House Novedades

ZamZam 71 is the welcome return of D-Operation Drop, the multi-man crew from Cesena, Italy with a well-earned rep that continues to grow. Everything they touch becomes a bona fide killer, from traditional steppers to 140 abstractions, to full on clash material. Last year alone saw powerful releases on Scrub A Dub, Lion Charge, Green King Cuts, and Subaltern. Their second chapter on ZamZam marks yet another high point, an absolutely storming release that won’t leave any box it makes it into.

The reverb drenched melody that opens “Bronco” throws open the gate for a brutalist kick-snare riddim with one single purpose - to absolutely crush the dance. A throbbing two note sub and swinging chains sweep aside any and all challengers, leaving pure devastation in their wake. Mesmerizing in its simplicity and absolutely devasting in its efficiency, this weapon has been deployed on dubplate from the likes of J:Kenzo & The Bug - now the beast is released to wreak havoc on Sounds far & wide.

“Coldset” is the healing salve after the bruising of the A side, equally captivating and functional in the dance, swaggering at a cooler temperature with metallic rockers hi hats in the drivers’ seat and ethereal pads hovering above another signature D-Op Drop 140 scorcher. Reminding us of the roots of this music, “Dubwise” is the refrain that echoes and trail-tangles deep down the side chain into lusciously distorted sheets of sound that will have hands in the air for multiple rewinds.

ZamZam 70 is our first team-up with the man of mystery known as Marcus Anbessa. An enigmatic figure whose identity must remain secret for the time being, his infrequent releases on labels such as Lion Charge, Tribe 12, and The Most High (as “Unknown Artist”) are eagerly awaited by those who know, charting an uncompromising vision down a path untrod by the weakheart or the follow-fashion. We love music that builds its own sound world with only passing reference to familiar genres or signposts, music that believes in itself utterly - for this reason we feel genuinely blessed to present these two sides.

“March of The Falasha” is pure roots music that, firmly planted in the soil of dub and sound system, reaches back even further into the mists of time through technological means. Downbeat steppers is the idiom, pure heartbeat is the pulse. Like an old soul young in years but full of wisdom, a distorted flute melody wanders ahead through the undergrowth of bass, light filtering through the ancient canopy above in the form of swung percussion and flickering echoes overlapping and intertwining like vines and creepers weaving on temple walls. Ancient-to-the-future.

“Creator” strikes a different yet equally dread chord, 140-ish post-apocalyptic Rasta business focused squarely on bass and space, hard, insistent drums and infinite echo trails flinging from the snares and percussion, creating hypnotic tracers like sparks swirling heavenward from a well-tended fire in blackest night.

Imagine African Headcharge on Jah Tubbys, or a rootsman groundation resuscitating ancient machines in the crumbling ruins of a near-future world and you begin to see what Marcus Anbessa brings. This music reminds us that nature herself will some day claim Babylon and grind it to dust, regardless of our efforts to save it or hasten its fall.

In 2017 Blair French came out of hibernation to release contrasting but similarly sun-kissed EPs on Rocksteady Disco and Claremont 56.

Here, he returns to action with a scintillatingly sunny and sensual six-tracker on NuNorthern Soul that may well be his strongest release to date.

Given French's chameleon-like musical history, that's certainly a bold claim.
Over the years, he's been a member of a multitude of musical collectives - most notably Cosmic Handshakes and Formless Figures - established his own DIY record label (Fat Finger Cosmic) and released music that touches on a dizzying array of styles, from award-winning movie soundtracks and Afro-fired deep house, to skewed techno, blissful ambience and experimental hip-hop.

On Patio Pastel, French is in full on sand-between-the-toes Balearic mood, delivering a range of lucid, ear-pleasing compositions that will sashay their way into your consciousness.
Contrast, for example, the drowsy organs, glistening pedal steel and undulating hand percussion of opener 'Patio Pastel' with the Serge Gainsbourg style chanson-goes-tropical bliss of 'La Playa De Tercipelo', which features some deliciously breathy vocals from Stephanie Lyon.

Then there's 'Morning Sail', a sumptuously evocative soundscape rich in toasty, dub disco bass, shuffling percussion and lilting, Jonny Nash style guitar solos (see also the effortlessly horizontal Lounsbury Gardens'), and the kaleidoscopic, saucer-eyed Balearic pop brilliance of ;'Human Make Human', where new age synthesizer melodies and the fuzzy vocal refrain of Kasi Seguin gentle dances above an Afro-flecked, mid-tempo groove.

