The debut studio album from multi-platinum singer RAYE. Featuring number one single Escapism feat. 070 Shake.
Four times BRIT nominated, RAYE is one of the most streamed artists in the world with over
2.3 billion streams of her music. She has a double-platinum, four platinum, two gold and
three silver singles to her name. She is also indisputably one of the UK's premier
songwriters. Her songs have amassed over 3 billion streams, having written for some of the
world’s biggest artists including: John Legend, Ellie Goulding, Khalid, David Guetta, Diplo,
and Beyonce. In 2019 she was awarded The BMI Impact Award in recognition of her 'groundbreaking artistry, creative vision and impact on the future of music, in 2022 she was
nominated for the Ivors Songwriter of the year, landed R1 Brits List and made her debut solo
TV performance on Jools Holland. During the summer of 2021, her cries of frustration for not being able to release her album were heard worldwide, leading to a mutual separation from her label and allowing her to
carve her own path. Having made her public tirade, followed by her personal 'declaration of
independence', Raye in effect has obligated herself to deliver the ground-breaking first
album that her 2019 BMI award prophesied.
Suche:gon
August Greene culminates years of mutual respect and friendship, channeling the musicians’ various talents into a cohesive project. The perfect marriage of jazz, hip-hop and soul, it’s music that just is. This is black expression the way God intended: earnest, unfiltered, and harmonious. Throughout August Greene, you feel the abundance of Glasper’s rolling keys, the sheer honesty of Com’s lyrics, and the nuanced subtlety of Riggins’ drum work. It’s a fluid sound that’s sorely needed in today’s landscape, and a teachable moment for the next wave of creators. “I feel like we need to set the bar for this generation of musicians and producers,” Riggins says. “There’s a lot of computer-driven music. This is the opposite of that. We’re showing you can still use your creative muscle on an instrument to generate your own sound.” August Greene is a meditative offering that stands tall against the era of “fake news.” “They body snatching black girls in D.C. / Politics and propaganda on the TV,” Common observes on the opening track. On “Nirvana,” the lyricist uses a stuttering percussive loop and faint piano chords to search his inner being: “Thought I was gonna fly when Obama became the king … when it’s all done, will I have heaven’s dress code, and been able to let God and let go.” As Com puts it, Glasper and Riggins’ soundtrack allowed him to open up in ways he hadn’t done previously. Like on “Fly Away,” for instance, where he riffs on the public relationships he’s had. Other songs, like “Black Kennedy,” feel spacious and scenic. “I got to go new places with the music, and it didn’t have to fit within a genre for me to participate on it,” he says. “This gave me an experience I haven’t had in a long time, so I want people to feel that. I want this to be a cleansing of whatever doesn’t feel good or inspiring.” In the end, August Greene speaks to those pushing through the dark for brighter days. It's a masterpiece from which virtue can shine. “I want people to go on the ride and be open,” Glasper says. “We just created and it became a sound. I want people to approach this with an open mind and without expectations.” —Marcus J. Moore
Bernard Szajner is a French composer, musical theorist, visual artist. He is credited with the invention of the laser harp, which he patented.
Between 1979 and 1983, Szajner released five albums of innovative and Avant-garde electronic music. He became renowned as a light and visual effects technician with artists such as Magma, Gong, Stomu Yamashta and The Who.
During the 1970s, he became a pioneer in the field of using laser technology as an artistic tool. As a measure of his success, he became renowned by his work with companies such as Cartier and Renault. In 1980, inspired by the novel, Nova, by Samuel R. Delany, he first created the laser harp. The laser harp became so successful that Jean-Michel Jarre ordered a version from Bernard Szajner for his tour of China. Despite all this, Szajner would only occasionally use this instrument in his own performances. He has stated that he would rather the public not know him solely for his work on the laser harp, and that it not be allowed to take precedence over his work in musical composition that it enables. This is also why he continues to develop other instruments which use other innovative methods of interaction, such as tactile or holographic.
Towards the end of the 1980s and disgusted with the music industry, he chose to abandon music entirely, and shifted his focus towards digital and visual arts, and theatre.
From Bernard Szajner : “These tracks are my preferred ones .... Ever ! ... For a long time I've been waiting for a record label to release what corresponds to what I like playing these days... Until Sleepers records decided to release this compilation which contains most of the tracks I enjoy playing live on stage ! At last my wish is fulfilled !”
