Once upon a car park.
In the mid-90s, DJ Steve and Luca Lozano bonded over Mobb Deep, Droors, and the finer points of frontside flips. Soundtracked by skate videos and boombox freestyles, those formative years were more about asphalt than machines.
Time moved on. Steve found his way to stages from Sheffield to Sonar as half of an electro duo; Luca chased underground frequencies from London to Berlin. Life zigzagged. Contact faded.
Fast forward a couple of decades and a random reconnection just before lockdown sparked version 2.0 of their friendship—and a new chapter of collaboration. What started as nostalgia turned into studio marathons and shared sonic visions. The result: Closed Circuit.
This is the sound of two old friends channeling 20-year loops—where electro meets B-boy attitude, house nods to early Warp, and vocoders clash with vintage drum machines. Think sun-bleached jeans, fuzzed-out tape hiss, and that pre-internet rush of discovery.
To top it off, Running Back’s own Roman Flügel contributes a sharp remix flip, and the sleeve features archival photos taken by Lozano during his early London days (2002–2005)—moments frozen in grain and sweat from some of the city’s first DIY parties.
Friendship. Frequencies. Full circle.
Closed Circuit.
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Glossy Mistakes Reissues Resonance 001, a Proto-House & Trance Milestone from Belgium from 1992
Glossy Mistakes is proud to announce the reissue of Resonance 001, the groundbreaking debut EP by Belgian producer Fabrice Lagrange, created in collaboration with Frank Beekman and originally released in 1992. Long overlooked, this forward-thinking record captures a pivotal moment in the early European evolution of house and trance-melding minimalism, emotion, and club-oriented experimentation into a sound that remains strikingly fresh over three decades later.
Resonance 001 stands among the earliest European records to explore the fertile intersection of hypnotic house rhythms and atmospheric trance. The A-side, featuring The Awakening Earth and Pure Self, channels a stripped-down yet euphoric energy-deeply inspired by the spirit of Detroit techno but undeniably forward-looking. As Frank Beekman recalls: "This record was recorded in a very simple studio, with minimal gear, inspired by the Detroit techno sound."
On the B-side, the EP ventures further into experimental territory. Paris By Night offers a dreamy, tech-tinged house excursion, leading into Redondanz, a meditative downtempo closer that perfectly encapsulates the release's subtle charm.
The enduring appeal of Resonance 001 lies in its restraint: crafted with minimal tools, it delivers maximum emotional depth. It seamlessly blends hazy trance atmospheres, early house grooves, and ambient-inflected textures, capturing the open-minded, exploratory ethos of early '90s electronic music.
Now remastered for vinyl by Wouter Brandenburg, Resonance 001 returns in pristine form-faithfully preserving its original character while bringing new clarity to its timeless sound.
Silver Tears is the new joint venture by Berlin-based gent Luca Venezia and Damian Shilman, respectively of Curses and Skelesys’ fame.
The duo first debuted in 2023 on Next Wave Acid Punx Deux (Chapter 2) compilation delivering one track rich with deep bass lines, crystal clear guitars and captivating mechanical drums. One somehow classic formula enriched by an universal allure that left you hoping for more. And here we are: these charming men have been working hard for the past two years and their first, self-titled full-length album is now ready.
Eight new cuts of elegant electronic beat-driven coldwave with baritone vocals, sharp arpeggios and no lack of slow passages, recalling 90’s shoegaze or moody grunge. A subtle play of juxtaposition of dancing moments and introspective retreats, dancefloor-oriented grooves and caustic precipices, sometimes crowned by the two dueting at vocals. One wide musical cape to cloak all the angles of the Goth subculture and prove how this can still be relevant some many years after it first bursted out.
limited to 500 copies
For his second solo album, Officium offers us a free and unrestrained journey through inner worlds, hazy stories, and ghostly traces. Throughout its eight tracks, Light Trap oscillates between immersive textures, impulsive basslines, and rough guitar chords, creating a subtle tension between softness and intensity.
Interlaced with the haunted voice of Lou (1/2 of Reymour) and the precise arrangements of Yolek, this album is the result of meticulous sound work, fueling a constantly moving introspective odyssey.
Light Trap paints a moving chiaroscuro image, like the last rays of light passing through the teeth of a trap, just before it snaps shut on the moment.
