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The Mental Groove Classic series returns with a treasure trove of rare and hard to find tracks plucked from the personal collection of label founder Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene.

On Volumes Two and Three of the series - the first installment hit stores in 2017 - the Mental Groove and Musique Pour La Danse label founder takes us back to the turn of the '90s, a time he spent promoting parties in fields, squats, forests, warehouses and former factories in and around Geneva and behind the counter of a record shop of the same name. While others in Switzerland's emerging dance music scene gravitated towards US house and garage, Olivier and his crew opted for a bass, breaks and techno-focused sound inspired by regular trips to clubs, raves and record shops in the UK.

Drawing directly from his own record box and a memory bank full of snapshots of euphoric dancefloor moments, Mental Groove Classics volumes Two and Three sees Olivier reaching for cuts of near-mythical rarity, genuinely overlooked gems, and undeniably brilliant tracks that have left a long-lasting impression on the local raving landscape. It's an autobiographical audio document, historical archive and personal musical statement all rolled into one, inspired by a moment in time where musical boundaries were being redrawn in a wave of carefree optimism and freedom inspired new rave scenes across Europe and far beyond.



Matt Anniss

Original artwork by Soho's Brain Club co-owner and artist of early British club culture Mark Wigan.

File under house, breakbeat, techno and warehouse rave music

DJ Support: David Morales, David Penn, Kevin Yost, Mark Knight, Michael Gray, CJ Mckintosh, Hector Romero, Marc Cotterell, DJ Meme, Melvo Baptist, Seamus Haji, Dr. Packer, Dj Romain, Angelo Ferreri and many others.

From 1990 to 1994 Irma Records Italy was on a top level with house music. 'Alright Alright' by Centric House was one of the main successful projects of that years. 30 years later Groove Culture bosses Micky More & Andy Tee pay tribute to the pioneers, restoring this amazing track in a modern way but keeping the main beautiful ingredients. On The Flip We have A super team-work made by MM & AT, Don Carlos and Chaka Khan’s Sister Taka Boom, who provides a new version of 'The Music Of Your Mind', here vibes are more disco-house with epic piano chords and fire bass notes, everything melt and arranged smoothly around the powerful vocals of Taka Boom.

Hailing from Normandy (France), YOU SAID STRANGE offer an indie rock sound made up of psych pop-rock, shoegaze and proto-grunge. The band's music is the work of passionate musicians, combining the dazzling power of their instruments and the union of their voices to create a fusion of melancholy and energy. The band recorded their 1st album, Salvation Prayer, in 2018 in Portland (USA), with Peter G. Holmstrom from The Dandy Warhols. Seduced, the iconic Kevin Cole invites them to perform live in the studios of the prestigious KEXP radio, where their next project will emerge. At the end of 2021, Thousand Shadows Vol.1 is released. Then, after defending it on European and American stages, comes its sequel Thousand Shadows Vol.2 in 2023.

"TRADE YOUR SOUL" plunges us into the complex exploration of human relationships, love, trust and disillusionment, addressing several universal themes in an introspective way. This post-rock tale unfolds as a metaphorical journey of spirituality through life's most intense and intimate emotions and experiences.

YOU SAID STRANGE continues to combine abstract and concrete indie rock with psych-rock, post-punk, shoegaze and indus, inviting listeners to reflect ever more deeply. Nevertheless, "TRADE YOUR SOUL" marks a significant milestone for the band, with a more striking musical approach and a number of innovations, while remaining the work of passionate musicians who combine the dazzle of instruments and the union of voices to fuse melancholy and energy.

Settle Down made 2023 his own. And with an ever higher purpose, he strides into 2024 in his now trademark inimitable style with a proper double A 12” in the shape of ‘The Special’ and ‘Twos On A Pack Of Ten’.

They mark the second foray on the artists newly minted label, SDWN. And they are also the first Settle Down release since his slew of debut releases last year, and signify the beginning of what’s about to be a sonic assault from a prolific and dedicated artist.

With these tracks already on dub for some time, and now finally to be released into the wild, both sides have seen heavy rotation from a who’s who of discerning DJs, featuring in a host of high profile sets, and look set to cause further damage in the near future.

