quête:heavy d

Harmony, is back again on DAT086. The A side, "Hold On", is a full on heavy amen attack with upfront ragga vocals, while the AA side ("Star Chaser") is more of a smooth roller full of summer vibes.

Mark Grusane presents Midwest Rhythms Vol. 3 on Disctechno: a compilation of five stripped down, off-kilter house tracks from four producers out of Chicago and Detroit and one from Grusane himself. On the A side is a spaced out synth-laden “Memory Blank” from DJ Slush (aka Eric Schwab) and a pulsing, bass-heavy beatdown on “AYYYO” from Deon Jamar. The B side features Jordan Zawideh’s reverb-heavy drum machine & synth duet “Axolotls”, Mark Grusane’s pounding, in-your-face atonal track “The Recoil”, and finishes with Thomas Xu’s grooving arpeggios on “School Street.” Not to be missed for fans of the contemporary Midwest underground."

New Collaborative label from four individuals focusing on four on the floor songs that cover multiple decades of electronic music. Split Records 4444.1 includes a UK influenced Lofi House track on the A1 from Stereotype. It follows with an old school acid house track by Bobby Metronome that switches the emotion of the record with its heavy dynamics. On the B (dark) side we have unique Central American prowess by Diego Calix and Emilio Dahmen from El Salvador and Costa Rica. These 2 tracks in the b side encompass the minimal electro wave of producers in the region, young and fresh.

2025 marks the triumphant return of Sitaro, the iconic track that once lit up dancefloors worldwide. Originally released in 2007 and championed by the likes of Carl Cox—earning its place on Carl Cox Ultimate (Universal Music)—Sitaro is back with a fresh 2K25 Edition on Move Recordings, the newly minted sublabel of Diki Records.

The Belgian techno duo End-Jy & Dimitri Andreas, known for their heavyweight releases on Lupp, Intec, Terminal M, Music Man, and Systematic, deliver an updated version of this melodic anthem. The remastered original brims with Sitaro's signature sound: hypnotic sitar riffs, emotive atmospheres, and a groove that’s as irresistible as ever—a true dancefloor odyssey packed with intensity and raw emotion.

And for the remix? Who better than Dimitri Andreas himself. With an illustrious career spanning decades and releases on Systematic, Music Man, Kling Klong, and Token, Andreas takes Sitaro to new heights. His remix is a masterclass in contemporary melodic techno, drawing comparisons to the work of Guy J, Sébastien Léger, and Roy Rosenfeld. Expect driving Latin-inspired percussion, lush synths, and dreamy soundscapes that seamlessly blend piano-laden breakdowns with deep, pulsating grooves.
The result is a stunning reinterpretation—eclectic yet cohesive, powerful yet delicate. Dimitri Andreas once again proves why he remains a pivotal figure in the global techno landscape.
Press play, and let the journey begin.

Early support from Adriatique (Afterlife), Nick Varon (Sudbeat), Raw Main (Lost Miracle), Dclviii Ofc (Cod3qr), Alex Neri (Wildflower)…

Français

End-Jy - Sitaro (2K25 Edition) featuring Dimitri Andreas Remix

2025 marque le retour triomphal de Sitaro, le morceau emblématique qui a illuminé les pistes de danse du monde entier. Initialement sorti en 2007 et soutenu par des DJ comme Carl Cox—qui l’a même inclus dans Carl Cox Ultimate (Universal Music)—Sitaro fait son grand retour avec une toute nouvelle édition 2K25 sur Move Recordings, la nouvelle subdivision de Diki Records.

Le duo techno belge End-Jy & Dimitri Andreas, connu pour leurs sorties majeures sur Lupp, Intec, Terminal M, Music Man et Systematic, propose une version actualisée de cet hymne mélodique. L’original remasterisé regorge de la sonorité signature de Sitaro : des riffs hypnotiques de sitar, des atmosphères émotionnelles, et un groove aussi irrésistible que jamais—une véritable odyssée sur la piste de danse, remplie d’intensité et d’émotion brute.

Et pour le remix ? Qui de mieux que Dimitri Andreas lui-même ? Avec une carrière illustre qui s’étend sur plusieurs décennies et des productions sur Systematic, Music Man, Kling Klong et Token, Andreas emmène Sitaro vers de nouveaux sommets. Son remix est une véritable masterclass de techno mélodique contemporaine, qui rappelle le travail de Guy J, Sébastien Léger et Roy Rosenfeld. Attendez-vous à des percussions latines entraînantes, des synthés luxuriants et des paysages sonores oniriques qui fusionnent parfaitement des breakdowns pianistiques avec des grooves profonds et pulsants.

