Astropolis Records, the label born from the legendary Brest festival, marks a decade of electronic passion with a sprawling, heartfelt anniversary compilation — slightly delayed, but still delivered with flair.
It comes in two EPs, spotlighting the many facets of the Astropolis universe: in-house artists, long-time festival collaborators, and rising stars from France’s ever-bubbling scene. Eighteen artists guide us through a sonic journey where rave heritage, electronic dreamscapes, and collective fervor converge — true to a festival whose DNA has never recognized borders.
The second EP dives into darker territories, spanning original electro, multifaceted techno, and sunlit vibes toward the close.
Astropolis has always thrived on happy collisions, and this EP is a perfect demonstration.
For synth lovers, Legowelt & Cuften revive the spirit of early electroclash on Liar, a carnal fusion of analog synths and DIY attitude.
Zaatar & Trunkline inject raw energy on Come Into The Light, a sweaty, visceral banger bridging techno, dark disco, and EBM.
French scene stalwarts Scan X & Electric Rescue deliver a masterclass in elegant techno on Lost In Time.
When Manu Le Malin meets Kmyle, the result is as sharp as it is cinematic: Little Big Man builds dramatic tension, balancing raw emotion with contained fury.
On a more contemplative note, we’re thrilled to unveil one of the first productions from our dear Célélé with Théo Muller: the subtle Drum and Drift, threaded with dubby vibrations and sun-drenched bursts.
This anniversary compilation reaffirms the label’s openness to new generations and recent sonic hybrids while honoring the techno scene that shaped its beginnings. Like the festival itself, it embodies the same sincerity and collective energy: a small manifesto connecting generations, aesthetics, and territories — celebrating roots without nostalgia, and the future without bending to trends.
The first act signed to The Neptunes' newly formed Star Trak label was a Virginia based duo known as the Clipse. The first single “Grindin’” impacted the streets with its bare boned but infectious drum beat in the same way that “Sucker MC’s” did almost 20 years earlier. These brothers - Pusha T and Malice combined with The Neptunes groundbreaking production sent a clear message to the rap world – “we are not the same” (as rapped by Malice on his opening verse on “Cot’ Dam”). Clipse brings an authentic Virginia sound into the game and created a movement, with not only their darkly layered raps but The Neptunes as well. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were able to combine their cyberpunk production with just the right group to create a street masterpiece. Following in the footsteps of such rap criminologists as Kool G Rap, Nas, Jay-Z, and Mobb Deep, the Clipse offer the Virginia hustler's viewpoint with clever, hard-hitting lyrics that is sprinkled throughout the entire album. With so many standout tracks on Lord Willin’ the album starts pulling no punches. On Track 1 simply (or maybe not) titled “Intro” you get a very personal and deep testament of crack and the drug game, a theme that is throughout this album…HEAVY. Songs like “Virginia” or “I’m Not You” (featuring Jadakiss, Styles P and Roscoe P Coldchain), have lyrics that play as a musical notes alongside The Neptunes tailored beats. “Young Boy”, “Comedy Central”… all fit perfectly alongside “When the Last Time” and “Cot Dam” as each song plays its part as chapters to the Lord Wilin’ masterpiece. “Gangsta Lean” (another one of the albums standout tracks) features a slightly lighter feel while paired with Pharrell's trademark falsetto hook. The truth of it is, it’s hard to just pick one track, or point out which is the albums star. Each song on Lord Willin’ is essential to making it the classic that it is. The Neptunes (who were busy turning out every other Pop hit on the radio) crafted an album that was deemed an instant classic, and cemented Clipse as Rap’s newest superstars.
Hot on the heels of Luv (LuvLuv) comes a sublime new Drum Chums from midland's madlads Wrekin Havoc.
Over the years we've shared great tunes, fun times and A-grade dance floor debauchery with these permanent party people (our first encounter almost exactly like that Spiderman pointing meme) so it made more sense than we usually do to invite them aboard the V*nga bus for some Balearic-Disco edit excellence.
Things kick off with the sexy throb of 'Shine A Light', a stonewashed funk workout complete with Paisley guitars, Troutman bass grunts and some big time blue-eyed soul vocals. It's a bit like an extended and unheard collaboration between George Michael and Tears For Fears recorded immediately after a particularly heavy night at Future. Unsurprising perhaps that this one's been getting a whole lot of love from DJ Harvey.
'Mars Bar Party' grabs you by the hips from the first bar of its swaying Mediterranean house rhythm, then tugs at every single one of your heartstrings with melancholic pads and a silken vocal croon. Fuuuuuuckin' hell! Sorry, was totally bewitched by the primal power of piano house magic - it's like John Rocca was in the room for a second. Armed with an awesome arrangement and clocking in at ten massive minutes, this may be the ultimate Balearic house journey.
If all this wasn't enough to have you stocking up on 5-HTP and sinus rinse, those crafty cats close the set out with the shimmering disco euphoria of 'Leccy Meet Her'. The bottom end pulses endlessly, Cowley synths trill and a crystal clear Vox soar above, sending us far off into mirrorball orbit. If this isn't a hit at Horse Meat, we'll neck a bottle of poppers and never eat a tomato again.
Each and every track Wrekin Havoc touch is a pearler, but we're particularly chuffed with ourselves for snapping this top trio up.
Emerging from the confines of the underground, Shadow Pressings returns with a brand-new slab of raw wax—four cuts of stripped-back, analog-driven house music from an artist whose identity remains in the shadows. True to the label’s ethos, this release channels the spirit of Chicago basements and Detroit lofts, where swing, grit, and soul collide beneath the glow of a red light.
