (of Azari & III fame) and DDM boss Black Light Smoke, he has also picked up plaudits over the years from artists like Rex the Dog, DJ Sundae and has had his music described as ‘Dark but Ultimately redemptive by the late great Andrew Weatherall.’
Classic jazz-funk fusion from the late, great Japanese guitarist Ryo Kawasaki. Recorded in New York, and originally released in 1976, 'Juice' presents Ryo at the height of his powers.
Born in Japan in 1947, Ryo had a long and stellar career recording and releasing music up until his passing on 13 April 2020, in Tallinn, Estonia. Ryo is one of the pioneers of the jazz fusion genre, with the Japanese jazz fusion / funk sound becoming extremely influential within the 80s UK club scene and amongst its DJs. His track 'Trinkets & Things' became a bonafide underground classic. In the US he worked with some of the greats of jazz, such as Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton and Bobbi Humphrey, to name but a few. A forward-thinking and ever-evolving musician, Ryo collaborated with the Roland Corporation and Korg on the 'guitar synthesizer' and later wrote music software for computers. Later in life he relocated to Estonia and worked there, as well as Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic states.
'Juice' has become a much-loved album for crate diggers and jazz-funk enthusiasts, with its tracks frequently being sampled and re-imagined in hip-hop. The smokey, beat-down, spiritual funk jam 'Bamboo Child' has been flipped by Diamond D, Puff Daddy, and Kool G Rap. The album was released in 1976 on RCA Records and features the musicians' drummer Jimmy Young, rhythm guitarist Hugh McCracken, and bassist Stu Woods amongst other luminaries. A solid album throughout that incorporates a heavy dose of tripped-out synths alongside the emerging disco sound of the time. Tracks such as the opener ‘Raisins’, with its drum beat intro and bubbling bass-line, rivals The Headhunters at their finest. A superb album from an underground legend.
- A1: South Funk Blvd - Skying High (Getting Off On Your Lovin')
- A2: Ad Libs - Don't Need No Fortune Teller
- A3: Atlantis - Hung Up About You
- A4: Smoke Inc - Waitin' For Love
- B1: Mandisa - Summer Love
- B2: City Lites - Now You've Gone Away
- B3: Papaya - Favela
- C1: Alcione - Este Mundo Tem
- C2: Quintaessencia - Serrado
- C3: Superior Elevation - It Was September
- C4: Keith Chism & Light - My Life & Song
- D1: Belita Woods - Magic Corner
- D2: Spare Hare - Ain't No Doubt About It
- D3: Sammy Acuna - Never Found A Girl
- D4: Sweet Mixture - House Of Fun & Love
Yellow Vinyl[30,67 €]
Here we are at the dawn of a new compilation series and we’re kicking things off with an absolute gem that features a selection of hard-to-find records (some impossible to find) and some that have been hiding in plain sight all along. They all share common qualities, being that they are beautiful, soul quenched songs that sing of love, peace and unity.
‘With Love: Volume 1’ has been compiled by Miche and presents a curated selection of rare Brazilian, gospel, modern soul and jazz-fusion fire. We have Brazilian rarities by Alcione and Quientaessencia, UFO gospel by Keith Chism & Light, the jazz-funk/AOR sounds of City Lites taken from a Radio Station album, and the anthemic feel-good emotional soul of Belita Woods to name but a few.
Tracking down artists and musicians from the past is an art form. Like a seagull swooping for treats, sometimes the prizes are easily found, and at other times, it’s the result of very late nights trolling through Facebook profiles, message boards, hitting dead ends and following red herrings, and yet still the search goes on. This compilation is a true labour of love with all the artists tracked down and licensed by Miche. It has long been an ambition of the London based musical connoisseur to compile an album, and like anything that requires craft, care, and knowledge - it takes time. There are many twists and turns in the hunt for those records that make your jaw drop.
