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“Tunggak Semi” is the third album from Indonesian musician and producer Bambang Pranoto. Originally released in 2000, it’s an exemplary slice of what has become his signature style, a dream-like meditation on aspects of nature, combining elements of accordion, acoustic guitar, flute and percussion. The compositions cross eastern and western notation to inhabit a world of their own, a world between worlds, where harmonies reflect the beauty and joy of nature.

Bambang had a rather atypical entry into music, and studied electronics and telecommunications, before he took advantage of the wave of computer software like Cubase and Protools in the 1990s that enabled him to set about recording his own compositions and soundscapes. After playing in groups, he developed his own approach to constructing his productions. He invites musicians to record interpretations of his themes, which he then pieces together in Protools like a jigsaw puzzle. “The musicians have never even met!” he chuckled on a Skype call.

“Tunggak Semi” refers to the giant trees that appear all over Bali, and their process of renewal and regeneration. “If you cut the tree, and leave the roots, they will grow again. Everytime we cut, they grow again. It’s limitless. This philosophy means there’s always something new coming, whether an idea or music, anything.” This approach has grown out of Bambang’s studies into meditation, including Indian and Chinese scriptures, also Balinese and Indonesian religions. Music, like meditation, is a daily practice, and acceptance of the music and its ‘unfinishedness’, forms a central part of the process.

“We must not just think, but we must also feel, and we must accept that feeling,” explains Bambang, and that’s a step of opening one’s mind to possibility. It seems in keeping with two of Bambang’s musical inspirations, namely Ryuichi Sakamoto and Peter Gabriel, both known for their love of world folk music, and fusion of musical traditions. That’s mirrored in Bambang’s own collage-like approach, recording elements and piecing them together to make something unimagined. While the acoustic sound palette for “Tunggak Semi” is rooted in live recordings, Bambang is not afraid to put the digital technology to good use.

“We have to use the computer as a tool in the best way we can,” Bambang says. “Sometimes people say music is made by people, not by the computer, but it’s just another piece of equipment. What can we compose from this equipment? It’s technology music!”

Written and produced by Bambang Pranoto at interactive garden studio, Depok, Bogor between September and December 2001. 2025 version remastered by Wouter Brandenburg at Brandenburg Mastering.

Leila Gamal’s ‘Abaleeh Abalingi’

At the height of Pan-Arabism, when the United Arab Republic fused Egypt and Syria in a fleeting but bold experiment, a new wave of popular music was emerging—vibrant, infectious, and universally danceable. Among its lesser-known stars was actress Leila Gamal, whose voice—delicate yet rich with longing—embodied the golden era of Egyptian cinema. Born in Alexandria to Syrian roots, Gamal’s vocals were a magnetic blend of sweetness and passion, with a timeless allure that echoed the silver-screen sweethearts of her time.

Abaleeh Abalingi pulses with the hypnotic drive of funky organ riffs, reminiscent of the blind visionary Ammar El Sheriyi, creating a sound both cinematic and undeniably catchy. The delicate lyrics by Khairi Fouad place the track firmly in the lineage of the Middle East’s most iconic pop divas, from Angham to Nawal El-Zoughbi who he subsequently wrote for. This reissue, lovingly remastered, brings this long-lost gem back to life, where it belongs—spinning on turntables, teasing dance floors, and transporting listeners to Egypt in the late sixties.


Adel Osman’s “Oriental Eyes”

Oriental Eyes captures the essence of the 60s Egyptian Franco-Arab movement, blending Western (often jazz) influences with Arabic melodies to mesh mystique with sensuality. Osman’s commanding yet delicate vocals deliver the bilingual lyrics with captivating sincerity, his voice effortlessly gliding over the swells of the arrangement. The trumpet, possibly connecting him to Zaki Osman of Salah Ragab’s legendary Cairo Jazz Band, adds a layer of flair, enriching the track’s Tarantino-esque eclecticism. Now remastered, ‘Oriental Eyes’ is not only a nostalgic gem but a timeless reminder of the boundary-defying spirit that defined the 1960s musical landscape.

