The journey continues…fasten your seat belt and enjoy your galactic trip to the unknown.
Phil Robertson, the name behind Arbilla and his new vinyl release on Xistence Records, Movement EP features an original track and 2 remixes by the Australian masters Biz (Peter Elmaloglou/Cliq, Subjekt, Transmat) and Microworld (Philip McGarva/Styrax,Curle,Transmat). Each track brings it’s own special vibe to the listener, you can expect a truly adventurous record…
A side: original track is with nice 808 drum works what drives this one forward, hypnotic and soulful stripped back tune.
Biz remix definitely has energy and deep emotional content, melodic touches for the soul.
Inner track on B side from Microworld, deep and effective techno groove with distorted kicks what gives an extra character for the trippy sound.
Baltimore's TV HILL Records transmit their first release made from the duo with the same name. OG AG (Andrew Grant) of original Circoloco fame and dimneonsum combine forces on a 4 track venture. The result is deep unapologetic House & Techno. Classic gear !
The latest 7" single on Bob Stanley's MEASURED MILE label is a floor-filling double-sider.
The percussion-and-woodwind driven ‘Night Of The Wolf’ has been played out at northern soul nights in the UK, at Brooklyn discotheques in the mid-70s, and originally it was an Italian progressive rock album track. Much loved by everyone. It was issued as a super-rare US 45 in 1975 under the name the Al Foster Band, and this is its first official reissue.
ACT 1's 70s modern soul midtempo classic ‘It’s The Same Old Story’ also got played out in the early discos of New York, Chicago and LA, but it was only ever an album track. This marks its first ever release on a DJ-friendly 7". Get it while you can!
Cool Million By Now Is A Household Name When It Comes To The Boogie Funk Style. They Are Routed In This Musical Genre We Lost By The End Of The 1980s And They Reinvigorated It For Us With Their Very Own Sound And SXll Up To Now Feature Singers From Today And The Original Era Of The 80ts Soul, Funk And Boogie.
Denmark's Tomas Thordarson Started His Career In Pop Music By Auditioning And Winning The First Round Of Star For A Night, Denmark's Answer To American Idol. After Participating In The Contest Thordarson Realized How Important Music Was To Him, And Decided To Pursue A Career In It Full-Time. His Latin-Flavored Single "Shame On You" Was Denmark's 2004 Entry Into The Eurovision Song Contest.
This Brand New Recording Follows The Path Of The Cool Million Upli_ing Boogie Funk Sound And With The Dub Version On The Flipside Delivers A Highlight For All The DJs Cubng Their Own Mixes On Turntables Worldwide.
This New Release On SEDSOULCIETY RECORDINGS Is An Exclusive Single, Vinyl First And Soul, Funk And Boogie Forever
Negative Time! The new 12" vinyl EP of Xenomorph has a name that suits our global crisis. The best way to face these dark times is through the therapeutic powers of music. This 3-track 12" EP is the harbinger for the upcoming album "Netherverse" in early 2024. Fans of Mark Petrick know what to expect for sure. Goa-trance with a darker twist, but still filled with powerful melodies, unique kicks and psychedelic effects
The opening track, Negative Time, is a musical interpretation of zero point energy creation and quantum physics. Cutting, yet melodic goa-riffs take the listener on a journey backward in time through a mix of darkness leading to a positively melodic final. Danger on the High Seas is a deeper, more straightforward technoish track where light and dark are doing a wonderful mating dance between the crests of the high waves. The song was inspired by the mysterious vanishing of flight-19 in the bermuda triangle. The last track, Lost In An Old Junkyard, is known to the people that bought the Carpe Noctem compilation on Suntrip. But now it is available on vinyl as well as a different mix: the Tow Hook Mix! This track is the most classic Xenomorph track. Alienated tearing effects, mixed with exalted melodies.
The scenic artist and multi-instrumentalist CLARAGUILAR moves from performing arts to cinema as a composer and live performer. Over the last few years he has created soundscapes that blend electronics and sampled elements with orchestral arrangements, becoming one of the main names of the Spanish theater scene when it comes to soundtrack and sound design creation.
After her acclaimed EP 'Mystery is All' Lapsus is proud to present 'Figura', CLARAGUILAR's debut album, a heartfelt tribute to her connection with the scenic world, and especially with the operatic universe. The starting point of this project was born with the concept of an "invisible orchestra", an imaginary that aesthetically becomes a reality on stage thanks to the collaboration with the Barcelona studio Oscila, as well as with the help of the stylist Joan Ros, who has been in charge of the costume design.
'Figure' is a space in which electronica, ambient, and chamber-pop coexist; all under an operatic halo full of drama. Once again, the producer locked herself down from late 2022 to the beginning of 2023 to compose all the tracks in a very intimate and closed composition process. The album dives into the melodic landscapes, merged with orchestral samples and chopped voices containing mysterious messages inside.
Each track is a pixelated lightshow and a live electronic instrumentation, presented onstage as an elegant performance with an expansive emotional range
Saturazione Momentanea is the first single from the upcoming album by 291out, set to be released on Tasty Treats Records at the end of this year.
It is a warm soundtrack, built up on a hypnotic groove, enhanced by electric piano and brass solos and it's a blend of electronic music and jazz/fusion, sound of the 70/80's era. B side Saturazione Sistemica is built upon the motif of the other track but create a different atmosphere and it's characterized by a huge brass section, electronic arpeggiators and smooth flute solo.
291out are known for their passion for soundtrack and on these pieces you can hear the influences from notable italian composers such as Riz Ortolani, Francesco De Masi and Augusto Martelli, just to name a few.
On My Own Terms / Time, a new non-label created for Yorobi's self-released projects.
The first ep "Projection Palace" features 4 tracks across various genres and tempo's.
From bass heavy breaks and house to sound along the hardcore jungle continuum.
The name of the ep refers to a psychological principle of "projection", whereby you project certain (negative) qualities onto others without them being necessarily right.
Quite often the projections say a lot more about the person who's doing the projecting rather than the person on the receiving end.
The idea then was to make an EP that revolved around this theme. The palace bit being a metaphor as if you were a house which would show you all these mirrors which are wonky and distorted, like a fun house on a fairground
Record Kicks presents "Brothers & Sisters / This is You" a limited edition 45 from Gospel-soul sensational Michelle David & The True-Tones forthcoming album. The 45 is limited to 500 copies on clear transparent vinyl.
This "double-sider" 45 features on the A side "Brothers And Sisters", the first single and title track of the upcoming album, a Marvin Gayesque uptight 70 soul stormer able to set every dancefloor on fire. The B-side is no exception with the blue-eyed soul stomper "This Is You".
The awaited album follows their 2022 full length "Truth & Soul", which was named one of the Albums of the Year at BBC Radio 6. Raised in New York in a church, Michelle David started singing at the age of four and joined her first group, The Mission of Love, when she was five. During her career, she toured the world with Broadway musical "Mama", contributed to successful theatre shows such as "The Sound of Motown", "Glory of Gospel" and "Mahalia" and recorded for artists such as Diana Ross and Michael Bolton. This all happened before releasingsix critically acclaimed gospel-infused albums with the True-Tones.
Michelle David & The True-Tones know how to put on a glowing evening of classic soul. With their upbeat grooves, powerful vocals, and strong melodies, they have already conquered many festivals and numerous clubs. Having played renowned Dutch festivals such as Pinkpop and North Sea Jazz, the band toured from Spain to Scandinavia, leaving memorable impressions wherever they play; delivering an unforgettable live experience. In addition, the band's discography has also been praised; receiving an Edison nomination (the Dutch Grammy), while their previous record "Truth & Soul" was named Album of the Month on FIP radio in France and Album of the Year at Craig Charles' BBC Radio 6 Music show. The group did numerous radio and TV performances and were even invited to play their music on the biggest National TV show during the Winter Olympics 2022.
Harlem's legendary Disco label Queen Constance has long been a cult favourite among fans of underground dance music for decades.
One of many labels operating under the equally legendary P&P family of imprints Queen Constance was operated by one Peter Brown, a truly colossal figure in NYC's music scene, it's catalogue still fascinates music lovers to this day. Covering a wide range of styles including Gospel, early Rap and Disco the label's output continually finds it way into the playlists of respected DJ's and selectors across the globe. The mighty 'Roller Rink Funk' by Shift is the next reissue from the archives and never has a jam been more aptly named!
Another class act from the plethora of uptown groups that were associated with Queen Constance and her orbiting planets, Shift was possibly yet another 'studio' group put together for this one time release. The co-production nous and involvement of long-time associate Bernard Thomas lends these cuts some serious B-boy credentials. Thomas was involved in a lot of the P&P era early Rap material, as well as working with BDP and lending his skills to releases on the cult Rap label Zakia too. Needless to say, this particular release is that magic funky frisson between Disco, Funk and the earliest stirrings of Hip-Hop, an especially rich vein of music. As the title suggests this one is meant to be heard at the roller rink, the syncopated rhythms mimicking the skaters movements and repetitions. As with any good roller-skating Funk record (there are many!) it doesn't take long for you to want to hit the dance-floor, whether it's to skate or to simply get down. An often tricky record to find in it's OG state, commanding 'collectors' prices, 'Roller Rink Funk' is back on the block for all the Disco freaks for 2018. Perfect.
This is a 100% legit reissue, made in conjunction with Above Board distribution and the Demon Music group, lovingly remastered with love by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK.
An adventurous percussion playground Trio inclassable qui explore les rythmes et les sons, Spëcht a ouvert un terrain de jeu singulier autour des percussions en donnant une nouvelle dimension à des instruments acoustiques.
Darbuka, gongs, kalimbas, riqq, doholla, bendirs,... sont à la base de leur univers percussif et mélodique qui oscille entre sons organiques et textures atmosphériques, paysages sonores aux accents de transe et grooves entraînants.
Après la sortie du premier EP "Dawn" sous le nom de groupe "Hands in Motion” », letrio sort « Triptyques » et propose une expérience évolutive en trois temps progressifs.
“The trio includes three of the top percussionists in Belgium Simon Leleux, Robbe Kieckens, Célestin Massot their music is a rich world of stimulating transglobal rhythms and transfixing sounds” World Music Central It's an exciting time for music lovers and fans of innovative sounds, as the band formerly known as 'Hands in Motion' makes a refreshing re-entry into the music world under a new name: Spëcht. With their latest album, 'Triptyques', Spëcht promises an immersive listening experience that retains the deep-rooted essence of the band while exploring new musical horizons.
After a period of artistic development and introspection, Spëcht has decided that the name change is a natural step in their musical journey. The name 'Spëcht' not only reflects their renewed focus and energy but also their commitment to creating music that is both powerful and sophisticated, just like the bird of the same name.
Triptyques' is an album composed of three parts, each highlighting a unique aspect of the band. This conceptual masterpiece takes the listener on a journey through various musical landscapes, from melodic harmonies and huge percussion elements with complex rhythms to bold experimental sounds. Each 'triptych' stands alone as an individual work of art, yet together they form a cohesive and captivating story.
With 'Triptyques', Spëcht demonstrates a maturity and depth in their musical expression that will surprise and charm both loyal fans and new listeners.
We are proud to release first full length album on the series by FAKK, the boss of “under.time”, a label and event series running in Rosario, Argentina. The album is named “El cementerio de las maquinas parlantes” which translates to “The graveyard of speakers” and have a mystical, ghostly feel to it. This project was a while in the making with an idea to be full club ready release with 8 tracks ranging through a specific spectrum of electronic music through the worldview of the artist resulting in this 2x12”. This marks an official pathway for more albums on the label in the future but that’s another topic. It is a joy to see it turn out how it did with a super high chance sending some speakers to beyond repair state in the world that we are living in.
Hannah Nicholson and David Page are London based boat dwellers who have cruised the river Thames whilst writing, playing and self-producing their debut album. Named after their boat Ederlezi it became their muse, refuge and recording studio during 2023.
Ederlezi have taken inspiration from the classic songwriting of the 1960s. Hannah is influenced by songwriters such as Scott Walker, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell and is always looking for a story. David is influenced by the guitar based Rock'n'roll of the 50s, the psychedelic 60s and the bass styles of Serge Gainsbourg with some prog rock mixed in.
David is the bass player in The Pretenders and has worked with Jonathan Jeremiah, Young Gun Silver Fox, Rio 18, His Lordship, Nell Bryden, Edwyn Collins, The Black Pumas as a guitarist, bass player, singer and collaborator touring extensively around the world. Hannah is a solo artist in her own right, a prominent troubadour and songwriter on the London Folk scene. She has also worked with Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, Ellie Goulding, Gary Barlow, Jonathan Jeremiah and Nell Bryden as a backing singer and instrumentalist.
Suchi’s bouncy, airy productions are so organically deft that they almost belie the complexity that exists within. Prior to her !K7 debut the Oslo-born, London-bred, Delhiinfluenced DJ and producer found herself in a period of creative stagnation, while attempting to rediscover her own voice through production. After going back to the drawing board again and again she resolved to let go of overthinking, eschew the process, and let experimentation lead the way, revisiting some simmering sketches and work in new ways.
Ghungroo EP is the result of this reset, and rediscovers Suchi’s sense of playfulness through different production styles. It’s pressed on eco-friendly vinyl, PVR free and 100% recycled. “Ghungroo” is a homage to Suchi’s early years, and named for the small metallic bells strung around the ankles of classical Indian dancers. The track is equal parts cosmic, bassy and wavy, with a downwards bassline that plumbs the depths of low frequencies. The memory of early music passions emerges as the same melodic loop undresses and redresses in different guises - between breezy pads, glowing chimes and euphoric bells.
“Blåmerke” means bruise in Suchi’s native Norweigan tongue, and it leads heavily with double-time polyrhythmic drums, ravey rhythms and percussive bubbles popping. Triplets of synth stabs are artfully deployed with reverb and warped, stretched pads, bringing a whimsical twist to a track that is otherwise a tough-edged stomper. “Bottlepop” loosens up the tempo for a funky house framework, foregrounded by a big melodic synth riff. The track’s hookiness is enhanced by its old-school school feel, with distorted whistles and evocative pads. “Blåmerke” is then given a rework by Sam Goku who was chosen for his euphoric, dusty-sounding club tracks that hit hard; in his care the remix provides exactly that, via throbbing, shimmering, deep trippiness
Yes, we’re presenting you a new label from Ukraine again. This time the name is Secret Keeper, the owner of the label is Orbit, and for the first release they’re having one of the secret gems of Kyiv – Luschn. And if you weren’t familiar with that name – it’s finally time to acknowledge him.
All of the tracks here are untitled, and we’re going straight to the B1. The shortest track on the record and also the most interesting one. With a pinch of old electro house and the base of old progressive house with all that additional buzzing, what’s not to like here, right?
Staying on the B-side, the track on the B2 position is by far the trippiest one here, taking you in weird minimal ways for six minutes. A1 here will probably be played the most with its spooky, grimy, ChristianAB-ish type of vibe. And also with a huge nod to the mid-noughties. The one on the A2 is a slow roller, that type of track, you always like to hear, when you’re a bit tired, but still want to continue dancing. It will recharge you for at least 5 minutes.
Introducing the limited 7" re-release of the single by the legendary Bay Area group, Liason. Led by Morris 'Skid' Clay, Liason made their mark on the music scene with their distinctive sound and unforgettable performances. Recorded at Freeway Studios in Oakland back in 1977, this single captures the essence of the era and the spirit of the band.
Originally released on their independent imprint, 'A.L.C.' - named after three of the group's members astrological signs: Aquarius, Libra, and Capricorn - this single quickly became a cherished gem among fans and collectors alike. Now, decades later, it's being brought back to life for a whole new generation to enjoy.
2024 of New Interplanetary Melodies begins with a new album and an EP signed by ABYSSY. The historical producer from Bologna who returns to Simona Faraone’s label after a few years since the release of his previous works, Magnetic Archive (NIM001,2016) under his alias Soulomon, and TWO Scorpions EP (NIM002, 2017) under the name ABYSSY, which marked NIM’s adventure in the world of contemporary Italian independent record labels. “Extra Meta" was born from the passion for a certain electronic sound ecosystem of the 70s and 80s, a journey that embraces minimalism of the “Berlin school” and extends to the beating heart of the soul/funk of Detroit techno. A journey into the abyss of emotions and the unknown of the human spirit, as the deep darkness of the ocean intertwines with the unfathomable darkness of space. An invitation to explore new sound boundaries, to let yourself be lulled by waves that repeat without ever repeating themselves and to immerse yourself in the reflective mystery of discovery and of evolution, a dance in darkness and light, and where the abyss of emotion merges with the infinity of imagination: ABYSSY.
MixCult Records unveils a new sub division of forthcoming releases under the name of TAMIZDAT, which in Russian TAM means “there” (as a reference of an aboard, western location), and IZDAT means “to publish”. It was the name for banned books and magazines published "there", that is, abroad.
Tamizdat Records proudly presents an EP that celebrates the substance of dub techno. With "Sunlight," Genning invites you to experience the depth and warmth of his sound, weaving a tapestry of sonic landscapes that resonate with the soul. This vinyl-only release is a testament to the label's commitment to quality and the enduring artistry of Genning, promising an immersive and unforgettable musical experience for audiophiles and enthusiasts alike.
This meticulously curated EP consists of four tracks, each contributing to a sonic journey that transcends traditional genre boundaries. Genning's ability to craft expansive soundscapes is evident, as "Sunlight" explores a wide emotional palette through a diverse range of sounds.
Immerse yourself in the hypnotic rhythms and atmospheric textures that define Genning's signature style. From the pulsating basslines to the ethereal melodies, each track on "Sunlight" captures a distinct mood, inviting listeners into a realm where the boundaries between genres blur.
Hi-NRG synth pioneer Patrick Cowley moved away from his usual robotic steeliness on 1982’s “Primitive World,” drawing instead on the groove rock of early 1970s gay discos. It’s a percussion track influenced by Baba- tunde Olatunji’s 1959 hit “Jin-Go-Lo-Ba,” made more famous by Santana’s 1969 cover. Cowley updated the sound for the 1980s with electronics and drum machines but kept the playful attitude of the original. Two choirs of voices chant back and forth to each other, giving Cowley a chance to include many of his friends from the San Francisco dance music community.