Gigi Masin's sparkling sonic magic leads us to the light in “Implodendo in una accecante oscurità” (Imploding in a blinding darkness). The mirror reflects nothing but a faint, unfamiliar, mysteriously hostile face, but a glimmer survives, evoked by a painfully solemn romanticism that is salvific, glimmers of light bounce off broad synthetic volutes, a bewitching ambient, airy quiet, they spread, a few veins of darkness shine through, aesthetic beauty equates to clear spirituality, sax and female voices, the elegy that intertwines piano and vocal loops, that omnipresent melancholy, nostalgia, reassuring, which is openness to tomorrow. It is the moment of light, the powerful feeling that nothing is lost, that what awaits to be grasped is more than a remnant, perhaps an overcoming, light that “is not what it shows but what it reveals”, that light that becomes memory that does not need to illuminate to be perceived where it most needs to spread, where darkness has resided for too long
Gigi Masin's sparkling sonic magic leads us to the light in “Implodendo in una accecante oscurità” (Imploding in a blinding darkness). The mirror reflects nothing but a faint, unfamiliar, mysteriously hostile face, but a glimmer survives, evoked by a painfully solemn romanticism that is salvific, glimmers of light bounce off broad synthetic volutes, a bewitching ambient, airy quiet, they spread, a few veins of darkness shine through, aesthetic beauty equates to clear spirituality, sax and female voices, the elegy that intertwines piano and vocal loops, that omnipresent melancholy, nostalgia, reassuring, which is openness to tomorrow. It is the moment of light, the powerful feeling that nothing is lost, that what awaits to be grasped is more than a remnant, perhaps an overcoming, light that “is not what it shows but what it reveals”, that light that becomes memory that does not need to illuminate to be perceived where it most needs to spread, where darkness has resided for too long
Lantern in the Woods is the new album from musician and multi-instrumentalist Misha Sultan – a project that marks an important milestone for the artist. It is his first work conceived and realized as a coherent, unified statement, from the earliest ideas and sounds to the final mastering.
The story of the album began back in 2021 in Saint Petersburg, during studio jam sessions with Anton (Mårble), Vova Luchanskiy, and Nikita (Minereed). These live
improvisations eventually led to the formation of the collective Sri Primat and left a significant imprint on Misha Sultan’s solo sound. Some of the instrumental parts on the album were recorded during this period, preserving the spirit of spontaneity and open dialogue between the musicians.
Later, after moving to Thailand, Misha recorded the second half of the material. These tracks absorbed the atmosphere of southern nights, tranquility, and comfort – bringing a distinct “bedroom jazzy vibe”, a touch of sentimentality and gentle melancholy into the music.
The album offers a beautiful blend of jazz and various other influences. At its heart, it’s a search for balance between memories and the present moment, between nature and the city, between the light of the lantern and the darkness of the woods.
“It was especially important to me that my friends and close people were involved in this album. Their presence gave the music that warmth and personal feeling I value so much. My brother Zhenya (Dyad), Anton (Mårble), Vova Luchanskiy — they all contributed a part of themselves to these tracks, as did Nina Livanova, who recorded vocal parts for several songs,” says Misha.
Lantern in the Woods is a soft and sincere work, where all things intertwine naturally.
Labas, ka tu ? I am ready to show you Rayonas - Speedy House Vol.2 !!
As the world time and us are becoming faster I decided to work on my OWN style and genre :
Speedy House - fast house music on 145-150bpm
it goes well with groovy / tribal 90s / techno.
Speedy House releases will be divided into VOL. sections.! i am not changing character just adding some Roller Skates to go faster and from speed light comes some colours on top of it.
With his new offering"The Stone Tablet", New Jersey native Brainorchestra solidifies his legacy in underground hip-hop, carving out a raw and unfiltered masterpiece that feels as timeless as it is bold. Produced entirely by Brainorchestra himself, the album is a testament to his relentless pursuit of authenticity and artistry, drawing listeners into a world where intricate beats meet introspective bars, and sticking to his proudly independent operation.
Featuring guest appearances from UK’s SonnyJim and Toronto's Raz Fresco, "The Stone Tablet" brings together diverse voices that seamlessly blend with Brainorchestra’s visionary beats. Each track adds to the album’s mystique, with moments of reflection, hustle, and sharp wit, all contributing to Brainorchestra’s mark on the modern hip-hop landscape.
The album cover, crafted by Italian artist Claudio Scialabba, embodies the album’s theme with its raw, textured feel — reflecting Brainorchestra’s relentless, chiseled approach to his craft. "The Stone Tablet" is a statement, a monument that etches Brainorchestra's name alongside the genre’s most revered creatives.
"Mary Yuzovskaya's Monday Off rounds out 2025 with its eighth vinyl-only various artists compilation, arriving 12th December, featuring Feph, Rasser, Mathys Lenne, and Xhato.
Opening the record is Florida's Feph, co-operator of Alchemista Records and Zosimos, with 'A Realization', where wild electric currents crackle over a subtle, sharp beat as shocks and zaps scatter into the darkness. Spanish DJ and producer Rasser follows with 'Constant Pulse', a hulking techno chugger of warped rhythms and hammering metallic hits. On the flip, France-born Germany-based Mathys Lenne, known for outings on Mord, ORBE, and Blue Hour, offers 'A Gentle Singularity', its tumbling percussion and drone-like synth casting a hypnotic spell while sparkling high-end shimmers above. Previous Monday Off contributor Xhato then closes with 'Lemon Swirl', a mystical finisher where soft sequences snake through brooding ambience, providing a guiding light as the kick drum marches resolutely."