Monika Linges Quartet,Hipsters In The Zone,John ThomasandLifeforce,Maria Joao Quintet
The Aachen Jazz Files Compiled by Rainer Trüby & Miche
The Aachen Jazz Files
A collection of essential jazz from the NABEL record label (1980-1994), compiled by miche & Rainer Truby.
The Aachen Jazz Files celebrates the pioneering spirit of NABEL Records—one of Germany’s most underrated yet influential independent jazz labels. Founded in 1980 by Rainer Wiedensohler, NABEL became a home for innovative musicians blending classic acoustic jazz with fusion, Brazilian rhythms, and avant-garde flourishes.
This compilation collects some of the label’s finest moments, including the soulful and Latin-tinged brilliance of Monika Linges Quartet (whose album *Floating* was reissued last year by PANORAMA Records for RSD Black Friday), the cosmic jazz explorations of John Thomas & Lifeforce, the deep jazz-funk grooves of Hipsters In The Zone, and the stunning, expressive vocals of Maria João’s quintet.
Nestled in the far west of Germany, near the Dutch and Belgian borders, Aachen has long been a hidden gem for jazz lovers. Its vibrant scene, fueled by music schools and the legendary Malteserkeller jazz club, cultivated a unique sound that resonated far beyond its city limits. In fact, the city didn’t just birth a jazz movement—it also lays claim to opening Germany’s first discotheque in 1959.
From London to Tokyo, NABEL’s releases became secret weapons for jazz DJs seeking deep, danceable cuts. The label’s trademark blend of acoustic jazz, fusion, and Brazilian influences made its way onto turntables in underground clubs and festival stages worldwide.
Expect elegant samba jazz, spiritual grooves, and modal masterpieces that capture the essence of NABEL’s golden years. Monika Linges’ contributions shine with her rich harmonies and heartfelt compositions, while John Thomas & Lifeforce deliver a perfect storm of fiery instrumentation and deep soul. Maria João’s early recordings showcase her extraordinary vocal range, and Hipsters In The Zone bring a forward-thinking, acid jazz-infused perspective to the NABEL sound.
As co-compiler Rainer Truby puts it:
'NABEL Records always had this special ‘Aachen sound’—a jazz flavor that carried its own energy, somewhere between the cool sophistication of fusion and the warmth of Brazilian music. It’s a pleasure to finally bring together some of these classics in one essential collection.'
Compiled by miche & Rainer Truby.
PANORAMA Records is a London-based label dedicated to unearthing and reintroducing rare and essential music to new generations. With a focus on jazz, funk, and global grooves, the label has built a reputation for high-quality reissues that capture the spirit of the originals while providing fresh context for today’s listeners. Their past releases have garnered support from tastemakers like Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, and Mr Bongo DJs.
»White Noise« is a cooperation project between raster-media and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. Artistic sound projects generated in the context of the scientific research institute will appear at irregular intervals. The themes and questions of empirical aesthetics research are taken up, questioned or challenged in very different ways. »White Noise« is conceived as an audio archive of the MPIEA artists in residence which records the artistic works on vinyl and documents the respective concepts and working methods in text form.
Victioria Keddie’s »Pshal P’shaw« (white noise #002) is a multimedia exploration delving into phonetic expression’s auditory and rhythmic nuances of phonetic expressions through an amalgamation of text, sound, video, data, and customized learning software. Drawing inspiration from the painter and architectural theorist Hermann Finsterlin who made speculative architectural renderings, the project originated during a residency at the Max Planck Institute of Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt in 2023.
The project’s engagement with the sonic landscape of the eight diphthongs in US English, documented through recorded sessions at EEG labs with participants of diverse international backgrounds, is not just a technical analyses. The applied script for the recording session, infused with a contemporary Western US dialect, ventures beyond, exploring the primal essence of phonetic expression and its impact on the oral landscape of mouth, throat, and tongue.
This work focuses on the spoken aspect of language: the art of oration, conversation, and mimicry. It reflects the beauty of our perpetual change, speaking directly to our humanity and the raw, tender moments of existence. It embraces the awkward, beautiful and vulnerable essence of our shared human experience.
Victoria Keddie is a multidisciplinary artist delving into sound, video, installation, and performance. Her work uncovers hidden narratives within ordinary artifacts and spaces, emphasizing their role in shaping our collective story. The examination of acoustic phenomena and language is a recurring theme in her artistic work. Keddie’s current projects navigate the acoustic complexity of language and dialects.