Arma Records is about to drop its 25th release, an album by Vakula, an Ukrainian producer, active contributor to the underground community that has been united around Moscow's Arma17 since early 2010s.
On the 25th of June, '108 Mysteries' — a double vinyl comprising 9 tracks created by Vakula at his studio, mostly by the artist himself, few in collaboration with the vocalist Amrita Ananda — will be available on major distribution platforms.
Affected by circumstances, the release was repeatedly postponed until a mutual decision to move forward with its publication was made by the artist and the label. The tragedy that was forced upon Ukrainian and Russian people, throwing both nations into an unthinkable circle of pain, hatred and death, had a devastating effect on our cultures, historically perceived as a whole. The catastrophe unwraps further, taking lives, burning homes, destroying connections between people. At that terrifying moment we, the community of artists, still have the voice that used to bring us together — our music.
Philosophical and meditative, '108 Mysteries' is a new chapter in Vakula's discography. 'Highest Love', 'A Breath Of Life', '?????? ?????', 'Spirit Okarine' are a high-spirited mix of oriental and Ukrainian folk motifs — an unusual combination that happens to sound so full of life.
An aura of mystery is hidden on this magnificent album released on EMI Nigeria in 1974 and today a collector’s cult object was the only one named Moonrakers Band.
Steve Black tells: “We were the original members of The Moonrakers and were based in Zaria, then in 1972 we left band management and started The Elcados. The original management of The Moonrakers sold the name to his elder brother who had a club in Kano and they brought Prince Bola Agbana to get other musicians to continue The Moonrakers while we moved in as The Elcados.”
Moonrakers Band and Elcados were the two bands that inflamed northern Nigeria in the early 70s with a more rocking and virtuoso sound, and especially with tons of rare grooves, then everything else around it.
Coming to the album content tracks like Wait For Me, Cut Your Coat According To You Size, Yara Manyan Gobe, but also Enia Sa Pele and Move on, will make floating camels appear on the dancefloor, or in your house.
Memento records is thrilled to announce "Hotter than Hell" a dancefloor twister release produced by Matteo Lago, Andrea Santini and Miky R, three DJs with more than e decade of experience behind the Booth. They are best known for their sweaty kinky party named Pandemonium that is soon becoming a record label as an output for their studio work.
"Make Some Changes" by Andrea Santini is a groovy hi-shuffled percussive track with a juicy acidic touch with an outbreak of good vibes and positive energy
"The Party Zone" by Matteo Lago is a killer cutting edge House track with an hypnotic synth, a full-bodied kick and sharp hi hats that lead straight into an anthemic 90s vocal hook
Miky R's techoid "Wild Flight' spreads elegant quirks rand clinks over a relentless sub bass and sophisticated uplifting Detroit-reminiscent chords.
Don't miss it! It's gonna make a Pandemonium!
Lined up next on Toolroom, we’re set to welcome the return of WEISS to the label 3 years after his last outing. Most known for his certified gold, 2018 smash-hit ‘Feel My Needs’, which received critical acclaim, topping 5 international music charts at #1, and earning DJ Mag’s ‘Best Of British Winner’ in 2018. WEISS himself has locked in an incredible collaboration with legendary Soul act The Jones Girls, using their classic record ‘You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else’ to create the club stomping cut that is, ‘I Need Some’.
A prolific DJ and producer, WEISS has released cuts on DIRTYBIRD, Universal, Island Records, D4 D4nce, Glitterbox and Toolroom along with remixing A-list artists including Kylie Minogue, Robyn, Calvin Harris, and Rag n Bone Man to name a few. When it comes to the House Music elite, Weiss is amongst some of the best there is, touring worldwide and sharing stages with Armand Van Helden, Todd Terry, and MK.
Of course, The Jones Girls are an act that needs no introduction, the legendary Philadelphia trio of sisters are the vocalists behind the classic Soul cuts ‘Nights Over Egypt’ and ‘Who Can I Run To’, released on the renowned Philadelphia International label.
Backing singers to both Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross during the 1970’s, The Jones Girls have left their mark on Music History and still influence artists and vocalists alike today.
With a passion for all things Soul, Disco and R&B, WEISS has officially fulfilled a childhood dream working with The Jones Girls to create ‘I Need Some’. This is a Disco House focused cut that pays homage to the original record ‘You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else’, whilst reinterpreting the sample and making it club ready for dance floors.
