Tensal is a solo project of Héctor Sandoval, a leading Spanish techno artist with an accomplished discography spanning 20 years, primarily as half of Exium. The four tracks on his 'Opposite Inertia' EP are each marked by the classic synth focus that defines the Tensal project, but cover separate moods within techno.
'Inertia 1' rolls out with unusual and off-kilter groove, whilst hi hats and sliding sub notes grow in intensity to the end. Inertia 2 and 3 are the peak time cuts. The first is all synth bleeps and a pumping low-end, the second more hyperactive with its flurry of tightly-wound bass and steely percussion. 'Inertia 4' brings the pace back down to a measured and more atmospheric close, tailored to the warm-up or time-out moments in a DJ set.
Mastered by Neel (EnissLab Studio, Rome). Pressed on 180g, 12' vinyl at Optimal Media, Germany. Packaged in a house sleeve. All artwork designed by Christopher Honeywell.
Search:low e
Ark & Pit Spector continue their inspired journey with an extended EP full of groovy jams and absorbing rhythms for Hold Youth. The Frenchmen have formed a potent alliance with a series of expertly-crafted, high-quality releases dropping over the last couple of years. On this new EP they go deeper into their sound explorations with five original works and a remix from their Parisian buddy and Hold Youth member, Le Loup. First up, we go into bumping jazzy territory with 'Chauffage Central', a mesmerising cut with swirling pads, soulful vocal clips and a jaunty b-line. Straight up after that, Hold Youth rudeboy Le Loup gives 'Chauffage Central' a funky little rework, throwing live sounding percussion, Nubian vocal clips, trumpet parps and a pumping bassline into the mix which gives a totally different identity. The final track on side A, is a cheeky teaser called 'Petite Ondée'. Rolling out for just under two minutes the track has a muffled, jazz-esque feel to it with a warm rolling bassline and bright, sparkling piano keys.
On the flip we kick off with 'Air Conditionelle', a lush, retro feeling with those oh-so-familiar heavy-hitting eighties snare licks. The bassline takes you to a New York City street and the whole atmosphere is that of an old school NYC neighbourhood, while a spoken-word sample adds a human touch just before the track comes to an end. 'Sub Tropical' goes a little leftfield with an unusual combination of sounds in tandem with a pulsating low end, occasional sax licks and punchy percussion to give it plenty of energy. 'Averse Et Contre Tous' closes out the EP with a slothish ride into the sunset - Ark and Pit Spector show their experimental side presenting an odd union between blues samples, gruff electronic sounds and piano keys.
Another triumphant effort from Ark and Pit Spector, in fact, some of the finest work to date. Make sure you check it out!
With their debut LP City Of Gold still resonating in the clubs and smashing up dance floors across the globe, The Prototypes waste no time in unleashing a brand new banger for your speakers: Hypercube.
Having already been made a firm favourite thanks to Friction opening his live Radio 1 Essential Mix at Glastonbury early this year in the UK and being selected as his 'Friction Fire' track on Radio 1 & 1Xtra, Hypercube is full of attitude and weighs heavy on the low end, all wrapped up in a mass of energy big enough to shatter the fourth dimension. Also included in the vinyl single is the exclusive VIP mix of Pop It Off, one of this years biggest dancefloor anthems.
Italian rudeboy Ivan Iacobucci brings his brand of lowdown funk-influenced tech house to Apollonia with this sterling three-tracker. Over two decades of hard work and dedication to his craft has culminated in Ivan's untainted reputation and widespread respect within the underground from true heads like Zip and, of course, the Apollonia boys. His love of jazz in evident throughout this EP which is full of subtlety and depth, pulsating b-lines and smooth chords are interlaced with razor-sharp percussion and delicate keys. The first track 'Old In On' has a laid back, though driving, groove, pushing forward with a hefty bassline that is perfectly counterbalanced by the light twinkling keys and barely-there pads. 'Scris Frumos' encapsulates more of an ominous, tribal feeling with intricate effects trickling through every pore of its deep, dark exterior. Its atmospherics keep you intrigued, voices echo in the background and a few moments of softened chimes really intensify the already mysterious vibe. 'Mini Ass' channels more of that electro-funk that forms the foundation of Ivan's love for music, haywire radio pulses prance around stuttered beats, giving it a slightly cosmic feel, while pipes add a more organic nuance to the track. Absolutely masterful work from Ivan, and another inspired addition to the Apollonia catalogue.
