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The most interesting, advanced electronic musicians create unique, hermetic soundworlds that seem to emanate from unknown realms. See/hear Aphex Twin, Autechre, Farmers Manual, Iannis Xenakis, and Bernard Parmegiani, among a handful of others. If Chloe Harris isn't quite in that echelon yet, she is quickly approaching it with Dose.(This album was originally issued on very ltd.-ed. cassette in 2012 and is now getting a vinyl release, mainly due to the urging of Italian techno magus Donato Dozzy.) A former globetrotting DJ, Harris has shelved that lifestyle and aesthetic for a more stable family life in the Seattle area and a more cerebral approach in the studio. With this collection of exploratory compositions, she decided to experiment with an array of synthesizers, mainly the Waldorf Q. Working on the eight tracks here in her home setup, Harris would 'layer as much as I could or sometimes there was no layering at all. I tried to let the machines talk. I was trying to find my own voice. It was sad and melancholy because I stopped DJing and decided to try something new in my career.' This change had financial and creative risks, but Harris has transitioned boldly into this more adventurous musical mode.

Athens of the North is proud to present Milton Wright's stunning alternate version of the now Classic Miami soul LP 'Friends & Buddies'. An altogether more stripped down, folky soul affair than its highly respected, much sampled brother is now available on Vinyl, CD and Digital for the very first time.

Shelved at the last minute then re-recorded and overdubbed, only a few promo copies of this early version escaped from the studio and are deep in the collections of the very few previously in the know.

The master tapes burnt in a fire at T.K Disco in Miami in the early 80s so even the label has not heard this in 30 Years. Many reissues of the second version of Friends & Buddies LP have come and gone, but Milton's original vision has remained hidden until now.

As searingly honest and stunningly soulful as any seminal Marvin Gaye or Terry Callier LP, it stands tall amongst its exceptional peers as one of the true pillars of quality 70s soul.

- Unreleased Alternate version

- New sleeve notes by Milton Wright

- Super-heavy high quality tip-on sleeve!

- Cut by the experts at Timmion Cutting Laboratory, Finland

THE company focused on realeasing original obscure dance classic and everything's that sounds fine to their ears !What a special one we have here on Skylax Classic! Damien Zala, the man who put out the superb album 'Lonely Happiness' on Rowtag Records in late 2012, who gets heavy support from the great Theo Parrish, dishes up six special tracks for our next release. Before diving in, it is well worth noting that a selection of Damien's album tracks had remixes by the likes of house icons such as DJ Jus-Ed, Rick Wade and Boo Williams! If those names register even the slightest blip on your radar, which they should, then this record might be the treasure you've been searching for. Damien's sampling technique has a certain air of grandeur to it. 'Shake Vibration' makes this apparent right from the start with intricate layers of vocals, guitar licks and keys. 'All My Respect' and 'Come Around' both follow suit whilst 'Dizzie' picks up the B side with a bit more energy and frenzy compared to what has come before it. The record rounds out with two tracks taking things a bit deeper. 'Stay Where You Are' drives forward with filtered pad chords that accompany jazzy sax and vocal cuts while conversely, 'Z To The Jz' brings in a moodier vibe with its jazz samples and smoky drums.
Do not miss the chance to get such a gem of a record from Damien Zala!, C L A S S I C ! A must to have in every djs collection. Essential Item No Digital .

Objektivity is starting the year with launching the long-awaited vinyl-only sub-label called OBJ Analogue. As the name says, the concept behind this is that in order to make the record, it has to be totally hardware based: No plug-ins! Objektivity head-honcho Dennis Ferrer says: "The OBJ Analogue is a special project for me and is dear to my heart because I love analogue gear, vinyl, and hardware, so I keep that side of me happy."
The first OBJ Analogue release is coming by VIVa Music's Steve Lawler, who delivered a very rough two-track EP called - Inna State / Recuperate", produced with the Roland 808, 909 and 606 drum machines. The bass lines are recorded and played from Moog Voyager and the piano on - Recuperate" is coming from Emu Orchestra Rack Mount. Completely analogue!
Make sure you get your hands on the vinyl as there will be only a few limited copies out.

The German saying 'Ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt man voellig ungeniert.', meaning once your reputation is ruined, your life gets easy, sums up a lot about Furfriend's artistic doing.
'Freedom of Filth' lives tightly along those lines and throws its full force of lushness at you, growing into an empowering industrial monster that makes you want you to rip all clothes off your body. If JFK did it, so can you.
If big room sound is too much for you and you miss the simplicity and pervy voice of Dingo Tush that made the duo famous, you'll wanna follow their instructions for self appreciation and have a listen to 'Touch Myself', A trainlike fuckfest for the dancefloor. Make sure to bring some lube!
Following is a short live recording from the 'Fuck Olympics' .... we are just going to leave this uncommented here.

