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Elina Shorokhova aka SOELA is a multi-talented artist hailing from southern Russia who now calls Berlin her home. It is there where she continues to build her presence in the community through her live and DJ sets alongside documenting the local scene and artists through her lens as a photographer.

LILY EP may be 4 tracks but as a collected whole, sounds and feels like an album when heard from beginning to end. The title track emits her talent as a pianist by setting a tone of gracefulness that is carried throughout the EP – broken beats float in and out of dub drenched ambience that flows with cascading vocals. CLOSE YOUR EYES echos a spirit of Detroit House with refreshing new intensities. Again, her vocals caress the track but as an incredibly catchy hook. WHITE BECOMES BLACK shows her own interpretation of dub techno and combines that into a classic house beat. I HAVE A DREAM sounds like she bridges all of the previous track elements into a single whole which makes this tune the perfect closing track for any DJ set and of this release. A steady low-end groove keeps the ricocheting snares and somber synths cruising to an up-tempo rhythm.

French lifeguard and sonic artist Roméo Poirier’s long sold out debut tape finally gets a vinyl reissue. “Plage Arrière” is a deep sea meditation on a constellation of Greek beaches across three islands. Trumpets, echo-clicks and Harold Budd-esque shimmer piano whirl together on these seductive scapes, which recall the sub-aqeaous ambitions of Jürgen Müller or Jan Jelinek inspecting a coral reef.

Like sand-caked postcards, or pieces of seaglass tumbled and re-engineered by their surroundings, each piece exists a keepsake from the song's namesake beach.

These missives glide in and out of earshot, bustling like miniature engines, finely tuned and rhythmically confounding. They echo the factory sampling work of YMO on Technodelic: industrial but somehow good-natured, a symbiosis of machinery and wildlife - like an artificial reef or propeller blades smothered in algae.

Plage Arrière is Roméo’s second album this year following “Kystwerk”, where he joined forces with the Norwegian poet Lars Haga Raavand. “Plage” also marks the inaugural release for SWIMS, a new experimental-focused imprint of Cold Blow, who are releasing the LP alongside London label and NTS residents Kit Records.

The album has been remastered for vinyl by Sam Annand of Esk. Building on its original artwork, the vinyl edition features new photography by Roméo himself.

Masks is New York duo comprised of Max Ravitz aka Patricia (L.I.E.S, Opal Tapes, Ghostly) and Alexis Georgopoulos aka Arp (RVNG Intl, Mexican Summer, DFA, Smalltown Supersound). The aptly titled EP2 is (yes, you guessed it!) their second release, preceded by their Opal Tapes debut Food Plus Drug (II) — which gained support from Legowelt, Mount Kimbie and Boomkat — and a compilation appearance on esteemed Beats In Space 15 year anniversary 3xLP.

On paper, it might strike one as a strange duo. Ravitz’s work leans heavily on house and techno, but his recent work has been focused towards emotive melodies of IDM. And Georgopoulos has been busy creating minimalistic classical music for RVNG and most recently made waves with his critically-acclaimed album Zebra, which combined elements of 4th World and cosmic jazz.

All the tracks making up EP2 were made as live performances. No overdubs. Nothing "in the box". Just classic hardware and a strong vibe.

Opener "In This Room" is the sound of a NY summer sunset, pivoting on a hypnotic rotation of orange-hued chords. "Emotional Response" displays a different side of the group. Combining a 909 with a piano tug, it could provide that perfect soundtrack to a cathartic cry on the dancefloor.

On the flip side, "In Another Room" is dreamy techno par excellence, before sliding into an acid chugg for the ages. Bookworms smears the sun of "In This Room" into a 4am whirl, all purple lights and mountains of fog.

The cover artwork features the artwork of Sanou Oumar, a recent emigrant from Burkina Faso, West Africa. He graduated from the University of Ouagadougou in 2007 and moved to the United States to seek asylum in 2015. He currently lives in the Bronx and works in Harlem, New York. In 2018, Oumar had his first two-person exhibition (with Matt Paweski) at Gordon Robichaux in New York, and in 2019 (with Elisabeth Kley) at South Willard in Los Angeles, curated by Matt Connors.

