Once the last few copies of the 2LP version (BC013LP) have sold through it will be deleted, this new version will be the only vinyl version of this album available. Shrouded in mystery, hailing from Hamburg, Germany, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band (BRSB) releases their long awaited debut '55' on Brooklyn's own Big Crown Records. Long time multi-instrumentalist and band leader Bjorn Wagner spent a few months in Trinidad & Tobago where he became fascinated with Steel Drums. His initial intrigue with local steel pan music culture led him to learning the instrument both through help of local players and on his own. After he became proficient on the pans Bjorn had his own instrument built from a used oil barrel by legendary pan man Louis C. Smith. Upon returning home to Germany, Bjorn set out to blend the Tropical Steel into his already sharply honed Funk, Soul, and Hip Hop sensibilities. The outcome is an updated take on a classic format, a truly unique sound. Their first two recordings were covers of The Meters 'Look A-Py-Py' & 'Ease Back' which they self-released on a 45. Looking back on these two sides you can tell they were just getting their chops up for what was to come next. This is evidenced by how all hell broke loose when they went on to cover 50 Cent's hit PIMP taking the DJ and vinyl collecting communities by storm. Many people thought the recording was the original sample and probably still do to this day when it is played. The original Mocambo pressing sold out quickly and is now a collector's item fetching heavy prices when it changes hands. It was this tune that made the introduction between Bjorn and Danny Akalepse of Big Crown. They immediately hit it off and starting making plans to do a full length project with the band. Keeping in the tradition of Steel Drum records, 55 is a journey through re-interpolations and covers with an updated approach, pushing Steel Pan music to uncharted territory. Flawlessly bringing previously untouched genres into the steel pan cannon ranging from Underground Hip Hop tunes to staple Funk tracks and some of all that falls in between. BRSB's 55 is reinvigorating tunes both well-known and helping to shed some light on tunes still largely undiscovered. However, some of the strongest tunes on the album are original compositions, from spaced out Disco vibes on 'Beetham Highway Ride' and 'Port Of Spain Hustle' to the ugly face inspiring drums of 'Laventille Road March'. Recorded to analog 8 track tape at The Mocambo Studios in Hamburg, 55 is a gritty, punchy journey in sound drawing on music from around the world, using production aesthetics from across both eras and genres, all coming together seamlessly. If the 45s that have already come out on Mocambo, Plane Jane, and Truth & Soul are an indication, this full length is going to be a staple to both casual listeners and Disc Jockeys alike.
Suche:hi rhythm
To launch Mr Bongo’s new Cuban Classic Series, we are thrilled to present this sought-after, psychedelic-funk masterpiece. A fusion of traditional Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms meets disco, jazz, and funk, with hints of 70s soundtrack productions, this much-loved cult album featuring nine predominantly instrumental tracks is a real treasure that deserves a much wider appreciation. One look at the trippy artwork and you know it is going to be special.
Originally released in 1977 on Areito Records, a sub-label of the state-owned label Egrem, it has become one of the rarest (even in Cuba) and most in-demand albums to come from the label. It is the sole album from Grupo Los Yoyi and was composed, orchestrated, and produced by the mysterious, Jorge Soler Leó.
After Castro ring-fenced Cuba with an embargo on, among other things, Western music, the ‘Yoyi’ album had a sound more left of centre than what was normally allowed to be recorded there at the time. It subtly and covertly flirts with disco, jazz-funk, and electronic sounds coming from the US and Europe. It is probably best known for the space funk, bubbly club cut 'Paco La Calle’. A track that was edited in 2008 by the fantastic DJ / producer, Nick the Record, and one that is guaranteed to set a discerning dancefloor alight. However, ‘Yoyi’ is far from a one-track album. Other highlights include, 'Banana’, with its call and response trombone and horn section, squelchy keys, pulsating breaks and percussion, and a loose, floating vocal arrangement. 'Tu No Me Puedes Conquistar' is a beautiful, bouncing plodder with a variety of instruments interchanging as the track progresses. 'Ruta 30' takes things in a straighter Latin direction, which we are accustomed to from Cuba at that time, yet it is still full of personality, treats and vigour. Take our word for it, this album is strong throughout.
This is one of our favourites and most beloved albums to come out of Cuba and is the perfect flagship for our Cuban Classics Series. Look out for plenty more to come real soon.
Tahiti 80, the cult French group, is back with a tenth album entitled Hello Hello.
