Cerca:la ma

Rosebay Music presents Darker Flowers - a V/A project showcasing 4 hotly-tipped new school producers - all representing a haunting soul sound with elegance and class. Romanian wiz kid Azotix has been making moves recently with his ultra-clean future bangers. But here he shows another side of his sound with the beautiful 'Hurt'. Styke & label boss Submorphics linked up in The Hague for a unique collab in 'Lonely Dub' - channeling dub techno + moody film noir D&B. LO! represents Chicago with the timeless banger 'Transition' - bringing an early 2000s sound into 2024. And imo-Lu finishes the EP with the gorgeous- yet-deadly bassbin rattler 'Inhibition'. Epic soundsystem music straight out of Glasgow.

140g transparent blue and green galaxy marble vinyl housed in a matte 3mm cardboard sleeve with lyrics insert featuring photography and artwork by Hidrico Rubens. Limited to 300 copies. The creation of ‘Chrysalis’ was a retreat from a seemingly endless string of unfortunate events, a cocoon from which Zanias could weave hope from hopelessness. In each of its eight songs she has engineered unique worlds to express alternate facets of the modern human experience, from burnout and the toxicity of capitalism to processing death and the inherent isolation of personal trauma. Written and recorded between Berlin and the rainforest of Queensland, Australia, the sound design of ‘Chrysalis’ reflects the rich biodiversity of the latter environment, where she drew much of her inspiration. Her voice shifts and morphs into ghostly, alien forms between catchy hooks that plant this album firmly in the ‘pop’ genre, without losing the underground rawness and lyrical depth for which she is known. With her third full-length album, Zanias is expressing her truest form thus far, fusing her seemingly discordant influences into a genre-defying electronic artpop, as dark and evocative as it is ethereal and uplifting. Written and produced by Alison Lewis Bass guitar on ‘Lovelife’ by Laura Bailey Mixed by Ewan Kay Mastered by Alain Paul Photography and artwork by Hidrico Rubens Sigil by Nat Soba Design and layout by Alison Lewis Makeup by Eavan Derbyshire

The record ‘Rīgas Elektromašīnbūves Rūpnīca (RER)’ has many distinctive characteristics. I would like to draw listeners’ attention to the fact that the recording was made with 16 microphones in an abandoned factory in Sarkandaugava (Rīga, Latvia). Over two days, KODEK recorded how the music sounds specifically in this vast space – how the window panes vibrate, how the metal lockers rattle, and how the sound waves propagate uniquely. This created a special and unparalleled musical sound. In this record, KODEK not only plays musical instruments but also the space itself, resulting in an added value or a new chapter in the history of world music – The Sound of Sarkandaugava. – Kaspars Rolšteins Artist bio: Musician Raivo Vainovskis, widely known as KODEK represents a narrow nonacademic electronic music genre while having proven his excellence and gained international recognition performing in countless electronic and experimental music festivals like CTM Festival in Berlin, Amsterdam Dance Event in Amsterdam, Cynetart Festival in Dresden, MUTEK festival in Montreal among others. KODEK is a core figure behind the globally acclaimed Latvian electronic music instrument manufacturer Erica Synths and often uses their synthesizers in his work. Since 2011 he co-organizes experimental music mini-festival Brīnumu Nakts in his native city of Madona which is one of the rare occurrences of such events outside the Latvian capital Riga. Since 2005 both in his releases and live performances he challenges his audiences with his unique stage presence and sonic aesthetic that is rooted in the spirit of truly independent music and art. KODEK has been nominated (and has won) The Annual Latvian Music Recording Award in the category ‘’The best electronic music album’’ for his ‘’Flavours From The Future’’ LP in 2012.