Next up on Church, the London label turn to Germanys Julius Steinhoff. As a label head himself, Julius has crafted an undeniable sound that resonates deep within the underground scene, and one that fits well within the Church ethos.


The Forgotten Garden EP kicks off with the title track , a deep and moving house cut with a driving bass line taking centre stage alongside reverb drenched vocals. 'To Your Care' welcomes a sunrise triggering piano part, deep with orange is floats elegantly around an irresistible drum groove and rising bass line.
'So Very Close' again features the punchy bass line, trippy vocal snippets but with more of a rolling groove for the B side. 'Gonne Be With You Forever' takes its all a little punchier and minimalistic, carried by deep and emotive synth lines it closes the show in fine form.

On July 26th the top-ranking leftfield star Clark will release ‘Kiri Variations’, via his own label Throttle Records – and as always, he has musically metamorphosized into something fresh and new.

This album of plaintive beauty, eerie wyrd arcadian horror and childlike outsider music epitomises his constant ability to flip-the-script and coherently organise an abundance of new ideas.

Mysterious and morbidly beautiful pieces driven by piano, harpsichord, clarinet, strings, electronics and voice are interspersed with fabulously unusual and highly original curveballs:

Odd-in-a-brilliant-way, the faux naïve ‘Kiri’s Glee’, evokes traveling minstrels of yore accidentally eating the wrong ‘shrooms, and ‘Coffin Knocker’ has diffracted psych feel, like David Axelrod’s work with the Electric Prunes, but chopped, screwed and scorched.

‘Forebode Knocker’ is darkly funky, like the kind of lost diggers’ nugget unearthed and sampled by RZA, whilst the sonically-perfect ‘Primary Pluck’ unfurls exquisitely, swaying slowly ever forward like a funeral march.

‘Cannibal Homecoming’ is nothing short of Clark’s most song-based composition ever, featuring augmented human voice as evident elsewhere and also a fully-fledged vocal sung by him.

‘Kiri Variations’ started life as the score to the BAFTA-nominated TV program ‘Kiri’, but only a small (and highly effective) portion of the music recorded was used – intentionally sparingly – by director Euros Lyn. That first incarnation has since grown and morphed intosomething entirely of its own being; a proper artist album.

“In addition to my usual methods of controlled randomness and tangential ideas, the TV commission was a prominent spark for new approaches. It’s a great balancing contrast with the solipsistic studio album”, Clark explains.

The record allows simplicity and playfulness to shine through: “It’s a skeleton of an album, reduced to bare essentials, although it started out rather dense - the thing that takes time is making it succinct."explains Clark. “Certain parts are also what you could call anti muso – for example the recorder on ‘Kiri’s Glee’ is totally out of tune – but it sounds so colourful. I can’t resist the primary paint of acoustic instruments; it’s an antidote to frictionless digital music.

Same Speed Edits return with the third instalment of their (almost) annual foray into the world of the lesser spotted samba. Having already scoured California, Norway, Denmark and the UK they turn their attention Poland for two edits primed for the more discerning of dance floors. Urszula's Samba re-works a much loved version of a jazz classic in some style with vocal scatting leading the way; Jerzy's samba, on the other hand, is all about the piano and haunting vocal chants that make it a more alternative club banger.

With previous support from Gilles Peterson, the UK's king of all things jazz and samba, this latest edition of the Same Speed series is sure to tickle the eardrums of the more daring and forward thinking soulful DJs across the globe.

Suitman Jungle is a creation of percussionist Marc Pell. The idea behind it is a man in a suit playing jungle music. He uses his voice, plays a standing drum kit and utilises live electronics such as an SPD-SX, a clunky office keyboard and guitar pedals.

Suitman Jungle is the Director of RBS (Regional Bassline Services), a company that provides a wide variety of sub & mid-range bassline services internationally.

'Liquid Lunch' is an album influenced by the sounds of London and daily routines. It was produced in OpenOffice spreadsheet processor and mastered in a cracked version of Microsoft's Powerpoint. Track four, 'Nil Cash Option', is a recording of two gig-goers who gatecrashed Brighton's Great Escape Festival by pretending to be accountants. Track six, 'Lift Going Up', is about how some days one's mood can be better or worse than on other days.

