Shaun Reeves & Tuccillo present a new facet of their ongoing collaborative efforts, with a collection of works that took root in the woods of Ibiza. SHANTU's first record opens with 'Primero', a classy ride through dreamy melodic elements and a relaxed groove with a steadily rising pace. 'Ingenue' moves things into 2nd gear with a deep and funky bassline that is soon propelled further with a variety of organic percussion elements. The long B side 'Zissou' would certainly be at home in the team Zissou minimalist playlist, a mysterious and psychedelic underwater trip populated with strange echoed synths and steady precision drum machine work.
After the first successful record, Danish label front man Gaze ill pursues another excursion through the ever-growing Dubstep-spectrum. He returns to his own physical outline of Cue Line Records with four hefty cuts that surely make up another stellar record, however he s not alone. Last time it was his partner in crime RDG, this time its frontline support from the Dutchman & bass mammoth TMSV , who s given Space-Time a completely different spin.
CLV002 opens up with a serious wobbler: one that is reminiscent to the golden days of the fundamental Dubstep sound, but housed in a completely different straightjacket. It swiftly sets the pace, as the wobbles escalate into the leading element of the destructive Space- Time . The second cut by the Danish producer adds the step to dub music so to speak and lively resembles King Tubby on a Dubstep flex. Watch out for that naughty second drop, which holds
nothing but booming vibrations that ll hang fans upside down. Spirit Of The Forces unveils an equally refreshing take on bass music thanks to the creative structuring of both low-and-high melodies. This allows listeners to take flight
easily and fly away from what we call reality an excellent track for both spring and summer time. TMSV s spin-off is as bright as its forerunner, but far more up-tempo and hypnotic. Utrecht s producer instigates a spacious stepper that defeats time & momentum by incorporating his raw remix techniques. The right remixer for the right record: Cue Line Records at its best!
A split single featuring Washington, D.C.'s Escape-Ism and Light Beams. The digital
download in- cludes an extra track by each band.
Escape-ism is called "the found-sound-dream-drama," "the grieving widow of rock 'n' roll" , the "press play and run away group", the strrrripped down sound machine starring Ian Svenonius, star of Chain & the Gang, singer in The Make Up, author of 'Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock 'n' Roll Group.' Its a single occupancy combo, a one banana bunch, the gestural rock 'n' roll provocation which combines cave person poetry with beats and melody translated incorrectly from hieroglyphs found in arch-pharaoh Cheops' triangle shaped record collection. Escape-ism is a bid at inciting long- ing for a past behind an IRON CURTAIN, and hope for a future in flames. Escape-ism -- hear it, fear it, cheer it.'
Light Beams began in 2015 when Justin Moyer (Puff Pieces) -- influenced by 80s-era freestyle music and Sheila E. -- started playing sampler and timbales with Sam Lavine, the longtime drummer of D.C. hip-hop mainstays the Cornel West Theory. With the addition of bassist Arthur Noll the result- ing polyrhythmic melange, sometimes called "zap-tone" or "block rock," reinvents late-20th century dance-pop using the tools of the 21st.
- Drone pursues new resonant frequencies with it's twelfth release, a tonal, penetrating, and experimental album.
- VII was recorded by laying full takes of synthesisers and guitar feedback with repetitive melodies as a nod to the tradition of ragas.
- Each song was written for a specific power centre in the body and to engage both active and passive effects of sustained and concentrated sound.
You could be forgiven for thinking Basso's been hitting the plant food of late. Last time out we took a trip with Trance, and now our esoteric expert nods his head, rolls his shoulders and drops a h-h-h-house record on our unexpecting asses. That's right folks, roll up the rug, push the sofa back and enjoy some ‚Personal Growth' from James Booth.
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Operating a million miles away from the kick and hiss of the trendy lo-fi folks, the Berlin based producer favours subtle rhythms, delicate textures and tender melodies - turning out a string of sophisticated dance floor winners for 100% Silk, Church and No Bad Days. Now he brings his organic house stylings to the Growing Bin with a fresh five-tracker packed with all the warmth of a Tempelhof picnic on a balmy July afternoon.
Emerging from the watery depths of the Drexciyan ocean, opener ‚Mood' strides calmly through the morning dew, stretching those loose limbs and seeking out Hardcastle's rainforest. Drifting freely
through immersive, aquatic pads and soft focus melodies, the track takes in a little R&R before snapping electro percussion, cascading synthlines and a rolling rhythm up the intensity. The deepness continues on the A2 as ‚Dream Precipitation' offers a medicated vision of Debussy doing P-Bar while Lynch rolls the cameras. Syncopated hi-hats, jazzy keys and star-gazing sine waves wrap themselves around your cerebellum, expanding your mind as a steady kick moves your body into the pleasure zone. Booth takes a Derren Brown tip on the flip, imbuing ‚You' with the kind of mesmeric rhythm that can make the staunchest wallflower pull a Pink Panther on a packed dance floor. The exotic tumble of woody percussion and hissing castanets keep up a fascinating rhythm, driving the titular mantra and snaking synth melody through bursts of slapped bass and subtle 4/4. ‚Dhoop Stick' stays on board with the boogie hypnotism, weaving its way through celestial melodies, squelching bass and toasty Rhodes before ‚The Chorus' brings down the curtain with wailing FM vox, military snares and the dreamy synth pop charm of a lost Sheffield classic. Warm, woody and entirely organic, this is the birth of Green House...you heard it here first!
(words by Patrick Ryder)
Hope Works founder Lo Shea drops two murky cuts on Rekids with Thule and AE Recordings boss Thor on remix duties.
