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Listening to CD3, I'm reminded of how the Vincent Over The Sink record '22 Coloured Bull Terriers' made me feel all those years ago. There's a free ranging quality to it.

It feels calmly capable of doing whatever it wants. It feels mysterious and self-generating, almost aloof to the humans who made it. I adored that record; it cascaded into so many epiphanies.

I don't want to implicate Cooper and David's music in any fleeting desire towards currency, but listening to this CD3 record over the last few weeks has felt weirdly, thematically correct. There's an echo-ey kind of referentiality to it. Not to particular styles of music, but to the recently elapsed histories those styles of music evoke. It's something that Th Blisks kind of gestures towards, but which this project seems to own entirely.

It's a kind of melted reconfiguration of popular (occasionally popular-on-the-fringes) styles. These familiar sounds are reconfigured and muddied. Hindsight frames the sources in an almost primordial light, to the extent that they feel like folk art.

Glyphted and Franzbranntwein sound like pop songs stripped to their bones and distorted, as if the styles they vaguely recall are as old as time. It's a stunningly weird effect. Songs like The Duchess and Farmhand exacerbate this impression. The record comes to feel yearningly ahistorical. But in a way that feels pertinent?

It might just be where my head is at, but the implacable nature of the record feels important to me, somehow. It's something far, far north of post-modern but... ancient too. - Shaun Prescott

Marconi Union, one of the most influential names in contemporary ambient and electronic music, announce their twelfth studio album, The Fear of Never Landing, set for release 6th June via Just Music. The news is paired with the release of first single Eight Miles High Alone, out 20th March on all major streaming platforms.

Known for their ability to craft cinematic, immersive soundscapes that blur the lines between ambient, electronic, and experimental music, the Manchester-based duo once again push the boundaries of sonic exploration. The Fear of Never Landing takes us on a dynamic journey that’s atmospheric, diaphanous and never short of mesmerising. While the new record is certainly infused with a sense of hope, there’s more than a soupçon of anxiety too, as the title suggests.

A 55-minute odyssey presented as one seamless piece divided into nine movements, they transcribe the nexus of modern living into a mostly wordless odyssey. The album encapsulates Marconi Union’s ability to translate the complexities of the human experience into sound, all while maintaining a stunning sense of cohesion.

While the music feels effortless, the creative process was anything but. During the two years it took to complete the album, members Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows faced creative struggles that even led them to briefly question the band’s future. A pivotal moment came when they performed a live soundtrack to the 1975 skateboarding film Downhill Motion, rekindling their connection to atmospheric composition. By testing new material live and returning to their roots, Marconi Union redefined their creative process, leading to some of their most emotionally impactful work to date.

“We’ve always made atmospheric music but we had started to lose that aspect. Other than some rough ideas, we had no sense of what we were doing anymore, a kind of musical wilderness. Eventually a couple of things fell into place, and it was like, ‘Ah, okay.”
With a foundation to build upon, they went back to basics and decided to take their time going forwards. “We tried out a few new tracks live which gave us the opportunity to see what worked and what didn’t. We've never given ourselves that luxury before.”

The first track to be shared, Eight Miles High Alone, is a mesmerizing sequencer-driven track that builds an immersive, atmospheric soundscape. Its hypnotic pulses and intricate layers evoke a sense of solitude and weightlessness, perfectly capturing the album’s blend of tension and introspection. “Eight Miles High Alone was the first piece that we managed to complete and helped to inform our approach to the rest of the album.”

Formed in Manchester in 2003, their debut album, Under Wires and Searchlights (2003), introduced their signature sound, but it was their 2011 release of Weightless that brought international acclaim. Developed in collaboration with a sound therapist, Weightless was scientifically recognised as “the world’s most relaxing song”, praised for its ability to reduce anxiety and heart rates. With over 900 million streams and widespread coverage across media, the track remains a cultural phenomenon.

Over the years, Marconi Union has continued to evolve, producing critically acclaimed albums such as Signals (2021), Ghost Stations (2016), and Tokyo+ (2017). Their work has been hailed for its emotional resonance and sonic depth, with The Quietus noting their ability to find “beauty in the bleakest places” and The Sunday Times describing them as “amongst today’s most talented musicians.”

Beyond their studio albums, Marconi Union has collaborated with visual artists, provided soundtracks for installations, and remixed notable acts like Max Richter and Vök. Their invitation by Brian Eno to perform at Norway’s Punkt Festival further cemented their reputation as innovators in the ambient music sphere.

