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"Being lost with you is better than being found and alone." Charles Martin

Jannowitz Records' label boss Lars aka BOHO is busy this year. Never in the world would he have thought that after an amazing 2018, the pace he had been going could actually accelerate. But 2019 is already a huge success.

Gigs in many parts of the world and more than huge releases are in the pipeline at the legendary Octopus & Yoshitoshi Recordings. On top of that: constant charting with Jannowitz releases !

This is why BOHO thought now would be the perfect time to release a banger EP he had been working on for several months. As always, BOHO sat down with some friends and produced three peak time hits - just in time for festival season.

Number 1 is beloved Heerhorst who has many releases in his catalogue on prestigious labels such as Octopus, Tronic or Stil vor Talent. He impressed the whole crew at the JAW headquarter with his sound and qualified immediately for working on the main track “Pinkfinger” - a powerful techno track with distorted synths pushing down on you. And there's something to look forward to: You will be hearing more from Heerhorst who joins the family as main artist.

BOHO and Xenia Beliyeva's collaboration “Violet” is something for the groovy dancefloor shaker. Its monotonous vocals sung by the Russian electro goddess fit perfectly to BOHO's bumpy techno side. Because is not only a stellar DJ, but also a great singer. Give it a listen!

Another Jannowitz Records favourite rounds off the three original tracks: Vazik is back. The Mexican power producer has done a lot for the success of our label - and we're more than thankful for that. He finds his way back to the label with a straightforward techno belter “Human”: “You are human. You will die. I will not.” - These super dark robotic vocals will spiral through your head and lead you to a powerful drop that won't be easily forgotten.

Russia, Mexico, Germany - as always a very colourful mix of superstars. But beware of the Italian powerhouse Christian Bonori who joined in to the party and made his very own version of BOHO x Heerhorst's “Pinkfinger”. Just as with Mr. Heerhorst himself, you will be hearing more from Christian Bonori as well. If you haven't checked out his work: do it. We're convinced!

To celebrate Steyoyoke's 7th Anniversary, we are releasing a 4 track EP - Anniversary 07 - in both digital and vinyl editions. A small showcase of some of Steyoyoke's best original cuts, this short release exists in the space between traditional and Steyoyoke's trademark Ethereal Techno, highlighting the talents of select artists on the roster.

The release begins with the mysterious and refined 'Cadence' by Soul Button. A strong, consistent baseline is paired with with echoing details that dance from the mid to higher layers, making this an enchanting introduction. Nick Devon follows on perfectly with his diverse track, 'The Moon'. Beginning with the same soothing echoes, he introduces layers that transform the track from a soothing melancholy to a compelling mix with a distinct harder energy. Clawz SG's track 'Alchemy' then brings a sharpness to the EP with a diverse range of percussive and synth elements that dip in and out, giving the track a dynamic quality. It is a track that maintains the listener's attention and could fit in on any techno floor. The EP is brought to a conclusion with a stunning mix from Dahu & JOBE, 'Inert', which set itself apart from the get-go with a mix of eclectic percussion and dynamic bass. Not afraid to experiment, it shows impeccable attention to detail as themes are introduced, pulled back, reworked, and re-introduced constantly throughout, giving a listener more with every replay.

This EP showcases some of the most dynamic points of Steyoyoke's past year, showing the ways in which Ethereal Techno can mold and adapt to always stay ahead of the curve.

microcastle begins 2020 by welcoming Cornucopia back to the label for a new EP. The mysterious artist makes a much-anticipated follow-up to the July 2018 release ‘Forever Gone’. The three-track offering saw a wide spectrum of play and support from some of the underground’s top tastemakers in Adam Port, Ame, Baikal, Dixon, Frankey & Sandrino, Guy J, Jimi Jools, Laurent Garnier, Luca Bacchetti, Patrice Baumel and Solomun. With a release on Multinotes to highlight 2019, Cornucopia now lands back on microcastle with ‘River of Memories’ to begin the new year.

