. By his early 20s, Kurious was already an in-demand voice on the mic. His 1994 major label debut album, A Constipated Monkey, is a classic of its style, marked by heavy beats and nimble rhymes that are razor-sharp yet frequently hilarious. Despite being hailed as one of hip-hop's most compelling lyricists, he didn't release another solo IP for the rest of that decade, but he continued to be sought after. Rap fans the world over know him for his verse on "?," one of the standout songs from his longtime friend and collaborator MF DOOM's heralded Operation: Doomsday. As he prepares for the release of his new album, Majician-the nickname his peers blessed him with a generation ago-Kurious is well on his way to establishing the legacy he's long deserved. The LP, which was executive produced by MF DOOM before his passing, is a mesmerizing blend of technical wizardry and personal introspection. Take "Eye of Horus," where the pulsing drums convey an urgency that borders on panic; Kurious weaves a complex tapestry of history and insight, but does so while ducking through and under each pocket in the beat. Produced in its entirety by Mono En Stereo, Majician is filled with songs like "Eye of Horus," which dance on the line between confession and confrontation. "Separation Anxiety" is a personal bloodletting in the form of lyrical exercise; "Par For the Course," which features the elusive Mr. Fantastik, makes drum breaks from the early Reagan era sound totally revitalized. Through the radical amount of work Kurious put into the writing and recording of this material, he's removed all ambiguity from the question of whether he can stand as one of the premier MCs of his time.
Cerca:j beats
Das neue Album des Rephlex-Alumnus Bogdan Raczynski ist eine Sammlung warmer, melodischer, elektronischer Skizzen, mit Tracks, die abwechselnd beatlos im Wind dahintreiben oder von Lo-Fi-Drums untermalt werden, manchmal gerade mal zusammengehalten von einer filigranen Konstruktion aus merkwürdigen Synthie-Patches und Ping-Pong-Percussion. Jedes Stück ist kurz und auf den Punkt, eine Platte perfekter Miniaturen. Auch wenn diese Beschreibung utopisch klingen mag, ist das Album um Themen wie spätkapitalistische Brutalität, Hyperkonsumismus, Online-Untergang und algorithmische Apokalypse herum konzipiert. Schönheit angesichts des planetaren Zusammenbruchs und des rund um die Uhr live gestreamten Mordens.
Gerüchten zufolge wurde Raczynski von Aphex Twin entdeckt, als er auf einer Parkbank in Tokio schlief. Er erschien erstmals 1999 auf der Bildfläche, direkt im ersten Jahr mit 3 Alben. Er erkundete u.a. halluzinatorische, basserschütternde IDM, Aussenseiter-Junglism und traditionelle polnische Volksmusik, arbeitete mit Björk zusammen, produzierte den Soundtrack für ein PlayStation-Spiel und remixte Tracks von u.a. Autechre, Jonsi und CLIPPING. 2019 begann das Label Disciples, sich um seinen Katalog aus der Rephlex-Ära zu kümmern, stellte die "Rave 'Till You Cry" Compilation mit unveröffentlichtem Gold aus den Archiven zusammen und veröffentlichte seinen Klassiker "Samurai Math Beats" neu. Sein letztes Studioalbum "ADDLE" erschien 2022 bei Planet Mu.
Coming together as Raz & Afla, Raz Olsher and Afla Sackey converge worlds through their dynamic fusion of electronic and traditional African rhythms, forging a path that is as bold as it is innovative. Rooted in their deep-seated passion for music and cultural exploration, they seamlessly blend their distinct musical backgrounds to create a unique sonic landscape that captivates audiences worldwide.
Raz Olsher is a visionary producer and composer known for his boundary-pushing electronic soundscapes, bringing his expertise in blending diverse musical elements to the duo. His meticulous attention to detail and penchant for experimentation form the foundation upon which Raz & Afla's sound thrives.
Already part of the Wah Wah 45s family with his band Afrik Bawantu, Afla Sackey is an esteemed percussionist and vocalist with roots tracing back to Ghana. He infuses the duo's music with rich traditional African rhythms and melodies. Afla's virtuosity on percussion instruments and his soulful vocals add a visceral, organic dimension to their compositions, creating a mesmerising auditory experience that transcends cultural boundaries.
