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Diese brandneue Deluxe-Edition ist Teil des Jubiläumsprogramms von Decca zum 100. Todestag des großen
Opernkomponisten Giacomo Puccini. Die im Januar 1974 in den Wiener Sofiensälen entstandene Aufnahme
präsentiert die beste Besetzung der damaligen Zeit: angeführt von Mirella Freni und Luciano Pavarotti
sowie unter der Leitung von Herbert von Karajan. Bei ihrer Erstveröffentlichung wurde die Einspielung
von Kritikern und Musikliebhabern gleichermaßen gelobt. Das Magazin Gramophone beschrieb sie als „ein
Set zum Träumen“. Dieses Erbe wird mit der neu präsentierten Edition fortgesetzt. Die Aufnahme wurde
von den Original-Bändern aus dem Jahr 1975 neu gemastert und ist nun auf audiophilem Vinyl sowie als
Hybrid-SACD mit einer Auflösung von 192 kHz/24 Bit erhältlich.

a1 E Soffitto E Pareti (LP1: Act 1) (2:19)
a2 Sorride Vostro Onore? (3:26)
a3 Dovunque Al Mondo Io Yankee Vagabondo (2:00)
a4 America For Ever (2:47)
a5 Ier L'altro Il Consolato Sen; Venne A Visitar (3:43)
a6 Ecco. - Son Giunte Al Sommo Del Pendio (2:51)
a7 Gran Ventura (3:40)
a8 L'imperial Commissario, L'Ufficiale Del Registro, I Congiunti (3:50)
a9 Vieni, Amor Mio! VI Piace La Casetta (2:13)
b1 E Un Presente Del Mikado (3:52)
b2 Tutti Zitti! (5:21)
b3 O Kami! O Kami! (4:36)
b4 Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san! Abbominazione! (1:15)
b5 Bimba, Bimba, Non Piangere (3:52)
b6 Viene La Sera (4:33)
b7 Vogliatemi Bene (3:19)
c1 E Izaghi Ed Izanami (LP2: Act 2 - part 1) (4:15)
c2 Un Bel Di, Vedremo Levarsi Un Fil Di Fumo (2:59)
c3 C'e - Entrate (3:17)
c4 Si Sa Che Aprir La Porta E La Moglie Cacciar (4:41)
c5 Udiste? (3:20)
c6 Ora A Noi - Sedete Qui (4:22)
c7 Ebbene. Che Fareste, Madame Butterfly (3:11)
c8 E Questo? E Questo? (3:16)
d1 Che Tua Madre Dovra Prenderti In Braccio (3:13)
d2 Vespa! Rospo Maledotto! (4:05)
d3 Una Nave Da Guerra (2:47)
d4 Scuoti Quella Fronda Di Ciliegio (4:35)
d5 Or Vienmi Ad Adornar (4:27)
d6 Humming Chorus - Summchor (5:09)
e1 Intermezzo - Oh Eh! Oh Eh! (LP3: Act 2 - part 2) (2:16)
e2 Twittering Of Birds From The Garden (2:59)
e3 Gia Il Sole! Cio-Cio-San! (2:30)
e4 Chi Sia? (2:27)
e5 Io So Che Alle Sue Pene Non Ci Sono Conforti! (2:09)
e6 Non Ve L'avevo Detto? (4:20)
e7 Addio, Fiorito Asil Di Letizia E D'amor (2:48)
e8 Suzuki! Suzuki! Dove Sei? (2:36)
f1 Tu, Suzuki, Che Sei Tanto Buona, Non Piangere! (3:39)
f2 Come Una Mosca Prigioniera L'ali Batte Il Piccolo Cuor! (5:15)
f3 "Con Onor Muore Chi Non Puo Serbar Vita Con Onore" (5:10)

,Titanic Rising" ist die vierte Albumveröffentlichung der US-Songwriterin Natalie Mering aka WEYES BLOOD, aber ihr erstes Album für Sub Pop Records. Das Album enthält die Lead-Single ,Everyday" und die zuvor veröffentlichte ,galaktische Liebesballade" (The Fader) ,Andromeda" sowie die Highlights ,Movies", ,Wild Time" und ,Something To Believe". Für das Albumcover von ,Titanic Rising" ging die Kalifornierin auf Tauchstation - übrigens ganz ohne CGI. Verantwortlich für das Shooting war der Unterwasser-Fotograf Brett Stanley, der ein komplettes Schlafzimmer für das Cover von ,Titanic Rising" versenkte. Das Album wurde in den ersten sechs Monaten des letzten Jahres geschrieben und aufgenommen - und ist das Ergebnis jahrelangen Tourens und einer kontinuierlichen musikalischen Weiterentwicklung Merings, die auf ,Titanic Rising" deutlich zu hören ist: Transzendente Vocals und schwebende Arrangements, tiefgründige Texte und reflektierte Kommentare über den modernen Zustand unserer Seelen. ,Titanic Rising" schafft es spielend leicht, die Grenze zwischen klassischem Songwriting und post-apokalyptischem Futurismus zu überwinden.

The Time Capsule label unites record collectors and DJs of Brilliant Corners and Beauty & The Beat communities in London. For each release, Kay Suzuki works alongside one co-curator to reinstate and repackage the music they hold dear into perfectly restored historic artifacts.

For the first release, Brilliant Corners regular and Meda Fury signing Ryota OPP curates the reissue of Il Guardiano Del Faro’s 1978 album Oasis.

Born 1940 in Milan, Federico Monti Arduini was a child prodigy who studied piano and was already performing at concerts from the age of eight. He composed pop songs for other artists which sold millions of copies, but his own solo success came after he encountered synthesizers in the early 70s.

Viewed as a precursor of New Age sound art, Arduini was one of the first producers in Italy to use the Moog synthesizer and a meeting with Bob Moog in New York only added to this obsession. He was also an early adopter of the tradition among electronic producers to use a moniker to disguise his identity. Il Guardiano Del Faro (translated as “the guardian of lighthouse”) is a nod to the small Italian fishing town Porto Santo Stefano, where Arduini created his studio in the mid-70s.

He produced a number of albums from this seaside idyl of electronic instruments and tape recorders, but Oasis stands out from the pack. Released in 1978, it became a cult classic for its experimental sounds and emotional expressions. Spiritual synth sounds cover the album in a dreamy haze, oscillating between ambient and psychedelic. Sparing deployment of the Roland rhythm box gives dance floor favourites ‘Disco Divina’ and ‘Oasis’ touches of space disco and even teases proto-house elements like the great Sun Palace.

