quête:mod it

Limited edition unreleased 12" containing two italo disco and proto house classics anthems : Who, What, Where, When & Why on the side A and No Promises on the flip side.
Both taken from the Magic Spell Album produced by Mario Boncaldo & Tony Carrasco in 1983, the same guys from Klein & MBO, Plastic Mode, Amnesie and Ris. This unreleased 12" contains for the first time the extended disco versions of these two precious gems taken and re-mastered from the archive collection of the legendary Tony Carrasco.

The new album by Juno Award and Polaris Music Prize-nominated Canadian soul star Tanika Charles.

Produced by a stable of some of Canada's finest musical minds including among the others Chin Injeti (DJ Khalil, Eminem, Drake, Aloe Blacc..), Record Kicks proudly presents "The Gumption" the awaited new album by Canadian soul star Tanika Charles that will hit the streets worldwide on May 10.

"What gave you the gumption?" Tanika Charles rhetorically asks during the introductory notes of her sophomore album appropriately titled The Gumption. While the apprehensive lover at the receiving end of that inquisition should feel slighted by the remark, it also alludes to the assuredness Tanika has gained since the release of her Juno Award and Polaris Music Prize-nominated debut Soul Run. The Gumption picks up where Soul Run left off, continuing her tradition of marrying classic soul with modern production styles. Across a dozen songs spanning 38 minutes, Tanika addresses moments of vulnerability, vindication, uncertain love, forbidden fruit and the state of the world today. "It's a little more mature. It's not feeling guilty about being up front, not being afraid to address situations that aren't comfortable for me. I'm comfortable in my skin now in a way I never was before. The overall theme is growth. I feel the music reflects that, and my words reflects that. Even the album cover tries to convey the feeling too. I'm not putting up with unnecessary nonsense anymore."

Predominately guitar-driven mid-tempo soul, with a handful of dance floor friendly tunes and some psychedelic leanings, The Gumption was indirectly influenced by the likes of Alabama Shakes, The Supremes, Khruangbin, D'Angelo, and Moses Sumney. It is sonically moody at times, but with consistent silver-lining arcs. "I've grown up and learned to deal with situations significantly better. We have a tendency to hold back our innermost feelings for fear of hurting others. Even when we're happy we worry about over-sharing, as if joy is a competition you don't want to gloat about."

The success of Soul Run propelled Tanika in front of new audiences far and wide, with extensive touring in North America and Europe. "I've been touring, experiencing new places and meeting new people. And in that time also worked on completing this album". While criss-crossing Canada with festival appearances on both the east and west coasts, Tanika also embarked upon four overseas tours for a combined 45 European shows within a one year period. This included performances at the prestigious Trans Musicales Festival in France, the Lärz, Germany Fusion Festival, Mostly Funk & Soul and Jazz Festival in UK, the Holy Groove Festival in Switzerland, and the Canarias Jazz Festival in Spain.

Written by Chris Franck and Davide Giovaninni, Oba Lata draws on traditional Yoruban chant blending it with a live afro-beat groove. Edgy, rhythmical analogue synths, vocals, guitars and percussion tied together by the clave and driving afro bassline make this a credible dance floor contender. The vocals honour "Obatala", one of the main Orishas in Yoruban culture. He is seen as the creator of earth and a lover of peace and harmony.



NameBrandSound are IG Culture and Alex Phountzi. The duo were part of the original West London broken beat scene and are known for their involvement with New Sector Movements and Bugz in the Attic. This remix draws on some of the modern African rhythms like Gqom (Durban - South Africa) and Coupé-Décalé (Ivory Coast via Paris) and combines them with their own "bruk" sound. Stripped back vocals and instrumentation make this a remix focused heavily on groove.



This instrumental track 'Dakar' is the result of a recent trip to Senegal during the period of Ramadan. It features an 8 piece woodwind/horn section recorded in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) which has been beautifully arranged by Rafael Martini. A mid tempo groove leaning heavily towards North Africa combining acoustic and electronic elements to create a deep modal feel and mood.

