How would you like to hear it? This project is the brainchild of Andy Baxter, a multi-talented musician and multi-instrumentalist from London. His recording career began in 2018 when he released his first album, Green, on Village Live.
Buoyed by this initial recognition by his peers, he quickly released a second self-produced opus the following year, entitled Dusk. But it was his third LP, Shapes, released by KingUnderground, that took him to the next level.
Conceived during the first period of confinement, Andy played almost every instrument on the album (a few musicians joined in here and there): drums first and foremost, his instrument of choice, but also bass, guitar, keyboards and even the flute, which he had just learnt at the time of the album's creation. Largely inspired by the library music of the 70s, including some of his mentors such as Piero Umilani, David Axelrod and Brian Bennett, the album is nonetheless resolutely modern. But there's no denying the cinematic atmosphere that emanates from his compositions.
From the opening track "We're From Nowhere", with its heavy, funky bass, you get the impression of being plunged into the Harlem blaxploitation of the heyday, and you can't help but see a musical nod to Roy Ayers' "We live in Brooklyn, baby". But you soon realise that far from being a nostalgic musician, Baxter also listens to his contemporaries like Khruangbin and BadBadNotGood, as can be heard on tracks like 'Leaves', 'Odysea' and 'Ikigai', with their atmospheric guitars and Fransesca Uberti's haunting backing vocals, which instantly invite you to travel and escape! But there are times when the mood gets a little tense, like on the more angst-ridden 'Villains', with its almost free jazz flights of fancy. Finally, his drumming also comes to the fore on the last track, 'Stay Free', with its Afrobeat rhythm reminiscent of a certain Tony Allen and evoking creative freedom as a common thread running through his values.
In nine tracks, Shapes takes us on a neo jazz journey that once again demonstrates the vitality of the English scene in this field for several years now! At the start of 2022, Robohands released their latest album, Violet, on the same label, confirming all the good things we thought about them! By allowing a number of musicians to join him on this new opus, Andy Baxter has shown a willingness to work with more accomplished collaborators.
Buscar:opus
Eko, or Eko Roosevelt, is a Cameroonian composer, pianist & vocalist. He was born in Kribi in 1946, the son of a local Tribal Chief. Eko developed his love for music at church, later pursuing his growing passionwith music studies abroad, first in Dakar and then in Paris. After concluding his studies in France he went on to a recording career and between 1975 - 1982 released a number of full-length LPs, 7" singles and albums on cassette, before returning to Kribi to take over the role of Tribal Chief from his father, a role he holds to this day.
While the name "Eko" may not be immediately familiar to all, his music will be well known to many, from the DJs to the dancers, the heads to the home listeners. Evergreen classics like “Kilimandjaro My Home”, have remained a mainstay in the record bags & USB crates of disco jocks since its release in the late 70s, while numerous of his other crossover Afro-disco gems have been bootlegged, edited and remixed by a seemingly endless number of both greater & lesser-known producers who have all paid tribute to his work. Eko Roosevelt’s position in the ranks of Cameroon’s great musicians cannot be overstated. As a composer, songwriter, pianist and singer he has influenced generations of musicians both in Cameroon and France and further abroad, while he has written & arranged for many of the Cameroonian musical community.
Here Canopy, with the benediction of Eko himself, officially reissues two of his works that have not been rereleased since their first outings. Stylistically the two songs straddle the line between Afro-disco, funk and pop, with a slightly Balearic, almost AOR sensibility.
“Phone Me Tonight” is taken from a 7” record that has barely resurfaced since it was self-released in 1981 on the “Eko Music’ imprint. The song is an uplifting opus that demonstrates Eko’s deftness for creating catchy songs that succeed in their songwriting prowess and melody crafting, both on and off the dance floor. It is a stripped back composition that employs the key elements to great effect. The groovy bass line is underpinned by a tight Afro-disco beat as Eko’s unmistakeable voice draws us in and with a masterful use of repetition and hooks, creates a song that feels familiar from the outset, while being brand new to almost all listeners. As the song develops, the synth lines lift the song higher and higher, culminating in a euphoric transcendence perfect for elevating the mood of any dancefloor.
“Take Me As I am Now”, is sourced from Eko’s first album, “Nalandi” which originally came out in 1975 on Dragon Phenix. Here we have another fine example of Eko’s ability to hone compositions that blend thelines between pop song writing and more loopy dance floor orientated structures. The vocal hook repeats throughout the song, with only minor variations, making the song feel comfortingly familiar from its early bars. An instantly appealing bass line sets the stage for the sleek guitars and taut horn arrangements. The end result is a feel-good balance of melody and groove that makes for a timeless feel with a positive message!"
RNT takes a trip south with some fresh modern takes on a pair of Colombian tropicalia classics from the 1970s! Sisters Elia and Elizabeth Fleta recorded some of the most beloved rare groove from Baranquilla’s early-70s period, and when Jaime Tuiran (Vagabundo Club Social) brought the project to label owners Aaron Dae and JKriv, they jumped at the opportunity to work with such rarefied source material.
On the A side, the mysterious newcomer producer Demi Riquisimo crafts a synth-laden tropical opus of a remix of Elia y Elizabeth’s signature hit 'Alegria' and the ever solid Parisian Yuksek works the tune into a concise and mid tempo disco stomper.
On the flip, Bostonian-come-Colombian BOSQ turns 'Soy Una Nube' into an uptempo soul banger, and Baranquilla natives Vagabundo Club Social lend their homegrown organic and clubby style to their mix of 'Alegria'. The perfect blend of earthy OG soul with modern and musical production, this record is as colorful and vibrant as the streets of Baranquilla during Carnaval. And RNT is throwing in a 7Inch with solid new masters of the original songs on heavyweight wax, to boot!
It was less than a year ago that Italy-born but Denmark-based musical artist Alex Puddu released his latest album Deliria, an enticing blend of erotic disco, soulful grooves and electronica inspired by Italian pop music of the late 70s / early 80s, which went on to enjoy extended radio play across the globe including on BBC 6, NTS, KCRW, and national Spanish station Radio 3, to name a few.
But it wasn’t long thereafter that indefatigable groove purveyor Puddu travelled back to Rome for a new musical adventure, heading straight to The Sound Work Shop, the recording studio of legendary Italian composer Piero Umiliani, where he recorded the 10 new tracks that are included in his latest musical opus, Professione Reporter, another funky and soulful adult-oriented disco-pop album entirely sung by himself in Italian.
