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Platform 23 returns with the reissue of songs from Canadian project, Vini Vidi Vici. With just one privately pressed mini-album in 1989 that bridged the gap between the later years of New Wave and the early vestiges of House, the music included in this edited EP highlights a thriving Montreal scene in its heyday.

Vini Vidi Vici was created out of two different music backgrounds. Paul Klopstock was a classical pianist, while Mario Langlois was a DJ, self-taught musician and radio producer, who came together when both worked at the underground arts / club Le Lezard. Starting in 1986 the space mixed painting, drag shows and bands alongside the latest alternative sounds, from Rap to New Beat, Electro to Acid Jazz.

As House and Techno started to filter through, Mario (aka Ave Mario) and the other resident DJs laid the ground of what was to come. From this Paul and Mario collaborated from late 1987 through in to 1988 and created the mini-album, however this EP concentrates on the duo's self penned work.

Recorded at Oliver Sudden Production studio, the A side is made up the raw House of 'Club Stuff" and Native American meets avant percussion of 'Vini Vidi Vici'. Showing a confidence and experimentation beyond their years, the two tracks production and all round hypnotic danceability, highlight why original copies are so prized (and expensive).

The B side follows with two tracks recorded in Mario's home closet studio. Lo-fi to the max and improvised, the no wave / world beat experience of title cut, 'Ou Sommes Nous' and the proto-electro-wave of 'AA HHH' are like something again, a mesmerising fusion and quite unique.

Self pressed, the project ventured to live performance and (sadly unreleased) remix work, before the partners went their separate ways, however this archival document can be seen as their own special conquest.

Cambridge-based beat-scientist Filter Dread presents the third release on the Tech Startup catalog, TS000003. Inspired by laboratories across the street from his studio, the four tracks take motifs from the genres of jungle, hardcore, and grime, and teleport them to alien dimensions.

The record kicks off with Rainforest, a track which mutates grime hammer kicks and classic jungle drum-rolls. The following track, Blizzard, flows like metallic ooze with its cold, cybernetic percussion and liquified pads. Tripping Up dishes a devastating jungle-tekno sequence with crushing snares and a sinister bassline. RX-4 Real brings the release to a close, bubbling and percolating with its reverb-soaked stabs and glitched out beats.

Powering out across the open highways, House Of Disco, stick it in 5th gear for their 23rd outing that see’s the return of the mighty Fouk. Four funked up, disco house jams that are drenched in undeniable grooves, ‘80s synth gold and tight percussive touches.

The A side houses ‘Release The Kraken’ with it's pitch bent synthwork, juicy basslines and emphatic vocal touches from Thumpasaurus. Next up the signature Fouk sound is bottled up on ‘Night Shift’, marrying sweltering synths with hazy Rhodes, beefy bass and infectious drums.

Flip it over to find the walking bass badness and acid infused melodies of ‘Gloriole’, with ‘Arrakis’, a strutting summertime guitar-led jam full of choice chants, ‘80s fuzzy keys and bongo loops, taking the closing spot - the perfect way to round off this huge House Of Disco release.

Emerging from the flourishing house scene in Århus, Forte is one of the most exciting producers to make his debut in Denmark in the past years. Having produced and released music under various monikers, Forte debuted in 2017 as Forte with the excellent mini album Techne on 12recs and the standout EP ”Away” on ØEN Records. Intermissions is Forte’s first full length album. Composed and recorded in Århus during 2018 Intermissions consists of six tracks and five interludes and is a study of, and tribute to, intermissions.

Across the albums eleven cuts, Forte effortlessly traverse between ethereal dreamy vibes, intricate electronica and bustling rhythmic explorations. Stretching far beyond the traditional house music boundaries, Forte’s layered and intricate compositions constantly balances melancholic and elevating atmospheres. Perfectly suited whether you are lounging in the living room, standing on a train platform or at discerning and esoteric dance floors. Out on vinyl and digital June 22.

The NMB Allstars have been part of the SKAM family for nearly twenty years. Initially as DJs then as producers, they beguiled us with their dub-informed rhythms and caustic beats. When they first put their Bug EP together at the back end of 2001, we discussed what might come next – a plan for five 12” EPs before an album, not realising it would take fifteen eighteen years to get to number five... but, here it is, the 5th of 5, NMB005 the GazOhmEater EP.
The pattern of releases has played with titles and logos of UK nationalised industries – Bolton8 (002) referenced Altern-8 and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, NWH20 (003) North West Water. and Mancweb (004) drew on Manweb, a local electricity provider. For this final EP Acid and Gas are the go-to aesthetic narcotics. Along the way the 12” series had guest appearances from Meam, Made and Pendle Coven, part of the NMB extended crew.
These days neither of the two founder members locate themselves in urban situations, preferring to retreat to the hills spending hours on the moors of the Pennines. Even these landscapes are punctuated by infrastructure,
be it pylons, reservoirs or tunnels, and the resonant hums, filtered through peat bog and horizontal rain can be sensed in these new tracks put together slowly over the last seven years. NMB stated from the beginning that their “output was not controlled by time” - how right they were.... They have said the album should be ready in 2028.

Midnight Sun drew his imagination from trips to Iceland and elsewhere, from experiences. Everything has grown, some dates in New York for the CMJ Festival, Berlin, Barcelona or Warsaw, the Pitchfork Festival, Radio Nova, vinyl, meetings.