Listen to this if you like: anything that we've put out last year, wrapped together in a lovely double pack of a 12 and 10. The Roundup part 1 is the first part of an annual recurring event: the big Heist family remix EP, where all artist names get put in a big bowl, and by luck of the draw, find themselves remixing (and remixed by) another Heist artist. We've got Max Graef remixing Detroit Swindle and turning the break up into a full on Graef-affair. The label heads themselves take 'The Organ Grinder"'s 'Change all the time' and turn into a deep Chicago-esque tune and completing the 12, there's Frits Wentink's take on Bluebottle, experimenting with his trademark shuffle. On the 10, Standout track of the first year of Heist 'Jungle' gets a lovely rework by Nachtbraker, giving it a more 4x4 feel than the original and The Organ Grinder who turns Frits Wentink's Schrewd into a full on Filter house cut. The artwork is handmade and photographed by Baster. Sincerely yours, Lars & Maarten

As one of contemporary alternative music's most elusive figures, Dean Blunt returns on Black Metal and delivers his most assured and ambitious record to date for Rough Trade. An album of two halves; the crestfallen baritone on Blow is juxtaposed by the inner-city sermonising of Grade, just as the melancholic strumming of 50 Cent gets rattled by the unrelenting stagger of Mersh. With ominous narratives of hunger and loneliness rumbling underneath the gloomy surface, Black Metal is a moonlit cruise through Blunt's cloudy metropolis. There's no telling where he'll go next, but this is one of his finest trips to date

Poker Flat Recordings has been dealing out underground house music with a unique twist since 1999; from the defining debut 'Loverboy' through the Bugnology series, acclaimed albums and worldwide club hits, Steve Bug's essential imprint has unearthed new talent, developed rising stars and welcomed veterans into the fold. Steve Bug's reputation as an exceptionally gifted DJ, producer and music connoisseur is about to carry the beloved imprint to its 15th anniversary, which will be celebrated with its finest collection of raw talent yet, starting with this first installment of the anniversary series called 4 Jacks. Following the winning format of the series thus far, Part 3 boasts two slamming new remixes of classics from the vault, and two brand spanking new tracks from Poker Flat's stellar roster. Argy's 'Love Dose' of 2005 marked the debut of one of the scene's most fascinating newcomers, and defined the sound of minimal courtesy of an unforgettable remix by Luciano; now getting a 2014 update, the track has been taken to by the talented duo Audiofly, who makeover its identity with their signature sleek deep tech style. Two heavyweights go up against each other next, as Joeski tackles the Martin Landsky classic 'Reject

After a two year gap Clio is back on Metroline Limited after producing two of the most successful releases from the label's extensive catalogue: For Sure Baby (2010) and Do It EP (2012). In the opening track, The Beautiful Forces, Blade Runner soundscapes morph into post-rave stabs and combine with heavy subs and sci-fi effects to create the soundtrack to a rave in an abandoned space station. On a more Chicago tip, Something Like That is a collaboration with French groove master Loquace. The result is a loose, flowing house jam, which as the lyrics tell you, is all about vibe - it doesn't have to be planned... it's just how you feel! The legendary Thomas Schumacher turns out a serious burner on the flip with his remix of The Beautiful Forces, bringing the vocals up in the mix and throwing in a pumping b-line to keep things moving nicely. Swiss rising star Yvan Genkins takes on marginalising the Chi-town flavour of the original and working the elements up into a eyes-down Tresor-style techno monster. Classic 909 hits, a satisfying low-end rumble... it doesn't get more floor-friendly than this.

This third release on Flatlife Deep is a deep detroit techno release from Mark Archer; also known as Altern 8 or Nexus 21.

"Correction" is a great warm track with warm detroit sounds and the remixes will surpise you ! Acid Techno, Deep Berlin Techno & Analogue Housesounds will reach your ears - get this vinyl in the pocket !!!

*More classic UK roots gets revived from Partial Records, this time in the shape of a pair
of hot shots from the vaults of the Jah Works stable and roots daughter Donette Forte.
* `Homeward Bound' is taken from the now long-deleted Donette Forte LP from 1991 `Wilderness', and this welcome reissue comes backed with previously unreleased dub cut `Dub Train'
* Mixed and produced by Rej 'Jah Rej' Forte at Channel One UK studio.
* Donette is recently back on the road touring with her new band Urban Lions after an absence of 20 years

Bell Gardens combines the musical visions of Kenneth James Gibson (formerly of Furry Things, now recording as
*Bell Gardens' origins began arguably as more of an experiment than the duo's current 'experimental' projects - McBride's drone- and string-laden ambient symphonies, and Gibson's ventures in dub and minimalist techno - as they sought to manifest their mutual reverence for folk, psychedelia and chamber pop in a traditional band structure without cannibalising any particular past genre. Bell Gardens' sound is less reliant on effects and studio trickery than the pairs' independent guises, laying bare as it does vocals and live instruments with emotional sincerity, and presenting songs imbued with an almost pastoral or gospel simplicity and timelessness.
Slow Dawns for Lost Conclusions was again recorded mostly at home studios, but additionally the band made use of a friend's desert cabin in Wonder Valley, California, and it seems this willingness to retreat from the city has lent an expansiveness to the tracks, in particular the spacious, ceremonial 'Silent Prayer' (written in a snowbound mountain cabin in Idyllwild, C.A.) and the crepuscular 'She's Stuck in an Endless Loop of Her Decline' (mapped out under the stars in the desert).
While the addition of strings (contributed by Lauren Chipman of The Rentals and The Section Quartet) and trumpet (Stewart Cole of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros) provides a double rainbow of tonal textures throughout, the nine tracks of Slow Dawns for Lost Conclusions are united by an understated elegance belying the newly expanded, communal effort in the studio: each instrument earns its place, nothing is overwrought or conspicuous. Moreover, it is McBride and Gibson's artistry in building stirring soundscapes from the barest of materials in their other guises that lends such assurance and sophistication to these arrangements.
The band is a result of the complimentary cross-pollination of Gibson and McBride's musical tastes - borne from a late-night conversation between the two that grew wings - and it is the universality of the sentiments and their restrained, reflective approach to writing and recording that allows the music to simultaneously straddle the past and the present. The music avoids pastiche, its pedal steel, sleigh bells and harmonies giving a nod to the ghosts of musical genres past, but never overriding or distracting from the emotional content of the sum of its parts.
The album ends with the glorious 'Take Us Away' - one of the first demos Gibson gave McBride when he was on tour with Stars of the Lid - neatly bringing their work to date full circle and exemplifying the band's mindfulness of their own serendipitous beginnings: the dawning of an auspicious, unique musical force.