Professione Reporter tells the story of a photo reporter who travels the world following and stalking rich recently-widowed women whose husbands died in mysterious circumstances. Attracted by their charm and wealth, our protagonist transforms himself into a gigolo, becoming a dedicated lover-boy to these rich sugar mamas and a slave to the sweet life, going so far as to become an accomplice in their criminal plans to ensure the inheritance of their dead husbands.
Once again Alex Puddu has hit the mark with a collection of polished and ear-friendly grooves that tell the alluring story of a private eye embroiled in a web of love affairs, wealth and deceit, evoking images of satin sheets, champagne and dim lights set against the backdrop of one of the most hedonistic decades so far.
12" EP. Azmari is thrilled to announce the release of their fourth opus, 5-track EP 'In Oculis'. The EP is a reflection of the band's collective desire to reinvent themselves. With a more minimalistic approach, the four musicians have created an eclectic, intense, and vibrant body of work, recorded during various residencies in Belgium and abroad. The result is a fusion of genres that range from powerful grooves to cinematic jazz, from floating melodies to entrancing soundscapes.
For this new project, Azmari teamed up with a long-time collaborator, Guillaume Souffrice (alias Mosso Mosso), who had already been Azmari's guitarist in the band's early days. Souffrice's expertise as a music therapist and multi-instrumentalist, combined with his passion for cross-cultural rhythms and melodies, adds a new depth and dimension to the band's sound.
Souffrice's extensive travels have taken him from Iranian Kurdistan, where he studied the daf (a large frame drum used in Sufi ceremonies), to northern India, where he immersed himself in the modal subtleties of the shehnai (Indian oboe). His love for psychedelic guitar tones and the classic wha-wha pedal remains at the heart of his musical approach, creating a fusion of tradition and experimentation.
The EP opens with 'Night Plants Can Run,' a track that starts with a rhythmic loop on the Berimbau, a Brazilian percussion instrument traditionally used in Capoeira. The song offers a steady, groovy journey between Rio de Janeiro and Sarajevo, with a guitar theme doubled by the saxophone, all underpinned by a deep 4/4 groove. The middle part of the track introduces a lot of percussion (an Azmari signature move) that gives a sense of urgency and chase, inspired by the band's experience playing the track in the studio, imagining a pursuit through the depths of the Amazon.
Next, 'Disassembling the Matrix' takes listeners on a 9/4 march that feels both elusive and powerful. Born from a jam session where an arpeggiator loop wouldn't stop, the band decided to continue with it, highlighting the beauty of a spontaneous creation once again. 'Lizzard's Dream' is a guitar-driven trip that gradually intensifies in energy. The song surprises with a sudden groovy break - a moment that was initially the core of the track - before returning to its soft and introspective theme, closing out the A-side of the vinyl.
The fourth track, 'Eyelights,' was born from the shores of Vevey Lake in Switzerland. It reflects the result of a long period of mental observation and rhythmic exploration. Three different time signatures were used to create the song's intro, which comes together as they go along. The melody loops with a peaceful and nostalgic vibe, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Under the direction of Frederik Segers, who produced the EP, 'Eyelights' takes on a cinematic feel, with classical upright piano sounds that are a first for Azmari.
The EP closes with "17th Tiger Print," which takes us to the banks of the Ganges. Souffrice's shehnai leads the track into a hypnotic, hallucinatory dimension, where the interplay between his instrument and the baritone saxophone creates a textured, mystical atmosphere. This track encapsulates the essence of Azmari, a sound that bridges cultures and emotions in a minimalist yet highly effective way.
'In Oculis' marks another milestone in Azmari's musical evolution, blending the band's signature style with new influences and experimentation. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to their sound, this EP promisesto take you on another ride around the world.
- A1: Heartbreak Hotel
- A2: Today It’s Junk, Tomorrow It’s Gold
- A3: Dominos
- A4: Siehst Du?
- B1: Trance Europe
- B2: Floks & Murders Of Entitled Spirits
- B3: 420
- B4: The Gates Are Closing And Opening Now
- B5: Really Good
- C1: Tokyo Hotel
- C2: Newttton
- C3: Work Under New Circumstances
- C4: So Much On Your Plate In A Fermented State
- D1: Soft Spots
- D2: The End Ll
- D3: Untitled#6
It was quite unexpected to see the very prolific and talended Pieter Kock featuring on Macadam Mambo - which is usualy used to new-comers - as he has released a lot in the past 2 years on very nice labels like RIO, Meakusma or Moonwalk X. But, the demos that he sent were so good that there was no question about doing something. And with a lot of possibilities, to prepare a double album that is now composed of 15 quality tracks for 1h20 of music... What vibes are in here! It’s heavy, loudy, loopy, mental, smokey, and always surprising. Pieter has is very own universe, and is without doubt one of the most interesting electronic musician at the moment.
Should we ask you to give chance to this opus, and tell you you won’t regret it ? We don’t think we need to do so... J
QUEENDOM is an album that marks a new era for the project while staying true to the essence of Minuit Machine. Produced under the SYNTH RELIGION label, this opus immerses us in Amandine's introspective realm, oscillating between darkness and light, between doubt and self-conquest. While retaining the emotional DNA of previous productions, QUEENDOM stands out with a more pop-oriented touch, featuring tracks where Amandine sings in French for the first time.
The first single, "HOLD ME," is a powerful pop anthem addressed to the queer community, celebrating the freedom to be oneself and breaking free from societal and patriarchal norms. This track is a true empowerment statement, with striking electro beats supporting a strong message of emancipation and pride.
"Créatures," a collaboration between RAUMM and Minuit Machine, is a modern fairy tale—a timeless love story that could take place in any era. This salvific love, rarely seen today, embodies a poignant depth and beauty.
Continuing the journey, "Cent Fois"—a French-written track—takes us into a techno-pop universe with nostalgic yet hopeful undertones. This song perfectly reflects Minuit Machine's evolution toward a more radiant approach while staying faithful to its dark heritage.
"Party People," on the other hand, is a return to roots with dark wave/italo sounds. This hypnotic and haunting track questions identity in an increasingly robotic society, where individuals are forced to conform to imposed norms. This exploration of the individual versus the collective lies at the core of Minuit Machine's DNA.
"Mes Souvenirs," created in collaboration with Rebeka Warrior, dives intimately into the memories of Amandine and Rebeka. Together, they reveal fragments of their past—precious and vibrant memories that resonate through powerful and melancholic electro sounds.
