Teemon and Poomba go looking for light in the darkness on their new EP “Hopeless.” The Madrid duo have a knack for dragging nostalgic sounds into the present, and this release is no exception. With equal parts Hi-NRG euphoria and dark disco dread, the four tracks feel like a glitchy transmission beamed in from another decade, or perhaps another galaxy…
The title track, “Hopeless,” sends us hurtling down a wormhole. Powered by a cavernous bass, we are propelled through kick drums, warp effects and sparkly synths, while a distant voice calls at us through the darkness.
Iranian producer Amirali takes “Hopeless” somewhere a little lighter with his remix, easing the intensity down before letting it slowly climb again. His version foregrounds the track’s earworm synth line and builds on it, layering and expanding on the vocal line until it sounds celestial. Amirali’s skills as a classically trained pianist feel reflective here in his compositional approach.
If “Hopeless” is the wormhole down, then “Moon Connections” is what’s waiting on the other side. The track leans heavily into sharp, percussive sounds that form a grounding contrast to the high synths that glitter above. With a spoken word line that sounds like it’s being transmitted through a space-age radio and enough deep warp effects to get lost in, this B side sends us to the stars.
Closing things out, the Eagles & Butterflies remix of Moon Connections brings us down to earth. Chill, deep-house adjacent and with a hint of Daft Punk in its DNA, it wraps a heavily filtered guitar line around a softened groove built for the comedown – the sound of the sun coming up on the last people left on the floor.
Scottish producer and label owner Graham Wilson signals a new phase for Seventh Sign Recordings with a four-track EP that blends Detroit techno roots with bright European electronic colours. Across the release, Wilson moves between pulsing four-on-the-floor rhythms, analogue basslines, crisp drum-machine percussion and shimmering synth work. "Mode" opens with an energetic, uplifting drive with steady kicks, pulsing bass and bright synth leads shaped with clean, modern production and side-chained pads. "Oberheim' follows with warm analogue textures, arpeggiated lines and optimistic pads, carrying a classic synth-wave feel while keeping a tight, Detroit-leaning groove. "Are You There" pushes into tense, atmospheric territory: rising pads, crisp hi-hats and a pumping bassline build momentum, giving the track a spacious, late-night techno edge. Closing cut "Parallel Lives" shifts into retro-futurist mode, neon-lit and melodic, evoking 80s energy and nocturnal late night drives. All in, a strong, forward-looking EP that connects machine-soul heritage with modern electronic clarity, ushering a fresh chapter for Seventh Sign.
It's been 32 years since Hyper Go Go's 'High' crashed into life, combining the best of Italo House and rave into an exuberant, floor destroying piano anthem.
Fast forward to 2024 and HOOJ reissue this 92 classic with the Original & Cloud 9 Mixes on the A side with 2 newer remixes on the B side.
Remixes come from Fast rising Scottish duo Testpress, who strip things back a bit, working the original riffs around a thumping kick and hooky new synth line & Kyle Starkey, the youngster takes no prisoners, tearing into the OG with slamming 135bpm drums, big drops, the odd snare roll, and lots of drama, for an energy driven update.
Kicking things off, Suavy AF sets the tone with a sensual, groove-driven cut that balances raw energy and playful finesse. Tight drums, cheeky edits and a laid-back swagger make this one built for both heads-down listening or late-night dancefloor moments. Lemon & Mint, showing they're not here to play it safe.
On the flipside, Synkro takes the original into deeper territory, stripping it back and reshaping it with weighty low-end and a more introspective swing. He offers a more hypnotic take that hits just as hard in its own way. A perfect counterbalance that rounds out the release with class!
The Jazzcodes and Michele Chiavarini kick off this fine survey of contemporary deep house with 'Wolf Dust (Saison Rework)' which draws on jazz-inflected motifs and feeds them into a steady groove with layered keys sitting over a controlled kick pattern. 'Friday' from DJ Romain works in a more direct frame driven by looping piano stabs and clipped drums with diva vocals injecting heat. 'In The Moment' has an air of cool jazz to it with deft horns and spoken word that muse on the great genre while Saison's 'This Is A House Record' sure is that: classic drums and knotted little synths bring a warming vibe for grown-up floors.
DJ Koze's 2013 album opus Amygdala has continued to bewitch all who encounter it since its release. Tipped as his own personal Sgt. Pepper, the sublime long-player revealed a fully-realised and personal body of work, complete with a classic songwriting at its core, House in its heart, and veins coursing with psychedelic color. La Duquesa' was the album's dreamy single standout, a journey into deep, tropical ecstasy. XTC' begins in the same spirit, and captures the all the blissful allusions of its name, but its initial gentility belies the deep intensity to come. Floating pads glow with celestial ambience as a kick drum is gradually coaxed into solid form, and the introduction of spoken text begins the second act. Many people are experimenting with the drug Ecstasy,' it says, ...is the drug like the lie and meditation the truth Or am I missing something that could really help me". XTC' then transforms: sweetly imploring tones become demanding, gentle gradients between chords turn hard-edged, and sharp hi-hats cut through the haze. Complete with Koze's signature percussive quirks, it drives towards the track's final pay off: an undeniable, all-consuming, irresistible high. Knee On Belly' recalls Koze at his most tongue-in-cheek and overt, it is bright, bold and literally brassy, using cut-up horns of all shapes and sizes to patchwork together his own unique arrangement. With the highs and mid ranges accounted for, Koze adds in a swollen, thrumming bass line to mix to bring this floor-filler to life. Knee on Belly' recalls a raw, filtered and funky approach to groove, with a nod to disco house and the art of artful sampling, as it orbits between its own neon highs and simmering lows.
