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This fifth studio effort from French heavy psychedelic stalwarts MARS RED SKY is a genuine conceptual piece of work skilfully designed to take the listener on a journey through a shifting, unpredictable and even utterly disconcerting sonic universe. Bordeaux-based trio explore progressive and post-metal territories with boundless inspiration. Their original signature of jagged vocals and thundering rhythm is spiced up by drones and various mid-kraut rock and mid-gothic effects. The atmospheres and settings are finely crafted, with Julien Pras's voice adding a delicious pop languor. The music is the master of the narrative here, absorbing all the components of the album and shaping them into a kind of reversible allegory, as appealing as disturbing. The tour de force of 'Dawn Of The Dusk' lies in its ability to carve out a unique creative sphere in which you can't help but marvel.

This fifth studio effort from French heavy psychedelic stalwarts MARS RED SKY is a genuine conceptual piece of work skilfully designed to take the listener on a journey through a shifting, unpredictable and even utterly disconcerting sonic universe. Bordeaux-based trio explore progressive and post-metal territories with boundless inspiration. Their original signature of jagged vocals and thundering rhythm is spiced up by drones and various mid-kraut rock and mid-gothic effects. The atmospheres and settings are finely crafted, with Julien Pras's voice adding a delicious pop languor. The music is the master of the narrative here, absorbing all the components of the album and shaping them into a kind of reversible allegory, as appealing as disturbing. The tour de force of 'Dawn Of The Dusk' lies in its ability to carve out a unique creative sphere in which you can't help but marvel.

Upstate NY heavyweights 38 Spesh and Conway The Machine have joined forces for a collaboration album fans did not see coming. Having recorded with each other for well over a decade, these two lyrical powerhouses' styles mesh effortlessly on this 10-track offering. The soundbeds for the illustrious affair are provided by Spesh himself with the help of a producer he has championed for years, Jimmy Dukes. Instead of continuing to mine the '90s like their contemporaries, the duo bring a sound that calls back to early '00s Hip-Hop. On top of verses that will etch themselves in your mind courtesy of Spesh and Conway, the project includes standout bars and hooks by the likes Lloyd Banks, Pharoahe Monch, Benny The Butcher, Che Noir, ElCamino, and Emanny.

One of the very first compositions by Bruno Sanchioni (Age of Love, BBE), released in 88 just at the beginning of the New Beat phenomenon that marked the history of Belgian music.



Along with Confetti's and Amnesia, it was one of the most popular tracks of its time and marked the start of a long and promising career for Bruno Sanchioni. Just 2 years later, he composed the original bassline for the legendary track "Age of Love", which, thanks to Jam & Spoon's remix, was to stamp the electronic music scene for several generations. Based on video clash created by the visionary Lil'Louis, the original slow tempo was enhanced by the highly recognisable vocal "The Story" and a simple but highly effective melody. It was already remixed 10 years later by Viper, with a rhythmic pattern once again inspired by the Chicago pioneers.



25 years on, this track still evokes emotion and still inspires a good number of artists to want to touch it up, and for the track's 35th anniversary it seemed appropriate to pay it a vibrant tribute by offering several remixes split into two different vinyl projects. In a faster, more acid-influenced style, the first project features a remix by DJHS, Manu Kenton and Furax, emblematic artists from the north of France, and is completed by Viper's excellent 98 remix for those who haven't heard it yet. DJHS is behind the legendary acid track 'Spokesman', Manu Kenton is one of the flagship artists of the 'Ghoststyle' label and Furax is behind 'Big Orgus'.

Big Big Love is the first single from the eponymous album that is a mantra for embracing humanity with kindness. The single will be released in conjunction with the Michael Franti & Spearhead tour date celebrating a return to Red Rocks on June 2. Franti announced the US Big Big Love tour on January 31 which launched May 13 and runs through August 20. Michael Franti is a globally recognized musician, humanitarian, activist, and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Throughout his multi-decade career, Franti has earned three Billboard No. 1's with triumphantly hopeful hits "Sound of Sunshine," "Say Hey (I Love You)," and "I Got You," as well as sic Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. Michael Franti & Spearhead continue to foster their community both on and off stage with a wish granting non-profit, Do It For The Love, founded by Franti and his wife, Sara. Do It For The Love brings those with life threatening illnesses, veterans, and children with severe challenges to concerts worldwide, fulfilling over 3,300 wishes and touching the lives of over 12,000 people to date. Franti also owns SOULSHINE Bali, a 32-room top-rated boutique retreat hotel located in Ubud, Bali.

On Gary’s forthcoming solo acoustic guitar concept album, each song is shot/recorded with a different vintage acoustic guitar of Gary’s private very rare collection. The instruments range from Martin 0-1898 Herringbone to Gary’s “Main Axe” (over the last 4 decades) Martin D28 1941 Herringbone and 7 other significant guitars for this project entitled “Gary Brewer’s House of Axes”. This is a “getting back to his roots” type feel likened unto Leo Kottke’s 1969 album 6- and 12-String Guitar, with a very stripped down/pure raw microscopic view of the essence and soul of these vintage instruments without the blurring accents of other instrumental accompaniments (in our best efforts to capture the true energy this album was cut with no overdubs, and each song was captured in the first take). There are 9 songs with the last song being a moving tribute to Gary’s late Father Finley Brewer whom he lost to cancer in late 2020. Each of these songs have short introductions that tell about each guitar and the song briefly.

TOPradio, the trailblazing force in dance music, proudly announces the release of its highly anticipated 5 x 12" Vinyl Box Set, showcasing the very essence of timeless classics through the revered Retro Arena brand.

Renowned for curating unforgettable musical experiences, Retro Arena has meticulously handpicked 22 iconic tracks that continue to set dancefloors ablaze. This limited edition vinyl collection is a testament to the enduring allure of the classics, encapsulating the spirit of an era that defined the electronic dance music landscape.

From anthems that resonate with the golden age of dance to tunes that have stood the test of time, the Retro Arena 5 x 12" Vinyl Box Set promises an immersive journey through the evolution of electronic dance music.