Finally, the eponymous track "Queendom" invites us to plunge into the depths of Amandine's world—a universe that is both tormented and icy, yet resilient. Supported by a slow and captivating rhythm, this track is designed to grip and haunt the listener, like an incantation.
QUEENDOM is a bold and hybrid work where each track reflects a pursuit of sincerity and artistic reinvention while maintaining the ability to express emotions through rhythms that are both danceable and introspective. The album showcases Minuit Machine's artistic maturity, establishing itself as a must-listen in the darkwave and electronic pop scene.
Amandine entrusted the artistic direction of this album to Manon Dupeyrat, a brilliant young artist who crafted a bespoke universe perfectly aligned with the produced tracks. The album cover, both intimate and anachronistic, invites listeners into Amandine's private world through her bedroom, revealing what she wishes to share.
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.
London party crew Balearic London are back following their sold-out-and-repressed Macarena-infused Vol. 1 release with another four tasty edits, this time focusing squarely on the '90s after the mostly '80s focus of their debut.
A piano house classic de-cheesed and rearranged for maximum dancefloor effect, a total re-fit of an ambient techno opus beloved by the master Jose Padilla, an all-time pop banger taken in an even sleazier direction and a lesser known piano-powered progressive beauty's outro gets expanded for a dramatic dancefloor moment. Feel Balearic or your money back!
PulciPerla will unveil “Tatekieto”, their new album, on its release, January 04, 2025, on Prado Records / Cie Pulcinella / The Pusher. This opus will be presented on Wednesday, February 05, 2025, on the stage of FGO - Barbara, Paris (France) during an exceptional launch concert. The eponymous single “Tatequieto” was released on all platforms on November 22, 2024.
Take an iconoclastic and energetic quartet from Toulouse, combine it with a female power trio from Bogotá, shake it up, and you will get Pulciperla!
After an explosive encounter in Colombia in 2019, the fiery trio La Perla and the unclassifiable Pulcinella decided to create an original repertoire: a hybrid, swaying, and sensual music where vocals, saxophone, keyboards, double bass, and percussion blend generously, driving a powerful trance-like pulse. A quirky and striking repertoire infused with bullerengue, reggaeton, funk, and champeta influences, which stirs the fire and gets you moving. The tribal music of La Perla’s percussionist singers merges with Pulcinella’s explosive groove to electrify the audience and awaken their primal instincts!
PulciPerla is composed of :
La Perla: Diana Sanmiguel: vocals, maracas, guacharaca;
Giovanna Mogollón ‘’Roberta Leono’’: vocals, tambor alegre;
Karen Forero:vocals, gaïta, tambora
Pulcinella: Ferdinand Doumerc : saxophones, flutes, keyboards;
Jean-Marc Serpin: double bass;
Bastien Andrieu: keyboards ;
Pierre Pollet: drums
As the tenth candle flickers atop the torta alla panna, Archeo Recordings play the Uno reverse card, breaking with tradition to give us a gift in celebration of its birthday: the first in a series of exquisite EPs on which the label's favourite contemporaries pay homage to past masters. Each re-polished gem is plucked either directly from the beatific back catalogue of the fine Florentine label or is at least Archeo-adjacent, perhaps a sign of future wonders to come. Like a musical version of Janus, who can be found at the heart of Bertoldo di Giovanni's frieze in the Medici villa, Archeo Recordings will continue to look forwards and backwards to provide sublime sounds for us all.
Pepe Maina officially joined the Archeo family in 2019 with the much-needed reissue of his 1979 masterpiece Scerizza (AR015), but his astounding music has been a constant companion to label head Manu for much longer. An inter-dimensional, multi-instrumental maverick, Maina weaves the frayed edges of prog rock, new age, organic jazz and global minimalism into a shimmering tapestry all of his own. The results are spread across fifty years and almost as many albums, largely self-released and always absolutely untarnished by commercial concerns.
Based in a small village in the hills of Brianza, just north of Milan, Maina translates the beauty of his surroundings into transformative tone poems, and the folkloric fusion of "The Infinite", originally released on his 2014 CD Tales From The Hill, is the perfect example of his practice. It opens with a recitation of Giacomo Leopardi's 1825s poem "L'Infinito" by famed Italian actor Vittorio Gassman. A leading figure in the romantic movement, Leopardi explores the idea of time and space within the natural world, and the peace that comes with an appreciation of the immensity of eternity. Manu, longtime digger and now a burgeoning producer, expands upon the original with tribal percussion, chirping electronics and a spheric bassline, folding Maina's elegant strings and gossamer pads into a new arrangement suited for a slow dance under the stars.
Unless you had a well-trained ear tuned to Italy's avant-jazz scene, chances are your first encounter with innovative flautist Roberto Aglieri came via the 2017 Archeo reissue of hisalmost untraceable LP Ragapadani (AR011). It's a true testament to Manu's digging credentials that he snatched this masterpiece out of the esoteric atmosphere and brought it attention it so richly deserved. A delicate union of digital synthesis and versatile flute - be it soft and silvery or
brilliant and clear - the 1987 album was a shapeshifting masterpiece, replaying scenes from Virgil, Verdi, Visconti and Pasolini with a neon glow. Quintessentially Italian, but uncanny and previously unimagined - Penthouse and Portico perhaps. Powered by a percolating prototechno sequence, cascading keys, hallucinogenic vocal snippets and a variety of tonal timbres from Roberto's reed, "Danza N. 1" long deserved the praise reserved for Jean-Luc Ponty's pinnacle, so many thanks to Manu for our collective introduction. The tall task of reinterpreting this particular paragon falls to Perugian polymath Daniele Tomassini AKA Feel Fly, whose peerless skills as both producer and musician have delighted DJs and dancers alike. Hot on the heels of his diverse and definitive remixes of Tony Esposito for AR027, Daniele delivers a radical rework of "Danza N. 1" perfect for both day rave sunshine and full moon party alike. Enhanced by snapping breaks and a rattling kick, the bassline gurgle emerges as a progressive powerhouse, laying the foundation for the trilling flute and circular keys to cast a psychedelic spell. As the slow-Goa revival picks up pace, this one is way ahead of the pack.