Given the ongoing war efforts against Israel, this record wasn’t pressed by Sono Cairo till much later in 1975 once Egypt had recaptured the Sinai and restored national pride. Sono Cairo (Sawt el-Qahira) was the first Arab-owned and by far the largest record label in the Middle East, amassing an unmatched catalogue of music. With exclusive rights over much of Umm Kulthum’s works, Sono Cairo played a crucial role in disseminating the sounds of Arab Nationalism and projecting Egypt’s soft power across the region.

Muhammad Al-Najjar
London, April 2025

credits
Audio restoration and vinyl mastering: Colin Young
Lacquer cut: Timmion cutting lab
Sleeve and label artwork: Grotezk Studio
Under License of Sono Cairo

"Entweder du machst, was alle machen, besser als alle anderen oder du machst, ganz was anderes..." Was Sergio Leone für den Western war, ist Johnny Indigo für die Rock Musik. Anders, rauher, echt und kompromisslos. Johnny Indigo ist das Soloprojekt von dem Wahlwiener Mathias Kollos, der bereits für viele Künstler hinter den Kulissen und auf verschiedensten Bühnen tätig ist und war. Jetzt hat er den Schritt nach vorne getan und tritt mit seiner Band "The El Dorado Wildfire" mit eigens für Live arrangierten Versionen von seinem Debut Album "American Daydreams" gemeinsam auf. Wie klingt das verschmitzte Grinsen von Terence Hill? Was hört man, wenn Clint Eastwood seine unvergleichliche Miene verzieht? Den eigenständigen Mix aus Alternative Rock, Southern Rock, Country und Blues von Johnny Indigo. Das Album vermischt Roots und Country Elemente mit modernem Rock und Blues. Ästhetisch geprägt von dem Image der Spaghetti Western, ohne in unnötige Cliches zu verfallen. Vergangene Acts wie Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix oder die Rolling Stones werden ebenso nicht vernachlässigt wie moderne Formationen wie Queens Of The Stone Age, The Black Keys oder Rival Sons.

Roland Van Campenhout is for sure one of the most unique Belgian artists. Active since the 60’s of the past century Roland built up an extensive and eclectic discography. More than 20 albums on which folk, blues, rock, world music, movie- and theatre soundtracks … all celebrate together, creating a new musical dimension defining the true free musical spirit Roland really is. He received multiple Awards, toured the world with Rory Gallagher and played with Tim Hardin, Leo Kottke, Ian Anderson and the entire Belgian scene.

Legendary postmodern, post punk, post human, past caring collective Mekons return with a brand-new album for 2025. Their first release on Fire Records, ‘Horror’ a collection of songs written in late 2022 but providing a horribly prescient reflection of the world in its current miasma and how we got here. ‘Horror’ looks at history and the legacies of British imperialism with mashed up lyrics set against a typically eclectic sound that amalgamates everything from dub, country, noise, rock & roll, electronica, punk, music hall, polka and you can even take your partner for a nice waltz on ‘Sad And Sad And Sad’. The roots of their global sound reflect their nomadic journey through time and space from Leeds to California in the West and Siberia in the East and is woven into the fabric and intricacies of their song creation… Sounding like The Chills and R.E.M circa the I.R.S Records years, ‘Mudcrawlers’ sees just about the whole band joining Jon Langford on vocals speaking of Irish famine and refugees journeying to Wales. ‘War Economy’ shivers in the cold of such Boroughs spiked one-liners: “Clinical coercion will not achieve dominance!” Sounding like its straight off a Jenny Holzer neon sign (she of Abuse Of Power Comes As No Surprise), it’s held together by a disgruntled swaggering riff that underpins an explosion of disquiet. Meanwhile, Rico takes the lead on the maliciously luscious ‘Fallen Leaves’ an appalled and appalling Hammer Horror take on climate breakdown reminiscent of Rolling Thunder Dylan, that recalls The Pogues at their most introspective, its Celtic twilightism augmented by Susie Honeyman’s keening violin as the dying sun sinks down and the river Styx flows on in the pitch black night. Almost 50 years in the making, these Mekons continue to astound, their sound, sentiment and method of delivery blended to perfection by bass player and studio wizard, Dave Trumfio. The Mekons are Jon Langford, Sally Timms, Tom Greenhalgh, Dave Trumfio, Susie Honeyman, Rico Bell, Steve Goulding, and Lu Edmonds. "Effortlessly eloquent post-punks" Pitchfork // “The Mekons are still vital” Rolling Stone // “The most revolutionary group in the history of rock ‘n’ roll,” Lester Bangs // UK Tour 8-15 May 2025 (including London, Manchester, Glasgow, and more).

