Dreamer G, originally released on Madhouse Records in the 1990s, has been reimagined by Demuir with a fresh new rework. The release also features a brand-new re-edit by Kerri Chandler himself, revitalizing this underground anthem. Additionally, the deep mix has been meticulously remastered by Kerri, preserving the track’s original essence while enhancing its sound quality. The original vinyl remains highly sought after, a testament to the track's lasting impact.
quête:ka f
Oh yes! First ever official reissue of the positively sublime and very rare Butterfly LP, recorded in Tokyo in 1979 by Japanese songstress Kimiko Kasai and jazz legend Herbie Hancock.
Due to it's super-rare status as a Japan-only release, this exquisite collection of covers never got the recognition it deserved at the time, despite incredibly inspired performances from Kimiko, Herbie and the supremely talented musicians assembled for the project. From heavenly drummer Alphonse Mouzon and renowned organist Webster Lewis to bassist Paul Jackson, reedman Bennie Maupin and the master percussionist Bill Summers, the legendary performers crafted amazingly good vocal versions of Herbie / Headhunters jazz-funk. Unsurprisingly, it has been heavily in demand for many years.
The LP opens with Kimiko's highly desirable version of "I Thought It Was You", an elegant take on Herbie's own anthem. Other superb re-workings include the delicately soulful "Butterfly", jazzy groover "Sunlight", the smooth and sexy "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" and the beautiful ballads "Maiden Voyage" and "Harvest Time". A wonderful example of perfectly understated and masterful jazz-funk soul fusion that shouldn't be missed, the set closes with a jaw-dropping version of Stevie Wonder's "As".
This lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of this hitherto unavailable masterpiece. The stunning artwork which adorned the original jacket - complete with OBI strip and sumptuous
4 page folded insert - has been faithfully restored. Simon Francis' sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly weighty 180g. Essential.
- A1: Majestic X Boney M - Daddy Cool
- A2: Lizot X Boney M - Sunny
- A3: Rivers Of Babylon
- A4: El Lute
- A5: No Woman No Cry
- B1: Hooray! Hooray! It's A Holi-Holiday
- B2: Rasputin
- B3: Painter Man
- B4: Belfast
- B5: Brown Girl In The Ring
- C1: Kalimba De Luna
- C2: Happy Song
- C3: Still I'm Sad
- C4: Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord
- C5: Baby Do You Wanna Bump
- C6: Felicidad (Margherita) (Margherita)
- D1: Gotta Go Home
- D2: Ma Baker
- D3: Sunny (Mousse T Radio Mix)
- D4: Rasputin
- D5: Daddy Cool
- D6: Rios De Babylonia (Spanish Version - Bonus Track)
The Magic of Boney M (Special Remix Edition)' LP includes the very best of one of the 70's biggest pop acts. From the mega hits 'Daddy Cool' and 'Rivers Of Babylon' to the back in vogue 'Rasputin' which went viral on TikTok in 2021 becoming the 2nd most popular catalogue track on the platform last year after the meme generation rebooted the disco classic. This double vinyl version (one LP is translucent pink and one is translucent blue) release also features stunning new remixes from LIZOT and Majestic. Promo/marketing activity. Limited pressing/stock may need to be allocated.