"Early Morning" extends this first EP and dreams of traveling at the end of the world.

The group is apart, it wanders while preserving its identity - the spirit of Cracki hovers over the project.
First discovery of the label in 2012, the duo barely existed, it is a quator today who just returned from a world tour (more than 100 dates).

The dream sticks to their skin, in fact. Just as when trying to catch one, it flies away, their music is elusive. The first disc spoke of a sun at midnight, the second is dawn.

The chosen horizon is not defined, the four artists are still searching for each other and continue their path with candor.

Cult status for those new york disco cuts pioneered by legendary djs such as Larry Levan, Franckie Knuckles, Junior Vasquez, David Morales.

Pailhead was a collaboration of vocalist Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi), Ministry’s Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker, and drummer Eric Spicer (Naked Raygun).

In 1986, MacKaye was just a few years away from his genre-defining work in Minor Threat and on the cusp of starting an even more influential band, Fugazi. Al Jourgensen was also undergoing a transition with his band Ministry after the release of “Twitch”. He wasn’t the guy who would release the game-changing “The Land Of Rape And Honey” a couple of years later, but he was well on his way.

Alain met Ian when he was living in London. Both found common ground musically and politically and decided to collaborate on a project that would fuse elements of industrial music with hardcore punk. The result was a bunch of unique and unrepeatable hymns.

Pailhead released one first single “I Will Refuse” / “No Bunny” in 1987 and next year the 4-song EP “Trait”, both on the legendary Wax Trax! Records.

Limited edition of 500 copies on grey vinyl with deluxe sleeve with soft touch lamination and sticker with classic band logo.

Infuse welcomes back Croatian talent Mariano Mateljan to the imprint to close out June, backed by a remix from FUSE resident Seb Zito.

Founder of the vinyl only imprint u.dig, releasing material to date from himself and the likes of Alexis Cabrera and Ben Balance & Fabe aka Ho Do Ri, and with recent releases on Moss Co. and Vekton, Croatian DJ and producer Mariano Mateljan has grown to become one of the scenes most promising rising talents, reflected with key bookings from fabric (London) to Club der Visionaere (Berlin) and beyond. Having released on Infuse back in 2013 with his track ‘Pigeon Boxer’ featuring on the label’s third ever V/A release, plus appearances for both FUSE and Infuse at events in London, here we see an impressive return from Mateljan as he delivers his first EP on the label entitled ‘Tabebula’, whilst FUSE resident and Infuse A&R Seb Zito turns in a classy remix of the title track.

Title cut ‘Tabebula’ opens the EP as slick percussion shots go to work amongst a deep, snaking bass groove, whilst second original ‘Rose Amongst Thorns’ opens the B-side in equally as impressive fashion, opting for a more paired back effort that combines floating airy chords, slinking drums and refined melodies. Last up, Seb Zito’s interpretation of the lead track sees the London favourite opt for a driving acid-tinged bassline, crisp claps and skipping hats throughout to round out proceedings.

JK Flesh is the electronics-only project of Justin K. Broadrick
(Godflesh, Techno Animal, Zonal, The Blood of Heroes). He is a
absolute master of high quality, prolific electronic composition, and has
released JK Flesh on Downwards Records, Hydra Head, and Hospital
Productions. Submerged is the leader and founder of Ohm Resistance.
DJing internationally for 20 years, he has pioneered the sounds of hard
drum & bass and played in the furthest reaches of the globe.
Blacktacular is one of Portland’s most prominent MCs and promoters of
electronic music, dropping articulate, inspiring rhymes over every
Pacific Northwest drum & bass event spanning the last two decades.
Limited Edition Print by Pascuale Belvito

The Soulpop Continuum – by Arno Raffeiner
Six songs, one sound signature, one vision. Supreme Beats Series by Drei Farben House is an album
that firmly stands in the tradition of the big records of the disco era: a vinyl disc full of kicks and licks,
just as much as two sides in amazing sound quality can hold.
The album is the latest work of Michael Siegle, the Berlin-based producer and owner of Tenderpark
Records. 13 years after Drei Farben House's first full-length on the acclaimed Force Tracks label, it
features contributions by singer and songwriter Mavin and none other than Robert Owens who's voice
shaped house music forever. The trademark sonic elegance of Drei Farben House blends perfectly
with the timbre of the man behind Fingers Inc.'s Mysteries Of Love. Siegle's work as a producer is not
so much about turning this rich heritage upside down, but about refining it and creating a space within
that realm that's very much his own.
The title of the opening song with Owens states it: I’m Remaining Here. And Supreme Beats Series
invites you to come over and stay there, too, in a refuge of class and funkiness. The record offers
dense layers of rhythm, vintage keyboard sounds, chucking guitar, and vocal samples that indulge in a
many-voiced conversation. Not to forget the prominent, singing rather than walking bass lines
performed by the hands of Michael Siegle himself with his bass guitar.