Since their formation in Rouen in the 90s, Tahiti 80 have built a substantial discography, collaborating with artists such as Cornelius, Tore Johansson, Adam Schlesinger and Richard Swift. The indie pop quintet offers us today twelve irresistible and captivating songs on a solar tenth album. With its welcoming title, Hello Hello presents itself as a desire to merge the spontaneity of live performances with the chemistry of a band working in the studio. Xavier Boyer, lead singer and songwriter, explains: “We felt a slight frustration with our previous album, Here With You, released in 2022. The pandemic had forced us to record separately at home. When we realized our new demos were going in this live direction, we looked for the perfect place to capture that spirit."
It is at the Paraphernalia studio, located in the French countryside, that the members of Tahiti 80, including in addition to the singer, Pedro Resende, Médéric Gontier, Raphaël Léger and Hadrien Grange, perfected their musical interactions for ten days during the summer 2023. Integrated very early in the process, Stéphane Laporte, aka Domotic, brought his distinctive experimental touch to the arrangements and production. The vocals and additional synthesizers were then finalized between Paris, Rouen and Montpellier in the fall
The twelve songs that make up Hello Hello form a homogeneous suite, highlighting the creativity, diversity and maturity of a group which has just celebrated twenty-five years of career. Opening the album, “Every Little Thing” subtly mixes shoegaze guitars and synth pop. It’s also one of the rare Tahiti 80 tracks that keeps the same chords from start to finish. The singer confides: “It was an exercise in minimalism, with the constraint of finding varied vocal melodies revolving around the same chords. Singing the line ‘I Love Every Little Thing About Us’ made me realize that it could also be about us as a group.” The title song also plays the simplicity card with Boyer’s unique timbre, complemented by a drum machine passed through a tape echo and a catchy recorder theme – proof that years of practice of this instrument in French schools was not in vain!
The other distinctive trend is Brazilian: “Lose My Head”, “Soft Echo” or “Poison Flower” each display tropicalist attributes: swaying rhythms, rounded bass, soft guitars, all enhanced by a reverberated sound treatment. “From Caetano Veloso to Tim Bernardes, there is a unique way,” notes the vocalist, “of linking rhythm and melody that has always inspired us.”
However, the Tahiti 80 touch is not being put aside. “About Us”, sung by guitarist Médéric Gontier who can also be heard on “1+1” and “Anyway”, marks a return to the roots of indie pop. An impression confirmed by the hit “Vertigo” and its signature all in major sevenths supported by the elastic groove of bassist Pedro Resende. The song which sounds like a quick return trip between late 70s California and Tokyo City Pop, will find its place after “Crush!” and “Heartbeat” in the Rouennais’ songbook. Xavier Boyer concludes: “ if we manage to surprise ourselves, it will also work for the listener. but when you reach the tenth album, you must also manage to renew ourselves without denying ourselves what we did previously.”
With their innovative and unique approach to indie pop, their timeless melodies and their sophisticated productions, Tahiti 80 has never ceased to resonate with fans around the world. Their latest collection, Hello Hello, should easily consolidate their status as a singular group and esteemed personalities on the international music scene.
On this new album 'BEEFKAT', Skordatura, Jozef Dumoulin and Mâäk find each other in a rough embrace of energy and raw expression, averse to compromise and with an unbridled passion that encompasses everything beautiful and ugly.
SKORDATURA
With undulating rhythms, sharp injections, angular grooves, snippets of humour and an unreal sound
sometimes reminiscentof the intergalactic funk of Battles, Skordatura conjures up a simmering pot of ideas. Fender Rhodes wizard Jozef Dumoulin provides additional fireworks as the fourth newly enlisted Skordaturian.
JOZEF DUMOULIN
Belgian pianist Jozef Dumoulin redefined the Fender Rhodes keyboard thanks to his contemporary, eclectic, and highly personal approach to the instrument. Besides his own projects, he is also a much sought-after sidekick on the jazz and improvised music circuit. Jozef currently lives in Paris.
MÂÄK
Formed more than 20 years ago as a fascinating jazz ensemble, it has now become a versatile collective with international ramifications. With Mâäk, the ever-adventurous Laurent Blondiau, Jeroen Van Herzeele, Michel Massot and Grégoire Tirtiaux form one of the most exciting avant-garde jazz bands in Belgium.
- A1: Quiero Emborracharme 03 59
- A2: Caminando De La Mano 03 44
- A3: Hoy Te Toca Sufrir 03 39
- A4: Mi Barrio 02 52
- A5: Reina De Mi Corazón 03 22
- A6: Lindas Mujeres 03 19
- B1: Recuerdos 03 19
- B2: Solo Me Has Dejado 02 55
- B3: Un Recuerdo Para Ti 02 54
- B4: Amor No Me Dejes 03 19
- B5: Chanchullo 03 16
- B6: Romeo Y Julieta 02 55
In the story of Los Sanders, many sources can be found to understand the emergence of “chicha”, a style associated with the life of migrants in the city that saw its heyday in the 1980s, but also to understand the connections between youth music, “new ola”, and rock with tropical rhythms.