Teeing up the next dynamite release on Brighton-based label Murmurations is prolific UK producer Michael James. Spread across four cuts, the fifth vinyl release from the label - MURM005 - continues to focus on essential, stripped-back, driving dancefloor energy with a nostalgic edge. The Moving Music founder delivers exactly that throughout his four excursions here, laced with infectiously swung grooves from top to bottom, synonymous with his sound. “Ultra Realism” kicks off the record with heady peak-time action, its enormous elastic bassline winding itself around intricately arranged, skippy drums, rarely letting up as the track evolves.
Dubby, golden-era tech house sounds arrive on the A2, titled “More Of That”, a fitting name for this after-hours future anthem. As we land on the B-side, we’re greeted by “Lazy River Express”, another slick encounter with a distinctly charming attitude to it. Hard not to move to this one. Rounding off the EP is another example of punchy, rolling action, begging to be played loud. “Stargazer” leaves us with a crisp yet dreamy finish, rounding off the EP with another standout cut for the record bag. In its early days, Leo Christopher has managed to build a sought-after catalogue with the Murmurations imprint, and long may that continue. The curation is always one step ahead, and the label has very quickly become a buy on sight imprint for devoted diggers. An exciting combination here as a growing label joins forces with a staple name on the UK circuit.
Sohrab Karimi is doing a fine job of establishing his still young but increasingly vital label Kolony Gorky with another superb two-tracker here. 'Work It!' kicks off at pace with slick, punchy tech house drums, but the structure of them is offset by liquid synths, trippy details, and warped melodies that bring an after-party vibe where space and time melt away to a fuzz. On the flipside is a deeper jam, 'Yousef Abad, which is slower, more dubby and soothing for those late-night hours when you just want to lock into a groove and zone right out.
Mark Ambrose has been a serious house head since the 1980s and has always brought his own flavours to the original Chicago and Detroit sound. He heads up the Crayon label, which is where much of his music comes from, including this latest deep dive into groove. 'I Want You' (feat Talia) kicks off with a meandering lead synth that comforts over a warm bed of drums as a sultry vocal whisper brings some intimacy. 'Rumble Jazz' then rocks back and forth a little more with swaggering attitude and hints of darkness and 'Monica Dancing With Angels' is a smooth cruiser with a far-sighted melodic edge. 'On A Dream' brings a sultry jazz flourish with some sombre trumpets lingering above classic deep house drums and bass that take you way back.
After the worldwide techno hit that was Darc Marc's "Dirty Rocking Bass" comes the next Cluster X instalment from French legend GANEZ THE TERRIBLE. "The Rave..." is another prime time techno monster from the Acid Techno/Techno underground that is going to cause massive dancefloor mayhem with its cheeky 'The rave, the sound, the people, the party" sample and hard funky beats and 303 stabs. With pounding remixes from D.A.V.E. THE DRUMMER, and new kid-on-the-block SEON, and a kicking bonus track "Elevator" from Ganez himself this gives a nod to all areas of harder techno.
London-based Frankfurt export Claus Fuss brings his vibrant creativity to Rant & Rave with the Läuft! EP. Claus’ output includes a whole bunch of solo productions and collaborative projects with OneOneOne and LANDER, as well as co-productions with UK legends such as Zed Bias, Emerald a.o. His analogue-produced cuts have been signed to labels such as Khemia, Crème Organization, Neighbourhood, Heras and Kaizen. With his arrival on Rant & Rave, Claus drops four scintillating examples of rough and ready techno, including a collab with label head MAEDON. The EP kicks off with the title track ‘Läuft!’ (Running! in English), a mesmerising cut with a repetitive vocal snippet that forms part of the main riff. The beats are exquisitely programmed, and Claus keeps that track progressing, shifting and evolving masterfully.
Subtle layers add depth, while the main thrust of ‘Läuft!’ remains potent and captivating throughout. Next up is ‘Schwarze Löcher’ (Black Holes). As the title suggests, this one is dark and deep, sucking you into the sonic void. Elastic kick drums propel this one forward, as a rhythmically peppered, resonance shifting riff rises and falls. Claus gradually ramps up the intensity until we reach a breakdown, where that riff really works its magic. When the drums are reintroduced, it’s a powerful moment. Then we have ‘TopUp’, a lively, upbeat cut with contagious energy. Claus hooks the listener with an irresistible rhythmic structure, the bassline is especially addictive. Fast paced, dynamic drum programming keeps this one moving at a frenetic pace. On the surface it’s deceptively simple, but attentive listeners will pick up on all the details that make this one a compelling listening (and dancing) experience. Finally, we have ‘Zwanzig’ (Twenty), a heady collaboration with Rant & Rave boss MAEDON. This one brings together MAEDON’s earworm melodies and Claus’ penchant for hypnotic grooves. An insistent groove gives this cut a feel of urgency, while a relentless riff and punchy beats aim squarely at mind and body. A masterclass in dance floor engagement and connection.
Industrial badman Sei2ure back on PRSPCT release with a huge 2 track vinyl EP.
Some say industrial hardcore is dead. If that were the case then this one is for sure the one to bring it back to life!
On the A side we have Send You To Hell. A 175BPM monster containing almost everything both Sei2ure and PRSPCT stand for. Driving pounding kick drums, catchy hooks and that perfect dose of snare drum warfare making this the perfect track to kill it on both Hardcore & Drum & Bass events. Huge track!
On the flip we have Push The Prozac. A 190BPM beast tune pushing up the tempo a bit without losing the groove and that dark Industrial vibe we love to death and have been missing so much.
