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Love Raid is first in a series of cassette-only mixtapes with the cult WFMU show and blog Bodega Pop collecting assorted digs from across New York's bodegas and cell-phone stores. This first edition is focused on leftfield, novelty, and protest 45s from across the Arabic world recorded between 1960 & 1974.

"A series of random discoveries in the mid-1990s led me to abandon American and British pop and focus on non-English-language music, predominantly Arabic, for the next two decades.

Feeding my ears required biking down to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, or hopping on the subway to Steinway Street in Queens, where I would pop into a handful of the local bodegas and immigrant-run cell-phone stores, some of which offered music from North Africa and the Middle East on cassettes and compact discs.

When CDs spiralled into obsolescence in the mid-2010s, I reluctantly made the switch to vinyl, concentrating on 45s and intentionally filling holes not well represented in the digital era – more artists than not hadn't made the transition from analog in the 1980s. This meant focusing on singles by a lot of artists I'd not heard of, and it quickly became evident just how much of the era – from approximately 1960 to 1974, when 7" records were all but abandoned in Egypt and Lebanon – had been forgotten.

What also became evident was the breadth of popular music issued by even hegemonic titan Sono Cairo. The consensus is that state radio and music publishing ignored traditional folk, shaabi, and other lowbrow pop in favor of the exalted art song we associate with Oum Kalthoum, Abdel Halim Hafez, and Farid al-Atrash.

While this active neglect of the broadest Arabic pop spectrum is mostly true, I accumulated a not inconsequential number of what I can only describe as "novelty" records by mostly one- and two-hit wonders. From catchy gimmicks like the "doktor, ya habibi" of Maha's "Doktor" and the "boom boom boom" of twins Thunai Badr's "Love Raid," to the Monty Python-level silliness of Sayed Mandoline's fake Italian crooning and maniacal laughter in "I Present to You the Mandolin," these were sounds I was genuinely surprised to hear.

Even more remarkable were the songs recorded in English: Karim Shukry's celebratory "Ramadan" and Motyaba & Nada's civil-rights plea "No Black No White" are two of my favorites, and thus included in the present collection.

The tracks compiled here are often as beautiful as they are beguiling, but while the intention was to absolutely put together a solid listen, it was also my hope to slightly expand our understanding of Arabic music of this period beyond not just the usual suspects, but also subjects – and treatment of same."

--Gary Sullivan.

Archeo Recordings serve a special delight with two extended and alternate reworks from the all star cast behind the recent AR025 Aqua Cheta remix 12”. Dipping into the cool waters of Infradisco’s original LP once again, Hear & Now and Manu Archeo look to the horizon and channel the horizontal with a couple of ambient suites, new age dreamscapes and day trippers, each awash with positive vibrations and healing frequencies.
Perugia's peerless Hear & Now open the 12", cultivating pulsing chords, hazy reverb and elegiac fretwork for a White Isle romance steeped in the sunset lineage of the Café Del Mar. Heart-swelling piano and restrained bass throbs conspire to see the rest of the world melt away, with occasional percussion the only reminder that time is still passing. Though radically different from their dance-floor driven revision on the 12", this is no less impactful, swapping the club sonics for the sensation of sheer beauty.
Not content with making a spectacular production debut via his dubbed out diversion of "Dulcis" last time out, Manu Archeo makes further waves with a meditative masterpiece - spaced out and sprawling through a sultry thirteen minutes. An echo drenched meditation script gradually sinks into the immersive ripple of balmy horn, delicate hand percussion and watery pads, making room for a succession of stunning lead-lines and glistening sequences. If you thought the new age of New Age was over, it's time to open your mind.