Archeo take us all the way back to the start of its story here - well almost. Though it bore the stamp AR001 (2015), this Radio Band reissue actually hit shelves months after Tony Esposito's "Je-Na' / Pagaia"; a false start perhaps but a true classic all the same. Radio Band were a group of DJs from Florence who all sailed the airways of Radio Fantasy in 1984 and whose one and only release was this super groovy slice of Italo-boogie. Following the example of Milanese DJs Band of Jocks but far surpassing their formulaic funk fizzle, Radio Band employed an intergalactic bassline, cosmic keys and that undeniably Italian style of rapping to deliver a sophisticated party-starter which even found its way to disco deity Ron Hardy. Back to the here and now, and if you've found yourself pumping an ecstatic fist to a supercharged Italian epic of late, chances are its from the mind of the mysterious Radiomarc. Operating on the ascendent Popcorn Groove imprint, this shadowy figure steers his country's lost classics into peaktime territories, finding a sweet spot between late Italo-disco, early Italo-house and contemporary cool. Pushing the tempo with a club-ready 4/4, setting the sequencer to stun and supplementing the original melodies with a series of synth riffs, the mystery producer send this one into orbit. Radio Band - Radio Rap - Radiomarc, the circle is complete.
Few have done more to develop cross-cultural musical exchange than Futuro Antico. A collaborative venture from musician, archeologist and ethnomusicologist Walter Maioli, keyboardist and tonal theoretician Riccardo Sinigaglia and multi-disciplinary artist and composer Gabin Dabiré, Futuro Antico formed in Milan in 1979, combining ancient international folkloric traditions with otherworldly electronics. The result is an arresting melange of Mediterranean, African and Asian instrumentation, mimicked by esoteric synth tones and hypnotic minimalism, which the group perfected on their acclaimed 1990 LP Dai Primitivi All'Elettronica. The meditative and transportive "Pan Tuning" belongs to their largely overlooked 2005 CD only release Intonazioni Archetipe, and has been amongst Manu's most loved tracks from the first moment he heard it. Who else is better placed to reshape this evocative opus into an immersive, transcendental dance floor journey than label favourites Mushrooms Project? The duo sows the original elements into a sprawling fifteen minute fusion of séance and science, at times propulsive with a ritualist rhythm of tuned percussion and crunching drum machine at others drifting off into ethereal ambience. Mushrooms Project continue to push the boundaries of the Afro-cosmic style, and this remix marks a new zenith.
Acquit Records are setting out on an ambitious one, presenting their latest foray into vinyl releasing with this incredible new LP from Arbilla. Both label and artist move incredibly low-key, but unearthing the info was worth it. Arbilla aka. Phil Robertson and his own adjacent imprint, Xistence Records, follows up prior greats such as the 'Movement' EP with this full-length, which takes after Detroit techno and catapults it to ever further cosmic reaches. Zooming out to the macro-point of galaxy filaments and Bootes Voids, we begin with the brukky opus '3500 Miles Away From Detroit' before seguing into the percussive workouts of 'Brighter Swallow' and 'Mecca'. A real sense of expanse is given off from the otherwise raw and up-close analogue sound; the cosmos is, of course, airtight.
- A1: L'intro
- A2: System System (Ft Lass)
- A3: Love And Death (Ft Joao Selva)
- B1: Trouble Travel (Ft Nai-Jah)
- B2: Anna Est Partie (Ft Pat Kalla & Ayuune Sule)
- B3: Too Young To Die (Ft Olivya)
- C1: Mtae Rock
- C2: Sane Kunda (Ft Lass)
- C3: Jolie Sarah (Ft Pat Kalla)
- C4: Les Temps Ont Changé (Ft Fouley Badiaga)
- D1: Faché (Ft Pat Kalla)
- D2: Tu Nous Fatigues (Ft Fouley Badiaga)
- D3: C'est La Danse
- D4: Life
For almost 10 years and with 3 albums on the clock, Voilaaa has established itself with a unique style, reviving African rhythms and atmospheres in the colors of Disco dancefloors and Funky arrangements, all often accompanied by lyrics and vocals tinged with humor and commitment.
As a result, the Afro-Tropical adventure launched by producer Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart today leaves behind a host of hits (“On te l’avait dit”, “Spies Are Watching Me”, “Ben Bene La”, …), as well as trips around the globe and as many gigs and festivals, but also and above all numerous and lasting collaborations with singers like Lass, Pat Kalla, Sir Jean, Ayuune Sule, Rama Traore, or Fouley Badiaga, the latter which also marks its great return on two tracks of the album.
With C'est tout, Voilaaa returns to us without revisiting this unstoppable recipe, while seasoning things with a more Latin and Caribbean inspiration, brought back in Bruno Hovart's suitcases after several stays in South America in recent years. Introduced last spring with the release of a first maxi single, this new opus once again delivers hit after hit.
As on the already famous “Faché” alongside Pat Kalla, which displays all the classic assets of Voilaaa’s sound: punchy Afrobeat horns, woozy chords and crunchy clavinet licks rising above a low-slung, hypnotic, dub disco-meets-Afro-boogie groove. The rest of the album is not to be outdone with a total of 14 wild tracks entirely composed by an unstoppable Bruno Hovart.
Two exceptions confirm the rule, a beautiful interpretation of the song "Love and Death" by Ebo Taylor, where Voilaaa's Afro skills perfectly melt with Angolan and Brazilian vapors, beamed by Joao Selva's lovely vocals; as well as a magical cover of “Too Young to Die”, transporting Jamiroquai to the crossroads of Africa and the Antilles, carried by the superb vocal performance of singer Olivya (Dowdelin) for a first collaboration.
Well, Voilaaa is back as its best, “that’s all” (C’est tout).
JKriv’s long out-of-press Bukom Mashie Rework gets a king-size reboot in this tasty 7 Inch package with a fresh new acid dub! J’s original 8 min opus is nipped and tucked in all the right places to make for a streamlined A-side stomper, and a brand new version on the flip, with a tastefully reimagined arrangement, punctuated with spicy 303 acid lines and live flute performed by the inimitable Domenica (of Underground System). Big summer banger alert!