Again another release on PRSPCT that is All Killer, No Filler. Enjoy!
ANNE and Sera J close their Symbiosis series on Mutual Rytm with third and most refined EP yet.
This final chapter reflects everything the collaboration has stood for across a trio of inventive techno releases on SHDW's imprint. Creative and life partners ANNE and Sera J have been two voices growing in parallel, evolving separately but moving with the same pulse. ANNE is well established thanks to standout EPs on the likes of Soma and Hardgroove, while Sera J has released on the likes of Life in Patterns and Renegade Methodz, and both have featured on Mutual Rytm's 'Federation Of Rytm' series before now. 'Symbiosis III' is the moment where everything comes full circle: the culmination of a journey built on respect, creativity, and the freedom to explore their own paths while lifting each other forward.
Sera J kicks off with 'Ransomware', a commanding and driving techno cut lit up with flashy synths but always moving with urgency. 'Phosphate' keeps the energy levels high with stripped-back drums and bass designed to perfection, while 'Anthrax' has an anxious edge. The synths are wispy but evocative as bass kills and swiping filters bring the drama.
ANNE then ups the ante with the acid-tinged 'Dementia', which is loopy and unrelenting before 'A Taste of a Real Woman' gets more seductive with a sultry spoken word and sustained chords that bring the paranoia. 'Heart Rate' is propulsive with Detroit-style synth soul and an aching vocal, before Sera J returns with 'On the Run' - a percussive, trippy and eerie roller. His final Cut 'Similar Minds' has a searching synth surveying a desolate landscape, before ANNE then closes the EP with the punchy drum patterns and icy hi hats of 'Primal Howl Of Ego' and a blend of deep drums and evocative synth work on the 'Analog Heartbeat' - which proves potent techno can be beautiful.
"Potency continues apace with 'Jackin Shit', a gleefully self-explanatory EP from label founder Cromby. Following widely-played recent releases from Malik Kassim aka Retromigration, Trax Unit and Rhythms of Prescott, the prolific DJ and producer reaffirms his imprint's fundamentals with four upfront, high-energy tracks, each reflecting a different facet of the Belfast-via-Berlin producer's decades-deep understanding of house and techno history. Title track 'Jackin' Shit' gets things moving with a rich blend of rolling basslines, liquid keys and diva'ed up vocal snippets. Lucid and groovy in the style of seminal East Coast vocal pleasures, Cromby's vision of house is nonetheless driven by a dusty kick drum that references Head High/WK7, or Paul Woolford in a warehouse somewhere... In contrast, 'Sense Control' places percussion front and centre, locking in a tight rhythm in order to ride out a liquid collage of acid lines, ecstatic piano and other blissfully wavy elements. 'Con Gas' establishes a tougher direction on the flip, finding Cromby's busier instincts reduced the simplest of ingredients - sub, bass and stabs - taking dancers deep into the bowels of house, replete with classic vocal call-outs, and yes, even a well-earned inbuilt spinback. Having exhibited such restraint, we're unceremoniously booted out of the cubicle and back toward the strobes for 'Cheeky Bump', a rubbery, driving dancefloor tool guaranteed to delay any impending cab home. Colourful, charismatic and exclusively engineered for true party people, 'Jackin' Shit' finds Cromby returning to home turf on definitive form."
Bogdan Ra kicked off his new label Love Affair with some banging house cuts that threw it back to early Chicago styles. This third outing flips the script and shows his range with four disco sounds that take their cues from the late 70s and 80s: all the hallmarks are there, from the classic synths and vocoders to dusty drum machines. 'Complimento' is a smooth title track, while 'Shout' is a French-tinged funk workout., 'Paramour' glides through cosmic disco textures, while 'Fire in Cairo' brings an unexpected vocal twist and acrobatic bassline full of movement. Charming stuff.
Macedonian artist Stojche kicks off Mutual Rytm Xs 2025 schedule with his blistering new EP, Stomping Ground.
Stojche is an exciting DJ and producer from Skopje, Macedonia, who is currently based in Madrid. He heads up his Tangible Assets imprint and has been making waves in the electronic underground for over 20 years. His music takes inspiration from the classic sounds of Detroit and dub techno, and in 2024, he impressed with his Metaphor EP on F.U.S.E. Following on from his superb contribution to Mutual Rytms Federation of Rytm II compilation, here, he now serves up his first EP of the year with a first outing on X, the sister label of SHDWs Mutual Rytm, w Stomping Ground.
This EP opens up with the powerful Stomping Ground, a scintillating blend of tightly programmed kicks and reverberating percussive lines. The textured percussion shimmers over the racing beats and cannot fail to sweep dancers off their feet. Oberheim is another high-class, high-impact sound with muted melodies thinking over the twisting and turning drums and bass which never let up and ooze warm machine soul. Consequence keeps the pressure on with tight drums and raw percussive layers softened by smeared dub chords. Digital bonus The Vault shuts down with thumping kicks and rave ready synth stabs that will erupt on peak-time floors.
Exos inaugurates the new sub-label on SHDW's Mutual Rytm with four 90s techno cuts, with offshoot imprint X building on the main imprint's DJ-friendly tools to delve deeper into a broader spectrum of electronic music.
Founded in 2022, SHDW's Mutual Rytm label has quickly become one of techno's most supported labels, with wide-reaching love and well-earned hype following a series of carefully curated VA offerings and solo EPs from a wealth of the scene's best. Continuing to push the pace, with more records capturing high-quality, fresh soundscapes, April brings a new project to the mix with the launch of a new sub-label X, with techno pioneer Exos drafted to deliver the first instalment.
