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Late 70s Westcoast Yachtpop you can almost dance to!

Man nannte sie nicht umsonst die - Me Me Me Generation'. Die sehr von sich überzeugten bärtigen Musiker (und die Musikerinnen in wabernden Kleidern), die Mitte/Ende der 70er in L.A.'s Strassen rum hingen und sich selbst feierten. Der geschmackvolle Teil der Musik-Welt hätte diese Musikrichtung noch vor einigen Monaten nicht mit der Zange angefasst. Zu sanft, zu übertrieben, zu luxuriös, zu offen hedonistisch, zu ausladend. Zu unecht, zu gekünstelt, nicht authentisch, und dann noch diese unfassbaren Akkordwechsel...Aber ' Too Slow To Disco - vol. 1' hält sich nicht auf mit solchen alten Geschichten und Klischees. Wir alle wissen, sobald Musikgenres alt werden, scheinen die wichtigen, relevanten Teile auf einmal durch und diese Zusammenstellung versteht sich als Dokument eines fast vergessenen Teils der West Coast Musikwelt Mitte bis Ende der 70er Jahre.Es hat ein Jahr gedauert, die von uns ausgewählten, meist unbekannteren Songs aufzutreiben. Songs von Musikern, die damals gerade ihre ersten, oft wenig erfolgreichen Schritte unternahmen, bevor sie Jahre später mal eben eine Handvoll Welthits aus dem Ärmel schüttelten und die - grosse Welle' der Musik der kalifonischen Küste surften. Also, willkommen zu Volume 1 unseres sogenannten PRM (Personal Rediscovery Movement).

In late-1970s Japan, a new and unique “genre” called techno kayō emerged, blending catchy pop melodies with the futuristic sounds of synthesizers and drum machines. Rooted in the older kayōkyoku style, it was influenced by European electronic acts like Kraftwerk, but had a distinctly Japanese flair. Artists such as Yellow Magic Orchestra pioneered this retro-futuristic sound, creating music that felt both nostalgic and ahead of its time.

Dubby, owner of the legendary record shop Ondas in Tokyo, was one of the first to make Japanese music available to the outside world. He has teamed up with Antal, co-founder of the Amsterdam-based, Rush Hour Records, to release the first in a series of compilations.

Artwork from Johann Kauth (Stenze Quo)

TECHNO KAYO

Cassette edition of Death Is Not The End's contribution to the Blowing Up The Workshop mix series.

"A trip across the frequencies of Bristol's pirate radio stations via cut-ups of broadcasts, taken from the late 1980s to the early 2000s ~ also a love-letter to my childhood, an audio document of the years I spent growing up in the city."

Death Is Not The End's mixtape-style selection of clips from tapes recorded live at soundsystems playing during London's Notting Hill Carnival between 1984 and 1988, originally broadcast on NTS Radio in August 2018, is the latest to be committed to cassette as part of their 10th anniversary series. Featuring sounds from the likes of Jamdown Rockers, Saxon, Java Nuclear Power, Killerwatt Turbotronic, Stereograph, Sir Coxsone, Volcano Express and more.

Audio sourced with the indefatigable efforts of the Who Cork The Dance crew - big thanks going out to Jayman, Ruff House, Keimo, Omar, Gee Wizz and the one Jah Humble.

Death Is Not The End platforms a selection of brooding, haunting Turkish tango recordings from the decades following the foundation of the republic in the early 1920s through to the mid 1950s.

A 90 minute cassette-only mixtape taking in Filipino folk, rock, country & OPM from the 1970s, originally broadcast on NTS Radio back during the early months of the pandemic. One missed out of the collection of DINTE radio shows committed to tape as part of 10 year anniversary celebrations last year.

The begena is a large ten-stringed lyre which is part of the traditional Amharic heritage of Ethiopia. The Amharas, who have long formed the politically and culturally dominant people of Ethiopia, mainly inhabit the central and northern part of the country. In the majority, they follow the monophysite Orthodox Tewahido Church established in the early fourth century AD.

Music plays a very important part in the life of the church. Most of the liturgy is sung and, contrary to secular music, it is accompanied by percussion instruments only. The begena occupies a special place because it is the one melodic instrument exclusively dedicated to the spiritual repertory. Because of its mythical origin, it is highly respected. Tradition holds that the begena was given to king David by God, and brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I, together with the Ark of the Covenant. It has always been the instrument of kings and nobles. Played by pious men and women of letters, it never became widespread. But it never disappeared either, not even under the Derg regime (1974-1991) which had banned the instrument.

