Cerca:hi tech roots

Shall Not Fade welcomes Mia Lily to the label for her debut release "Hydrated But Drunk EP".

Northern raised and London based, Mia is already well known for her high-energy DJ sets and her monthly residencies on Balamii and Foundation FM. As a selector Mia's sound is rooted in rave, but she also has a background in classical piano and family roots in jazz. All this becomes immediately clear as Mia effortlessly & expertly steps into the producer, composer & vocalist roles to deliver five refined, emotive & highly musical tracks that navigate trance, techno, UKG and house and feature vocal and piano performances from Mia.

"Hydrated But Drunk" opens Mia's Discogs entry with a bang. Vinyl & Digital drop 17th Oct 2025 on Shall Not Fade. Artwork by James Lacey.

Sunny Crypt reaches double digits on their release catalogue with a fully remastered new edition of the now sought after debut EP from Most Significant Beat. M.S.B. is an electronic music project active since the early 90s, formed by Maurizio Martinucci and Saverio Evangelista; their first record - originally released by Marco Passarani’s Nature Records in 1994 - is a masterclass in hypnotic patterns, pulsating rhythms and mind-bending leftfield techno. While “Heart Thinks Wide” and “A Flux To Follow” on A side give more breath to lushy textures and classy, dreamy pads, B side
reflects more carefully another aspect of the duo’s background with a rawer, electro leaning, percussion driven sound palette; in fact, both Martinucci and Evangelista have deep roots in the industrial and experimental music scenes. Martinucci has been a member of Clock DVA since 2010, while also working on a wide array of projects including The Anti Group and his solo Pragma alias. Evangelista, on the other hand, has been a core member of the cult industrial outfit Esplendor Geométrico since 1990.

fabric presents salute features music from pioneers and contemporaries alike, including Kerri Chandler, Bodhi, Dorian Concept, Junior Sanchez, Redhead and more, alongside two originals from salute. More than a collection of tracks, it’s a cultural statement: a journey through club culture, personal identity, and global roots. To celebrate the release, salute will headline fabric’s Room 2 on 10th October, joined by a handpicked lineup (TBA), bringing their vision full circle from mix to dancefloor.

Lead single ‘double luxury’ sets the tone for the project, capturing salute’s signature blend of soulful energy, deep groove, and euphoric release. Built on spacious low-end and an undercurrent of euphoria, warped vocals twist through sleek, propulsive drums to form a house cut that channels the emotional intensity and groove at the heart of their sound. Arriving off the back of a huge summer, with standout sets at Coachella, Glastonbury, a North American tour and All Points East, ‘double luxury’ provides a fitting entry into a milestone chapter for one of the most vital voices in club culture.

salute says:

“my contribution to the fabric presents compilation series is my way of contextualising the music i've been writing over the last couple of years. i wanted to include bits of all the things that make up the salute sonic palette: loopy, sample based house music, dense and soulful chords and beautiful synths, slick and groovy drum work. it's an exercise in beautiful house and techno music, or my definition of it anyway.”

Launched in 2019, fabric presents has become one of electronic music’s most respected mix platforms, with contributions from Andrew Weatherall, Laurent Garnier, The Martinez Brothers, SHERELLE, Bonobo, Overmono, Confidence Man, The Streets, and more. Rooted in the legacy of fabric’s monthly CD mixes, the series now embraces a wider range of releases across digital, CD, and vinyl, each paired with a performance at the iconic London venue. With fabric presents: salute, they take their place in this lineage, joining the dots between underground heritage and the future of club culture.

Vienna-born salute has become more than a producer: they are a cultural innovator representing a club scene that is diverse, queer, and community-driven. Since emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting electronic voices, they have built a reputation for balancing raw emotion with dancefloor ecstasy, weaving grime, UK garage, electro, French house, jazz, gospel, R&B and hip hop into a singular, unmistakable vision.

