Selection of IKIGAI Album by Nadia Struiwigh. IKIGAI was born in the quiet space between grief and remembering... Made entirely on hardware, from my living room in Berlin near Hermannplatz (my dad's name is Herman -- the odds), in the months my father passed away. Every sound, every sequence, every texture carries his fingerprint. Not because he made music, but because he made me love gadgets. Circuits, signals, blinking lights. He was the man who opened me up to machines and taught me how, eventually, to listen to them and use them for my craft. The name IKIGAI, a Japanese word for ''reason for being,'' found me when I was at a crossroads. The kind where you ask yourself: Why am I still here? What am I still creating for? What part of me still believes in beauty when everything feels like it's falling apart? These pieces came through slowly, on Japanese gear like Yamaha SEQTRAK, KORG, Roland -- like threads weaving a tapestry I didn't know I was making. Each track is a kind of purge... to him, to myself, to the listeners who find themselves in the in-between. The space where you're not who you were, and not yet who you're becoming. I found myself back into soundscapes and Ambient with a touch of Electronica. I weaved in sounds I captured from daily life, memories -- like the laugh of my sister. I built in silence and let the machines cry for me and let them tell the story I couldn't find the words for. IKIGAI is spacious. It's not trying to impress anyone. It's trying to just be, and hold space for all kinds of emotions. It moves like memory... slow, sacred, shifting. This release needs to be close to home, and will be released on my own imprint Distorted Waves, on the day 11.11 -- which refers to my first album that my dad had hanging up in his shed. For my father. Nadia
Frappé starts 2026 with a new Various Artist EP and as always with the French imprint, this one is made to shake the dancefloors over the world. Frappé co-founders Basile de Suresnes have invited their House Music cousins from over the Alps Dexter Troy and Mathis Vuillemier to collaborate on this one, along with Lone Dog, one of the label's favorite banger providers. Ranging from deep house, to French House, House and acid house, the 5 tracks will suit all sort of DJs and sets, with the extra Frappé flavor and an exclusive artwork from Ivan Peev.
Tropical Pop return to serve two more peak-time refreshments to the stale dancefloors of the world !!
Bursting with flavour, artificial sweeteners and a whole load of E numbers, these cuts deliver totally tropical disco pump and tangy technoid madness - teased, tweaked and transformed for maximum sugar rush.
A reissue of Volumes 1 and 2, originally released on the Rephlex label in 2007. This time, both volumes are brought together in a superb gatefold sleeve 4LP, taking you on a journey through the very best of Andy Jenkinson's work: Cool music, a blend of such quintessentially British culture that swings from gabba to IDM, from rough techno to electro to acid and analogue sounds - all packed into over two hours of madness. Here we go again!
If art is to be exhibited, then Ulrika Spacek will ensure that their art is collective; that even as the world becomes inhospitable to community, their intentions are an act of resistance.
Whether it is Oysterland, the self-curated night the band have been Hosting for over ten years to platform artists of other disciplines in live music spaces, or Total Refreshment Centre, the East London studio Syd runs which connects the dots between the jazz scene and like-minded experimental artists of the capital and beyond, or their creative bleed as musicians and producers over the years with the likes of Crack Cloud, caroline, DIIV, Holy Wave and Slowdive, the band’s existence is inseparable from their community.
In a hyper-individual world, the band’s fourth album, ‘EXPO’, offers an antidote. It’s there, in the shared dream logic of the music, the off-kilter melodies, jagged guitars and cirrus cloud atmospherics. It’s there, in all the things that are said and unsaid between them; there in the writing, producing and mixing processes they share in. And even as each of their parts Moves toward a unified vision, it’s never more keenly felt than in the bigger Picture to which Ulrika Spacek belong.
Though their well-established foundations are in the art-rock world - and though they are inspired by electronic elements more than ever - Ulrika Spacek are interested in the glitch that exists between the two. Their Music reckons with human warmth and digital isolation, equal parts welcoming and altogether alienating. “Our music has always been a collage - a bit patchwork, sonically - but what makes this album a landmark for us is that we went one step further and made our own sample bank,” explains singer / guitarist Rhys. They create their own doppelgängers in a world of almostreal, where the band appear as if in a hall of mirrors. Digital drums are sampled layered upon real drums, and the effect is almost like birth in reverse - pulled from the ether and returned back to the tangible world.
“There’s a lot that can be said about writing when there is no aim, there is a freedom and a purity in it which opens a door to more music, and in this case, it set a mood for a new album, one that would be colder, darker and one that would embrace electronics and new instrumentation in a new terrain,” the band share. “The album’s greater theme is isolation and alienation in an online world where it seems everybody around you is constantly exhibiting themselves, living in public wanting to be seen and heard. The age of ‘individuality’ is lonely, it’s a room of concave mirrors, and with this in mind, we set upon making our most collective effort; ‘It’s back to strength in numbers, count in fives.”
For fans of Radiohead, Moin, DIIV, Astrel K, Slowdive.
Farfalla Records presents a reissue of Jungle Obsession by Nino Nardini & Roger Roger. On this LP, they present their own musical vision of The Jungle Book.
This official reissue of this classic library album comes as a 50th-anniversary edition on 180 grams vinyl with two bonus tracks. Jungle Obsession is one of the true masterpieces of Pop Exotica. Includes "Safari Park" and "Tropical" that have been sampled by Madlib and Danger Mouse.
“When forty, I was still wearing miniskirts, extravagant patterns, pink, fluorescent colours, star shaped earrings. I walked around with my leopardskin hat, my fluffy bag, my floral outfit, until the gaze of others made me feel like it was not age appropriate anymore. Although I am still the same person I was at 16. It's the others I see changing."
There's no better way to describe ageing than through the gap that arises and continues to grow between physical reality and the specular image of the self : one deteriorates over time, exposed to the cruel laws of gravity and oxydation, while the other never ages, remaining intact and unaltered… frozen in a moment of blissfulness. The more time goes by the more the gap becomes a separate entity (ou “world” pour etre plus prosaïque). It can become so painful that many try to escape it, using and abusing every trickery.
“Youth looks so good on you” is a sonic ballad which bizarrely explores the world that lies between reality and self-fantasy, a world where the aesthetic cult of youth becomes sovereign to the people.
This piece was produced in 2022 as part of the Festival « Les Heures Sauvages - Nef des Marges dans l'ombre des certitudes », at the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles in Paris.
After "A Story of a Global Disease" in 2022, "Youth looks so good on you" is the second piece of music by Naomie Klaus released on moli del tro records.
“Ed Spinning” is straight 90’s hip-hop beats, pressed on 7"vinyl.
