quête:j deep

The NOW Yearbook series continues with the ultimate soundtrack to one of pop’s most dynamic years: 1998 - out February 14th! This collection brings together the biggest and most iconic tracks from the year, presented across three stunning coloured vinyl discs, pressed in neon violet with 43 tracks from the era and two CD editions available as a standard 4-CD set, and as a special edition 4-CD set in ‘hardback book’ packaging, which includes a 28-page booklet packed with notes about all of the 80 featured tracks that capture the unforgettable sounds from the year. Whether you’re reliving the hits or discovering them for the first time, this collection brings you the best from the singles charts of 1998.. Whether you're revisiting these unforgettable hits or discovering them anew, NOW - Yearbook 1998 brings you the best from the singles charts of 1998!

RHZ005 Duc In Altum:
Midnight Sun
Release Notes

The Brazilian-Serbian duo Duc In Altum returns to Rhizome following their 2020 digital mini-album As Above So Below. Our fifth vinyl EP on the label, Midnight Sun, finds Duc In Altum experimenting with dance floor acid rhythms and breakbeat-house grooves. The relentless remixes come from two other music friends, the Romanian icons Priku and Sepp.

“Midnight Sun” demonstrates the duo's acidy reflexes. Clever chords both center and accent the melody. The 303 line expands into the seething bass beneath as the track progresses into a deep dance floor burner.

Priku remixes “Midnight Sun” with his signature groovy, breezy style. Light chords drift above transformed 303, now a monster tech house bassline. The sun beckons.

The second side begins with “Yanomamis” and a journey through the inner worlds of Duc In Altum. The track begins with winding pads, effects, and an initial silvery breakbeat. The center of the track shifts perspectives to unveil a dreamy house groove before the breakbeat returns to call us back.

A remix of “Yanomamis”by Sepp closes out the record as the dance floor psychic yet again crafts the perfect rolling groove. It's a fitting Sunwaves-savvy party track and only gets better each time that glorious groove breaks the tension.

Tracklisting
A1: “Midnight Sun”
A2: “Midnight Sun (Priku Remix)”
B1: “Yanomamis”
B2: “Yanomamis (Sepp Remix)”

written and produced by Eric Frizzo Jonsson and Arjana Vrhovac Jonsson in São Paulo, Brazil;

remixes by Priku and Sepp

mastering by Ednner Soares

LA-based band ASHRR picked up plenty of new fans with their recent Sunshine Low album and now they're back with the sixth single from it and it comes with some seriously heavyweight names on the remix. Chicago house pioneer Ron Trent does his thing to 'Please Don't Stop The Rain' by going super deep, spine tingling and heady with some lush arps and distant guitar twangs adding a Balearic feel. Dub treatments come from the Prescription boss himself, while ASHRR's alter ego, ASHRR Soundsystem, offer up an instrumental and a remix that lay down dubby house drums and lush chord work. This one keeps the summer vibes going well into winter.

Having shared stages with artists like Efterklang and Ólafur Arnalds, Samson has long felt like an outsider, caught between being “too experimental” for some and “too indie” for others. His struggle to fit into a defined space has deeply influenced his music. After the pandemic derailed a major indie record deal, Samson grew disillusioned with the industry, reflecting on how his search for belonging had often been met with barriers.

His new album “Songs of Beginning & Belonging” are reflections on these experiences. Moving away from the themes of home and displacement that coloured his earlier works, the new album reflects a sense of inner peace and renewal. It is a delicate, meditative collection that underscores Samson’s growth as an artist and a person, driven by a desire to move past old wounds and start anew.

“Songs of Beginning & Belonging” is an album that feels at once delicately sparse, at times even symphonic, but is tied together by a repeated and palpable feeling of quiet liberation - a determination for things to move forward rather than reflecting back on what’s come before.