his new 45 from Karma Chief Records showcases two tracks from Pale Jay's latest LP, Bewilderment. The A side, My Dirty Desire is a warbling slow-disco tribute to the introvert. Pale Jay acknowledges that society rewards extroverts, but he embraces his introverted nature and the benefits of solitude. The B side, Dreaming In Slow Motion' has silken falsetto vocals that float on top of a dusty rhythm section driven by a pulsing bass and laid-back drums. Accompanied by a catchy guitar and a grand string arrangement, Pale Jay invites the listener on a soulful trip to the early morning hours floating between dream and reality. Pale Jay's latest opus showcases his remarkable ability to craft sonic tapestries that transport listeners to a world of profound introspection and sonic bliss. This 45 from Karma Chief Records serves as a tantalizing glimpse into the depths of Pale Jay's musical genius, leaving you craving for more. So sit back, relax, and let the ethereal melodies whisk you away on an extraordinary sonic odyssey.

Emerging from the depths of the Minneapolis underground scene, The Worm is one of the best underground techno duos in the US, composed of midwest stalwarts Naughty Wood and Heckadecimal. Naughty Wood brings decades of experience, including collaborations on Traxx’s esteemed Chicago imprint Nation. The machine wizard known as Hecka- decimal boasts a deep catalog with releases spanning Always Human Tapes and Great Circles. In early 2016, the mysteri- ous tape-duplicator Ryan Wurst received some demos, which soon became The Worm, a very rare and limited cassette on Always Human Tapes. In April of that year, The Worm flew to Denver to perform live at a basement rave co-hosted by Deep Club and Always Human Tapes, at which Traxx also delivered a DJ set. The Worm’s sound was minted in Ryan Scannura’s brain.

Fast forward 8 years, and Ryan S. saw it time for two absolutely mental tracks from the AHT cassette to finally be pressed to wax, together with two other cuts. The A-side kicks off with “12 Days Of Squirm,” a deep, pulsating acid earworm that builds in intensity. “LISA” could almost be an outtake from a lost Nation session. The tune melds haunting melodies with a demented beat, sure to scare off most casual diggers. Deep Club presents two new-old tracks on side B. “808 Verb Talk” is a slimy, wiggly mix in the vein of 12 Days. Finally, “Pytch1” brings the energy down in an extended, slow-burning closer. Eight years and two Ryans later, this collection is finally ready for turntables in living rooms and foggy basements around the world. Only for the most devoted midwest techno warriors!

NEW LP PRESSING on Opaque Yellow Wax

Released in September 1978, a mere two months before YMO’s debut, Cochin Moon is a clear precursor to the groundbreaking synth and sequencer-dominated sounds that would come to define the iconic trio. Huge tip!

Credited to Hosono and Pop Art legend Tadanori Yokoo (who created the cover art), Cochin Moon is a fictional soundtrack to a journey into unknown worlds, inspired by Hosono and Yokoo’s trip to India.

The unbelievably prolific Haruomi Hosono is one of the major architects of modern Japanese pop music. With his encyclopedic knowledge of music and boundless curiosity for new sounds, Hosono is the auteur of his own idiosyncratic musical world, putting his unmistakable stamp on hundreds of recordings as an artist, session player, songwriter and producer. Born and raised in central Tokyo, his adolescent obsession with American pop culture informed his early forays into country music, which he would revisit later in his career. Hosono made his professional debut in 1969 as a member of Apryl Fool, whose heavy psychedelia was somewhat at odds with his influences, which leaned towards the rootsy sounds of Moby Grape and Buffalo Springfield. The latter was one of the main inspirations for his next group, Happy End, whose unique blend of West Coast sounds with Japanese lyrics proved to be highly influential over the course of three albums. After the band’s amicable break up in 1973, Hosono began his solo career with Hosono House, an intimate slice of Japanese Americana recorded inside a rented house with recording gear squeezed into its tiny bedroom. Hosono’s solo career would take many twists and turns from this point forward, with forays into exotica, electronic, ambient, and techno, culminating in the massive success of techno pop group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO).