On top of running his highly respected Hope Works event series in the North of England, Lo Shea's reputation as a producer is unquestionable, with recent years seeing the Sheffield-based artist appear on credible imprints such as Phonica, Never Learnt, SZE, Transit and Dext Recordings.Metallic percussion is blended with growling bass in 'Let's Roll' before introducing spooky synths to generate a mesmerising aesthetic. Energetic breakbeat drums and intricate melodies then forge 'Tundish' before Thor reinterprets 'Let's Roll' by sucking you into a dub techno vortex; stripping shards off the original that cascade whilst driving you into an abyss.
'Exit Entrance' is the DFA debut for Kohei Matsunaga aka NHK yx Koyxen.
Kohei has been making / releasing music since 1997 and has recorded for such iconic labels as Mille Plateaux, Important, Pan & Diagonal.
His latest recordings explore intricate drum programming, lush melodies & sparkling arrangements. Touchstones include the legendary 'Clicks & Cuts' compilations from the 1990's as well as Aphex Twin & Autechre. RA called his music bombastic techno funk....unpredictable but rarely disappointing'.
'Exit Entrance' is a collection of new songs that snap and flicker unlike anything Kohei has done in the past. There is a clarity and beauty to these tracks that bursts out of the speakers in a three dimensional way, matching the 3D glasses that the artist wears during all his live performances. The elegant arrangements and crisp drum breaks match the concise song titles - Kohei foregoes the typical impenetrable track names made up of numbers and shorthand, and opts for a more direct emotional sincerity through the sonic themes of the record. Not all the music here falls into the same exact formula.
As the album heads towards a close, after several tracks of harmonious beauty, we get 'Outset (for Mika Vainio)', a sombre hushed techno tune, dedicated to his late friend and musical collaborator, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year as the record was being completed. What follows after this track is perhaps the real catharsis, as 'Dented' ominously kicks off with acidic stabs and rolls into a tumultuous dirge of gritty techno.
In this regard, 'Exit Entrance' can play out like a life cycle, a mini opera of birth and beauty, of sorrow and mourning.
It is one of the most direct and honest records Kohei has ever made, and DFA is beyond proud to present this work from such an esteemed creative force in the electronic avant-garde world of music.
For fans of Aphex Twin, Actress, Zomby, Kraftwerk, Four Tet.
Orbis X is a sublabel of Orbis Records and will be mainly focusing on softer yet often usable as DJ material for the broader mass interested in Electronic music. This sublabel is an extension of Orbis Records softer, more melodical and experimental side.
Music will be ranging from house, dub, chicago over melodic acid and even breaks. Not any track makes it to this sublabel if it can't stand on its own and stand the test of time! We warmly welcome the Dutch duo Dennis Pors & Stephan de Bruijn to OrbisX. New fresh talent, ready to conquer the world. We feel obliged to support these
fine gentlemen to get their music spread across the globe. Dennis & Stephan know each other through their musical perspectives.
They share a similar taste for music, Detroit techno. Before they worked together, Dennis experimented with deep house through digital synths and learned the ins and outs of programming music in Logic.
Stephan was well known with the detroit techno scene. His passion goes out to well balanced electronic music with hypnotizing emotional feeling to it. Add a layer of atmospheric grooves on top of that and you have the perfect blend to potential timeless music.
Soon enough they made the switch to analog gear to be able to create a cleaner and better sound. After three years of hard work, they have reached the sound they were looking for. And this is it!
Their debut on vinyl. D&S servers a full EP called Thoughts EP. A great cocktail of dreamy and diverse electronic tunes. This EP fits well in the back of any DJ bag to warm up the place or fix the atmosphere on roof-top bar in NYC. Smooth cruising, roof down car music or background music on a spring night with a summery breeze This EP is amazing and works best on a big sounds systems and major festivals! Childs play , what s in a name. Nothing like that melody. Creating a generously opening atmosphere, but actually brilliantly mixed creating the perception of simplicity. Groovy, acid touches and funky. Can t keep still when being played. A-track for sure! Thoughts might have a dark feel to it but evolves in a very uplifting track in just a few moments, making
it very bright and fun to play. Shed light to the place, should have been a great title as well, but thoughts is the best name for this track. The story in this track is definitely there to be told and listened to. Edge Of Insanity kicks of the B-side. Goosebumps, as from the start. Building up slowly to a very melodic and yet simply track, it s the perfect translation for a sunrise at the beach. Potential
Ibiza hit if you ask us. Submission is a track straight out of a movie. Clever, nice build up, dreamy, spacey and above all so amazingly subtle. This is what falling in love should sound like. We re humble. We re amazed. We re honoured to host D&S. We hope this duo gets the attention
Brexit Jazz (the never ending story). A full spectrum Compost release from House to Hooligan-Jazz, Downbeat, Disco to Freestyle. Brexit Jazz are Roberto Di Gioia (Marsmobil / Web Web), Jan Krause (Beanfield) and Michael Reinboth (head of Compost).
Infused with minty flavours this next blend brings raw grooves, warm baselines and uplifting melodies. Crafted with love they make the perfect accompaniment to twilight settings, tracks supplied from Mattiik (UK), Slim Steve (Italy), DOS (Austria) and James Henry (UK).
Following some ear-catching manoeuvres across releases like last year's self-released 'Only' and 'Lagata', which gained her early fans like Bjork and Dev Hynes (who she supported in the USA), 'Tommy' marks Klein's deepest plunge yet into the deep, dark ocean' of her musical imagination on her Hyperdub debut. On 'Tommy' her vocals play with Fifties-esque melodies before switching to familiar tones akin to Brandy and Rodney Jerkins, her live voice and live piano playing filtered through hyper-glitchy and looped production with a loose, internal logic, cutting from angular atonality to pockets of skewered harmony. 'Tommy' also steps things up in conceptual terms. Its eight tracks are broken down into acts that are rooted in themes of vulnerability, sisterhood and death, threading the chaotic sonics with modern operatic undertones and a Shakespearean sense of tragedy. There's a lot of bluster about originality in contemporary UK music and what rises from the noise here is a creative voice who, by her very nature, plays with the construct of what pop is. This is Klein's world ... it's on us to get with it.
