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Marcos Valle is one of those artists you simply can't overlook if you have even a passing interest in Brazilian music. Whether your taste leans toward bossa jazz, samba, psychedelic folk, or modern soul, Valle has surely recorded a great album for you. By the late 1960s he had already released enough outstanding records to secure a place among the greatest Brazilian artists of all time, but fortunately his career didn't stop there. He has continued recording fabulous albums over the following decades, right up to the present day. Widely regarded as one of the finest recordings in Marcos Valle's catalog, Vento Sul (1972) represents a pivotal moment in his artistic evolution, revealing a composer unafraid to reinvent himself and push the boundaries of Brazilian popular music. From the hypnotic title track to highlights such as "Democústico," "Revolução Orgânica," "Paisagem de Mariana," and "Pista O2," the album remains a breathtaking achievement whose influence continues to resonate more than five decades later. This reissue shines a well-deserved spotlight on a landmark recording -- an essential chapter in Brazilian music and an indispensable addition to any collection of psychedelic, progressive, jazz, or MPB classics. Pressed on 180g vinyl.

Few records sit between genres as confidently as Schöneberg. Not quite techno, not quite trance, not quite house, and precisely because of that, instantly recognisable as something of its own. Originally released in 1993 as part of Marmion's Berlin E.P. on Superstition Records, the track became one of the defining anthems of early European club culture, championed by Tony De Vit at London's legendary Turnmills Trade events and played in the best clubs across the UK, Benelux and beyond.

Schöneberg grew directly out of the duo's DJ sets at the Bunker in Berlin-Mitte. Between techno and trance, Mijk van Dijk and Marcos López were looking for a common ground. The track was recorded in a single night, the result of that search. Its defining details were deliberate: the hi-hat arriving unusually late, the short disorienting break that became a trademark. As López puts it: "For me the piece is still a condensed version of an entire DJ set."

In 2023, Superstition marked the 30th anniversary with a 21-track remix collection spanning three decades of reinterpretations. Now the track returns to vinyl, focused and stripped back to three versions: the original 1993 mix, the in itself legendary Marmion Remix, and the interpretation by DJ T., appearing on vinyl for the first time.

Pressed on orange coloured vinyl, this 2026 reissue sees all three versions carefully remastered from the original sources and newly recut for vinyl, bringing renewed depth and clarity while preserving the character that made Schöneberg a classic.

For UnExposed Records first vinyl release, Uruguay’s Marcos Coya wanted to show the world a different side of his artistic approach. In a world of monotonous copy/paste, Marcos wanted to bring something unique to the table. A compilation of spacey, dreamy & emotional tunes custom built for the dance floor yet still experimental as well. Deep grooves & long developments. No fluff. No overbearing bangers. True underground production principles. Crafted for those with a refined palate.

The A-side is dedicated to Marcos Coya’s four to the floor production work. This sonic expedition begins w/ a bang: the record’s title track “Moon Trippin”! A showcase of freaky melodies accompanied by groovy percussions which bolster a vocal of Prince speaking his mind about the true essence of creating musical art & his disdain for mainstream music industry critics.

“Delirium” closes out the A-side w/ a dreamy acid house tune adding an emotional touch to the record. After hours material. A real step forward for Marcos and his production work. Leaning heavier than ever into trusting his melodies. Taking a bit more risk with his approach by creating something you’ve never heard from him on any of his nearly 20 vinyl releases over his career.

For the B-side we shift over to a more breakbeat approach with 2 absolute heaters. B1 introduces the track Hearthug has claimed to be one of the tracks of the year: “Rage Dog”. Rage Dog is a Marcos Coya signature track due to its rock & hip hop influences developed during his adolescence. Marcos even purchased new synthesizers specifically to improve this track & its melodies. The cherry on top is the vocal from Rage Against The Machine’s front man, Zack de la Rocha, which adds a rebelliously political undertone to the record, something UnExposed & Marcos both are very proud to address w/ passionate conviction during this time of war and injustice.

We close out the record with “D.N.A.”, the most experimental piece of art on this vinyl release. A wild combination of breakbeats, guitars, melodies & crazy vocals. The perfect bizarrely fascinating conclusion to this wild trip to the moon and back.