Bell Gardens - Take Us Away -
Harmonies alert!! Actually, this is rather lovely. Slow-tempo, just the right side of 'twee' and packed full of strings, as if Air and Midlake had been taking balloon trips over the mid-West and sprinkling good-vibes dust across the land. From L.A. and subconsciously plugged into the '60s dream-pop scene, taking in a little bit of Mercury Rev and Brendan Perry en route, stopping off at Pearls Before Swine and Big Star's house for inspiration, before getting stoned with '70s era Brian Eno and Harold Budd.

Mark Henning returns to Soma with yet more jacked up machine funk in Titan. Mark has firmly established him self within the Soma mainstays and continues to further his sound on the label. This latest EP sees him take to the street with two energetic drum workouts laden with his unique flavour.

Title track Titan is very typical Henning, keeping the ingredients simple yet effect and created live. A solid groove from his trusty 909 that just oozes dance floor compatibility hooked up with a quirky synth stab, weird vocals and a eerie organ-like riff all rounded off with a fantastic arrangement makes for one seriously infectious track

Roots gives of a real ghetto-tech feel, as once again a 909 groove is enough to get things going while squelchy synth hits bounce of rimshots working up to a subtle rolling bass line. Mark's skill in the arrangement process take hold as he allows the tracks to develop into a full drum workout with mutes here and there and the simple addition of more stuttering percussion help to pick up the pace.

Henning as the enviable talent of being able to create dance floor burners with the simplest of elements, a task he delivers of with blinding result on this EP.

After their very large re-make of 'Dinosaur's 'Kiss Me Again' on Volume 2, Pablo and Shoey go straight for the jugular again here, extending an old housed up bootleg version of Eddie Kendricks' 'Keep On Truckin' into 8 minutes of dancefloor devastation.
Pre- Discogs, pre MP3's of everything ever recorded on the 'net, this little gem was one of the most potent secret weapons for The Unabombers in the heyday of Electric Chair. Some old fashioned, dusty crates digging by Pablo turned it up - now the world gets to have a listen !

Also included in the package is Detroit legend Terrence Parker and his deep, shimmering 1996 house classic 'Your Love', an after hours staple for the DTS boys since year dot.
Drenched in a hypnotic organ loop and a beautiful, tender vocal, it's house music with a warm heart and a sharp kick, perfect for a 'Let's All Have A Hug' moment at 5am !

For this 14th release, we give you the opportunity to grab 6 fantastic trax done by one of today's hotest producer from germany : ANDREAS GEHM aka ELEC PT1.After a bunch of releases on MATHEMATICS, BUNKER, CHIWAX, SNUFF TRAX, he sent us his brand new tracks & we felt it was so good that we decided to release them straight !His sound is firmly rooted in proto-house and acid. A whirlwind of crystalline electronics, playful synthesizer riffs (with a dash of original chi-town jack thrown in), it comes on like a particularly cosmic jam session between Stevie Poindexter & drexcya. Jack Attack ! On this evidence, Andreas is clearly one to watch

"Teilstueck" (German for part or segment) is the next excerpt of Jacob Stoy's ongoing attempt to translate his surroundings into music. It's his second EP for Uncanny Valley and is even more multifaceted than his debut "Redenswart" from 2012. With "OMG" you'll get the feeling that something sublime will happen right from the beginning. It's one of those tracks whereby time stands still until a mighty synth-line unfolds in all its glory. "CFM" comes in the same musical vein with a similar and slightly melancholic bass-synth dominating the drumming. By far more cheerful is "MKM". Based on a catchy bass line foundation, Jacob Stoy showcases wonderful synth-effects and sound with the beautifully oscillated pad making the cut. This is House music for machine lovers. The flipside starts with "HIM" and probably the most floor-friendly track on the record. The slowly but steadily rising organ chords prepare things and when the carefully targeted percussion elements come in, it feels like summer will never end. In contrast, "QFL" lives from its mysterious atmosphere and is very good example for Jacob Stoy's preference to use Electronica-like sounds for his House Music. The record is rounded up with "HHM" and a little nod towards past times when he used to play in a Jazz band. With its Delay effects, a fuzzy guitar and a great bass melody it's not far away from Krautrock either. For the artwork Jacob Stoy teams up with fellow student Chris Dietzel.

No sleep for those guys at Shabby Doll Records.

Not long since Nail's Lost Trax 1997 sold out shortly after going on sale, and they are already about to drop SHB014...
This time Shabby Doll bring a killer package from two of the most highly respected men in house music today - South West Seven. South West Seven are Montel and Sean Grieve. These guys have a track record to die for.

Their collab label 'Seven Music' has released tracks from the likes of COEO, Rhythm Operator, Giovanni Damico, Death On The Balcony and of course the man Montel himself. As a production duo, they’ve released on labels Kolour Ltd, On The Prowl, Sccucci Manucci, Carry On, and Solardisco.