Following a superb remix of Hakimonu's 'Insular Realms' in 2015, Ed Davenport's Inland alias returns to Deep'a & Biri's Black Crow Recordings with a brand new EP for the label's tenth release. Having played a key role in the relaunch of Function's Infrastructure New York imprint, in addition to operating his own widley admired Counterchange label, Davenport's techno project has brought the Englishman to wider recognition as one of the genre's most talented producers. The new EP's three original tracks finds Inland exploring all facets of his diverse sound: A1, 'Metatlantic' is driving, acid-laced techno, 'Cosinaxis', employs electro beat patterns and IDM aesthetics, B-side opener, 'Lagoon9', is a melodic Detroit-indebted big room weapon. Closing out the EP is a remix of from 3KZ aka Italian duo Z.I.P.P.O & Kaelan, the latter of whom provided one of Black Crow's standout releases so far under his 2030 alias with last year's Timeworm EP. Their remix of 'Cosinaxis' follows hot on the heels of their debut album 'Parallel Reflections', released earlier this year on Z.I.P.P.O.'s Fides imprint.
Musically and emotionally, Superpitcher's third full-length studio album, The Golden Ravedays is a one sound autobiography that exhibits the skill, feeling and style that the artist has honed over a period of twenty years, musically, and forty-plus-years, emotionally.
And full-length it is:
The Golden Ravedays is an epic album of 24 tracks that was released in January 2017 and is stretching over 12 respective chapter albums during a one-year period.
The 9th link of The Golden Ravedays chain will be released on Hippie Dance in September 2017.
Where number 8 of the series took us to outer space, number 9 introduces two tracks that are an under-water celebration of all that is good and all that is sad.
Side A features Hiding.
Imagine galloping sea horses pulling a Christmas chariot filled with dreams-come-true past enchanting mermaids, smiling sharks, waving tortoises and nonplused eels, leaving a gifted blanket of mystical sound in their wake.
Hiding stretches and breaks into many layers of listening love without enforcing one particular sound.
Side B features Flying.
The piece is occupied by a subaquatic melody colored by whale sounds and the echoes of immersed guitar strings.
Flying is not about complex development or diversity but the weightless drifting of sounds that create a wonderfully hazy cloud to lose oneself in and fly, deliciously with the dolphins.
Rest assure, the ending is be speckled with whimsical chimes showers, paving the way for the softest of landings
This is NovaMute's first release since MOTOR (Bryan Black and Oly Grasset) over ten years ago. The Release will be 3 weeks available as VINYL ONLY.
Nova Mute, a subsidiary of Mute (Depeche Mode, Goldfrapp, New Order, Liars, Erasure, Moby), began in 1992 as a response to the growing demand for techno releases in the UK. Originally presenting white labels and imports, NovaMute went on to release records by Plastikman, Speedy J, Juan Atkins, Luke Slater and Joey Beltram to name a few, this is Nova Mute's first release since over ten years ago
Nicolas Bougaïeff presents his new EP on seminal British imprint NovaMute. As a producer he harbours a diverse musical background, having studied in a conservatoire setting whilst foraying into anti-authoritarian rave culture. He is also a respected lecturer, regularly teaching masterclasses in composition and speaking at global events such as Mutek and Ableton Loop - the results of which come to life in the inquisitive spirit of his productions. Cognitive Resonance explores elements of psytrance, gabber and techno through a compositional lens, drawing on the artist's love for avant-garde forms and long-standing relationship with the electronic music community. The title track lays out long, expansive phrases and warped crescendos to create a disorienting structure, whilst distant harmonies, distorted kick drums and shattering effects merge into a hypnotic form on 'Truthful Hyperbole'. Lastly, 'Fake News' mangles our sense of rhythmic familiarity, disrupting the 4/4 beat with a complex metre and sinister melody. This is NovaMute's first release since MOTOR (Bryan Black and Oly Grasset) over ten years ago. T as well as forging invaluable links with labels such as Tresor and Probe, which allowed them to license rare tracks for a wider audience. Forthcoming releases on NovaMute will include EP's from Terence Fixmer and Charlotte de Witte.
Spiritual jazz heavyweight and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Kamasi Washington's new EP Harmony of Difference, the first new music from Washington since his universally acclaimed 2015 debut album The Epic, is out September 29 via Young Turks.
Harmony of Difference premiered as part of the Whitney Museum of American Art 2017 Biennial alongside a film by A.G. Rojas and also featuring artwork by Kamasi Washington's sister, Amani Washington. The new music is an original six part suite that explores the philosophical possibilities of the musical technique known as 'counterpoint,' which Washington defines as 'the art of balancing similarity and difference to create harmony between separate melodies.' Beyond the artistic impulse to expand the possibilities within counterpoint, Washington wanted to create something that opened people's minds to the gift of diversity.
Each of the first five movements is its own unique composition. 'Truth,' the sixth movement, fuses all five compositions into one simultaneous performance. Echoing this fusion, Amani created five paintings focused on raw shapes and colors, each inspired by one of the first five movements of the suite. Amani then combined these paintings to create a sixth: an abstract depiction of a human face.