Their music channels as much emotional resonance as physical release, tracks that turn longing into euphoria, intimacy into collective celebration. This ability has not only won over audiences worldwide but also earned praise from heavyweights including Four Tet, DJ Seinfeld, Floating Points, Skrillex, Fred again.., Annie Mac and Benji B. Their now-legendary Melbourne Boiler Room set, one of the platform’s most-watched, further cemented salute’s reputation as a defining force in the global underground.

The release of their 2024 debut album True Magic on Ninja Tune solidified salute as one of dance music’s most vital voices, its success confirming what the underground had long known. With fabric presents, they mark another milestone, bringing their curatorial vision and boundary-pushing sound to one of electronic music’s most iconic platforms.

In the heart of a post-apocalyptic city, Spacelunch was making his way through the ruins, wearing a heavy armour of metal plates and flickering circuitry. Cat settled on his shoulder, listening intently to every sound. This time, they weren't just looking for an artefact — their target was the Singularity Echo, a mysterious device created right before the catastrophe. Legend had it that the scientists of the past, sensing the impending collapse, had put all their accumulated experience and knowledge together to create it. It was said that one day “Echo” would awaken and allow descendants to touch the wisdom of the ancients, learn the secrets of forgotten technologies and, perhaps, avoid the fatal mistakes of the past.

— We’ve been wandering around for how long? — muttered Cat, looking around warily. — And nothing.

— Sitting up there complaining, aren’t you? — Spacelunch grinned, deftly bypassing the debris and intertwined roots that poked out from under the asphalt.



Suddenly, a glow flashed before them, gradually taking the form of a palm-sized transparent crystal. It floated in the air, surrounded by silver lining that wove into intricate patterns, like a network of ancient runes. The symbols on its facets, flickering, cast soft reflections on the debris around them. As the professor slowly reached out his hand, the crystal shone brighter, and the low whisper of distant voices cut through the silence. Their minds were enveloped by the echoes of past events, filling their minds with images of the vanished world.

The friends froze for a moment, overwhelmed by shock and a sense of profound change.

— Well, — said Cat, not hiding his surprise. — It seems we've gotten a little smarter.

— A little? Now we have what has been lost for an era.

— So, we have a new adventure ahead of us. Where do we start?

The ghost town, once seemingly lifeless, now seemed to come to life: every collapsed building and every corner sparked with traces and clues as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for a sign.

Feel Fly, the alias of Perugia-based producer Daniele Tomassini — a visionary force in Italy’s electronic music scene and co-founder of Afro Templum — debuts on Taste Rec with his new EP.
Titled Festina Lente — an old Latin saying that means "make haste slowly" — this release invites listeners to surrender to dance, movement, and the flow of energy in a timeless space, untouched by the idea of an ending. A space that feels magical.
The EP is sincere and atmospheric, moving through the artist’s deep musical roots: progressive rhythms, cosmic moods, and a touch of lightness drawn from Italian dance culture.

The A-side opens with the title track: spacious arpeggios and dreamy textures create a soundscape that invites you to get lost in the music — a tribute to the carefree spirit of the ’90s.Techla follows with a more minimal, introspective vibe. Its hypnotic bassline feels like a journey into the unknown.
The B-side starts with Somo, a bright and catchy track full of sunny melodies and feel-good energy, evoking Italo disco moods. Finally, Flusso Libero closes the EP with elegance and depth. It features a unique vocal sample that stands out in Feel Fly’s style, tying everything together with a nod to ’90s nostalgia.
This is a musical story that blends sacred, dreamy visions with raw rhythmic sequences and warm, synthesized basslines.
A futuristic soundtrack for an ancient ritual.

Detroit, MI – – Blank Code Records, a cornerstone of the underground electronic music scene, is proud to announce the launch of its highly anticipated sublabel, Modern Relics @modernrelicsrecords. This new venture is set to redefine the future of electronic music by merging a diverse range of genres, including techno, drum & bass, atmospheric, polyrhythms, ambient, and dub.

Conceived in the heart of Detroit, Michigan—an internationally renowned hub for electronic music innovation—Modern Relics is dedicated to exploring the freshest, most experimental soundscapes. The label aims to introduce listeners to groundbreaking productions that push the boundaries of genre and convention, reflecting the cutting-edge spirit of the underground scene.

