Pop & Rock News

Nippon Psychedelic Soul 1970-1979 is Time Capsule’s continuation of the deep dive into Japan’s rich history of folk and psychedelic soul music.

Vinyl LP with 4 page insert, original artwork and photos

The kaleidoscopic psychedelia of 1970s Japan captured a fragile and fertile moment as the country sought its future in funk grooves, heavy reverb and lyrical hallucinations.

The follow-up compilation to Time Capsule’s Nippon Acid Folk, Nippon Psychedelic Soul takes myriad pathways into the tripped-out undergrowth of 1970s Japan. Finding their feet at home and looking for inspiration abroad, the musicians featured here were engaged in the communal soul-searching that followed the breakdown of the 1960s protest movements. Some made it big, others drifted into oblivion. The music they left behind shimmers with intensity.

At the core was Happy End, the first project of YMO’s Haroumi Hosono, whose distortion-heavy guitar and crisp back-beat laid the foundations for Japanese lyrics that flipped the paradigm of Japanese rock music on its head. With it came a new found sonic ambition, such as in the bold Philly-soul style arrangements of producer Yuji Ohno, whose work with occult wandered Yoshiko Sai shares some of the bittersweet grandeur of Rotary Connection or David Axelrod.

Then there was Jun Fukamachi, a pioneer of Japanese synthesis, whose debut album was a carnival of orchestral funk, euphoric horn lines and rich production, complete with soaring guitar solos, psychedelic organ and a truly cinematic finale. The first and only time Fukamachi would sing on record, ‘Omae’ rips like the ultimate end-of-nighter.

Influenced by giants of the US soul scene, maverick composer Hiroshi “Monsieur” Kamayatsu (otherwise known as ‘the Brian Wilson of Japan’) went one step further, enlisting Tower of Power to play on ‘Have You Smoked Gauloises?’ The B-side to Monsieur’s biggest-selling single, it coasts with sophisticated cool - a liquid bassline and suave keys comping under a roaring trademark ToP sax solo. No surprise it found favour once more on the Acid Jazz dance floors of ‘90s London.

Such was the spirit of experimentation that big studio productions and private press releases sat side-by-side, with the likes of Momotaro Pink and Kazushi Inamura, taking their hopes of success into their own hands with the resources available to them. More reflective but no less robust, theirs was a heavy, fat-backed drum sound, soaked in dramatic, soulful psychedelia.

If some were dreamers and others space cadets, none were further out than sci-fi writer, musician, activist and self-made scientist Tadashi Goino, who transformed his own fantasy novel Messenger from the Seventh Dimension into an operatic prog odyssey with few discernible musical reference points – a majestic and completely bonkers outlier even among company as strange and brilliant as that which is collected here.

Less a compilation of a scene, as a compilation of a sentiment, Nippon Psychedelic Soul is a wild ride from start to finish, shattering the narratives of the Japanese folk and rock tradition into a million tiny pieces.

Repress!

Research Records indicate their inclination for cosmic instrumentation and kraut pervaded polyrhythms once again with an introduction to newcomer Glass Beams. Recorded at the beginning of 2020, Mirage is the first release from the artist, issuing four compositions that lend from a profusion of sounds and influences.

The album's opener and title Mirage arrives with a coiling vocal mantra that conspires with a sliding bassline and transcendent synthwork, reminiscent of early 70's prog jams yet inverted and futuristic. Taurus is a brisk arrangement, steeped with spaghetti-western elements and space-jazz to pave the way for the agile Kong. Rife with psych-fusion guitar phrases and instrumentation, Kong unfolds like a forecast lysergic voyage. The finale Rattlesnake nudges the serpent with intergalactic scales and spellbinding riffs. We may not know much about the enigmatic Glass Beams but Mirage is one epic inauguration, leaving the listener with more questions than answers.

Sofie Royer - laut *The Guardian* "einer der faszinierendsten und unterschätzten Popstars Europas, mit fesselnder Stimme und einem eigenwilligen, aristokratischen Glamour" - meldet sich mit einem neuen Album zurück! ,before/after" ist das vierte Studioalbum der österreichisch-iranischen Künstlerin. Es steckt voller Electro-Pop-Ohrwürmer und wurde gemeinsam mit Matt Cohn (SZA, The Weeknd), Jorgen Odegard (Sabrina Carpenter) und Eli Hirsch (Suki Waterhouse) produziert. Nach der Veröffentlichung dreier gefeierter Alben haben sich Songwriting und Produktion der Wiener Musikerin weiterentwickelt: Sie sind komplexer und ausgefeilter geworden, ihre Texte schärfer und humorvoller. *before/after* ist ihr bislang prägnantestes Werk. Es setzt sich mit den Schattenseiten des Künstlerlebens auseinander und verwebt die eigene Selbstreflexion mit kultureller Zeitkritik. Auch wenn sich Sofie von der Lo-Fi-Produzentin zur ernstzunehmenden Popmusikerin gewandelt hat - die bereits als Support-Act für Lana Del Rey, Air und LCD Soundsystem auftrat -, fühlt sie sich nach wie vor nirgendwo so recht zugehörig. Sie nimmt bei ihrer Kritik an der Musikbranche kein Blatt vor den Mund - "Ich bin zu sehr Pop für die Kunstwelt und zu sehr Indie-Liebling für den Mainstream" -, doch am härtesten geht sie mit sich selbst ins Gericht. In zwölf eingängigen Popsongs geht Royer der Frage nach, ob die Konflikte zwischen Vergangenheit und Zukunft nicht eigentlich Kämpfe mit dem eigenen Ich sind. "Wir befinden uns in einem ständigen Kampf zwischen dem Vorher` und dem Nachher`, wir beschäftigen uns intensiv mit diesen beiden zeitlichen Zuständen. Doch indem wir in ihnen gefangen bleiben, stehen wir uns oft selbst am meisten im Weg. Letztlich heißt es im Zustand des Vorher/Nachher immer: Du gegen dich selbst." Für Freunde von Suki Waterhouse, Lykke Li, Smerz, CMAT