Picnic 012 lands with the first split EP of the series. A 4 tracker from Croatian artist Grenco and Ukrainian artist Kurilo. The EP is in many ways a stark contrast between the lighter and darker shades of house and techno with Grenco’s A side touching on a more playful, progressive house tip and Kurilo’s B side diving into the depths of early UK tech house and electro.
Dana Ruh offers up part 2 of her ‘This Journey So Far’ project via Yecad here.
As a long standing and widely respected figure in the world of underground house and techno through her releases on the likes of Slices Of Life, Ostgut Ton, Cocoon, Cave and of course her own Brouqade, Dana Ruh’s reputation stands tall as one of the finest purveyors of this sound. Amongst her releases, Dana maintains a heavy tour schedule taking her across the globe each year to many hotspots in key cities, here she marks another milestone in her career with a double 12’’ release, entitled ‘This Journey So Far’, as a musical reflection on all that’s led to this point.
Following the success of Part one, the second instalment now follows - kicking off the release is ‘MF Now’, stripping things back to a shuffled, bumpy rhythm section, resonant synth chimes and billowing textures. ‘Grey With Some Light’ then leans into a more experimental glitch realm via twitchy oscillating percussion, unfurling atmospherics and drifting keys. ‘The Look’ leans back into House territory with raw stabs, sax lines, metallic chimes and vacillating low-end tones before ‘Song For The Lonely’ concludes the project, encapsulating the essence of deep house with ethereal pad swells, circling stab sequences, low-slung drums and cossetting subs.
Underground mainstay and long-time melodic and progressive champion Guy Gerber is back on his own Rumors label with Every Time We Say Goodbye, a new EP that shows he continues to evolve his style without forgetting his signature.
Gerber has been a core part of the underground for years, heading the world's most revered clubs and festivals, bringing all new party concepts to Ibiza and serving up serene and synth heavy soundscape that move people physically and emotionally on labels like Cocoon, Italians Do It Better and of course Rumors.
Every Time We Say Goodbye (feat. Blanca) is light and melodic with shimmering pads and ethereal textures. Blanca’s treated vocals float effortlessly above rolling percussion and delicate synth melodies, delivering a warm, emotional energy that feels both modern and timeless.
The 18th Floor is a hypnotic journey built on dubby low-end grooves and fluid, meandering leads. Angelic, reverb-soaked vocal fragments drift through the mix, giving the track a dreamlike atmosphere that’s equally suited for peak-time or deeper, introspective moments.
On the flip is Under the same Moon, an introspective journey through deep emotion and atmospheric house. Under the same Moon is a sonic meditation, melancholic yet hopeful, with textures that evoke twilight memories and introspective dancefloor, lastly The Bigger Person takes a more laid-back approach, driven by warm guitar lines that showcase Guy’s instrumental finesse.
393 Records is a small independent vinyl/digital record label based in Dublin, Ireland
for its 5th release it welcomes Irish producer, Collie with his Static EP
The young producer showcases the versatility of his productions with 4 club driven tracks which represents the energy very similar to his peak time DJ sets weather as a warm up or headline act
On the A1 "Static " The track is built around soft, hazy pads and airy ambient layers that create a wide, enveloping atmosphere, Dreamy, floating, hypnotic, warm, and spacious.
"Into the West" brings a much different approach, with real Dub influenced warming bassline heavy delay & washed stabs
On the flip the journey continues with well crafted progressive 90s era track "soft progress". This one will definitely set the club or festival a light with the breakdown sending chills down your spine
Lastly the maturity of "Electron" keeping that consistency of the B side with its Shuffling hi-hats & deep atmospheric elements & driving low end
The 393 Label has a history of quality over quantity, with no doubts another gem of an EP been released here & another fantastic Artist in Collie been unearthed with a magical collaboration here
Vibe Ride is the sixth release of Adam Rudolph's Hu Vibrational project and marks his 60th release as a leader or co-leader. Comes with insert and download code.
“With every record, the goal is to explore new creative territory,” explains Rudolph. Vibe Ride continues a deeper exploration of a trance-like groove and a conceptual framework known as Sonic Mandala. This album marks the most complete realization of that idea, partly due to the group's experience touring beforehand. That time on the road helped to refine ideas and strengthen musical chemistry. The recording process unfolded organically—likely due to the long-standing collaboration within ensembles like Go: Organic Orchestra and Moving Pictures, where the musicians have developed a deep familiarity with the shared musical language.
Sonic Mandala refers to a musical approach distinct from traditional linear structures of theme and development. Found in cultures across the globe, it may represent one of the oldest forms of musical expression—predating written history by tens of thousands of years. Today, it is most vividly preserved in the music of the Ituri Forest peoples (Aka, Baka, Ba Benzele, Mbuti), whose sound traditions revolve in cyclical, orbit-like patterns. Vibe Ride seeks to bring that ancient sense of circularity into a contemporary—and perhaps even futuristic—context.
The ensemble of Vibe Ride—Alexis Marcelo, Jerome Harris, Harris Eisenstadt, Neel Murgai, Tim Kieper, and Tripp Dudley—brings exceptional creativity and skill to the project. While grounded in the sonic languages of today, their performance channels an ancient vibrational lineage, connecting with ancestral sound makers who were attuned to the rhythms of the sun, moon, stars, and seasons. Human beings have always been deeply responsive to natural cycles.
Like a mandala, where the circle reveals itself as a spiral—always returning, but never to the exact same point—the Sonic Mandala musical experience spirals through motion. Refined signal patterns emerge through overtone-rich instrumentation. The groove becomes a threshold, shifting the listener from passive observation into active, even transcendent, participation. With open ears and an open mind, the sound spirals inward—toward a primal center—and outward into the cosmos. When this elevated state is shared among participants, it creates what mystics describe as resonance.