With The Fear of Never Landing, Marconi Union once again showcases their unmatched ability to create immersive soundscapes that resonate deeply. The album reaffirms their position as masters of atmosphere and emotional storytelling, making it an essential addition to their storied catalog.

Debut album by Ydegirl staging modern day R&B and pop elements in a Nordic baroque scene. The destiny of Yde resonates through the music next to strings, woodwinds and electronic drum patterns in unique sonic arrangements, like a timely contraction of past and present. On clear swirly vinyl colored with swamp extract + double sided 70x100 cm poster with album art and lyrics

Amara Soul – The New Voice of Soul

Born and raised in the heart of London, 25-year-old Amara Soul is quickly becoming one of the
most exciting new voices in the soul music scene. With a voice that blends raw emotion, rich
melodies, and a modern twist on classic jazz, she has captured the attention of Londoners
audience.

Amara’s journey to notoriety began at an early age, inspired by legendary artists such as Aretha
Franklin, Lauryn Hill, and Amy Winehouse. Her deep, expressive vocals and heartfelt songwriting
set her apart, making her a standout contestant in some of the most renowned pub stages in her
hometown. Her performances on these platforms not only showcased her vocal prowess but also
her ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.

Following her local success, Amara has been making waves in the music industry, performing at
major venues and collaborating with top producers. With a debut album on the horizon, she is
poised to bring a fresh yet timeless energy to the soul music scene.

Authentic, passionate, and undeniably talented, Amara Soul is more than just an emerging artist—
she is the future of soul!

José James just can’t leave the ’70s alone. Or maybe it’s the other way around. The singer, songwriter, bandleader, and producer was born in 1978, after all, but over his past 17 years of fundamentally forward-looking, blessedly mercurial music, he keeps getting pulled back in. His 2013 Blue Note breakthrough No Beginning No End revisited the hooky, funky, jazz-streaked songcraft of the time through a modern crate-digger’s ears. On 2020’s No Beginning No End 2 — James’ debut on his own Rainbow Blonde Records — he went back through the portal with a small army of fellow celebrated eclecticists. Just last year, there was the album 1978, a richly layered love letter to said year that felt deep, luxe, and cool. It’s as if — vested with the restless fluidity of jazz, the tuned-in sensitivity of soul, and the revisionist grit of hip-hop — he is trying to play his way into the exact moment when, culturally speaking, everything was about to change.

“I'm still so fascinated by the tension in that era of all these seemingly clashing things happening at once,” says James. “The loft scene, the jazz scene, Elton and Billy, Bob Marley, the Isleys, Funkadelic, disco being this behemoth in a way I don't think we even understand today… And then there’s where everybody went from there — into hip-hop, into punk rock, exploding jazz. It's like a summation of the ’70s, and it's about to transform. It's the peak of the rollercoaster.”

Literally breaking into history is impossible, of course, but James’ new LP, 1978: Revenge of the Dragon, does feel like breaking through or bursting out. In loving contrast to its predecessor, the fresh set plays hot, like a Friday night out at the Mudd Club in its prime. Though he’s dreamt up albums with collaborator counts approaching the dozens, James gathered a tight crew for this one. Himself and Taali on vocals. BIGYUKI on keys and analog synth. Jharis Yokley on drums. Bass split between David Ginyard (Blood Orange, Terence Blanchard) and Kyle Miles (Michelle Ndgeocello, Nick Hakim). And an all-star brass lineup: Takuya Kuroda on trumpet, young lion Ebban Dorsey on alto sax, and genre-spanning ronin Ben Wendel on tenor sax. They set up in Dreamland Studios near Woodstock, a restored 19th century church, and recorded live to tape, two tracks, drums pushed to the max — “a small homage to the rise of punk,” says James.

In that place out of time, the band laid down a handful of choice covers and some wild originals, like the single “They Sleep, We Grind (for Badu),” a decades-collapsing cut powered by an ugly groove. Steeped in dub, funk, and sampledelia, James chants an artists’ mantra (“They sleep, we grind / Man, f--- your nine to five”), makes lyrical callouts to Marley and Nas, and channels everything from George Clinton to J Dilla, not to mention the earthy mysticism of Erykah Badu. In 2023, James released and toured his Badu covers LP, On & On. “Living in her musical house for a year was transformative,” he says. “This is my summary of everything I learned through her, tying it to this idea that artists move differently. We are in society but we are outside, too, looking out and in at the same time. Our hours are different, our schedules are different.”