But when Shabby Doll came calling, shit got serious. The result was three shimmering new cuts, on yellow vinyl no less.

It's a vibrant thing! The EP is BT1. Strong. P.S. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, along comes Shabby Doll favourite, 'Quell' on the remix.
Angelic.

The world of roots reggae & dancehall has been fully awoken to the fantastic analogue sounds of Kalbata & Mixmonsters' music - and even Rob Da Bank, Robert Elms, & Toddla T and The Wire magazine have supported and enthusiastically raved about their brand new yet wonderfully old school music.

And now - in time for summer festivals and carnivals, the floor shaking, speaker rattling track Congo Beat The Drum featuring Major Mackerel gets the 12 inch single treatment. The pounding drums and the larynx busting vocal performance from the Jamaican veteran is an unstoppable, unforgettable and frankly mesmerising experience!

Released alongside the original (and an instrumental version of stand out album track Out Of Road) is an amazing remix by Kahn - the Bristol based producer, renowned dubstepper, remixer, member of the Sureskank Collective - who with this remix displays his mastery of blending all kinds of styles, and injects his remix with some of his favourite influences - including Middle Eastern music scales - which ensures his reworking of Congo Beat The Drum is fresh, original and inspiring.

This single will be one of the sound system hits of summer 2014!

Fokuz Recordings, founded early 1999 by Dreazz and Drum Origins, has been through a lot over a long, winding road. Thanks to the boundless dedication of our talented artists and the loving fans, we can now celebrate our 15th anniversary! Expect six 12'' records and a double CD packed with tracks by some of the most upfront names in present day drum & bass. This is 15 Years Of Fokuz - Episode 2.3.

In this last part of the 15 Year vinyl series we find drum & bass all star Lynx remixing 'Midnight Runaway' by Intelligent Manners & Enei. Fresh sounds all over, we're very happy to have him as a part of this project. On the flip Amaning and Dramatic deliver the goodness with Moods! Superb rolling sounds that are perfect for sunny, chilled days. Better get both tunes for the full effect!

New York City, USA, 2014. A community filled with amazing shit and amazingly fucked up shit. This Yin Yang is an ever-present part of life, and it is this contradiction that Isaac Basker seeks to take on with Swishin' & Dishin,' his sophomore release on Play It Say What Records.

On A1, 'Swishin' & Dishin',' Isaac references NYC basketball legend, Walt 'Clyde' Frazier to define the city's Yin. Starting off like a certified banger; a simple 'bleep' blasts the track over a thumping kick and rhythmic percussion, as if attacked by a penetrating crossover dribble. Yet Isaac then drops his trademark melodic chords to turn the track into an authentic deep house groove.


With A2 Plan B Recordings boss DJ Spider provides his latest remix for Isaac, helming 'Swishin' & Dishin' (DJ Spider Mix).' The original is then obliterated into his classic raw, deep sound. Hard kicks, obscure female vocals, hats and snares form the basis of the track as we then get slowed chords to tease us until deeper sounds and syncopated percussion elevate the listeners mood before bringing the track back to the remix's original rawness.


B1, 'Slumlord Billionaires (5Pointz Of Light Mix),' Swishin' & Dishin's most dance floor friendly track, takes on the Yang of the city, using the to be demolished graffiti mecca 5Pointz as a point of reference. Yet, this is an uplifting build up banger of a track emphasizing human resilience in the face of doom. Booming drums start the song off until a single fluttering melodic chord drops. Then syncopated claps, and vocal hits arrive challenging 'the powers that be' to further enhance the song's call for dance floor resistance.



Then there is 'American't.' With B2 Isaac, takes dark analog keys and syncopated techno sensibilities over a simple eerie baseline to further emphasize the Yang. A manipulated vocal later emphasizes this further and another layer of angry, reflective keys drive the operatic finale of this definite New York release.

Breakbeat Paradise Recordings is proud to present Tom Showtime with his brand new 4-track vinyl release, The Butter Zone EP. As it has done so many times before BBP is bringing Ghetto Funk and Funky Breaks back to its roots by putting the funk in focus and letting the rest speak for itself. Never before has it been done as well as this with Tom Showtime getting on board and tailor-making this 4-track EP of banging feel good jams around our genres beloved 105 BPM, aka The Butter Zone.

Tom Showtime is no newbie to the field having dropped laid-back funk bombs on lables like Groove Penguin, Booty Fruit, Riddim Fruit, Tru-Funk as well as an artist EP on the Ghetto Funk label.

This time he really means business as he takes us on a deep dive into his crates of samples and treats us with some flawless ghetto boogie jams. The EP even comes with a scratchapella cut - so DJs don't forget to pick up your doubles...

In the wake of Blocks & Escher's recent outings on Metalheadz, Critical, and Zomby's Cult Music, Narratives present the first solo
excursions on the label from one of its founders, Blocks. Varied, emotive and beautiful, the Séance EP is innately Narratives Music in sound and yet unlike anything the label has delivered previously. The Séance EP fleets between ethereal vocals, forlorn strings and analogue bursts of glassy synths, while drum machines dance with live kits that would be fitting of 90s Mowax records. Bass lines loom heavy throughout, simple and driving rhythms that bed the delicate keys and story telling harmonics above. As immersive as it is succinct, Blocks has created an extended player awash with feeling and juxtaposition; again displaying why Narratives Music has been lauded across electronic music from the likes of Goldie and
Com Truise to Zomby and Rob da Bank. Forming the veritable gem of the collection, is the vocal laden 'Haven', a collaborative piece between Blocks and the hugely talented Jennifer Hall. Live instrumentation of bowed strings and bass provide canvas for the heart wrenching tones of Hall. Doc Scott describes the track as 'Deep, deep blues'. More akin to a personal reflection of the artist than the frenetic speed of a club, more Twin Peaks meets Portishead than dance floor energy; this is music at a Drum & Bass tempo by a producer that doesn't want to be caught in a debate on style or subgenre. In essence it seems to emphasise a recent quote by Blocks, 'Drum and Bass is anything you can get away with'. Label support from Goldie, Kuedo, Doc Scott, Rockwell, Benji B, Paul Woolford, Zomby, Friction, ASC, Jubei, Teebee, Pedestrian,
Rob Da Bank, Midland, Kasra.