Together, Raz & Afla defy genre limitations, seamlessly weaving together electronic beats, Afrobeat grooves, and intricate percussive textures. Their music resonates with a deep sense of cultural authenticity and a forward-thinking approach that pushes the boundaries of contemporary music.
Following on from their critically acclaimed full length debut The Cycle, and its subsequent remix project, their sophomore LP, Echoes Of Resistance, finds the duo remaining committed to exploring new sonic territories and creating music that speaks to the universal language of rhythm and melody. Once again, they invite listeners on a journey that celebrates the beauty of cultural exchange and the power of music to inspire and unite.
From more politically conscious cuts like the singles What's Going On? and We Taya, and On Da Phone, which deals with addiction to social media, to dealing with more personal and social issues on songs like ENo Be Me and Ano Be Mumu, Raz & Afla's music is something for the mind, body and spirit, as well as the feet.
There are moments of pure euphoria and unadulterated joy too though, as tracks like Mon Ni Fere, Voodoo Zeezee and Baby Moo inspire elated, tribal dance floor pleasure, and there's still time for a little, good old fashioned loving as Shikor Shikor conjures up the raw emotions of care and affection whilst delivering a hypnotic beat and instantly irresistible vocals from Afla Sackey.
With a growing discography that includes critically acclaimed releases and collaborations with musicians from around the globe, Raz & Afla continue to carve out their place in the international music scene. Their electrifying live performances are celebrated for their energy and the profound connection they forge with audiences, making every show a vibrant celebration of musical diversity and harmony.
Soifass veröffentlichen zum 25jährigen Jubiläum ihr neues Album und nie klangen die Berliner besser aufgestellt zwischen wohldosierter Härte und prägnanten Refrains. Ein absolutes Brett! 1999 in Ost Berlin als Oi-Punk Band gegründet, fand man schnell seinen eigenen unverkennbaren Stil irgendwo zwischen Punk, HC, Oi! und hin und wieder sogar mit Ska Einflüssen (auf Speed). Schnelle und treibende Beats treffen auf ballernde Gitarren, lebendige Melodien und Straßenköter Gesang ohne textlich aber genretypische Klischees zu bedienen. Man teilt aus, man steckt ein, verzichtet auf den gehobenen Zeigefinger genauso wie auf kommerzielle Ambitionen. Während viele Bands ihren Sound an den "Deutschrock"-Trend der letzten Jahre anpassten ist die Band um Shouter Viktor in ihrem Revier geblieben. Und es gibt viel in den 12 neuen Songs zu erzählen und in Soifass-typischer Manier die Dinge beim Namen zu nennen: "Hipster-Stomp" ist die quasi Fortsetzung ihres Anti-Gentifizierungshits "Großstatdtwahnsinn", die Berlin und andere Großstädte für ihre neue Spielwiese infiltrieren. In "Berliner Walzer" gibt's ein schonungsloses Tänzchen über die immer größere werdende Kluft in der Ellbogengesellschaft. Soifass packten die unter den Fingenagel brennenden Themen lyrisch schon immer anders und subtiler an. Statt Parolen und plakativ aus dem Setzkasten, entfalten Songs wie "Verschwörer" eine ganz andere Wirkung, wenn im intimsten Umkreis der eigene Partner die ganze Schwurbelscheisse glaubt, oder in "Exzessiv" mit beißendem Zynismus einem den Spiegel von der angeblich heilen Welt vorhält. Und wenn man schon 25 Jahre lang dieses Berliner Aushängeschild zu einer der besten deutschsprachigen Streetpunkbands gemacht hat, darf man mit "Anglizismen" auch selber zurückblicken. Soifass tun auch dies ohne die übliche Selbstbeweihräucherung. Diese Band ist eine Klasse für sich...Authentisch, Dreckig-Soifass!
