Search:el tri

Deep'a & Biri curate a bevy of much-respected underground techno specialists to further unravel and reimagine the vital and sophisticated sounds of 'Dominance', their full-length LP released earlier in 2018.

Midnight Operator, the collaborative project of Mathew and Nathan Johnson, begin the set with their trippy and transcendent take on 'False Memories'. A rare remix from the pair, their return has been worth the wait; an expertly executed techno excursion, it simultaneously burrows deeper into the psychedelic textures of the original, while providing a club-centred kick.

Further blending the experimental and the physical, Peter Van Hoesen provides a typically complex and compelling take on Voltage, deconstructing the original and expanding each element in myriad, rave-specific directions.

Deep'a & Biri enlist rising Dutch DJ-producer Deniro contributes a rolling, hypnotic version of Dominance's spectral centrepiece, 'Alpha Cephei', while Z.I.P.P.O. charges down a tense, big-room industrial tunnel for his interpretation of 'Seeking Solace', hitting on a cathartic groove after a passage of uncompromising noise.

Concluding the EP, Steinlac'h Records founder Wice reimagines 'Theories of Loneliness' in dubby but propulsive fashion.

Boum Boum Boum! 25 years of KOMPAKT. When a record label still thrives after a quarter of a century thanks to a focus of what was expected to be a short lived music phenomenon called TECHNO, then it stands to prove two things; that it techno has taken its place amongst serious, multilayered musical genres like rock'n'roll, pop and folk music. And that KOMPAKT has never been only for techno, but KOMPAKT stands as a broad-minded, genre-defying entity that has set out to cross-pollinate all kinds of musical inventions within the realm of electronic music. Through its course, KOMPAKT has sent 'Around The World', all kinds of sub-genres, concept series and crossover adventures based on the non- negotiable 4/4 beat. And back again.

Without a doubt, the 100% kickdrum-free POP AMBIENT series is the most endearing and enduring concept that I have had the pleasure to curate. From the start, I felt there was a strong need to add a certain pop- elegance - ensouled by discourse as much as hedonism - to a sound that was recognized as 'Chill Out' music that could be heard in seedy techno club back rooms and forgotten festival areas. Over the years, I like to imagine that POP AMBIENT has crystallized into a highly recognizable trademark sound and a multi-facetted musical universe of its own.

So once again, I had the pleasure to put together this year's edition by plowing through an ocean of sonic jewelry that had been submitted from all over the world by new and old friends. The task was clear: for this special edition, I must create a homogenous listening experience that would both appeal to our trusting followers, to continue our tradition while integrating new micro facets , variations and influences from neighboring musical universes as possible. Obligatory while being innovative. Conspirative while being cosmopolitan. Albeit the headline 'Ambient' might sound a little too humble for a compilation that encompasses aspects of neo classic, atonal music and the most beautiful aural kitsch imaginable, it still helps as a necessary means of orientation in the best possible sense. Same goes for another dear tradition: Veronika Unland's abstract-floral cover design that keeps on pleasing our sore eyes year after year.

Although each and every POP AMBIENT edition doesn't shy away from diving into the relevant question of 'What is contemporary discourse music' - in the end it all boils down to that elevated moment where all theory dissolves into ambient air, into a higher state of cosmic bliss. POP AMBIENT is sacral music for non-believers.

Wolfgang Voigt Cologne, October 2018

Bum Bum Bum. 25 Jahre KOMPAKT. Wenn ein Musiklabel, das seine inhaltliche Ausrichtung im Wesentlichen auf den anfangs als schnelllebig und vor allem kurzlebig apostrophierten - hype' Techno setzt, nach 25 Jahren in jeder Beziehung immer noch voll im Saft steht, dann zeigt das zwei Dinge: Das erstens mittlerweile jeder bemerkt haben du¨rfte, dass Techno eben kein kurzftristiger hype ist, sondern vielmehr ein vielschichtiges, ernstzunehmendes Genre, das sich ebenso wie Rock'n'Roll oder Schlager fest in der Musikgeschichte etabliert hat.