Released in September 1978, a mere two months before YMO’s debut, Cochin Moon is a clear precursor to the groundbreaking synth and sequencer-dominated sounds that would come to define the iconic trio. Credited to Hosono and Pop Art legend Tadanori Yokoo (who created the cover art), Cochin Moon is a fictional soundtrack to a journey into unknown worlds, inspired by Hosono and Yokoo’s trip to India. Initially the album was to be a kind of ethnographic musical document, using found sounds and field recordings made by Hosono himself. Instead, after Yokoo introduced Hosono to the sounds of Kraftwerk and krautrock during the trip, Cochin Moon became something much stranger. Created almost entirely on synthesizers and sequencers with the help of future YMO collaborators Ryuichi Sakamoto and Hideki Matsutake, the music on the album is the perfect encapsulation of Hosono’s concept of “sightseeing music,” transporting the listener to an exotic place that may or may not exist. This highly sought-after album sees its first-ever official release outside of Japan.

Parade Ground has always been the duo of brothers Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly from Brussels, Belgium formed in 1981. Taking cues from Post-Punk, Coldwave, Dada and Surrealism, Parade Ground channeled suffering, tension and rage through pulsing synthesizers, skeletal guitar, severe bass and Jean-Marc’s expressive vocals as the most melodic and emotional instrument. The Golden Years is an 11-song, career-spanning collection of Parade Ground’s long out-of-print 7” and 12” singles as well as rare compilation tracks from the pioneers of electronic body music created during 1982-1988.

Parade Ground first appeared on the Nationale Rockmeeting LP in 1982, striking straight to the heart with the passionate plea “I Shut My Eyes.” Later that year the brothers met Daniel B. and Patrick Codenys of Front 242 beginning a collaborative partnership that continues to present day. In 1983 they released their debut 3-song 7” EP Moan On The Sly on the New Dance label, musically a hybrid of Joy Division and Fad Gadget. 1984 brought further explorations into the world of electronic body music with the 3-song Man In A Trance EP and 2 tracks on the live concert compilation Mask Promotion both records released on Front 242's Mask Music label. The following year the single Took Advantage/Moral Support 12” was released incorporating then, state-of-the-art modular synthesizers programmed by Daniel B. and back-up vocals from Flo Sullivan (A Formal Sigh, Shiny Two Shiny). Then in 1987 the brothers collaborated with Colin Newman of British post-punk band Wire, who produced and lent his vocals, guitars and keyboards to two songs ("Moans"/"Action Replay") while Daniel B. produced flipside "Gold Rush" on the Dual Perspective EP that stands alongside 80s anthems from Tears for Fears, Modern English, Echo & The Bunnymen. Finally in 1988 their debut album Cut Up was released on Play It Again Sam Records and featured the singles Strange World and Hollywood. In 1993 the brothers wrote and composed the vocals on two Front 242 albums Up Evil and Off. After 15 years of silence the boys released their second album Rosary in 2007 and continue to write new material and tour with their extensive catalog of dark dance classics. Each LP includes a 6-page press kit with lyrics, discography, photos and liner notes by Daniel B. of Front 242. The history of Belgian electronic music would not be complete without a trip through “The Golden Years” of Parade Ground.

The Bombillas have emerged with two new original compositions in their recognizable sound of psychedelic eclectic soul meets world funk. "Hatif" b/w "Kidi Bloom" takes you on a narrative journey into the unknown.

Imagine speeding down Highway 10 into the desert at sunset, top down with one hand on the wheel; you end up all alone at night and hear a mysterious voice calling, screaming in your ear, but nowhere in sight. This imagery sets the stage for Side A, "Hatif." Lead by a driving phased-out strumming acoustic guitar and interweaving melodic lines from David Michael Celia on Keys and Tyler Nuffer on Electric Guitar, "Hatif" takes inspiration from the psychedelic funk and rock sounds of North Africa and The Middle East in the 1970s. Held together by the steady groove of Bassit Josh Wiener and Drummer Joey Campanella, The Bombillas explore sonic imagery and imagination in their interpretation of the Arabian Folklore, Hatif.