Modern Relics will serve as a platform for both emerging and established artists who are unafraid to break free from traditional constraints, weaving together intricate rhythms and atmospheric textures that captivate and challenge the listener’s perception of sound. Drawing from a wide array of global influences, the label will focus on music that’s as dynamic as it is genre-defying, from hypnotic techno to the pulse of drum and bass, with hints of ambient sound design and the intricate complexity of polyrhythms.

"We wanted to create a space where experimentalism meets accessibility, where the boundaries of different genres can be blurred and redefined," says Co-Founder Chad Parraghi. "Detroit’s legacy in electronic music made it the perfect place to launch a new chapter that honors the city’s rich history while also pushing into the future with new and innovative sounds."

Modern Relics will launch with a series of forward-thinking releases. Expect immersive soundscapes that transport you into uncharted auditory territories—one where techno meets the experimental, drum and bass merges with ambient sound design, and dub echoes resonate within polyrhythmic structures. The label will feature a diverse roster of talented artists whose work reflects the international underground, bringing together voices from every corner of the globe.



Bio: Echoføn is the project of Detroit producers and Blank Code co-founders Chad Parraghi and Corbin Davis. Their music pulls from the roots of Detroit techno while folding in the energy of drum & bass and the complexity of polyrhythms, giving their tracks a sound that feels both raw and forward-looking.
Through their work with Blank Code, Parraghi and Davis have long been part of Detroit’s underground, building spaces for artists and pushing new ideas into the scene. Echoføn is a natural extension of that—two voices combining into something new, but still grounded in the city that shaped them.

Their first release, the Empty Space EP on Modern Relics Records, has already picked up support from artists like Polygonia, Kangding Ray, and Forest on Stasys, marking an exciting start for what’s ahead.

Next up on Bosconi, the ever-persistent Italian outpost helmed by DJ sorcerer Fabio della Torre, comes a bold new chapter from label mainstay Lapucci—a familiar name to heads who remember his trippy debut Levitated Sensor Detector (LSD).

With Level of Control, the Florence-based Burbi Dub dubplate conjurer delivers a four-track EP that travels across moody electronics, psychedelic grooves, and off-world rhythms.

Kicking off the A-side is “Radio Controller”, a dark and melodic new beat jam with deep ‘80s roots—think obscure synths, rolling drum-machine funk, and a haunting vocoder line that crackles like forgotten transmissions.
Next up, “Einstein”. This one’s a jacking electro-techno burner, all drive and tension—built for those peak-time moments where things feel like they could go off the rails. There’s a cinematic sense of anticipation here, a nod to the cosmic weight of relativity and dancefloor gravity.

Flip to the B-side for “Level of Reality”—a trance-soaked electro weapon, laced with a screaming guitar-like lead and a soaring, emotional melody. It’s peak-time power with sunrise sensitivity—equal parts rave and revelation.
Closing things out is “Irabijanti”, a stripped-back, hypnotic afterhours tool with a fresh, effortless groove. Subtle nods to Middle Eastern scales and rhythms give it a dreamlike, drifting feel—like getting lost in the dunes of some alien desert.

Another must-have from the Bosconi mothership—Lapucci pilots us further out, not with a bang but with a slow magnetic pull into somewhere weird, warm, and wired.

The second release on Ben Kaczor and Lb Honne's new imprint "St. Odes" features Ben Oyefeso from Hamburg with a deep, glitchy 2x12" vinyl-only LP!

Ben Kaczor: “After a gig at the Golden Pudel in Hamburg last year, I stopped by Remoto Records the next day. The music playing in the shop struck me immediately — delicate, unusual, and soothing all at once. As I kept listening, I even noticed my headache fading away. Behind the counter was Ben Oyefeso, quietly playing his unreleased tracks. Since that moment, the rest is history.”