Los Sanders serve as a bridge between periods and styles, and their ability to adapt to musical genres and reinvent them has given them a unique style. Los Sanders de Ñaña reflect a Lima that was transforming, giving way to a new face and a new urban soundtrack.
In the universe of Peruvian tropical music, one can distinguish a wide variety of styles. One of the most unique is known as the “carretero” style, also referred to as the “Carretera Central” sound, which alludes to the sound developed by a series of musical groups that became known during the 1970s in the areas surrounding this major highway. At that time, this area received a large influx of migrants from the provinces who came to the capital in search of a better future. The initiators of this carretero style were Los Sanders de Ñaña, and following them, other groups emerged, not only creating a unique style but also establishing a circuit.
LUMINOUS ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC COMPOSITIONS LAYERED WITH SUPERB IMPROVISATIONS
Frida Kahlo said, "Can we invent verbs? I'd like to tell you one: I sky you, so my wings stretch, enormous, to love you without measure". It was this message of love from the Mexican poet and painter that inspired the debut album Yo Te Cielo ("I Sky You") by the French southern quartet Chocho Cannelle. It's a canvas on which the different worlds of the four band members blossom. Full of nuances and contrasts, between harmonic softness and rhythmic subtlety, it bears witness to the musical maturity acquired within the quartet. Chocho Cannelle follows in the footsteps of contemporary jazz groups who have abolished stylistic boundaries. From the very first notes, the electro- llanera harp propels us into the band's colorful universe. The eclectic compositions are luminous, evocative and layered with superb improvisations. The musicians play with their timbres and seem to dance, all in balance. Across a wide range of musical influences, the fluidity and coherence of the tracks are self-evident, confirming once again the quartet's strong identity. The album exudes a life force reminiscent of Frida's own personality.
Worm Records is thrilled to present its debut release, featuring four tracks that blend danceable rhythms with melodic audible hints, from some of the scene's finest producers. The A Side kicks off with “Rockin”, a sonic deep-dive from Bristol-based producer Gallegos. Next up is “Festern” a track from Canadian native, The Mole with his deep trade-mark sound. The B Side switches the vibe with “Booster” a moody one from Wallace which feels like it lives in the same universe as Afefe Iku’s - “Mirror Dance”, but with the right amount stripped back. The final track on the EP is a stretched-out remix of Ruf Dug’s “Manctalo Beach”, a discofied journey by More Amour (Artwork & Jon Solo), described by Artwork at last year’s Pikes Halloween as Punk Electro.
All proceeds will support UK Food Banks through the LIVEFORLOVE campaign.
Big thanks to Prime for their incredible support on this project.
Designs by Jay Vaz & Daniel Lovrinov.
- A1: No Fun Ft. Iggy Pop (Adf30 Rework)
- A2: Comin' Over Here Ft. Stewart Lee (Afd30 Remaster)
- A3: Broken Britain Ft. Chowerman (Adf30 Special)
- A4 10: 00 Mirrors Ft. Sinéad O'connor & Ed O'brien (Adf30 Remaster)
- A5: Raj Antique Store Ft. Likkle Mai & Dry And Heavy (Adf30 Remaster)
- B1: Taa Deem Ft. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Adf30 Remaster)
- B2: Culture Move Ft. Mc Navigator (Adf30 Remaster)
- B3: Free Satpal Ram Ft. Primal Scream (Bendran Lynch Mix)
- B4: Toulouse Ft. Zebda & Chandrasonic (Adf30 Rework)
- B5: Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos Ft. Chuck D (Live At Somerset House)
- B6: Collective Mode Ft. Audio Active (Adf30 Remaster)
Legendary UK band Asian Dub Foundation is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year!
Asian Dub Foundation are a genre unto themselves. Their unique combination of jungliest rhythms, dub bass lines and wild guitar overlaid by references to their South Asian roots via militant high-speed rap has established them as one of the best live bands in the world. The story began in the early 90’s when ADF formed from a music workshop in East London at the institution which is their spiritual home, Community Music. Their unique beginnings in a music workshop in east London shaped both their sound and their educational aspirations, setting up their own organisation ADF Education (ADFED), plus instigating campaigns on behalf of those suffering miscarriages of justice.
