"analogis-Clean replacement pivot
Also usable for record dry cleaning arm 4192"
"analogis-Clean Ersatzachse
Passt auch für den Trockenreinigungsarm 4192"
quête:pivot
Featherstone returns to Ernest's Way with the “Pivot” EP, offering up six tracks that effortlessly blur the lines between various electronic music genres.
The A-side kicks off with “Pivot” where a driving breakbeat rhythm propels the track forward, enhanced by ethereal vocal cuts and rhythmic bass sequences. “Underneath It All” lightens the mood with swung drums, call and response vocals, and emotive string pads that draw the listener in, before “Moving Towards You” rounds out the first side with weighty basslines and acidic leads.
On the B-side, “After the Rain” locks into a repetitive rhythm while dreamy synths evolve and lift the energy as the track builds. “Eclipsed” deepens the experience, exploring a moodier and more intense sonic landscape. “Cipher” the final track, leaves the repetitive rhythm behind and delivers leftfield sound design scattered over a spatial broken beat.
White Vinyl[27,31 €]
Polly Paulusma follows up her critically acclaimed 2021 album 'Invisible
Music' with 'The Pivot On Which The World Turns' out via One Little
Independent folk subsidiary Wild Sound.Affectionately shortened to
'Pivot', the album marks a return to her singular brand of insightful songs
that, in their subject matter, roam around the badlands of love, sex and
parenthood, death and grief, failure and success, violence and healing
Most poignantly the album focuses on the roles of women, in our lives and
across history, from a variety of perspectives.'Pivot' swings from the warm, bluesinspired Americana of 'Back Of Your Hand' and 'Dirty Circus', to the more
traditional folk of 'Brambles and Briars' and 'Robin', as well as poetic, pop
curiosities such as 'Snakeskin' and the effervescent 'Luminary', all of which
combine to make up Polly's most sonically adventurous album to date. As always,
she delights in the telling of stories, with littered spoken word aiding her as she
utilizes infectious melodies and a light delivery to explore her characters.
The product of a decade of writing, she tells us that "the album's title 'The Pivot
On Which The World Turns' is a corruption of a moment in the Russian novel Anna
Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, in which Stepan Arkadyitch knowingly confesses,
"women, my boy, they're the pivot everything turns upon". In context, Stepan and
Levin are discussing romantic relationships, but I saw wider interpretations of this
epithet".
Each track on the LP examines a different aspect of life that women play, and
"charts a development for me through all the roles I pivot on in a day, a week, a
year, a decade". 'Snakeskin' represents the daughter, 'Back Of Your Hand' is the
love interest, 'Dirty Circus' the mother and so on. "I truly believe, having travelled
the last few years, having endured grief and horror and having discovered and
pivoted on all these people that I am capable of being, that by learning how to
love, and re- learning, and learning again, so many of the wartier and knobblier
parts of me can be forgiven, and translated into something better".
Black Vinyl[27,31 €]
Polly Paulusma follows up her critically acclaimed 2021 album 'Invisible
Music' with 'The Pivot On Which The World Turns' out via One Little
Independent folk subsidiary Wild Sound.Affectionately shortened to
'Pivot', the album marks a return to her singular brand of insightful songs
that, in their subject matter, roam around the badlands of love, sex and
parenthood, death and grief, failure and success, violence and healing
Most poignantly the album focuses on the roles of women, in our lives and
across history, from a variety of perspectives.'Pivot' swings from the warm, bluesinspired Americana of 'Back Of Your Hand' and 'Dirty Circus', to the more
traditional folk of 'Brambles and Briars' and 'Robin', as well as poetic, pop
curiosities such as 'Snakeskin' and the effervescent 'Luminary', all of which
combine to make up Polly's most sonically adventurous album to date. As always,
she delights in the telling of stories, with littered spoken word aiding her as she
utilizes infectious melodies and a light delivery to explore her characters.
The product of a decade of writing, she tells us that "the album's title 'The Pivot
On Which The World Turns' is a corruption of a moment in the Russian novel Anna
Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, in which Stepan Arkadyitch knowingly confesses,
"women, my boy, they're the pivot everything turns upon". In context, Stepan and
Levin are discussing romantic relationships, but I saw wider interpretations of this
epithet".
Each track on the LP examines a different aspect of life that women play, and
"charts a development for me through all the roles I pivot on in a day, a week, a
year, a decade". 'Snakeskin' represents the daughter, 'Back Of Your Hand' is the
love interest, 'Dirty Circus' the mother and so on. "I truly believe, having travelled
the last few years, having endured grief and horror and having discovered and
pivoted on all these people that I am capable of being, that by learning how to
love, and re- learning, and learning again, so many of the wartier and knobblier
parts of me can be forgiven, and translated into something better".
Following a blossoming first year releasing his own music in 2021, which saw his music supported by Jamie Cullum (BBCR2), Jazz FM, BBC Introducing and more, Matt Wilde returns with his second release of 2022 – a 7" on iconic music venue Band on the Wall's new label.
A truly feel-good slice of musical goodness centred around Matt's lyrical, virtuosic and jazz-leaning keys, 'Every Story / Pivot' delivers wondrous blends of hip-hop and jazz elements.
Who is the mysterious Hezziane?
Cold Recordings is proud to present two scorching floor bangers from this unknown entity, Hezziane.
“Aciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid!!!!!!!!!!!!”
‘KV-08’ thumps and bangs with all the movement and makings of a classic to come. There’s acid 303, there’s break-y cuts, thumping 4/4 kicks and dark side bass. This is a surefire roller that you will definitely keep coming back to.
‘Flip then for ‘Pivot’ which keeps the acid theme running but moves with a slightly more electro-aligned twang to it. UK- Chicago connection in sonic effect. Another reliable banger!
Label boss Perc returns to Perc Trax for his first full release since his career defining "Bitter Music" LP in May 2017, an album which featured the infamous "Look What Your Love Has Done To Me", one of the most played techno tracks of the year and Perc Trax's best selling track to date.
Conceived as a response to the endless stream of rip-off's, rehashes and re-edits that track spawned "Three Tracks To Send To Your Ghost Producer" strips back the vocals and melodic elements that characterised Bitter Music to present a raw, rolling, heavily percussive sound. Kick, toms and hi-hat rhythms play off each other whilst interlocking with the solid kicks that propel each track forwards.
From the spitting acid stabs of "Toxic NRG" to the brutal drop in "Driller" the three tracks are overflowing with the kind of in-yerface attitude that marks out the best of Perc's productions. Together they form an EP which once again highlights him as one of the UK's most forward thinking techno practitioners.
2026 Repress
Laurie Torres is a Canadian musician and composer raised in Montréal, Québec by Haitian parents. Since 2008, she has been a trusted stage and studio performer for Julia Jacklin, Pomme, and Land of Talk, as well as being a founding member of Folly & The Hunter, with whom she recorded four studio albums and toured Canada, Europe and the UK.
In 2023, Laurie shifted focus to work on her own creations, a process of making time - the will and the need becoming omnipresent. Drawing creative inspiration from contemporary artists like Tirzah, Gia Margaret, Valentina Magaletti, Tara Clerkin Trio and ML Buch, 'Après coup' finds Torres intersecting at a pivotal moment where artists whose marginalized identities are at the forefront in creating a beautiful array of "other options".
"Being othered and tokenized as a woman who plays music, as well as a queer and black person, takes a toll, while also positively feeding a strong urge to push and be seen."
Centering around piano, drums and synthesizer with interweaving field recordings, 'Après coup' follows the precursor ep 'Correspondances' in the form of a sprawling 11-track album. Translating directly from French - afterwards, after the event - its title subliminally points at something deeper between the lines. Recorded in 2023 between tours in a small window of time where 'normal' life hadn't quite recommenced, Torres meticulously crafted her debut solo material in view of surrounding nature, all providing the perfect nourishment for long streams of improvisation. Built right up to the edge of a lake, Studio Wild in St-Zénon, Québec offered an unparalleled location and set up for her freeform creativity.
Instrumental music seemed like a natural response and evolution for Torres who had long basked in the world of "pop music" as she elaborates: "I had an urge to use creativity as a sort of resting place, a place where things can unfold slowly and take time to reveal themselves. In other worlds words, I felt the need to make something slower, more elusive"
The immediacy of Torres' recorded takes doubled with minimal overdubs create a fiercely direct, intimate and unpolished lo-fi beauty. 'Après coup' then is self-reflective, open and inclusive with Torres allowing herself to be fully seen. An album to be felt at close distance with unrivalled authenticity. This album stands as a testament to Laurie's artistic evolution and serves as a beacon, inspiring her to continue nurturing her own creative pursuits and finding exhilarating freedom.
Swedish producer Robert Leiner’s landmark 1994 album ‘Visions Of The Past’ finally gets a vinyl LP reissue on Apollo, the ‘ambient division’ of R&S Records. Long regarded as one of the pivotal ambient/electronic long players, the album has stood the test of time and serves as a reminder on how potent the early ambient techno releases were.
Leiner was a central figure in the early European techno and ambient landscape, carving out a distinctive sound that bridged atmospheric depth and rhythmic intensity. Known for his releases as The Source Experience and contributions to the R&S/Apollo catalogue, as a producer and engineer, Leiner’s work resonated across the underground, earning him a reputation for visionary, emotionally charged productions that stood apart from his contemporaries.
'Visions Of The Past’ captures this duality perfectly with expansive ambient passages that drift into hypnotic techno, while layers of intricate sound design and pulsating low end create a timeless and immersive listening experience. Tracks unfold with patience and precision, like the 12-minute-long marine epic ‘Aqua Viva’, balancing introspection with kinetic dance energy, and the new age ambience of ‘Dream Or Reality’ and ‘Northern Dark’ embodying the forward-thinking ethos that defined Apollo’s golden era.
Three decades on, this long out of print album finally returns on vinyl format, freshly remastered and restored, reaffirming its status as an essential document of electronic music’s evolution and Robert Leiner’s enduring influence.
‘Visions Of The Past’ by Robert Leiner is available on Apollo Records from 7th November 2025.
- A1: Brothers To Brothers
- A2: Gs & Locs
- A3: Gangsta Shit
- B1: Send That Crab Off To Die
- B2: Mafia Lane
- B3: Fuck Crab (Skit)
- B4: Can't Stop, Won't Stop
- B5: Time Is Gone Nigga
- C1: Set Trippin
- C2: East Side Rip Riper
- C3: 187 (Skit)
- C4: Slob 187
- C5: Slobs Keep On Slippin
- D1: Every Dog Has His Day
- D2: Crip 4 Life
- D3: Wish You Were Here
2 x LP Red & Blue (Half & Half Effect) Vinyl in Gatefold Sleeve
The Bloods and Crips’ debut Bangin’ on Wax (1993) — which we reissued in 2023 to an incredible reception — inspired us to dig even deeper into this iconic catalogue. The follow-up, The Saga Continues, originally dropped only on CD in 1994. Now, for the first time ever, we’re proud to bring it to wax — pressed on solid Blue and Red vinyl, of course. This concept was a pivotal moment in West Coast gangsta rap, uniting members of L.A.’s two most infamous sets. Crips from Compton, Watts, and Long Beach, and Bloods from Inglewood and Los Angeles auditioned for the project, with the sharpest MCs selected for the final lineup. All proceeds from the original Bangin’ on Wax album went toward improving local schools and parks for the community’s children. Over 30 years later, the lone CD pressing regularly fetches £50+ on the secondary market — and now the album finally arrives on vinyl. Sleeker in production and delivery, this record carries that true G-Funk swagger, tipping its hat to Warren G, Snoop, DJ Quik, and even Dr. Dre.
On a planet far beyond our solar system lies a volcanic tropical island, a glowing mirage where alien tides crash against molten shores and the sky pulses in time with the rhythm below. E.T.H (Italy) inaugurates the first-ever
Basement Beats vinyl release with Neon Inferno. The A-side opens deep and progressive, dense with atmosphere and tension, before pivoting into the playful, radiant Cumbia Poderosa, where the artist’s roots surface through Italian vocals. As the land shifts, lava carving new paths through jungle terrain, Utrecht-based Tifra reshapes thetitle track into a hypnotic, tribal ritual meditation built for the late hours.
Closing the portal is Osaka’s Paperkraft, whose vibrant remix injects uplifting energy and subtle Asian influences, bringing the journey to a euphoric, otherworldly conclusion.
Returning with his first artist album in 13 years, revered techno innovator Mike Parker continues to shape out his explorations around 170 with his latest work for Samurai Music, Echo Disintegrator. Transcending genre lines with his unmistakable sonic stamp, the seasoned US producer crafts an extended trip through his exacting, lithe frequencies and brutalist rhythms. As evidenced on recent EPs Envenomations and Sabre-Tooth, Parker can comfortably slip into a hard-stepping D&B structure and make it his own. 'Earth Energy Imbalance' leaps forth with precision and purpose, wrapping atonal synth shapes around the stark beat in staggering high definition. 'Positronic Tentacles' finds a similar rolling momentum, even threading ruthlessly trimmed vocal snatches into the lyrical pulse of the lead tones. 'Radiative Force' teases its own mutant funk out of the envelopes shaping the molten sonics coursing through the middle of the frequency range. Elsewhere, Parker explores a variety of accented grooves around typical D&B tempos, remaining reliably broken while dipping into half-time space on 'Lunar Nocturne' and finding a low-slung swagger in the carefully deployed pressure of 'Ghost Rain' and 'Echo Disintegrator'. 'Beat Activator' pivots on a dense bed of bass with a crooked, off-beat slant before 'Dragon Bravo' casts a similarly dembow-informed beat into a dense tapestry of cyclical machine shrieks and snarls. There is a ruthless consistency to Parker's approach across Echo Disintegrator, riding the loops without flinching and forcing the focus deep into the minutae of every sonic element. Both brilliantly functional and profoundly subtle, there's a visceral, physical quality to the sound design that makes it a listening experience like no other.
Returning with his first artist album in 13 years, revered techno innovator Mike Parker continues to shape out his explorations around 170 with his latest work for Samurai Music, Echo Disintegrator. Transcending genre lines with his unmistakable sonic stamp, the seasoned US producer crafts an extended trip through his exacting, lithe frequencies and brutalist rhythms. As evidenced on recent EPs Envenomations and Sabre-Tooth, Parker can comfortably slip into a hard-stepping D&B structure and make it his own. 'Earth Energy Imbalance' leaps forth with precision and purpose, wrapping atonal synth shapes around the stark beat in staggering high definition. 'Positronic Tentacles' finds a similar rolling momentum, even threading ruthlessly trimmed vocal snatches into the lyrical pulse of the lead tones. 'Radiative Force' teases its own mutant funk out of the envelopes shaping the molten sonics coursing through the middle of the frequency range. Elsewhere, Parker explores a variety of accented grooves around typical D&B tempos, remaining reliably broken while dipping into half-time space on 'Lunar Nocturne' and finding a low-slung swagger in the carefully deployed pressure of 'Ghost Rain' and 'Echo Disintegrator'. 'Beat Activator' pivots on a dense bed of bass with a crooked, off-beat slant before 'Dragon Bravo' casts a similarly dembow-informed beat into a dense tapestry of cyclical machine shrieks and snarls. There is a ruthless consistency to Parker's approach across Echo Disintegrator, riding the loops without flinching and forcing the focus deep into the minutae of every sonic element. Both brilliantly functional and profoundly subtle, there's a visceral, physical quality to the sound design that makes it a listening experience like no other.
2026 RSD Release - GREEN Vinyl
Mark Pritchard (Global Communication / Africa Hi-Tech / Reload / Harmonic 313) produced gem from 2004. Featuring Eska, Nina Miranda and other vocalists. TIP!
An expanded edition of a long out of print Far Out classic. This double vinyl edition will include the track 'Strikehard' for the first time, which was omitted from the original pressing, only released on a separate 12" and CD.
=========================================================
Far Out Recordings announces the Record Store Day 2026 deluxe double LP reissue of Troubleman’s Time Out of Mind. Originally released in 2004, the album marked a distinctive turn in Mark Pritchard’s expansive career, channeling his pioneering electronic instincts through a filter of Brazilian grooves, African rhythms, and global soul. This special edition includes the underground club classic “Strike Hard” (previously unavailable on the original vinyl), alongside the album’s flawless blend of early-noughties space-age bossa, broken beat, future soul, and psychedelic downtempo.
Under the Troubleman alias, Pritchard stretched his focus outward in every direction. From the UK rave continuum to Brazil, the US, Africa, and beyond, he drew on the psychedelic soul of Dorothy Ashby and David Axelrod, the Afrobeat drive of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, and the samba-doido energy of Azymuth. Filtering golden-era seventies influences through early-2000s pop, club, and rave lenses, the album moves effortlessly between club-ready tracks like “Strike Hard,” and more laid-back, tripped-out moments that highlight Pritchard’s range, shifting seamlessly from dancefloor heat to outer-bongolian cloud watching.
Featuring vocal contributions from Nina Miranda (Smoke City, Da Lata), Steve Spacek (Spacek, !K7), and Eska (New Sector Movements), the record captures Pritchard at a pivotal moment, exploring how electronic production could absorb and expand the rhythmic complexity of global sounds.
One half of Global Communication and Jedi Knights with Tom Middleton, and Harmonic 313 with Dave Brinkworth, Pritchard has since built a dense, acclaimed discography across numerous aliases and labels. His work on Warp Records has included collaborations with Thom Yorke, and his remix portfolio spans Depeche Mode, PJ Harvey, Underworld, Aphex Twin, Lamb, KRS-One, A Tribe Called Quest, The Orb, and The Beloved.
Remastered from the original sources and pressed to vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day 2026, this edition also faithfully reproduces the album’s psychedelic artwork by renowned British artist and designer Swifty.
'Like the sharpshooting carnival contestant who knows that the winning practice isn’t to aim for the red star itself, but rather to shoot out a perimeter around the star and thus remove it, Old Saw have historically dealt with forms by tracing their boundaries rather than going for the target outright. If the first three records hinted at but never touched song-shaped forms, The Wringing Cloth makes at least glancing contact while retaining the layered haze and drawl that threads their sound together.
'Contrary to the often-used ambient tag, Old Saw shows up here in a markedly active and sculpted form — manipulating, unwinding, and pivoting with a strange and warped precision. What has always been uncanny about this music is that it arrives in a state at once familiar and obscured, like a memory weighed down with sensory information but no identifying details to place it.
'The Wringing Cloth walks off further into that geographical dream without time or language until it’s just a speck of light.'