Le résultat est une réinterprétation impressionnante—éclectique mais cohérente, puissante mais délicate. Dimitri Andreas prouve une fois de plus pourquoi il reste une figure incontournable du paysage techno mondial.
Appuyez sur play et laissez le voyage commencer.

Support de Adriatique (Afterlife), Nick Varon (Sudbeat), Raw Main (Lost Miracle), Dclviii Ofc (Cod3qr), Alex Neri (Wildflower)…

Dana Ruh offers up the aptly titled ‘This Journey So Far’ 2x12’’ project via Yecad here, comprised of eight original cuts.

As a long standing and widely respected figure in the world of underground house and techno through her releases on the likes of Slices Of Life, Ostgut Ton, Cocoon, Cave and of course her own Brouqade, Dana Ruh’s reputation stands tall as one of the finest purveyors of this sound. Amongst her releases, Dana maintains a heavy tour schedule taking her across the globe each year to many hotspots in key cities, here she marks another milestone in her career with a 2x12’’ release, entitled ‘This Journey So Far’, as a musical reflection on all that’s led to this point.

Across eight tracks Dana presents her distinctive style which often straddles the lines between house and techno, opening with the airy, swinging dub aesthetic of ‘Case Of V’, while diving into deeper, murkier realms on ‘Bruv’. The B1 ‘KMA54’ then shifts focus towards choppy breaks, textural tension and hypnotic voices before B2 ‘Babel’ lays down a true dub techno feel across ten minutes of crisp drums, spiralling echoes and expansive reverberations.

Kicking off the C-Side is ‘MF Now’, stripping things back to a shuffled, bumpy rhythm section, resonant synth chimes and billowing textures. ‘Grey With Some Light’ then leans into a more experimental glitch realm via twitchy oscillating percussion, unfurling atmospherics and drifting keys. ‘The Look’ leans back into House territory with raw stabs, sax lines, metallic chimes and vacillating low-end tones before ‘Song For The Lonely’ concludes the project, encapsulating the essence of deep house with ethereal pad swells, circling stab sequences, low-slung drums and cossetting subs.

Modernized disco boogie cover of Klique's 80s classic tune, with vocals by Boston's own Saucy Lady and UK's legendary talent Omar, all masterfully crafted by Yuki Kanesaka as the musical director and producer alongside Saucy Lady on the arrangement. The track not only features a full live brass section and strings with talents from Japan and Boston, it also features Curtis Williams of Kool & the Gang on alto, while David Frank of the mega duo The System on the Oberheim and Moog adding the authentic boogie spice.

Piano overdubs recorded by another production and engineering legend Carl Beatty known as the studio pioneer of all the major label R&B performers of the 70s, 80s, and 90s including Luther Vandross, Aretha, Melba Moore, Mass Production and more. All of which create the melange of groove that the funk universe desperately needs.

On the flip side, French Producer and DJ heavyweight Young Pulse brings a whole new take on the original mix with added vocal layers by Young Pulse himself he brings a more broken beat, house flavor to the classic tune which will undeniably electrify the dance floors.

A limited reissue of Cheikh Lô's classic debut album Né La Thiass. Produced by Youssou N'Dour in Dakar in 1995. Cheikh ranks the album as his favourite release.
Available for the frst tme on vinyl, with new artwork and mastered from the original cassete mixes. Includes 2 bonus fully artworked postcards.
180g heavyweight. 16 page colour booklet. Download code included. Cheikh will be touring internatonally throughout 2018.

The efect on frst hearing is positvely spine-tngling - and it
gets beter with every play.'
THE TIMES

WE ARE EXCITED TO PRESENT THE NEXT RELEASE ON THE NORTHSIDE LABEL, COURTESY OF MELBOURNE HIP HOP / AFROBEAT GROUP : COOL OUT SUN.

Melbourne's Afro Hip Hop veterans, Cool Out Sun are releasing their sophomore LP 'A LION IS A LION' October 4th.

