HAVEN co-founder Keepsakes is finally back on his own imprint with 5 fresh originals filled to the brim with warped alien sound design, driving and grooving drum rhythms, and acerbic track titles fresh out of a twisted after-hours chat. Following on from releases in recent years on KAOS/OAKS, Turbo Recordings, Perc Trax, and Boys Noize Records, this latest EP maintains his signature toughness alongside his fun and quirky sound choices while taking his sound further in to jacking and groovy territory.
The EP launches with 'Vocoding Your Nan Out Of Existence' on the A1 - full of growling and tortured alien vocoder melodic experimentation combined with driving funky drum work and organic atmospherics, this slab of freaky techno weight is aimed directly at the most debauched of dance-floors. 'Get To Know It In The Flesh' follows up on the A2 with rolling, grooving rhythms and dramatic string stabs alongside outlandish synth melodies, looping vocals and eerie creatures lurking in the background.
On the flip 'Ready2BeginWot?' gets things jacking with swinging rhythmic funk and and ear-worm repeating vocal line in a fast house-inspired slammer. 'Hollow And Suited' follows on the B2 with its tribal driving drum work and mutating resonated vocals sitting alongside debased synth melodics for the most haunted club creatures. Finally, 'Corvid House' closes out the record with its swung and grooving drum loops, bird call sound effects, vocal hooks and euphoric pad bliss to finish off another plate of dance-floor degeneracy.
Buscar:funk in you
Skull Snaps 1973 album on GSF is iconic because of the huge number of times tracks on it have been sampled by the Hip-Hop community.
The album, produced by genius George Kerr, and featuring the talented Ervan Walters and Sam Culley, was released with a flourish and in a classic gatefold sleeve but GSF floundered and the album flopped. It’s discovery by Rap music makers has been well documented but before that happened it was discovered by UK Soul detectives in the 70s.
As the Northern Soul scene shapeshifted on from 60’s Motown sound alikes into contemporary black music a whole new music rosta took over the dancefloors. And just as Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s “The Bottle” got its debut British spins in the North, so did a whole slew of other acts - includung the Skull Snaps.
“My Hang Up Is You” became a single from the album and an underground anthem. One venue that became synonymous with the track was the Ritz in Manchester where the legendary Soul and Jazz -Funk All-Dayers helped shape UK dance music culture. Paul Mooney has created two 2026 remixes - one vocal and one instrumental - that pay homage to that 1970s golden era when Soul and Disco gelled into an unstoppable force. Fittingly both remixes have been dedicated to those Ritz All-Dayers.
- 2026 repress -
SHDW & Obscure Shape launch new label Mutual Rytm with powerful eight-track V/A "Federation Of Rytm I", featuring VIL & Cravo, Lars Huismann, Grindvik and more.
Favourites for many within today's modern techno landscape, Stuttgart-based pairing Marco Blasi and Luigi Urban, aka SHDW & Obscure Shape, continue to grow their profile and position as artists leading the current new wave of techno. Having launched their first label From Another Mind in 2014, releasing material from themselves alongside remixes from the likes of Rodhad, James Ruskin and Dax J, early December welcomes the arrival of a new project and a second imprint to the fold, Mutual Rytm.
Showcasing a new dimension of techno and electronic music, celebrating originality and innovation by combining timeless cuts from the past with cutting edge sounds of the present and the future, the label will serve as a breeding ground for new artists alongside established talent and legends from the scene. Opening the imprint in style, the label bosses head up the first-ever release and the first V/A "Federation Of Rytm I" as they welcome a selection of new and established talent.
"Since the beginning of the global pandemic, we have been diving deep into the roots of our music and working on the aesthetics of our sound. That's when we realized that now is the right time to start a new project which differs from FAM, in both musical and artistic direction. The project will showcase a new dimension that aims to channel the authentic perspectives of both established and up-and-coming talents. With our new label, we want to give all artists the opportunity of musical freedom and expression of their versatility as producers. It is an honour to accompany the young artists on their careers, to see them grow and to help them in their development as musicians." - SHDW & Obscure Shape
The duos rolling opener "Conquest Of Paradise" quickly sets the tone and builds to reveal a classy and slick offering, combining rich stabs with tough drums and sharp hats, while Invexis keeps the tempo high as he weaves escalating synths and pacy kicks across "Elektronenwind". VIL & Cravo combine on the jacking and lively "Apolonia Loop", as eerie synths work amongst warped vocals across a tweaked out peak-time effort, before Alarico keeps the energy levels up throughout the relentless funk of "I'm Into You".