With 10 albums already to her name, Muriel Grossmann is well-placed to create more sonic waves in 2019. Taken from her mesmerising spiritual jazz LP 'Golden Rule', we have deep jazz, modal jazz, esoteric jazz, spiritual jazz; refined, intensified and concentrated into 2 whirlwind sides.


"Arresting, deeply moving spiritual jazz... it's deep"

"Muriel Grossmann... embraces the groundbreaking, exploratory jazz of Sun Ra and John Coltrane, gives a very respectful nod to fellow contemporaries Nat Birchall and Shabaka Hutchings, and immerses itself in a swirl of transcendental expression" - UK Vibe

" Recommended, particularly for listeners who are ready explore sounds beyond straight ahead jazz or those comfortable with more esoteric jazz sounds." - The Vinyl Press

WYLLOWE is Anna Sheard and Rory More – a nascent writing duo with a shared enjoyment of all things folky and groovy (think early '70s Sergio Mendes, '60s sunshine pop and modal jazz versions of Scarborough Fair). The new 7-inch release Fortunate Fool is a rolling and loping affair with a lilting melody accompanied by a chiming 12-string Fender, electric piano and Lowrey organ; its soaring lament and understated groove is an open-road elbows-in-the-wind driving song.

The B side, Berwick Street Blue, brings to the fore Anna's alluring lyricism and Rory's oscillant motifs calling to mind the compositions of continental soundtrack composers and the sonorous femme-fronted productions of the late 1960s. Lush choral harmonies, layered guitars and resonant piano and organ ebb and flow over a soulfully intoned lyrical paean to a part of London lost and changed forever.

‘Verdigris’ the new EP from Japanese artist Atsushi Izumi, is a deep dive into the crevice of the mind. It is an exploration of where fearful emotions lie and confronting them. It is only through this conflict that light can shine through in the end.

The Osaka native has a background in music and sound design and as such found his sound going through a metamorphosis from Drum n Bass to a more experimental sound. His EP ‘Snow’ was released under the subtract imprint last year and saw the initial phase of this transformation. It was followed up by ‘Lansing / Mistrust’ via The Collection Artaud, which continued his growth of using slowed out heavy percussions surrounded by frantic synths and modulations.

Atsushi Izumi’s use of long drawn out hallow synths is like an ominous cemetery at night before these powerful percussions detonate in. He uses heavy spaced out bass drums, either as a single or double beat, which simmer as they echo and roll. They are surrounded by these chaotic, textured synths, which can sound like a cicada, hovering and distorted to give a mechanical effect. It feels like being thrown into the woods late at night, eerie yet calm in the beginning, before extreme panic sets in and you feel like you’re being chased.

Japan witnessed the end of the world up close and it is still reflected in their art and music: it delves into the sadistic and explores deep themes of melancholy and the apocalypse. This is juxtaposed against pure joy and serenity, showing that life is there to be enjoyed and struggles have an end, which is translated quite coherently to this piece.

As an extra bonus to all this, there is a scintillating remix from ANFS. The Greek adds a bit of pace to the track Zeit. He is an artist who enjoys frantic distorted techno and it shows in this cut. He takes the basic elements but whereas the original slowly introduces the percussions, ANFS bangs straight in. It’s structured yet frantic and a massive sound.

‘Verdigris’ is due for release on 17th May 2019 under the mysterious Swiss label Thrènes, that is known for eye-catching signature artwork and a deep and dark techno sound.