Und zweitens, dass KOMPAKT nie nur ein reines Technolabel war und ist, sondern ein nach vielen Seiten aufgeschlossenes Experimentierfeld, das sich von Anfang an der Grenzu¨berschreitung und dem musikalischen Erfindungsreichtum verschrieben hat. U¨ber die Jahre wurden unter dem KOMPAKT-Signet etliche Subgenres, Konzeptreihen und Crossoverwagnisse auf Basis der unverhandelbaren geraden Bassdrum - around the world' und wieder zuru¨ck geschickt.

Eine der wohl scho¨nsten und nachhaltigsten Konzeptreihen du¨rfte wohl die bassdrumfreie POP AMBIENT-Serie sein, die ich als KOMPAKT-- Altvorderer' nach wie vor die ja¨hrliche Freude habe, zu kompilieren. Dabei hat sich u¨ber die Jahre aus dem anfa¨nglichen Bedu¨rfnis der seit den fru¨hen 90er Jahren in den sogenannten - Chilloutrooms ' grossra¨umiger Technoclubs, - Lounges' und - Muzakkneipen' entstandenen - Entspannungsmusik' etwas entgegenzusetzen, eine eher von Pop-Eleganz, Diskurs und Hedonismus beseelte, eigene Spielart ambienter Musik, eine vielschichtige programmatische Musik mit hohem Widererkennungswert entwickelt.

So hatte ich auch im Jubila¨umsjahr einmal mehr die Qual der Wahl, aus den aus aller Welt kommenden, grossartigen Klangpreziosen guter alter sowie neuer Freunde die subjektiv besten zu einem homogenen Ho¨rerlebnis zusammenzufu¨hren. Dabei ist mir immer sehr wichtig, einerseits den Erwartungen der treuen Ho¨rerschaft im Bezug auf Traditionsverpflichtung gerecht zu werden und andererseits auch immer mo¨glichst viele Mikrofacetten, Varianten und Einflu¨sse angrenzender Stile und Universen aufzugreifen. Innovativ und verbindlich. Konspirativ und weltoffen. Auch wenn der U¨berbegriff Ambient, fu¨r eine Kompilation die sowohl Aspekte von Neuer Klassik, Atonalita¨t und Kunstmusik mit den allerscho¨nsten Seelenkitschklangwelten zu vereinen sucht, zu eng gefasst ist, so hilft er doch bei der notwendigen Orientierung im besten Sinne. Ebenso wie die Tradition gewordenen, wunderscho¨n abstrakt-floralen Kunstblumenwelten der von Veronika Unland gestalteten Cover, die ein ums andere Jahr auch die Augen in Verzu¨ckung versetzten.

Auch wenn jede Kompilation sich aufs Neue an den relevanten Fragen zeitgema¨sser Diskursmusik abarbeitet, so ist der erhabene Moment am Ende doch der, in dem sich alles zu Gunsten eines - ho¨heren, kosmischen' Ho¨rerlebnisses, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes in ambiente Luft auflo¨st.

POP AMBIENT ist die sakrale Musik der Ungla¨ubigen.

Wolfgang Voigt / September 2018

DJ Dex aka Nomadico has written and produced 10 new unreleased tracks for this double LP 'The Code Switcha'. It features a range of tempos and sonic dynamics; from the slow burns of 'RTD 60' and '909 Soto Street' to the full on energy of 'Machine Learning for Homeboy' and 'HustLA'. There are also electro funk tracks like 'Still Cruisin', 'Radio 3031323' and 'Backyard Trippin'. Meanwhile, the moods and textures of 'Introversion', 'Innermission' and 'Staring Problem' are for deep listening. All of these are fused together by atmospheric pads, touches of acid and a veteran DJ's sense of rhythm and timing.

Lixo - The Production Alias Of Alex Hislop, Founder Of Influential London Party Collective, Getme! - Returns To The Crew's Label Arm With New Ep 'cicada'.

The Follow-up To 2016's 'writer's Block'single Feat Trim And 2017's "ida" Ep In Collaboration With Quays.the "cicada" Ep Sees Lixo Explore The Gamut Of Electronic Music With Washed Out Vocal Sampling, Warm, Tribal Bass Sounds And Fluttery, Dreamscape Melodies That Tug At The More Experimental, Exploratory Corners Of London's Club Music Landscape.