2023 was quite the introduction to Settle Down. But in 2024 Settle Down is looking to raise the bar even higher, and SDWN002 is just the start of what’s to come.

Heels & Souls Recordings roll into reissue number eight with a double dose of early '90s UK street soul magic, splitting the sides between two sought-after cuts from Elaine Vassell and 3rd Zone.

Step back to 1993, house music has hit, UK Soul is in full flow and its rawer, DIY street soul sibling is making its mark across the UK’s underground. Fuelled by accessible, affordable production gear and ignited through enthusiasm and an influx of ideas and sounds, two acts drew inspiration from a melting pot of genres they were exposed to, providing their take on soul as they saw it.

Up first, Elaine Vassell - ‘Never Give Up’. A rough breakbeat-driven, mid-tempo groover from a North West London production triple threat, made up of Longsy D, Pinky and Murray. Utilising Pinky’s home studio with its DX7, Juno 106, LinnDrum and 808, they masterminded a track that sits at the intersection between soulful house, hip hop and R&B. Its crunching drum loop, chest-rattling low-end and serene synth lines, lay the foundation for Elaine’s powerful yet emotive voice to take centre stage. ‘Never Give Up’ should have been a future classic, but never quite found its feet.

On the flip side another 1993 gem, as Sansel Ali and twin brothers Mark and Stephen Anglin joined forces to form 3rd Zone. Conceived in Mark’s makeshift bedroom studio, the trio laid down their first foray into recorded music, ‘You Stole My Heart’. Originally promoed as a limited whitelabel in 1991, it officially landed on the group's one and only EP ‘No Real Reason' in '93.

Armed with a handful of synth modules, a drum machine and a Korg M1, Mark, Stephen and Sansel hit with a tough but tender, underground triumph. Part dance, part romance, layering synth strings, chunky breaks and M1 stabs underneath Sansel’s heartstrung vocals and Stephen’s hip house rap interlude, it provides another perfect example of house seen through the street soul prism.

Two timeless tracks that fly the flag for the fact that big studios and big budgets aren't necessary to create songs that really resonate. Each side also contains an alternate version, with the A housing a beatless reprise of ‘Never Give Up’ and the B a tougher, bassier remix of ‘You Stole My Heart’.

Licensed from Pinky Music and 3rd Zone respectively and remastered from the original DATs by Justin Drake.

After 10 years of Freakadelle Recordings and an even longer existence of the eponymous association, the time has come for the Salzburg collective to make a change and release its first record under their new imprint vierundvierzig.

It also marks the first solo release by Mad Rider named "fmrann8", which contains 7 tracks that originated during the pandemic and were finalized after the opening of the clubs. These two different states - undecided whether we want to dance or go into hiding – are not only reflected in the music, they are also made visible in the cover design, which can appear colourful and monotonous at the same time.

On the one hand, you can hear the longing for long club nights from a time when going to the club was not possible. On the other hand, the deceleration holds us as if we were sitting on fluffy clouds, not knowing what Mad Rider's modular synthesizer, fed with unconventional drums and field recordings, or the future will bring next.

There’s something to be said for getting noticed, for standing out from the crowd. West London’s T.Williams is one of those people, having accomplished a full sweep of merited recognition over the years. Emerging onto the house scene in 2010, T.Williams instantly marked himself as a breakthrough artist with a difference; his unique take on house music turning heads.

Far from a newcomer, his path as a musical artist started in the grime scene as Dread.D. Signed at the tender age of 17 with grime anthem Invasion on Jon E Cash’s Black Ops label, Williams went on to have mass success in the grime and bass world selling thousands of singles worldwide. After a five-year reign, Williams found himself veering towards the world of house music. With a new found love for the sound and its sub-genres, T.Williams forged a signature sound influenced by his grime days, jungle, and garage. With a style that undoubtedly impacts, T.Williams’ crossover has been the catalyst for his success. Not only rife with groove and feeling but meticulously produced and engineered with deep rumbling basslines, the unapologetic bounce of grime and smooth vocals that bleed through African infused percussion work.