This project hits like the old party mixes: heavy looping beats, vocals that stick in your head, edits made for DJs back when digital wasn’t a thing (shoutout AV8 series).
For these two new volumes, Ugly Mac Beer is on the boards. Two tracks per side: vocal on the A-side, full instrumental on the B-side, plus drum loops dropping right from the jump. Raw boom bap, lo-fi heat, the way it used to be — for the real heads.
Titles and visuals nod to the BMW E30 and spinning: endless loops, burnouts, tires smoking, just like the beats blazing on the turntables.
“The beat has to follow the movement, never the fashion.”
F
ourth record already here, new Triptych being scooped out of the drawers. This one is heavily video game inspired and marks a turning point for me. I’ve somehow been very much drawn to what I call “boss fight techno”, this is the result of this cogitation.
Total Debauchery kicks off the record with truculence. The title says it all, we’re very far away from warm up time, all hell let loose, big energy discharge, weird stereo bassline, pure madness. Gate Middletone certainly is wonky. It sounds like an anesthetized telephone call. I don’t know if we can refer to this as techno, but who cares, groove is spotless. Absolute Buffoonery started off as a joke with hoover sounds in mind. Turns out it is very danceable and weird enough to be on the record. It still is a foolery.
The B side starts with Demonic Shine. This one is purely dedicated to zombie games. I’ve been thinking about how techno could be interpreted for this kind of stuff. Turns out you can shoot dead people and dance at the same time. Good time. Zany Ditherings is a hard drive that keeps crashing. It disrupts the track, making it spasmodic. You are in a convulsive loop of data being thrown out the window. dc11 accepted this remix operation. His work acts as counterpoint to the record, bringing flawless techno tunneling. Buckle up mate.
William Onyeabor was born outside Enugu, a small, rural town in Eastern Nigeria, he created his own genre of African electronic funk in the late 70s and early 80s, making music completely unique for his time. Today, he is reaching cult status among a growing list of admirers, including everyone from Damon Albarn and Hot Chip to Carl Craig and Madlib, with some likening him to the Kraftwerk of West Africa, or a precursor to LCD Soundsystem.
Among the crate-digging few that knew of him, he is considered a complete myth. While he has never performed live and almost never given interviews, his fantastical biography is scattered and has to this day not been verified. And, though he is still alive, he refuses to speak about anything regarding the past.
According to various rumors, he left home following the Biafran War and went to study cinematography in the Soviet Union, returning in the mid-70s to start his own film company and record label, Wilfilms. He then self-released eight remarkable records from 1978-1985. He wrote and produced everything on his own, and possibly played every instrument himself. Then, at some point of his life, he became born again and denounced his earlier music, deciding it is something he would never speak about.
Yes folks, it's time to take it back to the roots...GAMM style.
Our very first release was a beautiful gem from Red Astaire titled 'Follow Me' - a track that defined GAMM's identity and helped pave the way for everything we've achieved since.
Now, 23 years later, GAMM has reached its landmark 200th release.
To celebrate this anniversary and honour our dear friend Fredrik Lager (aka Red Astaire), who sadly and unexpectedly passed away three years ago, we are re-releasing 'Follow Me' alongside remixes from some of our favourite producers. The remixes will be released across three separate 7 inch EPs featuring Soul Supreme, DJ Spinna, Ukokos and Kampinos.
The second instalment of the 'Follow Me' remix / rework series comes from GAMM's finest ghost producers, Ukokus & Kampinos. It doesn't matter who is behind the names; what matters is the quality of the production. The Ukokos version transforms 'Follow Me' into a killer Bruk / UK House monster that is guaranteed to make noise in the clubs, check that mad bass-drop!
On the AA side, Kampinos throws 'Follow Me' into a blender of percussive samba and 90's drum'n'bass rhythms...and it's a beautiful marriage.
Funkadelic’s eleventh studio LP, released in 1979, was more militant in tone than its predecessor 'One Nation Under A Groove' which described a Funk utopia. In contrast, ‘Uncle Jam Wants You’ stated mandate was to “rescue dance music from the blahs”. The album features a 15-minute version of what was to become the Funkadelic’s last hit single ‘(Not Just) Knee Deep’, an edited version of which made no.1 in the US R&B chart. This was Funkadelic’s first album since 1972 not to feature a cover design by artist Pedro Bell (although he did contribute the interior design). A reference to the “Uncle Sam Wants You!” US Army recruitment poster, the sleeve depicts George Clinton aka Dr Funkenstein in a Huey Newton Black Panthers pose. ‘Uncle Jam Wants You’ and Funkadelic-Parliament had a huge influence on Prince, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Bill Laswell, Tupac Shakar, De La Soul and many more across all musical genres. George Clinton’s genius Funk & Style will continue to be an influence for many more years to come... FUNKADELIC Masterminded by the larger-than-life figure of George Clinton, Funkadelic was a key component of his influential P-Funk empire. Funkadelic’s unique combination of Rock, Psychedelia, R&B & Soul led to the band crossing over to the pop mainstream & gaining a vast international following, becoming one of the most important & influential groups in music. On 6 May 1997, Parliament / Funkadelic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame by Prince. To commemorate six decades of thrilling & delighting fans, George Clinton returned to the stage in 2022 for a series of concerts. To celebrate, Charly have reissued Funkadelic’s classic four albums ‘Hardcore Jollies’; ‘One Nation Under A Groove’; ‘Uncle Jam Wants You’; & ‘The Electric Spanking Of War Babies’ (originally released by Warner Bros during a golden period for the band between 1976-1981). Each album will be available as deluxe gatefold Digi-Sleeve CDs in PVC wallets + obi-strip & facsimile-edition gatefold LPs on 180-gram black vinyl & limited edition 180-gram colored vinyl + 1970s-style obi-strip in a protective PVC sleeve. “They played a HUGE role in creating the future of music.” PRINCE
UK producer Tom Carruthers delivers another masterclass for Skylax, diving deeper into the DNA of house music with Deepline, a 5-track journey that connects the raw futurism of the late ’80s to the deep innovations of the early ’90s. Known for his MPC-driven grooves on L.I.E.S., Clone Jack For Daze and Craigie Knowes, Carruthers has become a true guardian of machine funk — always stripped down, always pure. The title track Deepline captures the very essence of house, hypnotic and driving, right at the crossroads of 80s machine funk and early 90s deepness, a timeless groove that feels like the missing link. Dream 12 unfolds as lush and atmospheric, with pads that instantly recall the golden era of early 90s deep house, a reverie made for afterhours and smoke-filled basements. Experience stands as a raw reminder of the four pillars of house — drum machines, bass, minimalism and repetition — metallic, stripped, relentless, pure underground. On the flip, Fantasy explodes with wild energy, channeling the raw spirit of Trax Records and Armando, dirty and direct, a weapon for uncompromising dancefloors. Finally, Folx closes the record with a cosmic edge, its tough jackin’ drums colliding with spacey synth touches to create a bridge between Chicago basements and interstellar dancefloors. Once again, the visual identity is entrusted to the iconic H5 studio (Daft Punk, YSL, Logorama), whose bold modernist artwork perfectly mirrors Carruthers’ stripped yet futuristic vision. Vinyl only. No digital. No compromise.