Throughout the EP, French mixes electronic and acoustic instrumentation, drawing together musical elements from a myriad of styles to create sumptuous new fusions.
It's particularly evident on superb closer 'Belle Isle Sunsets', where colourful synth motifs, eyes-closed guitar riffs and Mediterranean-warm chords wrap themselves around a gently pulsating, impressively layered groove.
Like the rest of the EP, it's perfectly pitched, expertly executed and wonderfully atmospheric.

Mysterious talent Clouds Of Kouros returns to their self-titled imprint to deliver the second EP on the
label this March, with three fresh cuts making up their 'Houghton Time' EP.

The enigmatic Clouds Of Kouros guise first surfaced in November of 2018, with the debut 'Reason's Why' EP picking up a slew of support from Secretsundaze through to Laurent Garnier and more.

Heavily influenced by the early UK rave scene, the project looks set to highlight key early inspirations from within the electronic sphere whilst keeping the focus solely on the music and not the artist behind the project across with each release on the imprint. The latest installment, the 'Houghton Time' EP, was written out of frustration after missing last year's edition of the festival through a last-minute transportation cancellation and in-turn returning to the studio to channel this frustration into a handful new productions. The result is an impressive fresh three tracker that takes cues from breaks through to deep house and beyond set for release on vinyl only this March.

Title cut 'Houghton Time' opens the package with authority as slick breakbeat arrangements combine with menacing basslines and infectious vocal hooks, before 'Diego's Groove' takes things deeper as dubby chords and bright melodies work in tandem. Last up, 'Hide2' completes the EP in style as the focus shifted towards punchy drum licks, resonant stabs and eerie melodies throughout.

Introducing Challenger Deep: showcasing dub from the abyss.
Mr. Roque resurfaces from his solo mission to the deepest chasms of the Mariana Trench, bringing with him two high pressure cuts.

Hand stamped. Limited run. No digital.

It is the duo integrated by Miguel Dahbar (ARG) and Alexis Cabrera (ARG) at the end of 2016 in Berlin, Germany. Inspired by the rhythmic trips of the Andes and Central America, they began to fuse that essence with electronic instruments, afro-latin percussions, guitar and soundscapes. Conditioned by their fantastic and emotional narrative, the performance travels through experimental Latin compasses and warm dreamy textures on a magical South American journey, WOLKE7s Iniciados tells the story of a young magician's apprentice, a long emotional way through the nature that surrounds him, to understand the laws of the universe and develop his powerful essence.

It's time for LET Recordings founder JP Enfant to make a mark on his own label again, and he does so across four fantastic tracks of absorbing and moving techno. As a resident at De School Amsterdam he is a pivotal part of the scene and this is his fourth EP on the label since its inception in 2015. His sound is rooted in techno but always comes detailed with elements of breakbeat, ambient, house and dub. This is another EP of innovative music for the body and mind in equal measure.

Love for the music should be the driving force of any producer and Lee Gomez aka Wipe The Needle clearly shows this with his latest release for Local Talk.

'Enchanted' features Alex Lattimore's soulful vocals together with stunning instrumentation and takes you on journey that goes beyond the house genre, it is hypnotic as much as it is bumping.
Flip it to the B-side for a North London dub courtesy of Wipe The Needle.
It's the kinda track Joe Claussell would drop at Body & Soul and keeps you dancing until closing time.

DJ Rubio delivers the latest Man Band 12. A masterful blend of deep broken cuts and raw ambient by the Helsinki resident.

Schlachthofbronx Celebrate 10 Years Of Their Existence With A New Record On Their Rave And Romance Imprint. On This Double Single, The Munich Based Duo Dives Into All That Interesting Vibes, Rhythms And Sounds They Have Come To Be Known For Over The Last Decade, Exploring The Hybrid Fields Between All Kinds Of Dub, Club And Soundsystem Music. And: They Even Allow Themselves To Get A Bit More Emotional To Fit The Special Occasion.

The A Side Ten Starts With A Bittersweet Synth Intro That Can Only Be Described As Epic Before Immersing In A Dubby Bassline World Full Of Layered Melodies Reminiscing About Club-romantic Stories Of Raves & Sunrises From The Past - While Always Keeping You Dancing To Waves Of Bass Tailored To Big Soundsystems, You Know The Drill.

The B Side Orion Takes You Far Away Into An Out-of-space Dub Universe Equal Parts Sultry & Fragile And Full Of The Highest Highs And The Lowest Lows. It's Deep.

It Will Be Available Digitally And On A Limited Edition Run Of 10" Vinyl (full Artwork Disco Sleeve) Via Rave And Romance Records. Distribution Via Unearthed Sounds (vinyl) And The Orchard (digital).