Among Amhara string instruments, the begena is the most carefully crafted, especially with regard to the ornately sculpted crossbar. Its ten gut strings are cleaned and twisted several times. The characteristic buzzing timbre equalled by no other Amhara instrument is due to the enzirotch, that is, small bits of leather placed between each string and the bridge. This plays an important part in the sound production by creating a brief contact between the string and the upper rim of the bridge, thus modifying the vibrating properties of the string. In this manner, the spectrum of the sound is considerably enhanced (up to over 10 kHz).

The begena is a very powerful instrument, it keeps the devil thirty steps away, and its presence in the home wards off malicious spirits. Priests and preachers recommend its presence, especially during Lent (Fassika Tsom) when the Orthodox Amharas ponder their sins and repent. Because of its spiritual import, the begena generates intense emotion. According to some musicians, playing the begena brings them into direct contact with God or the Virgin Mary. The religious role of the begena is underscored by the shape of the instrument, each part symbolises an important element of the faith. The crossbar for instance, which reaches across the entire width of the instrument, represents God who is above all things. The belly which "gives birth" to the sound represents the Virgin Mary, and the ten strings recall the Ten Commandments.

Recorded by Stéphanie Weisser in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 2002-December 2005.

Mastered by Renaud Millet-Lacombe.

Issued under license from VDE-Gallo, Switzerland.

Armand Hammer und The Alchemist erschaffen Welten. Ihre erste war Haram, die nach wie vor in ihrer Umlaufbahn gefangen ist, gleichermaßen üppig wie bedrohlich. Ihre neue Welt heißt Mercy und besteht aus Blut und Imperium, Kinderlachen, unbezahlten Strafzetteln und Dingen, die noch nicht geschehen sind. Die Rapper ELUCID und billy woods werden am Mikrofon von Earl Sweatshirt, Quelle Chris, Cleo Reed, Pink Siifu, Kapwani und Silka begleitet. The Alchemist hat alles andere übernommen.

2025 Repress

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With 1995’s Safe + Sound, he scaled new levels of musical magnificence with his signature new age P-Funk/laconic G-Funk. A quintessential, sun-scorched LA album, this is pretty much essential. Typical for mid-90s albums the original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue, complete with “Tanqueray”, the hidden track from the original CD release.

A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.

By the time of his third album DJ Quik was a household name on the West Coast - California’s premier rapper/producer not named Andre Young. Released on Profile in 1995, Safe + Sound was certified gold. Less reliant on samples and more focused on live instruments, it elevated him from producer to fully-fledged composer. This sound — the quick, winding basslines, tinny high hats, smooth instrumental solos, soulful pipes, and Roger Troutman’s talkbox — defined him. This is an album of full-blown masterpieces. Rich soundscapes and masterfully arranged orchestrations with dense layers of sounds, intricate rhythms, and well-balanced songwriting.

The first track proper, “Get At Me” samples Cameo whilst Quik takes aim at the Judases in his life, the horn-laced chorus providing a triumphant feel. On the horizontal “Diggin’ U Out”, the soulful electric piano of Warryn Campbell lays a relaxed groove for Quik to talk over about one of his favourite topics: sex. Title track “Safe + Sound” chronicles Quik’s formative years over a slick instrumental. The moody bass locks a laidback infectious groove, the hook is catchy and Quik’s delivery is in fine form. On the uber-chilled “Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood”, Quik cooks up a breezy, feel good track of sparkly keyboards, syncopated claps, shuffling hi-hats, woozy synths and a floating two-minute flute solo courtesy of Robert “Fonksta” Bacon. Analysing the highs and lows of an average day in the hood, it echoes Cube’s “It Was a Good Day”.

“It’z Your Fantasy” is a silky smooth soundtrack to Quik’s detailed retelling of a sexcapade with a young lady and whilst “Tha Ho In You” is musically perfect for that midsummer family BBQ, its lyrical content is unsurprisingly decidedly less family-friendly. A real highlight, the infamous “Dollaz + Sense” is one of the most ruthless diss tracks of all time. The brutal lyrics ride a laidback West Coast beat, flipping a sample from Young & Company’s “I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)” as Quik fires lyrical shots at his arch Compton nemesis, MC Eiht. On the loping, hazy “Let You Havit”, Quik is again in gangsta mode, with more bars of barbs aimed at Eiht, rhyming over sun-kissed synthy-rollerskate funk.

Some of the finest tracks on Safe + Sound are those designed to de-stress. The evocative “Summer Breeze” is a classic warm-weather jam, anchored by a twangy funk guitar, breezy string arrangement, and a soulful hook delivered by Dionne Knighton. Quik’s nostalgic lyrics are not far from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”, reminiscing over barbecues at the park, young love, and the brevity of halcyon youth. The relaxed and jazzy “Quik’s Groove III” is another highlight, as bass, guitar, piano and flute combine to create a smooth, soulful instrumental.