The film, directed by A.G. Rojas, brings the metaphoric ideas found in both the music and paintings to life. While still quite abstract, it focuses on the harmony found in people from South Central and East Los Angeles and shows the beauty in their differences.
'My hope is that witnessing the beautiful harmony created by merging different musical melodies will help people realize the beauty in our own differ
Patrick Weblin gives us this very special EP. 2 Original tracks named after his 2 sons, so a lot of time and heart has gone into making this Ep with a superb remix from IULY.B. "Tadhg's Groove" give us solid house drums,percs and hats but its the pads and bassline that gives it the movement throughout the track, taking you to another level of space and conscious. IULY.B's remix is down right tasty. It takes you on a little trip and makes you loose track of time all while grooving to this great remix. "Ollie's groove is something a bit special, big 909 kick combined with 808 tops but this time some melodic synths add a very soulful and elegant sound.
Pulse Drift's third installment brings you the vinyl debut of a very talented young artist from Canada. And he delivers something quite special on this 4-Track EP. Deeply rooted in Detroit Electro, his musical sprouts gravitate towards a more experimental, forward-thinking sound universe. Build on a solid stem of rhythmic structures and covered with a cortex of melody and atmosphere, Funk grows and Groove emerges.
the italian duo boot & tax got already one lp and four eps under their wings who all deliver house and techno that stands out.
so far their records been published by glasgow's finest optimo music and meant records from paris.
now the two give their debut for endless flight and release three tunes that listen to the name 'dimension'.
they all got funk, they all love mesmerising melodies. you can feel the power of disco coming in with heavy seducing strings.
you can get lost in echoed drums, trippy sounds and some oriental tones. and you also can march to cosmic techno that loves krautrock without embracing it.
a multi-coloured ep that spreads deepness in an uncommon sense. if moves the heart and soul profound, while staying edgy and catchy.
Fresh from wowing us with that crazy limited promo 45, Krikor Kouchian delivers 11 tracks of expertly executed, shimmering boogie funk. BIG TIP!
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Think of the neon lights of the boulevard or a late nite drive through the lonely hills, Krikor Kouchian's "Pacific Alley" propels you to a world of sleaze and excitement, where passion, money, and illicit substances take precedent and the sun beats down in a relentless unforgiving fashion.
Spending time as a youth in Southern Cailifornia, the French-born Kouchian developed an obsession with this Americana and the magic of everything California. The music on the radio, from pop, to funk, to hip hop fueled his impressionable mind, later on taking influence in his own music.
Pacific Alley is a snapshot of this lost period, full of juicy low slung basslines, slow bpm cruisers, Linn drum crashes, and ride or die melodies. The elements all meld together through this 11 track lp, it's equal parts uplifting and melancholic, downtrodden, yet not without rays of light; the soundtrack for days hanging in front of the corner stores and nights on the strip, both a naive love affair and backstabbing doublecross.
This is boogie funk for the grift, a dollar here buys a bottle there so step into the shade, pop the tape in the deck and enter into the concrete dreamworld.
This is the first 12 inch from Luke Jenner's first solo project since his infamous New York band The Rapture split up. Very often first releases are like a statement.
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Both sides of this 12 represent a side of what Meditation Tunnel is about : epic and melodic on Dreamsequence, psychedelic and hypnotic on Sunrise. Mixed by Joakim, whom Luke shares a studio with in Brooklyn.
Circus Company and The Mole have long been making eyes at each other across the same crowded dancefloor. Colin de la Plantes primary project is synonymous with the off-kilter corner of house music we like to spend our time dancing in, and the labels he releases on are close cousins of the Circus troupe. From Wagon Repair to Philpot, Musique Risquee to Perlon, its a wonder that we havent worked together previously, but finally thats been put right with Little Sunshine. Stripped back, understated disco grooves have always been the bread and butter of The Moles sound, while infectious, cyclical melodic patterns are equally important in making his unique version of house music. On the title track, those elements are presented with full force, but in between the driving rhythms linger the most gorgeous keys, bringing a mellow introspection to the track as a neat counterpoint to the energy of the drums and arpeggios. Compared to the clean lines and peppy tempo of Little Sunshine, Discotheque Airplane is an audacious swerve into low and slow territory, where dusty samples rule the day and the bass swells in and out of earshot with a truly mesmerizing effect. Its a moody affair loaded with tension, mystery and funk in abundance. As if that wasnt enough proof of the variety in The Moles repertoire, on his collaboration with Dutch hero Tom Trago for Down The Hallway we find the pair exploring lean, focused techno, where the simplest of rhythms propel a haunting, distant vocal lick. Its the drum sounds that make this a special cut, championing warm, natural percussion instead of the methodical drum machine hits found in most contemporary techno. Rounding the EP off in a beautifully mysterious style is Aardvarck, whose remix of Down The Hallway take
Juxta Position returns once more to his own imprint with two slices of epic techno. Kinaesthesia is a subtle tool track with added depth, as waves of synth chords wash over deep percussion in increasing intensity. Barrier Block however hits straight between the eyes, with its fusion of varying styles. A half breakbeat rhythm section builds in intensity before an early 90's Frankfurt influenced melodic synth construction reveals itself, culminating in a spectacular crescendo. Two more essential cuts for your box, do not miss!
After moving from London to Berlin Cromby is back on Tenderpark with his second EP for the vinyl label. The young man recreates our love for Deep House with two sample-based tracks which showcase his ever advancing skills with the old school Akai sampler MPC 2000 XL as well as his cool understanding of mixing haunting melodies with gripping groove patterns. The remix on the flip side comes from Hip-Hop super producer gone House lover Hodini who has collaborated with the talented bass player Chez Kerim for this funky workout. The cover image shot by Achim Valbracht is the start of a new artwork series developed by Tenderpark art director Till Sperrle which revolves around critique of investor-driven architechture that has been dominating Berlin for several decades now. The speciously precious and glittering image displays a normalised and globally standardised kind of beauty but at the same time reveals a strong sense of loneliness. As always both the mastering and as well as the lacquer cut of this record have been carefully executed by vinyl sound mastermind Helmut Erler at Dubplates & Mastering.
