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Originally conceived as a massive multi-band, multi-volume covers project, this album saw Streetlight tackle eleven songs that influenced Kalnoky’s musical development. The tracklist is a genuinely eclectic mix, ranging from Radiohead and Bad Religion to Paul Simon and a 1950s Louis Jordan number. Rather than simple recreations, the band fully transforms each song through their own lens, making the covers feel like natural extensions of their catalog. Only one volume was ever released, leaving the larger 99-song concept permanently unfinished.

São Paulo-born, Brighton-based artist Lau Ro presents their second album Lau, a tender, deeply introspective collection of orchestral psych-pop songs borne from discomfort and disorientation. Recorded and collaged together amidst a period rife with physical and emotional challenges, Lau is naturally cerebral yet radiant, compassionate, and, above all, honest, suffused with an enduring love for bossa nova, tropicalia, and Música popular brasileira.

For nearly four decades, since its founding during the mid 1980s, the Belgian imprint, Sub Rosa, has continuously plumbed the depths of numerous, radical creative histories, assembling a catalog of releases that has almost no equivalent, while remaining nearly impossible to nail down. That said, for most of its run, Sub Rosa has been primarily recognized for its rigorous explorations of the lesser explored shadows of experimental sound practice (sound-art, sound-poetry, early electronic and electroacoustic music, free-improvisation, etc.), delivering a remarkable body of artifacts that have collectively helped to rewrite history in their wake. While it's always been impossible to anticipate where the label might take us next, threading their catalog are plenty of releases that throw further wrenches in the cogs, expanding our understanding of what they pursue, as in the case of a handful of titles, appearing as early as the 1980s, dedicated to ethnographic field-recordings from various parts of the world. Among the most striking and celebrated of these was 2017's Ethiopian Urban And Tribal Music: Mindanoo Mistiru / Gold From Wax, comprising an astounding body of recordings made by Ragnar Johnson and Ralph Harrisson in Ethiopia during 1971, reissuing material originally released by Lyrichord the following year. Now, Sub Rosa returns to the incredible work embarked upon by the pair and captured on that same trip with Ethiopian Musics 1971, comprising the recordings originally released by Ocora shortly after their completion, expanded in this edition to include an entire disc of never before released music. Widely regarded as some of the most important field-recordings ever made of indigenous Ethiopian folk music (as captivating and intoxicating as they are revelatory: providing insights into the roots of the country's singular traditions of popular music and jazz that have come to be celebrated the world over), this incredible collection is issued by Sub Rosa in a beautifully produced 2LP edition, complemented by a four page insert providing detailed descriptions of each song, as well as notes by the ethnomusicologists and recordists, as well as a 2CD edition, with a twelve page booklet. Insanely good and absolutely essential for any fan of field-recording, ethnomusicology, the music of Ethiopia, or the label's mission at large. Once again, Sub Rosa has defied our expectations and delivered a remarkably important intervention in the history of recorded sound.

Located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa, few cultures are distinctly singular, while being so diverse (containing 80 distinct ethnic groups who speak 70 languages and 200 dialects) as that of Ethiopia. The home to some of the oldest surviving sects of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (each contributing important aspects of its collective cultural body), particularly the country's culinary and musical traditions have become celebrated the world over, and (generally speaking) feel entirely independent of those of its neighbors. Given this, it's unsurprising that, during the summer of 1971, the young ethnographer, Ragnar Johnson, accompanied by Ralph Harrisson, traveled to Ethiopia to begin his brief career as a field recording ethnomusicologist, capturing material on reels of magnetic tape that would be subsequently released across three LPs for Lyrichord and Ocora, respectively, coming to form a cornerstone of documentation and study of the country's many indigenous musical traditions, as well as providing wide, global access to them for the first time. While Johnson's recording career was relatively brief, ending toward the end of the decade when he began to focus more on teaching in UK universities, with a focus on the anthropology of art and social anthropology, his impact on the field was lasting. Between 1971 and 1979, in addition to those he made in Ethiopia, he made hugely significant recordings in Yemen (also issued by Lyrichord before being reissued by Sub Rosa) and Papua New Guinea, which were originally released by David Toop's Quartz Publications to wide celebration, before being revisited by Ideologic Organ in 2023.

While it's worth noting that commercial releases of ethnomusicological recordings by labels like Folkways, Lyrichord, and Ocora were still in their relatively early days when he entered the field, Johnson's recordings quickly stood apart for their vivid qualities and clarity of space, allowing them to stand the test of time. As he later stated: "I used a Uher Report L stereo tape recorder, BASF quarter inch tapes at a recording speed of seven and a half inches per second with two directional microphones mounted to record an isosceles triangle of stereo sound," he reveals. "The location of the microphones and musicians was critical. The musicians were fully informed of all aspects of the recording process."

Johnson's recordings are extremely vivid, there is a clear sense of space and the cries of the flutes exist across the entire stereo field. It's a reflection of Johnson's skill as a field recordist that his recordings continue to be reissued over forty years later. "I used a Uher Report L stereo tape recorder, BASF quarter inch tapes at a recording speed of seven and a half inches per second with two directional microphones mounted to record an isosceles triangle of stereo sound," he reveals. "The location of the microphones and musicians was critical. The musicians were fully informed of all aspects of the recording process… I used to enjoy being in the moment and hearing something wonderful despite the stress of the vigilance required to ensure that the recordings were accomplished according to plan. The responsibility is to record and document the music as effectively as possible so that it has been preserved for posterity. It is better to actually record music than to sit in a seminar room debating the ethics of recording music." It is this very ethos and sense of clarity that can be encountered across the length of Ethiopian Musics 1971.

For the sake of clarity, the two LPs of material that comprise Ethiopian Musics 1971 should be regarded as a single body of recordings alongside those made in Ethiopia by Ragnar Johnson and Ralph Harrisson during the summer of 1971 (previously issued by Lyrichord and reissued by Sub Rosa), and as two that have, until now, remained historically distinct. The first LP gathers that material released by Ocora during the early 1970s on Musiques Ethiopiennes, while the second comprises (as far as we can tell) twelve never before issued recordings, expanding the journey and making this the definitive edition of the release with its incredible total of 23 recordings of songs, allowing it ever greater scope to achieve the recordists' modus operandi of capturing the broadest and most diverse cross section of Ethiopia's many musical cultures, ranging from different forms of urban music captured in Addis Ababa, documenting largely orally transmitted idioms within which lyrical content is given greater emphasis than the instrumental components (played on masenko fiddles, craar and bagana lyres, washint flutes and kabaro drums), to folk idioms hailing from the Danakil desert and the border regions with Sudan and Kenya. There are songs sung and played in bars, divination chants, laments, dances, Christian songs, and Amharic sung poetry, to only begin to scratch the surface.

Ethiopian Musics 1971 is one of those rare albums where each musical moment is pure, intoxicating gold, while also being greater through the sum of its parts. There are the many songs, forming a rich tapestry of remarkable range across the respective two LPs/CDs (moments that wondrously flirt with sonic abstraction; hypnotic rhythms; pulsing chant; melodies that, in structural arrangement and tonal combination, help us reframe how such a thing might be understood, and a great deal more), each imbued with a remarkable directness and emotive sensibility, and there is the stunning quality of these recordings themselves, transporting each sound to our ears as though we intimately share its creator's space, while being imbued with the pure heart and remarkable spirit with which they were made. As we said before, it's little wonder, once heard, why these recordings and this music feels as fresh and relevant (enduring more than 50 years) today as when they were made. Once again, Sub Rosa has raised the bar with this essential addition to the incredible work that Ragnar Johnson and Ralph Harrisson did back in Ethiopia during 1971, radically expanding our access to the sounds that they captured with these stunning, beautifully produced 2LP and 2CD editions. Absolutely engrossing from the first sounding to the last, this one can't be missed.