Early support from heavy hitters such as: DJ Koolt, Anthea, Velasco, KT, Hearthug, Mario Liberti, Daïf & many more!

Cristina Camargo broke onto the Brazilian boogie scene in 1980 with the single "Moral Tem Hora", penned by the by then already famous brothers Marcos and Paulo Valle. They were soon joined by the arranger/producer/musician powerhouse Robson Jorge and Lincoln Olivetti, who worked with practically all the big MPB stars from Jorge Ben and Gal Costa to Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. Armed with the endless possibilities that the burgeoning Brazilian music scene provided, the group went into the studio and produced the eponymous debut album Cristina Camargo.

The result is a very special record built around that successful single that does what Brazil does best: blending their own musical heritage with sounds in vogue in the rest of the world, in this case the boogie disco that was all the rage in the USA in the first half of the 1980s. Expect endearing choirs, tight grooves, and a killer production value on par with the big-budget studios up north.

Cristina Camargo is available as a limited edition on yellow vinyl and includes an insert with lyrics.

Killer Groove Records presents a new 7" by Electric Circus, pairing "High Fever" and "Ogres": raw, hypnotic funk built on obsessive bass lines, sharp horns, dub delays and wah-wah guitars.

Both tracks are taken from Rites, the band's second studio album, out November 27 on limited-edition LP, CD and digital. The 7" is limited to 500 copies worldwide and is out September 25.
On the A-side, "High Fever" maps Electric Circus's territory: '70s funk, Afrobeat and psychedelia meet in a steady build toward a climax of synths and groove. The track grew from a bass line written over one feverish weekend and runs as a single continuous rise in tension.
The groove takes its cue from The Meters, locking syncopated accents into place while a punchy horn section cuts through from the opening bar. Dub delays and layered textures then open the arrangement out, trading space with wah-wah guitars and a treated clavinet that sounds vintage without dating the mix. After a darker, nocturnal passage, the saxophone rises over percussion and synths for the climax.

On the B-side, "Ogres" was the first track conceived for the album and the last to be completed. It began as a bass-and-percussion ostinato in an Ethiopian pentatonic scale, modelled on a war march, and grew into a dense groove with psychedelic and trip-hop textures. Its rhythm conjures a twilight bestiary of dark, menacing or perhaps merely curious creatures, building to a tense climax before resolving into a smooth, dreamlike finale that suggests awakening, or re-emergence.

Like the rest of Rites, both tracks started in jam sessions and were recorded in stages: live takes of the core arrangements first, then dedicated sessions for synths, horns and overdubs. Marco Sirio Pivetti engineered at Metrò Rec Studio in Riva del Garda, Gio Solo at Sberdia Studio in Turin. Overdubs were reamped through tube amplifiers and analog outboard. The band co-produced with Pivetti, who also mixed; Riccardo Ricci mastered at Velvet Room Mastering Studio in Brighton.

Electric Circus are based in Turin. They released their debut album, Canicola, in 2018 and have toured the U.S. Scoring Contrecourant (2021), a documentary series shot in Senegal and Mali, led them to Sahel Roots, a duo from the north of the country. The two groups recorded On est ensemble (Mieruba, 2023) remotely between Turin and Bamako, each writing two pieces for the other to finish.

For fans of The Heliocentrics, Calibro 35, BADBADNOTGOOD.

++REC opens its catalogue with a four-track various artists 12", one cut per artist, two per side. Samuel Jabba sets the pace with System Thriller, a driving electro workout built on a relentless bassline. Tomie follows with Re:Frecuency, tighter and more hypnotic. On the flip, Buraye's Canopy Cells brings hardware-driven acid with a live feel, and Caruan closes with Rocco N'Roll Robot, the fastest and most playful track of the four. Mastered and cut by Marco Pellegrini at Analogcut. Distributed by Outside In Distribution.