Then, on Side B, The Bombillas bring it down a notch with "Kidi Bloom." Featuring Patrick Bailey (Jungle Fire) on lap steel, "Kidi Bloom" continues with the desert imagery and mystical encounters one may find at night, strolling through the endless open landscape. Again, held together by Wiener and Campanella's solid groove, Celia and Bailey weave their melodic voices, creating a conversation of question and answer, or human and higher power. "Kidi Bloom" takes an ethio-inspired groove and flavors it with stoned-out psychedelic funk and country twang for a truly unique cinematic experience.

2025 Reissue

Back in the 90s JP Buckle had releases on Aphex Twin’s legendary Rephlex records and Warp. His debut album Flyin Lo-Fi is true classic in the Rephlex cannon.

These JP Buckle originals are from that album, released in 1998 and out of print on vinyl for 20 years, now re-released on vinyl by Ping-discs with 4 exclusive new remixes from Myoptik, Roy Of The Ravers, Crispy Jason and Inkipak.

This is two slabs of wax with bangin tunes on all four sides. The originals remain classic favourites of Rephlex aficionados the world over, and the remixes come from pedigree artists as well. Myoptik has had releases on many labels, including Mighty Force who first signed Aphex Twin over 30 years ago. Everyone knows Roy Of The Ravers, he has even been played in Aphex Twin’s live sets! Crispy Jason’s amazing music has featured on releases by both artists and Inkipak is the new sensation, with all of his first 4 albums selling out rapidly, indeed his debut album Anomaly is on its 3rd re-release on Pingdiscs now, that’s how in demand he is!

Originals taken from the classic 90s Rephlex album Flyin Lo-Fi.

The album SATO was made by the Ukrainian Crimean Tatar pianist and composer Usein Bekirov.
SATO was created during the difficult wartime for Usein’s motherland Ukraine and for the author himself.
Despite circumstances, the compositions of SATO express the ideas of the beauty and revival of Ukrainian music, a part of which is Crimean Tatar folklore.
The uniqueness of the release is caused both by the concept of the album and by the performers' star crew.

The jazz sound of the compositions of SATO is directed to the stylistic course of ethno-jazz and world music.
Rhythms and melodies of colorful Crimean Tatar folk music became the main source of inspiration in the creation of the album.
We can find both Usein's original author's themes, skillfully stylized to the oriental sound,
and referenced to the classic jazz vocabulary in its juicy riffs and grooves with features of fusion and funk music.

The name of the album reflected the inheritance of generations through music.
Sato is not only a folk instrument but also the name of the first Crimean Tatar jazz band, which made the first jazz arrangements of Crimean Tatar songs.
The music of this band became the basic musical experience of Usein Bekirov, because one of the members of the group was his father Riza Bekirov, to whom the album is dedicated.

The author and producer of the album is Usein Bekirov - Ukrainian pianist, composer, arranger, sound producer, and author of music for a number of films and theater performances.
Usein Bekirov cooperates with both foreign and Ukrainian musicians of the highest rank.
This is evidenced by the participants of the album Sato: Dennis Chambers, Randy Brecker, James Genus, Mike Stern, Ada Rovatti (USA), Hadrien Feraud (France), and Cenk Erdogan (Turkey).
Each performer reinterprets the author's material of Usein Bekirov through the prism of his own experience, character, and manner of performance, which was expressed in the daring stylistic combinations within a jazz style.

A special role in the creation of the album was taken by the participants of the recordings, especially, legendary jazzmen Dennis Chambers, Randy Brecker, James Genus, Mike Stern.
Their ideological and creative support became an important part of the creativity process.
Musicians expressed their impressions in small addresses for the audience.
One of the reviews of the musicians:
"The process of recording compositions was really exciting! This music reflects Usein's national origin and sense of his native culture.
It is full of real emotions. Actually, this music is quite difficult, but it is very well written and produced!
I sincerely hope you will notice this album, which also took part in Dennis Chambers, James Genus, Mike Stern, Ada Rovatti, and others.
I think it's going to be a really special album, can't wait to hear the final version.
When you hear about the premiere, I highly recommend listening to this new album created by Usein Bekirov.
It will be great!" Randy Brecker

Over three years in the making, Needle Mythology Records is delighted to announce a super deluxe, expanded remastered reissue of The Lilac Time’s 1991 masterpiece, Astronauts. Released as a triple vinyl, triple CD or single vinyl, only 1000 copies of each format will be produced, there will be no further pressings. Both the 3LP and 3CD editions will come with an extensive 11,000 word oral history of Astronauts and liner notes by Needle Mythology co-founder and longtime Stephen Duffy fan, Pete Paphides.

