quête:myr

Spectral Bounce’s latest offering comes direct from Norway, courtesy of Anders Hajem — co-founder of Boring Crew Records. To date, the Oslo producer’s previous releases have been vessels for the exploration of myriad dance musics, seeing the artist fluently turn his hand to soulful house, dub techno and 2-step.

SPEC07 — the Myr EP — is a much more focused affair, finding Hajem in techno mode across 4 potent cuts typified by undulating drums and swelling echoes. Despite its emphasis on percussion, atmosphere has not been sacrificed for rhythm: vivid FX and meticulous attention to detail bring these tracks to life beyond the context of the dancefloor. This is music that can be stepped into and explored, productions that reward repeat listens.

Opening at full throttle, “Myr” is a jackin’ percussive workout, harnessing punchy drums for maximum effect. Its pulsating low-end runs in tandem with trembling synths that perpetually reflect and refract in the stereo field. Atop its rolling drums, hardgroove-inflected “Sprett” utilizes timestretched vocals, cavernous reverb and ecstatically quivering tones, elevating this 2000s-era framework to new heights. “Existence” brings things to a deeper and more hypnotic place: delays are turned up, siren calls reverberate and timbres ebb and flow. Hajem goes more chasmic still on “Concussion”, hitting the brakes for a much slower cadence and allowing space for a truly expansive listening experience. Heady and mystical, entrancing and otherworldly — listen close enough; beneath the dizzyingly shifting pulses and rattling drums you’ll hear incantations, while bass tones pulse in the depths.

SPEC07 — immerse yourself!

Credits:
Art by Susanne Janssen
Mastering & Cut by Marco Pellegrino @Analogcut
Words by Cameron Leaf

PNN turns 5! Celebrating our birthday with the 20th PNN release. Publishing our most original artist Hendrik Meyer a.k.a. Myr. again on 12inch. Myr. is already known for his Maxi Nobody Knows, his album Diamondsbacks Make Wonderful Pets and his latest release Next 1 on Areal in 2018. Now releasing Apparently Innocent on PNN we face a 4-track EP beginning with "That's right, Pop", which revels us in Ko¨lscher Euphoria. "Beach Bag" a reminiscent of Matt Karmil's sound cosmos - stumbling charmingly to endlessness (in the digital version even a little further). While the third track 'She Hums" brings us a Myr. classic for the dancefloor and finally "One - Eyed Reilly" revitalizing the shuffle and leading Myr. to new glamour. We proudly present Apparently Innocent!

On November 13th, PNN Records will release the debut album of its most enigmatic artist,
myr. 'Diamondbacks Make Wonderful Pets' is more than just a strange name, it nine tracks represent an exciting evolution in myr.`s trajectory as an artist. Following his debut EP 'Nobody knows Avalon' myr. seems to have dug deep and discovered another level to his sound. Each of the tracks on the record are confidently offbeat and precisely composed.
'A Little-Bitty Bowl (with B.Hotton)', mixes thunder sound-effects with glitchy synth bleeps, layering them above darker tones which build to a perfect storm in the middle. This 10 minute track fails to get boring and is representative of the album as a whole. myr.`s ability to carry off strange hybrids is what makes his music unique. From the ghostly warbles of 'I Think I Hear Them Coming' to the sunnier sounds of 'Eleanor', myr.`s disregard for the norm has lead to an exceptional record that surprises at every turn.

Following the digital premiere of the track 'Nobody knows' at the beginning of September, myr. is an artist who remains shrouded in mystery. His debut EP 'Nobody knows Avalon' is set to be released through recognised Cologne label PNN on January the 19st, yet as the title suggests, still very little is known about the man behind the music.

myr.'s wish to withhold information is made obvious through the choice of track names on the EP: 'Nobody Knows', 'Avalon' and 'Homii' are all titles clearly designed to provoke the listener's curiosity, whilst upholding a sense of the enigmatic.

Although some might argue that such conscious obscurity is little more than a publicity stunt, surely at a time when the cult of DJ and celebrity are often intertwined there is something refreshing about myr.s decision to step-back. You only have to look at the homemade, monochrome videoclip that accompanies 'Nobody knows' to realise that myr. is about as removed from the glitz of DJ culture as it is possible to be.

It is this determined distancing from the norm that comes through is his music. The minimal sound is carried through by an underlying warmth, a grittiness that sets it apart from the often near-perfect production of popular techno. The first two tracks 'Nobody knows' and 'Avalon' create a sense of anticipation, with minimal, ambient beats that build, the listener is left with itchy-feet and a hankering for more. In the final track on the EP 'Homii' there is a change in tempo, the monotone beats make way for some slowed-down, trippy vocals that open the listener up to myr.'s versatility as an artist.

'Nobody knows Avalon' is an EP that represents a return to something raw and removed from popular music. As for the mystery surrounding myr. Well if you can't put a face to a sound then the only option is to listen.

The keeping of pets marks humans' attempt at taking possession of a part of reality that is not at his disposal. Dressing a piece of the real that lives according to entirely non-human rules and which only in the saddest case does not resist the discipline of the human symbolic order vehemently and in a sustained matter, is a violent act of protection. Because in the non-place of the real, all that which we are helpless in the face of looms: the non-logical and the nameless, the violence and the noise, yet also the unrestrained and unfiltered desire.The innocuous figure of the pet marks a gateway to an investigation of these eerie milieus, while electronic dance music lends itself to this investigation in an outstanding way. This constellation marks the subject of Column's 'Pets II.'

Column is the name of Cologne based renaissance man Jan Philipp Janzen, who, as chief emissary of Cologne's pop internationalism, has been playing the field in various functions for Von Spar, Cologne Tapes, Urlaub in Polen, Owen Pallett, Scout Niblett or The Field, and who has also, in one way or another, been involved in most relevant records coming out of Cologne for the past number of years. After his excellent solo debut 'Pets I' (Areal, 2016), Janzen presents another extraordinary record in 'Pets II,' perfectly complemented by another ghostly oil work of Burkhard Mönnich on the cover.Sonically, 'Pets II' marks a clear development for Column. In its exploration of the thresholds of the real, it sets two points of focus, corresponding with the split in sides A and B.

Side A, on which Janzen teams up with long-time friend myr. (PNN), explores the uncanny as a fissure of the symbolic order, and the subsequent breaking in of the real. It opens with two peaktime rockets that have their wooden, nether-regional groove narrated by grim, down-pitched vocals. The ethereal remix by Leibniz (hundert) seems to be observing the situation from a hiding place, and is the side's clandestine and no less dark closer.

Side B, for which Janzen invited studiomate Marvin Horsch (Dorfjungs/Beats in Space) along, delivers two swaying synthesizer workouts, the second of which, 'Molly and Swerve,' is directed firmly at the dancefloor again. What is at stake here is the transition between a free, undirected jouissance of the real and a more ordered becoming-lust. Here, as in Map.ache's (Kann/Giegling/Altin Village) remix which closes out 'Pets II,' it becomes clear what connections dance music can foster between a free, impersonal desire and the sphere of interpersonal wanting, but also the losses that are negotiated in it. Above all, however, it becomes evident what a courageous daring project 'Pets II' is in all of its conceptual and aesthetic determination; with Von Spar's standout 'Garzweiler' 12' (Altin Village & Mine, 2017), it documents a New Cologne Realism.

With her third album, composer and bandleader Jasmine Myra has stepped confidently into the next stage of her unique musical explorations. Where Light Settles is a cohesive artistic statement from a distinctive and confident voice in UK music, and a significant evolution from the critically acclaimed Horizons (2022) and Rising (2024). Nine beautiful and powerfully grounded compositions express an accumulation of the artist"s ruminations on life, growth, and progression, powered by her vision of duality. "It"s those bittersweet moments which are heart-breaking but so important. Looking forward and trying to make sense of life," she says. "Pain is unavoidable, and you"ll have hardship no matter what, but you don"t grow or learn about yourself or the world around you without it. The duality is the growth and coming out the other side. I had the concept from the start."

“Released on Joe Boyd’s Hannibal label here was a band rooted in Thompson/Swarbrick Fairport but also a snatch of the Velvet Underground and a sprig of The Byrds. The Eighteenth Day Of May evoked a legendary era, and now they are a justifiably legendary band too.” – KLOF Mag

Beginning life as a trio in London, 2003, the original line-up consisted of Allison Brice (vocals, flute), Richard Olson (acoustic guitar) and Ben Phillipson (guitar, mandolin) before expanding the following year to include the rhythm section of Mark Nicholas (bass) and Karl Sabino (drums, autoharp) and finally Alison Cotton (viola).
This being the mid zeros, the independent music scene in the UK was reluctant to embrace a sun-dazed folk band but this, their sole album, has gradually feathered a bed of affection amongst international folk fans. Twenty years on, the album is now rightfully seen as a trailblazer for the myriad alternative/psych folk bands that emerged in its wake.
Andy Childs who signed the band originally takes up the story. “I first heard their music on a cover mounted CD with the much missed Comes With A Smile magazine and as far as I could tell no-one was making music like this anymore, certainly not with such panache and confidence. To my jaded ears it all sounded so uninhibited - old weird folk songs, Americana, original psych-folk, minimalist drones. Great melodies and all six of them could sing! A joyous, unfettered sound that could in one moment conjure up flashes of The Byrds and then effortlessly the spirit of Velvet Underground would drift through. They even covered a Spacemen 3 song. I loved the fact that they had the aplomb to tackle traditional folk songs like Lady Margaret and Flowers In The Forest and not be afraid to stamp their own identity on them.
Signing them to the Hannibal label was straightforward. If anything the album somehow sounds fresh and undated, even better than it did in the day when perhaps eclecticism was out of synch with the times; its subtleties have become more apparent.”
“Their rendition of Lady Margaret builds to a headswirling crescendo that challenges anyone who claims Shirley Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie or Trees have recorded the definitive version and the hallucinatory The Waterman’s Song To His Daughter raises an already brilliant album to an unholy level” - IT’S PSYCHEDELIC, BABY Magazine

Chronicle continues his journey through the cosmos on Spatial bringing a stunning array of inspired atmospheric bliss with Aqua Pura. A1 - Pure Alchemy Chronicle opens his latest EP for Spatial with a sprightly track, introduced with purposeful synthwork, echoing effects and a wonderful 808 bassline reminiscent of the late 90's Progression Sessions era. Energetic, layered breaks drive and build throughout Pure Alchemy with joyous vigor, while a cluster of subtle melodies intertwine across a varied and memorable mix from the label regular. A2 - Endless Ocean Next up Chronicle treats us to an amazing array of atmospheric synthwork with Endless Ocean, notes yoyoing across the soundscape through a gorgeous intro. Flecked with shimmering, buoyant melodies and bringing an immediate injection of pace, the breaks drop delivering a driving, distinctively head-nodding energy punctuated by a blippy micro melody and suitably deep bass. AA1 - Shared Consciousness Opening with a playful intro featuring subtle hi hats, twisted bells and a classic film sample, Chronicle deftly juggles excitable effects with his inimitable cheery atmospheric style before a real feast for the ears and the feet arrives - breaks reminiscent of those long lost nights at Shepherd's Bush in 1998 bring an essential hypnotic energy to a track simply dripping with style and rhythm. AA2 - Water World Straight into the action with crisp two-step breaks, Water World needs no introduction as a myriad of atmospheric effects, samples and quirky melodies seize your attention for a decidedly dancefloor-friendly track for 160bpm heads. Beautiful breakdowns play their part as well as the subtle yet room-filling 808 bass, rumbling persistently beneath another remarkable track from one of Bristol's finest.

High-definition world building collides with incisive physical urgency around 170 BPM as Pianeti Sintetici makes his first appearance on Samurai Music. Davide Perrone's vivid production style found a more downtempo outlet on last year's release for Samurai sub label Saibai, but he pivots naturally towards the weightier presence of the Exoverse with a richly rendered suite of sonic systems teeming with life and pockmarked with mystery. The spacious drums that lead on 'Agilus' have an acoustic, in-the-room quality that instantly grounds the track before the myriad layers of synthesis start spiralling skywards, pitting twinkling pads against rapid, undulating acid wielded with assured control. By way of contrast 'Mimoide' burrows downwards, using needlepoint marks to puncture the brooding beds of sound looming in the middle distance. At the same time, Perrone weaves lithe, rubbery shapes across the foreground of the mix for a three-dimensional expression you can almost reach out and touch. Opening up a B side tipped towards a mellower pace, 'Living Plasma' leans into a 4/4 meditation as a vessel for another distinctive tapestry of modulating sound design from Perrone's seemingly infinite sonic resources. 'Exoverse' edges towards a more melodic standpoint with its teased flutters of arpeggio that sneak in and out of the mix and a harmonic dimension to the atmospheric layers that shape out the size of the track. Across all four pieces, the sheer detail at play in the Pianeti Sintetici universe is mind-boggling. By rights it should be a busy, stress-inducing experience, but Perrone's gift lies in the ability to take a macro view on these incredibly complex creations, zooming out by boiling the parts down into a symbiotic whole that feels patient and considered. The reward for the listener comes from taking the time to zoom in and marvel at every micro detail writhing across the surface.

