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With Black Koyo, Mattias De Craene enters a sound world at once intimate and vast. Born from journeys in Morocco and Brussels, the project traces the rhythms, chants, and spirits of the Gnawa tradition, revealing a quiet resonance that echoes De Craene's own search for depth and presence. Guibri, qraqueb, call-and-response chants, saxophone, loops, and electronics come together in a trance-induced dialogue - ritualistic, elemental, and dreamlike - creating a space where listening becomes immersion, tradition meets imagination, and music unfolds as a shared act of reflection and wonder.
About Mattias De Craene
Mattias De Craene's artistic path is marked by rare coherence. As a central voice in Nordmann and MDC III, he developed a physical, rock-inflected jazz language driven by propulsion, volume, and trance-like collective energy. Over time, a period of personal rupture - burnout, tinnitus, depression - shifted his focus inward. The saxophone became a breathing, textural presence, and in his solo work, he weaves saxophone, electronics, loops, and minimal forms into a cinematic, hushed world where repetition, resonance, and silence slow perception. Rooted in ambient and introspection, his music prizes attention over impact, precision over excess - a quiet intensity recognized with a nomination as Musician for the Music Industry Awards (MIA's).
About Black Koyo
Black Koyo is a Brussels-based ensemble and one of the most compelling voices of the Gnawa tradition outside Morocco. Led by maalem Hicham Bilali, the group brings guibri, qrraqueb, and call-and-response chants to life with trance-like intensity and ritual precision. Their music is both rooted and contemporary, weaving earthbound rhythms and vocal invocations into ecstatic, immersive soundscapes, creating a space where ancestral resonance meets present-day imagination.
About Jan Bang
Jan Bang is a pioneering Norwegian producer and musician, celebrated for his mastery of live sampling and his ability to merge electronics with improvisation, rhythm, and texture in real time. He mixed the album and occasionally joins live performances, bringing his signature approach to sound as co-founder of the influential Punkt Festivaland collaborator with artists such as Jon Hassell, David Sylvian, Arve Henriksen, and ECM Records' roster. As a performer and sound architect, Bang creates immersive, trance-like sonic textures where silence and sound carry equal weight. Within Mattias De Craene ftBlack Koyo, his live sampling becomes an organic instrument, weaving saxophone, electronics, and Gnawa rhythms into hypnotic, physically charged soundscapes.
Line-up & credits
Mattias De Craene - sax, electronics | Hicham Bilali - guibri, vocals, qraqueb |Ismael Akhraz - vocals, qraqueb | Marwan Abantor - vocals, qraqueb
All tracks are original gnawa traditionals played by Black Koyo and arranged by Mattias De Craene.
Album produced & recorded by Mattias De Craene in Essaouira, Morocco and hometown Ghent, Belgium 2025.
Text by Hicham Bilali.
Mixed by Jan Bang at Punkt Studio
Mastered by Lieven Van Pee
Artwork by Marina Sviridova
Design by Benoit Van Geel
Manufactured and distributed by N.E.W.S.
Executive production by W.E.R.F. records
Supported by Flemish Government, Jazzlab, nona, HA Concerts, Aubergine artist Management,
KAAP, La Bestia (Wout Van Putten) & mdcmu.sic vzw.
2026 (c) W.E.R.F. records
Phonica welcomes Mattias El Mansouri, a Swedish-born DJ and producer of Moroccan/Chilean descent who has been behind some of our favourite releases over the past few years on labels such as Aniara and Nous'klaer.
On the 'Sense Data' 12", El Mansouri expands on his atmospheric House and Techno explorations with three deep yet dancefloor primed pieces that hold personal resonance for him.
El Mansouri, who holds a degree in Theoretical Philosophy, explains:
"'Sense Data' are the immediate elements of perception; what is directly given to the senses before any judgment or interpretation. In vision, these appear as colored, shaped patches; in other senses, as sounds, tastes, smells, or tactile qualities. For example, seeing a brown table with a white coaster involves sense data of a brown patch and a white roundish patch, from which one infers the presence of a table and coaster."