These 4 records reissued for the first time, with so rare and rich contents from 1970's Japanese Jazz which is gathering attention globally, were released on Terumasa Hino private label "LOVE RECORDS" and distributed by Japanese major label.

Representing "Ode to workman" from "J Jazz : Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1969-1984" released on BBE, in his session with local N.Y. musicians, these 4 records are so important pieces in 1970's independent Jazz !

In 1970, after breaking up his legendary quintet band, Terumasa Hino moved his base to U.S.
This record shows his great effort in his long-term session with the local musicians, and is very important to know Jazz scene in New York at that time.

With Steve Grossman, Dave Liebman, and Dave Holland, Terumasa Hino produced avant-garde and creative sound that is one and only in the world.

The band quickly garnered attention with their explosive live performances and a unique sound that effortlessly blends elements of hardcore punk and metal.

The band's lineup features members from the renowned group Cult Leader, bringing a wealth of experience and a collective passion for creating music that resonates with listeners on a visceral level. With their debut album, 'Pessimist', set to release on October 27th via Church Road Records, RILE is poised to make a resounding impact on the music world.

Pessimist is a cathartic journey through the depths of human emotion, delving into themes of inner turmoil, existential struggles, and the darker aspects of the human psyche. From start to finish, the album showcases RILE's exceptional musicianship and their ability to craft songs that are both haunting and sonically crushing.

Drawing influences from bands like Converge and Trap Them,
essimist delivers a relentless onslaught of churning riffs, blistering drums, and gut- wrenching vocals. The band's tight- knit chemistry and artistic cohesion shine through on tracks like lead single 'Climb Out', where they seamlessly weave together melody and aggression to create an unforgettable sonic experience.

With their heartfelt and thought- provoking lyrics, RILE lays bare their
vulnerabilities and fears, inviting listeners to confront their own inner demons. The album's dynamic production enhances the intensity of each track, immersing the audience in a maelstrom of sound that leaves a lasting impact

Candlemass was formed by bassist & songwriter Leif Edling in Stockholm, Sweden in 1984 & is well known for its epic doom metal, having a great influence over a generation of the genre's subsequent greats such as Paradise Lost & My Dying Bride - Candlemass themselves taking a large influence from Black Sabbath.

'Ancient Dreams' was Candlemass' third album, released in 1988 & it featured a natural progression of slow- mid tempo epic arrangements from their previous release, 'Nightfall' - perhaps even more distinction between slow & faster parts - with the unique tones & unmistakable voice of Messiah Marcolin still dominating proceedings on this pure doom metal classic.

With a perfect balance between melody & sheer heaviness, it is still debatable as to whether this is the ultimate Candlemass & therefore greatest doom metal album of all time, with some giving this particular title preference over the seminal 'Nightfall' album. 'Ancient Dreams' was produced by Leif Edling & Candlemass & was recorded at Stockholm Recording studios in 1988.

Marking 35 years since release, this edition of 'Ancient Dreams' is presented on limited green marble-effect vinyl, featuring the original cover art

Their echelon was stark and meaningful. Within the stretch of 3 albums as well
as dense and triumphant live shows across the globe, they have not only spiked
the map of extreme metal music, but their unrelenting touring schedule an
unbridled will to push forward into new horizons has also earned them a
reception in all the extremes imaginable, be it worship or spite.
5 sonic vessels form the nucleus of 'Crepuscule Natura', and within its 41
minutes, the record easily creates a sonic and aesthetic bridge between the
band's debut, 'Devoid of Light' (2016), and their sophomore effort 'Cult of a Dying
Sun' (2018), only to forge onward upon the relentless path set forth with
'Djinn' (2020). Here, a more refined and muscular, yet no less melodic stronghold
awaits. On 'Crepuscule Natura', UADA provides all their memorable hooks,
tasteful leads, and riding blasts in their distinct style, balancing their epic surging
melodies with powerful spurts of aggression. Just like the band's smoke-heavy
shows, the momentum and emphasis of their craft always stays grandiose,
mythical, and triumphant - all the while making sure to birth a couple of new fan
favorites and soon-to-be staple live songs.
'Crepuscule Natura', once again graced by the artwork of legendary Kris Verwimp
and photography by Peter Beste, shows UADA on fire to unleash the marrow of
black heavy metal

Their echelon was stark and meaningful. Within the stretch of 3 albums as well
as dense and triumphant live shows across the globe, they have not only spiked
the map of extreme metal music, but their unrelenting touring schedule an
unbridled will to push forward into new horizons has also earned them a
reception in all the extremes imaginable, be it worship or spite.
5 sonic vessels form the nucleus of 'Crepuscule Natura', and within its 41
minutes, the record easily creates a sonic and aesthetic bridge between the
band's debut, 'Devoid of Light' (2016), and their sophomore effort 'Cult of a Dying
Sun' (2018), only to forge onward upon the relentless path set forth with
'Djinn' (2020). Here, a more refined and muscular, yet no less melodic stronghold
awaits. On 'Crepuscule Natura', UADA provides all their memorable hooks,
tasteful leads, and riding blasts in their distinct style, balancing their epic surging
melodies with powerful spurts of aggression. Just like the band's smoke-heavy
shows, the momentum and emphasis of their craft always stays grandiose,
mythical, and triumphant - all the while making sure to birth a couple of new fan
favorites and soon-to-be staple live songs.
'Crepuscule Natura', once again graced by the artwork of legendary Kris Verwimp
and photography by Peter Beste, shows UADA on fire to unleash the marrow of
black heavy metal

The Cult brings on board a legend. From DMC scratch champion in the late eighties to the missing link between Detroit and Amsterdam in the nineties. Dutch producer Orlando Voorn needs little introduction and with seminal hits like his dancefloor destroying KMS smash ‘Fix’ under his belt, it is no surprise that the ever-innovative producer is as in demand today as he ever was. Having worked alongside techno originators such as Juan Atkins and honed his production skills under an incredible number of monikers over the years, we bring the multi-talented producer into the Cult. Here he produces an EP of techno brimming with the musicality and inventiveness that is regularly stamped all over his productions.