- A1: Intro/Love (Feat Coco Maria)
- A2: Casa Loca (Feat Baldo Verdú)
- A3: The Cheeky One (Feat Coco Maria)
- A4: Cachetón
- A5: Sabrohito (Feat Coco Maria)
- A6: Gwely & Môr (Feat Elan Rhys)
- A7: Vamonos! (Feat Coco Maria)
- A8: El Cañon (Feat Baldo Verdú)
- A9: The Mountains Of The Mind (Feat Coco Maria)
- A10: Padre Tiempo (Feat Luzmira Zerpa)
- B1: El Konto (Feat Coco Maria)
- B2: Esa Tristeza (Feat Nina Miranda &Amp; Little Barrie)
- B3: Bom Dia! (Feat Coco Maria)
- B4: Oh Minha Querida (Feat +2`S)
- B5: A Secret Rendez-Vous (Feat Coco Maria)
- B6: Sempre Amor (Feat Elan Rhys)
- B7: For All The Side Chicos & Chicas (Feat Coco Maria)
- B8: Maybe Man (Feat Silvia Machete)
- B9: Hay Esperanza (Feat Coco Maria)
- B10: She`s In L A. (Feat. Young Gun Silver Fox)
- B11: Todo Chévere (Feat Baldo Verdú, Coco Maria & Don Leisure)
By it's very nature "Radio Chevére", the new album by Rio 18 and their host of guests cannot be categorized simply: at once both a Latin mixtape and a radio show, it's also an internationalist love letter, an offering to the goddess of Tropical Music and all that it encompasses. Ambitious, yes. Foolhardy, possibly. But sincere, committed and FUNKY? Definitely.
With the voice of guest DJ Coco Maria as our guide, "Radio Chévere" takes us on a journey through myriad musical styles and stories. Stopping off at Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, California, New York and countless other sonic destinations via Samba, Salsa, Funk, Cumbia, Joropo, Disco, Psychedelic and Electronic stylings, "Radio Chévere" is also a musical metaphor for migration - a journey from one continent, one life to another.
This album features songs in no less than four languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh and English) and includes collaborations with Brazilian legends the +2's (Moreno Veloso, Kassin and Domenico Lancellotti) on the tender samba ballad, "Oh Minha Querida", transatlantic Yacht Rock gods Young Gun Silver Fox ("She's In LA"), "Sao Paulo's finest" Silvia Machete on the sweaty funk "Maybe Man" and Venezuelan Llanera and Joropo queen Luzmira Zerpa sings "Padre Tiempo", set to an incessant Afro-Venezuelan pulse. Why this torrent of eclectica now? Having recorded three albums in Welsh, predominantly inspired by Brazilian music, Rio 18 founder, Carwyn Ellis had a hard time following 2021's "Yn Rio": "We'd made a concept album with an orchestra. How do you follow that?" he says. "So I retreated to my laboratory, learned as much new music as I could, started learning Spanish too, and ended up writing tunes in a bunch of languages and styles, all of which reflected things I've learned or experienced over the last couple of years."
Since the group's inception in 2018, on the suggestion of Chrissie Hynde when he toured South America as a member of the Pretenders, Carwyn has been on a voyage of musical discovery through the styles of that continent. And in those five years he learnt a lot! But in a radical new move, Carwyn has stepped back from the mic, preferring to focus on writing and producing, handing over the vocal duties to band members Baldo Verdu (Venezuela) and Elan Rhys (Wales) plus a host of collaborators. "They can sing and express what I'm feeling so much better than I can, and both Elan and Baldo bring an authenticity and strength to our songs that surprise and elevate me. Collaborating with so many other inspiring artists on this album has helped us to grow and assimilate more styles - we're halfway through our next album already."
Rio 18 is an internationalist collective with Celtic and Latin roots and love at their core. With eye popping carnivalesque cover art by the brilliant Colombian graphic artist, Yoda, "Radio Chévere" is both timely and timeless.
Dr Packer and Michael Gray have teamed up to create a fresh, new rendition of the 80’s funk and soul hit “Ricochet” by the BB&Q Band. Staying true to the original 80s version, which was produced by Kae Williams Jr. under the mentorship of the legendary Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, this collaboration preserves the song’s integrity while infusing it with a modern edge. The beats are crisp, the groove is infectious, and the bassline exudes funky vibes. With the addition of staccato strings, the resulting disco house jam is nothing short of sensational.