This has been DJ Hifi Sean’s year, with a best-selling album with David McAlmont , count- less live gigs and high-profile remixes to his name. His interpretation of Cowley’s “Primitive World” can be counted among his best, bringing an intense TB-303 acid house vibe that perfectly complements Cowley’s weird electronic blips and bleeps. The effect is a disorienting mix of psychedelic 70’s groove, 80s synth pop, and 90s tacky house vibes. “Primitive World,” is one of the brilliant standouts on Cowley’s final record, Mind Warp, the so-called “death album” written as his health was rapidly sinking. Hifi Sean’s new remixes pay tribute to Cowley’s genius while fusing the track even more strongly to dance music’s electronic future.
Free Hand was Gentle Giant's seventh album, originally released in July 1975. This album was the most commercially successful of the band's career, reaching the top 40 albums in Billboard Magazine. It stands as the culmination of the band's maturity, following the successes of 'In A Glass House' & 'The Power & The Glory'.
Having toured Europe & North America non-stop in the years prior to this release with artists like Jethro Tull, Yes, Zappa etc, the band had gone from strength to strength. By the time 'Free Hand' was released Gentle Giant had become a major headliner in their own right. All the members were multi-instrumentalists and the band were never afraid of surprising an audience with a 4 part recorder ensemble followed by a vibraphone solo, all the while rocking the audience and thoroughly enjoying themselves onstage.
Gentle Giant albums featured many songs with both literary subjects as well as social and personal commentary on life as rock musicians. 'Free Hand' has more than most. The title of the album and first track were so named as the band had just changed record labels and management and felt unshackled by prior contractual obligations.
Putting these issues behind them upon its first release, Gentle Giant embarked on an extensive tour of North America and Europe, plus a short tour of the UK, to promote the album. The incredible range of Gentle Giant's music is evident throughout this album. From the intricate vocal fretwork of 'On Reflection' and the delicate medieval
flavour of 'Talybont,' the Celtic-tinged rock of 'Time To Kill' and the jagged rhythms of 'Just The Same,' all those diverse elements which made the band so strikingly original are skillfully blended and perfectly executed.
Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson has added his delicate touch in remixing 'Free Hand' . His tonal range and painstaking attention to sound quality make 'Free Hand' sound as fresh today as it did on first release. A fitting tribute to the compositional skills and expertise of five dedicated musicians.
This special gatefold 2LP edition is pressed on White Vinyl and limited to 500 pieces worlwide
To hear the quintessential synthesized sounds of "El Hombre Orquesta" aka Ricardo Suntaxi is analogous to studying the detailed schematics of your favorite electronic contraption. For the initiated, it's a peek under the proverbial hood, an invitation into the engine of a sound and color that has played a part in powering and defining a treasure trove of modern Latin American sound-system music.
Five trombonists and a three-member rhythm section: that sort of unique musical synergy is what Nabou Claerhout brings to life with her own Trombone Ensemble. For years, such a project had been one of the dream projects on her bucket list, and thanks to Antwerp based cultural actor Rataplan, she already saw the creation become a reality in spring 2022. In the summer of that year, the eight-piece ensemble opened both Gent Jazz and Jazz Middelheim.
In January 2023, Nabou was artist in residence at the Brussels Jazz Festival in Flagey, where she presented the Trombone Ensemble as one of three carte blanche projects. In a sold-out Studio 4, American trombone legend Robin Eubanks joined the line-up as a special guest, having previously also contributed during the studio recordings of the young collective during. The band's self-titled debut album will be released on November 3rd 2023 via W.E.R.F. Records.
Nabou composed the entire repertoire for this Ensemble herself, and did so with a fully open vision. While writing the music, she explored the trombone's wide possibilities: "The aim is to both indulge you with warm, soft, carrying parts and then afterwards discover the trombone's spicy and cordial character." That rhythmic playfulness, which we hear more often in Nabou's compositions with her acclaimed quartet N?BOU, also seeps subtly into this band's sound.
Despite the 'unusual' line-up of five diverse jazz trombonists, each with a different background, you still get to hear a very homogeneous sound, which is full of playfulness and small details. "I tried to make room and focus for each individual. And of course there is also a starring role for the rhythm section with guitar, double bass and drums."
When Nabou started looking for the dream fellow jazz musicians for this project, she ended up with artists from her own country, Belgium, but also from far beyond the country's borders: The Netherlands, the UK and Germany. "In selecting the trombonists, I looked for specific timbres, but also for personality. It is important that there is a good balance in playing together, but also that each musician is strong enough on his or her own for the solo parts."
Wanting to push boundaries in her approach to both compositions and the trombone as an instrument, the real crème de la crème of the newest generation proved indispensable. "I selected a handful of European trombonists with whom I may or may not have already played, but who, above all, inspire me very deeply. They are all young people who have a lot to offer and already have significant projects to their name in their own region or country."
Killer female roots vocal on the tuff lick of the 'Java' rhythm that we released other cuts on (see above links). This tune was originally released on 12" on Park Heights' Son of a Gun label, under the name 'Park Heights Angel' aka Angel Hoytt. This is the first release on 45, and the A-side vocal cut is an alternate previously unreleased mix.
Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist surprised both the music and media landscapes at large with the initial August release VOIR DIRE, which arrived with the exciting lead single, "Sentry" ft. MIKE. As the anticipation for the album in its entirety continued to grow, the second DSP-accessible track, "The Caliphate" materialized alongside the release of its visual, featuring Vince Staples. Today marks the official release of the entire album in its original form and sequence — with two previously unreleased tracks including "Heatcheck," and "Mancala," the latter of which features Vince Staples for his second appearance on the album.
Supporting the album’s release, the duo is trekking an 11-stop tour spanning the month of November featuring Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist performing together with support slots from MIKE & Black Noi$e.
The Alchemist initially hinted that they put out a secret album on YouTube under a fake name but four years went by without any fans discovering it. Fast forward to this summer, a new series of clues led fans on a scavenger hunt that unearthed VOIR DIRE, the long-rumored and highly-anticipated album from Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist.
Mystic Transfers is a label focusing on experimental music and club cuts from around the world, taken from the suburbs. MYSTIC VALLEY - Mystic Valley is the new musical project by Andrea B, architect, collector and producer from Florence, Italy. His sound is best described as a melting pot of Italian psychedelic influences, from obscure downtempo to new beat, as well as English breakbeat and German EBM. After years of Tropical Animals he started with Felis Oxiana the project ‘’Galattica’’ and from 2021 is one of the founders of Mizuna. Heading coach of the post punk group Zona Utopica Garantita, he began to work with them since they started to play, and together they launched the label ‘’Mystic Transfers’’, focusing on experimental music and club cuts from around the world.
SPO - Drummer in the ’00 of the underground scene in Florence fond of the 70s Progressive Rock sounds and experimental, co-founder in 2006 of the DIY label La Statua Sommersa Produzioni.
Currently in Florence after the experiences in Rome and 5 years in Berlin with many gigs around Europe and albums with his solo project Die Lust! and the italo-german duo Bloodygrave & Die Lust! establishing itself as a producer and composer in the electronic european musical scene Minimal Wave e Synth Wave. From 2017 began a new solo project named SPO (Solo Per Oggi).
Slush Records, the brainchild of London-based DJ Lora Mipsum, unleashes its first release, a much called for reissue of Andy Falconer’s finest EP from 1995 ‘Transmissions’. Remastered from the original DAT, it’s an introspective, absorbing and enticingly expansive roam through the realms of downtempo, electronica, progressive house and experimental sounds.
Best known for his work with The Orb between ‘91-‘94, you’ll also find Falconer’s name nestled in the credits of many other seminal works including albums from The Art Of Noise, Hypnotone and System 7. It’s no surprise then that the Transmissions EP, that landed in 1995, captures the essence of the early ‘90s expertly. An amalgamation of genres within each track, blurring the lines masterfully between them all.
Opening the EP, ‘Afghan Receptor No.9’ plots a driving orbit, rolling seamlessly from a dubbed out intro, into a progressive warper. A track that builds eagerly in intensity, with layer upon layer of mind-bending synths, a whomping bassline, and even Falconer’s old Canon printer sampled to top, tail and weave into the sonics of this track.
On the B side, the title track is an immersive, all-encompassing lunar excursion that engulfs you within Falconer’s soundscape odyssey. Centred around a spacey stuttering synth, hypnotising Roland S-50 harp and dream-inducing keys, it’s a spellbinding swell of emotive brilliance, interspersed with moon landing transmissions that reverberate through your brain.
Finally, like a slip back through memories in a dream, ‘Koda (Dreamscape No.1.1)’ is a psychedelic, ethereal and haunting slice of experiential ambience that provides the perfect closing sequence to this magical EP.
Transmissions takes all of Falconer’s knowledge and production prowess, creating three tracks that nod to those he’s worked with in the past, yet plotting its own course to a far off dimension.
Oceanvs Orientalis and Ilhan Ersahin first entered each other's orbits by chance at a performance at
Turkey's Cappadox Festival in 2018. Oceanvs Orientalis is renowned for his fusion of Eastern musical
motifs and traditions with cutting-edge electronica while Ilhan Ersahin has long plowed a unique path
uniting assorted musical strains from around the world via an exploratory jazz-improv sensibility.
Following two tracks ("Mesta" and "Pire") co-written by Ilhan and OvO and released as collaborations,
and two more Ersahin/OvO co-writes ("Revenge Of The Wankers" and "Television") released under
OvO's name alone, a fresh and exciting new song called "1980" now heralds a full-length collaboration
slated to land in Spring 2024. The track's title hints at a certain nostalgic bent while still keeping its
gaze firmly fixed on the future even as it evokes sun-drenched good times gone by. The single adds
several extra versions, one of which spotlights the multi-instrumental mastery of Darkside's Dave
Harrington while the other features the mesmerizing vocal stylings of Gaye Su Akyol. This single is the
perfect soundtrack to the waning days of summer and truly whets the appetite for the full-length
project these musical wizards have been busily concocting.
New Parisian label, Disques Messager, presents its new and second release. As its name suggests, the label has a simple leitmotiv: to place itself among the best messengers for rarities and sought-after gems of the international rare groove. A mission which began like fire last year with a 7inch reissue release including two Brazilian Disco bangers by Cristina Camargo. For this second efforts, the label doesn’t deviate from the artistic and quality path taken, however also making quite a U-turn, this time presenting 2 underrated kind of musical UFO, both from the French scene.
Not many info can be found about Yoanson & Karamie, two young artists from the French African diaspora, who randomly met with Nessim Saroussi and his label Ness Music in the late 80s. Nessim himself doesn’t remind much about the 2 guys, except that he quickly offered to produce them, which resulted in their only EP release, Kalimba (1988). Part of this EP, “African Leaders” is a stunning track melting Afro-Tropical percussions, Disco bass, Early-Electro beats and Leftfield vocals in a way that could remind of Doctor L or Arthur Russel productions.
On the contrary, Philippe de Lacroix-Herpin (aka Prof Jah Pinpin) has a long musical career started in the mid-70s and became a renowned saxophonist playing and recording for many famous French acts such as Jean-Jacques Goldman, Alain Chamfort, FFF, or even rap band NTM. In 1994, he moved definitely to the Reunion Island where he quickly launched the Prof Jah Pinpin 4tet, in his own words willing to play “free/funk/jazz/rock/tropical” music… Quite a vast and large musical tag, but which immediately make sense when listening to the surprising “The Final Bird” track. Only released as CD in 1996, this instrumental production has indeed a unique sound and flavor mixing all kinds of elements together (even samples of Weather Report).
Well as you can understand, words are not the best way to describe these 2 hidden treasures, so we strongly recommend the spinning to make your own view!
Time has come for Futurepast to release a long format album: Alarm Phase Red - catalogue number FPLP01 - will be the first full-length work from Futurepast founder Davy Vandegaer, appearing here under a new name: Brainwashed Today.
Rooted in a conceptual approach of electronic music, this double LP ranges from industrial ambient to experimental techno. Like an antidote to a twisted reality of controlled screens and mental isolation, Alarm Phase Red uses the raw language of electricity
to reach the core of the machine and sabotage it, reverse its effects by mirroring them. Fighting fire with fire, deflecting the pressure and strain of a world driven by fear and anger, the music of Brainwashed Today acts like a cathartic escape from technological enslavement.
With the purchase of the vinyl comes a batch of three digital bonus tracks pursuing further the sound research of the album.
Stefan Schwander of course is a man of many names and visions (such as Harmonious Thelonious, Repeat Orchestra and A Rocket in Dub) and here's his latest one: While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps comes up with "OK" on new Hamburg-based label Unsure. As While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps Schwander strips down his equipment even further and refines his longstanding idea of creating reduced minimalistic tracks radiating warmth, digging deep and delivering the groove.
The five tracks on "OK" all follow one basic flow: big basslines, elegant chords and transparent arrangements, rhythms as compelling as unobtrusive. Schwanders love for dub shimmers through the tracks, just as his pop-trained flair for seductive harmonies.
Beautiful groovy music from Düsseldorf to the world. On and on and on.
There’s something to be said for getting noticed, for standing out from the crowd. West London’s T.Williams is one of those people, having accomplished a full sweep of merited recognition over the years. Emerging onto the house scene in 2010, T.Williams instantly marked himself as a breakthrough artist with a difference; his unique take on house music turning heads.
Far from a newcomer, his path as a musical artist started in the grime scene as Dread.D. Signed at the tender age of 17 with grime anthem Invasion on Jon E Cash’s Black Ops label, Williams went on to have mass success in the grime and bass world selling thousands of singles worldwide. After a five-year reign, Williams found himself veering towards the world of house music. With a new found love for the sound and its sub-genres, T.Williams forged a signature sound influenced by his grime days, jungle, and garage. With a style that undoubtedly impacts, T.Williams’ crossover has been the catalyst for his success. Not only rife with groove and feeling but meticulously produced and engineered with deep rumbling basslines, the unapologetic bounce of grime and smooth vocals that bleed through African infused percussion work.
While in 2010 the industry took note when hit record ‘Heartbeat’ featuring vocalist Terri Walker made an impression, it was throughout 2011 that T.Williams defined himself - releasing solo works on his imprint Local Action and Pattern with remixes for Maya Jane Coles, Ben Westbeech and Skream. Not stopping at pricking the ears of fellow artists and those on the dancefloor, the end of 2011 saw Williams nominated for ‘Best Breakthrough DJ’ by DJ Mag, ‘DJ Stars of 2012’ by Time Out and featured in The Guardian.
Two relationships came to the forefront in 2012 that propelled Williams to greater heights. The first was his weekly show on legendary London station, Rinse FM and the second, Williams’ relationship with label PMR through his remix of Javeon McCarthy’s ‘Lost Time’. The remix was named Record of the Week by BBC Radio 1 and supported by tastemakers Annie Mac and Fearne Cotton. From here T. signed to the label exclusively releasing his debut EP for the label in September 2012, and in the process receiving further support from BBC Radio 1. Further remixes of Mikky Ekko, Wretch 32 and Lianne La Havas followed suit, as well as his biggest to date - Disclosure’s ‘Latch’. Powering dancefloors across the globe, T. went on to play three US tours, numerous festival stages, and deliver a second EP on PMR titled ‘Feelings Within’. The EP once again spanned a number of bases, from club bangers to heartfelt vocal driven tracks alike. Gaining his own monthly residency show with BBC Radio 1, 2013 ended with T. having played over 100 shows across four continents.
2017 marked the launch and release of the first collaborative EP with UK producer Julio Bashmore, via their joint independent Conch Records, a label aiming to push out more underground cross-genre music with heavy rotation from the likes of Moxie and Shy One. With an ever-expanding global tour schedule and further solo releases on the legendary NYC house label Strictly Rhythm turning heads, T.’s upward trajectory has never showed signs of slowing down. Selected to soundtrack the social media campaign for boxer Anthony Joshua in 2019 and now using his technical prowess as a musician to educate the next generation of rising stars at London’s respected Point Blank Music School has cemented his status as one of the UK music scene’s key players.
black.round.twelve is expanding its world and creating a new series focused on releasing long cuts of music spread over an entire record, appropriately named E X T E N D E D. Berlin-based Polish artist Maki Polne opens the project with two intensely hypnotic minimal tracks brimming with detail and production value.
Highly influenced by Berlin, CdV-rooted Maki Polne‘s acute love for quality sound is evident in “Don Joy´s Magic Sunday”, as both ‘Magic’ (A) and ‘Sunday’ (B) sound clear as crystal, with a frequency spectrum that’s both wide and colourful. With a strong focus on psychedelic sounds, ‘Magic’ is built around a breaky, half-time beat filled with slightly shuffled drums. A collage of warped textures, vocal snippets, synths and quirky bass stabs fill the remaining space with class, making it easy to imagine the cinematic soundscape working its on any bold dancefloor. ‘Sunday’, on the other side, is a more functional, 4-to-the-floor bass-heavy roller full of bright colours. Echoed vocal loops and rising pads create a particular vibe that would sound totally at home on a Sunday morning at CdV. Extended tracks for extended mornings, no doubt.
Wade "Jimmy" Dyce was an original member of Cultural Roots. He was a vocalist and played a key role in shaping the sound of the group. Cultural Roots emerged as a four-part harmony group for producer Donovan Germain in the late 1970s, releasing « Revolutionary Sounds » and « Mr Bossman » which counts among ‘Jah Shaka's favourite tunes’. Then they released « Hell A Go Pop », one of the Greensleeves label’s lesser-known classics.
In the early 80's, Wade Dyce produced alone three songs at Chris Stanley's famous Music Mountain studio. Wade Dayce surrounds himself with the best musicians of the time, namely the Revolutionaries, but does not remember the exact formation apart from Sly Dunbar on drums and Bongo Herman on percussion. « Humble », « Money Mare » and « Hide & Seek » are three forgotten songs that can be described as killer roots from the middle of the 80s and which you can (re)discover again through this reissue on the original Moving On label. For this release, Jamwax worked with Parade Studio for this original and unique Disco 45 cover graphic creation.
Today, Wade, now sixty-seven years old, is living in Salem, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 2010 as a mental-health specialist. Long live to the Cultural Roots !
Like a phoenix from the ashes, or Ukrainian culture after centuries of demolition, the Kyiv based label Noneside Records is experiencing its revival and rebirth. After all, «Nothing will stop an idea whose time has come» - these words of chief Stepan Bandera make it clear to everyone: if you really burn with sincere emotion for your dream - no difficulties will stop you on the way to its realization.