Hailing from Iceland, the Planet X boss is a master of crafting perfect dancefloor weaponry. Over the last twenty years, his high-octane sounds have come via vital labels like Figure and X/OZ, never failing to make an impact with both DJs and dancers. Whether dubby or hard, his techno is always authentic and channels the purity of the 90s sound, and he brings this signature sound to four fresh productions across his 'Infrared' EP, marking an impressive debut for both label and artist.
The title cut 'Infrared' opens up the package in style and showcases a track that looks set to be a go-to anthem for many in the months ahead. With searing synth lines and drilling bass, the blistering production delivers a thrilling, high-impact techno sound that will devastate the dancefloor. The well-designed 'Kaldur Klaki' ups the ante even more with tightly coiled loops of drums, rusty hi-hats and stuttering synth lines that canter along with a muscular feel. 'The Bad' is twitchy and paranoid, anxiety-riddled techno that is perfect for dark warehouses and freaky dancers before digital bonus 'DS4BR' lands with a more stripped-back aesthetic with dubby undercurrents and static electricity fizzing across the face of the cut.
Each of the releases on Mutual Rytm X will be available on limited edition, coloured 10" vinyl, hence the Roman numeral X, and Exos' 'Infrared' EP kicks off the series on 19th April ahead of a new wave of killer releases scheduled across 2024.
Faith Beat’s 11th signal comes from Ploy with The 'Flirt' EP. A 5 track journey through the darker shades of house and touches of garage - his signature kick drums and bass lines move your body, while vocal samples pull at your heart and mind.
House is the Religion. The DJ is my Deacon. The Music is my God and James Bangura is cool af.
Genuine, passionate, clear, authentic and real…. He isn’t trying, he just is. And his music is the same. It’s fucking cool. It’s real and authentic and it just is James Bangura. So it’s a real honour to add him to the Shall Not Fade roster; from Techno to Jungle to House and everything between the DC native can extract the true essence of a genre and simultaneously make it his own & pay homage to its roots.
So on Jack Sermon there’s no surprise when he flexes a seemingly generationally inherited knack for all things House (and Techno) and delivers four tracks of raw, real, genuine House music. OG shit.
‘House is the Religion, and the DJ is my Deacon, but the music is my God” says the Evangelical vocal on title track ‘Jack Sermon’. Never has there been a more aptly named track…This is a jack sermon… an OG inspired Chi town cut channeling early house music’s soulful beginnings delivered with straight up jacking house beat offset with laidback dusty dub chords….. We don;t say this lightly but we’re calling anthem on this one.
‘Scat Pack’ takes a more percussive and drum forward House motif. Thunderous kicks tease techno but this is still house, NY at heart complete with voguing diva vocals . Blown out and choppy we could say ‘this could have been ripped from a late 90’s club recording on a lost tape’ but that would do disservice to the precise but invisible fusion that's been laid down here..
‘Funk To Berlin’ opens the flip side and in Bangura’s journey to explore classic forms of house and techno, this track may well have taken root from Dub techno pioneers from the past. Deep dub chords and deeper subs lead the track but that jacking percussion makes this more than homage. Machine Funk, Machine soul. AA side business.
‘The Green Line’ closes out the EP in style.. rolling it out with skittering synths that work like percussion, ethereal pads and a faint vocal ‘Chicago’ spiralling into itself making this track one you can get lost in. Some might argue that this one is techno but who cares. It’s the journey not the destination. Two tickets please.
If you don’t know James Bangura’s music already (or even if you do) do some digging.. Look for releases on Mister Saturday Night, K7! and Floorspeed and check his output as part of “Black Rave Culture” with Amal and Nativesun and as a member of Groovedeep with Toronto’s Ciel and fellow DC native Jackson Ryland.
To close, we’ll leave you with this note from James……. told he is cool af.
House music, to me, exists on a wide spectrum. I’m inspired by its many forms: stripped-back minimalism, percussive drive, hypnotic textures, and soulful undertones. Rather than confining myself to one approach, I treat each track as an exploration—testing structure, pushing rhythm, and allowing subtle details to carry emotional weight. The studio becomes a space where groove and atmosphere meet intention. This body of work highlights that process. It reflects how I balance technical precision with feel, tension with release, and tradition with forward motion. Every decision—from drum programming to spatial design—is part of shaping a sound that feels honest and instinctive. - James Bangura
A legend returns as the alias of scene stalwart DJ Levi and Curvature co-creator Ghosts of MIDI unleashes an EP of seismic tracks backed with remixes from ASC and Aural Imbalance. A1 - Iron Dinosaurs Opening a fine Curvature debut for the label’s very own Dan Azimuth, Iron Dinosaurs is an epic piece of atmospheric goodness introduced with a long, elegant intro of synths and luscious female vocals. Before long, classy, energetic metallic breaks kick in, set to an immensely memorable key melody and a room-filling bassline, creating a breathtakingly fluid and captivating piece. A2 - Iron Dinosaurs (ASC remix) Taking an incredibly evocative track and lacing it with sprinkles of ASC goodness to create a true gem is the order of the day here, as the heart of the original courses through an ominous intro, quickly beset by fine analogue amens that hit hard for the dancefloor, while allowing the soul of the piece to breathe, syncing in harmony with the distinctive vocal samples and swirling synthwork that colour the atmosphere so perfectly. B1 - Deadly Dimensions A DJ-friendly intro of hi hats gradually ushers in epic, bassy melodies gliding through serene vocals and airy pads, before the drop reveals exquisite breaks with just the slightest hint of an apache in there. Very danceable, the breaks are chopped and diced at will, driving a determined pace for another superbly epic, ethereal piece of atmospheric drum & bass from one of the OG’s of the scene. B2 - Deadly Dimensions (Aural Imbalance remix) The EP closes with a real treat - this is as close as an example you’ll hear to a match made in heaven as the eerily epic production of Ghosts of Midi collides with the inimitable ambient mastery of Aural Imbalance. Intersecting the thoughtful vibes of the original, this remix sees playful old school breaks jostle with swathes of fluid synthwork and delicate pads, creating a unified expression of atmospheric purity.