New Release Information
You could think of Supreme Beats Series as a cross-section in time and space. It allows you to take a
closer look at the here and now of a much bigger picture, both aesthetically and socially. Siegle uses
the vocabulary of house music in a way that transcends its conception as merely a genre and speaks
of the historic evolution and the profound roots of this music as a movement. His record takes
inspiration from 60s Motown hits as well as the blue eyed soul of the 80s, you can discover influences
ranging from Philly's pre-disco craze to new jack swing and on to the heyday when house-pop divas
stormed the charts. By drawing these lines, Siegle deliberately opens up the space of a visionary
Soulpop Continuum.
In the 1950s, the American issue of Vogue magazine had their say about Coco Chanel's work and its
ever-lasting impression on fashion and design. They claimed it was all about “infinite variety within
narrow limits,“ and meant that as a compliment, of course. Michael Siegle likes to think about Drei
Farben House in a similar way. And you should, too.
Info about the artwork:
As far as the cover artwork of 'Supreme Beats Series‘ is concerned, the release of Drei Farben
House’s new album shows the second part of an image series which has been started with TDPR
release # 021 and which revolves around architectural photos taken by Achim Valbracht. Tenderpark
art director Till Sperrle and photographer Achim Valbracht like these pictures of various commercial
buildings erected in Berlin in the 1990s to be seen as a critique of investor-driven architecture which
has been dominating Berlin for several decades now.
The fascination of these pictures lies in their ambivalence of staging a normalised and globally
standardised kind of beauty, but at the same time revealing a strong sense of isolation - noticeable not
only but also in the absence of human beings. This new series of images is to some extent a
continuation of art director Till Sperrle's and label manager Michael Siegle’s interest in architectural
photography. However, at the same time the photo series also embodies a new angle on the subject
since all previous picture series on Tenderpark had been an affirmation of socially progressive
architecture which expressed a longing for socio-cultural utopia.

7am. Tilburg. Black room. Strobe light. Dutch Soundsystem Wirwar. "Party Like It's '96" celebrates 23 years of musical debauchery, rinsing BPMs and battering bodies in forests, squats or wherever a PA system could be plugged in. Five tracks from five different aliases make up this descent into drum beat battery. Noses are up against sweat drenched wall from the needle drop, the thundering pace of Trippy D's maniacal offering being elbowed in the ribs by Bart Bral's nosebleed inducing "No Shit, Sherlock!" Distortion slices into squalid acid lines in the blazing "Water On Mars" by RAF before broken beats are blended and blitzed by Just So Nah. The night, or morning, comes to an end in Roel's nightmarish fairground ride. "Wurlitzer Express" minces chiptune cuteness with splintered snares, cracked kicks and mutated percussion to leave hearts, minds and souls thoroughly stained.

The trumpet/flugelhorn legend’s 1960 album. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on 19th June 1960. Featuring Tina Brooks (tenor sax), McCoy Tyner (piano), Sam Jones (bass) and Clifford Jarvis (drums). Features classic self-penned pieces such as the title track and ‘Hub’s Nub’, plus unique takes on the standards ‘But Beautiful’, ‘All Or Nothing At All’ and ‘One Mint Julep’. Produced by Blue Note co-founder Alfred Lion.
The famous album cover designed and photographed by other co-founder Francis Wolff.
Liner notes by the much-respected, recently-deceased jazz writer Ira Gitler.

repressed !

SNTS presents the last part of his double trilogy, this time called SCENE III. SNTS wanted to obtain a different view of one of the tracks of this release, and, in order to achieve that, he introduced a big star of the techno scene to this story, that artist is SHIFTED. Anonymity remains the centerpiece of SNTS. To convey feelings and sensations without a face reference or a name is the key point of this mysterious artist. This time the titles of the tracks refer to dates. You may never discover what events those dates belong to, but perhaps we can decipher something through sounds and their path. 20.01.1944 It reminds us of a battle in an eerie and desolate terrain in which each sound makes you move, observing what is happening around you. 20.01.1944 The version from SHIFTED is the story told from the outside of the bipolar world where is SNTS. 07.09.1981 It is a step in the course of a life that accompanies an atmosphere that breathes, but is not noticeable by other senses. 15.04.1946 Destruction, desolation and despair is reflected in this track. It definitely meets all the conditions to describe SNTS' sound.

Played & Supported by:
Planetary Assault Systems, Paula Temple, Svreca, Takaaki Itoh, James Ruskin, Tommy Four Seven, Ryuj Takeuchi, Giorgio Gligli, Speedy J, Ancient Methods, Terence Fixmer, Cio D'or , Eomac, Milton Bradley, Samuli Kemppi, Dj Emerson, Chris Liebing, Par Grindvik, Ø Phase, Kr!z Token, Zadig, Marcel Dettmann, Answer Code Request, Slam, Norman Nodge, Dave Miller, Deepbass, Nihad Tule, Truncate, Dj Hyperactive, Angel Molina, Ben Gibson, Juho Kusti, Claudio PRC, Bas Mooy, J. Tijn, Manni Dee, Donor, Rebekah, Go Hiyama, Francois X, Adriana Lopez, Electric Indigo, Bleak, Inigo Kennedy, Pfirter, Alex.Do, Eric Cloutier.

Its a Munich club music meet up on this split 10' by Rave And Romance Records and Jahmoni Musik.

Starting the whole thing of, it's Jahmoni Musik label boss Belp with an epic jazz intro to LION before he flips the tune into a breakbeat driven 120 bpm belter with layers of funky-as-hell percussions, moody textures and that wonderfully dubbed out 'lion' vocal sample.

On the other side you'll find Schlachthofbronx getting a 130 bpm dub riddim going that builds up his tension with one of their far-travelled synth melodies and then plunges into a monster of a rolling bass line that satisfies all your soundsystem & low end pressure needs.