Five unique tracks from Slava Los, Yevhenii Loi, Lostlojic, Luschn and aqua. - is a tech house with elements of trance with soul and passion from musicians who write music despite the war. Visualization of the whole action on the record is the picture «The hug» by the Lviv artist Oles Derega.
Slava Los makes his debut on vinyl with the beautiful track «Snus» - old school trance in the best traditions. The author now defends the borders in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, so he decided to fulfill his old dream about the vinyl. Yevgeny Loi is also currently in the military, but this did not prevent him from making a new version of «Bounce» - a trance for a slow, erotic dance mood. Lostlojic, who is also the art director of the project, recalls the important message of «Send Me F16» in the uncompromising track of the same name, or rather in its VIP version created especially for the release.
Known to vinyl collectors for releases on Deeptrax and Infinite Pleasure. Luschn, a Kyiv legend and mega productive musician, known to tech house maniacs for his releases on Vector.Kyiv and Noneside, invites you to have fun and crazy dances with friends to his rehearsed «Ostinato Transdanz». Newbie aqua. has a unique recognizable style, where the rhythm is constantly changing in each track, nostalgic for the favorite place of childhood - near the Hydroelectric Station in Zaporizhzhia, crazy beats and steppe motifs in the track «H.E.S.».
Lee Burton makes his debut on Up The Stuss with ‘Sinewaves’, a five-track collection of expansive house cuts representing his impactful sound.
With music released via Dorian Paic’s renowned raum…musik through to John Dimas’ Elephant Moon and Berlin’s Taverna Tracks, Greek DJ/producer Lee Burton has been a firm favourite for those in the know, having been embedded within the underground minimal/house scene for the past decade. A constant when it comes to providing ‘secret gems’, with his records in rotation amongst the record bags of leading names across the globe, Burton’s talent as a DJ has also seen him grace legendary parties and institutions from NYC’s ReSolute to Berlin’s Club der Visionaere. Next up, his latest studio voyage brings an impressive label debut on Chris Stussy’s Up The Stuss, opening the imprint’s 2024 schedule in style.
From the acid-electro fusion of opener Sinewaves’ and the breezy tones of ‘Burning’, through to the up-tempo and intoxicating sci-fi sonics of ‘ITICF’ and the modulated, electro-funk of ‘Love Motion’, each track provides a unique slice of Burton’s vast sound palette, crafting an EP that covers all hours of the night. Sprinkle in the digital bonus ‘Oxytocin Overdose’, contrasting squelchy tones and classic chords with that infectious topline, and it’s another must-have record on the imprint.
Reissue of the 1997 album from Britpop outfit Salad
RIYL Elastica, Echobelly, Sleeper
Critically received as one of their best albums, the album shows a clear development from theirearlier playing days and imbibes a more refined, skilled sound palette
Produced by veteran musician and producer Donald Ross Skinner, guitarist for Edwyn Collins and Julian Cope
Features the tracks ‘Cardboard King’ and ‘Yeah Yeah’
Pressed up on 140g black vinyl
Comes with an exclusive signed print from lead singer Marijna Van Der Vlugt
There are two versions of the vinyl - classic black and triple-color limited Indie Shop edition.
Both have special insert inside with the bands bio and photos.
Generacja JAZZ is a project showing a fragment of the new wave of Polish jazz, treading its own path, creating, touring and jamming across Europe. Borders don't exist - especially musical - the new generation is engaging with nightclubs, festivals and playlists. The time has now come to show its broader perspective. We created a project which involves a handful of groups that have already racked up debut albums and festival wins, as they set out on their musical odyssey. The groups also have other things in common, like their passion, originality and, for the needs of the project, age - all the artists during the recording of this album were under 30 years old. This is the new generation - the Jazz Generation.
For the Jazz Generation record we invited five bands who had already released debut albums: Immortal Onion, Klawo, Rejoin, Twoosty Mayonez and USO 9001. We also reserved two spots on the compilation for the winners of our open call competition, whereby on the basis of the jury's choice (jury: Monika Borzym, Paulina Przybysz, Envee, Wojtek Mazolewski i Marcin Groh Grośkiewicz) we met the winning bands: Kosmos and quietet.
The sleeve artist is Kornelia Nowak, who won our open call for young designers and graphic artists. Here once again we could rely on the opinion of a prestigious jury comprised of: Beata Śliwińska Barrakuz, Bovska, Maciej Animisiewasz Grochot, Grzegorz Forin Piwnicki i Marcin Groh Grośkiewicz.
Generacja JAZZ LP is also a start of the new imprint - U JAZZ ME, which will be focused on jazz from Poland.
And here are the bands from the album:
1. Immortal Onion - A band from the Tri-City playing a broad spectrum of instrumental music.
The band Immortal Onion has already established itself as one of the most interesting projects of the new wave of Polish jazz, and is consistently being labelled as such abroad. After two well received albums ("Ocelot of Salvation" (2017) and"XD Experience Design" (2020) U Know Me Records) they released their third album "Screens" in 2022, which was recorded with the well known Tri-City composer and saxophonist - Michał Jan Ciesielski.
The inspiration behind the band's formation were such artists as: Esbjörn Svensson, Hiromi Uehara, Tigran Hamasyan and Tosin Abasi.
The group's guiding principle from the very beginning was the fusion of often disparate musical styles, which bore "post instrumental aggressive gay pop". Despite the stylistic discrepancies, between which they swim, the group has forged its own identifiable language, characterised by complicated rhythmical structures, energetic riffs and trance beats with lyrical melodies.
The trio has performed its original material at many venues and festivals around Europe and Asia.
2. Klawo - seven adventurous adventurers from Gdańsk, who were brought together by their love for music, halvah and throwing Frisbee. Their self-named début album, released in 2022 on the local label Coastline Northern Cuts, is an amalgam of the inspirations of each of the team members and played backwards contains tips on how to reach the Kashubian pyramids. After a win at the international competition Jazz in the Park, held in Cluj-Napoca in Romania, the band began work on their second album. Meanwhile, they were also travelling the length and breadth of Poland on a mission to infect people with the idea of Baltic Funk.
3. Kosmos is a Łódż based jazz quintet. It was formed in 2020 by Pianist Stanisław Szmigero, Saxophonist Iwo Tylman and Trumpeter Jan Ostalski. However, it wasn't until 2022 that Kosmos found its true form when Kamil Gużniczak (Upright bass) and Kacper Kuta (Percussion) joined the line-up.
Their compositions are influenced by Polish yass bands, electronic music and hip-hop. Kosmos music is a mix of lyricism, space, intensity and elements of experiment.
The band members are all eccentric characters possessing different means of musical expression - looking at them, one could even argue they are a group of oddballs. Despite this, for reasons unbeknownst to themselves, the members of Kosmos complement each other on stage and form a unified artistic vision of the world around them.
Kosmos officially released their début single "Ja" in June 2023. They regularly play concerts across Poland and recently were selected as distinguished artists at JAZZiNSPIRACJE (JAZZiNSPIRATION) - a competition held during the 13th Lublin Jazz Festival.
4. Quietet (formed at the beginning of 2023) is the result of meetings between five talented musicians with a deep passion for musical creation. Its sound is a unique blend of Jazz and classical music with a hint of hard rock. The band is inspired by the Scandinavian approach to making music, which brings a characteristic atmosphere and melodies to their work. Their music captivates listeners with its originality, refined improvisations and flawless technique. Both classical and modern musical trends feed their inspiration when creating passionate and emotional compositions.
Their works are full of sound experimentation, which equally surprise and expose new musical horizons. Through their compositions, "Quietet" aims to share their emotions evoked during performances, creating a musical journey that affects and inspires.
5. Connecting jazz with electronic music in fresh interpretations, six young musicians make up the group Rejoin. The group re-formed in 2020 after a four-year break, playing their debut concert at Lotos Jazz Festival Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa. The musicians in Rejoin have performed alongside such artists as: Urszula Dudziak, Krystyna Prońko, Marcin Masecki, Szczyl, Kuba Więcek and Paulina Przybysz.
Most of the members of Rejoin are students from the Katowice Music Academy, where they also develop their own projects. Rejoin was a recipient of the Fabryki Norblin Music Masterclass Foundation scholarship.
6. Twoosty Mayonez is something your grandad would listen to with his younger sister. The non-standard approach to jazz alongside a pursuit of strange sounds, culminated in the conceptual album entitled "Carmin". The material was created by Bartosz Wolerta (percussion) and Dominik Kaniewski (bass guitar/synths). "Triceradiplodocus" tells the story of a mechanical dinosaur that lives on the yet undiscovered planet Carmin.
EVOLV is a visionary window into the mind of Dubfire, the journey of the ‘hybrid’ being and its evolution. Last year in October, an 11-track debut album was released on his long-standing SCI+TEC imprint. And now, just over a year later, Grammy award winning producer Dubfire returns to that sonic discourse, drafting in an impressive array of names to re-interpret the material, and accompanied by Dubfire's new audio-visual EVOLV show which picked up where the critically acclaimed electronic performance experience HYBRID had left off.
The eclectic package will include such notables as Glaskin, Arjun Vagale, Nadia Struiwigh, Mathimidori (dub alias of Mathias Kaden), Maral, Decka, Carl Craig, Truncate, Drumcell, Chris Liebing, Radio Slave and Luke Slater who have all given the original music in their own unique style.
With a career spanning over 3 decades, Dubfire has achieved global success as an artist with relentless drive, talent, and intuition. Pioneering commercial notoriety came initially as one half of the Grammy Award-winning (2001) duo Deep Dish, before embarking on a truly groundbreaking solo career in 2007. A career filled with timeless tracks include his early works, ‘RibCage’ (2007), ‘Emissions' (2007), ‘Roadkill’ (2007) and the highly acclaimed ‘Grindhouse’ (2009) remix from Radio Slave which led to a host of other notable projects over the years.
Collaborative work highlights include projects with Miss Kitten, Luke Slater, Flug, and Oliver Huntemann, as well as co-producing two songs on Underworld’s Barking album. A true artist, he has always been heavily invested in exploring performance technology, unveiled to wide praise with his HYBRID live show. A two-year world tour commenced in 2015 and was followed by his retrospective album, A Decade Of Dubfire (2017), a celebration of his immense output during the first 10 years of solo artist stardom. EVOLV is Dubfire’s debut solo artist album.
Hi! We are ready to present another record with a warm and danceable sound, especially for connoisseurs of intellectual dance music. The sound you already love, with famous names on our label. We hope that this copy will find its place not only on the shelf, but also in the bag and will always be relevant at any party. From the southern latitudes - with love!
Hilit Kolet debuts on Rekids with ‘Hot Mess’, including remixes from the legendary Mike Dunn.
Following her remix of Terry Farley & Wade Teo’s ‘Why We Dance’, Hilit steps up to the Rekids plate with her debut EP for Radio Slave’s label with her single ‘Hot Mess’. A relentlessly driving drum machine werqout, ‘Hot Mess’ sees her masterfully mixing compulsive, marching rhythms with a fiercely impassioned spoken word vocal.
With added raw jackin’ energy in the ‘Even Hotter Mix’, this has the kind of late night runway energy that demands the
Sound Factory be rebuilt. On the B-side, Chicago house legend Mike Dunn’s remix of ‘Hot Mess’ is a deep groove that adds a wriggling earworm bassline, while still embracing the enchanting vocal of the original.
Hilit Kolet has been an integral part of London’s house scene ever since she started slinging vinyl at Soho’s legendary Black Market Records. Her distinctive, energetic DJ style then established her behind the decks everywhere, from high fashion shows to some of the most celebrated underground clubs in London. 2023 saw Hilit going global with shows from Ibiza to Shanghai via Printworks, Warehouse Project and Ministry of Sound.
Her summer single on the Faith imprint ‘POV Siren’ has been embraced by DJs as diverse as Robert Hood and Paul Woolford, and her edit of Laurent Garnier’s ‘Crispy Bacon’ was rinsed by many from Carl Cox to Patrick Topping, before seeing an official release by Garnier himself. ‘Hot Mess’ sets Hilit Kolet up as a serious name to watch out for in 2024.
Pluto's Plan starts the year with the 2nd VA by the name "Nuggets of the Dryland". This time 3 fresh names debut on the label except for Toke, who contributes purest house tool on the A1. Whilst HVL, a name which does not need an introduction delivers a crafty acid jam on A2. As for the B sides, local talent BEQA puts his mark on B1 with electrifying melodic breaks. Lastly, B2 is claimed by the labels own Hudson with a groovy all-arounder.
It's been 40 years since Michal Turtle released his seminal, ground-breaking album "Music From The Living Room" into the world and promptly disappeared back into the aether.
An extremely obscure cult classic known only to deep diggers and aficionados of the finest order, it wasn't until Music From Memory reissued some of the tracks from it via retrospective compilations of Turtle's unreleased music almost 30 years later that his name become more widely known and a new generation were able to discover the artist's unique and pioneering style of experimental electronic music production, the majority of it very much ahead of its time, and to this day, still timeless.
Invisible Inc contacted Turtle in the summer of 2023 about releasing something else by him and it was during this exchange of emails that ideas were expressed about releasing not simply a straightforward reissue of "Music From The Living Room" to mark its 40th anniversary (the album has never been reissued in full) but rather a re-imagined/re-constructed take on the album bringing contemporary techniques, styles and newly recorded vocal and instrument parts into the mix and breathing new life into these wonderful compositions.
Collaborators old and new were brought into the studio and the songs re-created from the ground up. Familiar songs like "Are You Psychic?" and "Village Voice" get overhauled and echo remnants of their original counterparts but simultaneously sound like completely new tracks. The always mesmerising "Phantoms of Dreamland" is represented through a live recording at Café Oto featuring original album vocalist Lucianne Lasalle and regular collaborator HOVE on electronics. The remaining tracks, however, will be completely new to the ears of most people, never having been reissued or heard in these new forms ever before.
Regardless, whether in some way familiar or not, these hypnotic and repetitive pieces of beautiful sound art, all very different in style from one another, have an entirely new identity that even diehard devotees of the originals will fall in love with.
“Holy shit. This record is amazing. 'Are You Psychic?' is really something” dj_2button Dummy Hand / Weirdos Inc.
“What a record!” Cosmo Vitelli I'm A Cliché
“Amazing release. Probably your best release yet! Does everything an amazing record should and more...” Alexis Le-Tan Oddity Radio / Full Circle / Offen Music
The Key Of The Future” takes you on a thrilling sonic journey that seamlessly blends electro, breaks, and acid elements with influences of synthwave and wave music. With tracks ranging from the pulsating intensity of “Acid Train” to the mysterious darkness of “Hasta La Mañana”, the album immerses you in a spacey and energetic atmosphere that leaves you craving more. Each song offers a unique experience, from the euphoria of “Fiesta Pesada” to the introspection of “We Are Lovers”, all tied together by a sense of discovery and evolution.
This musical masterpiece opens the door to a new chapter and reflects the artist’s expertly crafted mix of influences. Get lost in the sound and let “Key To The Future” be your guide.
Locked-In's fourth release beckons you to dive deep into the distinctive sound of Session 4000 with the "Get Down" EP.
Launching the dancefloor manifesto on the A1 is 'Panaka,' a relentless groove brimming with infectious energy. The bassline asserts its dominance, while the synth patterns showcase a pure, playful mastery.
Progressing to the A2, 'Second Skin' unravels as a mind-bending revelation, leaving an enduring imprint. Session 4000 skillfully weaves intricate layers that captivate from the initial drop to the final fade-out.
Flipping to the B side, 'Get Down' lives up to its name, beckoning with a bumping rhythm and spraying synths. It's a decisive call to action, destined to be a certified dancefloor weapon tailor-made for late-night club escapades.
Concluding the EP on the B2 is 'Mr. Freeze,' as cool as its title implies. This track leaves an indelible mark, providing a memorable conclusion to this electronic narrative.
We take immense pride in upholding the integrity of our label's name, and we're excited to announce a remix by Gregor Tresher for Mike Skinners legendary "The Streets”, which does just that. Gregor's admiration for The Streets' seminal 2002 album, "Original Pirate Material,” has fuelled his unwavering support for Mike Skinner's extraordinary musical journey.
Last year, when The Streets’ poignant EP "Brexit at Tiffany's" made its debut, Gregor crafted a remix of one of its tracks for his DJ sets. This rework quickly became a closely-guarded secret weapon, setting dance floors ablaze wherever he played it. The idea of reaching out to The Streets arose, driven by curiosity about Mike's reaction to the remix. To our delight, not only did he appreciate it, but he also granted us permission to officially release it on the label.
So without delay, we are delighted to unveil Gregor Tresher's monumental reimagining of The Streets' "3 Minutes To Midnight." This once anonymous gem has now emerged from the shadows, and we are absolutely thrilled to bring it to your eager ears.
'Days of Glory' contains a relatable storyline, sweet soul vocals, and an up-tempo instrumentation flavored with a nostalgic soul scent'
No Kind of Pitiful is exemplary of 1960s soul with an important message! It is an upbeat song that will help you feel better
Brian Scartocci is a veteran soul singer and songwriter.
For more than a decade, the singer has been making a name for himself in the red-hot Austin music scene. The renowned vocalist has lent his voice to a series of popular local and regional bands including Austin Heat and Blind Lead The Blind.
In 2012 Brian Scartocci wowed an international audience as a contestant on the hugely popular competitive singing program, The Voice. Now based in Texas, the New Jersey native has established a reputation across the United States as a dynamic performer and gifted vocalist. Known for interacting directly with the audience, he can often be found offstage, getting down with the crowd.
Arash & quasar is one of the weirdest projects we've ever received & we like that. They recently appeared on make italo great again & tatalo. This EP which is actually a mini album & it will be their last under this name and we can say that it's a masterstroke ! Italo, synth pop & folk music all with Tatar sauce ! If you want to wake up a dance floor, this is the right record. Absolute bangers.
One-off masterpiece release of German Minimal Synth-Pop from Gütersloh, Germany in 1984. Recorded in a DIY recording studio in a former prison for the mentally ill located on the outskirts of a forest near the artists’ homes aptly named Prison Studio.
Back in 1984, the release was privately pressed on 7″ by the band itself, distributed in limited quantities at the time and it has only exchanged hands a few times on public marketplaces since its original release, for very high prices. The record has always been as rare as it is good, to quote Basso. We are delighted to make this outstanding release available again to record collectors and DJs around the world as the first release on Average Records.