- A1: Rigor Mortis
- A2: Drinking Sand
- A3: Neurobeat
- A4: Close Combat
- A5: Cybernetics And Pavlovian Warfare
- B1: Check It Out
- B2: Ballistic Statues
- B3: Burn Out
- B4: Bodycheck
- C1: On Command
- C2: Flesh
- C3: Colonial Discharge
- C4: Taste (The Suburban Whiplash)
- D1: Drinking Sand (Remix)
- D2: Rigor Mortis (Extended)
- D3: Flesh (Remix)
- D4: On Command (Live 89)
- D5: Burn Out (Between The Sheets)
Clear Blue Vinyl[33,82 €]
Belgian electronic body-music pioneers A Split-Second deliver an expanded reissue of their influential 1987 debut Ballistic Statues, a landmark of the New Beat and EBM movement. Blending dark electronics, cold-wave tension and precision-driven sequencing, the album helped define a pivotal moment in the late-80s European underground.
This new edition brings together all tracks from the original album and enhances them with essential recordings from the same era, including the band’s complete 1986 debut EP (A Split-Second), the cult Smell of Buddha, and additional period material.
Pressed in a limited run of 300 copies on black vinyl, the release comes in a gatefold sleeve and includes a reproduction of the original lyrics insert along an exclusive poster and one postcard.
Ballistic Statues remains a defining statement—raw, innovative and far ahead of its time. This reissue brings together the core foundations of A Split-Second in one essential collection making it ideal for both long-time followers and new listeners discovering the band.
- A1: Rigor Mortis
- A2: Drinking Sand
- A3: Neurobeat
- A4: Close Combat
- A5: Cybernetics And Pavlovian Warfare
- B1: Check It Out
- B2: Ballistic Statues
- B3: Burn Out
- B4: Bodycheck
- C1: On Command
- C2: Flesh
- C3: Colonial Discharge
- C4: Taste (The Suburban Whiplash)
- D1: Drinking Sand (Remix)
- D2: Rigor Mortis (Extended)
- D3: Flesh (Remix)
- D4: On Command (Live 89)
- D5: Burn Out (Between The Sheets)
Black Vinyl[28,53 €]
Belgian electronic body-music pioneers A Split-Second deliver an expanded reissue of their influential 1987 debut Ballistic Statues, a landmark of the New Beat and EBM movement. Blending dark electronics, cold-wave tension and precision-driven sequencing, the album helped define a pivotal moment in the late-80s European underground.
This new edition brings together all tracks from the original album and enhances them with essential recordings from the same era, including the band’s complete 1986 debut EP (A Split-Second), the cult Smell of Buddha, and additional period material.
Pressed in a limited run of 500 copies (200 on clear blue and 300 on black vinyl) housed on a gatefold sleeve with a reproduction of the original lyrics insert, an exclusive poster and one postcard.
Ballistic Statues remains a defining statement—raw, innovative and far ahead of its time. This reissue brings together the core foundations of A Split-Second in one essential collection making it ideal for both long-time followers and new listeners discovering the band.
- 1: I (2026 Remaster) 03:45
- 2: Ii (06 Remaster) 01:44
- 3: Iii (2026 Remaster) 0:1
- 4: Iv (2026 Remaster) 03:09
- 5: V (2026 Remaster) 04:24
- 6: Vi (202 Remaster) 04:00
- 7: Vii (2026 Remaster) 08:04
- 8: Viii (2026 Remaster) 03:30
- 9: Ix (2026 Remaster) 06:48
- 10: X (2026 Remaster) 04:52
- 11: Xi (2026 Remaster) 04:31
- 12: Xii (2026 Remaster) 03:31
- 13: Xiii (2026 Remaster) 06:24
- 14: Xiv (2026 Remaster) 04:45
øjeRum is the moniker of Danish artist Paw Grabowski. Since 2007, his mostly tape-based works have unfolded like private diaries—intimate, textural, often centered around an vintage pump organ Paw found left abandoned in a dilapidated Danish home, and to which he would return, sometimes in the dead of winter, to play and record on. The works featured on this release are centered around this pivotal engagement and collect some of his earliest releases from around 2014 to 2017. These were then carefully selected and released via Vaagner's sister label in 2018 via a double cassette release, which has since become a coveted collectors item.
Throughout the album, the organ breathes, sighs—the moments of brief silence that follow are almost palpable, then like a sonorous echo, the sound rushes back into the foreground with gentle restraint, submerging the listener into an undulating current of emotional upheaval. In this ebb and flow, øjeRum shapes a space where memory seems to waver and dissolve, and where a fragile, lingering melancholy unfolds with a kind of hushed inevitability.
With the newly minted Vaagner.Archive, this album is now reissued on vinyl for the first time—carefully remastered and housed in a 2xLP gatefold sleeve printed on special cardboard, its tactile presence echoing the material sensitivity that has always defined Paw Grabowski's practice. A love letter to repetition and restraint.
Introducing The Hard Line is available on translucent green vinyl
Neither Fish, Nor Flesh is available on red coloured vinyl
Symphony Or Damn is available on gold coloured vinyl
Vibrator is available on blue coloured vinyl
JUST 400 AVAILABLE IN UK!!
180 gram audiophile vinyl, Newly remastered audio, processed at Artone Studio, approved by Sananda Maitreya
Anti-static black poly lined inner sleeves, Deluxe heavyweight sleeves on uncoated paper
All 4 albums include separate inserts with brand new introduction liner notes written by Sananda Maitreya
Box set is a limited edition, Hype sticker
Sananda Maitreya proudly announces “JUVENILIA : The Columbia Years”, a meticulously curated 4-LP box set bringing together
his first four groundbreaking albums, originally released between 1987 and 1995 Introducing the Hardline, Neither Fish Nor Flesh, Symphony or Damn, and Vibrator.
Set for release on February 6th, 2026, JUVENILIA mark the first time these iconic works have been remastered and presented together on
premium 180-gram vinyl, complete with restored artwork and new liner notes by Sananda.
Produced in collaboration with Sony Music UK, Music On Vinyl and Treehouse Publishing, “Sananda Maitreya’s JUVENILIA : The Columbia Years”,
pays tribute to a pivotal creative era that helped redefine the sound and spirit of modern soul, pop, and rock in the late 1980s and 1990s.
On 'Vesturgata Gaze', Hitam traverses a new biome. Geographically and metaphorically. Through this introductory release on Omen Wapta, a remarkable voice in techno lunges into artistic deliverance. Here we, the listeners, find ourselves with an EP that harbours the emotive voltage of a perspective-pivoting trip. Tectonic shifts reshuffle subterranean frequencies, rhythmic phrases carry the timbre of ancient rainfall and we humbly stand witness as ceremonial incantations demarcate indigenous land. In elusive ways, this record assigns a bardic function to mostly nonverbal music. All five tracks consistently resemble traces of life-affirming encounters by sculpting Iceland's geological features into sound. 'Vesturgata Gaze' shows that commitment and intimate collaboration, taking on bold artistic ventures, touching moss and glaciers - that's what can break the mould.
‘An Undying Love For A Burning World follows Converge’s Love Is Not Enough this year as a pivotal metal album about acknowledging the darkness for what it is and trying to accept it.’ - the QUIETUS
‘Neurosis Know You’re Hurting. Their Stunning New Album Is a Life Preserver.
An Undying Love for a Burning World, the band’s first album with new member Aaron Turner, is a reminder of how even the darkest music can be a guiding light’ - 9/10 ROLLING STONE
Evolution can be ugly and beautiful, painful and euphoric. An Undying Love For A Burning World is the first new release from Neurosis in a decade, and a potent statement of intent and rebirth - one that marks the first new steps of resolve and resilience.
An Undying Love For A Burning World is an epic album of colossal hypnotism - beautiful, fearsome and utterly compelling in a way that only Neurosis can be. Aaron Turner (Sumac, Isis) joins the band on vocals and guitar, a name whose legacy is intertwined with the band’s own and a true kindred spirit.
“From the moment I first heard Neurosis over 30 years ago, I felt this was the music my heart and mind had been seeking but not yet heard. Now after many years travelling along various musical paths of my own, the singular sound and spirit embodied by Neurosis continues to speak to the depths of my being. It is an honor and a true pleasure to have been welcomed so warmly into a band that not only shaped my perspective on the limitless possibilities of music - but has lived and exemplified the necessity of upholding creative integrity and camaraderie above all else.” - AARON TURNER
Neurosis have never been afraid of change, and here they embrace endless regeneration, surrendering to the emotional exorcism through heaviness and distortion that their music incites. Just as the universe tends towards balance, Neurosis’cacophony of noise, rhythm and dissonance always resolves towards moments of beauty. The addition of Turner's powerful vocals and wildly creative and unhinged approach to guitar proves to be a vital force as Neurosis find themselves again at the mercy of evolution and expression.
On every song in the band’s history, Neurosis shifts restlessly between tension and relief, invoking a feeling both feral and transcendent in listeners. The band describe their songwriting process as an inescapable impulse to create with each other - a need rather than a choice. Indeed, the band insist that their return is “not a reunion - we never broke up.”
The album was recorded by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City, Sumac, and Great Falls) at Studio Litho in Seattle during three weekends this winter, and mixed in three days just six weeks before release at Evan's Antisleep Audio in Oakland.
Neurosis will play their first show in seven years on the traditional lands of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana as part of Fire in the Mountains festival by special invitation of Firekeeper Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to reducing youth suicide in Indian Country.
FITM, is a unique festival known for bringing epic music to epic landscapes with the intent of reconnecting and immersing oneself with the natural world, and strengthening our ancestral roots as human beings - an aim which aligns directly with Neurosis’ deep-rooted power.
Stay tuned for further news over the coming months.
PREVIOUS PRESS:
‘In less skilful hands, this relentless sonic oppression would be gruelling, but by expressing human frailty with such visceral abandon, Neurosis have once again turned darkness into euphoria.’ - 4/5 THE GUARDIAN
‘The Oakland band has evolved from gritty metallic punk to harrowing post-hardcore prog to the majestic doom of their current phase’ - 7.9 PITCHFORK
‘It’s not often an album of such stature exceeds one’s anticipations, but Honor is too astounding to not be revered.’ - The QUIETUS
“Fires Within Fires is the summation of thirty years of experimentation in tonality and texture. Yes, NEUROSIS are firmly positioned within the extreme metal underground yet their music, with its ability to generate images of beauty akin to those many of us have experienced in our own lives – not to mention the loss that accompanies them – challenges this categorization. ‘’ - WIRE MAGAZINE - FULL PAGE REVIEW.
"Their intensity remains undimmed on Fires Within Fires...The already converted will take heart from the evidence that age is unable to wither the fury of this heaviest of bands." - KERRANG! 4K REVIEW
"Every monstrous sludge riff gnashes menacingly for the right amount of time and every delicate moment of folk-inspired drift is emotionally exacting. Neurosis continue to create art without equal, and Fires Within Fires is another worthy addition to an awe-inspiring canon containing a number of truly pioneering and timeless albums." - METAL HAMMER - 8/10 LEAD REVIEW
‘An Undying Love For A Burning World follows Converge’s Love Is Not Enough this year as a pivotal metal album about acknowledging the darkness for what it is and trying to accept it.’ - the QUIETUS
‘Neurosis Know You’re Hurting. Their Stunning New Album Is a Life Preserver.
An Undying Love for a Burning World, the band’s first album with new member Aaron Turner, is a reminder of how even the darkest music can be a guiding light’ - 9/10 ROLLING STONE
Evolution can be ugly and beautiful, painful and euphoric. An Undying Love For A Burning World is the first new release from Neurosis in a decade, and a potent statement of intent and rebirth - one that marks the first new steps of resolve and resilience.
An Undying Love For A Burning World is an epic album of colossal hypnotism - beautiful, fearsome and utterly compelling in a way that only Neurosis can be. Aaron Turner (Sumac, Isis) joins the band on vocals and guitar, a name whose legacy is intertwined with the band’s own and a true kindred spirit.
“From the moment I first heard Neurosis over 30 years ago, I felt this was the music my heart and mind had been seeking but not yet heard. Now after many years travelling along various musical paths of my own, the singular sound and spirit embodied by Neurosis continues to speak to the depths of my being. It is an honor and a true pleasure to have been welcomed so warmly into a band that not only shaped my perspective on the limitless possibilities of music - but has lived and exemplified the necessity of upholding creative integrity and camaraderie above all else.” - AARON TURNER
Neurosis have never been afraid of change, and here they embrace endless regeneration, surrendering to the emotional exorcism through heaviness and distortion that their music incites. Just as the universe tends towards balance, Neurosis’cacophony of noise, rhythm and dissonance always resolves towards moments of beauty. The addition of Turner's powerful vocals and wildly creative and unhinged approach to guitar proves to be a vital force as Neurosis find themselves again at the mercy of evolution and expression.
On every song in the band’s history, Neurosis shifts restlessly between tension and relief, invoking a feeling both feral and transcendent in listeners. The band describe their songwriting process as an inescapable impulse to create with each other - a need rather than a choice. Indeed, the band insist that their return is “not a reunion - we never broke up.”
The album was recorded by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City, Sumac, and Great Falls) at Studio Litho in Seattle during three weekends this winter, and mixed in three days just six weeks before release at Evan's Antisleep Audio in Oakland.
Neurosis will play their first show in seven years on the traditional lands of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana as part of Fire in the Mountains festival by special invitation of Firekeeper Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to reducing youth suicide in Indian Country.
FITM, is a unique festival known for bringing epic music to epic landscapes with the intent of reconnecting and immersing oneself with the natural world, and strengthening our ancestral roots as human beings - an aim which aligns directly with Neurosis’ deep-rooted power.
Stay tuned for further news over the coming months.
PREVIOUS PRESS:
‘In less skilful hands, this relentless sonic oppression would be gruelling, but by expressing human frailty with such visceral abandon, Neurosis have once again turned darkness into euphoria.’ - 4/5 THE GUARDIAN
‘The Oakland band has evolved from gritty metallic punk to harrowing post-hardcore prog to the majestic doom of their current phase’ - 7.9 PITCHFORK
‘It’s not often an album of such stature exceeds one’s anticipations, but Honor is too astounding to not be revered.’ - The QUIETUS
“Fires Within Fires is the summation of thirty years of experimentation in tonality and texture. Yes, NEUROSIS are firmly positioned within the extreme metal underground yet their music, with its ability to generate images of beauty akin to those many of us have experienced in our own lives – not to mention the loss that accompanies them – challenges this categorization. ‘’ - WIRE MAGAZINE - FULL PAGE REVIEW.
"Their intensity remains undimmed on Fires Within Fires...The already converted will take heart from the evidence that age is unable to wither the fury of this heaviest of bands." - KERRANG! 4K REVIEW
"Every monstrous sludge riff gnashes menacingly for the right amount of time and every delicate moment of folk-inspired drift is emotionally exacting. Neurosis continue to create art without equal, and Fires Within Fires is another worthy addition to an awe-inspiring canon containing a number of truly pioneering and timeless albums." - METAL HAMMER - 8/10 LEAD REVIEW
Work of Art is not merely a sophomore album; it is a victory lap run with the precision of a master artist. Following the stratospheric global ascent of his debut, Mr. Money with the Vibe, Asake faced the kind of pressure that usually demands a pivot. Instead, he treated that intensity like clay, sculpting a project that feels at once more expansive in scale and more intimate in spirit. Released in 2023, the album serves as a definitive statement on Asake’s sonic identity, deepening his signature fusion of Amapiano, Fuji-inspired percussion, and Afrobeats while moving with a newfound sense of deliberate poise.
If his debut was a high-octane sprint to introduce his sound to the world, Work of Art is a confident stroll through his own creative museum. Anchored once again by the masterful production of Magicsticks, the album serves as the perfect architectural space for Asake’s erratic, infectious flows. The record feels richly textured—brimming with pulsating log drums, soulful samples, and the specific, ecstatic chaos of Lagos nightlife. Asake successfully bridges the gap between traditional Yoruba heritage and the deep, percussive basslines of South African Amapiano, resulting in a sound that feels simultaneously ancestral and futuristic.
The project thrives on a unique duality: it is introspective, yet undeniably club-ready. Tracks like "Amapiano," featuring Olamide, provide the anthemic energy his fans crave, while cuts like "Basquiat" showcase a lyrical swagger that frames his life as high art set to a relentless four-on-the-floor beat. By leaning into his "Mr. Money" persona with added vulnerability and a clearer focus on the craftsmanship of his vocal delivery, Asake avoids the dreaded sophomore slump entirely. He proves that he isn't just making pop songs; he is curating a moment. Ultimately, Work of Art captures the feeling of an artist standing at the peak of his powers, looking out at the landscape he has helped reshape, and confirming that, indeed, he belongs there. It is not about reinventing the wheel—it’s about proving that the wheel he built is a masterpiece.
In the rapidly shifting tectonic plates of the global Afrobeats scene, few arrivals have been as seismic as that of Ahmed Ololade—better known to the world as Asake. With his breakout project Mr. Money With The Vibe, the artist didn’t merely debut; he effectively recalibrated the tempo of the Nigerian pop soundscape. The EP functions as a masterclass in synthesis, pulling from the ornate, percussive history of Fuji music and grafting it onto the driving, bass-heavy architectures of contemporary Amapiano. It is a calculated, deeply rhythmic hybridization that manages to feel both nostalgic and jarringly modern.
From a critical vantage point, Mr. Money With The Vibe is defined by its brevity and density. Asake treats each track as a focused vignette, utilizing a vocal delivery that oscillates between a melodic, almost liturgical chant and the staccato urgency of a Lagos street orator. The production—characterized by sharp, frenetic percussion and deceptively simple melodic loops—creates a high-intensity atmosphere that mirrors the relentless pace of urban life. He avoids the pitfall of bloated experimentation; instead, he doubles down on a "street-pop" ethos, prioritizing accessibility without sacrificing the complex rhythmic interplay that gives the genre its distinctive texture.
Ultimately, Mr. Money With The Vibe stands as a pivotal document of the current era, capturing the transition of Afrobeats from a regional powerhouse to a dominant global force. By blending the aspirational "hustle culture" narrative with an increasingly sophisticated sonic palette, Asake established a blueprint that has since influenced a new wave of artists. The project is a testament to the idea that authenticity, when paired with relentless precision, remains the most effective currency in contemporary music.
- A1: Yede Aba
- A2: Mene Menua Mienu
- A3: Sabarima
- A4: Ebia Nie
- A5: Amintiminim
- A6: Siakwaa
- A7: Nana Agyei
- B1: Efie Ne Fie
- B2: Nyankonton Nko Nyaa
- B3: Kwankwaasem Nti
- B4: Egya Ananse Yi Wonan Baako
- B5: Kwaadede Meyare Merewu
- B6: Eda A Mewu
Strut proudly presents the first-ever reissue of a landmark 1974 Ghanaian highlife classic Sikyi Highlife by Dr K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings, originally released on Essiebons.
A defining recording of the era, Sikyi Highlife bridges tradition and innovation at a pivotal moment in Ghanaian music. Deeply rooted in the classic 1950s–’60s highlife sound, K. Gyasi drew inspiration from the ancient sikyi drum-dance of the Akan people of southern Ghana, shaping the album’s rhythms around its distinctive pulse.