The treasure chest that just keeps on giving. Another refreshing, reissued dose of solid gold UKG heaters from one of the finest garage acts of the ‘90s, 24hr Experience. Highlighted here, the first EP under the 24hr Experience name from Grant Nelson and Simon Firmin back in 1994 - Dub Essentials Part 1.
Samples galore, grooves upon grooves and that sweet swing to keep the bodies moving. Five iconic cuts from skippy vocal bumpers to percussive workouts and bass heavy whompers, this ain’t one to miss.
splattered 12"[12,19 €]
Originally recorded by D-Train, some might say this is one of the most important post disco records from the 1980’s, which appeared on the legendary Prelude records originally. What makes this version particularly special, is the fact it features another important artist from the post disco era Colonel Abrams, who is most famous for his cult classics ‘Trapped’ and ‘I’m Not Gonna Lie’ which both topped the charts in the mid 80’s. Aussie disco lord Dr Packer, who is currently on tour across Europe teams up with newcomer Sonic Soul Orchestra, who flip this into a fresh disco house cut that includes all new instrumentation whilst respecting the smooth vocal stylings of the Colonel. Plus remixes from Ross Couch, & Ricky Morrison (M&S).
Early DJ Support:
Jamie Jones, Mark Knight, Michael Gray, Roger Sanchez.
Age Eternal is the solo project of producer and visual artist Lissa Benno. She uses guitars, electronic hardware and her voice to create an hypnotic and heavy haze.
Familiar pop structures collide with organic apparitions of experimental electronic sounds. Layers of choral vocals and synthesizers move as ethereal mass through textures of heavy bass and percussive rhythms.
„Be The Enemy“ delivers an introspective view on transpersonal experiences and supra-naturalistic phenomena.
It has been one year since the world has lost one of it's most talented and gifted reggae singers, Apple Gabriel, one of the founders of Israel Vibration. We feel honoured and privileged to have been given the chance to work with Apple in 2010 on his critically acclaimed solo album Teach Them Right. There where plans for a follow up album but they unfortunately never materialised. As it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end.
Israel Vibration made some of their best music in the Tuff Gong studio in the early days. We went back there to work on this special musical tribute together with the Tuff Gong All Stars and with a contribution from sax maestro Dean Fraser. We recorded a brand new version of No Equality, one of our favorite songs from the Teach Them Right album. A solid roots tune full of cultural vibes, capturing the soul of Israel Vibrations early releases. The song is accompanied by a video that shows the story of the early beginnings of Israel Vibration as told to us by Apple. Long acapella shows on the streets of Jamaica to make some money to survive, before the band went on to become one of the most successful and inf luential roots harmony groups in reggae history. Rest In Power Apple Gabriel, your music will live on and continue to inspire many generations to come.
It’s a new day – and 2022 marks a very special new chapter for Parisian producer Hugo LX, who delivers his latest sound offering on his freshly founded imprint Doma Music.
A collective adventure, « The Platinum Wave » sees the return of Hugo’s most frequent collaborators – trumpeter Hermon Mehari and guitarist Christopher Johnson, with the addition of pianist Tony Tixier – the four of them connecting, building and weaving their sonic textures over these five sound cuts.
A starting point in the Doma music catalogue, « The Platinum Wave » aims to propose a different sound in dance music, both a continuation of a certain musical legacy and an exploration of today’s boundless possibilities, as much as an intimate soundscape from four artists deeply involved in the Paris creative scene – and most definitely, a first taste of things to come on the label.
London’s SlothBoogie records welcomes Subjoi to its roster with his four-track ‘Reflections’ EP.
Hailing from Warsaw in Poland and now residing in Adelaide, Australia, Subjoi has been gaining steady traction in the House scene over the past five years, racking up releases on the likes of clipp.art, Shall Not Fade’s Lost Palms sub-label, Lobster Theremin sub-label Distant Hawaii and 13th Hour amongst others. Here we see him joining the roster of SlothBoogie Records with some more soul-infused and sun-drenched house cuts.
Up first on the EP is ‘At A Time’, seeing Subjoi lay down an amalgamation of disco string, brass and vocal samples atop a swinging drum groove, dynamically evolving with filter sweeps and a loopy feel throughout. ‘Gone’ follows next and employs more classic house tropes courtesy of a bouncy piano line, robust drums and hooky vocal chops.