Butch returns to Rekids with the ‘Official Bump Call’ EP. Riva Starr steps up with a Warehouse remix.

German DJ/producer Butch returns to Rekids with the ‘Official Bump Call’ EP 22nd May 2026. It marks his first release on the label since 2011’s ‘Raw Beats’ two-tracker, followed by a 2018 appearance remixing Basement Jaxx’s ‘Good Luck’. This time, Snatch! Records boss Riva Starr joins for a remix fresh off the back of his ‘Shine A Light’ EP on Radio Slave’s main imprint.

“‘Bump Call’ and 'Foxtrot Uniform' are messages from old-school players to new-school fools. At a time, when everything revolves around health, discipline, and maximising output – more shows, more structure, more money – this EP is a reminder of where it all came from. From a scene that wasn’t optimised, but lived. From DJs who didn’t just perform – they partied. Yes, times have changed. Even I’m on that fitness wave now, living cleaner and more focused. But this record isn’t about that. It’s a nod to the chaos, the excess, and the raw energy that defined an era. A reminder that it wasn’t always about performance – sometimes it was just about crossing lines” - Butch

Butch’s Official Bump Call' plays with live, loose, and funky drum breaks that ride a swollen bassline. Toms and congas pepper the groove as steamy vocals inject the soul. It's a dusty, heartfelt House sound that balances vintage samples with his signature production prowess, making for a sure-fire summer heater. Riva Starr is an equally influential producer who heads up the Snatch! label and has been turning out essential House sounds for many years. His remix beefs up the drums while keeping the slow-burning vocal heat front and center, creating a devastatingly deep yet driving sound.
'Foxtrot Uniform' is another tasteful jumble of soul, funk, and gospel motifs with a lived-in house groove that's instinctive and real. Emotions bubble up but never boil over as the tension builds, culminating in an utter dance-floor release when the diva's vocal erupts. It's a masterclass in control and release.

Butch has a vast discography spanning labels such as Life And Death, Running Back, Defected, Innervisions, Diynamic, Starr’s Snatch!, and many more, while traversing myriad subgenres. He does it all, from intricate minimal with Ricardo Villalobos to Eastern-inspired psychedelia and pounding, prime-time Techno.

Founded in 2006, Radio Slave’s Rekids expanded with the techno-focused Rekids Special Projects in 2017 and its latest sublabel, REK’D, in 2024. With Matt Edwards as sole A&R, Rekids continues to champion emerging and established artists alike, remaining a trusted home for house and related sounds, with recent releases from DJ Minx, Echonomist, Tal Fussman, and more."

"Over the past three decades, Philipp Lauer has produced an incredible body of work, deploying a myriad of aliases, both as a solo artist and as a part of collaborative projects. From his hardware-steeped Frankfurt studio Pyramide 2, he has built this catalogue through original material and remix commissions, taking on the full spectrum of electronic music while retaining an unmistakable signature. He combines a hands-on approach to rhythm and composition with a DIY MO and a love of big hooks. The level of expertise at hand seems to facilitate a playfulness that subtly permeates all layers of his work. He's a pop melody natural who just so happens to love fiddling with synthesizers, drum machines, and effects an equal amount. All of these qualities are exemplified on "Embalmed In Martino": Lauer's four-track ode to the Belgian Martino sauce, a spicy tomato-based condiment, and arguably the essential ingredient to top off the namesake raw meat sandwich. On "Embalmed", which makes use of instrumentation that would fit right in on an early eighties Manchester cut, and "Martino", where a sturdy, electroclash flavored arp bass provides the stamina, a slew of big and small riffs easily work their way in, thirsting for our ears. On the other side, "Transactional" combines Miami basslines and similarly electro-fundamental twinkling synth work with a flanger-laced 4/4 beat, while "Don't You Know" features soaring synthwave patterns and the only vocal samples on the EP. Both sport rich arrangements as well, right down to the cowbell overdubs. Lauer's often lauded for his "summery sound". In this light ALT026 lands right on time - yet we might disagree here, as it's suited for all seasons, and all terrains, both the shiny festival grounds and the dim-lit club floors."

With Neolithic Neon, Appleblim creates a kaleidoscopic reflection of the spirituality inherent within electronic music — the ineffable frequencies and communal traditions that spring from exploratory synthesis, deep-rooted rhythms and myriad other sonic codes.

Throughout his third album for Sneaker Social Club, Laurie Osborne continues to express a fascination with the ancient resonance held within modern rave as he guides his own studio practice towards more purposefully analogue processes. It's reflective of his desire to let go and trust his instincts within the more chaotic realm of voltages and signals, not to mention turning to a wider spread of instrumentation and opening up to noisier avenues. This direction defines the character of Neolithic Neon, which bristles with the living imperfections of the gear in the context of incisive and wide-ranging cuts touching on jungle, dubstep, techno, electro, acid and experimental electronic music of all stripes.

Across Osborne's solo output from 2018's Life In A Laser to 2021 tape Infinite Hieroglyphics, a strong melodic sensibility spills out of the richly layered production. It's equally audible in his Wrecked Lightship collaboration with Adam Winchester, and it charges Neolithic Neon with its star-gazing, contemplative streak. From the knotty plucks and licks weaving through opener 'Moorland' to the vaporous synths darting across the top of hardcore conductor 'Thunderstorm', a dreamlike evocation takes the sound off terra firma, musing on cosmic events and our connection to the enormity of the universe.

Eternally in thrall to the maverick vocabulary of pioneering beat scientists and fuelled by the inspiration of great thinkers dwelling on our purpose and place, Neolithic Neon unfurls big ideas without heavy-handed messaging. Instead, it trusts in the universal and time-honoured language of experimentation and rhythm to present its ideas, true to Appleblim's legacy to date while opening a new chapter in his ongoing sonic quest.

Two decades into their existence, Elder remain an anomaly in the heavy underground - a band with the ability to absorb and shed influences from a myriad of genres without falling into pastiche or losing their identity. Their new album Through Zero is a reaffirmation of their commitment to pushing boundaries and cements their status as leaders in heavy psychedelic rock. Elder has long since mastered crushing riffs, melodic jaunts, progressive patterns, hypnotic grooves and ethereal atmosphere along their path of music-making in the past twenty years. On Through Zero, Elder takes these years of experience and forms possibly their most immediate and engaging record to date, while allowing seeds from outside the sphere of rock music to take root and bloom within their progressive framework. Listeners will find familiar elements of new textures, sequences, and sounds alongside Elder"s iconic take on heavy rock. As always, every spin reveals new details. Recorded in Berlin across several months between tours in 2025, Through Zero is the first album which the band not only produced but also comixed together with longtime collaborator Richard Behrens. The album sounds more like a full extension of the band"s creative intentions than ever before.

Enter the debut LP of the now Spatial regular Chronicle - Expect a joyous, varied blend of old school brand new atmospherics from one of the scene’s most talented producers. A1 - 20th Century Man Straight into the beats for the deliciously cheery opening, 20th Century Man encapsulates so much of what Chronicle does best - old school breakbeat sensibilities delivered with an inimitable atmospheric charm, strongly reminiscent of that peak Good Looking era we all adored. Incredible synthwork and analogue drums layered with danceable 2-step breaks and melodies take your mind exactly where you want to be. A2 - Terraformers Seminal synths and birdsong effects prepare us for an impossibly crisp breakbeat and 808 bassline to drive this track along, coloured by a myriad of subtle blips and bleeps, delicately flecked across a detailed and optimistic soundscape. Very DJ-friendly from the first to the final bar, the purity of Chronicle’s approach to atmospheric drum & bass is once again at its best here on Spatial. B1 - Boundless Space Playful twittering birds, gentle hi-hats and panning synths introduce Boundless Space, a blissful, serene treat for the senses which soon kicks into flourishing life with the timeless Circles break. Vocal samples punctuate the soothing breakdown with exquisitely programmed effects dotted here, there and everywhere, completing a stunning composition that both reflects on the past and looks forward in equal measure. B2 - Ephemeral Style A light, delicately calming pad-laden intro with echoing melodies opens Ephemeral style, soon punctuated by a sublime 808 bassline preceding the drop. Chronicle showcases his dancefloor breakbeat prowess with an energetic 2-step break pattern, expertly programmed and riddled with detail and density, creating a wonderful collage of sound and a perfect addition to any era-spanning atmospheric set. C1 - Modular Expansion Eerily reminiscent tones harking back to the golden, ultra-classic Good Looking era introduce us to Modular Expansion, a track which quickly adds layer upon layer of original identity to the vibe with crisp breaks, a wonderful metallic backdrop snare and subtle vocal samples. The joyously retrospective breakdown complements the energy of the track beautifully, capping off another gem for the record box. C2 - Limbic System Chronicle introduces Limbic System with swathes of swirling pads and synths, straddled with a subtle yet enigmatic melody carrying us through the drop, where we are treated to a lusciously constructed old school break pattern with a modern twist. Enter the breakdown and the keen ear will spot sampled quotes from Total Recall, which fit the vibe perfectly. “You went to Recall?” - yes, we sure did. And we enjoyed the trip! D1 - Non-Euclidian Continuing the blissful retrospective atmospheric tone of the album, Chronicle serves up Non-Euclidian which opens with a wonderfully synthy intro flecked with old school break samples and an earworm melody, before the onslaught of layered breaks provides variety as well as a thoroughly danceable pattern to unleash on the discerning dancefloor. Trademark dotted effects punctuate the track throughout. D2 - Deep Thought Capping off the LP we have Deep Thought, setting a calming and quietly brooding vibe before impossibly crisp beats kick in and elevate proceedings nicely. Chronicle effortlessly leads the listener through the drop with an analogue punch, earthy basslines and fluttering effects with the kind of flair we’ve come to love from such a vastly experienced and talented producer - perfectly complementing the vibe here at Spatial. Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

The master of ambient soundscapes, intertwining authentic old school breakbeats with his inimitable style returns with a fresh album of choice cuts for the Spatial crew. A1 - Form of Defraction Opening the LP in his gloriously unique style, Aural Imbalance sets the tone with a powerfully ambient intro of padwork and delicately filtered breaks before dense, analogue old school breakbeats roar to life sending the track skyward. The sublime 808 bassline simmers beneath an ever-evolving soundscape of twinkling melodies and strings, the very essence of serenity captured in just under 7 minutes of audio bliss. A2 - Discreet Function Enveloping the listener with a warm blanket of silky ambience, Discreet Function soon jolts to life with a crunchy breakbeat that counteracts yet compliments the pads and myriad of delicious micro melodies so well, you wonder how it’s possible to take such extremes and mix them down so expertly that our ears accept it as one. After a relatively brief breakdown the track rolls out before the breaks are snatched away at the death - capping off a quite unique composition. B1 - Softlight Light cymbals and delicate textures introduce us to Softlight, a track which sees Aural Imbalance guiding the listener through the clouds to a haven of gentle serenity where your troubles simply fade away, punctuated by a stunningly programmed and memorable Hot Pants break pattern, timid classic basslines and an overall plethora of sun-baked energy - perfect for the headphones and the record box - as always. B2 - Airwave Immensely old school vibes are immediately present in Airwave, with analogue breaks and succinct female vocal samples that mingle with echoing melodies and synthwork to create a beautifully flowing and unique slice of atmospheric gold. Additional breaks are fused into the mix as the track progresses, elevating the piece to the heights we have come to expect from Aural Imbalance, yet never cease to amaze. C1 - Speed of Light Gentle cymbals and filtered breaks open Speed of Light, before a crisp barrage of amen goodness descends and dominates proceedings - just as a good amen should! Programmed to perfection with an immensely danceable rolling pattern, the amens lead us through a sea of washing synths and delicate melodies, intertwining and frolicking in the mix, completing a charming and memorable piece. C2 - Fading Star Playful strings and a luscious 808 bassline play with sumptuous padwork in the intro to Fading Star, a track which sees Aural Imbalance capture the essence of 90’s jungle and it’s symbiotic relationship with atmospheric drum & bass perfectly. Developing throughout with an array of unassuming effects and a quietly moving vibe, Fading Star is the perfect addition to sets spanning the entire history of this music. D1 - Drifting Under Bright Skies Aural Imbalance resurrects the excellent break last featured on Spatial in his sublime track Surface Area, this time chopped and sliced to a different vibe, with kickdrums at the forefront and that fantastically crunchy snare deployed more sparingly. Shimmering padwork and light melodies dance across the mix throughout to leave us with a refreshingly unique and memorable track you won’t be able to get enough of. D2 - Violet Completing this fine LP of old school ambient breakbeat mastery, Aural Imbalance deploys Violet to see us out - a climactic-feeling romp that opens with quiet intent before launching the listener through cheery melodic tones and bustling soundscapes, sprinkled liberally with airy pads and fluttering micro melodies that zip and whoosh around thick analogue breakbeats. A fitting end to a thoroughly enjoyable album. Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist) credits

Delivering the second sermon in their Disco Gospel series, Chicago’s Sadar Bahar & Marc Davis hand-pick and re-edit two more under-the-radar disco/gospel fusion tracks for the modern dancefloor.