The Diamonds return with Moran, Absentia, Pianopoli and DJ Fresh & Packim aka Freshim!

When the first lockdown hit, Ben Westbeech ended up stranded in Walthamstow after months spent drifting through India and Thailand, unable to make it back to Ibiza. Armed with little more than an SM58, a Korg Minilogue and a soundcard, he pieced together a temporary setup in a friend’s flat and got back into the habit of writing music in splendid isolation.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, Deetron sent over a sketch that instantly hit a nerve. Ben wrote and recorded the vocal for Deep In Your Soul in one sitting, then the track quietly sat and evolved over the next couple of years until Sam resurfaced with the finished version. A final vocal session in Ibiza sealed it properly.
What emerged is one of those records that feels lived-in rather than laboured over: warm, soulful and naturally unfolding across different places, phases and points in time. Another chapter in the long-running musical conversation between Deetron and Ben Westbeech.

he all-time house music legend Roger Sanchez drops his brand new studio album ‘Spectrum’ - his first in twenty years. Previewed by three high-energy bangers - ‘Grinnin’ (with Fedde LeGrand), ‘Come My Way’ and ‘Temptation’ (with Low Steppa, featuring Ragdoll) - the record features the new focus track ‘How Do We Say Goodbye’, a collab with Karen Harding.

The globally celebrated and Grammy-winning DJ, producer and label head has been working on the album for years, much of it during his time in Shoreditch which has informed its euphoric UK summer sonic influences. But its diverse tracks reflect a spectrum of sounds, from pulsating club tracks to dancefloor fillers, through to more emotional moments and atmospheric elements. Lyrically it’s also the result of translating his personal experiences into song.

Roger says, “I’ve been working on this for the past six years, so it’s definitely a labour of love. During that time I got the chance to travel around the world and work with some amazing vocalists and songwriters to help me bring this project to life. I’ve got flavours from the UK, Spain, the US - all of this is part of the spectrum for. This project is about music and frequencies and light: so everything from the light to the soulful to the club-ready infrared, the emotionally-weighted ultraviolet. That’s what ‘Spectrum’ is all about for me.”

The new focus track ‘How Do We Say Goodbye’ was created with the topline extraordinaire and always in-demand collaborator Karen Harding, whose all-star credits include work with MNEK, Armand Van Helden, Rudimental, Wilkinson and many more. It’s a massive highlight of the album, with Karen’s soaring vocal class bringing both an irresistible hook and a touching sense of nostalgia, while Roger’s dynamic production ascends from a trance-like ambience into an electrifying drop.

Beyond the singles, ‘Spectrum’ also features a diverse array of other talents spanning multiple genres and nationalities. These include Melanic C, Kele Le Roc, Chico Castillo, Kelli-Leigh, Carnao Beats, Donae’O and more. It’s a guestlist which lives up to the anticipation for the record.

‘SPECTRUM’ is available as a special 3LP limited-edition pressed on red transparent vinyl.

You Can Believe it ??"

After five years Simone Guerra (aka Relative) returns to the "House of Mikkit" on his own Flexi Cuts imprint. This dancefloor-oriented album is a manifesto of raw obsession and future patterns, crafted for those who’ve stopped chasing trends to find something real.

The record breathes through deep fat analog basslines and hypnotic arpeggios, layered with dreamy synth lines and ghostly vocoder textures.

It’s a gritty, essential dive into the Italian underground—eight tracks where the machine finds its soul.

If you’re feeling down with your things, if you’re always chasing the tail end of the wave and looking back to it saying "wow"… this is a record you might want to listen to.

______________

Packaged in a protective PVC sleeve with a super raw hand-printed cover.

Including a postcard + 8 tracks download code.

******-----**

Produced, composed and mixed by Simone Guerra aka Relative at Studio Noce (Lugo) between dec '24 and sept '25.

Mastered by Francesco Brini

Design by Yari Calanna and Pietro Galeati.

Words by Matteo Garavini

Fingier Records, released through Acid Jazz Records, has established itself in recent years as a distinctive voice in contemporary soul, drawing from Northern and Rare Soul, 60’s R&B and Raw Funk, Mod Jazz and Boogaloo, conceived by Argentinian producer Kevin Fingier.

‘Nothing Like Be Present’ is a new dancefloor-filler from Jo Ann Hamilton (USA), backed by The Kevin Fingier Collective. A powerful slice of Rare Soul tailor-made for Northern Soul all- nighters. Vibraphone, backing vocals and tight horn arrangements keep the energy locked on the dancefloor, while Hamilton’s voice takes the record to another level.

The instrumental was simply too strong to leave out, so it features on the B-side - a DJ-friendly cut that will feel right at home in many 7” boxes.

On June 5th, Tectonic Recordings will release Beatrice M.’s debut LP, Sinking, on a vinyl triple pack and digital download. The vinyl edition will be split across 3 separate 12” vinyl releases, packed in matching printed disco bags. This is part 1 of 3.
Beatrice M. pushes the needle forward for a sound and scene that nestles among a niche that blends UK dubstep, techno, and the golden era of tech house. The Paris-born artist is in their mid-20s and has been building up a grassroots following and plenty of momentum over the last few years, through their Bait label and its output of sonically resonant artists, alongside numerous remixes and collaborative and solo releases for labels such as Tectonic, Tempa, and Rinse. There are plenty of accolades coming in for Beatrice's work too, with notable DJ mixes for respected heavyweights such as Mixmag as well as featuring in Resident Advisor’s best mixes of 2025.
Beatrice is known for making deep explorations into the history of the scenes that have interested them, tracking and highlighting connections between dubstep, tech house, jungle and beyond across various self-produced, one-off radio shows, often taking a journalistic approach to subjects of true passion. They travel across Europe on a packed-out DJing schedule, avoiding air travel, and doing it mainly by train. Many of the LP's tracks started life as sketches put together on these long journeys, as the sights of different countries rolled past the window.
Having taken inspiration from Tectonic artists such as 2562, the label – a home to music that was originally placed in the dubstep-techno crossover spectrum—feels like the perfect place to host Beatrice M.'s debut album Sinking, beginning a new chapter for this kind of sound.
Opening track ‘Ever’ plunges us into deep waters with a sense of dubwise command. The momentum picks up on ‘Ocean’, where the vocal snippet "everyday life" circles around reverbed stabs and intricate hi-hat moves. ‘Motion’ sets the pace with its jumpy but rolling rhythm, leading straight into the eyes-down, party-time energy of ‘Disco Corner’.

On June 5th, Tectonic Recordings will release Beatrice M.’s debut LP, Sinking, on a vinyl triple pack and digital download. The vinyl edition will be split across 3 separate 12” vinyl releases, packed in matching printed disco bags. This is part 2 of 3.
Beatrice M. pushes the needle forward for a sound and scene that nestles among a niche that blends UK dubstep, techno, and the golden era of tech house. The Paris-born artist is in their mid-20s and has been building up a grassroots following and plenty of momentum over the last few years, through their Bait label and its output of sonically resonant artists, alongside numerous remixes and collaborative and solo releases for labels such as Tectonic, Tempa, and Rinse. There are plenty of accolades coming in for Beatrice's work too, with notable DJ mixes for respected heavyweights such as Mixmag as well as featuring in Resident Advisor’s best mixes of 2025.
Beatrice is known for making deep explorations into the history of the scenes that have interested them, tracking and highlighting connections between dubstep, tech house, jungle and beyond across various self-produced, one-off radio shows, often taking a journalistic approach to subjects of true passion. They travel across Europe on a packed-out DJing schedule, avoiding air travel, and doing it mainly by train. Many of the LP's tracks started life as sketches put together on these long journeys, as the sights of different countries rolled past the window.
Having taken inspiration from Tectonic artists such as 2562, the label – a home to music that was originally placed in the dubstep-techno crossover spectrum—feels like the perfect place to host Beatrice M.'s debut album Sinking, beginning a new chapter for this kind of sound.
Given Beatrice M.’s reputation as a prolific collaborator, the LP naturally features a few heavy-hitting joint efforts. Bristol-based Sir Hiss features on the subby, 140bpm techno thumper ‘Juice’, while the LP title track, ‘Sinking’, brings forward Beatrice M.’s fresh take on influences from Tectonic’s past in a bass-driven 4/4 number that demands physical movement. ‘Dear Dubstep’ allows a moment to reflect, placing us in a spacious aqua-cave where atmospheric sounds are punctuated by wumping sub-bass, before we surface with ‘Help’ to catch our breath in the melancholy of the moment.