Welcome to another chrome-plated Arcola curveball, this time in the form of a trio of the moodiest cyber steppers from the shadowy LEVL.

Somewhere in an AI ether, faded pirate radio transmissions merged with drowsy half-memories of Metal Gear Solid and gained sentience. The results are subtle yet sublime, a masterful combination of percussion and atmosphere to get truly lost within.

These three shots of cave-dwelling soundsystem mutation are as evocative as they are insular and in the midst of these uncertain days you may just find you need them in your life.

Greek producer ITPDWIP (Lobster Theremin / brokntoys) is in charge of the third release of NNY Records, a mini LP comprised of seven magnificent songs with an unpredictable analog sound that oscillates between electro and techno. A collection of tracks full of memorable melodies and a punk and aggressive touch that will delight all Dutch West Coast Sound fans as well as more risky techno followers.

“The year is 1982. Rita Mitsouko has not yet recorded its eponymous debut album. The pile of ashes that once was Disco is still smoking on the field of Comiskey Park. New Wave is a phrase, Post-Punk Rock a thing. In France, young musicians dream of New York City – some with more devotion than others. Lapassenkoff are to early 1980’s downtown New-York what seminal New Wave act Marie Et Les Garçons (who met John Cale on their way to CBGB) are to the city’s musical scene in the late 1970’s: an unexpected cousin from Lyon.

Indeed, going through Shing ‘n’ Tsé! sometimes feel like an impromptu meeting between John Lurie and Tom Tom Club in the basement of some French record store. If we press pause for a minute, a question comes to mind: how on earth such a unique blend of funk, post-punk, jazz fusion & hip hop (!) – more easily associated with, say, The Mudd Club, than with Les pentes de la Croix-Rousse – made its way to the brains of three French musicians?

The answer probably lies in a Swiss chalet, some 40 kilometers away from Zurich. Sent there by the wise people from Mosquito (the label which also gave Ramuntcho Matta and Carte de Séjour the opportunity to record their first album), the band experiences Alpine ennui and mysterious neighbours (a certain Carlos Peron, for instance). That is probably during this stay in Swiss meadows that they opened a Pandora’s box called experimental music, leading them into recording the mind-blowing sample-based – and accidentally proto-everything – M Le Maudit,, that would later grace Belgian airwaves via the famous Liaisons Dangereuses radio show.

But if we’re looking for a bigger picture, M Le Maudit is just an example of how inventive their approach to music was. This compilation is a testimony of a decade-long feverish flirt between the Lyon trio and dance music. From the infectious electric boogie cuts Shing A Ling and Roadie to the somehow euro-house-fuelled Ma Poubelle Angelina, via many unclassifiable yet iconic songs like Bossi Le Bosseman or Fièvres, Frissons, the compilation demonstrates one thing: Lapassenkoff took the road less traveled by and contributed to a different history of French Pop music.”

Pierre-Arthur Michau.

A few years ago, Roi took the wise decision of changing his life, he got away from the madding crowd of the city and moved to the coast of Dexo, surrounded by nature and animals. This kind of retreat has been the trigger of an enormous personal growth and a strong feeling of freedom, which has led him to find a certain inner calm, also to feel the constant climatic changes which are so typical of Galicia, alternating between wind, rain and sun. Roi has found himself; this deep self-knowledge has provoked an internal explosion of inspiration that made him to fully immerse in music production after years of experimenting.

Concurring with the 10th anniversary tour of the label and promoter Fanzine Project which he co-manages, the artist from A Coruna will publish his first EP next month of June. He comes with melodies full of power, light and elegance, embracing a wide spectrum of music styles which meet in a perfect point of balance between strength and delicacy. Deixo EP is the outcome of a small tribute paid to his three main sources of inspiration: The wonderful landscape of the coast of Dexo, Seixo Branco Point and his unconditional companion: His dog Tigre.

Leipzig’s Dj Balduin has been a staff favourite for some time as we are avid fans of his GLYK imprint, and in particular his debut EP “Vvigmara”. Dj Balduin proclaims to enjoy producing music that creates “states of hypnosis with an occasional, gentle “hands-up-face-slap” every now and then” which perfectly sums up “Lost Cat” - his first release for KOMPAKT.

“E.W.B.A” came to Dj Balduin while having a shower, so chances are high we have this summer’s rain dance anthem on our hands as it has all the right elements - a classic rave synth meets an infectious open snare to break through the beat.

The kick drum thud of “Sheee” seems to be all too menacing at first, but surprisingly learns how to open itself into a gorgeously seductive uplifting house tune.

This story ends with the perfect set closer; “Lost Cat And An Untied Shoe” brings that beat back with soaring synths and a playful natural bass line that adds just the slightest edge of funk to carry the crowd home at the end of the night.
Leipzigs DJ Balduin und besonders seine Debüt-EP „Vvigmara“ trendet, seitdem wir sein GLYK-Label kennen, unter den Mitarbeitern von Kompakt. Laut eigenen Angaben genieße es DJ Balduin, Musik zu produzieren, die seine Zuhörer in den „Zustand der Hypnose versetzt und gleichzeitig mit gelegentlichen zarten Schlägen ins Gesicht wachhält“, was auf „Lost Cat“ – sein erstes Release auf Kompakt – auch geschieht.