The vocal arrangements echo the traditional Akan modal style, grounding the music firmly in Ghana’s cultural heritage. Yet Sikyi Highlife is equally forward-thinking. As electric guitars became standard in highlife during the 1960s, the 1970s ushered in further experimentation. The Noble Kings broke new ground as the first highlife guitar band to incorporate keyboards and a full horn section into their sound, expanding the genre’s sonic possibilities while retaining its rootsy spirit.
Gyasi’s approach was part of a broader indigenisation movement among Ghana’s electric highlife bands in the post-independence era. Inspired by the nation’s ‘African Personality’ ethos and reinforced by Afrocentric messages arriving from American soul and funk, artists began reclaiming traditional forms within modern arrangements. Contemporaries included Koo Nimo, who revived the older palmwine style, and drummer Nii Ashitey, whose Wulomei band pioneered a folklorised Ga highlife sound from 1973.
Like many musicians of his generation, Gyasi was a passionate supporter of Ghana’s independence movement. In 1963, he travelled as a musical ambassador alongside Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, performing across North Africa and the USSR and carrying Ghanaian culture onto the world stage.
The Noble Kings’ mid-’70s line-up featured some of the country’s finest musicians, including guitarist Eric Agyeman (who led the band at the time), Thomas Frimpong on drums and vocals, Ernest Honny on organ, and bassist Ralph Karikari - who was renowned for his innovative technique of translating the rhythms and tonal language of the traditional talking drum onto electric bass.
Upon its original release, Sikyi Highlife became one of the biggest-selling albums of the 1970s for Essiebons, earning Gyasi the affectionate honorary title of “Dr” from his devoted fans. Today, the album remains an evergreen classic, still cherished across Ghana and beyond.
- 1: Bleed
- 2: Wrong
- 3: Oh My God Ft. Widowdusk
- 4: The Knife
- 5: Understand Ft. Wratt Starr
- 6: Jemma
- 7: Sink
- 8: Rot Ft. Someone You Can Call
- 9: Altar
- 10: Home
- 11: Philip
- 12: Sweat And Tears Ft. Casper Hill
Dead Calm is a band from Liam McCay... a young, prolific Irish musician from County Donegal, known for creating music under numerous aliases, most notably Sign Crushes Motorist, Dead Calm, and Take Care, exploring genres like slowcore and indie rock with poignant, introspective, and often melancholic themes, gaining significant online traction while maintaining a low-key, hobbyist approach to his rapidly growing career. He began with the fiddle, pivoted to guitar during the pandemic, and has since released extensive work, even turning down record deals to keep his creative process personal.
- 1: Grow Ft. Masumi
- 2: Mountain
- 3: Slump
- 4: Keep Moving On
- 5: Turn Around Ft. Rosevile Sucks
- 6: Chance Ft. Widowdusk
- 7: Gorgeous Night
- 8: Say Goodbye
- 9: We Love You Dennis Rodman
- 10: What Took You So Long
Dead Calm is a band from Liam McCay... a young, prolific Irish musician from County Donegal, known for creating music under numerous aliases, most notably Sign Crushes Motorist, Dead Calm, and Take Care, exploring genres like slowcore and indie rock with poignant, introspective, and often melancholic themes, gaining significant online traction while maintaining a low-key, hobbyist approach to his rapidly growing career. He began with the fiddle, pivoted to guitar during the pandemic, and has since released extensive work, even turning down record deals to keep his creative process personal.
On the 2024 Altered Circuits release Tropicana Tracks Rotterdam-based artist Betonkust paid tribute to the former subtropical pool (now a circular entrepreneurship hub) Tropicana of his hometown. ALT025 is the follow-up: the fallen-from-grace swimming paradise again fuels a club-oriented selection, inspired by, in the artist's words, "the electronic music from 1988 up until now", more specifically "the Benelux-sound". Tropicana Tracks Two kicks off in full gear with the zero swing drums and lately bass rhythms of Don't Think I'll Be Here Too Long setting the stage for intense synth stabs. Its counterpart comes by way of Realxing, which nonetheless uses similar patches. If the A1 is the thrill of the slides, this one feels like blissfully floating in the geothermally heated waters afterwards. Will Support on the reverse side takes on Detroit techno. Minimal in its composition, it is carried by tough, loopy minor fifth synth sections and prominently mixed rides. TV For Lonely People features more big bass catchiness and melancholic, silky melodies, glued together by vintage flanger treatment and chlorine-damp reverb. The production revels in what feels like the quintessential Betonkust sound. Innershades then joins for the encore, and, characteristically, the mood turns a bit darker. Letting Go Of The Dream is an emotional New Beat update, fully equipped with thudding drum works, haunting lo-fi vocals and pivotal 303 programming - a fitting reaffirmation of the long-standing ties between two of Low Countries Electronics's finest ambassadors.
- A1: Black Line - Myele
- A2: Mbamina - Nzoumba I-Robots 1975 Unreleased Edit-44100
- A3: Mbamina - Watchiwara
- B1: Oxid - Bright Heron
- B2: Oxid - Oxid Trail
- C1: Stratosferic Band - Nowhere - Reverberated Unreleased Version
- C3: The Boston Garden - Lady Pick-Up
- D1: Mbamina - Nzoumba Unreleased-44100
- D2: Oxid - Oxid Trail Unreleased Extended Version
Daniele Baldelli
"A pleasant surprise to find in this release various atmospheres and sounds that have always been part of my DJing. It even made me rediscover M’Bamina, whom I used to play back in 1974 at the Tabù Club in Cattolica.
There are afro vibes as well, with Black Line – Myele, which is featured on one of my Cosmic tapes, and Nowhere by the Stratosferic Band recalls a track I used to play at the Baia degli Angeli…
Excellent work!"
Voom Voom Music was an independent Italian record label based in Turin, founded and managed by record producer Ivo Lunardi (Turin, December 6, 1940 – December 9, 2010). A pivotal figure in the Piedmont music scene, Lunardi was active both as a DJ and as the owner of several disco clubs.
The label operated for several years in the latter half of the 1970s, releasing mainly productions connected to the Italian dance and pop scene.
Since 2016, the original master tapes from the Voom Voom Music catalog have been owned by Gianluca Pandullo (I-Robots), a close friend of Ivo and Luca Lunardi. Through his labels Opilec Music and Turin Dancefloor Express, Pandullo oversees their preservation and historical enhancement.
The artistic direction of Voom Voom Music was marked by a distinct sonic identity — eclectic yet visionary. The Turin-based label founded by Ivo Lunardi embraced a sound that blended disco, pop, and rock influences, interwoven with African American grooves in a pioneering, international perspective.
Voom Voom Music was among the first Italian labels to introduce this kind of musical language in the country. A prime example is the Italian edition of the debut album by B.T. Express, Do It ('Til You're Satisfied), released in LP, 8-Track Cartridge, cassette, and 7" single formats.
The label’s productions clearly reflected the influence of black and funk music, as evidenced by the references and inspirations running through its catalogue. The track “Lady Pick-Up”, for instance, includes direct nods to “Do It Good” by KC & The Sunshine Band and Manu Dibango’s iconic “Soul Makossa”, revealing a musically refined and contemporary sensibility.
Among the label’s most representative works is Splash (1977) by the Stratosferic Band, a project conceived by Luigi Venegoni — producer, songwriter, and guitarist of Arti e Mestieri. Venegoni’s artistic journey spanned from progressive rock to space and Italo disco. The album artwork was designed by Piero D’Amore (1944 - 2022), a charismatic and multifaceted figure of Turin’s art scene (one of his works was even acquired by the MoMA in New York).
The record includes a disco reinterpretation of Van Morrison’s classic “Gloria”, and “Splashdown”, a track fusing the disco-rock energy of Rockets and Space. In contrast, “Nowhere” revisits the 1975 single by Hokis Pokis, a soul/disco band from Nassau County (New York), transforming it into a vibrant disco-funk number.
Another significant expression of the label’s catalogue is the afro-rock sound of M’Bamina, an Italo-Congolese group whose rhythmic energy and dialogue between African percussion and Western funk evoke the style of international formations such as Osibisa — themselves linked to a rich artistic history in Italy.
Two foundational releases from Toronto's Strobe Records get a well-deserved reissue on the Clone Classic Cuts series, spotlighting a pivotal moment in North American dance music. While often overshadowed by the Detroit and New York scenes, Toronto's underground in the early '90s was brewing its own potent blend of house and techno - and these tracks are prime examples of that cross-border synergy.
The Hayden Andre Project's contributions sit at the perfect intersection of tribal house rhythms and the emotive, machine-driven pulse of early Detroit techno. There's a raw elegance here - a sense of deep groove layered with just the right amount of percussive tension. It's no surprise that these tracks became staples in the crates of DJs both then and now. The production feels timeless, with hypnotic arrangements that still command the floor over three decades later.
On the flip, Kingdom Come, another alias of Ron Allen, delivers lush, blissed-out house music that channels the soulful energy of New York's golden era while adding a uniquely Canadian sensibility. Allen's piano work, layered with warm pads and swinging drums, gives these tracks an unmistakable vibe - equal parts deep house ecstasy and garage swagger. It's the sound of 3 a.m. euphoria, of packed dance floors and emotional peaks.
Sometimes the title of an album tells you everything you need to know. Laurence Pike’s Possible Utopias for Jazz Quintet is like that: The music within represents a search for freedom, potentiality—liberatory strategies that transcend the ego and the solitary, atomized figure.
But in this case, the album title is also a red herring, because there is no jazz quintet here—just Pike, his drums, and his machines, not so much an ersatz ensemble as a purely notional one, a thought experiment equipped with drumsticks, circuitry, and the desire to go beyond hardwired limits.
And the results, strictly speaking, aren’t really jazz, though they incorporate the vocabulary of jazz, along with that of ambient, electronica, and post-rock. They are some other thing, cognizant of genre but never beholden to it. Again, we’re talking about a search for freedom here.
The Sydney-based musician has a long history of coloring outside the lines, not just in his solo recordings—including four albums for the Leaf label between 2018 and 2024—but also in the trio Pivot (later PVT); Szun Waves (alongside saxophonist Jack Wyllie and Border Community’s Luke Abbott); Triosk, which recorded an album with Jan Jelinek in 2003; and even post-punk titans Liars, whom he joined in late 2018.
Of his first album for Balmat, Pike says, “My loose concept was: What does music sound like when the expectations of late capitalism are removed from it? How might a jazz musician from an idealised culture of the future, or even another world, utilise musical language when the conventions of style and marketing are no longer a factor in music making?”
That inquiry, he says, connects to his “guiding principle: that the purpose of music is to access something bigger than the individual, and reveal a sense of possibility and freedom in the world to the listener. To create an understanding that the future can be something other than what we imagined or expect, even unconsciously.”
Heady ideas, but plug into his stream-of-metaconsciousness flow and you may start to intuit what motivates him. There is a deeply lyrical expression in these pieces—in the ruminative piano of opener “Guardians of Memory,” for example—but also a sense of exploded perspective, of ideas approached from more angles than any one mind could dream up. Of a collectivized consciousness, of mycelial networks branching across tone and rhythm and timbre, of ideas articulated in distributed fashion, nodal points dancing across drum heads.
Pike’s imaginary quintet is hardly without precedent; it’s a continuation of concepts floated across Jan Jelinek’s Loop-Finding-Jazz-Records, Burnt Friedman’s many guises, and much of the recombinant improv of the International Anthem roster, not to mention the far corners of ECM’s catalog in the late 1970s and 1980s, which Pike says have been integral to his development since he was a teenager. Possible Utopias for Jazz Quintet is a point in a continuum, a voice in a conversation, a question with no obvious answer: How can the search for otherness in music manifest something true about ourselves?
TRANSMISSIONS #1 connects four distinct Skylax signals into a single flow. Each track comes from a precise moment, a specific context, and a clear dancefloor function. Together, they form a transmission built on movement, use and continuity. A1. F.T.G – Tribute ’89 (Fuckthegovernment #001 Mix) is a raw drum-machine workout positioned between dark Chicago house and late-’89 European techno. Stripped, direct and uncompromising, Tribute ’89 quickly became an underground staple, heavily played by Ricardo Villalobos and Raresh — a foundational Skylax signal. A2. Nick Beringer – 57th Corner, taken from Second Floor (Wax Classic, 2016), is a tech-leaning deep house cut marked by restraint, precision and late-night tension, capturing Beringer at a pivotal point in his long-standing relationship with Skylax. B1. Floorfillers – Love Is Growing delivers a powerful house-disco statement rooted in old-school foundations, where filtered disco loops, raw drum programming and uplifting swing echo the lineage of DJ Sneak, Paul Johnson, early Roulé / Crydamoure-era French touch and classic Chicago jack — a modern floor-driver with timeless intent. B2. Nicolas Aftalion – Rue des Wallons brings deep, soulful house with a strong Kerri Chandler influence; warm chords, chunky drums and emotional weight firmly grounded in early ’90s US garage tradition. Supported by Cinthie, it closes the transmission with groove, balance and purpose. TRANSMISSIONS #1 — built to move, built to last, signals in motion. Four tracks. Four signals. Still moving.
- A1: Fix
- A2: Front
- A3: Voiceless
- A4: Uh4.17
- B1 39: 7:Ald
- B2: Estrella
- B3: Back
- C1 36: 4:277
- C2: Done
- D1: Bu’yaam
- D2: Rewound
- D3 36: 6:115
- D4: Chandler’s Living Room
Trace represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Gridlock, bridging their earlier industrial roots with expansive ambient and IDM-influenced soundscapes.
Released in early 2001, Trace received critical praise and underground acclaim. Reviewers highlighted its blend of melodic drones reminiscent of Brian Eno with fractured beats and immersive ambient textures. Its evolving percussion and layered atmospheres marked a maturation of Gridlock’s original ethos, moving away from harsh industrial noise toward a more melodic, ambient, and cerebral sound.
The duo continued this trajectory on their final album, Formless, before disbanding, leaving behind a small but highly influential catalog. In tribute to Mike Wells, who passed away in 2022, Viasonde is reintroducing Gridlock’s work with the blessing of Wells’ family.
- A1: Not The Country You Know
- A2: This Ain't That
- A3: Am I Wrong
- A4: Comin Right Back
- A5: Bad For You
- A6: Nasty Player
- B1: God Mode
- B2: Freddy Tiffany
- B3: Is You Cool
- B4: How You Wanna Play
- B5: No Fun
- B6: Ain't Going
- C1: Should I
- C2: Always Something
- C3: Who Am I
- C4: Psychology Of Revenge
- C5: Control What I Can
- C6: What's Really Real
- D1: Plant A Seed
- D2: Chasing
- D3: Massage Envy
- D4: Walk Away
- D5: Bad At Goodbyes
In the evolving landscape of modern Southern hip-hop, the pairing of Starlito and Bandplay stands out as a unique bridge between street-level authenticity and refined, calculated musicality. Their collaborative project, Not The Country You Know, functions less like a standard release and more as a manifesto—a masterclass in the chemistry between a seasoned, introspective lyricist and a producer who possesses an intuitive grasp of the region's pulse. It is an exploration of legacy and adaptation, capturing the tension between where they came from and where the culture is currently headed.
Bandplay, long recognized for sculpting the sonic identity of Memphis icons, brings his signature, trunk-rattling 808s to the project, yet he manages to pivot here. The production feels remarkably expansive, masterfully blending the raw, stripped-back aesthetics of classic Tennessee rap with forward-thinking textures that refuse to be confined to a single sub-genre. Complementing this, Starlito operates with his trademark mix of cynical observation and genuine vulnerability. He navigates these beats with the weary grace of an artist who has weathered the music industry's relentless cycles, treating every bar like a necessary piece of a larger, ongoing story.
The album’s title serves as a direct commentary on these shifting tides. Across the tracklist, the duo investigates the growing disparity between the romanticized South and the cold realities of the streets, alongside the inevitable evolution of the music business itself. There is no frantic chasing of streaming-era trends or algorithmic bait here; instead, the project remains a stubborn, confident assertion of artistic identity. By weaving together Starlito’s "voice-of-reason" flow and Bandplay’s evolving, genre-bending sound, Not The Country You Know challenges the listener to abandon their preconceived notions of the region, offering instead a complex, urgent vision of a South that is as haunting as it is vibrant.
In spring 2025, Abul Mogard and Rafael Anton Irisarri created the source material for their second album, Where Light Pauses in the Silence of the Sun, during a three-day residency at Morphine Raum in Berlin. Functioning as both recording studio and performance venue, the space has no stage, with the audience gathered around the performers. Working within an open framework, the duo reshaped the music each evening while recording the performances live to multitrack. Rotary speakers, modular synthesizers and bowed guitar formed the core of their sonic language, captured through a 1970s mixing console and microphones placed around the room.
Back in Mogard’s studio in Rome, the material was further crafted as motifs were stretched, fragments isolated, and tempos dissolved. Irisarri recorded additional guitar textures and treatments in New York, while passages recorded by Martina Bertoni and Andrea Burelli in Berlin reinforced the harmonic centres and brought breath, refinement and a new sensibility to their compositions. The process continued as Mogard’s layering and subtraction reassembled everyone’s parts into the final arrangement.
The album opens with “In the Eastern Wild,” building from a sparse outline into a monumental formation of low-frequency weight, its internal motion shaped by the rotating Leslie speaker. “Over the Domes” widens into a broader acoustic field, where sustained modular tones meet waves of softly plucked guitar. The music then turns inward with “A Blue Descent,” centred on Bertoni’s cello, whose growling timbre introduces a melancholic depth.
At the album’s centre, “In a Quiet Radiance” unfolds around a slow guitar ostinato, its luminous stillness opening into a more expansive and reflective state. Across its ten-minute span, Burelli’s violin lines and Bertoni’s lower cello phrases gradually surface, weaving through the harmonic field. Mogard brings Burelli’s processed voice to the fore, its emotive, operatic presence becoming one of the record’s pivotal moments. “Of Blessed Ages” suspends the sonic flow, shifting between parallel major and minor chords as lingering, slowly decaying melodies shape the music’s internal drift. The closing “Among Shadows” settles into a darker resonance as layered textures recede.
Mogard and Irisarri’s shared language balances restraint and maximalism. UK magazine Crack describes the music as “a tidal wave held in suspension,” while Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant writes, “What a colossal sound, and how this music strikes at the emotions.” Reflecting on the residency sessions, Irisarri recalls: “At moments I genuinely couldn’t tell if a sound was coming from me or from Abul. It stopped feeling like two people making decisions and began to feel like we were inside a system moving on its own."
Marja de Sanctis’ cover artwork revisits the vessel sculpture from the duo’s first album, Impossibly Distant, Impossibly Close. There it appeared as raw, unfired clay. Here it has been fired in the kiln and finished with a glaze. Light gathers on its polished surface and spills into the surrounding space. As she explains, “I wanted to convey the idea of continuity within the duo, and the vessel became a kind of container for that idea. However, their music felt different this time, and with the collaboration of Martina and Andrea, I felt it should have a sleeker, softer, more glamorous look, very distant from the first raw appearance.” The transformation of the vessel from raw clay to fired form suggests a passage from immediacy toward permanence, mirroring the music’s gradual expansion.