Die in der Nähe von Philadelphia geborene Lizzy McAlpine wurde bekannt, nachdem sie ihre eigenen Songs und Coverversionen auf Soundcloud und YouTube veröffentlicht hatte. Im Jahr 2020 veröffentlichte sie ihr erstes Album "Give Me A Minute", mit dem sie sich als aufstrebende Künstlerin etablierte und Tausende von Fans begeisterte. Im Jahr 2022 ging ihr Song "Ceilings" auf Tiktok viral und eroberte die Charts auf der ganzen Welt. Lizzy hat auch mit Niall Horan, Noah Kanan, John Mayer, FINNEAS und Jacob Collier zusammengearbeitet und sich in der Folk-Pop-Indie-Akustik-Szene einen Namen gemacht. Die 24-jährige Amerikanerin präsentiert nun "Older", eine neue Single, die ihr gleichnamiges drittes Opus ankündigt. Die Platte wurde in Los Angeles von Lizzy und Mason Stoops (Ryan Beatty, Del Water Gap) aufgenommen und produziert, mit einer zusätzlichen Produktion von Ryan Lerman von Scary Pockets, Jeremy Most (Emily King, Norah Jones) und Tony Berg (Taylor Swift, Boygenius)
DSSC001 VA is made of 5 tracks across the wide electronic music scene, involving the listener in a trippy safari through the mind, with quirky musical accents. As humans have an infinity of nuances, vibrations and perceptions, eclectism is the main point of this first opus. A spicy cocktail between retro vibes, nostalgic synths, sweet trancey touches and wild electro-house.
With no boundaries, D.ssoci8 has his heart set on feeding the prism of freedom, which fluctuates in the direction of the creative genius. It’s all about the third eye, diving into an ocean of levels of consciousness and identity processes, inviting everyone to connect with the true Self, the others and the universe.
After a short break mezin is back with the 4th record, helmed by Crihan. An Ordinary Family is a special affair, put together over a long period with a special narrative in mind, embodied by 4 pieces representing each of the main characters in F.M. Dostoevski magnum opus (or so we think!) The Brothers Karamazov.
In this exercise of imagination, Alin attempts to push his creative juices to new heights to represent his perception of the novel’s titular actors. From religious themes, distant church bells and organs, yet, a lighthearted Aliosha to the dark reveries and otherworldly echoes of Ivan through to the sheer power and brute force of Dmitri and finally intersecting with sly, slinky but confident Grushenka. An Ordinary Family sets off on an ambitious trip that, we hope, will spark some curiosity for the novel, but we’ll be happy if you keep on dancing, too!
DJ Support: Homero Espinosa, Demarkus Lewis, Kevin Yost, Micky More & Andy Tee, Milk & Sugar, Hatiras, Ross Couch, Random Soul, Husky, Colette, Vincent Caira, Richard Earnshaw, T.Markakis, Mike Millrain, Dirtytwo, 4Peace, and many more.
After a few years of silence, the label FVR Street is back, 10 years since its inception, and thrilled to introduce the VINYLITUDES series: A selection of the best tracks carefully curated from the catalogues of La Vie D'Artiste Music and FVR Street.
The first opus is a fusion of Deep House and Disco House sprinkled with nostalgic French Touch vibes from the late 90s.
DJ Support: Mark Knight, CJ Mackintosh, Mousse T, Dr Packer, Eric Kupper, Lenny Fontana, Ricky Morrison, Laurent Garnier & many more.
Michael Gray’s star has been firmly in the ascendant in recent years, with a string of chart-topping, floor-filling productions and remixes under his belt. The excitement is therefore palpable for his soon come album Optimism, which sees Michael pour both his heart and his three decades + of experience into what will be one of THE albums of the year.
'This album has been a year and a half in the making,' states the ‘Weekend’ hitmaker and one half of legendary disco house pioneers Full Intention, clearly now keen to release his career-defining magnum opus out into the world.
In these confused and often frightening times, we need musical communion more than ever. Only too aware of this, Michael has 'set out to make an album full of positivity.' Needless to say, the resulting 'hybrid of classic disco mixed with modern disco and soul' hits the spot and looks set to provide a soulful summer soundtrack to lift spirits and fill dancefloors.
In an era of often generic, over-computerised sounds, Michael returns to the source of his lifelong musical inspirations. 'Most of these productions have involved working with live strings and horns,' he enthuses. The musicians include live drums by Derrick Mckenzie from Jamiroquai, percussion by Russ Tarley from Incognito and string arranger Stephen Hussey, known for his work on Soul II Soul’s early hits.
Michael’s much-needed musical missives for the ages are masterful manna from the heavens. Things just got optimistic.
DJ Support: Gilles Peterson, Sean Johnston, Jaye Ward, Max Essa and Francois K
Limited to 300 copies
Having been long-time admirers of one another from afar, Hell Yeah and Michele Mininni finally come together for Pop Archetypes. It is a multifaceted debut album that collides broken beats, worldly rhythms, jazz, eastern melodies, live drums and much more into one thrilling 15-track opus that arrives on May 31st.
Italian artist Mininni has always had a leftfield take on electronic music and imbued it with rhythms, melodies and instruments from around the globe. He has released it on cult labels like R&S, Optimo Trax, Internasjonal and Curle Recordings but has saved his magnificent debut album for Hell Yeah. It is much more than a collection of sounds he has already explored and instead finds him heading off into all new territory without losing his signature sense of inventive and beguiling rhythm and melody. It is a multicultural journey that takes in heterogeneous styles and diverse influences but distills them all into one cohesive album with its own unique storyline.
Says Mininni of the record, 'I wanted each track to be like pieces of a unique, multifaceted picture, like walking through train cars or progressing through the levels of a video game, all filtered through my own vision and concentrated into 36 minutes. I wanted a pop album rooted in the extraordinary richness of popular music and projected into the future, a continuum where pieces communicate with each other and are received by the ears in symbiotic balance.'
Despite that concept, the album is a spontaneous listen full of surprises, left turns and original ideas that all hold together in thrilling fashion. It kicks off with the tumbling jazz drums and swirling synths of 'Spinning Around Cotton Candy', takes in mellifluous melodic layers and broken beats on 'Golden Room' and 'Slipped Air' casts you adrift amongst gorgeous piano keys and refracted vocals on the suspensory 'Vertigo'. There are jungle interludes with Eastern string melodies like 'Bangkok Tempo', lavish fusions of organic and synthetic sounds on 'Kundalini' and more charming Far Eastern rhythms on 'Muting Cat'. 'Congoflash' brings electrifying cosmic rays to busy hand drum patterns, 'The Magic Of Synesthesia' combines dark amen breaks and bright and uplifting flutes while 'Carousel Of Tears' douses you in watery melodies and celestial pads that awaken the soul.
Pop Archetypes is an adventurous work packed with meticulous and infinite details but all with an overarching narrative that makes it far more than the sum of its parts.
Tillla is 19 year old prodigal piano player Mateo Davis, a graduate of Purcell (Tirzah, Mica Levi, Jacob Collier) & a polymath musician, producer & mixer.