In 2018, when just 24, Miche became a music programmer for London’s illustrious Spiritland group of venues. From this musical sanctuary, he was able to listen, learn and meet some of the best selectors from around the world. It was a musical education, and he was particularly drawn to the deep sessions by DJs such as Mark Taylor, George Arthur, Kev Beadle, Patrick Forge, Dr. Bob Jones, and Colin Curtis to name a few. He also used this time to begin running his re-issue label Discs of Fun and Love with co-owner and friend Frederika.
Sometimes the cynical knock compilations, there is certain snobbery amongst some about the original pressing, but music shouldn't just be about lucky collectors giving over large sums of money to record dealers. It's also about a bridge to the past, a celebration of the legacy of somebody’s art, and a second chance for initially overlooked work to shine. As with all the best compilations, it has been compiled with love…
Since he started producing music, Berlin-based American sound artist Jake Muir has been obsessed with sampling. His 2018 album "Lady's Mantle" was based on manipulated chunks of vintage Californian surf rock, and its follow-up, 2020's midnight symphony "The Hum Of Your Veiled Voice" was sourced from a wide variety of old records, and inspired by the work of experimental turntablists like Marina Rosenfeld, Janek Schaefer and Philip Jeck.
On "Mana", Muir looks back to a misunderstood musical movement. Around 1995, a group of New York producers and DJs - including DJ Olive, DJ Spooky and Spectre - pioneered a genre-dissolving sound by unifying hip-hop techniques with ideas pulled from dub, jungle, ambient music and industrial noise. Badged "illbient", it was a short-lived genre that felt like a high-minded psychedelic cousin of the UK's trip-hop.
Muir uses illbient as the springboard for "Mana", utilizing a selection of samples to inform his frothy drones and foreboding atmospheres. He ushers the material into 2021 by diverting it through his own contemporary worldview, attempting to recreate the hyperreal fantasy histories of Japanese RPGs (think "Dark Souls" and "Final Fantasy") and nod to sensual, tactile soundscapes of European industrial labels Staalplaat and Soleilmoon. The result is a magickal, sensory journey that's as physical as it is representational.
If the illbient producers were encouraging a burgeoning experimental music landscape to emphasize the tactile feeling of turntablism and sample manipulation, Muir is doing the same with "Mana". Each track heaves and breathes not just with his cultural reference points, but with layered, complicated emotions. We can hear joy, sadness, desire and anguish, obscured by disintegrating noise, hallucinogenic harmonies and sub-aquatic bass. It's electronic music that's rooted not in technology, but in touch.
- A1: Shuko & Hannah V - Do The Right Thing
- A2: Saib - City Lounge
- A3: Sweatson Klank - Play The Shadows
- A4: Konteks - Misty Harp
- A5: Suff Daddy - Fertilized At The Discotheque
- A6: Dj Cam - Aquaverde
- B1: Jinsang - Absence
- B2: Leaf Beach - Coastline
- B3: Loland - Taidana
- B4: Burrito Brown - Ice Cream Sundae
- B5: Melodiesinfonie - Akindstream
- B6: Kazam - With You (Feat Type Raw)
- B7: Flofilz & Digitalluc - Kompass
- C1: Ol'burger Beats - Kaldt 2012
- C2: V Raeter - Dont Play With Birds
- C3: Kreaem & Allan Broomfield - Oblivion
- C4: Yeyts - In Between
- C5: Tesk & Sitting Duck - Letter
- C6: Kupla & Tahmas - Drowsy
- D1: Deauxnuts & Twotrees - Only U (Part 2)
- D2: Imagiro - Watching The Fog Lift
- D3: Smoke Trees - Najana
- D4: Less People - Tragedy For Breakfast
- D5: No Spirit - It's All Good
- D6: Brillion - Lanterns
- D7: Misha & Jussi Halme - Through (Bonus Track)
Back in 2015, when we started Hip Dozer we were overwhelmed by the amount of talents that were still defending that old school way of doing beats and the amazing creativity that was circulating in the scene.