Soifass veröffentlichen zum 25jährigen Jubiläum ihr neues Album und nie klangen die Berliner besser aufgestellt zwischen wohldosierter Härte und prägnanten Refrains. Ein absolutes Brett! 1999 in Ost Berlin als Oi-Punk Band gegründet, fand man schnell seinen eigenen unverkennbaren Stil irgendwo zwischen Punk, HC, Oi! und hin und wieder sogar mit Ska Einflüssen (auf Speed). Schnelle und treibende Beats treffen auf ballernde Gitarren, lebendige Melodien und Straßenköter Gesang ohne textlich aber genretypische Klischees zu bedienen. Man teilt aus, man steckt ein, verzichtet auf den gehobenen Zeigefinger genauso wie auf kommerzielle Ambitionen. Während viele Bands ihren Sound an den "Deutschrock"-Trend der letzten Jahre anpassten ist die Band um Shouter Viktor in ihrem Revier geblieben. Und es gibt viel in den 12 neuen Songs zu erzählen und in Soifass-typischer Manier die Dinge beim Namen zu nennen: "Hipster-Stomp" ist die quasi Fortsetzung ihres Anti-Gentifizierungshits "Großstatdtwahnsinn", die Berlin und andere Großstädte für ihre neue Spielwiese infiltrieren. In "Berliner Walzer" gibt's ein schonungsloses Tänzchen über die immer größere werdende Kluft in der Ellbogengesellschaft. Soifass packten die unter den Fingenagel brennenden Themen lyrisch schon immer anders und subtiler an. Statt Parolen und plakativ aus dem Setzkasten, entfalten Songs wie "Verschwörer" eine ganz andere Wirkung, wenn im intimsten Umkreis der eigene Partner die ganze Schwurbelscheisse glaubt, oder in "Exzessiv" mit beißendem Zynismus einem den Spiegel von der angeblich heilen Welt vorhält. Und wenn man schon 25 Jahre lang dieses Berliner Aushängeschild zu einer der besten deutschsprachigen Streetpunkbands gemacht hat, darf man mit "Anglizismen" auch selber zurückblicken. Soifass tun auch dies ohne die übliche Selbstbeweihräucherung. Diese Band ist eine Klasse für sich...Authentisch, Dreckig-Soifass!
mindSET is the ninth album from enigmatic producer SW., directly following this summer’s excursion into his trademark techno, IDM and bleep soundscapes, on the myDEFINITIONS Vol II album. But with his mindSET album SW. takes a left turn, as pioneers often do, and we find ourselves on the lesser traveled side roads of electronic music history. Or in SW.’s own words: “the more abstract leftfield elements.”
It’s in these less-defined areas that SW. finds his sweet spot, building dancefloor soundtracks that defied definition. And with mindSET the sounds and the machines might have changed, the methodology remains the same.
“It draws from what was more generally seen in leftfield as a term for the slightly off-kilter house and broken beats that didn’t fit neatly into classic genres, whether that was Chicago house, French garage, drum and bass, or broken beat. It’s more about those in-between sounds that never really took off, only appearing briefly in the early to mid-90s and then quickly disappearing. There was a certain magic in that moment, which I wanted to capture. Also, the entire album was produced using classic analog equipment, with old machines that were used during that era. That’s the approach I’ve taken.”
The eight tracks on mindSET are shaped out of de-tuned techno pop synths and heavy, syncopated drums, grooving along chopped-up polymeters to create an eerie mood, as if orbiting an undiscovered planet for the first time. The harmonic movements are often bent out of shape, sometimes veering towards Gherkin Jerks or Cristian Vogel territory. But in the end, the sounds are less important than the atmosphere, and the tracks represent an attitude or an approach - to creating the music as well as experiencing it. mindSET is a nod to those dancers sharing an oddball moment, and for those of us on the same wavelength, it's a vibe we can all get inside.
Emerging Greek artist ANNE is back with her latest EP, Chicago 1980, a four-track techno record to be released on CROWD, the forward-thinking Berlin-based label by FJAAK. Known for her deeply-rooted influences from Detroit and 90s-00s techno, ANNE delivers a masterclass in driving, hypnotic beats and emotional depth with this new release. The Chicago 1980 EP features the title track, a pulsating homage to the raw energy of the Chicago scene, blending crisp percussion with hypnotic grooves and dreamy chords, reminiscent of Robert Hood's classics. 'Propeller' keeps the intensity, pushing boundaries with its high-energy rhythms, industrial sounds and relentless bassline. 'Storyteller' pulls listeners into deeper territory, combining intricate layers of sound with a mesmerizing build and dystopian dissonant glimpses. 'Red Bones' rounds up the EP, delivering a dark, atmospheric finish, showcasing ANNE's talent for balancing groovy rhythms with a heavy, dancefloor-ready sound. To celebrate the fifth release of the label, ANNE will be performing together with label heads FJAAK at Rotterdam's Perron on October 4th, bringing her signature energy to the dancefloor in what promises to be a night to remember. Don't miss out on this electrifying release from ANNE on CROWD!