Third Person is Tillla's debut EP, a 13 track sprawling opus the then-18-yr-old made alone in his bedroom on a modular synth and dodgy copy of Ableton. The musicianship, depth and technical creativity in this record really is something that should be noted.
This new opus marks a major comeback for Samuel Sanders, who made a name for himself in the 2000s with his first productions alongside Max Walder on Ghoststyle, whose track "Cyclone" was covered by big names such as Ken Iishi, Marco Bailey, Frank Biazzi, Technasia, Marco Carola ... but also on the Invasion label with "Dependance" (N.E.W.S label) and among others on the Kevlar "Illusion" label, where this EP received great support from Dave Clarke, Carl Cox, Chris Liebing ... He also produced alongside Manu Kenton on the Kentek, Frenchtek and Fanatix labels. With N.O.B.A, he returned to production, choosing Vibes Addikt for his comeback.
The A-side "Do You Like ... 2024" is a remake of a track he and N.O.B.A created in 2008 on Reaktion, in a much more Hard Techno version with a spirit all its own.
Side B is dedicated to Samuel Sanders himself and presents his new productions:
B1 "Desolation" a hypnotic spirit with a touch of Acid on the cover for lovers of this spirit
The B2 "Don't Be Afraid" is close to Hard Techno with a more clubby style for fans of this style.
After more than 6 years of silence, Abschaum is finally back with a new album, and it was about time because this new opus is sublime!!
‘Shamanic’ Chris (Abschaum’s mastermind), made alone this magnificent piece of Folk, Ambient, Kraut music, that he carefully recorded in the mountains of Jura, experimenting with his guitar and a little electronic set-up, composing beautiful melodies and singing French lyrics with powerful voice to bring us to another level of harmonies, the all merged with special atmospheres that are not without remembering Eno or Froese sometimes. In our opinion, this record could easily been recognise as a timeless masterpiece in the future.
Julion De’Angelo’s music is always moving forward and evolving, an experimental and thought provoking yet soulful modern black sound, with strong focus on the drums! And here on his debut EP for Mother Tongue is no exception. From the percussive opus ‘NOWnormal’’, passing through ‘NotAnotherCafe’ an hipnotic collaboration with fellow artist Deon Jamar, until the almost electronica beat down piece ‘MyzticBounz’ this is another step into Julion’s rich and expressive musical world!
Dave Lee's "AC Soul Symphony" alias has been releasing delectable and sultry disco since 2005 but reached his magnus opus in 2023 with the release of the "Metamorphosis" LP. Here we find two tracks handpicked from the album and delivered, for the first time, in a 7" format. The single starts much as the album does with the track "Windy City Theme", beautifully scored, recorded, and produced legato strings envelope the track, punctuated with horns and vocals reminiscent of a Love Unlimited Orchestra production. This version of the track has been rearranged, speeding up the pacing of the track and reaching the juicy parts in a really satisfying way. On the flip side we have the title track from the album "Metamorphosis", which is the first time the vocal version has been made available on Vinyl. A bass laden intro gives ways to glistening pianos and those signature strings (have we mentioned how good the strings are?). A more laid back and seductive track than the A side, but no less appealing. Again, due to the limitations of the 7" format, "Metamorphosis" has been expertly rearranged with loving care and attention.
- A1: Outside (Feat. Lila Iké) 04 18
- A2: Crown 03 38
- A3: Blood In The Streets 03 57
- A4: Continent (Feat. Jesse Royal) 04 00
- A5: My Son 03 53
- B1: Wrath (Feat. Kabaka Pyramid & Capleton) 04 05
- B2: Ocean 03 25
- B3: Stormy Nights 03 19
- B4: History Of Violence (Feat. Mortimer) 03 42
- B5: Jah Love 04 02
- B6: Harvest 03 43
Samory I's solo debut album, ''Strength' on Overstand Entertainment/Easy Star Records is helmed by prolific reggae producer Winta James (Protoje, Chronixx, Damian Marley) and features guest appearances by Jamaican reggae artists Lila Ike, Jesse Royal, Mortimer, Grammy-winner Kabaka Pyramid, and Capleton.
Samory's career has been on the rise in recent years after his collaborative album 'Black Gold' (2017) with Jamaican producer Rory "Stonelove" Gilligan, which helped make Samory a household name in the reggae world. The breakout single "Rasta Nuh Gangsta" from this rich opus of conscious Rastafarian declarations has over 10 million views on YouTube alone.
Since then, Samory I has landed features on two Grammy-nominated reggae albums, including Jesse Royal's Royal (2021) for their collaboration "High Tide or Low," and Protoje's album 'Third Time's The Charm' (2022) for the closing track "Heavy Load." In 2022, Samory I released "Life Is Amazing" feat. dancehall star Chi Ching Ching and "Love and Mercy'' off the 'Gratitude' Riddim EP (produced by Winta James), which became one of his most streamed tracks to date.
Marking their fifth instalment on the label, Aquaregia bastions Troma & PERS1 unveil their debut album entitled Ancestral Posterity. Through four Acts, this opus serves as a sonic tapestry across the annals of time; a deep hypnotic escapade from the genesis of civilisation to an enigmatic, dystopian future.
Limited 100 copies.
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.
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
Following the successful release of their inaugural collaboration, "Die Zeit," esteemed artists Timo Maas and Marc Romboy now present their second installment in their creative series. This latest offering delves into the realm of "Der Rhythmus," exploring the intricate nature of rhythm, as expounded upon by the introspective musings of vocalist Fadila.
The original composition emerges as a contemporary electro opus, meticulously crafted to infuse an exhilarating energy into moments calling for broken beats. With its innovative sonic palette, "Der Rhythmus" serves as a dynamic auditory experience, promising to captivate listeners seeking an electrifying sonic journey.
In addition to the original, the release features a transformative reimagining by none other than Dense & Pika. Their remix propels the track into a futuristic soundscape that seems to beckon from the year 2030. Immerse yourself in a riveting odyssey that transports you to a science-fiction world, where visionary sounds harmoniously merge with avant-garde techno rhythms. Dense & Pika's rendition embodies forward-thinking musical craftsmanship, inviting enthusiasts to explore new dimensions of electronic music.
"Der Rhythmus" emerges as a testament to the boundless creativity and collaborative prowess of Timo Maas, Marc Romboy, and Fadila, as well as the innovative remix artistry of Dense & Pika. This release is poised to leave an indelible mark on the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music.