„E.W.B.A“ kam DJ Balduin unter der Dusche, die Chancen stehen also hoch, dass wir hier eine Hymne für diejenigen Raves haben, die unter kräftigen Sommergewittern stattfinden werden – die richtigen Zutaten sind alle da: klassische Rave-Hooks, ansteckende Snaredrums, die hervorbrechen aus dem Bass.

Der Schlag der Bassdrum von „Sheee“ scheint zunächst bedrohlich, lernt aber überraschender Weise sich selbst zu wandeln hin zu einem prachtvoll verführerischen House-Stück. Die Geschichte endet mit dem aller besten letzten Stück: „Lost Cat And An Untied Show“ bringt den Beat zurück zusammen mit aufsteigenden Synths und einer verspielten, natürlichen Bassline, die einen Funken Funk hinzufügt, um die Dancer nach Hause zu begleiten in der Nacht.

• John Power is the singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Cast and
previously from the La’s
• Following the split from Cast, Power released three solo albums, his first solo album
Happening For Love (2003), followed by Willow She Weeps (2006) and finally
Stormbreaker (2008)
• This boxset houses all 3 albums on 180gm heavyweight white coloured vinyl with a
signed image by the artist himself
• Happening for Love and Stormbreaker are released on vinyl for the first time

Sigma acts as the sequel to 2018’s critically acclaimed Equals release and features musical contributions from original Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp and

Billy Duffy from The Cult. The album includes the single “Brighter Than The Sun” and as Mike Peters articulates “is a lyric that tries to encapsulate how it feels when someone you

love has survived an immense ordeal and come through to the other side brighter, stronger and more capable than before”. To find strength through adversity

is a capability we all have inside of us should we choose to call upon it. The accompanying video tries to reflect this kind of stimulus and to try and

capture the kind of solar power that emanates from within, the blinding force that stimulates life and everything positive that revolves around it.

Early in 2019 Mike Peters from The Alarm was awarded with an MBE by His Royal Highness Prince Charles Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace for his

services to charity having raised thousands for cancer care projects in the UK and abroad and dedicating his life to giving hope for families affected by cancer

The Alarm will be heading out on their Sigma LXXXV Tour this summer, taking in 30+ North American dates through July and August, with support from

Modern English and Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel. Throughout the Sigma LXXXV Tour, Love Hope Strength (co-founded by Mike Peters), will be hosting

bone marrow drives at each concert aimed at finding donors for people suffering from Blood Cancer who need a transplant for a second chance at life

Previous support for Equals from Billboard, Classic Rock, Classic Pop, Uncut, MOJO and more Classic tracks Strength and The Stand were used on the closing

tracks on two episodes of the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, combining for 3M+ streams.

Running and pushing the boundaries with his versatile musical skills, Giovanni Damico aka Ron Juan tends to be a hard worker. The fact that his musical journey started well about 15 years ago, Giovanni has released top notch records on labels that bring resonance in today's industry such as Star Creature, Lumberjacks in Hell, Bordello A Parigi and swiss boutique label deepArtSounds. His latest piece of work is a five track,afro funk influenced mini Album entitled "Express Yourself". It's an eclectic journey thru Giovanni's deep mind and thru his huge collection of synths and instruments.

Fast-rising Irish techno star Doug Cooney joins Bastardo Electrico with a killer 4 track EP of expertly crafted and powerful techno grooves. The release opens up with “Pansperman” which hypnotises with its cyclical synth riff that rises & falls over a pounding low end. Next up German producer Krenzlin gives “Pansperman” the remix treatment keeping the hypnotic vibe of the original whilst bringing things in a deeper direction and upping the funk levels.
On the flip are two dancefloor/festival arena destroyers with “Higher Self” and “Parralel Reality” both going straight for the jugular.

Georgian artist Sophia Saze releases her debut two-part album 'Self' on Francis Harris' Kingdoms imprint, with part one dropping on cassette this June. "The record embodies my story of duality within the context of identity, insomuch as the idea that every person has a deeper layer we don't show on the surface."
Born in Tbilisi, Sophia Saze is the daughter of political refugees who's spent her life living in numerous different countries before eventually finding home in Brooklyn. Finding it difficult to find her own identity due to living a nomadic lifestyle, the classically trained musician became entangled with electronic music before becoming a key player within New York's nightlife scene and launching her Dusk & Haze imprint in 2017.
A reflection of her struggles throughout life, 'Self' is very much a memoir of the many different places she's lived during her journey, including Georgia, Russia, USA, France and Canada. Contrasting to her recent productions, which are geared more towards the dancefloor, her debut longplayer is downtempo and features a medley of musical influences - mixed in two parts and released as a concept album on cassette. Maintaining a sonically raw feel throughout, 'Self' draws the analogy of analog to modern day digital culture whilst also taking a stance against perfection, whether integrating the distance crackle of her machines or intentional off-beat piano notes in minor. Part One was conceived, for the most part, during a sleepless yet inspired 48-hour studio session. Processed field recordings accompany samples from her childhood, such as soviet cartoons and intimate VHS recordings of her family. The result is a well-seasoned and personal story portrayed in fourteen tracks mixed together.
"I feel the element of patience is somewhat of a lost commodity in our generation, particularly for albums. We're consumed by track to track interpretations and constantly searching for the next instant stimulation. With this record, I wanted to reiterate the idea that if you don't have the willingness to sit through the whole thing, then you're not stepping into it with the right mindset to begin with."
Every artist who collaborated on the record is handpicked, such as vocalist Ricardo Rivera. The final production was also mixed by Francis Harris himself. All of their involvement means they share a fragment of the concept.