Included in this 12″ repress are 2 stunning brand new remixes by virtuoso producers and friends Alexander Arpeggio from Berlin and Aradea Barandana aka Dea who currently resides between Jakarta and Bali, each bringing their own flavour to the table.
LA based producer Eric Spire released some very forward thinking music on his Silver Pearl label back in the late 90’s. This type of heavy, psychedelic house music was the bridge to a new era of sound and grabbed a lot of attention from the likes of Craig Richards & Lee Burridge’s Tyrant nights at Fabric and DJ Garth to name a few.
Now, 2 decades later, Sushitech and label head Yossi Amoyal compiled a unique series that includes some of the most inspiring and hard to find tracks out of the Silver Pearl back catalogue.
This is an exclusive insight to one of the most inspiring underground labels coming from the west coast. Essential!
LA based producer Eric Spire released some very forward thinking music on his Silver Pearl label back in the late 90’s. This type of heavy, psychedelic house music was the bridge to a new era of sound and grabbed a lot of attention from the likes of Craig Richards & Lee Burridge’s Tyrant nights at Fabric and DJ Garth to name a few.
Now, 2 decades later, Sushitech and label head Yossi Amoyal compiled a unique series that includes some of the most inspiring and hard to find tracks out of the Silver Pearl back catalogue.
This is an exclusive insight to one of the most inspiring underground labels coming from the west coast. Essential!
Stix Records, a sub-label of Favorite Recordings, presents the 2nd release from its new Mellow Reggae Series project. Launched earlier this year by Mato & Ethel Lindsey with a stunning cover of the famous “What You Won’t Do For Love” by Bobby Caldwell, the series continues with the same duo, now taking over “Baby Come Back”, the underground AOR/Blue-Eyed-Soul classic from Player.
This time again and likewise could be told about Bobby’s most famous song, “Baby Come Back” can be considered as a “One-Hit Wonder”, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1977, while very few people might be able to name who performed it. Like he always does, Mato delivers an outstanding version, delighting us with his matchless skills for dub production. Already perfectly matching on Bobby Caldwell’s rendition, Ethel Lindsey ensure again the perfect vocals over Mato’s production. Currently preparing her 1st album to be released on Favorite Recordings, Ethel has a long music and singing experience, unless an almost blank discography. From her very young age, she’s developed a deep passion for AOR and Blue-Eyed-Soul style.
Starting his reggae production career in 2006, Thomas Blanchot (aka Mato) has released music through various projects on EDR Records, Big Singles or Makasound... In the meantime, he developed a real trademark: taking over classic French, Hip-Hop, OST, Classical or Pop songs, into roots reggae-dub new versions. His 15 years collaboration with Stix Records and label honcho Pascal Rioux gave life to many masterpieces and the story seems far from the end…
London lyricist Slim Papi returns for the 3rd and final release in his ‘Châteauneuf-du-Papi’ series with this 4-track EP.
Following collaborations with the likes of Crimeapple, Sonnyjim & Jam Baxter, this time London’s Slim Papi teams up with the Madlib-cosigned Chris Crack, who makes a rare appearance singing his way through the Max-B reminiscent hook as well as handling a 16 bar verse. Crack appearing fresh off the back of his latest ‘Free Sex’ LP and fellow wine-afficinado Griselda/Alchemist affiliate, Willie The Kid.
Continuing the trend set through his ‘Chateauneuf-du-Papi' EP series, the EP once again sees artwork courtesy of Dublin’s Johnny Brennan and includes tracks named after cult a movie directors, iconic restaurants and highly coveted bottles of plonk. The Jon Phonics produced lead single ‘Wim Wenders’ also features Luke Mills-Pettigrew of psychedelic-jazz experimentalists, Lunch Money Life, on bass guitar. Making the 4 track opus a truly all star cast.
Continuing the self proclaimed ’travel rappers’ world hopping theme (his last ‘I’ve Long & Prosper’ project written & recorded during a stint in Brazil) the EP was written during a short stint working the harvest at a friends vineyard in Portugal’s Douro valley, working 16 hour shifts, breaking only to cook twice a day. A vibe summarised in Papi’s effortless lyrics - “Precipitation, maceration, elevation, information highway generation, microphone mathematics, fry the amoratics” - and a work ethic translated to the music we hear. With his trademark themes of vintage vehicles, water sports and the finer things in life, the guest verses from Willie The Kid & Chris Crack match this energy with a little more bravado to spare.
deadbeat Records is pleased to announce the launch of their highly anticipated second release, "Farsight - Sorry Mate! EP". Following the success of their debut release, the label continues to push a playfully energetic and late-night sound with this latest offering.
Marshall Smith AKA Farsight brings his characteristically unique flair and top-notch production skills to each track. The release is already getting DJ support from the likes of Emerald, Nikki Nair, Jay Carder, Rnbws, Hunter Starkings, Lex G, Dawn Razor, Plot 45 and Oldfield to name a few - and there are a limited number of records available.
Jackie Mittoo is one of the most important artists in the history of Jamaican music. As founding member of the legendary Skatalites, as in-house arranger/producer at Studio One and as a solo artist in his own right leading groups such as The Soul Brothers, Sound Dimension and Soul Vendors.
These classic and rare recordings were made in the mid 1960's at Studio One. The Soul Brothers bridged the gap between Ska and the arrival of Rocksteady mixing it all up with Funk, Jazz and Latin styles. The Soul Brothers recorded at Studio One between 1965-1967. This was the transitionary period between Ska and Rocksteady where the music was a mixture of Funk, Latin and Jazz sometimes with a reminder of Ska and the hint of Rocksteady.
The previous era of Ska had been dominated by the Skatalites, the first in-house band at Studio One who created classic hits such as "Guns of Navaronne", "Man in the Street", "El Pussy Cat" and many more. Unfortunately the strong personalities in the group meant that The Skatalites stayed together for less than two years. It was also around this time that the mentally unwell Don Drummond was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, the dancer Margerita.
In August 1965, barely a week after the demise of the original Skatalites, The Soul Brothers (featuring ex-Skatalites members Jackie Mittoo, Roland Alphonso, Johnny Moore and Lloyd Brevitt) were up and running as the new house band at Studio One.
The Soul Brothers were essentially a collective, releasing material under their own name or under a nominal leader (usually Jackie Mittoo or Rolando Alphonso). The group line-up changed over time with Bobby Ellis (trumpet), Bryan Atkinson (bass), Dennis Campbell (Sax), Harry Haughton (guitarist) and Joe Isaacs (drummer) replacing various members alongside the ever present Jackie Mittoo.
REVIEWS
"Jackie Mittoo was a true star of Jamaican music; a founder member of The Skatalites, a prolific composer and the keyboard powerhouse behind many a classic tune. His simple, often hypnotic approach, to ska, rocksteady and reggae made him one of the most distinctive sounding musicians of the era." BBC.
"Jackie Mittoo was one of the great names in Jamaican music, manning the keyboards for the Skatalites, the Soul Vendors, and Sound Dimension-- three of the greatest house bands of the 60's
(and I mean anywhere, not just in Jamaica)." PITCHFORK.
A command across genres has distinguished Yasushi Ide’s work as a DJ and producer since emerging from the multiscene spawning big bang that was Tokyo’s highly influential club milieu of the 1980s. His productions draw variously from hip-hop, dub, house, punk, jazz dance, exotica and electronic music - and at their most expressive, synthesize sensibilities within a single track. The respect Ide’s earned is well evident in the impressive roll call of collaborators he’s accrued over the years - Masters At Work, Tom Verlaine, Don Letts, James Chance, DJ Krush, Pharaoh Sanders, U-ROY, and Bongo Herman, just to name a legendary few.
Now available for worldwide distribution from Love Injection Records in both digital and 7-inch 45 vinyl formats, the Yasushi Ide “A Place In the Sun (Kaoru Inoue Remix)” is paired with the equally gorgeous “A Place In the Sun (Dub).” On the former, Inoue’s treatment largely strips away the track’s beats, anchoring it to a subtle percussion pulse that emphasizes the composition’s irresistible melodic qualities. The latter finds Yoko Ota at the controls restoring and pushing reverb-soaked drums to the forefront of the mix, accentuating Ide’s affection for the sound system aesthetic while exercising just the right amount of spacial arrangement flourishes to inject some brawn amidst the beauty.
These serendipitously rediscovered renditions of a back catalog deep cut are just the latest examples of Yasushi Ide’s artistic reach. In addition to recording such acclaimed albums as 2020’s Cosmic Suite and its 2022 sequel (for which Love Injection has remixed a track), his work has spanned music supervision of some 200+ compilations for major labels, artist management, his Grand Gallery shop/gallery proprietorship, and books showcasing the depth of his archival sensibilities, including vintage t-shirt and ephemera curation. Perhaps most inspiring, however, is that Ide is still winning new appreciators and collaborators in unexpected ways four decades into a revered career that continues to evolve and expand.
The flesh withers to the pulses of thunderous cave reverberations, while the spirit is united with the psalms of the Glorious Dead, the Ancient Entities that have conquered Death and become Life, dominant, absolute and victorious. This Work consists of a ritual deriving from the darkest corners of the Mind, the deathlike spheres of the Netherworld and the truest essence of the Afterlife, to become a homage to the Force of Life Eternal.
Guided by Her Luminous rays, it is dictated to be experienced solely in chamber-like conditions, below the waxing Moon, accompanied with Myrrh and lunarian incenses and agharbattis, to be properly roamed within its uncharted corridors. Listen, experience and conquer, setting aside the mundane aspects of realities, explore the unmapped pathways, with every preconception burnt to the altars of this Magnum Opus.
SHIBALBA's music is saturated with the mysticism of the East. It's richly detailed and multidimensional, while layered with chanting and broadly defined elements of traditional ritual and shamanic music. Apart from contemporary synths and guitar drones, the band makes use of bones and skulls as percussion instruments, Tibetan Horns, Tibetan Singing Bowls, bone & horne trumpets, Darbuka's (goblet drums) as well as ceremonial bells and gongs, to name a few. The Spirits behind the Shamanic Halls of Shibalba are V.P. Adept & Aldra-Al-Melekh.
CD edition of 300 copies in 6 panel Digisleeve, Matt Lamination. 7 Tracks. Running Time: 43:04
Vinyl LP edition of 300 copies in 3mm sleeve with printed innesleeve, Matt Lamination. 7 Tracks. Running Time: 43:04
T4T LUV NRG presents “Call Me G”, the new album by Brooklyn’s Russell E.L. Butler, their first full length LP since the release of 2018’s critically acclaimed “The Home I’d Build For Myself and All My Friends” on Left Hand Path. In the intervening years, Russell has experienced an accumulation of personal subjective experiences which are explored through captivating musical modalities and expressions on this sprawling, gorgeous, and deeply emotional album. Russell’s work on “Call Me G” can be described as a unique amalgam of early NY house music, dub techno and poetry. The album’s title track, as well as its instrumentals, are a kind of storytelling for histories that continue to exist without observation as well as for secrets and the power they hold in spite of their truth being obscured and sometimes lost.
Storytellers like Russell have the ability to collapse the past and future into discrete experiences of non-linear time through the emotional landscape of music and voice. Each song contains a palatable loneliness and hurt to which many in this modern world can relate, but each track also suggests the possibility of genuine connection and the formation of the self through communing and reintegrating with the natural world. These parallel concepts are the subject of “Accumulation”, a writing by Russell which accompanies the release of the album. The emotions, conflicts and resolutions that accompany Russell’s storytelling are felt acutely on tracks such as “I’m Dancing No One Is Watching” and “Stare Into The Light Beam”, among others.
On the title song, which closes the album, Russell sings “Can you call me? Will you call me? All that I want is for you to call me by my name...My name is G.” Context is part of interpretation and thus it is left to the listener to feel in the music and lyrics the concept that what may seem erased never truly dies, the traces still exist in the thing that takes its place. The T4T LUV NRG label is in part a continuing effort to facilitate the documentation of true stories that don’t get told—rather than representing a singular vibe or genre. Russell’s album is a stunning and profound entry in this evolving catalog of music and art. The beautiful cover of “Call Me G” is based on a hand drawn portrait of the artist by Diego Guzman.
Tbilisi based party series Pluto’s Plan launches a new label sharing the same name. To start the things off 3 local producers collabed to merge their sounds in 1 decent wax. A stellar VA compiled EP “Starship of Charon” consists of 2 pure house, acid pumper and slow breaks. A1 and B1 house joints were delivered by the label's own Hatsvali. A2 is claimed by a very good friend of a label Toke, family member of D.ko he delivers a masterpiece with pleasing acid chops fitting any party at any given time. B2 is an unheard side of Horoom resident Hamatsuki, a smooth slow burner for early heat.
Four tracks from '20 Years Of Phonica' on limited 12" vinyl!
We start off with a collaboration from Paramida & E-Talking. Paramida is the well-respected head of the Love on the Rocks label whilst E-Talking is the pseudonym of Emmanuel Corre, one half of Nummer who have given us stunning releases over the year on their own label, AD93 and Going Good. ‘Read My Lips’ strikes the perfect balance of old-school warehouse acid and early morning Berlin dance floors.
Next up, Dauwd’s bass-heavy monster ‘Slam’. The US born, Berlin residing DJ & producer Dauwd has been pushing his sound through various styles and genres since the early 2010s. From dub-steppy and tech-house beginnings to his most recent house and dub-techno Psssh imprint outputs he has been driving record collectors crazy for his 12’s for over a decade!
On the flip, Daniel Avery's ‘Bell’ finds the Phantasy and Mute artist at his most contemplative and melodic; it’s streamlined stylings reminiscent of UK Artificial Intelligence 90s techno and Kompakt’s golden era.
Finally, Mancunian producer Willow’s ‘Willbush’ shows why she has been a leading name in the underground house scene for over a decade now, including releases on the renowned Workshop label.
LA based producer Eric Spire released some very forward thinking music on his Silver Pearl label back in the late 90’s. This type of heavy, psychedelic house music was the bridge to a new era of sound and grabbed a lot of attention from the likes of Craig Richards & Lee Burridge’s Tyrant nights at Fabric and DJ Garth to name a few.
Now, 2 decades later, Sushitech and label head Yossi Amoyal compiled a unique series that includes some of the most inspiring and hard to find tracks out of the Silver Pearl back catalogue.
This is an exclusive insight to one of the most inspiring underground labels coming from the west coast. Essential!
In apartheid-era South Africa, gospel music provided solace and served as a tool for covert communication to circumvent the censorship of the settler regime. By the 2010s, South African gospel, deeply ingrained in the soul of Soweto, assumed a new role—as a heartfelt cry against persistent failures and shortcomings, a cry mourning a South Africa that never materialized.
A new South Africa needed a new gospel sound.
In 2016, nine young men from different parts of Diepkloof, a celebrated neighbourhood brimming with talent within Soweto's sprawling township, came together to form the sound of a new South Africa under the name Diepkloof United Voice.
Diepkloof United Voice's music has gone viral multiple times on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, garnering between 60,000 to 2 million views. The comments section displays flag emojis from Brazil to India, showcasing the global reach of their music.
This album was recorded on site in Soweto, in an abandoned classroom of Lebowa Elementary School in Diepkloof Zone 3, where the choir rehearsed for years. Amid rolling blackouts, Diepkloof United Voice poured their heart, soul, and vocal chords into their debut record, combining classic South Africa gospel, Soweto's own kasi soul, American blues, and Zulu flavor, to present the contemporary gospel sound of a changing South Africa.
The promise of a new South Africa might finally be realized, as Diepkloof United Voice guarantees the country's future is guided by the truth, uttered with each gasp of breath from their inimitable voices.
LA based producer Eric Spire released some very forward thinking music on his Silver Pearl label back in the late 90’s. This type of heavy, psychedelic house music was the bridge to a new era of sound and grabbed a lot of attention from the likes of Craig Richards & Lee Burridge’s Tyrant nights at Fabric and DJ Garth to name a few.
Now, 2 decades later, Sushitech and label head Yossi Amoyal compiled a unique series that includes some of the most inspiring and hard to find tracks out of the Silver Pearl back catalogue.
This is an exclusive insight to one of the most inspiring underground labels coming from the west coast. Essential!
Ten years JEAHMON! - this is why we celebrate this decade for our imprint with our roots: A jubilee pressing on 12” vinyl. Remember how it all started back in 2013: With a hand painted full cover vinyl series. The crazy fishes from back in the days are still here! Ten years later Marc DePulse's imprint developed to the Top 5 leading Indie Dance labels on the planet – with over 80 releases and a lot of chartbreakers during the years. This vinyl represents a little family showcase with homie artists that built the brand over the past few years and who are an important face for JEAHMON! these days. Just to name a few of course – there are still so many other representive artists that made our imprint becoming so big and successful.
Hailing from Mexico City, Louie Fesco is as cool as his name states, he is never lame. Louie can make a Tiesto t-shirt cool, just by cutting off the sleeves and wearing it. Mr. Cool has graced many top labels over the last decade and made these labels even cooler, his outing on CV
Could be one of his best and coolest, #truestorybro.
On this crispy 12 inch he delivers a masterclass on party rocking grooves, proper basslines and drummy hooks (not to be confused with dummy hookers).
So to speak- a perfect weapon in your vinyl arsenal (not “Vinyl Arsenal” the amateur football team made up of various aging UK Djs).
On the remix duty, we get some heavy hitters from the ever mysterious Gathaspar. We heard he gets his inspiration from tiny elves that are only found in Munich catacombs. When asked about these tiny elves on Instagram, he leaves you on “seen”. His OP vinyl series are instant hits and collectors items among bearded vinyl nerds, and people who use a lot of bedroom hand lotion. These remixes are monsters- I know, I tested them myself in raves to people and they responded by dancing.
In short, if you are a Dj who likes nasty records to rock parties, this is a must, and if you’re a creepy Discogs shark, this is sure to go up in value.
Why do we even write these write ups?
I’m not sure, and if you are still reading this instead of listening to the 12 inch, I don’t know what else to say to you.
I guess I’ll give you the “ your good enough, your smart enough, and god darn it- people like you” words to get you thru the day.