Two of the leading artists in dub techno and ambient electronics produced four cuts between their extensive studios in New York and Stockholm, with the results sitting in between the powerful oscillations of Echologist's previous EP for Kynant (KYN005) and the slo-mo, Roland jams TM404 specialises in.
TM404 & Echologist (aka Andreas Tilliander and Brendon Moeller) collaborate for the first time on 'Bass Desires'.
Two of the leading artists in dub techno and ambient electronics produced four cuts between their extensive studios in New York and Stockholm, with the results sitting in between the powerful oscillations of Echologist's previous EP for Kynant (KYN005) and the slo-mo, Roland jams TM404 specialises in.
The two A-side tracks are the most direct, with hard-hitting drums, soaring atmospherics and boomy reverb. Flip over and the record spaces out into cavernous bass vibrations; first the subterranean 'Odyssey' and then the melodic, modular twists of the 105BPM title track.
Mastered by Giuseppe Tillieci aka Neel @ EnissLab Studio, Rome. Pressed at Optimal Media.
Dalmata Daniel's next up is a collaboration with the Bristol-born - weirdo disco guy' Antoni Maiovvi and also a contribution of Heinrich Dressel who is an unavoidable column of Rome's electronic music scene.Maiovvi's Pleasure Model project is all about youth - replaced by Blade Runner-esque replicas. His first release under this moniker was - Kendo Dynamics' on 100% Silk in 2016. It aimed for presenting a persuasive world of fiber optic paranoia and technoid effacement.DD006 is the next level of the concept and the first time on vinyl. The tracks are driven by the characteristic haggard drum machine's sound on side A with a melancholic or dark synth themes what becomes a dreamy melody in the - Prism Riot' on side B. The remix by Heinrich Dressel is a turn back directly into the darkness, but it is faster and more like a film soundtrack with his own characteristics, of course. The whole EP has a strong vintage mood and sound.
It can be said that Update 1.1 is definitely dystopian, coming from the future of our past.
This record is meant to be enjoyed like a seascape. It offers a Mediterranean journey, one that Ulysses, Aeneas, and Jason with his Argonauts charted first and Valencian artist, Pep Llopis, retraced and retread — from the islands of Menorca to Santorini. All of his experiences are aboard this vessel of sound: no format in mind, no course but the chasm within self. While Poiemusia La Nau Dels Argonautes materializes at this moment as an album, another object suits Pep's project: Lewis Carroll's Map of the Ocean' from his The Hunting of the Snark. It's a simple illustration: the thin outline of a blank rectangle that represents the sea with no trace of land. Carroll offers this empty space as an object that all can understand, a container for possibility. Likewise, Poiemusia offers a musical language that any listener can understand. Untethered to the meaning of words, one is set adrift and free in minimalist sound and traditional music. Llopis, who often composed for dance, originally wrote Poiemusia for a performance at the Poiemusia festival (the Greek contraction of poetry and music). Peer composers, Carles Santos and Wim Mertens, also participated in the festival, which took place over several days at the Teatro Princesa in Valencia. Llopis paired his newly formed avant-garde compositions with the poems of fellow Valencian, Salvador Jàfer.
In the studio presentation of Poiemusia, voices softly converse, only to evaporate. The poetry is incanted by the poet himself. Jàfer enunciates at the verge of song, drawing dimension from his Mediterranean travels. He is accompanied by Montse Anfruns' vaporous voice. She extends the roll of her r's and the hiss of each s as if casting a spell of Salacia. Pep bathes their conversational performance in slight delays and reverb, allowing their voices to dissolve into an ocean of sound.
Llopis was influenced by minimal American composers like Steve Reich and La Monte Young. He embraces the melodic sides of these masters in the winds of El Vell Rei De La Serp' and the tender piano on Nits de cristall.' You will find yourself submerged in tonality on tracks like Jardins Aquàtics' and La Nau Dels Argonautes' which have a kinship to Philip Glass or Daniel Lentz. Each piece extends from 5 to almost 14 minutes. The music gently laps against listening skin— sometimes placid, sometimes shimmering. Ripples of sound swell and quicken. Flutes like schools of fish. The spray of chimes. Taught strings break like the shore. Tingling, undulating synths. The record cover acts as a map, tracing the forms of the original art and providing the poems in Catalana and Spanish. Once bathed in these sounds one will emerge like Carroll's map: a perfect and absolute blank.' Poiemusia La Nau Dels Argonaute emerges in vinyl and digital formats on May 19, 2017 through Freedom To Spend.