Elusive and organic in equal measure, the transcendent nature of Cornucopia has the rare ability to unite a cross section of music lovers. The romantic sounds of ‘River of Memories’ sits as perhaps the most apt illustration, invoking a rare combination of hope, heartache, reflection and meditation across it’s eleven-minute storyboard. Shrouded in mystery for nearly three years after countless live airings, it’s the pensive nature of ‘Holding You Tight When The World Collapses’ that follows. Rich in tone and texture, there is also a keen emphasis on rhythm and groove, as exotic drums and low-slung basslines marry fragmented melodies and wispy atmospherics, creating just the right balance of tension and emotion before melting down into the timeless sensibilities and metallic clusters of the EPs closer ‘Orion’. Classy and refined, it rounds out another elusive chapter in Cornucopia’s unique musical history, continuing the artist’s love for intriguing melodic concepts, while already finding a place in the playlists of the worlds most astute DJs.

The deep melodic house & techno masterpiece collection by Parquet
Recordings is going into the sixteenth round! "Parquet Most Wanted Vol. 16", featuring worldwide supported & roadtested productions by SOLEE, MONASTETIQ feat. HAPTIC, DECIDIOUS, YANNEK MAUNZ, BRASCON and JOHANSON.
These tracks are already played by A-List DJs like Tale of Us, Solomun, Pig & Dan, Fideles, Guy Mantzur, Undercatt, Petar Dundov, Aether, Nick Warren, Nicone and many more!

Modern life is a crazy jigsaw of emotions, judgements and decisions. There are times where nothing seems to be going right for you in spite of the careful choices you make and you lose focus with what’s really, truly important. From the vantage point of your 9 to 5 hamster wheel, you deep dive into the minutiae of your days, frantically trying to find the common thread you feel you lost along the way, and yet, despite this, those fraying strands of normalcy evade you. They’re just out of reach. You need the music to make you whole again. To feel. To live. The music is the thread you couldn’t reach until you closed your eyes and just believed. Because as soon as you did, those paradigms realigned and the world was warm. And real.

Multi-talented musician and artist Namito has remained an important gure in the very fabric of Berlin's Melodic House & Techno scene, right since its humble beginnings. 

His autobiographical concept album Letting Go' charts the story of his early years, when he was forced to ee his native homeland Iran, as a 13 year old boy and plots the struggle of him coming to terms with growing up as a young refugee, on his own in West Berlin. 

Letting Go reveals his most pivotal moments between 1985 to 1993: the East-West conict, the fall of the Wall, his entry into a Bhagwan-Commune and his decision to drop out of school for music.

Collecting orders for Repress

Tom Demac is no stranger to us, with well-played releases on Hypercolour, Electronique Audio and Glasstable, we were happy to offer him a home with Kompakt in 2018 thanks to a collaboration with Real Lies titled 'White Flowers'. Tom returns to Kompakt, this time solo with the 3 tracker 'Serenade' .

The title track is delicately brought together by a fragile piano rhythm and poetic wisdom over the might of the kick drum. Tom says its best that 'Despite it being a little generic adding spoken word talking about music over actual music, the poetic nature of the delivery and description of the effects and emotions that music can bring, really worked with the piano I had written for this song.'

'Seventh Sign' was initially intended an experiment in cello recordings through an effects pedal but ended up being track brimming with pure techno groove. Second Skin is the perfect finale embracing epic elements of broken beat and even IDM sensibilities with a gorgeously misguided horn leading the march.

On Serenade, Tom Demac shows he has what it takes to reconfigure the vitality of what emotive techno can be. A central force that has kept the beat of Kompakt's heart in rhythm since day one.

Distant Worlds HQ has tasked 4 sonic scientists, spaced intermittently throughout the earth, to each intercept a transmission on behalf of the electronic music community. Tagwell Woods steps up first with a mournful, melancholic but beautiful interpretation of hardware-based electronica. Castel unearths a track from the mid 90s telling of a progressive approach to acoustics. Flip over for a downtempo trip into the future past courtesy of label fave, Mihail P and HOLOVR tops this release off with an acidic excursion into an expanded state of consciousness.

Dominik Eulberg's Mannigfaltig album proved a huge success last year, and now Eulberg has curated a top selection of 10 outstanding artists to rework key tracks from it. The first of two Remix-EPs contains reworks by Mind Against, Nathan Fake, Adana Twins, Shed and 1979.