We are delighted to present our fourth release on 12” format, a very special collaboration with legendary Jamaican trombone player Vin Gordon.
"Bowl go, packy come" is an old Jamaican proverb equivalent to “what goes around comes around”, or in a more positive form “one good turn deserves another”. In this EP it symbolises the migrations and cultural exchanges between Jamaica and UK and back from UK to Jamaica and the rest of the world, pretty similar to the life journey of Vin Gordon himself. The music and the artwork here try to represent that continuum of exchange between both shores.
The Ep contains two uptempo instrumental tracks that are a mix of classic Jamaican sounds with a UK influence, combining classic live instrumentation and modern programming. Each track comes with it’s own dub version mixed analog live by Ojah in traditional fashion.
Also available complementing this release is ALDBS7008 “What Goes Around Comes Around”, a 7” that contains an additional Hammond and melodica solo version and an additional dub of the “Packy” riddim.
Limited edition of 600 copies, 180g heavyweight 12” vinyl, hand-numbered, served in a spined sleeve with outstanding artwork by Victor Castro.

Hammond & melodica recorded by Nik Torp at Squat Sound Studio, London, UK, 2015
Percussion & keys recorded by Ojah at Rollover Studios, London, UK, 2015
Trombone recorded by Jamez at Black Lindy Studio, London, UK, 2015
Guitars recorded by Puppa Shan at Discoinferno, Madrid, Spain, 2018
All tracks produced, mixed and mastered by Oscar Pablos “Ojah” at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, UK, 2018
Graphic design by Victor Castro

We swallow asphalt, we travel open heart, we run closed eyes. An hypnotic rhythm, some textured notes from Arp Odyssey, and a guitar that capsizes. Ashinoa. Ashinoa. Ashinoa.A last cigarette. We hang on the wheel. And we surrender on the highway of lights and vertigo, again »Ashinoa is a krautrock dementia that fans of the genre will recognize. An artistic atavism in the footsteps of the post-Stockhausen generation, a kind of round table of geniuses Klaus Dinger (Kraftwerk, Neu!), Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream), Schulze (Ash Ra Tempel)... but also a kosmische musik of modern times, with a touch of electronic influences in the most experimental way.Part of the collective Misère Records from Lyon, which also includes the bands Abschaum (who released its first album in late 2017 on Macadam Mambo) and Pratos, Ashinoa started at the end of 2015 and occupes a special place in the Lyon alternative scene. So it's a real pleasure to welcome on board a band with such qualities from Macadam Mambo's hometown. Don't miss the trip !

“Introducing COSMIC RESIDENTS v. 1, the first in an ongoing compilation series from Cosmic Resonance Records. This series will showcase emerging talent from Toronto’s underground creative electronic music scene.

This first edition features local favourites and Cosmic Resonance residents Radiant Aura Faculty (aka Raf Reza), KOREA TOWN ACID and Hemingway along with (and making their vinyl and Cosmic Resonance debut) Body Butter, WeTurnToRed and Smoke & Shadows.

On the A-side, Hemingway kicks things off with Astralnauts, a deep, dubbed out boogie breakbeat burner dedicated to explorers of the astral plane featuring fellow label don Chris Evans on rhythm guitar. Radiant Aura Faculty (aka Raf Reza) takes us even deeper with the mystical 'Cid Pit Riddim', a slamming 707 acid bender sure to melt any dance floor. Things get slippery with Body Butter’s debut single ‘Lights In The Hallway’, a timeless operatic pop opus featuring Neil Rankin (aka Burt Sugar), Chris Evans (aka Mr. Bliss) and Hemingway behind the board.

On the flip side, things heat up with Shamanta Chandran’s project WeTurnToRed (recently releasing their debut EP on ORO Records), featuring the progressive modular techno odyssey 'Warm Winter', an escape from Toronto’s long and tumultuous blizzards. Emerging from the Mahogani Forest, Korea Town Acid reinterprets Hemingway’s emotional ode to the jazz aesthetic 'Blue Notes' with her trademark cerebral rhythms and a masterful bassline that elevates the original to new heights. Closing it off, we have an amazing collaboration between Curtis Clark (aka Smoke of Lab.our Music) & Em Zy (member of Nikki Fierce) called Smoke & Shadows with their stellar debut single Convincing Thoughts that features Em Zy’s hazy vocal emanations amidst a backdrop of mystical reverberations and a dark, powerful groove.”