Ever amazed by the external world and its natural surroundings, Belgian producer Dijf Sanders has a habit of turning himself towards the unknown for inspiration. After praised albums based on field trips to Indonesia (Java, 2017) and Nepal (Puja, 2020) he found himself challenged by the traditional chants from Georgia. Diving deep into its sounds, people and heritage with open eyes and ears, he traveled to the Eurasian land in the South Caucasus in 2022. The field recordings and impressions of this journey make the blueprint for new, meticulously crafted compositions that ripened in his studio and transcend its original source material in time and space.
SUPRA offers nine diverse explorations ranging from spaced-out folk, ethereal trance, ambient with a melodic sense of drama and lush electronica channeling 90's IDM energy fields. Bound by dynamic depth in sound design, this is electronic music with a heavy heart - for all tracks share a primal sense of nostalgia in which traditional music from the Georgian motherland baths. From a pastoral love song about a buffalo (Mingrelian Song) or a ceremonial wedding hymn (What You Give Away Is Yours, What You Don't Is Lost) to a lullaby (Bird's Milk)... Georgia is a land of contemplative singing and its music scene today is still dominated by modal vocalists and harmonic choirs with pride.
With the help and recording equipment of the Folklore State Centre (Tbilisi) and in collaboration with Europalia Georgia festival, Dijf Sanders found contemporary choirs willing to lend their voices for this project. Next to these voice samples, the Georgian countryside and nature delivered source material for more samples and textures as well. The name of the record refers to the traditional Georgian feast where a large table filled with food, drinks and singing.
Grupo Rebolu has been a mainstay in the extensive Colombian community of New York City for well over a decade, bringing the quintessential sounds of their home country to countless live shows and events throughout the five boroughs. Musically steeped in the folkloric traditions of the Afro-Caribbean discourse, the band has consistently combined first class musicianship with the echoes of their upbringing. Throughout their four self-produced albums, they have incorporated some of Colombia's most cherished traditions —gaita,cumbia, andbullerenguebeing just a few of the disciplines that Rebolu has infused with the modern songwriting and compositions of band leader Ronald Polo. As a natural step in the band's continued musical evolution, Rebolu has connected with Names You Can Trust for a one-off recording to deliver two original songs and productions that seamlessly fit the preferred format and the label's catalog, while further incorporating the group's sound into the wider NY musical spectrum. Whether it's champeta gone disco, or bullerengue gone reggae, this handy double-sided single packs a fresh take on the roots and traditions of Rebolu's musical lineage.
Keith Farrugia aka The Maltese Magician aka Sound Synthesis has been changing the face of the electro/techno community for many years now with his deep audioscapes. Taking you on a musical journey that’s deeper than Atlantis!
With previous releases on Ralph Lawson’s 20/20 Vision, Nocta Numerica, Gated Recordings, Planet 17 and Exalt to name but a few, Keith is a producer in high demand and we are grateful that he graced AmenTec with two incredible tunes that take the listener on a journey of musical imagination.
On the flipside, Amen Brother supplies the remixers for this release. Firstly, we have Cridge & Powder, two Bristol old school dons and royalty of the hardcore and jungle scene. Cridge is a member of the Bristol band Up, Bustle & Out and label boss of Tribe Recordings. Powder is part of the old skool hardcore group Fruit & Veg, who have been repressing their music on Vinyl Fanatiks recently. The guys turn in a rolling hardcore joint.
Next up on the remix are the Moving Shadow legends that are Tone Def, straight outta Bournemouth Town. The guys ease of the BPM a little and add an addictive vocal hook to their mix, showcasing the broad spectrum of the hardcore rave community. Rog from Tone Def is also the owner and creator of the Void soundsystems!
An EP with many layers!
c b1. Electrical Synapses Cridge & Powder 'Fruit & Veg' Mix
Tone Def Remix
The 1973 album “El Violento” was the fifth full-length salsa LP led by Julio Ernesto Estrada Rincón, aka Fruko, and the second credited to Fruko Y Sus Tesos. Though it did not contain hits like ‘A la memoria del muerto’ or ‘El Preso’, it’s a collector’s item today in places like the US, Europe and Japan, perhaps precisely because it is obscure yet full to the brim with unrelentingly hard and heavy salsa bangers that never let up from start to finish (hence the title, which translates as “The Violent One”). A mix of originals and interesting covers, the LP is “all killer and no filler”, purposely designed to set the dance floor ablaze. It features Fruko’s two main vocalists that took over from the first pair of Humberto “Huango” Muriel and “Píper Pimienta” Díaz, namely the beloved duo of Álvaro “Joe” Arroyo and Wilson “Saoko” Manyoma. Los Tesos were a talented “wild bunch” who listened to their fearless leader, with Fruko holding down the bottom end on electric bass, Hernán Gutiérrez in the piano chair, the Villegas brothers on hand percussion (Jesús tickling the bongos and Fernando slapping the congas), augmented by Rafael Benítez on timbales and an ace horn section of Freddy Ferrer and Gonzálo Gómez (trombones) and Jorge Gaviria and Salvador Pasos (trumpets). The super aggressive sound comes directly from the South Bronx playbook of Willie Colón. The snarling trombones and soaring trumpet are somewhat sweetened by a nice little Puerto Rican cuatro guitar solo. Sonically lightening the mood somewhat, ‘Nadando’ (‘Swimming’) is a bouncy tune in the ‘Mercy’ genre (basically a hybrid of pop, funky soul, cumbia and salsa, in the style of Nelson y Sus Estrellas), gleefully sung by Joe Arroyo. The beats are complex and ever changing, with a little bit of mozambique, conga, bomba, jala jala and of course salsa thrown in for good measure. The side closes out with a brilliant, uptempo salsa reworking of the venerable ranchera chestnut, ‘Tú, sólo tú’. Side two explodes with the frenetic descarga jam session ‘Salsa na’ ma’—which is exactly that: nothing more than the hottest “sauce” to make the dancers go crazy. Fruko’s tune is dedicated to the Latin community in New York that listens to salsa from everywhere and dances to it so fervently on the weekend. The relentless percussion propels the listener along at breakneck speed as if hurtling down the Bronx Expressway, demonstrating that Fruko y Sus Tesos have mastered the ‘violent’ form of urban salsa that was having its transnational moment in the early 1970s. While “El Violento” may not be as well known as some Fruko records, it certainly deserves a new look and should be assessed on its own merits as a very powerful, confident entry in the historical evolution of Colombian salsa dura.Sleeve
Aphrose reveals her sophomore album, 'Roses,' a captivating amalgamation of Neo-Soul and R&B, delving into the wellspring of ancestral strength and love.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Aphrose, also known as Joanna Mohammed, unveils her sophomore album, establishing her as one of Toronto's best-kept musical treasures. Known for her commanding vocal prowess within her hometown, this gifted songwriter and vocalist is rapidly garnering global acclaim and accolades from both fans and music critics alike. Signed to independent Soul label LRK Records, 'Roses' remains firmly rooted in Aphrose's signature style characterized by resounding R&B vocals. However, it also embraces a softer, more introspective aura that brilliantly showcases her remarkable versatility in navigating diverse genres, moods, and musical approaches with remarkable finesse.
This album offers a little something for everyone, catering to enthusiasts of Neo-soul, traditional Soul, Hip Hop, and R&B. Produced by her longtime friends/collaborators at SafeSpaceship Music (Scott McCannell, Chino De Villa, Ben Macdonald), the album serves as a compelling testament to the collective creativity of Aphrose and this exceptional production trio, delivering a kaleidoscope of soundscapes, textures, rhythms, and grooves. 'Roses' weaves together both lighthearted and profound elements as Aphrose explores her life journey, delving into her familial past and present, grappling with the challenges of new motherhood, and contemplating her relationships with herself, her partner, and her friends. Across the 35-minute LP, Aphrose draws inspiration from Neo-soul icons like Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, pays homage to Soul legends such as Aretha Franklin and MJ, and infuses contemporary R&B influences from artists like Frank Ocean, SiR, and SZA. The result is a sound that distinctly bears the 'Aphrose sound,' reflecting her deep admiration for her inspirations while imparting a refreshing twist to familiar genres.
The album commences with its title track, 'Roses,' which was released as a single on August 25th. This song sets the stage, invoking the strength of Aphrose's ancestors, particularly her late Grandmother Rose. Following suit is 'YaYa,' also released as a single on July 7th. This buoyant dance track whisks listeners back to the disco era of the late 70s and early 80s. The album's third track, 'Heavenly Father,' offers a brief interlude featuring a recording of Aphrose's Grandmother Rose engaged in prayer, setting the tone for the subsequent track, 'In The Time Of Sorrow.' This contemplative, chill piece captures Aphrose's musings on navigating a world often shrouded in fakery, while craving authenticity. 'Honey (Don't) Come Back' seamlessly transitions between two distinct musical personalities, commencing with a deep, almost Trap-like bass/drum beat before transforming into a spirited Funk/Soul jam—an anthem of empowerment encouraging the listener to leave a situationship that is no longer working. 'What You Don't See' strips the production down to its core, as Aphrose and guitarist/co-writer Heather Crawford craft an intimate ode to a friendship's sad ending.
The B-side opens with the evocative 'Weapons,' featuring a five-person choir including LRK label-mate Claire Davis, Nevon Sinclair (Daniel Caesar and LOONY), Kyla Charter (Aysanabee and Alessia Cara), Lydia Persaud, and Marla Walters. The track is adorned with a stirring string arrangement courtesy of Jessica Deutsch. 'Chop The Cake' acts as a breather, interlude-style, easing the intensity. 'Soft Nuclear' channels the spirit of the early 2000s R&B movement, bearing traces of influence from Lucy Pearl. 'Good Love,' released as the first single off this body of work on May 19th, transports listeners to the 70s with its soulful resonance, drawing inspiration from the likes of Michael Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass. 'Higher' stands as Aphrose's tribute to Prince, capturing the essence of his music within its hook and production. The album's culmination arrives with 'ZAG,' an acronym derived from Aphrose's daughter's name, commencing with the sound of her daughter's heartbeat in-utero from a sonogram taken when Aphrose was pregnant. This heartfelt composition serves as a dedication to her daughter and all parents navigating the rollercoaster of parenthood, emphasizing the imperative of nurturing love to shape the future.
'Roses' stands as Aphrose's homage to her history—her Grandma Rose and the ancestral trailblazers who paved her path to the present life she enjoys; her current experiences—her self-discovery, her relationships with her partner and friends; and her aspirations for the future—her daughter and the generations to come. This album crystallizes these temporal dimensions, prompting introspection, celebration, laughter, and tears. 'Roses' is a musical odyssey that scrutinizes the multifaceted beauty of existence, inviting listeners to partake in this thing called life.
The radio world has taken notice of Aphrose's talent, with national Radio Capital's Italy Massimo Oldani spinning her latest single "YaYa" for the entire month of July on his show "Vibe." And both singles getting to number 10 in the UK soul chart.Additionally, Aphrose has received national radio play on renowned stations such as BBC in the UK, RTVE in Spain, and Radio France FIP.
Aphrose has also made CBC's Top 100 finalist list for their Searchlight competition.
Huey Morgan played "YaYa" the second track off the album on his BBC radio six show
Drumcode welcomes another debutant to the fold, as one of techno’s most exciting new artists, Space 92, shares his thrilling two-tracker ‘Time’.
Stepping up for his maiden Drumcode release, ‘Time’ is stirring statement of intent. Staying true to its name, the title track was a slow burner, produced over a number of months between touring commitments. Space 92’s talent for crafting tracks that are tailor-made for big dancefloor moments is seen here in full flight, as tight drum programming leads into a stirring pad sequence before a boshing bass-laden breakdown arrives with crushing effect.
Long-time house music producer, DJ and journalist Anthony Teasdale is back with a new four-track EP for London’s Pamela Records.
The lead track is ‘Tango de la Boca’, an uplifting house tune with an unforgettable piano line and a groovy disco beat. Named after the barrio of La Boca in Buenos Aires, the tango feel is supplemented with layers of percussion, electric guitar stabs and moody strings. So far, it’s been played in clubs and on the radio by DJs like Rocky, David Holmes and Richard Sen.
“I think this is the most uplifting record I’ve ever made,” says Anthony. “Hearing those piano lines come in on a club system is a massive buzz.”
Second up is ‘A Pavement in Palma’ – a chilled jazz-house track. Inspired by lazy afternoons in Majorca’s capital, its swinging beat is joined by electric piano chords, live bongos and a bassline you can’t help but move to.
On Side B, we set sail on the good ship disco for ‘Deep in the Forest Something Stared’. Opening with bucolic bird noises – referencing the title – the track adds ’80s-style bass, glockenspiel melodies and soothing strings. It ends with a haunting piano motif that’s well worth the wait.
Finally, we return to 2023 with ‘It’s 5am Somewhere’, which blends old-school Roland 909 drum beats with minor chord synth stabs and rumbling piano melodies – plus an atmospheric breakdown guaranteed to excite any dancefloor.
Anthony says: “The EP reflects the music I’m listening to at the moment – which goes from classic techno to uptempo disco-house (and lots of synth pop!). The fusion of beautiful, often brittle, melodies with percussive house beats sets these records apart. And they sound as good on a dancefloor as they do in headphones when you’re relaxing at home.”
As we continue the five part journey to say goodbye to the Telomere Plastic series, we as always, are excited to share with you Telomere 020.2.
This second VA, features producers, Anderson, Aspetuck, Bænglund and Watch Patrol.
We begin off the record with ‘Funk Inspector’ from Bænglund. The track name here sums it up pretty well. Full on quirky funk in the airwaves. A delicious cut to keep everyone on there toes!
Next on the A2 we have Aspetuck with his ‘As the Fog Rolls In’, Starting off with a bubbly soundscape the track progresses into a hypnotic acidic journey keeping the mood deep and melancholic. Handle this one with care!
On the B1 we have Anderson who delivers another deep and beautifully crafted soundscape. This is a timeless tune that takes you on a sonic journey from start to finish. This will work wonders on the dance floor and during your introspective moments laying in bed with your headphones bumping.
Lastly, we close out the release with the one and only Watch Patrol who we have all dearly missed. We hope you enjoy this slowed down IDM breakbeat gem!
Very limited black copies as always with a few colored copies available via the Wex bandcamp, be quick!
Mella Dee Presents RYAN, a new project from one of the UK’s most prolific electronic producers. Exploring a darker, experimental side of the mastermind behind ‘Techno Disco Tool’, the new project sees RYAN take things underground with new track ‘Static Movement’. Alongside the track, RYAN has announced his forthcoming EP Connected Experiences, a 4-track collection of essential club tools due for release on August 11 via DJ and Body Movements co-founder Saoirse’s imprint trUst. The landmark release will be the first time the label head has featured another artist's music and is testament to the direction of Mella Dee’s new musical project, RYAN.
Already doing damage in the club circuit with support from the likes of Ben UFO, Shanti Celeste, Midland and more, ‘Static Movement’ sees RYAN. go back to basics with a drum machine and analog synths, ending with an infinite groove. Speaking on the track, RYAN. explains: “Trust the process. My name is RYAN. This is a collection of music I wrote for the purpose of dancing. Those moments we can all get lost together and connect through experience. trUst is a label built on love and connection. I just want to thank Saoirse for the trust she has shown and the love she gives.”
Label boss Saoirse adds: “This is the first time I've invited another artist to release on trUst and I'm so delighted it's from my close friend the absolute don from Doncaster - Mella Dee. Tracks I've been playing in every set over the past year with Static Movement being one of my most ID'd tunes ever. Once I heard it I knew this had to be the first track released on the label from someone else. Ryan is one of the best producers I know, completely and wholly committed to the dancefloor and I'm thrilled I will be releasing the first of his new project under 'Ryan'. I had complete trust in him to deliver a solid EP.”
Real name Ryan Aitchison, Mella Dee reached international notoriety with his anthemic 2017 single ‘Techno Disco Tool’, reaching number 1 in BBC Radio 1’s Dance Music Chart as well as one of Annie Mac’s ‘Tracks of the Decade’ (and was even played during her final show on Radio 1). A year later, the Warehouse Music label head won ‘Best Breakthrough Label’ at the DJ Mag ‘Best of British’ awards and he was also named one of Mixmag’s ‘Stars of the Year’, cementing himself as one of the most sought after names in dance music. Since then Mella Dee has delivered his debut Essential Mix for the legendary BBC Radio 1 series, curated a mix for Resident Advisor’s prestigious Podcast series, performed a debut Boiler Room set to rapturous acclaim, toured North America multiple times and joined the elusive Circoloco family for a summer of shows at DC10 and their momentous festival in Thailand. Ryan has also curated tours for his own Warehouse Music label, taking over illustrious venues all over Europe including his hometown at the infamous Doncaster Warehouse.
The latest offering from Astral Black comes in the form of the 'Metropolis N' LP, courtesy of Queens, New York's number premier importer/exporter of Jungle & D&B, NIGELTHREETIMES. Having initially garnered a name for themselves as one of New York City's most versatile club DJ's, with the release of their 'Call Of The Void; project in 2020 Nigel also began to build a reputation as a producer in their own right. Resulting in residencies on Rinse FM & The Lot Radio, radio support from the likes of Tom Ravenscroft & Uniiqu3 and press support from Resident Advisor, OkayPLAYER & Mixmag – amplifying their talents throughout New York City and beyond.
With 'Metropolis N' NIGELTHREETIMES distills their eclectic influences through the lens of rolling 160bpm breaks – taking in Jazz, 8-bit game soundtrakcs, science fiction & jump up D&B. Starting off the LP with the rhodes tinged double header of 'TSQ MELTDOWN' & 'EARLY MORNING FROM 103RD STREET', the latter featuring some of the best double bass work heard on a jungle track since 'Brown Paper Bag'. Elsewhere, on 'ROAD2RAILS' and 'PHANTOM SHORES', the producer ditches the instrumentation in favour of oscillated square waves, dubbed out vocal FX & 8-bit melodies, without ever losing site of the projects underlying sense of optimism. On the album closer 'INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION', 3X manages to bring together the influences heard throughout the project, tying together a muted rhodes chords, squarewave basslines, flutters of alien melodies and finely tuned, slices breakbeats into a 5 minute symphony.
The consistency and exacting production skills heard throughout the offering elevate this project from another drop in the digital ocean to a landmark opus, from a producer carrying the torch for this timeless sound and making the project worthy of a spot alongside some of the classics this genre has produced.
'Metropolis N' is available Oct 13th on digital and limited edition vinyl via Astral Black.