On June 5th, Tectonic Recordings will release Beatrice M.’s debut LP, Sinking, on a vinyl triple pack and digital download. The vinyl edition will be split across 3 separate 12” vinyl releases, packed in matching printed disco bags. This is part 2 of 3.
Beatrice M. pushes the needle forward for a sound and scene that nestles among a niche that blends UK dubstep, techno, and the golden era of tech house. The Paris-born artist is in their mid-20s and has been building up a grassroots following and plenty of momentum over the last few years, through their Bait label and its output of sonically resonant artists, alongside numerous remixes and collaborative and solo releases for labels such as Tectonic, Tempa, and Rinse. There are plenty of accolades coming in for Beatrice's work too, with notable DJ mixes for respected heavyweights such as Mixmag as well as featuring in Resident Advisor’s best mixes of 2025.
Beatrice is known for making deep explorations into the history of the scenes that have interested them, tracking and highlighting connections between dubstep, tech house, jungle and beyond across various self-produced, one-off radio shows, often taking a journalistic approach to subjects of true passion. They travel across Europe on a packed-out DJing schedule, avoiding air travel, and doing it mainly by train. Many of the LP's tracks started life as sketches put together on these long journeys, as the sights of different countries rolled past the window.
Having taken inspiration from Tectonic artists such as 2562, the label – a home to music that was originally placed in the dubstep-techno crossover spectrum—feels like the perfect place to host Beatrice M.'s debut album Sinking, beginning a new chapter for this kind of sound.
The album's lead single and sole vocal track, ‘In Touch’, showcases Beatrice M.’s split UK-France upbringing. The track unites French MC Kaba and UK MC Jinnal for a bass-driven anthem that seamlessly trades French and English lyrics. Next up is a vinyl exclusive track: the ‘Remedy Mix’ VIP of ‘Poison’, a rolling, bass-driven tech house/techno crossover version of a track originally released on the Tectonic Sound collection from last year.
‘Here’ sees Beatrice M. collaborating with Jay Carder to create a soulful broken-beat flavoured track as ‘Years’ rounds off the journey with contemplative melancholy, providing a deep and dubby closer.

Over a decade has passed since this 12" was released, and it has truly aged like fine wine. This release features 2 timeless cuts from the mind and soul of cv313 mixed and recorded near the heart of Detroit. This was beautifully remastered by dub innovator and pioneer, Stefan Betke POLE @ scape mastering in Berlin, DE. The recordings were pulled from the session masters conducted by Bazza @ Alchemy Mastering in London to ensure a perfectly balanced mix and preserving the soul and spirit of the original tape masters while focusing on enriching every finite detail. While listening to these remasters you can feel the analog warmth of the original tape recordings, with a low end rumble in a way only POLE could pull off! On the A side we have cv313's classic "Lost Sequence" culled from the celebrated Japan exclusive "live" double CD album released back in 2009. On the B side there's a rare live version performed by intrusion at a loft event put on by the good folks over @ Little White Earbuds. This rare recording was reduced and stripped down, core traces of the original swim inside oceanic bass and modulated high end frequencies creating an atmosphere all of its own. This is one for the heads and a true lesson in space and bass!

Incl. Pryda, Dexter Connection, Superfunk feat. Ron Carroll, Dave Swayze, Chris Bangs feat. Rita Campbell, Hyper Pearl, Daniel Bovie & Roy Rox, The Disco Freaks, The Mackenzie feat. Jessy



Since 2020, 12 Inch Lovers have been releasing new samplers every year, eagerly anticipated by collectors. These samplers have now become a staple and are easily added to vinyl collections across Europe. They offer timeless classics and rare tracks that are often hard to find elsewhere.

With Samplers 9 & 10, they surprise again with a mix of modern classics and tracks that have never been released on vinyl or are difficult to find. By adding unique and exclusive tracks, the 12 Inch Lovers samplers remain innovative and high-quality. They are a must-have for DJs, collectors, and fans of contemporary classics!

SAMPLER 9

A1) Pryda - Allein (Original Release 2012)

Pryda, the legendary alter ego of Eric Prydz, has earned iconic status in the electronic music scene with his refined productions and epic tracks. Under this name, he has released several hits that have stood the test of time, including Allein. This track is a progressive house masterpiece built around a sample from Polarkreis 18's Allein Allein and is infused with the characteristic Pryda sound: grand, hypnotic, and emotionally powerful.

With its timeless and universal appeal, Pryda - Allein has captivated fans worldwide. The track is an absolute floor-filler that forms a highlight in any DJ set. Notably, this iconic track has never had a vinyl release, making this edition extra special for both collectors and lovers of true electronic music history.

A2) Dexter Connection - Baby Be Mine (Original Release 2003)

Released in 2003, this delightful groover samples Michael Jackson's Baby Be Mine and Brothers Johnson's Stomp. The track combines funky basslines with a tight, rhythmic groove that immediately invites dancing. The nostalgic vibes from the classic samples provide a familiar sound, while the modern production gives it a fresh, contemporary twist. Ideal for DJ sets where you want to get the crowd in the right mood.

A3) Superfunk feat. Ron Carroll - Lucky Star (Original Release 2000)

This track needs little introduction. Released in 2000, with soulful vocals from Ron Carroll, it quickly became an iconic hit within the house scene. Lucky Star was the breakthrough single of Superfunk, a French house group,and sold over 500,000 copies worldwide. The track reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart and has since become a staple in house and dance sets.

With its funky basslines, catchy melody, and infectious groove, it's a perfect mix of disco, house, and soul. The track includes a sample from Chris Rea's Josephine, adding to the recognizable and nostalgic vibe. Lucky Star became not only a floor-filler but also an anthem of the French house movement, alongside acts like Daft Punk and Cassius who dominated the world in the same period.

B1) Dave Swayze - Goldwave (24K) (Original Release 1996)

This 1996 trance classic needs little introduction. Goldwave is a timeless track that continues to resonate with trance lovers, thanks to the unique combination of dreamy synths, hypnotic rhythms, and epic build-up. The track is a true ear-candy and touches anyone who hears it. Originally released in 1996 on Belgium's DiKi Records, it quickly became a classic in clubs like La Bush, Illusion, La Rocca, and many more.

To this day, Goldwave is still played in the sets of many DJs, and remains a favorite at retro trance events. The track has stood the test of time and remains a key track for fans of old-school trance. It's a piece of electronic music history that makes people dream on the dancefloor with its dreamy Goldwave.

B2) Chris Bangs feat. Rita Campbell - Warm Weather (Ibiza BeachBall Vocal Mix) (Original Release 2000)

Warm Weather by Chris Bangs feat. Rita Campbell is a summery, uplifting track that perfectly evokes the atmosphere of Ibiza. The song blends house and trance with the infectious vocals of Rita Campbell, creating a warm, relaxed vibe. The Ibiza BeachBall Vocal Mix adds a touch of Balearic energy, with a calm rhythm and melodies that immediately remind you of sunny beaches and carefree days. Originally released in 2000 on the UK label INCredible, it remains a hidden gem for many trance lovers.