St. Odes emerges from the depths of Switzerland, born out of the friendship and shared sonic vision of Lb Honne and Ben Kaczor. Driven by a precise yet fearless approach to creative expression, the label embraces what they call “elegant punk” — a refusal to follow convention. While its roots lie in ambient, house, and techno, the focus remains singular: not on meaning, but on feeling.

The first release "Various Minds 001" sold out very quickly.

The second release features Ben Oyefeso from Hamburg with a deep, glitchy 2x12" vinyl-only LP!

Ben Kaczor: “After a gig at the Golden Pudel in Hamburg last year, I stopped by Remoto Records the next day. The music playing in the shop struck me immediately — delicate, unusual, and soothing all at once. As I kept listening, I even noticed my headache fading away. Behind the counter was Ben Oyefeso, quietly playing his unreleased tracks. Since that moment, the rest is history.”

Backspin's new release comes from Obscure Shape, delivering a deep and versatile techno EP that lives up to its title: 'Zwei Gesichter' (German for 'Two Faces'). Across five tracks, the EP explores the tension between raw force and emotional depth, marrying the label's Hardgroove roots with a more introspective edge.

The A-side presents Obscure Shape's first face: It opens with 'Zwei Seiten', a no-frills banger that hits with immediacy and drive. 'Im Angesicht Der Zeit', the single, leans into groove and movement, offering a more fluid, time-aware flow. 'Die Haut In Der Ich Wohne' pares things back into a minimalistic, loopinghypnosis, evoking the idea of inhabiting one's own skin. On the B-side, presenting the producer's second face, 'Spuren Des Werdens' features producer AMIYE and introduces more melody and saw synths, a reflection on growth and transformation. The closer, 'Von Hoffnung Getragen' - also a collaboration with AMIYE - lifts off with ethereal vocals and a bouncing rhythm, embodying the hope that carries us forward.

With the 'Zwei Gesichter' EP, Obscure Shape crafts a powerful narrative through groove, form and feeling, perfectly aligned with Backspin's evolving reinterpretation of early 2000s techno.

Romanian producer and DJ Andrew Red Hand has carved a unique niche in the world of underground electronic music.
His work stands as a tribute to the raw energy of Detroit techno and electro, yet it retains a deeply personal, emotional tone that gives it timeless depth.
Over the years, Andrew has released a steady stream of high-impact records across some of the most respected labels in the scene. His catalog includes standout EPs on Detroit Underground, Matrix Records Detroit, Twilight 76, and others —each showcasing his mastery of analog-driven textures, sharp 808 rhythms, and melodic melancholia. His work with Diffuse Reality, Subsonic Release, and Shipwrec further solidifies his reputation for pushing boundaries while staying true to the roots of electro.
This EP “For My Father EP” marks his second appearance on Time Passages. He first contributed to the label’s V.A. compilation with the track D2 – “In the Cemetery”, remixed by the legendary Hardfloor. Now, he returns with a full four-track EP, offering his most focused and expansive vision yet. Notably, the B1 “Gritty Bass” is a remix from another icon of the scene—DJ Hell— .

Tech-Nology was launched in 2003 specifically to make records with the artist Bjorn Svin. Bjorn was the first Danish artist who made underground crossover into commercial hit territory via "Mer Strom" - but still keeping respect in the "real" music world for his enthusiasm, non-compromising style, persona, and sweaty live performance skills - his musical understanding and need to explore new directions took the crowd on a personal musical journey from jazz and classical musicians to early electronic pioneers - but always in a tone of his own. Bjorn always felt a need to escape norms, to grow and not to repeat, but investigate and create. The first record on Tech-Nology was born under the alias - El Far: Couples of lonely dancers. "Bjorn is maybe the most talented electronic producer ever in Denmark" and he was celebrated as a wonder kid by the media back in the 90's. An insider with new knowledge of Bjorn told us: "Yeah I think its good music.. It's not for everyone I must add, but it's definitely quality music for those who dig this sound.. sometimes a bit too deep.. which kind of works against it, cause you really need to listen to it.. you cannot just skip through it, cause then you don't really grasp the soul of it.. so this is what makes it more difficult to sell - but if a guy like this was a bigger name he would sell much better.."