PEACOCK DREAMS


After the resounding success of his project Le Cri du Caire, whose eponymous album was awarded a Victoire du Jazz in the “World Music Album” category, Abdullah Miniawy returns with ‘Peacock Dreams’, the first opus of his new trio formation released on the label PPL Songs Aghani Al-Khalq.


Accompanied by trombonists Robinson Khoury (2024 Django Reinhardt Prize from the Academy of Jazz) and Jules Boittin, Abdullah Miniawy presents an unconventional combination of three tenor instruments. The lyrical depth of the voice of the Egyptian poet, singer, and composer merges with the bold expressive capabilities of the two trombones, allowing him to explore unprecedented sound ranges that connect Western and Eastern musical traditions.


The Trio performs Abdullah Miniawy's latest musical compositions, as well as adapts former work stemming from the Egyptian revolution and his previous formation Le Cri du Caire, while highlighting collaborations by inviting trumpeter Erik Truffaz, flamenco singer Niño de Elche, and danish-indian producer Hvad on some tracks.


‘Peacock Dreams’ engages the audience in a unique musical experience that freely combines baroque and operatic influences, Sufi and Coptic themes, and musical motifs from the Arabian Peninsula, infused with the jazzy cacophony of Egyptian traffic jams, once more revealing the transcendental and communional power of Abdullah Miniawy's music.


ALBUM PITCH


A peacock dreams of being a poet. It concentrates, trying to shed its colors, turning its feathers into a gradient of flesh. On the other hand, a poet longs for the peacock’s colors—a galactic blend of earth, forest, sea, and sky, seen from a high vantage point.


A poet can close their eyes and absorb the knowledge of the finite, and absorb the knowledge of the finite, yet miss much, trapped in monotone concentration, eyebrows plucked down to 111.


The peacock, dipping in the ink drops from the poet's pen, sails through a tube into the poet's body. A fluttering storm erupts, reversing the roles: the peacock finds itself under an arrest warrant, while the poet, reducing his expression to a roaring "Wak-wak," struggles to describe the world.

Horse Driver Record’s debut release focuses on 3 Brooklyn Heroes, that first saw the day of light in 1983, alongside one of the most prolific producers to ever grace our planet.

This record takes the listener from the east coast all the way to LA to solve the infamous coast battle of the nineties in one single 45rpm record.

On the A Side the listener is invaded by the rawness of the legendary fusion of these heroes with their original producer that carries the double 18th letter as his initials.

When the Brooklyn boys moved to the west, they got hit with lot of dust, which shows in the unique flavour of the flip side Johnny and Sharon.

A captivating deep cut from the golden age of Italian library music, Il Ponte Dell’Asia stands as one of Piero Umiliani’s most evocative and exotic soundscapes. Originally released in 1967 as a private pressing for Italian the TV documentary by Corrado Sofia, this elusive gem blends Far Eastern motifs with the elegance of mid-century European jazz and the textured experimentation that defines Umiliani’s best work.

On Il Ponte Dell’Asia, Umiliani constructs a cinematic bridge between continents, layering modal melodies, sinuous flutes, shimmering vibraphones, and richly orchestrated strings over hypnotic rhythms and subtly psychedelic touches. The result is a masterful fusion of East-meets-West that channels both travelogue fantasy and avant-garde sophistication — a rare synthesis of traditional instrumentation and modernist sensibility.

Exported from the original tapes, pressed on high-quality vinyl and with faithfully restored artwork, this reissue offers a long-overdue return to one of Umiliani’s most immersive sonic journeys, an essential for fans of Italian library music, film scores, and genre-defying jazz.

Rediscover a lost jewel from the vault of one of Italy’s most visionary composers — where bamboo forests, smoky clubs, and dreamlike landscapes converge in sound.