Recorded between November 2022 and May 2024 in Will’s former studio, a secluded spot on the River Tejo in Almada, which he shared with Casper Clausen of Efterklang), the album was made specifically for Dauw, who had asked Will to create a piece of music for them. The album was, as always, largely recorded using his 1970's 'Uher 4200' tape machine, plus a small collection of other tape machines that wind their way in and out of the recordings and shape in it in a beautifully singular way.

Throughout the 1980s, Michael Antener, born and raised in Bern, Switzerland, initiated an array of sonic endeavours in the realm of industrial, dark, aggressive music. Of his times as a post-apocalyptic hunter, he says today: I found a musical niche where I could express myself, along with other people who were not afraid of dark themes. It would have been hard to sing about love in my music, so I included sounds and cries of pain taken from horror movies.

It was a fortunate coincidence to come across one of his self released records, the 1986 EP Strangler of the Swamp, which marked the beginning of our quest to find this all but forgotten musician whose work seemed nowhere to be found. Eventually, we got in touch with Michael, who is still living in Bern, and began the process of searching through all his surviving musical and visual material.

The triple vinyl release is all about documenting Michael Anteners adventures during that intense 1980s period. We tried our best to select the most interesting material from his two earliest projects, The Strangler of the Swamp and Bande Berne Crematoire, comprising materials from vinyl records, cassettes, and live recordings, some of it unreleased. The release also includes a deep dive into Michaels visual archive of posters, photos, and sleeve artworks.

The disjointed, tumultuous body of work presented here marks the testament of a fringe musician who was disruptive and confrontational, keen to shock and alarm people (much to our liking), and who could easily have been lost in oblivion.

Gzardin returns to R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings for their second EP on the label, diving deeper into their unique take on sound design and dance music.

This new one from our favourite US ambient outlet takes the form of a selection of long-form compositions from artists who are close to the label. As such it's a perfect reflection of its signature sound - deeply immersive soundscapes, slowly shifting synths and meditative moods made with a mix of hardware tools, guitars, pedals and even baritone vocals. It's named after a Norwegian term for warmth and intimacy, which certainly plays out from the evolving loops of 'A Whisper' to the textured melancholy of 'Canaan' and the reverberant drift of 'Coronation Ring'.

Dajusch unleashes the 'Ambition EP', a raw and uncompromising statement of techno tradition. Berlin-based producer, DJ and sound engineer Dajusch returns with his latest four-track EP, a high-powered offering that channels the essence of Detroit and Chicago techno while pushing the boundaries of contemporary club sound. Known for his deep connection to electronic music's pioneering roots and his work behind the scenes as a mastering engineer, Dajusch brings an intense and refined energy to this release. The EP opens with the single 'No Mas', a relentless percussive workout where hypnotic synths intertwine with driving drum patterns, setting the stage for an unyielding ride. The title track 'Ambition' follows suit with a high-octane groove, combining raw machine-funk aesthetics with a pulsating bassline and intricate, evolving textures that command the dance floor. On the flip side, 'Split' takes a darker and more cerebral turn, layering industrial-tinged sonics over a tight, rolling beat, blurring the line between peak-time energy and introspective depth. Closing out the EP is '36g', a heady, propulsive cut that builds into a whirlwind of syncopated rhythms and distorted stabs, rounding off the record with a powerful, no-holds-barred climax. With Ambition, the Spandau20 artist Dajusch reinforces his position as a purist and innovator, delivering a release that feels both timeless and forward-thinking. Whether experienced in the heart of a sweaty warehouse or through the pulse of a late-night drive, this EP stands as a testament to the raw, unfiltered power of techno.

Although he had already released his music on other labels, this time label owner Suburbial makes his long-awaited debut on vinyl under his own imprint for its fourth release. Featuring four distinct tracks, the EP firmly establishes the direction and identity of the DeepnosiS concept.

