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'BOSTICH PT.1' – A hot Chicago House flip on this legendary classic by Swiss synthpop band Yello! Some unexpected editing surprises in this one! The groove will have you from the start! 'OPTIMO' – A highly energetic rework of this classic from American dance-punk band Liquid Liquid, with a percussion section that uses the snare drum, bass kick drum, cowbell, and claves that all combine for insane repeated drum rolls! A hot sure shot for the dancefloor!

Cratebug is a Chicago Dj, Producer & Remixer. His remixes and edits are hot gold and have found their way into the mixes and live sets of COUNTLESS djs all over the world. Most notable and well-known among fans & supporters of Cratebug’s work include: Derrick Carter, Jamie 3:26, Honey Dijon, Frankie Knuckles (RIP), Louie Vega, Scott K., Kenny Dope Gonzalez, Dimitri From Paris, Boris Dlugosch, Francois Kevorkian, Danny Krivit, Moodymann (Kenny Dixon Jr.), Theo Parrish, Master Kev, Moon Boots, Jackmaster (Jack Revill), The Martinez Brothers, Doc Martin, Mark farina, KON, Detroit Swindle, Radio Slave, Moodena, Luke Solomon, Jimpster, Alton Miller, Juan McClean, James Murphy, Alton Miller, Horse Meat Disco, Gene Farris, Jack The Box (Tyree Cooper & Bobby Starr), The Black Madonna, Jojo Flores, Marques Wyatt, Terry Hunter, Ricardo Villalobos, Kiko Navarro, Ted Patterson and MANY MORE!…

Loyle Carner will release his highly anticipated sophomore record, 'Not Waving, But Drowning' on 19 April via AMF Records.

'Not Waving, But Drowning' follows Loyle's BRIT (Best Male, Best Newcomer) and Mercury Prize nominated, top 20 debut 'Yesterday's Gone'. The bedrock of honest and raw sentimentality that you heard on 'Yesterday's Gone' left an inextinguishable mark on music in general and UK Hip Hop in particular, standing out as an ageless, bulletproof debut.

'Not Waving, But Drowning', Loyle's new album, gives yet more evidence - as if it were needed - of his razor-sharp flow and his unique storytelling ability. Yes, he can rap, but he allies that with the sensitivity of a poet, the observational skills of a novelist, and warmth of your best friend. The album opens with 'Dear Jean', a letter to his mother in which he's telling her that he has found the love of his life, 'a woman from the skies', and he's moving out.

It goes without saying that Loyle's music is hard to categorise, but what is even more impressive is that for someone who grew up listening to Mos Def, Biggie Smalls, Roots Manuva, and Wu Tang Clan, he doesn't sound like any of them. Although he might from time to time give lyrical nods to them, he's no imitator.

Loyle loves cooking. There are two tracks on this album named after chefs. The British-Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi, and the now deceased Italian chef Antonio Carluccio. 'Ottolenghi' the first single from the album was featured on the BBC Radio 1 B-list, BBC 6 Music A-list and has already been streamed over 5 million times.

Loyle refers to real life for everything, the title of 'Yesterday's Gone' came from a song of his step father, the title of his new album 'Not Waving, But Drowning' comes from a poem by his grandfather, which in turn came from a Stevie Smith poem. What you hear on the track 'Krispy' is real. He is pouring his heart out to his best friend Rebel Kleff after their relationship went downhill, he invites him on the track to say his piece but he doesn't turn up, so we get a flugel solo instead.

Loyle also has his own personal black consciousness movement. When he refers to his 'fathers' in the track 'Looking Back' he really is referring to two fathers. His biological father, a black man who he knows, but knows very little of, and his step father, a poet and musician who happens to be a white man but died a sudden unexpected death from epilepsy (SUDEP). With no real emotional ties to his biological father, but a deep connection with a deceased step-father, where does a young child turn He succinctly captures many of the great, unspoken, cultural and historical paradoxes of multicultural Britain on 'Looking Back'.

An album like this is hard to find. It is for those who like their Hip Hop to have soul, and their soul to have spirit. This is because it works on so many levels, but it is reflecting the personality of its creator. There are a host of collaborators here, Jorja Smith, Rebel Kleff, Kiko Bun, Kwes, Jordan Rakei, Sampha, Tom Misch and more, but none are overpowering. They blend righteously into place.
Loyle is not bitter with people who have let him down, or a society that lets so many down, but the combination of anger and love he has gives his voice the perfect blend of strength and vulnerability. This might be a coming of age album, but it's also a coming of ageless album. Loyle's 2019 Spring tour - which includes London's Roundhouse - sold out within 20 minutes of being on sale.

Not Waving, But Drowning



A rapper that raps about family is hard to find. The boys in the 'hood' tend not to be that interested in how much a 'brother' loves his mother, or how much he misses his dad, or even how much he misses his best friend. The boys in the 'hood' tend to be obsessed with the size of their cars, girls, bank accounts, and other personal 'possessions'. Loyle Carner's Mercury and BRIT Prize nominated debut 'Yesterday's Gone' (Released 2017), made it clear that he wasn't that kind of rapper. In fact, every time I talk to him about his work we talk about the world, and we tended to confuse ourselves by calling his work rap, poems, or songs, sometimes in the same sentence. They are in truth all of these things.



Here's some poetry.



Honestly I need them.

I hate them but I grieve them

I think I've finally found the reason

Trust

Like the fire needs the air.

I won't burn unless you're there.





'Not Waving, But Drowning', Loyle's forthcoming new album, gives us yet more evidence, (if it were needed), that he still has what rappers call, flow, but he hasn't lost any of his story telling qualities. Yes, the boy can rap, but a rapper with the sensitivity of a true poet, the observational skills of a novelist, and warmth of your best friend. The album opens with 'Dear Jean', a letter to his mother in which he's telling her that he has found the love of his life, (a woman from the skies), and he's moving out. He really loves the woman from the skies, but he still loves his mum, and so he reassures her that there is no competition, and tells her that 'She's not behind me or behind you, but beside we and beside two', his words. Or to put it another way, moving out without moving out. My words.



It goes without saying that Loyle's music is hard to categorise, but what is even more impressive is that for someone who grew up listening to Mos Def, Biggie Smalls, Roots Manuva, and Wu Tang Clan, he doesn't sound like any of them. Although he might from time to time give lyrical nods to them, he's no imitator. He says finding his own voice was something he always found easy. Although young, (in terms of a musical career), he has confidence in his own words and his own voice, and has never been tempted to sound like he's been hanging out in the USA, or rolling in 'Grime' on the mean streets of East London. And so when it comes to the creative process he doesn't simply find a beat to jump on and ride. Beats are important, but they are tenderly layered with samples, keyboards, or live drums, all imaginatively assembled for the laying on of words. Some tracks start with the idea, some with poetry, and some with a verse from a singer or some other melodic inspiration, but there is no formula.