Aboriginal Australian blues, country, and gospel by the great Kankawa Nagarra, Queen of the Bandaral Ngadu Delta. These intimate recordings introduce the world outside Australia to Kankawa Nagarra, a beloved Walmatjarri Elder, teacher, human rights advocate, and environmental activist. Born in the traditional lands of the Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri peoples of North Western Australia, Kankawa grew up with the tribal songs at cultural ceremonies. When she was taken from her family to the mission, she was taught hymns and Gospel songs with the choir. On the pastoral lease where she was sent to work, Country music was everywhere. She first heard rock and roll on the station gramophone. But it wasn't until many years later her musical journey truly began, when she stopped to listen to a busker outside a shop in Derby, Western Australia. It was the first time she'd heard the blues, and it awakened something in her. Through it, she found a medium to express all her thoughts and feelings, and it inspired her to turn these into songs. The empathy of her message extends from those she sees struggling around her to the entire planet being ravaged for profit. These twelve tracks, recorded live near her home of Wangkatjungka, WA, offer a cross-section of Kankawa's entire musical experience - shifting gracefully between musical styles, languages, and moods, backed by the buzz of night bugs and call of daytime birds. In turns humorous, warm, and real about the hardships of life and the pillage of the land she holds dear, the record is the closest thing you can get to spending time with the great Kankawa herself. We are extremely grateful to release this record alongside Flippin Yeah Records and in collaboration with Kankawa Nagarra. High-quality vinyl comes with a four-page booklet featuring translations, stories, and track notes by the artist.
Aboriginal Australian blues, country, and gospel by the great Kankawa Nagarra, Queen of the Bandaral Ngadu Delta. These intimate recordings introduce the world outside Australia to Kankawa Nagarra, a beloved Walmatjarri Elder, teacher, human rights advocate, and environmental activist. Born in the traditional lands of the Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri peoples of North Western Australia, Kankawa grew up with the tribal songs at cultural ceremonies. When she was taken from her family to the mission, she was taught hymns and Gospel songs with the choir. On the pastoral lease where she was sent to work, Country music was everywhere. She first heard rock and roll on the station gramophone. But it wasn't until many years later her musical journey truly began, when she stopped to listen to a busker outside a shop in Derby, Western Australia. It was the first time she'd heard the blues, and it awakened something in her. Through it, she found a medium to express all her thoughts and feelings, and it inspired her to turn these into songs. The empathy of her message extends from those she sees struggling around her to the entire planet being ravaged for profit. These twelve tracks, recorded live near her home of Wangkatjungka, WA, offer a cross-section of Kankawa's entire musical experience - shifting gracefully between musical styles, languages, and moods, backed by the buzz of night bugs and call of daytime birds. In turns humorous, warm, and real about the hardships of life and the pillage of the land she holds dear, the record is the closest thing you can get to spending time with the great Kankawa herself. We are extremely grateful to release this record alongside Flippin Yeah Records and in collaboration with Kankawa Nagarra. High-quality vinyl comes with a four-page booklet featuring translations, stories, and track notes by the artist.
Taking the album name from the famous adventure novel ‘My Side of the Mountain’, Iconoclastic artist Kat Von D explores themes of love and sobriety in her sophomore album release. Created whilst covering her iconic tattoos and finding a new faith to live by, this synthwave, goth, post-punk album was created whilst finding peace amongst the chaos and written from Kat’s own experiences of love, darkness and vulnerability with collaborations from respected songwriters Shep Solomon (Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, Natalie Imbruglia) Fernando Garibay (Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kylie Minogue) and guest vocalist Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy).Kat Von D has an impressive résumé. She has done everything from shaking up the tattoo industry to starring in hit TV shows, writing best-selling books, and creating a beauty empire. But before all of that, her first love was music. She poured her heart into melodies and songwriting before she became known for her work in tattoos and makeup. With a background in classical music and an eclectic appreciation for different genres, it is clear that ‘My Side of the Mountain’ is an impressive follow up album from Kat.