For its fifth release, French indie label Rave Or Die introduces two new acid rave tunes. In the A side Chris Moss Acid (Don't, 030303, Shipwrec) delivered a savage acid track .On the B-Side the label boss Umwelt will imerse you in low bottom of the warehouse with a dark mental acid track.
* Following on from successfully funding her How To Make A Symphony Kickstarter project, Emika returns with a new four-track EP that sees her chart yet more new territory.
* Lead track Flashbacks is a typically haunting affair whose deeply personal lyrics are a heartening example of how art can turn feelings of trauma into something beautiful
* Her velvety voice belies the deep subject matter while the sounds gracefully tread the line between the brooding and the ethereal, with pulsing, filtered synth delays, low register piano bass octaves and a stuttering slo-mo beat produced with The Exaltics, building an engrossing atmosphere
* Restless Wings goes into more experimental territory - both in terms of composition and concept. 'It's about creating a new personality which lives in the internet - something we all know
* Total features the silver-toned soprano star of How To Make A Symphony, Michaela Srumova, and tackles the complicated relationship between a mother and her daughter
* French musician Franck Vigroux provides a stark, shuddering remix of Flashbacks to complete the EP, driven by gnarled blasts of wildly distorted synths and bass grunts, rising to an intense, mesmeric crescendo
* This EP brings together the classical and electronic extremes of the Emika sound, proving that her signature is like no other and continues to evolve.
- A1: Less Of Me
- B14: The Closet
- A2: My Eyes
- A3: Popularity Is So Boring
- A4: Orphans
- A5: Eliminate By Night
- A6: Freud In Flop
- A7: Burning Rubber
- A8: I Woke Up Dreaming
- A9: Crown Of Thorns
- A10: Baby Doll
- A11: Race Mixing
- A12: Don't Talk About Love
- A13: No Morality
- B1: Instrumental
- B2: Baby Doll
- B3: Freud In Flop
- B4: Race Mixing
- B5: Crown Of Thorns
- B6: Red Alert
- B7: The Closet
- B8: Instrumental
- B9: Freud In Flop
- B10: Burning Rubber
- B11: Red Alert
- B12: Orphans
- B13: Eliminate By Night
Teenage Jesus and the Jerks began to formulate their visionary brand of aural catharsis sometime during the first half of 1977, amidst the sordid ruins of a then fully down-and-out Lower Manhattan. The mastermind behind this juggernaut of sonic libertinage was a barely pubescent but world-weary runaway who called herself Lydia Lunch. Influenced strongly by the Marquis de Sade and Henry Miller, Lunch shrewdly decided to graft the existential horror of her own writing onto harsh, atonal music after being exposed to the room-clearing live output of other contemporary rock-music deconstructionists like Suicide and Mars. With an agenda of conjuring nightmarish intensity in lieu of technical instrumental ability, Teenage Jesus instantly made the supposedly nihilistic' and raw' current wave of so-called Punk acts sound like slick, good-timey pop music by comparison. Teenage Jesus and the Jerks were The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, lisa, She Wolf of the SS, and Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, transliterated into a blatant mockery of the increasingly tired, basic rock-band format. Posthumously, there have been numerous reissues of the primary Teenage Jesus corpus, namely the first side of the Lydia Lunch double compilation album Hysterie (CD Presents, 1986), a very incomplete anthology titled Everything (Atavistic, 1995) and Shut Up and Bleed (Cherry Red/Atavistic, 2008), which also featured Beirut Slump tracks. These less-than-fastidious documents contained reverb-laden transcriptions of the studio cuts directly from vinyl copies, as well as random live tracks of mediocre fidelity. This particular collection about to be released on Other-People is meticulously edited and mastered from rare bootlegs taped during the initial 1977-1979 period of classic band, and only one title (Crown of Thorns from January 17,1979) has been legitimately released to date, albeit in a completely different sound quality.