Opener ‘Between the Surface’ rolls along effortlessly with its Detroit house leanings, loose jazz drums and buoyant walking bass line driving the groove onwards. Hitting hard, ‘Dazed’ is up next with its jackin’ DX style bass and deep evolving arpeggios, that hark back to the glory days of early house music. Finally, ‘Immortal’ ventures into deeper territory for a twisted journey of discordant synths, electro bleeps and haunting synth melodies. His debut on Rhythm Cult is rich with ideas and showcases the creativity that has made Voorn a force to be reckoned for nearly three decades in the game. Joining the dots between Amsterdam and Detroit this new EP brings fresh inspiration with every listen.

'Light Years', released a few days before Kate's 50th birthday, is Rusby's 7th Christmas record and features vocals by Alison Krauss and Ron Block Her love of Christmas music and upbringing on a rich tradition of 'local carols' is no secret to her many fans.' Light Years', a lyric in one of the albums songs, is full of Rusby-fied versions of carols and well-known songs which depict in her own words, "Joyful memories of music, family, community, warmth and happiness - and a little wine!" The album follows in the footsteps sonically of her last two releases, 'Hand Me Down' 2020 and '30: Happy Returns' 2023. Experimental sounds, moogs, layered banjos, lush electric guitars, low subs, soaring acoustics, wonderful effects and of course, her own spellbinding vocals. There are songs old and new on this record. Many standout tracks include Rusby's self-penned 'Glorious', a song about a lost and broken angel and one which takes the listener on a thrilling journey through snow laden trees and a warm glow of the evening sun illuminating only half of the world. Her own version of 'Rockin Around the Christmas Tree & Sleigh Ride,' combined, make a simply wonderful version that will have you spilling your nutmeg all over the dancefloor! 'The Moon Shines Bright' features the gorgeous harmony vocals of Alison Krauss and Ron Block amongst a gorgeous soundscape of guitars and 'The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' is a true example of how Rusby can take a classic and stunningly make it her own. No Rusby Christmas album would be complete without a little humour and 'Nothin For Christmas' and Chris Sugden's (aka Sid Kipper) parody 'Arrest These Merry Gentlemen' will not fail to make any 'bah humbugger' chuckle. Another superb release from Kate Rusby & Crew. John Lewis, look no further for your Christmas advert music...

Hot on the heels of their fifth fantastic LP ‘Thee’ - their first for 25 years and debut for Acid Jazz - house stalwarts X-Press 2 have enlisted David Holmes to remix album track ‘Phasing You Out’.

The original version of ‘Phasing You Out’ features Kele Okereke from Bloc Party and sits at the heart of the new album which again showed that Rocky and Diesel remain dedicated to proper house music.

David Holmes has had a 25-plus year career in music that has seen him release several vital albums and remix artists like Andrew Weatherall, Primal Scream and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, hold down a cult NTS radio show and turn out a seminal mix for Late Night Tales.

David Holmes brings plenty of signature musicality to what is a standout remix - his version of ‘Phasing You Out’ is an intense one that unfolds over eight minutes of percussive density, dusty drum work and careful treatment of the original vocal. The whole arrangement is lavishly decorated with wispy pads and glassy sound effects, police sirens and a rhythmic intensity that never lets up and will work any floor into a frenzy.

MARKING 30 YEARS OF THE CLASSIC SECOND ALBUM FROM THE SWEDISH MELODIC DEATH METAL PIONEERS - PRESENTED ON LIMITED BLUE MARBLE-EFFECT VINYL Sweden's At The Gates formed in 1990 & the Gothenburg based group released 4 highly successful & influential studio albums, beginning with the revered debut, 'The Red In The Sky Is Ours' which originally surfaced on the Peaceville imprint, Deaf Records. After a quick rise through the metal ranks, At The Gates broke up in 1996, only to reform in 2007 to cement their legacy further as one of the greats of Scandinavian death metal. Regarded as a highlight of the band's career by many who followed them from their earliest incarnation, 'With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness', was originally released in 1993. The album was known for its breakthrough style at the time, with highly complex melodic arrangements retaining a dark & brutal edge mixed with slight black metal overtones & poetic, philosophical lyrics accompanying the songs. 'With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness' was recorded at the iconic Sunlight Studios (Entombed, Dismember) & produced by the equally legendary Tomas Skogsberg. The album also notably featured a guest appearance by Matti Karki of Dismember. Highlighting 30 years since release, this edition of 'With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness' is presented on limited blue marble vinyl, featuring the original artwork.

Repress!

The Accidental label pushes on in it’s 21st anniversary year with ‘Thanet House EP’, a no nonsense, no pretention house 12” from renowned sound artist and designer Yuri Suzuki. Born in Tokyo in 1980, Suzuki studied in Tokyo and London, exploring the relationship between music and technology. His design and sound work is widely lauded, with examples of his practice being found in, among others, Tate Britain, MoMA and Mudan. In 2016 he was recognized by Design Miami, receiving their Designer of the Future award and in 2018 became a partner at the world’s largest independently owned design studio, Pentagram.

As the third installment of Nas and Hit-Boy's GRAMMY Award winning King’s Disease series, King’s Disease III is Nas' latest album, and marks the duo's highly anticipated return since 2021's surprise LP, Magic. Executive produced by Nas and Hit-Boy, the album finds the rap legend at his best, flowing effortlessly over signature punchy beats including "Legit," "Michael & Quincy," and "30" among others. "With ‘King’s Disease III’, the New York rapper has put the seal on a strong album trilogy that proves that, three decades in, he’s still a force to be reckoned with." - NME 2LP pressed on Ruby Red & Black Striped color vinyl, packaged in an upgraded, glossy gatefold jacket with 12x24 printed insert.

Fifth volume of "The Encyclopedia of Civilizations", Abstrakce's collection of split LPs where selected artists offer their own insight into fascinating ancient cultures. This time the focus is on the enigmatic Babylon, visited by two of the label's favourite electronic bands currently active.