With A Back Catalogue Already Spanning 19 Records - Including Key Releases From The Likes Of Lil Jabba , Slime, Trim And Dam Mantle - The London Party-come-label Getme! Have Established Themselves As One Of The City's Key Electronic Hubs Over The Last 10 Years. Formed By Alex Hislop (lixo) In 2006, The Brand Now Spans Events, Radio And Their Aforementioned Label Arm.

'Sublunar', comes from a lovely and spontaneous collaboration between some of the guys who mostly contributed to the growth of Suburban Avenue, since its beginning: Asymptote & Z.I.P.P.O

The whole Ep, is quite far from the style they are used to propose in their singolar projects; it's rather an infusion of their nearest influences, that you can listen especially in their eclectic dj set: from electro, to acid house, ambient and reverberating stuff from their Soul.

A1, 'Sublunar' is a Dystopic, with Drexciyan reminisces Electro track; A2 'Green Line' is an emotional and 707 dreamy stuff, the perfect bridge which prepare to the A3, 'Alienata': an intense and expertly executed ambient trip.

The entire B side is a Fabulous, Acidic and party-guaranteed package, ready for the heated dancefloors.

A true love never ends.

Cómeme delivers to you one of the freshest rhythms of 2018, recorded in Johannesburg, the new residency for the renegades of the beat. This is 'Rain' - starring Matias Aguayo and the actress, dj and singer Ayanda Seoka aka Mujaji The Rain. She's resident at the legendary Bar Kitchener's all femme 'Pussy Party', a space for feminist / queer action and dancefloor joy, right in the centre of Joburg.

Cómeme has been since some time in a serious and passionate relationship with that city. Radio Cómeme transmitted shows from there with electronica legend Felix Laband, Mpumelelo Mkatha from BLK JKS, the queer performance duo Faka, Gqom pioneers RudeBoyz and also Kwaito's legacy keeper Spleef McZaul. Matias Aguayo ventured into a beautiful collaboration with DJ Spoko, released two years ago on this label.

'Rain' is a deeply rhythmical track, inspired by the grooves that converged when Cómeme swing crossed the paths with the syncopations people in Joburg were dancing to. It has become quite clear in the recent years that elegantly shuffled triplets are marking a way to the future in dance music, especially in the southern hemisphere, no matter if you're in Durban, Rio or Santiago.

On top of this modern groove we can hear Mujaji the Rain enjoying how she gets wet under a dark and tropical sky. Laughter, joy and ecstasy is what she emanates while hypnotically involving you into this atmosphere of dense drumming and trance. (side note: Cómeme has been consequently evading the description hypnotical in press releases but this time it was unavoidable).

For further jacking fun we generously included a 'Club Mix', including more drum frenzy towards the second half of the track, and a 'Just Drums Mix' for the skilful DJ.

Side B features the jam 'Serious', which comes along with another killer beat, reminiscent of Michael Jackson or Cheri. A late-night track in which Mujaji The Rain turns into a sensual but slightly annoying creature that doesn't want to leave the dancefloor. and for sure doesn't want to go home.

We added an instrumental version to this complexly arranged tracks, which feature pianos, strings, and heavy synth bass stabs.
All tracks on this 12' are written in a 6/8 signature, which some normative DJs might shy away from, but be safe: both tracks are in 120 bpm and carry the seal of official Cómeme dancefloor approval by the label's highly respected DJs.

Africa Seven's next installment returns to Cameroon with a special edition version of Momo Joseph's in-demand LP, "War For Ground", with three extra tracks. Momo may be better known for his work as an actor, having featured in such titles as "La Haine" (1995) and "The African" (1983), but his small foray into music is definitely memorable as he lays it out in true Afro-Boogie style. Apart from two singles, "War For Ground" represents Momo's only other body of work, and only studio album which was self-released in 1983. With this "Edition Speciale" reissue we provide you all the originals from "War For Ground" remastered alongside his party-time classic "Cameroon Airline", "Love Africa Soul" and his lesser known tack "Oh Momo".

The A-side starts with "Africain", which also featured on our compilation "Africa Airways Four". Glistening synth lines work it out over the top of romantic guitars, while the continual and hypnotic vocal chant of "Africa" tells you exactly where this music is coming from and what it means. The tempo creeps up a bit with "N'Gon Le Bek" which again takes advantage of driving guitar lines, this time facing off with the horn section. The last cut on the A-Side is "Out Side No Fine", which flows great after the previous two, keeping up the same aesthetic with a bit more of a tropical feel to it.