In spring 2025, Abul Mogard and Rafael Anton Irisarri created the source material for their second album, Where Light Pauses in the Silence of the Sun, during a three-day residency at Morphine Raum in Berlin. Functioning as both recording studio and performance venue, the space has no stage, with the audience gathered around the performers. Working within an open framework, the duo reshaped the music each evening while recording the performances live to multitrack. Rotary speakers, modular synthesizers and bowed guitar formed the core of their sonic language, captured through a 1970s mixing console and microphones placed around the room.
Back in Mogard’s studio in Rome, the material was further crafted as motifs were stretched, fragments isolated, and tempos dissolved. Irisarri recorded additional guitar textures and treatments in New York, while passages recorded by Martina Bertoni and Andrea Burelli in Berlin reinforced the harmonic centres and brought breath, refinement and a new sensibility to their compositions. The process continued as Mogard’s layering and subtraction reassembled everyone’s parts into the final arrangement.
The album opens with “In the Eastern Wild,” building from a sparse outline into a monumental formation of low-frequency weight, its internal motion shaped by the rotating Leslie speaker. “Over the Domes” widens into a broader acoustic field, where sustained modular tones meet waves of softly plucked guitar. The music then turns inward with “A Blue Descent,” centred on Bertoni’s cello, whose growling timbre introduces a melancholic depth.
At the album’s centre, “In a Quiet Radiance” unfolds around a slow guitar ostinato, its luminous stillness opening into a more expansive and reflective state. Across its ten-minute span, Burelli’s violin lines and Bertoni’s lower cello phrases gradually surface, weaving through the harmonic field. Mogard brings Burelli’s processed voice to the fore, its emotive, operatic presence becoming one of the record’s pivotal moments. “Of Blessed Ages” suspends the sonic flow, shifting between parallel major and minor chords as lingering, slowly decaying melodies shape the music’s internal drift. The closing “Among Shadows” settles into a darker resonance as layered textures recede.
Mogard and Irisarri’s shared language balances restraint and maximalism. UK magazine Crack describes the music as “a tidal wave held in suspension,” while Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant writes, “What a colossal sound, and how this music strikes at the emotions.” Reflecting on the residency sessions, Irisarri recalls: “At moments I genuinely couldn’t tell if a sound was coming from me or from Abul. It stopped feeling like two people making decisions and began to feel like we were inside a system moving on its own."
Marja de Sanctis’ cover artwork revisits the vessel sculpture from the duo’s first album, Impossibly Distant, Impossibly Close. There it appeared as raw, unfired clay. Here it has been fired in the kiln and finished with a glaze. Light gathers on its polished surface and spills into the surrounding space. As she explains, “I wanted to convey the idea of continuity within the duo, and the vessel became a kind of container for that idea. However, their music felt different this time, and with the collaboration of Martina and Andrea, I felt it should have a sleeker, softer, more glamorous look, very distant from the first raw appearance.” The transformation of the vessel from raw clay to fired form suggests a passage from immediacy toward permanence, mirroring the music’s gradual expansion.
In spring 2025, Abul Mogard and Rafael Anton Irisarri created the source material for their second album, Where Light Pauses in the Silence of the Sun, during a three-day residency at Morphine Raum in Berlin. Functioning as both recording studio and performance venue, the space has no stage, with the audience gathered around the performers. Working within an open framework, the duo reshaped the music each evening while recording the performances live to multitrack. Rotary speakers, modular synthesizers and bowed guitar formed the core of their sonic language, captured through a 1970s mixing console and microphones placed around the room.
Back in Mogard’s studio in Rome, the material was further crafted as motifs were stretched, fragments isolated, and tempos dissolved. Irisarri recorded additional guitar textures and treatments in New York, while passages recorded by Martina Bertoni and Andrea Burelli in Berlin reinforced the harmonic centres and brought breath, refinement and a new sensibility to their compositions. The process continued as Mogard’s layering and subtraction reassembled everyone’s parts into the final arrangement.
The album opens with “In the Eastern Wild,” building from a sparse outline into a monumental formation of low-frequency weight, its internal motion shaped by the rotating Leslie speaker. “Over the Domes” widens into a broader acoustic field, where sustained modular tones meet waves of softly plucked guitar. The music then turns inward with “A Blue Descent,” centred on Bertoni’s cello, whose growling timbre introduces a melancholic depth.
At the album’s centre, “In a Quiet Radiance” unfolds around a slow guitar ostinato, its luminous stillness opening into a more expansive and reflective state. Across its ten-minute span, Burelli’s violin lines and Bertoni’s lower cello phrases gradually surface, weaving through the harmonic field. Mogard brings Burelli’s processed voice to the fore, its emotive, operatic presence becoming one of the record’s pivotal moments. “Of Blessed Ages” suspends the sonic flow, shifting between parallel major and minor chords as lingering, slowly decaying melodies shape the music’s internal drift. The closing “Among Shadows” settles into a darker resonance as layered textures recede.
Mogard and Irisarri’s shared language balances restraint and maximalism. UK magazine Crack describes the music as “a tidal wave held in suspension,” while Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant writes, “What a colossal sound, and how this music strikes at the emotions.” Reflecting on the residency sessions, Irisarri recalls: “At moments I genuinely couldn’t tell if a sound was coming from me or from Abul. It stopped feeling like two people making decisions and began to feel like we were inside a system moving on its own."
Marja de Sanctis’ cover artwork revisits the vessel sculpture from the duo’s first album, Impossibly Distant, Impossibly Close. There it appeared as raw, unfired clay. Here it has been fired in the kiln and finished with a glaze. Light gathers on its polished surface and spills into the surrounding space. As she explains, “I wanted to convey the idea of continuity within the duo, and the vessel became a kind of container for that idea. However, their music felt different this time, and with the collaboration of Martina and Andrea, I felt it should have a sleeker, softer, more glamorous look, very distant from the first raw appearance.” The transformation of the vessel from raw clay to fired form suggests a passage from immediacy toward permanence, mirroring the music’s gradual expansion.
Repress
2x12" Clear vinyl
This new album is the product of a 2 year process. The LP reflects what I love about the diversity of drum & bass and all its sub genres as well as what I enjoy playing at clubs and festivals.
It was crucial to me that this new chapter was a step up in content, sound design and song writing which influenced the decision to include only solo material and even master it myself.
Manifest is Mefjus 2.0 Martin
Pressed on 2 x 12 coloured gatefold vinyl
Comes with a download card for the full album in 320 kbps MP3.
Artwork and typography by Rutger Prins / Regime
Logo by Philipp Meindl-Grausam
Transparent Green Vinyl[15,92 €]
There are techno classics, and there are techno classics! It’s without doubt that Joey Beltram has played a pivotal role in the growth of the techno sound that gestated in Detroit and was lapped up in Europe during those early years. Beltram spearheaded a darker sound that became a staple in the UK and European rave scene in the early 90s, and a sound that continues to come back around for revival and a new twist on the genre from the producers and DJs of the day.
‘Beltram Volume 2’ was first released on R&S Records in 1991, and despite the huge success of the ‘Energy Flash’ single, released a year prior, ‘Volume 2’, some say, is ‘Beltram’s definitive release on R&S’. Deep, dark and deliciously hypnotic, all four cuts on this EP still sound as raw and devastating 30 years later. Big tunes at seminal clubs like Rage (Fabio & Grooverider) and the network of UK raves soundtracked by the likes of Carl Cox, Colin Faver, Eddie Richards et al, Beltram’s unique sound help spawn the bass heavy drum & bass genre that was also burgeoning at the time.
‘Beltram Volume 2’ has been remastered by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven Mastering, and the release comes in an updated sleeve, faithfully recreating the 1991 packaging featuring Christel Brodahl’s now legendary oil painting.
‘Beltram Volume 2’ by Joey Beltram is available on R&S Records from 9th December 2022.
La Matta Records proudly presents the first official 7-inch, Tutto Ben, a rare “Italo-Brazilian” mini EP by iconic singer, guitarist, and composer Jorge Ben Jor. This edition includes Ana Maria (Remastered), originally recorded at the Teatro Sistina in Rome in 1978, while Falcão and Lorella were first released in 1983 on the CGD (Maracanà) label, part of Warner Music Italy, celebrating AS Roma’s league title. This 7-inch captures a pivotal moment in Jorge’s career, singing in Italian with Banda do Zé Pretinho in Rome. Acclaimed for his radiant spirit and admired by the genius art director Franco Fontana — who invited him to Rome several times — this fully remastered gem is now available for collectors and enthusiasts on vinyl.
Soul Visions is an instrumental journey into the world of Deheb, who, after several years of continuous sound research, continues to draw inspiration from jazz, soul, funk, and progressive rock records, first discovered through his father and then through his fellow collectors and DJs, including his partner DJ Marrrtin from Funky Bijou.
The Breton artist is renowned in the beatmaking world for his collaborations in New York in the mid-2000s (Moka Only, Sean Price, Torae, Tye Phoenix, Apani B, etc.) and for his album “LEAF”, released in 2015 with Swiss producer Chief. He is best known for producing classic Funky Breaks in the global breakdance scene with Marrrtin under the name Funky Bijou, whose tracks have been played at the world's biggest breakdance events since 2011 (Battle Of The Year, Red Bull BC One, etc.). All their tracks have been listened to more than 30 million times on various platforms and social networks.
A prolific artist who draws much of his inspiration from funk and jazz, he is based in Nantes and has collaborated with groups from the French Neo Soul scene, such as J-Silk from Bordeaux, Jo Wedin from Sweden, and Keysuna from Nantes. Close to the dance scene, he has also collaborated with dancer and choreographer Mackenzy Bergile, which led him to join the CCNRB's choreographic project “Earthbound” by choreographers Saïdo Lehlouh and Johanna Faye in 2023.
Deheb has also been composing for documentary projects since his first collaboration with director Shyaka Kagamé in 2015 for “Bounty”. In 2024 and 2025, he worked on two critically acclaimed projects: “Boulevard du village noir”, produced by Radio Television Suisse, and “IMIHIGO, le pacte rwandais”.
This year, 2025, he brings us “Soul Visions”, a journey through the cinematic sound of the early 1970s to the soul funk and jazz funk of the late 1970s, a pivotal period in his own musical identity that contributed to the funk sound of his guitars and the texture of his synthesizers and electric pianos.
Soul Visions is first and foremost a tribute to the artists and composers, the geniuses of that era, such as the Mizell brothers in “Larry and Fonce”, the Bell brothers in “Ron and Don”, and giants of the genre such as Isaac Hayes, Yuji Ohno, Roy Ayers, and Clarence Reid. All these masters of the genre had their own distinctive sound and arrangements, which were easily recognizable and which are among Deheb's major inspirations.
- A1: Frankie Knuckles Pres Director’s Cut – The Whistle Song (Re-Directed)
- A2: Frankie Knuckles Pres Director’s Cut Feat. Jamie Principle - Your Love (Director's Cut Signature Mix)
- B1: Frankie Knuckles Pres Director’s Cut Feat. B. Slade – Get Over U (Director's Cut Mix - Sami Dee Edit)
- B2: Frankie Knuckles Pres Director’s Cut Feat. Jamie Principle – I'll Take You There (Director's Cut Classic Signature Mix)
- C1: Ashford & Simpson - Bourgie Bourgie (A Director's Cut Exclusive)
- C2: Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band Feat Donna Gardier & Diane Charlemagne – The Secret Life Of Us (Director's Cut Signature Mix)
- D1: Artful & Ridney Feat Terri Walker - Missing You (Eric Kupper’s ‘Director's Cut Tribute To Fk' Mix)
- D2: Marshall Jefferson Feat Curtis Mcclain – The House Music Anthem (Move Your Body) (Director's Cut Retro Signature Mix)
Limited Edition Transparent Black Vinyl Version - 500 Units Only
There are few people across the globe, who will have not been touched by the work of Frankie Knuckles. Forever regarded as ‘The Godfather of House’ for his unrivalled contribution to the house music we know today; what started as an underground movement in Chicago has grown to international heights thanks to Frankie. His records earned him recognition on a global scale, allowing him to work with some of the globes biggest names including the likes of Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.
Five years ago, Frankie passed away in Chicago on 31st March 2014 leaving behind one of the greatest house music legacies spanning almost four decades. Now he is commemorated by long time writing and production partner Eric Kupper. Eric, himself a seasoned DJ producer and writer, has worked on over 116 Billboard #1 Dance Records and played a pivotal role in a many of Frankie’s productions. Having both worked together for many years they established themselves at ‘Director’s Cut’ from 2011 and set about producing original releases and remixes based on the classic ‘Def Mix’ sound while sharing equal credits for their creations.
Together they re-produced and re-purpose classic cuts for modern dancefloors, with reworks including tracks from Marshall Jefferson, Ashford & Simpson, Artful & Ridney and The Sunburst Band, alongside Frankie Knuckles originals. These releases have now been brought together by Eric to feature on special album called ‘The Directors Cut Collection’ on SoSure Music. It includes the Director’s Cut reworks of Frankie’s classic cuts such as ‘Your Love’ and ‘Take You There’ with Jamie Principle, alongside Frankie’s first #1 single - ‘The Whistle Song’ on which Eric shares writing credits.
Within a multitude of classic reworks, highlights include a previously unreleased version of Ashford & Simpson’s ‘Bourgie Bourgie’ and a huge Director’s Cut Retro Signature mix of Marshall Jefferson’s The House Music Anthem (Move Your Body) featuring Curtis McClain.
The Director’s Cut Collection is a fitting tribute to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Frankie’s passing whilst giving Eric a platform to tell his side of the creative story. This album is to be released in collaboration with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation who work to continuing Frankie’s legacy well into the future.
The Éthiopiques series returns! Essential archive recordings from an extremely fruitful period in Ethiopian music.
Before “Swinging Addis” took over the world, there was Moussié Nerses Nalbandian — the Armenian-born composer who shaped modern Ethiopian music. Mentor, arranger, and pioneer, he laid the foundations of Ethio-jazz.
This Éthiopiques volume revives his forgotten legacy, recorded live by Either/ Orchestra First issue ever with new exclusive photos and in depth liner 8-page insert.
“Ethiopian jazzmen are the best musicians that we have seen so far in Africa.
They really are promising handlers of jazz instruments.”
Wilbur De Paris
(1959, after a concert in Addis Ababa)
አዲስ፡ዘመን። *Addis zèmèn* **A new era.**
The time is the mid-1950s and early 1960s, just before "Swinging Addis" bloomed – or rather boomed – onto the scene. Brass instruments are still dominant, but the advent of the electric guitar, and the very first electronic organs, are just around the corner. Rock’n'Roll, R’n’B, Soul and the Twist have not yet barged their way in. Addis Ababa is steeped in the big band atmosphere of the post-war era, with Glenn Miller's *In the* *Mood* as its world-wide theme song, neck and neck with the Latin craze that was in vogue at the same period. Life has become enjoyable once again, with the return of peace after the terrible Italian Fascist invasion of Ethiopia (1935-1941). The redeployment of modern music is part and parcel of the postwar reconstruction. *Addis zèmèn* – a new era – is the watchword of the postwar period, just as it was all across war-torn Europe.
The generation who were the young parents of baby boomers** were the first to enjoy this musical renaissance, before the baby boomers themselves took over and forever super-charged the soundtrack of the final days of imperial reign. Music is Ethiopia's most popular art form, and very often serves as the best barometer for the upsurge of energy that is critical for reconstruction. Whether it be jazz in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the *zazous* who revolutionised both jazz and French *chanson* after the *Libération*, be it Madrid's post-Franco Movida, or Dada, the Surrealists and *les années folles* that followed World War I, the periods just after mourning and hardship always give rise to brighter and more tuneful tomorrows. Addis Ababa, as the country's capital, and the epicentre of change, was no exception to this vital rule.
**Two generations of Nalbandian musicians**
Nersès Nalbandian belonged to a family of Armenian exiles, who had moved to Ethiopia in the mid-1920s. The uncle Kevork arrived along with the fabled "*Arba Lidjotch*", the** "*40 Kids*", young Armenian orphans and musicians that the Ras Tafari had recruited when he visited Jerusalem in 1924, intending to turn their brass band into the official imperial band. If Kevork Nalbandian was the one who first opened the way of modernism, pushing innovation so far as to invent musical theatre, it was his nephew Nersès who would go on to become, from the 1940s and until his death in 1977, a pivotal figure of modern Ethiopian music and of the heights it. Going all the way back to the 1950s. Nothing less. And it is Nersès who is largely to thank for the brassy colours that so greatly contributed to the international renown of Ethiopian groove. While the younger generations today venture timidly into the genealogy of their country's modern music, often losing their way amidst a distinctly xenophobic historiographical complacency, many survivors of the imperial period are still around to bear witness and pay tribute to the essential role that "Moussié Nersès" played in the rise of Abyssinia's musical modernity.
Given the year of his birth (15 March 1915), no one knows for sure if Nersès Nalbandian was born in Aintab, today Gaziantep (Turkiye/former Ottoman Empire) or on the other side of the border in Alep, Syria... What is certain is that his family, like the entire Armenian community, was amongst the victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks. Alep, the place of safety – today in ruins.
Before Nersès then, there was uncle Kevork (1887-1963). For a quarter of a century, he was a whirlwind of activity in music teaching and theatrical innovation. *Guèbrè Mariam le Gondaré* (የጎንደሬ ገብረ ማርያም አጥቶ ማግኘት, 1926 EC=1934) is his most famous creation. This play included "ten Ethiopian songs" — a totally innovative approach. According to his autobiographical notes, preserved by the Nalbandian family, Kevork indicates that he composed some 50 such pieces over the course of his career. This shows just how much he understood, very early on, the critical importance of song as Ethiopia's crowning artistic form. Indeed, for Ethiopian listeners, the most important thing is the lyrics, with all their multifarious mischief, far more than a strong melody, sophisticated arrangements or even an exceptional voice. (This is also why Ethiopians by and large, and beginning with the artists and producers themselves, believed for a long time — and wrongly — that their music could not possibly be exported, and could never win over audiences abroad, who did not speak the country's languages).
Last but not least, one of Kevork's major contributions remains composing Ethiopia's first national anthem – with lyrics by Yoftahé Negussié.
Nersès Nalbandian moved to Ethiopia at the end of the 1930s, at the behest of his ground-breaking uncle. Proficient in many instruments (pretty much everything but the drums), conductor, choir director, composer, arranger, adapter, creator, piano tuner, purveyor of rented pianos,... he was above all an energetic and influential teacher. From 1946 onwards, thanks to Kevork's connexion, Nersès was appointed musical director of the Addis Ababa Municipality Band. In just a few years, Nersès transformed it into the first truly modern ensemble, thanks to the quality of his teaching, his choice of repertoire, and the sophistication of his arrangements. It was this group that would go on to become the orchestra of the Haile Selassie Theatre shortly after its inauguration in 1955, which was a major celebration of the Emperor's jubilee, marking the 25th anniversary of his on-again-off-again reign.