The second half of the package sees Lars Huismann enter the fray with the no-nonsense, snaking grooves of "Hyper Dub", with Nicolas Vogler's "Sauva Bite" fusing hypnotic tones with straight regimented claps for an intense yet playful ride through sounds and sonics. "Your Dry Lips" switches up the aesthetic as Grindvik journeys down a wormhole of metallic percussion and warping low-ends, before closing the show with authority via Stigmata's grinding and menacing offering "Gestas".
While self-proclaimed "garage and jackin' house" revivalist Marc Cotterell has developed his Plastik People label into a fine outlet blessed with an ever-growing family of artists, he still maintains a steady release schedule of his own. The British producer is naturally in good form on his latest Plastik People missive. Check first opener 'Take Your Time', where breezy piano stabs and deliciously soulful vocals ride a squelchy bassline and loose-limbed garage-house beats, before admiring the more "trad" soulful house flex of the gorgeous and lightly funky 'Mysterious Ex'. Over on side B, 'Feed The Soul' is a string-laden slab of revivalist New Jersey garage-house goodness which doffs a cap to the early 1990s, while 'This Life Living' re-casts Jill Scott r&b classic 'Golden' as a rolling soulful house delight.
Coming in hot on Berlin's Toy Tonics label: a new EP by the talented duo ALMA NEGRA!
Founded in 2013, Alma Negra is a Swiss collective centered around the brother duo Dersu and Diego Figueira, whose diverse roots in Switzerland and Cape Verde inform their sound. The project was launched with the ambitious vision to explore the world's diverse rhythms and drive musical innovation by mixing different styles. Their work is anchored in a process of digging and sampling, skillfully blending traditional sounds-from Fela Kuti-influenced Nigerian afrobeat and Angolan Lamento to Caribbean Zouk and the Maloya sound of Réunion-into a contemporary dance music context.
The Figueira brothers' eclectic DJ sets embody this ethos, peppering disco and house with salsa, samba, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean carnival rhythms, all under their guiding motto: "As long as it's Funky."
Since 2014, Alma Negra has made an important contribution to intercultural exchange in their hometown of Basel. Their international presence began in 2015 with their first shows abroad in countries like France, the Netherlands, and Portugal. From 2016 to 2019, their reach expanded significantly, with performances in major hubs like London, Paris, and Berlin, as well as Istanbul, Tel Aviv, and Tunisia. Highlights from this period include sets at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Dimensions Croatia, and Fuse Club in Brussels. Their standing is further cemented by releases on respected labels like Heist Recordings, Sofrito, and Basic Fingers, alongside remixes from an elite group of peers, including Soulphiction, Kuniyuki, and Yuksek.
Parallel to their studio and DJ work, the project expanded into the Alma Negra Live Band, formed with jazz musicians from Basel. While the band is currently on hiatus, this collaboration made live instrumentation increasingly central to their productions, creating a dynamic they feel is essential for any dancefloor. The live band has performed in cities like London and Hamburg and has led to collaborations with artists such as French singer Pat Kalla and jazz trumpeter Bodo Maier.
- Out Here
- Where Did We Go? (Feat. Kiefer)
- Never Gonna Break Your Heart
- Sing, Everybody
- Please Don't Give Up!