Here's some poetry.



Don't hold any memories of us

Rather hold you everyday until the memories are dust

Yo we only caught the train

Cos you know I hate the bus





A prolific reader, who has dyslexia is hard to find. Add ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to that and life should become even more difficult. To deal with your difficulties you devise coping strategies, which can differ from person to person. Loyle loves cooking. There are two tracks on this album named after chefs. The British-Israeli chef Ottolenghi, and the now deceased Italian chef Antonio Carluccio. Loyle describes himself as 'weird' because he is happy to read a cookbook as if he was reading a novel or a book of poetry. He has opened a cookery school for young adults not just because he loves food and wants to make more of it, but because it is one of the few things that can focus the ADHD mind. And when it comes to his other love, football, his approach is the same. Focus. He wanted to be a striker he says, up front scoring goals, but found his best position was in midfield because he was able to focus, check options, and see passes ahead of time, providing passes for other players just when they needed them. He says, 'You don't grow out of ADHD, you grow into it.' Loyle is also working with Levi's® on their music project where he is mentoring young musicians over a six month period, culminating at Liverpool Sound City festival.



More poetry.



When the going is tough

I wait till it falls on deaf ears

Hearsay

Without the boundaries of love



He also said, 'Ask most people and they will say that they love their mothers, but most are not going to rap about her'. On his first album Loyle's mum Jean wrote about the 'scribble of a boy' that growing up would take things apart to see how they worked. On this album she speaks with pride about a man who has found his place in the world.



Yes, poetry.



I'm still looking for the answers

Trying to find the right questions

Still waiting for my fathers

But can't break them in to sections



This poetry is serious. Loyle has his own personal black consciousness movement. He told me that he always felt safe at home, and being the darkest one in the family never meant a thing, but then when he had to face the outside world he felt hostility. It shook him up. Now he had to start asking questions, but what were the questions. This is serious. When he refers to his 'fathers' in the verse above taken from the track 'Looking Back' he really is referring to two fathers. His biological father, a black man who he knows, but knows very little of, and his step father, a poet and musician who happens to be a white man but died a sudden unexpected death from epilepsy (SUDEP). So to whom would a young black (or mixed race) kid turn He succinctly captures many of the great, unspoken, cultural and historical paradoxes of multicultural Britain when he says, 'My great grandfather could of owned my other one.' We are a people descended from enslaved people on one hand, and enslavers on the other, something we are still struggling to come to terms with, and this can be apparent in one family. A big book could have told you that, but here we get it in one line on the track, Looking Back.





Loyle refers to real life for everything. The album is peppered with captured moments that he records on his phone. These moments can range from conversations with taxi drivers, to capturing the moment when England scores a goal in the world cup. The title of 'Yesterday's Gone' came from a song of his step father, the title of his new album 'Not Waving but Drowning' comes from a poem by his grandfather, which in turn came from a Stevie Smith poem. What you hear on the track 'Krispy' is real. He is pouring his heart out to his best friend after their relationship went downhill, he invites him on the track to say his piece but he doesn't turn up, so we get a flugel solo instead. Yes people, this is real.



An album like this is hard to find. It is for those who like their Hip Hop to have soul, and their soul to have spirit, this is an album for those who have, (I'm sorry, I'm going to say it), emotional intelligence. This is because it works on so many levels, but it is reflecting the personality of its creator. There are a host of collaborators here, Jorja Smith, Rebel Kleff, Kiko Bun, Jordan Rakei, Sampha, Tom Misch and more, but none are overpowering. They blend righteously into place. Loyle is not bitter with people who have let him down, or the society that has let him down, but the combination of anger and love he has gives his voice the perfect blend of strength and vulnerability. This might be a coming of age album, but it's also a coming of ageless album. His first album worked, and this second album is a continuation of that work. Not creating a form, but being formless, as someone like Bruce Lee once said.

And here's some poetry from mum.



We talked long in to the darkest hours

Until we saw the burnished sky

And our eyes stung

As our words blurred and became thoughts

As we were silenced by the dawn

We clung to each other like sailors in a storm

The next release from 29 Speedway is Break, the new EP from NY’s Relaxer, the long running alias of Daniel Martin-McCormick (Black Eyes, Ital and co-founder of Dripping), and it signals a decisive shift in his music. The tape features two remixes by the singular DJ Marcelle.

What happens when dubby drum & bass meets Dischord’s post-punk colossus Black Eyes? “Break” is the new EP from NY’s Relaxer, the long running alias of Daniel Martin-McCormick (Black Eyes, Ital and co-founder of Dripping), and it signals a decisive shift in his music.

Prompted by friends to write a drum & bass live set just as Black Eyes was reuniting, the results didn’t quite fit the d&b genre. But it felt right. Quick, nimble, with room for the ferocity of his favorite post punk and some of the spaciousness of dub. Evergreen vibes, really, but seen from a fresh perspective.

Honed over a period of two years, the five tracks on “Break” fuse Relaxer’s careening, technoid sounds with free jazz-tinted drum programming, snarling sound design and spacious echo trails. It’s a perfect fit for 29 Speedway’s future-facing, exploratory anti-genre approach to electronics. The tape features two remixes by the singular DJ Marcelle and mastering by Dubplates & Mastering.

Father John Mistys bahnbrechendes zweites Album aus dem Jahr 2015, ,I Love You, Honeybear", ist zurück auf Vinyl, remastered und neu verpackt als Einzel-LP. Ursprünglich wurde es als Doppel-LP veröffentlicht. Das Album wird mittlerweile als Klassiker angesehen und enthält die Fan-Favoriten ,Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)" und den Titelsong ,I Love You, Honeybear". Bei der Veröffentlichung erhielt ,I Love You, Honeybear" viel Kritikerlob, u.a. Pitchfork Best New Music, eine perfekte Bewertung von Exclaim! und begeisterte Kritiken von NME, Mojo, Q, Spin und anderen. Es wurde als eines der besten Alben des Jahres 2015 von Pitchfork, Billboard, The A.V. Club, NME und Stereogum gefeiert. ,I Love You, Honeybear" wurde von Josh Tillman und Jonathan Wilson produziert und von Phil Ek gemischt. Diese 2025er Ausgabe wurde 2024 von Adam Ayan bei Ayan Mastering neu gemastert. Diese Erstpressung kommt auf rotem Vinyl.

Honeymoon is the excellent debut album from Beach Bunny, the four-piece band out of Chicago. Recorded at the iconic Chicago studio Electrical Audio with producer Joe Reinhart (Hop Along, Algernon Caldwaller), the nine songs on the LP burst with energy that capture their vital and life-affirming live shows. Songs like the swooning and anthemic singles "Dream Boy" and "Ms. California" encapsulate the highs and lows the exiting the honeymoon stage of a relationship. The long-awaited debut LP “Honeymoon” from Beach Bunny follows their breakout hit on Tik-Tok, "Prom Queen” (65 million global streams, 518K+ TikTok videos).