For over a decade, Keddie was co-director of E.S.P. TV, exploring the televisual medium for performance and sound. Keddie has performed and exhibited internationally. Recent fellowships include the NYSCA/NYFA for Music/Sound (2022), the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (2023), and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Sound Art and Experimental Music Fellowship (2024).
»White Noise«, 40 p. magazine English/German, vinyl LP, cardboard box
Kiria Records proudly presents "Vintage A EP", a collection by Direkt that embodies the essence of modern groove with timeless and elegant influences. This EP explores different sonic shades, perfect for enriching any moment of a DJ set.
On side A, we have "Vintage A", a track that stands out for its sophisticated groove and immersive structure. The blend of delicate synths and sharp percussion creates an atmosphere perfect for lighting up the dancefloor and taking listeners on a hypnotic journey. Following that, Cally’s remix delivers an innovative and minimal reinterpretation of the original track. With tight rhythms and subtle nuances, this version captivates the audience and adds depth to transitional moments.
On side B, "Best Kick Forward" opens with a powerful rhythmic drive, characterized by strong basslines and an engaging progression, making it perfect for the most dynamic moments of a set. Closing the EP is "Fragments", a track that plays with atmospheric elements and refined grooves. Intricate percussion and ethereal melodies intertwine to create a finale that leaves a lasting impression.
With "Vintage A EP", Direkt and Kiria Records deliver a must-have musical chapter, crafted for DJs and collectors seeking unique and uncompromising sounds.
On June 6th, Death In Vegas return with new album ‘Death Mask’, where disintegration, overload and total sonic immersion tell a personal tale. With dirty circuitry and rough-hewn textures at the fore, this is gritty, unpolished techno; an audio outlier that’s full of personality, and a bold artistic statement. It’s closer in DNA to the grainy growl of sunn O))), or the searing intensity of Underground Resistance at their fiercest, and as far from generic influencer business as you could possibly get.
“I’ve been soaking in Ramleh’s ‘Hole In the Heart’, the machine funk of Terrence Dixon’s Population One, Jamal Moss’ psychedelic techno jams, the stunning minimalism of Mika Vanio’s Ø and Panasonic, the layered drones of LOOP, and drowning in the acid of TM 404”
Broader inspirations are weaved into the album’s fabric too; from his Thameside Metal Box studio and evocations of nautical ghosts, to lamentations for a broken world, to memories of a youthful Detroit pilgrimage, and the innocent fraternity of rave euphoria, there’s a lot going on, acting as a chronicle of moments, and locations.
Electronic musician and singer/songwriter originally from Greece, ELLI, has called London home for the past 15 years, balancing her career as an automotive engineer with her passion for creating music. After collaborating
with several producers as a vocalist, she released music on renowned labels like Connected, Anjunadeep,Objektivity, and Truesoul. In addition to her successful collaborations, ELLI's solo journey began with her debut
single "Race My Heartbeat" on Prins Thomas’s Horisontal Mambo label.
She followed up with "Just for Me & You", released as part of Steven Julien's DJ Kicks mix on iconic !K7 Records.
Channelling a broad range of influences, her solo project explores the intersection between ambient/electronic ethereal soundscapes and a more upbeat side that leans towards cosmic synth-pop.
You've heard it in many of Bukkha's, Mysticwood's and King Original's sessions, and it made you dance and prance.
The moment you have all been waiting for is here!
BUKKHA003 features grime king, Footsie, pon the mic over a nice rockers style riddim built by the original US dub/steppas king, Bukkha.
Footsie come through and provides a deep meditative vocal flow.
Joining us on the vocal mix and horn cut is trumpet badman, Aba Ariginal.
You already know these are guaranteed ANTHEM vibes!
To close the A side, Bukkha dubs the riddim in his unique style and fashion.
On the flip, man like Charlie Mystic steps up to the plate, and brings new life to the vocals by putting them on a heavy steppas riddim.
Mysticwood takes you on a journey with this one by showing you his versatile style.
All of Mysticwood's cuts are certified bangers to take your session/set to the next level.
Hikari to Kage is the next chapter in the story of Wabi Sabi Audio Imprint, diving into the experimental and ambient realms of electronic music.