To that point, James and co. actually began each day in the woods, filming the album’s visual companion piece, Revenge of the Dragon, an honest-to-God kung-fu short complete with bad overdubs, training montages, camera tricks, and plot twists. The film pays tribute not only to the genre’s greatest year (1978, of course), but also its cinematic exchange with Blaxploitation, plus James’ own recent Shaolin training and admiration for Bruce Lee as a culture-bridging force (the LP’s cover recreates an iconic shot of Lee). On top of that, says James, “We had this immediacy in the studio. Live, one take, no overdubbing. I feel like that's where the martial arts piece comes in, where it's about being relaxed but also aware, and there's immediacy in your movements.”

Across the project, tribute takes that refracted, multifaceted form. From his personal late-’70s playlist, James chose four covers reflecting the era’s disco-fied churn: the MJ-meets-Quincy dancefloor masterpiece “Rock With You”; Herbie Hancock’s prescient vocoder fever dream, “I Thought It Was You”; and a pair of Black-radio hits from two bands whose fans typically wouldn’t have been caught dead in the same stadium: “Miss You” by the Rolling Stones and the Bee Gees’ “Inside and Out.” All of it gets filtered through a contemporary Black (and beyond) lens, coming out loud, free, funky, and buzzing — dynamic, yes, but also of a joyous piece.

1978: Revenge of the Dragon transports you to a crowded room where all this is playing out in real time. That feeling is helped out by opener “Tokyo Daydream,” a bass-driven swan dive into a neverending night of boutique bar-hopping and neon revelry. Later, “Rise of the Tiger” finds James bringing rare braggadocio to a propulsive track with growling synth lines and a hunger for whatever comes next. And then there’s the closer, “Last Call at the Mudd Club,” which with its upbeat energy and string of Stevie-inspired pickup lines, evokes the sort of unabashedly elated track the DJ throws on at 3:56 a.m. before everyone is kicked out. “I wanted to leave the album on that note,” says James. “If this was a night out in New York, this would be the last thing you hear before you get in that taxi and go back to your apartment.” Or, perhaps, back to 2025.

2025 Repress
OSLO is happy to welcome new artist Federico Lijtmaer to the family with his wonderful EP Impermanencia.

Inpermanencia on the A-side is a superb deep house track with the right kind of funkyness for the cool. Federico combines smooth bass with shifty drums and classy synth action. This track will conjure a smile on your face and we are happy as hell to be able to release this little gem.

Unselfish on the B-side is as funky as its big brother on the flip-side. A throwback to bygone times in a way, if you consider labels as Mosaic or Trelik. However, Federico definitely succeeded in terms of a modern interpretation. The inclined listener will recognize his musical roots anyway.

The Ottawa composer/performer and head of Black Bough Records plays every instrument on his CST debut: an accessibly avant-garde work of dark/ambient modern chamber music. Mark Molnar has been a linchpin of the Ottawa experimental music scene for over two decades, spanning contemporary classical, electroacoustic, industrial/noise, and improv. As a string player in a wide range of projects, an organizer and curator of innumerable shows, and via his own avantgarde label Black Bough Records, Molnar's unflagging contributions to independent music culture in Canada's capital city have been significant. EXO is his Constellation debut: a remarkable and bracing suite of post-classical composition on which Molnar plays every instrument. Meticulously self-recorded, primarily with strings, harp, and piano, EXO balances thematic melodicism, polytonality, and dissonance across three elegiac pieces of exquisitely expressive dynamism. This is exacting modern chamber music that blends formal and harmonic complexity with a solemn emotive sensibility accessible to a broad audience. Listeners that yearn for some edge and disquietude in a landscape of often all-too-approachable post-classical music should find EXO eminently worth their time and attention. While Molnar is a highly trained string player, and studied music under Aubrey Wolfe, microtonality with James Tenney, and composition with R. Murray Schafer, his trajectory has been entirely and intentionally outside the academy, signalling a socio-artistic commitment to DIY culture, forged from an early passion for the sonic worlds of post-hardcore, post-punk, no-wave, free improv, power electronics, and other independent/underground musics. His classically-informed works have been described as "tense currents of musical modernism invigorated with punk's raw vitality." EXO carries an undercurrent influenced by dark industrial and ambient metal in particular, with microphones purposely placed to pick up the low-end frequencies of the piano body, and of a bass drum positioned as a resonant skin in the acoustic space; an electroacoustic strategy organically meshed to the crisply defined and pristinely recorded pointillisms and polychords of strings, harp, and piano, which feed into this noisefloor of crepuscular sub-bass disquietude and decay. It's a production aesthetic that lends EXO a distinct undertow of tension and feeling, a sort of roiling maximalism where the chamber instrumentation traces arcs and waves of form and flow as if drawn from a dark, impervious ocean below. It also reinforces the profound hermeticism of Molnar's process, as a forbiddingly solitary creative act of immersion and navigation. The album artwork, featuring semiabstract stills of the sea by British photographer Ed Allen, further reifies this metaphor. The album's opening piece 'Sub Luna' (and its shortest at 8 minutes) showcases Molnar's adeptness at naturalistic and flowing complexity: tight cascades of climbing and descending chordal clusters hold their polytonal densities for various durations, yielding to more clarified harmonic suspensions and motifs, as melodic themes led primarily by violins in the higher registers provide a fractured lyricism. Molnar says: "the opening and closing figures of this piece act as opposing shorelines; the shorelines provide a reliable expression of range and key signature, and the tides come in and swallow them up, the motion of a body that addresses the relationship between states of lucidity and melodic figures." On 'Terre Sacer' everything happens in soupier waters, as a slow and doleful theme, anchored by grinding bass notes, circles in a gyre of dark resonances, until glistening strings gradually ascend to enrobe a plaintive and gently harrowing single-voiced ostinato over the composition's final third. Molnar's drone, ambient, minimalist, and goth-industrial influences are on display here. Side Two of EXO features the 18-minute multi-movement 'pallida Mors' (pale death): a waterfall of heterophony introduces dense chordal movements where strings are recorded and mixed to evoke pipe organ, in the album's most overtly dissonant and (anti)liturgical sequence. This gives way to ever more open and fragile spaces, before a resurgence of dark clusters and noise treatments introduces a final repeating piano coda, shrouded in devastated bass resonance, settling into what Molnar calls "a meditative hollow." Constellation is honoured to release this work by Mark Molnar, a longtime fellow-traveler whose selfless and boundlessly generous activities as an independent arts enabler sometimes obscure his own accomplished and uncompromising artistry. We trust EXO can help shed some much deserved light on this fine composer. Thanks for listening.