Vibe Ride thrives on the distinctive sonic voices of its players, interwoven with care and nuance into the compositions. Hu Vibrational merges elements of world music, electronica, and improvised jazz into something both funky and spiritual, intense and soothing.
Using signature techniques of organic orchestration, layered arrangement, and electronic processing, the compositions are sculpted from percussion, electronics, and ethereal textures. Rhythmic foundations drawn from diverse traditions serve not as endpoints, but as building blocks. As the saying goes, “Orchestration is the key.” In shaping the sound, the aim was to discover fresh ways of balancing structure and sonic color. As Don Cherry once said: “The swing is in the sound.”
The audiophile LP was carefully recorded, mixed, and mastered by James Dellatacoma—longtime engineer for both Bill Laswell and Rudolph—at Laswell’s Orange Studio.
“This crew artfully blends together to create a seamless tapestry of rhythm… the end results are mesmerizing. Hu Vibrational is all about communing with the groove spirits and creating worlds where earthy rhythms and other-worldly sounds are one.”
— Dan Bilawsky, All Music Guide
“You can be sure that when Adam Rudolph and an ensemble of breathtaking drummers get together mystical and wonderful things will happen.”
— Raul da Gama,
“A stunning effort, enjoyable and grows with repeated listening.”
— Stefan Wood, Freejazzcollective
These tracks were produced by Ori Lichtik between 2006 and 2017.
Half Life and Bill are precise cuts of extensive productions, tailored for the club, while Nu secretly hits everyday dance training routines. Dim the light.
Lethal. Minimal. Timely.
Press quote from Göteborg Opera
'The uniqueness of Lichtik's work lies in the combination of different musical worlds into a sophisticated and refined soundtrack, full of passion and groove, which, together with the choreography, provides the audience with a hypnotic experience. Lichtik's music is influenced by various styles and sounds, from industrial recordings and African indigenous music, through hip-hop, to baroque music. Ori's music is one of the most prominent and distinctive features of Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar's dance works.'
The incredibly beautiful album "SHINSEKAI", released in 1994, is finally being reissued. Long considered a phantom masterpiece and a cornerstone of Japanese techno, the album had been out of print for many years due to the business circumstances of its original label, RISING HIGH.
Amid electric pulses and suspended atmospheres, this record unfolds a journey where shadow meets light.
Droove traces three paths of precise, nocturnal energy, where techno breathes with a synthetic soul and time seems to bend upon itself.
On the reverse side, Alquimic, together with the ethereal voice of Brunella, opens a luminous rift, a chant that drifts between light and mystery, between reason and ecstasy.
Each groove of Light in the Darkness holds a small ceremony: the alchemy of sound transforming darkness into a gleam, rhythm into a spell.
Introversion delivers a powerful five-tracker on FJAAK's CROWD with 'Ghost Rockets', pushing his signature blend of gritty textures, stripped-down rhythms and emotional weight even further. Known for fusing 90s-rooted techno with contemporary clarity, Introversion opens the EP with 'Lights', a track that rides a relentless hardgroove rhythm before lifting off into an epic, melodic climax made for big rooms and peak-time moments. The title track 'Ghost Rockets' follows with the unmistakable CROWD signature: rolling, minimalistic grooves anchored by Detroit-inspired synth stabs and tense, driving percussion. On the B-side, 'Visitors' starts deep and atmospheric, slowly morphing into a propulsive, forward-pushing roller that balances subtlety and pressure. On 'Hessdalen' things take a darker turn: A menacing groove emerges, led by evil synth stabs that march with precision through a hypnotic, unrelenting beat. The EP closes with 'Wow-Signal', a digital-only track that begins with a long robotic intro, building tension before unfolding into a groovy, nerdy banger loaded with synthetic detail and energy. Introversion's 'Ghost Rockets' EP is a high-impact release that balances floor power with intricate design, being a perfect fit for both deep club nights and peak festival moments. The Berliner will present the release as part of the CROWD Showcase along with label-heads FJAAK on November 29th at Gew?lbe in Cologne - make sure to be there in the first row!
BTS’s Japanese debut single NO MORE DREAM -Japanese Ver.-, originally released in 2014, is now coming to analog for the first time as a 12-inch color vinyl single!
Side B includes two fan favorites that light up the stage: Attack on Bangtan -Japanese Ver.- and the beloved track I Like It!
Remastered and newly cut for vinyl, this long-awaited analog release comes in a clear yellow pressing.
In the wake of their widely-acclaimed album Union, JUNO-nominated duo ÈBONY rematerialize on the dancefloor with the otherworldly Shades of Meridian EP, projecting a waking futurist dream haunted by echoes of Detroit techno, Chicago house, South African melodies, and the rich mythology of Ancient Toronto.
Opener "Break My Skin explores a hidden pocket of after-hours techno space-time with an ethereal vocal by James Baley, leading into the tense, disembodied jack of "Forever." Next, "Dull Side First" rides a spectral break through a sepulchral warehouse trip, "RIFT" invokes peak-time witchcraft, and closer "My Daylight" entrances even the most self-possessed sound-and-lighting guys to spam the smoke machine until reality itself is occluded.
And to those who say that working with JUNO-nominated artists proves that Turbo is just a cog in the CanCon cabal, we would like to familiarize you with the facts: Canadian Tire refused to carry our 2023 Bryan Adams remix LP and we have rejected five separate demos from Justin Trudeau's tech-house alias "Arabian Nights." It's called integrity - try looking it up sometime.