This beautiful album comes from the hands of Sarah Wreath, a German artist whose unique approach to sound exploration captured our hearts the moment we saw her live at Monument.
The album It's a narrative, an introspective journey that doesn't tell you what to feel but gently guides you toward your own perspective.
Three incredible remixes by DJ Hi-C, Pianeti Sintetici, and Jorge Fons bring their own vision of Sarah's music, each artist weaving their own story within Sarah's framework. Like Yin and Yang, light and shadow exist in balance, defining the beauty of the other-this is Hikari to Kage.
The latest transmission on Samurai tunes into half-time intensity with a psychedelic edge courtesy of leading French practitioner Vardae. Applying techno hypnotism and cinematic atmospheres to his snaking beat constructions, the Lyon-based artist delivers a pitch-perfect exercise in mystical meditation that follows a natural path from the Ancestral Voices LP.
Since first emerging around 2017, Vardae has been determined to establish a sound unbound by genre restrictions. To date he's successfully moved between cult labels such as Non Series and Ooda while pivoting from linear 4/4 to crooked broken beat without disrupting his immersive, finely sculpted production style.
Alongside his releases, Vardae is also responsible for the ouroboros festival that takes place every year in central France. Last summer, after the dancefloor closed on the final night of the the event, fabled Dutch transcendental ambient group Son Of Chi made an acoustic concert around the campfire that cast a spell over everyone present. This experience formed the inspirational basis for Vardae's new EP, drawing on the instinctive power of insistent rhythm and the spiritual intrigue that lies behind subtly dissonant tones - shadows cast by refined, restrained synthesis flickering in the imagined light of the flames.
From the rattle of timbale on 'The Light Motion' to the laser-focused ripples that charge through 'Voices Of Dispossession', Vardae bends and shapes his drum work with exacting intention across this EP. Treading the line between 85 and 170BPM, he approaches fierce peaks in his tracks with an exacting patience, building to the arp-soaked climax of 'Flaming As A Cloud' and its ecstatic, melodic crescendo.
Proudly individual and drawing from the deepest of musical experiences, Vardae's latest statement promises similarly profound moments when these pieces come into contact with the right souls and the right sound in the right setting.
- A1: What Lies Beneath 3 Arp 5 02
- A2: What Lies Beneath 2 5 43
- A3: Forrest Gump 3 01
- A4: Spiderman 2 08
- A5: Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina 2 35
- A6: Mad Men S04 1 1 46
- B1: Mad Men S04 2 1 18
- B2: Stranger Things S02 E07 3 55
- B3: Stranger Things 2 3 55
- B4: Stranger Things 3 4 00
- B5: Reacher S01 E07 2 03
- B6: Reacher S01 E08 2 44
- B7: Irma Vep S01 E05 2 31
LIMITED VINYL COMES IN CARDBOARD SLEEVE WITH BOOKLET!
OSTRANENIE is a collection of digitally manipulated, impressionistic piano miniatures — each named after blockbuster films and TV series. Improvised late at night as a reaction against passive media consumption, these pieces function as both homage and critique, navigating the space between classical impressionism and contemporary digital manipulation. They don’t just deconstruct traditional piano expression; they interrogate the emotional stakes of sound in an era where immersion culture flattens meaning and algorithmic logic erodes agency.
The album’s title references the Russian formalist Viktor Shklovsky’s concept of “ostranenie” (ɐstrɐˈnjenjɪj, estrangement/defamiliarization), a term he introduced in the early 1920s to describe art’s role in resisting the indifference of habitual perception.
“And so, held accountable for nothing, life fades into nothingness. Automation eats away at things, at clothes, at furniture, at our wives, and at our fear of war.”
—Viktor Shklovsky, Theory of Prose (1925)
Shklovsky saw art as a way to break through the anesthetizing effects of routine, stripping away the layers of habit that dull our senses. By making the familiar strange, art reclaims perception from the mechanical and the automatic. His argument wasn’t just a theoretical exercise — it was a response to a world rapidly consumed by industrialization, war machines, and the alienation of a technologically dominated modern life. In this context, he positioned artistic technique as something autonomous, distinct from mere social criticism or psychological reflection. Art seeks to remove “...the crust that the world of things deposits on our senses, with routine’s unending murder of the real.” Ben Ehrenreich on Serena Vitale’s Making Strange (The Nation, 2013)
This tension—between revolutionary/artistic and industrial technologies—defined the 20th century, and it continues to resonate today. The mechanization and automation that fueled the First World War’s devastation, alongside the social and economic turbulence of the 1920s, became central to the era’s self-conception. But just as technology was a source of alienation, it was also positioned as an agent of radical change. As the shock of modernity disrupted the human condition, it also became the driving force behind an ideological utopia — one that ultimately deformed into political totalitarianism — a paradox that remains unresolved.