©℗ 1967, Liuto Edizioni Musicali / Licensed to Holy Basil Records by Liuto Edizioni Musica

This new "Experimental Chapter" by DJ Narciso comes as no surprise, really. Autonomous in the motorization of his music, pushing for progress within the framework of an undeniable (inescapable?) heritage. Twisting and bending sound every step of the way, Narciso definitely keeps in touch with the dancefloor, offering the always much needed transcendence through distinctive, non-linear melodies and patterns. The artist pursues a direct link with bodies in motion but seldom in the expected, institutionalized way club culture is being largely promoted.

This is challenging dance music, proud statements of difference. Narciso's previous record was named "Diferenciado". Now we get "Dificuldades", a track that simultaneously carries the weight of being somewhat odd and the difficulties of life. Check how the piano is venting, freestyle, communicating a feeling, and then lets itself get stuck in a loop, but that's exactly when the groove really starts flowing. And then another layer. It's like direct speech.

A common assertion of pride is found in the origin of the artists. The ghetto as a place where any transformation projects more power precisely because of... inherent difficulties. As others (including himself) did in more or less obvious ways, Narciso clearly states "I come from the ghetto" ( "Não Sabes" ). Twice the value. At least. Almost every segment of music in this album ends up sounding heavily emotional, reaffirming what may be - perversely - a well-known characteristic of Portuguese music: melancholy.

"Não Quero" begins side B as a march maybe more significant than a thousand words, such is the ominous tone of its texture. Next track is another lunar tarraxo, pulling down the shades. Then, "Dor de Barriga" lets things loose again, steering clearly off road, shouting this way and that until a peaceful resolution comes. In "Livra-me Desta", vocal snippets blend into synth snippets, disembodied voices abandon all traces of humanity and finally mutate into different entities that, towards the end, again sound vaguely human but now we find ourselves doubting. Closer "Bob" is a rather classic percussion track with plenty of echo, reverb and an unconscious nod to dodecaphonic music. Unlikely? No, the structural ADN of this music is made up of elements western and eastern, southern and northern. To say all-over-the-place is usually not flattering but in this case the expression translates as wonder, surprise, The Unexpected, and reveals Narciso perfectly at ease inside the nucleus of creation.

Oh so happy - A first time on 7" for the Superist Funkist band the one and only Kool & the Gang. We have picked Two Timesless club floor smashers. From the Good times LP " Rated X" which is just fire on the dance floor, and this is the first time for this killer kool & the gang track to make its way to a 45rpm, for years ..... booom!!!!
On the flip is North East South West a perfect Kool and the Gang funk vibes groove.

The original Madlib instrumentals to Georgia Anne Muldrow’s critically acclaimed album; “Seeds” which was released in 2012 on SomeOthaShip Connect. Heralded as one of her most captivating and immediate front-to-back statements of purpose, a deeply spiritual collection of songs. It was the first time in her career where she handed over all production duties to someone other than herself, that someone being the legendary Madlib.
The beats on “Seeds” are naturally heavy, funky, soulful, abrupt yet hypnotic. All the characteristics of Madlib’s signature sound we know and love.

On the B Side of the vinyl is a collection of Georgia Anne Muldrow instrumentals from across 3 Dudley Perkins albums, “Young Spirit”, “Self Study”, and “Holy Smokes.” Beats with synths reminiscent of J Dilla’s electronic era but with enough G-Funk influence to melt your Raiders hat. Bass lines that could get The Click back together. Georgia Anne Muldrow is a master of her craft on the beats and the microphone. This record is a testament to that. Rediscover “Seeds”, the magical powers of Madlib, and why beat tapes will never go out of style.

Following their now cult debut EP, ‘Scream In The City’ and a host of European shows, retro synth provocateurs Sex Kino are back with their latest offering, DEFCON ONE on the highly vaunted Spanish underground label, SOIL Records.

From the explosive electronic disco sounds of such tracks as ‘Space is the Place’ & ‘U-Bahn, to the soaring synths of the formidable ‘East Meets West’, Sex Kino whacks the judges gavel calling to order 50 years of dance music and offers 4 fully realised tracks of poptastic synth wizardry on limited edition vinyl.

Beautiful mix of eastern sounds and western rhythms, with haunting melodies, nice drum breaks and using traditional arabian instruments alongside organs and drums.