In a period of time where hip hop was evolving so much and getting always further (sometimes for the best but also for the worst), it appeared evident to us that we had to defend this rising scene of young beatmakers that were so tied up to the roots of the 'old-school' beatmaking but still bringing it to another level.
It has been 5 years since we have created Hip Dozer Records with our 1st Anniversary compilation and this is what makes this compilation such a special project every time. Its goal remains the same and will always be, championing the art of beatmaking that we love and help to showcase new artists from the scene.
This year we have the chance to have onboard some of our favorite new talent from the scene with the like of Burrito Brown, Loland, Imagiro, we also have the chance to have standard bearers like Jinsang, Saib, Flofilz, Melodisinfonie, Kazam, Shuko and, cherry on the cake, the french hip hop legend DJ Cam on top of that.
We want to thank so much all the artists who took part in this project and that were as enthusiastic as we are in its realization. It’s been such a thrill since this venture started and this is just the beginning. Much love to all of you guys listening and supporting wherever you are.
PEACE. Hip Dozer Fam.
The new issue of Disco Pogo features 20 pages on Prince’s influence on electronic music marking 10 years since his passing.
Our other two cover stars are Warp’s Nightmares on Wax, who is celebrating 30 years since his classic album ‘Smokers Delight’ having just sold out The Royal Albert Hall, and TOMORA who are a new duo made up of Tom from The Chemical Brothers and Scandi pop star Aurora.
Plus features on The Durutti Column, Wendy Carlos’ ‘Clockwork Orange’ soundtrack, Burial, Lorraine James, DJ Hell, DJ
Shadow, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, Speedy J, Tiga and much more!
194 pages of quality music journalism by the world’s best music writers plus beautiful photography and design in a quality print magazine.
Earth Dog Records label heads djfix & Jek present the 12th release on their label, Unknown Species.
The A-side, “Unknown Species,” highlights the duo’s signature bass driven, swampy tech steeze. The original track snaking listeners deep into tech-house hypnosis, with neck-snapping, pitch bent basslines, spiraling vocal chops, and crunchy looping drums.
To beef things up, they’ve asked Koduku for his deep techno take on the title track. He takes the original to a hypnotic sweet spot with time-stretched rippling textures and subtle, hard hitting percussion.
On the flip side, “Datura” and “Earth Dub 2” go full on freak mode. Tunes perfect for the deepest, darkest part of the night, or as the sun starts to break through a smoke-filled dance floor.
Pre-orders available now through One Eyewitness, with digital available via Earth Dog Records Bandcamp.
Credits:
Written by Ethan Donovan & Jack Anderson in Bedstuy, Brooklyn
Mastered by Mike Grinser, Manmade Mastering
- A1: Rhythm-Al-Ism (Intro) (1:40)
- A2: We Still Party (5:13)
- A3: So Many Wayz (5:41)
- A4: Hand In Hand (4:18)
- B1: Down, Down, Down (4:43)
- B2: You’z A Ganxta (4:22)
- B3: I Useta Know Her (3:50)
- B4: No Doubt (4:12)
- C1: Speed (3:21)
- C2: Whateva U Do (7:47)
- C3: Thinkin’ Bout U (4:05)
- C4: El’s Interlude (4:05)
- D1: Medley For A “V” (The P***Y Medley) (6:27)
- D2: Bombudd Ii (2:59)
- D3: Get 2Getha Again (4:41)
- D4: Reprise (Medley For A “V”) (2:39)
2026 Repress
DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With his fourth album Rhythm-Al-Ism he created his masterpiece, a perfect hip-hop album. As Quik explains, “the name Rhythm-Al-Ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy”. It’s absolutely sensational and as with a lot of mid-90s albums those original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue.
A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.