At some point or other in his long career, Nersès Nalbandian had a hand in the creation of just about every institutional band (Municipality Band, Police Orchestra, Imperial Bodyguard Band, Army Band, Yared Music School…), but it was with the Haile Selassie Theatre – today the National Theatre – that his abilities were most on display, up until his death in 1977. To this must be added the development of choral singing in Ethiopia, hitherto unknown, and a sort of secret garden dedicated to the memory of Armenian sacred music, and brought together in two thick, unpublished volumes. Shortly before his death (November 13, 1977), he was appointed to lead the impressive Ethiopian delegation at Festac in Lagos, Nigeria (January-February 1977).
His status as a stateless foreigner regularly excluded him from the most senior positions, in spite of the respect he commanded (and commands to this day) from the musicians of his era. Naturally gifted and largely self-taught, Nerses was tirelessly curious about new musical developments, drawing inspiration from the very first imported records, and especially from listening intensely to the musical programmes broadcast over short-wave radio – BBC *First*. A prolific composer and arranger, he was constantly mindful of formalising and integrating Ethiopian parameters (specific “musical modes”, pentatonic scale, and the dominance of ternary rhythms) into his “modernisation” of the musical culture, rather than trying to over-westernise it. It even seems very probable that *Moussié* Nerses made a decisive contribution to the development of tighter music-teaching methods, in order to revitalise musical education during this period of prodigious cultural ferment. Flying in the face of all the historiographical and musicological evidence, it is taken as sacrosanct dogma that the four musical modes or chords officially recognised today, the *qǝñǝt* or *qiñit* (ቅኝት), are every bit as millennial as Ethiopia itself. It would appear however that some streamlining of these chords actually took place in around 1960. It was only from this time onward that music teaching was structured around these four fundamental musical modes and chords: *Ambassel*, *Bati*, *Tezeta* and *Antchi Hoyé*. A historical and musical “details” that is, apparently, difficult to swallow, especially if that should honour a *foreigner*. Modern Ethiopian music has Nersès to thank for many of its standards and, to this day, it is not unusual for the National Radio to broadcast thunderous oldies that bear unmistakable traces of his outrageously groovy touch.
- 1: Toronto 20Xx
- 2: Theme From Scott Pilgrim Ex
- 3: Player Select
- 4: One More Summer
- 5: Stephen's House
- 6: Shopping District
- 7: High Fashion
- 8: High Park
- 9: Wallace's House
- 10: Downtown T.o
- 11: Hollie Hawkes
- 12: Food Court
- 13: Julie Powers
- 14: Coffee Break
- 15: Window Shopper
- 16: Wallace Wells
- 17: Band Practice
- 18: Ice Age
- 19: Dino Surf Rock
- 20: The Beaches
- 21: Vegan Banter
- 22: Vegan Brawl
- 23: Playtime
- 24: King Of The Rails
- 25: Chill Minigame
- 26: Benvie Tech 1F
- 27: Benvie Tech 2F
- 28: Benvie Tech 3F
- 29: Benvie Tech Boss Battle
- 30: Vpd Hq
- 31: Eldest Son
- 32: Vpd Boss
- 33: Medieval Julienne
- 34: Subspace Ex
- 35: Unchill Minigame
- 36: Demon Chat
- 37: Demon Attack
- 38: Casa Vania
- 39: Lady Envy
- 40: Let's Fight!
- 41: Movie Studio
- 42: Let's Throw Down!
- 43: Peaceful Casa
- 44: Throne Room
- 45: Demon Boss
- 46: Let's Do This!
- 47: Old Timey Movie Studio
- 48: Big Band Intro
- 49: Big Band Boss
- 50: Riff Rift Revisited
Scott Pilgrim EX, the newest video game from the Scott Pilgrim franchise developed by Tribute Games, is out now with an all new original soundtrack from Anamanaguchi. The sprawling soundtrack, which accompanies a brand-new storyline co-written by series creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, perfectly connects the band's legendary electronic past with their fuzzed out garage rock present while maintaining their unmistakable punchy style. Known for resonant world building across past projects, the depth of emotion and the range of styles displayed on Scott Pilgrim EX are uniquely Anamanaguchi while delivering a host of melodically anthemic and new energetic hooks that are sure to pack a punch for both newcomers and old school fans of the band alike.
Anamanaguchi's collaborative relationship with the Scott Pilgrim universe goes back to the early days of the band. After cutting their teeth programming music with playable Nintendo cartridges and helping to bring a wider audience to a largely internet based 8-bit chiptune scene, the band was brought in to score the fan-favorite soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game. The success of this game soundtrack would help them to launch an early crowdfunding success story with their campaign for their debut album, 2013's Endless Fantasy. From there the band would go on to collaborate with virtual pop star Hatsune Miku (resulting in the perpetually viral, Fortnite featured hit, “Miku”), and later develop the intricately soundscaped compositions displayed across their second album, USA, but throughout it all the connection between the band and the Scott Pilgrim universe would remain a pivotal source of inspiration.
After being brought in to score the animated Netflix series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, in 2023, band members Peter Berkman and Luke Silas would credit the live kinetic energy they channeled when writing songs for the in-universe garage band Sex Bob-Omb with helping them get back in touch with the roots of how they learned to play music even before Anamanaguchi's earliest releases. This process would eventually lead to Peter and Luke alongside the remaining two band members — Ary Warnaar and James DeVito — flipping their typically meticulous digital writing process for the more collaborative, straight to tape, distorted angst that can be found on 2025's Anyway, marking another significant evolutionary turn for the band to come out of their relationship with Scott Pilgrim.
Now fresh off the heels of a nationwide tour in support of Anyway, Anamanaguchi have returned to the 8-bit beat em up world of Scott Pilgrim with a relentlessly high energy and genre defying original soundtrack for Scott Pilgrim EX. A return to form that comes with a depth of knowledge and innovative skills that have allowed the band to continue to evolve and grow alongside the characters in the Scott Pilgrim universe and the multi-generational fanbase that continues to follow along with them.
The new soundtrack for the latest installment in the Scott Pilgrim franchise, Scott Pilgrim EX
To celebrate Bugged Out’s 30th anniversary, Disco Pogo has produced a book dedicated to the legendary club night - one of the UK’s most formative and enduring.
Edited by Bugged Out promoter Johnno Burgess, the book features new interviews with regular guest DJs including The Chemical Brothers, Erol Alkan, Tiga, Miss Kittin, Hot Chip, and 2manydjs. It also comprises oral histories written by journalists including Jim Butler, Ralph Moore, Luke Bainbridge, and Johnno himself, charting the club’s pivotal periods: Manchester’s Sankeys Soap in the 1990s, Liverpool’s Nation in the ‘90s and ‘00s, The End in London during the 2000s, and their much-loved five-year run of Weekenders at Butlin’s in the 2010s.
The book is not only a history of Bugged Out but also a chronicle of UK club culture from the mid-1990s to the present day. Told era by era, it reflects shifting fashions - from the utilitarian workwear of the ’90s, to the flamboyant electroclash era, to the neon excess of new rave - as well as the growing dominance of photography, evolving from a handful of disposable 'fun camera' shots to today’s flood of professional images in the Instagram age.
It is equally a story of the highs and lows of running a club night: from the exhilaration of seeing an idea grow from a 600 capacity club in Manchester in 1994 into a sold-out 12,000-capacity 30th-birthday party in London last year, to the painful, financial losses that came from significant failures.
The narrative is punctuated with idiosyncratic anecdotes: the time Daft Punk may or may not have played in Ibiza; Miss Kittin tearing up the rule book one night in Heaven; or Erol Alkan making his first unforgettable appearance in what he called “a proper club”.
'It’s Just A Big Disco' - named after one of the club’s iconic slogans - features hundreds of flyers and lineups, alongside photography by acclaimed event photographers including Luke Dyson, Mark McNulty, Tom Horton and Alistair Allan, plus candid snaps from friends and clubbers and a portrait of Miss Kittin by Wolfgang Tillmans.
- A1: Polkamatic (Remastered)
- A2: My Friend Dario (Dima Prefers Newbeat Mix) (Remastered)
- A3: You Are My Sun (Remastered)
- A4: Poney Part 1 (Remastered)
- B1: My Friend Dario (Remastered)
- B2: Wooo (Remastered)
- B3: La Rock 01 (Remastered)
- B4: The Past (Remastered)
- C1: No Fun (Remastered)
- C2: Poney Part 2 (Remastered)
- C3: Repair Machines (Remastered)
- C4: Newman (Remastered)
- D1: Trahison (Remastered)
- D2: U And I (Remastered)
- D3: Valletta Fanfares (Remastered)
- D4: One Billion Dollar Studio (Remastered)
- A1: Fanfare (Live 2025)
- B1: Anatoles (Remastered)
Sparkled Vinyl[28,15 €]
Box Set: 2LP (sparkle) + 7" (transparent) + CD + Vinyl Slipmat + Booklet + 6 Coasters + Keychain + Stickers
Originally released in 2005, OK Cowboy, Vitalic’s first album, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a reissue in several formats (box set, double vinyl, CD, digital), enriched with rare tracks and previously unreleased versions.
OK Cowboy is a landmark album in electronic music, a pivotal record between eras.
It perfectly captures that period while also anticipating the raw, abrasive new sounds of French Touch 2.0 (the movement led by Justice and the artists of the Ed Banger label). Twenty years later, the impact and power of this major album still mark it as a defining release of the mid-2000s, retaining its full sonic relevance today.
Box set contents: double LP, 7-inch single, CD, vinyl slipmat, booklet, 6 coasters, keychain, sticker
- A1: Delightful 3 38:00
- A2: Freaky Dancin' 3 42:00 7" Edit
- A3: Tart Tart 4 18:00
- A4: 24 Hour Party People 3 20:00 Radio Edit
- A5: Wrote For Luck 3 41:00 7" Edit 18:39:00
- B1: Lazyitis - One Armed Boxer (With Karl Denver) 3 53:00
- B2: Hallelujah 3 46:00 Oakenfold 7" Edit
- B3: Step On 4 20:00 7" Edit
- B4: Kinky Afro 3 58:00 Radio Edit
- B5: Loose Fit 3 46:00 Radio Edit 19:43:00
- C1: Judge Fudge 3 58:00 7" Edit
- C2: Stinkin' Thinkin' 4 18:00 Hague 7
- C3: Sunshine & Love 3 23:00 7" Edit
- C4: Angel 4 05:00 Edit 15:44:00
- D1: Hallelujah (Club Mix) 6 29:00
- D2: Step On (Twistin' My Melon Mix) 5 55:00
- D3: W F.l. (Think Abou The Future Mix) 7 05:00 19:29:00
Black Vinyl[28,99 €]
2025-2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the Happy Mondays, a milestone celebration of one of Britain's most iconic and era-defining bands.
To celebrate, London Records will launch a series of special anniversary releases, beginning with a fully remastered brand-new compilation: The Factory Singles. This definitive collection captures the band's ground-breaking output from 1985-1992, celebrating their pivotal role in shaping UK music culture. Classic remixes from Paul Oakenfold, Andrew Weatherall, Terry Farley and Jon Carter make up bonus tracks on the 2CD and 2LP.
The release will be available across multiple formats, appealing to collectors and fans alike.
Complementing the physical editions, a series of brand-new digital remixes will be unveiled from world-renowned artists Daniel Avery, Paul Oakenfold, Mella Dee, and Shadow Child and more, bridging the Mondays' legacy with today's electronic innovators, and a revisit from Paul Oakenfold.
This campaign marks the beginning of an extensive celebration of the Happy Mondays' 40-year legacy, bringing their iconic sound to both devoted fans and new generations
- A1: Amedeo Tommasi - Brasilia (The Sound)
- A2: Max Rocci & His Friends - Colorombo (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol 4)
- A3: Max Rocci & His Friends - Niagara Falls (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol 4)
- A4: Alessandroni E Il Suo Complesso - Via Mare (L'ora Del Cocktail)
- A5: Joël Vandroogenbroeck - Electronic Jungle (Images Of Flute In Nature)
- A6: Kema - Pescatori (Canto Femminile) (La Natura E L'uomo)
- B1: Desert - Leaving (Desert)
- B2: The Swingers - Depressione (Jazz Video)
- B3: Latrudi - Feeling (Teleobiettivo)
- B4: Narassa, Amedeo Tommasi Trio - Lalo (Made In The Usa)
- B5: The Swingers Feat Marco Di Marco - Meditazione (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol. 1)
- B6: The Swingers - Nostalgia (Il Mondo Dei Giovani, Vol 3)
Blue note / Schema / Far Out recordings artist shares a new compilation of golden age italian library music.
Following his acclaimed five-part Viagem compilation series celebrating Brazil's forgotten bossa nova and samba jazz, Far Out, Blue Note and Schema recording artist and international DJ Nicola Conte turns his curatorial attention homeward with Viaggio, an extraordinary exploration of Italy's library music renaissance 1970-79.
The 12-track compilation spotlights the remarkable creative explosion that occurred during the seventies: when some of the greatest yet most historically overlooked composers, including Amedeo Tommasi, Alessandro Alessandroni and Max Rocci, were composing and recording huge amounts of original music for film and television libraries.
Unlike commercial releases designed for mass consumption, library music was created specifically to accompany images on screen. This meant creative freedom for composers who imagined scenarios, feelings and worlds to soundtrack. Pressed in limited quantities, these recordings were distributed only to internal circles of music supervisors, journalists, and television professionals – making them virtually invisible to the general public for decades.
"This is a journey through a largely forgotten world," explains Conte. "While major jazz recording opportunities were scarce, an incredible network of small labels owned by publishing companies – often created by the composers themselves – began to flourish. This created an open space where musicians could express more experimental and free thinking sounds."
At the heart of Viaggio stands Amedeo Tommasi, the sophisticated jazz pianist who emerged in 1960 backing international stars like Chet Baker, Bobby Jaspar, and Jacques Pelzer. Tommasi was among Italy's earliest artists to introduce Black US modal jazz influences, and when traditional recording opportunities dwindled, he pivoted to soundtrack and library music, helping define a distinctly Italian sound that bridged experimental jazz with the emerging possibilities afforded by developments in synthesizer and recording technologies.
The compilation features rare gems from small label outputs, namely the Cenacolo and Rotary label catalogs. Tommasi's contemporaries include the great Alessandro Alessandroni and his vocalist wife Giulia De Mutiis (Kema), Stefano Torrosi (under the alias Farlocco - meaning fake/phony), and Belgian composer Joël Vandroogenbroeck. The recordings capture the technological evolution of the era as beguiling synthesis often combines with global influences spanning Brazilian rhythms, jazz-funk explorations, and Middle Eastern scales.
"You can hear both the haunting melodies and sun-kissed atmospheres so typical of Italian culture from that era," Conte observes. "Some of these albums could have been proper artist releases, while others were specifically designed for accompanying images on screen, yet all were crafted with exploratory creativity that still resonates powerfully today."
Promises is an extraordinary, collaborative album by the electronic giant Floating Points and saxophone titan Pharoah Sanders. The album features the London Symphony Orchestra and cover art by the acclaimed American artist, Julie Mehretu. Five years in the making, it will be released on Luaka Bop, March 26, 2021. The album is composed and engineered by Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points, who's second album Crush earned Best New Music from Pitchfork and a major feature in the New York Times, and placed him on several 2019 critics lists. His debut album Elaenia, released by Luaka Bop, was another Best New Music pick and hailed as one of the best debuts of the decade. It is also the release that made Pharoah Sanders want to work with him in the first place. A restless, ever- evolving producer and composer, Shepherd has toured with the xx, and also holds a doctorate in neuroscience. For Pharoah Sanders, who recently turned 80, this is a rare outing and his first album in fifteen years. One of the last icons of his generation, Pharoah performed with John Coltrane on his late-career free jazz masterpieces, and released a string of expansive recordings under his own name for the Impulse! label which have been cited as a pivotal influence by everyone from The Stooges to Marvin Gaye. Most recently, he was featured in a 2020 Supreme campaign. The music unfurls, patiently, over nine movements, and 46 ever-undulating minutes. It's a work of pure feeling, like no other record you'll hear this or any other year.
- A1: Polkamatic (Remastered)
- A2: My Friend Dario (Dima Prefers Newbeat Mix) (Remastered)
- A3: You Are My Sun (Remastered)
- A4: Poney Part 1 (Remastered)
- B1: My Friend Dario (Remastered)
- B2: Wooo (Remastered)
- B3: La Rock 01 (Remastered)
- B4: The Past (Remastered)
- C1: No Fun (Remastered)
- C2: Poney Part 2 (Remastered)
- C3: Repair Machines (Remastered)
- C4: Newman (Remastered)
- D1: Trahison (Remastered)
- D2: U And I (Remastered)
- D3: Valletta Fanfares (Remastered)
- D4: One Billion Dollar Studio (Remastered)
Boxset[128,99 €]
Originally released in 2005, OK Cowboy, Vitalic’s first album, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a reissue in several formats (box set, double vinyl, CD, digital), enriched with rare tracks and previously unreleased versions. OK Cowboy is a landmark album in electronic music, a pivotal record between eras. It perfectly captures that period while also anticipating the raw, abrasive new sounds of French Touch 2.0 (the movement led by Justice and the artists of the Ed Banger label). Twenty years later, the impact and power of this major album still mark it as a defining release of the mid-2000s, retaining its full sonic relevance today.
- A1: Disco Wich Aa
- A2: Nainan Da Pyar De Gaya
- A3: Par Toon Ki Janay
- A4: Pyar Mainu Kar
- A5: Aye Deewane
- B1: Soniya Mukh Tera
- B2: Mainu Apne Pyar Wich
- B3: Chum Chum Dil Nal
- B4: Ve Tu Jaldi Jaldi Aa
- B5: Dohai Ni Dohai
- C1: Disco Wich Aa (Peaking Lights Remix)
- C2: Turbotito & Ragz Featuring Piya Malik - Nainan Da Pyar De Gaya
- C3: Par Toon Ki Janay (Danger Boys Remix)
- D1: Nainan Da Pyar De Gaya (Psychemagik Remix)
- D2: Par Toon Ki Janay (Dexter+Franz Remix)
- D3: Mainu Apne Pyar Wich (Mystic Jungle Remix)
- D4: Disco Wich Aa (Baalti Remix)
Naya Beat is incredibly excited to announce the release of an astonishing lost “holy grail”, Mohinder Kaur Bhamra’s 1982 masterpiece ‘Punjabi Disco’. Unknown and inaccessible to even the deepest of diggers, it is the first British Asian electronic dance album recorded and a true lost relic. A chance find of the original multitrack masters during the Covid lockdown led to ‘Punjabi Disco’ being rediscovered. Lovingly mixed down and remastered from these very studio recordings, the reissue also includes remixes by Peaking Lights, Baalti, Mystic Jungle, Psychemagik, and Danger Boys, as well as a cover by Say She She’s Piya Malik and Turbotito & Ragz and a previously unreleased track. It is available for pre-order and out on x2LP vinyl and all digital platforms on October 31st, 2025.