Both revered selectors and producers, Marc and Sadar are integral parts of Chicago's underground music scene, sharing the city’s spirit with the world. Through his own label, Black Pegasus, and the Chi Talo series, Marc has become an in-demand DJ known for his raw and eclectic sets. He joins forces with good friend, DJ’s DJ and Soul In The Hole head Sadar Bahar, whose name regularly tops the bill at some of the finest clubs and festivals around the globe.

Digging deep once again, the pair serve up two certified secret weapons from their renowned collections. Finding that sweet spot that drew out the most uplifting, powerful, and danceable elements of both gospel and disco, they shine a light on two beauties from Myrna Summers and also The Yancy Family. Tweaked and re-edited with style and consideration, they re-work the tracks with DJs and dancers in mind.

As Robert M. Marovich of Journal of Gospel Music puts it, “The rise of contemporary gospel music in the 1970s and 1980s changed the style, if not the substance, of Black sacred music. Artists, including the Yancy Family and Myrna Summers, worked within the groovy new sound to attract the attention of a generation growing up on rock, jazz, pop, and soul. Bring them into the church through the music, the maxim goes, and they’ll stay for the sermon. Likewise, these two re-edited album tracks by Sadar Bahar and Marc Davis keep the gospel music heritage alive while encouraging a brand-new generation to dance through the church doors.”

Up first, Myrna Summers ‘So Much to Live For’ channels that straight from the heart passion and collective joy that gospel embodies. Bursting with uplifting lyrics, scintillating organ melodies, and an infectious sing-along spirit, Marc and Sadar give it a club-ready DJ edit, extending it for maximum dancefloor deliverance.

The B side sees the duo work their magic on, ‘Lifted Me Higher’. Written by Kevin Yancy and taken from the Yancy Family’s 1989 album From One Christian Family to Another, it features vocals from siblings Kevin, Judy, and Rev. Darryl Yancy, along with Lois Scott. The all-star team of Chicago musicians includes Sherwin (Butch) Yancy on organ, Michael Wade on piano and synthesizer, and Richard Gibbs (longtime accompanist for Aretha Franklin) on piano and bass. With a soulful boogie flavour, dripping in slap bass and ‘80s synthlines, Marc and Sadar rework the intro so it rides out on a section of delectable instrumental grooves, before letting the glorious vocals hit home.

Dutch electronic maverick Spekki Webu stretches out on an expansive album for new label Outer Orbit Records, exploring his deep and wide-ranging influences across a captivating narrative of tripped-out beatdowns and evocative dreamscapes. Spekki Webu is someone who was naturally drawn into the magnetic pull of Outer Orbit after playing for their sister party Mizz Softee. As the time-travelling album title suggests, it's a meditation on formative sounds that propelled him on to myriad adventures across the many microcosms of electronic music. That means indulging in slower tempos and crooked grooves, with the influence of trip hop and illbient looming large in the boom bap drums that punctuate many of the album's passages. There is also space for immersive techno that operates as a lighter reflection of the sound he is best known for, as well as hints of buoyant house music, rolling breakbeat, dislocated ambient and intricate electronica. Cari Lekebusch, a key influence, contributes a rolling, heavy-grooving remix that closes out the record.

2026's Brightest Hope Confirmed: “Kabutomushi”!
In their 7th year since debut, an unprecedented best album is released on CD, Cassette Tape, and LP!
Formed in 2019 as a music production team or conceptual four-piece rock band comprising a pianist, avant-garde composer, painter, and percussionist.
J-POP, hip-hop, new wave, prog rock, techno, house, free jazz, contemporary classical, folk music－all sublimated into an elusive avant-pop.
It could be called the 2020s reimagined version of Yura Yura Teikoku.

The monumental 2006 live recording of mama!milk, which laid the foundation for their current performance style, is now available on CD and LP!
mama!milk, hailed worldwide as “Japanese New Exotica,” praised for their “music that entices you on a journey” and “soundtracks to unseen films.”
This site-specific, one-day-only performance, unique to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, is packaged here.

After a series of successful outings alongside sidekicks Ofofo and Zongamin, studio wizard MYTRON turns in his debut solo full-length for Multi Culti World Records. With contributions on Invisible Inc, Calypso, Bongo Joe, Kalahari Oyster Cult, LYO, Codek Records and Earthly Measures, Mytron has carved out a name for himself in a carefully-curated left-field quadrant of the indie-dance galaxy. Tuning his oscillators to myriad sounds — from dub and disco to krautrock — the London-based producer perhaps most notably channels the pristine compositional style of Kraftwerk. While most apparent in the use of vocoder, there’s a consistent efficiency of arrangement that recalls the man-machine in effervescent, idealistic fashion. Mytron manages to keep it simple, funky and musical — whimsical tunes that bop along with analog grit, wilderness, and wonk. There’s a warmth and wit that shine through every synth line, an understated confidence that speaks of years spent tangled in wires and waveforms, with an inclusive sonic eclecticism that flattens hierarchies between genres, geographies, and generations. Each influence is invited to the table, treated not as pastiche but invited to dine and dance in a space where kosmische dub disco and Afro rhythms can coexist without borders. The sleeve design echoes this philosophy: video-feedback patterns hinting at our modern screens, both portals and filters — coloured, distorted intermediaries through which we perceive the world. In the trippiest sense, the record is both reflection and refraction — a sonic mirror held up to an interconnected, glitchy reality. Tailored equally for DJ use and home-listening head trip, the album is meticulous, mischievous and merry.

BanBanTonTon review:

On Mytron’s debut long-player for Multi Culti groovy 21st Century leftfield house gear collides with Daniele Baldelli and Beppe Loda’s hugely influential `80s afro / cosmic. The 9 tracks are chunky, chugging and full of funky, funny noises. Old school B-lines mixing with eccentric electronics. Spinning, spiralling sounds.

Sugar is an electro-pop, vocoder confection, cut from the same sonic cloth as cult classics like Codek’s Tam Tam. Created from tough trap drums, splashing effects and a mutant Giorgio Moroder bass arpeggio. The title track, Propellor, pits Kraftwerk-esque hardware harmonised vocals against a bongo loop and a whistling hook. Playground has simian shrieks surround tumbling tom-toms. Highway Maintenance adds kosmische synths to a dance of woodblocks and buzzing bottom end. Keep On Dubbing is an organ-led, clip clopping percussive canter.

Tracks such as Speaker Can Talk, shot through with disco lasers blasts and recalling Curt Cress’ Dschung Tek, also lift the tempo up, but the bulk of the music here is a mid-tempo, techno drum circle. Squelchy sequences gurgling in and out of programmed percussion. On Quasar, spiky acid edges in and slowly takes over.

Key references that come to mind are Baldelli’s own turn-of-the-2000s Cosmic Sound Project productions, and Wolf Müller’s scene shaking sides on Themes For Great Cites, from around a decade later.

Repress!

Before the Khmer Rouge took power in 1975, unleashing a horrifying genocide, Cambodia had one of the most vibrant and exciting music scenes in Asia. With a mixture of traditional Khmer music and a myriad of western genres (from French and latin music, to rock-and-roll , rhythm-and-blues, surf, psychedelia, soul and many more) the few pre 75 Cambodian recordings that survived -most of them were destroyed- are enough to make anyone with a taste for good music shocked by the amazing quality of the sounds created during those golden years. Gathered in this amazing album are some of the most talented and unique musicians from that amazing era with an explosive collection of tracks sure to blow the mind of the listener. A celebration of some of the best music ever made.

Legendary Amsterdam club RADION celebrates ten years with the launch of a record label on 23rd
January 2026, tapping up an entirely Dutch and Netherlands-based cast of talent in Flits, Laura van Hal,
Beau Didier & Isaiah, MYRA, Beste Hira, Hashashin, Delano Legito, SHE/HER, and DJ Europarking for its debut, ten-track, double vinyl drop with 'Decennial Revelry'.

Natalie Imbruglia ist Millionen von Menschen mit ihrem weltweiten Hit "Torn" bekannt, einer der bis heute prägendsten Songs der Neunziger. Damit begann eine außergewöhnliche Erfolgsserie, die u.a. 2 BRIT Awards, 3 Grammy-Nominierungen, 8 ARIA Awards und 7 Mio. verkaufte Exemplare ihres Debütalbums "Left Of The Middle" umfasst. In jüngerer Zeit stand sie durch Auftritte an der Seite von Olivia Rodrigo erneut im Rampenlicht. Jetzt ist der perfekte Moment für ein neues Kapitel: ihr neues Album Algorithm mit der Lead-Single "Upside Down".

Algorithm zeigt Natalie Imbruglia in einer neuen Ära – geprägt von Selbstermächtigung, Freiheit und kreativer Erfüllung. Das erste Album der australisch-britischen Pop-Ikone seit fünf Jahren ist eine echte Tour de Force: ein zutiefst persönliches Werk, das eindrucksvoll daran erinnert, warum wir uns ursprünglich in ihre Musik verliebt haben. Es erscheint in einer Zeit, in der sich der kulturelle Zeitgeist wandelt und Popmusik wieder stärker zur Tanzfläche tendiert – mit einer Ausrichtung, die sich an den eleganten Pop-, Disco- und House-Elementen von Robyn orientiert.

Nach dem UK-Top-10-Comeback mit Firebird (2021) meldet sich Natalie Imbruglia auf Algorithm voller Energie und Tatendrang zurück. Sie ist Co-Produzentin und -Autorin jedes Songs, neben namhaften Kollaborateur:innen wie MyRiot (London Grammar), David Sneddon (Lana Del Rey), Fraser T Smith (Adele, Stormzy, Sam Smith), Gary Lightbody von Snow Patrol, Anu Pillai (Lewis Capaldi), Tobie Tripp (George Ezra), Mark Crew (Bastille, James Arthur) und Dan Priddy (Rag’n’Bone Man, Bastille). Im Anschluss an die Veröffentlichung des Albums wird Natalie Imbruglia ausgewählte Festivaltermine spielen und auf Tour gehen.

Natalie Imbruglia ist Millionen von Menschen mit ihrem weltweiten Hit "Torn" bekannt, einer der bis heute prägendsten Songs der Neunziger. Damit begann eine außergewöhnliche Erfolgsserie, die u.a. 2 BRIT Awards, 3 Grammy-Nominierungen, 8 ARIA Awards und 7 Mio. verkaufte Exemplare ihres Debütalbums "Left Of The Middle" umfasst. In jüngerer Zeit stand sie durch Auftritte an der Seite von Olivia Rodrigo erneut im Rampenlicht. Jetzt ist der perfekte Moment für ein neues Kapitel: ihr neues Album Algorithm mit der Lead-Single "Upside Down".