Mit Songs so lässig und charmant wie alte Hollywood-Filme stellt sich der 21-jährige Amerikaner aron! (nur echt mit Ausrufezeichen) als neues Signing des Verve-Labels vor. Mit einer für die digitalen Welt angenehm analogen Musik hat er auf Instagram und TikTok schon Millionen von Klicks generiert.

Mit Strubbel-Frisur und Slacker-Look könnte man aron! für einen Indie-Rocker halten, aber der Eindruck täuscht. aron! schreibt swingende Melodien und clevere Texte, croont wie ein neuer Sinatra und ist fingerfertig an Gitarre und Tasten. Seine Lieder über die Liebe und das Leben im Allgemeinen sind Popmusik einer anderen Art, nostalgisch und gleichzeitig zeitlos modern.

aron! studierte Jazzgesang und Komposition für Film. Seinen „Vintage Pop“, wie er seine Musik nennt, veröffentlicht er jetzt bei Verve Records. „Es ist eine Art Singer-Songwriter-Jazz“, erklärt er. „Ich habe mich schon immer für die echten Romantiker interessiert. Die Leute machen heute dasselbe durch wie damals. Liebeskummer ist Liebeskummer, und Liebe ist Liebe. Wir sind alle Menschen, und darum geht es in den meisten meiner Songs“.

Sechs ins Ohr gehende Songs erscheinen jetzt beim berühmten Label von Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong und Blossom Dearie. Ein Kreis schließt sich und für den jungen aron! beginnt eine vielversprechende Musikkarriere.

Les Disques Bongo Joe proudly announces the release of Lateena and Bony Fly"s debut collaborative album, a 10-track journey through the pulsating rhythms of dancehall, bouyon, shatta, and reggaeton. Lateena, a queer trans artist hailing from Jamaica, channels her bold identity and raw energy into music that is both deeply personal and universally empowering. Paired with Bony Fly"s innovative production - steeped in his Guatemalan roots and honed by a career spanning global collaborations - this album offers a fresh and exhilarating take on modern dancefloor sounds.

After breaking through with a gold selling debut in the late 1990’s, Harlem emcee Cam’ron quickly emerged as a leading figure in hip-hop, just as the genre was reaching mass audiences for the first time. A platinum-selling classic on Roc-A-Fella Records came a few years later, followed by the founding of the iconic collective Dipset and the release of three more seismic solo albums over the course of the 2000s. The last chapter in his historic run was 2009’s Crime Pays, which drew praise from critics while also lighting up the Billboard Charts, showcasing Cam’s sonic evolution while proving his pen game remained unmatched. More than 15 years after it’s release, this vital collection is now receiving an official vinyl pressing for the first time ever. A perpetually underrated lyricist with transcendent rhyme mechanics embedded in his leisurely flow, Cam’ron is in peak form on Crime Pays, effortlessly walking listeners through the details of his fascinating life and times. With suprisingly modern production supplied by AraabMuzik, I.N.F.O., Skitzo, and more, this memorable album is an important chapter in the story of a truly essential artist.