- Imagine
- Half Shuffle
- Running Away
- Play The Game (Feat. Uhmeer)
- Don't Be So Hard On Yourself
- I Need You (Feat. Esme)
- Extraordinary
- Hello Sunrise
Getreu seinem Namen ,Extraordinary" erweitert Gareth Donkins zweites Album die Bandbreite seines virtuosen Soul-Pop-Songwritings nicht nur auf akustischer Ebene, sondern auch auf einer zutiefst persönlichen Ebene. Ein Schritt weiser und selbstbewusster, frisch aus einem Feature auf dem neuen Album von De La Soul, lässt der in London lebende Singer-Songwriter und Produzent vergangene Konstrukte hinter sich, um die Gegenwart mit seinem bisher ausgereiftesten, umfangreichsten und beeindruckendsten Werk zu feiern, das mit verspieltem Charisma und modernem Glanz an Disco-, R&B- und Funk-Größen anknüpft. Er sagt: ,Bei ,Extraordinary` geht es darum, sein Leben selbst in die Hand zu nehmen, neue Erfahrungen und Abenteuer anzunehmen." Donkins bahnbrechendes Debütalbum ,Welcome Home" aus dem Jahr 2023 fand von BBC Radio bis Billboard (,ein Soul-Genie") großen Anklang und brachte ihn zum ersten Mal zum SXSW. Dennoch war die Saison von Rückschlägen und Herzschmerz geprägt. Zunächst streckte er seine Hände nach der Fantasie aus mit der kathartischen Suite Escape EP. Dann, mit klarem Kopf, engagierte er ein Traumensemble, um seine nächste Vision zu verwirklichen, darunter ESME, Kiefer, UHMEER, Shaan Ramaprasad und Howard Lawrence von Disclosure . Donkin hat sich einen Namen als Old Soul gemacht, als Ein-Mann-Band in der Tradition von Prince und Stevie Wonder, der oft in den sozialen Medien zu sehen ist, wie er mit verblüffender Leichtigkeit Songs zusammenstellt. Wie seine früheren Werke fängt auch ,Extraordinary" dieses unbestreitbare Talent und seinen Charme ein. Was das Album auszeichnet, ist die Weite, in der diese Tugenden zum Tragen kommen. ,Es klingt einfach größer, aktueller", fügt er hinzu. Von vereinenden Hymnen bis hin zu dramatischen Erklärungen entfaltet Donkin eine Art von Optimismus, der nur durch harte Arbeit an sich selbst entstehen kann.
- A1: Brothers To Brothers
- A2: Gs & Locs
- A3: Gangsta Shit
- B1: Send That Crab Off To Die
- B2: Mafia Lane
- B3: Fuck Crab (Skit)
- B4: Can't Stop, Won't Stop
- B5: Time Is Gone Nigga
- C1: Set Trippin
- C2: East Side Rip Riper
- C3: 187 (Skit)
- C4: Slob 187
- C5: Slobs Keep On Slippin
- D1: Every Dog Has His Day
- D2: Crip 4 Life
- D3: Wish You Were Here
2 x LP Red & Blue (Half & Half Effect) Vinyl in Gatefold Sleeve
The Bloods and Crips’ debut Bangin’ on Wax (1993) — which we reissued in 2023 to an incredible reception — inspired us to dig even deeper into this iconic catalogue. The follow-up, The Saga Continues, originally dropped only on CD in 1994. Now, for the first time ever, we’re proud to bring it to wax — pressed on solid Blue and Red vinyl, of course. This concept was a pivotal moment in West Coast gangsta rap, uniting members of L.A.’s two most infamous sets. Crips from Compton, Watts, and Long Beach, and Bloods from Inglewood and Los Angeles auditioned for the project, with the sharpest MCs selected for the final lineup. All proceeds from the original Bangin’ on Wax album went toward improving local schools and parks for the community’s children. Over 30 years later, the lone CD pressing regularly fetches £50+ on the secondary market — and now the album finally arrives on vinyl. Sleeker in production and delivery, this record carries that true G-Funk swagger, tipping its hat to Warren G, Snoop, DJ Quik, and even Dr. Dre.