Legitimately available again on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1983, Outernational Sounds proudly presents a major statement from a crucial figure on the Los Angeles jazz underground – pianist Nate Morgan’s spiritualised deep jazz classic, Journey Into Nigritia.

How many 16 year olds would have the confidence to walk up to a revered bandleader at a gig, and inform him that one day they’d be playing together? As improbable as it sounds, this is how pianist Nate Morgan introduced himself to the great Horace Tapscott, founder of the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. The teenage Morgan had heard Tapscott’s Flying Dutchman LP The Giant Is Awakened being played by Greg Kufahamu on local Los Angeles radio station KUSC, and Arthur Blythe’s wailing sax had gone ‘straight to the heart. It was a spiritual experience.’ Morgan showed up to all the Arkestra shows he could find. He was already studying with Joe Sample and Hampton Hawes and playing in local bands, but the draw of the Tapscott’s band was too much for the gifted young pianist:

‘I could only take about two or three more concerts before I had to run up on stage. When I first introduced myself to Horace, he tells everybody that I said, “Yeah, I’m Nate Morgan. I’m going to play with you all.” Not that I want to, but that I’m going to.’

Over the next decade and beyond, Morgan would become a central figure in Tapscott’s UGMAA (Union Of God’s Musicians and Artists Ascension’), bringing new figures into the fold (it was Morgan who first hipped Jesse Sharps to Tapscott’s circle; they were lifelong friends), running jam sessions, and eventually being given the task of organising the Arkestra songbook. During the early 1970s he also worked commercially, doing a stint with Rufus and Chaka Khan and appearing on Willie Hutch’s Foxy Brown soundtrack. Into the 1980s and 1990s he remained active, keeping the UGMAA flame alive in late night jams and private sessions, and working tirelessly around LA, including collaborations with Bone Thugs N’ Harmony; he was also part of the early 2000s LA jazz collective Build An Ark. A true musician’s musician, Morgan died in 2013.

Journey Into Nigritia, featuring firebreathing reedsman Dadisi Komolafe, was the first of two LPs Morgan recorded for Tom Albach’s storied Nimbus West imprint. A committed, spiritualised work that showcases Morgan’s heavy composing as well as his McCoy Tyner- influenced and technically flawless playing, Journey features dedications to Coltrane (‘He Left Us A Song’) and Cecil Taylor (‘Study In C.T.’). Surging, modal jazz from the LA undergound, Journey Into Nigritia is a crucial recording by an unsung jazz legend.

Music by Davide Luciani (guitar, organ, synth and electronics). Recorded and mixed in Berlin in between 2017-2018 by Davide Luciani. Mastered by Simon Scott at SPS Mastering. Illustration by Anna von Hausswolff.

Biography:

Davide Luciani is an Italian electronic music composer and media designer, based in Berlin since 2011. He has a background in the Italian noise-rock scene with projects dating back to 2005. "Calming Counts" is Luciani's first solo release.

His solo practice places acoustic instrumentation into analogue/digital synthesis to create works that bridge the territories of noise, drone rock and minimal music. His approach to electroacoustic music – which he voices with guitar, piano, strings, accordion, synthesisers, VST sorcery and loopers – has a distinct harmonic hue, with layered repetitive patterns and instrumental polyphonies.

As sound and visual designer he has directed and curated a wide variety of projects from soundtracks to space design. His collaborations have been hosted at highly regarded institutions and venues such as Venice Biennial, Berlin Atonal, Ström Festival, Bayreuth Festspiele, Museum Omero, Tresor and MUSMA.

Luciani was a member of the label/platform Dromoscope and has collaborated as visual artist with Grün (Daniele de Santis) and Claudio Rocchetti. In 2014, together with sound artist Fabio Perletta, he co-founded Mote, a multidisciplinary design studio whose practice addresses arts and music.