Opening the B-side is ‘What You Do’, shifting things aesthetically to 2-step drums alongside airy stab sequences, bubbling synth melodies and processed R&B style vocal lines. ‘Sapporo Nights’ completes the EP next on a deeper tip, journeying through hazy string lines, warm bell chimes, heavy doses of sub bass and stripped-back, bumpy drums.
- A1: Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
- D6: Crown Heights Affair - You Gave Me Love
- D7: The Michael Zager Band - Let's All Chant
- A2: Shalamar - Take That To The Bank
- A3: The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On
- A4: Sister Sledge - He's The Greatest Dancer (Single Version)
- A5: Gary's Gang - Keep On Dancin
- A6: Gene Chandler - Get Down
- A7: Odyssey - Native New Yorker
- B1: George Mccrae - Rock Your Baby
- B2: Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye (Single Version)
- B3: First Choice - Armed & Extremely Dangerous
- B4: Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting
- B5: 5000 Volts - I'm On Fire
- B6: The Ritchie Family - The Best Disco In Town
- B7: Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free
- C1: Andrea True Connection - More, More, More (Part 1 - Single Version)
- C2: Leo Sayer - How Much Love
- C3: Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces
- C4: Mcfadden & Whitehead - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (Single Version)
- C5: Edwin Starr - Contact (Uk 7" Single Version)
- C6: Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland (Feat The Emotions)
- C7: Gladys Knight & The Pips - Baby, Don't Change Your Mind
- D1: Village People - Ymca
- D4: Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood
- D5: The Real Thing - Can You Feel The Force
- D2: Anita Ward - Ring My Bell
- D3: Viola Wills - Gonna Get Along Without You Now
From one of the most colourful and vibrant eras of music, comes “DISCO FLOORFILLERS”, a 28 Track DoubleLP set featuring some of the biggest hits of from the era.
Amongst the 24 top 10 hits, Artists/Bands include Chic, McFadden & Whitehead, Earth, Wind & Fire with The
Emotions, Shalamar, The Whispers, Sister Sledge, Edwin Starr, The Real Thing and Gladys Knight & The Pips.
The set also includes the #1 singles by Anita Ward, The Village People, Carl Douglas and George McCrae!
Chilean-born Francisco Allendes returns to Crosstown Rebels for the first time in six years this May. Serving up the three-track What You Do, the title number has already received global airplay via Damian Lazarus himself. Now, the full release will be made available next month and includes a remix by US-legend Harry Romero.
A contemporary dose of four-on-the-floor house, What You Do leaves few prisoners in its wake, as rampant drum patterns converge on a heady combination of kicks, synths and irresistible vocals right the way through. There’s an infectious energy to the track, paving the way for Harry Romero’s similarly up-tempo remix. It’s feel-good, club-ready dance music at its best, packed full of low-slung groove that opens neatly into the closing sequence: Maratone, a stripped-back, techy cut that bears all the hallmarks of a true Ibiza anthem.
Hailing from Chile and now based in Ibiza, Francisco Allendes is a leading light in today’s scene. Be it Loco Dice’s Desolat, Steve Lawler’s VIVA or Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels, his productions have graced some of the industry’s most well-respected labels. Such quality hasn’t gone unnoticed - he picked up the ‘Best Ibiza’ DJ Award in September 2019 and has gone on to complete several South American tours. A much loved affiliate of ANTS, Francisco has a long standing residency at both Ushuaïa in Ibiza and their affiliated tours, in addition to hosting the weekly radio show.
Seminal American house talent Harry Romero is a well-established figure on the worldwide music circuit. A prominent global DJ and producer since the ‘90s, early productions on Cutting Records and Cutting Traxx helped set the tone for Harry’s career trajectory, opening the doors to a coveted BBC Radio 1 ‘Essential Mix’ in recent years.
- A1: South Funk Blvd - Skying High (Getting Off On Your Lovin')
- A2: Ad Libs - Don't Need No Fortune Teller
- A3: Atlantis - Hung Up About You
- A4: Smoke Inc - Waitin' For Love
- B1: Mandisa - Summer Love
- B2: City Lites - Now You've Gone Away
- B3: Papaya - Favela
- C1: Alcione - Este Mundo Tem
- C2: Quintaessencia - Serrado
- C3: Superior Elevation - It Was September
- C4: Keith Chism & Light - My Life & Song
- D1: Belita Woods - Magic Corner
- D2: Spare Hare - Ain't No Doubt About It
- D3: Sammy Acuna - Never Found A Girl
- D4: Sweet Mixture - House Of Fun & Love
Yellow Vinyl[30,67 €]
Here we are at the dawn of a new compilation series and we’re kicking things off with an absolute gem that features a selection of hard-to-find records (some impossible to find) and some that have been hiding in plain sight all along. They all share common qualities, being that they are beautiful, soul quenched songs that sing of love, peace and unity.