Mutual Rytm spawns new sub-label ‘Versus’ with debut EP from longtime techno associates Regent and Chontane. Continuing to expand its creative world, SHDW’s Mutual Rytm imprint now introduces ‘Versus’ - a new sub- label crafted for creative symbiosis between two artists across one shared release. Opening the series with authority, Regent and Chontane man the debut offering - two close friends and native Berliners who have been shaping techno for more than 15 years. Both long-standing members of the Mutual Rytm family, having released multiple times here before, the pair have always created music informed by life immersed in their local scene. Having both mutually influenced one another over the years, here they present their shared interpretation of techno with individual artistic DNA, forming a unified sound that represents the best of both worlds. Regent goes first, leaning towards functional, anthemic, dance-floor-focused techno. ‘Ephemera’ is tight, minimal but forceful; ‘Slow Burn’ has synth tension rising through the dark, next to glitchy percussion; and ‘Afterglow’ lets in more light, bringing otherworldly synths that hang above the groove and consume your focus. Chontane then explores a more musical and unconventional approach. ‘Plaxaric’ is supple, warm, and deep techno that tunnels into an abyss. ‘Grounding Factor’ is just as economical in design, but with introverted funk and evolving layers of sound. ‘Mental Lab’ spins out into complex rhythms inspired equally by IDM, jungle, and techno. It’s a mental workout as well as a physical one. Both artists add a pair of digital bonus tracks. Regent’s ‘Control Room’ and ‘Rarely Enough’ deliver elevated, hypnotic tools, before Chontane’s ‘Escore’ and ‘Outside In’ bring extroverted drum patterns along with contrasting melodic unease
Leuchtende Pop-Hymnen aus der diorama-Dunkelkammer. a substitute for light kreist um das Motiv des Lichts - als Verheißung, Orientierung und Täuschung. Es flackert in Monitoren, spiegelt sich in Oberflächen und lässt Erinnerungen im Schatten verschwimmen. Zwischen ausrangierter Liebe und digitaler Erstarrung suchen die Songs nach einem echten Funken - geboren aus Bewusstsein, nicht aus Strom. Auf ihrem elften Studioalbum zeigen diorama, dass weniger mehr sein kann: klare Arrangements, prägnante Melodien und Vocals mit ordentlich Punch. Zwischen clubtauglicher Wucht, hypnotischen Balladen und schwebender Melancholie entsteht ein Sound, der sofort zündet - und lange nachhallt. Trost in der Dunkelheit. Ein Ersatz für Licht.
Foundations Records brings you their hotly anticipated third release from Sonar's Ghost on Rinse Out EP - a bold four-tracker of breakbeat jungle, atmospheric jungle and jungle-tekno.
Sonar's Ghost
Starting out DJing in the peak hardcore era of 1992, Dominic Stanton rose as a post-hip-hop and ragga kid, cutting his teeth at free parties across the Shires. Drawn into the new directions of hardcore and jungle, he earned early gigs at the legendary Sanctuary, Milton Keynes, performing as Dom-unique.
Learning the art of beat-chopping on the Amiga 500, Dom landed his first release on Reinforced Records in 1995 and continued releasing into the 2000s as Static Imprints and Sonar Circle. Inspired by Dego and the evolving trajectory of 4hero, Dom began moving into more unexplored territory, producing eclectic, soulful beats under the name Domu.
After a brief hiatus, Sonar's Ghost was born - an outlet to explore the years Sonar Circle missed, from 1991 to 1995. Creating alternate journeys through that era, Sonar's Ghost reimagines the original sound palette using original sources, new blends of beats, and a lifetime of musical influence. For Dom, Sonar's Ghost is his happy place.
The Foundations release blends the eras and directions Dom loves most - from '93 bouncy darkside through to '03 drum funk - with authentic drums and samples integral to the vibe.
Here's the support on radio:
- Makossa (Radio FM4 Vienna)
- Distant Planet (Infrared FM)
- Sun People (Sub FM)
- Alex Ruder (KEXP Seattle)
- Haus of Beats (Txapa Irratia)
- Haus of Beats (Txapa Irratia)
- Tom Ravenscroft (Rinse FM)
- Jon1st (Subtle Radio)
- Martha (NTS / BBC R1)
- Harper (Czworka Polskie Radio)
- Gremlinz (89.5FM Toronto)
- N-Type (Rinse FM)
- Michelle (NTS)
- Mathieu Schreyer (KCRW, LA)
- Darkerthanwax (The Lot Radio)
- Bevin Campbell (PBSFM Aus)
- Errol Anderson (NTS)
- Ian (94.9 CHRW)
- OPR8 (Sub FM)
- Tramma (Noods)
- Carlos Contreras (Tilos Radio Budapest)
- Jay Scarlett (BR Puls Munich)
- DJ Tuco (91.90FM Prague)
- Ed2000 (Cashmere / The Face)
- Vinyl Junkie (Eruption Radio)
- Klaus Fiehe (1WDR)
- Benji B (BBC 1Xtra)
- A1: Mredrollo - Funkinmusic
- A2: Amand - In The Dark
- B1: Cameron Jack, Abel - Sixth Sense
- B2: Sapu - Gyal Got Moves
- C1: Disalazar, Natasha - Child Chants
- C2: Still-Life - The Sound Of Herself
- D1: Nacho Varela, Cruz Vittor - Bright In The Club
- D2: Victhor - The Dawn
- E1: Facundo Leiarz, Shayan Pasha - Leave It On
- E2: John Woods, Noraj Cue - The Youth Substance
- F1: Aldous - Silhouette
- F2: Nichols+Roark - Melodica
All Day I Dream bids farewell to another radiant summer with its Summer’s End Sampler, a 12-track collection of deep, melodic, and transportive sounds. Carefully woven together from a mix of rising favorites and emerging talents, the compilation encapsulates the warmth, nostalgia, and new beginnings that arrive with seasonal change.