DJ Support: Mochakk, Joseph Capriati, Jamie Jones, Purple Disco Machine, Groove Armada, Marco Carola ,keinemusik, Adrian Roman, Bill Brewster, Rino, Ruben Mandolini, Terry Farley, Nicolas Masseyeff, Echonomist, Robosonic, Nuno Dos Santos, diskJokke, Dan Marciano Jody Wisternoff / Way Out West, Eelke Kleijn, Henry Saiz, Digitalism, Sister Bliss / Faithless, Innellea, Adriatique, Judge Jules, Sam Divine, TSHA, Simone Vitullo, Joris Voorn, Tommie Sunshine, Fahlberg, Stijn D'hont / DJ Neon

D Stone is a rising force in Amsterdam’s electronic music scene, blending live instruments with electronic production to create his unique take on house music. His sound bridges true house to proto-disco and deeper percussive elements, as showcased in his release Total Unison. A passionate DJ and producer, D Stone crafts infectious tracks by combining samples with live instruments, driving dance floors with his grooves. Born into a musical family, D Stone was immersed in sound from an early age. His father’s influence exposed him to diverse musical styles, sparking his lifelong curiosity. He began playing piano at eight, learned guitar at twelve, and by fifteen discovered electronic music, exploring house as a DJ. A year later, he ventured into production, gaining recognition and landing his first gigs. Inspired by 70s and 80s disco, funk, garage, and 90s tech house, his music blends energy, groove, and soul. With his foundation in live instruments and his forward-thinking approach to electronic music, D Stone strives to create more than tracks—he’s shaping moments that linger in the minds of his listeners.

Envision remixed by DJ & producer Julya Karma Emerging from Brooklyn’s underground and now rooted in Berlin, her practice isn’t about fitting into a lane, it’s about finding what is alive and letting it shape the moment.

Across diverse stages and platforms from Coachella and Lost Village to Berghain, Cercle, Space, The Brooklyn Mirage, DGTL, Time Warp, Audio Obscura, Tomorrowland, and within the orbit of Innervisions, Julya’s performances reflect a commitment to exploration over formula, earning recognition from artists like Laurent Garnier, Dixon, Âme, Adriatique, Rüfüs Du Sol, and Sven Väth.

The Disco Express presents Best of 2026 - a deluxe, special edition 12" pink vinyl celebrating six of our favourite records from another landmark year on the label.

Showcasing the breadth of The Disco Express sound, the compilation journeys through funk-fuelled disco, jackin’ house, soulful grooves and peak-time dancefloor energy, bringing together some of the standout moments from our 2026 catalogue.

Featuring music from Make It Disco, Bustin’ Loose, MGR Mike, Ayce & Spirit of House, LEFTI, La Felix and more, Best of 2026 captures a label continuing to push forward while staying firmly rooted in the spirit of disco.

From the feel-good vocal energy of “What You Gonna Say” and the funk-driven swagger of “Less Struggle, More Hustle”, through to the 70's inspired “The Movers”, the soulful lift of “Stronger” and the irresistible drum rhythms of “Muchacho” and “Run It Up”, this is music made first and foremost for the dancefloor.

The music featured on Best of 2026 has already picked up support from some of the world’s most respected selectors, including Roger Sanchez, Danny Rampling, Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Paco Osuna, Claptone, Danny Krivit, Sam Divine and Arthur Baker, alongside many more.

Pressed on limited edition pink vinyl, Best of 2026 is a snapshot of The Disco Express in full motion.

Original disco for 21st century dance floors.

And this train ain't slowing down anytime soon…

Erasmo Carlos’ Carlos, Erasmo is a landmark of early-’70s Brazilian rock, where Tropicalia, fuzzed-out psych, soul, funk and Brazilian pop meet in brilliantly adventurous form. Produced by Manoel Barenbein with arrangements by Rogério Duprat, it also features Os Mutantes players Sérgio Dias, Dinho Leme and Liminha, plus guitarist Lanny Gordin.


Opening with De Noite na Cama, written for Erasmo by Caetano Veloso, the album moves with real freedom between sensual pop, hard-edged psych and off-kilter grooves. Erasmo’s partnership with Roberto Carlos sits alongside songs by Jorge Ben and Marcos Valle, making this a genuine meeting point for some of Brazil’s most inventive voices.


Tracks like Maria Joana, Agora Ninguém Chora Mais, 26 Anos de Vida Normal, Ciça Cecília, Mundo Deserto, Sodoma e Gomorra and Masculino Feminino show just how wide Erasmo’s vision was: raw, playful, soulful and beautifully unruly.