Nuclear decay occurs when the nucleus of an atom is unstable and spontaneously emits energy in the form of radiation. The result is that the nucleus changes into the nucleus of one or more other elements. These daughter nuclei have a lower mass and are more stable (lower in energy) than the parent nucleus.
“Ábris Gryllus is a cross-disciplinary media artist and musician based in Budapest. He is well-known for several projects, collaborations and performative works with choreographers, sculptors, dancers and other musicians. As a tireless artist always open to new possibilities, Gryllus has worked on dance pieces, educational workshops and installations; he is one-half of the beat-oriented group FOR., and not least of all, he produces immersive electronic music under his own name. His solo materials include the frantic vocal-based ‘Canon’ (The Death of Rave) and two releases on Farbwechsel (‘Post_’, ‘A.D.’) that feature a rather focused, slowly forming approach to composition.
LOCUS unveils the lineup for the fourth instalment of its ‘LOCUS Trax’ VA series, Danny Snowden, Job de Jong, ADR and OURMINDZ delivering label debuts across the package.
Blossoming as a label with its own identity, FUSE’s sister imprint LOCUS is continuing to serve up dancefloor heat at an impressive level, with 2023’s releases featuring material from Lauren Lo Sung, Youandewan, Nolga, Okain, Garrett David and more. Returning with another edition of its ongoing ‘LOCUS Trax’ VA, shining a spotlight on emerging talent of note, late October welcomes four new names to the label as UK trio Danny Snowden, ADR, and OURMINDZ join Dutchman Job de Jong.
Danny Snowden kicks things off with the euphoric tones of ‘Essence’ as he combines glossy synths with skippy percussion and a snaking groove, while Job de Jong draws for rumbling low-ends and playful, bouncy electronics Across ‘OOC’. Heading up the b-side, ADR’s ‘Bungee Gum’ brings hazy chords, snaking drums subtle acid-dipped melodies, before OURMINDZ merges resonant organ stabs and elastic synths on the lively ‘Dusty’.
LOCUS Trax Volume 4 drops on 27th October 2023 via digital and physical formats.
Ed Sheeran’s brand-new album Autumn Variations will be available for pre-order on the 24th August at 5pm before a worldwide release on the 29th September. It will be available to stream on all platforms as well as purchase physically as a CD or various limited Vinyl editions.
Ed Sheeran is an era-defining artist who has sold over 52 million albums and 150 million singles across the world. Through his fusion of thought-provoking songwriting, universal pop and multi-genre influence, his rich tapestry is not only perfectly suited to his audience but it’s something that transcends generations.
Since surfacing on the UK circuit in 2010 with his ‘No.5 Collaborations Project’ – an eight-track EP featuring his favourite grime artists of the time – the Suffolk-raised recording artist has resonated with fans across the world through his peerless songcraft and versatility. And now, with six consecutive UK No.1 albums to his name – ‘+’ (2011), ‘x’ (2014), ‘÷’ (2017), ‘No.6 Collaborations Project’ (2019), ‘=’ (2021) and ‘-‘ (2023) – Sheeran continues to reaffirm his status as one of the most in-demand pop stars on the planet.
Prior to the release of ‘=’ (October 2021) – an album that’s now surpassed five million global sales - Sheeran secured two UK No.1 singles in the UK with ‘Bad Habits’ and ‘Shivers’, which sat atop the UK’s Official Singles Chart for a combined total of 15 weeks. Moreover, the LP saw him take home 2 x EMA’s for ‘Best Artist’ and ‘Best Song’; an American Music Award for ‘Favourite Male Pop Artist’; British GQ’s ‘Solo Artist of the Year’; 4 x Los40 Awards; a BRIT Award for ‘Songwriter of the Year’ alongside a nomination for ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2022 GRAMMY’s.
Sheeran’s most recent album, Subtract, secured Ed his sixth No.1 album. Produced by Aaron Dessner, the album was anchored in his love of singer/songwriter compositions and written against a backdrop of personal grief and hope. Ed’s most critically-acclaimed album to date, it housed the heart wrenching UK No.1 single ‘Eyes Closed’ – a song about his late friend, Jamal Edwards.
But it’s not just his recorded music that’s seen the former Glastonbury headliner become one of the sought-after artists of the 21st century. Possessing a mystical ability to turn 90,000 capacity venues into the pub back-rooms that he first started playing in, Ed made history in 2015 after becoming the first-ever artist to play Wembley Stadium solo - without a band, just with his guitar and loop pedal - over three, consecutive sold out nights. Move forward to the summer of 2019 and Ed would re-enter history books after the completion of his mammoth two-year Divide tour, officially becoming the most-attended tour of all time after it culminated with special homecoming shows in Ipswich, Suffolk. Beginning last summer, Ed is currently travelling the world on his ‘+ - = ÷ x Tour’ (pronounced ‘The Mathematics Tour’), which saw him return to Wembley Stadium for a five-night run last June.
Ed Sheeran, who was awarded an MBE for his services to music and charity in 2017, is the proud recipient of 1 x IFPI Award (best-selling global artist of 2017); 4 x Grammys; 4 x Ivor Novello’s; 7 x BRIT Awards (including two consecutive wins for ‘Global Success’ in 2018 and 2019); 7 x Billboard Awards + more. Moreover, to this day, his blockbusting third studio album ‘÷’ remains the fastest-selling album, ever, by a male artist in the UK, while the LP’s lead single, ‘Shape of You’, maintains its status as the most-streamed song in Spotify’s history.
At the end of 2019, Sheeran was presented with the Official Chart Company’s first-ever ‘No.1 Artist of the Decade’ award following a host of accomplishments in his native UK including the most No.1’s across the UK’s Official Singles and Albums chart from the years 2010-2019. Most recently, Ed scored two more feats with the OCC after becoming the first British Solo Artist to claim 52 weeks – an entire year – at No.1 on the Official UK Singles Chart, with only Elvis Presley and The Beatles achieving more overall weeks at the top, as well as becoming the first-ever artist with four albums spending an entire year or more in the UK Top 10.
Compiling the follow-up to a very successful first album is always a tricky task, but just 12 months since the release of volume one in the 'With Love' series, miche has excelled himself once again with another glorious, deep dive into the world of rare soul. 15 tracks of independently released music, created by magnificent artists with stories to tell and primed for rediscovery.
The ambition to celebrate under-the-radar artists has remained, but instead of a facsimile of volume one, what we have here is a selection shaped by life changes. Volume two is for the dancers; still soulful, still ultra-rare and slept-on records from the USA, Chile, Brazil and beyond, but the dynamics of the collection have shifted slightly. It represents a move from being immersed in a week in week out environment of beautiful, soulful music in a cosy, dimly lit hi-fi bar to playing livelier, more energetic, dancefloor-focused music in nightclubs. This volume will get you on your feet, make you move and unleash whatever it is that makes you get down.
One of the jewels in the crown of this compilation is a joyous, anthemic gospel version of Stevie Wonder's 'As' by The Family Tree (a project produced by the fantastic Julius Brockington). We are also treated to a rare and sought-after Pennsylvanian funk / AOR bomb by Maxwell, a stunning modern soul tune 'High On You' by Freedom, and self-released Brazilian 45s by Banda 22 and Zé Da Lata. P.J. City's 'Straight Forward (Non-Stop)' is gospel-disco perfection, and we also have 'Dame Solamente Amor’, a sublime, soul beauty from Chile by Rogers Mitchell. Many of these artists featured in this compilation aren't household names, but they deserve their moment to shine, to be heard, loved and appreciated for their artistry.
As Miche says it, “I hope this compilation helps in some way to keep this glorious music alive and play a part in connecting generations of music lovers from the worldwide soul family. As always, it has been made ‘With Love’.”
Mind Against launch their eagerly awaited imprint Habitat with a 15-track compilation titled “METAFLORA”, available as a deluxe transparent vinyl 3LP box set including a 24x12” fold-out poster.
Suitably, the compilation features new and emerging artists with whom Mind against have relationships, and recurrent motifs of subtly unsettling melodic house/techno building alternate worlds in soundscapes.
Mind Against & Sideral – ‘Criseide’ heralds this new world with portentous pounding beat/bass, the melodic synth singing beneath like beauty surviving under threat, the vocal/lyrics with an edge of alarm: ‘if you think it couldn’t happen to you…’
‘Talk To Me’ by Dyzen (who also collab’ed with Mind Against on their fabric presents compilation) has stately chords riding a prancing beat while sombre piano and sweet high vocal create a heraldic, post-apocalyptic nu-medieval world, whereas Sam Shure’s ‘Plus Ultra’ has rattling percussion, with melody like a coded message from an abandoned spaceship to which something replies in stark tones…
Marino Canal, whose debut album was released by Nicole Moudaber’s MOOD, and who has support from many big names including fabric’s founder Keith Reilly, features plangent notes veering up, down and off the scale for a disturbing effect in ‘Ample’, while Swiss duo Read The News in ‘A Place’ set a fast, kicking beat against a female voice yearning for ‘a space where I can just be’.
Remcord, often played by Black Coffee, Tale of Us and more besides MA, show us why in ‘Entourage Effect’ while Laroz gives a lively melody and raucous chords in ‘Don’t Touch’ feat. Sheera as her cool, raunchy, layered vocals come to the fore.
You know Krash Slaughta right? The man behind the recent wildly successful DOOM/Sugacubes mash-up LP Sugar-Coated DOOM, not to mention his unofficial remixes of the Wu’s K.R.E.A.M. and P.L.O. Style and collab. 45 with Phill Most Chill, Rebel Base? ‘Is he at it again?’ the monkey hears you ask. Yes, he is at it again, though the closest of the the three aforementioned releases to what he’s about to drop is the Wu remix 45. And what he’s about to drop is Diggin Deeper, not a single this time but a whole remix album of one of his (and the monkey’s!) all-time favourite hip-hop LPs – to wit, Niggamortis – more usually known as Six Feet Deep (especially in the U.S., though minus the best track under that name) by hip-hop supergroup Gravediggaz.
As many will know, this LP with its horror-movie fixated lyrics gave birth to a whole hip-hop sub-genre – that of ‘horrorcore.’ However, none of those who came after seemed to manage the lyrical humour of The RZArector, The Grym Reaper and The Gatekeeper (a.k.a. RZA, Poetic and Frukwan) and the only bit of production by The Undertaker (a.k.a. Prince Paul) that they seemed interested in was the sub-metal rap sludge of the shouty Bang Your Head – i.e. the LP’s one weak spot. But don’t worry, Krash isn’t interested in that sort of thing. Not only does he avoid rap-metal beats for Bang Your Head, he doesn’t use any on the LP at all – hurrah! What he does do is employ, arguably, as eclectic an array of sample sources as Prince Paul on the original – though with an entirely different end result. Bang Your Head with its apparently sixties garage band-derived beat for example is one of the standouts. The skeletal piano skank of 6 Feet Deep is another, while a beat featuring spaced-out eighties synths forms the new musical backdrop to Constant Elevation. Two more of the monkey’s favourites on this one are Here Comes The Gravediggaz, now underpinned by double-bass-led funk and the glorious inappropriately joyous bounce of Blood Brothers. The result? Your favourite cuts on this one might not be the same as your favourite cuts on the original. Two different versions of a much-loved LP, then; it’s why people remix hip-hop. All the vocal stems were created by Krash and the ultimate intention is to do a limited vinyl release. Cover art is by the Dead Residents’ Junior Disprol.
GRAILS don’t mince words. Awesomely communicative but entirely instrumental, this dynamic band’s violin, guitars, piano, and drums collide with sober melodies and massive emotion. At alternate moments, Grails can sound vaguely classical, Eastern European, Irish, like the lost tapes of Pauline Oliveros, and, you know, rock. They’re not really like anything else on the Neurot roster, but they’ve got something in common with all the Neurot bands: a commitment to intense music that forges new paths and, yeah, communicates in the most real way possible.
Grails have their fair share of ambient noise - shivery violins, a trickle of a high-hat, the amplified scrape of a guitar string - but their music is based on strong, narrative melodies that resonate in the heart. At times it sounds delicate, but they never cower; Grails ROAR, even when they’re being quiet.
The Burden of Hope is the debut LP, following a pair of self-released, eponymous ep’s in 2000 and 2002. The LP is the culmination of a year’s worth of recordings, including a reinterpretation of Sun City Girls’ classic “Space Prophet Dogon.”
Grails are gathered in Portland, Oregon from Baltimore, Little Rock, Louisville, Chapel Hill, and Reno. As an ensemble, their respective backgrounds in hardcore, classical, folk, and rock blend seamlessly. Formed in late 2000 to execute live the bedroom recordings of guitarist Alex Hall, the once-tentatively-assembled group found unexpected success with both audiences and local press. Originally formed under the moniker Laurel Canyon, the name of the group was changed to Grails to coincide with the release of The Burden
The Bladehouse crew is back with Bladhouse IV, offering another slice of the good stuff. Four differently styled out tools spanning from stripped house to peak-time groove and the occasional minimal bleeper on the B Side. Get your hands on this versatile dance-floor weapon as long as it‘s stocked. As Always: No Names - Let it Rip
BHO004 starts things off with a groovy, intuitive vibe on A1. A bumping Bassline dives Deep into hypnotic and subtle chord layers and a thriving shaky beat, perfect for open spaces and creating a lifted atmosphere.
A2 is a hidden stomper. Techy drum loops blend with dubbed-out pad shots, crafting a dark and moody rhythm that builds up to a climax, creating moments of anticipation and release.
The B Side is opened up by glitchy and gritty textures that evolve into a warm body of soothing groovy minimal with an intimate ambivalence. Use this to hypnotize crowds of any form and size.
B2 wraps things up with one more perfectly crafted mood swinger. Repeated percussions come together with a deep pad, gradually clearing up and welcoming mind-bending plucks and bleeps when the main theme kicks in. It creates a moody and meditative vibe with plenty of drive to keep you moving.
A collection of unreleased themes and scores from 18 short animated films from the world famous Zagreb School Of Animated Film. Includes Oscar winning short cartoon Ersatz / Surogat by Dusan Vukotic (1961) and many other jazz, electronica and experimental scores by composer Tomislav Simovic. Coined by the famed film theorist Georges Sadoul at the 1959 Cannes Festival, The Zagreb School of Animated Film(s) or The Zagreb School of Animation, was defined as an artistic and philosophical world-view that set its mark on the history of animation in the 60's and 70's. The key feature of the Zagreb School (not educational facility in any kind), was commitment to stylization in contrast with the Disney-style canon of realistic animation. Among many composers that worked in Zagreb Film productions, the name of Tomislav Simovic (1931 - 2014) stands out. In his oeuvre of 300+ film scores (not counting compositions and arrangements for pop singers and jazz orchestras), many were made exclusively for Zagreb film documentaries, fiction shorts, features and animation. Simovic was particularly adept at writing music for cartoons. He skillfully synchronized movement and sound and mixed different musical genres, although, like his peers at the time, he leaned towards jazz. 'The Zagreb School of Animated Film (Original Soundtracks 1961-1982)' is compiled by Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) and Zeljko Luketic (Electronic Jugoton, Ex-Yu Electronica III). Master tapes were considered lost, now found and restored for this epic 2 x LP release celebrating Yugoslavia's animated art shorts. Double vinyl gatefold with extensive liner notes, photographs from the films and exclusive cover artwork by Dejan Krsic (NEP / Nova Evropa).
Jordon Alexander (pen name Mall Grab) brilliantly carved out his very own niche in dance music. Influenced by hardcore punk skateboarding and high fashion (Linea Rossa!) in equal parts the young Australian delivers precise studies in house and techno. As entertaining as they are excitatory there hasn’t been a bump on his road so far. Alexander’s debut for Running Back proves this point. How The Dogs Chill Vol.2 delivers four high octane tracks whose DNA contains traces of deep house and a penchant for atmospheric and dulcet melodies. But they are also muscle-bound soaring and cater to the aptitude of shaking legs. Written in 2022 while he was around the flora and fauna of Australia these tracks are also supposed to sound somewhat botanical – or at least evoke the sensory experience of a visit to a greenhouse. Carefully sequenced and crafted one is left with an appetite as soon as the playtime is over. Proper nutriment for party people and serious music pendants alike.
Detroit artist Julion De’Angelo steps forward into his own with a new musical offering:the inaugural EP from his new imprint, Maybee Hill Music. Named after the street that he grew up on, the label celebrates ancestral guidance and reflecting on the past, so you can move FORWARD!
Can’t Go Askin is an exuberant testament to Black joy, building and shining triumphantly throughout its mesmerising 12-minute runtime.The track centers on a riff that immediately locks you in, as it stretches and expands with a seductive, propulsive groove, with percussion and keys all floating below a soaring and shimmering Juno. This bold and idiosyncratic interplay results in a jam which takes you HIGHER, transcendent in the spirited tradition of Chicago and Detroit.
De’Angelo completely switches gears for the flip side of this musical offering. Reflecting Cancer Moon is an immersive descent into deep dubby waters inspired by a night walk in the woods. A hypnotic, bare-bones meditation with crazy swing, that explodes into a rhythmic swirl of percussion. Dub delay echoes in and out as we journey deeper into the forest with the moon illuminating our way forward. This EP embodies De’Angelo’s restless urge to constantly seek out new sounds and open up new sonic areas for experience and transformation, with two tracks reflecting two sides of the musical spectrum.
With one foot planted in jazz and the other in the township groove of Mbaqanga, saxophonist Sello Mmutung was a powerful crossover figure in the history of popular music in South Africa. Using the stage name Bra Sello, meaning “brother” and used as a term of affection and respect in the jazz community, he came up in the era of shellac 78s as an exponent of the 1960s sax jive sound that brought the swinging rhythm of kwela into the domain of South African jazz. Despite the injection of American rhythm and blues into South African pop in the late-1960s, Bra Sello’s first releases on vinyl on the CBS label saw him backed by the group Abafana Bentuthuko and holding down an unapologetic township sound.
Joining the independent Soweto label under producer Cambridge Matiwane in the mid-1970s, Bra Sello recorded two records in the hit-making bump jive style popularised by serious jazz musician Dollar Brand on the one hand and prolific studio group the Movers, operating in funk and soul territory, on the other. Blending modern American and traditional African elements into joyful hip-swinging rhythms, Butterfly (1975) and The Battle of Disco (1977) reflect the vivacity of urban life in South Africa and document an era when dance music was performed by bands as extended jams laced with jaw-dropping solos. With music trends shifting dramatically in the late-1970s, the title of The Battle of Disco was an ironic call to arms in response to the territory that group musicians were beginning to cede to synthesisers and DJs.
