quête:h foundation

Sam Cooke, inventor and true King of Soul, recorded Mr. Soul in 1963, the same year as Night Beat, and seems to be its more adult counterpart, with soulful ballads taking up most of the album. A laidback tempo and rich arrangements lay the foundation for Sam's somewhat melancholy voice floats, creating an uplifting spirit that can mend anyone's broken heart.

With standards such as "Willow Weep For Me", "I Wish You Love", and "For Sentimental Reasons", Cooke shows a quiet emotive side of himself without losing his keen sense of melody, using the strength of his voice without overpowering the listener. Had Sam Cooke lived longer, we might have had more music of this rare quality. As it stands, we must make do with the treasures he left behind.

Mr. Soul is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on orange vinyl.

LEYO returns with his most refined and personal album to date

Following the success of his debut album on Cécille Records, released in September 2024, which surpassed millions of streams and firmly established his signature sound, LEYO now returns with his second full-length LP on the imprint - a project that marks both artistic growth and a deeper exploration of his musical identity.

Building further on that momentum, LEYO followed up with his ‘Circus’ EP, a release that quickly became a standout moment, with the title track ‘Circus feat. Easttown’ gaining strong support and resonating widely across dancefloors and reinforcing LEYO’s position as one of the label’s most exciting and distinctive artists.
Now, with his new eleven-track album, LEYO opens the next chapter.

Featuring collaborations with Thierry Ganz, 3DDY and Native, the project showcases LEYO at his most refined and confident to date. Building on the foundations of his debut, he continues to blur the lines between soulful house, disco-tinged grooves and raw, stripped-back club cuts - all while maintaining a sound that is instantly recognisable as his own. Where his first album introduced the world to his unique blend of influences, this new body of work feels more focused, more mature and emotionally resonant. Each track carries its own weight, with moments ranging from intimate, melodic compositions to high-energy dancefloor pieces - true gems that reveal themselves over time.

The project has been a long time in the making, reflecting a period of artistic evolution and dedication in the studio. It captures not only LEYO’s growth as a producer, but also his ability to craft music that connects both on a personal and collective level.

At Cécille, we are incredibly proud to have LEYO as part of our family. Releasing his second album on the label is something truly special for us, and a testament to the journey we’ve been on together so far.

This album is not just a follow-up - it’s a statement.

Composer Vasco Mendonça presents his third album “Third Places”. The album brings together a collection of landmark performances and features some of the leading names in international contemporary music, including countertenor Iestyn Davies, mezzo-soprano Barbara Kozelj, the Porto Casa da Música Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble Het Muziek, and conductors Brad Lubman and Ernest Martínez Izquierdo.

More than just a record, “Third Places” stands as a space for artistic and political reflection on the present. Inspired by Ray Oldenburg’s concept of the ‘third place’ – a space beyond home and work where community life takes place – the album’s title refers to the venues where these works came to life, Casa da Música and the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ in Amsterdam: spaces for encounter, dialogue and cultural resistance. For Vasco Mendonça, these spaces symbolise “the ability to elevate the way we communicate with one another and to resist our most primitive and violent impulses”.

The voice lies at the heart of this work. The compositions explore the theatrical, intimate and political dimensions of vocal expression, drawing on texts of great social and emotional weight to create a shared space for listening and questioning the current state of the world.

One of the album’s central works stems from a profound contemporary concern. Inspired by the turbulent political climate in the United States following the 2016 elections and by his discovery of the poetry of Terrance Hayes and Tracy K. Smith, Vasco Mendonça composed a cycle of songs initially conceived for voice and percussion, later transposed for orchestra. The result is described by the composer as “a kind of imaginary American folklore”, where excess, transcendence, fascination and fear coexist.

The album also includes a reworking of material from the opera “Bosch Beach”, created in 2016 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Hieronymus Bosch, commissioned by the Dutch foundation Stichting Bosch 500. Based on a libretto by the writer Dimitri Verhulst, the work reflected on the European migration crisis through a scathing portrait of human indifference. In “Third Places”, Mendonça revisits some of this musical material to construct an incisive reflection on contemporary political discourse, transforming the opera’s numbers into archetypes of election campaigns, populism and performative communication.