Reaching the milestone of its 100th single/EP release, Circus Company welcomes back Aquarius Heaven with a new EP of poignant, uplifting house music loaded with a meaningful message for these transient times. It's nearly three years since Brian Brewster delivered the Parallela Mundi 12', and in that time he has been on a relentless mission to spread his unique blend of house music, Caribbean roots and psychedelic magic across the globe in a whirlwind of live performances and collaborations. In a manifestation of his well-travelled soul, these new pieces call upon traditional influences in amongst the modern motifs that Aquarius Heaven has been built on, while lyrically dealing with the pressing issue of refugees escaping conflict, poverty and famine. The proud drum throwdown and carnival bleeps of 'Bato Chargé' conceal the seriousness of its theme. In Brewster's native tongue Creole, bato chargé translates as overloaded boat. With the Caribbean as equally rooted in the history of displaced humanity at the hands of sinister powers, the groove of 'Bato Chargé' takes on a defiant, hopeful tone directly inspired by the traditional percussive music style Gow Ka. '50 Drops' by way of contrast takes on a noirish tone with its gritty, street-weary tale and nocturnal melodics played out through enchanting arpeggios and warbling leads. Cooling off the tempo and heading into a digi-dub skank that plays off Brewster's roots in reggae and dancehall, 'Marie Galante' takes those same warm synths and runs them through a low-but-heavy stepping landscape; the perfect backdrop to the vocalist's dexterous ramblings on the mic. It's not often you hear Creole New Release Information delivered in contemporary electronic music, with a rare exception being the legendary work of Tikiman et al with Rhythm & Sound in the 90s.
- A1: Air With. Khalil Anthony
- A2: Jus Anutha Wunna Deez
- A3: Boogie Down With. Erik Rico
- B1: Sum Ol' Nex' Ish
- B2: A Fly New Tune With. Ta'raach
- B3: Turn It Out With. Dave Aju
- B4: I Can Hardly Breathe With. A Brother Is
- C1: Another Night Under The Glitterball
- C2: For Bae
- C3: Moon On The Hill With. Dj Kali
- D1: Vampires
- D2: Baked With. Malik Ameer
- D3: Take U 2 My House With. Khalil Anthony
- D4: For Those I've Lost Along The Way
Following two EP releases on Delusions Of Grandeur the time felt right for thatmanmonkz to get working on his debut LP. The Sheffield b-boy is no newcomer to production having been releasing music since the mid-noughties but has seen a definite rise in interest the last few years following essential releases on his own Shadeleaf label as well as remixes and productions for the likes of Classic, Kolour LTD and Kon's StarTime.
With his first musical love being Hip Hop it's easy to understand how his approach to house turns out so refreshing. Inevitably MPC's, big, bold samples, Jay Dee inspired grooves and a raw, underproduced sound all play a big part and never one to shy away from an interesting collaboration he has enlisted the skills of several vocalists including Detroit MC Ta'raach (whose credits include Slum Village and Jill Scott), Erik Rico (collabs include Ron Trent and DJ Spinna), Khalil, Dave Aju, Pete Simpson (as A Brother Is...) and Malik Ameer.
Things kick off with a low-slung soul jam entitled Air featuring Kahil Anthony complete with sparkling Rhodes arps and a dub-wise bassline underpinning a beautifully lazy groove. Jus Anutha Wunna Deez follows with a rough and ready house jam that clearly doffs its cap to those old Sound Signature and Mahogoni Music releases we know and love so much. Next up we have Boogie Down with Erik Rico rocking some Parliament inspired vocal business bringing the feelgood vibes to this rolling P-Funker. Some Ol' Nex' Ish goes for a jazz samba meets house fusion whilst A Fly New Tune goes strictly old school with a classic combo of dusty break, filtered fusion rhodes n bass sample, movie dialogue snippets and a masterful flow delivered by Ta'raach. Dave Aju steps up next on Turn It Out laying down a unison vocal refrain to compliment the bumping disco groove complete with a call and response section for some singalong party participation!