For enthusiasts of African music from the 1970s, a full appreciation of the continent’s output is incomplete without South Africa’s pop-jazz sound providing a regional counterpoint to the funk experimentation of West Africa. Reissued for the very first time, Bra Sello returns in 2023 with limited replica editions from Afrodelic using master tape sources from the As-Shams/The Sun collection. Afrodelic’s unique edition of Butterfly features a previously unreleased track on Side B.
With one foot planted in jazz and the other in the township groove of Mbaqanga, saxophonist Sello Mmutung was a powerful crossover figure in the history of popular music in South Africa. Using the stage name Bra Sello, meaning “brother” and used as a term of affection and respect in the jazz community, he came up in the era of shellac 78s as an exponent of the 1960s sax jive sound that brought the swinging rhythm of kwela into the domain of South African jazz. Despite the injection of American rhythm and blues into South African pop in the late-1960s, Bra Sello’s first releases on vinyl on the CBS label saw him backed by the group Abafana Bentuthuko and holding down an unapologetic township sound.
Joining the independent Soweto label under producer Cambridge Matiwane in the mid-1970s, Bra Sello recorded two records in the hit-making bump jive style popularised by serious jazz musician Dollar Brand on the one hand and prolific studio group the Movers, operating in funk and soul territory, on the other. Blending modern American and traditional African elements into joyful hip-swinging rhythms, Butterfly (1975) and The Battle of Disco (1977) reflect the vivacity of urban life in South Africa and document an era when dance music was performed by bands as extended jams laced with jaw-dropping solos. With music trends shifting dramatically in the late-1970s, the title of The Battle of Disco was an ironic call to arms in response to the territory that group musicians were beginning to cede to synthesisers and DJs.
For enthusiasts of African music from the 1970s, a full appreciation of the continent’s output is incomplete without South Africa’s pop-jazz sound providing a regional counterpoint to the funk experimentation of West Africa. Reissued for the very first time, Bra Sello returns in 2023 with limited replica editions from Afrodelic using master tape sources from the As-Shams/The Sun collection. Afrodelic’s unique edition of Butterfly features a previously unreleased track on Side B.
Our good friend Frederik Laaser aka The Reason Y is back on Break New Soil with a mighty new EP, aptly named to describe the incredible title track: Unparalleled! It has has been a mainstay in Gregor's sets and continues to amaze dancers and Technoheads alike: A tailor-made production for DJs that enjoy no-nonsense dancefloor weapons! On remix duties we present a man that doesn't really need an introduction: UK Techno guru Alan Fitzpatrick revamped the original track and delivered a huge remix, guaranteed to set the big festival floors on fire this summer! With the two additional tracks „Matricity“ and „Seven Lakes“, Frederik shows his versatility as a producer and rounds off the EP in style. You don't want to miss this one!
Club U Nite Records presents 'Purple Kush': A Captivating Journey through Energetic House and Reggae Dub Fusion
Named after the renowned cannabis strain, 'Purple Kush' exudes a captivating blend of energetic house tracks and relaxing reggae dub elements.
On the A-side, prepare to be enchanted by the groove of 'Let The Spirit Flow.' This track's driving beats, pulsating rhythms, and deep house organ theme create an irresistible dancefloor anthem that will elevate the energy of any party.
Continuing the sonic journey on the A-side, 'La Bahia' takes us back to the roots of old-school house music. With its addictive organ riff and swing beat, this song instantly transports listeners to a nostalgia-laden dancefloor where the vibe is contagious.
Flipping the record to the B-side, 'Make Your Mind Up' keeps the momentum going with its pumping beats and soulful vocal samples. This track demands to be heard on a club's sound system, as it kickstarts an infectious dance atmosphere that will keep party-goers moving until the early hours.
Rounding off the vinyl, 'Purple Kush Theme' takes us on a mellow yet captivating journey. Seamlessly blending house vocal samples with the laid-back vibes of reggae dub, this track presents a refreshing fusion that invites listeners to let loose and unwind.
Brandon Spivey & Richie Anderson have been producing incredible music since 1993 when they released under the name "Prole Sythesis" on Alien Reign records. In 1994 they put out a series of highly sought after picture discs on the UK label Kill Out Recordings under the name A'Simetric. They went on to produce releases on USA labels Drop Bass Network & Six Sixty Six records out of Milwaukee!
These tracks are a mixture of new and old tracks. The original 90's tracks recovered from old DATs!
This release has some seriously special artwork by Mattthieu Bourel aka EK Dojo. He's had work commissioned by the New York Times, The Guardian, Washington Post, Esquire, New Scientist, Vice Managzine and many more. He has also done album covers for Venetian Snares, Carl Craig & Somatic Responses in the past.
Also comes with a free download code for the digital release of this EP.
LTD 200 COPIES
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.
TLM033 introduces a new series to Ten Lovers Music, The Coin EP's all with one track either side of a 12".
On the A side we have Cumulative Collective with Suede Bear. Musicians involved in this ever growing project are Roderick Stewart on Bass, Stefano De Santis on Keys, Takashi Nakazato on Percussion, Luke Radford on Sopranino Saxophone and Ayumi Suzuki on Vibraphone. Using musicians from the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy this has a truely international feel to it. The track was produced, arranged and programmed by Steve Conry who also mixed the track along with Stefano De Santis.
Onto side AA and we have Re:Fill with their track Live Vibe. As the name suggests the track was recorded live in Rome, Italy in one take. Re:Fill are Gaetano De Carli on Drums and Stefano De Santis on Keys and they have previously released on Italy's Cognitiva Records. As always Jose Rico takes care of mastering duties keeping that TLM sound.
1 december 1944, Thiaroye military camp, right outside of Dakar, Senegal.
1600 French soldiers of West African origin (Benin, Mali, Ivory Coast, Tchad, Senegal , Gabon, Togo etc.) have been quickly evacuated by the French Army during what was subsequentially called the ‘whitening of the colonial troops’ that happened before the armistice signature. The soldiers are awaiting to be paid for their war effort. Things go sideways, protests erupt, and the French military staff decides to open fire. The official number of casualties is 35, although various sources claim several hundred people died on that fatal day.
Since then, several artists have grasped that difficult topic, screaming for recognition and reparation.
Such is the case with a young Senegalese musician and singer named Maxidilick Adioa, with his very first single ever released, ‘Toubab Bile’, in 1987.
At that time, Adioa had been living in France for a few years. He was considered a master percussionist, playing, recording and touring alongside the great Ivorian artist Alpha Blondy. He had just written a beautiful tune, ‘Nao’, for Aminata Fall, one of the biggest actress and singers in Senegal. It seemed like a good time to launch his solo career.
Toubab Bilé remains Adioa’s biggest hit to this day, and one of the best African reggae tune ever recorded.
Adioa ended up signing an album deal with Chris Blackwell’s Island records and toured the world endlessly during the following years.
In 2012, François Hollande was the first French President to officially mention and pay tribute to the Thiaroye massacre in a speech.
Caserta’s favourite era of house was when the line between hip hop and house was really only made visible by the tempo of the songs. An art mastered by legends like Kenny Dope, Armand Van Helden and DJ Sneak to name a few.
FF to 2023, Caserta returns to that form with Joe’s Boutique. An obvious nod to the craftwork of the seminal album Paul’s Boutique by the Beastie Boy’s. Caserta fired up the samplers and sliced and diced his way to his first EP in years. With swinging drums, heavy basslines, chopped up vocals and music you might think you stumbled across a lost Strictly Rhythm acetate but mixed and mastered to year 2728 by the man himself.
Complete with vocal interludes segueing from track to track this truly is a listening experience as well as a dance floor filler all in one.
Effortlessly dismantling the barriers between R&B, soul, funk, disco and jazz sounds, MF Robots present long player ‘Break The Wall’, on BBE Music. Astonishing musicianship, pristine production and top-tier songwriting, ‘Break The Wall’ immediately calls to mind those iconic American rhythm sections of the 70s and 80s. The music is energising, uplifting and the potent result of a highly accomplished musical partnership maturing, growing and hitting their stride together in lock-step. Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph met as members of one of the UK’s most successful Acid Jazz bands, which influenced Mark Ronson, D’Angelo, Jamiroquai, Erykah Badu and The Roots to name a few. Founding the Brand New Heavies was an important chapter for Jan, but once he and vocalist and songwriting partner Dawn began working together, the chemistry was instant and irresistible. It was time to turn the page, and soon MF Robots was born. “When we made our first album, we didn’t have a band as such. We basically made a lot of the record at home and called on other musicians as and when we needed them. Our sound was developing organically, and when we finally released the record to great critical acclaim, it was time to get out on the road,” says Jan. “We put together a band of like-minded young musicians, playing intimate gigs and big festivals all over Europe and beyond, growing tight as a unit, so that when it came time to think about making this, our second album, we knew we had an extra level of musicianship full of personality that could realise our vision.” Inviting band members Alex Montaque (keys), Naz Adamson (bass), Mark Beaney (guitar), Jack Birchwood (trumpet), Ben Treacher (sax) to improvise and contribute their own ideas over song-sketches laid out by Jan and Dawn gives ‘Break The Wall’ a special sense of off-the-cuff brilliance. Even on the polished final product you can detect a collaborative, fluid and unhurried approach to production that’s all-too rare these days. There’s guest performances from bassist Gail Ann Dorsey (‘The Love It Takes’, ‘Make Me Happy’) and guitarist Cory Wong ('Shine', 'Make Me Happy'), the former a top-flight session player who’s collaborated with Lenny Kravitz and David Bowie among others, the latter a member of the incredible Vulfpeck collective and an accomplished solo artist in his own right.
For our 008 interpret teams up with with one of Montreal's finest jazz imprints “Ensoul records”.
This collaboration presents a four remixes record featuring songs from Dominique fils aime's album “Nameless”.
For the A1 interpret's founder Ohm Hourani revisits “Birds” with his own signature of walking bass and shuffle drums. Sharing this side, Ben Nevile inserts a healthy dose of funk to “Grow mama grow” with a remix that visits a past era with a flavour of modern twist.
The B side commences with a dance floor roller for the title song “Nameless” by Paris's Pepeno and shake expert Ben Vedren.
Closing this four tracker is Montreal's dynamic duo “Flabbergast”. Vincent Lemieux & Guillaume Coutu Dumonts work their own charm on “Birds” pairing the voice with a deep groove accompanied by warm keys.
Next up on Toolroom’s 4-track vinyl sampler series is another tasty collab from label founder, Mark Knight with legendary House DJ and producer Todd Terry and the Darryl James & David Anthony Project. Diving straight back into that classic 90’s House sound, Mark Knight delivers a taste of his finest production to date after unearthing Todd Terry’s edit of ‘Buddah’ by Darryl James & David Anthony Project, shaping up a seriously killer reworking of this gem fresh for the dance floor in 2023.
Next up, renowned German selector Eddie Thoneick makes a label debut with his club orientated big room weapon ‘Take It Back’. Taking it back straight through to the dance floor, Eddie Thoneick has become a name synonymous with high quality productions, providing remixes for Armand Van Helden, Steve Angello, Bob Sinclar and David Guetta. Eddie’s chunky production style shines through on ‘Take It Back’, offering up a slice of raw Tech House with deep, rumbling bass lines, metallic percussive elements and a resonating hook which will cause uproar in any club its played in.
Up next is another heater from DJ, producer and Toolroom Academy tutor Pete Griffiths who drops what can only be described as a House anthem in the making, with his brand-new track ‘Get Together’. A peak time record that sees Pete Griffiths dive deep into the sound of 90’s nostalgia, dropping a seriously well-produced and classy House banger. Also featuring on the record is American R&B, Gospel vocalist Ann Nesby, formerly the lead vocalist of the Sounds of Blackness ensemble who brings her powerful vocals to the forefront, elevating this release to anthemic status.
Last but not least, Hungarian duo Muzzaik return to the label with StadiumX on their collab track ‘Echoes’. Together, Muzzaik and StadiumX bring their signature sound to Toolroom with ‘Echoes’, a record that’ll command any dance floor it’s dropped on. Featuring a toughened-up groove, rolling bass line, and chopped vocal cuts mixed with just the right amount of edge.
Named after the theoretical breakdown of the basic elements of conscious experience, Alfa Mist's latest album 'Structuralism' is based around a conversation between Mist and his sister, discussing themes of debate culture and personal growth and is an intricate and profound glimpse into the East London artist's battles with self and the societal pressures that inform our own conscious experience.
Blending ambient, drone, krautrock, psychedelic, house music elements into a unique sonic universe... that's what Cloudland Canyon is known for! This American experimental music project led by Kip Uhlhorn comes with the release of their new self-titled LP on the always trustworthy Medical Records! The band continues to explore the boundaries of sound and space, taking the listener on a journey through lush soundscapes and immersive textures. Formed in 2002, Cloudland Canyon has released several critically acclaimed albums, including "Fin Eaves," "Lie In Light," and "An Arabesque."
Their recent releases have been produced by Sonic Boom from Spacemen 3/Spectrum. With each release, Uhlhorn has pushed the envelope of experimental pop music, collaborating with various musicians and producers to create intricate and otherworldly compositions. This time around Uhlhorn collaborated primarily with AI to generate and create a compositions that sound like they are meant for an alternate realm where both beauty and suffering are both present, but not at odds with one another. AI has helped Uhlhorn take one step further into the transfigurative looking glass.
The new LP, marks a new chapter in Cloudland Canyon's journey, expanding their sonic palette to include elements of techno and electronic music while still retaining their signature dreamy atmospheres. The album is a journey through a sonic landscape that is at once futuristic and nostalgic, evoking the feeling of driving down an endless highway into the sunset. Past musical collaborators have included some of the most exciting musicians working today, including Sonic Boom from Spacemen 3, Wayne Coyne & Kliph Scurlock of Flaming Lips, David Scott Stone of the Melvins, Unwound,& LCD Soundsystem, Dean & Britta from Galaxie 500 & Luna, and Jody Stephens from Big Star to name a few. "S/T" is a testament to Cloudland Canyon's ability to collaborate and create music that is both innovative and accessible. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer to Cloudland Canyon's music, "S/T" is a must-listen for anyone interested in the possibilities of experimental music in the 21st century. With its combination of analog and digital textures, hypnotic rhythms, and expansive soundscapes, it is a journey you won't soon forget.
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, Bill Withers' Still Bill remains true to its title – and stands as the greatest male-fronted soul album not made by a singer named Marvin, Al, Sam, James, or Ray. Though the saying "keeping it real" did not exist in popular parlance when Withers released his sophomore effort on Sussex Records, no words better capture the music's approach, mindset, and value. Every facet of Still Bill radiates honesty, truth, and emotion.
These characteristics – along with Withers' strong singing, hybrid arrangements, and deceptively simple songwriting – have allowed the album to endure to the point where it sounds as fresh today as in 1972.
After rising into the Top 5 of the Billboard Album charts and attaining gold status within a year of release, Still Bill has long been evaluated not by sales – but according to its merit, spirit, and agelessness. Included by The Guardian on its "1,000 Albums to Hear Before You Die" list (2007) as well as in Tom Moon's 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die book (2008), its contemporary standing as one of history's most venerated soul efforts eclipses the positive reception it enjoyed in the early ‘70s.
Still Bill walks the same hallowed ground as What's Going On, Call Me, Night Beat, and Genius + Soul = Jazz. Like those landmarks, Still Bill plays with a mix of consistency, effortlessness, and complexity that rewards repeat listening and transcends categorization.
In combining four of the era's predominant styles – Philly soul, sweaty funk, Southern-reared blues, acoustic-based folk – and melding them with standout production borrowed from both minimalist affairs and sophisticated singer-songwriter albums, Still Bill occupies a distinct universe.
Its rhythmic fare is equally laidback and invigorating; relaxing and rollicking; eloquent and muscular; soft and tough. Withers' calm, self-assured voice hovers above it all, doubling as a warm blanket that adds comfort and grace to lyrics steeped in maturity, perspective, and compassion.
Withers' balanced outlook on human desires, needs, and situations stem from his own existence as a former blue-collar employee who believed his time as a musician would soon end. That grounding forever separates Withers from other contemporary soul greats – and stamps Still Bill with a conversational nature and egoless approachability.
"I mean look, I'm really a factory worker," said Withers in 1972. "That's a real job." There's that word again: real. The songs on Still Bill are tethered to modesty and actuality, wedded to a belief in simplicity, and connected to universal truths that link us all – independent of our economic or social standing. No track better exemplifies those principles than "Lean on Me," a feel-good paean to brotherhood and community that hit No. 1 on the pop and R&B charts en route to becoming a mainstream staple.
Withers approaches the plainspoken insight on "Lonely Town, Lonely Street" and heartbreaking vulnerability of "I Don't Want You on My Mind" with similar sincerity and straightforwardness. His proclivity for authenticity extends to the record's other big hit: the sexual, funk-laden "Use Me," which reached No. 2 and reflects the singer's everyman persona. It's an identity couched in keeping it real, the very inclination that ultimately led Withers to retire in the mid-'80s rather than bend to industry pressures or risk credibility.
That commitment to truthfulness and realism helps make Still Bill feel as unaffected as the air we breathe. Looking back on "Lean on Me" years later, Withers said it seemed like "something that was there before I got here" – the kind of song that could be 100 or 10 years old, or one we encounter anew 10 years into the future. The same can be said for every note on Still Bill.
An-i is the alias of Berlin-baseyd Korean-American Doug Lee, an artist with over two decades in the game already under several different monikers. This is the third EP to come under this name since debuting it in 2015 and finds him in an even more bold and adventurous mode than ever. Opener 'Rabble' is controlled techno chaos, a flurry of whirring machines and unrelenting drums that will frazzle your brain. 'Rubble' is just as intense, a big wall of rusted synth work and industrial noise mangled into something rhythmic and futuristic. 'Chapel Perilous' on the flip then offers up a spaced-out journey deep into the inner psyche. A welcome return from a truly singular artist that comes on fluorescent yellow wax.