LumieresLaNuit (alias LLN) is glad to welcome on board another talented Russian producer, Gatilove, and his "Wave EP" for the 8th release of its OFF series.

Just as his predecessors Module One and Bypass, Gatilove shows an unbelievable dexterity in delivering soulful, sophisticated and rousing cuts. Whereas "Marini" unveils a breaky and sparkling aquatic atmosphere, "Wave" brings us back above sea level with minimal beats and daydreaming chords.

LLN's OFF regular, Russian duet Bypass offers a minimalist and charming version of "Marini" to the sound of Japanese-inspired strings. Lost.Act, as for him, restyled "Wave" in to a floating and techno journey at night.

After Moscow-based duet Bypass (LLNOFF001 and -006) and Module One (LLNOFF007), Gatilove is the fourth Russian artist to join LumieresLaNuit, and Lost.Act the fifth.

Dark Star Safari, a newly formed group featuring Samuel Rohrer, Jan Bang, Erik Honoré and Eivind Aarset, present its eponymous recording debut, an evocative song-driven album. These songs conjure shadows of memory, clouds of dreaming and silhouettes of foreboding through the album’s layered, many-textured fabrics and Jan Bang's silken delivery of Erik Honoré's acute lyrics. Dark Star Safari is the work of four kindred spirits, their open modus operandi, and a remarkably interconnected creative nerve system. Key to their collaboration is an organic freedom that enables the music “to fill itself in", to be self-actualizing via the musicians as medium. The music of the 10 songs resulted from a two-stage process: an initial phase of free flowing open improvi- sation, and a subsequent exploratory phase where hidden potenti- als were discovered and nurtured. The groundwork of the album’s music originates from a session initiated by Samuel Rohrer, who invited Jan Bang and Eivind Aarset to the renowned Candy Bomber studio in Berlin. The ses- sion was run under the imaginative craftsmanship of sound engi- neer Ingo Krauss, who worked in the famous Conny Plank stu- dio, and its recording and mixing employed sophisticated use of vintage analogue equipment alongside cutting edge digital pro- cesses. This meeting opened the door for something larger to emerge. The group did not settle for just the outcome of the initi- al open improvisation. They were driven to dig deeper, to atten- tively examine and manipulate the material, in order to discover what it had to offer. This caused a creational chain reaction, forcefully spreading across the group. During this second phase, Jan Bang, while meditating upon the possibilities and reach of the improvised material, felt a strong urge to give additional shape and colour to it by singing. Thus, he organically stepped into the role of vocalist, a role he had not pursued since the early days of his musical career. He sent the results to Erik Honoré, who immediately was inspired by its po- tential, quickly penning lyrics and providing the project with its name. Honoré composed two additional songs, Mordechai and Fault Line, and thus rounded the project out towards a fully reali- zed opus. The group continued this back and forth process, with Samuel Rohrer and Eivind Aarset bringing in fine-tuning and e nrichment to the song structures and textures.

French modern-classical quartet astrïd return on May 10th with the first part of a new release entitled A Porthole.

Conceptually the two records work in unison, focusing on portholes into the abyss, with part one delving into the depths of the deep sea. The tracks are named after various strains of seaweed, the artwork depicting dark waves and uncertainty. Part two will follow in a years time and will turn its attention to the night sky and constellations.

A Porthole continues astrïd’s signature style of billowing guitars, strings and woodwind. Each element intertwined with another, linked perfectly together through restrained jazz-tinged percussion. 2017’s highly-acclaimed release ‘Through the Sparkle’ with renowned pianist Rachel Grimes (of Rachels) set the bar extremely high for this release but astrïd have matched the depth, melody and quality of that record here.

Part one of this journey features some sublime compositions with Cyril Secq’s expressive and bold guitar playing carrying the pieces into chamber music territory, joined seamlessly by a variety of other instruments that swell and soar and fit perfectly into the story being told. Everything seems to have its place, nothing is overplayed or out of step here, there is an organic nature to the way this quartet plays and interacts with one another as melodies circle back and fade away in the same beautiful breath.