"Life & Death has been a bucketlist label for me since day one. I've always been inspired by the way DJ Tennis approaches music and the whole philosophy around the label. What always stood out to me is the variety in the releases. One record can be deep and emotional, the next one raw and club-focused, but it still feels like it belongs to the same world. That balance is something I am always chasing in my music. Next to this: in a world that is focussed more and more on short term wins and commercial performance, i really can tell that Tennis still values the art and process of making music the most, which is something i really appreciate"
I remember hearing him play at Circoloco in Ibiza and later in the Loft in Amsterdam and thinking: 'fuck, I should've send him the tune I made last week.' When I came back home, I immediately put together a pack of tracks to send to him. Two were released as part of the Fabric release, and 4 of them are on this EP.
For me, this release is a next step in my career, and I'm happy and proud to be part of a label that is both legendary and super relevant in 2026."
Vinyl-only 7" dives deep into the PRINCE vault with two thick, funk edits. A-side mashes the PURPLE ONE with ANDERSON .PAAK, for an undeniable party starter. The flip strips it back to a raw drum machine workout, tailor made for boogie lovers. Tried and tested in clubs.
Santamaria Brothers are the latest incarnation of a lifelong musical journey rooted in rhythm, rebellion, and reinvention. The children of Peruvian and Ecuadorian immigrants to Australia, brothers Pat and Andrew Santamaria grew up steeped in the sounds and culture of Latin America - a deep inheritance that coloured everything they did, even as they moved through scenes and styles far from home.
In their youth, the brothers sharpened their first musical swords playing in globally touring indie bands. As the rhythm section of cult outfit Lost Valentinos, they had the opportunity to see the world and learn from the best; touring with, working alongside, and releasing music through the likes of Soulwax, Ewan Pearson, and Kitsuné. Taking those experiences home, they dove deep into the rave underground, co-founding of the crucial Sydney-centric techno label, warehouse party collective, and long-running radio show Motorik! In that guise,they helped shape the city’s electronic music scene over the past decade from the booth, the studio, the airwaves, and the street.
Now, after years behind the decks and on both sides of the mixing board, Santamaria Brothers return to their roots - releasing music under the family name for the first time. With We Got Latin Soul, they bring it all together on a 4-track EP of club-ready edits (via Sosilly Records). Reworking four towering figures of Latin soul; Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers, and Joe Bataan — the brothers inject each cut with tasteful touches of Balearic haze and chugging acid house pressure, honouring the originals while making them sing on today’s dancefloors.
This is Latin soul filtered through a unique blend of antipodean rave culture, crate-digging, and relentless reinvention. It’s joyful, percussive, and made for the club - a full-circle moment from two lifers forever finding new ways to move bodies.
Paul Weller releases Weller At The BBC (Vol.2) on Friday 24th April.
This second BBC outing gathers live session and live in concert performances, including intimate stripped back acoustic versions and re-workings of tracks across The Jam, The Style Council and Paul’s extensive solo career.
From timeless classics such as Start!, Shout To The Top and Wild Wood, to deep cuts and covers, like The Zombies’ Time Of The Season and Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For?
The album also features some beautifully orchestrated tracks with the London Metropolitan Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Hannah Peel, including Aspects, Boy About Town and Have You Ever Had It Blue.
Since 2020, 12 Inch Lovers have been releasing new samplers every year, eagerly anticipated by collectors. These samplers have now become a staple and are easily added to vinyl collections across Europe. They offer timeless classics and rare tracks that are often hard to find elsewhere.
With Samplers 11 & 12, they surprise again with a mix of modern classics and tracks that have never been released on vinyl or are difficult to find. By adding unique and exclusive tracks, the 12 Inch Lovers samplers remain innovative and high-quality. They are a must-have for DJs, collectors, and fans of contemporary classics!
SAMPLER 12
A1) Borai & Denham Audio - Make Me (original release 2023)
Released in 2023 on the British label Room Two Records (catalogue R212001) on twelve inch vinyl, Make Me combines breakbeat, house and speed garage with high energy, featuring clear use of Amen breaks, rumbling sub bass and sharp rave sounds. At the heart of the track lies an instantly recognisable vocal hook from the mid eighties, a sample taken from Donna Allen - Serious (1986). The result feels like a long forgotten rave anthem from the nineties wrapped in a modern sound.
The original twelve inch pressing quickly became a highly sought after collector's item and received a limited pink vinyl repress in 2025. This track, first issued only on orange vinyl in 2023, was officially re released once all samples were cleared. It has every ingredient of a future classic, a true underground anthem for fans of modern UK rave and jungle energy.
A2) Smoke City - Mr. Gorgeous (and Miss Curvaceous) (Mood II Swing Vocal Mix) (original release 1997)
Originally released in 1997 on the album Flying Away by Smoke City. The Mood II Swing Remix, produced by New York house duo John Ciafone and Lem Springsteen (also the producers behind Ultra Naté - Free), takes the song straight to the dance floor with a smooth groove, soulful vocals and a deep, hypnotic flow.
The iconic line "Cool and calm, Mr Gorgeous..." remains untouched, while the remix enriches the original Latin and trip hop influences of the band with that distinctive late nineties house atmosphere. The result is a timeless club favourite, almost nine minutes of pure vibe (the Mood II Swing Vocal Mix runs 9minutes and 20 seconds), adored by DJs who like to bring a touch of soul to their house sets.
Released on Jive Records, the track received great praise. Music Week highlighted its "tight ay ay ay hook" and noted that the Mood II Swing and Hyperspace mixes made it a real standout. The original version reached number one in Italy in 1997, and the Mood II Swing Remix has since gained cult status in the Belgian club scene and beyond as the perfect marriage between soul and dance floor energy.
B1) Chris Raven - I Know You Love Me Too (Bruce Norris Remix) (original release 1997)
Christian Raabe, better known as Chris Raven, is a German producer who made his name in the late nineties progressive trance scene.