1995 war das Jahr, in dem ein neuer Stern am Himmel des Gothic Metal erschien. Liv Kristine Espenæs, die engelhafte Sopranstimme im Wechsel mit den Growls von Raymond I. Rohonyi von THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, hat seitdem viele Bands ihres Genres inspiriert. Robert Müller (Hammer), Dezember 1997, schrieb in einer Kurzbiografie folgende Zeilen: „Mit ihrer hohen, klaren, emotional ausdrucksstarken Stimme stand Liv Kristine immer im Mittelpunkt der Aufmerksamkeit. Da liegt es nahe, die Schönheit dieser Stimme in reiner Form, in einer Soloproduktion einzufangen.“ 1997 unterzeichnete Liv Kristine einen Solovertrag bei Massacre Records/Torsten Hartmann. Liv Kristine, die damals Masterstudentin in Englisch und Deutsch war, pendelte zwischen der Universität Stuttgart und den Aufnahmen im illinois Studio. Darüber hinaus tourte sie mit dem äußerst erfolgreichen THEATRE OF TRAGEDY um die Welt. Ein ganz besonderer, persönlicher Höhepunkt für Liv Kristine war der 24. Oktober 1997, als sie Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST & HOST) an einem kalten Herbstmorgen von einer Tournee in Ludwigsburg, Deutschland, abholte. Nach einer Tasse schwarzem Tee und einer Scheibe Marmeladenbrot, wurden die Gesangsaufnahmen für die einfache, feine Gothic-Ballade „3 a.m.“ abgeschlossen. Beide haben einen Metal-Hintergrund, aber die Verschmelzung der beiden Stimmen ist einzigartig. Viel Subtilität, Magie und persönlichen Ausdruck stecken auch in den anderen Kompositionen auf Liv Kristines allererster SoloVeröffentlichung, die teilweise sogar in ihrer Muttersprache Norwegisch gesungen wurden. „Portrait: Ei tulle med øyne blå“, basierend auf einem alten norwegischen Kinderlied aus dem Jahr 1905, wurde im Juni 2023 von Geir „Gerlioz“ Bratland (DIMMU BORGIR) von Grund auf neu interpretiert und aufgenommen, ausschließlich für die Neuveröffentlichung von „Deus ex Machina“. Liv Kristine kennt diese Melodie seit ihren ersten Lebenswochen, denn ihre Mutter und Großmutter haben der kleinen „Stine“ dieses Lied als Gute-Nacht-Schlaflied vorgesungen. Bereits im Alter von sechs Jahren zeigte Liv Kristine eine besondere Empfänglichkeit für das Verständnis von Musik und den verschiedenen Arten des Singens. Es verging kein Tag, an dem das kleine, blonde Mädchen nicht sang und verträumt vor dem Spiegel stand. Das Lied „In the Heart of Juliet“ beschreibt, wie sie ihre Kindheit bewusst und unbewusst erlebte, die Glücksgefühle, ihre Liebe zu magischen Melodien, die Wunder der Natur und ihrer Jahreszeiten, aber auch die Freiheit des Seins. Bis heute bezeichnet sie das besondere Erlebnis des Singens als „my magic Bubble“.

Francis Bebey was a visionary who explored the intersection of African traditions and global music long before it became a global trend. Born in Cameroon, Bebey's sound was an eclectic blend of his rich cultural heritage and his deep exploration of modern music, spanning genres from traditional folk and jazz to funk and electronic experimentation. As an artist, Bebey was ahead of his time, using his unique voice and instruments to forge new paths for African music to be heard worldwide. His legacy is not just in the music he created but in the way he opened doors for the global recognition of African artists, influencing generations of musicians, producers, and fans alike.

This release marks an exciting moment, as we introduce remixes of bebeys iconic productions by contemporary electronic producers, giving new life through creative re imaginings.

Tracks:

Le Grand Soleil De Dieu (Psychemagik Remix): The UK-based musical duo are known for their eclectic blend of electronic music, psychedelic rock and mystical global sounds. Formed by Danny McLewin and Tommy McLewin, the duo has carved out a unique niche within the global music scene though their intricate arrangements. Their Remixes and Collaborations have been with artists like Fleetwood Mac, Tame Impala, and Hercules & Love Affair. Their psychedelic dub remix has otherworldly qualities, with dreamy atmospheres and bouncing baselines throughout this brilliant opening track.