A year on from the highly-acclaimed album 'It's A World Before You', Kaidi Tatham brings more new music to First Word Records - a continuation of his previous EP's for the label (2017's 'Changing Times' & 'Hard Times'), here we enter 'Serious Times'.

Kaidi Tatham is one of the most revered multi-instrumentalists in the game. Dubbed by Radio 1's Benji B last year as "the UK's Herbie Hancock", his versatility as a musician is actually more akin to Prince in the sense that he can play most instruments, and play them well. His contributions as a musician, composer & producer have included work with Bugz In The Attic, Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Moonchild, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler and loads more over the years, additionally to being a key player on Jazzy Jeff's PLAYlist album 'Chasing Goosebumps' along with Masego, Stro Elliot, 14KT, Tall Black Guy, Rich Medina and the like, and various projects alongside Dego (2000 Black) and First Word label-mates Eric Lau, Darkhouse Family & Children of Zeus.

'Serious Times' is another 4-track set comprised of Kaidi's unmistakable style, encompassing broken beat, jazz, boogie and hip hop. The EP starts off with the hype jazz-funk bruk of 'Cost of Living', maintaining the tempo into 'Don't Cry Now' which leads with a sweet latin-tinged piano riff. Onto the flipside, and we're treated to the slinky synth-boogie of 'Sugar' before dropping the tempo down & closing the selection with a warped but jazzy instrumental boom bap piece entitled 'Zallom'.

Kaidi is a national treasure quite frankly, and this EP is another mere taster of this man's endless talents and unique vibes. Some grown folk music, perfect for these 'Serious Times'…

Vinyl & digital released on Friday 19th July 2019 on First Word Records (Worldwide Awards 'Label of the Year 2019').

'Junction' - a six track EP produced entirely by Samrai & Platt - features vocalists from Jamaica, Ireland & the UK and rounds off an excellent 12 months for the label & crew who've toured across North America, Mexico and Europe in 2017.

The set kicks off with ST favourite Alexx A-Game (originally voiced at his studio in Kingston in 2016) urging listeners to 'free up' their mind and souls and let the 'good times take control'. It sets the tone for upcoming Jamaican talent Blvk H3ro to step up on the soulful party number 'Can't Wait' (recorded at Equiknoxx's studios in Vineyard Town in 2016), which has been a staple in Swing Ting sets over the last 18 months.

Slowing the pace is 'Addiction', a link up with Irish artist and frequent Murlo collaborator Gemma Dunleavy who lays down an impressive vocal over the skittering drums, muted guitar and glistening keys. The listen is interrupted momentarily for an interlude from Gavsborg whose moving voicemail is accompanied by a poignant piano line from JP aka Without Understanding. One for the clubs - 'Turn it Up' features Equiknoxx's Shanique Marie riding a stripped funky-esque riddim with ease.

Fittingly the set closes with 'Contagious' which finds two of Manchester's finest vocalists - Fox & Tyler Daley searching for an escape from the reality of our turbulent times over a refined yet sparkling production. The 12' vinyl will be limited to 200 copies.

Support from: Murlo, Toddla T, Jamz Supernova, HDD & Equiknoxx across NTS Radio & BBC Radio 1 / 1xtra.

SN Variations is pleased to announce its 5th release.Adrian Corker returns after a break living in Warsaw with two tracks composed for Lock Grooves recorded onto acetate,percussion by Sam Wilson(Riot Ensemble/Actress) and violin performed by Aisha Orazbayeva.The tracks also feature the piano of Mark Knoop and the voice of Josephine Stephenson.

A lock groove is one cycle of one groove on a record.This is 1.8 sec cut at 33RPM and 1.33 cut at 45RPM.Having used lock grooves on film scores for British film Waiting for You and The Have Nots directed by Florian Hoffmeister, Corker wanted to explore their potential further in a standalone more percussive release. He used the cutting lathe currently residing in the living room of The Exchange mastering legend Graeme Durham to experiment with different sounds cut onto acetate and then recorded over different durations back into a computer. These are combined forming frames for performances of violin, percussion and piano.