The swaggering “Shack Up”-sampling “Sucka Free” features a cameo from Playa Hamm, all funky braggadocio and over much too quikly (pun thoroughly intended). The jazz-flavoured “Keep Tha ‘P’ In It”, again featuring Playa Hamm but this time extending the cameo invitations to Hi-C, 2nd II None and Kam, is pure laidback P-Funk. The deep bass and industrial drums make sure the groove hits hard.

“Tanqueray” was originally a hidden track on the CD version of the album, but it’s too good to hide. This wild party samples Brass Construction’s gigantic “Get Up To Get Down” and soars in its drunk-ebullience. An apt way to close this party-driven set.

This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Safe + Sound was originally pressed as a double, so all that was missing was the CD’s hidden bonus track “Tanqueray”, so we’ve fixed that. The original vinyl release never got a picture sleeve, so we’ve recreated the original’s promo-style silver-sticker and plain black jacket. A subtle cover for a wonderfully unsubtle record.

Lifted from a lost CD with old premasters some 20 years ago. Newley remastered and sounding heavy, this is Great Ezcape at their ferocious best. Ahead of the curve back then, and still sounding fresher than ever.

Dutch record label, shop and club platform One Eye Witness presents a lively new entry in their V/A series with WITNESS08. Honing in on more fresh talent from across the globe, Amsterdam’s wandering eye gathers producers Sinqmin, Salomee, Kate08 and elusive duo The Evil B-Side Twins (DJ Tool & Yazzus) for another trip into tech house — and beyond!

Kate08’s “Sticky Toffee” is suitably viscous, burbling and oozing its way across shifting sections. The London artist delicately balances percussion atop warbling bass tones and synth lines that pop in and out. Salomee gets moody on “Night Behaviour”; lurking in the shadows, the track’s acid squelch and interlocking melodies point to the psychedelic, with a purring bassline that keeps things grounded.

The Evil B-Side Twins lay in wait on the flip, springing into action with the tightly-wound “Spindrift”. Propelled by a spiky break and cascading delays, its 303 lines sound like rubber, bouncing between the other synths deployed by the duo. All manner of FX trickery is woven into the production: the Twins layer up and load the track with intricate details. Supplying an unexpected respite from the club action, final cut “Aesthetics For Destination” marks the debut foray into hip-hop for OEW. Produced by Seoul-based Sinqmin and featuring the sultry vocals of 문선 (MOONSUN), the track’s sparse beat and ghostly samples make for a mellow, head-nodding end to another hit from the label.

WITNESS08 — More talent, more trax!

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s iconic sixth album, and their first double LP, Physical Graffiti.

To celebrate this landmark, Led Zeppelin will release an updated 50th Anniversary edition of 2015’s Physical Graffiti Deluxe Edition 3LP vinyl set, on 180g black vinyl, still featuring the Companion Audio disc, and now including a new bonus replica Physical Graffiti promotional poster (sized 443mm x 610mm).

Released on February 24, 1975 in the US (and four days later in the UK), Physical Graffiti immediately achieved platinum sales status and has recently been certified 17x platinum in the United States.

Kilòmetro 4.5 takes you into danceable ambient sounds through a dreamy album produced by Snad. Loop DreamZz is an ethereal representation of nostalgic soundscapes. It wraps you in a strange yet familiar sense of paradise at twilight, be it before dawn or post-sunset. Faint birdsong, gentle waves, and the bittersweet tiredness when you’re one of the last on the sandy dancefloor, yet perpetually craving to keep the dream looping.

26th May 1980. We were kids, or we were not even born yet. This day changed the thinking and the future of an entire nation. That day one man carried the weight of history and all the hope of a whole country, to infinity and back.

Bertalan Farkas was the first Hungarian to make a successful landing aboard SOYUZ-36 as part of the Interkosmos program led by the Soviet Union. Together with his partner Valery Kubasov, on 26th May 1980 he launched into outer space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. With this space travel Hungary became the seventh nation to enter outer space.

In addition to his professional knowledge and merits, an entire country celebrated him for his humanity and loyalty to his people. The national hero of the 80's inspired generations. As children we wanted to be astronauts, and as adults we look up to the stars and the endless sky with the same childlike enthusiasm.