Orange Vinyl[74,75 €]
KANONENFIEBER über das Konzept von "Die Urkatastrophe": "Der Erste Weltkrieg beschleunigte den Weg in die Moderne und gilt als die "Urkatastrophe" des 20. Jahrhunderts, das von Kriegen, Gewalt und Vertreibungen geprägt war. Etwa 17 Millionen Menschen, Soldaten und Zivilisten, verloren ihr Leben, große Teile Europas wurden zerstört und ungelöste Probleme hinterlassen, die zu weiteren gewaltsamen Konflikten führten. Dieses Album soll die Opfer des Ersten Weltkrieges dem Vergessen entreißen. Mögen ihre Schicksale auch nach über 100 Jahren Mahnung sein für die nachfolgenden Generationen," erklärt Noise, der im Studio alle Instrumente einspielt und für das Konzept von KANONENFIEBER verantwortlich ist. Wie sein Vorgänger basiert KANONENFIEBERs zweites Album auf Tatsachenberichten, persönlichen Briefen und Originaldokumenten der überlebenden und verstorbenen Soldaten des Ersten Weltkriegs. Es geht nicht darum, zu glorifizieren, denn im Krieg gibt es keinen Ruhm. Alle verlieren - ihr Leben, ihre Seelen, ihre Menschlichkeit. Der Krieg wird oft abstrakt und anhand von trockenen Zahlen und Statistiken dargestellt. KANONENFIEBER wollen die Geschichten der Namenlosen und Gesichtslosen erzählen, um einen kleinen Einblick in ihre persönlichen Schrecken und damit in das größte Grauen für die Menschheit als Ganzes zu gewähren. Krieg. Der Black und Death Metal von KANONENFIEBER soll nicht nur unterhalten, sondern anregen, sich weiterzubilden und das Bewusstsein gegen die Verherrlichung des Krieges schärfen. "Die Urkatastrophe" wurde mit Kristian Kohle (Powerwolf, Aborted, Benighted u.v.a.) im Kohlekeller Studio aufgenommen. Zum Song "Waffenbrüder" steuerte Maik Weichert von HEAVEN SHALL BURN ein Gitarrengastsolo hinzu. Das Album erscheint in den folgenden Formaten: Ltd. Deluxe transp. sand-dark red colored splattered 2LP Artbook, Ltd. CD Mediabook & Patch, Standard CD Jewelcase, Ltd. Gatefold standard LP & LP-Booklet, LP and Digital Album.
Orange Vinyl[26,26 €]
KANONENFIEBER über das Konzept von "Die Urkatastrophe": "Der Erste Weltkrieg beschleunigte den Weg in die Moderne und gilt als die "Urkatastrophe" des 20. Jahrhunderts, das von Kriegen, Gewalt und Vertreibungen geprägt war. Etwa 17 Millionen Menschen, Soldaten und Zivilisten, verloren ihr Leben, große Teile Europas wurden zerstört und ungelöste Probleme hinterlassen, die zu weiteren gewaltsamen Konflikten führten. Dieses Album soll die Opfer des Ersten Weltkrieges dem Vergessen entreißen. Mögen ihre Schicksale auch nach über 100 Jahren Mahnung sein für die nachfolgenden Generationen," erklärt Noise, der im Studio alle Instrumente einspielt und für das Konzept von KANONENFIEBER verantwortlich ist. Wie sein Vorgänger basiert KANONENFIEBERs zweites Album auf Tatsachenberichten, persönlichen Briefen und Originaldokumenten der überlebenden und verstorbenen Soldaten des Ersten Weltkriegs. Es geht nicht darum, zu glorifizieren, denn im Krieg gibt es keinen Ruhm. Alle verlieren - ihr Leben, ihre Seelen, ihre Menschlichkeit. Der Krieg wird oft abstrakt und anhand von trockenen Zahlen und Statistiken dargestellt. KANONENFIEBER wollen die Geschichten der Namenlosen und Gesichtslosen erzählen, um einen kleinen Einblick in ihre persönlichen Schrecken und damit in das größte Grauen für die Menschheit als Ganzes zu gewähren. Krieg. Der Black und Death Metal von KANONENFIEBER soll nicht nur unterhalten, sondern anregen, sich weiterzubilden und das Bewusstsein gegen die Verherrlichung des Krieges schärfen. "Die Urkatastrophe" wurde mit Kristian Kohle (Powerwolf, Aborted, Benighted u.v.a.) im Kohlekeller Studio aufgenommen. Zum Song "Waffenbrüder" steuerte Maik Weichert von HEAVEN SHALL BURN ein Gitarrengastsolo hinzu. Das Album erscheint in den folgenden Formaten: Ltd. Deluxe transp. sand-dark red colored splattered 2LP Artbook, Ltd. CD Mediabook & Patch, Standard CD Jewelcase, Ltd. Gatefold standard LP & LP-Booklet, LP and Digital Album.