Dark Entries continues celebrating our 10 year anniversary with ‘Preservation Bias’, a compilation of lost songs and rarities from Linea Aspera out June 28th. The group formed in London in November 2011 by Ryan Ambridge (Synths/Programming) and Alison Lewis (Vocals/Synths). Within the duo, Alison writes and performs all vocal elements, while Ryan is responsible for producing, recording and mixing the electronics. We released their debut self titled album in June 2012 that was followed by a posthumous vinyl reissue of their tour cassette “II” on Weyrd Son Records in 2013. For all recordings Ryan utilizes an analog synthesizer set up: Roland SH-09, Roland Juno 6, Vermona DRM MKiii, Korg Poly 800 and Analogue Solutions Semblance. Linea Aspera's sound includes clear influences from 1980s electronic body music, synth-pop, industrial and noise. Lyrically the band incorporates the sciences of osteology, neuroscience, and anthropology weaving a new medical language around themes of desire, despair and renewal. Linea Aspera is the muscle attachment on the back of the femur and translates to 'rough line' in Latin. ‘Preservation Bias’ features all three songs from the limited ‘II’ tour cassette EP, four songs from the 2012 self-titled limited cassette EP and one song from the Desire Records 2013 compilation ‘And You Will Find Them In The Basement’. All songs have been mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Each LP is housed in jacket designed by Niall Greaves and includes a double-sided insert with lyrics.

Founded in 1990 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cold Front were what you'd call early adaptors, their music at the time of its inception an oddity. This fourpiece, consisting of spouses Ayanna and Cam Muata, Jon Jon Scott and Ron Clark, were far ahead of their time and faded just as rapidly as they entered the stage, only playing a handful of local shows in support of Nine Inch Nails, Meat Beat Manifesto and such, alongside several cameos during early house nights and techno events.

Though short lived, their music nevertheless speaks volumes. It's intriguing stuff, a magical association of sound reminiscent of Ron Hardy and Klein MBO. New Beat-like drum parts, overdubbed by politically engaged raps, basslines that would make The Cure proud, held together by freakout speaking in tongues vocal experiments while also showing an obvious parallel to the rise of triphop at the other side of the ocean.

Beyond the Beat will burst dancefloors soon. In collaboration with Paris' recordshop Dizonord, Knekelhuis will close the summer of 2019 with this amazing gem.

Ibiza Records label was established back in 1989 and was one of the main contributors to the UK underground music scene. Those behind the label were the innovators of Hardcore Jungle, Jungle Techno and Jungle genres in the 90s stemming from Warehouses to clubs and now festivals. Ibiza Records Label returns today with some new releases and a back catalogue of gems for the real Junglists out there.

Another 3 track EP comes out of Ibiza Records archive vault's called Archives Vol 4 produced by Noise Factory. Each of these tracks represents 'The Original Jungle Sound' from back in the 90s.
This 3 track EP called Archives Vol 4 comes from out of Ibiza Records archive vault and produced by Noise Factory. Each of these tracks represents 'The Original London Jungle Sound' from back in the 90s.

A.JUNGLE MYSTIC - This track made back in 1999 produced by one of the member's of Noise Factory aka Drumpella Black. Keeping with the original sounds of Noise Factory and the elements of techno and hardcore the early developments of Jungle.
AA.CAN YOU FEEL IT - This track made back in 1999 produced by one of the member's of Noise Factory aka Drumpella Black feat. Tremma T on the vocals. Keeping with the original essense of jungle, piano stabs and hardcore flavours.
AAA.ROLL WITH ME - This track made back in 2000 produced by one of the member's of Noise Factory aka Drumpella Black feat. Jnr Dangerous on the vocals. Once again showcasing the true elements of jungle.

Italian producer and musician DJ Rocca (AKA Luca Roccatagliati) is back on Nang. Rocca has been around the dance music block a few times; having collaborated with the likes of Howie B, Zed Bias, Daniele Baldelli and Jazzanova. He has also remixed a whole host of artists such as Oliver Koletzki, Luke Solomon, Blaze and even Flock of Seagulls.

Now our friend gets his own spotlight to shine with his debut solo artist album, Isole.

'Isole' consists of eight eclectic songs; the steady, deep beats of 'Alcatraz','Taquile' and 'Hong Kong' juxtapose the euphoric 'Tokyo', a warm sunset of a track. 'Nassau', written with fellow Rome-based Rodion showcases sensual and percussive waves of synth, whereas 'Favignana', written with Kool Water (aptly named after an Island off the southern coast of Italy) takes you deep underwater through its distorted build-up. 'Stone Town', written with Dimitri from Paris who is influenced by 1970s funk and disco, encompasses the marimba in keeping with the beachy feel of the record. Finally, the jazzy track 'London' written with Jukka Reverberi could have been inspired by DJ Rocca's work with the critically acclaimed jazz musician Franco D'Andrea, with whom DJ Rocca created the 'Electric Tree Project' which fuses jazz and electronics.