The B-side kicks off with the title track "War For Ground". In this one Momo starts off rather melancholic before things end more triumphantly with the backing vocals and horn section again providing much of the driving force. The final two tracks on this record make up the "Edition Speciale" element of this reissue. "Love Africa Soul", taken from Momo's 1980 single of the same name, at first seems to be one of the more straight forward disco led tracks on this release until an ecstatic synth line breaks things up in a forward thinking break down before a trademark Momo groove kicks back in. The other track featured on that single was"Cameroun Airlines", a bonafied afro-disco classic. Next we delved into the vault and unearthed a recording session for "Oh Momo", this never released version of the track reflects a slightly different side of the signer, with a more afrobeat feel.

This "Edition Speciale" version of "War For Ground" offers a thorough observation of Momo Joseph's work as a musician and looks to help shine a light on Momo's career and musical genius.

We are pleased to present you the second EP of the infernal duo INTERNACIONAL ELECTRICAL RHYTHMS formed of Trikk and Mathias Schober. Let's dive right in and start with "Azaka" and it's live recorded percussions. This track just builds and builds until it falls back into that irresistible and sexy main groove. It reminds a bit of old DJ Gregory tracks - just 10 BPM less. Some would even say it is epic, we wouldn't argue though. Anyways, it serves the dance floor well and proved it many times in the past.
The second track "Kosanba" keeps the EP in balance. "Kosanba" sounds more like a Sci-Fi movie soundtrack at first listen. A basic rhythm built around a modular sequence, upright piano, washed out guitars and an eerie spacey melody with tons of reverb form a track that still works in a club context, yet it's definitely one of those tracks for the right moments as it sets a different tone for sure. Bruno and Mathias sure continue what they've started so well last year with their INTERNACIONAL ELECTRICAL RHYTHMS disguise.

After a five year release hiatus, in 2018 Yura Khlop is putting out music under his SE62 alias again. "Jazzed EP" is the second release in the SAFT X series and the Kiev based producer has delivered a class record.

The A-side opening track; "Swing Tool" is built around more jazzed out samples than the other tracks. SE62 cleverly plays original notes together with a hazy sample that serves as the core element. "Jazzed EP" will be available through all specialized retailers in the autumn of 2018. On A2 we find "July". Again a very dance floor oriented record with taints of emotion. The very present chord and bassline dominate the tracks structure until at one point; a beautiful sample is introduced. Positive sounds for lovers of classic deep house.

The title track "Jazzed" is a signature piece of thumping deep house, using swinging MPC style drums and an evolving digital piano riff. This together with some submerged sounding sample shots, create a dance floor worthy ambiance. After "Jazzed", we find "Pitch Black", a sample-heavy jam that is based around a set of characteristic drums. A swinging chord and an infectious chord progression do the trick on this true dance floor record.

With MEL013, Melodies International are extremely proud to bring you at last, a disco anthem from Detroit that was originally recorded in 1980 and dedicated to the 'King Of The Champion Fighters': Le Stim - A Tribute to Muhammad Ali (We Crown The King).

Le Stim was a band formed by lead vocalist Donald Jennings in the late 70s. Now an ordained deacon back in Detroit, Jennings was brought up in a gospel environment and was said to be born to sing. Growing up picking up songs from the likes of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald or Sam Cooke, Jennings frequently performed for family and friends and went on to sing for audiences in New York, St. Louis and all around Detroit.

We Crown The King is a song written in the mid 70s by the late Herbert Andrei Duncan, also from Detroit. Duncan approached Jennings with the song who was initially reluctant to sing it because it took him out of his usual vocal range. However, Duncan finally (thankfully!) managed to persuade Jennings after five years to record a tune that would prove to become a party anthem decades later.

Remembering Duncan, Jennings says: 'Andrei was positive..inquisitive.... and determined. I was only 18 or 19 years old at the time and remember Andrei coming over to my house.... He had a cellphone in his car!.. I remember going to Andrei's house, and he said he wanted to do the track. Andrei did not take no for an answer! The answer had to be yes! However Andrei didn't have any money to record the song with. So we made a deal. In exchange for the use of his P.A., Loc (the drummer) provided the seventeen musicians for Le Stim to record 'We Crown The King'. The session itself was recorded at a studio in Southfield, Michigan.
According to Jennings, Muhammad Ali did hear the track back then and liked it! Le Stim were in touch with Ali's management and were about to meet him on a number of occasions which unfortunately didn't work out.