C1) Hyper Pearl - Can You Feel The Pain (Up & Vox Version) (Original Release 1995)

This 1995 trance classic made a lot of noise in clubs like Illusion, La Bush, Lagoa, and At the Villa. Pure old-school trance with emotion and drive like only that era could produce. A fantastic track, produced by Carl Drake, Matt Spinner, and Zzino, originally released on Belgium's Aquatic label.

C2) Daniel Bovie & Roy Rox - Stop Playing With My Mind (Dub) (Original Release 2008)

Daniel Bovie (aka Danny Van Wouwe) is a versatile producer with dozens of tracks to his name, many of which are considered classics. This track is no exception. Originally released on the legendary Strictly Rhythm label, co-produced with Dutch producer Roy "Van Luffelen" Rox, this track quickly became a floor-filler and charted in Belgium and the Netherlands. The vocals wereprovided by the talented Nelson.

D1) The Disco Freaks - Make My Dreams Reality (Chord Memory Mix) (Original Release 1997)

Originally released on an EP by The Disco Freaks, the alter ego of producers Bart Grinaert and Lajos Meszaros. This mix, which is much stronger than the original, quickly became a club classic and was played extensively in clubs like Illusion, Carat, and Extreme. A delightful, groovy, and uplifting track that combines disco elements with house. The Chord Memory Mix adds a nostalgic touch by using warm chords, funky basslines, and uplifting percussion.

D2) The Mackenzie feat. Jessy - I Am Free (Marino Stephano Club Mix) (Original Release 1997)

I Am Free by The Mackenzie needs little introduction and is a must in every DJ and vinyl lover's collection. This mix, often played at our parties, is something special. The man behind many legendary trance classics, Marino Stephano (RIP), hasreworked this version in his unmistakable way. The remix has an energetic and captivating vibe, with deep, hypnotic beats and floating synths. A beautiful track in its original version, it continues to fascinate.

2026 Repress

Following the release of the digital single, Berlin-based groove collective The Ruffcats and Chicago soul singer Doug Shorts return with a strictly limited 7-inch vinyl edition of “I Ain’t Worried” , pairing the original retro-soul cut with an exclusive remix by none other than Erobique. The original version is a timeless slice of analog soul: laid-back yet confident, driven by a deep pocket rhythm section, warm horn arrangements, and Doug Shorts’ unmistakably smooth, Chicago-rooted vocal delivery. Written by The Ruffcats and Doug Shorts, the song carries a quiet message of resilience and inner calm, echoing the spirit of classic late-’60s and early-’70s soul without ever slipping into pastiche. On the flip side, Erobique brings his unmistakable touch to the track: playful, groove-heavy, and full of character. Known for his ability to bridge deep musicality with infectious dancefloor energy, the Hamburg-based producer reimagines “I Ain’t Worried” as a loose, funk-infused roller, retaining the song’s soulful heart while nudging it firmly toward late-night dancefloors and sweaty club rooms.

Originally created in the wider context of the charitable Soul Rabbi – Shine On project, “I Ain’t Worried” has since taken on a life of its own. This 7-inch release celebrates that journey, honoring the song’s roots in community and friendship while expanding its reach through a fresh, club-ready reinterpretation. Pressed on classic 7-inch vinyl, this release is aimed squarely at soul lovers, DJs, and collectors alike: a record that feels just as at home in a crate next to vintage originals as it does in a contemporary DJ set.

The Hacker teams up with Rein for ‘We Come Alive’ on Rekids. French producer The Hacker joins forces with vocalist, songwriter, and producer Rein for ‘We Come Alive’ on Rekids, arriving 19th June 2026. A longstanding figure within the underground, The Hacker helped shape the early electroclash movement through his analogue-heavy sound and influential releases on labels including Turbo Recordings and Dark Entries, while Rein has built an international reputation through a darkwave-influenced sound that blurs underground and crossover electronics, alongside releases on Boysnoize Records and live appearances with Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb.

Built as a tribute to the dance floor “We Come Alive” explores the feeling of liberation and connection that only exists late at night. Think an Alison Moyet-inspired vocal over stripped-back machine funk somewhere between LFO and Kraftwerk.” - The Hacker & Rein

The Hacker & Rein’s ‘We Come Alive’ pairs sharp, angular rhythms with punishing low-end pressure as acid lines twist through scintillating percussion and jacked-up drums. Amid the machine-heavy intensity, Rein’s vocals cut through the mix with clarity and emotion, lending a euphoric edge to the track’s raw, strobe-lit energy.

ALERT: BIG 90s ITALIAN RAVE COMP - a lot of very in demand tunes on here.

Navigators

Franco Falsini and the Interactive Test Universe

There are musicians who follow their time.

And then there are those who seem to move along a different trajectory—like navigators crossing sonic eras without ever truly belonging to any one of them. The story of Franco Falsini belongs to the latter. It is a story that begins long before raves, before techno, before the word “electronic” had even become a recognizable musical genre. A story that moves across continents, technologies, and sonic visions, eventually arriving at a small creative laboratory born in Italy in the early 1990s: Interactive Test. This compilation is a fragment of that universe. But as often happens with the hidden histories of music, understanding it requires going back. Far back.

The Beginning: Machines, Tape and Space

In the late 1960s Franco Falsini leaves Italy and moves to the United States. It is not merely a geographical journey—it is also a journey into a new idea of music. At the time, synthesizers are only just emerging from research laboratories. Multitrack tape recorders allow musicians to build entire sonic worlds on their own. Technology is still far from standardized: every studio is almost an experimental workshop. In Virginia, Falsini builds one of his own. Among cables, oscillators, electric guitars and reels of magnetic tape, a kind of music begins to take shape that resembles nothing else being made at the time. It is not simply rock, and it is not yet truly electronic. It moves somewhere in the space between the two. Out of these explorations emerges Sensations' Fix, the project through which Falsini releases a series of albums during the 1970s. Records that seem to come from a parallel dimension: cosmic landscapes, electronically treated guitars, synthesizers drifting like satellites. Many years later those albums would be rediscovered as visionary works. But at the time they were simply the result of relentless curiosity. A curiosity that would never fade.

The City That Never Sleeps

In the 1980s Falsini’s trajectory leads him to New York. The city is a sonic organism in constant transformation. In its clubs and recording studios something entirely new is beginning to take shape: music built from drum machines, sequencers, and samplers, created for the body before the living room. It is the dawn of modern dance culture. Falsini works as a sound engineer, producer and experimenter. From close range he observes electronic music transforming into a global language. Machines become more accessible, computers begin entering studios, and rhythm takes on an increasingly central role. Yet even in this phase Falsini does not simply follow what is happening. He absorbs. Observes. Reimagines. When he eventually returns to Italy, he brings back not only technical experience but also a clear vision: the conviction that electronic music is an open space, a territory still waiting to be explored.

Tuscany, Early 1990s

At the beginning of the 1990s something is happening in Italy as well. In clubs, abandoned industrial warehouses and clandestine parties, a new scene is beginning to form. It is rave culture: a spontaneous movement bringing together DJs, producers and listeners in a collective experience driven by rhythm, technology, and creative freedom. It is within this context that Franco Falsini, together with his brother Riccardo, creates Interactive Test.

The name almost sounds like a scientific experiment. In many ways, it is. Interactive Test does not emerge as a traditional record label. It begins as a laboratory—a place where ideas, sounds and musical identities can be tested and explored. Around the Falsini studio in Tuscany a small constellation of artists and DJs begins to gather, helping to shape the sound of Italy’s emerging electronic scene. Among them are Andrea Giuditta, Francesco Farfa, Gabry Fasano, Roby Mastelloni, Roby J and many others. Each brings a different musical sensibility. But they all share the same intuition: electronic music is not a genre. It is a language.