All three albums including a 2024 remaster, a collection of works in progress entitled‘Softened By Rain The Making Of Astronauts’ and a live compilation ‘Any Road Up The Lilac Time Live 1990/91’ have been mastered for vinyl by Miles Showell at Abbey Roadand will be housed in a triple gatefold sleeve with a colour inner sleeve and new artwork for each disc, which has been especially created by designer Mike Storey. The main sleeve for Astronauts itself will replicate the original artwork but with the four distinctive “blobs” rendered in a red “foil” texture. In addition to these three disc sets, 1000 single vinyl remastered copies of Astronauts will also be made available, in a cherry red vinyl edition to match the outer sleeve.

With the shoegaze and baggy movements at their zenith, The Lilac Time’s fourth album was released at a moment when the left-field music zeitgeist was shaped by the nascent shoegaze, baggy and grunge movements. Whilst Astronauts conformed to none of those trends, neither was it the record Stephen had in his head when he finally finished working on it. We’ll never know how that record would have sounded, but it’s hard to imagine a better version of the album he did end up making. The songwriter who brought ‘A Taste of Honey’ and ‘Hats Off, Here Comes The Girl’ into the world envisaged the sort of choruses that would jump from the single speaker of your favourite transistor and lodge themselves into the collective memory bank.

But while he really was writing some of his most beautiful melodies, Astronauts is a family of songs that demands to be kept together in the sundazed cloud of inspiration that created it. It constitutes a partial retreat from the outwardfacing utopianism of its predecessors, choosing instead to dwell on the journey taken to get to this point. That this is an audibly different band to the pastoral expeditionaries of the group’s previous releases is almost entirely down to the departure of Nick Duffy and the arrival of Sagat Guirey. Suddenly, accordions, banjos and mandolins are out; jazz guitar is in. Sagat’s filigree work on the outro of ‘A Taste for Honey’ acts as a sublime parting shot to a lyric which acts as a wiser, wistful companion piece to Stephen’s 1985 solo hit ‘Kiss Me’, something tantamount to the camera retreating to reveal the years elapsed between the time depicted and the present day. The distance between the carefree youth of pop stardom and the first intimations of mortality can be measured between the first and second verses of the quietly devastating ‘Madresfield’; from the depiction of the deserted cricket pavilion obscured by fresh snowfall to the sudden shift in perspective from subject to protagonist: ‘No one ever told me/That killing time is harmful/For time cannot recover/What soon the ground will offer.’ For all of that, however, the resulting album didn’t correspond to the vision its creator had for it. At a loss as to what to do with it, Stephen surrendered Astronauts to Creation with no plans to promote or draw attention to it. The consciousness shift of which Stephen had hoped The Lilac Time might be a precursor hadn’t happened. Or, rather, it had – but it had happened elsewhere, in the Haçienda and Shoom and in Ibiza. Not on the hills of Herefordshire. In a nod to that sea change, Stephen handed over one song, ‘Dreaming’ to Hypnotone, who

Born in 1989 in Bamako, Mali, Nfaly Diakité is a member of the Donsow, Bambara animist hunters. Nfaly Diakité is named after his grandfather, the late Nfaly Diakité, one of Mali’s most respected donso chiefs. His grandfather did not play, but as a leading figure in the donso brotherhood, he was always accompanied by musician Yoro Sidibé. Nfaly grew up alongside Yoro Sidibé, who became his first master of the donso ngoni, a type of eight-stringed antelope skin harp. After leaving school to devote himself to his instrument, Nfaly continued his apprenticeship with Diakaria Diakité and Oumar Sidibé, two donso masters from the Wassolo region.