Guinee (Turbotito Edit): The Berlin-based DJ and producer known for his infectious blend of house, disco, and funk. With a knack for smooth, groovy beats and a deep love for melody, Turbotito's music brings a fresh, energetic vibe to the dance floor. On this track, he effortlessly re-imagines and elevates the world of Guinee to match his signature sound. A combination of a great pulsing base line, ethereal vocals and bird sound effects incorporated into the percussion makes this track an absolute stand out.

Agatha (Voilaaa Remix): Bruno "Patchworks" Hovart from Lyon is the brains behind the Voilaaa project. Fusing soulful grooves, funk, and disco with an unmistakable French touch, Voilaaa creates infectious, feel-good rhythms that blend classic and contemporary influences. In this track we find the first big hook of the album vocally, coupled with Bebey's lively humour in spoken French on top of joyous instrumentation. The smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and vibrant arrangements, bring a fresh energy to the original hit track - a brilliant homage.

Forest Nativity (Red Axes Edit): Red Axes are a dynamic electronic music duo from Tel Aviv, blending disco, house, and psychedelic influences into infectious, genre-defying tracks. Known for their unique sound, warm analog textures, and hypnotic rhythms, Niv Arzi and Dori Simao craft music that moves both the body and the mind. Forest Nativity arrives as a full circle closer, incorporating some of the most authentic African instruments such as a Balafon, an instrument similar to a xylophone and a Djembe, a hand drum central to many West African traditions. The 7 minute track is guaranteed to take you on a fascinating journey through Bebey's culture and livelihood.

This music spreads a good mood! German swing with German lyrics, this is the dance music that is popular everywhere. The Goldene Sieben, one of the most famous dance and entertainment orchestras of the 1930s, knows how to get people dancing. What worked in the past still works today! Bring the music that puts people in a good mood into your home!

Gus Backus, who passed away in 2019, was an American entertainer and musician.

Gus Backus enjoyed great success in Germany in the 1960s, with songs such as „Der Mann Im Mond“, „Da Sprach Der Alte Häuptling“ and „Sauerkraut-Polka“.

These hits and many more are now available on the „Seine Größten Erfolge“ vinyl.

Am 28.08.2026 veröffentlichen IL CIVETTO ihr neues Album „Träume aus Lava“ – ein kraftvolles Plädoyer
dafür, wieder an die eigenen Träume zu glauben und Veränderung zu wagen.
Zwischen Hoffnung und Zweifel, Melancholie und Aufbruch verbindet das Berliner Fusion-Pop-Quintett
tanzbare Sounds mit gesellschaftlicher Haltung. Inspiriert von Sehnsucht, Fernweh und der besonderen
Energie Marokkos entstand ein Album über die Kraft von Visionen – Träume, die nicht naiv sind, sondern
etwas in Bewegung setzen und sich wie ein Lavastrom unaufhaltsam ihren Weg bahnen.
Nach vier Alben und Auftritten auf Festivals wie Deichbrand, SWR3 New Pop und Montreux Jazz Festival
präsentieren IL CIVETTO mit „Träume aus Lava“ ihr bislang nachdenklichstes, kämpferischstes und zugleich hoffnungsvollstes Werk.
„Träume aus Lava“ erscheint als CD im Digisleeve sowie als limitierte rot-schwarze Vinyl im Gatefold.

Mixed Emotions: Das legendäre Comeback-Album „We Belong Together“ erstmals auf Vinyl!
„Tag Alter, ick bin Drafi“. Mit diesen inzwischen legendären Worten begrüßte Poplegende Drafi Deutscher
im Jahr 1986 den jungen Sänger Oliver Simon. Es war der Beginn einer der erfolgreichsten Duo-Partnerschaften
der deutschen Musikgeschichte. Jetzt, genau 40 Jahre nach ihrer Gründung, erscheint das gefeierte
Comeback-Werk „We Belong Together“ aus dem Jahr 1999 zum ersten Mal auf edlem schwarzem Vinyl.
Eine Erfolgsgeschichte der Extraklasse
Was ursprünglich als Solo-Projekt für Oliver Simon geplant war, entwickelte sich unter der Regie von
Mastermind Drafi Deutscher schnell zum Pop-Phänomen Mixed Emotions. Die Kombination aus Drafis
markantem Timbre und Olivers glasklarer Stimme traf den Nerv der Zeit:
Chart-Rekorde: 1987 mit drei Singles gleichzeitig in den Single-Charts.
Edelmetall: Gold- und Platin-Auszeichnungen für beide Alben in den 80ern.
Internationale Hits: Erfolge weit über die Grenzen Europas hinaus, bis nach Südafrika.
Das 1999er Comeback: Mehr als nur Nostalgie
Nach der Trennung 1989 kehrten Mixed Emotions zehn Jahre später spektakulär zurück. Statt lediglich alte
Aufnahmen neu zu mischen, entschied sich das Duo für komplette Neuaufnahmen ihrer größten Klassiker
und Albumtracks, sowie für neue Hits wie den Uptempo-Ohrwurm „You Are My Angel“. Erneut stürmten
sie die Top 30 der Album-Charts und begeisterten Millionen in zahlreichen TV-Shows. Die musikalische
Chemie war auch nach einer Dekade Pause ungebrochen.
Exklusives Highlight für Sammler
Die vorliegende Vinyl-Edition bringt diesen Meilenstein der Pop-Schlager-Geschichte erstmals auf dem
„schwarzen Gold“ zurück. Als besonderes Schmankerl enthält die LP den brandneuen 2026er DJ Herzbeat
Remix von „Just For You“, der den unverkennbaren Mixed-Emotions-Sound perfekt in die heutige Zeit
übersetzt. Die Vinyl ist limitiert auf 500 Stück und nummeriert.
Die musikalische Formel von Mixed Emotions bleibt zeitlos. Für Drafi, Oliver und ihre treuen Fans gilt
auch heute mehr denn je: We Belong Together!

Zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum erscheint Pohlmanns Debütalbum Zwischen Heimweh und Fernsucht als hochwertige Colored 2LP Edition, eine besondere Veröffentlichung für langjährige Fans, Vinyl-Liebhaber und
Freunde deutschsprachiger Singer-Songwriter-Musik.
Mit seinem 2006 veröffentlichten Debüt legte Pohlmann den Grundstein für seine Karriere. Zwischen
Heimweh und Fernsucht verbindet authentisches Songwriting mit eingängigen Melodien und erzählt von
Aufbruch, Sehnsucht, Liebe und dem Wunsch, den eigenen Weg zu finden. Zwischen nachdenklichen
Momenten und unbeschwerter Leichtigkeit entfaltet das Album eine zeitlose Atmosphäre, die bis heute
begeistert. Titel wie „Wenn jetzt Sommer wär“, „Der Junge ist verliebt“ und der gleichnamige Song
„Zwischen Heimweh und Fernsucht“ zählen zu den bekanntesten Stücken des Albums und prägten seinen
frühen Erfolg.
Ob als nostalgische Reise zurück in die 2000er-Jahre oder als Neuentdeckung, diese Colored Vinyl Edition lädt dazu ein, Zwischen Heimweh und Fernsucht neu zu entdecken und immer wieder aufzulegen.

Nach über 10 Jahren Funkstille und 40 Jahren Bandgeschichte veröffentlicht die Schweizer Hardrock-Band Rash Panzer im Dezember ihr neues Album “Liberation” auf CD und Vinyl! Gegründet wurde die Band 1979 im schweizerischen Genf und serviert ihren Fans seitdem harte, kraftvolle und handgemachte Rockmusik voll auf die Zwölf.

Nach ihrer Single „Heavy Leaders“ im Jahr 1984 veröffentlichten Rash Panzer 1988 ihre erste EP, „Rock ‚n Roll Street“, die von Dennis Weinreich (Jeff Beck, Procol Harum etc.) produziert wurde. Im folgenden Jahr betourten sie exzessiv die US-amerikanische Ostküste und schafften daraufhin sogar den Sprung in die US-Charts. Zurück in Europa nahmen sie das Album „Rated X“ auf, dieses Mal produziert von Rudy Lenners (Scorpions). Es folgte mit „Wild, Raw and Live“ noch ein Livealbum, ehe es langsam ruhiger um die Band wurde. 2013 dann das umjubelte Rash Panzer Comeback mit dem Album „Back on the Rocks“.

Allerdings dauerte es wieder 10 Jahre bis zu einem erneuten Lebenszeichen –doch hier sind Rash Panzer im Jahr 2023: Lauter, härter und motivierter als jemals zuvor! Das Album „Liberation“ ist ein fettes Ausrufezeichen dafür, dass man für guten Hardrock niemals zu alt ist, egal ob als Musiker oder Fan!

Devoting an album entirely to the Persian poetry of Jami, aluminary of the Sufi tradition, was one of Haji Ghulam Farid Sabri"s cherished ambitions for a long time. This dream came true for the Qawwali icon when he visited Berlin in July 1991 at the invitation of the Heimatklänge ("Home Soundsfrom Home Planet Earth") festival, accompanied by his 14-year-old son Amjad. After Ghulam Sabri"s untimely death on the 5th of April 1994, Amjad Sabri became his musical successor, thereby passing on the Sufi Qawwali mastership of the Sabri family to the next generation. This all came to an end when Amjad was murdered for his Sufi beliefs in the streets of Karachi on the 22nd of June 2016. Thus, Jami is not only a memorial to the Sufi Muslim tradition and the Persian poet but also to Ghulam Farid Sabri and Amjad Sabri. It remains their only record in Farsi.

Die Symphonic-Heavy-Metal-Band Evolucija präsentiert ihr lang erwartetes Album „The World is Full of Wrath“. Produziert von Metal-Veteran Marko „Wolfy“ Vuckovic, gemischt und gemastert im Fascination Street Studios in Schweden von Linus Corneliusson und Jens Bogren, verspricht das Album mit kraftvollen Riffs und mitreißenden Melodien ein symphonisches Heavy-Metal-Erlebnis. Im Osten Europas gehören die Fünf zu den großen Bands und teilten die Bühnen mit den größten Namen der Metal-Szene wie Paradise Lost, Doro Pesch, Children Of Bodom, Tyr und Pestilence.