Algorithm zeigt Natalie Imbruglia in einer neuen Ära – geprägt von Selbstermächtigung, Freiheit und kreativer Erfüllung. Das erste Album der australisch-britischen Pop-Ikone seit fünf Jahren ist eine echte Tour de Force: ein zutiefst persönliches Werk, das eindrucksvoll daran erinnert, warum wir uns ursprünglich in ihre Musik verliebt haben. Es erscheint in einer Zeit, in der sich der kulturelle Zeitgeist wandelt und Popmusik wieder stärker zur Tanzfläche tendiert – mit einer Ausrichtung, die sich an den eleganten Pop-, Disco- und House-Elementen von Robyn orientiert.

Nach dem UK-Top-10-Comeback mit Firebird (2021) meldet sich Natalie Imbruglia auf Algorithm voller Energie und Tatendrang zurück. Sie ist Co-Produzentin und -Autorin jedes Songs, neben namhaften Kollaborateur:innen wie MyRiot (London Grammar), David Sneddon (Lana Del Rey), Fraser T Smith (Adele, Stormzy, Sam Smith), Gary Lightbody von Snow Patrol, Anu Pillai (Lewis Capaldi), Tobie Tripp (George Ezra), Mark Crew (Bastille, James Arthur) und Dan Priddy (Rag’n’Bone Man, Bastille). Im Anschluss an die Veröffentlichung des Albums wird Natalie Imbruglia ausgewählte Festivaltermine spielen und auf Tour gehen.

SPTLP007 - ASC - Vanishing Point LP

Evolving further with each release, ASC delivers his latest monumental album on Spatial, a varied and memorable journey through stunningly realised fusion of modern and classic atmospheric breakbeats.

A1 - Mystic Street

Setting a murky tone with light cymbals and synthwork flecking the intro, Mystic Street calmly purrs and growls towards a drop of analogue kicks and a sparse, menacing drum pattern to kick off this incredible album. Enveloped by a dense cloud of darkly atmospherics, the track coils with tension, each element rippling through the mix like distant memories as the suitably enigmatic bassline rumbles beneath.

A2 - Convergence

Straight into the beats with a DJ-friendly two step intro, ASC utilises sparse, sci-fi hits and persistent danceable breakbeats with a melodic bassline. As the atmosphere builds, percussive tones punctuate the swirling pads, creating a luscious sense of forward motion with echoing samples and effects combining in the mix to create a dreamlike soundscape perfect for the dancefloor and headphones alike.

B1 - Invisible Borders

No ASC album would be complete without an amen workout, and we certainly have that here as Invisible Borders rushes into view with simmering intent, melodic samples tore from battlegrounds of yesteryear providing a truly epic atmosphere, rippling breakbeat trickery teasing the listener before crushing full contact amens arrive with panache and veracity - twisted across yearning bass with an unflinching fighting spirit.

B2 - Celestial Bodies

Up next a moment of calm as we soak up the charms of the dreamlike Celestial Bodies, a soothing journey of beats, breaks and atmosphere from Spatial's label head. Melodic notes ripple across the mix with old school breaks filtering to and fro, conjuring images of a cosmic journey unfolding, where old school breakbeat rhythms pulse like distant constellations, echoes shimmering in the vast expanse of ASC's versatility.

C1 - Losing Track Of Time

Into an absolute stunner next as ASC unleashes a modern classic which has a wonderfully instant familiarity to it - like it was lifted directly from the golden era of atmospheric drum & bass. The old school breaks have a distinctive feel while a variety of pads teaming with life swirl around above. A myriad of spirited melodies develop and maintain your attention with classic 808 basslines to complete this remarkable composition.

C2 - Slipstream

Switching up the vibe in style, ASC delivers an intense, cosmic intro to Slipstream which builds gradually with whooshing effects and long female vocals before a crisp, crunchy slice of Hot Pants breakbeat heaven tears through the mix, chock-full of excitable edits portrayed in a brilliant clarity. Warm sub bass punctuates the track while a reverberating earworm melody slowly etches itself into your mind.

D1 - Paradigm Shift

A good old fashioned roller up next as Paradigm Shift sees ASC blend a superb 2-step rhythm with a sumptuous smooth bassline - guaranteed to move the dancefloor. Atmospherics take no back seat either as elegant synthwork swirls and washes across the soundscape with subtly used vocal samples adding texture and warmth to an impressively layered mix that maintains its pace right through to an echoing conclusion.

D2 - Transmitter

Sending us back to interstellar space for an inspired mission through vast unexplored star systems, Transmitter sees ASC create a stunningly evocative, ethereal collage of atmospherics with sonar-like beeps punctuating and persisting throughout. Driving the track along are the superbly programmed drums, filtered and layered with twisted, distorted vocal samples to complete this exhilarating album in pure Spatial style.

Azu Tiwaline & Cinna Peyghamy, Amotik, Quelza, and Alarico remix four tracks from Ben Klock and Fadi Mohem’s collaborative album ‘Layer One’. Released last year on the pair’s label LAYER, each artist on the ‘Layer One Remixes’ EP retains the weighty, low-end edge that shaped the album, while reinterpreting four tracks through a myriad of techno, IDM, bass, and experimental shades.

Honouring the conceptual direction of ‘Layer One’, which delved into a post-human world and offered a serene reflection on a realm that continued to flourish in the absence of humanity, the ‘Layer One Remixes’ EP echoes the same theme. The remaining human survivors on Earth signal a remembrance of their sensibilities, told through the powerful lyrics and vocals of grime MC Flowdan and interdisciplinary artist Coby Sey.

Azu Tiwaline & Cinna Peyghamy open the EP with their remix of ‘Our Sector’ featuring the commanding vocals of Flowdan. Fragmented bass-driven textures skitter across the sparse soundscape, culminating in a track primed for the weirder hours of the night. On ‘Ultimately’, Amotik delivers his take on the original featuring spoken word by Coby Sey, and whips up a rolling four-four number pierced with bleepy percussion.

On the flip, Quelza’s reinterpretation of ‘Our Sector’ unfolds with zappy motifs and technoid flourishes, permeating the shadowy pads and spine-chilling harmonics that slink through the atmosphere. Alarico remixes ‘Clean Slate’, serving a potent techno track laced with equal parts restraint and release, enhanced by Coby Sey’s taut vocals.

While the original album represented the more exploratory sides of Ben Klock and Fadi Mohem, the ‘Layer One Remixes’ EP offers a further step into the void, led by five contemporary artists who are unafraid to delve into the murkiest corners of the dystopian world conjured up by Klock and Mohem.

Now a regular on the label, scene stalwart Chronicle continues his joyful journeythrough a landscape of dancefloor-friendly atmospherics.

A1 - Air Temple

Chronicle opens the EP with Air Temple, an immensely playful track with a superb 2-step hot pants break, programmed superbly with layers of depth generating anenergetic and immensely danceable tone, following the deliciously smooth late 90'sGLO-style intro. Lush female vocal samples perfect for the vibe are present and correctwhile micro melodies pan across the mix adding a wonderful texture.

A2 - Everblue

A delicately ominous intro with pads, whooshing samples and rustic synths precede adensely crafted slew of old-school analogue breakbeats laid in a subtle arrangement,bringing a blend of energy perfect for dancefloors and home listeners alike. Vocalsamples are programmed and twisted like instruments as Chronicle embarks on aspace odyssey with memorable melodies you'll keep discovering listen after listen.

AA1 - Encarta

Next up we have Encarta, which sets out intentions quickly in the introduction with abouncy, clean breakbeat which is quickly bolstered by a superb 2-step old school drumloop to create a pulsating energy. A myriad of samples are collected and fleckedthroughout the mix, while Chronicle's editing techniques mimic a skilled DJ cuttinganother break in and out to satisfying effect towards the back end of the main phases.

AA2 - Angular Momentum

Closing a diverse and uniquely atmospheric EP, Chronicle opens Angular Momentumwith a patchwork of synths and pads, ushering in a serene, simple high note melodyabove the driving breaks - detailed with distinctive cymbals that give the track's nameserious validity. With a slew of samples darting in both the foreground and backgroundfor the listener to enjoy, this is a piece which will live long in the memory.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Limited Copies Available!

Focus, integrity and substance, all allied to a relentless work ethic and that essential (if indefinable) sprinkling of magic dust, have kept Nick Warren at the top of the electronic music tree for not far short of forty years.

In that timespan, Nick has been tour DJ for Massive Attack, held a residency at Cream, been a Glastonbury regular, and become the UK’s most successful export to Argentina (in no small part due to his touring brand The Soundgarden). As half of Way Out West, he has helped write (and re-write) the rule book for club-based electronic acts, achieving true longevity without compromise. He has curated over a dozen essential compilations – a mainstay of the Global Underground series whose heavyweight influence is still felt to this day, an in-demand decknician for pivotal brands such as Renaissance and Balance, and the very first DJ entrusted with creating a blueprint for the now iconic Back to Mine series.

It's quite the CV, a career many can only dream of. But Nick has long had one further itch in need of scratching. Inspired at a young age by his dad’s Jean-Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream albums, coming of age with experimental labels like 4AD and Factory, roots deep in the dub-wise scene of his native Bristol, a long time collector of exotica and obscure film soundtracks…all that knowledge and passion has long been crying out to be channelled into a Warren solo album.

All of which brings us to the career-defining Turbulence. The world is certainly a turbulent place as Nick gets set to unleash his masterwork, but the musical turbulence at work here arguably takes its lead from other interpretations of the word – turbulence as a feeling of heightened intensity, turbulence marked by a sense of unpredictability.

Turbulence is a window into Nick’s musical soul, and the myriad styles and influences that reside there, drip-fed into a melodic melting pot to create a unique sonic stew. Tempos and styles switch and interlock effortlessly, the mood ebbs and flows like the best DJ sets, and the running order, from the ethereal opener Loveland all the way through to the achingly beautiful closing cut Sadly (in tandem with Tripswitch, one of several noteworthy collaborations) showcases an artist at the top of his game, and with a deep understanding of the concept of the long player.

We all need some turbulence.

Shhh. The command to be quiet is not just part of the title of one of the two sprawling compositions on this pioneering album. It's also an apt metaphor for the relaxed hypnotism and spaced-out atmosphere that define In a Silent Way, a record that pushes the boundaries of studio possibilities, artist-producer relationships, and rock-jazz chasms. Recognized as Miles Davis' first full-on fusion effort and part of his "electric" era, the 1969 landmark claims a Who's Who line-up that sends the music into an ethereal stratosphere.

Mastered from the original master tapes and pressed at RTI, this unsurpassed 180g LP edition lifts the veil on the cutting-edge assembly process that created the pair of lengthy suites. Helmed by three electric instruments, the bevelled compositions melt away all preconceived notions of "jazz," ˜rock," and "ambience," following a loose theory Davis dubbed "New Directions."

Few albums are so delicately textured. And on Mobile Fidelity's meticulous reissue, such sulcate elements pour over ink-black backgrounds on a canyon-wide soundstage. In particular, Tony Williams' inventive percussive touch – he causes the cymbals to shimmer as a pieces of silver tend to do when exposed to sunlight – is broadcast with lifelike three-dimensional qualities, the panoramic view extending to Davis' nocturnal trumpet, Wayne Shorter's ribbon-unfurling saxophone, Dave Holland's extrapolative bass, and the mosaic of keys.

If the record's only accomplishment is its introduction of guitarist John McLaughlin to the world, it alone would be enough. Yet In a Silent Way continues to bedazzle, puzzle, and inspire for myriad reasons – not the least of which is the seemingly telepathic communicative methods employed by the group's members. The line-up is great on paper, but, if it's even possible, the octet sounds even better in practice, with the instruments and tonalities conjoining in avant-garde communion like hyper-sensitive tentacles exploring the stippled landscapes of an undiscovered planet.

Diverting from expectation, tubular grooves twist, turn, and spin, sometimes piling atop of each other, always shying away from structure and melody. Ellipsoidal solos provide hesitant guidance, ranging from Chick Corea's Fender Rhodes phrases to Davis' decorative spirals. And as colour is the primary unit of currency on Davis' Sketches of Spain, laid-back episodes, geometric spaces, and quiet sensuality reign here, with the set's maverick reputation attained via musings on solitude rather than explosions of noise.


Controversial for the period, the heavily edited production of In a Silent Way blew open the once-locked doors on what producer's could attempt – and how artists could assist them. Knitted together as one would construct a cross-hatched quilt, songs contain grafts of repeat passages that provide unifying structure and experimental continuity. What a statement.