The Bruce Norris Remix of I Know You Love Me Too (Additive Records, catalogue 12AD 027) first appeared in late 1997 and was officially released in early 1998. The remix builds an euphoric atmosphere witha beautiful melody, dreamy pads and powerful drums, all typical of the progressive trance sound of that period.
The track gained extra attention when it appeared on Northern Exposure 3: Expeditions by Sasha and John Digweed in 1999. Many fans first discovered it there (especially the Van Bellen Remix version), helping to cement the cult status of I Know You Love Me Too within the progressive and trance community.
B2) Grooveyard - Mary Go Wild (original release 1996)
One of the most recognisable and iconic club tracks in Belgian and Dutch underground house history is without a doubt Mary Go Wild, released in 1996 on EC Records. The track quickly became the defining anthem of the rave scene in the Low Countries.
With a raw groove around 133 BPM, pumping four to the floor drums and the hypnotic vocal sample "Mary... go wild!", the record set dance floors ablaze in the nineties. Producer Jeroen Verheij, also known as Secret Cinema (from the classic Timeless Attitude), perfectly captured the raw energy of the European house movement of that era.
To this day Mary Go Wild stands as a symbol of pure rave power, a timeless anthem that, as one Discogs collector put it, "still works on any dance floor." Original twelve inch pressings on EC Records and later issues on Blanco Y Negro are highly sought after, and the track remains a staple in retro house and classic DJ sets.
C1) Dave Swayze - Last Flight To Paris (original release 2000)
Dave Swayze, best known for his classic Goldwave, has several hidden gems to his name, and Last Flight To Paris is certainly one of them. Released in November 2000 on the Belgian label Yeti Records, the track is a subtle blend of trance and progressive house. It is known for its emotional melody, dreamy build up and strong percussion, built on the foundation of progressive trance but with thewarmth and groove of house.
At the time, Last Flight To Paris was frequently played by progressive trance DJs and soon became a cult favourite among vinyl collectors within the genre. Original pressings on Yeti Records are now extremely rare and much sought after. The mix of emotion, euphoria and timeless club energy makes Last Flight To Paris a hidden treasure from the late trance era of 1999 and 2000.
C2) Joe Goddard - Music Is The Answer (Hot Since 82 Remix) (original release 2017)
This remix by Hot Since 82 (Daley Padley, from Barnsley in the north of England) for Music Is The Answer by Joe Goddard is partly based on the original classic Celeda - Music Is The Answer (in the Danny Tenaglia Remix). It was released in February 2017 as a digital exclusive through Domino Records.
Hot Since 82 reworked the original, a vocal house track by Hot Chip member Joe Goddard, into a deep, grooving house track with a warm rolling bass line. The soulful vocals of Joe Goddard (featuring SLO) take on a subtle melancholic tone in his remix, creating a modern house classic filled with emotion and drive.
The remix became a major club favourite in 2017 and 2018, supported by leading names in the tech house scene and heard at festivals around the world. Interestingly, this popular version had never been released on vinyl, which only increased its cult status among collectors. Music Is The Answer (Hot Since 82 Remix) remained a digital classic for years, until now, finally available in this long awaited vinyl edition.
D1) Just A Man - I'm Sorry (Original Club Mix) (original release early 2000s)
The French project Just A Man consists of brothers Hervé and Nicolas Subrechicot. Their track I'm Sorry is an emotionally charged house record that perfectly captures the early 2000s club atmosphere.
Released in 2003, the song combines soulful male vocals with a warm, rhythmic production that blends UK garage and classic club house influences. The Original Club Mix (6 minutes and 14 seconds) builds gradually towards a powerful, uplifting climax, carried by rich chords and an irresistible groove.
Although I'm Sorry stayed somewhat under the radar at the time, it is regarded by connoisseurs as a hidden gem, a perfect balance of melody and groove. The twelve inch vinyl release (on RKG / Motor Music, 2003) is now hard to find and highly prized among vinyl and house collectors, which only adds to its appeal.
I'm Sorry embodies the pure sound of early 2000s vocal house: sincere, funky and danceable, with that unmistakable UK garage touch, even more evident in the G Box Garage Club Remix on the same EP. An unfairly overlooked track that has always remained a true timeless classic since the very beginning of 12 Inch Lovers.
D2) Teddy Pendergrass -Life Is A Song Worth Singing (Jamie Jones Remix) (original release 2019)
In 2019 Jamie Jones breathed new life into the classic soul song by Teddy Pendergrass with a contemporary house rework. The remix was released in March 2019 as part of the digital EP Mixmag Presents: Teddy Pendergrass - The Remixes, issued in honour of the documentary If You Don't Know Me, a film about the rise of Teddy Pendergrass, the first African American male artist to achieve five consecutive platinum albums in the United States during the seventies.
Jamie Jones stayed true to the feel good essence of the 1978 original but wrapped it in a modern club sound, with pulsing synths, a warm rolling groove and a tight four to the floor beat providing the perfect base for Teddy's powerful and instantly recognisable voice.
The result is a captivating, soulful house track that effortlessly bridges past and present without losing the emotional power of Pendergrass's vocal delivery.
Despite its widespread popularity in the international club scene, where it became a favourite among DJs who love to blend soul with house, this remix never had a physical vinyl release. Until now, with its long awaited appearance on 12 Inch Lovers Sampler 12.