OSTRANENIE plays within this contradiction. The music shifts seamlessly between an uncanny black MIDI dismantling of traditional piano virtuosity and moments of raw, fragile intimacy. The result is a work that resists automatic anonymity while questioning what it means to create in an era where the technological mediation of sound — and experience itself — is unavoidable: Art in the age of its technological constructedness.
As most of us now live in a world saturated with information, this album feels like a reflection of how the modern world might sound if it were to process its own chaos through a unified scream. Hailing from the highlands of Bandung, West Java, a city where tradition and modernization intertwine in the rhythm of daily life, Xin Lie unpretentiously translates this cultural fusion into a sonically rich and rhythmically bold debut LP.
The artist’s roots in the hardcore and punk scenes reverberate throughout the album, though they’ve been reshaped and refined for the club. There’s an undeniable pleasure in experiencing the chaos Xin Lie channels—irregular beats, dynamic frequencies, and disjointed grooves collide and expand, each track laced with a sense of unpredictable energy. Yet even in its most chaotic moments, the music feels deliberate, its edges softened by a sense of compositional care.
The album reveals a strange duality: tracks that seem to beckon you to the dance floor but never quite let you settle there. Frequencies flicker and fluctuate in patterns that feel just slightly off-grid, as though resisting traditional structures. Yet, amidst the digital textures, Xin Lie weaves in organic sounds—snippets of native conversations or environmental noise—creating layers that feel both intimate and expansive.It’s fair to say this album extends far beyond the boundaries of today’s club music.
Picture this: you’re moving through your daily routines—mundane, repetitive—and suddenly, the music shifts your perspective. It reframes the ordinary as something surreal, as though it’s deconstructing itself in real-time, breaking into fragments or conjuring entirely new forms. Perhaps it’s best imagined as the soundtrack to a multi-sensory art installation or a performance staged not in a gallery but in an unassuming house down your street. Who’s to say where it might take you?
Selekt Sounds proudly launches its vinyl-only imprint Selekt Wax with an evocative EP from Dragomir, one of Bucharest’s most prominent voices in minimal. Deeply introspective yet effortlessly hypnotic, this record is a meditation on space, tension, and the emotional resonance of stripped down groove. Each track pulses with a quiet intensity—crafted with care, driven by instinct, and tuned to the inner ear.
Etched on the sleeve, a poem sets the tone:
the space between the sounds
expansion and contraction
allow what comes up to flow
ebb like the ocean waves
keeping in time with the synchrony
manipulating sound waves
helps navigate the now
can you hear yourself between the sound?
in the space between.
Much like the words that frame it, this release invites listeners to tune in—not just to the music, but to the stillness it surrounds.
A1 Trust - A hypnotic minimal roller built around a looping vocal mantra, jazzy percussive details, and swirling psychedelic textures. Subtle yet immersive, it invites deep focus and surrender.
A2 Mirroring - Moody, meditative, and rich in detail, Mirroring unfolds through broken rhythms and shadowy textures—perfect for reflective moments on or off the dancefloor.
B1 Irresolute - With a steady 4x4 pulse and airy, emotional pads, Irresolute balances tension and release in a way that feels both uplifting and unresolved. A track for when the night blurs into morning.