„Life has never been easy, so keep moving“ is the opening line of Making moves, the title song of SANTROFI‘s new album. Four years ago their celebrated debut ‚Alewa‘ introduced this 8 piece Highlife collective powerhouse from Accra to the world.

After five solid years on the road, SANTROFI is now ready to release some fresh material. co-produced and mixed by four-time Grammy Award winner Jerry Boys (REM, Ali Farka Toure, Buena Vista Social Club, Orchestra Baobab, Kronos Quartet). The band has continued an intense tour schedule, with 2024 seeing their first shows in the USA as well as a Japan tour of with 13 sold out shows 2024. where.

Making moves is both a celebration of SANTROFI’s roots and a leap into the future of Highlife. The opening track Amina is a Ghanaian childhood game turned Highlife Funk. It draws from the past, pushing it into the future. The title song Making moves sees Santrofi team up with the current booming Afrobeatscene in Ghana: It features Ghanas Newcomers Kofi Jamar and Arathejay. The song talks about trying to survive on the sometimes crazy streets of Accra without loosing your mind. Su nkwa sees Santrofi celebrating their love for typical Sikji Highlife music. And the nostalgic No money, no honey sums up yet another common truth from the streets of Accra. From the opening Highlife funk of Amina to the Ghanaian-childhood-game-turned- boogie-banger Gyae me how, this record will get you dancing.

Led by producer-bassist Kojo Ofori, SANTROFI unites 8 of Accra’s most gifted musicians with a passion for both vintage highlife grooves and a hip hop sensibility. Members of the band have played with leading Ghanaian artists including Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas, Ambolley, AK Yeboah and highlife pioneer AB Crentsil with whom they recorded just before he passed away - watch out for that!

SANTROFI have shared stage and studio with rising stars of Ghana’s vibrant urban music scene such as Kidi, Yaw Tog, Black Sherif, AratheJay and even Nigerian superstar Wizkid (who has made Accra his second home). The upcoming album sees the band teaming up with some of the most exciting talents in Ghana‘s such as AratheJay and Kofi Jamar.

If you think it is impossible to play a funk groove (or even drill) over a pulsing Highlife clave: SANTROFI will prove you wrong. Listen to the phrasing of SANTROFI‘s horn section, hear the Highlife clave running through every bar of their music. Santrofi are pushing Ghanas Highlifegrooves into the future without loosing its sweet soul. And don’t forget to come and see them Making moves live in your city.

Southern-bred, alternative R&B singer-songwriter Mereba artistically embodies self-understanding on The Breeze Grew a Fire, her grandest work and first release on Secretly Canadian. To hone in on this latest album, it was necessary for Mereba to reconnect with her whole many-sided self, from her inner child to her inseparable relationships. Mereba peacefully transmutes her beginnings, looking upon her closest kinships and friendships with a keen understanding of their steadying, inspirational force. Surrounded by the gentle Breeze of these relationships and recollections, Mereba is empowered as both an artist and mother, while also being reminded to nurture her childlike wonder. Mereba gracefully shines on the follow-up to her bounteous 2019 debut, The Jungle Is the Only Way Out. In escaping the Jungle, Mereba faced the paradigm shift of birthing a son in 2021 and getting accustomed to a rapidly changing self-outlook. Mereba's creative output has always relied on her innermost reflections and ideas on whatever was happening around her; but in motherhood, the singer's perspective widened while her inspiration became more focused, and more individually powerful. "Even though I'm fully an adult, I had to grow up in a way overnight when he my son came," Mereba explains. "The process of watching him open up to the world, learn how to engage with the world, it is very tender. I feel like it's the most reminded I've ever been of when I was a child and the first memories I have of life." The transformation brought Mereba to the intimacy of DIY recording sessions, providing an honest and organic foundation to Breeze. Mereba tapped her longtime production collaborator Sam Hoffman to co-assemble the album's rich production, which parallels its folk-like warmth. Although Mereba is a true double Earth sign-Virgo and Virgo rising-the development of Breeze was anchored by experiences and memories that span from Atlanta to L.A., Addis Ababa to Greensboro, an intention that speaks to the album's fluid nature. While nowhere near the end of her musical trek, The Breeze Grew a Fire is a loving, inspiring return to origin, one where Mereba frees a painful past, eases into future possibilities, and goes with life's flow.

Southern-bred, alternative R&B singer-songwriter Mereba artistically embodies self-understanding on The Breeze Grew a Fire, her grandest work and first release on Secretly Canadian. To hone in on this latest album, it was necessary for Mereba to reconnect with her whole many-sided self, from her inner child to her inseparable relationships. Mereba peacefully transmutes her beginnings, looking upon her closest kinships and friendships with a keen understanding of their steadying, inspirational force. Surrounded by the gentle Breeze of these relationships and recollections, Mereba is empowered as both an artist and mother, while also being reminded to nurture her childlike wonder. Mereba gracefully shines on the follow-up to her bounteous 2019 debut, The Jungle Is the Only Way Out. In escaping the Jungle, Mereba faced the paradigm shift of birthing a son in 2021 and getting accustomed to a rapidly changing self-outlook. Mereba's creative output has always relied on her innermost reflections and ideas on whatever was happening around her; but in motherhood, the singer's perspective widened while her inspiration became more focused, and more individually powerful. "Even though I'm fully an adult, I had to grow up in a way overnight when he my son came," Mereba explains. "The process of watching him open up to the world, learn how to engage with the world, it is very tender. I feel like it's the most reminded I've ever been of when I was a child and the first memories I have of life." The transformation brought Mereba to the intimacy of DIY recording sessions, providing an honest and organic foundation to Breeze. Mereba tapped her longtime production collaborator Sam Hoffman to co-assemble the album's rich production, which parallels its folk-like warmth. Although Mereba is a true double Earth sign-Virgo and Virgo rising-the development of Breeze was anchored by experiences and memories that span from Atlanta to L.A., Addis Ababa to Greensboro, an intention that speaks to the album's fluid nature. While nowhere near the end of her musical trek, The Breeze Grew a Fire is a loving, inspiring return to origin, one where Mereba frees a painful past, eases into future possibilities, and goes with life's flow.

The world became another since the release of »Decadent yet Depraved« and Belief Defect’s reflection of it: now darker, political, honest – end times in Cinemascope. When the duo reunited in the studio after the 2 year fracture COVID inflicted on reality, the album that had been on pause all this time seemed insufficient against whatever life had morphed into, while humanity hid from itself. Finishing an album coherent to the present moment took prolonged studio shut-ins that proved to be as cathartic as the struggle sessions of the cultural revolution must have been. »Desire and Discontent« unfolds like a parable, structured by subsonic frequencies that give arrangements a solid gravity, dissonant chord progressions resulting in coherent movements, punctuated by human-like voices over slow, suspenseful melodies that come into being without the listener’s awareness. Contributing to the album with machine-like precision drumming is Merlin Ettore, vocals from Anna Gartner and the artwork of Juan Mendez (Silent Servant).