This obscure and difficult to find LP is the Heath Brothers' debut album and is considered to be their best. 'Marchin'on' is unquestionably a masterpiece and is a much sought-after album. With its wealth of riffs, it is much appreciated by samplers and has been sampled by various contemporary artists. It was originally released in 1976 on Strata-East, a label at the time co-owned by Stanley Cowell. The album flows fluidly, meticulously in a warm rich blend with the four part 'smilin' Billy suite being a tour de force on its own. All suites have the same anchor in melody but each branches out to its own distinctive song varying from relaxed to light to dramatic and upbeat. The Heath Brothers was formed in 1975 by brothers Jimmy, Percy, Albert Heath and the much celebrated pianist Stanley Cowell in Philadelphia. The band later on continued with the brothers and alternate new members, with at one point the very talented 'Mtume' who is Jimmy Heath's son, joining. - Rachel Kinoti
'Eagles & Butterflies has taken storm in electronic wonderland' - Boiler Room Arpeggiator was originally titled '14 minutes of Arps' and its exactly that. Its one of the simplest tracks I'v ever made with probably only 8 layers that your weaves in and out the whole way through, really love the subtleness of this track where at the same time it is also a beast! Oyeme is maybe the E&B sound people are familiar with, big marimba melodies, fat sub and rolling hats with a big break, love this one Prophet was originally just an experiment when i purchased a prophet 6, its a little crazy and pretty full on, love the funky bass in the one from the SH 101. All the parts for this where recorded in a few takes live and two whole track was made in 2 hours!
U.K.-born, L.A.-based producer/DJ, Chris Barratt - aka - Eagles & Butterflies breaks all boundaries across the electronic music spectrum. His productions flow seamlessly through Downtempo, Techno, House and beyond, with releases on Innervisions, Bedrock, Exit Strategy, Sapiens and his own imprint Art Imitating Life. From remixing Underworld, RY X, Agoria, Moby, Andhim and Ludovico Einaudi, Eagles & Butterflies is the newest toast of the underground. His live sets have electrified stages around the world at events such as Circoloco, Awakenings, Mosaic By Maceo, Coachella, Junction 2, Lightning In A Bottle, Sacred Ground, Secret Garden Party, Tomorrowland and many more. With support from dance music heavyweights such as Dixon, Ame, DJ Tennis, John Digweed, Maceo Plex, E&B was also named one of Mixmag's Breakthrough Acts this year, was featured numerous times in DJ Magazine and was plucked for a guest mix on Pete Tong's BBC Radio show. Upcoming releases on Agoria's fresh imprint Sapiens, Art Imitating Life 003, features on Nic Fanculli's debut LP, a collab with John Digweed and a remix for RY X, the Eagle has most certainly landed.
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Quartet Series is back with the Bodybuilder Series after Scott Franka's popped the new offshoot's cherry in the spring. For this sophomore release, Nachtbraker sourced some serious production talent from Eindhoven, The Netherlands. While it's the Portamento Boys' first ever release, they have the chutzpah to go full-frontal Italo and pull it off with great panache with a moody and energetic EP. The record is characterized by catchy melodies, quirky vibes and warm analog grooves. Connoisseurs will instantly recognize the TR-606 and 707, SH-101, Ensoniq Esq1 and a Casio CZ-3000. The Italo express jets off and takes no prisoners with 'Been There Come Back", a banging workout paying homage to the glorious 80's. Shoulder-pad boogie anyone 'Portamento 101 feels like you're playing the 1986 version of Outrun on your Sega. On the flip 'Final Dinner' serves up some fine Asian-Italian fusion Cuisine, and finally the P Boys drop 'Eighty Ain't", acknowledging that even though the tracks are clearly inspired by the 80s, they didn't just emulate, but innovate instead. Now let's introduce the Portamento Boys. Some say it al began when the first episode of 'Jacques, zo is het wel weer genoeg geweest' was aired on the Dutch box back in the second half of 1988. Others say it was the respect he got for robbing the local Albert Heijn with the famous saying, 'Hallo, Jumbo' that made him end up in solitary confinement. His colleagues say he never let go of Piet, his last undercover assignment. But the only one to help him in these times of mental distress, identity crises and general psychosomatic turmoil was Koos. After all these years there is a mantra to find in Piet's life that keeps him going.
One Year later the italian duo Toms Due come back to Etruria , this time with Magma' , groovy techno Ep composed by two banging original tracks and Mr. Ambivalent and Mr Cosmin trg remixes. The first is the original Magma' a powerful track with a big room kick and a old school melody that grows together with a simple one-note chord to create a destroying tool. The second original is Stratum characterized by a power melodic chord and an energetic groove. Then comes Ambivalent remix, a name who doesn't need presentations, dark synth in his full style, raw drum with sharp / pungent 909 rhythms. Last but not the least Cosmin trg remix is a powerful techno tool, composed by a hypnotic chord wrapped by powerful techno drum groove.and space.
You take a trio of the fnest traditonal griot musicians from Mali and put them in a studio with Western music's most revolutonary string quartet - and the resultng album is one of the most richly rewarding musical collaboratons you are likely to encounter.
Together the Kronos Quartet and Trio Da Kali have created an album that is rich in texture, hauntngly melodic and strikingly inventve as violins, viola and cello combine with balafon, ngoni and the powerful female voice of Hawa 'Kassé Mady'
Diabaté in transcendental style. David Harrington, who founded the Kronos Quartet in 1973, describes the album as one of the most beautful Kronos has done in forty years.' All three Da Kali members come from hereditary musical families, Balafon
player and musical director Lassana Diabaté was a long-tme member of Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric Orchestra and has recorded with Salif Keita, Taj Mahal and many others. A musician of great subtlety and inventon he has honed a virtuoso
two-balafon technique to perfecton. Bass ngoni player Mamadou Kouyaté is the eldest son of the instrument's greatest exponent, Bassekou Kouyaté and he holds down the groove in his father's band 'Ngoni Ba'. Singer Hawa 'Kassé Mady' Diabaté
is the daughter of Mali's greatest traditonal singer, Kassé Mady Diabaté, and the power, range and phrasing of her voice led David Harrington to compare her to the late queen of American gospel, Mahalia Jackson.
Kronos Quartet have earned an enviable reputaton collaboratng with contemporary composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Laurie Anderson and with world music icons from Argentnian tango hero Astor Piazzola to Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle.