The Laboratory of Identities

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Interactive Test universe is its constant play with identity. Franco Falsini releases music under several different names: Open Space, Youth Wave, Agent Fylfoyt, Man Myth Magic. These are not simply pseudonyms.

They are different sonic perspectives, as if each project were a window opening onto a parallel musical universe. Open Space, for example, explores more atmospheric and visionary territories. Youth Wave moves between electronic groove and club-oriented rhythms. Other projects experiment with digital psychedelia or hypnotic techno textures. Interactive Test becomes something more than a label. it becomes an ecosystem.

Domestic Machines, Infinite Worlds

Looking back today at the technology used in those productions, one might almost smile. Many tracks were created on Amiga computers, MIDI sequencers and analog synthesizers wired together in home studios—tools that appear modest when compared to today’s digital possibilities.

Yet precisely these limitations became a creative force. Every sound had to be built, shaped and reinvented. Sequences developed slowly, almost like living organisms. The tracks did not always follow traditional dance music structures; often they felt like genuine sonic journeys. Music built from space.

A Hidden Constellation

Many of the records released by Interactive Test in the 1990s remained for years almost invisible objects, circulating quietly among DJs, collectors, and devoted listeners. Yet it is precisely this underground existence that helped preserve them. Listening again today, one perceives something rare: the feeling of music that does not fully belong to its own time. Music suspended between different eras. Perhaps because it comes from a vision that both precedes and transcends trends.

Continuing the Journey

Looking at Franco Falsini’s entire path—from the electronic psychedelia of Sensations’ Fix to the rave culture of the 1990s—a surprisingly coherent line emerges.

A line defined by exploration.

Each project, each pseudonym, each record appears as a new route within the same great sonic voyage.

Interactive Test was one of its stations.

A laboratory.
A community.
A creative platform.

This compilation gathers some of its traces.

Not as a simple archive of the past, but as a map of a musical territory that continues to expand even today.

Like all true sonic explorations.

Life and Death launches Peak Time Archives, a new vinyl and digital various artists series shining a light on rising producers and the next wave of label-affiliated talent.

This first edition moves across the full spectrum of the dancefloor. Jennifer Loveless — Guardian 'Artist To Watch', Mixmag Track of the Year recipient, and alumni of !K7, Future Classic and Butter Sessions — opens with "Satisfaction", a warm, body-moving indie dance reinterpretation that feels at home as much at Ibiza sunset as it does on a festival main stage.

UK mystery producer ROKAR follows with "Bedroom Headliner", a garage-rooted house cut that blurs the line between intimate and euphoric, already earning BBC Radio 1 plays and support from Marco Carola, Skream and Chloé Caillet.

Rudy With A Hoodie & J-Land deliver "The Rhythm", a driving, hypnotic peak-time weapon built for main stages, drawing on the analog warmth of Red Axes and DJ Tennis.

Mexico City's PAURRO closes the record with "Chik Fresa" — playful, punchy indie dance with personality to spare, from an artist who has performed at Tresor and Boiler Room and released on Cómeme and Nervous.

Four tracks. Four distinct voices. One dancefloor.---

Kercha’s debut album ‘Open The Door’ arrives this April via DNO Records. The Black Sea artist’s mystical, disorienting style has set the tone for the label since he dropped the inaugural release six years ago. Now, across 16 tracks — including collabs with Mystic State, Congi, NST, Khromi and Finnoh — his smoky sampledelic dubstep is tighter, heavier, and more curious than ever, with a new sense of danger and bubbling rage that feels fit for our chaotic times.

Themes of movement and change course through the LP. On the opening gambit ‘A Path Into The Unknown’, twinkling arpeggios emerge from the gloom like stars lighting the way. Tracks like the eponymous ‘Open The Door’ and ‘Mind Extraction’ deliver that classic Kercha sound, where left-field samples dart in at right angles. ‘Dangerous Road’ weaves between the call and response action of grotty stabs and devilish subs. ‘Take A Break’, featuring Mystic State, goes on the attack with searing acid. ‘Can’t Wait For Today’, though lethargic in its pace, sees San Francisco-based rapper Finnoh deliver stream-of-consciousness bars that skewer our present and nudge us to revolution.

Work took place over the course of several years, during which Kercha relocated with his family from Russia to Georgia, where he now resides in the capital, Tbilisi. “Sometimes I wrote music while travelling on a bus, sometimes late at night while my family was asleep, sometimes just sitting on the grass in a park, and of course in my home studio as well,” he says. “By the time the album was finished, it included music from different periods, and it may vary in sound and concept.”

Any major upheaval in life will result in moments of hardship, but also hope. Both can be found throughout ‘Open The Door’. There’s times when the darkness threatens to envelope everything: during the cold, crackling ‘Disclosed’ and the eerie, dystopian ‘Infection Of Lies’; on ‘Trigger Activation’, with its grunting lows and broken glass hook, and ‘Ballistics’, where a wall of sub-bass is pierced by shrapnel stabs.

The balancing light comes on ‘4 AM’, featuring Nottingham duo Congi, when clashing swords and cinematic strings, meet a soft Rhodes piano — the juxtaposition between heavy low-end and floaty keys and vox reflecting those moments of transcendence often found in the early hours. From the injection of garage energy on ‘Bubs’, with Edinburgh’s Khromi. And on with ‘My Feeling’, featuring South Russian vocalist NST, which closes the album on a deep but expansive note, bookending the experience with more starlight synth tones.

“It’s a reflection of my life journey and the changes connected with emigration and overcoming various difficulties,” explains Kercha. “This period means a lot to me, which is why the album includes tracks from the time of preparing to leave up to adapting to a new country.”

Still, he wants listeners to be able to derive their own understanding. “I think the essence lies in the ability to contemplate, not in any predetermined meaning,” he says. “I can only say one thing: thank you for appreciating what I do and for your support. I hope it inspires you to make the same firm decisions to change for the better as it did for me.”

Out via 4 x 12” vinyl, ‘Open The Door’ is a captivating artistic statement, showcasing the journey of an artist with a truly original signature sound — a rarity that should be treasured and celebrated.

Rhythms of postmodern realism at the very bottom of the DNO.

Tokyo's Encryptnude label returns, with another carefully crafted Ryota OPP selection !

Following on from the shamanic feel of his previous work, this 12inch also exudes non-dance music psychedelia.

'African Chorus' and 'Kalimba Guitar' on side A create a melodic, spiritual, hi-life feel reminiscent of Wally Badarou.

'Bop' on side B, beautifully blends dub and free jazz, creating a leftfield dance sound reminiscent of African Head Charge, Claussell's Sacred Rhythm or Frank Zappa's 'Nine Types Of Industrial Pollution' turned Deep House. .

2026 Repress

"To make authentic Jungle you’ve got to get the breaks right sonically and LMajor does that without effort. Something in the tone of his drums really spoke to me and I knew immediately I wanted a record for Astrophonica. Authentic UKG is also all in the drums and it turns out he can do those too. Throw in some killer hooks and riffs and it’s the perfect combination - full of vibe and character” - Fracture

‘Can’t Do It’ is raw dance floor Jungle in a drawn out and journey like fashion. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore. Incredibly fun to mix - can you do it?

‘Spinnin’ is all blissed out UKG with dizzying chord stabs and vocal ticks. Wait for the irresistible walking bass line to take you by the arm and go for a stroll.

The drums in ’Feelin’ are so in the pocket that there’s no space for your wallet and keys so forget them and just bubble. Heavy sub bass will have the rest of your jeans flapping.

‘Hush’ closes the EP on a high with trademark LMajor breaks and drawn out arrangement. No need to rush this one, just tune out to the rhodes and Think break workout before the lashing and metallic Amen ramps up the excitement. Shhh, just listen.

