Search:orc

1983, in the history of synths, is a key year. During the January edition of NAMM (the most important music fair in the US), indeed, MIDI - the standard protocol for electronic instruments interaction - was introduced to the world. Until then, programming and making synths work together was something practiced by a restricted elite of 'wizards", explorers armed with cables and analog patches, who could create new sonic worlds - but totally temporary, not replicable. Real superheroes of sonic synthesis, scientists of filters who, nowadays, are highly considered by musicians all over the world, after decades of forced exile. In Italy, the seeds of this tradition were planted in RAI's Laboratory of Phonology (in Milan), in the middle of the 1950's; later, pioneers like Piero Umiliani, Federico Monti Arduini (aka Il Guardiano Del Faro), Marcello Giombini, Giampiero Boneschi and Fabio Borgazzi (Fabio Fabor) introduced electronic music in pop. Fabor (together with Antonio Arena) is the protagonist of 'Superman", an album of library music released by the World label (owned by Minstrel group) in 1984. Borgazzi, born in 1920, lived through the whole saga of Italian easy listening music (from big orchestras to the digital revolution), always keeping up with the latest styles and trends. So it's not a surprise, here, to see him using a LinnDrum and the first Japanes synths; and it's perfectly natural to find some electro-funk touches

Visible Cloaks' Reassemblage is a collection of delicately rendered passages of silence and sound that invokes - and invites - consciousness. The foundation of the duo's second album is gently poured upon the ground their musical predecessors explored, using the materials of chance operations, MIDI translation,' and other generative principles that favor inclusive musical environments over the narrowly constrained.

In 2010, Spencer Doran, one part of Visible Cloaks alongside Ryan Carlile, prepared the first volume of Fairlights, Mallets, and Bamboo, a mixtape indicated by Doran as an investigation into fourth-world undercurrents in Japanese ambient and pop music, years 1980 - 1986.' These mixes contextualized the outré orbit of Yellow Magic Orchestra-related solo projects and their abstract, radiant forays as forever futuristic modes of music.

Reassemblage evokes similar musical futures celebrated on the Fairlights mixes, but does so observantly rather than reverently. The title Reassemblage, for example, is taken from a film essay by Trinh T. Minh-ha, which explores the impossibility of ascribing meaning to ethnographic images. The author aims to speak nearby' rather than speak about.' In other words, to embrace lapses of understanding, and realize that the impulse to map direct meaning across a cultural gap often results in further disconnect.

In an effort to speak nearby' rather than speak about,' Visible Cloaks filters and forms source material to become young again. Often the duo strip tonal elements of their specificity or randomize melodies so they become stirring and lucid. Essential patterns emerge, conscious experience heightens. In these moments, the musical language of Reassemblage finds unlimited resonance and presents a path to uninhabited realities.

The origin of this language could be described as translingual or polyglottal, working within the eastern / western feedback loop of influence, Fourth World ambiguity, and the universality of human emotion. Incorporating an international array of virtual instruments to advance the idea of panglobalism through digital simulation, tones and colors cohere into a living, breathing pool of sensorial experience in Visible Cloaks' environs.

Beyond embracing the fluidity of worldly musical influences, Visible Cloaks works fluently between mediums. The contribution of stalwart digital and installation artist Brenna Murphy's dream dimensions to Reassemblage's cover artwork and surrounding videos extends the album's exploration of global headspace into a visual, visceral reality.

Bass heavy, subtly rhythmical Detroit inspired original by Carlos Nilmmns incl. 2 substantial
interpretations by DJ Rolando and The Analog Roland Orchestra

Rico Puestel is in charge for our Cocoon Recordings 144th release. Rico is an 'producer animal' who released more than 100 tracks & remixes since 2005 under various project names such as Dinamoe, Central Scrutinizer and of course under his main moniker Rico Puestel. The enormous amount of productions shaped Rico's knowledge and taste and his new cocoon release 'Neyst' and 'Enokid' seems to be the logical result of his long journey through the techno-universe. Puestels style is very unique and merges elements of dark and hypnotic mainfloor techno as well as orchestral sounds and even industrial elements. 'Neyst' is the perfect hypnotic and dark techno circle that keeps on progressing and building up into sheer madness. No fast food, no leightweight, this is heavy techno business! 'Enokid' comes with a little more of a Chicago house vibe however it is again still deep in Puestels very own style. We especially fancy the crazy break in the middle with the spaced out room effect part and the melody coming in after the break. As stompy and musclepacked this track is, it still seems to be very musical and deep at the same time - what a trip! This one demands a good and proper sound system, well what other Cocoon Release doesn't