“The passionate, sweet and dramatic sound of Il Guardiano Del Faro made me fantasise about so many romantic aspects of Italian culture. Oasis is sonically more interesting than his other albums and these exotic, eccentric rhythms sound quite familiar to the modern music fans.” – Ryota OPP

Cosey Fanni Tutti has announced details of a new album, 2t2, set for release on the artist’s own imprint, Conspiracy International, on 13 June 2025 on vinyl & CD. Composed, performed and produced by Cosey Fanni Tutti, the 9-track album moves between propulsive beat constructions and expansive electronic explorations, continuing themes from 2019’s acclaimed album TUTTI. It is a personal reflection; a sonic realisation of her life, drawing on her powerful inner resolve and expressing it through music. The album finds Cosey making sense of some very tough years, dealing with personal bereavements alongside swingeing world events that have impacted us all. Centring on her own strength and self will, the album’s two distinct sides – one rhythmic, one more meditative – are connected by an overwhelmingly positive mood. She explains, “My overtone chanting on the track ‘Stound’ was part of that, tapping into the inner self, to the core of your being, emotionally, physically, allowing the sounds to permeate and soothe as well as create a sense of power, resistance and resilience to what we face.” Even in the more melancholic moments, there’s a lightness that she explains is an “acknowledgement that it’s alright to be sad, that’s part of life, but there is so much joy too in our memories of people we lose and in the moments we share with each other. Joy is our resistance.” There are also threads from her most recent projects running through 2t2. Her latest book RE-SISTERS and the score she wrote for Caroline Catz’s film Delia Derbyshire: The Myths and Legendary Tapes are acknowledged, most directly on ‘Threnody’ which is dedicated to Delia Derbyshire and Andy Christian, an artist friend of Delia’s. He sent Cosey an abstract drawing of the same name, created one night from an improvised evening where he drew while Derbyshire intoned and sang softly as she looked at the drawings, as if reading a score expressing how they made her feel. Cosey’s process and the different strands that make up her work form a totality of vision. She goes on to say, “Once you get creating and listening, weaving, collaging sound it’s a wonderfully fulfilling feeling that takes you both out of yourself at the same time as essentially deep within.”

The artwork reflects this idea that the album is a “sound cameo”, reflecting the light within the music, and the buzz of life that exists within all of Cosey’s work. Musician, artist and author Cosey Fanni Tutti has continually challenged boundaries and conventions through her work. As a founding member of the hugely influential avant-garde band Throbbing Gristle, one half of electronic pioneers Chris and Cosey, and as an artist channelling her experience in pornographic modelling and striptease, her work on the margins has reshaped the mainstream. Her first solo album, Time To Tell (1983) was followed by 2019’s Tutti and 2022’s Delia Derbyshire: The Myths and the Legendary Tapes. Her debut book, the Penderyn Music Book Prize shortlisted Art Sex Music, was published in 2017, followed by RE-SISTERS in 2022 (both Faber), which will soon get a Spanish edition.

Leng Records proudly presents Everything You’re About to Hear Is True: Volume 1, a compilation carefully curated by Rotation Soundsystem. Brought together by Rotation founders Dean Meredith and Ben Shenton, alongside the Wrekin Havoc trio of Rob J, Stuart Robinson, and Rich Hall, this debut volume captures the collective’s shared vision – shaped by decades of crate-digging.

Founded in 2013, Rotation has grown from a modest gathering in Staffordshire into a thriving community of like-minded music lovers, attracting heads and partygoers from across the UK – and well beyond. What began as an intimate affair has evolved into a full-scale, three-day celebration, now held in a grand yurt and powered by a bespoke six-way sound system. The rig features four Klipschorns, two JBLs with twin 18” and 15” sub reinforcements, compression horns, and an Isonoe 420 mixer.

Meredith explains: “With the help of my brother, Martin, I’m constantly looking at ways to improve the setup. I love the way Larry Levan did that at The Paradise Garage. We have a few things that are custom-made. I want our system to be unique to us.”

According to regular attendee, DJ and writer Steve KIW: “In the right hands, the sound system at Rotation – very much Dean’s labour of love – is untouchable. The comparisons with Mancuso’s Loft come easily because they are deserved. There isn’t a bad spot in the yurt. Wherever you are, it sounds incredible.”

As the dancing continues through the weekend, the DJ line-up has grown to match the occasion. Guests and headliners have included a roll call of legendary selectors: Bill Brewster, Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy, Phil Mison, Nick The Record, Ruf Dug, Mark Seven, and The Idjut Boys — the latter playing a marathon 10-hour set in 2024. The parties have also featured live performances from Emperor Machine, Quinn Lamont Luke, Reuben Vaun Smith, and Orbs of Light.

Presented on gatefold double vinyl, this lovingly assembled collection is the result of decades spent digging through dusty crates, reflecting the selectors’ deep-rooted passion for uncovering rare gems and overlooked treasures. Decidedly European in spirit, the album brings together 14 rarities with standout selections from Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Germany, and France. The vast majority of tracks are true obscurities, and nearly every one is a mid-tempo bumper.

“This has been a long time coming – something we’ve always dreamed of doing. We’re incredibly thankful to Leng Records, who understand our vision and what we’re trying to build. This compilation pulls together some of our favourite tracks from over the years. It’s not just a playlist – it’s a journey, a window into the sound of Rotation,” says Meredith.

Strut proudly presents a new edition of one of Sun Ra's most celebrated albums, Sleeping Beauty, reissued in its original artwork for the first time.

Originally released in 1979 on his independent Saturn label, Sleeping Beauty captures Sun Ra and his Arkestra at their most soulful and serene. A masterclass in cosmic jazz, the album blends lush grooves, celestial soul, and meditative funk with Ra’s singular spiritual vision — a sound both grounded and otherworldly.

The album emerged during an extraordinarily fertile period for Sun Ra in late-‘70s New York. Between 1978 and 1982, Ra “occupied” Variety Recording Studios on West 42nd Street, often staging marathon sessions following late-night Arkestra gigs around the city — from the Village Vanguard to Sweet Basil and even a wedding in Central Park. These were not just recordings; they were rituals. Ra and his core players — John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, June Tyson, Michael Ray, and others — would begin sessions mid-morning, often continuing past midnight, much to the dismay of the studio owner. Out of this creative whirlwind came some of his most enduring work, including A Fireside Chat With Lucifer, On Jupiter, and Sleeping Beauty.

Across its three tracks, Sleeping Beauty showcases the Arkestra’s gentler side. From the dreamy sway of “Springtime Again” to the funk-deep uplift of “Door Of The Cosmos” and the title track’s meditative drift, this is music that floats, beckons, and unfolds. It’s a record of hypnotic beauty and quiet power — cosmic jazz for dreamers and seekers alike.

This new edition features a selected version of the hand-drawn original cover, embossed with the Sun Ra logo and housed in a heavyweight card sleeve. Liner notes come courtesy of Arkestra member Knoel Scott and Sun Ra authority Paul Griffiths. Remastered by Technology Works.

“Music is a language. You see, it’s not notes — it’s a language of the spirit. That’s why it’s so important.” – Sun Ra

Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue Charles Kynard"s 1972 cult classic Woga, recorded in Los Angeles for Mainstream Records and featuring top-tier musicians Chuck Rainey, Paul Humphrey, Arthur Adams, and George Bohanon. Produced by Bob Shad, the album stands as one of the label"s funkiest releases, showcasing Kynard"s signature Hammond organ grooves. Woga is reissued here on vinyl for the first time since its original release, complete with its original gatefold artwork using first-generation session photos. This edition also includes the bonus track "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and comes with newly remastered audio plus a two-page insert featuring new liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre.