Building a solid live reputation in the mid-90’s, they gained worldwide recognition sharing the stage with Rage Against The Machine, the Beastie Boys, Radiohead and Primal Scream. On record, they've collaborated with Radiohead, Sinead O'Connor, Iggy Pop, Adrian Sherwood, and Chuck D. In addition to their blistering live reputation ADF were one of the first bands to experiment with live film re-scores (“Cineconcerts”), beginning with their rapturously-received re-interpretation of the French classic La Haine back in 2001.
In 30 years, Asian Dub Foundation have racked up 1000’s of unforgettable shows, 9 studio albums alongside a social and educational activism that both created the group and sustains them today. In celebration of the longevity of this unique project they are announcing an extensive European tour for 2024-25 of more than 60 shows and a special album showcasing their many iconic collaborations. “94-Now: Collaborations” will be released on September 27, 2024!
h B3 Free Satpal Ram ft. Primal Scream (Bendran Lynch Mix) ADF30 Remaster
j B5 Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos ft. Chuck D (Live At Somerset House) ADF30 Rework)
h B3 Free Satpal Ram ft. Primal Scream (Bendran Lynch Mix) ADF30 Remaster
j B5 Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos ft. Chuck D (Live At Somerset House) [ADF30 Rework)
For fans of Khruangbin, El Michels Affair, Tame Impala and Ezra Collective. Genre: Psych/Funk/Jazz/Breakbeat/Indie. Taken from the forthcoming Lewis Recordings album ‘Another Side of Skinshape’. Will Dorey aka Skinshape is a former member of the band Palace, has played Glastonbury, BBC Maida Vale and Shepherds Bush Empire, to name a few. His ‘I Didn’t Know’ has streamed over 50 million times. Taking inspiration from childhood memories, Ethiopian rhythms, and even calls to prayer, Another Side Of Skinshape gained access to the most esoteric corners of Dorey’s mind. ‘Stornoway’ replicates the same lifeblood heard on albums Nostalgia, or Craterellus Tubaeformis. Speaking on the album, Dorey says “Some songs pay homage to the 90s whilst others the 60s and 70s. Yet you may not perceive all of these in the form that they are presented. In any case I hope that the album is enjoyable and will fit casually into the flow of your day.” Another Side Of Skinshape is due for release just before a run of UK and US live dates, which will be the first time the band has ever hit the open road
Ruby Wine Vinyl. Manchester UK's Space Afrika make music of what they term "overlapping moments" - oblique mosaics of dialogue, rhythm, texture, and shadow, half-heard through a bus window on a rainy night. Honest Labour, the group's first full-length since 2020's landmark hybtwibt? (have you been through what i've been through?) mixtape, expands the project's palette with classical strings, shimmering guitar, and visionary vocal cameos, leaning further into their enigmatic fusion of ambient unrest and cosmic downtempo. It's a sound both fogged and fragmented, at the axis of song craft and sound design, born from and for the yearning solitudes of life under lockdown.The album title is tiered, alluding to a legendary patriarch from co-founder Joshua Inyang's Nigerian family tree (who was lovingly called "Honest Labour" for his loyalty and resilience) as well as the nature of self-designated work, such as Space Afrika's music - a "labor of love" in its truest sense. With fellow co-founder Joshua Reid recently relocated to Berlin, the pair began sharing files last fall, piecing together poetic vignettes of looping haze and found sound, inspired by the notion of "records that leave an impression, and help the listener deal with their life." As the isolation of Covid compounded with the worsening winter, the songs skewed increasingly introspective and emotive, reflecting a mood of dissipating futures and the infinite nocturnal unknown.The artists cite two core motivations for Honest Labour: to transcend the sum of their influences, and "to show what we're capable of." Both ambitions are entirely realized. The collection's 19 tracks flow with a synergy and sophistication as rare as they are radical, untethered to the dusty dub-techno templates of Space Afrika's early years. These are interstitial anthems, expressionistic and open-ended, delirious but deliberate, attuned to the drift and dreamstate of the present moment: "Ultimately this is an homage to U.K. energy, and an album about love and loss."