Licensing this record has proven to be Melodies' biggest research effort as of yet and has involved visiting it's author, Duncan's former house in Detroit only to discover it had burned down and that his family had moved years ago. It wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable help of Jeremy from Rain&Shine records (NZ) who then managed to track down the family back in Texas!

Officially licensed, remastered and cut to half-speed lacquers at 45rpm (instead of it's original 33rpm format) to bring the shine out of the top end - MEL013 comes forth in it's original 12' vinyl format with exclusive Melodies stickers and digitally too.

A trio of guitar, bass and drums, Elektro Guzzi overcome the boundary between analogue versus digital, performing techno live with the drive of a machine and the sonic detail of an instrument - without any computers or loopers. For their upcoming album Polybrass, Elektro Guzzi have drastically expanded their sonic repertoire: both in the studio and on stage, they are joined by an ensemble of three trombonists, opening up a whole new realm of possibilities. With Hilary Jeffrey, Daniel Riegler and Martin Ptak, the band are joined by three brass heavyweights, each of them well renowned for both their solo ventures as well as projects such as The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, Sand and Zeitkratzer. By treating the three trombones not simply as a set of extra instruments but rather as one coherent body of sound on its own, Elektro Guzzi dissociate the brass instruments from their conventional use and repurpose them into something completely different: a modular synthesizer, with each trombone representing one oscillator. In doing so, Elektro Guzzi add new layers of depth to their music, emphasizing a more cinematic side of their music: like the soundtrack for a movie, Polybrass is bigger, darker, more dramatic, more intimate. Warm and fuzzy textures float weightlessly above fragile soundscapes and complex sonic fragments. At the same time, the band's signature sound runs distinctly through the entire album: solid percussive grooves, stripped down to the absolute minimum it takes to make your body move. Hypnotic repetition, building tension and suspense up to a point where the energy of the music gets so intense you feel like you can physically touch it with your hands, interlaced with organic patterns of sound, constantly changing and evolving, pulsating and oscillating. Vinyl: heavy sleeves + heavy printed inner sleeves, 180g vinyl with download code.

The new album from Danish electronic trio System is a special kind of collaborative effort with piano magician Nils Frahm. His purpose-built improvisations on synth, organ and piano served as source material for the members of System (Thomas Knak, Anders Remmer & Jesper Skaaning), who merged his warm acoustic tones with their minimalist digitalism and set out to translate their distinctive clicks 'n' cuts electronics into vivid soundscapes. Over two years in the making, the resulting nine tracks are as sonically intriguing as they are touching. Ranging from the mellow bliss of the title track to echoes of 90's and 2000's electronica and ambient sequences frequented by mesmerizing movements and sounds. The blending of piano and digital tones and noises into emotive pieces might instantly recall the work of Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, though System and Frahm come to quite different results.

Thomas Knak met Nils Frahm at one of his concerts in Copenhagen. They stayed in touch, exchanging thoughts and ideas. Two years later, Anders Remmer was also introduced to Nils. From then serious ideas for a collaboration formed. As Nils was a fan of System's self-titled debut album (released in 2002 via Pole's Scape label) their talks centred around Dub and minimalism, elements that constitute most of System's music as well as their side and solo projects. This in mind, System began producing sketches and brought them to Nils´ Durton Studio in Berlin in December 2015, where they recorded ten hours of him playing keys and effects to their drafts. Back in Copenhagen, they decided to change direction. - As Nils had told us about his fascination with our debut album, we tried to rediscover this minimal clicks 'n' cuts era. But hearing Nils playing to our rhythmic beds, we felt the need to scrap those beats and instead head in a more cinematic direction.'

So they started building new pieces from the Durton recordings, maintaining some of the minimal and static quality while new layers of synth sounds and noises created a richer and more organic quality compared to older System albums. The solo projects of Thomas (Opiate), Anders (Dub Tractor) and Jesper (Acustic) always relied on steady beats or rhythmic material, so the productions of 'Plus' with their focus on acoustic and melodic elements, ambient layers and cinematic moods, sees them pushing forward into new areas.