Syncretic marks the debut full-length from Australian duo Bhairavi Raman, a Western and Carnatic violinist, and Nanthesh Sivarajah, a mridangam player and versatile percussionist. Both artists share a Tamil heritage, a current that hums across the album. Raman, from South India, and Sivarajah, from Sri Lanka, draw lines that connect Western practice and Carnatic tradition. This hybrid is central to Raman’s approach as a violinist, an instrument itself caught between East and West since the late 18th century. Her playing folds history, lineage and experimentation into music that acknowledges inheritance while gently rewiring its circuitry.
Expanding on traditional music can be a precarious practice, but Syncretic never feels heavy-handed. Raman and Sivarajah exercise measured restraint, letting the Carnatic framework breathe even as it is refracted through contemporary tools. Delays, looping, subtle layering and synthesized harmonies tilt tradition into a new light without disguising it.
Even within a contemporary framework, Raman’s rigorous Carnatic training under gurus Sri S. Varadarajan (India), Sri Murali Kumar (Australia) and Sri Gopinath Iyer (Australia) is unmistakable. She captures the spiritual and emotional essence of each raga: on Seven, the playful raga Bahudari becomes both centrepiece and conduit, while on the traditional piece Thunbam Nergayil, drawn from a Tamil poem, we hear a deeply personal iteration, a weeping euphony of mixed emotions hitting all at once. Tradition here is absorbed, expanded and reframed.
Sivarajah’s command of the mridangam, honed by his gurus Sri Jambunathan (Sri Lanka), Sri Balasri Rasiah (Australia) and Sri T. R. Sundaresan (India), is central to his original composition Guardian. He sustains tradition while extending it through layering and sound-spatialisation. The mridangam here functions as both a structural and ornamental force, mapping continuity between inherited form and contemporary sonic architecture.
Syncretic resonates as a space where Tamil heritage, diasporic memory and contemporary practice coalesce. Culture, like sound, circulates, transforms and persists. Tradition is not an archive but living material, a soundworld that lingers in the ears and the imagination.
Originally issued in 1996 and now re-pressed for the first time by A.R.X. and Krisis Publishing, Pressure of Speech ''Our Common Past, Our Common Future'' remains one of the best-kept secrets of 1990s British electronica. Founded by Mickey Mann, together with fellow explorers Luke Losey (lighting designer for Orbital) and DJ Stika (already part of Spiral Tribe), their elusive second album is an obsidian relic of screwed ambient techno, mutant breakbeat and hypnotic radical sounds excavated from the goldmine of the UK's post-rave underground.
Making his long-awaited return to Spatial, JLM Productions serves up another sizzling andvaried concoction of atmospheric breakbeat goodness.
A1 - Unraveling
Opening with a blissful, playful melody which fades in and out of effects and padwork,Unravelling shows off an insanely crisp 2-step break at its core - definitely suited for thedancefloor with a buoyant bassline rumbling beneath the waves. The track leaps furtherinto life with JLM adding some additional drums to elevate the breaks further still, all withserene, harmonious melodies dancing around in the mix.
A2 - Forced Perspective
A purposeful melody opens Forced Perspective as JLM Productions unleashes a stellarblend of atmospheric bliss with a unique epic urgency. Sci-fi synthwork surrounds anenergetic selection of drums edited with trademark clarity as layers upon layers of synthintertwine dynamic patterns with ease. This is a great example of JLM's expansive suite ofinfluences combining to create a deliciously detailed and unique whole.
AA1 - Surface Scan
Light cymbals commence a DJ-friendly intro to the second track, Surface Scan. Bothrousing and deep, smooth padwork leads into a drop which brings with it long, whooshingmelodic synths and crunchy stacked breakbeats. As the atmosphere develops, JLM addsin a bunch of effects and subtle, sumptuous sci-fi synthwork, strings and more to completeanother masterpiece from a true pillar of "old school brand new" methodology.
AA2 - Mixed Motive
Straight into a serving of subdued breaks perfect for the intro, JLM rounds off this stunningEP with Mixed Motive. This is a track which explores the atmospheric drum & basslandscape in style. Our creatively-edited breaks soon evolve into a crescendo of joyousdrum patterns with an old 720-style stabby melody punctuating the mix while deep &melodic basslines jostle below, adding dense texture to a stunning piece of music.
F_Phono is an artist who has spent a significant part of his life immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of clubs, where he discovered a deep passion for electronic music. Through years of exploration across various musical genres, he found his true voice in a sound that blends Electro and Synth Pop, drawing clear inspiration from the iconic styles of the '80s and '90s. The result is a modern and distinctive sonic identity—deeply rooted in the past yet forward-looking in its execution.
"Santi e Peccatori" is an album that tells a story—one of ancient duality, where light meets shadow, the sacred meets the profane, and the physical collides with the spiritual. It explores the timeless tension between opposites: black and white, yin and yang, raw and ethereal. Through a seamless blend of driving, hard-edged beats and dreamy, melodic textures, this sonic journey invites both the mind and body to move. Each track is a chapter in a narrative of contrast and connection, where electronic music becomes the language of balance and transformation. Santi e Peccatori isn't just an album—it's a rite of passage through the grey spaces between extremes.
MAIDEN is Laurine Frost's third instalment of the 'LENA' series - where the narrative conceptually revolves around the fictional musical journey of his imaginary daughter over the course of a series of albums. ‘MAIDEN' is deemed to be the most intense piece of the series yet, with the figure of the unstable, hesitant protagonist teetering between light and shadow. Dramatic depths and heights, often dark tones, composed chaos and rumbling polyrhythmia - somewhere far on the edge of jazz and rusty contemporary electronica.
*Mastered and cut by Stefan Betke at Scape Mastering
* 12” 180gr heavyweight vinyl, with printed inside-out cardboard cover
This project was created to celebrate fragments of Brazilian underground culture, shining a light on the stories, sounds, and movements that shaped our scene.