- The Astronauts - The Pier
- Hollywood Persuaders - Persuasion
- The Knight Trains - Surfin On The Rocks
- Don Hinson - Monster Surf Stomp
- The Dawn Beats - Road Block
- Lloyd Terry & The Victors - Ocean House
- The Outlaws - The Scavenger
- The Valiants - Valiant
- The Telstars - Space Walk
- The Astronauts - Surf Softly Dubbed
- Charles Wright & The Malibus - Runky
- Danny Bell - Chili With Honey
- Paul Warges - Olympic Nights
- The Destinations - Rigor Mortis
- Jan Davis - More
- The Raiders Rhythm - The Raider
- Woolsey's Raiders - Devils Dungeon
- The Rimfires - Un-Gowa
Limited to 500 copies! No repress! Transparent red vinyl! Hype sticker on front! 1961 schwappten die ersten Tropfen der neuen Surf-Welle in den Äther. Eine Gruppe kalifornischer Teenager namens The Belairs veröffentlichten mit "Mr. Moto" das ersten lupenreine Surf-Instrumental und viele weitere sollten folgen. Es war ein Lebensgefühl, es ging um Freiheit, Rebellion gegen die miefigen 50er, um Party und natürlich um die nächste Welle. All das spielte sich vorzugsweise im sonnigen Kalifornien ab. Der erste Hit des Genres war "Misirlou" von Dick Dale, das 1962 veröffentlicht wurde. Der Track stellt deutlich die drei Hauptkomponenten des Surf heraus: ein tragendes Gitarren-Thema (eben kein Gesang!), exotische Harmonien und Akkordfolgen sowie ein gehöriges Maß an Wildheit und Lautstärke! Leo Fender entwickelte dann für Dick Dale zwei Innovationen, ohne die die Surf-Musik nicht das geworden wäre, was sie ist: Den Fender Reverb - ein separates Federhall-Gerät - und den Fender-Showman-Verstärker. Dieses Equipment gehört gerade für Puristen auch heute noch zur Grundausstattung eines Surf-Gitarristen, der seinen Job ernst nimmt. Natürlich gab es jede Menge Bands, die nur eine oder zwei 7"-Singles veröffentlichten, die lokal verteilt oder bei Gigs verkauft wurden. Man braucht schon einen Mann mit Spürnase, um die Juwelen rauszupicken und die entsprechenden Preise für das Kleinvinyl zu zahlen. Unser Mann heißt DJ Crille, seinerseits Resident im Komet! Club in Hamburg (nahe Reeperbahn), und anerkannter Surf-Spezialist. Nebenher ist er auch für die Vocal Group Madness! LP und die Born To Hula Doppel-LP in der DJ Set Serie -beide auf Stag-O-Leeverantwortlich. Surfin Burt"s Surfin Safari! - Vol. 2 ist praktisch die perfekte Welle.
For the past two decades, Dr Roman Belavkin (Solar X) has been deeply involved in AI research and mathematics at British universities. His albums from the 1990s are a testament to an era defined by the early internet-bulletin boards, FTP sites and mailing lists. In keeping with this, Solar X's music sounds surprisingly futuristic, a romantic artifact of a time eagerly anticipating tomorrow.
Following the re-issue of Solar-X's "Xrated" in 2019, GALAXIID is releasing his debut "Outre X Mer". All tracks are from the original DAT tapes and have been remastered for this release. "Pozdno Utrom", "Dileg" and "Solar X" were originally released on the "Outre X Mer EP" on Defective Records in 1995. Other tracks are out on vinyl and digital platforms for the first time.
"I was homebound for two years between 1992 and 1994, and the only way I could escape was through computer networks and writing," Belavkin recalls. Before the nasty car accident he was a member of the USSR/Russia national wushu team. Confined to his home, Belavkin started creating tracks based on ideas from his school days in the late 1980s, when he first recorded melodies on cassette tapes. This time, however, he fused those sounds with Soviet analogue synthesizers and PC sound cards. He shared these tracks via email with friends in different countries, becoming part of the "Analogue Heaven" mailing list, a community of enthusiasts united by their passion for analogue synthesis dating back to the 1960s.
During his initial pursuit of a PhD in Computer Science, Roman wanted to explore the intersection of what electronic music could offer humanity, the potential for AI to experience emotions, and whether emotions enhance or hinder intellect. These themes resonate in the music of Solar X. The album embodies ambient techno with intricate rhythms and ear caressing melodies, choppy percussion and blissful synths, making it both tranquil and danceable. Like a shimmering spaceship navigating between anxious dreams and visions, it transports the listener to a naively hopeful era yet to come.
"Co-produced by Jerry Finn (Rancid, Green Day, Jawbreaker) and Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins), Sing the Sorrow retains the Bay Area outfit’s signature aggression and pathos – forging ever forward into uncharted territory like the virtuoso guitar intro of “The Leaving Song Pt. 2” or the industrial-leaning break and Dead Can Dance-worthy outro of “Death Of Seasons.”