A1 - Course Of Action
Opening the EP with a thoroughly entertaining, unique breakbeat workout of the ilk we've come to appreciate from Eusebeia, we are treated to sharp snares ripping into the mix backed by a lethal apache break dripping with old school appeal. An ever-evolving atmosphere is guided by intense vocal samples and shimmering synth backdrops, interspersed with intense melodies and darkly effects to complete a mesmerising collage of sound.

A2 - Embracing Imperfection
Next up we see Embracing Imperfection, a sci-fi inspired track littered with a detailed myriad of synthwave-esque melodies, transporting you to an ethereal episode of the X Files as Eusebeia flexes atmosphere and breaks intertwined with synths and whooshing FX. The breaks are superbly effective as ever with distinctive cymbal hits and echoed samples adding flecks of detail to an impressive composition.

AA1 - Point Of Isolation
A tense introduction punctuated by a reverberating melody evoking enigmatic mystery slowly unfolds, as Point of Isolation displays Eusebeia's diverse repertoire of breakbeat editing techniques. Darting metallic snares and deep kicks & basslines ebb and flow, a tangled maze of rippling energy lifted straight from the soul. This track is equally suited to the headphones and the dancefloor, causing ructions to both.

AA2 - Soul Searching
Closing the EP, Soul Searching sees Eusebeia release a gradually enveloping system of seductive breakbeats, twisting and intertwining with a whole host of vivid soundscapes delivered through pulsing synthwork and jostling micro-melodies. Throughout the track, the distinctively thick breaks are the true star of the show, encompassing the sensibilities of Spatial perfectly. Until the next time.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Compounding a reputation for his unique vision on techno with an uncompromising underground ethos utilising a fusion of deep and energetic electronics, Lee’s sound always creates a myriad of tension and construction which has seen him become one of techno’s elite, appearing in the most prestigious underground venues across the planet. His consistently original and dynamic productions, which have earned him much international ecognition, are frequent and in great demand. Appearing on many impeccable cutting edge and classic imprints over the years, Lee’s music has generated relentless plays and support from the brightest and leading connoisseurs in the underground techno scene.

Continuing with the ‘Limited As Fuck’ series of releases, on our fiercely independent techno label based in Scotland, we’ve got an electronic guardian of such resolute astral belief in how the purest of dance music should be relayed to the occupants of any Celestial City. You will believe in RIOT when we say “The ‘Sentinel’ has awoken.”

Featuring eight tear drops out of the smoke fuelled rain from a distant belt in the galaxy, no ‘Moonrunner’ will be able to surf the ‘Gravitational Waves’ this Motor-City inspired journey takes you on. Book yourself passage on the Starliner ‘Off-World’ for a stargazing extravaganza into ‘The Gates Of Orion’ and witness the brightest of glimmers ........... in the dark.

The full digital release also features one bonus spellbinding track so your mind can melt into the depths of
space and time.

WARNING: YOU WILL OBEY IN ORDER THAT RIOT CAN TAKE YOU ONE STEP BEYOND …………….

Credits:

Written by Lee Holman
Mastered by Joe Farr
Artwork by Alan D. Oldham & Nomad

Mustard Yellow Vinyl. Eine der umfangreichsten Instrumental-Hip-Hop-Reihen aller Zeiten, MF DOOMs gefeierte Special Herbs"-Serie versammelt eine riesige Sammlung seiner Beats, von exklusiven Tracks bis hin zu leicht überarbeiteten Favoriten, die er für sich selbst und andere produziert hat. Unter dem Pseudonym Metal Fingers veröffentlicht, gelingt es Special Herbs", DOOMs äußerst einflussreichen Sound einzufangen, der immer wieder die Regeln des Spiels zugunsten des Super-Bösewichts bricht und neu interpretiert. Super-Villain. Die Welt ist eine Fundgrube für Sounds, und der Metal-Fingered DOOM kennt keine Grenzen: 70er-Jahre- Soul-/Funk-Klassiker, 80er-Jahre-R&B-Hits, Rap-Nostalgie und sogar Soundbites aus Kinderplatten und dem Fernsehen finden ihren Platz in den Zutaten, die er für seine perfekten Rezepte benötigt.

Slowly yet firmly blooming into focus, An Unfinished Rose is the new album from Australian duo Troth.

This is their first since relocating to Hobart, Tasmania and their introduction to Night School Records. With a detailed web of past releases on labels A Colourful Storm, Mammas Mysteriska Jukebox, Knekelhuis and Bowman’s own Altered States Tapes imprint, An Unfinished Rose is the group’s most realised and composed work thus far. While still drawing on the improvisatory and DIY practices that informed Troth’s beginnings, it points to a new incarnation of the duo’s music; an intentional language emerging from the fog of obfuscation and mists of uncertainty.

Over these 9 meditations on change, acceptance, renewal and rebirth, An Unfinished Rose finds Amelia Besseny and Cooper Bowman peeling back some of the roughhewn architecture that defined their earlier releases to reveal a masterful - if auto-didactic - use of space and melody. Composition and improvisation compliment and feed each other throughout, with locked-loop earworms providing the springboard for lines of clarinet or synth melody, and the negative space between chord clusters giving ample room for Besseny’s most confident vocal performances to date. Shaving off a little of the defining dissonance and tape compression of old reveals Troth’s music in radiant daylight, humbly accepting of its place in the world while yearning for better, more sympathetic modes of living. Leaning more heavily on acoustic instrumentation and post-production processes than previously, the result is a transcendent body of work infused with an almost zen-like presence.

Troth’s music exists in the border between forming and becoming, its goal to project a kind of preternatural beauty, leaving interpretation open to the listener. Field recordings, happenstance and improvisation may provide seeds for the duo’s compositions, particularly on Side A, but there is a deft touch of songcraft on show. Loam Loom Leaf Litter opens An Unfinished Rose, directly referencing natural cycles of life, death and regeneration, before the blissed-out drum machine groove of Gold Plum continues a discussion concerning the totality of nature and one’s place in it. Besseny’s vocal, swelling like an ocean churn in duet with itself is adorned with synthesised harp and a revolving synth pattern, conjuring plumes of medieval smoke. Thistle’s rounded, bass-heavy drums, nodding to the vast echo of dub, is a relatively new terrain for Troth. It’s propulsive and thumping, pulsing with a meaning and symbolism consistent with Troth’s past work, referenced overtly in Bessey’s lyrics - “Say it too much and it loses its meaning…”. Similarly, the sprawling modern-classical suite, Tides Reflected In Her Eyes, is intentional in its lyrical themes while traversing new ground, revelling in layers of bowed cello and vocal intonations. Side B’s 4 tracks feel like Troth’s most thoroughly accessible and affecting music to date. Leaning into their own detoured version of Synth Pop, Cocoonist explores downtempoisms via a crunchy low frequency synth, and dream-like, fuzzy trip-hop modalities, not unlike Besseny and Bowman’s other group, Th Blisks. Following on, Myrtle Mystes is an open and searching DIY pop song, forged out of drum machine, bass guitar and cello. (An) Unfinished Rose’s title-track is a clear stand-out, built upon an evocative rhythm sample that appears to change emotional resonance with each undulating repetition. Its cascading waves of affect, interjected with a subtle breeze of synth, bowed instrumentation and soaring, densely-layered vocals.

An Unfinished Rose is enveloping, warm, forgiving. Difficult, yet retaining a unique beauty. Troth’s music aims to celebrate the duo;s shared experiences of being in the world, despite the complexity often surrounding us all. Theirs is a message of hope and perseverance, learning and patience.

NZO goes sick on a standout debut album for Demdike Stare’s DDS, distilling 2-step UKG, R&B and computerised funk within whirring mechanisms adjacent to mutant jungle and footwork - the proper good stuff.

On ‘Come Alive’ SoYo’s NZO bruks wild but tight on nine tunes chiselled from a distinctive percussive palette cut into fidgety, soulful samples. She dances in and around the cracks of myriad styles with a canny grasp of limb-animating, rhythmic diffraction; all stop/start rhythms and stuttering diva-vocaloids arranged with a rudely shatterproof, grooving pliability. More simply put: it’s dance music for those who like to get super loose and freaky with it.

Chopped up and stitched together over six months in Sheffield, it’s not hard to hear a lineage of advanced Afro-American rhythm science that also feeds into SND’s jerky-but-sexy angularities, and subsequently Rian Treanor’s rugged pugilism, now morphing back to the source, but heavily skewed with it. Her judicious sampling of R&B gems is offset in obliquely funked-up structures in ways that knowingly mess with conditioned anticipations yet never lose sight of the ‘floor, and we’re here for it.

Jumping in with the writhing darkside tekkerz of ‘Rolling Around’ and clocking out with a standout downbeat pearl ‘Looking For’, we hear her displace amapiano closer to halfstep D&B in ‘AXMM’, and decimate 2-step like Akufen on ‘CFML’, while ‘K-space baum bap’ appears to dart in the spaces between UKG and singeli, and the sloshing congas, bass motifs and dub chords of ‘Deadweight’ settle to a sort of aqueous UKF.

The cultured creative minds of James Simonson and Blair French reunite for this new Realities Remix EP on MotorCity Wine which was, in original form, recorded by Simonson in hotel rooms across Europe and the Americas while touring with soul legend Bettye LaVette. As such it takes in myriad global influences as well as evocative field recordings which get reworked in style. Blair French adds his touch with three remixes, firstly the anthemic 'Realities (Projector Remix),' then the more dance-driven 'Elektronolux Overture (Sunday Remix)' and the lush and downtempo 'Hannah (Remix)' featuring violinist Sonia Lee. Two originals 'Realities' and 'Elektronolux Overture' also appear on vinyl for the first time and sound superb.

To celebrate the imprint’s 20th release, it only feels right for label head Pegasvs to be left in control, with ‘Extend and Play’ a wonderful representation of not only Pegasvs’ signature style but the start of a joyous new chapter for the label as it looks forward to another 20 releases.

Well known by now for his simmering and infectious house-laden cuts, ‘Extend and Play’ is yet another wondrous piece of house music that cuts across the genre’s horizon line with aplomb.

The title track unravels with a myriad of Jazz and funk fusion melodies nestled atop a delicate rhythmic section that never ceases to get the room shakin’.

‘Wonky Business’ is a slice of hands-in-the-air dance music that pairs infectious disco guitar riffs with infectious melodies and an irresistible bassline.

‘Hidden Sounds’ sits somewhere in the midrange between the previous two numbers, with driving chords sitting atop a rolling rhythmic bed that simply oozes energy and feet moving.

Finally, ‘Not Far Behind’ slides into view to facilitate a little trip into paradise, as euphoric pads and scintillating acid lines lift the listener to new heights of being.

Early Support from Bill Brewster, Laurent Garnier, Robert Owens, Bradley Zero, Jimpster, Crazy P, Auntie Flo…

Vinyl comes housed in a custom sleeve with artwork by Cerri Studio.

The double A sider of all double headers combines African music superstar Letta Mbulu's two evergreen heaters; the afro-electro boogie gem Nomalizo, a track that has achieved cult status among collectors and DJ's. Finally released for the first time as a single b/w Kilimanjaro Takes Us Higher, the singalong up-tempo dance classic there never fades. Previously unreleased on as a single together, these tracks have had spins aplenty by every DJ worth their salt, and danced to within a myriad of scenes, over many decades. You really need this in your life! Essential!

At the heart of this double album, and amid the intense internal struggle between creative instinct an artistic reasoning, Ziggy has identified two key themes: Inspire and Radicalise. It is within this duality that the 15 tracks of this new work, recorded between Berlin and London throughout January 2024, take shape. Throughout its creation, the crew enlisted a familiar pallet of materials, seeking those obscure and vintage music-making machines, meeting a myriad of percussion and drums with the new addition of electric guitar as the band ventures into disco / highlife inspired territories. bring this ambitious project to life, Ziggy enlisted a team of forward thinking musicians across Europe and the UK alongside old friends and collaborators from the grassroots in Melbourne, Australia: Lewis Moody (Energy Exchange Records), Szabolcs Bognar (Abase), Eric Owusu (Jemba Groove), and Tom Varrall (Jamie Cullum) form the core rhythm section alongside a hefty list of guest appearances (from the likes of Oscar Jerome & Tom Driessler) making this truly the most ambitious and diverse incarnation of ZFEX to date.