- 1: No Secret Destination
- 2: Show Me
- 3: Eye Of The Storm
- 4: I Remember Your Face
- 5: In The Hall Of The Mountain King
- 6: Bolero
- 7: Checkmate
- 8: Our Little Secret
- 9: Turn Into Love
- 10: Up All Night
- 11: The Angel Song
SRC were no strangers to the Detroit Grande Ballroom live scene (that also featured The Stooges, MC5 & Alice Cooper), but SRC’s anglophile-leaning compositions made their records stand out from that pack. Beloved and championed by GENESIS' PETER GABRIEL & DJ JOHN PEEL, SRC were a band that sonically was a cross-section of the UK pop of The Zombies and the inventive, garage rock leanings of The Pretty Things (with a healthy dose of Blue Cheer thrown in!). For their second album, Milestones, SRC added new, ambitious sonic elements, creating a high-wire act that now encompassed funk, prog, and heavy rock. Anchored, as always, by the stun-ray lead guitar playing of Gary Quackenbush and keyboards of his brother Glenn, the band finds themselves still able to crush the listener with unforgettable hooks, but now with an added healthy side of sonic theatrics. This new re-issue joins our trio of other late 60s Capitol re-issues, including the original SRC S/T LP, the reverb-drenched debut masterpiece from Gandalf, and Europhia’s Abbey Road-produced genre-hopping A Gift From Euphoria. Now reissued from the original analog master tapes with the original cover artwork, exclusively for RSD 2026.
- 02: Runnin' (Extended)
- 03: It's Simple
- 04: Ike's Mood I
- 05: The World Is Yours (Extended)
- 06: Days Gone By
- 07: Funk Box (Feat. Capitol A)
- 08: Run For Cover
- 09: Paul's Guitar Story
- 10: Dirty Old Bossa Nova
- 11: Smoker
- 12: Hip Know Cypher
"Dieses Jahr feiert "Dirty Old Hip Hop" sein 20-jähriges Jubiläum, und wir feiern mit einer Neuauflage dieses absoluten Klassikers. Das ursprünglich 2006 erschienene und für die Worldwide Awards nominierte Album ist eine meisterhafte Sammlung von Tracks von Marc Mac (4hero). Mit den Musikern Somatik und Luke Parkhouse sowie den Rappern Voice und Capital A hat Marc Hip-Hop-Breaks & Beats neu interpretiert und in Grooves eingebettet, die den gesampleten Original-Tunes Tribut zollen. Dieser postmoderne Ansatz hat ein Album mit zeitloser Musik hervorgebracht, das Epochen überdauert und gleichermaßen frisch wie vertraut klingt. Und es funktioniert einfach." - Bob Hill. Remastertes 180g Doppelvinyl.
LP Transparent Purple Vinyl in Picture Sleeve
The essential debut album from Chicago’s disco-funk pioneers, featuring the timeless “Free Man,” returns fully remastered from the tapes of Tom Moulton for RSD 2026. Produced by Philly soul legends Bunny Sigler and Bruce Hawes, this record bridges Chicago’s raw energy with Philly’s orchestral elegance. Essential for any collector serious about the roots of disco and dancefloor culture — an all-killer, no-filler LP that sounds fresher than ever today. Remastered and Redesigned labels and sleeve, Transparent Purple Vinyl.