Aural Imbalance returns to Curvature for the first time since the label’s very first release with an EP of stunning atmospheric and old school bliss. A1 - Ghosts of Midi - String Theory (Aural Imbalance remix) Kicking the EP off with a spirited remix of the immense Ghosts of Midi track String Theory, delicate padwork and subtle hats open proceedings before Aural Imbalance deploys a brisk, heavily chopped and spliced Circles break to drive the luscious atmospherics atop a deep, moody 808 bassline. Synths, pads and strings jostle playfully across the soundscape before the breaks fall back before we are treated to a blissful extended ambient outro. A2 - High Time Taking us right back to the early 90’s with crunchy, rustic amen breaks that immediately burst into the mix, Aural Imbalance flexes his old school muscle with a flurry of thumping, distorted breakbeats with an earthy analogue sub bass rumbling below. Synths and light strings add character and juxtaposition to the track to complete an enjoyable and very dancefloor friendly throwback classic in the making. B1 - Magnetism Chunky, belligerent breaks smash their way into a drum-riddled intro as Aural Imbalance unleashes an old school amen workout for the ages. Punctuated by cheerful, swirling sounds of sonic phosphorescence, the drums are chopped and filtered liberally as an earworm melody works its way into the mix. Magnetism is a perfect example of how old school breakwork and atmospheric ambience are such a perfect match. B2 - Night Vision Switching things up with a more introspective vibe, Night Vision sees Aural Imbalance opening with trancey synths before thick drums with metallic snares and dense kicks are introduced - carefully and elegantly arranged with a thoughtfully constructed pattern. The synths continue to surf the audio waves with deep 808 bass accompanying the beats and micro melodies layering throughout.
The fourth release on Samurai Music sublabel SAIBAI comes from Spanish techno mainstay Reeko. True to his long-standing reputation for hypnotic sonics and rhythmic precision, Juan Rico builds on a recent run of activity on Samurai to offer up a densely packed, evocative pair of 160/170 BPM soundscapes. In keeping with the spirit of previous SAIBAI releases, Rico emphasises exploration on both sides of this new record as he draws out continually morphing textures that land between melodic expression and percussive impact. It's instantly clear there's a free tekno undercurrent buried beneath 'Gathering 1' that defines the energy of this latest transmission. The difference is how Rico wields that energy, artfully submerging the kick drum propulsion and letting three-dimensional sonic sculpture beat a path towards the dance. Layers of arrhythmic delay ripples loosen the valve, but there's a constant pressure pushing at the edges of the production from start to finish. There's a more immediate urgency to the mixing of the rhythmic elements on 'Gathering 2' as Rico teases a gabba-like intensity tempered by misty clouds and textural sweeps that soften the attack without sacrificing the thumping energy of the track. Measured and meticulous, bristling with micro-details on top of the imposing presence, both 'Gathering's reaffirm Reeko's current hot streak working outside his usual field of focus.
The prolific Lord Of The Isles (aka Scotland's Neil McDonald) has had a string of stunning 12's over the past few years on labels such as Permanent Vacation, Unthank, Shevchenko, Mule and of course his four track 'Year Of The City EP' on Phonica, which was widely acclaimed upon its release in 2012.
This time LOTI presents two long-form tracks, each a mini-masterpiece in itself. The 10 minute plus 'Greane' bursts into life after an intro of kicks and white noise hi-hats. It continues to slowly build, with pitch-bent synth lines and a pulsing bass-line making way for a melacholic shift in mood. Truly original stuff!
On the flip, a swirl of synthetic strings introduces 'Gigha', in a manner that brings to mind Rhythm
Is Rhythm's legendary 'Kao-Tic Harmony', before the drums and infectious acid-line join in. Over the 8 minutes they continue to interweave and play off each other to dazzling effect.
Artwork by Jack Featherstone, the designer of a number of sleeves for Border Community (including the highly praised campaign behind James Holden's 'The Inheritors', its singles and live visuals), Electric Minds, Warm and of course, Phonica.
The return of Jonne Lydén aka 53X is an exhilarating welcome for Emotional Especial with 4 more seismic analogue psychedelic jams that are becoming recognisably a unique and hypnotic statement.
Lydén’s studio time is distillation for personal contemplation and perfection just 3 releases in 5 years that are worth the wait. The heady demand for his debut ‘Synapse’ and the following ‘Zen ‘23’ on Especial (limited repress incoming!) show constant development a sound of widescreen technoscope where dub beats trance pyrotechnics and 303 mind-melt swirling in a cosmic matter.
His return takes this further his music heritage in Finland’s hardcore punk scene to finding the techno of Detroit and Berlin before submerging in synths and drum programming jamming recording and mixing these trip-out electronic journeys live.
This heavy 4/4 jack is apparent on opening Sanctuary. Like his recent outings ‘Radar’ found on the Especial 50th “sampler” release ‘Gracias Especial’ (EES050) and also ‘Simulaato’ hidden away on blink and you miss it cult label Avidya (AVI003) this is a pure undiluted bang. Straight forward heavy bass kicking charged with acid 303 and monotonic vocal insights the track is a flourishing temple a call of embrace.