Straddling contemplation and confrontation, lyricism and political tension, “Third Places” stands as one of the most ambitious recording projects in contemporary Portuguese music, offering an experience that is both aesthetic and critical, where music and thought intersect in a visceral way.

The digital version of the album will include a bonus track, “Marathon”, which explores the analogy between music and long-distance running, creating a piece in which time is transformed through breathing, the heartbeat and the ritualised repetition of movement and the body, in a constant tension between exhaustion and survival.

Congo Lion was immersed in African, Afro-Caribbean and reggae music from an early age. Settling in Africa when he was a teenager, he was strongly inspired by artists such as Burning Spear, Peter Tosh or The Gladiators. Convictions and values carried by their captivating melodies, full of humanity and spirituality, echo the sensitivity of Congo Lion. “Word, power and sound” is the foundation of his creative approach, inviting a return to origins, and openness to others. Self-taught, he composed his first songs in English and Jamaican Patois under the name of Natty Congo, at the age of 16. Most of his recent collaborations have been alongside the renowned Reggae producer, Karigan. Recording at his Back to Basic Studio, to produce a Reggae Roots Vintage sound, without concession, harking back to the original creations & tradition of the 70s & 80s.

SPANDAU20 returns, bridging Berlin and UK lineage, with new material from Mr. G, Elli Acula, FJAAK and Dajusch, continuing to showcase the many shades of contemporary club music through its forward-facing approach. On its 12th release, the Berlin label presents a record that reflects individual artistry as much as the unmistakable identity of the SPANDAU20 sound. Opening the release is Mr. G with 'I Came To See You'. The track is a true embodiment of his distinctive production style, unfolding through bouncing basslines, swinging percussion and hypnotic looping vocals and capturing the raw spirit of old-school dance music with fresh spirit. Sitting somewhere between house and techno, it sets the tone with a particular kind of hypnosis, taking the listeners deep into the endlessly circling groove. Elli Acula follows with 'Take One Higher', a fierce and uncompromising techno track that perfectly reflects the label's hallmark aesthetic. She channels the raw energy of the 90s through a modern lens, pairing rough edged stabs, cavernous kicks and gritty percussion programmed with unfiltered dancefloor intensity in mind. The result is a high-pressure track designed to fully consume the room. On the flip side, FJAAK unleash 'Drip Code', showcasing the duo's signature blend of powerful low-end pressure and analogue grooves. Having spent over a decade shaping Berlin's techno landscape through their machine-driven approach, the pair deliver crisp percussion, huge open hi-hats and teeth-rattling drum machine combinations, while racing chords and looping vocals propel the track forward. It is a direct and highly effective example of the energy that has come to define the SPANDAU20 universe. Closing the release is Dajusch with 'Tongue In Cheek'. Deeply influenced by the foundational sounds of Detroit and Chicago, the classically trained producer leans into warmer, more uplifting territory. The track combines grooving basslines, saturated 909 percussion and piano-led melodies with disco-tinged vocal loops that glide effortlessly across the arrangement. This closer highlights Dajusch's refined understanding of groove, texture and atmosphere, rounding off the release with a distinctly euphoric touch. SPANDAU20 012 is another example of classy production skills merged with genuine dancefloor purpose. As ever, the label lets the music speak for itself. The many shades of sound are on full display, bound together by the singular identity that has made SPANDAU20 one of Berlin's most distinctive voices in the electronic music landscape.