It’s written in the Agreement Terms. There’s no getting out alive in Life. And yet, mankind keeps striving for eternal life; through art, through power, through cryogenics, through singularity. In that misguided quest against the inevitable, we all fall into the category of lost travellers. No one is exempt. In that understanding, Confucius MC and producer Bastien Keb offer no misgivings about the destination on the somber “Time Will Come”: Time will come for all of us / try to take your time.

Songs For Lost Travellers is a collaborative album by Con and Bastien Keb that merges unexplored pathways between rap, folk, and jazz into a spiritual triumvirate. Each genre is a balancing force within the record. The result is an album unlike either artist have made previously, possibly unlike any record in existence. Songs For Lost Travellers opens with bedtime stories and fairytales. Both “Tell Me Lies” and “Fairytale” present the creature comforts that trick us into forgetting the truth. Con’s first words spoken are “tell me lies ‘til I swear I can’t remember” over Keb’s lo-fi plucking that feels like it was lifted from a handheld recorder capturing a nursery mobile above a crib. Third track “Time Will Come” resets the album after acknowledging on “Fairytale” there’s “no nourishment in half-truths / no sustenance in eating lies.”

Honest and direct, Con and Keb imbue Songs For Lost Travellers with knowledge and truth from their lived experiences. There is grief hidden in the notes, an inherent sadness that is balanced with an awareness that grief is a protest against the social machinery of remaining numb. The record lingers in a meditative state, unafraid of restlessness and embracing solitude, with the expectation that peace is just as imminent as death.

The production contains a complimentary authenticity. Neither Con nor Keb bothered much with the professional studio in making Songs For Lost Travellers. Instead they opted for the raw state of their home recordings and first takes, matching the intimacy of being alone and reflective in their creative energies. Room static on “Tell Me Lies” makes it feel like you’ve entered their apartments. The immediacy continues on “Gutters,” as Keb plays guitar while watching the tele and Con hums along to the vocal melody in search of the proper pocket for his verse. Someone snaps their finger to mark a cue, but the snap never returns to the mix to keep time.

More drawn to Keb’s recent folk recordings on the Songs For Lilla EP than his funk roots circa Dinking In The Shadows of Zizou or the cinematic soul of The Killing of Eugene Peeps, Con leaned into the spacial freedom he heard in Keb’s lo-fi production cobbled from field recordings and voice notes. Both artists placed their families into the tableau. Con wrote “Little Man” for his son, hoping to add a positive contribution to the canon of parental rap songs. Later, his son appears at the end of “Paramount” to deliver a passage from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Keb secretly recorded his mum playing saxophone and sampled his cousin playing sax as well. The result is a near-drumless album (save for “Toulouse” and light tapping on “It Would Speak”) in which Keb’s raw production (plus a few sessions with Kofi Flexxx) gave Con a liminal zone, unencumbered by beats per minute, to craft melodies that turn his philosophical rhymes into mantras.

Perhaps there’s a message in the presence of family? It would be one of many. Con and Keb’s reflective, somber approach to Songs For Lost Travellers does not wallow in the mire. Music is action and it’s taking them through a portal to the other side of grief. We are welcome to join (which is also in the fine print of the Agreement Terms), but first there’s a password in the final song, a single request to answer: Tell me what you care about.

Biography by Blake Gillespie
credits

After five solid years on the road, SANTROFI is now ready to release some fresh material. co-produced and mixed by four-time Grammy Award winner Jerry Boys (REM, Ali Farka Toure, Buena Vista Social Club, Orchestra Baobab, Kronos Quartet). Led by producer-bassist Kojo Ofori, SANTROFI unites 8 of Accra"s most gifted musicians with a passion for both vintage highlife grooves and a hip hop sensibility. Members of the band have played with leading Ghanaian artists including Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas, Ambolley, AK Yeboah and highlife pioneer AB Crentsil with whom they recorded just before he passed away - watch out for that!

Released via RCA Records - Louis Dunford is a story teller, with stories that need to be told. Born under Bow bells and raised in Islington, Louis' songs are chapters straight out of his lived experiences. Sometime raw, sometimes funny and always honest, the stories are all underpinned by infectious melodic hooks. To date, he’s best known for singles including ‘Lucy,’ ‘The Local’ and ‘The Angel (North London Forever)’—an ode to his hometown, which has been adopted by Arsenal FC fans as their official club anthem. Now comes Louis’ debut album, titled Be Lucky, featuring the above mentioned singles and 11 more tracks - weaving a story of his life and observations so far.

Artikal Sound System is a reggae band based out of South Florida. Founded by Chris Montague (guitar) and Fabian Acuna (bass) in 2012, the band honed their chops backing a series of Caribbean singers. Along the way the boys picked up the insane and absurd keys player Christopher Cope and the heavy footed drummer Adam Kampf before finally trying something a little sonically different with their neighbor, female vocalist Logan Rex. After nearly a decade of playing together the boys sound tight and powerful, creating the perfect foundation for their jazz-influenced singer to dance around on lyrically and literally. What you hear is the sound of friendship, hard work, imagination and the hope to spread their message of love and the importance of having a good time

1021 is the third studio album from Toronto singer/songwriter, Rochelle Jordan. Originally released in 2014, 1021 is the album that forever changed Rochelle’s trajectory as an artist. Filled with moments of honest and pure self expression yet still showing signs of who she has eventually become, the album showcases Rochelle’s resilience as an indie artist, her unapologetic risk taking, and her drive and uncompromising belief in herself. The album’s production is filled with lush, airy, evocative beats, with her vocals drawing comparison to the iconic R&B superstar, Aaliyah - in fact, “Ease Your Mind,” was co-produced with Eric Seats, who produced the iconic Aaliyah track, “Rock the Boat.” Since then, Rochelle has gone on to become a major player in the R&B and dance spaces, most recently working with Kaytranada on his new album. To celebrate the 10 year anniversary since it’s release, 1021 will be making its debut on vinyl for the very first time. 2xLP, pressed on Baby Blue Galaxy vinyl and includes a 24x36 double-sided poster, as well as three additional songs not originally included on the album - this is strictly for the Day Ones.

‘Ice Cream Dream Boy’ serves as a celebratory anthem, an ode to manifesting dreams into reality, and a testament to Shanti's knack for creating infectious and uplifting dance music as she explains: “I wanted to make a happy and uplifting vocal summer tune and I just so happened to be in the peak honeymoon romance period with my now partner (The Ice Cream Dream Boy). He had discovered my love for soft plush toys and decided to buy me a cute little fluffy Jellycat Ice Cream so when I made the instrumental I felt insecure and unsure about what lyrics to write, so I just decided to sing about what I was currently experiencing in my life. I had been a fan of Shivum Sharma for a while and I had just done a remix for his amazing song '7am', so after establishing a cute lil connection I thought I’d ask him to help me write the song as I was very new to writing lyrics!”