Under 1 House is the blazing new mixtape from Blue Hawaii - a six track tour-de-force showcasing the duo's trademark blend of liquid beats, dance-floor euphoria, and soaring diva-vocals.Under 1 House was written during Blue Hawaii's 2019 North American and European tours, and recorded at a wood cabin in rural Québec. Finding each other trapped on different sides of the Atlantic, the record was then finished over long-distance between Montreal and Berlin due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. This music is dedicated to the spirit of togetherness. Unity achieved through confidence, in the seductive redemption of one's own sexuality, finding power in feelin' one's self. Under 1 House honours the magnetism of impulse and first takes. This flow can be found in the brooding, early Warp Records reminiscent "Where are the Keys???", the sub-heavy, lustful organ groove of "Feelin'", the lo-fi high energy "I Felt Love" or the chanting of "I'm my own damn woman" during the screeched ending of "Not my Boss!". Blue Hawaii have been around for a decade, having released 3 full length albums and two EPs to date. Consisting of Ra and Ag, the duo met throwing parties and shows in Montreal and continue to create together despite living in separate cities - split between Montreal and Berlin.
A steady and sure buzz has been building around Steve Young’s ‘Scarper’ project over the past few years, particularly since his acclaimed 2017 debut album ‘Warmer Squares’ and subsequent dancefloor favourite ‘E-Funk', which won over fans from Skream to Carl Craig with its genre-crossing appeal.
Marking a noticeable shift in direction and a new sense of focus, Scarper returns with four tracks of varying styles and influences. Drawing from dub, techno, breakbeat and rave, he mainly shoots for the floor (with a clear emphasis on bass weight), although as always, there is ample headphone fodder.
Opening with ambient intro 'Wavecrush,' Scarper moves through dub- infused downtempo with the Weatherall-esque chugger 'Metadub,' swiftly picks up the energy with the chunky beats and deep bass of
‘Metadome,’ and concludes with high-octane face melter 'Slab,' which throws tech-breaks, dark garage and jungle/hardcore vibes into the pot.
More quality from Scarper.
2021. Italoconnection, the partnership of Fred Ventura and Paolo Gozetti, released Midnight Confessions Vol 1. Three years on, the awaited second volume has arrived. All of the analogue emotion that characterised the first collection is present from the outset, warm throbs of bass coupled with clean melodies in “The Wait”. Smoky lyrics permeate the nine track album, the unmistakable timbre of Ventura’s voice recanting tales of optimistic encounters and lost love. As with the 2021 release, collaborations with fellow italo romantics are peppered throughout. Francesca Gastaldi returns to work with Italoconnection once again. Having featured on their Humanize EP, Gastaldi’s vibrant voice shines through the smouldering synthlines and robust beats of “Live Forever”. Jaia Sowden takes centre stage for “Just Like Water”. A story of discontent and disconnect is sang over bittersweet keys as eastern undercurrents flow. Contemporary commentary is intertwined with undulating melodies and distant lyrics in “Cold War Lovers”, a cold wave edge cutting through the sounds and words of “Systematic” .The dancefloor surfaces throughout the record. Bodies are pulled tight by the bold and bright bars of “Why” before drifting apart in the lovelorn lamentations of “Lover 2 Lover”. “Europa” pays homage to the machine music of the continent as a litany of influences are drawn upon . The title piece closes. A fragile drum pattern is bolstered by cascading chords, piano notes sailing alongside words by Gastaldi and Ventura. Welcome confessions from musicians who live and breath the synthesizer traditions of Italy.
Visionary art-pop duo Faux Real (a.k.a. Los Angeles-based Franco-American brothers Virgile and Elliott Arndt) release their debut album "Faux Ever" on City Slang.