We love Bjorn and we agree - We have tried to sell Bjorn and his music for over 2 decades now - But you can't capture Bjorn, you can't own him - he is only making music for himself - and you can get on the ride if you want to, but don't expect all the rides to be fun - sometimes it hurts! Bjorn is difficult to sell, but we don't think Bjorn really would like to sell much better if he had the option to do a more commercial approach to his music - because Bjorn is about not selling out, he's a purist at heart, making music documents for the few. Bjorn is bigger than superficial success and streaming numbers. He made jingles for Nokia, toured and played Roskilde's main stage, the biggest Festival in Denmark, but he still doesn't care... and that is important if you want to make interesting music that last for the future. When Bjorn met Mester Jakobsen, label boss of Tech-Nology, he has been releasing on numerous underground labels, made the jump to a major label, and everything more or less turned out as a big disappointment, so Bjorn presented a completely experimental album to the Tech-Nology label under the moniker Prinz Ezo - The Body Offset. We loved it then - we still love it now - and a truly collectors item and a secret DJ tool.

Today, Bjorn is still breaking all habits and rules, still doing the same thing - just in new ways, but he has gained insight on another level, adding even more nuances and textures to his post-genre compositions.

Welcome to the second album by Prinz Ezo on Tech-Nology: KURIER Why Kurier? Because Bjorn left to explore the Berlin Underground, shortly after the first two releases on Tech-Nology - he left his roots to search for a bigger meaning, a bigger understanding, to compose real mature sounds and understanding his skills, at the point where you understand why you have to cross borders, still incognito, doing smuggler-sounds, always in transit - between cities, between cultures, between worlds, time and space. Not Restless nor rootless, just forever on the move, always discovering new landscapes! But now Bjorn is settling down - accordingly with the music - to find - not inner peace, but to be completely in balance with the music inside of him. Prinz Ezo is raw, narrative, minimalistic electronic storytelling that refuses to freeze. Tension builds and releases - feel the energy and the drama for the last 2 decades if you dare to take the journey?

Almost twenty years after the first Prinz Ezo album, it has now been possible to make the music for those who never arrived.

Kevin Saunderson’s E-Dancer combine with DJ Minx to create an instant classic and am anthem for a long hot summer.

If is a triumphant colloboration between Techno godfather Kevin and his son Dantiez, who as well as being part of E-Dancer co-wrote and co-produced this latest gem from Detroit’s electronica lineage.

The result is an insanely catchy proud homage to the Motor City’s Techno roots propelled by one of by one of those unforgettable Reese bass lines.

The Electrifying Mojo, Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Mayday, Stacey Pullen, UR, Ken Collier, MK, Moodyman, Jeff Mills, Terrence Parker and Octave One are amongst the Area Code 313 legends name checked in the lyrical romp.

DETROIT made its’ debut at the city’s recent Movement celebration of all things Techno and was acclimated as a gem by those who understand that you can’t tell the Motor City’s how to play its’ music. Kevin followed this up with a DJ trip to Ibiza where DETROIT created Detroit mayhem.

“WHATTUPDOE —WE’RE THE D”

2026 Repress

Augusto Taito makes his mark on Renegade Methodz with Rough Skin - a raw, powerhouse Techno record that confirms his place among the genre's most exciting talents. Known for his unfiltered, high-octane approach to techno, Taito has already captured the attention of the scene, with respected releases on labels like Mord and Tar Hallow. The sound of 'Rough Skin' is a fearless fusion of techno's physicality and dynamic rhythmic patterns, with each track a testament to his constant evolution while staying true to the genre's roots.

2026 Repress

Techno mainstay Gary Beck drops hugely sought-after cut 'Hopper' on SHDW's Mutual Rytm sub-label Spectra, with remixes from KiNK.

Glasgow-born Gary Beck is a primary figure in techno and has been for well over a decade. Dropping seminal
underground classics and cultured full-lengths on an array of leading labels, as well as his own BEK Audio imprint,
he has also led the way as a revered DJ as his legacy continues to build. Now, adding to his standout 'Upside
Criminal' EP as well as his well-received track 'Fold' on the 'Federation Of Rytm III' VA, he returns with a record that
has often featured in both his and Mutual Rytm boss SHDW's sets, stepping out on the label's Spectra series with
a cut that has long been sought-after by those who know.