South Londons’ indomitable Medlar delivers an ambitious new album

The long-time underground favourite has collaborated with the likes of Dele Sosimi, Rebekah Reid, Deevoenay, Finn Peters, Sam Virdie, Afla Sackey and Arnau Obiols on an album that finds him taking his production to new levels.
From roots playing illegal raves in the South West to building up a cultured catalogue that bounces between house and garage, Medlar has long been part of the underground conversation. He has dropped a previous album and many innovative remixes and edits for the likes of Billy Cobham and Shirley Lites, worked in the studio and on stage with Afro legend Dele Sosimi and most recently released an album under his own name that collected myriad different sonic sketches from the past 15 years.

Islands is an altogether different proposition that comes after establishing himself as a mix engineer and producer of other people's music. In that time, Medlar has honed his skills, learnt new tricks and grown more able to express himself in sound. The result is an album that explores a more electronic palette inspired by '80s fusion sounds whilst maintaining a loose, organic flow through his use of live instrumentation. “The idea for the LP was for a collection of music which could sit alone as club tracks, but would work equally well as part of a whole. The name Islands came from this, as there's some connecting ideas but the tracks sit independently in their own little sonic worlds. I took a lot of inspiration from early 80’s electronic music produced during early years of MIDI technology… proto house, jazz fusion, electronic disco and experimental ambient. I wanted to juxtapose some of these methods with more contemporary production and make something that's ultimately quite fun!” says Medlar of the record which could easily soundtrack a summer road trip.

Across 11 tracks, he blends old-school techniques like a fusion of live instruments, FM synthesis and MIDI triggered vocal samples with more contemporary touches such as punchy, club-friendly drums and dub inspired, speaker-wobbling low end. The result is less reliant on samples than his previous works and makes for a perfect blend of retro authenticity and future freshness.

Nearly two decades after it was first released, Norken’s sleek cult classic album ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ is being reissued on vinyl via Hydrogen Dukebox on 6th December 2024.

With its unique sonic blueprint of early 2000s electronica, ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ is a record that is at once both deeply reminiscent of a particular era and place, yet remains a timeless invocation of Norken’s idiosyncratic palette of minimal, techno, house and British IDM.

This vinyl reissue presents all 12 tracks from the original release, with the inclusion of 'Df23' and 'Flirt' making this the first time that ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ is available on vinyl with the complete album tracklisting.

Norken is one of the many pseudonyms of Lee Norris, a producer who is considered by those in the know as one of the unsung heroes of UK electronica. With a slew of releases throughout the years as Man-Q-Neon, Nacht Plank, Norken, Tone Language and Metamatics, this reissue shines a light on his soulful, immersive output under the Norken name.

As Norris explains, “The release of ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ has a nostalgic, warm feeling for me. I made his album in a garden shed with a wood burner, an Atari computer and a few synths in the depths of an English winter. I still had the thought process of making emotional style techno that would warm any soul on a cold day.”

First released in 2005, ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ carries the echoes of electronic luminaries such as the Detroit ambient techno of John Beltran, through to the immersive atmospherics of Biosphere and the innovative IDM of fellow British outfits Autechre and The Black Dog. Yet as Norken, Norris retains a distinctive musical voice that has continued to deepen in stature over the years since the album’s initial release.

Opening with the brief intro cut ‘Fern 2’, the album slides into the dreamlike groove of ‘Memories’, where rich, resonant chords wrap around cool, galactic-sounding synths and a compelling bass undertow.

On ‘It Might Have Been Rain’, that signature bass texture again propels a luxuriant mid-tempo rhythm, while Norken layers in hypnotic washes of string-like synths, gentle electronic pulses and the brief murmur of a vocal, across seven-plus immersive minutes.

Vocal textures, often subtly looped and distorted, also add a distinctive depth and personality to tracks like ‘Eastern Soul’ and ‘Here’. Throughout the album, there’s a feeling of intricate microcosms unfurling, as Norken coaxes a myriad of contemplative moods and emotions from his machines.

Whether shaping the smooth, lulling ambient gauze of ‘Ty Canol’, or letting the kaleidoscopic, dancefloor-leaning drive of ‘Audic Strable’ loose like a coiled spring, ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ presents the singular voice of an artist whose innovative contribution to UK electronic music has only become heightened with the passing of time.

Arriving on a limited 200-copy translucent orange vinyl, 'Dark REM' on Cuddling Monsters’ second release on Mask Records is a hunched-over and direct dub techno cut with forceful drums and deft percussion, adding texture next to warm, sustained pads.

There's a real sense of urgency in this most frictionless groove, which means it cannot fail to cast a spell on the dance floor. The fantastic 'Event Horizon' is then infused with the aura of deep space - sustained chords with a cosmic edge add vast scale to the well-programmed deep techno drums. 'Monster Talk' is a mid-tempo dub track with underlapping drums and rattling, rusted chords that disappear to infinity. It's cavernous and evocative, with myriad little details occupying the mind. 'Temporal Aura' is another standout sound that blends deep techno, dub, and minimal into a serene soundtrack that encourages inward reflection while driving onwards through the cosmos.

Mask Records founder ZentaSkai and his creative partner Laura Merino Allue are Berlin mainstays helping shape the underground. Cuddling Monsters is a new project that debuted on the label in March. It is all about crafting music with analogue instruments, which they believe "offer distinctive sonic qualities, creative constraints, and genuine sound reproduction”. They explore Detroit-infused house, dub techno and minimal soundscapes with raw edges and a great sense of atmosphere. Cuddling Monsters'

“Reconnect”, a collaborative project between Italy’s Francesco Mami and France’s Julien Chaptal, is a musical exploration that originated during a unique period of global confinement, where creativity flourished in unexpected ways.

The genesis of "Reconnect" traces back to a time when the world was asked to pause and stay indoors. During the first 50 days of this period, Julien Chaptal found joy and inspiration in reconnecting with his instruments and the myriad of musical ideas that constantly filled his mind. Embracing the freedom to create without boundaries, he produced a track a day, amassing around 50 tracks, many of which remained unfinished.

A year later, a serendipitous meeting in Geneva with Francesco Mami over sake, good food, and music sparked the idea of collaboration. Julien sent some of his initial tracks to Francesco, who reworked them, adding his unique touch and bringing them to life. Their online exchange and collaborative efforts resulted in the tracks that now form the EP. Francesco, a true studio craftsman, expanded on Julien's original vision, creating a synergy that neither could have achieved alone.

The record encapsulates a theme of "Confined Freedom," a reflection of the period of its creation and draws from three decades of electronic music influences, a melting pot of inspiration that shaped its sound. The warmth of the gear used in the studio sessions provided a comforting contrast to the external circumstances. Various drum machines and synthesizers were employed, contributing to the unique sound of the EP, though no specific piece of equipment was highlighted as central to its creation. "Reconnect" is not just a collection of tracks; it is a testament to the resilience of creativity and the power of collaboration, even from a distance.

With remixes by masterminds Reboot and Johnny D, the vinyl dropping on the shelves December 6th, 2024, is set to catch the ears of many!

A1 Dharma
Opening the LP in lively fashion, JLM liberally flecks a detailed composition with exquisite breaks cymbals playing a key role in the evolving patterns as the track progresses while heavy layers of synth work forms a substantial atmosphere. Musical and resonant with micro melodies and sprinkles of FX, Dharma encapsulates JLMs everimpressive attention to detail throughout its seven minutes.

A2 Artha
Where to start with Artha Setting the scene immediately with an epic synth intro that whooshes through your mind to prepare you for what is to come, its immediately obvious JLM has crafted a modern day classic here. Crisp Hot Pants breaks drop before we are treated to inspiring, continually developing and rousing melodies with a tuneful 808 bassline playfully dancing below. One to drop any chance you get Artha deserves to be heard.

B1 Moksha
Delightfully clear, characterful percussion introduces Moksha, a dancefloor friendly piece which rolls along beautifully thanks to old school breakbeats seizing the initiative while fluid keys, filtered synths and waves of serene effects punctuate the production. The
kick-light breaks will stay long in the memory as perfect for both the headphones and the discerning dance floor, just as weve come to expect from JLM.

B2 Kama
Taking you back to the early Progression Sessions era with a modern scifi twist reminiscent of your favourite space operatics, Kama will sit effortlessly alongside tracks from those days and now with its simple yet memorable core wind melody, sprawled
across energetic breakbeats and wide layers of synths & pads to a typically appropriate bassline. Another fine example of the evolving diversity in JLMs production with Spatial.

C1 Boundary
Switching things up, JLM treats us to a notably laid back vibe as Boundary is introduced by understated, filtered synth work and explorative kicks before a mellow yet chunky break pattern provides energy to the track. Detailed as ever, a myriad of effects and
samples are introduced and dance around the mix with a wistful complexity, in a track destined to be in your playlist for some time to come.

C2 Hexis
Kicking things off with a filtered DJ friendly beat intro, Hexis soon drops with constant old school jungle synth work and periodical strings alongside rasping, striking breakbeats that drive the track forward with impressive energy. The breaks reverberate in and out of the mix at intervals as JLM toys with the listener at will, creating a tonally unique and vibrant composition very much worthy of our attention.

D1 Ideal Forms
Low pass breaks echo and jostle for position with FX free counterparts early doors in the finely crafted intro to Ideal Forms, slowly developing with a triumphant assortment of keys and synths before a third layer of breaks are added which underpin a detailed, yet never busy, breakbeat landscape. Occasional breakdowns offer respite in a glistening wilderness of comforting melodies and light ambience.

D2 Physis
JLM rounds the album off very much on form with Physis a suitably climactic piece that opens with a detailed array of percussion, synths and effects before superbly programmed breaks take over the mix. An occasional, all encompassing sci fi synth rush
permeates the atmosphere to almost cinematic levels, while a melodic bassline nestles below leaving you with a track (and an album) you will not forget.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Myriad has always bought its A game to the table. This EP from Madcap and Shine showcases the perfect way to make a summer amen roller. Proper vibes for the dancefloor, the dj, or the lazy afternoon, this one drops hard either way and makes you want to move...

Dramatic brings the jazz infused soulful funk to Know Your Worth, a clean and powerful roller.

Crisp drums and deep bass are the hallmarks of every track on this superb EP! Available on gorgeous white vinyl, this is pure vibes for the dedicated junglist.

Codex is a name many might not yet be familiar with, but I suspect that is something that is about to change. This EP demonstrates a knack for timeless work, with an array of perfectly executed and technically superior jungle tracks, all of which feature strong musical elements and beautifully layers sound design. Excellent stuff!

Glenn Astro leans into the twilight months of 2024 with a new album from his Delta Rain Dance project. Divining fourth world sensibilities from his restlessly curious studio workflow, Astro weaves a mesmerising tapestry of sound on Music For Autumn which treads the line between horizontal meditation and head- nodding, backroom-ready groove.

Amongst his constellation of myriad aliases, Delta Rain Dance spells out the inspiration Astro takes from fourth world pioneer Jon Hassell. The project first surfaced with a string of tapes, LPs and digital releases around 2018, all carried on a label of the same name to keep Delta Rain Dance enclosed in its own space
independent of Astro's many other musical endeavours.

"I’m really into the world building aspect in science fiction and fantasy," says Astro. "This is my way of creating worlds and spaces that co-exist next to each other. Sometimes they collide but mostly they exist peacefully next to each other or pursue some form of cultural exchange by collaborating with each other."

There's a strong sense of balance and cohesion throughout Music For Autumn, as organic percussion and instrumentation wraps around delicate synthesis and patient drum machine pulses so naturally it's hard to spot the joins. The sound has plenty of room to stretch out, from the mantra-like chimes and rattles of the album opener 'Green Light Fade' to the luxury funk of 'Mmmh, Nice' (featuring fellow Tartelet alumni Nelson of the East). At times the electronic elements seem to entirely dissolve, not least behind the loping strings and tumbledown percussion of 'Second Sleep', while achingly beautiful closer 'Plucked' centres on the fluttering movement and expression Astro elicits from his modular setup.

True to the project's influences, a consistent ambiguous mood lingers in the air over Music For Autumn somewhere between far- flung mystery and comforting familiarity, reliably calm but equally contemplative. It's an odyssey of serenity with enough nuance to make you really think, perfect for the days getting shorter, leaves crunching underfoot and the last fading rays of warmth from the sun.

Death Is Not The End's 333 series continues with this killer slice of digi roots out of late 90s NY, also a big Jah Shaka selection at the time.