Bebedera takes the style of Tarraxo to a heightened awareness of its sexual nature. Tight, wicked layers of percussion, a suggestive ID ("Drinking is his life"), a slow pace that's not only perceptively slow, it sounds charged with intent, even malice, dissolution. Letting go of morality may be the big attraction in the music, permission to get down, this time in a heavy, conspicuous manner instead of a spiritual, breezy floatation. One has to recognize the impulse in ourselves. Once at peace with this rough nature, there are sublime grooves to follow, mind-boggling arrangements, a freedom from judgement in connecting with what may seem to be at first a very masculine take on dancefloor sensuality but which is in fact only human. Just with less filters.

In other ways, an aural combination of metal and flesh produces this notion of a cyborg, a very expressive physical body making its weight known to everybody around, a sort of walking fortress as in the "Moderan" group of sci-fi short stories. A glorious rattle of lata percussion, scraps from the junkyard. A sense of unease, even slight danger starts a flow of adrenalin. According to DJ Marfox, it's not the only thing flowing, there's also a strong desire for intercourse when a Bebedera tarraxo is playing. His very distinctive style has been a cult favourite for years. Accordingly, it took years to make contact, to reach an agreement, and the result is a set of classics that stretch as far back as 2014. Still the same punch, still the feeling no one has really stepped into this territory with such force.

Flipping the construct on its head, there's two Bebedera house tracks, we'd say almost an oddity, an abrupt change from the previous density of atmosphere, though they retain all the percussive bounce. Sensual, sure, a different tempo also letting through a romantic disposition other than the sheer physical attraction. One of the titles sums up the aesthetical power at play: "I Will Beat The Top High". As in reaching further out, further up. Wanting to. Time freezes - 2014 and 2016 (production years of these two tracks), fold up and melt into the Present. Where it matters.

French synth-dub duo Froid Dub continue their blast of organic and digital material on this brand new 6-track album. Pushing the clash between synth wave and dub even further, the electronic beats of the TR 808 are more than ever engulfed in the slow motion vibes of the digi-bass echoes.

‘Moiré’ is the second album by French musician and singer Charlotte Leclerc. Charlotte's songs are like those little details of everyday life that you discover when you slow down the pace of your busy day. She uses the sound of her machines to tell us about human relationships. Relationships between two people and universal relationships. The ones that connect us all and make this planet run a little more smoothly.

Demdike Stare & Cherrystones unveil a long-in-the-making darkside fantasy weaving atmospheric and loose-limbed cuts recorded at labs in London and Manchester, brilliantly shaking a bush of ghostly trig points ranging from the Mars rehearsal tapes to Minimal Man, Randy Greif’s cut-ups, Conrad Schnitzler’s industrial prototypes and ‘70s ECM sides – with vocal contributions from Ssabae’s mesmerising Laura Lippie.

In dazed pursuit of styles heard on Cherrystones’ DDS tape ‘Peregrinations in SHQ (Super High Quality)’, the renowned London digger properly hexes sonic leylines with his label bosses on 10 wickedly grubby and hazed sound experiments. They tumble down the rabbit hole like some sixth sense-guided call-and-response, resulting in an exquisite unfolding of psychoacoustic spaces familiar to their mutually spirited sounds.

Honestly it's some of the dirtiest and most esoteric gear we've heard from Demdike; you can sense a lifetime of incessant digging drip through every loop and crack; grotty no-wave, industrial noise, DIY psych, proto-techno and gnarled concrète, further bolstered by Cherrystones’ perpendicular, equally insatiable and fathoms-deep areas of interest. With a focus on scrappy, feral cuts and hastily recorded edits, the trio roughly re-draw wordless chants and hyper-compressed knocks over a vortex of found sounds that curdle in rhythmic heat. Never staying sill for long, the trio get drowned by watery ambience, then shredded loops, Technoid shrapnel and electric bass prangs dancing into the aether.

The crankiest spirit perfuses the whole thing, evoking states of unravel and psychic distress as they pit a near-peerless collective knowledge into the void. Laura Lippie acts as human ligature to sanity, a fleeting constant found smudged into the hip hop chops of ‘Familiar Unfamiliarity’, spectral incantations of ‘Prophet in View’, or a channelling of Ozzy in ‘Thee Oath’, among more deranged tongues on ‘Observing the Crux’.

It’s the missing link between ECM, Earth and Dilloway we didn’t know we needed - up there with some of the most satisfyingly deep and frazzled gear this century.

Tuesday The Sky's origins could almost be considered accidental. Guitarist Jim Matheos, famed for his work with progressive metal giants Fates Warning alongside projects such as OSI and his collaboration with John Arch, Arch/Matheos, penned a few songs that did not fit in with any of his established outlets, and intrigued by this, decided to write more and see where this took him. The result was 2017's Drift, a record that drew influence from the likes of Brian Eno, Sigur Ros, Boards Of Canada and Explosions In The Sky, and now he returns with its successor, The Blurred Horizon.

"The nineteenth entry in the Altered Circuits catalog comes courtesy of Alex Neri with a selection of 4 tracks that distill an equal amount of decades in the studio. They are undeniably straightforward yet difficult to pigeonhole. It is clear Neri is aware of current trends and, at times, might even throw them a little nod - but overall, his music escapes easy temporal classification. On the "Club Voyage EP", he aims at the brash and brazen yet keeps the pace lighthearted. When the results come buttressed with the type of technical prowess at hand, it is hard not to get sucked into the adventure. "Teller Mood", charged with a fierce bassline, boisterous drums and jittery arps, is a slab of electroshock production. The track comes complete with extra motivational vocals to drive the point home, and when it arrives at its most stripped parts, instead of toning down, an alarm-like lead emerges. "Schelter's Sounds" features an FM bass and gently modulated, slow-attack synth embellishments. It is a set-up that allows for catching a breath until a grandiosely introduced portamento-heavy patch cranks things up a notch again. On the other side, the delayed and flanged percussion of "Tenax Roots" forms the ideal conditions for ominous synth work and robotized vocals; a theme that could have been lifted from a giallo flick completes its suspenseful, hypnotic ambience. "Move Tokyo Inputs" starts with another salvo of invigorating percussion. Amidst subtly evolving formant basslines and several risers, the tune directs a tweaked deadpan vocal sample to take center stage, showcasing how, in the right hands, the sparsest source material can be turned into a showstopper."

Congratulations, Electro connoisseur! You are about to enter the Electrifying Dojo. A place where Sifu pdqb and Sensei Rolando teach a transcendental, one-of-a-kind neo-futuristic martial art that does not use hands but something far more delicate and powerful: MUSIC.

Blending martial discipline with the art of electronic music is something deeper, something that no words can properly describe. The skills you will be taught here are feeling music, embodying it. pdqb and Rolando believe that true harmony comes when the mind, body, and soul are united in the sounds that vibrate through the air.

The sounds of this first lesson are soft at first, almost imperceptible. But then they grow into a delicate, trembling melody that fills the room with an emotion that is difficult to place. It isn’t sadness, nor is it joy, but something in between. The more you listen, the more you will be aware of something strange: tears will fall gently, silently. They are not forced, nor are they out of sorrow - it is simply because the music feels so beautiful. Your deepest emotions will be triggered, every note will carry out an old truth, a secret truth, buried deep in your heart.