A spontaneous studio moment turned club weapon, the timeless 'Hopper' merges a syncopated disco bassline with
subtle nods to funk and classic dancefloor energy. It's one of those tracks that lingers in your head long after the
night ends - a pure embodiment of Beck's raw energy and production finesse built on an infectious groove full of
contrast and character.

Bulgarian synth wizard, hardware genius and tireless innovator KiNK delivered Spectra's inaugural release, so he
lands as the perfect person to remix. His first interpretation stays close to his roots with a house-leaning, slowed
down take that channels warmth and groove in equal measure. On the B2, however, he flips the script with a high
octane fusion of techno and UKG. It's a peak-time anthem engineered to ignite dancefloors and closes out a
standout EP with the third release in the Spectra catalogue.

Gary Beck 'Hopper' drops via Mutual Rytm Spectra on 20th June 2025.

Jay Lumen is back on Footwork with his four massive floor fillers. Locomotive is a good proof of his groovy roots just like the colourful Back To Funk, while the much darker Secret Roll will lead you to Jay's raw techno side. The melodic sprayed Parallel World is a hardgroove viber shake with a characteristic bassline and it's a perfect choice to close the EP. Mind your Footwork! :)

SKYLAX RECORDS proudly unveils the fourth and final chapter in its epic, conceptual 4-part saga — SKYLAX BLACK 4 – Vision Quest. This secretive series brings together two pillars of French electronic music, ARNAUD REBOTINI and ACID WASHED, in a bold tribute to the essence of rave, electro, and techno. Following the critically acclaimed Winter Sequences and Musical Component, this last installment pushes even deeper into the roots and futures of the underground. On the A-side, Vision Quest opens the EP with a pulsating journey of progressive electronics — cinematic and sleek, evoking the robotic spirituality of Kraftwerk and the expansive textures of early kosmische music. Next, TOI 700-d channels the golden age of acid house with infectious 303 lines and jacking grooves. Think DJ Pierre, Phuture, and Ron Hardy at their most transcendental — raw, euphoric, and timeless. Flip to the B-side and dive into Black Star Liners — a dub techno masterclass in the lineage of Maurizio, Basic Channel, and Chain Reaction. Deep, minimal, and full of ghostly delay, it’s a meditative immersion in pure sound system hypnosis. Closing the EP, Trojan Asteroids fires into classic Metroplex territory — icy, futuristic, and funk-laced. A perfect nod to Cybotron and Model 500, this is hi-tech soul with a razor’s edge. Once again, SKYLAX RECORDS delivers a visionary release — timeless, intelligent, and essential. The final piece of the puzzle is here. The journey ends… or just begins.

Given the Balearic life that Leeds ex-pat Nightmares on Wax now leads in Ibiza, we have to admit we did not see this coming: the downtempo Warp legend returning to his early 90s electronic roots. He does so with a new series of collaborations with young talents on 20/20 Vision, starting with Marlon Lopez. 'Patang' is slow, snaking dub with glitchy synth patches and melodic bass. 'Cancel Dat!' has a crunchy feel next to the bleepy synths with a leggy, loopy low end and tech house snap. Wulf's Jam 4 Jamie is a deeper, more twisted version and label head RL's Get It Together remix cuts up the groove and brings a spoken word that reframes the cut as soulful I:Cube style jam.

Repress, Clear Orange Vinyl

Internationally acclaimed producer and DJ Tripmastaz is proud to announce the launch of his sublabel, Respect The Craft.Legacy, a heartfelt tribute to his early creative roots. Marking a significant milestone in his career, the first release on the new sublabel revisits and completes his unreleased projects from the early 2000s.