Cookin' On 3 Burners are Australia's foremost organ trio joining the dots between funk, soul, boogaloo & jazz. Long time partners Lance Ferguson (guitar), Ivan Khatchoyan (drums) and Jake Mason (organ) have taken their home brew of soulful Hammond get down everywhere from jazz festivals to after hours bars and clubs. Their top notch reputation led to them supporting Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings in Sydney, jamming live with Breakestra and becoming THE in demand band south of the equator. With a musical CV that includes names like Joe Bataan, Alice Russell, Mark de Clive-Lowe and The Quantic Soul Orchestra, as well as the world beating outfit The Bamboos, it's not surprising this latest CO3B album has generated huge interest even prior to its' release. Their first Freestyle album 'Baked, Broiled or Fried' featured the group in a hardcore funk groove but on 'Soul Messin' sees the sound, feel and influences widened further with some quite magical results. Versatile singer Kylie Auldist (Tru Thoughts Recordings) opens proceedings on the deep funk groove of 'Push It Up' but it is the Freestyle 45 'This Girl' (FSR7057) that provides the mellow, beautiful and incredibly catchy vocal highlight of the entire collection, shimmering horns ride over this laid back, future deep soul classic. We don't yet know what Gary Numan will make of CO3B's version of his 80's synth pop hit 'Cars' (CD only) but Jake Masons organ playing (including simultaneously supplying the super funky bass lines via his Hammond foot pedals and left hand) takes this track in a direction no one was expecting! Drummer and top notch singer Fallon Williams provides his gritty, searing voice on 'Hole In My Pocket' and 'Seen Through Your Disguise' sounding very much like US soul legend Robert Moore and the band display their versatility whilst doffing their caps in the direction of The Meters on the numbers 'Dog Wash' and 'Piranha' The down tempo, moody album closer 'The Proving Grounds' (CD only) once again shows the groups expanding musical textures and rounds off 'Soul Messin' the bands most varied and accomplished recording so far.

Recent Mark Lamar Live Session on Radio 1

"This Girl" has been Freestyle's top selling single of 09 so far !

Following two staggering contributions from The Analogue Roland Orchestra and 2030 that illustrated to boundless sonic possibilities for the label, Deep'a & Biri return to their Tel Aviv-based Black Crow label with a pair of powerful, emotive techno cuts in the style for which the duo long since become admired. For a long time one of those admirers has been Detroit techno founding father Derrick May, who has been on a mission to push the new 12s A-side, 'Basic Cycle', into instant classic territory through his unwavering commitment to making the track a highlight of his sets. May has been far from alone, with the track being one that D&B have been asked about, if not outright begged for, over the past year or so. It finally becomes available to techno fans worldwide in January 2017, backed by the pummelling rhythms of 'OverDrum', which itself has the potential to turn heads and drop jaws all by itself.

COMPILED BY PETE PASQUAL, ERICA OLSON & DJ KINETIC

Following on from acclaimed compilations like 'Down Under Nuggets' and 'Heavy Soul' (and two other new titles 'Running The Voodoo Down' and 'Dodgy Bossa (& Silly Sambas)' - details below), Festival Records presents another deep dig into the archives, this time shining a light on rare Australian soul-jazz, jazz-funk, and freaked-out groove rock from the late '60s and '70s.

BACK ON THE STREET AGAIN - AUSTRALIAN FUNK, SOUL & PSYCH (MOSTLY) FROM THE FESTIVAL VAULTS is a stunning 20 track CD and 2LP release that highlights a point when the previously disparate styles of rock, jazz and soul all started influencing each other, and exciting new genres were created. To quote the liner notes (by DJ Kinetic):

Australia produced some amazing music during the 60s and 70s that sat outside of the normal rock mould. Avant guard artists like John Sangster pushed boundaries and experimented with the fusion of local and overseas influences, artists like Dalvanius recorded soaring disco music that was lost amongst the popular music of the time, only to be rediscovered by DJs overseas who were searching for unknown sounds, composers like Brute Force and His Drum took risks and recorded left-field funky sounds hidden within their more mainstream compositions, and popular artists like Billy Thorpe occasionally strayed from their A&R directions and took leaves from the books of American artists who were largely unknown in Australia at the time. Beneath the veneer of bland rock and roll lay an unknown multitude of funky sounds hidden from mainstream view.

In addition to the artists that Kinetic mentions (and the compilation features two John Sangster tracks - stunning versions of 'Hair' and the Beatles' 'A Day In The Life'), the collection includes iconic names of the era like the Daly-Wilson Big Band (featuring Kerrie Biddell), Renee Geyer and the Johnny Rocco Band. '60s sides from Ross D Wyllie and The ID (featuring Jeff St John) reveal the various styles' roots in American rhythm & blues, and the unexpected inclusion of some legendary Australian rock outfits like Tamam Shud and Blackfeather reveals the psychedelic and progressive rock influences at play. The full range of the music is highlighted by the inclusion of both cabaret/daytime TV performer Al Styne and outrageous Kings Cross club act Count Copernicus & The Cosmic Fire as well as the in-house studio 'pops' orchestra, Festival Studio 24 Orchestra.

Co-compilers Pete Pasqual, Erica Olson and DJ Kentic to undertake interviews with specialist media around release. Facebook ad's around release.