Jess Sah Bi is well-known as half of the legendary duo Jess Sah Bi & Peter One who brought homegrown Country-Americana to the West African masses with their smash debut Our Garden Needs Its Flowers in the mid-1980s. Touring stadiums and reaching listeners worldwide, their music has racked up millions of spins on YouTube and remains imprinted in the hearts of Ivorians of a certain age. ATFA reissued their album in 2018, garnering critical acclaim from publications including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone and reaching a new generation of listeners outside Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). Sometime in the early 90s, Die Sahbi - or Jesse, as he known to friends-became gravely ill with an unknown ailment and almost died. He visited various doctors and all kinds of religious healers and nothing helped. One day he went down to an Evangelical Christian revival in his neighborhood. They prayed over him and he was delivered. He says, "Their prayers helped chase out whatever demons and unhealthy spirits were inside me. After that my illness went away. When I went to the United States a few months later on an exchange program I wanted to make music to thank God because I was saved." He recorded an album of music praising God in order to honor a promise he made to himself at the depths of his desperation in the hospital. The album Jesus-Christ Ne Deçoit Pas Jesus Christ Does Not Let Us Down came out in 1991 and sold around 3000 cassettes in Ivory Coast. The master tape was lost along the way so the recording has never been on digital platforms until now. Jesse didn't have much time to record while visiting South Carolina, hence the relatively short album, 6 songs including two reprises for filler. A local pastor connected him with a studio and some American musicians (Robert Fortner and Gary Davis) to help. They added acoustic guitar, percussion and keyboard accompaniment to Jesse's soaring French and Gouro vocals, harmonica and finger-picked acoustic. The resulting recording is deeply soothing and contemplative music that perfectly compliments the songs already embraced by millions. But he had to find the rest of the studio expenses-$600 total-which he secured drawing cartoons for UNICEF. Jesse is Ivory Coast's first political cartoonist, a vocation for which he was widely celebrated at the time. It also made him a few enemies which lead to him leaving the country permanently a few years later. Jesus-Christ Ne Deçoit Pas is Jess Sah Bi's first and only gospel album. Fortunately, fans responded with enthusiasm: widespread radio airplay and concerts followed, along with a growing solo profile in the country. The first big gospel artists in Ivory Coast were the duo Mathieu et Constance, who emerged in 1989. There was a bigger gospel music movement in English-speaking counties like Ghana and Nigeria (Christians make up roughly 40% of the population in Ivory Coast, slightly less than Muslims). Jesse didn't have any intention of working in Christian music but he realized, "You don't make music to make money-you want to send a message." In the years since Jesus-Christ's release, gospel music in Ivory Coast has grown to become a key part of music culture in the country. Spiritual music appears in community actives across the public and private spectrum from religious gatherings and parties to television broadcasts and music festivals. And, as it has evolved and indigenized locally, gospel music has picked up elements of traditional Ivorian music, reggae and soul. The album ultimately precipitated the demise of the duo, who were soon separated geographically as Peter One relocated to Nashville. He went on to become a nurse and release a successful solo album on Verve following the ATFA collaboration. Nowadays Jesse lives in the Bay Area and continues to record and perform music wherever and whenever he has the chance. He is publishing a new book of humorous cartoons in 2025 and his most recent album Never Give Up came out in 2020
Discover the next release on Fantastic Friends, by Chris Llopis, a track tailor-made for the dancefloor. This minimal track, both punchy and hypnotic, embodies a streamlined aesthetic where every element is precisely in its place. Driven by a sharp rhythm and a subtly evolving energy, it instantly captures the attention of fans of cutting-edge sounds.
Complementing this, a remix by Nicolas Duvoisin enriches the release with a minimal house-oriented approach. True to his signature style, he offers a rhythmic and immersive reinterpretation, blending delicate textures with a driving groove, ideal for high-energy club moments.
Aimed proudly presents its ninth release, welcoming Lithuanian artist Tourman to the label.
The EP features four dancefloor-ready tracks, each with its own distinct character, crafted to elevate the energy and transform any party into a full-blown celebration.
Tourman’s signature sound fuses nostalgic rave aesthetics, acid-laced grooves, and vintage drum machine textures. He effortlessly blends the spirit of '90s and early-2000s house with a sleek, modern progressive twist.
Having already made his mark on esteemed imprints such as SpaceWax, Trance Atlantyk, Pluto’s Plan, and Neptune Discs, Tourman continues to prove his ability to ignite dancefloors while captivating listeners with hypnotic soundscapes.
Wabi Sabi Records is a new house music label based on analog sounds, raw grooves, and the beauty of flaws. It’s all about ephemeral and fleeting moments. Made for the dance floor, not for perfection.
The Ensō series is a various-artist collection exploring all the different shades of house music. The first release, “Neon Dream,” dives into the deep and groovy side of the genre.
Hekt's debut album Forever is released 1st May 2026 on Numbers, with the first single "Someday" featuring Valeria Litvakov out now.
Made with his friends Henriette Motzfeldt & Catharina Stoltenberg (solo and together as Smerz), Copenhagen-based composer/producer Fine Glindvad (who records as Fine), and Valeria Litvakov, Forever is built around juxtaposition: pop and bass brushing shoulders with dopamine fueled EDM. The record is a funhouse of mirrors where polystyrene arpeggios skitter underneath uplifting chords.
As Hekt describes the record: "Forever is desire and digital synthesis, car rides and lingering perfume. It’s missing someone who was never really there, holding on to something you didn’t want in the first place. The songs you hear when you’re falling in love on the dancefloor, and the songs you hear when you open your eyes and realize it’s just you alone with the DJ, the last one to leave. Songs to make out and break up to. A party so good you get depressed it can’t last forever."
Forever is a continuation of Hekt's work exploring the emotional core of pop music. "Someday" is the soundtrack to a hundred imagined futures with strangers in the club, as pristine arps and heartswelling chords skitter under Valeria Litvakov's ruminations, both lovestruck and terrified. Smerz add a level of fantastic to the slanted otherworldly pop of "Up in the Air, So" and "Forever." On both tracks, the melodies are squishy and impressionistic, the sound of all those memories we make in dance floors, taxis home, and in the blurry morning sunshine as we adjust to reality.
And while guest vocalists abound on Forever, Hekt also takes a turn at the mic himself. On "Without You" he shakes up a perfectly mixed cocktail of melancholy and beauty. And on "Promise" his voice is turned into another melodic accent against the fragile IDM sound design. Elsewhere he turns up the aggro. Dueting with Catharina Stoltenberg on Boys Noize's secret weapon, "Anytime Anywhere," the two trade bars across a compressed field of static and feedback while little hints of sub and wiry synths circle the edge of the stereo.
Hekt's music has always attempted to redefine what club music can and might be. This reimagining of the very basic building blocks of the dance floor is felt across Forever where he leans into the emotions of 2010s EDM. "What I loved about hardstyle and jumpstyle was the emotional intensity that kind of music can bring if you’re in the right setting. And I think that is what has stuck with me from EDM too. Emotional intensity," he explains. "It’s just been the soundtrack to some of the most fun moments in my life." On "But I Can't Really Show You," he compresses the EDM-era into 3-minutes. Vocal catharsis, dubstep womp, and soaring chords make it sound like the entirety of Tomorrowland being processed through MAX/MSP. This Skrillex-meets-Calvin Harris colossus is designed to destroy every sub woofer as it pulls on every last heart string.
And then there are the straight-up club stompers. "Baby" is UK club music reimagined with the steely lines of Danish modernism - think DJ Q going b2b with Errorsmith. It has a bassline made out of flubber with a vocal chopped beyond recognition as it bounces across chromatic synth lines. Even when he strips things down on the slinky garage-esque "Big Things," there are still unexpected twists and turns. The melody sounds like an Ibiza House compilation played in reverse, alongside drums that swing in and out of psilocybin bleeps and bloops. On other tracks like "Dream" and "You Won't Believe," the tropes of dance musics past, present, and future are dissolved in baths of synthesis and polished sound design.