Angekündigt von astreinen Sommer- und Hangover-Hymnen (u.a. „discothèque with u“, „spaß am glas“),
kümmern sich Tiavo im kommenden Jahr auch um die Urlaubsplanung: Ihr neues Studioalbum „Hotel
Tiavo“ öffnet im Spätsommer 2026 seine Pforten! Vor allem ist das „Hotel Tiavo“ das womöglich einzige
Top-Etablissement der Welt, dessen Lobby zugleich als Dancefloor fungiert. Die Standardeditionen auf CD
und LP in transparenten roten Vinyl mit allen 24 Tracks erscheint am 28.08.2026.
„Hotel Tiavo“ ist das erste „richtige“ Konzeptalbum der Band: Nachdem sich der „absolute gewinner“-
Vorgänger eher beiläufig zu einem ultrasaarländischen „Einfache-Leute“-Konzeptalbum entwickelt habe,
wollten Leandros, Xaver & Co. dieses Mal einen konzeptionellen Rahmen abstecken, der richtig viel Raum
für Neues bietet – neue Einflüsse, neue Perspektiven, neue Umwege über den Indie-Dancefloor und durchs
Tiavo-Universum. Große Ereignisse werfen ihre Schatten voraus, so auch die feierliche Eröffnung des „Hotel Tiavo“: 24 Suiten, Schicksale, Storys – nein, Songs (oder: „Hymnen über Mikrothemen, die noch
keine Songs haben“), mit denen das saarländische Duo den eigenen Orbit sprengt und sich genau deshalb
treubleibt. Man sieht sich in der Hotelbar „Tropical“…

1982 erschien in Eigenregie die LP „Revival“ von Winterhawk.
Der ausufernde Hardrock mit Heavy Metal-Tendenzen und
vielen zweistimmigen Gitarrensoli fand einst nur im Raum
Chicago Verbreitung, doch irgendwann wurden Sammler auf
die Platte aufmerksam. Das rief 1998 das Label Monster
Records auf den Plan, die sich zeitweise auf amerikanischen
Hardrock und Heavy Metal zwischen Ende der Siebziger und
Anfang der Achtziger spezialisert haben. Recht schnell waren
Winterhawk in der Szene ein Name.

Die Sensation war aber erst perfekt, als sich die Möglichkeit
ergab, eine frühe Liveaufnahme von 1978 zu überarbeiten
und ebenso auf CD zu veröffentlichen. Mit bestechender
Klangqualität legt „There And Back Again“ sogar noch
eine Schippe drauf. Die Spielfreude ist nicht mit Worten
zu beschreiben und allein die zweistimmigen Gitarrensoli
müssten einen Grammy gewinnen. Dabei erinnert man immer
wieder an die Frühphase von Rush („Rusch“, „Fly By Night“),
während man

It took a village to create Le Motel’s Odd Numbers / Số Lẻ. Beneath its pulsing, shimmering tones, the record is alive with the sounds of everyday life—purring mopeds, idle whistling, the din of kitchens and whisper of rain, voices joyful and contemplative, scenes of bustling cities and domestic intimacy.

Le Motel—who runs the Brussels-based record label Maloca—gathered sounds, photographs, and videos while traveling in Vietnam in 2023. From Hanoi he ventured to Hmong communities in the mountains near the border with China, building out a network of contacts gathered from friends and friends of friends. But Odd Numbers / Số

Lẻ—which takes its title from traditional Vietnamese numerological beliefs and customs—is wholly unlike the extractive product typical of exploitative modes of Western tourism; the album’s final shape was deeply dependent upon the participation of the people the artist met in Vietnam.

Back in Brussels after his travels, as Le Motel began working with his materials, he sent early drafts to his contacts, inviting their input. This back-and-forth eventually yielded a dynamic collective effort in which nine of the album’s 15 tracks feature multiple composer credits. Among the album’s diverse collaborators are Yvonne Quỳnh-Lan Dươn, an educator and ethnomusicologist; Chi Chi, the daughter of a Hmong shaman; and Phapxa Chan, who contributes three poems inspired by landscape and Le Motel’s own music (and, in one case, psychedelics).

The result is an album that is not about making sound, broadcasting it as a one-way communication, but instead about the empathic practice of listening—about listening as an integral and even ethical part of musical creation, even (especially!) when that music is created on a computer, rather than conjured by a group of players sharing space in real time. It’s an album that adopts many of the traditional trappings of ambient music while reminding us of the importance of intentional modes of creation. Brian Eno famously said that ambient music must be as ignorable as it is interesting, but Le Motel’s Odd Numbers / Số Lẻ suggests, to the contrary, the richness of experience available to us should we make the effort to open our ears.

Complementing the album, Le Motel’s Odd Numbers / Số Lẻ also takes the form of a multimedia exhibition including photographs, video, and text-based works created in collaboration with Belgian designer and programmer Antoine Jaunard and Vietnamese poet Phapxa Chan. The exhibition is on view from January 23 until March 2, at Brussels’ 254Forest gallery, as part of Photo Brussels Festival 2025.

Music From Memory presents ‘Miraggi’, the debut release by Argento, a new project conceived by composer and producer David August. Written between Berlin and the Tuscan coast, the record unfolds as an imagined soundtrack to the Mediterranean, shaped by memory, longing and a profound connection to landscape.