The Italian duo Mind Against go first after fomenting their own celestial techno sound on Tale Of Us` After Life. Here they remix 'Goldene Acht' into a brain cleansing melodic cut with sparkling synths as the supple techno drums hypnotise below. Long time Border Community innovator Nathan Fake then flips 'Dreizehenspecht' into a swaggering bit of heavy, broken dub with glassy sounds, crunchy hits and bright harmonies unfolding up top. A vigorous trip.

Diynamic family members Adana Twins have a nuanced techno sound that comes to the fore in their 'Neuntöter' remix, as they build crackling tension with a rocking, massive lead synth. It will have the club in raptures as it draws out ever more before eventually the chugging drums pump again. Ostgut Ton’s Shed is dripping with sounds and moods of the past, yet is rightly known as one of the scene's sharpest innovators. He flips 'Zehnpunkt-Marienkäfer' into a track that shimmers with spring-time melodies that float high above the burrowing drums.

The digital package of EP1 sees two additional remixes, leading with the 1979 rework of 'Fünffleck-Widderchen‘. This remix of Hosh’s Fryhide collaborator has pensive and meditative chords drawn out over punchy drums. Additionally there is also a Adana Twins Funk Remix of 'Neuntöter', which is filled with 80s synths and beeps which generate colourful retro-future vibes.

The Virgo label boss Ilario Alicante presents the first in a series of
collaboration EP's with many recognised artists of the Electronic music scene.

The first episode consists of two collab-tracks with Kevin De Vries, who is well known for his releases on Afterlife. The track “Dystopia” merges a driving bass-synth line with mysterious melodies, the second is “Lotus” recognised with retro-wave arpeggios and pads, orchestrated by a refined techno groove making a unique adrenaline rush.

Kevin himself includes two of his own solo-tracks, including the noteworthy “Dragon of Eden”, that is already known in many of Ilario’s DJ sets. The track takes the listener on a voyage through charming melodies accompanied by the unmistakable groove of the Berlin-based artist.

Italy’s AGENTS OF TIME have long been on the KOMPAKT radar. It started thanks to their exemplary releases on Correspondant and other labels such as Stem, Ellum plus last year’s collaboration with Mathew Jonson (from whom their name is inspired by). Michael Mayer had chance to play with them last summer at one of their Obscura parties and their friendship was cemented. Which leads us now to their five track KOMPAKT debut, entitled MUSIC MADE PARADISE.

From our early days of releasing landmark tracks from JUSTUS KÖHNCKE, the label has never been shy of exploring the enigmatic fringes of disco in our own way. AGENTS OF TIME follow these footsteps but head into galactic territory with MUSIC MADE PARADISE. They continue their knack for bridging synth-wave with modern bass rhythms in a means which are purely designed for today’s dance floors. We’re proud to make their label debut with an incredible selection of music from this talented trio.

French touch meets Italo chic on Drive Me Crazy. At first, My Heart is A Microchip comes across as a segue track, but opens into cascading synths and a predatory breakbeat to lead its own charge. Under Control is classy Moroder disco brought to the modern age. Aptly titled Interstate 10 is an EP highlight – the percussion lead is infectious and ready for prime time exploration.

Auf dem Kompakt-Radar sind AGENTS OF TIME aus Italien schon länger. Grund dafür sind ihre Veröffentlichungen auf Labels wie Correspondant, Stem und Ellum oder ihre Kollaboration mit Mathew Jonson (der sie auch bei ihrer Namensgebung inspirierte). Auf einer ihrer legendären Obscura Parties letzten Sommer hatte Michael Mayer das Glück, mit dem Trio zu spielen und nicht nur die Freundschaft, sondern auch ihr 5-Track Debut “MUSIC MADE PARADISE auf KOMPAKT war besiegelt.

