quête:maximum

French house music crew Kumquat is thrilled to team up with the unstoppable Atree for their first release. The EP kicks off with sun-soaked "Happy Bout That" hitting the perfect blend of vintage synths and flowing tension. Huerta is up next on remix duties, dubbing down the title track for maximum groove. On the flip "Handshake" is sure to elicit maximum stank face with its growling bassline and "Righteous Funk" hits that future-retro aesthetic in a way only Atree can pull off.

Lock on for a legit excursion into 140 realness as Sneaker Social Club welcomes Silas into the fold. The breakthrough Oxford beatsmith has been on the bubble-up for a minute, facing off with the likes of Trends and Boylan on Mean Streets, remixing PRAGA and throwing down for repeat appearances on Rinse and elsewhere.

The sound Silas pushes on the ‘Wot’ EP - his debut solo 12” no less - is steeped in the original dank pressure of OG grime and dubstep, where moodiness and minimalism create the perfect storm for all-consuming soundsystem immersion. There’s a wavey swing to ‘Know Yourself’ which contrasts with the strict, claustrophobic drive of ‘Wot’. ‘Ubuntu’ on the flip teases an evocative sound world just past the edge of the mix, but manages to hold down the stripped back approach on a skippy 4/4 rhythm which nudges garage into a kind of tech-house-funky amalgamation. ‘Make It Happen’ offers yet another subtle slant on Silas’ style, crooked and gritty but still executed with
an unrelenting, austere focus.

Consider this an essential pin dropped on forward-leaning bassweight sounds which carry the torch for grime and dubstep’s ice-cold origins, maintaining maximum presence without even a whiff of derivative wobble.

"Listen to This." As the original working title for Bitches Brew, the instruction and invitation resonates to this day as the best way to approach a record that shattered conventions, altered music history, and, more than five decades after its original release, still sounds far ahead of its time. The aural Mount Rushmore of jazz fusion, Bitches Brew is rightly ranked by virtually every significant outlet among the 100 greatest albums ever made in any genre. Sewn together with vibrant colours, voodoo textures, and ethereal moods, the 1970 landmark emerges with supreme detail on Mobile Fidelity's definitive 180g 33RPM 2LP set.

Sourced from the original master tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, this numbered-edition version of Bitches Brew joins the audiophile ranks of other essential Miles Davis sets reissued by Mobile Fidelity. Having established new possibilities for studio-recording techniques, the record can now be experienced to maximum degree by way of a pressing that widens and deepens the soundstage, opens up separation between instruments, and broadens the dynamic range. If ever a jazz album can be said to have gone to outer space and back, this is it.

Davis conceived Bitches Brew by having the musicians stand in a semi-circle, where he pointed at them with vague directions for tempo, solos, and cues. The collective improvisation and interplay spawned a galaxy of melodies and grooves later spliced together by producer Ted Macero. On this reissue, these creations take shape with utmost realism. Compositions stretch across black backgrounds and paint abstract canvasses on par with those of Axis: Bold As Love and Abraxas. Juxtaposed percussion, loose jams, and melodic segues explode with impressionistic verve.

And "verve" defines Bitches Brew. Gathering a Hall of Fame-worthy lineup of musicians and tweaking it according to his desires, Davis follows through on his idea to "put together the greatest rock and roll band you ever heard." Central to his proposition is the presence of two (and sometimes three) drummers and two bassists, a tactical move that thrusts rhythms into central focus. Akin to the futuristic album cover art, the drum-driven suites head toward distant universes and uncharted territories. At once hypnotizing and grooving, they chart maverick adventures with quixotic rock, funk, and R&B elements.

Conceptually, Davis described Bitches Brew as "a novel without words" and "an incredible journey of pain, joy, sorrow, hate, passion, and love." The vast psychedelic expanses of warped echoes, liquid reverb, and tape loops confirm such ambitious contrasts of light and dark, fear and hope. Yet the most absolute characteristic of this watershed effort lies in how it resists definitive interpretation and encourages free thought — the very principles with which Davis conceived the everlasting beauty and fascination that remain Bitches Brew.