Akte is a series of events at the renowned Club Gewölbe to keep the vision of timeless Ambient, Minimal and Techno in Cologne alive and is now expanding to develop a record label.

The first release will be a 12" EP by founder Philipp Stoffel featuring 4 originals and a remix by living legend .VRIL. A modern interpretation of techno with strong dub influences, produced in different styles and put together to form a meaningful listening journey. Akte pursues an EP concept away from pure techno tools towards the idea of packing the diverse listening experience of an LP into an EP, striving for a texturally cohesive aural aesthetic.

Mastering engineer Stefan Betke, also known as Pole, gave the record its sonic polish. The EP is rounded off by the grainy cover design by Berlin-based artist Friedrich Breidenich, which visually captures the sonic aesthetic and translates the listening experience into a striking visual form.

In "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" (1976), Roy Ayers seamlessly blends genres, creating a timeless sound that continues to influence musicians and DJs around the world. He makes the vibraphone the central instrument, a jazz-funk approach that defines his unique style. Over time, the album has remained an essential reference in Roy Ayers' discography and in the history of 70s Black music. Summertime soul classic! 180g vinyl.
In 1976, legendary musician and composer Roy Ayers released one of the most iconic albums of his career: "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." This album not only solidified Ayers as a key figure in the world of jazz-funk but also marked a milestone in soul music and contemporary jazz. It features a sophisticated blend of irresistible grooves, smooth melodies, and a unique sound that has endured over the years, becoming a reference for multiple generations of musicians and listeners.

By the mid-70s, Ayers had already established his reputation with his band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, and his distinctive use of the vibraphone, which became his personal trademark. However, with this album, Ayers ventured into a smoother, more accessible sound, partly in response to the rise of disco music and the growing interest in more experimental sounds within the music scene. Throughout its ten tracks, Ayers managed to create a sonic atmosphere that evoked both the warmth of summer and the sophistication of jazz from that era, set against a backdrop of modern soul. The production was carried out by Ayers himself, along with his producer and friend, David R. Williams, and features the wonderful sound of Phillip Woo's Fender Rhodes and the powerful energy of the rest of the band, achieving an unmistakable authenticity and freshness. Some of its most well-known songs include the title track, ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine,’ ‘The Golden Rod,’ and ‘The Third Eye,’ which quickly became classics of jazz-funk and soul. This album is crucial in Roy Ayers' career, as it demonstrates his ability to remain relevant and creative in an ever-changing music industry. Over the years, "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" has become a cult album, frequently featured in DJ sets by artists like Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish, and Lefto. Summertime soul classic!

Following the success of his debut album Echoes of Prayer - featuring singles like Communicate, Calm Waters, and Silent Chaos - Ghanaian-Dutch artist Bnnyhunna announces the album's first-ever vinyl release, set for May 30, 2025, via the renowned Belgian label Sdban Ultra.

Originally released digitally in October 2024, Echoes of Prayer stands as a deeply personal and spiritual work that reflects Bnnyhunna's faith, his early experiences growing up in church, and his West African heritage. Every track on the album serves as a form of prayer, a conversation with God. The album showcases his ability to weave poetic lyrics, vivid visuals, and captivating melodies, creating an immersive experience that resonates on a spiritual and emotional level.

Bnnyhunna's signature fusion of jazz, hip-hop, gospel, and Afro rhythms highlights his versatility and musical integrity. Next to the the warm jazz textures of Calm Waters, the vibrant Afrobeat pulse of Communicate, and the soulful, piano-driven Silent Chaos, Echoes of Prayer also blends elements of '70s P-Funk grooves, gospel harmonies, and modern hip-hop rhythms. Each song represents a different facet of Bnnyhunna's artistic vision. Tracks like SHOULD'VE BEEN YOU carry nostalgic R&B undertones, while Sum Love brings gospel-infused choir arrangements that recall sacred spaces. Interludes such asAvanti add moments of intimacy and reflection through gentle guitar lines.

The album's diverse sound is elevated by collaborations with The Cavemen, who lend their signature highlife revival, and Jembaa Groove, who contribute with West African-inspired rhythms.