A Porthole is a deeply charming record, exercising glorious, nuanced refrain and offering a sort of hope rarely found in music these days.

• Aqua blue vinyl - limited to 300 copies w/ download code

• The album was mastered by Harris Newman (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Tindersticks etc)

• The artwork is extracted from an original one of a kind monotype print by Gizeh overlord Richard Knox.

Mariusz Luniewski is the man behind UNDERTHESKIN, one of the most respected european post- punk project nowadays. He strike back with his second studio album, his very best work to date, no doubt on this sentence. Harsh guitars, lead synths and cavernous voices flows in perfect harmony on the 6 tracks included. This new album it's more than a must have for any modern dark sound lover. All tracks have been specially mastered for LONG CUT vinyl by Eric Van Wonterghem at Prodam Berlin.

Presenting 'Fire Zone'. Album written, produced & mixed by Zane Reynolds and pressed on 180g vinyl, by Ekster. Coming out May 2019, including poster 57x57cm artwork by the artist. Mastered & cut by Helmut Erler at Dubplates & Mastering.

The music of Zane Reynolds AKA SFV Acid celebrates lysergic life in small town America. His are urban hallucinations. Conceived in 'business parks, strip malls', in 'blue collar luxury'. On a diet of 'diner burgers'. From the self-released, hand-painted cassettes of his high school years, he has moved to work commissioned by locals 100% Silk, Japan`s Big Love, and Dutch imprint, BAKK. His latest long-player, Fire Zone, will be issued by Belgian label, Ekster.

The album continues to reference Zane's Los Angeles home, and in this case the devastation that rages there every Summer. The concept however, reaching away from the horror and flames, to offer an escape.

There are moments, interludes, that hint at, and hide, something darker. Where drone twists from tape hiss. Bends. Out of shape. Where chords distort. Their degraded edges disintegrating. Charred perhaps But Ai welcomes you to 'San Fernando Valley', and a low-riding 808 booms. Less L.A. More Overtown, or Liberty City. Its racing booty bass calmed by wind chimes. The rapid Electro-Funk clip countered by modal synths. Its sunny disposition reflecting the SFV climate.

Playful rhymes, fragmented dialogue, and answer phone messages, rub up against Rave sirens. Roland`s silver box squeezes out a Sci-Fi Jazz. Through ping-ponging percussion. Through a drum and bass battery. Punched by keys that wanna be horns. Rewinds that create a bin-blowing vacuum. Shore-line samples washing the more head-nodding tempos. Euphoria rising while a perfect beat pops and locks. (text: Robert Harris)

Jan St. Werneris A Critically Acclaimed And Internationally Recognized Sound Innovator. In A Myriad Of Ways, As A Solo Artist, A Collaborator, Through His Group Mouse On Mars, As A Producer , Or As A Course Instructor At Mit, Werner Has Challenged Traditional Approaches To Creating And Experiencing Music. The Sixth Installment Of His Fiepblatter Catalogue Series, Glottal Wolpertinger, Endeavors To Transcribe The Phenomenon Of Sound As Anarchic And Highly Sensitive Material. His Multilayered Presentation Of The Project Highlights The Ways In Which Sound And Music Can uctuate And Morph Depending On Context. In Keeping With The Series' Collaborative Nature, The Pieces Include Contributions From Guitarists Aaron & Bryce Dessner Of The National, Who Werner Also Collaborated With On Mouse On Mars' Dimensional People, And The National's Sleep Well Beast. Glottal Wolpertinger Was Initially Conceived As A Radio Installation For Documenta 14 With Each Of The Tracks Broadcasting Individually Over The Course Of Ten Weeks And Culminating In A Convergence Of All Eight Tracks At A Performance In Athens. The Pieces Consist Of Microtonally Tuned Feedback, Multispectral Drones Which Werner Modulated And Fltered With A Purposeful, And Indeed Vocalized, Emphasis Given To The Different Frequencies And Textures Used. Glottal Wolpertinger's Incarnation As A Recording Is No Less Potent Than Its Preceding Forms, But Serves As A Continuation Of The Project's Evolution As A Distinct Listening Experience.