Spearheaded by the duo of Nfa Jones and Sensible J (known for their work across 1200 Techniques, REMi, Sampa The Great & solo projects) are joined by a star studded line up of guests. These include Sampa The Great, Lamine Sonko, Immy Owusu, Vida Sunshyne, Bilalli and more as COS aim to shine light on on their local circle of creatives and inspirations.

Cool Out Sun creates music bridging the traditions of classic Hip Hop with the traditions of Afrobeat, Afro soul & roots music blending West African language and culture with modern sonics that jump out the speakers. Beats are built on the MPC & refined with all live instrumentation & vocals recorded in their lofi indie label, House of Beige studio in the middle of nowhere.

The group's explosive live show has them performing consistently, and their music has been getting a lot of Australian airplay as well as spins across the US, EU and the UK radio.

Cool Out Sun songs go deep into social subjects and storytelling with historical and cultural messaging hidden in catchy hooks and heavy grooves. This collection of songs continues this theme while leaning into the more vibrant side of what Cool Out Sun cooked up in the studio in the creation of this album, 'A LION IS A LION.

To order copies at the WHOLESALE RATE of $25 comes with a minimum of 3 units with each order. Shipping can be arranged and also records can be picked up from here in Fitzroy at Northide.

Following the release of the single Maqlab, the Marseille-based duo Caïn و Muchi presents their debut full-length album Dounia دنيا.

This takes listeners on a journey through a rich tapestry of industrial gloom woven of dubstep, grime, and contemporary hip-hop. In this album, these ‘labels’ matter as much as they don’t, given the heavy mutations they undergo, in a That’s Hara Kiri fashion (RIP Sd Laika).

At the heart of this record lies a dense yet harmonious sound palette, featuring meticulous vocal processing of lead singer Vanda’s voice, which engages reflection on their shared and individual lives.

As the album progresses, the lyrics reveal layers of stress and trauma linked to colonial experience, intertwined with multiple references to North African ghost stories and legends.

The result is a resonant experience, where the wraithlike and glacial instrumentals crafted by the duo encapsulates the introspective act of witnessing the turmoil of our current world.

This album represents a significant evolution in the musical journey of Nick Viola, transitioning from the powernoise and heavy industrial sounds of his previous project, Fractured Transmission, into a techno-framed landscape. Spanning seven tracks, including remixes, the album features recurring sounds sourced from machinery, field recordings, and personal travels. These elements create an uneasy atmosphere oscillating between slight discomfort and absolute dread, offering a dystopian sonic experience fitting for the times we unfortunately live in.

The opening track, ‘A Ghost in Your World,’ sets an intense tone with distorted atmospheres and ‘It’s Still Real’ follows with a relentless pulse and swirling mechanical sounds, seamlessly flowing into Kenny Campbell’s remix of ‘A Ghost In Your World’, providing a cathartic release for the A side.

‘Drop Out,’ guides listeners on a psychedelic journey into the B side of the record, while ‘Negative Nancy’ ramps up the energy with an aggressive industrial techno assault offering an antagonistic jab at the current trend within the genre. Substencia’s remix of “Drop Out” delves deeper into psychedelia, offering an immersive trance-like experience relieving the tension of “Negative Nancy”.

The digital-only bonus track, ‘Tensor,’ maintains the album’s heavy industrial techno feel of a well-oiled machine, ready to pummel any underground sound system.

About Artist:
Nick Viola is a versatile electronic music producer known for his distinctive blend of industrial and techno music, drawing inspiration from a wide range of influences spanning from the gritty sounds of powernoise to the pulsating energy of techno.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nick began his musical journey immersed in the industrial club scene, where he cut his teeth performing at the legendary Los Angeles industrial club Das Bunker. Here, he honed his craft and developed a deep appreciation for the raw, aggressive textures of industrial music. As the driving force behind the project Fractured Transmission, he made a name for himself with his uncompromising approach to power and rhythmic noise, earning recognition for his intense live performances and relentless sonic assaults.

However, Nick was always drawn to the rhythms and sounds of techno, and in a bold move, he embarked on a new chapter in his musical career, transitioning from the abrasive sounds and rhythms of powernoise to recontextualizing those sounds into a more techno landscape. With this album, “A Ghost In your World”, he showcases his evolution as an artist, seamlessly blending the industrial aesthetics of his past with the pulsating energy and frame of techno.