We begin in Curitiba, with Rolldabeetz, a duo that became a milestone in the history of Brazilian electronic music. With Fábø’s restless vision combined with Soundman Pako’s 30 years of dancefloor experience, they created a timeless language that inspired a whole generation of clubbers.
These 4 tracks are fragments of that era, produced between 2010 and 2019, when Curitiba’s scene was exploding with identity and boldness. Each one carries the energy of those dancefloors at that moment in time. The sound blends influences of techno, minimal, house, and funk, designed for serious dance floors.
High Focus Records is proud to unveil the artwork for the forthcoming Verb T & Illinformed collaborative album: ‘The Land Of The Foggy Skies’, designed by Siou Escalon.
As you would expect from two of the hardest working artists in the UK rap game, Verb T & Illinformed have delivered a fitting sequel to the iconic 2015 release ‘The Man With The Foggy Eyes’. The pair have both raised the bar, taking their already incredible chemistry to new levels, as demonstrated with singles ‘Rotten Luck‘ & ‘New Paths‘.
An all encompassing cinematic opus, ‘The Land Of The Foggy Skies’ once again proves why Verb T is one of the most decorated MC’s in UK Hip Hop and why Illinformed is in a class of his own when it comes to production.
“I Don’t Know Why”, sung by Chiara Castello, is the second single from The Dining Rooms’ next album: an urban funk ballad, with a powerful and deep rhythm accompanied by great bass lines and cinematic guitars and piano. It is an intimate reflection on the fragility of personal bonds suspended between light and shadow. On this 7” the B-side is a remix of “On And On” - taken from TDR’s previous album “Songs to Make Love to” - by FUTURESLOWDUBDISCO, a music project initiated by Roman producers Simone Ticconi and Francesco Colagrande. The duo explores soundscapes that combine downtempo, minimal techno and dub. Originally a soul ballad, it has turned into an unforgettable rhythmic, ethereal and psychedelic journey sung by Egeeno from the Tropicantesimo collective.
Verb T – Homer Loan 1 & 2 (Half 'N Half Splatter Vinyl Release)
UK hip-hop veteran Verb T returns with the long-awaited vinyl release of Homer Loan 1 & 2. A definitive collection capturing two distinct creative periods from one of the scene’s most respected voices.
Originally released digitally, the Homer Loan series has become a cult favourite among Verb T fans, offering an intimate glimpse into his trademark balance of sharp lyricism, dry humour, and unfiltered honesty. The vinyl release brings both volumes together for the first time, celebrating the evolution of a prolific artist still pushing his craft forward. Homer Loan 1 is entirely self-produced, showcasing Verb T’s production skills and ear for soulful textures and lo-fi warmth. Built around introspective rhymes and smooth, laid-back beats, it reflects the self-contained creative process that defined its making.
With Homer Loan 2, the palette expands — featuring production from Cuth, Farma G, and Forrest Moon, each contributing their distinctive sonic fingerprints while complementing Verb T’s unmistakable flow and storytelling. The result is a cohesive yet dynamic project that bridges the personal and the universal, the underground and the timeless. The Homer Loan 1 & 2 Yellow and Purple Half 'N Half Splatter vinyl release stands as both a collector’s piece and a testament to Verb T’s consistency and artistry within UK hip-hop’s ever-changing landscape.
Punching in with his debut vinyl EP for Fluid Funk, Chilean house producer Massiande follows up to a string of head-turning releases on an array of labels, including Jimpster’s Freerange Records. His much anticipated new offering, “Essential”, packs all the attributes of his vivid, floor-focussed vision, taking us on a bouncy ride across densely forested coastal house scapes and heavy-lidded electronics. Draped in washed-out pads and cottony textures, Massiande’s tracks have us floating in a chromatic daze of sorts, light-hearted and somewhat nostalgic, but above all hopeful and resilient.
A textbook slab of Massiande’s ever-expanding palette of woozy house tropes and silken disco touch, A1 “Tears” (also presented in bare instrumental form on the flip side B2) has it all, from the euphonic synths arrangements to the no-nonsense, club-igniting jack and irresistible footwork, via the infectious bass and Chicago-style soulfulness of its vocals. Proper fiery number and absolute weapon for any DJ seeking either impactful elegance in a peak-time context or to rekindle the flame when the after gets a bit too prosaic and requires that extra funky boost to get back on tracks. Grooviness exemplified.
More of a straightforward affair, A2 “Essential” unflappably beckons us on the path of utter vaporous escapology with its pulsating tableau of FX-soaked machine talk, semi-acidic bass and zero-G synthwork painting the sky all shades of pastel. The result is a rather captivating piece of weightlessly intuitive though carefully engineered sonic daydream. Injecting further oomph to the groove, B1 “Come On” pulls out a symbiotic collage of Sino-flavoured melody, Stax-ian vox sampling and straight out Detroit house-indebted propulsion, neatly showcasing both Massiande’s broad spectrum of influences and that idiosyncratic take of his on the said genres’ tried-and-tested leitmotivs.
2025 Repress
Gregory Porter’s “1960 What?” continues to be one of Expansion’s most sought after releases and comes now in new enhanced packaging. It combines the original with the Opolopo Kick & Bass re-Rub
Gregory Porter as narrator, sounding like Amiri Baraka, declares on “1960 What?” that “the motor city is burning y’all—that ain’t right” and refers to Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and describes trigger-happy policing (supported by a trumpet that blares, jabs, rumbles, and yearns); and the song portrays how certain events turn people against the possibilities of life and light. A vision that only recognizes strength and cruelty and rage is dangerously imperfect: rather, creativity, education, intelligence, sensitivity, democratic political participation, and compassionate social work are goals and virtues that can be affirmed, if not actively pursued, in all times.