Once upon a time on planet -M-E-L-M-A-K- two teenagers visiting
their grand parents at their village compound were blissfully sleeping
late in the morning when a LOUD BANG!!! made them jump off their
beds. The bewilderment quickly grew into confusion of how was this
possible and then into respect. It appeared to be a soviet era polish
made vacuum tube TV set thrown out the window of the 2nd floor of
the house. Grandfather was doing the spring cleaning of the house,
obviously, the Balkan way – almost meeting the criteria to qualify for
Valhalla! The old cathode ray tube usually being under pressure as a
technology were famous to make a loud violent and deeply sounding
burst when broken that it reminded us a heavy drum machine and the
almost perfect and most brutal and deep and powerful bass drum we
have ever heard. So, us… being techno freaks by that time and
fascinated by the idea of techno music inspired and recreating the
heavy industry and machinery in an auricular way – we took a field
recorder, found another old TV set of the make and…. threw it out the
window… while recording all the sounds coming out of the impact ?
Later dissected and re-looped and re-worked through sampling here’s
a record that’s been years overdue in the making.

Temporize focuses on putting out diverse and leftfield electronic music with no real boundaries. The label is based in Palermo, Italy and is run by Scottish native Maiú DJ. Mastering: Martin Maischein Artwork painting: Janne Räisänen Photography: Jussi Jääskeläinen Design: Juha Puuperä Gruth: Black arts, misanthropy & abhorrence KuJo: Original violin, cello and kantele recordings Igor Souza: Throat singing on track 6

For its 16th instalment, Swiss label CAF? invites DJ duo Charlotte aux Fretz to curate a compilation EP, building bridges between the French and Swiss contemporary club scenes. Ignited while organising and attending free parties, “Rave Alert” covers a whole range of atmospheres one could encounter during these summer nights. From phone-lit forest journeys to sweaty peak-time dance floor moments, all the way to hypnotic sunrises where the first rays of light reshape your surroundings.

Dub-tech master Beatrice M. offers a great opening to the compilation, subtly combining their signature sonic ingredients with your favourite DJ meme. Amor Satyr drastically rises the cruising speed to 175bpm with his d&b infused track, while Lia Catreux follows the pace with a bouncy track that will keep your feet off the floor. The flip side starts with an introspective journey with Spirit Vortex Club’s first recorded appearance, while Israfil keeps the energy high (and mercury retrograde away) with an uncompromising rave track. Yolek and Freeky (both previous CAF? contributors) wrap up the release with a slow but heavy closing burner. Last round of applause and you can finally go to bed (you think).

VICK LAVENDER produced collaboration finally sees the light of day featuring FRANKIE KNUCKLES favorite ELBERT PHILLIPS, who's made some noise recently with his remake of "TEARS", a DEFMIX classic. A major pairing from house SOPHISTICADO! Don't sleep these will go fast. On colored vinyl.

Nonna Fab is a core part of Sheffield’s progressive music scene, founding Apricot Ballroom, Footprints Jazz Club, Jazz On The Park Festival, and his band Fuji Speedway. He’s also part of the consortium behind Grub Records, a new record shop and wine bar opening this summer. As well as regularly playing as part of his duo with Apricot Ballroom, Nonna Fab’s back catalogue of releases explores house, boogie, jazz and broken beat. This release shows an organic curation of instruments, touching on live elements, jazz improvisation and dance-floor orientated rhythms. We Still Out Here began a few years ago as a nod to the iconic New York City sound of Dinosaur L and Francois K, and to serve as a message that there are still producers out here working on and inspired by that sound. This release also features remixes by Admin and Comb. Bristol-based collector and beatsmith Admin is known for his sampling finesse, self-releasing some killer 7s, edits on his Community Disc-O's label, and music on others including Boogie Café Records, Take Away, Better Listen, and Future Boogie. The second remix comes from Norwich-based artist and I Travel to You label manager Comb, one half of the duo Dangerous Goods and the producer behind the popular Comb Edits series.

Bristol's cultured Innate label is back with a first outing of the year and it returns to their various artists format with a mix of talents all making their mark. UK veteran Tom Churchill opens up with 'Unknown Unknowns (Edit)', which brings plenty of fuzzy and lo-fi aesthetic to jacked up drums and spaced-out pads. Rai Scott then shows her class with 'Suasion' that sinks down deep into immersive drums and is subtly lit up with simmering strings. Innate co-founders Owain K and Gilbert then hook-up under their brand new alias Curved Space and showcase their love of electro with 'Reverie,' a dreamy cut that glows with nice celestial melodies and will have dance floors in a zoned-out state. Last of all it's Lisbon mainstay Jorge Caiado who debuts with the chord-laced 'Floating Without Lifting,' a sophisticated and serene jazz-techno cut that takes you to the stars.