With This, Schlachthofbronx Will Follow Up Their 4 Previous Original Albums (2009s Schlachthofbronx, 2012s Dirty Dancing, 2014s Rave And Romance And 2017s Haul & Pull Up), Completed By Eps And Singles For Labels Like Zam Zam, Mixpak, Monkeytown, Mad Decent, Disko B And Man Recordings As Well As Production Work For Artists Like M.i.a., Snoop Dogg Or Bonde Do Role.

Mathimidori from Mule Musiq shows us his dub inspired roots incl. a fine balanced remix by Rhauder.

Returning After A Long-lasting Hiatus Is No Mean Feat - How To Stay Relevant, To Plug The Gap And Come Back As Strong As Where Things Were Left Off. A Man Called Adam's Return However, Is As Emphatic As It Is Endearing. Sally Rodgers And Steve Jones Are Back With A Brand New Album Of Melodic, Emotional, Pop-not-pop Tracks, Bringing Fresh Layers Of Feeling, From Warmth And Passion, To Sentimentality And Sorrow.

Displaying A Wealth Of Knowledge Gained Through Two Lifetimes Spent Immersed In Music, Farmarama Showcases A Myriad Of Styles And Richness In Arrangements. Moving From Soulful Slow Jams To Lo-fi Disco, Balearic House To Dub, Post-rock Electronica And Art-house Ambience, There Are Glistening Horizons And Windswept Beaches Conjured Up At Every Turn.

Take To The Likes Of 'mountains & Waterfalls', 'farmarama' And 'michael' And Hear Dancefloor, Disco Tinges That Marry Live Percussion, Sultry Rhodes And Hearty Basslines, Oozing Emotion. But Venture Deeper To Uncover A Pensive, Yet Equally Expressive Side To The Record Through Tracks Like 'higher Powers' And 'top Of The Lake'. Take The Later As An Example, A Neo-classical Slice Of Magical Ambience, That Wouldn't Be Out Of Place Soundtracking Sweeping Views Of Shimmering Scenery. Or 'spots Of Time', Beginning As A Frenetic, Glitched Out Piece Of Electronica, Before Opening Into A Brooding Breakbeat Journey.

Full Of Vintage Warmth, Analogue Synths And Intricate Textures, Rodgers, Jones And New Collaborator, Paul Smith, Combine Experimental Touches With An Undeniable Catchiness, Balancing Electronic Elements, With Acoustic Sparkles. In Harmony With This, The Contemplative, Poetic Verses, That Considers Life As A Hi-definition, Westworld-like Simulation, A Farmarama, And Disco As A Way Of Being, Meld And Morph A Conceptual Narrative That Tugs On The Heartstrings Of Life.

Farmarama, Then, Isn't Your Archetypal Album. It's An Emotionally Charged, Intelligent And Enlightening Body Of Work That's Balearic To The Bone.

'All around is invisible. Plan to be outside for some time...'

A diary of sonic cartography by long time friends, and neighbors K. Soublis aka Fluxion, and Savvas Ysatis.

Stemming from prior mutual respect, and interest for each other's work, it was not long after their first meeting at the turn of the millennium (when Ysatis was recording for Tresor, and Soublis for Chain Reaction) that a desire for a future collaboration was born.

...and a great many years later. Enter 'Soluce'.

A newly formed alias, and the vehicle under which to present the odyssey that is 'Birth' (LP).

An album conjuring images of alternate regions, exploratory from start to finish.

Dan Piu is releasing his first full Album with unreleased traxx since 1999. A collection of beautiful Chicago & Detroit sounding pieces that he created throughout the last centuries.

The brilliant DOMENIQUE DUMONT's second long player for Antinote Paris. TIP!
.
August 2018: It's already been three years since Domenique Dumont made its entrance in the music world with a debut EP named Comme Ca. Despite a seemingly very quiet musical activity (the opening song to Antinote's compilation Five Years Of Loving Notes was the only song released by the band in 3 years) a few things have changed in-between these two summers: Domenique Dumont is no more the mysterious lone French producer we introduced last time but a Latvian duo, Arturs Liepins and Anete Stuce, which has been collaborating with 'an enigmatic French artist whose existence cannot be confirmed nor denied' (sorry, but it sounds like there's still some mystery in the air, and, again, we're just as clueless as you might be), the duo have been touring live and, most importantly, they kept on broadening their musical palette experimenting in a definitely pop field. Eight of these experiments are now tied together in Miniatures de Auto Rhythm.