Renato Cohen, the Brazilian techno and house producer and DJ best known for his iconic track *Pontapé*, has been a powerhouse in the electronic music scene since the late '90s. Born in São Paulo in 1974, Cohen's career has spanned nearly three decades, marked by releases on some of the industry's most respected labels, including Carl Cox's Intec, Technasia's Sino, Marc Romboy's Systematic, Pets Recordings, and Defected. Known not only for his studio work but also for his dynamic live P.A. shows, Cohen is a true legend. We had the fortune to connect with him after a Boiler Room set in Brazil where he played *Sting the Floor*, a true floor-filler that electrified the room. Since then, our friendship has flourished, leading to this powerful EP. The EP features « Roaring », an outstanding house track that channels Cohen's heart and soul into every arpeggio and swirling melody, bringing to mind the best of Todd Terje's hypnotic grooves. It's a piece that builds momentum with finesse, crafting a sound both grand and intimate, resonating with every listener. « Roaring » is Cohen's homage to house music—a track that encapsulates his passion and mastery. Accompanying « Roaring » is « Wet Desert », a high-caliber production that's as immersive as it is intense. The track carries a deep, evocative energy, combining Cohen's deft touch with an expansive, desert-inspired soundscape. Through our connection, we've brought in The Floorfillers for an acid remix of « Roaring », putting a fresh twist on Cohen's original with a pulsating acid bassline that's reminiscent of our own « Edit1 ». It's a version that takes « Roaring » to new, harder-hitting heights, perfect for late-night dance floors. To complete this standout release, Skylax's own Maltitz has crafted a stunning Italo-Balearic remix, drawing from the spirit of the late David Mancuso. With its warm, nostalgic vibes, Maltitz's remix adds a lush, sun-soaked dimension to « Roaring », perfect for balmy evenings and open-air gatherings. This EP marks a powerful comeback for Renato Cohen, celebrating his career while pushing forward with new, fresh sounds that honor his legacy.
Produced by Chez Damier and Ron Trent, the track was born in NYC, inspired by a transformative night at the legendary Sound Factory Club. In the early morning haze, as the echoes of basslines and rhythms lingered, the duo channeled the energy of the dancefloor into their studio. The result captured the raw, soulful essence of Deep House, reflecting the dancefloor communion that transcended time and space. To extend the feeling while honoring the original, Atjazz was invited to bring his jazz-influenced touc
With his deep understanding of groove and texture, he reimagined the track through two distinct remixes, each offering a fresh perspective. While both versions explore different nuances, they remain faithful to the track’s core essence, maintaining its hypnotic flow while adding a renewed vibrancy to the dancefloor. The duo of Chez Damier and Ben Vedren, proudly welcome French producer Fred H, one of the closest members of their extended musical family, to deliver a special remix of their track "Berlin Nights In Paris".
The result is a re-imagination of the track, introducing a percussive soundscape that drives the rhythm forward while offering a space for the listeners' minds to wander, immersing them in an atmospheric journey. This reinterpretation preserves the original’s essence while infusing it with new textures, dynamic movement, and a hypnotic flow that deepens its emotional impact.
This collaboration is more than just a remix. It’s a testament to the creative synergy within their musical circle, reinforcing the timeless spirit of house music while pushing it forward. er. Through his deep connection to what truly ignites the dancefloor, DJ SOURIRES maintains the emotive spirit of the original track, keeping its essence intact, yet injecting fresh dynamics that transforms it into a high-octane dancefloor heat track. His intricate, oscillating drum programming and masterful arrangement drive the rhythm forward, creating a compelling urgency that commands attention and movement. The remix swells with intensity, amplifying the hypnotic elements of the original while layering in driving percussion, rich basslines, and sharp, yet spacious synths that build tension and release in all the right moments. Every twist and turn in this remix is an invitation to lose yourself in the dance.
- A1: Korogi ‘73 - Fushigi Song
- A2: Yas-Kaz - Hei (Theme Of Shikioni)
- A3: Yoichiro Yoshikawa - Tassili N'ajjer
- A4: Norihiro Tsuru - Farsighted Person
- B1: Geinoh Yamashirogumi - Theme Of Kaneda
- B2: Yoichiro Yoshikawa - Fiesta Del Fuego
- B3: Columbia Orchestra - Heart Beats / Theme For Andrew Glesgow
- B4: Kan Ogasawara - Gishin Anki
LP vinyl only release + 4 page liner notes (comes with hype sticker)
The percussive new age soundtracks of '80s and early '90s Japanese TV, anime and manga built alternative worlds and pushed boundaries in the process.
When Japanese composer Yas-Kaz left Tokyo for Bali in the mid 1970s he had little idea of how influential his trip would become. In studying the storied art of gamelan, the jazz and avant-garde percussionist opened a door to a world of sound and rhythm left behind by the West. The music he and his contemporaries made would become known as new age. It also happened to soundtrack the golden era of anime.