‘With Love: Volume 1’ has been compiled by Miche and presents a curated selection of rare Brazilian, gospel, modern soul and jazz-fusion fire. We have Brazilian rarities by Alcione and Quientaessencia, UFO gospel by Keith Chism & Light, the jazz-funk/AOR sounds of City Lites taken from a Radio Station album, and the anthemic feel-good emotional soul of Belita Woods to name but a few.
Tracking down artists and musicians from the past is an art form. Like a seagull swooping for treats, sometimes the prizes are easily found, and at other times, it’s the result of very late nights trolling through Facebook profiles, message boards, hitting dead ends and following red herrings, and yet still the search goes on. This compilation is a true labour of love with all the artists tracked down and licensed by Miche. It has long been an ambition of the London based musical connoisseur to compile an album, and like anything that requires craft, care, and knowledge - it takes time. There are many twists and turns in the hunt for those records that make your jaw drop.
In 2018, when just 24, Miche became a music programmer for London’s illustrious Spiritland group of venues. From this musical sanctuary, he was able to listen, learn and meet some of the best selectors from around the world. It was a musical education, and he was particularly drawn to the deep sessions by DJs such as Mark Taylor, George Arthur, Kev Beadle, Patrick Forge, Dr. Bob Jones, and Colin Curtis to name a few. He also used this time to begin running his re-issue label Discs of Fun and Love with co-owner and friend Frederika.
Sometimes the cynical knock compilations, there is certain snobbery amongst some about the original pressing, but music shouldn't just be about lucky collectors giving over large sums of money to record dealers. It's also about a bridge to the past, a celebration of the legacy of somebody’s art, and a second chance for initially overlooked work to shine. As with all the best compilations, it has been compiled with love…
Much deserved, remastered reissue of ‘We Are I.E.’ by Lennie De Ice, arguably the first proto jungle tune, now coming correct with fresh remixes from Solo & Blades alongside Borai, as well as the sought-after Horsepower Productions remix.
Released in 1991 on I.E. Records, an imprint based out of De Underground Records, a store in London’s Forest Gate run by Mike De Underground alongside Uncle 22 and Randall, it famously featured elements that paved the way for the Jungle sound. Centered around the Amen break, ragga style basslines, vinyl spinbacks and gun shot samples, it stood out as something different back in ’91, A certified classic, rinsed on dancefloors everywhere and anywhere, from back in the day to the present.
Solo & Blades are the first of the new versions, hitting hard with a heavyweight jungle remix, as Borai steps up with a beefy bassline rework. Horsepower Productions killer and sought after remix rounds off the package.
DJ Feedback:
Foul Play
Moving Shadow
"All the remixes totally land, great package, respectfully done. gonna hear a lot of these over the summer I think."
Jerome Hill
Super Rhythm Trax, Don't, Kool FM
"Was a little sceptical seeing these were remixes as its such an iconic track - BUT fair play ! Borai and Ed Solo & Blades both knocked it out of the park and i'll be playing both these, plus replacing my personal (slightly. crusty) vinyl rip of the original ! Bigups !!"
Om Unit
"Untouchable until now tbh"
jd Twitch
optimo
"even though I have probably heard it ten thousand times you can't beat the original. remixes are cool though."
Louise Chen
"this hits so hard it's tough choosing a fave mix!"
Emerald
BBC 1xtra/ Rinse FM
"Yeeeeeh found the dubstep remix vinyl of this in barcelona recently"
Werdna (Circular Jaw)
"Classic, lovely to see Hooj bringing in the big guns for the remixes. These are going off!"
Cortese
"Sick breaks on this one"
Truss/ MPIA3/ Overmono
"wicked"
Oli Warwick
Crack/ RA/ International Orange/ JunoJuno Plus
"Absolutely seminal bomb drop here, and the remixes are no joke either!"
Chris Farrell
"Always good to see this come round again, original and borai mix for me"
Smolny
"CLASICK !"
Doc Martin
Sublevel USA/Fabric UK.
"Complete Rave Warehouse Flashbacks!!!!"