ORANGE - Limited Edition! SPANDAU20 returns, bridging Berlin and UK lineage, with new material from Mr. G, Elli Acula, FJAAK and Dajusch, continuing to showcase the many shades of contemporary club music through its forward-facing approach. On its 12th release, the Berlin label presents a record that reflects individual artistry as much as the unmistakable identity of the SPANDAU20 sound. Opening the release is Mr. G with 'I Came To See You'. The track is a true embodiment of his distinctive production style, unfolding through bouncing basslines, swinging percussion and hypnotic looping vocals and capturing the raw spirit of old-school dance music with fresh spirit. Sitting somewhere between house and techno, it sets the tone with a particular kind of hypnosis, taking the listeners deep into the endlessly circling groove. Elli Acula follows with 'Take One Higher', a fierce and uncompromising techno track that perfectly reflects the label's hallmark aesthetic. She channels the raw energy of the 90s through a modern lens, pairing rough edged stabs, cavernous kicks and gritty percussion programmed with unfiltered dancefloor intensity in mind. The result is a high-pressure track designed to fully consume the room. On the flip side, FJAAK unleash 'Drip Code', showcasing the duo's signature blend of powerful low-end pressure and analogue grooves. Having spent over a decade shaping Berlin's techno landscape through their machine-driven approach, the pair deliver crisp percussion, huge open hi-hats and teeth-rattling drum machine combinations, while racing chords and looping vocals propel the track forward. It is a direct and highly effective example of the energy that has come to define the SPANDAU20 universe. Closing the release is Dajusch with 'Tongue In Cheek'. Deeply influenced by the foundational sounds of Detroit and Chicago, the classically trained producer leans into warmer, more uplifting territory. The track combines grooving basslines, saturated 909 percussion and piano-led melodies with disco-tinged vocal loops that glide effortlessly across the arrangement. This closer highlights Dajusch's refined understanding of groove, texture and atmosphere, rounding off the release with a distinctly euphoric touch. SPANDAU20 012 is another example of classy production skills merged with genuine dancefloor purpose. As ever, the label lets the music speak for itself. The many shades of sound are on full display, bound together by the singular identity that has made SPANDAU20 one of Berlin's most distinctive voices in the electronic music landscape.

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

With Samplers 11 & 12, they surprise again with a mix of modern classics and tracks that have never been released on vinyl or are difficult to find. By adding unique and exclusive tracks, the 12 Inch Lovers samplers remain innovative and high-quality. They are a must-have for DJs, collectors, and fans of contemporary classics!

SAMPLER 12

A1) Borai & Denham Audio - Make Me (original release 2023)

Released in 2023 on the British label Room Two Records (catalogue R212001) on twelve inch vinyl, Make Me combines breakbeat, house and speed garage with high energy, featuring clear use of Amen breaks, rumbling sub bass and sharp rave sounds. At the heart of the track lies an instantly recognisable vocal hook from the mid eighties, a sample taken from Donna Allen - Serious (1986). The result feels like a long forgotten rave anthem from the nineties wrapped in a modern sound.

The original twelve inch pressing quickly became a highly sought after collector's item and received a limited pink vinyl repress in 2025. This track, first issued only on orange vinyl in 2023, was officially re released once all samples were cleared. It has every ingredient of a future classic, a true underground anthem for fans of modern UK rave and jungle energy.

A2) Smoke City - Mr. Gorgeous (and Miss Curvaceous) (Mood II Swing Vocal Mix) (original release 1997)

Originally released in 1997 on the album Flying Away by Smoke City. The Mood II Swing Remix, produced by New York house duo John Ciafone and Lem Springsteen (also the producers behind Ultra Naté - Free), takes the song straight to the dance floor with a smooth groove, soulful vocals and a deep, hypnotic flow.

The iconic line "Cool and calm, Mr Gorgeous..." remains untouched, while the remix enriches the original Latin and trip hop influences of the band with that distinctive late nineties house atmosphere. The result is a timeless club favourite, almost nine minutes of pure vibe (the Mood II Swing Vocal Mix runs 9minutes and 20 seconds), adored by DJs who like to bring a touch of soul to their house sets.