While in 2010 the industry took note when hit record ‘Heartbeat’ featuring vocalist Terri Walker made an impression, it was throughout 2011 that T.Williams defined himself - releasing solo works on his imprint Local Action and Pattern with remixes for Maya Jane Coles, Ben Westbeech and Skream. Not stopping at pricking the ears of fellow artists and those on the dancefloor, the end of 2011 saw Williams nominated for ‘Best Breakthrough DJ’ by DJ Mag, ‘DJ Stars of 2012’ by Time Out and featured in The Guardian.

Two relationships came to the forefront in 2012 that propelled Williams to greater heights. The first was his weekly show on legendary London station, Rinse FM and the second, Williams’ relationship with label PMR through his remix of Javeon McCarthy’s ‘Lost Time’. The remix was named Record of the Week by BBC Radio 1 and supported by tastemakers Annie Mac and Fearne Cotton. From here T. signed to the label exclusively releasing his debut EP for the label in September 2012, and in the process receiving further support from BBC Radio 1. Further remixes of Mikky Ekko, Wretch 32 and Lianne La Havas followed suit, as well as his biggest to date - Disclosure’s ‘Latch’. Powering dancefloors across the globe, T. went on to play three US tours, numerous festival stages, and deliver a second EP on PMR titled ‘Feelings Within’. The EP once again spanned a number of bases, from club bangers to heartfelt vocal driven tracks alike. Gaining his own monthly residency show with BBC Radio 1, 2013 ended with T. having played over 100 shows across four continents.

2017 marked the launch and release of the first collaborative EP with UK producer Julio Bashmore, via their joint independent Conch Records, a label aiming to push out more underground cross-genre music with heavy rotation from the likes of Moxie and Shy One. With an ever-expanding global tour schedule and further solo releases on the legendary NYC house label Strictly Rhythm turning heads, T.’s upward trajectory has never showed signs of slowing down. Selected to soundtrack the social media campaign for boxer Anthony Joshua in 2019 and now using his technical prowess as a musician to educate the next generation of rising stars at London’s respected Point Blank Music School has cemented his status as one of the UK music scene’s key players.

The late great Canadian pianist Glenn Gould made two significant and highly acclaimed recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations, the first in 1955 when he was just twenty- two, presented here on 180g white vinyl, and the second a quarter of a century later in 1981 when he was nearing the end of his life.

Both recordings stand as benchmarks of the repertoire, offering fascinating insights into the music and Gould's approach to it. These recordings have never been out of print - a mark of their status and the respect they command in the canon of Bach recordings.

‘Threads’ was my 1st album as Om Unit and this 10-year re-mastered anniversary edition comes around at what feels like a similar time for me of experimentation and finding new ways to connect sounds. Something of a full circle of sorts but then again I am marking time with this re-issue at a time where I can look back and feel very proud of the work still sounding so convincing. Now even better thanks to Subvert Central’s Robert Macchiochi!

Reflecting on the past 10 years since this record came out, I can say it’s been an incredibly fruitful journey, with the most striking element of it all being the opportunity to travel and meet so many people from so many different backgrounds with different world views and stories. I found that ‘Threads’ for many was their first insight into my music, and for some people was something of a milestone in their journey of exploring music itself with tracks like ‘The silence’ and ‘Governor’s Bay’ having been mentioned over the years as amongst favourites alongside some of the work released on Cosmic Bridge and Civil

I want to take a moment to give my Love and gratitude to all the featured vocalists. Thanks to Simon Jinadu for his angelic voice on ‘The Silence’, to Charlie Dark MBE for his reflective words on ‘The Road’ and to Alex ‘Bogues’ Rendall aka MC Jabu (of Jabu) for his intense delivery on ‘Patients’ as well as Jneiro Jarel for his self-reflective narration on “just sayin’” All 4 are still outliers in their own field and upstanding creative forces to boot. I feel blessed to have been able to capture them on this project.

Threads was made in a bedroom of 2a Station Rise in Tulse Hill, a flat I shared with journalist and writer Laurent Fintoni, in a space that had such a great sound to it that I’ll always miss that room. I hope that you feel the warmth that I felt then whilst making it. It’s been an adventure since and whilst I’ve moved on from a lot of the tropes intrinsic to the album, it will always remain a body of work that is dear to my heart.