Lil Mofo
The Trilogy Tapes / Tokyo
"wow!"
Moody Boyz
all over the worldstudio rockers records
"classic tune feeling the Filter Dread Remix"
Ciel
Rinse FM / Refuge Worldwide
"really nice collection of tunes!"
dop
"love the original"
- A1: Don Carlos - Purple Day (Don Carlos Edit)
- A2: Deep Aural Penetration - Let Your Body Be Free (Club Xero Mix) Don Carlos Edit
- B1: Be Noir - It’s Gonna Be Alright (Don Carlos Rimini 4 00 A.m. Mix) Don Carlos Edit
- B2: Deep Aural Penetration - All I Want To Do ( Josh Wink H E.r.e. Mx) Don Carlos Edit
- C1: Love Nation - Everything 4 U (Remix) Don Carlos Edit
- C2: More Heavy Soul - Magic Tonight (Irregular Dub) Don Carlos Edit
- D1: Outdance - Pump The Jumping (Sexy No Dirty Mix) Don Carlos Edit
- D2: F I.t.z. - The Reigh Forest (Fitzcarraldo) Don Carlos Edit
Among those who have written the history of the Italian House is certainly Carlo Troja, aka Don Carlos. In 1991 Irma Records released her first single Alone which immediately became a cult record for DJs across the Channel and especially American DJs. Its particular soft and ambient sounds defined a genre that was then called Paradise House.
And it is precisely from this genre and from this Dj that Irma Records began the celebrations of its thirtieth anniversary a few years ago by
proposing a selection of its catalog chosen by Don Carlos, trying to dig among some of the pearls of the genre but above all among some
songs that featured in his evenings but were less popular at the time of their release.
This compilation had a great response and it was decided to make a volume 2, always selected by Don Carlos. Also this compilation, like the first one, consists of two compact discs and a vinyl version this time with a selection of only 8 of the 20 tracks contained in the CD and Digital version.
All the tracks on the double vinyl have been re-edited by Don Carlos for the occasion. The double cd is in a limited numbered edition.
Among the artists and producers included are: Don Carlos, Lust Unlimited, Subsonic Posse, T.M.V. (Marco Trani, Moz-Art and Maurizio
Verbeni), The Sweatbox Orchestra, Aritmya, Deep Aural Penetration, Be Noir, Love Nation, More Heavy Soul, Outdance, F.I.T.Z. and many
others
Having crested the west coast modular-ambient wave in just a few releases - including 2018's Sharing Waves on the influential LA experimental imprint Leaving Records - Sean Hellfritsch has swapped the mossy analog synth improvisations of his prior output for refined melodic arrangements dressed in sprightly dawn-of-digital textures. Big Earth Energy plumbs the depths of Hellfritsch's multimedia mind and naturalist heart, spinning an impressionistic narrative world off of cultural touchstones like the PC game MYST, and the work of Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi. Inspired by the aforementioned, and guided by Hellfritsch's experience as an animator and filmmaker, Big Earth Energy is the soundtrack to a hypothetical video game with a pointedly ecological premise, and a twist of psychedelic charm. In Hellfritsch's imagined virtual journey, the player assumes the perspective of a treefrog sixty-five-million years ago, hopping epochs with each new level, forming a comprehensive picture of the massive changes the planet has gone through over the eons. The ultimate goal of the game is not to amass resources, defeat enemies, or gain power, but to fully witness the unfolding of one of the biggest systems of energy imaginable - or as the album's creator puts it - "to explore the incomprehensibly vast energetic expression and mystery that is Earth." Big Earth Energy is steeped in exploratory RPG intrigue, possibility, and contemplation, lovingly overlaid with Miyazaki-an sentiments and aesthetics. The through-composed, organic, meandering synthesis heard on previous Cool Maritime albums has been fully replaced by meticulous polygonal arrangements that recall the computerized sheen of late 80s work by composers like Hiroshi Yoshimura, and Yoichiro Yoshikawa - using true-to-period gear no less. Even given its referentiality, Big Earth Energy comes off as forward-facing where so much reminiscent music remains fixed to a bygone moment in pop culture. Hellfritsch has created a musical world where the endless verdancy of the biosphere finds its parallel in the golden age of early 1990s video games, and late 80s Japanese environmental music, all while pointing to a hopeful planetary and artistic future that vindicates the motives of all of these muses.




