Forever is a record where club music and Scandinavian EDM seamlessly mixes into avant-garde pop. Hekt has crafted singular and unclassifiable love songs alongside effortless bangers, making an ode to those eternal dance floor moments where time stops and you start hoping for something big.
Having tirelessly contributed to shaping the UK dance music over the past decades, Special Request needs no introduction. From the underground and resurgences of Jungle all the way through to major Pop music projects, this man can do it all. Timedance welcomes Paul Woolford's infamous alias for the first time here, unleashing the devastating “Uncanny Valley”. Woolford combines his signature comb filter rave synths alongside cavernous breaks for ultimate mindf*ck peak time energy, anticipation has been huge for this one since Paul showcased the track on his social media last year to a huge response.
Alongside the original “Uncanny Valley” comes alongside remixes from two of maddest breaks scientists in our address book. Timedance stalwart Metrist nods to his love of hi-tech neurofunk with devestating technicality and flair, whilst gyrofield adds a more hypnotic and psychedelic angle, leaning into the eeriness of the original.
Proper dancefloor wreckage here from a real power trio.
DAYBREAKERS back diggin’ deeper for DBR007, shining light on one of house music’s most underrated, James N Tinsley aka The Nathaniel X Project. The Resurface EP brings together two lost moments from 1993 alongside two brand new recordings from 2025 — the same spirit, three decades apart, all previously unreleased.
Back in the early 90s, Nathaniel X was crafting stripped back, deep house with a real feeling. Raw drum machines, deep chords. The kind of records DJs held onto.
The 1993 cuts carry that untouched energy, made at the same time as his self titled EP. Direct & deep. Fast forward to 2025 and nothing’s really changed. The new tracks continue where he left off. That signature Nathaniel X sound.
This year marks 10 year of Madback Records and we've invited some of our favorite artists to the roster.
Both part 1 & 2 will be available as picture disks.
Don't miss out on these collector items!
Mood Child returns with Various Moods Vol. 5, a razor-sharp six-track album curated by Manda Moor and Sirus Hood. Bringing together some of their biggest weapons in their sets, the release delivers a standout selection of special records and high-impact dancefloor cuts from a finely tuned cast of artists.
Built with the club in mind, Various Moods Vol. 5 moves through deep, rolling grooves, stripped-back minimal flavours and tougher tech-driven moments, with each track carrying its own identity while hitting with real force. The result is a versatile and powerful package made for peak-time pressure, late-night sessions and serious selectors.
The release marks the return of Antss, Paul C and Francis De Simone, while also welcoming RSquared and Drumcapelli for their first outing on Mood Child. Adding further weight to the project is a standout contribution from highly respected UK artist wAFF, rounding out a release full of character, energy and club-ready impact.
In just five years, The Spy has gone from underground newcomer to one of the most talked-about names in the European electro and EBM dark electro scene. Early releases on Osáre Editions and Mechatronica quickly placed him on the radar of forward-thinking clubs and selectors across Europe. Now landing on Oráculo Records, he presents his most wave-driven and club-oriented material to date: pure, physical electro built for dark rooms and late hours. Driving basslines and sharp machine rhythms—infused with subtle, classic post-punk tension—define a sound that connects the dancefloor with the shadows, drawing clear parallels to artists like L.F.T, Credit 00 or Gesloten Cirkel. This is music made to move bodies without sacrificing attitude—raw, confrontational, and far removed from formulaic club clichés. Five years in, the message is clear: this is not hype, but momentum—an artist fully in command of a modern electro language built for the underground. Presented in ONE-OFF truly limited edition of 300 copies lacquered pressed on 180 gr. high quality solid BLACK vinyl. All tracks have been specially remastered and mastered for vinyl by Daniel Hallhuber at Young and Cold Studios (Germany).
Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, Tanoshii Crew returns with an extraordinary new musical connection from Yamato, released through Tanoshii Records. In the summer of ’24, the label made its debut with the City Pop 1994 EP by Rukatama — marking Tama-chan’s very first vinyl release outside Japan. Now, the Italian collective presents something truly distinctive: a carefully curated vinyl compilation celebrating a wide spectrum of musical styles, designed to delight devoted record collectors and adventurous listeners alike — perfectly embodied by the Japanese word Tanoshikatta (“it was fun” / “a joyful experience”).
Charlotte de Witte announces three brand new tracks in the form of her richly resonant EP ‘Amor’, out April 30th on her KNTXT imprint. The vinyl will include an additional Instrumental Mix of her track ‘O Movimento’.
The world's number one techno artist recently celebrated her 15th career anniversary with two monumental Flanders Expo 23k capacity performances, her long-awaited debut album (plus a new Deluxe Edition), and press support from Vogue, Grammy Museum, BBC 6 Music, DJ Mag (with cover), Mixmag, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Zane Lowe, Clash, Flood Magazine (cover).
‘Amor’ EP: each track features the breathy, full-toned vocals and Portuguese lyrics of CERES. The Brazilian singer, DJ & producer favours techno with tasty slices of UKG. Add to that, subtle motifs link the three tracks, giving the impression they form a suite. ‘This EP is inspired by my love for Portugal and Brazil, the countries, the people, the food, the culture. Made with lots of amor.’ - Charlotte de Witte
Title track ‘Amor’ (feat. CERES) delivers a galloping beat starred with spacey FX, as a hoover siren builds tension and CERES begins her rhyming chant. A sprinkle of acid becomes a sulphuric tidal wave. Next, ‘Sem Ar’ (feat. CERES): ‘Airless’; frantic rattling percussion overlays the fast beat to breakbeat-adjacent. CERES’ resonant voice is showcased in an acapella breakdown before her soulful voice becomes an acid robot’s, sharp and penetrating. Finally, ‘O Movimento’ (feat. CERES); ‘Movement/motion’, speeding beat with hi-hat backbeat duels with CERES’ voice, now sounding almost breathless, before acid filters in as the track builds.
Rigetto is a natural reflex of expulsion, and it is from this concept that the label is inspired.
Founded by DJ and producer CUT, aka Luca D'Elia Fiorenzano, Rigetto is a personal and direct space where sound becomes a silent way of exposing oneself. More than a defined genre, it is an attitude: a techno free from rigid structures, influenced by human movement, interaction, and the surrounding sonic matter, where elements of techno, ambient, and natural soundscapes meet and transform.
The first release, Rigetto 01, represents the starting point of this path: a first statement of intent that introduces the label's sonic identity, made of essential rhythms, subtle tensions, and immersive atmospheres where sound becomes a physical and perceptual experience.