Another quality drop from Synaptic Cliffs. 4 dark and beautiful signature-style Electrocognition journeys from pdqb, playful with a modern twist while still remaining loyal to its roots. And on the flipside: two stunning, classic Rolando remixes, each with the potential to be the crowning moment in the club.

dljife – The Essence Of Experimental House.
On the A-side of our first 7“ single we see the production team of Hamburg-based baze.djunkiii and Uelsen's finest Sascha Müller who have also ventured into the world of Bass Music with their acclaimed Combat Dubs project as well as their most recent Footwork x Juke x Global Bass fusion remix for Colombian artist Iam JDP on the Freebreakz.FWD label harking back to the Minimal House vibe of the mid-90s, presenting a stripped down, yet groovy and seductive take on late night club music with a tongue-in-cheek twist, Jazz-referencing percussions, wonky, ever meandering midrange synths and a simple, highly effective main motif expertly crafted for those in the know.

On the flip we've got „Acid Jackson“, a vinyl debut for the mysterious project that is RU DEAD 42 which enters a hyperdense realm of muscular, hard-stomping and heavily Acidinfused House Music backed by soft Piano chords and a trippy dreamstate attitude of sorts with this musical outing, providing quite a deliberate contrast to the deep and restrained vibe of the A-side.

'Mei Semones' sweetly evocative blend of jazz, bossa nova and math-y indie rock is not only a way for her to find solace in her favorite genres, but is an intuitive means of catharsis. "Blending everything that I like together and trying to make something new - that's what feels most natural to me," says the 23-year-old Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. "It's what feels most true to who I am as an artist." Plinking guitar tones and asymmetrical time shnatures exemplify her forays into angular indie rock more now than ever before, especially on her debut Bayonet Records single "Wakare no Kotoba"-its wide-interval arpeggios in odd meters being some of the most technically difficult guitar work Mei has ever implemented in her songwriting. Translated to "parting words" in English, the self-described "anti-love song" serves as a farewell to a toxic friendship, complete with orchestral swells and crashing guitars. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Semones began playing music at a young age, starting out on piano at age four before moving to electric guitar at age eleven. After playing jazz guitar in high school, she went on to study guitar performance with a jazz focus at Berklee College of Music. College is where she met her current bandmates, including string players Noah Leong and Claudius Agrippa, whose respective viola and violin add softness and multidimensionality to Mei's intricate guitar work. After releasing a slew of singles and an EP in 2022, coinciding with her move to New York City, Mei and her band have since gone on to collaborate with post-bossa balladeer John Roseboro and embark on their first-ever tour with the melodic rock outfit Ravi, Semones chronicles infatuation, devotion, and vulnerability in her songs, complete with sweeping strings, virtuosic guitar-playing and heartfelt lyrics sung in both English and Japanese, that have all become part of her sonic trademark: ornately catchy, genre-fusing compositions serving as the backdrop to tender lyrics touching on the universalities of human emotion.

'Mei Semones' sweetly evocative blend of jazz, bossa nova and math-y indie rock is not only a way for her to find solace in her favorite genres, but is an intuitive means of catharsis. "Blending everything that I like together and trying to make something new - that's what feels most natural to me," says the 23-year-old Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. "It's what feels most true to who I am as an artist." Plinking guitar tones and asymmetrical time shnatures exemplify her forays into angular indie rock more now than ever before, especially on her debut Bayonet Records single "Wakare no Kotoba"-its wide-interval arpeggios in odd meters being some of the most technically difficult guitar work Mei has ever implemented in her songwriting. Translated to "parting words" in English, the self-described "anti-love song" serves as a farewell to a toxic friendship, complete with orchestral swells and crashing guitars. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Semones began playing music at a young age, starting out on piano at age four before moving to electric guitar at age eleven. After playing jazz guitar in high school, she went on to study guitar performance with a jazz focus at Berklee College of Music. College is where she met her current bandmates, including string players Noah Leong and Claudius Agrippa, whose respective viola and violin add softness and multidimensionality to Mei's intricate guitar work. After releasing a slew of singles and an EP in 2022, coinciding with her move to New York City, Mei and her band have since gone on to collaborate with post-bossa balladeer John Roseboro and embark on their first-ever tour with the melodic rock outfit Ravi, Semones chronicles infatuation, devotion, and vulnerability in her songs, complete with sweeping strings, virtuosic guitar-playing and heartfelt lyrics sung in both English and Japanese, that have all become part of her sonic trademark: ornately catchy, genre-fusing compositions serving as the backdrop to tender lyrics touching on the universalities of human emotion.

Quebecois Death Metallers Sedimentum formed back in 2018, giving us a magnificent debut album and several equally formidable shorter releases alongside it. Now they return with an even more doomy, eldritch mini-album for your listening displeasures…
Following some otherworldly ambience, those charnel guitars bring in a truly crushing spectacle of doomed extremity. Grotesque vocals and strong drums permeate the thick, tarry stringed arrangements. Their sinister and inhuman music has sunken even further into the pits of putrefying grave matter to conjure spectral apparitions of the dead. Those of you who already know this superb band will definitely recognise their unique sound while appreciating that the more low-register, slower tempo rumble of this cacophonous rot is even more intense than ever. Never afraid to blast out viscerally gripping savagery, the old school way, there is plenty of those more traditional moments tied into the abhorrent affair. However you like it, Sedimentum master Death Metal…
At a mere three songs, one could foolishly assume this record is lacking. But listen for yourself to discover three majestic pieces of masterful musical torment. In little over twenty minutes, Sedimentum grasp your soul with their ghoulish atmospherics and sepulchral hammering force. Exhuming the ancient spirits, this mini-LP is a must-listen for all true die-hards of the Death Metal underground who value both atmosphere and brutality in equal measure. There is no denying this band has a perfect grapple of both as these new constructions of contorting morbidity prove beyond doubt. Enter the ossuaries of Quebec with one of the finest bands of the underground as its lumbering corpse staggers toward you with only malicious intentions…