Acid, 1980 im belgischen Brügge gegründet, gelten als einer der ersten Vorläufer des Speed Metal auf dem europäischen Kontinent. Sängerin Kate de Lombaerd, die Gitarristen Dirk Simoens (Dizzy Lizzy) und Donald Devers (Demon), Bassist Peter (T-Bone) sowie Drummer Geert (Anvill) nahmen in Form von "Acid" (1983), "Maniac" (1983) und "Engine Beast" (1985) drei hoch geschätzte Alben für Giant Records auf, ehe sich Mitte der achtziger Jahre ihre Wege trennten. Um 2019 herum reifte in Kate de Lombaerd der Plan, es noch einmal zu versuchen. Unter der Mitwirkung von Mathieu Trobec (Bass), Gilles Reuse (Gitarre), Andreas Stieglitz (Gitarre) und Bastiaan Andriessen (Schlagzeug) fand man sich wenig später unter dem Namen Kate's Acid zusammen. Es folgten umjubelte Live-Auftritte u.a. beim Keep It True Rising (2021) und noch einmal beim Keep It True im Jahre 2023, wo auch das jetzt vorliegende Album "Blowing Your Ears Off" mitgeschnitten wurde.
Acid, 1980 im belgischen Brügge gegründet, gelten als einer der ersten Vorläufer des Speed Metal auf dem europäischen Kontinent. Sängerin Kate de Lombaerd, die Gitarristen Dirk Simoens (Dizzy Lizzy) und Donald Devers (Demon), Bassist Peter (T-Bone) sowie Drummer Geert (Anvill) nahmen in Form von "Acid" (1983), "Maniac" (1983) und "Engine Beast" (1985) drei hoch geschätzte Alben für Giant Records auf, ehe sich Mitte der achtziger Jahre ihre Wege trennten. Um 2019 herum reifte in Kate de Lombaerd der Plan, es noch einmal zu versuchen. Unter der Mitwirkung von Mathieu Trobec (Bass), Gilles Reuse (Gitarre), Andreas Stieglitz (Gitarre) und Bastiaan Andriessen (Schlagzeug) fand man sich wenig später unter dem Namen Kate's Acid zusammen. Es folgten umjubelte Live-Auftritte u.a. beim Keep It True Rising (2021) und noch einmal beim Keep It True im Jahre 2023, wo auch das jetzt vorliegende Album "Blowing Your Ears Off" mitgeschnitten wurde.
Jaz Karis is getting ready to take off. The South London singer and songwriter has been making waves with her silky voice and lyrical, candid pen since her first EP back in 2017, building herself up steadily over the years. 2024 will see the long-awaited arrival of Jaz Karis' debut album, Safe Flight, . It's a record that spans a breadth of sonics: slinky Afrobeats, gleaming R&B, warm gospel, shimmering flecks of pop, hiphop, jazz and amapiano, all woven through with the glowing thread of Jaz's signature soulful feeling. "Soul to me is a feeling," she explains, "All I want to do with my music is evoke feelings."
The imagery for this album all pertains to identity and travel - IDs, lanyards, nostalgia-tinged film footage - and in turn, it all alludes to the path that Jaz Karis is on. Safe Flight finds an accomplished, assured artist reflecting on where she's been and ready to step up to the next level: a star on the rise but still deeply down to earth. At once soulful, vibey and poignant, this is an album about embracing possibility, admitting mistakes, and trusting the process. "It's about getting free," Jaz says with a smile, "And it's not that I have it all figured out now or anything, but I'm on this learning curve. There's something exciting about being on the journey."
