quête:gre

One of the most respected British bands in the mid 80's post punk era, Sad Lovers & Giants played highly atmospheric music made of melancholic melodies and epic guitar riffs. Originally recorded for a radio broadcast in Holland in 1983 in front of a very selected audience (10 in all) »Total Sound« represents a great snapshot of SLAG live on stage. Here, the band delivers an outstanding performance based on a fine selection of songs from their first two now classic albums. Recordings caught just before the split.

The Great Joe Lewandowski Is Back on Skylax After the Explosion of His Previous Ep "Here I Am" Played by Just About Everyone From Arnaud Rebotini to the Hacker, Jennifer Cardini, Boris or Dax J and Acclaimed by the International Press (Ransom Note, Faze Magazine +++). This New 12 Inch Is the Logical Continuation With Always This Subtle Mixture to Find the Perfect Balance Between New Wave, Italo, Rock Completed by the Sepulchral Voice of Stolt and a Deafening Remix of the Brilliant Mufti. a Must...

Fortunea Records finishes off 2023 with another vivid release by Peletronic. The Hazy Jane EP features 3 new original deep house and electro tracks by the winsome Austrian. The record begins with ‚The Highest Chance‘.

A dazzling composition featuring vocals by M-Jane. Cold engaging pads and simple rhythmic structures are the main elements in this track. In combination with this prose, that can be construed and contextualise for eternity, it absolutely stands out from the mass of modern-day deep house productions. The A-side continues with the title-track. It is a groove-laden, old school house tune that will toss up the audience into new heights with its soulful rhodes, supple bassline and the comprehensive brisk arrangement.

A great tool that definitely will find its way in the recordbags and USBsticks of a house dj. On the B-side Peletronic greets you in his ‚Utopia‘ where impactful electro beats shape the landscape of a prospective scenario. And last but not least a remix of the first track is also included. Slovakian dj and producer Paradiso Rhythm retells M-Jane’s story in a 90s warehouse décor. All in all a warm, deep and beautiful journey to the brim.

The 80s Italo disco /proto-house classic 'MBO Theme' by the mighty Klein & MBO, repressed! Comes with an heavy (and unheard) South African version on the flip. Huge Tip!
The MBO Theme' (1983) has been a dance floor favorite since decades, created by Mario Boncaldo and Tony Carrasco - the legendary Italian/US duo Klein & MBO. The track got support in NYC and Chicago by greats as Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy.

The rare version on the flip is created by a South-African band called Warrior. Rush Hour explain how they came across the track: We bumped into this version on a South African record digging trip. It took us a few months to realize the scarcity of this version. Ian Osrin, a well respected engineer in South-Africa who was involved in many 80ties and 90ties Bubblegum, Kwaito and South African disco records, explained us about music distribution in South Africa during apartheid. Because the country was culturally banned at the time, a lot of releases weren't imported or exported. Even when a track was huge, like The Klein & MBO Theme'. So South African musicians would create their own versions which were sold locally.

We got in contact with Tony Carrasco from Klein & MBO. He also hadn't heard Warrior's version before, but he liked it as much as we do!'

This is a special cassette tape version of the recent album from zake, one of ambient's most prolific artists, alongside From Overseas on his own Past Inside The Present label. As always it is an almost impossibly deep ambient selection that once again finds him exploring fresh and always emotionally moving musical territory. Demain Des L'aube features eight tunes that convey real melancholia and have a gently persuasive sense of movement. Each one is vast in scale and sweeps you up and sinks you into the grainy lo-fi pads, wispy melodies and distant string-based sombreness.

Under meters of concrete in central Cairo, a relentless buzz rebels and forms a melody. A tired man tunes his machines to catch a snatch of it, and accidentally creates a playground where these abandoned sounds can flourish. They develop a sense of humor and an acid tongue. A few children with bent ears find their way to an alley with an entrance to the playground. They would later describe what they heard as a delicious hybrid: one part cream, one part bubble gum. So, bend your ears and maybe you'll hear it too.

‘Threads’ was my 1st album as Om Unit and this 10-year re-mastered anniversary edition comes around at what feels like a similar time for me of experimentation and finding new ways to connect sounds. Something of a full circle of sorts but then again I am marking time with this re-issue at a time where I can look back and feel very proud of the work still sounding so convincing. Now even better thanks to Subvert Central’s Robert Macchiochi!