Released in 1998 on Profile, Rhythm-Al-Ism was the closest Quik ever got to making a commercial splash. “You’z A Ganxta” and “Hand in Hand” made radio waves across the country and the less radio-friendly tracks like “Medley For A ‘V’” were bumping out of car stereos. Combining his soulful, jazzy P-Funk/G-Funk beats with his effortlessly smooth flow, Rhythm-Al-Ism was the quintessential West Coast Party. Squelchy synths, bouncy bass, monstrously knocking drums and freaky keys - this is peaking acidic party-rap, straight out the gate. Music for gliding, for skating, for time with your people and your poison. Sunshine. No cares. BBQs. Heavy smoke in the air. Dripping with wit and good humour. A real swing to the vibe.
The album opens with Quik setting out his mission statement with “Rhythm-Al-Ism (Intro)”, telling us what this is all about before the self-explanatory “We Still Party” rocks the spot. It’s definitely all about the party here, complete with Quik’s signature head-nod/body-moving beat. Next up, the undeniable laidback funk and dripping swing of groove-laden “So Many Wayz”. This positively slaps.
Then we get to the three huge singles. The R&B-tinged radio-friendly minor-hit “Hand In Hand” closes the first side only for the flip to get straight into the rolling and scratching of bleepy computer-funk banger “Down, Down, Down” (featuring a particularly nice use of Howard Johnson’s epochal “So Fine”). The effortlessly smooth, flute and guitar-laced “You’z A Ganxta” completes the trio. Next up the fast-paced, vocoder-enhanced, woulda-beena-global-hit “I Useta Know Her”. This coulda (shoulda) been a single too. Head-nod funk workout “No Doubt”, with its ace sample of Prince's “Sexy Dancer”, closes out the second side.
“Speed” races out the gate on the second disc, sampling Edwin Birdsong’s “Rapper Dapper Snapper” in a harder, better, faster, stronger way than those daft Parisian punks. Amphetamine-swift raps over soaring, string-drenched b-boy beats. A total anthem. Up next, the staggering, near 8-minute laconic, lounge-y sax-rap of “Whateva U Do” cools things down and smooths things out with its flute wrapping around a sample of Smokey Robinson’s “So In Love” and some oh-so-classy lounge-piano tinkling. And speaking of smooth, things don’t get much smoother than the blissfully melodic glider-anthem “Thinkin’ ’Bout U” riding that ace flip of SWV’s “Use Your Heart”. Exceptional.
The exquisite funky-flute-slapper “Medley for a ‘V’ (The P***Y Medley)” opens the fourth and final side, with star turns from Snoop Dogg and a typically suave Nate Dogg. It’s followed by the supremely skanked-out “Bombudd II”, a beautifully sweet reggae-fuelled ode to the herb. “Get 2Getha Again” is slick funk. Stunning.
This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Rhythm-Al-Ism was originally pressed as a double and we’ve reproduced the original LA vibe picture sleeve and insert to match.
As that original front cover says, this is “over 70 minutes of commercial free music” and it’s absolutely perfect from start to finish. There are no stand-out tracks here. It’s all gold.
: Rhythm-al-ism (2LP)
- A1: Dj First Klas – Goodfeelin' 5 35
- A2: Delaney's Rhythm Section – Rebel (Club Mix) 8 02
- B1: A Forest Mighty Black – High Hopes (Instrumental) 4 58
- B2: Outside – Moodswing (Aquasky Remix) 7 40
- C1: Nobukazu Takemura Featuring Dee C Lee – Searching (Roni Size Remix) 7 07
- C2: Smoke City – Underwater Love (Studio Mix) 6 46
- D1: Up, Bustle & Out – The Revolutionary Woman Of The Windmill 9 17
- D2: Red Snapper – Son Of Mook 5 55
- E1: Dj Food – Mella (Drive Faster Mix) 4 49
- E2: Dig! Alliance – Rotorvibe 4 20
- E3: Count Basic – Strange Life (Kruder & Dorfmeister Remix) 4 35
- F1: Aeroplanitaliani – Zitti Zitti (Jazz Instrumental) 4 53
- F2: Reminiscence Quartet – Psychodelico 6 35
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