Seit den frühen Tagen - man denke an die Veröffentlichung diverser Meilensteine von JUSTUS KÖHNCKE - zeigt Kompakt sich nicht zaghaft, wenn es darum geht, Disco und seine schillernden Sub-Genres auf eigene Weise zu entdecken. AGENTS OF TIME folgen dieser Tradition, brechen mit MUSIC MADE PARADISE jedoch in galaktische Territorien auf: Dabei halten sie an ihrem Kniff fest, eine Brücke zwischen Synth-Wave und modernen Bass Rhythmen zu schlagen, die wie gemacht ist, um auf ihr zu tanzen. Wir sind stolz darauf, dem talentierten Trio ihr Label-Debut mit einer fantastischen Auswahl an Musik zu ermöglichen.

Drive Me Crazy kombiniert Italo Chic und French Touch. My Heart Is A Microchip kommt zuerst wie ein Track für den Übergang daher, öffnet sich dann aber in einem Wasserfall an Synth und einem gierigen Breakbeat, um auf seine eigenen Kosten zu kommen. Under Control wiederum ist klassischer Moroder Disco, der in die Moderne überführt wurde. Ein Highlight der EP ist Aptly titled Interstate 10 - die Percussion steckt an und wartet auf die Prime Time.

Parquet Recordings is proud to present their 14th edition of the PARQUET MOST WANTED EP series. Another masterclass collection of Melodic House & Techno productions by Solee, Oliver Winters, Alyne and Rinzen & Evan Casey. Enjoy!

Coloured Vinyl

Modest techno for mindful people. Venezuelan born, Swiss raised and Berlin living artist Arutani developed his own signature sound from early on. Very reduced, but sonically rich, reviving the golden era of minimal in his own in- terpretation. Subtle and detailed, dark at times, but always uplifting. Luise is proud to give home to his rst album. Hello Arutani.

It's that time again... Every summer Jennifer Cardini's Correspondant imprint celebrates another ground-breaking year with a far-reaching collection. Ranging from palpitating ambience to chuggernaut technoid trips; the stirring 16 track set features late night creations from old friends (Red Axes, Zombies In Miami, Mike Simonetti, Moscoman) new friends (Simple Symmetry, Perel, Julian Stetter, ) and friends that have been Correspondant kindred spirits since day one, but have never had the opportunity to cast their magic on the label... Until now (Black Merlin, MR TC, Yula Kasp & Mi.ro). As always, the vibe is deep, smoldering, emotive, innovative and unapologetically cosmic as we're pushed headfirst into Correspondant's boundary-less soundscape. From the coiled spring funk of Javi Redondo's 'Fictional Friendship' to the hypnotic harmonics and trippy vocal textures of Uriah Klapter's
'Breeze' via the slinky arpeggiated charm of Marvin & Guy's 'Cowboy Disco', it's another sublime excursion from one of the most consistent and considered imprints on the left side of techno.

We all go through phases. We don’t always feel the way we felt yesterday. Despite all these phases, we’re always drawn to music. It accompanies, touches and feeds us. This debut album is the story of Austrian Apparel and their journey up to this day. “AAplus” stands for inclusion - it takes paths into the openness of sound. It shows two sides. light and dark. While the light side features tracks outside of the four-to-the-floor realm, the dark side showcases their club oriented material. Never leaving behind their signature sound forged from their expertise on stage and in the studio. In coherence with their previous work, Austrian Apparel continue to explore an unconventional approach with their audio equipment, departing from a habitual studio process and emerging with a carefully condensed sonic episode of their journey.

“In the beginning were friendship and love for music.” That was how M U S I K G E W I N N T F R E U N D E was created in 2006, and this philosophy still drives Nico and Christian’s music. It’s also why the long-awaited return of label heads K O L L E K T I V T U R M S T R A S S E , on their own imprint, marks the perfect moment to get back to the unique sound the MGF label has become known for over the last 13 years. The R I B B O N R E E F E P is perfectly crafted, bringing a new awareness to the stunning harmonies of K O L L E K T I V T U R M S T R A S S E by melting the quintessential elements of their music together with a special tension that grows more and more with every minute. This brand-new EP is a proper journey. It opens with the breathtaking melodies of the main track, “ R I B B O N R E E F ” , which bring to mind a beautiful summer sunset: our souls seem to become connected with the space around us, allowing all this music’s emotion to come through. The adventure continues with “ N E W S T A R ” , a track that takes us into the night with its dance-floor attitude. A digital exclusive is the stripped-down and dubby “ N E W S T A R ” edit, which will surely sound perfect on the floor in the early morning

Best Works Records is back with a new offering from Spanish artist Luis Junior. The two new tracks "Ipsum" & '2DB2' come with remixes by the production duo Andre Lodemann & Fabian Dikof aswell as one from italian shooting stars Stereocalypse.