The eponymous Cyan Haze showcases 53X’s cinematic finest panoramic audio and sound design creating expansive phonics. BPMs drop samples flourish around break drops and rolling bass – breathing looping shouting lifting.
Owls enlightens. Hardware rumbles cerebral a temporal universe awakening. The collage of found sound successive sequential all encased by hypnotic broken chords rolling bass and melancholic piano refrain. Meta worming braindance ecstatic tribal industrial gliding by Shiva into the night.
Dust closes apt its basement collage pounds Lydén to techno genesis. Proto-zeitgeist steppa dark room incantation pulling and expanding the fantasy to strange dreamscapes. Reincarnation and hope in 2026.
The gold standard edit masters at Scruniversal have decided to refocus somewhere away from their usual Brazilian sound for this latest 7". It finds the crew heading to Africa and digging deep for new grooves, with Tony Lavrutz, Scruscru & Dwaal coming correct. 'Afrika Bambaataa' kicks the record off with a laid back Afro-tinged broken beats with a sunny disposition and plenty of bright melodies that wouldn't sound out of place in a Nightmares on Wax set. On the flip side joint, 'Zulu Jam" the drums cut more deep with organic percussion scattered up top next to expressive flutes. Perfect summer vibes.
The Jazzcodes and Michele Chiavarini kick off this fine survey of contemporary deep house with 'Wolf Dust (Saison Rework)' which draws on jazz-inflected motifs and feeds them into a steady groove with layered keys sitting over a controlled kick pattern. 'Friday' from DJ Romain works in a more direct frame driven by looping piano stabs and clipped drums with diva vocals injecting heat. 'In The Moment' has an air of cool jazz to it with deft horns and spoken word that muse on the great genre while Saison's 'This Is A House Record' sure is that: classic drums and knotted little synths bring a warming vibe for grown-up floors.
The Pleased As Punch crew have every right to be as they roll out another eccentric disco 12". It's Saison that kicks off with the expressive and true 'I Can Make Good Music', a freewheeling collage of excitable loops, florid strings and disco drums with loopy vocals building the heat. 'You Are The One' from Fresco Edits is a chunky, drum-first sound with bobbling bass notes and great swing. Mainline's 'Heat Up The House' calms the vibe and sinks into a deeper, more smooth house sound for when the mood switches once the sun sets and DiscoPlex's 'The Funk' then brings a big finish with monstrous kicks and chopped and smeared synths bring the colour to a Kerri Chandler style groove.
The Pleased As Punch crew have every right to be as they roll out another eccentric disco 12". It's Saison that kicks off with the expressive and true 'I Can Make Good Music', a freewheeling collage of excitable loops, florid strings and disco drums with loopy vocals building the heat. 'You Are The One' from Fresco Edits is a chunky, drum-first sound with bobbling bass notes and great swing. Mainline's 'Heat Up The House' calms the vibe and sinks into a deeper, more smooth house sound for when the mood switches once the sun sets and DiscoPlex's 'The Funk' then brings a big finish with monstrous kicks and chopped and smeared synths bring the colour to a Kerri Chandler style groove.
Aeonian Sounds brings a new platform to the world of underground Drum & Bass kicking off their Label with an incredible 2 track release featuring Charlie Turbo & The Blunt Needles.
Side A Features Charlie Turbo's "Headfone" which delivers a powerful sub-bass, heavy breaks & distorted atmospherics.
Side AA features The Blunt Needles with their delicate atmospheric track, seemingly effortless chops laced with beautiful strings to excite your eardrums.
Our aim is to bring the exposure and appreciation to the creative individuals who are dedicated to the true art form of Jungle Drum & Bass.
Marc Cotterell shows his A&R class here with another brilliantly assembled various artists EP on his Plastik People label, which is essential for fans of timeless house and garage fusions. The record kicks off with Deep South Soul's 'Harmonica Man' as remixed by Mellow Man and it has a touch of the bluesy Saint Germain to its lithe deep house and spoken words. Mellow Man then drops the 90s-coded 'So Deep', with warm organ chords and bubbly drums that have a New York swagger to them. Manhattan Project turns up the heat with a raw, hardcore garage-house swinger in the form of 'Turn That Up' and Reign Of Rhythm layers up neat stabs and leggy kick drums on the sleazy 'Cum Inside'. Essential and effective house.
LILDAVE215 is a proud Philly representative who channels funk, soul and acid jazz into his delicious take on disco. For this new outing on the young but already promising Sweet Breeze Sound label, he kicks off with 'Music Takes Me' which rides on slinky drums that slide irresistibly on nice dusty cymbals and has funky riffs down low. The vocals add simple but effective colour that adds to the feel-good nature. 'Carnaval Del Tiempo' is more Latin influenced, with prickly percussion and big vocals, even bigger drums and sax energy all added for when the sun shines down hot.
Berlin Sessions II continues the dialogue between Ray Kajioka and Eddie Hale, two producers working across techno, electro and experimental ground. Explorer opens with a rolling low end and clipped hats, built for the peak. Seven, Kajioka alone, strips back to a stark Detroit pulse, drum machine logic laid bare. Home returns the pair to shared ground, warmer pads over a steady kick, built for the room rather than the mainroom. Eleven closes with Hale solo, electro accents and a looser, more experimental swing. Across four tracks the record moves between drive and detour, functional enough for a set, strange enough to stand apart from it.
For our 7th original release we welcome our good friend David Agrella, alongside Kompo on remix duties.