The Funky French League is a collective of intergenerational DJ’s / producers / musicians, composed of Young Pulse, Arthur Chaps, Woody Braun, Monsieur Willy, DJ Asko and Uncle T. Coming from diverse backgrounds, from hip hop to electronic music, the love of groove brought them together. Their goal is to promote funk and its derivatives through parties, mixes, remixes, radio broadcasts... This 7” release is a remake of the African Blood classic A.I.E from 1975. It goes without saying that Monsieur Willy touched this one with respect, dignity and style but yet still pumped it up to the max. The afro beat driven Bonus Beat on the flip, again caters for the DJ to give them maximum freedom to express their skills and mixing creativity.

Significant Other unveils a new project: Pain Management. A new imprint presenting music and visual media across a variety of formats. The outlet launches with an original 4 track EP: When It Rains.

Christening the label with his first full length release since 2021, the subversive producer steps out from behind the curtain with a batch of tracks guaranteed to soothe psychic woes and challenge sound systems alike.

True to the name of the label, this debut release delivers a healthy dose of leftfield club weight. Tough and tender in equal measure, it’s a record that explores in-between zones. A fever dream of narrative experiments at the outer edges of club music, packing enough punch to shake a dancefloor, but enough delicacy to soundtrack the ride home. The final product is a meeting of outsider sonics and sleazy dance tropes, body music for restless minds.

The record begins with the lead single ‘RPG’ (A1). A smoked out, drug chug power ballad featuring fellow NYC underground alum James K. Anchored around a growling 4/4 battle beat, swells of dub and inchoate vocal cries rise intermittently from the haze. Within the fever dream fugue of thuggish sub weight and engine-room crud, a tender, sustained warmth shimmers.

A2’s ‘I Get Such Bad Headaches’ is a twisted club thumper built around a questioning vocal refrain. It’s a tongue in cheek nod to the label’s origins that takes shape in a sleazy beat track with some serious club weight. Slowed n’ chopped to the maximum, it’s a low slung sleeper-hit with attitude. DJ Screw meets Tylenol PM, a bass-boosted anthem for the neural punishment enjoyer.

The B-side opens with the title track, ‘When It Rains (It Pours)’, a droned out mess of distant voices and textural grit. Anchored around the titular looping axiom, the track has a deathly, abyssal weight to it. A claustrophobic hymn of surrender, faithful to its stark refrain.

‘Bad Blood’ wraps the record on a tender note. A sluggish heartbeat pumps beneath the fog of dub delays and distortion, propelling forward a lethargic rhythm. Out of nowhere a blissed out synth line pierces the tension. A sharp, emotive melody disrupting the paramnesia with something new. If the record’s title track suggests a downward spiral through some psychic storm, then ‘Bad Blood’ shows the outline of dry land coming slowly into focus.

Art Direction by Ciaran Birch

Where stars drench the sky in hues of infinity, amidst the chaotic waves of supernovas, Sleem Gleam emerges from the abyss to debut a fusion of electronic rhythms and reverberated riffs that crash against the shores of reality.

Riding on a hot acid groove and descending into an electric whirlpool, “Lava Barrels at High Tide” is a stripped-back oceanside bop that epitomizes the swell. Up next, “Totally Pitted” hits maximum wetness with an iconic bass line and blazing flanged-out hats guaranteed to jostle a noggin.

On the flip side, the upbeat electro jam “Cosmic Rip Current” presents a hazard to beach-goers in the form of a thick and psychedelic stellar blip-swirl. Lobotomy Party sends it home at high speed with twacked-out vocal samples and surreal pulsating bass.

Sleem Gleam is the new surf-inspired alias of Minneapolis-based Kajunga co-founder Ry Johnson, aka Ryote. He has been making and releasing electronic music since 2007 and DJing since 2011.

Warehouse Find! - Test Pressing!

It seems like ages since we last had Roberto Rodriguez on the label with his excellent Be Somebody back in 2008, so we're plenty happy to welcome him back for a long overdue follow up. Roberto clearly hasn't just been sitting on his arse the last 4 years however, having established the Serenades label which released his own LP Dawn last year, as well as putting out the killer Thinking Of You release on Fina plus numerous remixes for rock solid labels such as Let's Play House, On The Prowl, Moodmusic and 2020 Vision. Those familiar with Roberto's productions and credentials will know he has a fine ear for disco and 90's house born out of years collecting records and DJing in the best clubs in his native Helsinki.
Kicking off with Dance Like Nobody's Watching, we see Roberto tread confidently into pure, unadulterated retro house territory with NJ organ stabs, swinging 909 drum groove and choice vocal hits.
Oxymoron keeps things a little deeper with tracky filtering chords and driving drums resulting in a garage-influenced feel with bucket loads of raw attitude.
Finally we have The Black Madonna on board for a remix of the title track. The Chicago producer impressed us recently with her brilliant disco-infused tracks on Stripped & Chewed and Home Taping labels and thought her the perfect choice to contribute to the release. Here she delivers a lesson in stripped back Chicago warehouse vibes keeping everything to a bare minimum for maximum club bump. Kick, claps and piano stabs form the basic groove as she confidently develops the arrangement slowly and surely.