- A1: Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
- A2: Thelma Houston - Don‘t Leave Me This Way
- A3: Barry White - You‘re The First, The Last, My Everything
- A4: Rose Royce - Car Wash
- A5: Dollar - Shooting Star
- A6: New Paradise - Showman
- A7: One Hundred Ton And A Feather - It Only Takes A Minute
- B1: Blondie - Sunday Girl
- B2: Gloria Gaynor - Reach Out I‘ll Be There
- B3: Tommy Hunt - Loving On The Losing Side
- B4: Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I‘m Yours)
- B5: Kool & The Gang - Too Hot
- B6: Roots - What Are You Doing In Casablanca
- B7: D D. Sound - 1, 2, 3, 4, Gimme Some More
Tauchen Sie ein in das glitzernde Lebensgefühl der 1970er Jahre! Mit „70s Disco Hits Vol. 3“ holen Sie sich die größten Dancefloor-Klassiker einer unvergesslichen Musikära direkt nach Hause – energiegeladen, zeitlos und voller Groove.
Diese exklusive Vinyl-Compilation vereint ikonische Künstler und Welthits, die die Disco-Welle geprägt haben:
• Donna Summer – Die „Queen of Disco“ begeistert mit ihren elektrisierenden Hymnen und unverwechselbarer Stimme.
• Barry White – Samtweiche Soul-Vibes und unverkennbarer Groove.
• Blondie – Disco trifft New Wave mit ikonischem Sound.
• Stevie Wonder – Funkige Rhythmen und musikalische Meisterwerke.
„70s Disco Hits Vol. 3“ bringt das Gefühl von Spiegelkugeln, Plateauschuhen und durchtanzten Nächten zurück – eine musikalische Zeitreise in die goldene Ära der Disco.
Let the music play – und machen Sie Ihr Wohnzimmer zur Tanzfläche!
Silicon Scally and Fleck E.S.C. need no introduction at this stage. Both artists are veterans not just of Sheffield's Central Processing Unit label but of modern electro as a whole, with the pair having decades of skin in the game at this point. Their new release, a four-track EP entitledSlipwhere Silicon Scally handles the first half and Fleck E.S.C. the second, carries itself with the adventurous confidence of a record made by masters of their craft.
Slipopener 'Phased Array' is exactly the kind of top quality machine-funk tackle you'd expect from this meeting of minds. The beat programming is deliciously tactile from the off, hissing and clanking like machinery in an old Detroit factory. The feel of 'Phased Array' is altered, though, when the chords come in, a series of alternating floating sounds which give the track an altogether eerier feel. When all of this is coupled with the otherworldly synth blurts that periodically force their way to the front of the track, the overall effect is a piece of real depth assembled by an expert practitioner.
'Phased Array' is followed up by 'Stax', another brilliantly propulsive number. Here we find the drum beat - one which is a little reminiscent of that Kraftwerk tune about the numbers, no less - once more offset by some decidedly more shadowy synth work, all while arpeggiated keyboard licks work against an intricate web of basslines, chords and unidentifiable flying synth tones.
Fleck E.S.C. opens theSlipB-side with 'Good Ride', a number where the nudge-wink title is borne out by a track built around looped snippets of sighing vocals. That said, with a bassline that sounds like a blurting old landline telephone, a ghoulish synth lead and all manner of motion-sick breakdowns, the 'ride' in question could just as well be aWipeout-style whizz through hyperspace as anything more suggestive. 'Good Ride' also sets itself apart from the other joints here by showing off a swaying halftime breakdown.
'Intox Remedy',Slip's closer, wraps the EP in a manner which continues some of the trends of the record's earlier tracks - richly tuneful chords, precision-engineered broken beat drum programming and a wide palette of delightfully unusual synth tones are all present and correct. However, there is also something about the chords here which pares back the eeriness of previous joints for a bit more of a wide-eyed, stargazing feel, and as such 'Intox Remedy' sees the record out by placing the listener firmly back in the cosmos.
Tough enough for the dancefloor and intricate enough for home listening, theSlipEP is a fabulous collaboration from two of the most respected voices in the electro game.
- I Call My Baby Pussycat
- Put Love In Your Life
- Little Ole Country Boy
- Moonshine Heather
- Oh Lord, Whylord / Prayer
- My Automobile
- Nothing Before Me But Thang
- Funky Woman
- Livin' The Life
- The Silent Boatman
Demon Records are proud to present Osmium Deluxe - the first recordings credited to the funk-rock ensemble Parliament-Funkadelic.