Awash with money and with the prerogative to entertain the burgeoning middle classes, anime in the 1980s experienced a creative and commercial boom. Not constricted by generic expectations, production houses such as the now renowned Studio Ghibli were able to experiment liberally with both form and content. And with it came the space for composers to be similarly adventurous.
TV, Anime & Manga New Age Soundtracks 1984-1993 charts this moment across eight tracks spanning classics of the genre and previously unknown rarities. The collection brings together music that found kinship in electronic and acoustic instrumentation, often combining spiritual or environmental themes with percussive, varied and highly refined syncopations of non-Western musical traditions.
Among them is ‘Kaneda’ by Geinoh Yamashirogumi, the shape-shifting group of self-styled musicians, anthropologists and computer scientists that masterminded the soundtrack to game-changing dystopian anime Akira - and with whom the sound, tuning and breakneck speed of Balinese gamelan has become indelibly entwined.
Reflecting the desires of the era to reach beyond Japan’s borders, many of the soundtracks featured were commissioned for narratives set in distant lands or alternative worlds. There’s violinist and composer Norihiro Tsuru’s ‘Farsighted Person’, written for The Heroic Legend of Arslān, set in ancient Persia; Yas-Kaz’s own ‘Hei (Theme of Shikioni)’, for period sci-fi manga & anime series Peacock King - Spirit Warrior; and two tracks - Tassili N’Ajjer and Fiesta Del Fuego - from Yoichiro Yoshikawa’s soundtrack to NHK’s proto-Planet Earth series The Miracle Planet.
Such was the variety and quality of the music produced, if there is a guiding principle to the tracks collected here it is a sense of escapism and adventure that came with the confluence of modern electronic instruments and a fascination with percussive traditions.
Elsewhere, pioneering children’s TV composer Chumei Watanabe’s ‘Fushigi Song’ (performed by a vocal group Korogi ‘72) offers a trippy and infectious groove with sonic similarities to Don Cherry’s ‘Brown Rice’; little-known jazz-funk library group Columbia Orchestra showcase the best of Tokyo’s session musicians on ‘Hearts Beats - Theme for Andrew Glasgow’; before lawyer-turned-composer Kan Ogasawara closes out the compilation with a dramatic flourish on ‘Gishin Anki’.
Following on from Time Capsule’s acclaimed deep-dive into the world of manga & anime synth-pop in 2022, this vinyl only collection is set to broaden and diversify an understanding of how soundtracks shaped the sound of new age music in Japan for a generation.
Curators: Kay Suzuki, Rintaro Sekizuka (Vinyl Delivery Service)
Artwork: Tu-yang
In the mid-nineties, documentarian Peter Spirer embarked on a three-year odyssey to offer a realistic view of Hip-Hop and the people and culture it encompassed, interviewing over 80 artists involved in the art form. Spirer managed to capture a seminal moment as the culture balanced on the cusp of the mainstream. As Ice-T comments in his foreword to the book, 'Rhyme & Reason is one of the few films that was there to document us before Hip-Hop truly exploded.' While filming, Spirer took accompanying stills using a medium format Rolleiflex camera. It is these photographs that form The Book Of Rhyme & Reason. 'The Rollei allowed me to capture some amazing moments: Puffy getting a trim in his office while doing three tasks at once, Biggie opening record plaques on his couch, Ice-T and Mack 10 hanging with their homies, Heavy D at the barber, playing pool. There was the Jack The Rapper convention with Death Row making a statement, at a Disney World Hotel, that ended in chaos. There were magical moments such as Redman and Erick Sermon freestyling on the mic to amazed onlookers at a block party in Newark and watching Wu-Tang Clan chop it up on the block in Staten Island on a cold winter's day before they exploded.'
This coffee table volume features over 130 of Spirer's photographs from 1994 to 1997. As Hip-Hop commemorates its fiftieth anniversary in 2023, it is particularly fitting that many of these images from this formative period are being seen and published for the first time.
I’m thrilled to welcome Tommahawk to the Electric Ballroom family. Tomma is a standout among the new wave of DJs and producers from Germany, carrying forward the rich tradition of classic Techno. From the moment I heard Unfolding and its stunning choir melody, I was hooked. Remixing this gem was an absolute pleasure.




