Warehouse Find!

Here we bring you the second part of the Jimpster remixes package with amazing new interpretations of Brought To Bare from Deetron and Tanner Ross. Deetron delivers two diverse versions of the original in his own unique style. First up is the main remix which goes for a stripped back approach but works Jonatan Bäckelie's full vocal to maximum effect with just a sublime Reese-esque bass line and fat kick for company. The second mix aka Deetron's Paradise Version oozes quality with a unique and dynamic arrangement, echoes of Underground Resistance in the drums and stabs and amazing pads all making for a deep and musical journey. Finally Bostonian Tanner Ross goes raw R&B on his version with jacked up drums straight out of the Neptunes school of beatmaking, keeping things stripped bare for the vocal to shine. Another fine example of why this man is causing so much damage with his bold and interesting productions right now. Hope you enjoy!

SlapFunk return to the world of phonographic recordings with a mini album split into two ep’s from the highly regarded Tommy Vicari Jnr.

Hailing from the steel city of Sheffield he forged a new bond with the label after a standout DJ set at one of the famous SlapFunk parties and then delivered 8 solid tracks to work the speaker stacks.

Even with a minimal approach to the main ingredients in the productions, the results have been creating maximum impact on the dance floor, fully road tested at some of the best parties and festivals. Deep,moody, glitched out grooves collide with warehouse box jams that will soon get you throwing some serious shapes.

We are thrilled to have such a talent appear on our label and are very excited to present to you this dynamite double disc release. soft pads that will make you close your eyes and dive into intense reflections.

1000 copies worldwide. Deluxe 30th anniversary re-issue of cult Boston band's 1992 debut. Featuring the intense guitar interplay of Thalia Zedek and Chris Brokaw. Acclaimed by Dinosaur Jr's J Mascis, Husker Du's Bob Mould and Kurt Cobain. An awe-inspiring collision of noise via American blues-rock with thunderous rhythms holding together every six-string duel. A cathartic and euphoric hail of noise that's succinctly tailored for maximum effect. An album that defined Zadek and Brokaw's songwriting partnerships as one of the most original bands of the 90s, tirelessly meshing their blues-infected ballads with feedback and epic instrumental breakdowns. "A uniquely sludgy, electric, and strong fusion of sounds and styles, combining extreme angst and commanding power." AllMusic // In addition, the nine original tracks are extended with the 'Fast Piss Blues' single and its flipside, a cover of The Rolling Stones' 'I Got the Blues'. The re-issue package also includes a download link to 'Live At Vermonstress Festival' recorded on the 10th on November 1992. "Like watching someone howl into a rainstorm."" Entertainment Weekly // "A suitably visceral live recording." Record Collector

Irlam's infamous upstarts DJ Absolutely Shit are at it again with four more tracks to rattle yer spines and rupture yer spleens.
Utilizing the classic approach of sourcing a sick sample, adding a rugged breakbeat, then tweaking out the buzz for maximum enjoyment, the pair deliver an explosive EP of global hypercoloured mayhem that burns hotter than an oz of 'Ells Angels sputnik.

'Bridge To Your Heart' grabs Sade by the hand, shoves two purple doves down her throat and queue-jumps to the front of Bowlers for an endorphin-rushing hardcore workout full of modern beat engineering and sample manipulation.

Switching approach, 'Bolivia' shuns the dreamy feminism for an altogether more masculine affair - roping in the Wu for an argy-bargy, elbows-out speaker shaker full of hi-definition laser stabs and destructive, land mine subs.

Hitting the accelerator, 'Rocking You Eternally' traverses the jungle boarders in a blacked out Nova, Ab Shit's flair and panache at drum programming and contemporary production chops beautifully on show throughout this big system roller with a carp-hunting vocal hook.