On the record's flip, we have the beautiful "Cielo Vacío' and 'Ouzo Hallon' dub version of 'Sense Data'. El Mansouri continues:
"Cielo Vacío translates to “empty sky” in Spanish. The track serves as a eulogy for my brother, who passed away in December 2023. I chose this title because it resonates with the sonic and emotional atmosphere of the piece. Its ambiguity is intentional, carrying both the weight of grief that lingers after losing someone you love, and a strange, fragile peace you extend toward the departed. It reflects the hope that, wherever they are, whether or not one believes in an afterlife, they have found rest.
Ouzo Hallon translates to Ouzo (the Greek liquor)+Hallon (Raspberry). It’s a long drink that my (Greek) ex came up with last summer, mixing ouzo, raspberry syrup/raspberry juice and ice. It became a thing in our little friend group, consisting of mostly Greeks, and every time we all hang out we would all just drink ouzo hallon until we couldn’t stand straight. I always wanted to name a track Ouzo Hallon, just for the fun of it, and what better way to get the chance than now!"
AniaraWL06 is the materialisation of the dualistic label ethos. To make your body move: Mattias El Mansouri's A-side -- Do You Have A Guestlist? -- is an uptempo, tabla driven house cut with swelling stabs. And to invite your mind to wonder: Dorisburg's B-side -- Helande Skulptur -- by its introspective scapes and eerie echoes, laced with a fine tech-house beat.
Join the band leader of the modern masters of exotica; ÌXTAHUELE, Mattias Uneback, on a new mind- bending sonic adventure with love and dreams as the driving force! Inspired by library-, exotica-, beat- and psychedelic music as well as the breathtaking landscape of the Swedish mountain world. These are the Now Sounds for your cocktail lounge and Tiki bar.
Cari Lekebusch, Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell converge their creative energies for the first time on the "Tant Gron, Tant Brun & Tant Gredelin EP". This collaboration is a masterstroke, uniting three of Sweden's most innovative techno artisans.
Cari Lekebusch, a stalwart of the Swedish techno scene, has been a relentless force since the early '90s, continually redefining the genre's boundaries. His pioneering spirit has paved the way for countless artists and set a high standard for techno production.
Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell have cultivated a dynamic partnership, consistently delivering tracks that resonate with depth and precision. Their recent work, such as the "angvalt EP" on H-Productions, exemplifies their commitment to crafting immersive techno experiences.
The "Tant Gron, Tant Brun & Tant Gredelin EP" stands as a testament to their collective prowess, offering a quartet of tracks that embody the essence of pure techno. Each composition is meticulously engineered to captivate and transport listeners, making this release an indispensable addition to any techno aficionado's collection.
This EP also marks the inaugural vinyl release for Grab The Groove (GTG WAX001), heralding a new chapter in their mission to deliver uncompromising techno.
Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell return for their third outing on James Ruskin's Blueprint Records to follow their "Geometriska Strukturer EP" in 2023 and "Marvatten EP" last year.
This Swedish duo have built an impressive reputation since their production debut in 2000 and have gone on to release music on labels including Audio Assault, Symbolism, Blueprint, H. Productions, ARMS, XXX Records, and their own Lømsk label which they launched in 2022.
Their new "Bentik Zone EP" features three peak-time assaults alongside a more experimental closing track, set for release on vinyl and digitally on 2nd May.
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Belgian saxophonist, composer, and producer Mattias De Craene (Nordmann, MDCIII) announces a new solo album, ‘A House Where I Dream,’ on VIERNULVIER Records. On his second album, he delivers a highly personal and healing journey, presented as an alternative soundtrack to the 1973 cult film ‘The Holy Mountain.’
The record will be released on October 11 on vinyl LP and through all digital platforms.
"The Holy Mountain" is a surreal Mexican film from 1973 directed, written, and produced by Alejandro Jodorowsky, who also stars in the film. The film holds a prominent place in avant-garde cinema and explores themes such as spirituality, mysticism, and the quest for enlightenment. It is in this vein that ‘A House Where I Dream’ is crafted.