This limited edition Vinyl features 5 varied remixes, perfect for any scenario.

This compilation is more than a selection of songs from Willy Nfor’s solo career in Nigeria—it’s the story of a man’s determination to live his dreams. Known as Willy Ngeh Nfor, he was a founding member of the Mighty Flames. One morning, Willy and his bandmates packed their instruments, grabbed a few clothes, and headed from Cameroon to Nigeria. Crossing the border on foot, they made their way to Onitsha.

“We left Cameroon with no contacts in Nigeria—it was an adventure. We’d heard about the FESTAC Arts Festival and felt we had to be part of it. Our first band in Nigeria was Pentagon Funk Band, sponsored by the 5th Brigade in Port Harcourt. Later, we moved to Onitsha and signed with Right Time Stores, recording Sweet Love (RTLPS 011) as The Mighty Flames. The sessions were at Decca Studios in Lagos, with a 16-track analog system. It was intense—no room for mistakes. We rehearsed endlessly before recording each take.” (Vincent Ekedi, Drummer, Mighty Flames)

Willy’s journey was shaped by his resilience and talent. Losing his mother early and facing family struggles, music became his escape. Inspired by funk and jazz-rock greats like Bootsy Collins, Jaco Pastorius, and Stanley Clarke, he honed his skills on bass and composition, playing with local bands alongside musicians like Vincent Ekedi. Together, they refined their grooves, dreaming of brighter futures.

After his time in Nigeria, Willy moved to Paris, becoming a session bassist for legends such as Manu Dibango, Mory Kanté, Tony Allen, Akendengue, Ray Lema, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Kanté Manfila. Touring extensively, he lived the “Star Life” (Star Life, Cornerstone Records, Feel So Fine, 1981), playing funk grooves with giants in grand venues, fulfilling his dream of the spotlight.

Das Debütalbum des 2020 gegründeten Leedser Kollektivs um Kernmitglieder George Mitchell, Matt Peel, Josh Lewis und Imi Marston.

Mit Einflüssen, die von Mount Kimbie und My Bloody Valentine bis hin zu Björk und Burial reichen, steht 'U R HERE' für ein neues Gefühl des kreativen Ausdrucks inmitten einer Welt, die manchmal zu zerfallen scheint.

Die Songs auf 'U R HERE' sind eine fließende, mitreißende und einzigartig introspektive Interpretation von Clubmusik, die die psychologischen Auswirkungen des modernen Zeitalters in Töne fast und die Vitalität und Freiheit nutzt, die mit Neuanfängen einhergeht. 'U R HERE', genau jetzt, und nur das zählt.

In den vergangenen 12 Monaten haben sich HONESTY mit der Veröffentlichung ihrer ersten EP 'WHERE R U', dem experimentellen Mixtape 'BOX' und einer Reihe von Singles aus ihrem Debütalbum ein substantielles Publikum erspielt.

Die Gruppe erntete Lob von wichtigen Indie-Magazinen wie The Needle Drop, eine Erwähnung von Alexis Petridis von The Guardian und weitere Kritiken von Mixmag, Rolling Stone, Crack, NME und Brooklyn Vegan. Im Radio wurde die Band von BBC 6 Music und Apple Music 1 gespielt und erhielt viel Unterstützung von BBC Introducing. HONESTY hat kürzlich eine Live-Session für BBC Introducing aufgenommen und gefilmt, die Anfang Januar auf BBC Introducing Leeds und Sheffield ausgestrahlt wird.

HONESTYs hypnotisierende Live-A/V-Show ist einer der wichtigsten Faktoren für den bisherigen Erfolg der Band. Ihr vielschichtiges visuelles Erscheinungsbild und ihr ausgeklügeltes Live-Setup bringen die Textur und die Kraft der Aufnahmen voll zur Geltung, was Mixmag und Clash dazu veranlasste, die Band in ihren Beiträgen zu den besten Sets beim Eurosonic 2024 hervorzuheben.

Das Debütalbum des 2020 gegründeten Leedser Kollektivs um Kernmitglieder George Mitchell, Matt Peel, Josh Lewis und Imi Marston.

Mit Einflüssen, die von Mount Kimbie und My Bloody Valentine bis hin zu Björk und Burial reichen, steht 'U R HERE' für ein neues Gefühl des kreativen Ausdrucks inmitten einer Welt, die manchmal zu zerfallen scheint.

Die Songs auf 'U R HERE' sind eine fließende, mitreißende und einzigartig introspektive Interpretation von Clubmusik, die die psychologischen Auswirkungen des modernen Zeitalters in Töne fast und die Vitalität und Freiheit nutzt, die mit Neuanfängen einhergeht. 'U R HERE', genau jetzt, und nur das zählt.

In den vergangenen 12 Monaten haben sich HONESTY mit der Veröffentlichung ihrer ersten EP 'WHERE R U', dem experimentellen Mixtape 'BOX' und einer Reihe von Singles aus ihrem Debütalbum ein substantielles Publikum erspielt.

Die Gruppe erntete Lob von wichtigen Indie-Magazinen wie The Needle Drop, eine Erwähnung von Alexis Petridis von The Guardian und weitere Kritiken von Mixmag, Rolling Stone, Crack, NME und Brooklyn Vegan. Im Radio wurde die Band von BBC 6 Music und Apple Music 1 gespielt und erhielt viel Unterstützung von BBC Introducing. HONESTY hat kürzlich eine Live-Session für BBC Introducing aufgenommen und gefilmt, die Anfang Januar auf BBC Introducing Leeds und Sheffield ausgestrahlt wird.

HONESTYs hypnotisierende Live-A/V-Show ist einer der wichtigsten Faktoren für den bisherigen Erfolg der Band. Ihr vielschichtiges visuelles Erscheinungsbild und ihr ausgeklügeltes Live-Setup bringen die Textur und die Kraft der Aufnahmen voll zur Geltung, was Mixmag und Clash dazu veranlasste, die Band in ihren Beiträgen zu den besten Sets beim Eurosonic 2024 hervorzuheben.

HONESTY are not a band in the traditional sense. With four core members - George Mitchell, Matt Peel, Josh Lewis and Imi Marston - and a rotating cast of collaborators which have included musicians and visual artists like Kosi Tydes, Softlizard, Rarelyalways, Florence Shaw and Liam Bailey, the Leeds-based collective emerged as an exercise in doing things differently on a journey towards self-acceptance.