Formed in 2012 by long-time musical companions Oyvind Holm and Hogne Galaen,
the band quickly grew into the six- piece musical force they are today. Their unique
sound fuses cosmic Americana and rich vocal harmonies with catchy melodies, highspirited improvisation, and contagious musical energy that will leave you craving
more.
The six members come from diverse musical backgrounds but are united by their
shared love of psychedelia and cosmic Americana. They draw particular inspiration
from the California sound of the late '60s, with bands like The Byrds, Crosby, Stills,
Nash & Young, and the Grateful Dead as key infuences.
Between 2012 and 2019, the band recorded and released fve critically acclaimed
albums, two of which were recorded in the California desert at the legendary Rancho
De La Luna, nestled among the Joshua trees. Like many other artists, the pandemic
shook their foundations, forcing the band into an involuntary hiatus. In the aftermath
of lockdowns and other imposed restrictions, the backlash from other projects kept
them from picking up where they had left off.
However, the fall of 2024 brought new opportunities. An unexpected email from Mike
Scott of The Waterboys reignited their spirit and motivation. While on tour in Norway,
Scott discovered one of their albums and was so taken by their sound that he invited
them to contribute vocal harmonies to 'The Tourist,' a track off The Waterboys' new
album Life, Death & Dennis Hopper.
Soon after, an even greater opportunity arose--an invitation to join The Waterboys on
tour in the UK and Scandinavia. To accompany the upcoming tour, we've put together
a beginner's guide to Sugarfoot.
The compilation album Cosmic Norse Americana features nine highlights from
Sugarfoot's career so far, along with a newly recorded cover of Emitt Rhodes' 1967
track "Time Will Show The Wiser."
Sugarfoot:
Hogne Galaen - guitars, vocals
Even Granas - drums
Thomas Henriksen - keyboards
Oyvind Holm - guitars, vocals
Bent Saether - bass
Roar Oien - pedal steel
THOUGHTS AND WORDS
The Sugarfoot story begins back in 2011. But before there was Sugarfoot, there were
the Dipsomaniacs, Kulta Beats, Motorpsycho, Too Far Gone, and Deleted Waveform
Gatherings--bands that, in one way or another, featured future members of what would
eventually become Sugarfoot. Six musicians from diverse musical backgrounds,
united by a shared love of psychedelia and cosmic Americana. Drawing deep
inspiration from the California sound of the late '60s, their musical compass points
toward The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the Grateful Dead.
I say eventually, because Sugarfoot didn't start as a band--it began as a duo. Hogne
Galaen and Oyvind Holm had previously played together in Deleted Waveform
Gatherings. But when their drummer moved out of town, the group was put on ice. Not
ones to sit still, the two of them launched a side project to keep the creative wheels
turning.
Throughout the winter of 2011, they holed up in their rehearsal space, writing and
recording rough sketches of what would soon grow into a full album. And that's when
things got interesting. They drew up a wish list--a dream lineup of musicians they'd
love to bring into the fold.
Among the names on that list were Even Granas, Thomas Henriksen, Bent Saether,
and Roar Oien, all soon to be permanent Sugarfooters. Each was invited to contribute
to the project, adding their parts to the pre-recorded tracks--without knowing what the
others were doing. Like assembling a giant musical puzzle, Galaen and Holm later
pieced the album together from these blindfolded contributions. The result was This
Love That We Outwore, released in the fall of 2012.
From there, things escalated quickly. By the following year, Sugarfoot had become a
proper band. Big Sky Country-- written and recorded collectively-- landed in 2014,
solidifying the group's evolving sound, including favourites such as Dolphins Hotel and
Ego In A Bag. When it came time to record a third album, the band felt the itch for
something new. They wanted a change of scenery--somewhere that could spark fresh
inspiration and leave its own sonic fngerprint on the production. So they asked
themselves: where could they go that carried the spirit, the legacy, the stardust of their
musical heroes?
That search led them to the California desert, to the legendary Rancho De La Luna,
nestled among the Joshua trees. Their next two albums, Different Stars (2016) and
The Santa Ana (2017), were both recorded at the Rancho. In fact, The Santa Ana was
both recorded and mixed during a two- week stay in 2015, making it a true time
capsule in the band's discography.

A long-lost masterpiece of Yugoslavian jazz-funk and disco finally returns! Originally released in 1979 on the iconic Jugoton label, YU Disko Expres by Igor Savin and Orkestar Stanka Selaka is a rare gem—an electrifying fusion of jazz, funk, electronic music, and traditional folk elements. Decades ahead of its time, this album remains a strikingly modern and danceable exploration of sound, seamlessly blending synthesizers with tight horn arrangements and deep, infectious grooves.
Igor Savin, one of Croatia’s most respected composers and pioneers of electronic music, was a driving force in blending contemporary jazz with emerging electronic sounds. A classically trained musician with a deep love for jazz, he left a lasting mark on the region’s music scene, working across film, TV, and avant-garde composition.
Backed by an all-star ensemble featuring some of Yugoslavia’s finest musicians—trumpeter Stanko Selak, bassist Miljenko Prohaska, drummer Silvije Glojnarić, saxophonist Stjepan Mihaljinec, and more—YU Disko Expres delivers an unparalleled groove that has remained a collector’s favorite for decades.
For the first time ever, this sought-after album gets an official reissue, fully remastered from the original tapes. DJs, hip-hop producers, and groove aficionados take note: YU Disko Expres is back, sounding fresher than ever. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Yugoslavian music history!

Koichi Tsutaya's pseudonymous project "Kerenmi" has announced that the full album "Interchange", released on November 20, 2024, will be released on vinyl!

Tracks on the album include "Sekai feat. Moto from Chilli Beans. & Who-ya Extended" which was used as the commercial song for the Honda VEZEL "Adult feat.
Avu-chan from Queen Bee & Ryuhei from BE:FIRST" a collaboration long awaited by fans, in which Avu-chan himself appears in the music video, which has
become a hot topic "Namae wo Wasuretamama no Anohi no Kodou feat. Kazunobu Mineta" the theme song for the movie "Angry Squad: Civil Servants and the
Seven Swindlers" as well as "Interchange" "Join my band feat. Skaai" "Border line feat. Azsagawa" "Fuzoroi feat. Yuuki Tani & Hitomi from Atarayo" "Tokyo Kimi
Ga everything feat. Tatsuya Kitani & Kai Kubota" "Boy feat. asmi & imase" "Ketatama feat. Mori Calliope" "Oboro feat. Chiaki Sato" "RE:interchange feat. Kohd"
and "Otona feat. Mayuu Yaginu from Chevon" All 13 songs featuring such fabulous artists as have been released on vinyl!

We all knew what was on the line before ever setting foot in the studio to record Gone For Good. “Grow or die” had become our mantra. We had endured a four year hiatus (2018 - 2022), reconciled our personal grievances, re-established the band to our original fanbase and beyond, and grew from a trio to a four-piece. It was clear to us that not only was change going to be a constant presence in our lives and careers, it was the fuel that kept the fire lit. To us, Gone For Good is a record from a band that finally arrived at who they wanted to become after 15 years of searching. In an ever evolving industry that seems to deliver countless new artists that are fully realized, perfectly sculpted, we cast a line of hope that there is still room for a band with a story of becoming.

The Last Revel's 5 previous studio albums give listeners a roadmap; hints and clues to who we are now. Gone For Good continues our story in the most powerful way. It's a challenging thing to do to be 15 years into a grassroots career of self-released music, self-promoted touring, and truly believe that we hadn’t written our best songs yet. That there was something deeper down in the well. Gone For Good is the manifestation of this belief and the songs reflect this with stories of sacrifice, courage, love, faith, and self-reflection. We called on Dave Simmonett of Trampled by Turtles to produce Gone For Good for two reasons: one being that Dave’s deeply personal and prolific songwriting career is a testament to the fact that a good song can move mountains.