David’s a producer with a fast growing reputation and a label of his own, Agrellomatica. The label’s gathered support from a number of respected DJ’s such as Jane Fitz, Laurent Garnier, Ivan Smagghe, Francesco Farfa, Enzo Siragusa, Moxie, Ciel, Massimiliano Pagliara and we’re pleased to welcome him on Seven Hills.
The Kom Dansen EP is one of David’s darker EP’s, blending together thick growling basslines and atmospheric, psychedelic samples. 4 tracks made purely for the dancefloor, all driven by a phat 909 kick, this is music for late night sessions.
Deseo drives through twists and turns with a grooving bass, precise funky drum patterns, and a vocal recorded by the man himself. Kom Dansen hits you with a huge belly bassline, while taking you on a trip on the night train, deep into the wormhole, with an ever building momentum.
Sabotage Signals is similarly growling and deep, with spooked out synth sounds, and unsettling pad action, while Kompo’s version strips everything back, and
2026 Repress
Mike Parker, one of the most respected and innovative artists in techno, presents his debut release Cyclic Intonations on Sonic Groove with a monster three cut collection of TB-303 infused songs.
Included in this acidic burner of a release is :
- Atom Soldiers, an unearthed, thought-provoking acid gem recorded in the late 1990s
- Signal 303 features Mike dusting off his TB-303 to create an incredible new gem.
- Resonator (Adam X Pumped Up Edit), Originally released on Defective Records in 1997 and fetching a fortune on Discogs. Adam adds a heavier bass kick drum to one of the best acid tracks ever, ensuring it fits seamlessly into any modern day techno set.
If you love acid techno, this release is a must-have!
Burnski's Constant Black label puts out constantly good sounds for all those of a minimal and tech house persuasion. This 33rd such outing comes from Per Hammer who offers a trio of irresistible grooves. 'Everybody_hz' kicks off with rubbery drums and bass intertwining with each other while wonky synths up top add some tripped-out feels. A Varhat adds a little extra bounce and urgency to this silky late-night hypnotiser and then it's back to Hammer for 'The Danish URL'. It's a hooky groove with warped pads rippling up top while closer 'Arkivo' is a more textural and abstract affair with a nice dubby undercurrent.
Georgian powerhouse Yanamaste drops long-anticipated new EP on Mutual Rytm.
In-demand DJ/producer Yanamaste is a resident at Georgia's renowned Khidi Club and a key part of Amsterdam's Vault Sessions crew. His unique sound and fresh creative approach result in raw and visceral techno, reflecting his passion for pushing boundaries and showcased perfectly via his 'Dance' EP on Vault last year. Now, he returns with an EP born out of the creative process behind his live set with a debut appearance on SHDW's Mutual Rytm, 'Evil' - a collection of heavily-requested tracks that have already made an impact after featuring in his Boiler Room and Stone Techno Festival livestream.
'Evil' kicks things off with perfectly rubbery, funky drum patterns and an urgent sense of movement that sweeps you off your feet. 'Lahante' is more percussive, with busy snares riding the rolling, forceful drums and stark synths arresting your attention. 'Dragonfly' is perfectly reduced via minimal drums intertwined with thunderous effects and ghoulish energy, while 'Modulation Detected' has a more cosmic feel as it journeys into the future with whispered spoken words and synths searching across the face of the groove. Last but not least is the irresistible broken beat goodness of 'Walking On Mars', with its swinging kicks and vast bassline spraying about the mix beneath hypnotic melodic patterns.
Two superb bonus cuts, 'Ohohoi' and 'Pwiu', are also provided for digital buyers, bringing further gems loaded with moody depths and compelling rhythms.
Ketiov joins Radio Slave’s Rekids with the ‘I’m Okay’ EP The artist, also known as one half of the Catz ‘n Dogz duo, released on the REK’D sublabel last year.
Ketiov, AKA Voitek Taranczuk, drops the ‘I’m Okay’ EP on Rekids 17th July 2026, following his ‘10 Hours Extravaganza’ EP with Edvvin on sublabel REK’D last year. Opening track ‘La Dopamina’ sees Taranczuk, also known as one half of renowned touring duo Catz 'n Dogz, team up with Equatoguinean Spanish DJ, vocalist, producer, and visual artist Megane Mercury. Their mesmerising voice, paired with ‘La Dopamina’s raw, infectious groove, drives this club tool forward, while ‘Shut Up’ follows with playful, crunchy, glitchy dancefloor energy. On the fl ip, the mind-melting ‘My Version Of A Kickdrum’ builds pressure to distorted intensities before dropping into a hypnotic spoken-word ritual, while ‘Guiri 2026’ closes in a whirlwind of Ketiov’s own chopped-up vocals and muscular, jackin’ drums.
“This EP is all about experimentation and just jamming out. I wanted to keep the arrangements super raw and get back to the roots of music—capturing a specific feeling in the moment so people can experience it on the dancefloor later. Overall, I wanted to make an old-school club EP with different tracks for different parts of the night.” – Ketiov
As part of Catz ‘n Dogz, the Madrid-based Ketiov has shaped global dance fl oors and contributed to his own co-founded Pets Recordings and its off shoot, Step Recordings, alongside labels like Radio Slave’s flAgship Rekids imprint, Defected, and plenty more. He also runs the local queer party CARBS alongside his husband and is a resident at Madrid’s Cafe Berlin and fetish party MyPleasure.
Innate launched out of Bristol in 2018 as an extension of a well-respected blog run by Owain K, and is now one of the more cultured outlets in the realm of advanced techno. This ninth 12" heads across the Irish Sea for a split EP featuring top heads Eddie Reynolds aka TR One and Americhord. The former goes first with the snappy drums and reverberating bass twangs of 'We Lost An Hour' before 'I'm Alone' zones out into more widescreen and far-sighted deep techno laced with malleable acid lines. Americhord then keeps it deep with the interplanetary 'Parallax', a supple, comforting cocoon of synth and bass warmth before flipping into kicking electro territory on 'Sub Level'. Proper classy tackle.