This way, the trio avoided copying what they had already done years ago, when they built a reputation as Denmark's prime originators within electronic music in the 90's and 2000's. 'Plus' is a triumphant example of collaborative experimentation and may be the dawn of a new era for System: - For us it was really satisfying to focus more on actual sound rather than rhythmic aspects. There is a lot of potential in this field, so it would only be natural for us to pursue this, maybe as a series of collaborations with other people who's music we admire.'

The latest release on Arma comes from Dutch legend and devoutly deviant underground operator Ruud Lekx, aka Rude 66. With a legacy that reaches back to the early 90s and the rough and ready Dutch electro sound of Bunker Records and The Hague, he's maintained a distinctly non-conformist approach that touches on acid, Italo, techno and more besides, all finished with the punky attitude that sets him and peers like Unit Moebius and I-F apart.

The tracks gathered together on The Witch Trials EP come from throughout Lekx's career. As the artist himself says, 'tracks from wildly different eras and sessions suddenly can combine to form one coherent EP. It's almost like the A-side tracks were waiting for 20 years to be combined with the B-side tracks.'

The overriding theme that binds together these timeless machine excursions is that of medieval witch trials - a global phenomenon that peaked in the 15-1600's. Considering the suspicion, propaganda and mass moral panic involved in this strange curio of distant history, Lekx points to the parallels with the current age, 'of political polarization and fake news accusations flying all over.' The EP title is also a tribute to two records close to his heart: The Fall's Live At The Witch Trials, and the one-off Witch Trials project by members of the Dead Kennedys, Adrian Borland and Christian Lunch.

'Werewolves & Poisoners' and 'The Crusade Against Idolatry' are both archive tracks from the 1994-5 period when Lekx made his first albums for Bunker Records. The first track's charging arps, rugged kicks, nagging acid lines and discordant paranoia all speak to that trailblazing period, while 'The Crusade...' revels in canny programming of interwoven synth lines feeding into an unhinged, psychedelic rampage that reflects the righteous fervour and spiritual confusion of the EP concept.

'The Absence Of Diabolism' opens up the B-side with a different tone, having been produced in 2016 and demonstrating the deeper acid undulations Lekx has become known for in more recent years. Still delivered via the same trusted tools he was using in the 90s, the sound feels like an extension of the Rude 66 vision rather than a separate entity. 'Envious Are All The People, Witches Watch At Every Gate,' a cut from the late 90s, closes the EP out in a spacious, snarling exploration of broken acid electro laden with cinematic sweeps of synthesizer and a constant sense of unresolved tension.



Across these four tracks, Lekx displays the scope of his craft as Rude 66 while also proving that timeless music can make sense in any context, and that the threads of inspiration in an artist's journey can be followed, explored and even resolved 20 years later, when you least expect it

The Limiñanas are a couple and a band. They have produced records in their own garage in Cabestany located in the south of France for about ten years. They played in Australia, the US and toured Europe regularly. United Kingdom included. The first opus of the now series 'I have trouble in mind' was released on the initiative of Bill and Lisa Roe (iconic label 'trouble in mind") in the US in 2014. It combines all the 45t , unreleased songs recorded by the couple for 'Mojo magazine", tribute to Beach Boys, fanzines, micro labels. All the titles which were difficult to find and that fans were looking for. And now, here it is: I ve got trouble in mind vol 2. The Limiñanas now work mainly with the European label 'Because music". Thanks to their common forces, 3 albums were released. «Traité de guitarre Triolectique» with Pascal Comelade, 'Malamore", which was a tribute to Dino Risi and in 2018 'Shadow People' in the company of the American psychedelic pope Anton Newcombe. Marie and Lio work a lot, they record all the time and love 45t, maxi's and still collaborate with small labels from around the world for specific projects like the traditional song of Christmas 'Convenanza 'from Andrew Weatherall. In this second opus some covers of their favorite titles will be available. The lords of the new church 'Russia"n roulette", 'two sisters' from the Kinks which is the first song recorded with Anton and remixed by the American producer of the first White Stripes album Jim Diamond. 'Live will Tell' from Polnareff, a tribute to 'Suicide' recorded in Australia from the live version of the band and many others. The artwork was designed by Elric Duffau, as for the first volume. Small bonus: the two album covers placed side by side complement each other for a single piece.