Two being that we knew having someone involved that we admired so dearly would bring out the best in us. No one wanted to show up to the studio and show Dave a song they didn’t truly believe in. Working with Dave at Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota over the course of 4 days was a powerful experience. Dave encouraged us to record everything live, together, in one room. The result being a sound we were searching for throughout our entire careers. It's just us; no studio magic to hide who we are. As a band we are the most proud of this record because we earned it. The countless hours working on our craft, the years touring, the work it takes to go on, it all shows up on Gone For Good. Whatever happens next belongs to us.

Caroline Polachek released her solo debut Pang back in 2019 after having been the lead singer of the acclaimed band Chairlift for more than 10 years. Immediately upon release Pang received major hype and critical acclaim, but in the years since, it has practically achieved a monolithic status in modern art pop.

Not surprisingly, expectations are huge for her sophomore album Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, but with excellent singles like "Billions" and "Sunset", it is evident that Polachek is a headstrong and original pop star who is here to stay!

… oder Beastie Boys…oder Robert DeNiro…oder Banksy…oder Sportfreunde Stiller – klein anfangen und
dann mal schauen, was draus wird. Es wurde – zwar nicht wie alle erwähnten Künstler, aber der Weg
ist ja eventuell noch nicht vorbei für die Sportfreunde, die bei ihrem ersten Studioalbum auf vier Jahre
Liedansammlung zurückgreifen konnten. In Spanien mit und bei Uwe Hoffmann (Die Ärzte…) turbulente
Wochen verbracht, um in die Wunderwelt der Produktion eingeweiht zu werden. Daraus entstand eine
vorwärtsdrängende Musikplatte, die das zukünftige Spektrum der Sportfreunde definieren sollte. Zwischen
„Hockey (Feld)“ und „Fast wie von selbst“ liegen Punksongs, Balladen, verspielter Dadaismus, Neugier auf
Energie und tiefe Emotion. Sie schwebten damals auf Wolke sieben und waren auf Ochsentouren, auf den
10-Meter-Brettern (Video „Wellenreiten“), auf dem Mond (Video „Fast wie von selbst“), in Fernsehstudios
(Mit ihnen wuchsen und an ihnen verzweifelten MTV und VIVA), in Kochstudios (Video „Heimatlied“),
bouncten mit der Meute und Hans Rosendahl bei „Spitze“ um die Wette und sie klauten dem FC Bayern
die Meisterschale im Video zu „Wunderbaren Jahren“, dem Lied, das ihre erste musikalische Errungenschaft war und nach fast 30-Jahren immer noch deren Bandmotto darstellt. Denn, was soll denn noch
kommen? Außer eventuell ein Duett mit Mike D. und Ad Rock von Beastie Boys, ein Kurzfilm mit Robert
DeNiro, ein Mauerkunstwerk in New York mit Banksy oder eine Übernahme des königlichen Fußballclubs
Real Madrid…die wunderbaren Jahre sind noch nicht vorbei.
Auf dieser LP sind erstmalig auch die Lieder ”Rocket Radio”, ”Wir müssen gewinnen” und ”Money Mark”
enthalten, die es bisher nur auf der CD gab.
Nun kommt das Ganze in weiß daher, damit Nachzügler die reine Shellac-Weste bestellen können. Let´s
surf it!
180gr + weißes Vinyl, bedrucktes Beiblatt mit jeder Menge exklusiven Fotos von damals!

‘Idealism’ is an album about navigating life in the 2020s as millennial adults, and all the difficulties and uncertainties that come with that - knowing you’ll probably never be able to afford to buy a house, and that a simple grocery shop costs way more than ever before. But it’s also about all the joys and positives of modern life too - being kind to yourself, being kind to other people, and overcoming difficulties.
The band tries to capture that dichotomy on this album, hence the title ‘Idealism’, which the dictionary says is “the unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection”.
The album has been a long time in the making, diligently demoed before tracking across studios in London & Essex. Taking a more pop production approach, layering parts and additional keyboards, synthesisers and percussion to add a richer and fuller sound to their traditional indie rock set up.
Nostalgia has always been a running theme for Don’t Worry, as displayed on 2022’s ‘Remorseless Swing’ and 2018 debut album ‘Who Cares Anyway?’. There’s a decent dose of it on this new album still, including on the cover, with a photograph taken in their home of Harlow New Town in 2001 by Jim Brown. And in their musical influences, Pavement, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, The Streets, Fleetwood Mac, UK Grime and The GTA Vice City Soundtrack (alongside contemporary influences such as Fontaines D.C., MJ Lenderman, Andy Shauf).
But perhaps for the first time on this album, they push through the comfort of the past, embrace the present and look forward to the future with hope.

SASSYHIYA want to take you somewhere. The journey starts in Kathy and Helen's flat in South London. Sit down, close your eyes, and immerse yourself... You are on your way to a musical rainforest a long way from Camberwell. Explore your new surroundings, and you will find beautiful pop blooms like Let's See What We Can Find, as bright and vibrant as The Sundays, thrusting their colourful faces up from the forest floor. You'll find tangles of sharp-edged guitar, as if Swiss she-punks Kleenex had been left to evolve here in the rich fertile soil (I Had A Thought). You'll find dark pools full of lyrical complexity, deceptively deep and immersive, with shimmering reflections of The Go-Betweens (Perennial). And you'll come across delicate love songs, creeping up the trunks and branches of the bass and drums, displaying their fragile beauty (Thank You And Goodbye). And what's that exotic striped animal prowling through the undergrowth? Actually, it's Crayon Potato, Sassyhiya's pet cat, the other resident of their flat in South London, taking up her role as the feline star of a lilting, singalong anthem written in her honour. That's what is so great about this album. You are somehow, simultaneously, exploring the most exotic forest in the world while also sitting in a flat in an ordinary, familiar English street with Sassyhiya and their cat. This album transports you without pretending the real world doesn't exist: it doesn't get all mystical on you (Take You Somewhere is as unlike Enya as anything you've heard). Sometimes you might be reminded of Girls At Our Best, and then Delta 5. You might even, on occasion, think of Echo and the Bunnymen. Sassyhiya (pronounced "Sassy Hiya") were formed when Helen and Kathy, real-life partners and co-songwriters, joined up with Pablo and Neil (drums and guitar). Helen had previously been in Boys Forever and Basic Plumbing, collaborating with much-missed Veronica Falls musician Patrick Doyle. She and Kathy then formed Barry, a stripped-down queercore outfit, with Bart McDonagh (The Male Gays) and Mark Amura (My Executive Dysfunction). Sassyhiya feels like a culmination of all these elements, hitting the sweet spot between post-punk and indie pop. They know their way around a melody but still keep it wonky, with influences ranging from the Breeders and Broadcast to Dolly Parton.

“My hero’s back,” Madeline Kenney sings on the second track of her newest effort, Kiss from the Balcony. In a sense, she means herself; made with friends Ben Sloan and Stephen Patota across just a few in-person studio sessions in Oakland, these tracks represent a culmination of Madeline’s musings on growth and resilience reaching back years, brought to life through this generative and vibrant collaboration. Close listeners can hear the breadth of stylistic elements and themes carried through from various eras of her work, which all come together in a cohesive and timeless record.