His debut project EP SINTHA, released in 2021, quickly established Bnnyhunna as a rising talent, leading to collaborations with artists like Asake, Rimon, and José James. He gained momentum by selling out his first headline show, which included a surprise performance from Kokoroko, and receiving global recognition from platforms like Highsnobiety, VICE, and Complex, as well as performing at prestigious festivals such as North Sea Jazz and Montreux Jazz. Bnnyhunna challenges conventional music by engaging all the senses through photography, videography, and poetry.

The release of Echoes of Prayer follows a year of significant achievements for Bnnyhunna. In2024, he performed for Highsnobiety at Paris Fashion Week, appeared at prestigious festivals such as Dekmantel and Zwarte Cross, and played a standout performance at the Steam Down Weekly series in London. Additionally, he composed an original score for the Dutch National Opera and won the Edison Pop Award, one of the most prestigious music awards in the Netherlands (often referred to as the Dutch Grammys), in the Soul/R&B/Funk category.

With the vinyl release of Echoes of Prayer, Bnnyhunna offers fans a tangible, collectible edition of his powerful debut. The release via Sdban Ultra invites listeners to experience the full depth of his sound in its most intimate and analog form yet.

"Nilam" folgt auf das letztjährige Album "Daughter Of A Temple", das von Gilles Peterson zum BBC 6 Music "Album of the Year" gekürt wurde. The Guardian erklärte es ebenfalls zu einem der 10 besten Alben des Jahres 2024 und lobte GANAVYAs Fähigkeit, "die Kraft der gemeinschaftlichen Harmonie zu nutzen, um etwas Tieferes als den Gesang zu berühren". Wenn man sich das bemerkenswerte "Nilam" anhört, scheint es unwahrscheinlich, dass jemals Zweifel an seiner Entstehung bestanden haben könnten. Die Stille ist so erstaunlich, die Vermittlung von Gefühlen so tiefgreifend, dass man das Gefühl hat, dass es schon immer so gedacht war. Es ist eine Feier der Bande, die uns verbinden, und möglicherweise die zärtlichste Musik, die wir dieses Jahr hören werden. Sie ist intim und ehrlich, ein ergreifender Ausdruck der Dankbarkeit für die Segnungen, die uns auf dem Boden halten, wenn wir sie nur erkennen und willkommen heißen. In der Tat könnte es direkt von der Seele auf die Stereoanlage übertragen worden sein, von der Art und Weise, wie "Not A Burden" eine Last von den Schultern der Welt nimmt, bis hin zum friedlichen "Sees Fire", mit dem sanften Groove von "Land" voller Raum, dem heiteren "Nine Jeweled Prayer" und durchweg GANAVYAs Gesang wie Wellen in einer Lagune. New York-born, Tamil Nadu-raised singer and transdisciplinarian GANAVYA - "among modern music"s most compelling vocalists," according to the Wall Street Journal - has announced details of a new album, Nilam, due May 23, 2025. It follows last year"s Daughter Of A Temple, Gilles Peterson"s BBC 6 Music Album of the Year, similarly declared one of 2024"s Top 10 Best Global Albums by The Guardian, who applauded GANAVYA"s ability to harness "the power of communal harmony to touch something deeper than song." Co-produced by Nils Frahm at LEITER Studio in Berlin"s Funkhaus complex, the new album by "the singer whose work," says the New York Times, "feels like prayer...with listeners hanging onto her every word" will be released by LEITER on vinyl and via all digital platforms. Listening to the remarkable Nilam, it seems implausible now that its inception might ever have been in doubt. So astonishing is its stillness, so profound its communication of sentiment, it feels as if it was always meant to be. A celebration of the ties that bind, and possibly the most tender-hearted music we"ll hear this year, it"s intimate and honest, a poignant expression of gratitude for the blessings which keep us grounded, if only we"ll recognise and welcome them. Indeed, it could have been transmitted directly from soul to stereo, from the way "Not A Burden" lifts a weight off the world"s shoulders to the peaceful "Sees Fire", with "Land""s gentle groove full of space, "Nine Jeweled Prayer" serenely precious, and, throughout, GANAVYA"s vocals like ripples on a lagoon.

Welcome to the era of “Artificial Renaissance”. Humanity and technology stand at a crucial and fundamental intersection. Echoing past cultural revolutions in a modern, technologically advanced world, everything is set to be redefined—our lives, our thoughts, and the way we move forward.

Dutch EBM/synth duo Staatseinde returns with “Artificial Renaissance”, an electrifying new mini-album. Fusing the urgency of classic EBM with the boldness of futuristic synth-punk, the band crafts an interstellar sonic journey fueled by pulsating rhythms and dystopian narratives.