The 8th record from Muzik & Friendz sees Pat Lezizmo joined by a few especially picked artists.

People who have their own take on Electronic Music and typify the sound the label is pushing.

The Obdurate Session EP brings in Al Bradley, Replika, Dsitb and Harry Light for four different trips on this.

Al Bradley takes us on an atmospheric and 80's tinged dreamstate workout with his Move A Little Closer, a refined production as we have come to expect. Pat & Dsitb keep things strictly deep with their Sea Cake cut. A sampler workout with a close groove that keeps things bubbling. Harry Lights Basement Dub brings a bit more heft to this heavy collection of tracks, pure driving House music whilst finishing the EP Replika's sample based slice of classic House On the Spot warms things up a tad, pitting washed out melody against a funked up groove.

Materia Obscura, launches with witchcraft themed three-part techno series entitled "Trilogia Del Aquelarre", inaugurating with Abstract Division, Cadans, NX1 and Lucindo. Based on Francisco de Goya's black paintings "El Aquelarre", which is exhibited at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

"Parte 1" is a high-octane and thunderous techno package that includes contributions from Dynamic Reflection duo Abstract Division, Neighbourhood and Clone's Cadans, Nexe Records bosses NX1 and 3TH Records co- founder Lucindo. Kicking things off, Dutch duo Abstract Division's "Blue Void" delivers winding transcendental polyphonics balanced over synthetic techno drums. Cadanss "Don't Tell Me" employs tough heads down percussion and pulsating, metallic drone-like sonics. Then Spanish pair NX1's "MO1" offers heavy duty, machine-like crunches layered over resilient twisted modulations before Berlin's Lucindo concludes matters, supplying thunderous kick drums in "Atto 170" as unearthly type bleeps join vigorous swells.

'Heritable Traits' is the first EP from Distant Echoes on his long-time friend Buck's Substrato records.

'Rail to rail' opens the release with a straight-forward techno groove which develop constantly reaching the climax thanks to an uncompromising mix of electrified modular sounds and deep textures. 'Barking dogs', the second track of the A-side, is marked out by a rolling kick pattern framed with an ever-changing yet hypnotic bass bringing you on a mysterious trip until the end.

On the B-side 'Lighthouse in the fog' brings us back to label's most intimate club attitude, where the 3/4 kick and the FM bass interact endlessly helped by moving textures and minimal hats, typical of Distant Echoes' productions. The B2 'Swirling thoughts' is a gently-hectic broken beat track, suitable for any use where the dreamy soundscapes contrast with the aggressive Cwejman grooves and kick. 'A walk in the field' closes the release with a down tempo sexy groove conceived for the most different sets, the catharsis is completed by the constant movement of LFOs embracing each others progressively until the end of the track.

North East duo Forriner are back with their third and final instalment in the samurai trilogy on their eponymous 'Forriner Music' imprint. Following a couple of impressive showings with previous EP's 'Condor' and 'In the B' they return for their hattrick with '17:17 Neon'. A four tracker of experimental club music for powerful dance floor experiences that offers two originals as well as a banger from Bird Of Paradise and a mouthful of mathematics from Legget and Suade for the remixes.

First up, 'The Jungle Is Deep' which immediately sets off at a rate of knots! Its sharp pace is tempered by the sound of the drums: dull kick, wooly clap, rattling hi-hats while its bassline bleeds in slowly as a dark repeating tone and subtle chord swell and a haunting, cautious vocal reminds you that 'The jungle is dark and deep'. The second half of the track balances its steamrolling kick with an intricate, hypnotic lead as a growling synth line shuffles and recombines over its rumpled techno groove. It's feeling is transportive, the kind of music that makes you close your eyes on the dance floor.

Fellow Northeast alumni take up the remix for 'The Jungle Is Deep'. Steve 'Four Hands' Legget and Suade Adapted hammer a hefty slice of future dub techno from the skeletal remains of the original! Its chunking, discordant drums and manic echo chamber combine with a lilting bassline making sure you know that this is tough music but that it also has a tender heart. Clipped vocals squelch and flutter throughout but these are more textural than melodic, adding extra depth to the track. This trip is all about striking, psychoactive grooves, pushing the swing settings to extremes. Equal parts sinister as it is are playful. Fitting the typical tradition of winsome, weird dance music.