In two week-long intensive sessions, the three collaborators grew these nine songs from fragments, sketches, and seeds. With a background in experimental percussion and sound design, Ben Sloan brings an electronic sound to Kenney’s writing; Stephen Patota provides ingenious guitar melodies throughout and grounds the project in acoustic elements. Kiss from the Balcony was originally intended to be an EP, but the sessions brought forth such fruitful ideation and play that the project was expanded to a full length album. It sits in Madeline’s discography as a thematic and musical progression that sees her iterate on ideas about love and explore new sonic motifs through her work with Patota and Sloan.

Much of Kiss from the Balcony is a meditation on modern relationships, a feminist and utterly human contemplation of power and who holds it. “Hereditary backward leaning,” she describes in ‘Slap,’ of the female condition; “But no-one ever likes to see the girls break down / So they keep it to the bathroom floor” she sings in the rapturous opener, ‘Scoop.’ While the songs are shrouded in metaphor, the ubiquity of heartbreak and resilience decode much of the internal conflict Kenney depicts. The album sees her recognize the precarity and peculiarity of life and take it by the horns, realizing she controls her own narrative:


She explores the relationships between joy and suffering, choosing to see them as inseparable, two sides of a single coin. “It’s never over / When will they love me?” Kenney asks on ‘They Go Wide,’ describing her positionality both as a woman in relationship and as an indie artist in the modern music industry.

A playful hopefulness pervades the record, providing a sense of revelation in the journey throughout, Kenney’s radical acceptance of life as it is like a lyrical tongue out at the absurd.

Blues-rock titan Joe Bonamassa is back with Breakthrough, his powerful new studio album dropping July 18th.

Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes, Journey) and co-written with Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Breakthrough captures Bonamassa at the height of his creative powers. Expanding his signature sound while staying true to the deep blues roots that launched his storied career, the album promises raw emotion, blistering guitar work, and fresh sonic twists.

With over 50 albums to his name and an unprecedented 28 #1 Billboard Blues Albums, Bonamassa proves yet again that he's not just keeping the blues alive--he's driving it into the future.

* In April the European tour starts.
* Joe Bonamassa has sold well over 4 million records worldwide and has had 20+ #1 Billboard Blues Albums
* Joe Bonamassa has been featured on the cover of virtually every guitar magazine multiple times. His name is notorious among guitarists not only for being a virtuoso, but also for his incredible collection of vintage guitars, gear and memorabilia.

Tracks: Breakthrough / Trigger Finger / I'll Take The Blame / Drive By The Exit Sign / Broken Record / Shake This Ground / Still Walking With Me / Life After Dark / You Don't Own Me / Pain's On Me

Sly & The Family Stone were true pioneers on so many levels: black/white, male/female, rock/soul, the act shattered all preconceptions of what popular music could be, and would go on to become one of the most groundbreaking and influential artists the world has ever witnessed. The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedral 1967 is an unprecedented live performance by the original Family Stone line-up, recorded just prior to their signing to Epic Records, and a full year before their chart breakthrough with 'Dance To The Music.' This fascinating recording explicates Sly Stone’s genius on a tremendously exciting and atmospheric set of vintage soul covers, peppered with the arrangements, motifs and intoxicating energy that would soon become familiar during the group’s ascent. Interest in Sly is high with the forthcoming documentary directed by Questlove, but to experience the full impact of the Family Stone’s legendary abilities from the start, this historic document is required listening.

For the fourth release on her celebrated record label Uppers and Downers, Dr.Rubinstein returns to the producer's seat with Take This Pill, a new 3-track EP that showcases the dynamic, ever-widening range of her signature acid sound. Lacing lively dancefloor cuts with a dose of personal storytelling and a playful yet honest take on mental health, Take This Pill delivers on Rubi's distinct ability to honor classic rave sensibilities while also always imparting her own unique twist.

The title track journeys from dark, acid-laced electro breaks into a shimmering wash of euphoric synths, energized along the way by drumrolls, hoovers, and a vocal refrain repeatedly voicing the Doctor's prescription: "Take this pill!" More than just a nod to classic XTC bangers, "Take This Pill" explores the emotional spectrum of neurodivergence and the pharmaceutical pathways many embark upon on a quest to "fit in," mirroring the lived experience of internal struggle giving way to external composure.

Things shift up a few gears on track two, the aptly-titled "No Brainer," a relentlessly energetic, no-nonsense stomper designed with the soul purpose of making you move. The track features sidewinding Goa-tinged acid lines swirling through a hard trance kick scape adorned by with soaring strings and shimmering cymbal rolls.

The EP concludes with a gorgeous, melodic rave-infused cut that shows a more tender, reflective side of Rubinstein's repertoire. Referencing one of Rubi's favorite tunes, The KLF's iconic "3 AM Eternal," diaphenous ambient vocals soar over a melancholic acid ballad that, never to be taken too seriously, is punctuated by humorous woops and cheeky rave whistles.
With Take This Pill, Dr. Rubinstein invites listeners into her world-one where vulnerability, humor, and acid rave euphoria collide. A perfect addition to her label's growing catalog, Take This Pill upholds the mission of Uppers and Downers: to collect and circulate timeless, tried-and-true tunes that celebrate the uplifting, affirmative power of rave music.

A warm breeze drifts through the open cabin of the boat, carrying the scent of salt and sunwarmed teak as it stirs the linen curtains. The man moves easily, bare feet against the wooden floor, the slow rhythm of the harbor rocking beneath him. He flips through his records with a knowing touch, pulling out a favorite—something smooth and mellow, with buttery vocals and melodies that drift like a sailboat on calm waters. The needle drops, and honeyed guitar riffs spill into the air, effortless and sunlit. He reaches for the bottle of rum, the ice in his glass chiming softly as he pours, then adds a squeeze of lime, a lazy stir. Outside, the water glows in the last light of day, golden ripples stretching toward the horizon. He leans back against the cushioned bench, drink in hand, the music swirling around him like the evening breeze—unhurried, weightless, exactly where he wants to be.


Small Talk brings together a carefully curated selection of long-forgotten, yet remarkably smooth and captivating soft rock and AOR tracks from the ‘70s and ‘80s, compiled by Brandon McMahon. These lesser-known songs are drenched in lush harmonies, dreamy guitar riffs, and mellow rhythms, capturing the essence of an era without the mainstream recognition. For those with an ear for the obscure and a taste for the subtle, Small Talk offers a fresh perspective on an era’s most overlooked gems.