Berlin-based duo Driftmachine take us on a journey between the ancient cities of Akkad, Uruk and Ashur. Astonishing electronics with a superb and precise sound, floating somewhere between modular ambient, leftfield, abstract dub... Every detail has been carefully crafted in this complex architecture. Unconventional tribal rhythms recall obscure rituals, meanwhile warm, dynamic pulses contract and expand, interacting on their journey along the sandy roads of the Mesopotamian basin and leading you into a deep trance.

Glasgow-based project Komodo Kolektif delves into the Babylonian vision of magic through the figures of the Kassaptu (witches and wizards) and the use of Mandragora. A blend of both tribal primitivism and a futuristic vision is provided by their vast arsenal of vintage synths and effects units, eastern metallophones and traditional hand percussion. Deep, psychedelic electronics that capture the spirit of ancient Babylonian sacred ceremonies and their vision of the cosmos.

This deluxe edition includes an extensive booklet with notes and images about Babylon, to help you to immerse yourself in this fascinating civilization while you listen to the music. The sleeve is printed in the old way: letterpressed with metal movable type, as Gutenberg used to do it, on high-quality recycled papers.

The vinyl single LOVE/HATE brings together two sample collages on the theme of good and evil. Often evoked and sung about, but rarely in such concentrated, systematic form, these collages present the words LOVE and HATE in a variegated catalogue of articulations. Poirier’s miniature radio play is anything but misanthropic: never before has the message of hate been conveyed in such a wonderfully warm-hearted manner. The LOVE side features a track originally released by Jan Jelinek in 2005 on the Eastern Developments label under the long-forgotten pseudonym The Exposures.

From the original press release:

Originally intended as the intro to a special edition of the radio broadcast “Abenteuer Forschung” (Adventures in Research) on “sexuality and romance in digital postmodernism”, the composition collages countless “love” samples from the R&B genre. The “collage of digital passion” had a devastating effect, acting as an aphrodisiac that turned the recording session into an orgy. No further details were revealed by the broadcaster. Unfortunately, the programme wasn’t broadcast live so the secret is likely to remain locked away in the station’s archives forever. Nevertheless, Eastern Developments have managed to obtain authorisation for a “toned down” version of the original, providing the listener with a vague idea of the composition’s true impact.

Whisky soaked, nocturnal, brooding. Aging’s album »Troubles? I Got A Bartender« was a noteworthy, film-noir infused suite that quietly slipped out on cassette in 2015 by a then budding Manchester avant-jazz ensemble, led by David McLean.

In 2020, amidst the pandemic’s tempest and winter's gloom, the idea manifested of showcasing McLean’s slow burning, wistful soirée in a new light via a curated effort by Berlin’s Vaagner label, which invited a series of hand-picked artist to rework selected compositions from the album, rendering its mournful, smoke-tinged resonances into new shapes.

Its result is »Reworks (Rewoven)«, and it presents 6 new interpretations by 5 artists. These range from ruminating, tape smudged ambient works interlaced with sublime acoustic strums by fellow Manchester musicians The Humble Bee and Tape Loop Orchestra, to poignant steel guitar renditions by Nashville based Kelby Clark. Furthermore, Barcelona based Dania and London based Laila Sakini, each present pieces that draw the listener into opaque realms harbored by swooning reverie and eerie, glistening prophecy.

Carefully assembled across two sides of vinyl, McLean’s penchant for hard-boiled detective novels, vintage Japanese crime flicks and film noir iconography have a continued lurking presence in the reworks, yet the new pieces each add a modern facet to the original’s cinematic narrative, its morose and sulky mood now opening into new avenues of interpretation. And whilst some artists have chosen to dive further into the themes of contentious ambivalence and pensive solitude, others have sought to slightly lift the haze, stirring up melodies tinged with a sense of hope, hinting at times, towards instants of poise and vivacity.

In the end this leaves us with a new body of work that manages to feel poignant in its complexity whilst remaining dissonant and elusive in its renditions, hinting at a modern day existence even more opaque, intricate and convoluted than the film noir classics of old might have pictured the world.

Circular patterns morphing through time, loop and ritual form the fabric of Proserpine, the latest work by Leeds-based musician, Teresa Winter. Recorded from a summer to a winter through 2021 and 2022, Proserpine is Winter's most cohesive, focused music to date: confidently revelling in space, fixating on isolated sounds and giving way to satisfying, swirling waves of vocal and electronic buzz. Proserpine is Teresa Winter's debut recording for Glasgow-based label, Night School.

On Proserpine, musical patterns revolve and intersect with each other, transmogrifying the music's narrative. Over-arching themes emerge: continual change, elusiveness. Insubstantiality emerges into concrete reality in the form of recognisable field recordings: the purring of a pet cat, the hum of a live cable. The loops and patterns are sometimes just out of sight, the click and whirl on Child Of Nature is the backdrop to hymnal vocalisations by Winter, who intones spell-like text in conversation with herself. On opener Circles, Winter's vocal is pre-linguistic, detached syllables falling into flowing streams, before Plume's field recordings seem to juxtapose nocturnal and diurnal wildlife. "You said I was a Flower Of The Mountain" sings Winter, as James Joyce's Molly Bloom does but the carpe diem desire in Ulysses is dissipated here, spread out by gauzy, droning organs. Here desire is blown up and out, changed into something undefinable but no less powerful.

Change is at the heart of the album. The Roman goddess Proserpine, herself a reimagined version of the earlier Greek goddess Persephone, is always between: between summer and winter, the land of the living and the underworld, constantly emerging into new states of being. It's a fitting metaphor for Winter's work. Like an Apple feels like it soundtracks this in-between state, long, trailing reverb smudging synth keys and Winter's achingly beautiful vocal performance. The effect is stirring but flitting in and out of perception, sometimes Winter's presence feels of this world, of musical instruments and practises and at others it feels like the music is about to phase into a different plane, a different universe.