Over on the flip is the title track '17:17 Neon' featuring vocalist Louis Adams and violinist Late Girl (Laura Stutter Garcia) Breathy melancholic vocals and pitched down, endorphin flooded electronica. This is techno in a state of dewey eyed delirium. The neon of the title is very much instructive here, with the vocal being the scattered, shining light that the track playfully hangs itself from.

Jo Howard aka Bird of Paradise takes the reins for the final remix delivering a charging peak-time club tool with relentless batteries of percussion setting the stage for a trippy soundscape. Other than their Northern roots, what these producers have in common is a distinctive approach to rhythm. The restlessness of the sharp stabs of static perfectly guiding the darkly pulsing mood.

Billy Milligan Trio, 3rd release of the label Lowlife Cartel, collects new ambient music that reflects our present moment. The musical aesthetic is described as a unified primitive/futuristic sound combining features of world ethnic styles with advanced electronic techniques. Predominant melancholic atmosphere, work on textures and hybridation with acoustic inherited by experimental jazz. Its title "Billy Milligan Trio", is a reference to sci-fi book from Daniel Keyes "The Minds of Billy Milligan".
The EP begins with "The Sky Was Pearl Grey" , by Shcaa (Archipel, Sharingtones), track, without beat, a guitar note accompagnied by a drone lament releases a trippy and introspective atmosphere. A light vocal, by Shcaa himself, comes subty at the middle of this gloomy exploration.
"Useless Man" by Mårble (Hair Del Records) is a leftfield saturated complaint, mixing jazzy and electronic elements. A distorted voice accompagnied by a piano as the key melody. "Para La Olimpiada" by Mårble is defined by fourth world music genre. The release ends with "Toll Fraud", by L:E:R (Archipel), cut from a full electronic live session, oscillating between a minimal beat and slightly evolving ambiance. In its entirety Billy Milligan Trio is a spirograph of uniquely experimental artists merging together to create something even more beguiling. A truly arresting listen.

Available as either a 3CD/1 Blu-ray set or a 6LP/1 Blu-ray set, both packages include:

· The original album, now newly remastered by Bernie Grundman from the original analog tapes. For the LP set, Grundman prepared an all analog direct to disc vinyl transfer of the album, preserving the authenticity.

· Electric Ladyland: The Early Takes, which presents 20 never before heard demos and studio outtakes. Included are incredibly intimate demos for song ideas Hendrix recorded himself on a reel-to-reel tape at the Drake Hotel, as well as early recording session studio takes featuring guest appearances from Buddy Miles, Stephen Stills and Al Kooper. Full tracklist included below.

· Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At the Hollywood Bowl 9/14/68: Part of Experience Hendrix's Dagger Records official bootleg series, this live album documents their triumphant Los Angeles concert held a few weeks before Electric Ladyland was released. The recently discovered two-track soundboard recording captures the energy that had the audience in such a frenzy that many concert goers jumped into the reflecting pool that separated the bandstand from the seats. Full tracklist below. Experience Hendrix's Dagger Records releases are physical only so this will ONLY be available as part of the physical release with no digital.

· Blu-Ray: includes the acclaimed full-length documentary At Last... The Beginning: The Making of Electric Ladyland, the first ever 5.1 surround sound mix of the original album overseen by Hendrix's original engineer Eddie Kramer plus the original stereo mixes in uncompressed 24 bit/96 kz high resolution audio. NOTE: unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances the documentary will not have translated subtitles.

· Electric Ladyland 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition includes a full color, 48-page book containing Jimi's handwritten lyrics, poem and instructions to his record label, as well as never before published photos from the recording sessions that were shot by Eddie Kramer himself. Also included are essays by celebrated journalist David Fricke and Hendrix authority John McDermott

· All contained in a numbered luxe casemade book for CD+Blu-Ray release and casemade lifttop box for the LP+Blu-Ray release with new cover art which is true to Hendrix's original vision of the album's cover: a Linda (McCartney) Eastman photograph of the band and children at the statue of Alice In Wonderland in New York's Central Park.