Luis Junior's track "Ipsum" continues to play with a slight Spa-nish flair reminiscent of his previous output with us. '2DB2' offers some more floor-ruffness and technoid play.

As remixers we are really happy to have Stereocalypse on board, some might know their amazing work for WhomadeWho. For the second remix label-head Andre Lodemann joins Best Works Records artist Fabian Dikof for their second remix collab after the success of their Compuphonic remix.

„15 Yrs Systematic“ is the third part in the five year Systematic series where Marc Romboy’s esteemed imprint Systematic Recordings celebrates each five year milestone with a compilation of exclusive tracks.

This special edition on a limited picture disc features special releases from Bedrock´s John Digweed & Nick Muir, Rodriguez Jr., ARTBAT and label frontman Marc Romboy himself.

Marc Romboy: „Wow, 15 years with roundabout 200 releases of 50 artists are over and it feels like only three. I’m more than glad that so many friends have contributed fantastic tracks for the 15 years compilation. It’s worth giving all of them a careful listen.“

This Spring, Life And Death hits a half century of releases with a suitably standout album from leftfield innovator Autarkic. Terms and Conditions is a 10 track window into the Tel Aviv artist's rich, wildly-infused electronica.

Critical acclaim has followed Nadav Spiegel's every move since he debuted in 2015. He is impossibly hard to pin down, and brings real songwriting ability to club tracks that colour far outside the usual lines. Weird dub, psychedelic rock, all forms of wave, sideways pop, swampy techno, Middle Eastern subtleties and plenty experimental in-between sounds all inform his work. It defies convention in ways many cannot, and has come on labels like Disco Halal and Turbo, as well as Life And Death with the Heavy Dreamer EP in 2018.

2016 and 2017 brought his first two albums, Can You Pass The Knife? and I Love You, So Go Away, both on Disco Halal. Both were full of intensely emotional wave, synth and lo-fi sounds that fizzed with innovation. Says the artist of its follow up, "Terms and Conditions was created to celebrate the moment in time that is now. The moment we became peasants in a new digital-feudal world, happily giving away our privacy for the privilege of owning a smart phone."

Terms and Conditions is a unique melting pot, a reimagining of familiar sounds in unfamiliar ways, and is another standalone record from Autarkic.

Oh sweet melancholy. Jascha Hagen is back for Luise's largest sibling and takes it all down a notch. »A Touch of Cold Water« is a tale of minimalism and awareness, carefully placed and well de ned elements, light spaces and echoing rooms. A string of tracks that vary between unfazed euphoria and sober retrospection, slightly out of tune like the voice in your head. Who needs to wipe o the dust when it scratches so nicely.

Marlon Hoffstadt debuts his first album on his own Midnight Themes imprint.
Set for release on March 13th 2020, Marlon Hoffstadt’s debut album ‘Planet Love’ marks the ninth release on his label, since its launch in 2017.

Having established his very own signature sound over the years, navigating through feelings from house, disco, trance and eurodance, Planet Love showcases these sensibilities in a long listening format.

While he seemed to not take himself too seriously throughout his past releases, naming records “Ready For Take Hoff” and “Der Hoffmaster”, Marlon now touches a topic which, over time got more and more serious and important to him. Having dealt with anxiety and panic attacks in the past he developed his very own mantra, which one could already recover in projects such as his phone free "Savour The Moment" events at Berlin's Renate.

“Be kind. Be humble. Take Care. Give Love. Because only love will set you free”.

This simple but powerful mantra, that he kicks his album off with, is not only his very own guide through insecurity and fears that he faces in his life as a musician, father, student and promoter. Much more it is a reminder that true success is not defined by heavy touring, big money and fame. Instead being successful means to be kind and caring towards yourself, your fellow humans and the environment and that most importantly love is stronger than anything else.