While Proserpine references the myths and cults of the classical, pre-Christian era, Winter's restless preoccupation with the mechanics of religion informs the album in other ways. Ritual is present through out, either in the mantra-like vocalisations or even the private rituals we are invited to witness: on Fireworks the listener eave drops into the protagonist's private bonfire. On the stunning Lamento, layers of Choral vocal interlock in celestial patterns that recall catholic mass: it's an overt effect that simulates the ecstasy of religious fervour and also reminds the listener of the use of vocal that runs through Proserpine. Winter's vocals often echo with the euphoria of obliteration, of disintegrating in an awful bliss. It's an effect achieved with finality by the closer New Water as the piece begins with voice before burning up in the atmosphere of elegiac violins and enveloping undertows of whirring synth patterns and ghostly pads. Proserpine is forever turning, changing, always elusive and quietly revelatory.

Repress!

Little Dragon return with a spectacular second album offering in August, a pulsating electro pop epic that Prince would be proud of (only fronted by a beautiful Swedish lady with a sultry voice). A bold and surprising side/two step onwards from their self titled debut, released two years ago to great acclaim especially among specialist circles. Machine Dreams, with its nagging hooks and gloriously infectious tunes, should finally see the band break out into the mainstream.

Recorded in their home city of Gothenburg, Machine Dreams is a gigantic leap on from previous material but still maintains a distinct sound that can only be Little Dragon. Be it Yukimi s warmly inviting vocals, Erik s dextrous drumming, the vast array of synths and bleeps created by Hakan or Frederik s bubbling bass lines, together they don t sound like anything else around right now. The move towards a more electronic sound was a conscious one, as Yukimi explains; The title Machine Dreams seems obvious. These days, humans seem more and more like machines, and as technology evolves, machines feel more human and it becomes fuzzy and beautiful and science fiction-ish. We feel dependent on our machines to create and live, and their sounds reflect us .

Album opener A New breaks us in gently with a single whirring note on the synthesiser, an almost alien sound that gradually morphs into a slow, thumping bassline. Yukimi s vocals flow alongside Hakan s assortment of sound effects interspersed with militaristic drums breaks. A magical opener that sets the scene and seems to sink into itself, taking us with it, until the pace is swiftly ratcheted skywards with Looking Glass , the massive snare, crisp driving beat and experimental synths revealing the band s current penchant for the 80 s. This influence continues apace into stand out track My Step . Utilising a solid drumbeat that nestles next to jagged and playful synthlines, the track breaks down into motorik propulsion with a scuzzy techno bassline that Yukimi works with ease.

Upcoming single Feather finds Yukimi s voice at its most detached and blaze, seemingly nonchalant yet magnificently seductive. Backed by Hakan s keyboard atmospherics, the song creates a soundscape reminiscent of Tears For Fears more reflective moods. Gradually layering more vocals, synths, echoes and reverb, it builds to a quietly psychedelic, dreamy cosmic swirl. Runabout brings forth a mini Airto style percussive breakdown at the tail end of yet another Little Dragon pop gem. Swimming bursts forth into vision with stabbing keys and reflective bass alongside yet another wonderful vocal performance from Yukimi who sings of young love and now so many years have past, my memories as clear as glass . The song is over as quickly as it started, flowing into the next miniature masterpiece in the form of Blinking Pigs

The album closes with the stunning track Fortune , which has already caught the attention of none other than DJ Shadow. It s no wonder really, as the textured melodies blend with the drifting percussion, creating a blissful sonic mood. With a smattering of drums and bass and the magic of Yukimi s voice and Hakan s electronic dynamics floating on top, it s the perfect track to end this fascinating journey through Little Dragon s brave new world.

With disparate influences from Depeche Mode to Prince, LCD Soundsystem to James Holden, Dancehall to R&B, Jazz and Soul, Little Dragon take their place among artists who straddle many genres, yet somehow create their own and in doing so create sounds that make time stop (Yukimi). Futuristic yet somehow retro, Machine Dreams sees Little Dragon achieve something timeless; that elusive pop classic.

Written in the style of a well known old skool series this 2 track mash up release is a classic throwback to hardcore's heady days of the early 90's. Cut n paste hardcore at it's finest!

A limited edition of 300 copies of this 1985 masterpiece, remastered and presented in a renewed artwork. Berlin School synth sequences, American minimalism vibes, new age and oriental influences, guitar-synthesizers, genius arrangements... A masterpiece exploring the emerging MIDI technology of the time. A transportive selection of calming ambient soundscapes punctuated by glassy synth work and meditative drum patterns.

Acclaimed by many, Steve Roach himself said: »I heard Traces on vinyl back in the early 80s. It is still one of my top 10 albums. There is just an elegant, efficient, and emotional quality about it that just holds up like it was created today. A truly timeless piece of beauty.«

Recalling the »Traces« times, Wøllo explained: »I quit all the bands I played in. I wanted to work on my own using the modern electronic studio as an instrument, like a painter with his oil canvasses. I wanted to make a music that had expansive synthesizer textures and sequencer patterns, layered together with expressive melodic electric guitars. Working with depth, time and space. In those years in the early eighties the studio technology was new and revolutionary, and I wanted to explore all the new possibilities. To be able to control the infinite variations of electronic sound, using an endless palette for creative expression«.

Finally, a YouTube comment about the record that we enjoyed: »This sounds like vaporwave before vaporwave had anything to be nostalgic over«.

Piero Zuffi made this bizarre film set in the seedy underbelly of Off-Broadway productions, hippie communities, S&M bars and bike gangs.

BLACK VINYL PRESSING OF 500 COPIES WORLDWIDE.
The story follows a serial killer on the loose and an investigator looking
into an heiress’ kidnapping. With the help of editor Franco Arcalli, the
movie was reconfigured into an effective fever dream with a non-linear
structure.
Once more the music composed by maestro Piero Piccioni is better than the movie.
A wonderful kaleidoscope of psychedelic oddness favors the composer’s jazz roots and strong percussion work, but also features delightful bursts of source music as well as the self-contained brilliance of the occasional set pieces—including background scores for the experimental productions of the Off-Broadway world.
This highly addictive score, impossible to find on the original LP released by RCA in 1970 and reissued on vinyl only by South Korean label Beatball can finally benefit from a meticulous restoration from the original master tapes, thanks to the involvement of Piccioni’s family.
It’s exactly like buying a copy in 1970 without any compression and digital artifacts.