DJ Rocca has been touring his energetic sets globally over the last few years in clubs in Berlin, Paris, London, Oslo, Bruxelles, Vienna, Zurich, Bern, Helsinki, Brazil, Turkey and Croatia. Stay tuned for more solo and collaborative venture on Nang too.

At the end of last year we quite enjoyed the little spat when Simon Cowell's chosen one, Joe... Something or other had his Christmas number one spot whipped away from under his nose by Rage Against The Machine. Still whilst we enjoyed the sight of the X Factor being given a bloody nose as much as anyone else, there was also an undercurrent of the ridiculous prejudice that ROCK = GOOD & MEANINGFULL whilst POP = CRAP & DISPOSABLE to the whole thing that we found less agreeable.

Here at Hot Pockets we have no truck with such orthodoxy, no, what we need is suite simply better pop music, made with all the passion and spirit of your finest indie troubadour but filtered through the prism of a 3 minute teenage symphony. Listen back to the likes of Roxy Music or Pet Shop Boys and you have music that is as equally up to the task of inspiring as it is of soundtracking a quick fumble on the dancefloor, that is the beauty of great pop music.

Thankfully for those of us that do like smart, clever pop that doesn't come hurtling off a production line but instead is crafted with much love and precision :Kinema: have arrived with their debut release a classic double A-side of pop perfection, Recreation/My Girls.

First up we have Recreation, a slow burning slice of South coast electro-soul inspired by an insatiable thirst for fun and those who would pass judgement on our basic human need for intoxication and ecstatic night time rituals. All in all a bonafide late night disco classic. Flip the virtual release over and you'll find the band's stunning cover version of Animal Collective's My Girls, a live favourite the track has already been the subject of a blogging frenzy when a demo leaked back in December. Finally available the whole world can now enjoy this smooth, autotuned refix of the indie classic.

The new pop revolution starts here

Any historians keen on the subject of "French youth in the 1980s" are holding a treasure in their hands. As a true archaeologist of this decade dedicated to disposable culture, digger-in-chief Vidal Benjamin with his newest compilation, 'Pop Sympathie', offers them a unique journey in the heart of the cyclone of emotions that struck all teenagers during the first seven years of François Mitterrand's mandate. Fifteen musical nuggets, exhumed from the dungeons of history, each and every one of them teaching us about what really obsessed the youngsters at that exact moment, i.e. what happens when the city lights come on at dusk, when irrepressible urges that stir them to get lost even more appear until the end of the night.

The artists gathered here did not have the honour of breaking into the local charts, but they all individually reached for the sky. Each song of 'Pop Sympathie' tells more or less the same story: that of a girl who throws herself into the night like one immerses one's self into the void, who rushes into a one-night adventure to become a star. And too bad if in the early morning she finds herself back at square one. In all these miniature odysseys there is neon lights, lasers, smoke machines, broken glass on checkered tiles, strangers on leather benches, celebrities in the bathrooms, stolen kisses, alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, Polaroids, venetian blinds and radioactive tubes.

If the first opus of Vidal Benjamin, 'Disco Sympathie', focused on the funky mood of songs that could have been played at Le Palace, then 'Pop Sympathie' develops itself as the imaginary soundtrack of another nightclub, Les Bains-Douches, the capital’s epicenter of nocturnal drifts. So what do we listen to, blasé, at Bains-Douches? Mainly synthesizers. The child of punk and post punk, French New Wave celebrates the matrimony of machines and lolitas under the auspices of a retro trend that revisits the atomic age. Trying to surf on that wave and hit the charts, a bunch of producers (Stéphane Berlow, Laurent Stopnicki, Bernard "Black Devil" Fèvre, Johny Rech, Jean-Yves Joanny ...) will spot their talents amongst friends, in a travel agency or at the local bar. These virtual stars are called Cecilia, Laurent, Sonia, Janou, Fabienne, Anne, Arielle or Ronan, not even 20 years old, and often leaving just an overexposed photo and their first name on a single as the only memories of their swift passage in this particular musical story. It took all the love and sweet madness of Vidal Benjamin to bring them back in the light of day.

Clovis Goux

Dub echo, hip-hop lyricism and heavy guitar fuzz are boiled down into a heady, characteristic musical brew.

On “Dreaming Is Dead Now”, multi-talented wonder Skinny Pelembe meditates on grief, heartache, stunted aspirations and fresh possibilities in post-recession Britain. For his debut album, the Johannesburg-born, Doncaster-raised artist weaves together a patchwork of personal and musical touchstones; memories and observations are dreamily laced together, sun-dazzled California folk diced with the murkier corners of the UK dance lineage.

Tipping a hat to West London broken beat as much as My Bloody Valentine, the album was co-produced by Malcolm Catto (of The Heliocentrics, who’s previously worked with Yussef Kamaal, DJ Shadow, and Madlib), who helped to distil down its bounty of ingredients into the record’s distinctive flavour. Tough, tight-programmed rhythms are washed over with fuzzy overtures, and the title track is the product of a studio session with a foundational drum & bass duo (credited under the covert alias of The Bleeding Edge). It’s the rare kind of record where the messy, in-between musical spaces are given a light to shine.