A journey that has flourished from Florence, Italy to the UK capital of London via Ibiza, Italian duo Neverdogs’ ascent and journey into the global spotlight is one deeply rooted in talent and passion. As a duo, Tommy Paone and Marco De Gregorio have gone on to release material on the likes of Roush and Deeperfect, played at renowned festivals such as The BPM Festival, and made regular appearances at Marco Carola’s highly-coveted Music On where they have been core residents since 2013. Having founded Bamboleo Records earlier this year, the label’s third release will see the arrival of the duo’s most diverse work to date as they reveal their debut album: ‘Details’.

“We always wanted to prepare an album that would represent us. Besides having twenty years of experience, musical and artistic backgrounds we have been studying for months, listening to old vinyl records from our collection, paying attention to the work of other artists from the industry whilst taking inspiration from 80's bands such as Yazoo and Depeche Mode, and from the contemporary underground and pop worlds. This allowed us to understand what direction to take when creating our own sound. All the sounds of our tracks are made with analogue instrumentation.

We decided to call our first album ‘Details’ as it encapsulates what this series is all about. We were paying particular attention to the details whilst creating all the tracks. We collaborated with the musician Davide Ruberto aka Fortyseven and the singer Spencer Kennedy, son of the former drummer of Imagination (English band from the 80's). We are also working on an Album Tour which will be released following this one.” - Neverdogs

First up on this limited album sampler, ‘Details’, drives right into the trademark Neverdogs sound as the duo weave together precise drum patterns effortlessly with rumbling sub bass. Next, the stripped back ‘Dance Moves’ couples elastic synthlines and galactic glitches with panning sweeps and crisp hats.

The flip side delves deeper, as ‘Duck From Mars’ reveals slick organic percussion arrangements and bubbling lead lines, whilst ‘Volca’ ups the tempo and edges towards the peak time, a flow fans of the pairing will be familiar with, as perfectly demonstrated year in year out when playing on Amnesia’s iconic terrace.

DJ, producer, singer-songwriter, one-half of world-touring soul duo Myron & E (Stones Throw), founder of boogie outfit The Pendletons (Bastard Jazz), part of electro-funk duo Lucid Paradise, and an endless string of collabos. Over 2 decades in the game means multi-faceted artist Eric Boss knows his way around music. Having been there, done that, gotten the t-shirt and watched the fat lady sing, it's finally time for E to take center stage and deliver his finest effort yet with solo record "A Modern Love", an effervescent collection of raw funk, sweet soul, west coast vibes and classic hip hop, produced by Björn Wagner and Steffen Wagner (The Mighty Mocambos / Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band).

"A Modern Love" has all the ingredients of a future classic. High-profile guests Check: with Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious) rapping on "I Wanna Ride", a track with more bounce than a lowrider chevy on Santa Monica boulevard, and soul siren Gizelle Smith featuring on "Spiders", a spooky number that will get you jumping out of your seat like you've been attacked by giant 8-legged arachnids. Need some dancefloor action "Get Next To You" gets down to serious bizniz with crisp drums and a catchy hook guaranteed to get the party started. Something for lovers We've got it covered with "Is It Love", where Eric waxes lyrical about his sweetheart over a honey-drenched soul beat.

From reggae-flavored vibes being served in inspirational number "Your Life Is Up to You" to the slow-burning grooves of "Merry Jane" which features singer Ishtar, the 10 tunes on "A Modern Love" all attest to Eric Boss' talent and versatility. Judging by how quickly the limited edition 45 of album opener "Closer To The Spirit" sold out when it was released, it seems safe to say Eric Boss is a king Midas with the golden touch when it comes to providing fresh grooves for contemporary ears, and "A Modern Love" is set to prove so once again.