Neues elektronisches Soloalbum des Produzenten Gifted & Blessed alias Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker - sein erstes Album unter diesem Pseudonym seit 2016.

'Heard and Unheard' wurde mit einem semi-modularen Synthesizer, mehreren Effektprozessoren und zwei analogen Drumcomputern erstellt.
Das Album besteht aus zehn nachdenklichen und hypnotischen Tracks mit Schwerpunkt auf Textur und Atmosphäre.

Gifted & Blessed war ein Gründungsmitglied der Beat-Szene von Los Angeles, er trat bei den allerersten Low End Theory-Events in L.A. auf und produzierte und arbeitete mit Künstlern wie Kelela, Ras G und Steve Arrington zusammen.
Seitdem hat er sich in der Underground-Elektronik- und Tanzmusikszene einen Namen gemacht und unter anderem Musik auf Eglo und All City veröffentlicht.
Die Musik von Gifted & Blessed ist auf vielen Compilations enthalten, unter anderem auf Sassy J für Rush Hour und Prosumer für Fabric.

Pink Vinyl. The title of the most recent Atmosphere album, May 2023's So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, evokes the multiversal storytelling that's recently vaulted into the mainstream consciousness. With their latest effort, the irrepressible Talk Talk EP, the Minneapolis legends dart across threads of space-time to grab hold of the one where Slug and Ant became titans of the electro-rap that was foundational to their youths. By evoking acts like Kraftwerk and Egyptian Lover, Atmosphere makes visions of the future from four decades ago seem new once again, the relentless forward churn of technological optimism reimagined as an endless loop with irresistible drums. The genesis of the Talk Talk EP was the session for a song of the same name that appeared on So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously. A collaboration with Lifter Puller alum Bat Flower, the song "Talk Talk" exists alongside electro classics in an uncanny valley that's been warped into a sweaty nightclub, at once vaguely alien and deeply human. Enamored with the song's outcome, Slug and Ant returned for a longer exploration of the sound, to mesmeric results. The pulsing "Rotary Telephone," where the TV antennas seem tuned to a world just slightly askew from ours, thrives on the tension between Slug's careening vocals and the song's taught structure_form matched perfectly with content. And on "Hear Hear," the struggle to make human connections is revealed as a beautiful one. For all its well-documented roots in disco and R&B, rap's connection to the electronic music of the 1970s and `80s is a core part of its DNA. The Talk Talk EP is one of the clearest articulations of this truth to emerge in many years, a testament to the communal power of programmed sound. For proof, look no further than "Traveling Forever," the haunting missive that closes out the record. Images flash: of police knees on necks, of prying cameraphones, another empty hotel room indistinguishable from the last. "I never got to learn how to dance for you," Slug raps, pointedly. "I don't know whether or not that's an attribute." A chill runs down your spine but the skull at its top keeps nodding.

NOW Music is proud to present the second in our ongoing series of vinyl compilations, NOW That’s What I Call 80s Dancefloor. Each edition features an essential collection of tracks representing key genres from the incredible diversity that were all part of 1980’s Dance music.

This volume, featuring 29 tracks across 2-LPs, pressed on 1 Purple and 1 Pink vinyl, presents the best in DISCO and ELECTRO.

Following the height of its’ popularity in the late 1970s, Disco in the early 1980s retained the irresistible melodies and beat but became primarily synth driven. The era saw some of the genres’ biggest hits including this collections’ opener ‘Flashdance…What A Feeling’ from Irene Cara – this theme from the film ‘Flashdance’ was not only a massive selling single, but the song also won multiple awards including an Academy Award. Lipps Inc. produced a timeless hit with ‘Funkytown’, and Shalamar with ‘A Night To Remember’, Odyssey with ‘Use It Up And Wear It Out’ and Indeep’s ‘Last Night A DJ Saved My Life’ were all huge commercial Disco hits.

Disco royalty Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic feature here in their roles as producers and writers with Diana Ross’s massive hit ‘Upside Down’, ‘Why’ from Carly Simon, and the peerless ‘Spacer’ from Sheila & B. Devotion and in 1984 remixed Sister Sledge’s ‘Lost In Music’ which became a massive hit again and is included here in its full 12” version.



Amii Stewart’s classic version of ‘Knock On Wood’ was remixed and a hit again, Donna Summer enjoyed huge success with ‘She Works Hard For The Money’, and other established Disco superstars celebrated returns to the charts with an 80’s Disco sound including, and featured on this collection, KC & The Sunshine Band, Patrick Cowley feat. Sylvester and Evelyn “Champagne” King.



The prevalence of the synth in the 1980s gave rise to new and exciting sounds and to tracks that were created with fusions of genres. On this collection we are celebrating ‘ELECTRO’ – a sub-genre of Electronic Dance music that combined elements of Disco, Funk and Hip-Hop and featuring a heavy synth backing, and the commercial Electro-Pop hits it produced. In 1984, Chaka Khan who had achieved huge success with the Disco classic ‘I’m Every Woman’, had a worldwide smash with a cover of Prince’s ‘I Feel For You’ which combined Disco, Funk, R&B, Synth-Pop and Hip-Hop – to stunning effect. Also a hit in 1984, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced a classic fusion of Disco, R&B, Funk and Synth-Pop for the S.O.S Band with ‘Just Be Good To Me’ and also included here are hugely influential Electro-Pop gems from Freeez, Rockers Revenge feat. Donnie Calvin, Malcolm McLaren, Break Machine, and Rock Steady Crew.



In the latter half of the 80s, Disco and Electro-Pop continued to evolve and fill dance-floors. Taking influences from both genres, Expose and Company B enjoyed ‘freestyle’ hits and DJ, remixer and producer Jellybean had a string of hits including ‘Just A Mirage’, and Whitney Houston became a global superstar. One of her signature tracks ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ serves as a stellar example of how Dance music had evolved through the decade and remained as vital and uplifting as ever.