SHDW & Obscure Shape are back with their second EP for 2023, following their debut release on their mothership label From Another Mind. The German duo's latest release, 'Basic Instinct', is a collection of five dancefloor anthems that provide the perfect soundtrack for any moment in a set. The EP features their signature die-cut cover and includes a digital bonus track.
'Basic Instinct' is the 12th installment of their Mutual Rytm label and showcases the pair's exceptional production skills and innovative approach to electronic music, with a mix of old and new school flavors, vivid drum programming, organic percussion and captivating melodic elements. The A-side kicks off with their signature track 'Eraser', which blends crisp drums with warm sub-bass and piercing synth stabs.
"Dancer in the Dark" takes a deeper dive into late-night territory, combining lush dub-influenced synths with a rolling acid bassline. "Disturbing Behaviour" closes the A-side and shows why the 303 has become an iconic tool for producers. Despite the sirens dominating around the breakdowns, the simple two-tone acid stab is the defining element of the track, complemented by amen-break leaning drums that hint at a UK rave direction.
The B-side goes in a different direction, with 'Memories of Nobody' taking a filtered and less aggressive approach, as echoing dub pads gather around a growling bassline and kick drum combination, topped off by brushed hats. The EP concludes with 'The Last Seduction', a track that reveals the full organic breadth of the previously hinted at Amen break. The fusion of said amen break with the warmth and familiarity of waxing and waning pads is reminiscent of the golden days of electronic music. With its expertly crafted soundscapes and diverse range of styles, 'Basic Instinct' is yet another stunning release from SHDW & Obscure Shape.
The free folk/jazz sound of modern Los Angeles. Featuring a heavy bunch of musicians and vocalists including Moor Mother.
"Fearlessly Accessing the Divine Spirit From Here on Out" is the vinyl debut from pianist, composer, and producer Diego Gaeta. He has previously released projects as Club Diego and with the trio Human Error Club (whose members Mekala Session and Jesse Justice helped produce this record). He has quickly become a fixture in a number of Los Angeles musical environments, working with Lionmilk, The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, Carlos Niño, Black Nile among others. This album is a synthesis of these many LA environments, and carries chamber, jazz, ambient, and folk influences, ultimately giving it an uncategorizable feel similar to works by Arthur Verocai or David Axelrod.
Gaeta recorded the initial ideas for the album by himself after experiencing a burst of creativity during the lockdown of 2020, in the aftermath of a season of protests in Los Angeles, on a piano at his home in El Sereno. "I was constantly not in tune with myself, always awaiting outrage and tragedy in a very unstable world. However, hitting the streets in support of various ongoing pandemic community actions felt necessary and it marked a point in time that ushered in large societal changes. The weight of that era made me feel allergic to making art at the time. All of these ideas came after that period, expressing my reflections subconsciously. I remember that the ideas came in a short amount of time, and then they developed."
Once he had created the tracks as Ableton sessions, he realized the gravity and context of how he was processing his ideas so he, as he puts it, "felt like taking them outside the hands of midi and into the hands of friends." Gaeta was able to assemble his dream band, which ended up being a 9-piece ensemble, or a nonet. "I felt that at some point I was channeling the geometrical balance of that nonet...it's almost as if I had a sextet and then the three of the sextet that's not the rhythm section were doubled. It's a really dense sextet, that's how I see it."
The recording process began the following summer in June 2021 as the musicians were all adjusting to the newfound dynamic of getting tested for COVID, waiting a few days, and then meeting up to record. "We were eating Indian food, some of us were smoking, it was a nice memory, but I felt a little stressed, because I was the bandleader, and I felt the emotional weight of my music."
The title track and single, featuring vocals by Jimetta Rose, begins with a speech by Gaeta delivered when playing with Black Nile in 2019 at the Levitt Amphitheatre in MacArthur park. Gaeta provides the following account: "Even though it was in 2019, socio-political tensions and issues were at the forefront for me at that time. I wrote a speech that was intended to be critical of the US but it ended up becoming a collage inspired by different women that had messages of freedom that spoke to me the most. I quoted Nina Simone and Georgia Anne Muldrow, it wasn't something that I read but something that she said "kicking it with consciousness and style" that phrase stuck with me, so I used it in that speech. Although critical, the speech had a positive feeling to it, and it was hopeful. I gave that speech while fireworks were going off."
Moor Mother & Zeroh are found on their respective tracks, Memory Screen & Eccolo - both delivering a distinct, commanding vocal performance. Low Leaf colors the track Soft Spot with harp, a beautiful ballad nestled in the center of the album. Other players include Gregory Uhlmann on guitar, Jon Kaye on violin, Devin Daniels on alto saxophone, Caleb Buchanan on bass, Dante Luna on vibraphone, Patrick Behnke on viola, Bryan Baker on tenor saxophone/flute, and Mekala Session on drums.
"I’d like for us tonight to embody a freedom oriented life. Freedom isn’t just a dream, it’s a place we must all arrive at together, as one by one the people of the Earth help each other to be Free of power, hate, and insecurities. Let’s kick it with consciousness and style. Can y’all dig that? YEAH. I can too. So now we’d like to present to you a spiritual transmission I like to call: 'Fearlessly Accessing the Divine Spirit of Freedom From Here On Out.' YEAH" - Diego Gaeta