Meanwhile, from its sublime intro through beautifully subdued verses and infectious choruses, first single “Girl’s Not Grey” is a standout that both recalls AFI coming into its own on 2000’s The Art Of Drowning and hints at a myriad of future directions. For the purists, “Dancing Through Sunday” and “Bleed Black” come strapped with generous chant-along opportunities and heavy-as-hell, bolt-tight riffs and rhythms. And as with virtually every track on Sing The Sorrow, these are all imbued with alternately brooding and celebratory lyrical imagery of rebirth, resurrection, apocalypse, all somehow deeply personal – in other words, classic AFI.
“When you’re playing a style of music that doesn’t really fit anywhere, you run a risk. You’re challenging people to leave their niche, to leave their predetermined ideas of what they’re supposed to like. Luckily, we have a lot of people who just focus on the music and appreciate us for what we are. So we get fans from all different genres of music, the jocks, the spooky kids, skaters, college kids, punk rockers, hardcore kids, metal kids, all that.” — Davey Havok"
Inside Automatic Popular Music there are two people sitting in a room, their backs to each other. One plays a piano with no particular attention to detail and tuning of the instrument, and another, sitting behind him, claps his hands on his own legs. They do not see each other, they never look at each other, they can only listen to each other, look around. The room is large enough, it is daytime, there are four windows through which enough light enters to illuminate the objects and furniture with objects on them. October, the temperature is great and outside the window there are many people and all these people are dancing to the music of another record.
Automatic Popular Music was recorded and mixed by Nicola Ratti between July and December 2023. The tracks consist almost entirely of sounds generated by automatisms programmed on modular synthesisers. These are combined with tape loops on which fragments of both acoustic and digital pianos are engraved, generating tracks that are structured on repetitiveness in both their rhythmic and harmonic components. The adjective 'popular' is in this case the result of the other adjective 'automatic' since the machine has been entrusted with the task of generating the melodic patterns and harmonic structures of the tracks on the disc.
Automatic Popular Music is the first release by LL, a curatorial and editorial platform based in Milano and formed by artists and curators.
Composed, recorded and mixed by Nicola Ratti between July and December 2023. Mastered by Giuseppe Ielasi. Cover photo by Cédrick Eymenier.
Wann genau die Langhalslaute Bouzouki nach Griechenland kam, ist unklar. Ihre Wurzeln gehen bis ins vierte Jahrhundert vor Christus zurück. Die heutige Form des Instruments, benannt nach "Βυζί", dem griechischen Wort für die weibliche Brust, ist relativ jung und seit etwa 1920 in Athen und auf dem Peloponnes verbreitet. Ursprünglich in Bars und auf privaten Festen gespielt fand es durch das Revival des „Rebetiko“, dem „griechischen Blues“ ab den 1960er Jahren weitere Verbreitung. „Ursprünglich wurde auf der Bouzouki viel improvisiert“, meint Georgios Propkopiou, „viel mehr als später. Denn ab den Fünfzigerjahren wurde ihr Spiel professionell unterrichtet. Da wurde vieles festgelegter“. Seitdem ist der metallische Klang des Instruments fast zum Synonym für die griechische Folklore als Begleitung von Liedern und Tänzen geworden... vor allem bei dem Komponisten Mikis Theodorakis, der mehr als nur ein paar Ohrwürmer hervorgebracht hat.
Die Jazzkarriere der Bouzouki hingegen stand bislang noch aus. Es brauchte einen Umweg über Stockholm, damit etwas in Bewegung kam. „Die Kombination Bouzouki und Jazz liegt erst einmal nicht so nahe“, meint der Pianist Joel Lyssarides. „Für mich persönlich hängt sie mit meinem Großvater zusammen, einem griechischen Zyprioten. Er kam in den 1940ern nach Schweden. Griechische Musik mochte ich immer, ich war aber damit nicht wirklich vertraut. Jedenfalls fand ich die Bouzouki faszinierend. Während der Pandemie habe ich mir ein Instrument gekauft, um es ein wenig zu lernen. Beim Stöbern im Internet entdeckte ich dann Georgios durch ein TV-Konzert, ein Tribute an Theodorakis. Ich war total begeistert und habe in Stockholm herumgefragt, ob ihn jemand kennt. Tatsächlich spielte er zufällig ein paar Tage später in der Nähe in einer Hotelbar ein Konzert“.