The album blends space punk, italo-disco and electro into a dark, cinematic exploration of rebellion, euphoria, and dystopia. “Space Scream” launches with a cosmic punk battle cry, while “Tanzverbot” pulses with defiant energy against restriction. “Suicide Tuesday” captures post-club emptiness with shimmering 80s nostalgia, and “The Trip” unravels themes of environmental doom. “Freight” propels an italo-disco-infused space odyssey tackling exploitation, while “Une Mémoire Sans Fin” dives into AI’s eerie hold on human emotions. The fast-paced “Mutant Whispers” transforms the dancefloor into a space of fluid identity and resistance, closing with “The Mansion”, a hypnotic synth-driven descent into surreal miscommunication.

With “Artificial Renaissance”, Staatseinde ventures into unexplored sonic territory, expanding the boundaries of their lyrics, balancing artificial futuristic aesthetics with raw human emotions. As the lines between past and future blur, their pulsating music reminds us: the new age is already here.

"""My life began in Columbus, Ohio, USA, moved on to an English village, then to the bright lights of London. America has always been a big part of my life, my father is American.
This album is a snapshot of my experiences. The lyrics tell some of the story and the music helps to tell the rest. I grew up listening to American music and when I began songwriting I was inspired by the icons and styles from the 1950s/60s and 70s. As I wrote the songs for this album I consciously looked to represent some of the styles from artists I love including Elvis, Dylan, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Through the wonders of modern digital recording I was able to work with some amazing American musicians who helped me to create the authentic arrangements and styles I sought to emulate. The album is self produced but the help and advice from Pat Collier and Jess Corcoran at Perry Vale studios plus the talent and input from all the musicians was invaluable. "

Musique Pour La Danse is proud to present the definitive edition of the highly acclaimed and globally beloved Donkey Kong Country soundtracks, meticulously recreated by composer and producer Jammin' Sam Miller. Released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Donkey Kong Country was celebrated not only for its groundbreaking quasi-3D graphics but also for its exceptional soundtrack.
The soundtrack featured a variety of compositions, and has been highly praised for its diverse and high-quality music, with tracks like "Aquatic Ambiance" and "Fear Factory" standing out as fan favorites. The influence of the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack extends beyond the gaming world, having inspired modern artists and changed the way video game music was perceived.

This limited edition boxset, limited to 500 copies, comes as a triple DLP set, containing Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Pressed on red, green, and blue marbled vinyl, it is housed in a hardboard slipcase featuring new and original artwork by Andrew Beltran.

Don't sleep on this ultimate release-the previous boxset edition has been sold out for a long time, and if you can find it, it's being sold for crazy money.

Using hex SPC data converted to MIDI, Jammin' Sam Miller painstakingly recreated the DKC soundtrack note by note, sourcing the original equipment used to create it. He then translated the MIDI into a modern studio context, incorporating keyboard samples, remixing the sounds with added effects, and mastering the tracks. To learn more about his process, watch the explanatory video here: cutt.ly/ulUHE6J.

Over the decades, the image of Kompakt as a pirate ship has taken root in our minds, braving the dangers of the seven seas of the music market. Sometimes it glides with a tailwind through calm waters, sometimes it has to survive violent storms. When we set sail in 1993, we never would have dreamt that our journey would still be going on after more than three decades and with 500 releases to date.

In our fast-paced business, the 500 mark is rarely reached, so we want to celebrate it with a lavish 5LP box set. In a democratic process, we have selected 50 pearls from the thousands of tracks released over the last 33 1/3 years and pressed them onto 5 brightly coloured vinyls. Alongside many Kompakt evergreens, there are also some real rarities from the early ‘Kompakt Sound of Cologne’, which have been lovingly remastered here to shine in new splendour.

The box also contains a 144-page book that tells the story of Kompakt from 1993 to today with detailed texts and images. In addition to the manifold musical and graphic achievements of Kompakt, the multidisciplinary links to the visual arts are also highlighted here.

The Bonus Picture Disc opens with the symbolic tolling of 500 bass drums, followed by 50 locked grooves from the 5 Kompakt founders, looping into infinity at 133 1/3 BPM, and the ‘33 1/3 Years Loop Opera’ – in which the loops are combined into one track that, in its reduced essence, is more than the sum of its individual parts. The magic of groovy loop minimalism and the ‘art of omission’ are once again brought to the proverbial point.