Grammy award-winning titan of dance music Purple Disco Machine joins the illustrious list of Defected House Masters with a celebratory compilation. The German producer, DJ and global household name Tino Pointek, AKA Purple Disco Machine, is the blueprint for what makes a successful dance music artist in the modern age; respected on the underground scene while achieving major crossover success with remixes for the likes of Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa and Mark Ronson. The crate digging kingpin of house and disco first landed on Defected over a decade ago, and has since delivered remixes of iconic tracks like Fatboy Slim’s ‘Praise You’ and the London label’s top tracks including Shakedown’s ‘At Night’ and ‘Coma Cat’ by Tensnake – as well as striking originals like ‘Beat Fantasy’. From edits of the classics to remixes of the modern, as well as uplifting originals, Purple Disco Machine has birthed a distinct sound that is instantly recognisable, one that is not afraid to reference or not reference and is always bursting with joy. Across Defected presents House Masters: Purple Disco Machine, the full breadth of the iconic German selector’s sound is felt from the 2019 smash hit ‘Dished (Male Stripper)’ to deep cuts like his re-work of Fallout’s ‘The Morning After’ as well as remixes of legendary tracks like ‘Lola’s Theme’ by The Shapeshifters and Spiller’s ‘Groovejet’ featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Defected presents House Masters: Purple Disco Machine is here to showcase the sound of a bona fide electronic maverick in full.

A1 – Natural Calamity – Vibeka
A2 – Jimetta Rose – Ebb & Flow
A3 – Dea Barandana – Licik (Tribute) (Love Injection Edit)

B1 – We Are Echo People – Bird Brain
B2 – Ensemble Entendu – Wasp Jam
B3 – Fatback – Is This The Future? (Disco Version)

C1 – Mind Fair – Hiding From My Shadow
C2 – Gigi Testa – Oriental Express

D1 – Gayance, Dal Bò – Liberation Lullaby
D2 – Kaoru Inoue presents Chari Chari – Tidal Wave
D3 – ICAN – Pa' Mi Gente

E1 – Angela Johnson – Inclusion (The Soul Feast Cosmic Arts Dub)
E2 – Jimi Tenor – The Duel

F1 – Antonio Ocasio – Love For The Loft
F2 – Ken Ishii ft. Metropolitan Harmonic Formulas – Can You Feel It

暗く湿った夏の夜、小さなボートはあてもなくさまよう。不穏さと美しさが同居するこの海は自分自身のようでもあり遠く離れたどこかのようでもあった。

Shinichi Koboyashi’s music as Bot1500 has such a beautiful signature to it. Using the layers and language of ambient IDM, artfully arranged pads & chords and crisp vectored breaks, he’s been creating a beautiful and highly individual sound.

The Black Sea, His first album since 2022’s Surreal on AD93’s sister label Lith Dolina, spaces things out more and focuses inward with a palette of minimalism and increased emotional resonance. It’s been a focus for Shinichi across his self-published studio work in the last few years.

The album’s tracks feel increasingly rooted in the principles and logic of dub. Utilising more space, more silence, and more focus on the simplicity and elegance of the composition folded into radiant arrangements of melody, snare, shade and echo.

The sea is both an inner landscape and a geographic image that hangs over the record’s mood. A dark humid summer night, like that on Japanese coasts. A small boat sails aimlessly. An eerie tone, but with a glimpse of beauty. The water is melancholic, enveloping, and endless.

Each track is written at 140bpm save for last track “White Flocks” at 120, for the image of heading south to close out.

Ten years ago, Anderson .Paak didn't just release an album; he staged a full-scale takeover of the soul and hip-hop landscape. Released on January 15, 2016, Malibu served as the definitive arrival of an artist who had spent years grinding in the underground before a star-making turn on Dr. Dre’s Compton. While his previous work hinted at his potential, Malibu was the moment the world met the "Cheeky Andy" persona in full—a virtuosic drummer, a raspy-voiced crooner, and a sharp-witted rapper all rolled into one. The album is a sprawling, sun-drenched journey through the Southern California coast, blending 1970s funk, church-reared gospel, and gritty boom-bap into something that feels both nostalgic and entirely futuristic. With a heavyweight production lineup including 9th Wonder, Madlib, Kaytranada, and Hi-Tek, the record maintains a warm, analog texture that was a breath of fresh air in an increasingly digital era. It’s an album that breathes, full of intentional imperfections and the kind of "in-the-pocket" groove that can only come from a seasoned live performer. Beyond the infectious, dance-floor-ready energy of tracks like "Am I Wrong" and "Come Down," the album is a deeply autobiographical masterwork. .Paak uses the 65-minute runtime to unpack his life story with startling clarity, touching on his mother’s gambling addiction, his father’s incarceration, and his own brushes with homelessness with a sense of resilience that never feels heavy-handed. He weaves these heavy themes through a lens of triumph, grounded by vintage surfing documentary samples that give the project its cinematic, coastal atmosphere. It’s a celebratory record born out of struggle, anchored by his impeccable technicality on the drums and a guest list—featuring ScHoolboy Q, Rapsody, and The Game—that feels hand-picked to complement his specific brand of West Coast swagger. A decade later, Malibu stands as a modern classic and the blueprint for the soulful revivalism that would eventually lead .Paak to global superstardom and Grammy-winning heights. It remains a testament to the idea that the most profound music often comes from the most personal places, proving ten years on that the best way to move forward is to stay rooted in the groove.

Studio Kosmische duo Dom Keen and Jonathan Parkes collaborate with Russian saxophonist Ivan Bursov to create rolling waves of hymns to supine meditation. The gorgeous 'In Search Of Magick' and 'Eternal Dream Musick' conjure free-form sax and psychedelic ambience over undulating bass. "As Above, So Below' finds swelling guitars celebrating a distant storm, while 'Golden Dunes' offers a shimmering sound bath. 'Esoteric Modulation' breaks the spell with echoed sax and thundering synth. Beautiful

MJ - ELECTRONIC SOUND MAG


Like all Studio Kosmische records, Electronic Meditation for Inner Space Travel is less a collection of tracks than a single, unbroken experience. It flows with purpose, every note a step in a silent procession toward understanding.

There’s no urgency, no climax, just a graceful surrender to the unknown. When it ends, the world feels quieter, your thoughts slower, the air lighter. This one’s a record to play deep into the night, when the sky outside your window looks almost purple and the world feels bigger than you remember. Drop the needle, close your eyes, and let the music lead you through the dunes.

Somewhere out there, the sorcerers are still gathering, still searching, still dreaming.