Das war im Herbst 2022. Joel Lyssarides hörte Georgios Prokopiou zu, sprach ihn an und sie verabredeten sich zu einer Session. Sie jammten und improvisierten, fanden musikalisch schnell zusammen und im Sommer 2023 spielten sie ihr erstes gemeinsames Konzert. „Es ist sehr unüblich, dass jemand mit der Bouzouki über Changes improvisiert,“ erzählt Joel Lyssarides weiter. „Sie ist ja ein traditionelles Instrument mit klar definierter Rolle, meistens Begleitung mit gedoppelten Terzen und Sexten. Georgios aber macht viel mehr. Ich hatte zunächst keine Ahnung, wie unglaublich virtuos und stilistisch variabel er ist. Seine Vielseitigkeit öffnet viele Türen. Wir hatten von Anfang an sehr viel Spaß an den neuen Möglichkeiten. Und ich hatte vorher noch niemanden gehört, der so spielt. Dafür musste ich unbedingt Musik schreiben“.
Lyssarides erzählte ACT-Chef und Produzent Andreas Brandis von der Idee für das Duo und auch dieser war sofort begeistert: „In der Lesart von ACT steht der Begriff Jazz vor allem für ein Vokabular mithilfe dessen Musiker:innen ihre eigene Geschichte vor ihrem persönlichen kulturellen Hintergrund erzählen. Es ist faszinierend, dass hier immer wieder Konstellationen entstehen, die es vorher nicht gegeben hat. Und die Musik, die Joel Lyssarides und Georgios Prokopiou gemeinsam kreieren ist einerseits absolut überraschend und neu, klingt jedoch gleichzeitig so organisch und natürlich, als hätte es diese Konstellation schon immer gegeben.“
Es sind aber nicht nur die Instrumente Klavier und Bouzouki, die sich getroffen haben, sondern auch die speziellen Charaktere und Geschichten der beiden Duopartner. Der Stockholmer Joel Lyssarides verbindet in seinem Spiel größte Virtuosität mit beeindruckender Leichtigkeit und einem starken Gespür für Stimmung und Dynamik. Er arbeitet mit so unterschiedlichen Künstler:innen wie Anne Sofie von Otter, Benny Anderson, Nils Landgren, Viktoria Tolstoy und ist Teil des Esbjörn Svensson Tributes „e.s.t. 30“. Das ACT-Debüt „Stay Now“ von Lyssarides‘ eigenem Trio wurde seit seinem Erscheinen 2022 allein auf Spotify eindrucksvolle 25 Millionen Mal gehört. Der Athener und Wahl-Stockholmer Georgios Prokopiou spielte zum ersten Mal mit sechseinhalb Jahren Bouzouki, gab mit acht seinen Konzerteinstand und hatte als Zehnjähriger bereits feste Musikengagements in Bars und Bordellen. Seitdem arbeitet er im klassischen Kontext ebenso wie in der Folklore und dem Experimentellen, spielt neben der Bouzouki außerdem Saz und andere Saiteninstrumente.
Die Voraussetzungen für das Album „Arcs & Rivers“ waren daher so vielfältig und offen, wie nur möglich. Nach einem Probekonzert in der Berliner ACT Art Collection, von dem das Live-Stück „Zafeirious Solo“ auf das Album übernommen wurde, trafen sich die beiden noch einmal am selben Ort, um mit Studio-Equipment auch andere Facetten aufnehmen zu können. „Wir wollten zum Beispiel leise Stellen dabeihaben, nah mikrofoniert. Außerdem den großartigen Klang des Flügels, der früher einmal Alfred Brendel gehört hat. Insgesamt aber war vieles sehr spontan. Das ganze Album wurde in einem Rutsch aufgenommen, innerhalb von vier Stunden, meistens mit den ersten Takes. Ich bin sonst oft Perfektionist und verbringe Tage mit der Nachbearbeitung von Musik im Studio. Diesmal hingegen sollte es so direkt und spontan wie möglich sein“. Und es funktionierte: „Arc & Rivers“ ist ein Dialogskizzenbuch mit normsetzender Wirkung. Egal ob neue Kompositionen oder Verarbeitungen traditioneller Rhythmen und Muster wie in „Kamilieriko Road“ – diese Musik hat eine schillernde, klangmagische Kraft. Und das Duo selbst strahlt eine Selbstverständlichkeit der Kulturverknüpfung aus, die die Enge der Stile hinter sich lässt. Und es macht klar: Es ist tatsächlich Zeit für etwas mehr Bouzouki im Jazz, in der Improvisation und auf den Bühnen der internationalen Musikwelt.