Faux Real’s long-awaited debut album "Faux Ever" is a self-described “11-piece symphony for head-banging and longing,” the album sees the fraternal duo continuing to play on the outskirts of language and sound, exploring themes of heartbreak, labor, and the home with harmonies and humor, playful beats, and en franglais. Recorded between Paris, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Provence, "Faux Ever" thrusts Faux Real’s sultry, surreal, and unclassifiable sound towards a glossier pop horizon, an existential sonic pastiche with a glistening digital sheen. "Faux Ever" also includes such certified bangers as the bold, glitchy, and infectious “Rent Free” and the acclaimed “Faux Maux,” both available everywhere already alongside self-directed official music videos streaming now on YouTube. Known far and wide for their DIY, Iggy Pop-meets-Eurodance live performances, Faux Real are building anticipation for "Faux Ever" with international shows in the UK/EU and US.
Format: 140g Crystal Clear Vinyl
About Faux Real:
Elliott and Virgile Arndt founded Faux Real in 2018, blending post-punk, glam rock, and a taste for pop grandeur, fashioning a truly inimitable musical experience. From their increasingly accomplished studio output to mesmerizing, unprecedented live performances, Faux Real invite the audience to join them an enthralling post-realist expedition through contemporary pop culture with razor-edged satire, inspired boy band choreography, and a charged sensuality that has fast earned them a fervent fan following that includes among their number such iconic stars as Duran Duran, Beck, Paramore, Metronomy, and Wet Leg. Now, with the imminent arrival of Faux Ever, Faux Real continue to gleefully ignore boundaries and barriers, assuring the journey is as exhilarating as the ultimate destination.
Erste offizielle Veröffentlichung auf Vinyl! Kim Wildes sechstes und letztes Studioalbum für MCA Records erscheint endlich auf Vinyl in Form dieses liebevollen 2LP-Sets auf weißem 140Gr. Vinyl. 'Now & Forever' wurde 1995 ursprünglich nur auf CD und Kassette veröffentlicht. Kim und ihr Bruder und Producer Ricki entfernten sich dabei vom Pop-orientierten Sound früherer Alben und gingen einem zeitgenössischeren elektronischen Soul-Vibe entgegen. Eine Zusammenarbeit mit dem in London ansässigen DJ-Produzenten und Remixer C.J. Mackintosh (M/A/R/R/S, Nasty RoxInc.) bei vier der Tracks half dabei, ein Album zu schaffen, das Einflüsse aus Gospel House, Dance und Loop-Beats enthielt. Zu den weiteren Autoren und Mitwirkenden gehörten Pam Sheyne, die später 'Genie In A Bottle' für Christina Aguilera mitschrieb, und Tony Swain, der als eine Hälfte von Swain & Jolley R&B-beeinflusste Klassiker für Imagination produzierte. Über diesem fesselnden neuen Klangbett lieferten die Wildes eine Reihe sofort eingängiger Melodien, nicht zuletzt auf den beiden Singles 'Breakin' Away', und 'This I Swear'.
Never say never! Because it's time for TURMOIL - a surprising landmark album comeback for RICO PUESTEL defining a musical and personal turning point with a completely new and re-invented artistry. About time!
4U opens the Pandora's Box of TURMOIL with inimitable meditative beauty, descending into the metaphorical and tonal SLICES OF LIFE that unleashes a complex chain of energy while WHERETO even overcomes this high voltage setup with a deadly infective loop and the only reminiscences of something to call Techno on this album in its fading conclusion.
Before HEART OF GOLD defines the probably most immersive peak on TURMOIL with its vast soundscape and mantra-like piano shuffle, QUESTIONS floats in Dubstep'ish ways to actually raise two questions to the listener while this train keeps on going.
FIVE SIGNS speeds up the pace on the album's second half, culminating in the mesmerizingly driven groove and words of HIGH HOPE and the powerful Upbeat drenched into ambient soundscapes on NEWTON.
Nearing the end of TURMOIL, DUMB delivers the longest vocal verses on this album and proceeds with the most pervasive and powerful layers of beats, violins and synth stabs.
Closing and re-starting all of it, EVERENDING grooves into infinity with its yoga-like theme and spreads some true love.
Without a doubt, TURMOIL happens to be the most accomplished work by RICO PUESTEL melting so many of his artistic worlds into one unique piece of art!
Obijuan & YUNGMORPHEUS join forces on SLANG CASINO. Smoked out raw hip hop that sees Obijuan's unique flow tread across a range of soul & funk laced beats produced by YUNGMORPHEUS. But since both artists are of Bahamian and Jamaican descent respectively, they wanted to bring it back to their Island roots and blend some reggae with the grittier hip hop sound they're known for. Slang talk, bravado and esoteric maundering run throughout the record, with guest features from Rahiem Supreme, Bisk, and looms.