The full album is out March 13th, 2020 and is available digitally as well as on a 2x 12” double LP. It comes along with a full cover artwork from Hermann Reimer, titled “Ewige Gärtner”.

Scatcity release number seven welcomes Nandu and his Child Of A Child EP, seeing the Danish producer offer up three stellar original cuts alongside a remix from Santiago Garcia.

Inspired by Gibson's 'Neuromancer', Patrick Holland dives deep into the ambivalent future with Simstim. Also known for work as Project Pablo, Simstim uses familiar motifs with a more personalized touch. Pointillist melodies lay in a wash of noise artifacts, as pulsating rhythms fray subtly falling between sections, all delicately glued together with blissful harmonies. For the dancer and/or headphone listener alike.

Tim Green will be returning to Cocoon for his first release on the label since March 2016, with an atmospheric new dual single. 'Echo/They Want Us To Fall Down' is the first single from his
forthcoming debut album and is set for release on 26th March, out on vinyl as an album teaser. A cinematic production offering heavy shades of emotion, led by deep chords and rattling percussive sweeps, the release precedes Tim's debut album 'Her Future Ghost'. Set for release in April, the single is a teaser of what is to come from the expectation-defying producer.

Tim first made his production debut on four:twenty in 2006, going on to release on Dirtybird and Get Physical before Cocoon tapped the young producer for his first EP on the label in 2011. Whilst the prolific studio head has continued to experiment on other respected labels such as Lee Burridge's Get Weird label and Cityfox, Cocoon and Sven Vath have helped Tim's productions reach the biggest dancefloors in Ibiza and across the globe - so it's fitting he returns to this dance institution for his debut
album. Clad with loop pedals and menacing synths, 'Echo/They Want Us To Fall Down' embodies TimGreen's approach as a fiery live DJ, he's been tapped by Sven Vath to play at Cocoon events
around the globe (Amnesia Ibiza, Dockyard Festival, Mysteryland, Parookaville, off Sonar showcase at Pacha Barcelona) as well as solo at some of the world's most respected clubs, Panorama Bar, WOMB
Tokyo, Fabric London and Rex in Paris to name just a few. Now an internationally established and respected name, the release of 'Echo/They Want Us To Fall Down' is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Tim Green's career.

Clear Vinyl

Between Sleeps is a french producer based in Paris, passionate about sound design and synthesizers. His stage name and musical world evoke the state of semi-consciousness, when neither awake nor asleep. With dreamy pads and strong rythms, his music mixes electronica, house and techno. Boards Of Canada, Lone or The Field are among his main influences. All the tracks included in the EP Fantasia have been composed with the same hardware set-up: a sampler, an FM synthesizer and a substractive analog synthesizer. Every track has been recorded in one stereo take.

Transcode is back on Terminal M with a rocking 3 track ep! I love his way of producing, deep but powerful. Hard to decide which is my favourite track, I love them all. (Monika Kruse)

The latest release by the Mexican avant-garde label Akumandra is
founder Sainte Vie’s three track auditive voyage: From Desolate Places
and Forgotten Times. Going beyond previous experimentation with
sound assemblage and sampling from non-western musical traditions,
Sainte Vie crafts his signature mesmerizing soundscapes by
combining dreamlike synth textures, monumental drops and vibrant
melodies that feel deeply melancholic. Insistent arpeggios and
expansive build ups bind the tracks together in an ebb and flow of
dynamic energy

Power Plant records celebrate 10 years of impeccable releases in 2020 with the release of 10 club-focused tracks from label founder, La Fleur. The Berlin-via-Stockholm DJ/Producer has been carving her sound into the underground dance scene for years, cementing a distinctive production style and eclectic dance-orientated DJ sets at clubs and festivals across the globe. La Fleur opens her first Power Plant EP of the year with ‘Ravenwaves EP’, a weapon that has stirred her sets throughout the winter months from Awakenings to Fabrik Madrid.

"I study time. That thing, because of which everything happens not immediately."