KR3.021 Steve Bicknell Remixes - brings together four reinterpretations of tracks from his latest double 12" - Several Streams of Thought - originally released in May 2025 as the sixteenth chapter in the KR3 catalogue. Carefully assembled, the release features reworks by Rrose, Function, Broken English Club and The Hacker. Working from Bicknell’s original material, each artist reframes its core elements through a distinct sonic approach, opening up new perspectives while maintaining a connection to the source work. The visual dimension of the project has likewise been revisited by Marco Maldarella. His artwork for the original gatefold sleeve has been reimagined for this release, extending the dialogue between sound and image and giving the project a renewed visual identity.

A1 The Reassurance Ritual Rrose Remix
A2 Reassurance Ritual Function Remix
B1 The Concept of Practopia Broken English Club Remix
B2 The Power Pyramids [The Hacker Remix]

La Rama is hyped to bring you the debut 12” of an incredible Montreal based DJ/Producer, Ghazi aka Visionaire Not Millionaire. With some singles on VAs making it out in to the world over the last few years, it was time for Ghazi to have a maxi of his own. ‘Electrika’ arrives with a massive nu-school title track, the Bass/Break rumbler ‘L.O.S.T.’ & the dungeonous ‘Distress’. All this rounded off with our main man Marco Passarani’s second appearance on the label with a Passarani Club Dub!

Straight dance floor power for all your international party needs. Thank you for rocking with us :-)

Music & Mix by Ghazi aka Visionaire Not Millionaire. Mastered & Cut by Marco Pellegrino. Remix by Marco Passarani. Design by KG. Distributed by Mother Tongue & La Rama Records.

Im Jahr 2026 feiert Big Crown Records sein zehnjähriges Jubiläum. In zehn Jahren kann viel passieren, und das ist auch geschehen. Aus sehr bescheidenen Anfängen hat sich Big Crown zu einem der angesehensten Independent-Labels der Welt entwickelt - mit einem unglaublich talentierten internationalen Künstlerstamm und einem unvergleichlichen Katalog zeitloser Musik. Leon Michels und Danny Akalepse gründeten Big Crown im Jahr 2016 mit einem einfachen Leitgedanken: gute Musik zu veröffentlichen, an die sie glauben - unabhängig vom Genre. BCR10 - Ten Years of Big Crown ist eine Mischung aus Retrospektive und Aktualität: bewährte Perlen aus dem Backkatalog, gemischt mit grundsoliden Stücken aus den neuesten Alben. Eine Doppel-LP mit ausgewählten Titeln von Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, Lady Wray, Brainstory, Derya Yildirim & Grup ímcek, El Michels Affair, Thee Lakesiders, Dave Guy, Les Imprimés, Homer, Thee Marloes, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Bobby Oroza, Marco Benevento, The Shacks, Paul & The Tall Trees, Thee Heart Tones, Surprise Chef, 79.5, Liam Bailey und Holy Hive. Einen tieferen Einblick in die Geschichte von Big Crown vermittelt auf perfekte Weise der Begleittext des einzigartigen Journalisten und DJs Jeff Mao.

More than five decades into one of Brazilian music's most remarkable careers, Joyce Moreno returns with a new collection of songs that reflect the warmth, lyrical sophistication and innovation that have made her one of Brazil's most defining musical voices.

Produced by Joyce Moreno alongside her husband and longtime collaborator Tutty Moreno, the album finds the Rio-born singer, guitarist and composer at her most reflective. Across nine beautifully crafted songs, Joyce pairs intricate guitar work, lyrical intimacy and effortless swing with the musical curiosity that has defined her work for more than half a century.

Invited into the studio by Roberto Menescal at just sixteen years old, Joyce emerged during a transformative period for Brazilian music, releasing her self-titled debut in 1968. She soon established herself as one of Brazil's pioneering female songwriters, writing unapologetically from a woman's perspective at a time when few women were afforded that voice. Her song “Me Disseram” sparked national debate, while later works including “Feminina” cemented her reputation as an artist unafraid to challenge convention.