This series encapsulates an era of raw creativity and innovation, showcasing tracks that were originally started between 2000 and 2004. Until now, these works have remained unfinished and unheard—hidden gems from Tripmastaz’s studio archives. Through the new label, the producer has brought these ideas to life, meticulously completing each track while staying true to the essence of the time they were created.

The series bridges the past and present, blending the raw energy of the early 2000s with today’s refined production techniques. The debut release drops soon, promising a timeless tech & deep underground sound.

“This is a closure for me—an opportunity to honor my creative journey and give these tracks the life they deserve,” Tripmastaz explains. “The early 2000s were a formative period for me as an artist, and these records embody the passion and ideas that shaped my path. Completing and releasing them now feels like a full-circle moment.”

Veteran Japanese electronic music producer, AKIO NAGASE, a leading player in the Kansai underground music scene since the late 1990s teams up with Yukino Inamine, a gifted and young female singer from Okinawa who magically mixes traditional Ryukyu (Okinawa) folk songs with her sanshin (Okinawan Shamisen) playing into the modern age, to create this wonderful collaborative album, Yugafu ai KAJI. This album is set to be released on GLOCAL RECORDS, a record store/ record label run by Genta Minowa, an ex-staff at the record store, Disc Shop Zero in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo and who still continues to introduce a great selection of dubby, club music from his HQ in Harajuku.

AKIO NAGASE regularly organised parties at his own venue, as well as ran a record store of the same name while actively being part of the Kansai scene at legendary clubs such as Tsuru no Ma, Sound Channel, etc., the best of what was offered in the Kansai underground dance scene in the 2000s.

As an artist, he released his own productions out of labels such as Sound Channel and RUDIMENTS run by Minowa. His album, Make Dub was released in 2003 out of the label, Sound Channel featured an innovative, techno meets dancehall track, Dance Hall King which connected techno, acid house with reggae and dub. This album is an undiscovered gem whose sound still emulates freshness and originality today (my wish is for it to be reissued on vinyl!) After a brief hiatus of releasing music, he released the EP, Delusion out of Chillmountain Records, a label run by his friend, Ground in 2018 and at his own leisurely pace, he has been slowly but surely releasing material that oozes originality, expressed through a robust acid sound and a variety of elements such as afro and Ryukyu folk music that is then incorporated into the medium of dub. Recently, he has also started to gain international attention by releasing original material and remixes out of labels such as the UK label, Emotional Especial, etc.

For this album, NAGASE teams up with Yukino Inamine who brings her own distinctive singing and sanshin playing magic into this collaboration and they fuse electronic music sounds with Ryukyu folk songs to create this wonderfully imaginative album that has no precedence or equal. Apart from the song, Ishikawa Koiuta, all other songs are covers of Ryukyu folk standards that were handpicked by NAGASE from the repertoire of songs that Inamine regularly performs live. They met up when NAGASE was commissioned to remix one of her original compositions, Miyagi Kaigan that was released in 2023 and that evolved into a collaboration with a concept that mixed Inamine singing Ryukyu folk standards with a backing tracks produced by NAGASE. Whenever she went to the the Kansai area, she would work on the basic track material created by NAGASE at the dub master of Osaka, Soulfire’s studio, HAV who would then additionally edit her takes to create the finishing tracks.

This album, Yugafu ai KAJI opens with Shirahamabushi, a track that slowly builds with an interesting mix of slow acid techno and sanshin and then moves onto the easy-going electro dub of Tinsagu nu hana (it is actually a cover of the track of the same title that first appeared in the label sampler, Comuni ó n Especial that was released on Emotional Especial. NAGASE initially wanted to feature Inamine on vocals for this track but due to scheduling issues, it did not happen but with good fortune, the new version of this track is now included in this album). A side closes with the optimistic Balearic sounds of Tsuki nu Kaisha that converges immaculately with slow-mo steppers. It is also worth noting that the person who introduced NAGASE to Inamine was the Okinawa dub master, HARIKUYAMAKU. They met at a concert held by both him & Yukino Inamine hosted by BUN BUN THE MC at the venue, RAGGA CHANNEL. From this encounter, this album came into fruition and they also asked HARIKUYAMAKU to produce an earthy, traditional rootsy, dub version of Tsuki nu Kaisha that is included as the 3rd track on the B Side.