Six years after his last album on Miasmah, Schattenspieler, it's great to find Marcus Fjellström resurrected after several long years spent composing his audio-visual opera Boris Christ.

Born out of shattered dreams and an obscured vision of the future, Skelektikon is a delirious yet lucid exploration of the farthest and most conflicted reaches of the heart, teeming with confusion, passion, and ghostly shadows. Being no conventional composer in any way, Marcus stumbles further down his musical domain of detuned orchestral (re-)arrangements and pain-inducing synth passages, arriving at a most unique and personal result. Where Schattenspieler gave way to noir filled alleyways, Skelektikon fills them with paranoia. It's the sound of Limbo, of dancing amoebas, of deviant skeletons, nostalgia and futurism, or quite possibly none of that.

Inhabited by the bizarre and the beautiful, Marcus's music is a blurred yet encouraging representation of how you can never trust your own feelings - or eyes and ears for that matter. And yet, we can't shake the idea that the truth is to be found somewhere within this alien language, as delivered to us through the speakers. Opening our eyes after the final track has dissipated, we wouldn't be surprised to find someone or something there, staring at us, in silent and unsettling knowledge.

Fans donated €25,000 to Emika for the project
Fans paid for the album before hearing any music
Electronic & Neo Classical. Fits 2 genres / Cross over
The composition is inspired by electronic music
Emika hired double the amount of bass players in a normal orchestra
Emika created a new seating plan for the orchestra, to sound more like a wide stereo pop album
Echo concepts (electronic music)
Romantic piece, lyrical piece, universal themes of love and sadness, huge beautiful melodies
50 piece symphony orchestra
Silver-toned soprano Michaela Srumova
Composed in Berlin
Recorded in Prague at Czech Radio Studios.

* The crossover between electronic music and classical composition has never been in more vibrant and dynamic health. Multifarious musician Emika explores this fertile ground on her ambitious new opus 'Melanfonie': her first orchestral composition, some four years in the making.

* Funded by a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign that exceeded its target by an impressive €25,000.
* While many rebel from their classical training never to return to it explicitly, Emika has always been attracted to the potential and freedoms offered by the symphony form.

* As well as taking inspiration from her electronic music background in composing the music itself, Emika also applied some of production and playback principles from that realm to create a piece whose every element has been carefully considered.

* Emika is on a quest to try and change what we mean when we talk about 'classical music'. For her, the magic of the 'genre' is about the instruments themselves and more importantly the people who play them; not the restricting traditions and conventions of the classical world itself.

* I want to change the face of classical music and give it a more honest and real image. It is time we had something other than pomp and circumstance and avant-garde squeaks and pops..

Supported by
Chilly Gonzales, Zola Jezus, Ellen Alien, Nina Kraviz, Mala, Christian Kellersmann, The Barbican, Francesco Tristano.

This opus was recorded in a room transformed into a studio, where countless hours of work happened on an old computer, with trips back and forth to the grocery to buy liters of soda.
In between soundtrack, jazz-funk and house, the beginnings of this EP find their roots in the encounter between Lucien and DJ Gregory (Point G), spiritual guide, who pushed into an introspective work, where the feelings were ultimately revealed sincerely. This EP is also the meeting of 4 musicians who've known each other for a long time and, together, form Lucien & The Kimono Orchestra.

Spell PETS backwards to get STEP. Spell STEP forwards and you get PETS going back to basics. STEP is the new vinyl-only label from the founders of PETS " Catz n Dogz " with a focus on the rawest forms and root functions of dance music. STEP searches for the fundamentals with under-theradar house and techno that's not afraid to be rough around the edges. It's all about the music.

Label owner Kastil comes up with the fourth 12'' in the Stale series. After imaginative releases by Irazu, Deapmash together with a string of underground cassette releases it's finally time for the man in charge to step back up with a very versatile and well balanced outing called ''The Sadistic Abbess''. The opening effort on the A side ''YD33'' is a modular sounding Techno cut that comes through as a robust and assertive opening track, showcasing Kastil's expertise in creating hazardous ambiances and programming rough drum patterns. ''Sphere of Influence'' is an intergalactic offering that is hard to pin down. The craze of FX on this cut is wide and thorough leaving the listening in somewhat of a frenzy. The built is strong and the effort develops into a monstrous buldger that balances smartly between different sides of electronic music. ''Bastardos'' is an emotive piece of cinematic proportions that serves as the outro for the A side. Wonderfully orchestrated pads and gloomy vocals. ''Variable Penrose'' opens up the B side. This cut will ensure some peak time dancefloor action due to it's structured nature. Serbian producer ''Lag'' offers an energetic remix of another Kastil original named ''Gold Coal''. ST171 will be available through all specialized retailers early 2017.