Made up of Matt Tuck, Michael ‘Padge’ Paget, Jamie Mathias, and Jason Bowld, Bullet For My Valentine return with their 8th album ‘Social Apocalypse’. The band have accrued multimillion album sales, multibillion streaming numbers, multiple Gold certifications at home and abroad, plus three UK Album Chart and Billboard 200 Top 10 placement.
Thematically, ‘Social Apocalypse’ combines the bare-faced lyrical introspection of people weathered and worn by the modern world. Working once more with producer Carl Bown – a veteran of four Bullet albums, alongside work with Sleep Token, While She Sleeps,
Malevolence and more – the idea for each track was diligently scrutinized, constructed and polished to its immaculate final form.
The track ‘Social Apocalypse’, rages against the end of the world as we know it, ‘I Don’t Trust Tomorrow’ is a reflection on the fear of the unknown labelled as the heaviest Bullet song ever complete with a hair-raising vocal turn from Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos. The second collaboration features Against The Current vocalist Chrissy Costanza also stepping in to duet on the exceptional ‘In The Absence Of You’.
Reminiscent of the band’s storied past without ever being repetitive of it, it’s with a steelyeyed determination to break new ground that the beloved hallmarks of Bullet For My Valentine past and present – Acid Rain and Fragile’s rapid-fire riffage, the melodic sensibility of Masquerade and Never Enough, and the anthemic balladry of Read Between The Lines and Here Without You – are refocused and re-energized for the future.
Bullet For My Valentine have established themselves as one of Britain’s all-time most celebrated rock and metal exports and now enter the dawning of a new era with the same burning drive and vision as ever.
Made up of Matt Tuck, Michael ‘Padge’ Paget, Jamie Mathias, and Jason Bowld, Bullet For My Valentine return with their 8th album ‘Social Apocalypse’. The band have accrued multimillion album sales, multibillion streaming numbers, multiple Gold certifications at home and abroad, plus three UK Album Chart and Billboard 200 Top 10 placement.
Thematically, ‘Social Apocalypse’ combines the bare-faced lyrical introspection of people weathered and worn by the modern world. Working once more with producer Carl Bown – a veteran of four Bullet albums, alongside work with Sleep Token, While She Sleeps,
Malevolence and more – the idea for each track was diligently scrutinized, constructed and polished to its immaculate final form.
The track ‘Social Apocalypse’, rages against the end of the world as we know it, ‘I Don’t Trust Tomorrow’ is a reflection on the fear of the unknown labelled as the heaviest Bullet song ever complete with a hair-raising vocal turn from Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos. The second collaboration features Against The Current vocalist Chrissy Costanza also stepping in to duet on the exceptional ‘In The Absence Of You’.
Reminiscent of the band’s storied past without ever being repetitive of it, it’s with a steelyeyed determination to break new ground that the beloved hallmarks of Bullet For My Valentine past and present – Acid Rain and Fragile’s rapid-fire riffage, the melodic sensibility of Masquerade and Never Enough, and the anthemic balladry of Read Between The Lines and Here Without You – are refocused and re-energized for the future.
Bullet For My Valentine have established themselves as one of Britain’s all-time most celebrated rock and metal exports and now enter the dawning of a new era with the same burning drive and vision as ever.
After years of shaping his sound, Makz steps forward with his debut EP. No big statements, just four tracks that speak for themselves.
On the A side, Clubmate sets things in motion with a steady drive. Execution Style follows up with heavy drums and a rolling bassline that keeps pushing forward.
On the flip, Ferro brings his own take on Clubmate. His DDC Tornado remix pulls the track into a deeper, more hypnotic space, made for those later hours.
B2, 926813, is a small nod to The Set Crew. Light in name, but the track itself carries real weight.
No gimmicks, no extras. Just honest house music, built for the floor.
Horsemen make their debut on Small Great Things with Southbound, a warm and colourful EP made to ease the winter blues.
Drawing from a wide palette of house influences, the record showcases the duo’s versatility and depth beyond a single formula. The release follows Horsemen’s first year as residents at Small Great House, the label’s monthly party at OXI Berlin, including its beloved summer open airs that helped shape the sound of this EP. Southbound also introduces their first collaboration with vocalist Guya.
While the A-side sets a relaxed tone with disco and jazzy influences, perfect for those summer open-airs, the B-side shifts firmly into club territory, delivering two dancefloor-proven cuts for the night.
The A-side opens with Make Me Feel Excited, an almost disco-tinged summer anthem driven by a distinctive sample. It is followed by Napoliballa, featuring Guya on vocals, a sun-soaked jazzy track with playful rhythms. The side closes with Lighter Days, a moody piano-led track that adds a deeper, more dreamy tone.
The B-side moves into club territory, with Running offering a driving, floor-focused cut led by a bold organ hook, followed by a faster, more club-oriented version of Napoliballa.
"After being praised as one of the best releases of 2025 by multiple platforms, the highly praised debut album from Obeka lands on vinyl via YUKU.
The rhythmic dynamics and emotive attitudes of A World No More captures the density of soundsystem culture in Obeka's ancestral roots. YUKU presents the Bermudians debut album capturing a Neo-Colonial dystopia, protest and Afro-Futurism hyperextended through decaying sonic structures of a dark past and its grievances which very much exist today.
Growing into adulthood within the walls of British and European Colonial systems meant the disconnection and lostness in a new country hid me from the world at a young age. Unlike London's vast and culturally engaging migrant communities, the industrial milling town of Stockport introduced a coldness towards people from other countries I experienced in my first year after relocating from Bermuda. I couldn't understand why. Whether cold words thrown towards me or actions upon other people who look like me, it has shown to be a dooming societal virus with no cure. The most comfort was found through what was familiar - drums and rhythmic spirituality of my homeland. It was a safe-haven, a place to empty the anger and confusion. It's been 15 years since relocating and as my sound evolved, it seems classism, racism, oppression and civil control of ethnic peoples has become worse - even now more legalised and normalised. Ogun (a powerful Yoruba deity associated with anger, justice and war) acts as the opening sequence of the record and its symbolism. Using distorted bass frequencies and dissected Regga-Dub immersed in live-sampled ghostly voices of the lost ones. This sonic exercising is also applied in Drillaman - a stampede of industrial framework and metallic instruments wielded over moody Dancehall MC'ing, magnifying two parallel worlds in cocooned evolution. The resurrection of Transatlantic African cultures and identity have never been silenced, rather carried elsewhere through trade routes of enslavement, which was pivotal when composing and completing the album upon returning home to the Caribbean for the first time ever. After reconnecting with my heritage my blurred vision of what's wrong in the world became so clear. Guidance in empty plains seek truth throughout the pain - A statement of finding oneself expressed on the poetic closing track A World No More.