Spanning six tracks, “A Ghost In Your World” is a sonic journey through dark, dystopian landscapes and pulsating dance floors, where distorted atmospheres and mechanical rhythms collide to create a mesmerizing and immersive experience. From the haunting textures of “A Ghost in Your World” to the relentless energy of “Negative Nancy,” each track offers a unique glimpse into Nick’s sonic universe, inviting listeners to explore new depths with each listen.

Written + Produced by: Nick Viola

Mastered by: Tim Vitek

Artwork: Permian Designs

Design by: Elaine Stam

The Kid That Did is the fourth studio album from acclaimed rapper and Detroit staple, Babyface Ray. Known for his effortless, conversational flow and sharp wordplay, Ray has been building momentum over the past few years, and his latest project promises to be another milestone in his career.

Following the success of 2022’s FACE, which reached #3 on Apple Music’s all-genre chart and earned praise from outlets like Billboard and Complex, and MOB, which featured collaborations with heavyweights like Lil Durk and Blxst, Ray’s new work showcases an artist at the peak of his game. His recent singles “Green Carpet,” “Money On My Mind,” and “Understand” each pulled in over 1.5 million streams in their first week, setting the stage for The Kid That Did to be his biggest release yet.

Fresh off a label deal with EMPIRE and riding the success of his first RIAA-certified gold record, Babyface Ray’s influence continues to grow. After a sold-out tour and major appearances, including a performance on Jimmy Fallon and being named to XXL’s 2022 Freshman Class, Ray is ready to take things to the next level with The Kid That Did.

With his signature Detroit sound and an impressive lineup of collaborators including Bossman Dlow, Peezy, Fabolous, G Herbo, DJ ESCO & more, The Kid That Did is set up to be a defining moment for Ray as he solidifies his place in modern hip-hop.

Marbles is the legendary 1970 proto punk / dance classic from John McLaughlin’s US debut album 'De?otion', recorded at the time in which he played on Miles Davis' Bitches Brew and taped the Record Plant session with Jimi Hendrix.
Marbles didn't just deliver jazz rock's most danceable 4/4 beat, played by Band of Gypsies / Electric Flag drummer Buddy Miles. It is also centered with a once-in-ageneration bass line performed by Billy Rich. Larry Young's otherworldly Hammond textures predate a lot of what synthesizers were about to do much later, and the blowtorch energy emanating from John McLaughlin's cranked amp went beyond what most would had dared during the defining era of heavy rock guitar. An apex achievement at the intersection of jazz rock, guitar rock and dance music without parallel, before or since.
Background: John McLaughlin arrived in New York in 1969 to join Tony Williams' new group Lifetime which also featured Larry Young and eventually Jack Bruce (of Cream). On the second day in town he found himself in the studio with Miles Davis, recording 'In a Silent Way.' His playing would also take center stage in Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, On The Corner and several other Davis key works of his much beloved first electric era. In between a busy schedule with Lifetime and Davis, McLaughlin also recorded two solo albums in 1970, 'De?otion' with an all-electric group and ‚'My Goa|’s B?y?nd' as its acoustic counterpart. By the time he formed his group Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1972, John McLaughlin was firmly established as the most important practitioner of his instrument of his generation within and well beyond the emerging jazz rock / fusion genre, and he has continued to evolve and surprise until today.
Here, a thorough remaster is supplemented by a new and throbbing techno version by Stefan Goldmann.

Source of an all-time 'Breaks and Beats' classic, Mr Bongo reissue Herman Kelly’s timeless 1978 album Percussion Explosion!. Immortalised in hip-hop folklore, when the anthemic 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat’ was featured on the influential Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilation series in 1986.

Percussion Explosion! was the brainchild of drummer, percussionist, producer and arranger, Herman Kelly and his percussive disco-funk group from Miami, 'Life', that featured Aaron McCarthy, Oliver Well, John DeMonica, Michal Cordoza and Travis Biggs. The album houses a collection of disco, funk and Latin-inspired cuts that were destined for greatness. Nestled within the grooves is the B-Boy and B-Girl’s anthem, 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat’, which contains a now legendary break. A cursory glance at Whosampled will show that it has been sampled in over 125+ songs. These include Double Dee & Steinski on their groundbreaking 1985 production 'Lesson 3 (History Of Hip Hop Mix)', as well as by DJ Shadow, N.W.A, Masters At Work, Run D.M.C. and a whole host of heavyweights across hip-hop, dance and pop music.