“My mind and soul - and thus my music - come home to this motion picture” - Mattias De Craene
The album will be presented live with the film on October 16 at Videodroom during Film Fest Gent.
ABOUT THE ALBUM
With hypnotic tape loops, grainy textures, and mesmerizing saxophone, Mattias De Craene creates possible worlds that herald a spiritual transformation. From the Scottish Highlands and desolate mountains to the deepest recesses of the soul, this music has the power to create cinematic landscapes that transcend time and space. The sound of these 8 tracks is closely related to the minimalist compositions of Terry Riley, but the work of contemporary artists like KMRU or William Basinski is also drawn from the same material.
Above all, this album is a deeply personal journey and unintentionally serves as a metaphor for De Craene's ascent of his own mountain. For the Videodroom festival by Arts Center VIERNULVIER, the saxophonist began working on a new soundtrack for the film ‘The Holy Mountain’ in 2023, but his body and mind abruptly called him to a halt, forcing him to take a professional break. However, this project never left him, leading to an honest and raw quest to find himself as both a person and an artist, with Jodorowsky as a companion de route and music as an anchor. It initiated a long process of dismantling, searching, healing and back again. The album not only provides a sanctuary for dreaming to all who listen, but for its creator it also serves as both an outcry of despair and a source of comfort during challenging times.
All the tracks on 'A House Where I Dream' share an unfiltered grain of life, as one can almost feel the damp breath of the saxophone blowing.
The album opens with the three-part strong 'Transcention,' where the hypnotic interplay between soprano sax and lo-fi tape loops leads to higher realms of the mind and soul.
Alternating between deep frequencies and farout folk modalities, this mantra-like triptych acquires an alchemical character and ultimately transcends time and space.
In the ethereal 'Away,' one can peer into an abyss of resonance while a saturated tenor sax lends guidance in the spirit of Terry Riley's productions. 'You and Me' also bathes in a similar atmosphere, albeit in the vein of healing 90s ambient as granular sax tones converge with celestial chants. 'Gazing Upwards Towards The Sky,' offers different shades of blue as a slumbering tenor sax is juxtaposed to swift sax patterns. On 'A Stranger That Moved Me,' beauty lands in a soft and subtle manner, while the closing track 'Shepherd's Glow' drifts like a mountain wind flaring up at the darkest hour of the night.
The artwork is created by Gent-based artist Sam Timmerman, who portrays the world of 'A House Where I Dream' with playful repetition and mystique.
Mattias El Mansouri's second outing on Aniara further expands his undulating minimalism after last year's Tja, Hej, Salam. Sonic waves ripple throughout the atmospheric groover Time Dilation In Ultraviolet on the A-side, while on the flip side a 13 minute trip awaits; a deep, introspective dive into the self and out of the body.
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The music is heartfelt but blunt, primitive yet refined and multi faceted, naïve yet occasionally black- minded. Music to disappear into just like you did in the TV series' slow but nervous storytelling that didn't lead to the end... think they dared Marcimain and Bärjed... to deliberately do something that doesn't really lead to the end. Like a thin thread that is stretched and stretched but does not break.
Beautiful, anxious, nervous and incomplete like life itself.
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The music is heartfelt but blunt, primitive yet refined and multi faceted, naïve yet occasionally black- minded. Music to disappear into just like you did in the TV series' slow but nervous storytelling that didn't lead to the end... think they dared Marcimain and Bärjed... to deliberately do something that doesn't really lead to the end. Like a thin thread that is stretched and stretched but does not break.
Beautiful, anxious, nervous and incomplete like life itself.
Mattias Petersson debuts on the Swiss label Hallow Ground with »Triangular Progressions,« a suite in nine parts written entirely in the SuperCollider environment using additive synthesis. The starting point for the evocative piece is a magic number triangle that Petersson invented during his early composition studies and which has been an obsession of the artist for over twenty years, previously forming the foundation of many other of his works. By exploring the harmonic progressions found hiding within the triangle, »Triangular Progressions« at once emits a sense of introspective calm that fosters deep listening and evokes a whole spectrum of emotions, mediating between the abstract and the visceral.