HONESTY’s debut album, ‘U R HERE’ is released on Partisan Records. With influences that range from Mount Kimbie and My Bloody Valentine to Björk and Burial, ‘U R HERE’ represents a renewed sense of creative expression amidst a world that can sometimes seem like it’s crumbling apart.

The songs on ‘U R HERE’ are a fluid, exhilarating, and uniquely introspective take on club music - sonically mapping the psychological impact of the modern age and harnessing the vitality and freedom that comes with new beginnings. ‘U R HERE’, right now, and that is all that matters.

Black LP in a gatefold sleeve with spot gloss finish.

Blending influences from classical, film and electronic music, Angus MacRae's extensive musical output encompasses solo albums, concert performances, and award-winning scores for theatre, film, ballet, television and contemporary dance. His has scored internationally touring dance productions, Olivier Award winning shows heard across London's West End and on Broadway, and acclaimed films screened at international festivals. Drawing on themes of memory and imagination, his immersive solo work transcends its classical roots to create transportive, elegiac compositions of unflinching emotional honesty. Spanning three albums and a number of EPs, his work has reached a global audience.

Vivarium, his third full length studio album, is an otherworldly journey through the lost worlds of childhood imagination. A blend of intimate piano, soaring strings, ethereal voices and haunting electronic textures, Vivarium evokes what the artist describes as "a series of bell jars to be traveled between." Reflecting on the album's genesis, MacRae shares: "I spent years trying to capture the emotional resonance of my childhood imagination. As a child, the world felt as magical, mysterious, and boundless as my dreams. In time, fragments of music emerged that seemed to recapture that feeling—a glimmer in the dark, an echo of the magic, fear, and mystery of those early memories. Through Vivarium, I hope to offer a portal back into those worlds."

This exclusive double vinyl release also includes Bell Jar, an evocative bonus track on Side D, featuring a collaboration with acclaimed New York clarinetist Michael Winograd. In this new composition, MacRae reimagines themes from the album, weaving in Winograd's improvised melodies to create a fresh, expressive piece that brings a touch of Klezmer soul to Vivarium's ethereal soundscape.

Seattle's Chastity Belt and Austin's Holy Wave split a dreamy 7-inch for Suicide Squeeze Records. Chastity Belt's offering, "That Guy," rings with the band's signature laid-back-yet-precise style. Jangly, intricate guitarwork plays off easy rhythms; an upbeat tranquility buoys wistful riffs. The lyrics are honest and introspective as Julia Shapiro admits to being "that kind of guy"_the type who just wants to feel alive, despite the pull of screentime, and the tendency to hold onto something until the life has been sucked out of it. "Maybe quitting is okay, but I don't like giving things away," she sings, backed by warm vocal harmonies. "I'd rather hold on for too long, until all the feeling's gone." For their side, Holy Wave contribute the lush and hypnotic slow burner "Time Crisis Too." Smears of warped synth over meticulous percussion and guitar form a dense tapestry of sound; melodic vibraphone perfects the cinematic nostalgia while the lyrics lament the too-hurried passage of time. Microdoses of experimentation tucked into the layers_seaside waves, swells of distortion, a disembodied second vocal_add intrigue and enhance the vibe.

Within the first few seconds of this record, it seems obvious Greg Gauthier has been missing clubs as much as we all have. The french soulful stalwart takes a little detour from the soulful & vocal nuyorican feel he's known and renowned for, and takes us deep into Chicago basement banger territory with "Do It.". As for the B-side, "Underground House Rythm" ? To be honest, the title tells you everything you need to know, really.

Radioactive Man (Keith Tenniswood) presents his 6th album ‘Jam Out The Kicks’ released on self-operated label Asking For Trouble this November 28th. Written while immersed in the throes of touring over the last four years - the album showcases Tenniswood’s singular sound, honed for the international dance floors that he is charged with. Jam Out The Kicks will be released on a triple 12” vinyl package with artwork by renowned artist Lung.

Working together UK rave, jungle, breakbeat and Detroit electro and techno the album plays between these different genres and styles. It brings the grit, joy, grime and funk but also with a big lot of heart in its sensitive softer elements and moments. Opening track ‘Under The Counter’ has been the lead to his live performances - soft and gleaming and with deep warm bass tones it’s his reset track to set the tone for the set. We then move into slap bass funk on ‘See Above’ and through the many sounds on the release - from dense textured and kicking techno to bass heavy rave. Curveball on the release is ‘Sinkhole’ starting out as a collaboration with Suade Bergemann, vocallists Ali Love and Chloe Raunet (C.A.R) both put their touch on it. It’s just one example of Radioactive Man’s desire not to want to be held down to any one sound and to always be developing and moving forward.

“Misty” is the second album by the Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio after “Midnight Sugar”, and is one of the most popular works on the TBM label. This is the definitive opus by a marvelous trio, packed with lyricism and a powerful swing feeling!

With Bhelize Don't Cry, Uzi Freyja unveils her childhood alter ego, Bhelize—a name known only to her family, now released as a daring new identity. This album, crafted as a letter to her “inner child,” is an honest dialogue between the adult she has become and the little girl she once was.
Over 12 tracks, Uzi Freyja takes us on a visceral journey, navigating between vulnerability and strength. She recounts her trials and triumphs, affirming an unbreakable resilience and a unique, uncompromising identity. Each track captures a key moment, an intense emotion, a facet of her striking universe.

An intimate, uncompromising story: Uzi Freyja delivers more than just an album; this is a blazing confession that transcends the personal to strike a universal chord, resonating deeply with listeners.

Stage energy translated to the studio: With over 100 performances since 2021, Uzi Freyja brings her on-stage intensity to this album. Bhelize Don't Cry is designed to be both felt and danced to, inviting everyone to let go and “shake that Bunda” with no reservations!

A raw balance between gentleness and power: Moving between delicate confessions and pulsating beats, Uzi Freyja crafts a world where each track oscillates between pure emotion and raw energy, captivating the listener from start to finish.

"Recorded in Jeremy Loops' home studio in Cape Town, South Africa ‘Feathers and Stone’ is an organic response to a world increasingly shaped by digital and artificial sounds, and showcases Jeremy's depth as an artist and a songwriter.

Following on from critically acclaimed albums Trading Change (2014), Critical As Water (2018) and Heard You Got Love (2022), ‘Feathers and Stone’ reflects the balance between heaviness and lightness by mixing both uplifting melodious music with melancholic moments, sophisticated guitar licks and vocal turns. Produced by Will Hicks (Ed Sheeran, Lilly Allen, Bastille), Loops hopes that listeners will feel the depth and honesty in all eleven tracks on the record.

After previous collaborations with industry luminaries like Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac and Edd Holloway, this album includes collaborations with South African choral group and five time Grammy Award Winners, Ladysmith Black Mombazo on the single ‘Coming Home’ and prolific German born folk/pop duo, Amistat on ‘Loveblood’, a powerful and euphoric track which found its feet while they toured through Europe and South Africa with Jeremy.