As we continue, Another Night Under The Glitterball sees thatmanmonkz back in familiar territory with a rock solid, deep jazz-house jam. On I Can Hardly Breathe we're treated to a downtempo gospel-infused affair which leads us perfectly into the most bumpy club- friendly track of the LP For Bae. Moon On The Hill is a collaboration with Italian DJ Kali and his Raw Standard crew and treats us to some distinctly mid 90's Kruder and Dorfmeister vibes to zone out to before heading off in an altogether more bonkers, psychedelic dancehall direction on Vampires. Baked is another classy thatmanmonkz take on Hip Hop featuring Malik Ameer on the mic. Take U 2 My House sounds like something Prince might have made in the mid-80's if he'd just come off a 3 day bender at Panorama Bar. And closing the show in perfect style and fashion we have For Those I've Lost Along The Way which is a blunted yet beautifully optimistic number that has echoes of Lonnie Liston Smith and a brilliant spiritual vocal sample which provides the perfect closer to an amazing debut LP.
Following Secret Chapter, Architectural's debut LP, and the release of Amour in 2015 with the Dutch imprint Wolfskuil, we are delighted to bring you release number 7 which continues a saga of EPs that are very effective on the dance floor without renouncing to their atmospheric and experimental roots. Presented in an elegant 10" transparent vinyl, its two tracks, 7.1 and 7.2, share the limelight and will both leave the dance floor in ruins.
In 7.1 Architectural goes back to his roots with marked low lead lines that star in a very intense episode. The resulting sound is dense and compact, and connects the American essence and feel to European abstract futurism. Many will define this track as pure Architectural.
7.2 is not suitable for heart patients. Its intense and rhythmical bassline can put the listener in a hypnotic state for several minutes waiting for something to happen. The repetitive rhythm from the start is so strong it becomes strongly addictive. The track evolves towards an end worthy of a terror movie, where the snare provides an aggressive beat complemented by striking atmospheres.
Both tracks are the perfect weapon for any DJ willing to put to the test the best sound equipments.
* Returning to Dispatch LTD after a string of successful and hard hitting releases, DBR UK are back to present their debut album, entitled 'Rough Edges', comprised of sixteen original productions from the UK trio.
* 'Rough Edges' is an ethos by which DBR UK live by in the studio, an ethos and distinctive style which has been developed over the years and throughout their own influences. Made up of varying elements, styles and attitudes within drum & bass, the album covers the trio's full spectrum, carried out with their own unique flair. * Certified masters of crafting their basslines and low ends to perfection, the pulse keeps every track pumping with soul, carefully mapped out and delivered to a tee, whatever the chosen direction. Eloquently arranged, but purposely gritty, dynamic but not over-complicated and never straightforward, glossy or predictable, it's an ideology the group stand by, whether it's a melodic vocal swathe or a murderous minimal mod. * Equipped with murky steppers for the shadowy back rooms such as 'Demolition' (ft. Slippy Skills), the album journeys through old skool & dub focused influences, like reece thronged 'Dark Alley' and hypnotic stroller 'Man Hunt'.
* Alongside their solo productions, the album also sees guest collaborators from the past and present combining efforts, with Skeptical, Structured, Gremlinz & Ahmad helping craft the gullied landscapes, the poignant and piercing vocals of MC Fokus striking at the jugular in 'Blood Water and the smooth, dulcet tones of Amanda Seal perfectly contrasting to the darkness and hysteria, before leading the listener back up the garden path.
* Back on the scene with a vengeance, having blown us away with an astounding quality and output, DBR UK deliver their first long player, 'Rough Edges', utilizing their subtly edged weaponry to maximum effect.
We are excited to finally announce and share 'Presentiment', the second Long Player from The Connection Machine.