- A1: Radio Dada
- A2: Holeg Spies & Rip Van Hippy - Face The Strange
- A3: Lostrosphere
- A4: Holeg Spies & Thierry Gotti - Urban Resilience
- A5: Kuba - Pharoahs Day Out (Feat Youth & Gaudi - Holeg Spies Remix)
- B1: Holeg Spies & Youth - Pomegranate
- B2: Holeg Spies & Thierry Gotti - Captain Haze
- B3: Lady L
- B4: Desert Cruising
- B5: Notinism Dot Org
Holeg Spies’ 7th album BRAVE NEW WORLD is a new step towards his creation of an immersive sound world intermixing his various music influences. The album features collaborations with YOUTH (Killing Joke, The Orb, producer of Pink Floyd and The Verve), well known Dub producer GAUDI, renown Australian percussionist RIP VAN HIPPY, psychedelic dub artist KUBA and French Goa-trance pioneer THIERRY GOTTI (Spectral/Blue Room).
This unshackled album escapes all classification, getting lost in the confines of Electronic, Progressive Rock, Dub, Ambient, Symphonic and Psychedelic music.
French trail-blazer electronic artist, Holeg’s 30-year music exploration has taken him from the early days of techno productions to composing music for films.
Touring Europe and Japan, where he was regularly invited to perform thanks to JUNO REACTOR, Holeg crossed paths with his first filmmaker, the notorious TAKASHI MIIKE, for whom he made an audiovisual remix of one of his most famous films, ICHI THE KILLER in 2001.
His film music duo SAVAGE & SPIES created the soundtrack for the cult classic THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, BLACKSITE, a $15M thriller by the producers of SICARIO & JOHN WICK and ABRUPTIO starring Oscar-winner JORDAN PEELE. Released on Liquid Sound Design in 2021, his latest opus AXIS MUNDI RELOAD was based on personal immersive journeys in the steppes of Mongolia and among the Hopi tribe in Arizona and features collaborations with YOUTH as well as JAIA and DF TRAM.
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.
XY0815 wraps up his magnum opus with an additional collection of eight tracks. The second volume of 'Gates Need Inputs' blends crafty, melodic electronica with intricate rhythms.
Soom T aka “The Raggamuffin Queen” will release her sixth studio album “The Louder The Better” on October 13, 2023. A combination of live band studio recordings and digital compositions, it took only 3 years to fully realize from the very first live band recordings in Brazil during the 2020 pandemic to its release this year. Entirely self-produced with her own music label Renegade Masters with Kunta as executive producer, Soom T called on her most trusted collaborators to produce this new Reggae/Dub gem, and it’s sunnier than ever.
“Path of the Wanderer” with its poignant and deeply emotive vocal, irresistible rolling bass line and driving rhythm was composed by French production maestro Tom Fire with “Ezekiel’s Vision” and “Michael” being the fruits of live band recordings at Pangea Studios in Sao Paolo Brazil under the skilled direction of Mauro Rabello.
“Fly My Bird” and sunny pop anthem “Good Will Come” are original compositions by Terry Vibes out of the USA while “Bad Road”,“Emergency” and “Normal People” were stylised digital productions by France’s own Dr Bud reminiscing on Soom T’s first love of digital. Additional synths were added by executive producer Kunta and studio partner Green Teddy of Highly Seen.
“Prophets”, “Free the Man”, “There is love”, “No worries” and “Don’t Make Me” composed and curated by Christian Cowlin who is the live sound engineer for The Wailers USA, takes the journey into a more roots direction with some solid harmonies and flashbacks to a bygone era. Many of the instruments on these songs were performed by Mr Cowlin himself among other seasoned musicians and recorded at his studio in the UK. Led by her great respect for activists whose aims and efforts are rooted in making society movw forward with dignity and honour, Soom T denounces the incarceration of businessman/politician Schaeffer Cox, unjust in her eyes and tens of thousands of others globally, in a call to “Free the Man”.
If “The Louder The Better” has definite roots influences, “Like a Dog” composed by French label and music production studio Irie Ites and “Walk the Earth” performed by legendary British drum & bass duo Mafia & Fluxy, added some more digital delight alongside a sweet roots trip for the listener to indulge in a medley soup of varying influences throughout this album, mixed by Mista Maff and mastered by Simon Capony at Basalte Studio.
« Hail to the Watchman », an easy favourite for more traditional reggae lovers was composed by Kunta in conjunction with Green Teddy, both of whom contributed to the production of the 2017 ‘Arch’ LP.
Finally, with this new reggae album, Soom T sticks to what is closest to her heart covering a multitude of topics from the corrupt state of the world, to the emptiness of politics and the urgent need to awaken to the reality of the condition of society.
Behind the need to inform and urge society moving forward, « The Louder The Better » delivers a positive and inspiring message, led by melodies and vocals at the crossroads of genres, that fans will love to listen to at any time.
See you on October 13, 2023 to discover this new opus by Soom T.
Got dust? Krash Slaughta has. In fact, for him, Everything’s Turning Up Dusty right about now. Surely this can’t be his brand-new double-vinyl LP journey into sound which finally realises an ambition to create a cut n paste opus held since his pre-turntable days of pause-button mixes? It certainly can! The project comes in four parts corresponding to four sides of 12″ vinyl which weigh in at approximately fifteen minutes each and each side of which took around a month to make!
Man, that is epic! When did he ever get the time and concentration to put such a beast together? Wait – are we talking about yet another Krash Slaughta lockdown project? We are! And this bad boy stitches together vintage vocal loops, rare breaks, library records and obscure samples along with remixes of Stetsasonic, O.C., Tanya Winley, Jurassic 5, Edan, Nas, ODB, Gang Starr, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud (any one of which would be straight fire on 7″or 12″) along with pretty much whatever the hell else he wanted to put on there. Pressed at 45 rpm, this one features two differently-coloured slabs of wax: one mauve and one blue while even the centre labels and cover art get in on the cut n paste vibe having been created by hand by Krash homie Saleem Andrew McGroarty. As with previous such efforts from the KS camp, there will be no re-press! Sleep at your peril.
Twoonky, the brothers duo from Brescia (Italy) formed by Michele and Simone Bornati, is back on Macadam Mambo for a second album. After their brillantissimo ‘Dezzo’ from 2019, which was well noticed by the underground scene, the new opus ‘Ottico’ won’t leave you static. This is the kind of masterpiece that the more you listen, the more you love.