Previously, Jeremy Loops carved a niche for himself through electrifying live performances, progressing from small bars to selling out 5000-seat arenas globally and earning him accolades and awards at the South African Music Awards and MTV Africa's Best Alternative Artist award and & Best Pop Album."

"Recorded in Jeremy Loops' home studio in Cape Town, South Africa ‘Feathers and Stone’ is an organic response to a world increasingly shaped by digital and artificial sounds, and showcases Jeremy's depth as an artist and a songwriter.

Following on from critically acclaimed albums Trading Change (2014), Critical As Water (2018) and Heard You Got Love (2022), ‘Feathers and Stone’ reflects the balance between heaviness and lightness by mixing both uplifting melodious music with melancholic moments, sophisticated guitar licks and vocal turns. Produced by Will Hicks (Ed Sheeran, Lilly Allen, Bastille), Loops hopes that listeners will feel the depth and honesty in all eleven tracks on the record.

After previous collaborations with industry luminaries like Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac and Edd Holloway, this album includes collaborations with South African choral group and five time Grammy Award Winners, Ladysmith Black Mombazo on the single ‘Coming Home’ and prolific German born folk/pop duo, Amistat on ‘Loveblood’, a powerful and euphoric track which found its feet while they toured through Europe and South Africa with Jeremy.

Previously, Jeremy Loops carved a niche for himself through electrifying live performances, progressing from small bars to selling out 5000-seat arenas globally and earning him accolades and awards at the South African Music Awards and MTV Africa's Best Alternative Artist award and & Best Pop Album."

After a rollercoaster ride through their debut album and COVID plagued campaigns, KAWALA are gearing up to release ‘KAWALA Collection’ a collection of tracks that the band recorded in early 2024.

The band saw themselves stripping away some of the grander studios in favour of their own small east London studio working with close friends Saint Raymond and Mathi Wang to create a collection of music that they would love to listen to in their own time. The release features singles, ‘American Adrenaline’ and ‘Time Slipping Away’ and now lead single ‘Make A Difference’. While the band didn’t set out for the KAWALA Collection to be their final release, it feels like a fitting end to an incredible 10-year career..

Dominik Marz approaches electronic music with a spirit of exploration blending house, disco, and techno into a sound that feels both raw and re«ned. With releases on Belters, Innervisions and Feines Tier, he has built a reputation for crafting tracks for both intimate settings and larger spaces.

Liza Lo creates her own intimate and poetic musical world. Lo is a singer-songwriter, producer and musician based in London. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Daughter, Maro and Billie Marten, she carries you into a place of reflection and calm with her raw vocal and honest songwriting. Her new album 'Familiar' was recorded by Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Kate Bush) with the band and her in Studio 13 in West London.

Maintaining the intimacy of the messages of the songs is executed by gently supporting the lyrics and structure with a laid back, open band feel and delicate string arrangements, leaving you with a gentle hug for early mornings of reflection. Lo blends her upbringing in Spain and the Netherlands freely in her newly found sound. Her latest EP 'flourish' was featured on Spotify's New Music Friday UK, NL and BE as well as in 'the most beautiful songs in the world' playlist.

Taking our time has become a sort of ESP modus operandi, often proving that when variables are left to cook long enough—relationships, styles, politics, moments in culture—we may collectively yield a more considered result. Once in a 'Blue Moon', we set sights on a record that conducts some strange voodoo, some rare combination of elements that commands our entire being. Entering our atmosphere with a concise 6-track debut, dub technician Brendon Moeller has brought us exactly that. Although we’ve long been admirers Brendon’s work, separated by only a few degrees—he and ESP’s Lovefingers are the same age and shared a decade of salad days in New York City—it took another decade before enough courage was mustered to suggest we actually work together. Our reticence has seen Brendon’s aesthetic and palette evolve over the years, and the label has simultaneously sculpted a tone of its own, but now we’re more than proud to finally marry his highly refined output with our, let’s say, “deliberate” appetite. 'Blue Moon' touches everywhere Brendon has been as an artist—from the obtuse corners of ambient to IDM, dub techno to liquid drones and bass—yet the vocabulary is honed and succinct, relying on a very intentional handful of expressions. This is almost an exercise in restraint, all 6 tracks are delivered from a disciplined and committed point-of-view, but what we find most captivating is the exploration that this allows in terms of depth, texture, fluidity and pacing. There is a complexity hidden in plain sight that begs to be studied, a comfort that allows us to slip inside like a warm bath, an addictive tingling sensation that we must prolong indefinitely. Even as we write this testimonial, the album is going on a fourth repeat and we languish the intervening silence between tracks. This is being under the spell of Brendon’s 'Blue Moon'.

La Pointe debut on Damian Lazarus’ Secret Teachings with ‘Umbra’, featuring remixes from Nathan Fake and Jonny Rock. The experimental label opens its 2025 schedule on 24th January with the Geneva-based trio’s warping original backed by a pair of late-hours remixes from two of the best in the scene.

Emerging from a confluence of rave culture and artistic mastery, La Pointe make an impressive label debut on Damian Lazarus’ Secret Teachings imprint with the enigmatic ‘Umbra’. The release, set for 24th January, is accompanied by stellar remixes from revered producer Nathan Fake and the ever-versatile Jonny Rock, delivering a sonic journey that transcends the ordinary. La Pointe, a trio formed by Geneva-based techno pioneers Crowdpleaser and Entlet alongside New York City’s Jonny Sender, represents a fusion of cultural and musical legacies. Rooted in the dynamic after-hours scenes of Geneva and New York’s underground club culture, the trio creates music that is both innovative and steeped in tradition. Their studio, located in an old factory by the meeting point of the Rhone and Arve rivers, lends its name—and its industrial inspiration—to their project.

The original mix of ‘Umbra’ is a hypnotic exploration of light and shadow, blending atmospheric melodies with deep, pulsating rhythms—a testament to their ability to craft soundscapes that resonate emotionally and physically. Nathan Fake’s remix ventures into intricate, textural layers, marrying ethereal tones with electronic intensity. Jonny Rock injects a raw, off-kilter groove and late-hours energy into his reinterpretation, blending his eclectic influences from disco, funk, house, and beyond. The genesis of La Pointe is as captivating as its sound. Crowdpleaser and Entlet are celebrated architects of Geneva’s rave scene, running the legendary after-hours party The Shark for over a decade and hosting luminaries like Alexander Robotnik, Boo Williams, and Sonja Moonear. Jonny Sender, a stalwart of New York’s downtown music revolution in the 80s to 00s and bass player of post-punk band KONK, brought his unique perspective honed in venues like Mudd Club to the trio when he moved to France. This debut appearance on Secret Teachings is not just a collection of influences but a narrative woven from decades of underground culture and musical exploration - making it a perfect fit for Lazarus’ label as he continues to champion boundary-pushing artistry, curveball signings and inspired remix curation.