“I like him very much. He’s very special. He’s singing with a voice I never heard before” - Townes Van Zandt
“A conscious, soulful brother” - Horace Andy
“He’s a brother to me - one of the best singer/songwriters I’ve ever met” - Adrian Sherwood
“Unearthed mine of gems from inner Wales - a songbook of ideas - that's Jeb!” - Gilles Peterson
Jeb Loy Nichols is a bonafide Country (Got) Soul legend. The Music Maker presents 21 incredibly deep, grooving and soulful songs from the cream of Jeb's catalogue; from its earliest days to his latest unreleased gems via countless rare and unbelievably good lost-classics. This 2LP set is presented in a gatefold sleeve complete with freshly commissioned artwork courtesy of Jeb himself.
In collecting these uncut, under-heard gems, we hope to do justice to Jeb's jaw-dropping artistic brilliance. A man who, in working with Adrian Sherwood, Dennis Bovell, Dan Penn, Larry Jon Wilson and countless other legendary characters, has crafted some of the most deeply affecting folk, country, soul, funk, blues, dub, reggae, gospel, rap and electronic music, ever heard.
The first music Jeb really felt a connection with was southern soul: "I used to listen to the radio at night and fell in love with Bobby Womack and Al Green, The Staple Singers and Joe Simon – that whole Nashville/Memphis/Muscle Shoals thing.” But Jeb was so much more than a soul boy, Indeed, he "went to bluegrass festivals with my dad and come home and listened to jazz records with my mother.” And, when he was fifteen, he heard his first punk record: "God Save The Queen" by The Sex Pistols. “That and The Ramones completely changed me.” In 1979 he got a scholarship to go to art school in New York: “A great time. Punk was over but hip-hop was starting and I got into that in an obsessive way.”
His first recording, in 1980, was an unreleased rap song called "I’m A Country Boy". If that isn't an insight enough into Jeb's kaleidoscopic path through music, in 1981 he visited friends in London and found himself living in a squat with Adrian Sherwood, Ari Up (from the Slits), and Neneh Cherry. “Adrian put me to work immediately, moving boxes of records all across London. It was Adrian that was and is my biggest influence – in his complete disregard for genre purity.” So, presumably you're getting the picture? A veritable musical magpie with a voracious appetite and unimpeachable taste.
"Mine has always been a meandering career. I've done what I've done, and made the music I've made, due to chance meetings. I'm not particularly ambitious; it's more important to me that I work with friends and like-minded people. I've been a big fan of Be With for years. Everything they release is essential. When they asked about rereleasing "Countrymusicdisco45" I was both pleased and flattered. We began talking about how we'd do it; two years and twenty-one tracks later, here we are. I've always thought of the music I make as Country Music. Music conceived in the country, written in the country, recorded in the country. I left London and moved back to the country so I could live among the trees, the grasses, the animals, those things that don't go to war and get greedy. This compilation is the story of that life. Hand made, lo-fi, ramshackle, stripped down, real deal music. Heartworn and funky. Music made in the kitchen, not in the studio. As the great Skip Mcdonald said, Perfect ain't perfect. It's great to see all these tracks gathered together. It feels like a family reunion. Some older members of the tribe, some newer arrivals."
Opener "countrymusicdisco45" is a song Jeb wrote about how his crew lives, tucked up blissfully in the hills: "House parties full of country folk dancing to disco, reggae, soul, country, hip-hop. All night. I recorded it at home under the influence of Stevie Wonder." It's one of the funkiest records you'll ever hear. "Sometimes Shooting Stars" was recorded in Nashville and mixed by the legendary Dennis Bovell. It's deep, dubby, majestic. A thing of fragile, melodic beauty. The party ramps back up again with the undeniable groove of "Short Cut Home" before the profoundly moving "Disappointment" arrives. One of many songs he's recorded with good buddy Benedic Lamdin (aka Nostalgia 77): "We were going for a Leon Thomas meets Richard Brautigan meets Alice Coltrane kind of thing". We think they nailed it. "Days Are Mighty", like a lot of the tracks on this collection, "started life as a demo, an attempt to get something down while it was fresh. No frills, nothing fancy, just feel." And what feels!
The irrepressibly funky "Don't Dance With Me Tonight" is a deeply moving, slow-mo organ-drenched head-nod-funky country-ballad. Next up, the breezy "You Got It Wrong" was recorded in Wales with some of Jeb's good friends and neighbours, The Westwood All Stars, featuring Clovis Phillips and Will Barnes. Skanking fiddle-flecked gem "Ring The Bells" was the first thing Jeb recorded when he moved to Wales. A combination of all his loves; country, reggae, soul. It's followed by "Let's Make It Up", a truly sumptuous string-drenched emotional groover. "When Did You Stop Loving Me" is another Nashville track, written and recorded during a time Jeb was spending a lot of time with the Muscle Shoals crew, Donnie Fritts, Spooner Oldham, George Soule and Dan Penn: "It shows, I'm sure, their influence." Oh, you bet it does!
The swaggering country-funk of "Just Beginning" should grace many groove-focused DJs' sets whilst "Wintering Of The Year", again made with Clovis, is pastoral, campfire soul. The glacial, gorgeous "Let It Rain" is from an unreleased record Jeb made with the great British jazz bass player Andy Hamill and "We Tell Each Other Who We Are" is freaky country-soul made by a man with a love for strutting, wonky hip-hop stylings. Rounding out the side, "Trip To You" is pure, uncut amphetamine-propelled drum-machine soul.