'Gong' closes off proceedings, merging moods inna more seductive flavour. E-soaked pianos and a gentle throb coaxing us to that end-of-night climax that'll have us humming the piano line all the way down the M65 home.

No jokes cru, this is some of the best tackle to emerge outta the DJ Absolutely Shit studio to date. One of two, vinyl-only EPs and ahead of their debut album that follows on C90 tape.

Boing boing boing, boing boing boing, boing boing!!

Following the most prolific year of his production career, Adam Beyer starts 2024 right with another standout EP, Let’s Begin’, which takes influence from the ‘90s Drumcode sound with a modern touch. Looking backwards to go forwards, the three-track work kicks off with ‘Let’s Begin’ and sees Beyer lean on faster tempos and rugged rhythms to craft a high octane, atmosphere heavy cut that hits you right between the eyes. An absolutely cracking peak-time tune that highlighted recent gigs at Blitz Club in Munich and Amnesia in Milan. ‘Computerized’ is a masterclass in dancefloor mentalism, bringing forth shades of hardcore influenced vocals and menacing synth lines reminiscent of early 2000s Frankfurt. No surprise this brought maximum vibes at Beyer’s NYE gigs in the States at Teksupport and Insomniac’s Countdown NYE event. Fresh out of the studio, ‘Red Room’ is a dreamy belter that takes in subtle hints of classic four-to-the-floor grooves reminiscent of UK hard dance, before an industrial synth section ramps up the intensity. Exhilarating stuff. “This new three-tracker is on the rawer techno tip and is an ode to Drumcode’s earlier material. It’s a take on the ‘90s sound blended with new modern elements. For this release I wanted to take the Adam Beyer techno sound from that period and bring it up-to-date. It’s dirty with a new twist, direct and to the point. This project is not a statement, rather it’s a release that was inspired by the big techno shows

Zwischen bezaubernder Zärtlichkeit und Brutalität, zwischen den Feuern der Unterwelt und den kältesten Dämpfen des Nordens, das ist das Wesen, das WINTERHORDE genannt wird. Gegründet im Jahr 2002 in Nordisrael, hat sich die Progressive Extreme Metal Gruppe weiterentwickelt und versucht, mit jedem Akkord, den sie spielen und aufnehmen, etwas Größeres zu werden. Nur der Himmel ist die Grenze. Ob durch die uralten Künste des geschwärzten Metal bis hin zu den Juwelen der Progression, WINTERHORDE sind auf dem Weg, das nächste Ding der artikulierten Extremität zu sein.

WINTERHORDE hatten das große Vergnügen und das Privileg, mit einigen der größten Bands des Metal wie JUDAS PRIEST, BEHEMOTH, ACCEPT, W. A. S. P, DIMMU BORGIR, KEEP OF KALESSIN, AMORPHIS, SATYRICON und vielen mehr auf den Bühnen verschiedener europäischer Festivals wie "Metal Days", "Rockstadt Extreme Fest", "OST Mountain Fest", "Metalhead Meeting", "Maximum Rock" und "Metal yard" aufzutreten.

WINTERHORDE bahnten ihren Weg in den progressiven Manierismus des Extreme Metal und veröffentlichten ihr Debüt "Nebula" (2006, Burning Star Records), dem eine komplette Europatour mit den finnischen Black Metalern CATAMENIA folgte. Das zweite Album "Underwatermoon" (2010, Twilight Vertrieb) wurde von V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS, OBSCURA, PARADOX, TRYPTIKON) aufgenommen und produziert. Anfang 2016 vollendete WINTERHORDE eines ihrer abenteuerlichen und höchst geheimnisvollen Epos, "Maestro" (Vicisolum Productions) wurde erneut von V. Santura produziert und von Jens Bogren gemastert. Kritiker und Fans begrüßten das dritte Studioalbum "Maestro", das im Mai 2016 veröffentlicht wurde.

Sechs Jahre später, und WINTERHORDE sind wieder bereit für die nächste Herausforderung. Voller Energie und einer neuen, überwältigenden Besetzung haben WINTERHORDE die Arbeit an ihrem neuen, vierten Studioalbum "Neptunian" geschafft.
Im Juni 2022 wurde die Single "The Greatest Plague of Earth" veröffentlicht.