The Stockholm-based Petersson, also known under the moniker Codespira1 and for his long-term collaboration with violinist George Kentros as There Are No More Four Seasons, has been active as a composer of computer music as well as an artist in the realms of live coding and modular synthesis for over two decades. Originally trained as a classical pianist, he also holds a diploma in electro-acoustic composition from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, where he currently works as an associate professor. Besides his activities as a musician and teacher, Petersson is pursuing a PhD in composition at the Luleå University of Technology. Researching modular systems comprising both human and non-human modules, he is part of the GEMM))) Gesture Embodiment and Machines in Music cluster.
»Triangular Progressions« can be considered a perfect synthesis of Petersson’s academic interests and aesthetic ideas, combining a mathematical approach with artistic rigour. The magic number triangle highlights the beauty of symmetrical properties. By exploring its idiosyncrasies, the composer manages to translate them into engaging sounds. The lush melodies and harmonies of the music at times call to mind the intimate organ and drone works by label mates Kali Malone and Maria W Horn while also maintaining a unique signature sound. The addition of pure sinusoidal waves enables a deep listening exploration of the counterpoint between melodic and harmonic rhythms, chord structures and spectral harmonies that Petersson extrapolates from those magic numbers.
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Estetika Steps Up With It's Second Release Estetika002 To Bring You A Various Artists Ep Featuring Tracks From Pat King, Jason Patrick, Mattias Fridell, And Francesco De Luca.
Pat King Kicks Off The Ep With misery Loves Company' A Swinging Deep Techno Piece Laced With Emotive Atmospheres, Subtle Dubbed Out Vocals, And Rhythm Elements.
contour Subtracts' A Driving Techno Track Comes By Way Of Jason Patrick Bringing Ominous Pads, Dark Synth Elements, And A Jacking Modulating Clap.
Francesco De Luca Contributes The Third Track Of The Release With twisted' A Stripped Down Deep Moody Techno Number Laced With Polyrhythmic Synth Grooves.
Mattias Fridell Closes Out The Ep With semeldagen' Delivering A Dose Of His Signature Machine Funk Techno And Hypnotic Synth Riff Pivots In Conjunction With Rhythm Elements.
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Valvula Records returns with its third EP, reinforcing its identity through a powerful release that brings together Swedish and Brazilian artists in a compelling convergence of contemporary Techno. The project highlights the creative strength of artists who are actively shaping Raw and Hypnotic Techno with personality, consistency, and a clear artistic vision.
Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell deliver an intense and precisely crafted collaboration, reflecting the maturity of a partnership built on deep, impactful productions. Brankelo continues to expand his international presence following recent releases on the renowned Planet Rhythm, contributing a track driven by raw energy and sonic intensity.
Sev Dah maintains his distinctive contemporary groove, offering an exclusive track that adds tension and movement to the EP. Alvinho L. Noise and Steel Force join forces on a hypnotic, driving track powered by a solid and immersive groove, reinforcing the EP's raw and uncompromising character.
Designed for the dancefloor, DJs, and true Techno enthusiasts, this release marks another strong step forward for Valvula Records in building an authentic and relevant catalog.
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2026 Repress
Supported by Cio D'Or, Deepbass, Etapp Kyle, Mattias Fridell, Ness, Samuli Kemppi, Svreca, Takaaki Itoh, Unam Zetineb, Exium, Alessio Pili, Antonio de Angelis, Artefakt, Edit/Select, Jonas Kopp, Kwartz, Mod21, Reggy van Oers, Juho Kahilainen, Eric Cloutier, Johanna Knutsson, Tom Bonaty, Arnaud le Texier, Brando Lupi, I/Y, Iori, MTD, Nima Khak, Par Grindvik, SNTS, The Noisemaker, VSK, Attemporal, Casual Violence, Rasmus Hedlund, Sleeparchive, Terence Fixmer, Eastern Renaissance, Victor Martinez and many, many more.
Luigi Tozzi / Deepbass / Claudio Prc - Deep Blue