Reflecting on the past 10 years since this record came out, I can say it’s been an incredibly fruitful journey, with the most striking element of it all being the opportunity to travel and meet so many people from so many different backgrounds with different world views and stories. I found that ‘Threads’ for many was their first insight into my music, and for some people was something of a milestone in their journey of exploring music itself with tracks like ‘The silence’ and ‘Governor’s Bay’ having been mentioned over the years as amongst favourites alongside some of the work released on Cosmic Bridge and Civil

I want to take a moment to give my Love and gratitude to all the featured vocalists. Thanks to Simon Jinadu for his angelic voice on ‘The Silence’, to Charlie Dark MBE for his reflective words on ‘The Road’ and to Alex ‘Bogues’ Rendall aka MC Jabu (of Jabu) for his intense delivery on ‘Patients’ as well as Jneiro Jarel for his self-reflective narration on “just sayin’” All 4 are still outliers in their own field and upstanding creative forces to boot. I feel blessed to have been able to capture them on this project.

Threads was made in a bedroom of 2a Station Rise in Tulse Hill, a flat I shared with journalist and writer Laurent Fintoni, in a space that had such a great sound to it that I’ll always miss that room. I hope that you feel the warmth that I felt then whilst making it. It’s been an adventure since and whilst I’ve moved on from a lot of the tropes intrinsic to the album, it will always remain a body of work that is dear to my heart.


Enjoy!
<3

For their next release, Futuribile looks to the work of Salerno star Carlo Fontana, presenting a set of hard-to-find & unreleased treasures titled ‘La Musica Del Sud.’

Carefully remastered at the West Hill Studio, the collection of tracks — which features contributing arrangements from Tullio De Piscopo — forms a moody pop funk paradise, with jazz horns and soul brass layered together, and amorous vocals crooning, supported by lush harmonizations and greasy gliding bass. Disco beats and exotic drums dance, prismatic pads and soft synths seek the stars, piano and guitar sing a spaced out blues, and amidst the moving grooves and deep swinging jams, moments of beautiful balladry emerge to touch the spirit.

Carlo Fontana's work is further testimony to a courtly and sophisticated musical aesthetic in vogue in Naples (and surrounding areas) between the 70s and 80s which had as its main proponents and protagonists exceptional musicians such as Joe Amoruso, Tony Esposito, Pino Daniele, Elio D'Anna, Enzo Cervo and many others.

Rudimentary Music garners worldwide high praise with their first release. A strong, fluid and very well-rounded EP with something for every electronic dance fan. The Barcelona based butItalian born artist Deiv, sets the foundation and tone with the stunning 'Paranoik Android' EP forthe fledgling label whose everyday life revolves around and embodies the synergy and spirit of dance music culture. 'Take control of your shit' is the first cut and is the ideal smooth late night electro jam. A sexy, melodic deep machine groove that is nothing short of pure class. Thishighly addictive track is sure to get many repeat plays. To complete the A-side is the technostormer 'Technology'. A body grabbing bassline that will surely get everyone's attention. Thiswicked,robotic workhorse is guaranteed to move the main room by any DJ who selects it.Inspired by the label's search for music that fits every part of life, this track encapsulates thepower of techno in the late night. The reverse side showcases the title track 'Paranoik Android'.It rides a strong balance of house and funk sentiments for the primetime slot on the dancefloor.The killer acid line, island percussion and blips and bleeps, makes this a great ying and yang of futuristic and retro sounds. The title track, it stands out from the crowd but here in this EP, it blends perfectly into the wide array of vibes blossoming here. 'Dolphins' closes out the EP inelegance. With the soothing almost aquatic melody notes it exudes the perfect vibe to drift away your cares to. Overall, this is a very versatile EP with a track for every emotion and time during a night out with dance music

Atom's first release for 2024 is a 3 track vinyl from label head Micropulse.

A1 / Micropulse - Midnight (160bpm, 45rpm)
Midnight serves up haunting voices over a stripped back and souped up 90s hard trance bassline at 164bpm.

B1 / Micropulse - Doesn't Matter feat. Ella (140bpm, 33rpm)
Doesn't Matter marks Micropulse's first experimentation at a lower BPM, with B1 at 140bpm featuring a short melancholic vocal hook from Ella Brown.

B2 / Micropulse - Entry (164bpm, 33rpm)
Entry retains the experimental style of earlier Atom releases and keeps melancholic but raises the tension with acid interspersed with muted plucks, pulses, and gated pads.

There will be an additional 50 "Collector's edition" copies available through the Atom website direct that include the new Atom label jacket inside a full artwork sleeve with a vinyl backed sticker.