While some of her politically charged songs were censored during Brazil's military dictatorship, Joyce continued to write with honesty and independence. After studying journalism in the late 1960s, her gift for observation and storytelling became an even more defining feature of her songwriting. Over the following decades she released a succession of acclaimed albums, including the now-classic Feminina and Água e Luz, earning widespread recognition both in Brazil and internationally. Antônio Carlos Jobim would later describe her as "one of the greatest singers", while generations of musicians have drawn inspiration from her fearless artistry and enduring originality.

That same artistic fearlessness remains at the heart of her latest work. The album brings together an exceptional ensemble of Brazilian musicians. Tutty Moreno's expressive drumming underpins Joyce's vocals and guitar throughout, while Jorge Helder's bass, Lula Galvão's guitar and Marcos Nimrichter's warm Fender Rhodes create a sound that is both intimate and expansive. Contributions also come from the legendary Toninho Horta, alongside José Arimatéa, Teco Cardoso, Nailor Proveta, Josué dos Santos and Raphael Sampaio, whose additions add colour and texture without overshadowing Joyce's understated brilliance.

Throughout the album, Joyce balances quiet reflection with effortless rhythmic vitality. “Chovendo na Horta” serves as both a heartfelt dedication and a celebration of Joyce's enduring musical connections, featuring the unmistakable guitar of Toninho Horta. Elsewhere, “Aldeia de Ogum” receives a fresh new arrangement by Nailor Proveta, revisiting one of Joyce's most beloved compositions. Originally released in 1980, the track has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent years, embraced by a new generation of listeners and became an underground favourite among DJs including Floating Points, Four Tet and Danilo Plessow. Now a staple of Joyce's live performances, this reimagined version brings renewed energy to a song that continues to transcend generations.

At seventy-eight, Joyce Moreno continues to write with the same curiosity, generosity and quiet innovation that have defined her career from the very beginning. "For me, it's never too soon to try something new, either in music or in life," she reflects - a philosophy that gives both the album and its title their enduring sense of optimism. This latest album is neither a retrospective nor a reinvention, but the work of an artist who continues to refine her voice with remarkable grace, proving that her most compelling music remains firmly rooted in the present.

Following the album's release, Joyce Moreno will embark on a European tour this November, bringing her celebrated live show to audiences across the UK and Europe. A rare opportunity to experience one of Brazil's most influential and enduring artists in concert, the tour showcases a songwriter whose voice, virtuosity and musical vision remain as compelling today as ever.

BATTISTINO, the artistic alias of Marco Battistini, is an Italian musician, songwriter, producer and DJ. His project is rooted in the meeting point between Italo Disco, French Electro, late-’70s Disco Music and Italian pop culture, reinterpreted through a contemporary vision that avoids nostalgia in favor of a distinctive sonic identity. His main influences include the aesthetic vision of Daft Punk, the musical freedom of Daniele Baldelli’s Cosmic Sound, the international disco movement of the late 1970s, and the golden era of Italian Italo Disco, with a special admiration for Righeira. His productions combine driving synth grooves, pulsating basslines and immediate melodies. Gritty electronic drums, saturated synthesizers and subtle harmonic distortion deliberately break away from the polished sound traditionally associated with classic Italo Disco. The result is a more physical and textured sonic palette that preserves the melodic elegance at the heart of the project. BATTISTINO’s visual identity follows the same philosophy. Elegant, reserved and almost bureaucratic, he prefers to remain behind the scenes rather than at the center of attention. More than a performer, he acts as the curator of a sonic archive, where every track represents a fragment of a larger story.

“Il Segreto” is the opening chapter of a conceptual trilogy inspired by an affair that was never revealed, set on the Italian Riviera in the early 1980s. Rather than telling the story itself, the project explores what remains: silence, forgotten details, invisible traces and memories suspended in time. Music, visual design and imagery all become chapters of the same narrative. Every release is a new file, every track a recovered document, every production another fragment of a story that will never be fully disclosed. BATTISTINO doesn’t tell stories. He preserves them. And, from time to time, he allows part of them to surface.

The 12″ includes a N.O.I.A. Remix!

Riva Starr teams up with Australian duo Close Counters for a sun-soaked debut on Heist.