Over the course of more than a decade, the French quartet Lost in Kyiv have refined a sound that fuses cinematic ambition, electronic precision, and visceral live energy into something unmistakably their own. With their new album, `We're All Going To Be Fine', they push that identity further than ever; sharpening their production, intensifying their dynamics, and embracing a darker, more immersive sonic architecture. Lost in Kyiv's music has always thrived on tension between the organic and the synthetic. On `We're All Going To Be Fine', that integration reaches a new level of clarity and depth. The writing and production process was long and exacting, allowing the band to refine every transition and tonal detail. Songs unfold with architectural precision, motifs are introduced subtly before expanding into vast, multi-layered climaxes. Dynamics are handled with patience and control, silence and minimalism are deployed as strategically as explosive crescendos. This careful pacing gives the album a cinematic flow and larger narrative in which struggle and compassion coexist. Guitars surge and recede in wide, panoramic arcs. At moments they shimmer and support, at others they thrash violently, accumulating layers of distortion and harmonic overtones. Acoustic instrumentation is interwoven with sequenced synth lines, pulsing arpeggiators, and carefully sculpted electronic textures that give the band's sound a sense of forward propulsion. Rhythm plays a central role in Lost in Kyiv's identity. The drums provide impact and structure, locking into intricate patterns that interact with bass-driven synth pulses. At times the groove feels almost mechanical, echoing the steady insistence of electronic music; at others, it breathes and swells with human elasticity. This interplay creates a powerful sense of movement, an impression that the music is always advancing, even in its most introspective passages. "We almost consider this album as the first record of a new version of the band. That's why we decided to use the name Lost in Kyiv now. We don't want to erase the past, but it really feels like a new direction. Artistically, I think this album marks the beginning of a new direction, louder and more metal-oriented than what we did before." (Lost in Kyiv) FOR FANS OF Russian Circles * P.G.Lost * The Ocean * Cult of Luna * Brutus * This Will Destroy You

Over the course of more than a decade, the French quartet Lost in Kyiv have refined a sound that fuses cinematic ambition, electronic precision, and visceral live energy into something unmistakably their own. With their new album, `We're All Going To Be Fine', they push that identity further than ever; sharpening their production, intensifying their dynamics, and embracing a darker, more immersive sonic architecture. Lost in Kyiv's music has always thrived on tension between the organic and the synthetic. On `We're All Going To Be Fine', that integration reaches a new level of clarity and depth. The writing and production process was long and exacting, allowing the band to refine every transition and tonal detail. Songs unfold with architectural precision, motifs are introduced subtly before expanding into vast, multi-layered climaxes. Dynamics are handled with patience and control, silence and minimalism are deployed as strategically as explosive crescendos. This careful pacing gives the album a cinematic flow and larger narrative in which struggle and compassion coexist. Guitars surge and recede in wide, panoramic arcs. At moments they shimmer and support, at others they thrash violently, accumulating layers of distortion and harmonic overtones. Acoustic instrumentation is interwoven with sequenced synth lines, pulsing arpeggiators, and carefully sculpted electronic textures that give the band's sound a sense of forward propulsion. Rhythm plays a central role in Lost in Kyiv's identity. The drums provide impact and structure, locking into intricate patterns that interact with bass-driven synth pulses. At times the groove feels almost mechanical, echoing the steady insistence of electronic music; at others, it breathes and swells with human elasticity. This interplay creates a powerful sense of movement, an impression that the music is always advancing, even in its most introspective passages. "We almost consider this album as the first record of a new version of the band. That's why we decided to use the name Lost in Kyiv now. We don't want to erase the past, but it really feels like a new direction. Artistically, I think this album marks the beginning of a new direction, louder and more metal-oriented than what we did before." (Lost in Kyiv) FOR FANS OF Russian Circles * P.G.Lost * The Ocean * Cult of Luna * Brutus * This Will Destroy You

Repress
*BRAND NEW ALBUM RELEASED.

2026 Repress

Here's to a special one..

Ashtar Afterhours is Kenneth Graham - originally from Los Angeles, he has been a defining presence in electronic music ever since the 90s. Buying his first classic synthesizer, a Yamaha CS01, in 1984, he delved into music production at an early stage. Kenneth put out over 40 releases over the years- under his own name as well as stepping up under various aliases- Estelle Montenegro, KG Beat, Exit Strategy and many others. Kenneth also formed some super-groups together with friends, his Sun Children / Sunkiss project- together with David Alvarado- put out highly influential music on legendary Peacefrog Records.

Body Music was originally released on Plastic City in 2001 and it has been a Smallville favourite since a long time, so we are super happy to present this beauty as a repress, as always with a full cover artwork by Stefan Marx.

All tracks written & produced by Kenneth Graham, B3 w&p by Kenneth Graham & Gabriel Ortega
Vinyl cut by Helmut Erler at Lathesville

Strut presents the second studio album from Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express and a firm favourite with Auger aficionados, the “little known masterpiece” A Better Land from 1971. Marking a clear evolution from their more jazz-rock leaning debut, the band shifts into a mellower direction on these tracks, echoing the feel of Befour released in the Trinity's later years. A Better Land embraces warmer, more melodic and understated compositions, primarily written by guitarist Jim Mullen. With its languid and spacious approach, the album brings an grounded message to make the most of the simple pleasures in life with a hopeful, but wary, eye to the future. Musically, Auger brings acoustic guitars, country rock melodies and three-part vocal harmonies into his musical palette. Key tracks include the groove-driven title track ‘A Better Land’, the sparse ‘Dawn of Another Day,’ (sampled by Air and Black Milk among others) while ‘Fill Your Head With Laughter’ returns to Auger's trademark driving Hammond-led sound, akin to early Traffic.

The record features the Brian Auger’s unique sound on organ and electric piano, joined by Jim Mullen on guitar, Barry Dean on bass and Robbie McIntosh on drums and percussion, with Auger, Mullen and Dean all contributing vocals. Mullen co-wrote seven of the album’s nine tracks, with additional contributions from Alan Gorrie (later of Average White Band). These songwriters should take immense pride in their work as Auger’s favourite singer of all time, Sarah Vaughan, recognised the quality of these compositions by covering three of them; ‘Trouble’, ‘On “Thinking It Over’, and ‘Tomorrow City’ for her 1972 album A Time in My Life. This new official Strut reissue is curated by Greg Boraman of Impressive Collective in collaboration with Brian and Karma Auger. Fully remastered by Cosmic Audio, it is presented as a high-quality single LP replica edition.

Deaf Center member Otto A Totland’s 2014 debut LP, an intricate work for solo piano.

Otto A Totland's modern compositional elements are most widely recognized as half of the Norwegian duo Deaf Center, where his melancholic, intricate piano work provides haunting relief to the beds of noise and deep strings from Erik K Skodvin. Pinô is the first full-length release by Totland, though his solo work has been released once, as the 5-minute A-side of Sonic Pieces 7inch Harmony From the Past. Otto's previously brief vignettes are now expanded into a fully personal realization of his own style.

Initial track Open fills itself with heavy, knowing pauses that quickly become overwhelmed with the desire to understand what's to come. Each silence leads into quick flutters of keys, preparing the listener for a vast terrain of giddy beauty, bleak depths, and true contentedness. Pinô quickly recalls deep winter; in front of a fireplace for days on end, you lose how far along you've ventured into the 18 tracks without any idea how far is left to go. The experience feels inevitable, with no other option but to curl up somewhere cozy and appreciate the sense of timelessness that Totland has created. His album is a haunting modern compositional treasure, expressed through instrumentals completely unique to Totland and captured masterfully by Nils Frahm at Durton Studios.

With Pinô, Otto A Totland appears out of the Norwegian landscape, sharing an achievement that will provide a relief during the brooding winter darkness. Though a highly personal endeavor, the recognizable continuation of Totland’s compositions will attract fans of Deaf Center, and the cinematic and classical components of his solo work will hold sway for those familiar with Harold Budd or Dustin O’Halloran.