"It's great to have reached Atom's 15th vinyl, thank you all for your continued support".

Repress.

"Alèmayèhu Eshèté is no less than one of the great voices of the heyday of modern Ethiopian music, the swinging sixties which, in this country, went on until the fall of the Emperor Haile Sellassie 1 in 1974. On a par with Tlahoun Gèssèssè, Bzunèsh Bèqèlè or Mahmoud Ahmed, Alèmayèhu is a star at the top level of the constellation that once lit up the wild nights in the capital."

2024 Repress

For Frenzy's 5th installment, we'll take the fusion of the past and the present even further. We present you a 6-track EP by Swedish DJ and producer 'The Miller', who was amongst the Nordic wave of early 2000s techno pioneers like Cari Lekebusch, Adam Beyer, and Joel Mull. Coming from an era where rave and nightlife escapism were blooming, The Miller possesses a vast backlog of old-school productions that embody the true Frenzy sound. We invited him to compile an EP with old and new material, accompanied by remixes from the up-and-coming generation to truly intertwine generations of dancefloor exquisiteness. Allow yourself to surpass the linear alignment of time within the next collision of decades on Frenzy 005. It's time to dance.

Starting out slow but steady on the A side, 'Kartong' gradually builds up the pressure with a playful mix of reversed phrases and thoughtful alignment of pitch levels. Tension transforms into motion as 'Apex' kicks in with big airy basslines and exotic drum elements that keep the early-day spirit alive. To complete the A-side, Stuttgart-based Rove Ranger presents a dub-influenced remix of Apex, accelerating the 00s story straight into the next decade. On the flip side, we go back to the old days as 'Complied' grabs hold of hips and minds with catchy repetition and a straightforward bassline. The Miller got us spellbound as 'Gate' follows up with a stripped-down steamy groover. To end the journey in full force, a powerful remix of Gate by the Greek-based ANNE is delivered, converting stripped down into the contrary for those big-room dancefloor moments.

Repress

Embark on our new adventure with Luca Olivotto as he leads the sixth release on Small Great Things. This limited vinyl and digital EP marks the inception of a new release series featuring exclusive Small Great Things artists.

Showcasing four finely tuned tracks that seamlessly blend classic house vibes with contemporary beats, creating an irresistible dance floor experience.

On the A1 side, 'After the Beep' initiates the journey with a classic house groove and the sultry serenade of a smooth saxophone.

The title track, 'Love Transmission' on A2, takes the spotlight more on its infectious groovy bassline and captivating vocals.

Flipping over to the B side, 'Take Me' delves into deeper realms, offering a timeless track that resonates with raw emotion.

Closing the release on the B2 side, 'Redsape' delivers a classic house tune tailor-made for the dance floor.

Olivotto's expertise shines through, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge, ensuring a brilliant journey on this 6th release.

Luca Olivotto's 'Love Transmission' EP is a testament to the evolving soundscape of Small Great Things. This collection promises to captivate enthusiasts and DJs alike.

Repress!

Mates now for many moons - Mr.G and Duncan Forbes met at the time of Duncan’s Animated project; forging a friendship through weekly record shopping trips; a love of Soho; and regular banter over Duck and Rice. But it was their chance meeting at Glastonbury a few years back which finally sparked them to work together; since leading to a string of remixes for both Phoenix G and 49North, and culminating in their first, combined studio creation, ‘Curry Nite’, in late 2022.

Fast forward to Spring 2023, and what we have here is their first, collaborative full-length on vinyl - artist album, ‘All Under One Moon’. Conceived and created in Duncan’s studio on a long, full moon weekend with cosmic forces at play; the pair - both chomping-at-the-bit with excitement and no real plan or outcome in mind - set about creating, with a pure love of making music and the freedom to go wherever it might take them as their only guide. As G sums up for us…

“Two friends of old with a shared love of music ,having fun making music together in D’s studio. It was a long time coming but in truth caught us both off guard… the sum of both parts being sooo much more (y). The beauty of being free, making music. What a great moment”

So, on paper, we have - two mates, excited to play away in the studio with their favourite toys until they have to come up for air. But on record, what we actually have is - two close friends, united by a deep love of House, Techno and everything between / beyond - relishing a rare opportunity to jam, and with freedom…. it’s only when you consider quite how almanack-like our two music-obsessed pals are anyway, as individuals; that it begins to dawn on you, just how mind-meltingly rich and stylistically explosive - an album, that’s the sum-of-their-parts - is inevitably going to be.”