What do you get when you put an Italian house legend in the studio with 2 of the most talented artists from Melbourne? Have a listen to the newest release on Heist and you’ll find out. On their ‘Push your luck’ EP, Riva Starr, Close Counters and UK soul singer Andre Espeut bring a heavy dose of jazz & soul and most of all, upbeat dancefloor energy. Whether it’s the deep soulful vibe of the title track or the house meets jazz-funk energy of ‘Gearbox’, this EP brings together everything we love about house music.

‘Push your luck’ comes right in the middle of Close Counters’ world tour, just after Riva Starr’s album ‘Keep me on the dancefloor’ and is the follow up to their recent collab ‘Jinga’ on Riva Starr’s own Snatch Records. We all know Riva Starr from his 2013 Fatboy Slim collab ‘Eat sleep rave repeat’, his work with Groove Armada, and more recently his collab with Prunk on his PIV records debut album. Close Counters have already worked with Heist mainstays Fouk and had their breakthrough moment with their 2023 album ‘Soulacousta II’, which got wide support ranging from Gilles Peterson to Jyoto and Folamour.

Their ‘Push your luck’ EP kicks off with the title track featuring the silky vocals of Andre Espeut. When we first heard this song, we immediately got transported to the soulful sound of the mid 2000s led by Recloose’s unique track ‘Dust’ with Fat Freddy’s Drop singer Joe Dukie. It’s moody, stripped back, and bouncy at the same time. The lush chords, disco bassline, and vocal harmonies all make for a track that goes beyond genres and trends. This is a future classic.

‘Gearbox’ is a disco-tinged piano jam full of live elements, rolling congas and disco bleeps, where the musicality of the Close Counters boys comes in at full speed. This song takes its inspiration from the Brazilian jazz-funk of legends Marcos Valle and Azymuth, with a clear sense of modern-day dancefloors and a love for electronic noise. Also; 10/10 for creatively naming the track after the glitchy electronic sound that freaks & funks throughout the track.

On the flip, ‘Dizzy’ sees the trio go more into disco-house territory, again teaming up with Andre Espeut for a track that blends catchy vocal loops with a tight groove and lush chords. The EP finishes with a club dub of ‘Push your luck’ for those in favor of more groove and less vocals.

We’ve had Riva Starr and the Close Counters boys on our radar for a while, and they landed on Heist with the perfect combination of musicality and dancefloor power. We hope you like this release as much as we do!

As always, play it loud and share the music.

Lars & Maarten

2026 Repress

Divorce From New York returns with Jazzthetics, a sophisticated blend of Broken Beat, Nu Jazz and House, where detailed musicianship meets club ready energy. Featuring collaborations with Quiet Dawn, Stickydub, and Carla Luna, the EP explores warm, organic textures and rhythmic depth.
Remixes by K15, GE-OLOGY, and Stefan Ringer expand the sonic palette with future?minded interpretations that connect soulful atmospheres with powerful grooves.

After releasing three LPs and appearing on influential labels such as Nervous Records and Toy Tonics, as well as being featured on the acclaimed Somewhere Soul compilation, Divorce From New York presents his new EP Jazzthetics.
Distinctive fusion of Broken Beat, Nu Jazz, and House. Collaborations with Quiet Dawn, Stickydub, and Carla Luna, plus remixes by K15, GE-OLOGY, and Stefan Ringer.
12" vinyl format with premium finish and digital download included.
Supported on stations such as NTS Radio, Worldwide FM, Rinse FM, The Lot Radio, and Kiosk Radio. Endorsed by influential DJs and platforms including Lefto, Marco Weibel, Mr.Redley, Somewhere Soul, and Brownswood Recordings.
Backed by an international promo campaign and European club tour throughout summer 2026.

Although nearly two decades after its release the legendary album Eksel by D'Arcangelo has achieved cult status, it is worth remembering that it all started in the early 90s in Rome. The twin brothers Fabrizio and Marco D'Arcangelo sculpted this electronic IDM treasure with a minimalist arsenal of hardware and analog synthesizers, achieving a raw though sophisticated sound that immediately caught the attention of Aphex Twin & Grant Wilson Claridge, Rephlex record label heads themselves.