Heist is first and foremost a label dedicated to quality house music with an eccentric angle. Promoting great music from the Netherlands comes as a close second. After presenting a lot of notable artists from our country, it’s great to showcase another young Dutch talent with our latest release: Perdu.
You might know him from his solo debut on Let’s Play House or the follow up on Optimo Music last year. Perdu’s music gets played by the big ones in the game like Hunee, Optimo and Palms Trax to name a few; and obviously, by us. We’re proud to introduce you to his “Skye EP”. His new release includes 3 varied originals and a rave anthem made by none other than our fun loving Ozzie friend DJ Boring.
The A side kicks off with “Jane’s World” and is the track that made us fall in love with this EP when we heard the demo. It’s a worldly tinged house monster, filled with harmonized drum rolls, a counting Frenchman and a funky arpeggio for good measure.
“Sacramento” takes a more introverted approach, leaning on a broken beat and atmospheric pads. The consistency of the kalimba with the vocal gives it a certain swing that got our ears longing for more.

The B-side starts with “Morbid”, a life-affirming electronic anthem, where Perdu shows his mastery of creating a proper build up. Over the whole course of the track, there’s a lead that slowly but surely opens its filter. There’s bells, harps, hand percussion and rides that all build up towards a lovely climax towards the end, while the track never feels like it’s forcing itself upon you.
Where the 3 originals are all, to some extent, quite introverted and modest, DJ Boring’s remix is anything but that. His version of “Jane’s World” is all about ravey leads, powerful percussion and huge breakdowns, which will do wonders at any festival or club closing set.
We hope to pleasantly surprise some of you, and as always, make a musical impact on your moment in the club, at home, or wherever it is you enjoy the music of our new Heist release.

Yours Sincerely,

Maarten & Lars.

The collective Beste Modus Cinthie, Diego Krause, stevn.aint.leavn, Ed Herbst and Albert Vogt launched the label in 2012 as a platform for their own material, not long after came the realisation that many other artists around them were keen to be involved with the imprints burgeoning success and this led to the birth of Beste Fruende, a home for music from friends and affiliates of the label. Kevin Over’s ‘Butchers’ leads on the package with a swinging drum groove, emotive piano chords and a garage sub-tinged sub bass line alongside resonant synth licks and infectious vocals. Rindeau follows with ‘Wax On The Moon’, taking things deeper via twinkling Rhodes lines, dusty robust drums and modulating percussion. Cuartero’s ‘Floor Paca’ opens the flip side with choppy bass stabs, soft chord hits and a subtly nuanced rhythmic drive before ‘Slow Motion’ rounds out the package, employing classic deep house tropes with airy ethereal pads, vocal chops and shuffled, strippedback drums at its core.

Following on from the Bewildered 2018 Remix/Re-master E.P., respected 90’s D&B imprint Odysee Recordings presents its 2nd release in this series; a digital re-master and remix of No Tomorrow. Originally released in 1995 (ODY05), this track featured on the second E.P. under the ‘Mirage’ moniker; a collaboration between Jim Baker (Source Direct) and Odysee’s founder Tilla Kemal (T-Mirage).

The original is a timeless and well-loved classic from the golden era of the mid 90’s ‘Intelligent D&B movement’. It displays Jim’s celebrated skills as both a producer and an arranger to their full; building an emotive and haunting piece around two contrasting motifs. The trademark Source Direct breakbeat work is in play on this track as it switches between Clive Stubberfield and Lyn Collins; the curling drums providing the perfect framework for Tilla’s abstract sample selection to really breath and flow.

Andy Odysee’s modern remix retains all the original samples and references both the original break selection and the shape of the original arrangement. This modern D&B version then injects a turbo-charged energy into the piece with a huge undulating sub, aggressive techno-styled chord stabs and pounding kick & snare that thrust this track into the 21st century. The haunting sweetness of the piece is by no means lost, but the melodies are now presented over a framework designed with modern D&B dance floors firmly in mind.