The spare, beautiful "Dirt" is from an EP Jeb made with Julian Moore in his house in South London: "All first takes, straight to tape." Swoon! "Heaven Right Here" was a very minor league hit in America: "It was produced by the brilliant and much missed Wayne Nunes. It was started in the countryside of Missouri, finished in the countryside of Wales, and recorded in the countryside of Sussex." Double swoon! "If Later Ever Comes" is electronica meets J.J. Cale business whilst "Remember The Season" is truly wonderful and breezy guitar soul. "A Little Love" was made with Wayne Nunes as well, after a night of listening to Studio One and Northern Soul. Bouncy dub closer "Weary Traveller" was written by Bill Monroe, the hero of Jeb's youth: "Monroe's music was heavily influenced by black southern churches; I've tried to keep some of that feral feel." This was the final recording by Jeb's 1990s Country-Dub band, Fellow Travellers.
The name of this compilation comes from a time when Jeb lived in Peckham, south London and he used to DJ and sometimes perform at a local bar: "The owner of the bar, a Jamaican named Count Percy, once asked me what I called my music. I told him I wasn't sure, I guess just pop music. He thought about it for a minute and then said, 'no, more like mom and pop music'. Rather than call me a country singer or a folk singer he always referred to me as The Music Maker."
With the long overdue deluxe overview of his beloved music, we hope to finally shine a light on the unheralded genius of Jeb Loy Nichols. RIYL Larry Jon Wilson, Townes Van Zandt, Bobby Charles, country got soul artists, dub, deep soul, disco, dancing, heartbreak. This deluxe collection, spellbinding from beginning to end, should hopefully go some way to ensuring Jeb reaches an ever bigger, ever more appreciative crowd of followers. Mastering for this special double vinyl edition was overseen by Be With regular Simon Francis and it was cut by the esteemed Cicely Balston at Abbey Road Studios to be pressed in the Netherlands by Record Industry. The artwork has been lovingly put together by The Music Maker, himself, Jeb Loy Nichols. "Be With is the perfect home for this mongrel music. I am forever in their debt." The pleasure is all ours, Jeb.
Glasses Man by Ken Laszlo is a catchy Italo disco track with charismatic vocals and a typical 80s flair. The song captivates with its danceable lightness and stays in your head with its distinctive hookline. Finally available again as a coloured maxi single – a highlight for collectors and fans of the genre.
In addition to the original versions, there are new and exclusive remixes by Flemming Dalum.
BodyParts presents "We Need You" by Fabe, a four-track release that taps into raw club energy and brings a fresh vibe to the label’s Vinyl Series. Fabe delivers stomping grooves, creative vocal work, and vibrant textures that BodyParts fans will recognize, but with plenty of surprises.
'We Need You' opens the EP with a tech-house roller that nods to UK swingers. Slapping bass, processed vocal snippets, atonal melodies, and bit-crushed synths come together in a track that demands movement. 'Ah Gee' keeps the energy going with a spacious, deep-groove feel, filtered melodies, catchy vocals, and a nod of French Touch house, blending classic styles with a modern edge. 'Teach Your Body' brings tension with a breaky, bass-driven house cut, sensual vocal fragments, and sharp drums, all carried by syncopated grooves. 'Down With The Dolphins' wraps up the record with warmth and color, offering deep house and breakbeat energy that lights up the dance floor — perfect for those early morning moments when light cuts through the darkness of the club and new energy breaks through.
Over time, BodyParts has built a reputation for consistency, with a signature fusion of minimal, tech-house, and groove that always feels dancefloor-worthy but never formulaic. With "We Need You," Fabe delivers another peak-time ready record that sits comfortably in the label's legacy while pushing it just enough to keep ears alert and bodies engaged.
Ruta5 presents Yellow Fever, the debut EP from Chilean duo Yellow Fever — vocalist Nara Back and dj Haiti — a project born to ignite the dancefloor through hybrid sets that blend live vocals, DJ energy, and a visual world steeped in groove and color. Their first release channels over two decades of electronic roots into fresh, immediate form.
The record opens with ‘Díganle (Dandy Jack Remix)’, where Dandy Jack — a pioneering force in Chilean electronic music and co-founder of Ruta5 — transforms the track into a playful, stomping roller: punchy kicks, rolling bass, groovy percussion, and glitchy vocal fragments that nod to his legacy of bridging Chilean and European underground sounds. ‘Fiebre Amarilla’ (Yellow Fever) leans into space and motion, driven by growling bass stabs, modulated synths, and vibrant vocal energy that flirt with house textures while radiating raw dancefloor sensuality. ‘William Borrow’ brings crisp, electro-leaning drums and syncopated grooves that twist through dynamic shifts, hinting at synth-pop while maintaining tight club precision. Closing the EP, ‘Inspector (feat. Pier Bucci)’ folds in Pier Bucci’s unmistakable touch — a deep, minimal-house hybrid rich in warmth and Latin sensibility, connecting Santiago and Berlin with effortless lightness.
Founded to amplify electronic voices from underrepresented regions, Ruta5 remains a cultural bridge — its sound deeply Chilean yet globally resonant. Dandy Jack’s and Pier Bucci’s presence reaffirms that lineage, while Yellow Fever injects it with new energy: a reminder that consistency in quality need never mean predictability.
CMDRPX09 - VARIOUS ARTISTS On side A, three Ligurian artists bring their dark style: A1 @gianluca.pellerano Techno/Postpunk/ebm. A2 @francescolazzatifrnk Techno/Industry/ebm and track A3 @f_phonosnds New Wave featuring scratchy synths and '80s sounds. On side B, two guys from @vertigini_events , cmdrpx residents, bring two dancefloor-ready but very mental tracks: B1 @gela__________ with his Techno/Electro style, and @mathi_____v with his square-wave synths.