When the album was released in 1978 it came out on two different labels, Alston Records and Electric Cat. Each label pressed different versions of 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat’, with the former featuring a 4:12 version and the latter a longer 5:09 version that has a different structure, crowd noise at the start and overdubbed percussion.

For this Mr Bongo reissue, we have chosen the classic 4:12 version from the Alston Records release, which would later find its way on to the illustrious Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilation. To make matters even more confusing the Alston version art on the back cover also states the track length as 5:09, whilst the centre label lists it correctly as 4:12.

Aside from the much celebrated 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat’, the album includes a range of other fantastic overlooked cuts. From the percussive soul stepper 'Share Your Love', to the beautiful Latin-flavoured 'A Refreshing Love' or the party disco-funk groover 'Who's The Funky D.J.?'.

This wonderful and inspirational record features an important piece of hip-hop heritage and deserves a place in every collection.

DMF is proud to present the K-llab series, a new collaboration project where label head Kerrie partners with some of her favourite artists. The debut release in the series features an original track and a remix by each artist, offering a fresh take on both the sounds and creative processes of each collaboration.

K-llab-01 sees Kerrie teaming up with Italian duo Dynamic
Forces, known for their heavy, old school leaning, industrial influenced techno. After hosting their UK debut at a DMF event in 2024, the connection between Kerrie and the duo was immediate, leading to the creation of the series.

The duos killer original track Moralism sets the tone as the A1, followed by Kerries grooving, steppy broken-beat remix. The B side features Kerries funk-infused Good Intentions and a slamming Technasia-esque style remix from Dynamic Forces.

This release delivers four tracks that merge gritty, industrial influences with futuristic sound design all underpinned by the signature Dark Machine Funk energy, the first K-llab release offers a powerful start to this new series for DMF.

Spanish imprint Clock Poets returns with its sixth release, a nicely curated three-track V.A. that brings together Dan Andrei, Root, and label founders Marco and Javier (Clock Poets). Aptly titled Surrealism, the EP explores different shades of minimal techno and micro-house, offering a dynamic range of textures and grooves.

Dan Andrei sets the tone with 'Si Un Ecou' (A1), a stripped-back, bass-heavy roller with a raw, hypnotic energy. Laced with eerie, Hitchcockian tension, the track simmers with understated menace until a burst of heavily modulated synth chords cuts through the groove like a sudden flash of light — turning the mood on its head. Subtle yet striking creative decisions like these highlight Andrei's refined sonic evolution. On (A2), Root's 'Apophis' is a swing-heavy slice of classic micro-house. Shuffling drum patterns dart unpredictably, locking the dancefloor into a stealthy groove while growling synth textures add an air of mystique and atmospheric tension. A nod to the golden era of the genre, yet firmly grounded in the present.

Clock Poets close the EP with 'Galaxy' (B1), a sprawling 14-minute live-recorded behemoth, through microscopic sound design and intricate rhythm programming. Filtered, syncopated drum patterns weave through evolving bass stabs and delicate melodic fragments, crafting a hypnotic groove that pulls listeners deeper with every loop.

"Surrealism" is a carefully balanced record with a range of moods and styles for the lovers of thoughtful minimal dance music, and yet another compelling addition to the Clock Poets catalogue — refined and immersive.

J.Wiltshire returns to MUSAR with Sunflower At Day EP — a deep, atmospheric excursion across four tightly woven dance-floor tracks.
Marking MUSAR’s 20th release, this EP showcases some of Wiltshire’s most club- ready work yet, blending outsider house, ambient trance, and Cornish electronic influences.

The title track ‘Sunflower At Day’ is a shoegaze-infused chugger that nods to the ethereal haze of My Bloody Valentine and has a rave energy reminiscent of Future Sound of London. Track two, ‘Cosmic Slap’, takes over with its deep, dub- heavy sounds and off-kilter rhythms, playing to Wiltshire's more experimental side under a techno beat.

On the B side, we dive deeper into Wiltshire's intricate melodic world.
‘Traversing’ unfolds with enveloping, pastoral harmonic patterns, balancing surging intensity with an organic flow.
Finally, the EP closes with the cinematic ‘Rush Point 9’, a late-night noir groove that offers a perfect, reflective finale to this sonic journey.

With Sunflower At Day, Wiltshire fuses intricate textures and melodies with dance- floor intensity, offering another great soundscape from the artist for both club and home listeners.