Unreleased themes from Kornelije Kovac for commissioned documentary short 'Raport iz Sarajeva', directed by Miodrag Zdravkovic in 1982. This music themes precede the official songs, idents and audio logos for the XIV Winter Olympic Games Sarajevo 1984 opening ceremony made by Kornelije Kovac in his Belgrade based studio from 1982 to 1984. Sourced from the original master tapes with full color artwork by Eric Adrian Lee. Includes insert with photographs from Kornelije Kovac private collection and liner notes by Zeljko Luketic. XIV Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo 1984 had immeasurable status in the history of Yugoslavia and is widely recognized by organizing committee to be the best in recent history of the Games. However, they were also the pop-culture melting pot of the times, with posters by Andy Warhol and famed local designers and the music by Kornelije Kovac, leading the selected best-of-the-best composers of the times. The recordings on this release share the same musical approach to melody and structure Kornelije Kovac (1942 - 2022) was using at the beginning and the mid of 1980s: while exploring the possibilities of synthesizer, fresh from his collaborations in London with famed composer Hans Zimmer, and almost a decade since he shared Eurovision Song Contest stage with ABBA in Brighton with his Korni Grupa, He also collaborated with Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), Paul Jones (Manfred Mann) and Andy Pask (Landscape) among others. Kornelije Kovac always insisted on the freshness of the harmony layers combined with DJ friendly rhythm backing track. With the warm analogue feel that resonates in today's digital world this was chosen for a purpose to be an old-school 12'' maxi-single, as it was intended to be, cut loudly for the sakes of all lost and existing discotheques in Sarajevo and all over the world.
The Legendary Joss Moog, One of the Pillars of Robsoul Recordings, Returns With His Highly Anticipated Ep “Intimate Assembly.” Known for His Deep and Groovy House Beats, Joss Moog Continues to Be a Driving Force in the House Music scene.
This Ep Features Four Tracks That Showcase the Full Range of Joss Moog’s Talent and Musical Palette, Promising Yet Another Classic Addition to His Impressive Discography. Each Track Is Meticulously Crafted, Blending Funky Rhythms With Soulful Melodies, Reflecting His Unique Style That Has Captivated Audiences worldwide.
Joss Moog, Co-Founder of the French Label Ondulé Recordings, Has Been a Prolific Figure in the House Music Community. His Previous Works, Such as “Room 25” and “Forever Pimpin’,” Have Cemented His Status as a Master of the Genre. With a Career Spanning Over a Decade, His Influence and Contributions to House Music Are Immense and Enduring....
Dame-Music founder Bloody Mary’s ‘ALTERNATE STATES OF REALITY’ EP marks the 50th release on a label that counts KiNK, Josh Wink, Boo Williams, Fear-E and Thomas P. Heckmann amongst its roster since it launched in 2010.
The release sees Bloody Mary, Tresor resident, live artist, DJ and Producer, return to her own imprint with a full EP for the first time since 2020, produced as part of her live set ahead of her
upcoming Autumn tour, and complete with a remix from Soma Records legends Slam.
In the ‘ALTERNATE STATES OF REALITY’ EP, Bloody Mary explores the varying aspects of her acid sound. Equipped with her TR-909 and 303, she shows her penchant for hardware, starting off with ‘REALITY ONE’, in which crunchy drums and crisp highs ride along a mind-melting acid polyrhythm before ‘REALITY TWO’ opts for a punchy
electro beat, once again drenched in squelch and occasionally soothed by soft, nostalgic pads.
Flipping over the record, the infectious marching drums of Bloody Mary’s ‘REALITY THREE’ leaves behind the 303 and swaps it out for rampaging toms below a furious,
clap-heavy topline. This party-starting track is pure rhythm, expertly remixed by Scotland’s Slam, who this time supply the acid in their version, amplifying the tempo to superb extremes for a hypnotic warehouse pumper and concluding the monumental
fiftieth instalment on one of techno’s most important labels
A collaboration project with renowned artists Rob Le Plar, Hobzee, Sicknote, Uneven and Metro. Tony Justice creates music that intertwines the contemporary essence of urban life with the smooth, sophisticated sounds of jazz. His compositions blend modern beats and rhythms with the soulful melodies and improvisational elements characteristic of jazz, creating a vibrant fusion that resonates with the urban atmosphere. The music carry elements of groove, sleek instrumentation, and Jungle/Hardcore beats blended seamlessly with the finesse of jazz melodies.
Siffleur’s tune-whistlers have cooked two energetic mashups brimming with fun and good vibes. Side A will transport you to a vibrant, pulsating paradise with its Psychedelic-Latin rhythms and infectiously iconic vocals. Side B will have you grooving to its irresistible soul-infused beats, swinging hips and snapping fingers like Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross. You’ll find yourself dancing even if you don’t want to!




