Landside is the collaboration between Italian producers Hunter/Game and the Icelandic band Kúra.
The sound draws as much from the deep vibe and

melancholy ambience of Kúra's reflective, dubby moods, as it does from the more insistent groove of Hunter/Game's dancefloor roots
Landside - Signs Of Change EP
Signs of Change is the fourth chapter of Landside's journey through diverse sound researches that cross over to industrial ambients, basslines and a whirling melody accompained by a crescendo of sonorities that won't release you from the flow.
Distance is a throw back voyage in a melodic orchestra of ethnic sonorities that elevate you to an esquisite and new dimension.
Luke Hess Remix, is a night bounce into into dub techno that will hypnotize you with its hazy yet enthralling use of vocals.
Kelpe Remix is a deep and intense dreamlike hazy trip, accopanied by trippy melodies that melt with the voices of the original track.

Beautiful Deluxe Artwork, Limited ot to not to is an experimental RnB project by VA native Ian Mugerwa that combines low fidelity electronic recording techniques with unconventional song structures to produce music that serves as homage to dusty old blues recordings. At 19, Ian left his hometown of Fairfax for Richmond, where he slept on friends' floors for several months while recording Goshen. During the day he would "hunt dussy" and during the night he would haul borrowed equipment over to the VCU music facilities and record until the morning. He was moderately successful on both fronts. The resultant recordings form a coming of age album, a snapshot of Ian from the ages of nineteen to twenty. Ian's goal was to explore new aesthetics in black music through use of nontraditional methods, creating less polished, less sterile RnB in the process. Such methods included layering 40+ cello tracks to create the illusion of an orchestra, or collaging four, separate, 4-minute tracks of improvised percussion into one. Most drums were recorded last. Despite the focus on experimentation, it was important to Ian that he be crafting pop music. It is his belief that an impactful artist has, at least to some degree, a moral responsibility to deliver their art to the maximum amount of people (to efficiently help art as a whole progress). In other words, if restraint can be exercised, it ought to be. Similar artists include James Blake, Phil Elvrum, Mark Hollis, and D'Angelo.

Double 180 gram, half-speed vinyl re-release of the orchestral epic. Norwegian Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed masterpiece «The Mechanical Fair» finally gets it's long awaited vinyl release

Jampacked with a wellspring of harmonic slingshots, pumping beats and melodic rollercoasters, critics called The Mechanical Fair «the best movie you'll never see» and drew comparisons to Igor Stravinsky's «The Rite of Spring» upon it's original release in 2014. It's apparent appeal to an surprisingly wide range of musical communities finally brought it right into DJ dance-wiz Todd Terje's hands. And make no mistake: the physicist hands doesn't settle for an iPad. It craves vinyl. His wholehearted endorsement led the captain of the Olsen Family to clear the rights, assemble his own killer remix and requisition Grammy-winning cutting engineer Matt Colton for a gorgeous double 180 gram, half-speed vinyl re-release of the orchestral epic.

Originally written for a quintet including heavily merited jazz cats Erik Nylander, Ole Morten Vågan, Petter Vågan and Even Helte Hermansen in 2013, The Mechanical Fair expanded at the initiative of the Trondheim Chamber Music Festival, growing bolder and more powerful with the addition of the adventurous and Grammy-winning chamber orchestra The Trondheim Soloists in 2014.

Having just spearheaded seven genre-blending shows in just six days as the «Artist in Residence» of this years prestigious Molde International Jazz Festival, the multi award-winning Norwegian violinist/multiinstrumentalist, composer and producer Ola Kvernberg (35) can look back at an already impressive recording- and performing career. The once 17 year old jazz manouche violin sensation quickly and impatiently moved beyond the jazz realm for inspiration - resulting in seven albums as a solo artist, eight feature films as a movie score composer and countless additional recordings as a sideman. His list of collaborators range from jazz legends Pat Metheny and Joshua Redman, via post/prog-rock act Motorpsycho, to collaborations with world renowned novelists Lars Saabye Christensen and Jo Nesbø. His fearless attitude and relentless drive towards the boundaries of genres has given him a well-earned high standing on the Scandinavian scene today.

Don't miss out on this rollercoasting, genre-twisting magnum opus as it finally hits is true potential on the Olsen label on November 11 this fall.

If we talk about ideas, we surely talk about "Idee 1", one of the best collaborations between Massimo Catalano and Remigio Ducros - together with "La fatica", that will be reprint in a while - with contributions from the amazing Daniela Casa. Daniela is one of the few women in the "Italian libraries" scene, but she's more talented than some of her better known male colleagues. If Daniela, and so her husband Ducros, are names linked to a tiny niche of soundtracks' lovers, Catalano has instead worked for television, being a well-known composer for the audience. His great technique and composition, combined with those of his 2 colleagues, is one of the strong points of "Idee 1", published (but never released) by Team on February 1972, fulfilled with experimental sparks (Astrazione per Flauto, Astrazione per Piano, Filanda, La Fonderia), staggering orchestrations, breakbeat and funky (Lunedì ore 7:45, Ducros), mournful atmospheres (Venerdì ore 20:30, by Casa; Ripensandoci by Catalano) and world music influences (Tibetano, Catalano). If we have to explain this record with just one track, this would be the fourth one, Creatività (Creativity): unrestrained, with no limits or filters, this song is ready to get heavy rotation on your record player.