At the opposite of grandiloquent music that would have immediate effect, ‘Ottico’ is much more subtile, surfing on a cool wave of styles, a collage of vibes going from 70’s Kraut to 90’s Trip-Hop, where the analog sounds of guitars, synths, distorded voices, saxo, samples and electronics FX match so well, creating an ensemble in the unique mutant flow of the Twoonky’s that makes it so intemporal and so modern in the meanwile. It’s not about being curious, it’s about being open on crossing boundaries, like they are used to do with their unique place called Spettro in Brescia, where all the avant-garde of the electronic scene is coming to perform.
‘Ottico’ could be a kind of representation of the spirit of Spettro, and possibly one of the most interesting release of 2023. We don’t know why, but it’s true, Italians do it better
This record is the third release of the label and the opening of a new series: Material Hotline.
The opus is consistent with the era of techno 90's wave that inspired certainly this first record of the series.
The four tracks that delivered the two artists Multivoq and Solah are resolutely Trance.
"The Devil Calls" open the record on its Techno side followed by an acidic track "The Horror Show". The other side makes its way between New Beat with "Last Chance" and finally trance with "Deep Jungle".
Erstes Soloalbum des Queenryche Sängers Todd La Torre. Die durch die Pandemie verschobene Queenryche Tour bot Todd La Torre die Gelegenheit,das lang geplante Soloalbum zu verwirklichen. Todd tat sich mit seinem langjährigen Freund Craig Blackwell zusammen. Wie bei Queensrÿche's The Verdict spielte La Torre Schlagzeug und übernahm die Vocals, Blackwell spielte Gitarre, Bass und Keyboards. La Torre und Blackwell produzierten das Album selbst, zogen jedoch Queensrÿche- Produzent Zeuss hinzu. Gastauftritte von Jordan Ziff (Age Of Evil, Metalhead, Ratt) und Al Nunn. Insgesamt zeigt sich der Solo-Output vielseitig, ohne die progressive Basis von Queensryche zu vernachlässigen. Die Grundlagen sind allerdings mehr im klassischen Metal verortet und werden mit verschiedenen Einflüssen kombiniert. . Der Opener "Dogmata" oder "Vanguards Of The Dawn Wall" kommen mit mächtig Speed um die Ecke und mixen Heavy mit Speed und Thrash. "Pretender" erhält einen leichten epischen Touch und La Torre bewegt sich stimmlich in überraschende Höhen. Metallisch klassisch wird es mit "Hellbound And Down", dem starken "Vexed" und "Rejoice In The Suffering". Der progressive Part kommt bei "Darkened Majesty", "Apology" oder "Critical Cynic" zum Tragen. Die Balladenfreunde hören in "Crossroad To Insanity" rein.Zum Schluss gibt es mächtig dunkle Töne zu entdecken - "One By One . Craig Blackwells Gitarrenspiel setzt den Gesang von La Torre musikalisch perfekt in Szene. Todd findet sogar Vocals, die noch nie zuvor von ihm gehört wurden, wie auf dem Titeltrack und dem bestechenden "Vanguards of the Dawn Wall" zu hören ist. 2021 nur in den USA veröffentlicht, macht ROAR dieses Juwel nun endlich auch in Europa erhältlich, zusätzlich in 2 luxuriösen Vinyl Versionen. "Rejoice The Sufffering"ist ein herausragendes Opus von einem spät berufenen Sänger, der völlig losgelöst beweist, wie man eine wuchtig-moderne und vitale Metal Scheibe schreibt, arrangiert und produziert Für alle Queensryche Fans und Liebhaber des klassischen Metal.
- A1: David
- A2: Loquillo Feat Caramelo De Cuba
- A3: Guajiro Italiano Feat Dany Noel
- A4: Georgina’s Rumba Feat Jorge Pardo
- A5: Las Olas Del Ma Feat Aroa Fernández
- B1: El Miramar Feat Kilino Y Joni Jiménez
- B2: Twanguero Gitano Feat Rafita De Madrid
- B3: Acacias Feat Alain Pérez
- B4: Tema De Vero, Cami Y Coni Feat Ismael Maitin
- B5: La Media Naranja Feat Frederlyn Mayora
Georgina's Rumba is a magnum opus in the field of latin music in the broadest sense. Gabriele Deiana Sardinian guitarist, composer, arranger, producer and lyricist brings together 36 musicians for this work, including the winners of the Latin Grammy 2021 Alain Perez and Ivan "Melon" Lewis. 15 Cubans, 12 Spanish gypsies, 5 Spanish and 3 Venezuelans give life to a musical biographical journey that ranges from latin jazz to bolero, salsa, flamenco-jazz, tropical, nordic
argentine style, son montuno and modern flamenco.
The record also features former members of the Paco de Lucia sextet including Jorge Pardo and Carles Benavent. The best of the best of each genre. The vinyl format is gatefold and contains a 6 pages insert 30cm x 30cm with photos and the history of the album.
A true and fascinating novel in that began in 1992. The cover is a hand-painted watercolor by the illustrator Gianluigi Concas and contains an encrypted rebus that can be solved by reading the novel in the insert.
- A1: A Poil
- A2: Gilbert Contre L'univers
- A3: Monte Le Son
- A4: De Rouille Et De Diamant
- A5: Balek
- A6: Punks Des Cavernes
- A7: Terreplate
- B1: L'amour Est Un Crapaud Qui Pue
- B2: Chuck Norris Dans La Prairie (Si Señor)
- B3: Derrick A Mes Basques
- B4: Cthulhu !
- B5: Je Sens Que Ca Me Gonfle
- B6: Les Beatles Du Cosmos
- B7: Métal Noir
"L'Hiver Des Crêtes" is THE new vinyl chapter that signs 40 years of existence of Ludwig Von 88!
It's in a real marathon of approximate punk that they lead their audience, all together (hey hey), to blow out 40 candles joyfully lit by Archives de la Zone Mondiale! A festive and frantic anniversary that will last all year long in 2023!
Judge for yourself: a song to be discovered every week, an album every quarter and a tour of some 50 dates across the country. These true legends of French alternative rock come back full of energy and derision in this first opus with 14 new tracks (including an unreleased one that nobody knows, not even them!) Let the deaf wake up! In 2023, the world belongs to the Ludwigs (or will self-destruct).








