Take It Easy was produced by Ricky "Mad Man" Myrie - a reggae/dancehall producer active since the early 90s, and who was also providing writing and production on breakthrough albums for VP from Sean Paul, Capleton & others at this time. Featuring a sharp and poignant vocal from Gumbae Culture, it was recorded at the legendary Philip Smart's Long Island-based HC&F Studio, under the engineering guidance of Smart's brother-in-law and long time studio partner, Michel McDonald. The record's haunting xylophone licks, razor sharp snares and menacing subs perfectly combine throughout the vocal cut, and really come to the fore on the version for a raw and stripped back masterclass in digital dubwise.

A vibrant kaleidoscope of sound, colour and emotion, British multi-hyphenate James Alexander Bright's new album 'Cool Cool' is set for release on 26th July via Athens Of The North. A dynamic set of urgent funkers, gentle soul ballads, head-nodders, fuzzy folkers and straight-up disco bangers span 10 songs that soundtrack fertile daydreams, esoteric dancefloors, languorous reflection, and wild excursions in nature and beyond. James' voice, pitched somewhere between Eddie Chacon, Beck and Michael McDonald, takes a confident lead on this new record. Whether tenderly caressing on the title track's beautiful soul minimalism or deployed passionately on boogie machine 'Straight Line'; it's an immediately recognisable signature. Impressive multi-instrumentalism sees him perform on guitar, bass, keys, programming, percussion, production and myriad quirky effects; across song subjects that cover searching for truth, imagining the distant future, teen nostalgia, relaxation exploration

Fuelled by the Berlin-based duo's love of club music in all its forms ''FJAAK THE SYSTEM'' is FJAAK's most definitive album to date, a winding sonic odyssey that surveys the rave landscape, dipping between frantic euphoria and deep contemplation. Featuring sizzling collaborations with Modeselektor, Skee Mask, Red Eye and J.Manuel, the album draws a bold line under FJAAK's 15 years of mischief and mayhem, pulling together 23 tracks (culled from over 300, no less) that truly reflect the duo's boundless enthusiasm for the dancefloor. Grazing UK breakbeat, techno, 2-step, d'n'b, jungle, trip-hop and ambient, these elasticated, hybrid bangers paint a vivid picture of FJAAK's utopian club ideal, a place where genre boundaries evaporate and only the groove remains. Since graduating in audio engineering in the early 2010s, FJAAK have been challenging the logic of a maddeningly conservative club scene with their hardware only live shows, DJ sets a myriad of record releases. In 2019 they launched the label and platform Spandau20 with a steady flow of records and a mixtape series featuring new talent and established artists. With their rebellious attitude and notoriously energetic live sets, the duo have brought back a crucial lost ingredient to the rave: playfulness. And if their well-loved albums 'FJAAK', released on Modeselektor's Monkeytown imprint, and 'Havel' set the scene, 'FJAAK THE SYSTEM' rises above and beyond expectations, creating a new benchmark. It's not just blood, sweat and tears either, FJAAK's advanced technical knowhow and love of synthesizers and drum machines helps them formulate a sound that's conscious of dance music history, but focused on a brighter, more equitable future. Their second single 'And You Feel' is an emotional rollercoaster combining UK breakbeat with a dubstep-influenced bassline wobler and alluring vocals, emulating the moment the mind becomes a tranquil void through the crescendo of adrenaline like a strain of physical exertion. This is reflected on their new music video which shows an unexpected ''rage room'' scene.

Following the success of their first release with Serpico’s ‘Just Can’t Stop’, Moonworks are reissuing a highly sought-after UK house 12” from The Outsiders, originally from 1995.

The Outsiders’ Beyond The Ego EP is a lost London gem born from the UK capital’s rich musical heritage and the transatlantic influence of deep house. Produced by two close friends Mark Mellor and Paul Murphy within 48 hours in their Westbourne Grove home studio, its fusion of US house production techniques with a myriad of UK influences has cemented its status as a timeless and unique treasure.

The record received few plaudits on release but has since become a sought-after underground rarity, with scarce original copies trading hands for hefty prices. Whether you draw for the euphoric Warp Factor 9 Mix, the stripped back Ego Dub or the sun-kissed grooves of Do Dat Scat and Shu Bop, the record epitomizes the tasteful and quirky sound of UK house music from the 90s.

Moonworks have once again worked closely with the original artists to restore and remaster these tracks to modern standards, as well as revamping the original artwork in their own style.

The first track of the EP is a prog-heavy requiem, laced with warped synths and a percussive softness inviting you to take it straight to the dance-floor. 'Wandt Uncorked's' sonic agility is framed by the kind of driving energy that only swells more as you move, offering a new rhythm layer by layer.
Offering dreamy synths with echoes of 'A Hundred Days Off'-era Underworld, 'Gottesfuß' bends into a sprawling, sexy-weird five minutes of bliss. Building with a familiar-feeling vibrato and the cosiest anchor of bass, the second track from Niklas is your backdrop for mid dance-floor moments and after-hours alike in love.
The B-side to Wandt’s latest EP glides through every unchartered subaquatic realm imaginable. Slick breaks blend evenly into myriad underwater drones and/or extra terrestrial cries to form a deftly cast soundscape that truly highlights Wandt’s prowess as a percussionist.

The making of Congo Funk!, our long-awaited journey to the musical heart of the African continent, took the Analog Africa Team on two journeys to Kinshasa and one to Brazzaville. Selected meticulously from around 2000 songs and boiled down to 14, this compilation aims to showcase the many facets of the funky, hypnotic and schizophrenic tunes emanating from the two Congolese capitals nestled on the banks of the Congo River.

On its south shore, the city of Kinshasa – capital of Democratic Republic of the Congo, the country formerly known as Zaïre – is often seen as Africa’s musical Mecca, the city that spawned such immortal bands as African Jazz, O.K. Jazz and African Fiesta, and the place to which aspiring musicians from throughout the continent would go to make a name for themselves.

But the city of Brazzaville on the north shore of the river – capital of the Congo Republic – played an equally important role in spreading Congolese sounds continentally. In addition to producing legendary bands such as Les Bantous de la Capital, it was the powerful transmitters of Radio Brazzaville that allowed the unmistakable groove of Congolese Rumba to be heard as far away as Nairobi, Yaoundé, Luanda and Lusaka thus turning the electric guitar into the continent’s most important instrument!

Although the musical landscape of these cities had been defined by a core group of bands in the late 1950s, the modernisation of Congolese music has been steadily evolving until the events surrounding the Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman boxing match marked a turning point. The promoter of that event known as “Rumble In The Jungle” was none other than the notorious Don King who needed 10 millions dollars to get Ali and Foreman into a boxing ring. The only candidate willing to put this kind of cash on the table was Mobutu Sese Seko, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mobutu - the megalomaniac dictator who got to power with the support of the United States and Belgium in exchange for unlimited and affordable access to the riches of the country - had a soft spot for music and it doesn’t come as a surprise that he agreed to a three-day live music festival being organised prior to the “Rumble”. Zaïre 74 - as the festival was dubbed - was meant to hype the boxing match and many stars were invited.

Although a myriads of artists flocked in for the occasion, it was the performance of James Brown on Zairian soil that caused havoc among the younger generation, inspiring hundreds of would-be musicians to take up their electric guitars and reverbs cranked to the max in search of a new sound in which hyperactive Rumba was blended with elements of psych and funk. While the results were very different from the popular music of the three Musketeers - as Tabu Ley, Franco and Verckys were known - they weren’t a complete break with tradition.

These new sounds emerged at a time when the Congolese record industry – previously dominated by European major labels – was experiencing a period of decline due to rising production costs and needed a radical change. The void was filled by dozens of entrepreneurs willing to take chances on smaller scale releases. It was the beginning of a golden age for Congolese independent record labels, and the best of them – Cover N°1, Mondenge, Editions Moninga, Super Contact – preserved the work of some of the region’s finest artists, while launching a generation of younger musicians into the spotlight.

The movement was greatly helped by legendary radio shows but it was the dynamic productions of Télé-Zaïre that set the dynamite on fire. Legend has it that TV shows were so huge that president Mobutu himself ordered RTV du Zaïre to put on daily concerts since it halted criminal activities for the duration of the evening.

Congo Funk! is the story of these sounds and labels, but most of all it is the story of two cities, separated by water but united by an indestructible groove. The fourteen songs on this double LP showcase the many facets of the Congolese capitals, and highlight the bands and artists, famous and obscure, who pushed Rumba to new heights and ultimately influenced the musical landscape of the entire continent and beyond.

Adrien Calvet returns to the limelight on Stay At Home, presenting a remarkable 4-track compilation that pays homage to his immersive travels through Korea, with a special focus on the iconic district of Itaewon, renowned as the epicenter of Seoul's vibrant nightlife.

In this latest musical endeavor, Adrien Calvet expertly fuses a myriad of genres into a singular project, demonstrating his ability to draw inspiration from a diverse spectrum of musical styles beyond the realm of pure electronic music.

Limited copies of this John T. Gast (Apron, Planet Mu, Blackest Ever Black etc) project from 2017 - originally released on a hyper limited CDR. Now on vinyl for the first time featuring all the original tracks
Special stuff from this shadow dwelling soul. Really killer.

OOO002 - second, vinyl-only release debuts dark, galactic grooves featuring heavy bass lines and experimental elements from artists Chad Andrew and Len Lewis.

A1: “Battle 303”
Inspired by the soundscape of the 90’s techno scene, Battle 303’s punchy bass drums hold you captive as its sine wave bounce lures you into hypnosis with a progressive rhythmic beat. The track’s rolling 303, pyramid’s a myriad of elements before awakening you to the crisp subliminal vocal, just shy of the midway point. Battle 303’s multidimensional fury of movement refuses to slow its pace, inducing pure cardio for both the mind and body, inspiring peak dance performance.

A2: “Area 15”
Area 15 intros the swirling ambiance of dark, atmospheric, easy listening as it gradually accelerates into a journey of the unknown. Utilizing distortion effects, eerie drones and chimes, coupled with the rhythmic pattern of arpeggiated synths brings about a sense of intrigue that lends the listener the flexibility to determine their personal musical trajectory and experience.

B1: Battle 303 (Len Lewis S!th Remix)
Battle 303 (Len Lewis S!th Remix) is an introspective, sonic journey that slings you through a brooding origin story of tribal, galactic funk that echoes iconic samplings spanning over 5 decades seamlessly merged into one futuristic bop. Maintaining it’s old school, breakbeat roots with a driven, heavy bassline, claps and snares, Lewis remains true to his S!th style, by altering path and speed with his signature, unexpected musical transitions, highlighted by timely breaks and experimental elements. Be prepared to move and groove as this track reaches hyperspeed early on, stimulating intense movement and journey from start to finish.

B2: Battle 303 (Len Lewis G.H.M. Remix)
Battle 303 (Len Lewis G.H.M. Remix) leads with traditional, minimal components and a suspenseful bassline, laced with piercing elements and garbled synth vocals, creating a sense of awareness and urgency that gradually builds in intensity before throwing you into punchy, sinister darkness.
This groove, set against the backdrop of deep space and all its musical element oddities, mimics the drive of the original 303’s rolling bass line while seamlessly exploring Lewis’ S!thstylings of metallic synth scales and spooky drone effects, keeping you captivated as you strut the dance floor

What you do is a fundamental question. But it's how you do something that ultimately determines the effect." — Julian Sartorius

With 'RLLRLRLLRRLRLRLRLLRLRLR', Swiss drummer and sound artist Julian Sartorius presents his third album in three years. Together with 'Ensemble This | Ensemble That' Sartorius has created a mesmerizing 39-minute percussion album that conclusively expands his artistic output. For the first time, an ensemble plays an idea conceived by Sartorius, while he assumes the role of an interactive conductor, manipulating the sounds made.

Sartorius is known for his fluid and versatile solo performances in which he continually modulates the sound of his instruments, adding objects and progressively unfolding his sound world. The idea of expanding this practice was already gestating when the 'Ensemble This | Ensemble That' invited him for a collaboration. Together with the drummers and percussionists Brian Archinal, Victor Barceló, Miguel Angel Garcia Martin and Bastian Pfefferli the concept was further explored, elaborated upon in detail, and finally realized.
'RLLRLRLLRRLRLRLRLLRLRLR' is both title and score for the ensemble's four percussionists. The pattern, consisting of 23 individual beats, is played continuously by the ensemble while Sartorius gradually makes alterations to the instruments played. The result is a piece that has a sustained rhythmic flow yet is perpetually changing. Sartorius' interventions and the precise musicality of the ensemble allows the listener to discover an expansive array of moods and intensities.