The record will be released on a vinyl pressing of 250 copies and download on July 5th

Keep Your Mind Alive is the LPH debut for Rydm Sectors, an Italian duo that bridges classic New York house and UK garage and lightens the resultant hybrid with well-placed sparkly synth work, jazzy drum fills, swanky piano licks. Nightclub music that’s been genetically modified to be just as functional and fun there as it is laying on a breezy beach, soft white sand your pillow, crashing high-tide waves reminder of the nature around you.

San Francisco’s Honey Soundsystem Records returns with a new single this July, inaugurating a new collaborative guise from Juan Maclean and Kevin McHugh (aka La-4a / Ambivalent) entitled Longlost.

It is rare the combination of simple and catchy happen in dance music, but ‘Take 8’ is just that. A song so heartfelt and recognizable it demanded its own slab of wax, a true single! This expertly mixed and crafted house cut romances listeners into a catchy live piano ditty that seemingly could pleasurably repeat for days.

Inspired by the tracks lead melody, the label set up NYC classical Pianist and friend of Honey Soundsystem crew Kevin Devine on a blind date with the producers a new version. Kevin whipped up a compositional response to the original and he was recorded live on a Grand in La-4a’s studio. Finally, to make it a family affair, Taraval, known for his work of Four Tet’s TEXT, teams up with label co-founder Jackie House for a kraut-no take on the original, fusing vacillating resonant bleeps and robust drums with glimpses of the original’s ethereal sounds.

Primarily based in Leeds, The Lewis Express is comprised of many of the musicians that have graced previous ATA releases: George Cooper, Piano (Abstract Orchestra) Neil Innes, Bass (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill), Sam Hobbs, Drums (Dread Supreme, Tony Burkill, Matthew Bourne) and Pete Williams, Percussion (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill).Recorded over an intense two-day session, 'Clap Your Hands' is heavily influenced by the classic soul jazz recordings of The Young Holt Trio / Young Holt Unlimited, and Ramsey Lewis, from who this group take their name. As with many of the classic Ramsey Lewis cuts this album was recorded live, capturing the rich inter-relationship between the players and leaving in some of that chunky room noise.

Claps your hands/Stomp Your feet was recorded during the sessions for the upcoming Album 'Clap Your Hands'. building on the template set by their eponymous debut album these tracks further explore the 60's soul-jazz of Ramsey lewis and Young-Holt and the latin boogaloo of Eddie Cano and Pete terrace. A-side 'Clap your Hands' opens with cowbell, handclaps and bass before drums and electric piano enter to carry the track onto the dancefloor. This is one for the Djs and it'll do the business in the clubs for sure, but, also perfect for a late night, sweaty house party - shoes off and beer in the sink. B-side 'Stomp Your Feet' is much more in the classic mod-jazz frame with a faster pace and funkier drums, but still with handclaps and electric piano to the foreground. Drummer Hobbs opens up 'Stomp Your Feet' in fine style, and The Lewis Express start to swing with a Ramsey-esque groover that's just made-to-measure for dancers. Everything comes together here, with a mid-60s Cadet record feel throughout. Both tracks were recorded live to tape and were recorded and mastered for a tougher sound perfectly suited for djs to fill a dancefloor.

Featuring Sly & Robbie, Alpha Blondy, Marcia Griffiths, Horace Andy, Morgan Heritage, Gregory Isaacs, Inna De Yard, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Jimmy Riley, and many more.

Having just announced his first solo Ibiza residency, Dance or Die, Nic Fanciulli continues his impressive run of form with a long-awaited debut on Crosstown Rebels. Entitled Miracle (Body Rock), the two-track release includes a stunning remix from esteemed UK talent Paul Woolford.

Beginning things in fine form is Nic Fanciulli’s original Miracle (Body Rock). Whispering percussion combines with the subtle plucking of guitar strings, as echoing vocals are layered underneath soft,
moving pads to create a well-rounded, moving number. Paul Woolford’s Endless Bassline remix comes next. Stuttering hi-hats provide rhythm as the titular rolling bassline chugs on, whilst toneful piano keys merge with reverberating, soulful vocals. Unique, yet staying true to the original, the addition of distorted
claps helps create the perfect dancefloor cut; but it is the re-singing of classic Jomanda’s ‘Make My Body Rock’ vocals that links both tracks in a moving, emotive fashion.