The earliest sketches emerged during extended periods spent along Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast, where the shifting light, vegetation and ever-changing presence of the sea became lasting creative impulses. At the same time, an immersion in Italian library music of the 1970s and ‘80s quietly informed the project’s tonal language, while traces of jazz fusion and Balearic ambience surfaced not as direct references but as distant echoes.

Built around a dialogue between synthesizers, electronics, acoustic percussion and environmental recordings, ‘Miraggi’ balances rhythmic movement with spacious, cinematic composition. During the recording process, August was joined by drummer and percussionist Lorenzo Setti, whose performances and co-writing became an integral part of the album’s evolving rhythmic language. Across extended improvisations and recording sessions, August and Setti gradually shaped a musical language that feels both deeply personal and quietly transportive, allowing atmosphere and place to become as important as melody or rhythm.

The title ‘Miraggi’ (‘Mirages’) emerged organically, evoking a longing for something that remains just out of reach — something that cannot fully be grasped or lived. It suggests a suspended state between perception and imagination, akin to a hallucination or a dream. In this sense, ‘Miraggi’ reflects the project’s inner narrative: an imagined soundtrack shaped by desire, memory and the spiritual abundance of the Mediterranean Sea.

‘Miraggi’ will be released on vinyl and digitally via Music From Memory on September 10th 2026.

Congolese music at it's finest! Maestro "Vumbi" Dekula brings back his band to deliver some hypnotic and groovy jams full of soukous, rhumba and dancing vibes. The band (residing in Stockholm, Sweden) have been a favorite live act for many years and this is the follow up to their praised album debut "Opika" and to Vumbi Dekula's solo guitar album "Congo Guitar".

After high demand, Fred again.. releases a repress of Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022) on March 31st after almost immediately selling out of vinyl copies upon the original release. the third in his series of Actual Life albums.

Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022) is the third in his series of Actual Life albums, which saw Fred again.. resume his diary-esque approach to production using intimate use of voice notes from friends,
videos found whilst scrolling on Instagram and samples from important records in his life. It was an autobiographical
chapter of work that pushed forward the heritage of UK electronic music while standing as testament to the power of music in facilitating catharsis, healing and celebrating the realities of friendship, love and life. The album was
instrumental in his breakthrough as a global artist and debuted at #4 in the UK album charts, becoming the highest-
streaming new release globally on Spotify on its first weekend.

The album features his hit singles Danielle (smile on my face), Delilah (pull me out of this), Kammy (like i do) and Bleu (better with time). The repress remains on a clear vinyl, but this time round the vinyl comes in a black inner bag and the tracklist now mirrors the digital tracklist.

Fred has quickly become one of the most talked about live acts as he transformed his Actual Life records into an immersive, communal real-life experience for the first time, selling out shows across the UK and USA. Fred again.., Skrillex and Four Tet recently did a series of pop up events across New York, culminating in a record breaking sold out, 5 hour b2b set at Madison Square Garden. Also been announced that Fred will be performing the penultimate slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Fred’s recent Boiler Room performance remains one of the most viewed Boiler Rooms to date, surpassing over 16 million views.

After high demand, Fred again.. releases a repress of Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022) on March 31st after almost immediately selling out of vinyl copies upon the original release. the third in his series of Actual Life albums.

Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022) is the third in his series of Actual Life albums, which saw Fred again.. resume his diary-esque approach to production using intimate use of voice notes from friends,
videos found whilst scrolling on Instagram and samples from important records in his life. It was an autobiographical
chapter of work that pushed forward the heritage of UK electronic music while standing as testament to the power of music in facilitating catharsis, healing and celebrating the realities of friendship, love and life. The album was
instrumental in his breakthrough as a global artist and debuted at #4 in the UK album charts, becoming the highest-
streaming new release globally on Spotify on its first weekend.

The album features his hit singles Danielle (smile on my face), Delilah (pull me out of this), Kammy (like i do) and Bleu (better with time). The repress remains on a clear vinyl, but this time round the vinyl comes in a black inner bag and the tracklist now mirrors the digital tracklist.

Fred has quickly become one of the most talked about live acts as he transformed his Actual Life records into an immersive, communal real-life experience for the first time, selling out shows across the UK and USA. Fred again.., Skrillex and Four Tet recently did a series of pop up events across New York, culminating in a record breaking sold out, 5 hour b2b set at Madison Square Garden. Also been announced that Fred will be performing the penultimate slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Fred’s recent Boiler Room performance remains one of the most viewed Boiler Rooms to date, surpassing over 16 million views.

South African multi-instrumentalist Mpumi Dhlamini’s Nebula Nomad explores themes of deep inner reflection and cosmic wonder. The EP puts three tracks from the 2024 album on vinyl for the first time: two reimagined versions of earlier compositions ‘The Higher Being’ and ‘Sibusise Nkosi’, along with ‘Culmination’. Dhlamini writes, produces and performs all vocals and instruments, with contributions from Mzizi, Tendai 'Shoxx' Shoko, Ayo Solanke, Sibusiso Mkhize, Zoe The Seed and Sphelelo Mazibuko. A brief introduction to a remarkable talent at the vanguard of South African spiritual jazz who has battled adversity and come out stronger, with something important to say.