This is one of the last Chet Baker albums recorded in the States prior to the artists relocating to Europe in the early ‘60s. Likewise, the eight-tune collection was the final effort issued during his brief association with the Riverside Records imprint. The project was undoubtedly spurred on by the overwhelming success of the Shelly Manne-led combo that interpreted titles taken from the score to My Fair Lady (1956). In addition to becoming an instant classic, Manne’s LP was also among of the best-selling jazz platters of all time. While Baker and crew may have gained their inspiration from Manne, these readings are comparatively understated. That said, the timelessness of the melodies, coupled with the assembled backing aggregate, make ‘Chet Baker Plays the best of Lerner and Loewe’ a memorable concept album.

After their debut 12" on Feel My Bicep and their contribution "Halluzinelle" to the Dots And Pearls 7 compilation, DeFeKT and Extrawelt are joining forces again.

In the act of remembering the true spirit of no-nonsense, raw, and direct techno, they created these two masterfully executed, original, and timeless cuts.

Each time they get together they come up with something truly unique, blending their styles effortlessly and seamlessly. Their expertise, knowledge, and recognition of our music's history just radiates out of this release. Both tracks immediately captured our souls here at Cocoon headquarters and we couldn't be more excited to put them out right away on this beautiful, limited, hand-stamped 10" vinyl.

Lipphead is a production duo consisting of veteran producers Blockhead (Ninjatune, Future Archive Recordings) and Eliot Lipp (Alpha Pup) creating eclectic instrumental hip hop that dances effortlessly between Blockhead's sample-based hip hop beats and Lipp's evolving synth-laden swing. Illustrated by artist Maddison Chaffer, the titular character serves as the group's mascot and as a tongue-in-cheek personification of the artist’s fused styles. In 2022, the pair released their debut LP ‘In the Nude’ via Michigan label Young Heavy Souls to critical acclaim.
Building on that success, Lipphead is back with 10 new tracks and a fresh selection of singles to introduce the forthcoming record entitled ‘From the Back’. Kicking off with the irresistible disco soul of ‘Midnight Brain to Georgia,’ the duo hits the ground running. The second single effortlessly guides the listener through a showcase of fluttering flute samples, jittery synthesizer flourishes, and a bassline that is sure to please even the most selective funk enthusiasts. Throughout ‘From The Back’, fans can expect an even groovier spin on their genre-blending mix of downtempo, hip-hop, and electro-funk, along with a healthy dose of the duo’s trademark sense of humor.
Reflecting on the album, Lipp states that “Lipphead really starts to perfect their stylistic fusion on this record. Plenty of oddball beats and goofy samples, but this time there’s an upbeat funk vibe throughout. ‘From The Back’ is basically a window to what goes on in Lipphead’s wild-ass brain.”

* Much celebrated and influential album from legendary UK-based producer The Rootsman, which effortlessly merges dub reggae, dancehall, Middle Eastern. Indian flavours with electronic dance music with astonishing and original results

* `Realms of the Unseen’ originally surfaced on the Third Eye Music label back in 1999 on CD and as a mini LP with a plain sleeve
* This welcome features the original artwork in all its glory

New York techno luminary Adam X debuts on Pinkman with 4 tabs of extra-strength acid specially designed for peak-time club sets. Opening in typically thunderous fashion, the overdriven kick of A1's aptly-named Laying It On Thick sets a tone that doesn't relent for the duration of the record. No-nonsense and straight to the action, Adam X's distinct approach to crafting dancefloor hits shines throughout as multiple 303 refrains weave through stripped back drum patterns for unforgettably hypnotic results. While A2's Trailing Effect drops the tempo a couple of notches, its head-scrambling acid psychedelia would take any bustling dancefloor on a trip long into the early hours. The three remaining tracks give no let-up, fostering a frenetic energy that just can't be contained. In the game since the very beginning, the Sonic Groove label-head has dedicated years to his craft and they're all on display here with slick, classy productions that punch through the speakers to move bodies and minds.

This is quite a unique release , as expected with genre-defying label Subsound Records. From a mystical frontier where the East meets the West comes a psychedelic wonder called The Cyclist Conspiracy This musical collective consisting of ten men and women creates unique sonic escapism for the soul that embark any listener onto a long-haul voyage without further ado. New album "Mashallah Plan" is a psychedelic tapestry that blends infuences from various parts of the world into a seamless unique "desert" rock experience - a monumental psychedelic piece set in the landscapes of Northern Africa and the Middle East bolstered by some magnifcent choral work and powerful riffs. The Cyclist Conspiracy, The (Anti) World Orchestra is the musical output of The Little Brothers dedicated to The Mysteries of The Last Age. Started as an informal project within the Society For The Development Of Alchemical Studies "Vasko Popa" in 2014, it is now a musical troupe consisting of ten male and female souls. The orchestra draws infuences from various parts of the world while trying to avoid superfcial, "new age" eclecticism and direct its creative efforts towards the synthesis of the given elements. Whether it's the Byzantine Empire or secret nomadic paths of the desert, the smokey cafe crowded with manges and frivolous women, or the steppe with the sky for shaman only, psychedelic or turkce rock, Middle or Far East, the journeys the cyclists taking are never the quest for the heart of this world. Sometimes they appeared as a symbolic quest for Constantinople, the heart of The Cycling of Byzantium, but they are always the quest for the heart of the only true light Agape. The Cyclist Conspiracy have played numerous concerts in Serbia and neighboring countries, whether as headliners, support for other bands (Acid Mothers Temple, King Dude, Hayvanlar Alemi), or a part of festival lineups (Haywire Festival (RO), INdirekt (CRO), Zelenkovac Jazz Festival (BH), The Music of the Secret Society that Owns Belgrade (SR)). Their new album "Mashallah Plan" is a psychedelic tapestry that blends infuences from various parts of the world into a seamless unique "desert" rock experience - a monumental psychedelic piece set in the landscapes of Northern Africa and the Middle East bolstered by some magnifcent choral work and powerful riffs.The band comments: "Mashallah Plan" is a story about a spiritual journey on a bicycle. This simple device reveals its profound symbolism only through the path of most resistance and thus represents a perfect esoteric vehicle for The Dark Age we are living through".