Katy Perry meldet sich mit ihrem neuen Album „143“ zurück!
Mit insgesamt 115 Milliarden Streams und weltweit über 70 Millionen verkauften Alben und 143 Millionen Tracks ist Katy eine der meistverkauften Musikkünstlerinnen aller Zeiten! Was uns erwartet: Kühne,
überschwängliche und gute Dance-Pop-Musik mit der symbolischen Zahl 143 als numerischer Ausdruck der
Liebe, dessen Message sich durch das ganze Album zieht.
„143“ ist ab 20. September auf Vinyl, CD und digital erhältlich.
In this electrifying 2024, we're buzzing with excitement as we celebrate 40 years of Flexi, the record emporium that's weathered countless storms amidst the ever-shifting tides of the music industry, catering to vinyl aficionados across the ages. Alongside the raves and swag, no doubt, there's a killer compilation dropping on the indie label "Flexi Cuts," dubbed evocatively as "Musica Solida" spread across 3 or perhaps 4 12-inch samplers, boasting a carefully curated selection of singles from cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. The vision? To cultivate a virtuous movement of sublime tunes, echoing the fervor and zeal to persist within the realm of quality that Flexi embodies within the Italian scene, alongside kindred spirits... despite the daunting challenges of the market in recent years.
Musica Solida # 1 showcases
DJ Rocca: One of the most solid producers on the panorama, a respected maestro of the clubbing scene in Italy and worldwide.
Club Soda: Live electronic ensemble, still dreamin' from their latest EP 'Basso e Batteria', which packs an unreleased track recorded directly from their house-flavoured jam sessions.
Lex (Athens) & Locke : A Greek producer who is well established in today's dance house scene, with quality-vibey releases and a very nice and classy and groovy sound. We will definitely hear from him in the future!
Hiroyuki Kato: Emerging Osaka-based multi-instrumentalist makes his debut with a very punchy and catchy track!
The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) : Neapolitan super producer. Raw-sounding, gritty, powerful and never dull, a pleasure to have him with us.
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 silver cover.
Compiled by Simone Guerra aka Relative
Mastered by Francesco Brini (except track B1, Mastered by Marco Spaventi)
Distributed by Rubadub, Glasgow
Pressed by Desslab
Design by GLZ
First re-press since the initial 2019 release of critically acclaimed album featuring Yeah Yeah Yeahs' lead vocalist Karen O, and Danger Mouse, one of the most influential artist/producers of the 21st Century.
Debuting in March 2019, Lux Prima was hailed by Pitchfork as a “dreamy and poignant collaboration.” It featured the single “Woman,” which was accompanied by a memorable Spike Jonze-directed live performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The single was also nominated for the Best Rock Performance Grammy.
The new package includes the original artwork plus a 16 page booklet highlighting their interactive exhibition “An Encounter with Lux Prima”, held at Los Angeles’ Marciano Arts Foundation featuring a 360 degree soundscape of the album mixed at famed Skywalker Ranch.
WRWTFWW Records is happy to further its collaboration with Japanese electronic/ambient group Interior by releasing their never-heard-before soundtrack for environmental artist NILS-UDO’s 1987 Laserdisc Sculpture of Time (Apocalypse). The intriguing sound design/kankyo ongaku/new age album is available as a limited edition LP housed in a heavyweight 350gsm sleeve and comes with a obi strip. It is also available in digital format.
In 1987, Intermission published a Japan-only Laserdisc showcasing one hour of works created by renowned German environmental artist NILS-UDO. To accompany the visuals, they commissioned electronic music group Interior, fresh off their Haroumi Hosono-produced self-titled debut (also available on WRWTFWW Records) and their Windham Hill Records-released sophomore album Design. For the first time ever, the soundtrack is now available in full HD glory, demonstrating Daisuke Hinata, Eiki Nonaka, Mitsuru Sawamura, and Tsukasa Betto’s precise, subtle, and spellbinding approach to ambient sound design.