MY BLOOD AS THE INK marks Night Lovell’s first full-length release in 2.5 years and feels like a natural evolution of his catalog while pushing his world into darker, more refined territory. Motivated by pain, betrayal, loyalty, and the emotional weight that comes with success, the album sharpens Lovell’s signature atmosphere into something more nuanced, mature, and complex. It still carries the cold, cinematic darkness fans expect from him, but there is a deeper sense of reflection here, with Lovell sounding more focused, more intentional, and more aware of the cost of the life he has built.

Originally released by Panjabi MC in 1998 and propelled to worldwide success in 2002, “Mundian To Bach Ke” is widely recognized as one of the most influential Punjabi tracks ever recorded. Featuring the unmistakable vocals of Labh Janjua, the record fused traditional Punjabi bhangra with contemporary hip-hop production, creating a groundbreaking crossover sound that resonated with audiences across continents. Today, it remains a cultural landmark that helped introduce Punjabi music to international audiences and paved the way for the worldwide rise of South Asian artists.
Now, Spanish electronic music heavyweight Dario Nuñez joins forces with Afro House tastemaker Juany Bravo to breathe new life into this timeless anthem. The remix transforms the iconic vocal hook and instantly recognizable melodies into a high-energy Afro House and tribal-infused club weapon, blending modern production with the infectious spirit that made the original a worldwide phenomenon.
Also included on side A is the new remix by Benin-born, Brooklyn-raised DJ and producer, Amémé. Celebrated for his "AMÉMÉ House" sound, he blends deep house, tech, and ancestral African tribal percussions. The remix bridges two very distinct styles, classic South Asian bhangra and modern, spiritual Afro-house energy, all with Panjabi MC's personal blessing.
On side B the classic original version alongside the remix featuring Jay-Z !

The Nigerian princesses of afro-funk arrived on the international scene with 1976’s Danger and never looked back. Produced by multi-instrumentalist Adeniyi “Biddy” Wright, the six-song LP is a low-slung affair, awash in dreamy psychedelic guitar, crisp hi-hat shuffles, and telepathic harmony vocals from twins Taiwo and Kehinde. This 2025 remaster is housed in a deluxe tip-on jacket and includes lyrics in both Yorurban and English. Danger, danger, danger please come on back.

The latest release from Rainbow Disco Club’s label imprint, Beyond Space And Time, is the debut compilation from The Melting Hours, a live project by Wata Igarashi and Kuniyuki. WataIgarashi continues to make his mark on the history of techno, whilst Kuniyuki has long been revered as one of Sapporo’s greatest treasures. The two artists, who have long held mutual respect for one another, met whilst performing at the Draaimolen Festival 2025, and this encounter gave rise to The Melting Hours.

‘Blue Sun’ is imbued with a freshness reminiscent of the ambient jazz masterpieces released by prestigious labels such as ECM and Windham Hill. ‘Liquid Dunes’ sees the organic tones of the flute and percussion melt into over ten minutes of abstract sound textures, whilst the breathtaking ‘Cloud Touch’ awakens amidst a swirling vortex of pulsating downbeats and arpeggios. It is said that ‘Blue Sun’ was created by reconstructing studio rehearsal recordings, whilst ‘Liquid Dunes’ and ‘Cloud Touch’ were crafted from live recordings at Draaimolen 2025. The essence of these works—and indeed of the project The Melting Hours itself—lies at the heart of their improvisational nature.

It brings to mind the Rainbow Disco Club event back in 2026, where they wove their sounds amidst fresh greenery and surrounded by listeners under a clear blue sky. It felt as though the pulsating energy was spreading across the dance floor, guided by a session from The Melting Hours that seemed almost like a living creature. The organic breath one senses in this work not only evokes precisely that scene but also allows us to feel the unique, ephemeral nature inherent in this project—and, consequently, the boundless possibilities that stem from it.

Rainbow Disco Club のレーベル・ライン'Beyond Space And Time'から放たれる最新作は、Wata IgarashiとKuniyukiによるライブ・プロジェクト、The Melting Hoursによる初の音源集だ。テクノ史に残る実績を現在進行形で刻み続けているWata Igarashi、長きに渡り札幌の至宝として尊敬を集めてきたKuniyuki。兼ねてよりリスペクトを送り合ってきた両名がDraaimolen Festival 2025への出演を契機に邂逅し、始動したプロジェクトがThe Melting Hoursである。

ECMやWindham Hillといった名門レーベルのアンビエント・ジャズ傑作群を彷彿とさせる瑞々しさを湛えた"Blue Sun"。10分以上に渡るアブストラクトなサウンド・テクスチャーの中にフルートや鳴り物のオーガニックな音色が溶ける"Liquid Dunes"と、そして鳴動するダウンビートとアルペジオの渦に覚醒する圧巻の"Cloud Touch"。"Blue Sun"はスタジオでのリハーサル音源を、"Liquid Dunes"と"Cloud Touch"はDraaimolen 2025のライヴ音源を、それぞれ再構築し楽曲化したものだという。これらの作品、ひいてはThe Melting Hoursというプロジェクト自体のエッセンスは、その即興性を核としている。