Compilation of tracks from the two Mosaic of the Orient LPs released in the 70's - beautiful psychedelic funk gems.

Right Track is a specialized music label based in Beirut - Lebanon. As an IFPI certified member they are the exclusive Licensee and distributor of multiple international and regional labels in addition to a range of Lebanese Artists. From Omar Khorshid’s arabian-funk to Fairuz’s eerie songs, from Ziad Rabani’s proto-disco to lebanese traditional Wadih Al Safi compositions, Right Track is committed to re-releasing the Immortal Arabic music repertoire on 180 g vinyls, delivering the highest possible quality from remastered audio to satisfy the demanding audiophile connoisseurs.

DJ Sneak returns to Hudd Traxx with For the Soul, Vol 2 —a follow-up to the first instalment, which sold out in under a week. Solid, groove-heavy house from one of the all-time greats, locked in and doing what he does best.

Jason Hodges steps in on the remix with that unmistakable swing and low-end bump.

Vinyl only for a good while. Moving quick. Don’t sleep.

BUDDHA-BAR SUMMER SESSIONS - MONTE-CARLO BY RAVIN A MUSICAL ODYSSEY TO CELEBRATE SUMMER & THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF BUDDHA-BAR MONTE-CARLO Under the starry sky of the Riviera, lulled by the warm breeze, an invitation to travel rises. A beat, a melody... and the mind drifts away. Buddha-Bar, the temple of world music and sonic elegance, celebrates 15 years of magic in Monte-Carlo with an exceptional compilation: Buddha-Bar Summer Sessions Monte-Carlo by Ravin. Conceived as a musical odyssey, this double compilation weaves captivating atmospheres, blending ethereal lounge, organic electro, and world sounds, in an intimate dialogue between East and West, tradition and modernity. Each track (including more than a dozen unreleased tracks) has been carefully selected by Ravin, who creates a captivating and chic experience, a true invitation to dance and escape.

TAMTEN, the master storyteller behind the synthesizers, extends his invitation to every curious listener to ponder the same questions that haunt him throughout his peculiar career: what impacts the sound of an era? How are we shaped by what we hear and see? Do we channel our collective feelings of longing and desire for higher purpose in accord or in opposition to major historical and political forces?
On "Wschodnia Fala: The Reimagined Vision of Eastern-European Wave Music" TAMTEN takes us on a kaleidoscopic voyage through a parallel universe where the symbols and echoes of days gone by are so much more than just archived exhibits of nostalgia. Through an array of meticulous, cut & paste rearrangements, the Warsaw-based artist manages to animate yet another fantastic world of "what could be", following his more apocalyptical take on the previous LP.
There is boldness in every aspect of the release. The saga-like story unfolds evoking the excitement of seashore autobahn ride, thrills of long-forgotten discotheque nights, rush of obsessive romance and intriguing, noir-inspired drama of introspection. The analogies between Polish wave music (with nods to Aya RL, Republika, Klaus Mittfoch, Papa Dance or even Bajm) and global disco-era top chart phenomenons like Kraftwerk, Grace Jones, Giorgio Moroder and Duran Duran, could spark hour-long musicology debates. The melodies and harmonies heard on the album resemble compositions everybody knows but also sound completely new and exhilarating, just as western music clips experienced for the first time behind the Iron Curtain and then collected compulsively on VHS tapes. The feeling of the author's frenetic attempt to capture sensations, memories, artifacts and ideas never escapes the listener till the very last minute of the recording.
"Wschodnia Fala" could pass for an eerie, anonymous late 80s lost-and-found cassette mixtape unearthed on any of the Berlin Wall's sides, if it wasn't for its crystal-clear, contemporary production value and the fluent, educated use of samples ranging from bizarre and opaque to deliberately retro-pop-influenced. Those elaborate winks of the eye for those in the know are already TAMTEN's trademark and they reflect his long-standing fascination with the dancefloor anthropology rather than just the dancefloor itself. Even though never leaning towards formulaic, easy-to-mix, club-ready stompers, his ideas are still groovy enough to make anyone move.
The album strives for some sort of unattainable totality - it's a ticket to a seance, an experience, a rite. It is a chance to time travel and dance with your ancestors in a glass labyrinth on acid or to watch an 80s teenage adventure, coming-of-age, road cruising film in the cinema of your imagination with only a soundtrack provided. A "the best of" CD compilation of hits from a childhood we remember from a different timeline. A comic book sketch, a diary of an archivist, an elegy for the times that never were and a party you wish you could go to right now. The adventure is always different with another listen.
Step in. Close your eyes. Reimagine.
Embrace the wave