Aufgewachsen in London mit Jungle, Grime und Broken Beats, ist der Jazz-Ansatz von Yussef Dayes und Kamaal Williams (aka Henry Wu) geprägt durch den Basssound der Piratensender, ähnlich wie die US-Kollegen Robert Glasper oder Kamasi Washington HipHop in ihre Musik einfliessen lassen. Weitere Inspirationen auf dem Yussef Kamaals Debütalbum ist der freiheitliche Anything-Goes-Spirit des 1970'er Jazzfunk eines Herbie Hancock oder Mahavishnu Orchestra, während ihr Pianospiel an Thelonious Monk und ihr Drumprogramming an Kaidi Tatham angelehnt ist.

Analog Africa has now the privilege to present 11 tracks by Verckys et L'Orchestre Vévé at the height of their most funky capabilities.

Compiled over the course of many years in a land of hardship, we welcome you to the grooviest era of the Congo.

Congo's turbulent and exhilarating '70s: Nightclubs and dance floors were packed to the brim in the capital, Kinshasa. Exuberant crowds, still giddy from independence

a decade prior, grooved to the sounds of the country`s classics. In fact the whole continent was submerged into the Congolese Rumba craze. Encouraged by the fantastic

productions of the Ngoma label, vibrant radio waves had been spreading the Congo sound from Leopoldville all over the continent, becoming the countries' No.1 export.

With half a century of existence, Beninese band Poly-Rythmo can easily be considerate as legends of the African music alongside Sela Kuti and Tinariwen. Drawing their name from the extensive mix of influences that forged their sound (American soul and funk, Nigerian afrobeat, French chanson, Congolese rumba, etc.), they are known to be impressively productive as they released from 1969 to 1980 hundreds of EPs and dozens of albums. In 2014, orchestra conductor Florent Mazzoleni visited the band and decided to produce this new album recorded in the legendary African studio Satel. With its warm tone and mastery of rhythm variations, 'Madjafalao' ("watch out") will instantaneously become a classic of afrobeat and Poly-Rythmo will share their warm joie de vivre with thousands of people during their European tour starting in late October.

Back in stock !

Michael Mayer is one of the leading German tastemakers in dance music and his DJ sets have influenced a generation (or two) of musicians and fans.As an artist, Mayer remains tirelessly motivated to DJing, in the studio or behind his desk at KOMPAKT, the label he co-owns. His recording career spans four albums, 23 EP's, nearly 170 remixes and the legendary DJ mixes for fabric and Immer. '&' is his third full-length, a passionate and personal album that speaks as broadly as his DJ sets - embracing his genre-busting love for music, rhythm and atmosphere - and the dancefloor in front of him. '&' is the rare manifest of an established artist who is willing to risk it all and challenge himself, and the world around him. 12 tracks, 12 single narratives coming from a group of very individual minds orchestrated by Michael Mayer - the DJ, artist, A&R but most importantly, obsessed music lover. Michael describes the process of curating and creating '&' as a constant battle between his three alter egos but 'the obsessed music lover has had the final say.' As diverse as they are, all the tracks that result from this long and winding road create a cohesive story and present the elasticity of Mayer's musical galaxy. Michael gladly leaves it to the rest of the scene to discuss the different grey shapes of club culture. For him there is only one club culture - a playful and open-minded one that's easy to comprehend after you hear ‚&'.

Driveclub has sold over 2million copies on the PS4 and for the first time the critically acclaimed soundtrack (inc Driveclub Bikes OST) is available on limited edition vinyl. It features an original score by Hybrid who fuse their trademark bass & electronics with epic cinematic orchestral stylings. Remixes come from luminaries across the electronica, techno and drum n' bass worlds including DJ Shadow, Clark, Noisia, Photek & Machinedrum.

Alien Transistor and Tokyo-based label Afterhours release a vinyl-version of tenniscoats' masterpiece "music exists", which consists of 4 LPs in total. "Music exists" Disc 2 functions as a complement and extension of Disc 1. Even more incredibly beautiful melodies, more subtle and psychedelic orchestration (spanish guitar, casio-keyboards, trombone, drumcomputer), and more heartfelt singing and playing.

Poker Flat Recordings deliver another killer collaboration, this time between Berlin's youANDme and The Analog Roland Orchestra. The result is Reflection - an EP containing more than its fair share of pure dance-floor moments. The Analog Roland Orchestra is Michal Matlak, the Berliner whose intimate knowledge of dance music's most iconic machines has made him a much-in-demand producer and remixer. Teaming up with party starters youANDme as well as vocalist Black Soda, the title track of this release explores deep vibrations, merging 303 basslines, crisp 909 programming and a highly effective vocal. The Dub Tool reworks the vocals into a more spacey arrangement, adding atmosphere for DJs who like to keep their sets stripped back and trippy. The Hyenah remix flips the script and develops a deep afro-house inspired cut - the man from the Caymen Islands developing an irresistible groove stretched out over seven and a half minutes. The Acid mix gives an opportunity for the guys to get busy working the 303 to its full (un) natural potential, while the Morning Light mix locks into a cosmic vibe - shimmering synths over a smooth, rolling deep house vibe.