Enjoy!
<3

This record is a collection of tracks I made from the start of 2019 to the end of 2021. They all exist completely independent of each other. My intention while working on music during this time was to create a time capsule/memory album for me to remind myself of my moments with. I had a lot of different experiences and substantially changed during this time. The early tracks were made by a completely different person than the person typing this. Of the 6 tracks on this EP, only one of them was made with the knowledge that it would be put together with the others and released as one cohesive article.

I wanted to make music again after abandoning it for 3 years. One of these tracks marks the turning point where a projected pipe dream of determined mastery was cracked through by what the speaker cone did when piano roll blocks were placed intuitively for the first time. 

Repress

Embark on our new adventure with Luca Olivotto as he leads the sixth release on Small Great Things. This limited vinyl and digital EP marks the inception of a new release series featuring exclusive Small Great Things artists.

Showcasing four finely tuned tracks that seamlessly blend classic house vibes with contemporary beats, creating an irresistible dance floor experience.

On the A1 side, 'After the Beep' initiates the journey with a classic house groove and the sultry serenade of a smooth saxophone.

The title track, 'Love Transmission' on A2, takes the spotlight more on its infectious groovy bassline and captivating vocals.

Flipping over to the B side, 'Take Me' delves into deeper realms, offering a timeless track that resonates with raw emotion.

Closing the release on the B2 side, 'Redsape' delivers a classic house tune tailor-made for the dance floor.

Olivotto's expertise shines through, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge, ensuring a brilliant journey on this 6th release.

Luca Olivotto's 'Love Transmission' EP is a testament to the evolving soundscape of Small Great Things. This collection promises to captivate enthusiasts and DJs alike.

Locked-In's fourth release beckons you to dive deep into the distinctive sound of Session 4000 with the "Get Down" EP.

Launching the dancefloor manifesto on the A1 is 'Panaka,' a relentless groove brimming with infectious energy. The bassline asserts its dominance, while the synth patterns showcase a pure, playful mastery.

Progressing to the A2, 'Second Skin' unravels as a mind-bending revelation, leaving an enduring imprint. Session 4000 skillfully weaves intricate layers that captivate from the initial drop to the final fade-out.

Flipping to the B side, 'Get Down' lives up to its name, beckoning with a bumping rhythm and spraying synths. It's a decisive call to action, destined to be a certified dancefloor weapon tailor-made for late-night club escapades.

Concluding the EP on the B2 is 'Mr. Freeze,' as cool as its title implies. This track leaves an indelible mark, providing a memorable conclusion to this electronic narrative.

microCastle's final offering of 2023 welcomes Colossio and Luke Garcia to the label for their debut EP. Colossio has been a rising force across the Indie Dance spectrum for the better part of a decade. Based in Mexico and taking inspiration from krautrock, psychedelia and the golden age of Mexican cinema, the Monterrey resident has continued to open up endless creative avenues and furthered his boundless appeal with releases via Borders of Light, Calypso Records, Duro and Exit Strategy. Meanwhile, Spanish artist Luke Garcia has enjoyed similar success across his decade-long career. The Madrid resident has been praised for his borderless approach to production, in turn landing standout projects for Diynamic, Innervisions, Sum Over Histories and TAU. As occasional studio partners since the beginning of 2023, Colossio and Luke made their collaborative debut via Engrave Ltd with ‘Let Go’, a release which would precede a recent contribution to Innervisions ‘Secret Weapons’ Part 16. Now, continuing to build on their creative partnership, Colossio and Luke end the year with their microCastle debut ‘Amen / Ryen’.

Played by Ame during the summer season, EP opener 'Amen' finds Colossio operating in solo capacity and taking square aim at the dancefloor. Full of rejuvenating energies, the Monterrey resident cleverly blends robust kick drums and electric grooves with swerving chord stabs and chanting vocals. Colossio’s creative attitude reveals itself further across the main break; with a hyperventilating build dropping out into a rush of main room alchemy, all laid out over a bed of percolating acid. Selection two ‘Ryen’ finds Luke Garcia crafting a feel-good indie-dance excursion that’s nicely suited for those uplifting club moments. Booming yet dreamy, its colourfully cruising hypnotism instantly commands your attention, through snatches of vocal fragments and siren-like synth flares, eventually culminating in a finale of rave-inspired euphoria.