For the second instalment from Quantum Entanglement we delve into the misty past, a time when moving parts ruled the dance, when the power of the night rested on a needle and a bassline, and before CDJs calculated the bpm for you...you had to touch things, buy things, and the bassline ruled over all. Acid Thunder, a classic by Fast Eddie, was the first dance record i ever bought. It was important. The guy who sold it to me, at the time a spotty school kid in his school uniform, was called John Stapleton, and the shop was Sidetrax in Bristol. Mentrix totally gets the kinda NY sluttiness of the original, and brings it right up to date....less of a cover, more of a homage, the entanglement of then and now. Need You is an entanglement of two very unlikely BFFs... John Lee Hooker and Joey Beltram. This isn't really a cover, it's more like the offspring of many things, times, and moments - it's like the grandchild of John Lee Hooker's track dated the nephew of Joey Beltram's track and lived in Neukölln. Again, Direct - 'Techno Gone Mad' on R&S was another of my earliest techno purchases - at the time it was considered 'Dutch Hardcore' but now, it's almost cute.... Quantum Entanglement....recycling other people's good ideas since January 2014

Having kick off 2014 in spectacular fashion with their Episode #5 collab, Superfiction label chiefs Italoboyz and Blind Minded join forces again to deliver the next instalment from their popular label series.

Lead track Paradise Adventure effuses a sense of mystery with its psychedelic guitar rhythmically tripping between beats and electronic blues licks heightening the intensity while never reaching boiling point. This adventure bubbles brilliantly.

Christian Burkhardt is drafted in on remix duty and takes us on a march with his strong groovin' bassline. The German allows the sweeping atmospherics to play their part and brings the stunning guitar riff to the fore, allowing us to get lost further in the rhythmic groove.

Champagne Kisses closes the release and the bassline rule again as Blind Minded fly solo, weaving a heavy slice of bottom-ended funk. The vocal playfully chases the key changes to create an excellent sing-a-long club cut that could easily have lead the release.

Two strong originals and an excellent remix make this an Episode not to be missed!

From the ruins of the birthplace of techno ...
Detroit Underground returns with this, their twenty second release, in a catalogue that has come to define the outer limits of experimental electronics while still adhering to dance floor basics.
This edition sees DU label boss Kero return to the spotlight in collaboration with LA based sound designer and interactive director Drasko Vucevic, aka Drasko V of Los Angeles based DRASTIC Music + Technology. Drasko has recently created, among other things, sound design for a promotional featurette for the Academy Award nominated film Gravity.
Given the label's long time fascination with the intersections of music, art and technology the collaboration is as fitting as it is fruitful.


Side A ups the collaborative ante as this 12'' comes blasting out of the gate with two very strong remixes, Exponent is the subject of a relentless 4/4 treatment from LA techno exponents Drumcell while Superheavy gets an acid-style work out from Canadian producer Jesse Somfay's Borealis project.


It is not until the second side that we hear the original versions of Exponent and Superheavy, both of which reveal themselves to be undulating masses of hip hop tinged beats over dark, bass rich undertones, with the latter offering some brighter tones as well - in other words pretty much what you might expect out of a Drasko V and Kero collaboration.


Side B is further rounded out with a couple of remixes from England's Si Begg and Valance Drakes the former coming in with a super compressed, squelched out, electro inspired take on Exponent while Valance Drakes chills us back out with an impossibly mellowed out version of the same

The debut release on new label Constant State comes from UK duo Al Gobi.
The pair (Ian Blevins & Phil Moody) had a steamroller of a year in 2013 with releases on Disco Bloodbath, Rothmans, Culprit LA and Audio Parallax. 2014 looks set to continue this trend with Al Gobi material signed to Messalina, Keep It Zen and Flight Recorder, amongst others. When they manage to get time together in the studio their output continues to shine.
While the original mix of a Cup of Tea is dark and unsettled - beautifully balanced bass notes and piano cutting through heavy, storm-pregnant air, Cottam's remix is the distillation of a second wind. His tribal, twisted, acidic treatment of this 3am concrete bunker anthem never overwhelms the piano refrain, instead giving it a new life, like the ghost of a party suddenly bequeathed fresh purpose as tired legs find boundless energy.
Meanwhile, Pueblo Grande brings something different to the party. Something harder, more insistent... Submerged snares and synths like razor wire combine with a raw bassline that stomps eloquently from 1994 to present day without missing a beat - and possibly inventing a few on its way - to create something wonderfully unique and very, very special.