Released on Jive Records, the track received great praise. Music Week highlighted its "tight ay ay ay hook" and noted that the Mood II Swing and Hyperspace mixes made it a real standout. The original version reached number one in Italy in 1997, and the Mood II Swing Remix has since gained cult status in the Belgian club scene and beyond as the perfect marriage between soul and dance floor energy.

B1) Chris Raven - I Know You Love Me Too (Bruce Norris Remix) (original release 1997)

Christian Raabe, better known as Chris Raven, is a German producer who made his name in the late nineties progressive trance scene.

The Bruce Norris Remix of I Know You Love Me Too (Additive Records, catalogue 12AD 027) first appeared in late 1997 and was officially released in early 1998. The remix builds an euphoric atmosphere witha beautiful melody, dreamy pads and powerful drums, all typical of the progressive trance sound of that period.

The track gained extra attention when it appeared on Northern Exposure 3: Expeditions by Sasha and John Digweed in 1999. Many fans first discovered it there (especially the Van Bellen Remix version), helping to cement the cult status of I Know You Love Me Too within the progressive and trance community.

B2) Grooveyard - Mary Go Wild (original release 1996)

One of the most recognisable and iconic club tracks in Belgian and Dutch underground house history is without a doubt Mary Go Wild, released in 1996 on EC Records. The track quickly became the defining anthem of the rave scene in the Low Countries.

With a raw groove around 133 BPM, pumping four to the floor drums and the hypnotic vocal sample "Mary... go wild!", the record set dance floors ablaze in the nineties. Producer Jeroen Verheij, also known as Secret Cinema (from the classic Timeless Attitude), perfectly captured the raw energy of the European house movement of that era.

To this day Mary Go Wild stands as a symbol of pure rave power, a timeless anthem that, as one Discogs collector put it, "still works on any dance floor." Original twelve inch pressings on EC Records and later issues on Blanco Y Negro are highly sought after, and the track remains a staple in retro house and classic DJ sets.

C1) Dave Swayze - Last Flight To Paris (original release 2000)

Dave Swayze, best known for his classic Goldwave, has several hidden gems to his name, and Last Flight To Paris is certainly one of them. Released in November 2000 on the Belgian label Yeti Records, the track is a subtle blend of trance and progressive house. It is known for its emotional melody, dreamy build up and strong percussion, built on the foundation of progressive trance but with thewarmth and groove of house.

At the time, Last Flight To Paris was frequently played by progressive trance DJs and soon became a cult favourite among vinyl collectors within the genre. Original pressings on Yeti Records are now extremely rare and much sought after. The mix of emotion, euphoria and timeless club energy makes Last Flight To Paris a hidden treasure from the late trance era of 1999 and 2000.

C2) Joe Goddard - Music Is The Answer (Hot Since 82 Remix) (original release 2017)

This remix by Hot Since 82 (Daley Padley, from Barnsley in the north of England) for Music Is The Answer by Joe Goddard is partly based on the original classic Celeda - Music Is The Answer (in the Danny Tenaglia Remix). It was released in February 2017 as a digital exclusive through Domino Records.

Hot Since 82 reworked the original, a vocal house track by Hot Chip member Joe Goddard, into a deep, grooving house track with a warm rolling bass line. The soulful vocals of Joe Goddard (featuring SLO) take on a subtle melancholic tone in his remix, creating a modern house classic filled with emotion and drive.

The remix became a major club favourite in 2017 and 2018, supported by leading names in the tech house scene and heard at festivals around the world. Interestingly, this popular version had never been released on vinyl, which only increased its cult status among collectors. Music Is The Answer (Hot Since 82 Remix) remained a digital classic for years, until now, finally available in this long awaited vinyl edition.

D1) Just A Man - I'm Sorry (Original Club Mix) (original release early 2000s)

The French project Just A Man consists of brothers Hervé and Nicolas Subrechicot. Their track I'm Sorry is an emotionally charged house record that perfectly captures the early 2000s club atmosphere.