Courtesy Of Balance is the tasteful house label run by Brawther and it was back in 2019 in Lviv during an underground warehouse party that he first made contact with Laconica label founders Ocean and Sasha Pervukhin. They all hit it off and so were invited to showcase the deeper side of the house sounds of Western Ukraine, and the results make up this new EP with the artists taking one side each. Ocean T's opener is a psychedelic, trance-infused cosmic trip while 'What If' rides on crisp beats with some lush dubbed-out synths. On the flip, Pervukhin's 'I Hate This DJ' is balmy, heady deep house from up amongst the stars and 'TR 18 Blues' is a nice kinetic, lithe minimal house cut.
Not much to say on this one, Mattias Ostling aka Rolando Simmons is back on AF. You should know what you're in for: undeniably beautiful acid stuff, somewhere between propulsive and melancholy, lush but fidgety 4/4 beats...'Terrestrial Ultra-Doula EP' is a 4-track adventure that deftly dabbles in rave, IDM, techno and beyond in classic RS style. In his own words "Every completed project is the failure of an original idea and the triumph of a successful adaptation. These tracks were inspired by a dream and my subsequent reflections on it. Playing music for others is an act of alchemy that can alter thought patterns and life paths to varying degrees. It is a formidable power to wield." Ostling is one of those artists who works in a specific continuum but adds his own touch here and there--and when it comes to reverb-drenched, acid-lashed, wound-up IDM pitter-patter, not many can do it as well, or as elegantly, as this. Word, you're gonna need this one.
Starting us off is Panda Bear, who adds his trademark falsetto vocals and shuffling percussion, sweetening Eric’s black coffee beats. DFA’s own sonic collagist Larry Gus blends Eric’s mumbled vocals with bright percussion and a vocoded male choir, among many other audio dalliances.
Meanwhile, Hyperdub’s Fhloston Paradigm (AKA King Britt) takes aim with his laser cannons, firing volleys at unrelenting waves of marching alien armies, before being swallowed up in a solar flare. Finally, Anthony Naples (Text Records, Trilogy Tapes) brings it back to the club with snaps, claps, and hi-hats, but it sounds like you left ‘em out in the rear window of your car on a sunny day. You know what we mean.
"A Seamless Symphony of Harmonious Electronica" - Jazziz
Emerging from over a year of creative hibernation following their debut album, Stavroz's upcoming EP "Kick Up the Dust" jolts them back into action. The EP flows gently, yet the overall mood of the journey isn’t always easy to pinpoint. There’s a certain vagueness to Stavroz’ sound which allows for bizarre experiments to seep through without interrupting the course. “We like to keep it lightly twisted, like a wink with a frown,” says the band.
In the title track however, Stavroz boldly steers towards the heart of the dance floor: efficient, remorseless, powerful, intense and most of all... elegant. Guiding you harmoniously through the club is a delightful duet of trumpet and saxophone, timed perfectly to heal you where it hurts most.
"Her Eyes Were Red" does what it says on the cover. There's melancholy - without sadness. Power - without force. Love - without lust. Stavroz's music possesses a distinct power that feels both natural and organic, never resorting to brute force or aggression. In their own way, the Belgian quartet offers an astonishing journey of saxophone & duduk, supported by broken beats and chopped vocals.
In Dae-El, a track featuring the Brussels-based producer and sound designer Poltrock, ethereal-sounding synths and duduk are combined with ghostly high-pitch distortions. Despite a backbone of muffled beats, the tune has vaporous qualities, reverberations that wobble and tinkle into space – it’s an easy listening experience but in a trippy, spaced-out way. “We’re trying to go for the sweet spot between the couch and the club”.
Adding further depth to their EP, Stavroz collaborates with Brazilian singer and composer Castello Branco in "Valente." Here, intimate Sade-like vocals harmonize with rubbery scratches, acoustic guitar, and horn segments, crafting a lush lounge piece that seamlessly balances both relaxation and empowerment, transparency and provocation. It's a testament to Stavroz's versatility and their knack for creating music that defies easy definition, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next twist and turn in their captivating musical journey.




