Repress

Rarely you come across a record which embodies Dubstep so well that rallies the entire scene behind it. From the brosteppers to the deep heads this record has been getting love from all corners of the earth. We're talking about "Under Control" the latest outing from Germany's next top wobble aka Bukez Finezt. Its eerie intro sets the tone perfectly to interlude this hypnotic stomper. Once the sonic warfare is unleashed it'll transport you to a word of desolation, where aliens run rampant and technology has absorbed everything around them.
"You Don't Belong Here" & "Pace Yourself" are on a equal tip. 2 bigtime subloaded heavyweights that'll remind you that Dubstep is still very much alive and reminds us why we fell in love with this minimalistic bass heavy genre to begin with.

Here's what some DJ's had to say about Under Control:
"VERY NATTY!" - N-Type (Wheel & Deal)
"This one destroyed Contact last night" - J:Kenzo (Tempa)
"Three words.... Gun, Finger, Riddim." - Kaiju (Deep Medi)
"DUDE TUNE" - Megalodon (Never Say Die)
"System tune. Don't even bother playing this at home!" - TMSV (Artikal)
"Biggest tune of the year" - Tunnidge (Chestplate)
"One of the heaviest, most refreshing records of the year" - Compa (Deep Medi)
"Pfft more like OUT OF CONTROL" - Beezy (HENCH

117 Presents Forbidden Codes.
This compilation project is compiled and envisioned by DJ Trace, a veteran of UK dance music.New School players Verb and Quartz take on two classics to kick things off.
Mutant and Sonar get a modern and minimal touch up on crystal clear 10" collectors vinyl. Three more 10's continue this sonic experience featuring a group of the finest underground producers in today's scene.Kid Lib, Tim Reaper, Gremlinz & Homemade Weapons, Friske, Fade and Genotype appear over 3 plates.
Artist's on the LP display their 2014 vision which compliments the direction that 117 is heading.This moves far away from the soulless noise that plagues in various electronic dance music genres today. They use in this compilation, modern studio techniques enhanced with a passion and respect for the history of drum&bass.This LP is not to be filed under throwaway music.
Breaks and vibes unite to reminisce the days agone whilst outlining a new blueprint that pushes the boundaries of music technology.The essence of the 117 sound is explored and continues into the 24 digital tracks written by a gifted selection of hand picked talent from around the world.
Now is your turn to be possessed by the sounds of the 'Forbidden Codes' Released 28th April via ST Holdings.Mastered by Beau @ Ten Eight Seven, London.

Perc's second album 'The Power And The Glory' despite being released in mid-February has already been predicted to be one of the standout releases of 2014, receiving excellent reviews, DJ feedback and radio support. Now Perc Trax is proud to announce the remix EP for the album, featuring remixes by three UK artists who all make their Perc Trax debuts on this release. Each remixer was given free rein to manipulate the source material as they wished and the results speak for themselves, as Perc's original mixes are transformed into something new yet still retaining the innovative, forward looking attitude of 'The Power And The Glory'

First up is R&S artist and Poly Kicks label owner Tessela, who thanks to 'Hackney Parrot' and his new BBC Radio 1 residency has been making huge waves recently. Already previewed on his debut Radio 1 broadcast and in Perc's FACT Magazine mix, the Tessela remix of 'Take Your Body Off' is a heavily swung, bass heavy take on the track, still featuring the unforgettable screaming vocal of the original mix.

Next up Hemlock main man Untold, who himself been enjoying a great reaction to his own recent album provides an experimental take on the already out there 'Bleeding Colours'. Sounding like a lost cut from his album the track revolves around a foundation of ever morphing layers of bass.

Finally Scotland's Clouds get their hands on 'Dumpster' and focus more on groove than big room dynamics as they show off another side of their already impressive production talents with a deeper than expected remix to close off the EP...

You Know Who You Were Multi-faceted producer and DJ Ben Westbeech has accomplished something that eludes most artists - after ten years in the industry he successfully stands with 'one foot in the underground, one in the commercial' - and nowhere is this more apparent than on his first release on Aus Music as Breach which see's Ben digging deeper than ever before. After a year of high-power, unshakably catchy chart topping singles ("Jack' and 'Everything You Never Had"), a killer collaboration with Naked Naked cohorts Dark Sky and a well-received DJ-Kicks mix, Breach indulges some of his more underground and experimental tendencies on the 'Artis' EP. Bringing in bits of his past (the exotic, colorful vibe of 'Fatherless' can be detected in the lush atmosphere of 'Artis") along with some sounds newer to the moniker, Breach gets beautifully moody here and will once again keep people guessing as to what's coming next...

It's now almost two years since German producer Sawlin made his debut on Ann Aimee, but now he is back for a third EP on the Delsin sister label. Entitled 'Niedertracht', it features four more tracks of searing techno in truly uncompromising Sawlin style.

'Kontraktion' goes first with heavy metallic hits, lots of industrial machinery found sounds and thumping kick drums. It's lumpy, mechanical and stiff stuff that is slow and purposeful. The surface of 'Padjam' is then covered in squirming, scratchy little effects as syncopated drums swing deep down below. Eventually the thing gets fleshed out with some malfunctioning melodies and slurred vocal stabs yet still it sounds like no other techno out there.

'Niedertracht' takes up the b1 with a spangled techno track that has gurgling synths and fizzing drills all encased in a ravey arrangement of horns and windy howls. The broken sounding 'Weißhaupt' is made up of metal loops, punctured drums and rasping synths that sound like factories in melt down. This is truly inventive electronic music that's laced with a very real and unmistakable sense of industrialism, and proves Sawlin is one of the day's most exciting producers.