Graham Hunt hat die intuitive Fähigkeit, sich seinen eigenen Platz in der langen, verwirrenden Geschichte der amerikanischen Popmusik zu schaffen. Der Songwriter aus Wisconsin hat in den letzten vier Jahren hart an Platten gearbeitet, die zeitlosen Gitarren-Pop mit einem vielschichtigen Produktionsansatz und einem schlauen lyrischen Auge verbindet. Seine Musik verbindet das Surreale mit dem Alltäglichen, das Melodische mit dem Rhythmischen, das Kryptische mit dem Triumphalen - und beweist oft, dass Slacker Verspieltheit und Heartland-Ehrlichkeit sich nicht gegenseitig ausschließen. "Timeless World Forever" - die erste Veröffentlichung von Hunt für Run For Cover - bildet den Abschluss einer beeindruckenden Reihe von Songs und öffnet die Tore für eine neue Phase in der langen, produktiven Karriere des Künstlers. Seit Jahren ist Hunt eine feste Größe in der Indie-Rock-Welt des Mittleren Westens, seit seiner Zeit als Kopf von Midnight Reruns und Auftritten mit Künstlern wie Mike Krol und Disq. 2019 veröffentlichte er sein erstes Soloalbum "Leaving Silver City", aber es war 2022 das Album "If You Knew Would You Believe It?", mit dem er seinen Durchbruch hatte. Das 2023er Album "Try Not To Laugh" folgte schnell, und jetzt nimmt "Timeless World Forever" diese Fäden wieder auf. Die drei Platten sind aus einem Guss: alle entstanden im selben Keller in Madison mit einer Beat-getriebenen Dichte und einer klanglichen Fantasie, die Rap und Rave ebenso zu verdanken ist wie dem Power Pop. Es ist schwer, gleichzeitig nach hinten und nach vorne zu schauen, ohne mit den Rädern in einem schlammigen, zeitlosen Schlamm stecken zu bleiben. "Timeless World Forever" ist der Sound eines eines Lebenskünstlers, der einen höheren Gang einlegt, den Fuß auf das Pedal drückt und den Highway in Angriff nimmt.

Fango blends four radically different tracks into one sonic journey, each designed for a unique dance experience. His message is clear: diversity—both in music and in humanity—is a treasure to be celebrated.

Over and through the hot cement of North East L.A., an almost-dry riverbed winds like a snake through the city. Coyotes lap at its trickling stream by moonlight, as pedestrians rush past it by day without a second glance, their thoughts tangled up in the distractions of life in a sprawling metropolis. Here, amongst the many avenues and gentle hills, we find Coffin Prick (alias: Ryan Weinstein).

Loose Enchantment, this latest Coffin Prick record, is music conceived of in a different frame of mind for humans living in a world nearly-disenchanted with itself. The album consists of eleven new pieces of music recorded by Coffin Prick himself at his home in Los Angeles, a great city of quicksand-like commitments and those who love them enough to uphold the ends of their collective bargains. A record as much about the confusion of modern life as it is endeavored to expose the lusts in the very loins of creation. Sounds enchanting enough for you? Let’s look a little more closely…

On the heels of 2023’s Laughing (Sophomore Lounge), Coffin Prick got busy. And fast. Playing shows into the year with a newly minted live band, while simultaneously working day and night in his home studio laying the ground for what would become Loose Enchantment. Whereas he was essentially a recording know-nothing at the inception of his last LP, he’d learned a thing or two about better capturing his ideas by this point, taking the sidesteps and victories born of the experience Laughing provided and turning the bright lights on them. As many of Los Angeles’s drivers choose to do, it was time to take some surface roads. Odes to self-delusion, the mysteries of creation, cleanliness, and the secrets in other people’s lives.

A little Loose Enchantment for everyone, basically.