Coral Grief, das Rocktrio aus Seattle, und Air Between Us, sein Debütalbum, sind treffend betitelt. Die ersten Töne von Sam Fasons Gitarre im Opener ,Starboard" treffen wie ein Windstoß Seeluft ins Gesicht. In nur wenigen Sekunden schwebt man, zu gleichen Teilen unter dem Himmel und über dem Meer. Es ist ein ähnliches Dazwischen, in dem Coral Grief gedeihen, denn sie konstruieren ein kunstvolles Geflecht aus doppelten Bedeutungen in dieser Hommage und Lobrede auf ihre Stadt und Community. Die Sängerin und Bassistin Lena Farr-Morrissey und Fason sind durch die psychische Chemie verbunden, die man nur durch jahrelanges gemeinsames Spielen in Bands entwickeln kann. Die Gitarre von Fason ist das Segel zu Farr-Morrisseys Anker, und hier schafft er Texturen, die so dicht sind wie der Wind. Das Bindeglied - der Motor in dieser nautischen Metapher - ist Schlagzeuger Cam Hancock, der von gemeinsamen Freunden wärmstens empfohlen wurde. Sein treibendes Spiel dient als Brücke der Ideen, als letztes Puzzlestück, als Meister der Dynamik und Übergängen, der ihre Songs in neue Gefilde treibt, ohne dabei aufzufallen. Gemeinsam lassen sie sich von Stereolab, Broadcast, Th' Faith Healers und Seefeel inspirieren, und umrahmen diese sehr spezifische Sorte von britischer Coolness auf eine einzigartige Weise wie es sie nur im pazifischen Nordwesten gibt. Um die Songs zum Leben zu erwecken, begab sich das Trio ins The Unknown - eine eine stillgelegte Kirche, die als Segelmanufaktur und Aufnahmestudio in Anacortes, WA dient. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Toningenieur Nich Wilbur, der sich von fünf Matchas pro Tag ernährte, wurde der Arbeitsraum zu ihrem Workshop. ,Wir wollten die Dinge zu dritt angehen, aber auch, dass es so üppig und voll wie möglich klingt", erklärt Fason.

Teasing dread atmospheres and zooming in on microscopic details that bring every beat in every bar to life, Seb Uncles returns to Samurai Music with another deep dive into his exquisitely crafted, cinematic progression of the drum & bass tradition.

Even a cursory glance at the Eusebeia back catalogue tells you Uncles is an artist committed to the storytelling promise of breakbeat culture. His work has been heavily tipped towards albums since he first broke through around 2015, and across more than 10 long-players he's cultivated a strong line in moody, evocative jungle and drum & bass more concerned with world-building and subtle detail rather than aggression and intensity.

Following up on his 2023 LP for Samurai, X, on Undertones Uncles applies his signature meditative tones to a broad expanse. There's a consistent sound palette that leans on the warm snarl of monosynth low end and aqueous pads, delicately edited breaks and crisply sculpted synth percussion, but Uncles moves with dexterity around different tempos and structures within this considered sound world. The overarching notion is one of things lurking beneath the surface - a comfortably open theme to be approached and understood from any number of angles. It certainly chimes with the upfront detail and brooding tension that gives the Eusebeia sound such depth.

There are moments of direct drum pressure, such as fierce opener 'Undertones' with its diced-up breaks and icy chords, the boisterous jungle dread of 'Uncover' and chasmic roller 'Root Out', but on the likes of 'Beneath The Surface' and 'Out In The Open' it's the mellow elements that take precedence over the deft drum science. The motion is persistent and nuanced, but it's achieved without deferring to default dancefloor tropes.

'Emergence' marks a pointed shift towards a delicate strain of techno that maintains the album's sound at a mid-paced pulse, focusing on synth shapes and textures to achieve propulsion with only the lightest of drum parts. Alongside the energetic intrigue of Uncles' sonic choices, the melodic make-up of the track is a compelling showcase for his emotionally ambiguous approach, both rousing and chilling in the same curious chord shapes.

From the half-time prowl of 'Lifting The Veil' to the creeping textures and haunted phrasing of 'Brought To Light', Undertones is another stunning exercise in widescreen jungle. It flows naturally from the rich body of work Uncles has cultivated over the past 10 years while carving out its own unique pocket - a reminder if you needed one of the profound sound bedded into the Eusebeia project.

Originally released in 2003, Marcos Valle’s Contrasts combined early noughties production techniques with his trademark Brazilian songwriting brilliance. The album quickly became one of Valle’s most in-demand, with tracks like the triumphant “Parabéns” (which was sampled by Childish Gambino, covered by Tom Misch and remixed by Misa Negra) and bossa beach classic “Agua de Coco”, both becoming firm fan favourites.

Produced by Roc Hunter, and executive produced by Joe Davis, with musicians including Robertinho Silva (percussion), Alex Malheiros (bass), and Marcos’ wife Patricia Alvi (vocals), Contrasts encapsulated Valle’s ever evolving musical vision, bringing together samba, baião, bossa pop, broken beat, house, trip-hop and more, on one era-defining record.

After 22 years, Contrasts is finally set for a double LP vinyl and CD reissue, with the original mix of “Valeu” and “My Nightingale” making it onto the vinyl edition for the first time.

Representing the spirit of the underground in Dubai, Shadi Megallaa is a multifaceted music lover whose unwavering passion for music permeates throughout all of his endeavours. A pioneer of Dubai’s electronic music culture, Shadi’s roots lie with the foundations of modern day electronica: all shades of house, techno and beyond. His commitment to preserving and evolving the culture is inherent in his record shop, The Flip Side, which has been intrinsic to the growth and development of music culture in Dubai. As a DJ and producer he draws on a multitude of experience, diverse taste and a refined ear that has instilled the ability to craft compelling productions. On Spirits Of The Deep we find Shadi exploring the deeper side of electronic music, creating layers of vibration designed to immerse the listener in layers of positive vibration.

As prescribed by Shadi himself, we start the traditional way, with Side B (the info side), where ‘Microgravity’ transports us into the cosmos. Soothing sonics envelop a taut low end with crisp percussion and swathes of pad work cultivating an interstellar atmosphere. Subtly shifting layers keep you locked into a groove, as the track maintains its energetic pulse. The synth lines increase with intensity midway through, adding more potency. Across almost nine minutes Shadi takes us on an excursion beyond the stars…

This is followed by ‘G-Dub’, a smooth jazz-inflected piece full of soul nourishing goodness. Intuitive drum programming with a groove-laced low end form the propulsive backbone of this track. The dreamlike melodic elements are almost transcendent in their illuminating impact. With all of its elements combined, ‘G-Dub’ is a glorious foray into the depths of true deep house. Shadi keeps things interesting throughout, adding and subtracting layers to complement the pace. Those hi-hats and intermittent cymbal crashes are especially impactful. A delight.

On the flip we have ‘Pressure’, where Shadi’s UK breaks influence comes through. A characterful vocal sample features throughout the intro before we enter a world of unusual sounds. The beats are, once again, impeccably executed, accompanied by a dubby bassline and an ever-evolving cacophony of squelchy sounds and chirps. Running at just over 9 ½ minutes, ‘Pressure’ sees Shadi flexing his creative muscles with a heady, expansive composition that invites us on a deep musical trip.

Finally, ‘The Poet’ closes out the EP on an emotive tip. The track is dedicated to the Palestinian poet and activist Refaat Alareer, who was killed during an airstrike on Gaza in December 2023. It utilises Refaat’s powerful poem If I Must Die, with the spinetingling words taking centre stage, as Shadi’s beats, bass and bright pads provide the backdrop. A piano-led melody appears in the latter part of the track, amplifying its emotionally-charged atmosphere. A wonderfully imagined homage to a martyr for peace. As the samples state, Let it bring hope…