This is one of the most ambitious 7"s we've ever come across - it is an EP with 11 'tracks' that all play out like a beat tape with interludes crafted by SNDTRAK. It has everything a good beat tape should have - dusty drums, ill samples and a rich sense of soul and storytelling. It moves at pace through the different moods and grounds with gorgeous pianos, sunny vocals, lush strings and mellifluous melodies all grabbing your attention at various points as it plays out. A wonderful and cultural trip through sound.

Mr. K returns to the fertile ground of the Paradise Garage for his latest with two certified floor-fillers closely tied to the legendary club.

TW Funkmasters’ “Love Money” took an unusual path to its eventual elevated status as a dance classic. The brainchild of UK radio reggae jock Tony Williams (the “TW” in the group’s name), it was conceived in response to seminal rap release “Rapper’s Delight,” but with reggae superstar Dennis Brown’s 1978 hit single “Money In My Pocket” as the lyrical inspiration. Indeed, the vocal version of the Funkmasters’ song is considered the UK’s very first homegrown rap tune. But it was the flip side that garnered the most attention in New York however. “The original track was quirky and worked at the Garage,” Danny Krivit says, “but when the dub came out, it really blew up everywhere. After that very few people played the vocal.” Krivit’s edit here takes the influential, futuristic dub and tightens the arrangement up for the 7-inch format. “Love Money” went on to heavily influence the New York City dance underground, with homages coming in the form of subtle tributes (Mateo & Matos’ “Love Style”) to a virtual remake from Larry Levan himself (Man Friday’s “Love Honey, Love Heartache”) to the untold records that have sampled or been influenced by the spacey, heavy groove.

We’re back closer to home and a more traditional source for Garage classics with our flip side, Janice McClain’s “Smack Dab In The Middle.” The Philadelphia born and bred singer burst out of the gate with this very Philly sounding single in 1979. Written and produced by her uncle, the song was recorded when McClain was all of fifteen years old, a fact made more astonishing by a commanding vocal performance that resonated immediately with listeners. Recognizing a good thing when he saw it, disco maven Ray Caviano picked the song up for his newly minted RFC label and enlisted Larry Levan himself to mix it for 12-inch release. It is Levan’s version that provides the jumping off point for Krivit’s edit here — “the original 7-inch version the way it was never seemed worth playing,” Krivit says — and he makes the most of the jazzy Philly disco groove, injecting extra energy in the early minutes of the song with a tasty filtered break unique to this mix.

Pressed and mastered with DJs in mind, this loud and crystal clear single is the perfect combination of bonafide Garage classics and the talents of Mr. K, all on one compact piece of vinyl.

Four silhouettes levitating above an endless expanse of sand, their movements being captured like stolen from time, that is the cover image of Later.’s sophomore album ‘Golden Bay’. This striking visual sets the tone for an album that delves into profound themes—exploring the sacred, the transformative power of music, and love as a gateway to an inner world. It offers a dreamlike escape into a world governed by instinct, passion, and freedom. ‘Golden Bay’ stands out with its distinctive fusion of electronic-pop, gospel, and rock influences. The prominent use of synthetic sounds intertwined with organic elements creates this warm feeling of being at the heart of Later.’s imagination. Lyrically, the album is infused with a blend of sensuality and raw honesty, retaining the unfiltered emotion that has become a hallmark of Later.’s music.

Quote from the band : “This whole album was built like a trip. After our first album it was hard for us to figure out where we wanted to go musically. We never made as many demos and drafts- almost forty or fifty - for any release before. Then suddenly Paul played a guitar riff and we knew that something had been unlocked in our creative process, like a revelation, it later became our album opener ‘Open the Gates’.

Everything escalated from this first melody and we began seeing the picture of what we wanted sonically: prominent synths creating this levitating feeling, powerful uplifting guitars and lyrics that captured the almost spiritual high we get when creating music. Every time we hit the studio, ‘Golden Bay’ became this sacred space—our escape where we could let go and liberate ourselves. Overall it’s a pop album, but it has this raw energy and carefree spirit that we wanted to preserve throughout the use of live sounds.

Our biggest wish with this album is that the listeners embark on a trip and feel the way we do when we’re in the studio, at 3am, and we don’t want to stop because you have to catch these rare moments when inspiration strikes you, and you become the messenger of something beautiful.”

Brooklyn Sounds legendary second album from 1972, full of heavy Nuyorican underground salsa dura propelled by raw trombones, off-kilter piano and in-your-face percussion. A perfect blend of barrio attitude and Caribbean swing, the album proves Brooklyn has sabor y salsa! Pressed on 180 g vinyl, our reissue includes liner notes featuring never-before seen photos. “Libre – Free” is the now legendary second album by the short-lived Brooklyn Sounds and is arguably even better than their self-titled debut, displaying a more mature and practiced sound, no doubt honed by their experiences playing more gigs in support of their first record. Brooklyn Sounds were one of a handful of garage salsa bands from the independent scene that was gathering steam in the early 1970s in the New York boroughs, despite little support or exposure in the mainstream Latin music industry from more dominant labels like Fania, Mericana, Cotique and Alegre. As with many others, Brooklyn Sounds briefly fluoresced in a burst of creativity and defiance, yet flamed out shortly thereafter, dying like a flower among the ruins of burned-out apartment blocks in the barrios of its home city. Though the band only cut two LPs and a couple singles in their brief half-decade of existence, and never really broke out of the cuchifrito circuit in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, their music gradually spread far and wide, eventually becoming a sought-after global commodity by the late 1990s. In contrast to the first album “Libre – Free” is uptempo and ebullient, with fewer slow songs and more confident, creative arrangements, full of heavy Nuyorican underground salsa dura propelled by raw trombones, off-kilter piano and in-your-face percussion. Standout tracks include the uplifting, anthemic ‘Libre soy’, and ‘Ha llegado el momento’, with its minor key ‘Moliendo café’ quote at the
beginning—both of which have become dance floor anthems over the years. Another mid-tempo killer is ‘Guaguancó tropical’, a favorite in Colombia since the 1970s. A perfect blend of barrio attitude and Caribbean swing, the album proves Brooklyn has sabor y salsa!

Ten Fé return with their third album, Still In Love, marking a joyful new chapter in their ten year career. The band have evolved from the electro- pop of 2017’s breakout success Hit The Light, and the Americana of 2019’s Future Perfect Present Tense, to embrace a softer, more mature, rootsy sound on Still In Love. The chemistry of a decade playing together is evident throughout the 11 songs on Still In Love. Ten Fé capture the magic of seeing the band play live: relaxed, confident, showcasing the classic songwriting and musicianship Ten Fé are known for, with a new emphasis on honesty and pared- back arrangements.