Released in 2003, the song combines soulful male vocals with a warm, rhythmic production that blends UK garage and classic club house influences. The Original Club Mix (6 minutes and 14 seconds) builds gradually towards a powerful, uplifting climax, carried by rich chords and an irresistible groove.

Although I'm Sorry stayed somewhat under the radar at the time, it is regarded by connoisseurs as a hidden gem, a perfect balance of melody and groove. The twelve inch vinyl release (on RKG / Motor Music, 2003) is now hard to find and highly prized among vinyl and house collectors, which only adds to its appeal.

I'm Sorry embodies the pure sound of early 2000s vocal house: sincere, funky and danceable, with that unmistakable UK garage touch, even more evident in the G Box Garage Club Remix on the same EP. An unfairly overlooked track that has always remained a true timeless classic since the very beginning of 12 Inch Lovers.

D2) Teddy Pendergrass -Life Is A Song Worth Singing (Jamie Jones Remix) (original release 2019)

In 2019 Jamie Jones breathed new life into the classic soul song by Teddy Pendergrass with a contemporary house rework. The remix was released in March 2019 as part of the digital EP Mixmag Presents: Teddy Pendergrass - The Remixes, issued in honour of the documentary If You Don't Know Me, a film about the rise of Teddy Pendergrass, the first African American male artist to achieve five consecutive platinum albums in the United States during the seventies.

Jamie Jones stayed true to the feel good essence of the 1978 original but wrapped it in a modern club sound, with pulsing synths, a warm rolling groove and a tight four to the floor beat providing the perfect base for Teddy's powerful and instantly recognisable voice.

The result is a captivating, soulful house track that effortlessly bridges past and present without losing the emotional power of Pendergrass's vocal delivery.

Despite its widespread popularity in the international club scene, where it became a favourite among DJs who love to blend soul with house, this remix never had a physical vinyl release. Until now, with its long awaited appearance on 12 Inch Lovers Sampler 12.

Mihail P – Phantom Broadcast EP

Mihail P delivers four tracks of machine-driven techno exploring classic 90s aesthetics while moving freely between electro, breakbeat and deep house sensibilities. The Phantom Broadcast EP channels the spirit of early 90s records with evolving rhythms, dubby textures and emotive chord work.

“Pulse Memory” opens with a deep electro-techno roller, constantly shifting its rhythmic framework while weaving in subtle deep house elements, recalling moments from the back catalogue of Pacific Records. “Tempest” begins with dubby 909 drums and rolling hats before unexpectedly transforming mid-track into a breakbeat sequence, eventually looping back to its original structure and closing with a distinctly Detroit-influenced finale.

On the B-side, “Cat TV” pushes the tempo to 138 BPM with breakbeat rhythms, 808 low-end pressure and constantly evolving Detroit-style chords. The track builds intensity before easing into melodic tones towards the end, creating a reflective closing passage. “Sights Unseen” blends deep house and techno foundations with a rising acid line that gradually takes center stage, supported by rolling percussion and a driving bassline that keeps the groove energetic while retaining a deep emotional core.

Functional and atmospheric dancefloor material for DJs navigating the deeper and more hypnotic corners of techno.

Sound Therapy is the culmination of over ten years of sonic experimentation, developed across the past three years between Sicily, the United Kingdom, and Brooklyn. It builds on the foundation of the 2021 Dub-Stuy single Pon Pause featuring Al Campbell, whose success became the catalyst for the album’s eight tracks.

Conceived across two distinct halves, the album reflects the dual nature of D-Operation Drop’s sound, moving from one drop and roots/steppers traditions into more modern, forward-leaning bass music. The whole is intended to move the listener between foundation and progression, day and night, light and dark, a dynamic reflected in both the music and album artwork.

Sound Therapy also reflects the collaborative nature of sound system culture, featuring vocalists Blakkamoore and JonnyGo Figure (US), Galas and Marina P (Italy), and Rider Shafique (UK), alongside instrumental contributions from Brooklyn-based saxophonist Troy Mobius. The album was collaboratively mixed in person with McPullish (US) and mastered at Star Delta (UK), with a focus on depth, weight, and sound system translation.