Metal Temple zine:
"This is an expression of extreme passion, through a whirlwind, and a strong character. Winterhorde is back different, but preserving their miraculous nature"

Winterhorde's bassist and founder, Alexander Latman, comments on "The Spirit Of Freedom"
"This song deals with the unbreakable spirit of simple people, who are ready to die for keeping their land free. We wanted to show this spirit, not only in the warrior himself but also in his family members who are filled with pride of their fallen loved one. The simple people are those who sacrifice their lives for unnecessary wars waged by rich people's games. They die, but never give up their freedom and identity. The conflict of life versus freedom at any cost".

Sales Info:
- PR-Kampagne über die deutsche Agentur ALL NOIR für Print / Presse / Radio in der EU + O'Donnell Medien für PR in den USA
- frühere Musikvideos haben jeweils 5-stellige Ansichten auf YT erreicht
- neues Album gemischt und gemastert von Jaime Gomez Arellano (Ghost, Paradise Lost, Insomnium, Moonspell)
- Feat. Künstler auf Album: Kobi Farhi von Orphaned Land und Davidavi Dolev von Subterranean Masquerade

The incendiary proto hard rock and ambitious epic journeys this album delivers are all the more uncanny and devastating when you realize Gary Del Vecchio was a mere 16 years old when the title track Buzzin was unleashed! Even more astonishing is how far he travelled over the next five years, documented in this brilliant selection of nine tracks from the classic daze of early 1970s underground rock. Ohio was a hotbed for hard rock at the time with bands like the James Gang, Glass Harp, Poobah, Left End, Damnation Of Adam Blessing… what you get here matches the style any of those bands laid down. Gary's music grabs you immediately and grows over time. Grabber and Grower… best of both worlds style! It makes sense that Gary later owned a recording studio, right out of the gate he was laser focussed on all the aspects involved in making music that stands the test of time. The guitar action is incredible, shards of sound flying free yet hitting the bullseye continuously, vocals confident with none of the macho posturing that ages poorly in much early hard rock. These tracks are all vividly recorded and meticulously mixed in a way that balances fiery performance and intelligent structure to maximum effect. The bass and drumming here are phenomenally inventive and propulsive, the several players involved across the album nail it in their support of Gary's vision. This is rock music born in the 'anything is possible' life affirming energy of the late '60s right on time with where the most enduring artists of the early '70s took it. Had he scored the major label deal he pursued with labels like Mercury or London at the time I am confident we'd be hearing his music on classic rock radio today! The music on this album is both uncompromising and accessible. In particular, the two long tracks Wasted King and Starman have all the moves needed to grab fans of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the likes by the throat and brain in the extended progressive epic department! RidingEasy Records sets a high bar when it comes to unleashing the best vintage hard rock you never heard… take my tip people, the ride this one takes you on is definitely an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10… Gary Del Vecchio really knows how to do it!

After a year-long hiatus, 7CIRCLE reemerges on his label, Destroy To Rebuild, delivering two compelling originals, alongside groundbreaking remixes from none other than Perc (Perc Trax) and In Verruf (R Label Group). Through this release, 7CIRCLE solidifies his stance and dedication, forging new paths in the techno music realm.

The first track, "Twist Blade", wastes no time immersing listeners in a relentless barrage of drums and sharp percussion, creating a moment that ignites dancefloors. "Oblivion" takes on a darker and more hypnotic mood, setting the vibe for the deepest sets. Perc puts his spin on "Twist Blades", focusing on hard-hitting drums and distorted synths while maintaining the extended breakdown structure for maximum impact. Drawing on his expertise in emotive production, In Verruf transports "Oblivion" to otherworldly realms, infusing it with arpeggios, synth lines, and an emotional atmosphere to craft a remix that captivates audiences.

This release is sure to satisfy even the most discerning listeners.

Obscure digi dub gem from 2010 by French one-of-a-kind vocal scientist Pupa Jim, available on wax for the first time since its initial short run 14 years ago.

Programmed by the Maffi crew, the Copenhagen riddim experts of the myspace era, this relentless 7″ module aged oddly well, with its futuristic AI-theme and timeless simplicity.

Jahtari main electrician disrupt is taking a closer look into the strippped down riddim schematics on the flip side, kicking it with a minimum set of transistors to wreak maximum havoc dubwise.