Released the same year and into equal obscurity as ‘Ten Ragas To A Disco Beat’, Charanjit Singh’s acid house opus, the reissue of ‘Punjabi Disco’ is set to have similar reverberations in the world of dance music. Produced by Mohinder’s eldest son and legendary bhangra pioneer Kuljit Bhamra using a recently acquired Roland SH-1000 synthesizer and a CR-8000 CompuRhythm drum machine played by his then 11-year-old brother, the album was recorded at Roxy Music bass player Rick Kenton’s studio in London. The concept for a Punjabi disco album was subsequently stolen from the Bhamra’s by the very record label that had agreed to distribute the album. Eventually self-released with no label support, ‘Punjabi Disco’ vanished into complete obscurity.
A pivotal figure in British Asian music, West London-based vocalist and first-generation immigrant Mohinder Kaur Bhamra became the first woman to sing at Punjabi weddings and other community events in the UK. Her son, Kuljit, would accompany her, playing tabla at her events from the age of six. Wedding music was traditionally a tame, segregated affair: men and women seated and separated on opposite sides of the room. ‘Punjabi Disco’ was born out of a desire to create an unsegregated dancefloor and inspired by the sounds of disco from the era. A tapestry of electric drum rhythm, warbling bass, and psychedelic siren-like Roland synth melodies provide a vehicle for Mohinder’s powerful voice. Part disco, part funk, part acid house, and infused with Punjabi folk melodies, the sound of ‘Punjabi Disco’ is as mesmerising as it is undefinable.
Featuring an incredible gatefold package and exhaustive liner notes by the Guardian’s Global Music Critic, Ammar Kalia, the x2LP release has been cut to vinyl for the discerning listener and DJ by Grammy-nominated Frank Merritt from The Carvery, London.
This is Naya Beat’s ninth release in a series of reissues, remixes, and compilations dedicated to uncovering electronic and dance music from the subcontinent and South Asian diaspora.
Terry Francis makes his debut on Pariter with a rare and essential reissue from one of the UK Tech House's original pioneers. A cornerstone of the London scene, long time Fabric resident and a driving force behind the early Housey Doingz and Wiggle movements, Terry's influence runs deep in the foundations of underground house music as we know it today.
This release marks the first installment in a short-series with a carefully selected tracks from Terry's archive. Engineered by Wubble-U at the legendary Strange Weather studios and originally released on Eukahouse 25 years ago, these tracks capture the raw energy and spirit of the late 90's London Tech House at its finest. A timeless, sought-after release specially reissued and remastered with an unreleased retake, a vital document from a pivotal era.
Terry Francis makes his debut on Pariter with a rare and essential reissue from one of the UK Tech House's original pioneers. A cornerstone of the London scene, long time Fabric resident and a driving force behind the early Housey Doingz and Wiggle movements, Terry's influence runs deep in the foundations of underground house music as we know it today.
This is the second instalment in a short-series showcasing carefully selected tracks from the legend's archive. Took From Me, on the A side is a raw, old school UK tech house classic, an all time favourite of Andrew Weatherall (rip), Richard Fearless and Craig Richards, who also featured it on his first Fabric mix CD. On the flip, Little 'N' Large and an unreleased version of Furry emerge as two massive, hidden monsters. A vital document from a pivotal era.
Ani004 marks a pivotal moment for Animism Records, delivering a versatile VA that captures the label’s evolving sound.
Thoma Bulwer opens with a breaks-and-garage-infused cut, setting a crisp and percussive tone. Tommy Vicari Jnr follows with a bassline-driven house stomper, primed for peak-time floors, while US producer John Manhard brings a deep, rolling groove to B1.
Closing the VA, Tred Benedict shifts the energy with a warm ambient piece, rounding off this finely balanced release.
Bobby Caldwell is legendary for his blue-eyed soul masterpiece What You Won’t Do For Love but a deeper look into his catalog reveals there’s plenty more where that came from. Danny Krivit heads straight to the source, and uncovers a breezy treat in the form of The House Is Rockin’, Caldwell’s very first single. Kicking his edit off with a highly mixable extended drum break intro, he teases this upbeat mover into the fully extended version it deserves.
From the sunshine of the A-side Krivit pivots to a monster moody groove on the flip, Eddy Grant’s proto-house classic California Style. Leaving just a touch of the soca-fied vocal at the top, Mr. K quickly delves into the depths of the percolating instrumental break, emphasizing all the gloriously quirky synth bloops and relentless bass that made it a favorite of house producers (check Mateo & Matos’s New York Style for proof). We believe this is the first time the extended mix has been available on 7-inch, but we’re absolutely certain it has never sounded so good! Another crate staple in the always excellent Mr. K edit series.
- A1: O Mi Sol Li Lon (Angie March) (Side A)
- A2: Arabesque No 1 & 2 (Sally Heath)
- A3: Midtown (Tom Waits)
- A4: On Le Joue Pour Nous (Mistinguett)
- A5: Menlimontant (Charles Trenet)
- A6: Cockroach & Barflies (The Tiger Lillies)
- A7: Soutine's Cow (The Tiger Lillies)
- A8: Bridge (The Tiger Lillies)
- A9: Goodbye (Sacha Puttnam & Steve Mclaughlin
- B1: Modi's Place (Caroline Dale) (Side B)
- B2: Cinzia (Oskar Shuster)
- B3: Disfruto (Carla Morrison)
- B4: Doves (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Tim Wheeler)
- B5: Beef Painting (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Yasmin Ogilvie)
- B6: Cathedrals (Instrumental) (Robert Stevenson & Caroline Dale)
- B7: Sunday In The Park (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Caroline Dale)
- B8: Sculpture Drums (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Tim Wheeler)
- B9: Stairway Romance (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Tim Wheeler)
- B10: The Stars (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Tim Wheeler)
- C1: Cemetery (The Tiger Lillies) (Side C)
- C2: Cemetery Nightmare (The Tiger Lillies)
- C3: Blown Up Cafe (Sacha Pullman, Steve Mclaughlin & Llan Eshkeri)
- C4: The Black Angel's Death Song (The Velvet Underground & Niko)
- C5: Tom Traubert's Blues (Tom Waits)
- D1: Gangnat Dinner (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin, Robert Stevenson & Sally Heath)
- D2: Modi Speech (Sacha Pullman, Steve Mclaughlin & Llan Eshkeri)
- D3: How Did It Go (Sacha Pullman, Steve Mclaughlin, Tim Wheeler & Llan Eshkeri)
- D4: Argument Pt2 (Sacha Pullman, Steve Mclaughlin & Llan Eshkeri)
- D5: Bea Returns Sculpture (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Tim Wheeler)
- D6: Cathedrals (Jump, Little Children)
- D7: Doves Ending (Sacha Puttnam, Steve Mclaughlin & Tim Wheeler)
- C6: Pour Lui (Lucienne Delyle)
- C7: Stairs (The Tiger Lillies)
Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness is a 2024 biographical drama based on the life of renowned Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.
Directed by Johnny Depp, the film stars Riccardo Scamarcio in the title role, with supporting performances by Stephen Graham,
Al Pacino, and Antonia Desplat. The film’s original soundtrack plays a pivotal role, blending evocative original compositions by The Tiger Lillies
with classic tracks from artists such as Charles Trenet, Augie March, Tom Waits, and The Velvet Underground & Nico.
The soundtrack is available as a deluxe 2LP vinyl set in a gatefold sleeve with imagery from the film
And as a 2CD Box Set with lift-off lid, featuring a 24-page booklet including exclusive notes from Johnny Depp and behind-the-scenes images
- A1: 303 Force - House U Tonight (Vocal)
- A2: Desert Storm - Scoraig 93
- B1: The Sound Vandals - On Your Way (Deep Mix)
- B2: The Beloved - Pablo (Special K Dub)
- C1: Bizarre Tracks - Sensory Delights
- C2: L.u.p.o. - Hell Or Heaven (Extended Mix)
- D1: Jetstream - Seriously (F.u.s.e. Remix)
- D2: Bass Bumpers - Touche Me (Factory Dub)
File under house, breakbeat, techno and warehouse rave music. The Mental Groove Classic series returns with a treasure trove of rare and hard to find tracks plucked from the personal collection of label founder Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene.
The compilation is inspired by a moment in time when musical boundaries were being redrawn in a wave of carefree optimism and the freedom that fueled new rave scenes across Europe and beyond.
The Mental Groove Classics series returns with a treasure trove of rare and hard-to-find tracks plucked from the personal collection of label founder Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene.
On Volumes Two and Three of the series released last year, Olivier Ducret (founder of Mental Groove and Musique Pour La Danse, half of WRWTFWW) takes us back to the turn of the '90s. It was a time when he was promoting parties in fields, squats, forests, warehouses and former factoriesin and around Geneva, all while working behind the counter of a record shop called Mental Groove. While others in Switzerland's emerging dance music scene gravitated towards trance and garage, Olivier and his crew opted for a sound focused on bass, breaks, and techno. This unique approach was inspired by their regular trips to clubs, raves, and record shops in the UK. Drawing directly from his own record box and a memory bank full of euphoric dancefloor moments, this fourth installment sees Olivier reaching for more cuts of near-mythical rarity, genuinely overlooked gems, and undeniably brilliant classics - each selection has left a long-lasting impression on the local raving landscape. It's an autobiographical audio document, a historical archive, and a personal musical statement all rolled into one. The compilation is inspired by a moment in time when musical boundaries were being redrawn, if not exploded, in a wave of carefree optimism and thefreedom that fueled new rave scenes across Europe and far beyond.
Original artwork by Mark Wigan, co-owner of Soho's Brain Club and an artist of early British club culture.
Aphex Twin’s ‘Xylem Tube’ EP arrived in the summer of 1992 on R&S Records, coming hot off the heels of his landmark ‘Digeridoo’ release, and an audacious follow up from the then 21-year-old Richard D. James. Out of print for nearly two decades, this long-awaited vinyl reissue restores one of the pivotal early works in his catalogue.
Where ‘Digeridoo’ pushed the endurance of the rave floor to its limits, the ‘Xylem Tube’ EP stretched the Aphex Twin sound into new dimensions with ‘Polynomial-C’ becoming an enduring classic with its spiralling arpeggios, shattering breakbeats and alien melodics. Tracks like ‘Phlange Phace’ and ‘Tamphex (Hedphuq Mix)’ pushed distortion, humour and rhythm into uncharted territory, while ‘Dodeccaheedron’ acts as a bold signifier of James’ radical ideas of how dance music can sound, with its ominous and brooding synth work over a cacophony of eerie, broken beats.
Three decades later, the EP stands not only as a key chapter in the Aphex canon, but also as a statement of intent from an artist set on reshaping electronic music’s DNA. Now faithfully reissued on vinyl for the first time since a 2006 pressing, this edition returns one of the most in-demand Aphex R&S titles to circulation after nearly twenty years out of print.
Focus, integrity and substance, all allied to a relentless work ethic and that essential (if indefinable) sprinkling of magic dust, have kept Nick Warren at the top of the electronic music tree for not far short of forty years.
In that timespan, Nick has been tour DJ for Massive Attack, held a residency at Cream, been a Glastonbury regular, and become the UK’s most successful export to Argentina (in no small part due to his touring brand The Soundgarden). As half of Way Out West, he has helped write (and re-write) the rule book for club-based electronic acts, achieving true longevity without compromise. He has curated over a dozen essential compilations – a mainstay of the Global Underground series whose heavyweight influence is still felt to this day, an in-demand decknician for pivotal brands such as Renaissance and Balance, and the very first DJ entrusted with creating a blueprint for the now iconic Back to Mine series.
It's quite the CV, a career many can only dream of. But Nick has long had one further itch in need of scratching. Inspired at a young age by his dad’s Jean-Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream albums, coming of age with experimental labels like 4AD and Factory, roots deep in the dub-wise scene of his native Bristol, a long time collector of exotica and obscure film soundtracks…all that knowledge and passion has long been crying out to be channelled into a Warren solo album.
All of which brings us to the career-defining Turbulence. The world is certainly a turbulent place as Nick gets set to unleash his masterwork, but the musical turbulence at work here arguably takes its lead from other interpretations of the word – turbulence as a feeling of heightened intensity, turbulence marked by a sense of unpredictability.
Turbulence is a window into Nick’s musical soul, and the myriad styles and influences that reside there, drip-fed into a melodic melting pot to create a unique sonic stew. Tempos and styles switch and interlock effortlessly, the mood ebbs and flows like the best DJ sets, and the running order, from the ethereal opener Loveland all the way through to the achingly beautiful closing cut Sadly (in tandem with Tripswitch, one of several noteworthy collaborations) showcases an artist at the top of his game, and with a deep understanding of the concept of the long player.
We all need some turbulence.
- A1: Murking Shadows
- A2: Ecto Green Code
- A3: The Preyers Forest
- A4: Scream Dreamer
- A5: Metal Preyers Feat Sockethead - Red Swines
- A6: Crater Creature
- A7: Carpenters Cabin
- B1: Slime Things Accent
- B2: Wasp Faced Invasions
- B3: Metal Preyers Feat Lord Tusk - Metal Mans Revolt
- B4: On Her Way 0
- B5: Metal Preyers Feat Lord Tusk - Gremlin Gurgle
- B6: Shadow Swamps
- B7: Escape - The Sunrise
Black vinyl LP. Following 2019's acclaimed self-titled debut album, Metal Preyers take the left hand path into a gloomy backwater filled with haunted creatures and fraught with peril. "Shadow Swamps" again finds London-based Jesse Hackett handling the music and Chicago's Mariano Chavez fashioning the album's visual identity, which this time includes a short film and book for a fully immersive experience. "Shadow Swamps" is the soundtrack to a pitch-black fairy tale about a father and daughter as they journey through a swamp avoiding gremlins, red swines and crater creatures. Musically, it pivots between the clattering Czech new wave experimentation of "Valerie and her Week of Wonders" composer Luboš Fišer, or the magical, eccentric lounge of Birmingham's Broadcast, and the grinding industrial grot of Italian pioneer Maurizio Bianchi. This time around, Hackett has roped in production assists from his six year-old-daughter wonder Nyasha hackett who used phone memos to record herself singing - veteran Metal Preyers collaborator Lord Tusk, and Manchester-based painter, DJ and producer Richard Harris, aka Sockethead. The crew inks an unsettling, richly textured sonic landscape, with claws of rhythmic smoke curling around chiming otherworldly xylophone, disembodied fiddle drones echoing over screwed 'n chopped beatbox dirt and half-heard magical vocals buried under clouds of white noise. Track listing: 1 Murking Shadows 2 Ecto Green Code 3 The Preyers Forest 4 Scream Dreamer 5 Red Swines 6 Crate Creature 7 Carpenters Cabin 8 Slime Things Accent 9 Wasp Faced Invasion 10 Metal Mans Revolt 11 On Her Way 12 Gremlin Gurgle 13 Shadow Swamps 14 Escape - The Sunrise
Spiritual World's first archival 12" vinyl release from the UK’s free festival dub pioneers.
The Ullulators, an experimental dub and world music ensemble from Bath, UK, have long been associated with the UK’s free festival movement, tracing their creative lineage back to the mid-1980s. For the first time ever, two pivotal tracks from their early cassette-only discography—“Simply Conscious Dub” and “Eternal
Now”—are being issued on 12” vinyl, marking the first archival release on Spiritual World.
The A-side, “Simply Conscious Dub”, originally featured on the 1986 cassette Beyond the Gates of Ull, exemplifies the band’s signature fusion of weighty dub rhythms with expansive and euphoric electronics.
In contrast, the B-side, “Eternal Now”, drawn from the 1985 cassette Share a Calm with the Ullulators, ventures into more introspective sonic territory. Built on minimalist structures and ambient textures, it evokes the kosmische tradition and aligns with the spatial sensibilities of Manuel Göttsching’s E2-E4.
Together, these tracks not only showcase the group’s wide stylistic range but also underscore their forward-thinking approach to genre hybridity. This release stands as a unique document of a formative era in the
evolution of UK underground, dub, and ambient music.
A favourite selector for many within the underground, UK-born, Ibiza-based Miller has built a reputation for his hypnotic, low-end-led productions and seamless ability to weave obscure rhythmic patterns into immersive DJ sets. Founder of the Real Gang collective, he honed his craft as a resident at Ibiza institutions The Zoo Project and Ibiza Underground, where his dynamic, vinyl-focused style earned him recognition as a key player in the island’s grassroots scene. This natural progression has since led to the launch of Tomodachi, his new club, an intimate space that refl ects his artistic ethos and evolving infl uence on the island.
Harley Maxwell, meanwhile, brings a raw energy to the project, blending his sharp vocal delivery and lyrical edge with Miller’s meticulous production style. Their collaborative debut at fabric, during Miller’s all-night set, showcased a shared ability to push conventional boundaries, as they provided a fi rst glimpse into the music that would in turn become ‘Caviar’.
The EP opens with the title cut, a stripped-back yet infectious roller that glides between deep basslines, textured percussion, and subtle melodic fl ourishes. ‘How It Runs’ follows with its sharp drum work, zippy synths, and a playful groove built for the dancefl oor. Rounding off the release, the vinyl-only ‘Dreaming Experience’ sees Miller step out solo as he delves into deeper territories with hazy atmospherics, creating a tripped-out late-night journey. Arriving at a pivotal moment for both artists, their ‘Caviar’ EP signals a bold debut on FUSE – a label celebrated for its commitment to forward-thinking club music.
2025 Repress
Renowned producer and DJ Yuri Suzuki is back with a bang, releasing his latest record titled "Border" via the iconic Detroit Underground label. This new release features eight electrifying acid tracks that blend the infectious grooves of jacking house and the driving energy of techno.
Yuri Suzuki has been a pivotal figure in the electronic music scene, known for his unique sound and innovative production techniques. With "Border," he takes listeners on a journey through the pulsating heart of the underground music culture. Each track showcases his knack for crafting infectious rhythms and hypnotic melodies, making this vinyl a must-have for any serious collector or DJ looking to elevate their set.
The tracks on "Border" are a perfect representation of the classic acid sounds that have been making a resurgence in recent years. From the moment the needle hits the vinyl, listeners are transported to a world where the dance floor is king, and the beats are relentless. Yuri's signature style shines through, combining crisp percussion, gritty basslines, and infectious samples that create an irresistible urge to move.