Sound Therapy stands as a complete body of work while establishing a broader musical direction for D-Operation Drop, with further singles, mixes, and related projects to follow.

The monumental 2006 live recording of mama!milk, which laid the foundation for their current performance style, is now available on CD and LP!
mama!milk, hailed worldwide as “Japanese New Exotica,” praised for their “music that entices you on a journey” and “soundtracks to unseen films.”
This site-specific, one-day-only performance, unique to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, is packaged here.

WRWTFWW Records unleashes the first ever release of legendary post-disco, funk, soul and electronic UK trio Imagination's cult album Night Dubbing in (well deserved) double LP format. The limited edition full-length comes with pristine audiophile treatment and luxurious packaging : a 45rpm and Half Speed Mastered DLP housed in heavyweight silver cardboard sleeve.
Imagination's singular 1983 album Night Dubbing is a refined deconstruction of black British soul and club pop, filtered through the deep studio and mixing techniques of dub music. Elegant, restrained, and, in its very own subtle way, radical, the record reshapes choice selections from the group's stellar catalogue into an immersive and out-of-this-world listening experience.

The special mixes on Night Dubbing are built on time and space. Basslines elongate and dissolve. Vocals appear, vanish, and reappear like ghosts. Drums fall away into vast silences, while echoes, tape edits, and precise engineering manoeuvres smoothly slide across the stereo field, revealing themselves like magic over repeated listens. Far from simple extensions or 12" versions, Night Dubbing treats the studio itself as an instrument, opening new dimensions of sound.

Often cited as a foundational record in the genesis of the house genre, the album also features the historic Larry Levan remix of "Changes", a Paradise Garage anthem that helped shape the direction of club music for decades to come.

More than 40 years on, Night Dubbing remains a seminal work. Its influence continues to echo through contemporary dance music, offering a blueprint for how pop could be transformed into something darker, stranger, more physical - a timeless sound that drifts effortlessly from the dancefloor into space.

Important note : it sounds amazing played on 33rpm too !

Detroit producer, Shawescape Renegade, comes to Tresor Records with Exoframe, a five-track EP of pure techno and electro, including a remix by Arpanet.
As with so many forerunners and peers in the Detroit techno world, Shawescape Renegade, is a deep thinking and a world-building story teller and Exoframe uses the traditional sci-fi narrative to explore recent thought Shaw has had on the potential hidden costs of technological
evolution: what happens when overspecialisation leads to a dead end; when inflexibility means a return to the old forms becomes difficult.
The EP opens with 78 Light Years From Earth, an effects-laden slab of electro that pulls the percussion into other dimensions. Mechanus 9 brings a techno edge before Terraformers Warning unleashes a bass-driven beast.
A fast-paced remodel of Terraformer’s Warning from Gerald Donald’s Arpanet project follows, before the EP is closed out with another bassline-forward track, Ignition One, an updated version of the Shawescape cut that soundtracked the section of the Black To Techno
documentary focussed on the Detroit’s Jit dance scene. The strong symbiosis between Jit and Techno is a foundational part of Detroit’s culture and a community tie and suggests that while technology may lead to stagnation, the cultural muscle memory offers a path back to
authenticity.
In a thoughtful nod to the praxis of the DJ, the vinyl versions of A1 & B1 are five BPM slower than the digital, moving the music to between 128BPM and 151BPM on a standard Technics turntable and opening it up for play in a greater range of club environs.
It’s this deep respect for the artistry and traditions of Detroit’s longstanding music and dance scenes that mark Shawescape Renegade out as one of the true inheritors of the city’s heritage.