Their release on Kompakt at the tail end of last year was a big record for me and this follow-up has been getting incredible reactions in my sets. We're excited to bring it to you on Systematic as our #99 and keep a look out for the limited white transparent vinyl. Enjoy." - Marc Romboy

Monika Kruse - 'Rainer and Namito are two of the nicest guys in this business plus good producers! Well done again! Will play all.'

Kiki - 'Machine funk freakout! Should be a big one, as the last one!'

Huxley - 'Zick is a flipping MONSTER!! AHHH YESSSSS!!!!'

Claude VonStroke - 'it's a great record. I've been playing it for like 10months already.'

ZDS (Zombie Disco Squad) - 'Zack sounds like a chilled out Vitalic. I like it and will be giving it a spin.'

Sinden - 'These are fun tracks, also really liked their Kompakt release. Can't wait to play these.'

Tom Findlay (Groove Armada) - 'Well I absolutely love both cuts.....its everything you'd ever want from a Systematic release and more.'

Justin Martin - 'Zack definitely sounds like a fun track to me.. Looking forward to trying this one!'

Dutch DJ, producer and Wolfskuil label boss Darko Esser is to self-release his sophomore album, Anipintiros, in April 2014. The eight track album comes four years after his debut and is his first as Tripeo, the techno leaning alias he has been working under most often in recent times.

Working as Tripeo has reinvigorated Esser, who under his own name has been producing his unique take on electronic music for a decade now. 'It was liberating to have another persona take over,' says the man himself. 'I have been so inspired and productive ever since that I woke up one day with the thought 'I'm ready to do another album' and started straight away that day.'

Tripeo music is aimed squarely at the dancefloor, and there sure are some full blooded cuts on the album, but so to are there concessions to the listening experience, meaning deep, dark passages and more leftfield experiments help tie the whole thing together into one cohesive and coherent whole. 'Like all albums, this is a very personal statement,' explains Esser. 'It's just me trying to translate the overwhelming inspiration I feel right now into sound. That, and making the record as diverse as possible without losing the purist identity of Tripeo.'

That identity shines through right from the off on the album, which has been made using a knowing blend of both soft and hardware. 'Anipintiros #1' is a firmly rooted, rubbery bit of deep techno that works you into hypnosis and comes detailed with plenty of otherworldly ambiances. From there, Tripeo explores gallivanting techno run through with celestial pads on 'Anipintiros #2' and tripped out, ever shape shifting and dusty minimal sounds on 'Anipintiros #3'.

'Anipintiros #4' channels the widescreen and pumping techno of Detroit's finest whilst 'Anipintiros #5' is a more industrial and muscular track of the sorts that would sound perfect in the bowels of Berghain. 'Anipintiros #6' is one of the busier and more kinked techno rhythms with punchy drums and fax machine like melodies, before 'Anipintiros #7' thumps with real menace and 'Anipintiros #8' hums and hisses, spits and stutters like the suitably epic and melodic comedown you need after such a captivating ride.Everything, though is backed with serene synth work and an otherworldly sense of alien spirit that runs through all great techno.

There is plenty to get lost in throughout Anipintiros and it proves once again that Esser is someone able to coax far more feeling out of his machines than most.

DJ FEEDBACK

Early support from Blawan, Rødhåd, James Ruskin, Reeko, Exium, Mike Parker, Ben Sims, Rolando, Pfirter, Craig McWhinney, Cadans, Sandrien, Nuno Dos Santos

Limited White Vinyl Pressing!
While some of you might think of Planet Rhythm as one of those old labels from back in the day, it may not necessarily be the correct judgement. Not only is it a product of its past achievements, but it's also pushing things forward in the present time, with Woo York being one of a few new artists emerging from the imprint's recent catalogue. That said, 2014 starts with Ukrainian duo taking over Planet Rhythm headquarters as the label's proprietors and getting in charge of all of its future development.

First out of press is the duo's own EP highlighting their shift towards brand new, hardware-driven studio setup. From abstract TB-303-ish structures of Acid Rain, through the building peaks of Analogue Swamp, a perfect example of stripping functional techno, to Come Closer's uplifting trance-y melodies and the closing sequence of Strobe 1, this record is shaping up to be Woo York's strongest release to date.

Hot Casa Records reissues Disco Hi-Life, a real treasure album composed and interpreted by Afro-Soul maestro, Orlando Julius. Comes as delux 180 gramms vinyl with tip on jacket & inserts with interviews & photos. Check!
Following up to the 12inch release (HC07 / 2009), here comes the remastered version of a real mindblower piece from 1976 including four unreleased tracks, all recorded with the best Nigerian musicians, between Ginger Baker' Studio in Lagos and the American Star Studio in West Virginia, USA.
Orlando Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode was born in 1943 in Ikole-Ekiti, Nigeria and can be considered as a main figure of the Afro-Soul music history. One of the first African musician to get signed on a 'Major' label (Polydor), he delivered many hit single as a composer and effortlessly performed live as a tenor sax and singer. He worked and met with some of the 'greatest', such as Louis Armstrong, James Brown (for his Nigerian tour with Bootsy Collins), The Crusaders, Gil Scott Heron, or Hugh Masekela.
In the middle of 1975, just after they finished the recording of The Boys Doing It' album with Hugh Masekela, they all flew to Ghana and Lagos. It was holyday and Orlando had also plenty of time to focus on his own songs. He wrote 'Disco Hi-Life' in Yoruba and 'Children of the World' in English. And he immediately planned a recording session including 12 finest musicians, such as the great singer Dora Ifudu Avery, Adelaja Gboyega on keys, Kenneth Okulolo on Bass guitar, Butley Moore on drums, Fela's collaborator Tunde William on Trumpet, and also Ade, who helped sang 'Love Peace & Happiness'.
Originally released by Nigerian label Jofabro in partnership with the UNICEF association for the 'International year of the Child', it was only available in few promotional quantity... here comes the very first official reissue of this dancefloor masterpiece!