He quickly made a name for himself in the donso community and was much asked to play at the traditional ceremonies of his brotherhood. He then met percussionist Ibrahim Sarr and joined the BKO Quintet, with whom he recorded an album and toured Europe and the United States. His virtuosity on the donso ngoni soon attracted attention, and he took part in numerous music and dance festivals in Mali and abroad, with the aim of raising awareness of this little-known traditional instrument.

Nfaly Diakité is also a Kônô, meaning that he is responsible for passing on the history and culture of the Bambara people through music and song. He pursues his mission by combining tradition with more contemporary sounds and by collaborating with artists from a wide range of musical backgrounds. For him, music is a means of conveying messages of peace, love and harmony, and his compositions evoke the values of respect, tolerance and open-mindedness.

‘Tribute to Toumani Koné’ is Nfay Diakité’s first solo album, recorded in Bamako in June 2020. On the album, Nfaly is the only singer, providing backing vocals and playing the donso ngoni and keregne. The album is a tribute to the storyteller and poet Toumani Koné, the greatest donso ngoni player since N’gonifo Bourama. Nfaly Diakité is a representative of the new generation of donso ngoni players and he wishes to pay tribute to Toumani Koné, who throughout his long career has been a symbol of courage, daring, loyalty and honesty.

The nine-track of this solo album leaves no room for hesitation. Three instruments (donso ngoni, voice and keregne) manage to carry one into another dimension without ever tiring. The fitting and precise rhythm is a deep but melodious transe. Nfaly’s voice plays between expressive urgency and calm wisdom, and the choruses with his own voice multiply the planes of dimension of the music. The donso n’goni, of which Nfaly is an excellent player, sounds rough and earthy but always clear and sharp. All the strength of a music that does not belong to a single musician but to a long cultural tradition of which he is the spokesman is expressed here. The young Nfaly, thanks to his experience and sensitivity, succeeds on his own in pushing us into this world without feeling the weight of tradition but only the liberation of music that sounds all the more contemporary. This album is to be listened to in its entirety as one tight journey between repeated formulas, highlights and moments of rest within the same relentless rhythm. The densest moment is probably found in the heart of the album, between the tracks Nankama (the predestined one) and Mogote Diabeye (no one can please everyone). Here, the message, which can be deciphered from the translation of the lyrics, seems to transcend language barriers and intepret us directly about our human condition, urging us to move our bodies to the dense rhythm of life.

In 2016, Universal Music and The Walt Disney Company France presented ‘Jazz Loves Disney’, followed in 2017 by ‘Jazz Loves Disney 2 – A Kind of Magic’, as part of the We Love Disney series.

Produced by Jay Newland, arranged and directed by Rob Mousey, the project brought together talented and renowned artists to pay tribute to the most beautiful and symbolic tunes of Walt Disney’s magic world and render exclusive jazz versions.

The remarkable cast includes Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Stacey Kent, George Benson, Madeleine Peyroux, Laura Mvula, Jacob Collier, Bebel Gilberto, Jamie Callum and Eric Cantona.

Early 1980, UB40 scored their first success with Food For Thought', reaching high in the charts. By the time they released their first album they were already so successful that they had signed off on unemployment benefit, leading to the stamped Signing Off featured on form 40, for the sleeve of their debut album. The first dub album ever to reach the album charts in the U.K. included One In Ten' and Don't Slow Down'.

In 1983 the band put on a new project, boasting ten cover versions of Jamaican hits and, contrary to low expectations, it became a huge hit and the band's first number one album. Tracks included are Cherry Oh Baby' and Please Don't Make Me Cry' and Red Red Wine'. The latter was a rather poppy song and became the band's biggest selling single ever, entailing their definitive worldwide break through.