Names You Can Trust continues its years-long revival work with one of Panama's most gifted and legendary soul artists, Ralph Weeks, returning the singer to the studio for another brand new recording that highlights the now 80-year old's still silky vocals and masterful songwriting. Up for the challenge with their own studio savoir-faire is a most fitting and genuine purveyor of modern day soul themselves, Ben Pirani and The Means of Production, whose output on Palmetto Street Recording and Colemine Records has already achieved high praise and collectible status in just a few years. The mission, record two unreleased home studio demos that were penned and tracked in the early 1980's and recently excavated from Ralph's extensive archive of personal songs. These original compositions were faithfully given the full treatment and arrangement they never received, but always deserved. The A-Side, "Nobody Loves Me (Like You Do)", a quintessential Ralph testimonial of love, now shines alive and...
You know Krash Slaughta right? The man behind the recent wildly successful DOOM/Sugacubes mash-up LP Sugar-Coated DOOM, not to mention his unofficial remixes of the Wu’s K.R.E.A.M. and P.L.O. Style and collab. 45 with Phill Most Chill, Rebel Base? ‘Is he at it again?’ the monkey hears you ask. Yes, he is at it again, though the closest of the the three aforementioned releases to what he’s about to drop is the Wu remix 45. And what he’s about to drop is Diggin Deeper, not a single this time but a whole remix album of one of his (and the monkey’s!) all-time favourite hip-hop LPs – to wit, Niggamortis – more usually known as Six Feet Deep (especially in the U.S., though minus the best track under that name) by hip-hop supergroup Gravediggaz.
As many will know, this LP with its horror-movie fixated lyrics gave birth to a whole hip-hop sub-genre – that of ‘horrorcore.’ However, none of those who came after seemed to manage the lyrical humour of The RZArector, The Grym Reaper and The Gatekeeper (a.k.a. RZA, Poetic and Frukwan) and the only bit of production by The Undertaker (a.k.a. Prince Paul) that they seemed interested in was the sub-metal rap sludge of the shouty Bang Your Head – i.e. the LP’s one weak spot. But don’t worry, Krash isn’t interested in that sort of thing. Not only does he avoid rap-metal beats for Bang Your Head, he doesn’t use any on the LP at all – hurrah! What he does do is employ, arguably, as eclectic an array of sample sources as Prince Paul on the original – though with an entirely different end result. Bang Your Head with its apparently sixties garage band-derived beat for example is one of the standouts. The skeletal piano skank of 6 Feet Deep is another, while a beat featuring spaced-out eighties synths forms the new musical backdrop to Constant Elevation. Two more of the monkey’s favourites on this one are Here Comes The Gravediggaz, now underpinned by double-bass-led funk and the glorious inappropriately joyous bounce of Blood Brothers. The result? Your favourite cuts on this one might not be the same as your favourite cuts on the original. Two different versions of a much-loved LP, then; it’s why people remix hip-hop. All the vocal stems were created by Krash and the ultimate intention is to do a limited vinyl release. Cover art is by the Dead Residents’ Junior Disprol.
Manda Moor steps out on Mood Child for the first time as the label co-founder links with mysterious talent Trangaz for four fresh productions on their collaborative ‘Peligro’ EP.
Ever since dropping her debut release in 2020, Danish-Filipino talent Manda Moor has been on an impressive upwards curve and one that doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon.
Having dropped back-to-back releases on Jamie Jones and Lee Foss’ iconic Hot Creations imprint, the hotly-tipped DJ/producer and label founder heads to her Mood Child label for the first time. Founded and created alongside Sirus Hood, the label serves as an artistic platform, a community-focused label, and an events series that delivers quality music via digital and physical formats, plus NFTs, unique experiences, and more. An ‘invitation to a journey that blends feelings, emotions and desires’, with takeovers at Hï Ibiza, Café Mambo, Lovefest, Fabrik and more, the first release saw Sirus partner with fellow Frenchman Malikk, and now the second arrives in perfect time for the peak summer months as Manda combines with Boogeyman and Pakate signee Trangaz.
New York City born-and-raised, he draws lines between primitive and futuristic sounds and rhythms influenced by world travel and different cultures, and the two reunite for their four-track ‘Peligro’ EP.
Crafted together in Ibiza, the EP showcases sonics capturing the island’s unique magic. Lead cut ‘El Peligro (Ibiza Mix)’ is a production made after a special day at the coves and hidden treasures of Atlantis, under full moonlight near Talamanca, with the rolling organic drums grooves, playful vocal murmurs and vibrant melodies journeying deep into the night.
Next, ‘Tagalog’ keeps the energy bubbling with another percussive workout sprinkled with vocal interjections and spoken words in the native Filipino language it is named after, while B1 ‘Chatita’ is a slinking production as wonky stabs meet and snaking low-end grooves. Closing the EP, the pair deliver the most stripped-back track with ‘Buena Vibra’ as a killer groove guides vocal chants to wrap things up in fine fashion.
Manda Moor & Trangaz ‘Peligro’ EP drops via Mood Child in July 2023.
Under the name Matsutake, saxophonist Côme Rothé and producer Jérémy Vieille (2/3 of Zerolex Trio) collaborate with French ethnologists and the Echo System concert hall to create a book-record around the theme "Making materials sing".
The album 1538 dresses this project with an immersive and cinematic jazz, tinged with ambient and experimental music.
The organic and metallic sounds come into harmony with a rare sensitivity to illustrate this study on objects and their history.
The colossal Caposile Music strike once more with a heavy hitting house EP. This sought after summertime jam comes from resident and long time family member, Maggio. The flourishing Italian talent enforces the driving force that is After Caposile with three driven and animated grooves for the peak hours of the party. Accompanying him with a stellar remix is acclaimed live performer and producer, Vitess, the Frenchman showcasing his consistent sound, living up to the Caposile ethos with great effect.
This is “Discoline”.
Title track “Discoline” cruises on an irresistible elastic groove, shimmering synths and pads shine bright, breathing life into the rolling structure of the track. This one living and breathing a pure and infectious summer time energy. Packing a serious punch is “Vertigo”, built upon crisp drum arrangements and another dynamite bass line for the heads. If you are looking to go up a gear on the floor then you are in the right place.
On the B side Maggio’s “Outer Space” leads the way. The aptly named track prepares you for lift off with its distinctive chugging, sub heavy bass. Sprinkles of spaced out vocals tease you down a path of curiosity. Vitess rounds off the EP with another recipe for dance floor frenzy in his remix of “Discoline”, playful yet effective frequencies to ignite the flight, an essential for the record bags of many in the coming months.
CPSL005 lands off the back of the “Sound Of Garden” volumes 1 and 2, and with this latest addition to the catalogue it ensures the label and club continue to cement themselves at the forefront of the scene for underground minimal and house, continuing to spread like wildfire. Become part of the Caposile family this summer with some sincere day time action from within their circle.
Mahalia is set to release her brand-new, sophomore album titled ‘IRL’ on July 14th with the pre-order set to go live on May 11th.The album will feature the singles ‘Terms and Conditions’, ‘Cheat’ and ‘In My Bag’ with album features including Stormzy, JoJo, Joyce Wrice and Kojey Radical.
Aptly titled IRL, Mahalia is particularly incessant on doubling down on vulnerability, internal reflection, and a desire to feel, in the realms of love specifically as demonstrated on her last project. “I feel like there’s even more personality on IRL. I want people to see me how I see myself.” Emboldened by her inflections, insights and young adulthood, Mahalia is not only breaking the mould on IRL, but determined to live life cognizantly. “This is a real reflection of the journeys I've had, what actually happened and a celebration of everyone who got me there. There are names and family members I mention because it all helped in shaping who I am,” Mahalia rationalises. With an innocent, yet assured gleam appearing on her face, “I’m so proud of this project, and so proud of how much I challenged myself to just let those stories out.”
Christened in many Grammy, BRIT, Soul Train and MTV Push nominations over the years, as well as two MOBO-wins for Best Female Act, and Best R&B/Soul Act, Mahalia still proves that beyond the accolades, an overarching dedication to persistence is what’s driven her to look inward, grow and ultimately challenge herself with each and every release to date. Standing as one of British R&B’s most successful contemporary faces, Mahalia continues to grow and establish herself in both her tact as an artist, but in building more robust ruminations sonically. As she evolves, her success becomes even more bonafide, both on home turf, but abroad too (she’s cracked the US Adult R&B Charts three times to date).
With her legion of 3.3M monthly Spotify listeners, the penultimate Saturday slot on the West Holts stage at this year’s Glastonbury festival and an opener performance for Adele at Hyde Park last summer, as well as a stellar prime-time Commonwealth Games closing ceremony set, there’s more territory to break. “I’m almost glad Love and Compromise didn’t go completely sky high, it’s given me room to keep developing, keep growing and go higher than I’ve ever been before. I’m so ready to bridge the gap now, I feel like I’m absolutely playing the long-game.”
Almost halfway through 2023, Voitax returns with a bass heavyweight of the highest order.
Marc alias Tymotica has been showcasing his musical ambitions not only as a founding member of the Munich-based label »Ruffhouse«, but also through his sonic ventures as a DJ and producer. Luca, on the other hand, an equally ambitious DJ and producer going by the name of DJ Ion, has his roots in hip-hop, jazz, and 90s techno. His debut on Don Williams’ a.r.t.less imprint proves that adequately. Their fusion turned out to be quite fruitful, as shown by their diverse yet well-centred record »Anthea« on Club Qu.
With »Bionic Gradient«, their promising collaboration enters another chapter, a representation of their precise curation of musical components, as well as an impressive design of their sounds. This progressive bass EP features dubstep-, grime-, trap-, and hip- hop influences, nuanced with dub and IDM. Through each track, the duo links crispy polyrhythms with well-chosen samples that perfectly complement the contemporary, high defined sound. Catchy leads, long reverb tails, metallic soundscapes, and detailed drum programming are carefully fused with the underlying warm bass body. All this comes down to an astonishingly eclectic bass EP that is built to be dropped on the dance floor, yet invites you to dive into an abstract and dreamy world on its own.
As both are continuously working on new material, we are more than excited about what is to come!
Walter De Buck, oprichter van de Gentse Feesten, volkzanger en beeldhouwer, liet tijdloze volksmuziek in het Gents na. Violist en componist Guido Schiffer en zanger Pieter-Jan De Smet namen het initiatief om die liedjes een frisse injectie te geven. BUCK – wat zowel de naam van de groep als van de plaat is – koos voor evergreens uit het De Buckboek, maar vist ook prachtige minder bekende nummers op. De muziek is kleurrijk, met vaak een heerlijke mix van strijkers en blazers. En vol plezierige en sprekende accenten. Gentenaar en muzikant Pieter-Jan De Smet zingt in een onvervalst en smakelijk Gents, met veel inlevingsvermogen en expressie. De aanstekelijke arrangementen van Guido Schiffer en Reinhard Vanbergen, laten de teksten herleven. Je ontdekt ze opnieuw. En vooral, ze geven het oeuvre van Walter De Buck en ook het Gentse dialect een plaats in onze tijd. Bij BUCK is het erfgoed van Walter De Buck in goede handen. (Karel Van Keymeulen)
Mind Maze is, amazingly, Trees Speak’s fifth album to be released on Soul Jazz Records in the space of little over two years– an output matched only by the intensity of their music created during this short time.
The first pressing only of the album comes with a bonus seven-inch single containing two tracks that are not available on vinyl anywhere else.
As with all their previous releases, ‘Mind Maze’ is a mind-boggling tightrope walk across an array of musical influences that seamlessly create the unique present-day world of Trees Speak.
The band’s sound is characterized by a combination of German krautrock motoric-beat rhythms, angular New York post-punk attitude, 60s spy soundtracks, psych, rock, jazz, and 70s synthesizers and vocoders. There is also a cosmic spatial awareness to their sound; both personal inner space and galactic outer space, as well as a wilful pushing of sonic boundaries.
Trees Speak are a musical duo based in Tucson, Arizona, composed of Daniel Martin Diaz and Damian Diaz. Their music is heavily influenced by the cosmic magic of the natural desert landscapes of Arizona, creating a unique and captivating sound that is both experimental and innovative.
Here you will find the myriad sounds of 1970s German electronic music (everything from Can to Cluster, Popul Vuh to Tangerine Dream); 1980s New York post-punk and synthcore (from No Wave to Suicide); John Barry’s 1960s movies, John Carpenter’s 1970s horror. You will also hear the influences of French and Italian progressive rock (Magma, Goblin) as well as cosmic, new age and experimental space soundscapes …. an almost endless list of diverse influences that ebb and flow like an ocean of sound, in the process creating a truly unique soundscape that Trees Speak have made wholly their own.
The name Trees Speak reflects their interest in the concept of using future technologies to store information and data in trees and plants, with the idea that trees communicate collectively. This interest in nature and technology, combined with their passion for experimentation, has led Trees Speak to create a truly one-of-a-kind listening experience that is both unique and engaging.
If you ever wanted to hear Can, Neu!, Destroy All Monsters, Pere Ubu, electric eels, John Cage, Liquid Liquid, Tangerine Dream, Suicide, Laurie Spiegel, Art Ensemble of Chicago, John Barry, Mother Mallard’s Portable Masterpiece Company, Sun Ra, Stockhausen, John Carpenter, Electro-Acoustic and Musique Concrete and Mars in one band - then this is it! Trees Speak are a band that defies categorization and offer an eclectic listening experience, both exciting and memorable.
The two bonus tracks (‘Seraphim’ and ‘Orpheus’) included with the album give us a further window into the complex mind maze of the group - two stunning acoustic tracks that explore a distinct early 70s sound of Yes, Argent and other progressive rock accolytes.
Montreal duo Bas Relief present a collection of rough-cut IDM and pitch-corrected emo on Insulary, a five-song EP out June 2023 on Brooklyn imprint Quiet Time. Written and compiled long distance from threads of bass music-inspired alt pop and guitar recorded in isolation, Insulary is the duo’s first substantial release since 2018. Granulated microglitches fill out the digital drum arrangements, calling on influences Baths and Loraine James, overlaid with warm piano progressions, melancholic guitar loops, and collaged vocal production.
These self-reckoning, forlorn vocals form a patchwork narrative, hazed like a shapeshifted memory, long reconfigured with each conjuring, coherence inconsistent but still there. Recurring dreams find home among recursive passages, self-referencing lyrically and with samples churned through plugins, recorded on loop until you fall upon the most satisfying aha! moment and lock it to the grid. At certain moments all the pieces combine to reminisce in sentimental shards of Porter Robinson or The Postal Service, while never straying from Bas Relief’s own vernacular.
Visiting the past in person simply by walking the routes you took in a life long past, that reenactment of memory, that attempt to capture that which you can’t – it might even be a future – is a central bolt of Insulary’s lyrical content. It’s sentimental, it longs for some past which might not even have existed, and it’s hopeful too, never capitulating to traditional structures in its embrace of unusual stylistic combinations. Insulary – brim-packed with fragments of drum and bass, uptempo electronica, and emo – is but a preview of Bas Relief’s exciting near future
'' Scandinavia Bass Dreams '' is a Various Artists record with electro from up north. All of the names are new and fresh but wil soon be leading the path of electro electronics. Br.Beta and Sir Kenneth Ray are from Gothenburg Electro Ciy.. Just Listen! Televsion is what is it is. So happy to finally release this and very happy to have them onboard! I neeed myyy remote to pu the Televsion on!!!!!!!! Enjoy! Nordic Electro Sounds From The Underground!
The Italians Antonio De Oto (A-TWEED) and Valerio Ebert (OLTREFUTURO) are the names beyond Echinopsis EP, the next release on Haus Of Beats. Three tracks with slow yet heavy tribal rhythms, dark, acid and hypnotic. Two deluxe remixes complete the EP, one by the master of rare rhythms, Toulouse Low Trax, working his usual magic, the second by the label associate Odøn, upping the tempo with a fiery electro take.
Seit über dreieinhalb Jahrzehnten hat ihre unterm Strich verrückte Methode des Thrash einige der charakteristischsten Momente in der Welt des Metal hervorgebracht. Jetzt, in der zweiten Hälfte ihrer Karriere, zeigt sich die ganze Erfahrung mit SCORCHED, da es irgendwie reifer, raffinierter klingt und mit Andeutungen von mehr als nur Thrash Metal verschönert wird. „Es ist keine Aggression um der Aggression willen“, erklärt Sänger Bobby „Blitz“ Ellsworth, „es gibt viele verschiedene Elemente auf der Platte. Für mich ist es mehr Heavy Metal und weniger eine reine Thrash-Platte. Da ist verdammt viel Melodie drauf.“
OVERKILL erweitern ihren Aktionsradius, aber lasst euch nicht täuschen, die Band wird die dreckigen, massiven Gossen-Thrasher bleiben, die wir alle kennen und lieben. "Wir sind, was wir sind, und wir wissen, was wir sind, schon seit einer verdammt langen Zeit. An diesem Punkt unserer Karriere in der Lage zu sein, identifizierbar zu bleiben und trotzdem etwas zu machen, das anders ist, ist verdammt aufregend für die Band", schließt Blitz.
Showcasing his renowned nu-disco stylings and the evolution of his musical outputs from club delights to international hits, today Purple Disco Machine, the moniker of German disco house producer Tino Piontek, shares his stellar new single ‘Hypnotized’, marking the next era for the critically acclaimed project.
With an artist name that pays homage to 80’s funk hero Prince and the uplifting dance beat of Gloria Estefan’s ‘Miami Sound Machine’, Purple Disco Machine was destined to bring together the elements of synth pop, funk, Italo Disco. With over 250 million streams across his works to date, and a recent run of A list remixes for Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson, Robert Surace, Foals and Sir Elton John, Purple Disco Machine impresses once again, creating a modern and sophisticated take on the decade that has inspired him so greatly. Further announcing his sophomore LP for release in the next year, 2020 will see Purple Disco Machine deliver his most outstanding work to date.
Enlisting the help of indie British newcomers Sophie and the Giants on the single, Purple Disco Machine, adds their alluring vocals to the instantly engaging melody, and funk fuelled bassline, that has become synonymous with so many of his dance-fuelled hits.
Born under August sun,
in year of the dog,
brings luck for great times,
like a pup in summer.
D.Dan launches his own label, summerpup, as a home for his unique blend of deep, groovy, rolling sounds steeped in psychedelia. The label's playful name and mantra derives from heritage knowledge from his Korean roots passed down by his mother, based on his time of birth.