WataとKuniyukiがゼロから音を立ち上げ、お互いのエレクトロニクス/生楽器を操る技術、それぞれエレクトロニック・ミュージック以前にフリージャズやニューウェイヴ/インダストリアル等に傾倒した時期を含む、音楽家としての半生を持ち出し合う感覚。そこに、例えばDraaimolen出演時に降り出した雨や、リハーサル時にスタジオに迷い込んだ蜂のような、外的かつ偶発的な要因、感情やムードの起伏までもが絡み合う様相。互いの予想を越えるスリルの中で曲が形づくられるプロセスこそが、この作品とプロジェクトを特別なものとしているのだという。

快晴の元で新緑とリスナーに囲まれ音を紡いでいった、去る2026年のRainbow Disco Clubを思い出す。まるで、生き物のようなThe Melting Hoursによるセッションに導かれ、脈動するエネルギーがフロアに伝播していたようだった。この作品から感じられる有機的な息遣いは、まさにそんな情景を思い起こすものであると同時に...このプロジェクトが宿すその場/その時限りの唯一無二性と、それ故に広がっていく限りない可能性をも感じさせてくれる。

Following the highly acclaimed volumes I and II, dig further into the Wamono sound - the cream of the Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and disco music developed throughout the years since the end of the sixties in Japan!

-Fully licensed Nippon Columbia and Victor Japan masters available for the first time outside of Japan, featuring rarities from Hitomi Tohyama, Jadoes, Yumi Sato, Tetsuo Sakurai and more!

- Tracks selection by Japanese super diggers and Wamono specialists DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite and Chintam

- Mastered and cut at Timmion Cutting Lab

- Artwork by Yoxxx (Tokyo)

- 180g heavy vinyl pressing, reverse board jacket

Active as a professional DJ in Japan since the late eighties, DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite is also a renowned remixer, compiler and producer. An avid record collector and an expert of the Wamono style, Yoshizawa published the Wamono A to Z records guide book in 2015 which instantly sold-out. The book unveiled a myriad of beautiful and rare records from a highly prolific, but still then unknown, Japanese groove scene.

After many years working as a record buyer for several stores, DJ Chintam opened his own Blow Up shop in 2018 in Tokyo's Shibuya district. A member of the Dayjam Crew and a specialist of soul, funk, rare groove and disco music, Chintam is also an expert of the home-brewed Wamono grooves. He supervised and wrote the Wamono A to Z records guide book together with Yoshizawa.

For this third chapter of the acclaimed Wamono series, Yoshizawa and Chintam unheart some of the best and rarest light mellow funk tunes and disco boogie bangers produced in Japan between 1978 and 1988. Put the needle on the record, turn up the volume and dig right now into the Wamono sound - the cream of the Japanese jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and disco music developed throughout the years since the end of the sixties in Japan!

Sincere yet uninhibited. Powerful yet vibrant. This remarkable debut album captures the breakthrough moment of rising pianist Mikio Masuda.

Mikio Masuda first came to prominence as a member of the Terumasa Hino Group, and this is his debut album as a leader. The musicians are essentially the same lineup that was performing with the Hino Group in 1974, but with Masuda at the helm, the music takes on an especially fresh and energetic character. He plays with remarkable freedom and confidence, as if completely at home in the spotlight.

Four of the album’s six tracks are Masuda originals. At times he moves forward with a light, agile touch; at others, he unfolds beautiful themes with lyrical sensitivity. The variety of the compositions and the freshness of the performances are consistently striking.

Among the highlights is “Prayer”, a powerful, Afrocentric piece that stands as an outstanding example of the post-Coltrane approach. Both compositionally and performance-wise, it ranks among the album’s defining achievements.

This album marks the starting point of Masuda’s career and remains one of his signature works, documenting the emergence of an artist who would later become one of the leading figures of the fusion era.

Two years after Introducing, this 1977 release—the second installment in Toshiba EMI’s acclaimed “Pro Use Series”—returns on clear green vinyl.

Joining the returning rhythm section of Shuichi “Ponta” Murakami (drums) and Ray Ohara (bass), percussionist Nobu Saito and others further strengthen the album’s rhythmic foundation. Highlights include the classic “Left Handed Woman”, where Jun Fukamachi explores new possibilities for the analog synthesizer while engaging in electrifying solo exchanges with the song’s composer, Kenji Ohmura, as well as “Take It Easy Mr King Kong”, which makes inventive use of a talk box.

More accessible, more thrilling, and even more refined than its predecessor, this album stands as a superb showcase of Fukamachi’s evolving musical vision.

Around 1970, musician, music producer, and entrepreneur Fernando Arias founded the record label Discos Fernando Arias (Difa) in Lima, the capital of Peru. This label was crucial for the musical production, promotion, dissemination, and development of Peruvian tropical music; more specifically, the so-called “carretero style”, so named because it was rooted in the famous Central Highway (Carretera Central) of Peru, which crosses the country from west to east, from the coast to the jungle, through the Andes mountain range. This style is defined by sudden changes from ballad to fast and aggressive tropical music, with electric guitar lines drenched in fuzztone, reverb, and wah-wah. To this must be added the plaintive, melancholic vocal style characteristic of Andean Peruvian music.

Originally released on Philips Ethiopia in 1973. A mixture of modern and traditional instruments marks the stages of an Amhara wedding. Wedding photos and liner notes inside.