We are very excited to welcome ROCCO & ESQUIVEL to COSMICA's roster this year.The duo formed by Rodrigo Desentis (México) and Eduardo Esquivel (Uruguay) provide an uptempo gem strictly designed for the dance floor. Esquivel is a well know name in the Latin American electronic music scene, since he started his residency at the mythical club EXTASIS in Montevideo. After 25 years of career and extensively touring through Uruguay, Brasil and Argentina, Eduardo has settled in México city with residencies in the acclaimed BLANCO COLIMA and CASA DISCO.DUBMASTERS was our first choice for a Remix candidate, and we could not be more stoked with the outcome. The spacey pads and reverberating drums of the intro, already announce the departure to a cosmic destination well know by all familiar with their previous releases on our label. The tight bassline provides the classic 'Electro' background for the wanky guitar chops to flourish into a flock of migrating melodies that fly in all directions in the sky above.EDDIE C, the Canadian / Berlin resident 'SLO-MO DISCO MAESTRO', closes the EP and puts the cherry on top, adding a latin feel good climate to the package. The summer vibes can be felt all over this track, with a driving percussive beat and a climaxing vocal breakdown that will have you begging for more PALTA CON CREMA!COSMICA MUSIC is a vinyl only record label from Patagonia, Argentina, and our releases are being supported by seasoned selectors such as DJ Rocca, Daniele Baldelli, LTJ Experience, Ali OOFT!, Salvatore Stallone, John Paynter, DJ Garth, Jeno, Hugh Herrera, Mark E Quark, Eddie C, Tim Sweeney, and Prins Thomas to name a few.
Sublunar is glad to introduce their new release. Following the trilogy signed by one of the two founders of the label, Sciahri, it is now time for a new artist's debut.
Ladan, young Iranian producer at her first release, presents 'Section', a record made of 5 carefully selected tracks that range from bass-driving techno to sharp experimental excursions.
The EP's opening piece is 'Spectres', characterised by an increasingly deep, disquieting atmosphere. The body of the piece is stroked occasionally by metallic elements which make the whole sonic spectrum resonate.
On the same side we find 'Zone.2', an elegant, propelling techno piece painted with a similar colour palette of the previous piece.
The B side starts with 'Rebound', where hypnotic, overlapping melodies and broken rhythms entwine in an enveloping, uplifting musical development.
We also get a glimpse of Ladan's fierceness with 'Fault Line', an outburst of stomping, plastic rhythms sculpted synthetically, followed by 'Knives', a razor-sharp groove that creeps under the listener's skin.
Toby Tobias joins Delusions again for what will be his sixth(!) 12' entitled The Rain. The prolific Londoner whose releases have graced such venerable labels as Rekids, ESP Intistute and Let's Play House, is back with a vengeance, delivering two mighty fine originals plus a remix from Nebraska.
In true Toby Tobias style, The Rain got made on an MPC, sliced and edited from a single live take through the desk then accidentally deleted so no further mixing, sequencing or editing could be carried out. But what is an A&R man's nightmare, turns out to be the record buying DJ's gain, as the improvised, dubby vibe and raw as ***k mixdown give the track an authentic feel and energy which could only come from the madness in Toby's method. Fresh from his brilliant releases on Mister Saturday Night and Razor n Tape, we have our man Nebraska do his thing on the remix of The Rain. Dropping down the BPM's a bit from Toby's more frenetic original, Nebraska add's a healthy dose of moogy lead lines to the lo-slung house
groove, perfect for warming up the dancefloor. Closing this release we have New Way Of Feeling which sees Toby in
playful mode with a percussion heavy, driving basement jam. FM pads form the centerpiece of the track whilst flourishes of Juno come and go, hints of early 90's IDM shining through on the glistening sine-wave melodies. All in all a glorious melting pot of ideas and influences all over this release which make for one of his strongest yet for Delusions
Mana is producer and composer Daniele Mana from Torino in Italy. His debut EP for Hyperdub, 'Creature', is also the first under his own surname. It's one of his most vivid, personal and confident releases to date. Since 2010, he has been releasing under the moniker Vaghe Stelle, with EPs and two full length albums on labels such as Gang of Ducks, Aisha Devi's Danse Noire, Astro:Dynamics and most recently, Nicolas Jaar's Other People records. He is also a member of One Circle with Lorenzo Senni and soundtracks composer Francesco Fantini. On 'Creature', over eight tracks, he ingests Shostakovitch, Drexciya, Darkthrone, Frank Ocean and Paul Lansky, and refashions them into an almost operatic record - a rich, melodrama of dark tension and excitable in-your-face synth melodies. In using his own name for the first time, he says he is confronting the unfiltered, brutal truth' of his self, compressing tension and anxiety' into a claustrophobic sense of emotional vacuum.' From the skulking clockwork of 'Crystaline,' the rich drifting ambience of 'Sei Nove', to the panicky, rushy rave stabs meets horror theme of 'Running Man', it's lucid, dynamic synth music which uses drums sparingly, but occasionally swirls into little sublime vortices of arpeggiated hyperrhythm. The melodies are bright and pitch bent, swollen by euphoric voltage surges and stuttering, soaring strings in 'Rabbia', plucking wide-screen, heart strings on 'Uno e Solo' and lulling down into the delicate, shimmering prisms of 'Wetlife' and 'Consolations'. While in its own lane, 'Creature' feels totally at home on Hyperdub.
Brixton's Dream Diary continue to bolster a blooming catalogue of classy electronic music with a fresh 4-track EP courtesy of label owner Oslo Roma. Staying true to their canon - Roma's 'Bubbles' EP spans Ambient, cruising Deep House, Minimal and Electro balancing water tight drums with eyes down melodies throughout.