Raven has collaborated with many well-respected artists including Kate Tempest, Paul Weller, Mica Levi, Kwes and Bullion. His music upholds a balance between the orchestral and electronic, abstract and conventional. Parallels can be drawn to the artist Arthur Russell, in terms of their diversity, creating tracks you can dance to, but also songs and music for reflection. Drawing inspiration largely from the people around him, Raven explains "I find people really inspiring, it’s amazing what can happen after a good conversation, it can give you a different perspective on things. I guess I’m always trying to get a new perspective in one way or another, I find that really creative." Combining this with an interest in dance as an art form and movement, Raven came to create Jeté. Having recently worked with some incredibly talented choreographers and dancers, Raven looks to explore the creative freedom, emotion and human connection within dance with his new record; the EP title Jeté literally translates as the French for "jump" and the cover art was a photograph taken by Raven's father of dancers back in the 80s.

Jean Claude Ades's debut on Monaberry delights the senses and synapses with two superb productions. "Illusion" embraces with warm chords, mellow breaks and a colourful interplay of pure groove, sweet surfaces and a magical arrangement. "Say Goodbye" combines a juicy smooth groove with an irresistible arpeggio and peaktime break, accompanied by soulful vocals and ethno percussions.

Theo Kottis continues his impressive run of form with the sublime ‘Nothing To Lose’ EP, released on his own Beautiful Strangers label on March 13th.

Following an Annie Mac’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’ accolade for ‘Turning Around’, a brace of Mixmag’s Big Tunes and 10/10 reviews in 2019, plus support from many leading tastemakers and DJs, Theo Kottis shows why he is one of the UK’s most exciting producers and regarded as ‘one to watch’ for 2020.

The three-track ‘Nothing To Lose’ EP includes everything from club focused sounds to smooth, soulful melodies. Carefully crafted, the title track ‘Nothing To Lose’ is ready for the dance-floor and described by Midland as “sounds like Floating Points making a record for Afterlife!”. '12 Months' mixes arpeggiated synths with pads and breakbeats to create a perfect peak-time moment. The more chilled sounds of 'Loyal’ showcases Theo Kottis’s impressive range, offering up another stellar groove.

With a forthcoming date at Berlin’s iconic Panorama Bar (22 February) and a Gerd Janson remix of ‘Turning Around’, 2020 is off to an excellent start for Theo Kottis.

Joris Biesmans and Damien Vandesande are a formidable duo with impressive backgrounds. Both artists used to have their studios at the same place in Berlin, where Vandesande got to work as part of widely-regarded performers dOP. Meanwhile Biesmans, originally from Belgium, is relatively new to the scene and releases his music on labels like Correspondant and Watergate, where he was an integral part of club working as their sound technician for many years before he started making music full-time. Together they have formed an awesome partnership through which they are channeling their combined experience and passion for exploring the sprawling cosmos of electronic music. Their debut on TAU is a collection of three stunning cuts, each incorporating indie influences and evoking a range of emotions. We start with the title track, ‘Inglorious Express’ with its twinkling melody designed to tug on your heartstrings and arouse an air of sentimentality. Combined with a soulful vocal clip, melancholy synth lines and a steadily increasing swell of positive energy, it makes for quite a trip. A moment of calm comes with the first breakdown, leading into the main body of the track which pushes the feeling on. By the time we reach the main breakdown, it’s time to really let loose. A second melody creeps in and signals the arrival of a euphoric crescendo. Next is ‘Prisoner Of Love’, a punchy grower with potent percussive power and a winding low end. Warped trumpets form the main motif of this cut, injecting a healthy amount of vibrant energy to proceedings as the beats add vitality to the track. Biesmans and Vandesande work the progression with panache, adding a middle section and bridge that gives us a chance to breathe before the jubilant trumpets return. Closing the EP is ‘Satellite Beach’ a more solemn composition which brings the mood down a touch, to begin with at least. This track features
a chirpy, earworm of a motif that has a jovial outlook, counteracting the morose b-line. As the track progresses, layers of bleep are added, giving the track depth and creating a symphony of positivity, time to close your eyes, put those hands up and lose yourself in the music.

This year’s edition of Steyoyoke’s ‘Couple Affair’ features four solid tracks that combines two artists from six label members: Soul Button, Nick Devon, Strinner, Darko Milosevic, Arude and Ceas. This memorable vinyl only EP, brings the family together by showcasing the strength and harmony created by the pioneers of Ethereal Techno.