There have been lots of collaborations through the years and most of these became huge hit songs. Together with Chrissie Hynde UB40 recorded two singles: I Got You Babe' (1985) and Breakfast In Bed' (1988). They teamed up with Afrika Bambaataa for Reckless' (1988) and with Robert Palmer the band released I'll Be Your Baby Tonight' (1990), just to name a few.
UB40 - COLLECTED has captured all the different phases of the band in one complete album, from classic hits combined with the new!

Departing the Wasteland, the new album by Finnish pianist and composer Alexi Tuomarila, marks the beginning of a new creativeflowering for him and also 20 years of playing with the trio that’s at the heart of the album: Mats Eilertsen on bass and OlaviLouhivuori on drums. Portuguese guitarist Andre Fernandes and guest players add richness and texture to the trio sound whichincorporates electronics and synthesised moods and tones.For more than 15 years Alexi Tuomarila has been quietly building a considerable reputation as one of the finest pianists of hisgeneration in Europe. In 2003 he signed with Warner Jazz France, releasing the album ‘02’ ’, which brought him worldwideattention and critical acclaim. He shared the stage with some of the biggest names in jazz, his international career and talent fastdeveloping when, without warning, Warner Jazz ditched their jazz and classical department. He then worked for a decade withPolish trumpeter legend Tomasz Stanko, playing piano on the acclaimed album Dark Eyes for ECM Records, and collaborated withhis current drummer Olavi Louhivuori (Oddarrang) with whom he continues to record for Edition.Alexi Tuomarila has three highly successful albums on Edition, Seven Hills (2014), Kingdom (2017) & Sphere (2019).

We are very excited to present our first release "Prelude" RU001. This exceptional record marks the beginning of a new era in minimal electronic music, fusing the creativity of Lucas Moss with the unique interpretations of Vlad Arapasu and Nu Zau. "Prelude” is more than an album; it is a testament to our commitment to change and evolution in musical culture. This journey of original sounds reveals our vision of embracing art in all its forms, contributing to a cultural change on a global level. On the two original tracks by Lucas Moss, we explore the depths of change and transformation. Vlad Arapasu brings his unique perspective with a remix that captivates, while Nu Zau features a vibrant and joyful remix that redraws the boundaries of the dancefloor. “Prelude" symbolises a trip where change and purification can be achieved by bringing just a little bit of light into the darkness. The vocals symbolize the intuition we all have but which is sometimes dormant. Cumacanga express our shadows; we recognize that without them, the light would not shine as brightly. This release is our call for change, innovation and the continued support of art in all its forms. Join us on this journey, where minimal electronic music becomes the way to transcend barriers and create a permanent impact on the world of art. Together, we start the journey with "Prelude" RU001, and this is just the beginning...

The year is 1974 and we are in Kingston, Jamaica: Lee Scratch Perry has just presented Susan Cadogan's album 'Sexy Suzy' on his Upsetters label. The Jamaican singer, who is just under 25, sees her cover of 'Hurt So Good' flirt with the top of the UK and JA charts but has no idea that 50 years later, she would still be a household name among Jamaican music fanatics.

On the B-side of this LP, produced by Mr Perry himself, the penultimate track is a cover of Little Willie John’s "Fever". Over the years this song has taken an unshakable place in the hearts of reggae lovers worldwide. With nearly 700 different versions referenced to date, Fever already enjoyed classic status at the time, mainly thanks to the success of Peggy Lee’s version released in 1958. Since then, in all styles, across all continents, the song has been reinterpreted, so much so that it's rare to find a year since 1956 without a new version hitting the market! Universal, timeless, this love song is known to all music enthusiasts, but in the reggae scene, it’s Susan Cadogan and Lee Scratch Perry’s version that still reigns supreme.