On 23 May 2025, the big KOMPAKT 500 art exhibition will open at the venerable Kölnischer Kunstverein to coincide with the release. The entire visual cosmos of Kompakt will be shown here in an unprecedented way on three floors, with the participation of many renowned artists. Of course, there will also be dancing and partying at the vernissage party, with DJ sets and live shows by the Kompakt Allstars.

The last one turns off the bass drum.


Im Laufe der Jahrzehnte hat sich in unseren Köpfen das Bild von Kompakt als Piratenschiff festgesetzt, das den Gefahren der sieben Weltmeere des Musikmarktes trotzt. Mal gleitet es mit Rückenwind durch ruhige Gewässer, mal muss es heftige Stürme überstehen. Als wir 1993 die Segel setzten, hätten wir uns nicht träumen lassen, dass unsere Reise nach über drei Jahrzehnten und mittlerweile 500 Veröffentlichungen immer noch andauert.

Die 500 ist in unserem schnelllebigen Geschäft eine selten erreichte Katalognummer und soll daher mit einer üppigen 5LP-Box gebührend gefeiert werden. In einem demokratischen Prozess haben wir aus den tausenden Tracks der letzten 33 1/3 Jahre 50 Perlen ausgewählt und auf 5 knallbunte Vinyls gepresst. Neben vielen Kompakt-Evergreens finden sich auch einige echte Raritäten des frühen “Kompakt Sound of Cologne”, die hier liebevoll remastered in neuem Glanz erstrahlen.

Die Box enthält außerdem ein 144-seitiges Buch, das mit ausführlichen Texten und Bildern die Kompakt-Geschichte von 1993 bis heute erzählt. Neben den mannigfaltigen musikalischen und grafischen Errungenschaften von Kompakt werden hier auch die multidisziplinären Vernetzungen zur bildenden Kunst beleuchtet.

Die Bonus Picture Disc wird mit einem symbolischen Glockenschlag von 500 Bassdrums eröffnet, gefolgt von 50 Endlosrillen der 5 Kompakt-Gründer, die sich bei 133 1/3 BPM in die Unendlichkeit schleifen sowie der “33 1/3 Years Loop Opera”, in der die Loops zu einem Track zusammengefügt werden, der in seiner reduzierten Essenz mehr ist als die Summe seiner Einzelteile. Die Magie des groovenden Loop-Minimalismus und die “Kunst des Weglassens” werden einmal mehr auf den sprichwörtlichen Punkt gebracht.

Am 23. Mai 2025 eröffnet parallel zum Release die große KOMPAKT 500 Kunstausstellung im ehrwürdigen Kölnischen Kunstverein. Der gesamte visuelle Kosmos von Kompakt wird hier unter Beteiligung vieler namhafter Künstler*Innen in nie gesehener Form auf drei Etagen gezeigt. Selbstverständlich darf zur Vernissagenparty auch getanzt und gefeiert werden zu DJ Sets und Liveshows der Kompakt Allstars.

Der Letzte macht die Bassdrum aus.

Singer-songwriter Dan Arsenault’s avant-garde music infuses classic progressive rock and modern hard rock vibes - crafting himself a unique style of accessible songs that truly inspires the listeners. Born and raised in Atlantic Canada - home of many diverse artists, Dan’s taste in music genre greatly varied in his adult life, you can surely spot many of his style influences in his songs, ranging from early progressive rock to modern rock. His lyrical metaphor style along his punched-in odd signature moments, brings a strange complexity to the songs always leaving you discovering something new in each playbacks.

Dan’s first official released music arrived in 2021, with his first full length instrumental album ‘Eminence’ which was nominated for recording of the year at the MNB Awards 2021 and was highly accepted by the progressive music
community and qualified as a hidden jewel. Dan’s new concept album, ‘Signs point to Yes’, will truly showcase his passionate composing and producing skills, through the story journey of a kid on his quest for musical stardom and
happiness, featuring elite artists like Joe Calderone (Arch Echo), Jemma Heigis and Danny Bourgeois.

Emptyset, James Ginzburg and Paul Purgas, explore both spatial and physical properties of sound; specifically the perceptible boundaries between it and noise. They have produced installations for Tate Britain and the Architecture Foundation in London. Emptyset"s new album Dissever continues their exploration of the histories of 20th century electronic sound and media. Dissever delves into the intertwined evolution of cosmic rock, minimalism and electronic music, viewed through their prospective dreams and overlapping technological ambitions. Premiered at Tate Modern as a live performance, Dissever was part of the exhibition Electric Dreams, a large-scale survey of the global history of art and technology. The resulting album is astoundingly sublime, rich with sonics that are as thrilling and immediate as they are singular and dense with complexity.