“Most of these tracks were produced in the 90s, in my small room at my parents' apartment in Tokyo. At the time, I hadn't experienced a real rave, and my exposure to the culture was limited to the information I could find on the early internet. As a result, the music I created was inspired by an imagined rave scene, capturing the essence of something both distant and exciting.” - Yuri Suzuki
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its original release, Robyn returns with a special edition 2-LP vinyl reissue of her iconic 2005 self-titled album. Widely regarded as a pivotal moment in modern pop, this anniversary edition is pressed on a coke bottle-clear vinyl using the artwork from the Record Store Day release in 2005 which was limited to 2k. A must-have for longtime fans and collectors alike, it pays tribute to an album that helped shape the future of pop music.
Released during the late 1970's Disco era, Milton Wright's sophomore long player has always stood out as a singular, innovative example of the deepest, rarest grooves known to underground Soul lovers all over the globe. This often overlooked body of work has found a whole new audience who revisited the man's work retrospectively, pushing the LP into the domain of "holy grail" status amongst Black music lovers and Funk fanatics. "Spaced" has been at the top of the wants lists of serious music lovers for decades, often unattainable and commanding stellar collectors prices on-line, sometimes fetching amounts of upwards of £400. This unique LP could be perceived as being Wright's most personal work, tragically overshadowed by the burgeoning successes of his then label mates on Miami's Alston Records imprint. The sheer craftsmanship and songwriting prowess on show is undeniable, as is the top level musicianship and production, sounding ridiculously fresh almost some 40 years later. Above Board distribution has collaborated with Alston / TK Records to ensure the quality of this fully legitimate repress of this long lost Soul / Funk classic has been maintained. Remastered, reissued and represented with the full cooperation of the license holders for 2016. Do not pass up the chance to own a true gem, a pivotal, lost LP like "Spaced", now made available again to be enjoyed by all. "Magic Music".
The dons from Down Under have only gone and done it again. Demonstrating the breadth of the Sleep D sound, the ever-prolific duo dish out a 3-track invocation of mesmeric techno and trance.
Following a remix cameo on Alfred Czital and Ayu’s recent ‘Talk To Me’ EP, this is the fully fledged label debut. A truly engrossing triple-pronged attack from two intrepid explorers of the “rave unconscious”.
Celebrated for live hardware sets and in-the-moment improvisation, that same freeform NRG courses throughout. Synapses firing on all cylinders as we’re caught somewhere between the warped, direct and emosh.
Pivoting from cybernetic meltdown to sci-fi dystopia before finally settling on some full-blown trance ascension. Proper techno freak-out into the levitational and sublime, all primed for the big room.
- A1: Housey Doingz - 7Th Piano (7Th Voyage Remix)
- B1: The Ron Honey Experience - Nitedrive
- B2: The Ron Honey Experience - Drive
- C1: Space Bunny - Space Bunny (Extended Mix)
- C2: Space Bunny - The Key (Wubbledub Edit)
- D1: Space Bunny - Space Dub
- D2: Space Bunny - Spudnik (Ver Vlads Mix)
- E1: Get Fucked - Time For A Quickee (On The Kitchen Counter Edit)
- E2: Get Fucked - Momentum (The Smart Alex Dub)
- F1: Green Eyed Monster - All Gone By
- F2: Strange Weather - Infinite
Marbled Vinyl[32,73 €]
Laurant Webb, Dave Coker, Justin Bailey and Dave Pine were the driving forces behind Strange Weather Studios. Based in Southeast London, the studio served as a creative hub, playing a pivotal role in shaping the sound of a groundbreaking genre. Alongside close friends and collaborators, they produced a series of influential records that have left an indelible mark on the music landscape.
This release is a heartfelt tribute to Strange Weather Studios and the talented individuals who brought its magic to life. It also honours the studio’s production partners though iconic projects such as Housey Doingz, 7th Voyage, Space Bunny, Get Fucked and Green Eyed Monster. These projects that were instrumental in forging the signature, original London Tech House sound.
The tracks on this record have been handpicked by Laurant Webb and Yossi Amoyal, meticulously restored and remastered from the rare original DATs.
This release marks a significant milestone for London Tech House, symbolising a collaboration between its key pioneers and a label that evolved alongside the genre. It’s an organic partnership that celebrates the past and looks towards the future. A project we’re incredibly proud to share with you
2026 Repress
In 2000, Leonora Epremian collaborated with Evasive Records' founder Rob Pearson to produce a remarkable three-track EP, marking the fourth vinyl release on the label. Recorded at the renowned Online Studios in Croydon, South London, this EP captures the essence of a pivotal era in London's Tech House scene.
"Remember" and "My Soul" epitomize the quintessential London Tech House sound, their polished production still capable of energizing dance floors 24 years later. The breakbeat track "Promoseus" gained significant traction, becoming a staple in many DJs' collections, notably championed by Adam Freeland in his club sets and on his acclaimed Kiss FM radio show.
Due to the rarity and demand, original copies of this EP have fetched up to £150. This repress offers a unique opportunity to own a genuine piece of Tech House and Tech Breaks history, ensuring that these timeless tracks continue to resonate with new and seasoned listeners alike.
"After being praised as one of the best releases of 2025 by multiple platforms, the highly praised debut album from Obeka lands on vinyl via YUKU.
The rhythmic dynamics and emotive attitudes of A World No More captures the density of soundsystem culture in Obeka's ancestral roots. YUKU presents the Bermudians debut album capturing a Neo-Colonial dystopia, protest and Afro-Futurism hyperextended through decaying sonic structures of a dark past and its grievances which very much exist today.
Growing into adulthood within the walls of British and European Colonial systems meant the disconnection and lostness in a new country hid me from the world at a young age. Unlike London's vast and culturally engaging migrant communities, the industrial milling town of Stockport introduced a coldness towards people from other countries I experienced in my first year after relocating from Bermuda. I couldn't understand why. Whether cold words thrown towards me or actions upon other people who look like me, it has shown to be a dooming societal virus with no cure. The most comfort was found through what was familiar - drums and rhythmic spirituality of my homeland. It was a safe-haven, a place to empty the anger and confusion. It's been 15 years since relocating and as my sound evolved, it seems classism, racism, oppression and civil control of ethnic peoples has become worse - even now more legalised and normalised. Ogun (a powerful Yoruba deity associated with anger, justice and war) acts as the opening sequence of the record and its symbolism. Using distorted bass frequencies and dissected Regga-Dub immersed in live-sampled ghostly voices of the lost ones. This sonic exercising is also applied in Drillaman - a stampede of industrial framework and metallic instruments wielded over moody Dancehall MC'ing, magnifying two parallel worlds in cocooned evolution. The resurrection of Transatlantic African cultures and identity have never been silenced, rather carried elsewhere through trade routes of enslavement, which was pivotal when composing and completing the album upon returning home to the Caribbean for the first time ever. After reconnecting with my heritage my blurred vision of what's wrong in the world became so clear. Guidance in empty plains seek truth throughout the pain - A statement of finding oneself expressed on the poetic closing track A World No More.
On Fawohodie (A West African Adinkra symbol that represents independence, freedom, and emancipation stamped on the album cover) the motive and atmosphere begins to change. Afro-Caribbean idealism which refers to the philosophical concept that emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of community, often contrasting with Western individualism, begins to take shape in a new universe. We can co-exist. The track framework uses machine-led software forming frequencies we have no control over, then manipulated through decomposing soundscapes, scattered hand-drums and human-made weapons of control - exposing the hidden disparity that's been carried over generations whilst balancing hopeful and musical foundations towards equality and peace. On Pressure and Kuduro! the writing direction attempts to wake people up. Not settling for a composed approach like in past projects, quite the opposite. A call for native sonic awareness, dismantled vocals of protests, eroded percussion using chains, gears and motorised harmonies sculpted in challenging abstract behaviors far outside my comfort zone. A direct abrasiveness and weight I want people to feel, whilst finding hope and solace through enchanting choirs and hypnotic basslines in complete synchrony.
"Purity in sound manifests when you least expect it. The smallest memory or feeling grows from a seed into a sonic language that you, and only you can interpret and release back into the world." "
Check The Description Before Asking For A Track ID is a thoughtfully curated four-track journey through modern deep tech house, balancing forward-thinking sound design with emotional depth and dancefloor functionality. The release unfolds across two distinct yet complementary sides, guiding the listener through evolving textures, moods, and states of energy.
On Side A, A1. Overt – Annular and A2. Third Echo – 31th Session introduce a spacious and immersive atmosphere. Built around shimmering arpeggios, airy melodies, and fluid progression, both tracks explore a subtle interplay between progressive motion, trance-like elements, and dub-infused textures. The result is a weightless yet driving experience — refined, hypnotic, and perfectly balanced for setting a tone that feels both futuristic and deeply engaging.
The B-side shifts into more introspective territory. B1. Eric Louis – Grooving In The Future and B2. Severin – Shiti bring a melancholic edge, focusing on emotive melodies and transitional energy. These tracks are crafted for pivotal moments within a set — where the atmosphere deepens, emotions unfold, and the narrative takes a new direction. Warm, bouncy grooves intertwine with cooler, more restrained tones, creating a contrast that feels both elegant and expressive.
Spanning a wide emotional and rhythmic spectrum, NRP006 is a versatile tool for selectors — designed to navigate the subtle shifts of a dancefloor with precision, intention, and depth.
NOREPRESS is a division of MixCult Records. Limited Edition.
* V Recordings and Tim Reaper's Future Retro London have joined forces to unleash "One Stop Mr Driver," a track that channels the raw energy of '90s jungle. This release features both the original mix by the legendary Krust and a fresh remix by Tim Reaper, bridging the genre's roots with its modern resurgence.
* Kirk Thompson, professionally known as Krust, is a seminal figure in drum and bass. Emerging from Bristol's vibrant music scene, Krust co-founded the influential Full Cycle Records alongside Roni Size, DJ Die, and Suv. His innovative approach has produced classics like "Warhead" and "Soul in Motion," tracks that have left an indelible mark on the genre.
* London-based DJ and producer Tim Reaper has been pivotal in the revival of jungle music. Through his label, Future Retro London, Tim has showcased a plethora of talent from the modern jungle scene, earning accolades such as DJ Mag's Best of British Breakthrough Label award in 2021.
* "One Stop Mr Driver" was a coveted dubplate from the '90s, never officially released but highly sought after by enthusiasts. Recognizing its timeless appeal, Tim Reaper has crafted a remix that preserves the original's amen break-driven intensity while infusing it with razor-sharp modern production.
* Bryan Gee, the visionary behind V Recordings, has long admired Tim Reaper's contributions to the scene. This collaboration marks a rare partnership in V Recordings' three-decade history. The fusion of Krust's pioneering sound with Tim Reaper's modern touch honors its roots while embracing the future of drum and bass and jungle music.
* "One Stop Mr Driver" will be available digitally and as a limited edition 12" vinyl release.
Plying refracted rhythms with an exacting poise, Aerae arrives on Samurai Music with a fully formed sound that plumbs the depths between techno immersion and D&B beat science.
An accomplished, palpable tension runs throughout Nefanda, Aerae's second solo release. Following up on the meditative pulse of her debut album on Annulled Music last year, the Paris-based artist digs deeper into ominous atmospheres filled with evocative reverb decays and taut, dynamic drum work - tools she wields to Redner tracks with specific meaning, coded by the Latin framing that runs through all aspects of her musical output. Contemplating the ancient language as an inescapable part of her European roots, on Nefanda Aerae ruminates on external trials and inner impulses, and conjures a jaw-clenching soundtrack to match.
'Mons' (translation: 'Mountain') speaks to challenges, strength and spiritual ascent, marked out by an urgent thrum of conga slaps and a 4/4 kick around the 170 BPM mark that finds power in minimalism even at the relatively high tempo.
The title track opts for a more broken framework, pivoting pointed percussion around a deft sub pulse while turning up the intensity with an exacting poise.
'Nefanda' translates as 'unspeakable,' or 'too horrific to name,' and the fraught, synthetic wraiths contorting through the track convey the dread the title implies.
'Fovea' (translation: 'pit') burrows deeper into spatial design with a looming low end rumble and subliminal sound sculpture, shaping out a dark, introspective chasm tipped towards disassociation. It's a powerful statement in any setting, but the all-consuming bass feels especially crafted for full, physical sound system immersion.
'Phrenesis' (translation: 'frenzy') rounds the EP out in fierce form, building up a high-pressure arrangement from ambient beginnings with ruthless control. There's a sense of duality in motion between half-time and double-time rhythmic elements, every incremental shift adding to the intensity of the track with the elegant, impactful touch that has fast become Aerae's calling card.
Finding her own language within the dialogue between techno, D&B and dark ambient, Aerae's music makes a vivid impression thanks to the ideas and intention that drive her in the studio. Nefanda confirms her status as a leading light in deep, psychedelic dance music, making something extremely personal that also reaches out beyond notions of the self like all the best transcendental music.
Introducing 'A Drama on Richard Street' - an album born from a journey of rediscovery and creative challenge. Influenced by a yearning for simplicity and heartfelt melodies, this collection is a love letter to soulfulness. Dive into the soulful world of Menahan Street Band's 'The Crossing' and the rejuvenating energy of 17-year-old inspiration. Join us on this musical voyage, where we stepped away from complexity to embrace the beauty of simplicity. 'A Drama on Richard Street' is a testament to the power of soulful music and the joy of heartfelt melodies. Listen and let your soul groove to its rhythm.
Following his well-acclaimed previous EP ‘A Drama On Richard Street’, supported by TSF Jazz, Somewhere Soul, and BBC 6, Tremendous Aron introduces his new project ‘Carlos & Lola’, a 6-track EP. This latest endeavor, akin to "A Drama On Richard Street," reflects a pivotal moment in the German producer's musical journey. Feeling stagnant while studying music, he instinctively reverted to the music he cherished during his teenage years, ranging from the eclectic offerings of "Daptone Records" to artists like The Menahan Street Band. Inspired by the documentary "Summer of Soul," Tremendous Aron incorporates fragments from it into his compositions, alongside influences from Molly Lewis, The Altons, and Ruben Gonzales. This EP promises a captivating blend of soulful melodies and vibrant rhythms, showcasing Tremendous Aron's evolution as an artist.
- A1: A.g.n.e.s. (808 Version)
- A2: Traque Au Néon
- A3: Speedbumps (Fotogenico Version)
- A4: Od Dose
- A5: Sensitive (808 Version)
- A6: Raoul Down 303 (Edit)
- B1: Gabber 01
- B2: A.g.n.e.s. (Fotogenico Version)
- B3: Shoot Again
- B4: Sensitive (Fotogenico Version)
- B5: Marseille Contact
- B6: Sensitive (Final Live Version)
- B7: A.g.n.e.s. (808 Version Instrumentale)
Produced by French duo Froid Dub who here step out of their digi-dub groove to slip into the synthetic post-punk colors of FOTOGENICO, the film by Marcia Romano and Benoît Sabatier, which follows the wanderings of a father in search of the story of his deceased daughter, with only the music she recorded as a clue. Featuring covers of tracks by The Field Mice, Luna and 1000 Ohm, this soundtrack is a pivotal element of the movie.
Venerated clubland legend Robert Dietz graces Kalahari territory with a clutch of sinister techno-trance variants.
The evolution of the Dietz sound continues unabated as he pivots from minimal scene mainstay to purveyor of big techno dramatixxx. Still just as finely-tuned and potent as he’s always been though, and this is no means a drastic departure from more recent work.
Running tempestuous heaters from the eye of a storm, there’s a tough, menacing edge coursing throughout. Four decidedly Euro spins offering visions of dystopia and ominous portent, but we forge ahead unperturbed, headfirst into the shadowy void.
Gone is the playfulness of releases past, set aside in favour of heat-seeking ballistics. Strapping accelerators big on drama while allowing space for a bit of dancefloor introspection. More of that all thrills, no frills kinda flex as the Frankfurt native goes about his business like it’s effortless.
Glossy Mistakes Reissues Resonance 001, a Proto-House & Trance Milestone from Belgium from 1992
Glossy Mistakes is proud to announce the reissue of Resonance 001, the groundbreaking debut EP by Belgian producer Fabrice Lagrange, created in collaboration with Frank Beekman and originally released in 1992. Long overlooked, this forward-thinking record captures a pivotal moment in the early European evolution of house and trance-melding minimalism, emotion, and club-oriented experimentation into a sound that remains strikingly fresh over three decades later.
Resonance 001 stands among the earliest European records to explore the fertile intersection of hypnotic house rhythms and atmospheric trance. The A-side, featuring The Awakening Earth and Pure Self, channels a stripped-down yet euphoric energy-deeply inspired by the spirit of Detroit techno but undeniably forward-looking. As Frank Beekman recalls: "This record was recorded in a very simple studio, with minimal gear, inspired by the Detroit techno sound."
On the B-side, the EP ventures further into experimental territory. Paris By Night offers a dreamy, tech-tinged house excursion, leading into Redondanz, a meditative downtempo closer that perfectly encapsulates the release's subtle charm.
The enduring appeal of Resonance 001 lies in its restraint: crafted with minimal tools, it delivers maximum emotional depth. It seamlessly blends hazy trance atmospheres, early house grooves, and ambient-inflected textures, capturing the open-minded, exploratory ethos of early '90s electronic music.
Now remastered for vinyl by Wouter Brandenburg, Resonance 001 returns in pristine form-faithfully preserving its original character while bringing new clarity to its timeless sound.
The latest transmission on Samurai tunes into half-time intensity with a psychedelic edge courtesy of leading French practitioner Vardae. Applying techno hypnotism and cinematic atmospheres to his snaking beat constructions, the Lyon-based artist delivers a pitch-perfect exercise in mystical meditation that follows a natural path from the Ancestral Voices LP.
Since first emerging around 2017, Vardae has been determined to establish a sound unbound by genre restrictions. To date he's successfully moved between cult labels such as Non Series and Ooda while pivoting from linear 4/4 to crooked broken beat without disrupting his immersive, finely sculpted production style.
Alongside his releases, Vardae is also responsible for the ouroboros festival that takes place every year in central France. Last summer, after the dancefloor closed on the final night of the the event, fabled Dutch transcendental ambient group Son Of Chi made an acoustic concert around the campfire that cast a spell over everyone present. This experience formed the inspirational basis for Vardae's new EP, drawing on the instinctive power of insistent rhythm and the spiritual intrigue that lies behind subtly dissonant tones - shadows cast by refined, restrained synthesis flickering in the imagined light of the flames.
From the rattle of timbale on 'The Light Motion' to the laser-focused ripples that charge through 'Voices Of Dispossession', Vardae bends and shapes his drum work with exacting intention across this EP. Treading the line between 85 and 170BPM, he approaches fierce peaks in his tracks with an exacting patience, building to the arp-soaked climax of 'Flaming As A Cloud' and its ecstatic, melodic crescendo.
Proudly individual and drawing from the deepest of musical experiences, Vardae's latest statement promises similarly profound moments when these pieces come into contact with the right souls and the right sound in the right setting.