Ashimizubushi, the track that magically blends old school Chicago house ala TRAX with Ryukyu folk music starts off the B side and it carries on to an uplifting track with a Skaouse (ska + house) feel, Hounen Ondo. Inserted after HARIKUYAMAKU’s dub of Tsuki nu Kaisha, this album closes out with the song, ‘Ishikawa Koi Uta’, the only song written by Inamine who said that she wrote it after falling in love with chill-out music. It is an ambient dub track with a collage like flavour, reminiscent of early The Orb (remixed by Mad Professor) and the latter half of the track finishes off with a message presented by Masao Itokazu (her uncle) who received tutelage from the prior owner of her sanshin that Inamine plays, Moritomo Inamine (her grandfather).

Incidentally, the album title, YUGAFU ai Kaji is derived from an auspicious word from Okinawa, Yugafu which means fruitful year, happiness, prosperity and ai (indigo) is a word that Yukino found inspiration few years ago (she wears a Okinawan indigo clothing called kinonuno in the front cover of this album).

The unique indigo colouring produced by nature overlaps with the unique charm of the human personality, and she wanted to present that current along with the music so the name was integrated to ‘indigo wind’, and the two were connected to form the album title, ‘YUGAFU ai Kaji’.

The photo of the front cover was taken by a young, Uchinaanunishie—- (meaning a boy from Okinawa) 17 year old photographer named Ratio and the designer of this album is Anmonaito who is a childhood friend of Inamine who also did the artwork for her album, Miyagi Kaigan. And the mastering and cutting of this album was done by Rei Taguchi.

The cosmology existing in Yukino Inamine’s singing is fully amplified by AKIO NAGASE’s spacey, abundant with many ideas, dance machine beat~ambient music and all of these elements are organically linked by the adhesive effect of dub.

Plying refracted rhythms with an exacting poise, Aerae arrives on Samurai Music with a fully formed sound that plumbs the depths between techno immersion and D&B beat science.

An accomplished, palpable tension runs throughout Nefanda, Aerae's second solo release. Following up on the meditative pulse of her debut album on Annulled Music last year, the Paris-based artist digs deeper into ominous atmospheres filled with evocative reverb decays and taut, dynamic drum work - tools she wields to Redner tracks with specific meaning, coded by the Latin framing that runs through all aspects of her musical output. Contemplating the ancient language as an inescapable part of her European roots, on Nefanda Aerae ruminates on external trials and inner impulses, and conjures a jaw-clenching soundtrack to match.

'Mons' (translation: 'Mountain') speaks to challenges, strength and spiritual ascent, marked out by an urgent thrum of conga slaps and a 4/4 kick around the 170 BPM mark that finds power in minimalism even at the relatively high tempo.
The title track opts for a more broken framework, pivoting pointed percussion around a deft sub pulse while turning up the intensity with an exacting poise.

'Nefanda' translates as 'unspeakable,' or 'too horrific to name,' and the fraught, synthetic wraiths contorting through the track convey the dread the title implies.
'Fovea' (translation: 'pit') burrows deeper into spatial design with a looming low end rumble and subliminal sound sculpture, shaping out a dark, introspective chasm tipped towards disassociation. It's a powerful statement in any setting, but the all-consuming bass feels especially crafted for full, physical sound system immersion.

'Phrenesis' (translation: 'frenzy') rounds the EP out in fierce form, building up a high-pressure arrangement from ambient beginnings with ruthless control. There's a sense of duality in motion between half-time and double-time rhythmic elements, every incremental shift adding to the intensity of the track with the elegant, impactful touch that has fast become Aerae's calling card.

Finding her own language within the dialogue between techno, D&B and dark ambient, Aerae's music makes a vivid impression thanks to the ideas and intention that drive her in the studio. Nefanda confirms her status as a leading light in deep, psychedelic dance music, making something extremely personal that also reaches out beyond notions of the self like all the best transcendental music.