TAURO ist das Gemeinschaftsprojekt unter der Leitung der in Toronto ansässigen Künstlerin Cynthia Tauro, das in enger kreativer Zusammenarbeit mit Brendan Canning von Broken Social Scene entstanden ist. Was als informelle Songwriting-Sessions im Wohnzimmer begann, entwickelte sich organisch zu einem fokussierten Werk, das auf Vertrauen, einer gemeinsamen musikalischen Sprache und dem bewussten Verzicht auf das Überdenken der ,nächsten Schritte" basiert. Das Projekt ist bewusst schlank gehalten, wobei Entscheidungen im Raum bleiben und die Musik den Prozess leitet. Act One verbindet emotional direkte Pop-Songwriting-Elemente mit jazzbeeinflussten Harmonien, synthgetriebenen Texturen und zurückhaltenden rhythmischen Experimenten. Beeinflusst von Künstlern wie Air, Sade, Carole King und Tracey Thorn, schaffen die Songs ein Gleichgewicht zwischen Intimität und Vorwärtsbewegung, geprägt von jüngsten persönlichen Umbrüchen und dem gemeinsamen Interesse, der natürlichen Richtung jedes Songs zu folgen, anstatt einen vorbestimmten Sound zu erzwingen. Die Produktion ist songorientiert und explorativ, sodass Textur und Arrangement intuitiv entstehen können. Mit Beiträgen von bewährten Mitwirkenden wie Thom D'Arcy, Kintaro Akiyama, Moose (Spencer Muscio) und Josh Trager verfügt das Album über eine starke kreative Herkunft, während es sich weiterhin auf Cynthias Stimme und Perspektive konzentriert. Die frühe Unterstützung durch Trendsetter wie KEXP, KCRW und CBC Radio Canada signalisiert Entdeckungspotenzial und positioniert TAURO als modernes, songwriterorientiertes Projekt mit langfristigem Entwicklungspotenzial statt als einmalige Zusammenarbeit.

Orange Splatter vinyl. "Sermon of Mockery" by Pyrexia is not an album that tries to be accessible - it is built to be heavy, direct, and unsettling, and it delivers exactly that. Released in 1993, it sits right in the middle of a key moment when American death metal was evolving into something more technical and extreme. The sound is rooted in the New York scene: tight, compact riffing, constant stop-and-go structures, aggressive drumming, and deep guttural vocals with no room for melody. It's not about speed alone, but about control - everything feels deliberate, almost surgical in how the songs are constructed. Lyrically, the album revolves around a strongly blasphemous and anti-Christian theme. It's not just shock value; it's more like an inverted liturgy, where religious symbols are twisted into something dark and violent. This concept is consistent throughout the music, lyrics, and visuals, as you can see in the booklet. It may not be a mainstream landmark, but it played a key role in shaping the brutal death metal sound that followed. It influenced many underground bands and is still regarded today as a cult record. Listening to it now, the production may feel dated, but that's also part of its strength - it's raw, honest, and uncompromising. In short, it's a record that perfectly captures a specific era and mindset within the genre.

* Begleittext vom legendären Musiker, Autor und Compiler Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith, Nuggets) * Das Booklet enthält bisher unveröffentlichte Fotos und Raritäten * Das Cover wurde restauriert und auf ein Gatefold-Cover erweitert * Neu remastert * Platz 5 auf Kurt Cobains Liste der 50 Lieblingsalben 1968 schnappten sich drei Schwestern aus Fremont, New Hampshire, ihre Instrumente und nannten sich ,The Shaggs". In diesem Moment begann eine eigentümliche Geschichte, die weit über die fünfjährige Existenz der Gruppe hinausreichen sollte. Dot, Betty und Helen (und gelegentlich Rachel, die vierte Schwester) spielten in der Gruppe auf Drängen ihres Vaters, Austin Wiggin Jr., der überzeugt war, dass sie groß rauskommen würden. Jahre zuvor hatte Austins Mutter ihm aus der Hand gelesen und vorausgesagt, dass ihr Sohn eine strohblonde Frau heiraten würde, dass er nach dem Tod seiner Mutter zwei Söhne bekommen würde und dass seine Töchter eine beliebte Musikgruppe gründen würden. Die ersten beiden Vorhersagen traten ein, also war Austin sicher, dass auch die dritte eintreffen würde. Mit unerschütterlichem Selbstvertrauen und der kühnen Vorhersage seiner Mutter beschloss Austin, dass seine Töchter auf den Besuch der örtlichen Highschool verzichten und stattdessen zu Hause unterrichtet werden sollten, unterbrochen von einem strengen Programm aus Instrumental- und Gesangsübungen sowie Jumping Jacks und Sit-ups. Bald darauf betraten The Shaggs die Fleetwood Recording Studios in Revere, Massachusetts, um ihr einziges Album ,Philosophy Of The World" aufzunehmen, eine Sammlung von Garage-Rock-Songs, die Charme und Dissonanz gleichermaßen in Einklang brachten. Austin gab den Großteil seiner Ersparnisse nicht nur für die Aufnahmen aus, sondern auch für die Produktionskosten, um 1.000 Exemplare des Albums zu pressen (von denen 900 nach Fertigstellung auf mysteriöse Weise verschwanden). Im gesamten Album werden einfache Wahrheiten durch die Feder von Schwester Dot, der Songwriterin der Band, offenbart. Die Reichen wollen das, was die Armen haben, genauso wie die Armen das wollen, was die Reichen haben. Deine Eltern lieben dich. In der Nähe liegt Glück und in der Ferne Traurigkeit. Das Album erfüllte Austins Erwartungen an den Rockstar-Ruhm nicht, doch die Gruppe blieb bis zum Tod ihres Vaters zusammen und trat regelmäßig im Rathaus von Fremont und in einem örtlichen Pflegeheim auf; weitere Alben wurden jedoch nicht veröffentlicht. Das hätte das Ende sein können, bis die Rockband NRBQ eine Kopie bei einem Radiosender in Massachusetts entdeckte und sie 1980 neu veröffentlichte. Der damalige Rezensent des Rolling Stone beschrieb es als ,die atemberaubend schrecklichste wunderbare Platte, die ich seit Ewigkeiten gehört habe". Fast 50 Jahre später zählt das Album zu den polarisierendsten LPs aller Zeiten. Manche sagten, es sei das Schlimmste, was je produziert wurde. Andere empfanden es als eines der großartigsten Langspielalben des 20. Jahrhunderts. Frank Zappa bezeichnete die Band bekanntlich als ,besser als die Beatles", während Kurt Cobain das Album auf Platz 5 seiner Liste der 50 Lieblingsalben setzte. Originalausgaben des Albums erzielen Preise von 10.000 Dollar. Jahrzehnte später könnte man argumentieren, dass Austin vielleicht die ganze Zeit recht hatte. Wir sind alle hier und immer noch fasziniert von der Reinheit der Shaggs.

Lifeforce is the 1985 sci-fi horror cult film directed by Tobe Hooper, responsible for the 1974 horror classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Based on Colin Wilson's 1976 novel The Space Vampires, the film is about the remnants of a race of intergalactic vampires who are brought to London, where they soon begin to infect its population.

Legendary composer Henry Mancini has soundtracked this apocalyptic descent into chaos. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in film history exemplified by his impressive trophy wall: he won four Oscars, a Golden Globe, and twenty Grammy Awards, plus a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is most famous for "Moon River" performed by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and of course The Pink Panther.

James Horner was first asked to compose the score, but Mancini was brought in instead and crafted a piece of music both bombastic and ambient (and sometimes even atonal), employing the London Symphony Orchestra. Sit back and feel the fear...

The soundtrack of Lifeforce is available as a limited edition of 500 individually numbered copies on purple marble vinyl, and includes a 4-page booklet containing an alternate cover, film stills, and a fold-out movie poster replica.

Following the massive success of their sophomore album Fading Forward, Les Imprimés, by popular demand, press two standout tracks from the album on the coveted 7" format. The A side, 'You & I,' is a feel-good, upbeat homage to the kind of love that endures "through the chaos and the blunders." Punchy drums and keys create an undeniable two-stepper for frontman Morten Martens' vocals to float above. Dreamers dream and dancers dance as Martens paints a picture of a devoted, understanding love that few are lucky enough to find. On the B side, Les Imprimés offer their take on the classic slow jam. 'Miss The Days' unfolds gradually, with slow pulsing drums and building instrumentation that evoke longing and nostalgia. Martens sings of simpler times impossible to forget-moments free of adult responsibilities, when "it was you and me, hand in hand, sometimes wasted_" Ama Li joins him on vocals, transforming the track into a killer modern take on the classic soul duet, a tune sure to resonate far and wide.