DJ Feedback

Richard Sen:
"Lliking the Tom Churchill and Curved Space tracks. Will try and fit them into the show and in the club."

Laurent Garnier:
"A lovely EP indeed!"

Jayson Wynters:
"This is a great release. Nice varied tracks for different moods. Will certainly be playing this."

Anna Wall:
"Lovely VA! Thanks so much for sharing :) Faves are Jorges track and Rai Scott. Really beautiful music!"

Ewan Jansen:
"Great listen mate - a good gang assembled too."

DJ Guy:
"The EP is gonna be incredible..."

Orlando Voorn:
"I like em all!"

Moy:
"This is another really wikid V/A!"

Hizou:
"Thanks a lot, so good music here!"

Appleblim:
"I love the Tom Churchill - very detroity and deep, beautiful!"

Baldo:
"Thanks for this release, I love your track with Gilbert and also Jorge's! pure class!"

Alex Attias:
"Sounding dope! I’m feeling this great ep, thank you so much."

Chris Duckenfield:
"Many thanks for sharing, it’s a strong EP for sure. B2 probably my immediate fave."

Adam Shelton:
"Wicked release! Love all tracks, thanks so much."

Alien Communications:
"Love the EP, really like all the tracks but your own, Reverie, is definitely the strongest for me."

Dan Curtin:
"Sounding so lush...really really great. "

Vine Watson:
"Sounding great!!!"

2024 Repress

Mariah was a Japanese outfit in the field of art pop, way back in the very late 70s and early 80s with 5 albums up their score from 1980 to 1983. The album from 1979 entitled as “Mariah” was actually made before the band Mariah was formed, and was released as a solo album by Yasuaki Shimizu. The album at hand is the fifth and for the time being last album in this row, released as a double vinyl back in 1983. Original copies, that are at least in very good condition, are hard to find. The brand new reissue on Everland, unlike the original and the first vinyl reissue from 2015, comes housed in a thick and artfully designed gatefold sleeve with OBI, which finally does justice to the progressive spirit of the music you will find here.

The musical basement of Utakata No Hibi is a fusion of dreamy synthesizer pop and haunting new wave music, that could be found all around the globe back in 1983. In the vein of TEARS FOR FEARS or more adventurous DAVID BOWIE stuff, with a touch of KRAFTWERK or even BRIAN ENO here and there, but all this gets spiced up with an atmosphere of Japanese traditionalism, with a few bits and pieces from the old music from this Far East island, which sounds so magic to us Westeners. The progressive, wacky art pop of this project was led by the popular Japanese composer and musician Yasuaki Shimizu, a relentlessly exploratory saxophonist who even dared to rework Johann Sebastian Bach’s cello suites for saxophone.

As brilliant as this man is, the music on „Utakata No Hibi“ turns out to be. And the master himself approved and much appreciated the brandnew remastering of this album by assisting a highly professional team of sound engineers who dusted off the ancient tape reels. For certain the record sounds and feels 80s through and through, electronic to the very rhythmical bone of each song sugar coated with catchy melodies that resemble Japanese classic and Enka music, which is a kind of folksy pop music. The listener gets directly drawn into a feverish dream of steaming Far Eastern cities and their darkest and most depraved corners where you find everything cheap in sleazy bars and unlighted backyards and alleys. The next moment he strolls through a beautiful Japanese park surrounded by a sea of blossoms. This change in mood and style you will experience in the sparsely instrumented tune „Shisen“, which indeed comes closest to classic Japanese folk tunes without any too catchy and pop oriented melodies. But we certainly find these harmonies allover the album. Some tunes even feel like ancient BEACH BOYS compositions and Brian Wilson creations played by a then contemporary electronic pop act and sung in Japanese.

An amazingly colorful album with songs that are based on solid substance rather than cheap pop structures. This is music for the bold listeners and music lovers and this awesome reissue should quickly find it’s way into the record collections of 80s synth and art pop aficionadoes.