The title track opens things up with gliding Juno chords and a steady, hypnotic pulse. Shimmering cymbals and spoken snippets ferry the listener into a trance before 'How Good Is The Party' rolls loose limbed drums under sweeping tones and expansive dub delays. 'Mars Water' then dims the lights with a driving bass line set under reversed vocals and clipped, neat drums. 'Twotet' then finishes the package up with sharp 808 drums and soft allaying melodies that work to round off another rich and varied addition to the Dream Diary catalogue.
We at Finale Sessions are excited to have French producer Anaxander and Finale Sessions owner Michael Zucker together for this deep house jewel ! We start with Anaxander and his track "Stabs Of Love" One of the best tracks on the Ep with drums from another planet and its stabing chords the permiate the dance floor ! and wicked hi hats that shread through this massive track . Then we move to Anaxander's other track " Heart To Heart" which gives this record a sense of deepness with it's percussions and its rythmatic keys Then we move to Michael Zucker's first track "Greator Is He" another jem off this massive ep and we start with the melodic keys and pads that give this track a very persusive sound and a very potent late night dance floor killer top to bottom. Last but not least we have Michael Zucker's " Missing You" this one is a floor stomper for sure with hard kicking drums and its filtering keys and its punch love dub sound which gives this record the hardness to stand its ground...
Fresh from his 'Vanishing Point single on UK label Hypercolour, which saw the lead track hit the Beatport Leftfield House & Techno sales chart at #1 for four weeks, A Sagittariun is back on his Elastic Dreams label with the 'Slightly Ajar' EP. As always, A Sagittariun brings an eclectic melting pot of flavours to each of his EPs, blending Detroit techno, ambient house, highly charged electro, dramatic synths and transcendental vibes. 'Stingray' combines future techno beats with apocalyptic bass and melodious keys, with an almost early 1980s synth pop vibe to it, whilst 'Burning Crystal' is the kind of introverted and deep ambient electronica that has shaped the two A Sagittariun albums (2013's 'Dream Ritual' and 2016's 'Elasticity'). 'An Infinite Number Of Possibilities' is relentless, frenetic and funky, as a myriad of warped sounds and riffs flash past the heavy drum work, and '720 Degrees' closes the EP with crunchy 808 electro patterns, FM bass and huge melancholic strings straight out of the Derrick May rule book. A Sagittariun will be performing at the Berghain, Berlin on 26th August, showcasing a new live set before embarking on further dates at the end of the year.
Hotel Record is the second release from the duo/couple of crys cole and Oren Ambarchi, following on from Sonja Henies Vei 31 (Planam, 2014). Where their debut recording presented a disquieting portrait of the erotic dimension of romantic intimacy, the follow-up continues to explore the pair's simultaneously musical and romantic relationship in a more subtle fashion, presenting four long-form pieces that touch on the variety of forms the life of this couple takes: as a musical duo, as a pair of travelers to exotic locations, as opponents in a game of cards...
Each of the double LP's four sides presents a distinct sound-world, yet each manages to attain the same suspended, half-sleeping feeling, outlining a space where improbable combinations of the electronic and the acoustic, of extreme closeness and amorphous distance, occur with the gentle insistence of a dream.
The opening Call Myself calmly unfolds a fabric of long tones from electronic organ and guitar, combining the sliding, aleatoric effects of classic David Behrman with a more hands-on feel. Over the top of this slowly shifting tonal bed, cole's voice mutters unintelligibly into a Buchla synth, teasing the listener by suggesting a meaning that remains always out of the ear's reach. Francis Debacle (Uno) builds on the foundations of a heavily amplified session of the titular card game, overlaying vocal murmurs and exhalations and mysterious room-sounds to create an impossible aural environment. On Burrata, a palette of vintage 1980s digital synthesizer sounds combined with guitars create an irregular texture of lush chords and bubbling melodic details, into which cole's voice processed by a vocoder, is interwoven, reading fragments of romantic correspondence. Finally, on Pad Phet Gob, field recordings made in Thailand become an ambiguously acoustic/electronic rainforest, eventually giving way to a mysterious, wavering electronic tone-field punctuated by sibilant, popping mouth-sounds.
Carving out an intimate and human sonic space across a diverse array of compositional approaches, sound sources, fidelities and textures, Hotel Record is the latest dispatch from the continuing explorations of a unique duo. Ambarchi and cole reimagine electro-acoustic music, not simply as 'abstract' sound, but as a diary, a love poem, a dream.
Deluxe gatefold sleeve with photography by crys cole and LP design via Stephen O'Malley
Mastered and cut by Rashad Becker at D&M, Berlin February 2017
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It's been 3 years since the last Basic Soul Unit EP on Lab.our and the label co-head is back to top form! Loose, melodic and funky, the Toronto producer stretches his legs across 4 tracks in this kaleidoscopic gem of an EP.
On A1 is 'Behavoural Issue', a frenetic, crunchy and off-kilter number that will have you contorted in distortion with all arms and legs on the dancefloor.
'Rising Over The East' marches in next, a deep jacking head trip to the Orient opium den with its endless arpeggiators. On the B-side, the heavy broken club banger 'Propulses' harkens back to the glory rave days without mimicry. A Basic Soul Unit interpretation with his undeniable footprint in the mix.
'My Heart Skips' turns the dial down several notches into deeper house terrain. The soulful ride begins as an easy cruise before deftly lurching into an odd rhythmic fractal workout that the producer has become known for.
Sealing an untouchable reputation in the world of broken soulful lo-fi techno, Basic Soul Unit casts an even wider net to captivate audiences with this must-have EP.