On Fawohodie (A West African Adinkra symbol that represents independence, freedom, and emancipation stamped on the album cover) the motive and atmosphere begins to change. Afro-Caribbean idealism which refers to the philosophical concept that emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of community, often contrasting with Western individualism, begins to take shape in a new universe. We can co-exist. The track framework uses machine-led software forming frequencies we have no control over, then manipulated through decomposing soundscapes, scattered hand-drums and human-made weapons of control - exposing the hidden disparity that's been carried over generations whilst balancing hopeful and musical foundations towards equality and peace. On Pressure and Kuduro! the writing direction attempts to wake people up. Not settling for a composed approach like in past projects, quite the opposite. A call for native sonic awareness, dismantled vocals of protests, eroded percussion using chains, gears and motorised harmonies sculpted in challenging abstract behaviors far outside my comfort zone. A direct abrasiveness and weight I want people to feel, whilst finding hope and solace through enchanting choirs and hypnotic basslines in complete synchrony.
"Purity in sound manifests when you least expect it. The smallest memory or feeling grows from a seed into a sonic language that you, and only you can interpret and release back into the world." "
Gap Mangione's monumentally influential Diana In The Autumn Wind. AKA BEWITH200LP. And, without question, Be With's White Whale.
They said it could never be done. And with good reason.
We've spent the past 12 years trying to license this legendary 1968 recording from Gap and, after much work, it's finally here. Remarkably, this is the first ever vinyl reissue of Gap Mangione's Diana In The Autumn Wind, produced with the full and extensive participation of Gap. An exceedingly rare album, it's been coveted by funk, soul, jazz and hip-hop sample fiends for decades.
It's unarguably *the* most sought after album for J Dilla / Madlib sample collectors. It has also been brilliantly sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, Large Professor, Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar and Talib Kweli.
But this record is so much more than a sample-spotters curio. It's solid gold throughout. Bursting with killer funky-jazz grooves and tracks adorned with warm electric piano, the release is notable for featuring some extremely significant players at the very outset of their careers; Tony Levin, at 21, whose superb playing on both acoustic and electric bass was the harmonic mainstay of the trio and Steve Gadd, at 23, one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
With acceptable copies of this holy grail changing hands for $400, to call this reissue "much-needed" underplays just how vital it is. Gap's story is told in his words alongside rare photos across a sumptuously designed 2-page insert and, to augment this deluxe edition further, its all wrapped up in a beautiful, no-expense-spared luxury tip-on sleeve, as per the original hens-teeth release. And, while we're talking packaging, just take a look at that cover - a work of art in and of itself.
The tracks are short but complex, with that extraordinary rhythm section backing the beautiful piano, organ and electric piano work of Gap. It's like the best ever library funk breaks record you never heard - but all your favourite golden age rap producers were all over it, long ago. It's a stunning blend of the vibrant, driving music of the Gap Mangione Trio coupled with the sensitive composition and superb orchestration of Gap's legendary brother, Chuck Mangione, who helmed an amalgam of seemingly disparate elements – rock, big band jazz, solo improvisation and "classical" music - into a spectacularly cohesive whole that has aged wonderfully well. As Gap himself notes in the liners, "with this group I was able to explore and add new and exciting elements from rock, Brazilian and then-current pop music."
Opener "Boy With Toys" triumphantly swaggers out the gate, all big band horns, flutes and dextrous organ work. The synthesis of everything going on is nothing short of stunning. When one wise YouTube commentator called this tune "old school superhero music", Gap agreed. Rap luminaries did, too, amongst them Talib Kweli, who rapped over DJ Scratch's chopped up intro for "Shock Body" on his Quality album back in 2002.
You've barely recovered from that incredibly affecting opener when you get hit over the head with the exquisite title-track. And now you see how two of the greatest beats of all time emerged from one single track produced nearly 50 years earlier. Unforgettably utilised by Dilla for Slum Village's heartbreakingly good "Fall In Love" and then Madlib for his "Official" beat for Dilla to rap over, on the Jaylib record. Regardless of the records it went on to spawn, this is just a staggering tune in its own right. Be beguiled by the flutes and the flutter tonguing, the counter-melody from the trombones, the soprano sax solo. All of it. Simply beautiful.
The questing organ and horn workout "Long Hair Soulful" deserves a lot more attention, overshadowed somewhat by the opening two monsters but no less fantastic. It swings, it grooves and Gadd and Levin truly cook. Up next, Gap's wonderfully percussive, mellifluously piano-heavy cover of "Yesterday" by some fellas called The Beatles. It's a subtly arresting gem. "The XIth Commandment" is damn fine, with thick, gorgeous electric piano and snappy drum work underpinning chaotic soundtracky horns. To close out the side, "St. Thomas" showcases the "fourth" member of the Gap Mangione Trio, conga drummer Dhui Mandingo. Having performed with the Trio since 1965, Dhui‘s African-based and jazz-latin-influenced style amazed listeners and its way to hear why.
Opening the B-Side, standard "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" breezes along in the late-night jazz club fashion before things get super deep with the outstanding and - up to now - un-sampled "Pond With Swans". It's simply heavenly, and how its moody, melancholic intro has yet to be pilfered is anybody's guess. It oscillates between gentle, sombre movements and bombastic grooves, equally hypnotic and joyous. The rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" is yet another showcase for Gap's virtuoso playing and Gadd's mastery of the pocket. Indeed Gadd's drumming on "Free Again" is nothing short of neck-SNAPPING! Ghostface took it for not one but two "Iron's Theme" tracks across his seminal Supreme Clientele. It's got that Galt MacDermot "Coffee Cold" feel. Suuuuuper cool. The frantic "Dream On Little Dreamer" hurtles along and must've surely had the whole room absolutely swinging from the chandeliers back in Rochester in the late 60s. The album closes with the magnificent Graduate Medley, featuring memorable renditions of "Scarborough Fair", "The Sounds of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson". The warm electric piano lines of the former were sampled by The Ummah (Dilla again!) for Tribe's "Pad & Pen" from their reappraised final album, The Love Movement, as well as by Large Professor on his much-loved "The LP (For My People)".
Under the watchful eye - and extremely attentive ears - of Gap Mangione himself, the audio for Diana In The Autumn Wind has been carefully remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, with a few much needed tweaks here and there, according to the artist's wishes. At the prestigious Abbey Road Studios, Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at the always stellar Record Industry in Holland. The artwork restoration has taken place here at Be With HQ and has that drop-dead gorgeous cover artwork popping like new. Buy on sight!