DJ DUCH's debut EP is a sonic time machine that transports listeners straight into the Y2K aesthetic, celebrating the unique optimism and rawness of the turn of the millennium. The Wroc?aw-based digger, publisher, and producer- the era's sound by building the entire production foundation exclusively on samples from Polish tracks of that time, giving the release a distinct local flavor. In doing so, DJ DUCH proves that domestic recordings from the late 90s and early 2000s still possess immense potential to fuel modern dancefloors.
The project is rounded out by a broad and surprising list of guests whose vocals add a multi-dimensional character to the whole. The EP features appearances by Renata Lewandowska, rapper Eldo, Cezary Ostrowski (known as Bexa Lala), as well as Nath and Kacha from the duo Coals.

Chuck Berry (1926–2017) was one of rock ’n’ roll’s true architects, celebrated for his sharp songwriting, distinctive guitar riffs, and electrifying stage presence. With classics like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Maybellene,” he helped define the sound and attitude of 1950s rock. Blending rhythm & blues with country influences, he created a style that was energetic, rebellious, and unmistakably his own. His storytelling lyrics and groundbreaking guitar work laid the foundation for generations of rock artists, making this compilation a powerful tribute to one of music’s most influential pioneers.

After a brief hiatus, Cosmocities returns in 2026 with Tech Rico EP, the final release from longtime collaborator, visionary artist, and producer Erik Rico. Completed shortly before his passing last year, the EP stands as both a creative evolution and a tribute to an artist whose influence crossed genres and generations.

Erik Rico first connected with Cosmocities founder Matt Soulie through Inkswel during the release of Cosmic Love Affair EP in 2022, leading to further collaborations including The Rare Groove Project. Following that release, Soulie encouraged Rico to explore a more techno driven sound, which became the foundation for Tech Rico EP.

The EP sees Rico stepping into new sonic territory while maintaining the rich musicality that defined his career. “Tokyo By Train” marks his first full dive into techno with driving rhythms and atmospheric textures, while “Afro Beatdown (Let’s Go)” blends Afro rhythms and broken beats inspired by the spirit of Fela Kuti. “Summer In Chi Town” pays tribute to Chicago house with warm synths and skippy drums, later reworked by Inkswel with additional vocals from Erin Buku and Marley Love into a soulful bruk infused remix. Closing track “Madrid or Manhattan” delivers a hypnotic house groove layered with trippy vocoder vocals.

A singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, producer, and DJ, Erik Rico spent more than two decades shaping a sound that bridged soul, house, hip hop, and Afrobeats. His career included collaborations with Tupac Shakur, Q Tip, Ladybug Mecca, and Jurassic 5, as well as scoring work for HBO, MTV, and PBS.

More than just a release, Tech Rico EP celebrates Erik Rico’s artistic spirit, fearless evolution, and the deep musical connections he built throughout his life. Cosmocities is honoured to share this final chapter with the world.

Following vibraphonist and long-standing member Lewis Wright"s move to the USA, the award-winning UK jazz ensemble, featuring Nathaniel Facey on alto saxophone, Tom Farmer on double bass and Shaney Forbes on drums, have embraced a more flexible lineup. The trio enlist high-caliber guest artists to expand their sound, with long-time collaborators Ivo Neame on piano and David Preston on guitar lending their distinctive musical voices to the album. The album traverses the musical terrain between contemporary classical music, soundscape, post-bop and free jazz. The jazz of the 1960s has long been a guiding light for Empirical, not least in the way it represented Black musicians" struggle for respect, freedom and civil rights, often drawing on their faith as a moral foundation.

Rebuilding everything and transforming ruins into foundations.

These are four tales of a path without magic or miracles, where the enemy is within, a battle fought in the dusk of an age.

Belgian electronic body-music pioneers A Split-Second deliver an expanded reissue of their influential 1987 debut Ballistic Statues, a landmark of the New Beat and EBM movement. Blending dark electronics, cold-wave tension and precision-driven sequencing, the album helped define a pivotal moment in the late-80s European underground.

This new edition brings together all tracks from the original album and enhances them with essential recordings from the same era, including the band’s complete 1986 debut EP (A Split-Second), the cult Smell of Buddha, and additional period material.