Deep'a & Biri's Black Crow Records further expands its horizons with its seventh release, welcoming another new artist to the family following appearances by 2030, Aril Brihka, Hakimonu, Luke Hess, ROD, Inland and Markus Suckut. The Analog Roland Orchestra's label debut follows the widely acclaimed 2030 EP and shares with it a widening of the label's sonic scope to once again showcase Deep'a & Biri's desire to reach beyond techno and explore ambient and cinematic musical textures. Michal Matlak's Analog Roland Orchestra finds the Poland born & Berlin based producer in the conductor role among an array of classic electronic hardware, taking on the role of shaping & directing a free flowing sound that moves across genres, whether in a studio or live setting. His previous releases for labels including Ornaments, Rotary Cocktail Recordings and Pastamusik have seen the project indulge in an array of sounds across the techno spectrum. 'Aftermath II' is no different, moving from the classic roots techno sounds of 'Plant' and 'Father Detroit', through the dub excursion of 'Urei Dub', to the cinematic, Boards of Canada & Tangerine Dream-recalling pair 'Her' and 'Aftermath. For those with a taste for electronic music's widescreen possibilities, TARO's arrival on the Tel Aviv imprint will be a long term favourite.

In the follow up to their recent 10 Year celebrations - Aus Music present another landmark signing for the label as they triumphantly welcome long term friend Paul Woolford into the fold. Few artists can boast of a catalogue as consistent and as evolutionary as Woolford and his latest offering for Aus - as ever - lands right on the mark in delivering a beguiling trip split over two sides of vinyl. 'Heaven & Earth' is a rich and elongated House record that contrasts bright orchestral melodies with thick, tearing bass tones. Together - these two primary elements create a fervent sense of tension that no doubt will soundtrack countless memorable dance floor moments over the festival period.

Strut team up for the first time with respected French label Heavenly Sweetness for the brand new album by the inspired poet, novelist and musician, Anthony Joseph.The Caribbean is an influence that runs through Joseph's discography, obliquely or headon, suggested or on full display. It resonates on each of his albums, from the furious trance of 'Bird Head Son' to the more polished 'Time'. On 'Caribbean Roots', he has now decided to turn a guiding thread and a reference point into a communications cable - a powerful bond that makes light of distance and braves the seas to link his island to that of his friends in the Caribbean arc, dancing to the strains of tumbélé and mendé only a few miles
from Port of Spain where people live it up to rapso and soca beats. Caribbean Roots' represents a return to his roots for Anthony Joseph, who has always remained true to a powerful, deep-seated sense of his Caribbean identity. Having started
out as a joint project with the outstanding percussionist Roger Raspail (Cesaria Evora, Papa Wemba, Kassav), 'Caribbean Roots' swiftly grew into a creative force incorporating
the rhythms, sounds and vibes that rock the Caribbean from San Fernando, Scarborough, Kingston and Les Abymes to Port-au-Prince and Havana. Backed by a band made up
of a blend of local musicians, the album attempts to unite the different islands into a single entity whilst ensuring that the identity of each is in no way diluted by the mix instead creating a richer and stronger alloy. The saxophones of Shabaka Hutchings (The
Heliocentrics) and Jason Yarde, the trumpet of Yvon Guillard (Magma), the bass of Mike Clinton (Salif Keita) and the trombone of Pierre Chabrèle (Creole Jazz Orchestra) all combine to form a group of Caribbean All Stars to which Andy Narrell, the master of the steel pans, brings ringing drum beats. The album features bursts of catchy rhythms and slow percussive riff progressions, as on a film soundtrack, incandescent voodoo funk and rhythmic high-speed frenzies shot through with free-jazz sax. This reunion of the Caribbean diaspora was never meant to come up with a formula divisible into eleven separate tracks - its goal was to explore and discover new sounds. And all of this under Anthony Joseph's guidance, as he spins his lyrical blend of afro-futurism and surrealism, commemorating the Caribbean people's sometimes violent resistance to colonialism. Anthony Joseph, one moment a chronicler reciting his text against a background of simple percussion, the next a storyteller possessed by the power of a hypnotic bassline, then an adventurer chanting among mangroves where the rhythm section and the brass have created an impenetrable thicket. At turns, an MC too, strutting to a fat, throbbing groove in vocal tandem with Sly Johnson or David Rudder to pay tribute to Mighty Sparrow, the undisputed and indisputable king of calypso