Yasuaki Shimizu did what he wanted with MARIAH, pushed the borders of popular music further than anybody would have thought. Listen to a track like „Shonen“ with a repetitive rhythm pattern that hypnotizes you and somehow silky melodylines by saxophone and synth piano upon which a female voice sings in a very spiritual way. Praising pop or whatever this can be called, it is sheer magic put in music. I wonder if this would have made it into the charts back then, but you never know. It is a piece of musical art that shall be listened to.

Darren Roach’s debut album lands on Limo! With its sights set squarely on the dancefloor, ‘Low Ranger’ may seem to have come out of nowhere, but to those who have been paying attention, his music has never stopped making an impact. Roach boasts a catalog of releases that begins in the ‘90s, and a few of these long-lost pearls resurface here, freshly mastered and ready to go.

The bulk of the album, however, consists of freshly crafted nuggets that will surely stand the test of time just the same. The album is a testament that truly good music doesn’t degrade over time, and the decades of quality behind ‘Low Ranger’ reveal a master of his craft.

DJ Support: Marco Faraone, Victor Ruiz, Marco Carola, Cristian Varela, Joseph Capriati, Mauro Picotto, Ilario Alicante, Wehbba, Konrad, Anna Tur, Joris Voorn, Anna Reusch, ANELA

Indira Paganotto and her ARTCORE imprint stand out from the crowd with an exponential sense of uniqueness, front-running pioneers of the new Psy-influenced techno boom. Indira’s upcoming release ‘Gypsy Queen’ is another perfect example of how she has garnered so much love and support for her unique vibe and ethos to date.

Title track ‘Gipsy Queen’ begins in eccentric fashion. A gentle strumming of flamenco guitar lines, a distorted chorus of castanets and an enchanting vocal open the track to remain a key feature throughout waves of razor-sharp synths and hurtling drums sequences. The dips in pace are beautifully accompanied by the stirring vocals but before long the flamenco influences are overrun by the trance-tinged techno Indira is famous for. The out of body like energy summoned by the strings and haunting effects of ‘Vendetta’ offer a different audio experience to that offered by the EP’s title track. With a visceral intensity that becomes more acute following each drop there are several curious effects and tones at play to make for a somewhat dramatic techno heavy melody.

Opening the flip side is ‘Heaven Is For Warriors’ , this comes in hot with thumping drum grooves and crisp percussive drive, supplemented by ominously celestial undertones and rave-inspired musicality throughout-a sinister tirade of punchy electronic grit, marching to a racy tempo built for peak-time sets. The release closes on ‘Requiem’, further playing on the darkened divine theme throughout the EP. Beyond its atmospheric intro, you’re greeted with a marauding flurry of watertight Techno goodness layered with synths, sirens, pads and much more.

There’s no denying Indira’s oneness when considering groundbreaking techno talents; This EP serves as a solid reminder of her commitment to trailblazing a path into the genre’s new and exciting age.

Bread & Souls is a new project dreamt up by Italian entrepreneur and music lover Franco Fusari. Franco invited Mark de Clive-Lowe on board to direct and produce an album of collaborations with some of our favorite artists including the likes of Bembé Segué, Vanessa Freeman, Paul Randolph, Rich Medina, Tommaso Cappellato and more...

Opening with the broken beat, soul-drenched I See You featuring Detroit’s Paul Randolph on vocals along with Taku Hirano on percussion Chapter 3 is here! Vanessa Freeman and Bembe Segue absolutely radiate on the head-nod of Little Did I Know, complete with Marcus Machado lacing classic D’Angelo-meets-Prince guitars. You heard the Domu remix on Chapter 1, and finally here’s the original! The EP wraps up with two remixes courtesy of Alex Attias and LTJ Xperience. Alex reworks the Bembe Segue featuring Never Gonna Leave into a deep tech house dancefloor workout while Italy's LTJ Xperience’s remix brings the mid tempo 4/4 to Rich Medina and Bembe Segue on Working On It (original version still to come!).