This release is particularly special for us as it will be the first time in over 20 years that Jeroen and Natasja have put an album out on vinyl. Despite having a string of aliased releases in the '90s on the mighty U-Trax, a 12" during the early days of Carl Craig's Planet E, a remarkable album 'Painless' on Down Low Music, and most recently a series of in demand E.P.s with Lost Trax on Tabernacle, their output has remained tantalisingly infrequent.
With 12 tracks that capture their unique and awe-inspiring sound, 'Presentiment' opens you up to a world that only The Connection Machine have access to.
Jamie Roberts is no stranger to the more experimental tenets of the Techno genre, and much of the British artist's output of late has hinted at more leftfield leanings. A recent return to Will Bankhead's Trilogy Tapes imprint saw a brace of meditative, post-Detroit workouts - employing the same heady, hardware aesthetic as much of his work on Ternesc - though at a drastically reduced tempo.
It's this same willingness to break down perceptions regarding his own music that marks Walk Type - Roberts' debut on the Avian label, as a notable chapter in the artist's discography.
In terms of aesthetic finish, AVN027 might be Roberts' most comprehensive and well articulated ode to the culture of machine music - but it's also his most organic offering. Corroded drones provide the basis for much of the material, pitching & bending at will - shifting & warping in and amongst furtive drum work, that by and large sits uncharacteristically deep in the mix.
For the most part the record eschews traditional dance floor functionality in favour of this rich, experimental premise - it's early moments are generally unclassifiable, though nods towards a caustic IDM variant offer some context. In it's later stages, the material moves tentatively closer to the club environment, as Robert's offers up a handful of anxious, low slung tools - that, whilst not straying far from the crushed, greyscale tone of their predecessors, round out an enviable addition to the Avian catalogue.
Madeira-born Robert S makes his Konstruktiv debut after appearances on Sleaze, Arts, Planet Rhythm and his own Robert Limited imprint.
Moderna is straight shooting techno, hard-hitting with hints of rolling funk and a bleak contrast to the sun-drenched Portuguese setting that saw its inception.
The synth stabs of EP opener Moderna steadily rise and open up, driving the track forward while low-slung drums keep the beat in check. Label-boss Rekord 61 drops in on A2 with his remix of the title-track. The original stabs take an aerial backseat and a compact beat powers through vapor and wear.
Trilha Acida sets things straight from the first second on the flip. A threatening acid line pummels the listener with mechanical consistency while a startling chord rehearses a monosyllabic monologue. Black Jocker, the fourth and final cut closes on a dystopian note, with austere drums and a dark souvenir triggering arpeggiator.
Awaking from the dreamstate of Gryningen's hazy library inspired 10", we find Aficionado's expert selectors well rested and in the mood for a dance.
Utilising their extensive network of global connections, Moonboots and Boardman enlist Hungarian producer San Laurentino to raise spirits and pulses with a deep and diverse collection of body movers.
Perfectly conjuring the nostalgic melancholy its title suggests, opening track 'First Love' takes us by the hand for one last dance under the stars.
Cinematic pads sweep around a snapping drum pattern as a signorina from Rimini embraces a Basildon boy, seeing out the summer season to the hair raising chords and spine tingling sequences of a San Laurentino's masterpiece.
While that holiday romance might have come to an end, 'Back To The Stars' leads you off in search of new experiences. Emotive pads, undulating bass sounds and celestial keys vie for attention while the solid kick, intricate percussion and lively hats play out a swaying rhythm. Then all of a sudden the track changes tack completely, tripping out to a modular melody and sinuous techno bassline before reaching a soul soothing conclusion.
On the B-side 'Long Way Home' lulls us into a false sense of security via a gentle drumbox bossa, before thick bass stabs and a tough new beat rhythm take control of our bodies. Once again San Laurentino packs the track with atmospheric chords but this time adds delicate guitars and subtle piano, balancing the steely rhythm section with deep emotional resonance.
Closing the EP with unrivalled sophistication, 'Amici' sees San Laurentino drop the tempo and concoct an irresistible low slung groove before expanding our minds with wavering pads, hypnotic chimes and misty synth vox.