The record probably begins where Comme Ca ended: frantic but light drum programing backbones a solar and slightly melancholic melody on Le Début De La Fin ('the beginning of the end'). However, the scope gets enlarged as soon as one reaches the second tune, Quasi Quasi, or Quand, on the flip side, perhaps the most overtly pop-rock oriented song on the record with its Mediterranean guitar and emotional bridge.

The road towards the apex of the record, Le Soleil Dans Le Monde, is a narrow and windy one, punctuated by toy instrumentals like Ono Mambo Haiku or the Donkey Kong Country-friendly Message Of The Diving Bird; however it never departs from its original tongue-in-cheek attitude. It's quite pleasant to imagine these eight 'miniatures' as field recordings from an enchanted world of pop music designed by some Pierre & Gilles' disciples - or are there
musical interpretations of half-mechanical, half-organic creations from a certain Otto Rhiesem (who might have inhabited the Locus Solus villa) There might be no definitive answers to this second set of riddles by Domenique Dumont.

It's 1977. There's A Chill In The Air, Like On A Usual December Evening. It's Cold, But The Night Is Fraught With A Strange Ferment, A Mysterious Energy That Seems To Announce A Revolution.

Four stunning remixes of Front De Cadeaux by our Fabrizio Mammarella. Comprising Hugo Sanchez from Rome and DJ Athome from Bruxelles, Front De Cadeux serve up three brand new tracks of 4/4 leaning crackling, static dance-mechanics that will fit straight in to your peak time selection. Touching on tribal house at points and the foggy basements of Berlin in others these remixes are joined by Mammarella's 'Pedé BPM' re-work - a gnarly slice of synthetic EBM that was previously only available digitally.

J:kenzo Is A Certified Don Of Contemporary Sound System Music, Whether Dubwise Or Otherwise, 140 To 160 And Beyond. Kenzo Is A Highly Respected Label Head (artikal Music Uk & Lion Charge Records), Heavyweight Producer, Master Disc Jockey And Host Of One Of The Most Passionately-followed Radio Shows In All Of Dubstep On Rinse.fm. Needless To Say We Are Thrilled To Build With Him Once Again. Absolute Control Over Sound Design, Timing, Tension And Dynamics Mark All Of Kenzo's Productions, And The Pair He Delivered For His Second Zamzam Are No Exception. Where His First Release Was A More Meditative Affair, kingston Hot' And concrete Jungle' Both Revel In A Harder, Darker Vibe.

"kingston Hot' Enters Rocking A Sleigh Bell Riddim And Builds Quickly Into A Stormer That Has Been Pummeling Crowds Worldwide On Dubplate With Support From The Likes Of J.sparrow, Mala, And Headland To Name Just A Few. At Once Spacey, Sultry, Heady, And Menacing It's Both Eyes-down And Hands-in-the-air Material, All Bass Weight And Reverb Space, With Every Flick Of The Wrist In The Mix Another Reason To Recognize That The Man's Stature In The World Of Bass Music Is Well-earned.

Concrete Jungle's Thinned Intro Kick, Spare Hand Drums, And Paranoid Minimalist Melody Set The Stage For A Hard 140 Stepper Composed Of A Sidewinding, Distorted Bassline, Smeared Snares And Panned Percussion That Drives Deep Into Primal Sound System Territory. Frequent Sparring Partner In The Live Arena Sun Of Selah Makes A Guest Appearance On The Mic With A Single Dread Declamation That Perfectly Captures The Tone Of The Tune, A Gritty Vibe That Feels Like Swaggering Through A Near-future Urban Wasteland On The Way To A Dance That May Not Be Much Safer Than The Streets.

Echocord sub-label Echo Echo continues this July with Orbite's 'Interstellar' EP, a threetracker from the Berlin- based producer. Orbite is a brand new project founded in Berlin, Germany with a nod towards the raw, dubby sounds often heard across the clubs in the city, and where better to inaugurate things than the recently launched sub-label of Copenhagen's Echocord, one of the leading imprints in the realms of Dub Techno, home to pioneering acts like Rod Modell/Deepchord, Pole and Fluxion who have paved the way for Orbite's own twist on the genre. The ethereal pad textures of 'Skylar' lead on the package, deftly evolving alongside bubbling synth tones, swelling chords and shuffled percussion to create a create dynamically unfolding six and a half minute cut. 'Moment' follows, edging things further into dubbed-out territories with heavily delayed dub echoes and mesmeric spoken word poetry intertwining to create a, hypnotic beatless soundscape. 'Organi' closes the record with emotive, billowing pads, warm bell like tones and vocal murmurs running alongside swinging shakers and stripped-back micro-house percussion.