Since its re-release in 1990, Osmium has been distributed numerous times by various labels in America, Europe and Japan under alternate titles – including Rhenium and First Thangs. A number of these reissues have featured material that was not included on the original album, such as unreleased tracks and singles that were taken from the same time.
This in-demand, black-vinyl version of the Record Store Day 2024 sell-out compiles together everything from that period 2 LPs and includes; the full Osmium album, the single sides that never made the album, unreleased tracks, demos and jams – all of which made their debut vinyl appearance as one package in 2024.
Many of these recordings are still as far-out as they sounded when first released. However, the tracks here represent the genesis of what would become P-Funk and the entity that would give the world ground-breaking albums Maggot Brain (1971), Mothership Connection (1975), and One Nation Under a Groove (1978). An essential addition to anyone’s collection.
Mysticisms’ returns to the music of the Conscious Sounds label and their short-lived but highly prized Dub meets Funk project, Dub Specialists. Created by label head Dougie Waldrop and Chris Petter (Love Grocer) to explore their interest in samplers and a love of Funk and Jazz.
A hugely respected “Digital” and “Roots Reggae” label, Conscious Sounds has been a mainstay of the East London digidub sound for over 30 years. Dub Specialists released 3 albums on the Crispy Music sub label, they have recently gained considerable interest in digger circles, with rising prices to match.
As with their first Dubplate outing, the release features extended re-edits by the label and friends, this time featuring versions by Lexx, Miles J Paralysis, Chuggy and Vanity Project. Working with the simplicity and skill of his studio craft, Dougie utilised the Atari 1040, Cubase and Soundcraft mixer to effect. Petters’ chords sit atop reggae basslines, funk samples, loops and this time, a heavy dose of cut up vocals in to the mix.
While the first EP came from their debut album, Breat To Break, here the source material for the re-edits comes, in the main, from their second outing “Dub To Dub Beat To Beat”. A more expansive album that also dipped in to 4/4 rhythms and touches of House / Techno.
Opening track Dynamic Duo is a 4/4 stepper bomb – with samples from Adam West’s iconic interpretation of Batman – expertly extended by long-standing DJ, producer and edit master, Zurich’s own Alex Storrer aka Lexx, who dials things to max for a club stop. A new name on many lips, Miles J Paralysis takes it all back down with a beautifully drawn out, acid-tinged tripper. Bumpin’, the mid-tempo groove sucks you in, psychedelic and mind expanding.
The flip returns to the more traditional Dub Specialist vibes of Breaks’n’Funk’ cut ups, first with (co-)label head Chuggy’s faithful extension of Heavy Dub. Featuring the classic Ijahman Levi’s vocal, the breaks flow and piano / horns stab, a dance floor shaker for the discerning. To close, secret studio fixer to many, Matt Bruce again dons his Vanity Project moniker to perfectly tease and live dub (out) the half-stepper, Reality Dub and close this latest in the Dubplate series.
Beat The Mystery.
- A1: Mellan Slag
- B1: Pumpan
This is a super funky double A by the Swedish Dino Ögon - A side “MELLAN SLAGE” is a mellow summer feel groove, lovely melodic vocals full of beats and feeling.
On the flip is an explosion of drums – just want I needed.
B-boys and B-Girls, let’s get the lino to the ready, this one is gonna get you Movin “PUMPAN” is a happy uplifting groove that drops into one of the best drums and percussion grooves I’ve heard for years
Coming in extra bloody hot is the 6th release on Disco Combine, harvested from the fields of musical gold by Mr. Dave Lee. First up the epic 'Lovin' You (Was My Mistake)' a throaty Philly-soul favourite , which has been lovingly re-worked into a beefy peak time floor filler. For those who prefer a more dubwise approach, the 'Joanna's Groove' version starts instrumentally with rippling piano, building into a big string finale. On the flip 'How I Love New York' swaggers into your ears with all the class, style & panache you would expect from a jazz-fusion connoisseur living in the big Apple. Don't miss heading to the 'Midtown Dub' if you like things more squelchy and funktified.




