Blank Code start 2014 off strong with their latest EP Rituals of Submission, produced by Luis Flores, with remixes by Black Asteroid and DJ Hyperactive. The opening track Discipline starts off with a nice creepy atmosphere supported by a solid kick and just the right amount of percussion to hook you into the tracks core rhythm, which stays consistent while the supporting percussion keeps the intensity of the track in constant motion. Black Asteroid's Discipline remix gives the track a whole new perspective, while staying true to the original's excellent use of classic elements. The straightforward kick and up­beats work perfect with this track's industrial bassline, while cleverly programmed analog synths carry the track with slow triplet rhythms, and quirky stabs that drift off to space.

Luis Flores' second original composition, The Word, follows the same philosophy as Discipline, with many elements coming together to form one solid rhythm. This is a huge sounding track with intricate metal percussion and pitch modulated stabs that form a dark and inciting hook which is overtaken by filtered claps as the track progresses. DJ Hyperactive gets down to business with his remix of The Word and lets his Chicago roots shine through as hats on all fours and hard hitting claps are used to raise the energy sparked by the deep kick and well processed stab.

Please welcome SIS on Extravaganza with 3 pieces of music that you will love at the first listen!
He already released music on Cocoon, Crosstown Rebels, Get Physical and Cecille...and this is the time for his Extravaganza solo release.

A1 - Aldo Cadiz & Oscar Barila - Sofia Nights : I get long awaited moment , the debut of two international artists working together , Aldo Cadiz & Oscar Barila , as family members Original label , and of course, do it with three large Vilino courteous.The track that gives name to the album , and the A1 side of it is this , Sofia nights , bordering on the line we have this great deep house track , consisting of a solid base , tribal , percussive , very grooving and envelope accompanied by deep house melodies and vocals that bring to mind the fashioned Chicago House ., Track dancefloor and very danceable, with a remarkable elegance to highlight ., , B1 - Aldo Cadiz & Oscar Barila - Flex Pen: This such a distinguished track encompasses sounds like we had never before seen , is based on a broken and very atmospheric percussion , combined to perfection by this pair of great artists and old school Syntes voices blend very harmoniously . Topic has a great evolution without losing the line a...

Traversing with an understated technical assuredness, the ambitious shapes of Steely Dan, the popping lounge funk of McDonald era Doobie Brothers, the sweet mourning of the Stylistics and Delfonics, and the exquisite song-craft and flawless harmonising of CSNY, Daniel Collas (The Phenomenal Handclap Band), Bart Davenport and Quinn Luke aka Bing Ji Ling have recorded an absolute darling of an album under the name Incarnations. They are three friends with enough musical guises, side-projects, collaborations and production jobs to fill the annual itinerary of your average musician twice over. When three CVs like these get together on a regular basis, it's only logical they speculate and hypothecate on the possibility of an album together. But, how to make those congested diaries synchronise? Bart lives in Oakland and Quinn and Daniel are in New York, all three of them are on tour for the better part of the year. One sunny day in Madrid, Spain, a plan was hatched and a proposal was made. Lovemonk, a small, eclectic and affable Spanish label, dangled the carrot that clinched the deal; 'find two weeks between gigs/productions/recordings and head down to this little place we know in Tarifa, Southern Spain'. A family-run studio, in a house 5 minutes from a wild beach and a short ferry ride from the coast of Africa; the perfect ambience for the fleeting melody and sultry grooves of the Incarnations debut album, "With All Due Respect". Arriving with bits and bobs of half-songs, grooves and melodies, Daniel, Quinn and Bart, sketched and improvised their way to the most intensely evocative songs you'll hear this year. Punctuated by a day trip across the water to Tangiers, all 9 songs were written and recorded inside a fortnight in October 2009 and laid to rest while our protagonists jetted off to their respective diary appointments. Whether it was the beach, the soft weather, the fact that you can smell Africa from the studio, the home cooked Spanish food or the relaxed environment of the recording room, when the band returned to the songs at a New York studio earlier this year, they found an album as fresh and resonant as the moment it came into being. Quickly mixed down with no over-dubs or re-records, "With All Due Respect" captures the combined gifts of Tarifa and the three very talented friends that paid a visit. Incarnations are: Daniel Collas: DJ, drummer, organist, and one half of production team Embassy Sound Productions, the minds behind The Phenomenal Handclap Band. Plays - drums, percussion, organ and synthesizers. Bart Davenport: Collaborator with Greyboy, General Elektriks and The Phenomenal Handclap Band; Singer-songwriter with The Loved Ones, The Kinetics and Honeycut, and most recently a touring member of the Kings Of Convenience. Plays - guitar, bass and vocals. Quinn Luke a.ka. Bing Ji Ling: Part of The Phenomenal Handclap Band, one half of DFA recording artists Q&A and long time member of Tommy Guerrero's band; Solo artist on labels Ubiquity and Lovemonk among others. Plays - guitars, keyboards, vocals The band are named after Encarnacion "Nini" Sagrista, owner of the recording studio in Tarifa, who housed and fed them during their stay.