The EP’s halfway point is marked by the behemoth sized vibes of ‘Situation’. Here, Luke and Colossio masterfully synthesize their talents while breaking down boundaries to serve up a melting pot of hard-edged dance. Its pneumatic energy turns over quickly, flowing through a brutalist maze of mutated vocal gates and fiery rhythmic fractures, before reaching a hyperspeed collision of sonics for the ultimate high-octane drop. Rounding out the release is ‘My Body’ which once again finds Colossio and Luke combining their extensive forces. The cross-continental duo drive each other forward beyond their individual comfort zones for a mature club-effective record; one where thunderous beats, weighted rhythms and looping vocals prelude a collection-closing melodic finale. Artwork: Mauricio Seidel.

What you do is a fundamental question. But it's how you do something that ultimately determines the effect." — Julian Sartorius

With 'RLLRLRLLRRLRLRLRLLRLRLR', Swiss drummer and sound artist Julian Sartorius presents his third album in three years. Together with 'Ensemble This | Ensemble That' Sartorius has created a mesmerizing 39-minute percussion album that conclusively expands his artistic output. For the first time, an ensemble plays an idea conceived by Sartorius, while he assumes the role of an interactive conductor, manipulating the sounds made.

Sartorius is known for his fluid and versatile solo performances in which he continually modulates the sound of his instruments, adding objects and progressively unfolding his sound world. The idea of expanding this practice was already gestating when the 'Ensemble This | Ensemble That' invited him for a collaboration. Together with the drummers and percussionists Brian Archinal, Victor Barceló, Miguel Angel Garcia Martin and Bastian Pfefferli the concept was further explored, elaborated upon in detail, and finally realized.
'RLLRLRLLRRLRLRLRLLRLRLR' is both title and score for the ensemble's four percussionists. The pattern, consisting of 23 individual beats, is played continuously by the ensemble while Sartorius gradually makes alterations to the instruments played. The result is a piece that has a sustained rhythmic flow yet is perpetually changing. Sartorius' interventions and the precise musicality of the ensemble allows the listener to discover an expansive array of moods and intensities.

The album is structurally recursive but develops an almost mystical magnetism through an odyssey of diverse musical landscapes. Sartorius explains: "It amazes me deeply how much the sentiment can change based on a musical mood - this sense of curiosity is made audible with this album." The album recording itself is designed as an endless loop: at the end of the recording, the ensemble's sound has returned to its starting point, thereby completing an endless, self-contained cycle, with no beginning or end. In this way, Sartorius also echoes his 2021 album 'Locked Grooves'.

Julian Sartorius' precise and multi-layered rhythmical patterns are keen excursions into the hidden tones of found objects and prepared instruments, bridging the gap between organic timbres and the vocabulary of (experimental) electronic music. He has released numerous solo albums, creates audiovisual art works, collaborates with musicians, writers, and artists, and performs live in intimate venues and on festival stages.

Ensemble This | Ensemble That (ET|ET) have established themselves not only as interpreters of contemporary music, but also as collaborators to a wide range of artists including projects like Zimoun, Myriam Bleu, Strotter Inst., Lê Quan Ninh, Marko Ciciliani, Jürg Frey, and Michael Maierhof, amongst others.

V-House Sound boss, AJ Christou is next to make his Hot Creations debut with the two-tracker ‘Babaloop’.

Hailing from Manchester, AJ Christou stands as a testament to artistic accomplishment with his unwavering commitment to his evolving craft and sound. The success of his new label, V-House Sound, has made this year particularly significant for him, with unshakable support from industry heavyweights like Marco Carola, Joseph Capriati, and Jamie Jones, backing his reputation as one of the most sought-after DJs in the game. With another impressive year behind him, December now marks his debut on Hot Creations as he delivers two club ready gems in his ‘Babaloop’ EP.

The bumping two-tracker kicks off with ‘Babaloop’, a lively late-night house cut featuring entrancing male chants and a bouncing bassline that captivates the listener with its groove. ‘No Fear’ follows up with a funky bass riff, alluring female vocals and deep stabs, radiating prime-time resonance and bustling club energy.

3LP in gatefold sleeve + download code including the full mix.Created over the span of two years, Balance 032 marks a creative high point in the career of Madrid-based artist Henry Saiz, and this marks his third appearance for the hallowed compilation series.