The first release on new Berlin-based label Per Musica Ad Astra is Mick Clarke's 'Zusammen!' LP, the follow-up after many years to his debut solo release 'Games' on German label Blubberlips in 1979. A pioneer of UK electronic music, Mick was also in legendary synth-wave band Naked Lunch, and apart from producing music under a few different aliases over the years he also finds time to run the Flight Recorder label and is a regular programmer on Intergalactic FM, hosting both the Radio Oscillations and Magic Waves shows. The music here is very much in the spirit of the label's kosmische/space Berlin-school agenda, both reflecting his earlier work and exploring new territory simultaneously. Lush orchestrations and beautiful synth pads contrast against hypnotic rhythms and delicate melodies, and while the label's mission might be electronic listening music' tracks like 'Red Bird' and 'Mistral' are surely DJ material too. The latter evokes a sound similar to vintage Basic Channel, while other parts of the album flow through sonic territories as diverse as Tangerine Dream and the Berlin school of ambient, Warp Records' classic 'Artificial Intelligence' series, deep electro and even atmospheric Italo as well. The record comes in a beautiful sleeve with notes from the label, and comes free with a nice space insert! Definitely not one to miss!

A super disco project to celebrate Far Out Recordings 20th year, recorded in Rio de Janeiro & finished in London. Made with love by Far Out's Favourite artists including the late legend 'Maestro Jose Roberto Bertrami', 'Arthur Verocai', 'Alex Malheiros' & many of Rio's finest musicians & includes a full orchestra.
Also featured are dazzling vocals from UK based Marcina Arnold & Mia Mendes. This has been recorded & mastered to give you the full vinyl experience & is the first album of an ongoing series.








(J. R. Bertrami / J. Davis / M. Arnold)



(Bonus track)

After making some massive claims regarding electronic music last year which caused a stir in the dance music community, Mat Zo had a lot to live up to with his long awaited second album "Self Assemble". What didn't help was the fact that his first album, "Damage Control" was critically acclaimed by many within dance music and is now considered a modern-day masterpiece with mesmerising tracks such as The Sky and the massive Easy with Porter Robinson.Blending genres and sounds in a way only Zo can achieve, this record flows incredibly well as the tracks move from one to the other almost telling a story of the different styles of electronic music. At times the album is reminiscent of Zo's incredible Essential Mix from back in 2013 in the way that it progresses and constantly surprises the listeners. A lot funkier than Damage Control, it's no less incredible.
Beginning with the beautifully atmospheric "Order out of Chaos" which starts with an absolute wall of sound that boggles the mind in how Zo even went about designing something so complex, this sets the tone for the rest of the record in a cracking way. The melody soon crescendos and we're introduced in to the meat of the album with "The Enemy". Bringing out all the good funky vibes on this track, again Zo exhibits his insane production talents which are a staple of the album. Featuring vocals from the wonderful Sinead Egan, this is a great uplifting tune that'll no doubt have you dancing in your chair or in the club.
'Sinful" acts to continue the funky good-time vibes and transports us to a cool summertime drive. It has us yearning for happier times and again the guest vocals from I SEE MONSTAS go a long way in getting across this happy vibe. Featuring an uplifting almost french house inspired bassline and squelch synths that wouldn't look out of place on a Daft Punk or Madeon record, this is another stunning track from the record. "Patterns Emerging" feels like a bridge into the next section of the album and is unfortunately short. The orchestral element really brings out the emotion on this track and we only wish it was longer. "Killing Time" has those classic chopped up vocals that Zo uses to great effect and some nicely programmed drums that could be a nod to the drum and bass he used to put out under MRSA.'Smacked up on Jack" features some cool middle eastern sounds and a wacky vocal sample that helps to progress the album and keep the listener interested, again though we feel like it's a bit too short and are left wanting more. The next tune "Ruffneck Bad Boy VIP" is an absolute mammoth and one of our favourites off the record. Opening with an immense rhodes melodic sequence and after some nice vocals, the track rips into the electro house and dubstep infused banger that it really is. Some dirty, dirty sound design and drum production will have the dance floors going wild and shows us again why Zo is so good, it's a far cry from the funkier elements of the earlier stuff on the album and shows how Zo can show off a range of electronic sounds. "Lights Out" is a straight up hard hitting electro banger with an infectious vocal sample that only needs to be heard to be understood. Not much more needs to be said about it! Coming into the last section of the record, "Soul Food" returns us to the groove with an astonishing house beat and bass line that have us questioning how Zo makes it so hard not to smile listening to this album."Stereo no Aware" starts sounding like it's taken straight from a space movie epic and soon transforms into a goose bump inducing melody with a driving growling bass line that bring back the epic dubstep we all used to love a couple of years ago. Skrillex eat your heart out. Finishing off this record on a more emotional note, "Too Late" starts off like a guitar ballad and then transforms into something totally different. Egan's melancholic vocals enhance this track to great effect and is all backed by Zo's lovely downbeat production until we're treated to a monster of a climax around half way through the track which will surely blow the cobwebs right off you. Zo says goodbye to us with the phenomenal "The Last Transmission" and what a way this is to close out an incredible sophmore album for the English producer. The melancholic piano chords are a subtle and pleasing way to close out this journey of a record. Mat Zo really has outdone himself here and we're really looking forward to hearing some of these bombs dropped live. Surely a contender for album of the year at such an early stage, yet again it's only the best delivered by Mat Zo.
Latest album, Damage Control was Grammy-nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album last year

The first chapter of Piero Scattini's acclaimed movie trilogy, whose soundtracks were all entrusted into Piero Umiliani's expert hands.
The sumptuous orchestrations, the guests and the prestigious friends who took part in the recordings: Alessandro Alessandroni, Edda Dell'Orso, Franco D'Andrea, Gianni Basso, Oscar Valdambrini and Angelo Baroncini, thus explaining the excellence of the final result, lingering between orchestral and pop music. 'Easy listening', as they used to say, but of extraordinary quality.