The album is structurally recursive but develops an almost mystical magnetism through an odyssey of diverse musical landscapes. Sartorius explains: "It amazes me deeply how much the sentiment can change based on a musical mood - this sense of curiosity is made audible with this album." The album recording itself is designed as an endless loop: at the end of the recording, the ensemble's sound has returned to its starting point, thereby completing an endless, self-contained cycle, with no beginning or end. In this way, Sartorius also echoes his 2021 album 'Locked Grooves'.

Julian Sartorius' precise and multi-layered rhythmical patterns are keen excursions into the hidden tones of found objects and prepared instruments, bridging the gap between organic timbres and the vocabulary of (experimental) electronic music. He has released numerous solo albums, creates audiovisual art works, collaborates with musicians, writers, and artists, and performs live in intimate venues and on festival stages.

Ensemble This | Ensemble That (ET|ET) have established themselves not only as interpreters of contemporary music, but also as collaborators to a wide range of artists including projects like Zimoun, Myriam Bleu, Strotter Inst., Lê Quan Ninh, Marko Ciciliani, Jürg Frey, and Michael Maierhof, amongst others.

Following much love for his EPs, remixes and club sets, the virtuosic DJ/producer Simo Cell’s debut album 'Cuspide des Sirènes' doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it takes things to a whole new level.

With a fantastical menagerie of anthropomorphism, sounds create characters and tools; the mermaid-like Sirens, the mind controlling Octopus and the Magic Conch Shell:

“Have you heard of the legend of 'Cuspide des Sirènes'? This is not a simple tale, but an incredible tapestry woven over many years and through countless wondrous adventures. I will recount the legend as it was recorded in the ancient scrolls.

The album’s story explores the themes of magic, enchantment, charm, and allure, but also personal fears. The protagonist (me) embarks on a quest to find the hidden lake and confront his own demons, in order to understand and master his own power.

The protagonist is armed with a powerful conch shell. As he embarks on his journey, he will encounter Sirens who will teach him various chants. These melodies hold unique powers and grant the main character the strength to confront and overcome any danger that may arise.” Simo Cell

Musically, the LP is a continuation of Simo’s journey that began with the ‘YES.DJ’ EP, with a synthesized/modernized take on noughties hip hop, bass music, trap, ghetto house and ghetto tech – but here he broadens the scope, massively.

Exploring new pathways through magical landscapes, via infused melodies, emo and pop, the sensations are bright and addictive, like a sugar and endorphin cocktail. There’s a screen sheen and video game quality too, sounding like the high-octane score to an action flick from the year 3000, with unimaginably wild SFX.

'Cuspide des Sirènes' is the kind of record to stop someone in their tracks, to ask “what IS this?”, provoking bass face, perplexion, fascination and manic glee, all at once. Not so much organised chaos as intricately-crafted-borderline-unhingement, the album is slightly bonkers, in a very good way. There’s a boundless sense of childlike, unencumbered imagination at play, and an abundance of fun, but there are moments of serious-deep-beat-science for the heads, and introspective passages too.

There’s a lot going on, with detail, layers, flourishes, arrangement, melodies and myriad fresh sounds – but it’s never too much; just a really engrossing listen – the kind that that ruins ones appetite for prosaic, vanilla dance music, rendering such 2D pursuits boring and obsolete.

Ideally, the album is meant to be experienced as a seamless narrative from start to finish, so leave any inhibitions or preconceptions at the door, and let the pied piper of electronic futurism lead you way down the rabbit hole.

‘Apathy Is Death’ is a precisely engineered, restless and longing work of experimental bass music. Tinkah has created a sonic landscape that is both mesmerising and haunting.

The fundamental note is tension as he speaks a tale of ego and its myriad manifestations.. highs & lows. Climax & anticlimax. Adoration & pity. A 12” quest through the taverns of retrospect.

The 6 tracks, live arranged on a MPC alongside a whimsical bounty of synths & effects, are packed rich with cinematic soundscapes, driving rhythms and an ever evolving temper.

Inspired by true events and adorned with sounds from his world. ‘Apathy Is Death’ tells the parable of being jointly lost and found in the intensity of life.







e B2. Skin 22 Feat. Arpen Daks

Radio Slave drops ‘Wild Life’ on Rekids this May

Following the recently dropped ‘Strobe Queen’, which picked up support from Honey Dijon, Sean Johnston, Laurent Garnier, BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong and Danny Howard amongst many more, Radio Slave returns with another standout House cut ‘Wild Life’, turning in two exceptional Disco and Dub mixes.

“I’ve always adored the “Wildpitch” era of DJ Pierre, Roy Davis Jnr, DJ Duke and labels like Power Music It’s definitely influenced my work as Radio Slave and “Wild Life” started out as a nod to that early nighties sound. Conceived during the pandemic, I had the track mapped out and then with help of a good friend I decided to add live bass, loads of analogue keyboards and record the whole thing live and it became this super funky disco jam.” - Radio Slave

Radio Slave aka Matt Edwards is one of dance music’s undisputed heavyweights. Having made his name as a DJ in the 90s, he went on to become the king of edits, twisting pop, R&B and indie cuts into essential versions that consistently set clubs alight. Since the mid-2000s, Edwards’ originals have helped define modern dance music, tackling techno, house, breakbeat, minimal and disco whilst exploring dub, balearic sounds and ambient across the myriad of other aliases and projects.

More than a decade after the release of ´Land Lines', the mythical Humboldt County, California based duo of Brian Pyle and Merrick McKinlay reappears seemingly out of nowhere with 'Atheistsaregods'. With past releases on such cult-like labels as Root Strata, Weird Forest, Blackest Rainbow or Digitalis, Starving Weirdos were an indelible part of a sprawling and loose network of artists in Northern America whose DIY work ethic and extreme activity revolved around shoestring-budget constant touring, numerous limited editions on CDR, tape and vinyl and a relentless drive to push the boundaries of genre.

Out of that cauldron, Starving Weirdos stood out as one of the most persistent and visionary acts, developing a mind altering body of work that went from warm soundscapes through droney digressions, freeform improvisation and raucous noise summoned from a myriad of instrumentation and low budget processing - vocals, keyboards, violin, flute, percussion and an assortment of less identifiable sound sources. 10 years on their legacy remains a timeless and wildly under-appreciated one, but hopefully this new album will shine a light on their idiosyncratic approach. As time itself was never a constraint. This is music suspended outside of it.

Right from the start with the echoing percussion, dissonant keys and processed vocals of 'Haiku Nagasaki', 'Atheistsaregods' draws a continuous flux of psychedelic elevation that goes from the gloomy electronic motifs not unlike the early Cluster vibes of 'Invocation' into the dank percussive maze of the appropriately titled 'Barulho do Samba'. The self titled track induces a sense of post-apocalyptic vertigo via hallucinatory scraps of voice, suspended synth tones and reverberating field recordings, connecting into the droney mystics of 'Dudukahar (Reed Prayer)'. Coming full circle, 'For Vinny' brings back the echoing percussion amidst hypnotic cello lines until it drifts off into the unknown. With the same palpable sense of urgency, Starving Weirdos feel as vital as ever. And even if we didn't realize it we were in need of them. Welcome back.

E.R.P. is back with 4 electro cuts drenched in soul, machine funk and style. Pure E.R.P. dopeness

This latest instalment of ARTHUR BAKER Presents DANCE MASTERS finds the production/ song-writing/ remixing maestro taking the spotlight for a long overdue snapshot of his own classic 12” mixes during a crucial evolution of dance music, club
and pop culture.

“I’ve always felt like I was on a mission to make music from the time I heard Motown, Philly and Sly and the Family Stone. My mission started as a hobby and still feels like one now. You’ve got to keep on pushing and hustling. It can be a drag sometimes but
if you really love what you’re doing, it’s worth the work. I still really love what I do.”

Arthur Baker helped codify the remixer as artist. His genre-fluid approach to projects
has resulted in a joyous myriad of classics that spans many decades. This ’80’s focused DANCE MASTERS collection offers a welcome glimpse at Baker’s illustrious career and many long out-of-print 12” versions and previously unavailable mixes.

This 35-track, six LP expanded edition includes a wide array of selections from the likes of Robbie Nevil’s “C’est La Vie,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Big Love,” Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance”, Jeffrey Osborne “Soweto”, Freeez “I.O.U”, Rockers Revenge “Walking On Sunshine” and of course the juggernaut “Planet Rock” with Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force.

Complete with in-depth liner notes by Bill Coleman, track by track notes written by Arthur Baker himself, previously unseen session photos from Arthur’s personal archives and a signed insert.

All tracks remastered by Nick Robbins at Sound Mastering

The brilliantly entitled 1619 Bad Ass Band covered myriad different styles from mellow sound to furious funk on their superlative and self-titled debut long player back in 1976. Two of it's standout tunes now get pulled and pressed on this red hot 7" from P-Vine, complete with a flip-back sleeve.

That LP is a rare one amongst the famous TSG catalogue and first up from it is the mid-tempo dance gem 'Nothing Can Stop My Loving You' while on the flip there is the more heavy funk sound of 'Step Out' which anyone who has listened to any DJ Shadow will know he sampled.

After the first Freedom Dance release “Earth on Faya/Is This The Future” already sold-out, we are glad to present the new Gigi Testa tracks taken from his unreleased materials and produced during this pandemic period.

Atlantis on A side is a raw house track created with only two elements: one drum machine and one synthesizer, this composition will take you deep exploring the underwater world;

Agua Fluida on B side is a bouncing gem including myriad of melodic
elements drums and sound efx creating a fluid percussive flow.

Upcoming album ‘Zwaluwe' to be released in May 2023.

Myrddin De Cauter, the youngest son of multi-instrumentalist musician Koen De Cauter, is a phenomenon in the world of contemporary music. As a teenager, he discovered the richness and originality of the flamenco guitar. To further develop the subtleties in his already masterful playing, he went to Spain to take lessons with some of the masters of flamenco guitar: Gerardo Nuñez, Manolo Sanlucar, …

His technical virtuosity, taste for experimentation and deep lyrical sensibility merge into a unique musical world. It turns out that Myrddin is not just a flamenco guitarist, but an exceptional multifaceted talent.
This talent, passed down through many generations, now expresses itself again in Myrddin's daughter Imre. At only four years old, she received her first cello. In 2018, she made her debut together with her father at the Gent Jazz Festival.

Now five years later, on their debut album Zwaluwe, together they take us on a journey that finds its origin in Myrddin's written compositions. Imre knows and feels the music of her virtuoso father like no other. She complements him in a sensitive, cutting and unctuous way. Making a perfect blend of sharp and soft. The album was recorded in a small chapel in remote Valouse, a village in the Drome region of southern France.

“While Myrddin tells mysterious stories and fairy tales with endless intervals of notes on his guitar, Imre hypnotises your soul with the sound waves of her cello.”

Beautiful Zambian Jazz/Rock LP. Huge Tip!
Sharp-Flat Records presents the long-awaited restoration of The Broadway Quintet's cult classic Amalume – a hypnotic concoction of traditional Zambian sounds and jazz-rock grooves with a twist of 1970s African psychedelia.

Emerging to serve the entertainment needs of Zambia's United National Independence Party (UNIP) in the early 1960s, The Broadway Quintet gathered seasoned talent from Lusaka's best hotel bands to fashion its esteemed lineup. Starting as a quartet and later evolving into a quintet, the group's career spanned over twenty years as favourites on the cabaret circuit and boasted a myriad of prestigious collaborations.

The Broadway Quintet's jazz sensibilities set them apart from the rock sound that dominated the music landscape of the 1970s. Yet the formula behind Zamrock, fusing indigenous Zambian sounds with Western pop, shaped their one and only 1976 long-player. Featuring modern arrangements of traditional songs, Amalume blended congas with sax sounds, folk lyrics with electric keyboard shenanigans and show business staples with jazz guitar noodling. With its psychedelic fever dream illustrated cover, it was an explosive package of "originality and electrifying beauty" as the album's liner notes rightly attested.

Released on the Zambezi label, Amalume joined an exceptional run of mid-1970s offerings alongside WITCH, Ricky Banda and Crossbones. Officially licensed, carefully restored and beautifully reproduced, Zambia's most requested reissue has finally returned for everybody to enjoy.