While in 1993 and 1994 a large part of the European scene was carried away by the faster, more commercial rhythms of hardcore or eurodance, the D'Arcangelo brothers preferred to look toward the mental landscapes and abstract textures coming out of Detroit and Warp Records. By fusing the machine-like coldness of electro with melancholic melodies and complex rhythm structures, the Italian duo became one of the undisputed pioneers of braindance music in Mediterranean Europe.

Looking back, Eksel—released on Rephlex in 2007—stood as a challenge to the listening habits of its time. Positioned between mental experimentation and dancefloor functionality, the album moves effortlessly between hypnotic club contexts and intimate, detail-rich home listening. Now twenty years later, its legacy continues to resonate among collectors and lovers of analog sound. Eksel stands as proof that electronic innovation extended far beyond the major hubs of London or Berlin, strengthening the dialogue between British IDM and the Italian school, and establishing D'Arcangelo as architects of a distinctive sound.

Marco D'Arcangelo looks back on the album's origins with characteristic wit: "Eksel was conceived to celebrate our 40th Birthday. At Rephlex, they thought we should include a Roman attribute, just to remind people of our so-called 'ancestry'—which isn't really anything, but being born in Rome did sound cool. The XL in Roman numerals is 40, spelled 'Eksel'. And funnily enough, this year we are turning 60 (oh my god!), and 60 in Roman numerals is LX, spelled 'Leks'."

For this release, the partnership brings together a range of elements into a cohesive and refined sonic language. D'Arcangelo seamlessly blend leftfield electronica, avant-garde techno, and glitch, shaping a forward-thinking sound. Vintage synthesizers intertwine with crisp programmed percussion, while melodic structures interact with classic 808 rhythms. This deluxe reissue also exclusively includes RFLX1902 and Electronic Lounge, two tracks from the same era never before pressed on vinyl. The result is a warm and reflective body of work, deeply rooted in electro's legacy, yet unmistakably oriented toward the future.

The modern day torch carriers of electric Brazilian jazz-funk. Fans of Azymuth, Marcos Resende, Antonio Adolfo and Cesar Mariano look no further !

Ultracooked infuses the Sao Paulo trio’s deep understanding of Brazilian music history with their consummate musicianship and infectious joy of playing. Their distinctly electric jazz-funk flavour rises to the top, as they pay homage to some of their musical heroes and teachers.

Where previous albums nodded to the lineage of Azymuth, Antonio Adolfo, Cesar Camargo Mariano and Marcos Resende, Ultracooked walks ! ! straight up to the greats and shakes their hands. Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso are here, with fresh versions of Espresso 2222 and Odara respectively. Garoto - the great choro guitarist and composer whose harmonic imagination quietly laid the ground for bossa nova - is here too, and honoured with a deconstructed reading of "Jorge do Fusa".

Recorded in the wake of the passing of both João Donato and Hermeto Pascoal, each has a song on the album named after them. Listen to Caixa Cubo and you can see why, their playfulness echoes Donato’s mischievous cheek, while their creative openness is clearly Hermeto inspired. But with both “Hermeto” and “Dontao” each featuring the sampled voice of the late masters themselves, the songs read more as conversations than eulogy. Caixa Cubo carry forward these legacies with care.

In good company, Zé Leônidas, who lit up 2023's Agora, returns to sing on "Expresso 2222", "Essa é Pra Tocar no Rádio" and "Cortejo", while guitarist Edson Woiski brings his sinewy sound to those Gil interpretations and to "Cabaré", before adding his voice to the closing chorus.

Ultracooked was produced by Caixa Cubo alongside Frederico Pacheco, who recorded and mixed the album at O&O Studios in São Paulo, with mastering by Casper Sutton at Gearbox Studios in London.

To close out the year, Life In Patterns presents Spektrum II, the second installment in the compilation series curated by Ferdinger. This 16-track VA, scheduled to release in early December 2024, comes as a double vinyl with four digital bonus tracks and download codes.

Spektrum II ventures into the depths of dynamic techno, combining driving beats with intricate, groove-rich patterns. The compilation seamlessly shifts from deep, dubby tones to bright, euphoric moments, embodying the labels signature sound. Its a bold exploration of diverse sonic textures, blending harmonic and dissonant elements for an immersive listening experience.