Calming nature sounds, ritualistic synths, meditative atmospheres, and eruptive forays into darker territories mesh superbly in a 4-part soundscape that flirts with oeuvres such Midori Takada’s Through The Looking Glass and Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Green, making Sculpture of Time one of one of the best kept secrets of kankyo ongaku – a must have for mystery hunters and levitating music lovers.
Sculpture of Time (Apocalypse) follows WRWTWW’s reissue of Interior’s debut album and precedes the upcoming release of Tarzanland, band member Daisuke Hinata’s pitch perfect solo from 1989.
Mara MacDonald is a musician and performer from Melbourne, Australia. She released her debut album 'I'm just One Person' as Marara on JPEG Artefacts in January 2023. She has also self-released two EP's, has received the Signal Sound Commission grant for young artists, and is known for her chaotic, confessional live performances. Brad Rose of Foxy Digitales said of her debut: "it feels like I've uncovered some kind of hidden treasure… each word, each sound echoes into forever."
August and June will be available on streaming platforms and limited-edition cassette tape on 27/09/24. Guests include pillar of the Australian noise scene, Uboa, and prolific Portland producer, Kaho Matsui. For fans of: Claire Rousay, More Eaze, Katie Dey, Felicia Atkinson, Elaine Radigue.
The unconscious and unknown must be really nice places. In any case, if you take the second album of Menelaos Tomasides under his given name as travelogue. A trip into dreamlike territory, yet concrete enough, a journey without target yet looking forward and looking back into familiar places, „dreamhike“ both continues and departs from the style Menelaos has found earlier, in “When the Moon Comes Through”, or his more conceptual-intentional “31 Minuten” works. As the album title - which roughly translates to “dream hiking” but also hints on “walkabout” and “songlines” – suggests, we are rambling between the real and the imaginary. From the bucolic border triangle of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands to the buzzing streets of the capital of Cyprus, where Menelaos has lived for many years, the tracks are about real places, about real experiences and emotions yet interwoven with a dreamlike fabric. Something that is just not tangible, yet substantial and palpable. Something concrete that manifests in the genuine and special sound design of this records - basically all of Menelaos’ works - his really special treatment of dynamics and loudness. It is one of the very few records where the established language of music making, specifically Techno, House, Dub, and early 2000’ Electronica, the clicks, thumps and plops from an earlier age of electronic music, transmogrify into slow movements of something new. Something that is gentle and truly personal, looking inwards. There are four-to-the-floor beats, there is wobbly bass, and dubby chords, even sublimated clarion calls. There is an immense energy in these tracks, the sheer materiality of low frequencies of a massive sound system manifested in a tiny room. Yet it is without any aggression, stripped bare of sonic pressure. It is quiet music no matter how high you turn up the volume. A rare treat, that requires exceptional skills and exceptional restraint and control on the technical side of music making. Probably it is a result of Menelaos specific combination of instinctual, intuitive approach to making music, which meets a genuine love for sound in seemingly endless loops of refinement that can lead to such a result as „dreamhike“. The elegant floating balance of control and playful experimentation manifests for example in a track that continues the ongoing collaboration with seasoned Cologne improviser Achim Fink on bass trumpet. Not only in this respect, the album can be described as a product of openness. It comes from a lot of taking in the world, of travel, of places and people met, of friendship and conversation (not necessarily with words). The deep trip of “dreamhike” further manifests Menelaos as one of the truly independent voices of electronic Cologne and beyond. Somewhat alike in character and attitude probably to what late Pete Namlook has established for Frankfurt with his label Fax +49-69/450464 (though ultimately warmer and much less uncanny) Menelaos has found his very own sound and vision. Music that answers to no one but speaks to everyone. Uncompromising yet gentle to the core: kind sounds from a kind spirit, arguably the most extraordinary and valuable quality music can have these days.




