First discovered through the Gilles Peterson- and Brownswoodfounded Future Bubblers programme, Skinny has since made it onto Peterson’s iconic Brownswood Bubblers compilation series, performed and collaborated with fellow Future Bubbler Yazmin Lacey, and been tipped by the likes of Ghostpoet and James Lavelle. Praise has also come from The Observer, The Quietus and Huck, with previous singles “Spit / Swallow” and “I Just Wanna Be Your Prisoner” bumped up onto heavy rotation on BBC 6 Music’s A-List. He’s also been in demand for live sessions with The Vinyl Factory and Worldwide FM, and supported Nightmares on Wax and Maribou State.

Ahead of his second artist album on his own Millionhands label in July, Tee Mango teases with a fantastic first EP taken from it. The album finds the UK artist stretch himself with a dazzling array of soul drenched, fully fledged songs featuring his own singing and that of Detroit legend (and Moodymann collaborator) Amp Fiddler.

The sound, very much influenced by early Prince and even a little Bon Iver, combines effortlessly with that loose sampled MPC-house feel that you would associate with a Tee Mango production. It also comes with a seal of approval from Radio 6 Music legend Gilles Peterson and after EPs on the likes of Aus, Clone and Local Talk in recent years.

Opening up the EP, Amp Fiddler features on ‘Feels Like Whatever’. Dancing Rhodes keys, ooze jazz charm and float atop a simple house beat, while the Detroit legend’s emotive raw soulful vocal directs proceedings.
The heart breaking ‘No More Tears’ is an introspective sad soul song that shows another side to Mango’s skills. Tender chords, downbeat drums and vocal hums and coos all melt your very being. Last of all comes the dazzling ‘Lay Down (Disco Mix)’ with its slapped funk bassline, finger clicks and squelch synth work all topped off by an effortless
falsetto. This is a fantastic introduction to the full length to come.

Hot on the heels of their second release comes a third essential offering from SRVD aka Radio Slave & Patrick Mason.

The Rekids boss linked with Patrick Mason—a young creative at the forefront of Berlin’s art, fashion, dance music and LGBT scene—back in 2018 after they struck up a friendship in Panorama Bar. Now their superb studio work continues to bear fruit inspired by New York’s vogue scene, and these latest two tracks are perfect impactful once more.

The hard-hitting techno opener ‘Talking 2 B Mad’ is built on rock solid drums that never let up. Industrial synth fizzes twisted vocal loops and icy hi hats add detail to the most physical groove, which cannot fail to get you moving. On the flip, ‘Twitch' is just as physical and direct, this time with big synths suspending you in midair as the hammering drums seem to grow in size. It’s frenzied techno that is designed to make you sweat.

DEGO is no stranger on NEROLI, having blessed the label with various EPs as Nutmeg in the early 2000s and more recently with monster songs like ‘Find a Way’ and ‘Don’t Stop (Let It Go)’ as Dego & the 2000 black family. This time he comes back Solo with a fierce funky double A sider! Both songs here show how he is like no other out there!

Bold, inventive, daring and electrifying, 'Vision Electrified' is Xhin's most personal work to date. An alchemy of IDM, jazz, techno and live instrumentation, the artist's latest polarizing EP breaks through the barriers, further carving his highly unique space out in the sonic universe.Full printed sleeve with coloured artwork on cardboardcreditsreleases June 14, 2019

Full printed sleeve with coloured artwork on cardboard. His last release was in 2017.

Synths, programming and guitars by Xhin
All tracks written and produced by Xhin
Recorded and mixed in Singapore
Vinyl mastering by Simon Davey at The Exchange, London
Artwork by Xhin

Cosmic Bridge’s club focused ‘Earthbase Series’ continues with ‘Nocturnal’ the new release from Russian producer A.Fruit.

Four tracks that fuse Footwork, Drum’n’Bass, Techno and bold sound design into the 160 BPM framework. A er a heavy hitting set of releases via Russian imprint Hyperboloid, Irish modern trendsetters Rua Sound, and the ever vigilant Med School, so please welcome A.Fruit to the Cosmic Bridge roster.

Label boss Om Unit says: “Anna has a rare ear in this 160bpm world; one foot firmly in the techier sound-design lane, and one in the world of fun dance floor sounds. Well mixed, and not too serious! It’s great to have her on board and we look forward to sharing a stage soon!”

Kicking things off is ‘Make Them Shake’, a hypnotic and contorted expression of footwork with bubbling bass and drum FX - only for the boldest of dancers. ‘Polykarp’ comes complete with rugged old school hardcore chops twisted into a technoid stepper. ‘Deep Insight’, is reminiscent of early Moving Shadow Jungle; hypnotic & minimalist with tight drums, glitches and jazzy late night moments. Closing track ’Before You Go’ is a breaks filled, garage-footwork workout; cheeky vocal cuts and rolling syncopated rhythms for your waistline!

Celebrating the photography of Robert Doisneau, 25 years after his death. Discover the new Esprit Robert Doisneau Collection, associating songs with his famous images of Paris.

Famous all over the world, the photographer’s work accurately represents the soul of Paris. This collection of ten LPs are all pressed on 180g coloured vinyl.

INXS live on the Coffee Break Concert series at the Cleveland Agora on 27th June 1984.

Following the April 1984 release of their fourth album, The Swing, INXS began to make commercial headway outside Australia. They toured relentlessly to promote the album, and had an international hit with Original Sin.
The performance captured here, on 27th June 1984, was part of the WMMS Coffee Break Concert series, a live radio simulcast on 100.7 WMMS in Cleveland. It captures them at the peak of their early game, and is presented here with background notes and images