50 years after its release, Stand High Patrol offer us their own version. Recorded at the end of 2023, the Susan Cadogan / Stand High Patrol collaboration wasn’t initially meant to move beyond its dubplate status. However, due to the track’s success in the dance and a growing demand, it became the first pressed collaboration on record between a Jamaican artist and the Dubadub Musketeerz. Accompanied by its dub version, Stand High’s take on Fever is a creative reimagining and brings to mind that classic 90s UK dub style. Its sits firmly on its foundations, a stepper roots-flavored drum beat. Some might find the interpretation ‘more jazzy’ than Lee Perry’s, but everyone will have their own take. One thing’s for sure—its impact on the dancefloors is undeniable!

Repress!

Just six months after her huge Rave On Time EP, Charlotte de Witte is back on her own KNTXT label with another standout release featuring three thrilling new tracks.

Despite the global pandemic, Charlotte did not let up in 2020. Her label continued to serve up techno from the cutting edge, she held down various high profile streams during lockdown and also got voted as the World's Number 1 DJ by DJ Mag's Alternative Top 100 poll. After picking up the Best Producer title at the Red Bull Elektropedia Awards, her Selected EP picked up the silver medal in the Best EP category and she was awarded bronze in the Artist of the Year category. She ended the year with a spectacular set on the virtual Main Stage of Tomorrowland on New Year’s Eve and now races out of the blocks with yet another vital EP.

Says Charlotte, "I've always been fascinated by the high adrenaline racing world. Rapid movements, living in the moment, racing through life, eyes on the future. As far as concepts go for an EP, this is one of my favourite ones so far."

That plays out across the electrifying tracks, starting with ‘Doppler,' a heavyweight techno weapon with shuffling drums and urgent alarm like synths shooting over the bulky groove. It's one to keep you on edge as the strobes flash on a vast dance floor. 'RPM' ups the ante further with blistering acid lines flashing about the mix. Rooted drums roll on in unrelenting fashion and a lead synth takes you down a deep, dark rabbit hole. 'Formula' then rounds out in urgent fashion with the sound of revving engines, hammering hits and haunting melodic loops all making for a vast and vital wall of techno sound.

With this arresting and powerful new EP, Charlotte de Witte once again remains in techno's pole position.

Those who possess BARBATUS001 have already read the first chapter of Captain Barbatus D. Wreckords’ journey. The odyssey continues with the second episode, as the pirate voyages across The New World.

In the sophomore album of the Barbatus tales, the story delves into the mystery of the “Void Century”. The epic is musically deciphered by two young, yet seasoned Napolitan sailors Luigi and Andrea, better known as Two Opposites.

The duo delivers an episode of Barbatus' interpretation through the lens of Italian romanticism. You will hear trance-infused electro, you will hear sirens calling, you will hear the secret government’s conversations.

Find the next poneglyph on Valentine's day, February 14th at your favorite record stores around the world.

Revolutionary DJ and producer Matador presents his exciting debut release for Hot Creations Wildside this July. It features two contrasting tracks that stay true to the ethos of the label synonymous with White Isle hedonism.

Wildside opens with spirited percussion of shakers and snare rolls, reverberating into a fuzzy and infectious bassline groove. The playful sample is looped over crazy effects and bright keys, before dropping into a final crescendo that will have feet stomping in unison. Sweet Release retains a classic deep house sound with dreamy chords and lush synth. The track develops with warm sub-bass, piano, arpeggiation and soulful vocals, resulting in a summertime anthem.

Matador has made his mark on the electronic music world since the very beginning, producing a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, becoming a brand ambassador for MODEL 1 and featuring in Resident Advisor’s ‘Top 20 Live Acts’ for three years in the early part of his career. In 2016 he launched his label RUKUS, releasing music from emerging and established artists alike. Spanning genres and formats he has made music for Sky TV and British Airways, his vinyl-only series Cyclone is firmly rooted in techno, whilst the stream only album Tuesday presents an exquisite take on ambient. His collaboration with Zurich’s Tonhalle Orchestra again highlighted his dexterity as a truly authentic musician. 2020 sees the launch of Matador’s podcast series focusing on studio gear and featuring interviews with touring artists. His new live performance ‘Live 2.0’ is also forthcoming and will feature hotly anticipated new music.