The perfect finale to an EP certain to leave you misty eyed on the dancefloor. Officially Aficionado
Martinez on the 7th release, no need to introduce the Danish producer. Now head of the Concealed Sounds imprint. "Unsaid" is a dubby organic journey that covers the A side for a 12 min trip into deepness, while on the B side "Untold" offers us a bumpy floor shaking track tailored for club. On B2 we found Lowris for the remix of "Unsaid", co-owner and founder of aeternum Music, resident dj & artist of CONCRETE Paris, here first appearance on his imprint, bringing a minimal action to the original track and closing this complete EP which offers 3 differents moods. Martinez on the 7th release, no need to introduce the Danish producer. Now head of the Concealed Sounds imprint. "Unsaid" is a dubby organic journey that covers the A side for a 12 min trip into deepness, while on the B side "Untold" offers us a bumpy floor shaking track tailored for club. On B2 we found Lowris for the remix of "Unsaid", co-owner and founder of aeternum Music, resident dj & artist of CONCRETE Paris, here first appearance on his imprint, bringing a minimal action to the original track and closing this complete EP which offers 3 differents moods.
When commissioning remixes, the best labels think outside the box. That's exactly what Firecracker's Lindsay Todd did when seeking out producers to rework tracks from Linkwood's excellent Expressions album. On this second 12" in an ongoing series, that faith has paid dividends. Whereas the original version of "Ignorance Is Bliss" was a warm, woozy, sun-kissed deep house affair, Healing Force Project has reinvented it as a stargazing chunk of 21st century space jazz, complete with twinkling chords, low-slung double bass and reverb-laden drum solos. The Musephased interpretation of "Love Lost" by Kimochi label head Area sticks closer to the ultra-deep, melancholic vibe of Linkwood's original, but adds a frisson of excitement via bubbling, Detroit-influenced electronics and hypnotic rhythms.
After starting up the infamous Invites Choice podcast series in 2011 and launching his Invites Choice Records with a debut EP by himself, Tim van Paradijs (A.K.A. Invite) continues with a banging follow-up-EP. The EP starts with a percussion driven, repetitive track by the likes of Spanish producer Tadeo, dubbed Deeyiam. This track lends itself perfectly for those deep yet powerful sets. Zadig is put on duty for A2 and deliverd a straight forward yet funky track named Dr. Fastolfe in which the low, bassy synth stands out and just draws you straight into the track. Invite, like in his podcast series, likes his fair mix of established artists and newcomers to the releasing scene. New to the vinyl releasing game are Dutch duo Moving Thoughts; they provide the EP with the oldschool oriented track Lost in which both the heavy-hitting kick and bass and the evolving and repeating synth stand out. Invite closes the EP with his track Micro which shows that Steve Rachmad influenced both his DJ-sets and productions for a great deal. 4 different artists, 4 different tracks but a very strong and coherent EP indeed!
* Quotes:
Randall - 'Heavy tunes Quarantine are cooking up' Ant TC1- ' Another release simply verifying further that Quarantine is a label that can do no wrong, constant and consistent quality, a shining light of an imprint, always has been'
Fabio- 'Drum and Bass the way its supposed to be from one of my favourite producers.
Rolling beats for the dance floor and a little something for the heads.'
Kasra (Critical) - 'This is great!'
* Quarantine's ever growing arsenal continues this time with debut single from Zero T.
* Hot on the heels of his 'Golden Section' LP on Dispatch Recordings.
* ''Lowball'' is an evolving, stomach churning piece of gutter tech. Leveling dance floors across the globe. Maybe even as you read this.
* "Thick and Thin" Demonstrates Zero T's command of Rolling beats and bass
pulled through a cascade of soothing summertime Rhodes. A musical DJ weapon.
* Both these tracks continue to establish the return of Quarantine and have been getting supported and played by Friction, Fabio, Doc Scott, Randall, Hype, Bailey, dBridge, Marky,
Ant Tc1 and many more.




