Arthur Verocai's first appearance in the series - a double A-side featuring tracks from his incredible self-titled LP, soon to be reissued on Mr Bongo. Sylvia is a warm guitar-led instrumental orchestral samba, laced with percussion and woodwind.
Na Boca do Sol is a firm favourite from the LP - a perfect mix of drums, rhodes, vocals and strings.

The eight tracks on 'Versus' exemplify a remarkable cross-pollination of genres, a true testament to the intense, 'it takes a village' spirit of collaboration among the artists in the Wolf & Lamb aquarium.

The LP kicks off with "Real Love," an electronic duet with San Francisco's PillowTalk. A sparse, airy kick and lackadaisical, scale-climbing bass line complement a vocoder-drenched croon, evoking nothing less than an R&B version of Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works. In the album's next track, "Fo Porter," butter soft vocals from Voices of Black ("I want it/I need it/I just can't get enough/I hold it/I squeeze it/I just won't give it up") complement lush orchestral arrangements, doing for hip-hop inflected dance music what Metro Area does for disco.

"In The Morning," an after the after party, hands to the air entry into the house of god, will instantly conjure up for those lucky enough to have visited the Marcy the familiar image of Gadi's hands feeling up the wall in ecstasy while Zev soldiers through the groove. "Weekend Affair," perhaps the real standout of an all-round exemplary album, punctuates stuttering, oscillating synths with a ferocious cowbell and moaned vocals, continuing a long-standing New York tradition of sexualized Downtown funk.

The gorgeous "Serpentine," with it's kettle-drum compression worthy of Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight" and atmospheric vocals from French chanteuse Rap Lisa, is rounded out by the it's a perfect ending to the album, a moment of calm before the sharks, always on the move, start circling again.

Following the overwhelming success of the Fantastic Man EP, your pals at Kolour Recordings waste no time what-so-ever in returning Kolour LTD to the frey. For LTD006 we're proud to feature our friends from Delusions of Grandeur in Norm
De Plume featuring a remix by the mysterious Franc Spangler.
limited edition "PURPLE" vinyl so, you know the deal - ACT FAST! More soul than a sock with a hole!
DJ SUPPORT:
SLEAZYBEATS / THE TORTOISE / DEEP SPACE ORCHESTRA / TOOMY DISCO /
78 EDITS / CRAIG SMITH (6TH BOROUGH) / IRON CURTIS / TORNADO WALLACE DEADLY SINS / ANDY HART & MANY MORE...

The Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra is Far Out's in house Brazilian disco super group. It features the arrangements of Azymuth's late Maestro José Roberto Bertrami and the legendary Arthur Verocai alongside a host of other Brazilian musical icons. FOMDO013 is the latest in a series of vinyl only 12" remixes and edits on Far Out. Previous producers providing their re-works to the series include Theo Parrish, Marcellus Pittman, Mark Pritchard, 4hero, Isoul8, LTJ Xperience and more.

'To pick up where 'I Am The Walrus' left off'; that was the goal when Electric Light Orchestra formed in the early seventies. They wanted to steep different music styles in a rock tradition and mix in some Beatlesque pop, but it took Jeff Lynne & co until their third album Eldorado to get on the right track. Their most ambitious album to date, they decided to hire a 30 piece orchestra and choir to fill out their sound, and the investment paid off. With the unforgettable 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head' as the lead single, 'Eldorado' was a commercial as well as a critical success, and it would achieve gold status in the US. 'The English guys with the big fiddles' had arrived!

'Pirates Choice' by the Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab is one of those rarest of albums, an
undisputed classic. World Circuit release the album as a double LP for the frst tme.
Orchestra Baobab's sound is unique, a beautful fusion of Cuban and African music. This recording,
made in 1982, became something of a Holy Grail to fans of 'world music' in the '80s and captures that
sound to perfecton. Listening to these efortlessly relaxed and soulful performances the listener has
the impression of eavesdropping on a very special private event.

Two irresistibly fun, knockabout riffs on the Champs 'Tequila' template. The kind of record which manages to be silly, novelty, throwaway and yet easily the coolest thing you'll hear all week, all at the same time. Whether you prefer the bizarre dragging sound effects and sleazy come ons of 'Caliente' or the more simple interjections of 'Oh Leola', either side is sure to put a smile on your dancefloor.