Nick Devon and Darko Milosevic join forces to create ‘Pictures From The Past’, a heavenly techno imprint of a never-ending climax. Strong and dreamy, this collaboration is the ideal way to begin the EP. Next up, Strinner teams up with Soul Button with ‘Oracle’ and takes us to a darker space with a deep, echoing melody, and a refrain that is pared back to its essential parts. Following is Soul Button and Arude who takes the twisted, dark path down to ‘Opia’, with a tragically beautiful melody that invites you into its mysterious basslines and addictive synths. The final track by Ceas and Soul Button, ‘Sphere’, sets out to break the hearts of people around the globe as they experience the emotive nature of this timeless gem.

This year’s ‘Couple Affair’ release comes to you exclusively on vinyl, ensuring only the most pure and organic frequencies penetrate your ear drums. An infinite beauty, ‘Couple Affair’ stands out proudly amongst the Steyoyoke releases for it’s loyalty to Ethereal Techno.

Repress

Part homage, part prophecy: ‘Fire in the Jungle’ is the 8th studio album from Berlin-based DJ, producer and label owner Oliver Koletzki, released on 15 November 2019 by Stil vor Talent.

With sounds as diverse as the stamps collected in Koletzki’s passport over the past 18 months, ‘Fire in the Jungle’ is a statement in itself: complex, verdant, the product of years of growth.

From the arid desert tundra of Australia, to the lush turquoise beaches and sacred sites of Mexico, to the dusty Playa of Burning Man: these rich and varied landscapes, people, experiences have strongly influenced Koletzki in the production of this multifaceted masterpiece.

Musical maestro and storyteller Koletzki expertly weaves live instruments with a range of electronic music production techniques, with producers Sam Shure, Township Rebellion, Hidden Empire, Niko Schwind and Cioz taking listeners on an extraordinary aural peregrination of genres and styles.

Lyrical and vocal collaborations with Monolink, Aparde, Temple Haze and Lisa Who are layered with Koletzki’s signature sound, adding their unique influence to this distinctive 16-track album.

Running the gamut from full-power, bass-heavy dance floor anthems to slower, more sultry tracks, the dramaturgy of this album is matched only by the eclectic exotica and psychedelia of the jungle.

As the Amazonian jungle burns, this versatile and thought-provoking album raises important questions about what sustains us and asks us to reconsider the egoism and laziness of the human species.

Theus Mago – the man, the myth, the legend from Mexico City. Leaving behind his characteristic synthwave / dark disco sound, the Duro label cofounder delivers a new experience where modular synths and Amazonian rhythms blend seamlessly with a type of laidback psychedelic techno music. All of this thanks to a huge amount of spices added to glue everything together just nice and deliciously. The Carrier People EP features three heating original tracks and a remix interpretation by unmistakable Curses

Dublin's R.Kitt, fresh off the back of an incredible live throw down at AVA festival in Belfast sent us through some divine music we absolutely had to have. "Ripples from the Edge" shares five sentimental yet forward thinking originals from the rising producer as well as a remix from label founder Eluize.

The title track comes at us with cascading arps, ariose droplets and pure, smokey pads that burst through a jungle of thumping percussion. "I Wish You Hadn't Said" gets going with gritty breaks and glassy synths that would be at home on a fog laden warehouse floor, mood lightening melodic jabs slice through before things turn back to a tumultuous minor. "Strange Perspective" is casual and light hearted, funk charged electro.

On the flip "Stitch Up" feels ancestral, heavy bass, earthy leads and a dark and enigmatic vocal hit heavy. Damhsa, the Irish word for dance, inspires the next jam, "Machine Damhsa", a fast paced 4/4 beckoning to do so. The track's breath catching breakdown gives a moment of transcendence between it's boundless energy and pulsating drive.

Eluize couldn't resist the lush melodies from Ripples and dives in to turn out a cosmic, 80s touched b boy ready version.

Photography by EAST CHINA SEA PHOTO CLUB, a film photography collective based in Kagoshima Japan. Design by Danny Ogden Design.