25th anniversary limited edition yellow 2LP, download card included. Praise for What Burns Never Returns after its original 1998 release: As the purveyor of brainy, muscular instrumental rock, Don Caballero spent most of its early years labelled the “Geeks from Pittsburgh who don’t sing.” Now that the rest of the indie-rock world has warmed up to instrumental rock (see the popularity of Tortoise, et al.), Don Caballero reemerges from hiatus with its third full-length, What Burns Never Re-turns. Staying ahead of the learning curve, the band employs little of the muscle that marked its earlier efforts, instead adopting a more high-brow, abstract approach to its music making. The band is not improvising per se, but creating meticulously arranged, post-Kind Crimson-like songs that attack odd time signatures. Stunning in its acrobatic musicianship, intriguing in its relentless experimentalism, What Burns… is indeed a welcome return. — Tad Hendrickson, CMJ New Music Report // The follow up to 1995’s monolithic “Don Caballero 2”, “What Burns Never Returns” is a study in industrial-strength grace, like some archaic machine heaving in exorable arabesques. The metallic guitars and grinding rhythm section interlock with mechanistic precision, yet a very human friction shoots sparks of real beauty. — AJ Sutton, Billboard // What superior minds conceived these eight amazing instrumentals, at once impossibly complex and yet powerfully direct, and what mere men have the strength and discipline to perform them? … There are no druggy lyrics or samples or ironic reappropriations of outré instruments here - just thrilling purity and exhilarating single-mindedness.

Copenhagen punk rock/power pop band BIG MESS is a pile of hooks and energy. Taking their cues from the timeless masters of melody, loud guitars and high BPMs, their music packs an infectious punch. CLEANING UP WITH is the band's fourth full length and its first collaboration with UK-based label Specialist Subject. The album shows Big Mess at their most accomplished yet, and shows total dedication to reaching the ultimate in hit making. Imagine a singles compilation by your favourite band and you get the idea. Songwriting is key for Big Mess - as much Brill Building sparkle as hardcore punk economy, with no room for duds. Lyrically, the songs are heartfelt and occasionally stupid, with the dangers and difficulties of existence and the joys of rocking holding equal importance. Having been a band for nearly a decade, Big Mess’ playing is instinctive, effortless and relentless topped with vocals that combine a hooky sense of melody and rhythm with the right amount of desperation. This time the band adds a refreshingly shameless amount of backing vocals and harmonies that only add to the effective singalong quality Pink vinyl limited to 500 copies “BIG MESS is actually one big, relentless, overwhelming wall of hooks…non-stop, uptempo power pop/pop-punk with contagious riffs and choruses with their own choruses. This group is due a place on the shelf next to pop-punk’s catchiest tunesmiths, like JAY REATARD, the SPITS, MARKED MEN, SCREECHING WEASEL, etc. etc. Great!” - Maximum Rocknroll

Native Soul Recordings has been around a long old time in dance music terms and now it looks back over some of its finest works with this first in a new series of Best Of comps.

Music writer Harold Heath is first up with 'Slipstream,' an effortless smooth late-night house cut with introspective chords and silky pads bringing real depth.

The Candy Dealers get more lithe and elastic with the spraying bass and jumbled percussive house of 'Train Of Thought' and last of all, Asad Rizvi remixes Jevne's 'Moderize' with a funky little bassline and chord vamps that keep you on edge. A tasteful package of timeless house grooves.

Make Your Own Meaning continues to convey its unique techno message with a new statement of intent from label head Lurka. The artist has been busy of late and continues to be on a roll with another fascinating four tracker that genuinely serves up some original sounds and rhythms. 'Trip' gets things underway with organic percussive patterns stacked up over drilling bass to make for a prickly groove. 'Airlock' is similar but darker and heavier and 'Sick Flips' keeps the nimble feel going with dancing perc, rigid synths and scratchy sound effects all coalescing over broken drum patterns. Last of all is another dense, busy and multi-layered melange of tiny percussive sounds, synths and clipped rhythms that will make any floor move.

CUT THE ENGINES is the third album by All Structures Align, following the critically acclaimed Details And Drawings and Distance And Departure (both released on Wrong Speed Records in 2022). All Structures Align began as a studio project reuniting brothers Tim and Adam Ineson of 90s underground rock heroes Nub. Their debut album Details And Drawings took everyone by surprise.

Rather than sounding like a tentative bedroom project, it arrived fully formed and with its own identity. It was an album of unhurried patience, of mounting tension (and eventual release) and it possessed a depth that rewarded repeated listens as irresistible hooks revealed themselves almost casually to the listener.

It also felt slightly out of time: no rush to the chorus, no gimmicks, no desire to pack out every second of space with sound. Lots of people agreed and the limited vinyl pressing sold out almost instantly. The follow-up came within the same year with the brothers recruiting drummer extraordinaire Neil Turpin (Objections, Bilge Pump, Polaris) to bring swing and pulse to their songs.

Distance And Departure was the result and widened their audience and acclaim further. So much so that the brothers decided to venture out and play live. To do so they brought in Oli Heffernan (Ivan The Tolerable, King Champion Sounds) on bass and Andrew Pollard (Polaris) on guitar and additional vocals.

If you’ve been lucky enough to see All Structures Align live over the last year, you’ll know this expanded band bring the songs to life beyond simple recitation. Those dynamic shifts in the music are now larger than life and fully multi-dimensional. Cut The Engines is the first All Structures Align release to capture the five-piece live band in the studio. Eight songs as spacious and measured as their previous work but with an increased directness and drama that seems to come from the interplay between people in a room.

Whilst never getting down to Ramones levels of brevity, the songs are compact and sharper than before, as though the addition of extra personnel has allowed their musical language to become more concise and effective. The songs still feel like rich novels condensed into short stories, but the band format has brought a confidence and ease to the telling that increases their impact. The resulting record is their most accessible yet, a slow-core indie-rock masterpiece that will intrigue and delight existing fans and newcomers alike for decades to come.