A name synonymous with electronic music culture, Nic Fanciulli is a DJ, producer, festival curator and
label owner whose career has spanned two decades. It was in 2005 that Nic founded Saved Records, an
imprint that is now synonymous with releases from some of the scenes greatest, including Adam Beyer
and Hot Since 82. But it was his latest release on Rekids, titled Understand, that further cemented his
reputation as a standout music producer, with a clear-cut ear for the perfect dancefloor melody. Paul
Woolford is a veteran of the UK’s electronic music scene. A prolific producer who has used many
aliases, the British talent has recorded five Essential Mixes for Radio 1 as well as holding down a nine-
year residency at Space Ibiza. His recent releases demonstrate his continued talent for producing,
including You Already Know, Hang Up Your Hang Ups and Story of My Life on Hot Creations.

Following the release of Encores 1 on June 1st, Nils Frahm releases of Encores 2, the second in a series of EPs following the release of the universally acclaimed album, All Melody, released in January of this year.

While Encores 1 focused on an acoustic pallet of sounds with just a solo piano and harmonium, Encores 2 explores a more ambient landscape from the All Melody sessions, the pinnacle of which is the astral 12 minute showpiece Spells. Recorded through an amplified stone well Frahm found on Mallorca, Encores 2 is at once unique but familiar; orbiting the universe of All Melody while inhabiting its own world.

'The idea behind Encores is one we had from before All Melody; to separate releases each with their own distinct musical style and theme, perhaps even as a triple album. But All Melody became larger than itself and took over any initial concepts. I think the idea of Encores is like musical islands that compliment All Melody'

Nils Frahm wraps up an exultant year with two shows at London's Hammersmith Apollo on December 4th and 5th, followed by a sold out four night residency where it all began at Funkhaus Berlin, December 11th-14th. The All Melody world tour continues apace in 2019 across Europe and the US, for all dates and tickets.

The Timespan returns after a 12 month rest, teaming up with both a new artist – Mr Arthur – and a new label. Or perhaps it is an old label as The Timespan was one of the original Remix Records artists back in the early 90’s. Yet the style remains, even if some of the tracks are in the 140bpm range. Deceptively simple sounding piano anthems and rave riffs, with sly hip hop loops and rolling beats. All three tracks on this EP are made entirely with hardware, yet the sound is crystal clear and the bass rolls with weight. A perfect combination of old skool and old skool.

Platform 23 returns with the reissue of songs from Canadian project, Vini Vidi Vici. With just one privately pressed mini-album in 1989 that bridged the gap between the later years of New Wave and the early vestiges of House, the music included in this edited EP highlights a thriving Montreal scene in its heyday.

Vini Vidi Vici was created out of two different music backgrounds. Paul Klopstock was a classical pianist, while Mario Langlois was a DJ, self-taught musician and radio producer, who came together when both worked at the underground arts / club Le Lezard. Starting in 1986 the space mixed painting, drag shows and bands alongside the latest alternative sounds, from Rap to New Beat, Electro to Acid Jazz.

As House and Techno started to filter through, Mario (aka Ave Mario) and the other resident DJs laid the ground of what was to come. From this Paul and Mario collaborated from late 1987 through in to 1988 and created the mini-album, however this EP concentrates on the duo's self penned work.

Recorded at Oliver Sudden Production studio, the A side is made up the raw House of 'Club Stuff" and Native American meets avant percussion of 'Vini Vidi Vici'. Showing a confidence and experimentation beyond their years, the two tracks production and all round hypnotic danceability, highlight why original copies are so prized (and expensive).

The B side follows with two tracks recorded in Mario's home closet studio. Lo-fi to the max and improvised, the no wave / world beat experience of title cut, 'Ou Sommes Nous' and the proto-electro-wave of 'AA HHH' are like something again, a mesmerising fusion and quite unique.

Self pressed, the project ventured to live performance and (sadly unreleased) remix work, before the partners went their separate ways, however this archival document can be seen as their own special conquest.