Zackey Force Funk & XL Middleton return with cover versions of two tracks by Jonny Chingas, a legendary artist w/ a cult following in Chicano music scene on the west coast of the US. 'Hey MF' is a vocoder & synth drenched electro funk cruiser that's perfect for the dance floor or a boulevard cruise. 'Phone Home' was one of Chingas' breakout tracks that actually got heavy club play in the UK, and is given the modern boogie funk treatment by ZFF on vocals & producer XL Middleton.

Irish producer and DJ Casper Hastings returns to the label in full force with a 6-track EP titled “Recreational Murder”, unleashing a lethal mutation of electro, techno and jungle, the release showcases Casper’s versatility as an artist who garners clear-cut expertise in his field.

Nodding to its foreboding title, “Tangerine Meme” follows suit with an increased pace, woven together by squelchy synth work, wobbly bass and a gnawed up vocal scattered throughout.

“Reaper” lands with a pitched-up vocal riff opening the track; the word LSD later echoing through the ghostlike atmosphere laid out by a snappy pattern of snares and smoggy distortion. Peder Mannerfelt’s remix of the track comes as a curveball and flips the B-Side of the record, upending the previously understated but ominous tone with thundering drums, whiplike percussion and in-your-face high velocity.

“Ruthless Romance” continues on the rapid tip, this time highlighting Caspers long-running love for jungle. With a spirited UKG-tinged sample layered over clattering drums and hardcore bass lines with the celebrated genre, this is the track that brings a chunk of quick escapism. The deconstructed “Good Medicine” closes the record with the return of stabbing bleeps, intense kicks and swirling psychedelics accompanied by a grunt-heavy sample to reflect the EP's theme a sense of dread lurking behind every corner. Looping full circle to that initial cinematic feel, the final track / digital bonus “Akashita” marks his solo instalment on the label with palpable effect.

Manufactured in Dublin, Yin Yang Label 2025

NEW LP PRESSING on Opaque Yellow Wax

Released in September 1978, a mere two months before YMO’s debut, Cochin Moon is a clear precursor to the groundbreaking synth and sequencer-dominated sounds that would come to define the iconic trio. Huge tip!

Credited to Hosono and Pop Art legend Tadanori Yokoo (who created the cover art), Cochin Moon is a fictional soundtrack to a journey into unknown worlds, inspired by Hosono and Yokoo’s trip to India.

The unbelievably prolific Haruomi Hosono is one of the major architects of modern Japanese pop music. With his encyclopedic knowledge of music and boundless curiosity for new sounds, Hosono is the auteur of his own idiosyncratic musical world, putting his unmistakable stamp on hundreds of recordings as an artist, session player, songwriter and producer. Born and raised in central Tokyo, his adolescent obsession with American pop culture informed his early forays into country music, which he would revisit later in his career. Hosono made his professional debut in 1969 as a member of Apryl Fool, whose heavy psychedelia was somewhat at odds with his influences, which leaned towards the rootsy sounds of Moby Grape and Buffalo Springfield. The latter was one of the main inspirations for his next group, Happy End, whose unique blend of West Coast sounds with Japanese lyrics proved to be highly influential over the course of three albums. After the band’s amicable break up in 1973, Hosono began his solo career with Hosono House, an intimate slice of Japanese Americana recorded inside a rented house with recording gear squeezed into its tiny bedroom. Hosono’s solo career would take many twists and turns from this point forward, with forays into exotica, electronic, ambient, and techno, culminating in the massive success of techno pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO).

Released in September 1978, a mere two months before YMO’s debut, Cochin Moon is a clear precursor to the groundbreaking synth and sequencer-dominated sounds that would come to define the iconic trio. Credited to Hosono and Pop Art legend Tadanori Yokoo (who created the cover art), Cochin Moon is a fictional soundtrack to a journey into unknown worlds, inspired by Hosono and Yokoo’s trip to India. Initially the album was to be a kind of ethnographic musical document, using found sounds and field recordings made by Hosono himself. Instead, after Yokoo introduced Hosono to the sounds of Kraftwerk and krautrock during the trip, Cochin Moon became something much stranger. Created almost entirely on synthesizers and sequencers with the help of future YMO collaborators Ryuichi Sakamoto and Hideki Matsutake, the music on the album is the perfect encapsulation of Hosono’s concept of “sightseeing music,” transporting the listener to an exotic place that may or may not exist. This highly sought-after album sees its first-ever official release outside of Japan.