Pressed in a limited run of 300 copies on black vinyl, the release comes in a gatefold sleeve and includes a reproduction of the original lyrics insert along an exclusive poster and one postcard.

Ballistic Statues remains a defining statement—raw, innovative and far ahead of its time. This reissue brings together the core foundations of A Split-Second in one essential collection making it ideal for both long-time followers and new listeners discovering the band.

East London producer and DJ IZCO announces his debut solo studio album ‘POWERSCROFT’, set for release on 1st May via Brownswood Recordings. The album’s first single, ‘Strike a Pose’ featuring the vocals of Camille Munn offers an early glimpse into the project. To celebrate the release, he will go on a run of UK dates from March to May, culminating at London’s Jazz Cafe.
Named after the road where he grew up, ‘POWERSCROFT’ marks a defining new chapter for an artist who has spent the past decade shaping the sound of UK dance music. Drawing from jungle, broken beat, grime, garage, soul and dub, the album channels the energy of the dancefloor while remaining deeply rooted in memory, instinct and identity. It captures what it feels like to be inside IZCO’s world, where thoughts, memories and influences collide.

Hailing from East London, IZCO is a producer and DJ spearheading a new generation that is bringing soul back to the dancefloor. Shaped by the rich musical heritage of his hometown, he has developed a sound that feels familiar yet forward-looking, diverse yet distinctly his own. That sound has taken him across the globe, from New York to Tokyo, alongside standout sets at We Out Here, Outlook and Glastonbury.

IZCO began his journey making grime beats for local rappers including Capo Lee, Novelist and Reek0, before becoming a key figure in the UK’s evolving garage and dance music landscape. In 2018, he launched his long-running Rinse FM show and released his debut EP Tek 5, earning early underground acclaim. His production credits include PinkPantheress’ breakout track ‘Passion’, created alongside Jkarri, as well as collaborations and remixes for artists such as Katy B and Greentea Peng.
Beyond his solo work, IZCO is a label head, promoter and co-founder of the Brighter Days Family, a collective built on community, craft and cooperation. With ‘POWERSCROFT’, he steps fully into the spotlight, presenting his most personal and fully realised body of work to date. “This album is about channeling my true musical personality and character,” he says. “I’m marking a new chapter by paying tribute to my foundations.”

2026 Repress

- Linen Paper, Foil Printed Box Set
- Includes 6 Double LPs + 1 Single LP, 13 Discs In Total
- All LPs Pressed on Coloured Vinyl
-Each Disc is Housed in a Printed Inner with PMS Print, Finished with Spot Gloss Printing. Each Sleeve Features an Abstract of the Original Album’s Artwork
- Also included are a 4 page Insert + Poster

Skintone Edition commemorates the singular talent of this music pioneer with the re-release of all of his albums released via his own Skintone label.
Over a 20 year period Yokota released 30 albums and countless 12s under a variety of aliases, across more than a dozen pre-eminent labels. Yokota received domestic and international acclaim as a house and techno DJ and producer throughout the nineties. Part of the vanguard of the Tokyo scene, his influential release Acid Mt. Fuji inspires techno artists to this day.

In 1998 though, at the height of his success, he established his Skintone imprint, which came to eclipse all of his previous achievements. Skintone shone a light on the diverse new directions in which his creativity had blown, from delicate, cyclical tape-loop meditations to neo-classical compositions. It also gave him the autonomy to combine his visual and music-making practices and, importantly, to create at his own pace. The label was a great success and his experiments proved foundational in the global 00s ambient canon.

Skintone Edition will be available as 2 box sets - the first volume coincides with the 10th anniversary of Yokota’s untimely death and the 30th year of Lo Recordings. All music has been fully re-mastered. This edition is presented with the generous assistance of the Yokota family.
Albums Included:

Magic Thread 1998
Image 1983-1998 [1998]
Sakura [1999]
Grinning Cat [2001]
Will [2001]
The Boy and the Tree [2002]
Laputa [2003]