Josh Johnson’s Unusual Object is a world of sound. His fantastically processed saxophone & subtle samples & grooves give this work a sort of cyberpunk ambient jazz feel that crosses into realms akin to classic Warp Records and Jon Hassell. These qualities serve to bring the listener closer to Johnson, to his breath, his sense of song. In 2023, Johnson was grammy-nominated for producing Meshell Ndegeocello’s The Omnichord Real Book (Blue Note).

"Unusual Object" by Josh Johnson includes the following tracks: "Telling You", "Deep Dark", "Reddish", "Local City of Industry" and more.

DJ Resurgence on this release has put the funk back in electro continuing to push the boundaries.

This EP contains 4 tracks inspired by the dance music boom in Europe from the late 80s to early 90s. Luis composed all the tracks using a Novation BassStation, an Akai MPC 2000XL for the drums and sampling, and a Korg M1 for the pads and melodies, using the occasional VST where appropriate.

A1 “Miedo aqui estoy” (Fear, here I am) combines a fast bassline with a hypnotic melody, New Wave influences and shades of electro unite to create an immersive atmosphere. The message ‘no to fear’ being transmitted through optimistic and euphoric pads.

A2 “Neminem Laedere”, inspired by New Wave sounds and rhythm, this track uses bright synths to create audio textures that invite introspection. The hypnotic melodies repeat throughout, enforcing the title's message ‘do no harm’.

B1 “Noches y Amaneceres” Taking the heavy and dark rhythms of new beat and entwining the contagious melodies of Italo provided by bright synths, this fusion gives the track a unique bouncy atmosphere.

B2 “Violines en el barrio”, A track that revolves around a focus on sampling. The breakbeat influence accompanying synths with an 80s flavour and pads providing a deeper texture.

In this electrifying 2024, Flexi is still spinning, louder and prouder, as it marks 40 years of igniting dancefloors and fueling underground happiness. From its humble beginnings as a haven for vinyl enthusiasts to a cultural stronghold amidst the turbulent waves of the music industry, Flexi has become a name synonymous with passion, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of quality sound. To honor this milestone, Flexi’s indie label, Flexi Cuts, is dropping a second, limited-edition compilation. Aptly named "Musica Solida," this collection is spread across three or possibly four lush 12-inch samplers, each showcasing a handpicked selection of tracks from Flexi's cherished circle of artists and producers. This release is more than just a celebration; it’s a declaration—a call to arms to keep the spirit of the scene alive and thriving in Italy and beyond, against all odds.

"Musica Solida #2" doesn't just hold tracks—it’s got stories, moments, and grooves that demand movement. Each cut is a slice of that raw, unpolished energy that Flexi has championed for four decades.

Featured Artists on Musica Solida #2

Minimono: The powerhouse duo of Fabio Della Torre (founder of Bosconi Records) and Ennio Colaci take us on a hypnotic journey with their floor-filling "Before Morning." It’s the kind of track that keeps the dancefloor alive until the break of dawn.

DJ Rou: Going minimal yet impactful, DJ Rou delivers "Elastic Body," a dancefloor-ready cut that blends a stripped-back groove with robotic vocals—a futuristic twist that keeps things unpredictable.

Relative: Flexi’s proud owner kicks things off with an electro track that was conceived, birthed, and brought to life in a single whirlwind afternoon—an anthem for those who live for the moment.

Delphi: One half of the renowned Tiger & Woods, Delphi isn’t afraid to dive deep with a heavy-hitting house track, loaded with acid stabs and thick, pulsating basslines. A track that’s both a nod to the past and a push towards the future.

The record will be released in about 200 vinyl copies no more.

Packaged in the classic discobag 2- holes, with a distinctive letterpress print in a beautiful red cover.

Cali Lanauze makes label debut on Crosstown Rebels with his ‘Borderline’ EP.

The three-tracker, landing on 14th February 2025, features a first-time collaboration with Cari Golden alongside two solo cuts.