Jasper Street Co. is one of the House Music community’s signature artist endeavors. Produced by Baltimore’s legendary production team The Basement Boys, and consisting of a collection of singers who can emote on the highest level of gospel, soulful and peak hour house, this collective has been riding high for years and is now going next level with the recent release of the “Rejoicing” album on Nervous Records. Prior releases from the album have skyrocketed to the top of DJ sales and club charts, with “Praying For You” being nominated for a Grammy for the Louie Vega remix in the Best Remixed Recording (non-classical) category.

Up next is a cover version of a song originally recorded by Teddy Pendergrass. Written and produced by Gamble & Huff, “You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration” was originally released on Philly International Records in 1981. It was a massive R&B & Disco hit back then, and now has been updated by Jasper Street Co. for the house music community. The single package has an outstanding collection of remixers on board who make the project something even more special for the purists but also will launch into the larger worldwide music community. Teddy Douglas produced the original album version, but comes back for another take while adding some serious bass / kick drum juice with his Teddy Douglas Bass Intro Remix. Micfreak and DJ Spen put a highly creative spin on the original with some added effects on the vocal and a piano line that soars into the highest level of peak hour house energy with their Higher Love Remixes. Tensnake also gives it a very distinctive and infectious groove, while Dr. Packer takes all the original elements and uses his great talents and appreciation for soulful house and disco to make this project even more essential for house purists than it already is!

Double Vinyl package on Feb. 5 on Nervous Records. Includes custom jacket and yellow vinyl.

One of the key 45s in the output of Prince Jazzbo's Ujama label during the digital era of the late 80s - originally reissued via NYC's Deadly Dragon some 15 or so years back - gets a much needed new cut & press via Death Is Not The End's 333 series.

The late Earlando Neil aka Early B first started performing on soundsystems in the late 1970s, often appearing with his young apprentice Wild Apache, later known as Super Cat. It was alongside Cat that he is credited as a key driver behind the popularisation of the King Majesty and Killamanjaro stables in the early 1980s, following which he had a string of hit records for the likes of Harry J's Sunset imprint, Ossie Thomas' Black Solidarity and Jah Thomas' Midnight Rock label amongst many others.

Following a run of stellar LPs in the mid 1980s Early B's output began to wane as the sound of digital production began to take precedence, but not without firing off one the most killer shots ever recorded on a computerized rhythm for Jazzbo's Ujama in 1987. Reportedly the first time around for the hallowed Replay version, Imitator's subject matter takes aim at the new kids on the dancehall block ripping off the veterans, while he simultaneously pays hard-earned dues to the dancehall's foundation deejays such as Jazzbo himself, U-Roy, Big Youth, Dennis Alcapone, King Stitch, Trinity & Dillinger.

Musician, composer, bandleader and musical rubik’s cube, Laurent Bardainne is a saxophonist who trained at The Paris Conservatory.
He’s collaborated with Pharrell Williams, Cassius and Philippe Katerine to name just a few and presents here his latest project, ‘Tigre d’eau Douce’ Also co-founder of electro rock band Poni Hoax (Tigersushi Records), Limousine, a duet with Camelia Jordana and more recently Sabrina & Samantha for Ed Banger. This album, sees a return to his first love of jazz, The Tigre d’eau Douce, represents a species doomed to disappear. So using melodies, chants and solos as an escape guide, his tenor saxophone takes us to a higher place,
one where John Coltrane and the great figures of jazz reside. These LP tracks bounce between the grooves and soul of the 1970’s, where
percussion and saxophone pave the way. ‘Marvin’ allows the fluffy keys of the Hammond organ to open out into a pensive melody that feels familiar. Carrying on the journey, the tough asphalt of hip hop is visited on tracks like ‘Bachibouzouk’ and ‘Felin M chant’, whereas more tropical themes are explored on tracks like ‘Kinshasa’.

Cuban virtuoso pianist Roberto Fonseca, former member of the Buena Vista Social Club, announces his new album "La Gran Diversión". A voyage into Cuba's roaring twenties, an invitation to party and dance, in a subtle blend of traditions drawn from his training with the greats, his incomparable talent, and wild modernity. "Together we'll laugh, cry and enjoy the mystery and magic of the rhythms and melodies I bring from my roots."