Evelyne/Masao bring TESTPATTERN to Dark Entries for the label’s first foray into vintage Japanese electronics. Masao Hiruma and Fumio Ichimura’s project Testpattern is known for their release Apres-Midi, a cult slab of synthpop perfection released by Yukihiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono’s legendary Yen Records in 1982. While Hiruma and Ichimura parted ways following Apres-Midi, Hiruma’s musical endeavors would continue after meeting French/American model and vocalist Evelyne Bennu in 1984 at a café bar where she would sit and write poetry. Their collaborative efforts as Evelyne/Masao were fruitful, and the duo first performed together in June 1984 on a television program called TOKYO ROCK TV. The album TESTPATTERN comprises seventeen songs recorded in Hiruma’s home studio, which have never been released previously. The Evelyne/Masao duo continues building on the soundworld of Apres-Midi: lush, sophisticated electronics with intricate yet minimalist production. Tracks like “Sakuramochi” and “Bird Island” bear influence from Hosono most clearly, their soaring melodies revealing a subtly ironic redeployment of East Asian musical tropes. But TESTPATTERN is more than homage to Yellow Magic Orchestra. “Tabac” and “Le Soleil Se Leve” display oddball sensibilities closer to Sky Records icons Asmus Tietchens or Cluster. Elsewhere, the project shows affinity for the punkier ethos of continental DIY electronics, like on the quirky “Alien Go Home” and a positively skewed cover of “Singin’ in the Rain.” Bennu’s vocals provide a common thread through these explorations, as she alternates deftly between New Wave deadpan and unhinged chanson singer—check her waxing maximally Francophone on “Au Clair de Lune,” based on an 18th century French song. TESTPATTERN will be available on both double LP as well as CD, and includes a fold-out poster with liner notes with lyrics. This album is dedicated to Masao Hiruma, who passed away in 2011.

With the reissue of ''Magic" the circle of the works originally published by Eyes Records and composed in the earliest 80s by Celso Valli is completed: Future State, Blue Gas and now precisely Five Sinners !!! Best Record thus creates ''the triplet'' of the Italo-Disco operas made by the immense musician from Bologna, who used various nicknames at that time - as the trend of the main Italian arrangers - feeling 'a certain shame' in making commercial pieces, songs that were danced in the discos. He hid under dozens of pseudonyms (Adal-Scandy, Azoto, Bulldog Lama, Sandon, Super Band....) ''Magic'' and ''Precious Lies'' kept hidden, almost buried for over 40 years (but with many followers abroad) now shine their own light! Indeed. To further enrich this latest vinyl production by Claudio Casalini there is - in addition to the successful artwork of graphic designer Nerina Fernandez - the new captivating version of ''Magic'' (timing 6'20'') skillfully remixed by the talented Italian-Australian DJ-producer Dave Mathmos. In short, a 12-inch reissue not to be missed for both collectors and club DJs.

Lust Pattern slithers its way to Dark Entries with four tracks of deviant electro-wave on Stand, Scatter. Ryan Armbridge has graced Dark Entries several times via his project Linea Aspera, a revered coldwave revivalist duo with Zoe Zanias. As Lust Pattern, Armbridge draws hypnotic paths through the reverb-laden halls of post-punk and electro-funk, coursing in a gait uniquely his own. Built up from improvised jams, the four cuts on Stand, Scatter defy neat categorization while spanning a wide breadth of genres. Opener “Forming Lines” features Drexciyan squelch, silky guitar, and bursts of live drumming; this sounds like a lot, but it coheres into a perfectly simmering stew of funk. “Choreography” preserves the aquatic vibes but bumps the tempo up into space disco territory, complete with laser bleeps and Moroder-esque pads. It’s a mark of Armbridge’s craft that closing track “No Floor” - a searing motorik synth punk jam that recalls Suicide at their finest - sounds not at all out of place, but rather serves as a logical conclusion to this illogical picture. Stand, Scatter drifts across genres but never loses its focus on the unorthodox groove.

Polaroid were an Italian post-punk/new wave band, formed in Turin in 1981. This vinyl re-issue of 'Senza Respiro' contains all 6 original songs with 4 bonus tracks from the band's later period.
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Polaroid made their debut with the cassette 6-track EP 'Senza Respiro', self-released in 1984. Influenced by Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, Pere Ubu as well as Chic and Talking Heads. The music was dark and cold, but also melodic especially with regards to guitars and voices. At the end of 1984 the band added vocalist Michele Cantoblundo while drummer Marco left and was replaced by a Roland TR-909. With Michele began a period of very dark and poetic music, influenced also by bands like Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and The Sisters of Mercy. The band peacefully broke-up in 1987.

All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The record is housed in custom jacket designed by Eloise Leigh and includes 4 polaroid sized postcards with photos notes and lyrics.