Hailing from the vibrant shores of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cali Lanauze has spent over a decade carving out his space in the global electronic scene. A trailblazer since his teens, Cali’s rich, eclectic grooves reflect both his Caribbean roots and his deep connection to underground music. Now, with his debut on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels, he follows an impressive outing via sister label Rebellion with his ‘Borderline’ EP, cementing his position as one of his nation’s finest electronic exports.

The title track sees Cali team up with LA-based singer/songwriter Cari Golden, whose credits include collaborations with Groove Armada, Camelphat, Anja Schneider, Audiofly, and more. Having debuted on Crosstown Rebels with Fur Coat on ‘You and I’, Cari’s second appearance sees her soulful, evocative vocals intertwine effortlessly with Cali’s melancholic yet uplifting production. On the flip, Cali showcases his solo prowess. ‘Temple of Confessions’ takes listeners on a hypnotic journey with trippy grooves inspired by the otherworldly energy of Hï Ibiza’s Club Room, while ‘Talk To My People’ delivers a heady mix capturing the essence of his dynamic artistry.

Cali’s journey from a young producer in Puerto Rico has welcomed releases on labels like Flying Circus, Visionquest, and My Favorite Robot, garnering support from legends such as Carl Cox, Radio Slave, and DJ Sneak. Curating groundbreaking events in Puerto Rico, gracing iconic venues like Hï Ibiza and Brooklyn Mirage, and heading up his own label, Opulenc, Launauze has created a platform for his innovations and genre-spanning productions.

We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever vinyl release of "Panko Day" by Sébastien Léger and Roy Rosenfeld, a track that has been a favorite among fans and selectors alike. The duo's signature blend of deep, melodic grooves, intricate percussion, and hypnotic energy has made this track a standout on the dancefloor, and now it’s ready to take its place in your vinyl collection.

In addition to "Panko Day," this release features an exclusive vinyl-only track, "Milka," another stunning collaboration between Sébastien Léger and Roy Rosenfeld. The track delivers the same mesmerizing vibes and intricate textures, making it a perfect companion to the lead release.

Don’t miss out on adding these exceptional tracks to your collection. Be sure to grab your copy before it’s gone!

Semi Delicious kick start 2025 with a very special EP from Amsterdam based producer D Stone. Following a slew of releases on labels like 803 Crystal Grooves and Cecille he delivers a killer 4-tracker that epitomises his deep, percussive house productions. Teeming with superb sampling, rolling drum grooves and basslines that’ll keep the dance flowing!

Reflex Blue, Kosh, Christopher Ledger, and Luca Attanasio come together for the fourth chapter of our Retro Future series. Expect top-notch music from some of the scene's best forward-thinking yet deeply rooted producers in the game.

This first Adam Beyer x Eli Brown collaborative release has been feverishly anticipated by fans keeping tabs on their growing friendship and further excited by the pair’s first official B2B at Lisbon’s Brunch Electronik in September. Now ‘Overdose of Bass’ EP is here, a power-packed techno two-tracker enriched by diverse elements, on Beyer’s Drumcode.

It also marks Eli Brown’s welcome return to the label after his massive collaboration this January ‘When I Push’ with Layton Giordani and OFFAIAH following Brown’s 2022 EP ‘Deep Down’. The EP ‘Overdose of Bass’ combines recent developments and past influences of both techno giants.

‘Overdose of Bass’: the title track has rattling snares and a breaksy beat ushering in a spoken vocal layering different levels of processing, for a half sensual, half robotic riff – ‘there it goes/ overdose/of bass’ – with the doppler siren builds, giving a spacey, mysterious call and response. Hypnotic, disturbing, and edgy.

‘Living In The Moment’: an urgent techno beat, a Moroder-esque bass synth, and a recurrent riff like a signal becoming ever more high and desperate, are counterpointed by an ethereal, quavering, sweet female vocal, strengthened by the melodic build in the huge central breakdown. Urgent, demanding, hyper, this is dancefloor heaven.