CS003, our next offering on wax, is home-grown. The Instruction EP features three original productions by label co-founder Niall Kelly complimented by a remix from the inimitable Carl Finlow. Niall’s debut EP showcases his prowess as producer harking to a pool of influences found in the sonic DNA of our hometown of Leeds, with added firepower provided by a legendary artist with close ties to the city.
Echoes of the rowdy bygone Mint Club ooze through the slappy tech house roller ’Section 1’ which opens the record. The chunky basslines retro synths and robotic vocoder connect the dots from Niall’s palette to the unmistakeable sound of Yorkshire Bleep on ‘Seven Wolves’. Carl’s treatment of ‘Section 1’ pivots into a darker, dystopian soundscape full of fizzing hi hats and dizzying synths that amalgamate into a dancefloor shaker that is unmistakably Finlow. The EP is rounded off by Groove Key, a track which serves up a special disorientating euphoria designed to be heard on large soundsystems and felt deep within your bones.
Following the first two releases on Sea~rène, GiGi FM returns with “Virgo Space Acid”, a deeply personal and sonically assertive exploration of transformation and healing.
Rooted in the energies of 2025, the Year of the Snake, this four-track EP channels the mystery and intuition of the serpent, weaving together Virgo’s archetypal forces of the healer and the alchemist.
Across driven beats, hypnotic acid sequences, and vocal-infused textures, “Virgo Space Acid” reflects a journey of renewal, self-ownership, and inner power.
From Berghain to The Bunker New York, GiGi FM has long been known for her ability to channel movement into sound. With “Virgo Space Acid”, she refines her craft even further, working with fewer elements yet pushing them to their fullest expressive potential. She explores the full range of her voice, shaping it into textures, atmospheric layers, and even percussion, while separately reworking classic 909 drum machine sounds into something entirely her own. This EP is a statement of both discipline and liberation, where minimalism meets deep transformation.
Opener “Calibration” sets the tone with its mantra-like intention: an invitation to realign and tune into one’s own energy. Built around a driving bassline, nostalgic yet forward-moving synths, and GiGi’s own spoken word, “A breath holds time, calibrates space”, the track creates a moment of clarity before the journey begins.
“Mercury” follows, embodying the trickster, the messenger, the shapeshifter. Playful and urgent, its bouncing synth sequences move like conversations in motion, with rising tones driving the track forward, pushing toward a restless ascension that mirrors Mercury’s role as a bridge between realms, both celestial and internal.
The title track, “Virgo Space Acid”, is the wormhole: the brain battle, the transformation. With a heavyweight 303 bassline, spiraling bleeps reminiscent of birds, and powerful classic 909, it is pure tension and release, an acid-drenched trip through motion and evolution.
Closing the record, “Floresta” is a sensual and grounding moment of reflection. Named after the stage at Waking Life Festival where GiGi felt a pivotal shift in her healing journey, the track mirrors the scene with dub chord sequences, emotional rising pads, and percussive vocal elements. Like the purple and pink drapes floating above the dance floor at sunset, Floresta is both a farewell and a prelude, a misty horizon where one chapter closes and another awaits.
With “Virgo Space Acid”, GiGi FM continues to expand her sonic language, deepening her connection between body, rhythm, and transformation. More assertive, more urgent, yet deeply intuitive, this is a record of movement, clarity, and self-empowerment.
"We are Sea~rène, swimming in-between supernatural tides, forever following the emotional waves of the universe." GiGi FM
Antoni Maiovvi is an artist like few others. “Knights of New Haven” summarises his unique ability and unparalleled range. This return to the Bordello reflects the influence of the West Coast Sound of the Netherlands as well as that machine music of his adopted home of the U.S. “Later Not Lately” bends bars above a throbbing kick, hi-hats ruffling the clean arcs of string. Echoes of Chicago and Detroit penetrate the EP. Melting melodies fold and oscillate under the crashing cymbals of “Slack Blabbath”, staggered synthlines jolted by tight percussion patterns. A brother-in-arms opens the flip, Danny Wolfers drafted in under his Legowelt moniker to turn his magic to “Later Not Lately”. Undulating undertones are sliced by serrated snares before a sordid TB303 is unsheathed, Wolfers’ soulful and squalid retelling of the original. “The Madness in the Method” closes. Fizzing static blurs drum patterns, a taut note piercing the dense bass fog. Teetering between the profound and the profane, Maiovvi pivots his horror disco trademark sound with driving house drums and devil-may-care grandeur. An EP of epic proportions.
Romanian producer and DJ, Cîmpian Mark Alexandru, known as Cim Pian, proudly presents his milestone vinyl release, Chronosphere, on Phonichouse1. Hailing from Reghin, Romania, Cim Pian has been a dedicated figure in the electronic music scene, with a deep connection to the country’s influential minimal house movement. Over the years, he has released multiple tracks on Phonichouse1, a respected Romanian label known for curating refined underground sounds.
The release features two original tracks that highlight his distinct artistic vision. The title track, Chronosphere, is a profound minimal breakbeat composition, enveloped in textured, dark atmospheres, guiding listeners through an immersive sonic journey. Complementing this is Djinn, a classic 4/4 minimal house track infused with oriental influences, building tension with its ghostly textures and hypnotic groove.
Adding an extra layer of depth to the project is a masterful remix of Chronosphere by Barac, one of the most revered artists in the minimal scene. His interpretation brings a fresh perspective to the track, reinforcing the release’s impact.
The mastering has been handled by Rob Small, ensuring a refined and high-quality sonic experience.
The artwork is an original drawing by Andrei Ardelean, with layout design contributions from Cim Pian himself, visually capturing the essence of the music.
Chronosphere marks a pivotal moment in Cim Pian’s journey, showcasing his evolution and dedication to pushing the boundaries of minimal house. Released on Phonichouse1, this vinyl is a testament to his enduring presence in the underground scene.
GREY MARBLED VINYL[17,02 €]
2025 marks the triumphant return of Sitaro, the iconic track that once lit up dancefloors worldwide. Originally released in 2007 and championed by the likes of Carl Cox—earning its place on Carl Cox Ultimate (Universal Music)—Sitaro is back with a fresh 2K25 Edition on Move Recordings, the newly minted sublabel of Diki Records.
The Belgian techno duo End-Jy & Dimitri Andreas, known for their heavyweight releases on Lupp, Intec, Terminal M, Music Man, and Systematic, deliver an updated version of this melodic anthem. The remastered original brims with Sitaro's signature sound: hypnotic sitar riffs, emotive atmospheres, and a groove that’s as irresistible as ever—a true dancefloor odyssey packed with intensity and raw emotion.
And for the remix? Who better than Dimitri Andreas himself. With an illustrious career spanning decades and releases on Systematic, Music Man, Kling Klong, and Token, Andreas takes Sitaro to new heights. His remix is a masterclass in contemporary melodic techno, drawing comparisons to the work of Guy J, Sébastien Léger, and Roy Rosenfeld. Expect driving Latin-inspired percussion, lush synths, and dreamy soundscapes that seamlessly blend piano-laden breakdowns with deep, pulsating grooves.
The result is a stunning reinterpretation—eclectic yet cohesive, powerful yet delicate. Dimitri Andreas once again proves why he remains a pivotal figure in the global techno landscape.
Press play, and let the journey begin.
Early support from Adriatique (Afterlife), Nick Varon (Sudbeat), Raw Main (Lost Miracle), Dclviii Ofc (Cod3qr), Alex Neri (Wildflower)…
Français
End-Jy - Sitaro (2K25 Edition) featuring Dimitri Andreas Remix
2025 marque le retour triomphal de Sitaro, le morceau emblématique qui a illuminé les pistes de danse du monde entier. Initialement sorti en 2007 et soutenu par des DJ comme Carl Cox—qui l’a même inclus dans Carl Cox Ultimate (Universal Music)—Sitaro fait son grand retour avec une toute nouvelle édition 2K25 sur Move Recordings, la nouvelle subdivision de Diki Records.
Le duo techno belge End-Jy & Dimitri Andreas, connu pour leurs sorties majeures sur Lupp, Intec, Terminal M, Music Man et Systematic, propose une version actualisée de cet hymne mélodique. L’original remasterisé regorge de la sonorité signature de Sitaro : des riffs hypnotiques de sitar, des atmosphères émotionnelles, et un groove aussi irrésistible que jamais—une véritable odyssée sur la piste de danse, remplie d’intensité et d’émotion brute.
Et pour le remix ? Qui de mieux que Dimitri Andreas lui-même ? Avec une carrière illustre qui s’étend sur plusieurs décennies et des productions sur Systematic, Music Man, Kling Klong et Token, Andreas emmène Sitaro vers de nouveaux sommets. Son remix est une véritable masterclass de techno mélodique contemporaine, qui rappelle le travail de Guy J, Sébastien Léger et Roy Rosenfeld. Attendez-vous à des percussions latines entraînantes, des synthés luxuriants et des paysages sonores oniriques qui fusionnent parfaitement des breakdowns pianistiques avec des grooves profonds et pulsants.
Le résultat est une réinterprétation impressionnante—éclectique mais cohérente, puissante mais délicate. Dimitri Andreas prouve une fois de plus pourquoi il reste une figure incontournable du paysage techno mondial.
Appuyez sur play et laissez le voyage commencer.
Support de Adriatique (Afterlife), Nick Varon (Sudbeat), Raw Main (Lost Miracle), Dclviii Ofc (Cod3qr), Alex Neri (Wildflower)…
- A1: Mieko Hirota - Soul Lady
- A2: Shinji Maki &Amp; Black Jack - Nabeyoko Soul
- A3: Tan Tan - Happy Day
- A4: Kenji Niinuma - Airenki
- A5: Hatsumi Shibata - Furui Fuku Nanka
- B1: Strawberry Jam - Arimasen
- B2: Mieko Hirota - Anata Ga Inakute Mo
- B3: Akira Yasuda &Amp; Beat Folk - Kaeroka Kaeroka (Single Version)
- B4: Miki Hirayama - Hatachi No Koi
- B5: Masaaki Sakai - Baby, Yuki Wo Dashite
At the start of the 60s, a new wave of gospel-influenced jazz started to emerge, with hits such as Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers' "Moanin'" and Cannonball Adderley's "Work Song" epitomizing this evolution in the genre. The terms "soul jazz" and "funky jazz" were coined as a way to describe this new sound that was making an impact in the US and also on the other sides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
In 1964, Ray Charles made his first visit to Japan. Then, in 1968, Martha & The Vandellas and Stevie Wonder set foot in the country, followed by Sam & Dave in 1969, Ike & Tina Turner in 1970, and B.B. King in 1971. The TV show "Soul Train" also began airing in Japan in the early 1970s. A watershed moment happened in 1973 when Sammy Davis Jr. was cast in a TV commercial for Suntory whisky — and the influence of the US Black entertainment world had really landed, with soul, jazz, and funk artists becoming household names.
Nippon Columbia played a pivotal role during this turning point. The company had contracts with Buddah Records and Blue Thumb Records, releasing notable works by artists such as Gladys Knight & The Pips, Curtis Mayfield, The Crusaders, and The Pointer Sisters. At the same time, the label was also releasing several Japanese soul, jazz, and funk projects under the lead of music director Jiro Inagaki. Inagaki, a saxophonist who began his professional career in the early 1950s, honed his skills at U.S. military camps, where he shared his love of music with the Black servicemen. In the 1960s, he played with drummer Hideo Shiraki's band, which was widely considered to be Japan's representative group of the funky jazz movement. Later, Inagaki went on to pursue more cutting-edge sounds with his Soul Media project, including being a pioneering figure in the "jazz rock" genre. By working closely with Inagaki and his various musical projects, Nippon Columbia really placed the company at the center of an exciting and important period in Japanese music.
In 1965, Nippon Columbia opened a recording studio in Tokyo's Akasaka neighborhood. Akasaka was also home to the first ever discotheque in Japan, the legendary MUGEN, which ran from 1968 to 1987 and where many acts performed, including Con Funk Shun, the Bar-Kays, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, Sam & Dave, Three Degrees, and Edwin Starr, as well as many local Japanese singers and musicians. This melting pot of creativity in the area led to the recording of many singles and albums by Japanese artists that were infused with the sounds of soul and funk. Most of these recordings were not available outside of Japan and remain rare and unknown musical gems. The selection you are holding in your hands is an explosive collection of 10 essential tracks released by the legendary Nippon Columbia label between 1969 and 1977, capturing the raw, unapparelled energy that was flowing through the air of the Akasaka streets at this electrifying time. Enjoy!
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180GWALP07 - Manufactured and distributed by 180g.
Chalo & Vell return with Made From Moss Volume 2, marking the next step in their collaborative EP series. This four-track of club rollers explores a range of styles and tempos, each track anchored by distinctive rhythms and textures aimed squarely at the dancefloor.
Bangkok, despite being a bustling metropolis, boasts a music scene that feels as intimate and vibrant as those found in smaller European cities. It’s a place where local creatives from various disciplines come together, leaving their artistic imprint across the city. This collaborative energy resonates through Boiled Wonderland’s catalog, which features artists like DOTT, Sarayu, and Chalo—pioneers of Thailand’s burgeoning underground music movement. Both DOTT and Sarayu are co-founders of the record store and label More Rice Records, while Chalo plays a pivotal role as the mastering engineer at Thailand’s pressing plant, Resurrecc. It’s here that the Made From Moss project took root.
While Boiled Wonderland continues to champion eclectic and boundary-pushing music, its sonic direction has evolved to embrace a more dancefloor-oriented approach. This shift reflects the label’s immersion in Bangkok’s electrifying club culture and the inspiration drawn from the city’s warm, sunlit atmosphere.
The Made From Moss series emerged from a creative dialogue between Chalo and label founder Vell. Moss, with its simplicity yet dynamic nature, became the symbolic foundation for a series focused on rhythmically driven, danceable tracks. This vision also sparked the creation of Mosspit events and welcomed MetalMetal as a core contributor.
Chalo’s opener, Feeling, weaves house-inflected vocals with acid synth lines, building a steady groove that carries effortlessly to the finish. Tolerance Break follows, layering dynamic snares, tight breaks, and basslines that pulse with energy. On the B-side, Vell leads with The Ship Rolls Through, a euphoric roller balanced by flickering sound effects that keep the track grounded. Back To Normality closes the EP, leaning into progressive tones with bouncing bass lines that sizzle toward a breaking point, bringing the EP to a close.
The record is already receiving support from the likes of: Ploy, Mixtress, Raresh, Space Dimension Controller, Jennifer Cardini, Answer Code Request and many more.
Overthink Records - 010 Waveratio 618 - “Bramosia delle cose vietate” (4-Track EP) The 10th release on Overthink Records marks a pivotal moment, delivered by Italian producer Waveratio 618. Following his standout contribution to the label’s Split Series, he returns with a thrilling 4-track EP that blurs the lines between Techno and EBM. Crafted entirely from live jam sessions, this EP exudes raw energy and unfiltered creativity. Each track captures the immediacy and spontaneity of these jams, translating hardware explorations into music brimming with tension and drive. Waveratio 618’s intricate interplay of analog warmth and digital waveforms results in a collection equally suited for shadowy dancefloors and introspective listening. A defining release for both the artist and Overthink Records. Gear Used: Yocto Composer, Kawai R-50, Erica Synth Bass Drum, SH-09, Alpha Juno, Cs2x, Blofeld, BitBox Micro, Td3-Mo.
- A1: Head Rush
- A2: Black & Mild
- A3: Joyful Noise
- B1: Traffic
- B2: Cactus Water
- B3: Candy Paint Feat. Thundercat
- B4: Berghain Feat Barney Bones
- C1: Holy Moly Feat. Ty Dolla $Ign
- C2: I’m Him
- C3: Chain Hang Low Feat. Teezo Touchdown
- C4: Need U 2 Know Feat. Ravyn Lenae
- C5: Two Ways
- D1: Aspen Feat. Toro Y Moi
- D2: We Hungry Feat. Estelle
- D3: Type
- D4: Gold Daytonas Feat. Watr
- D5: Here
- Channel Tres releases his debut album Head Rush via RCA Records.
The album, which features the previously-released singles "Berghain" featuring Barney Bones and "Cactus Water" is the culmination of Channel's steady ascent since he first broke through to public consciousness with his cult-classic debut single "Controller." Head Rush features all of the sounds that have come to be hallmarks of Channel Tres songs, but finds him incorporating musical influences not heard in his prior catalog, as evidenced by "Berghain" and other songs from the album including the Ty Dolla $ign-featuring “Holy Moly,” a visualizer for which is out now. The album arrives on the heels of two recent head-turning Channel Tres collaborations as well -- his contribution to KAYTRANADA's "Drip Sweat" and Jay Worthy, DāM FunK & ATrak's "105 West" alongside fellow LA legends Ty Dolla $ignand DJ Quik exemplify his versatility. Head Rush is a richly layered record, but one that feels totally intuitive, without a trace of doubt or self-consciousness.
The way “I’m Him” shimmers is balanced by the Estelle-featuring “We Hungry,” which nearly growls; the spare, percussion-forward Ravyn Lenaeduet “Need U 2 Know” (the stylization of its title a nod to Prince, one of Tres’s major influences) at delightful odds with the easy ride of “Gold Daytonas.” Head Rush shows the staggering array of styles Channel Tres can evoke. But that versatility is not the point in and of itself—the point is that all these component parts can be reassembled into something that feels uniquely personal, and honest. Through his career, Tres has blended recognizable genres, textures, and points of view into a truly singular form all his own. Longtime listeners will recognize in Head Rush the hallmarks of a Channel Tres record: a mastery of rhythm, the rare ability to make songs sinister and fluorescent at once.
But this LP also opens a new sonic world, one rife with unexpected terrain and hairpin turns—see the way “Type” takes what sounds at first to be a simple romantic boundary and stretches it out into an alien landscape. Or take “Berghain,” a song that nods to the kinetic live shows that became must-see events—a crescendo of interest that included his momentous Coachella 2022 performance and culminated, at least symbolically, with his early 2023 set at Berghain, the legendary Berlin club that has long been a musical hub of the Western world. “Berghain” is delirious but thumps almost impossibly hard, in line with the album as a whole—always molting, always ready to turn from the claustrophobic to the communal, as the pivot on “Joyful Noise” accomplishes so seamlessly. Head Rush also features some of Tres’s most deeply felt vocals to date, like the veritable bloodletting on “Two Ways.” And so the record, which also features Ty Dolla $ign, Thundercat, Teezo Touchdown, Watr, Barney Bones and Toro y Moi, marks a new era for Channel Tres, personally as well as artistically. “I’m older now, and the things that I’ve accomplished tell me I’m ready to do this,” he says. “You’ve worked your whole life for this, you’ve been able to do these shows and walk into these rooms and make these songs. There’s no reason you have to live by the same insecurity that you had to use in years past.” Shedding that baggage accomplished exactly what it was meant to—lightening the load so we’re free to get heavier than ever
TENO - Debut Vinyl Release from Aum Recordings.
Marking a significant milestone, TENO's debut vinyl features four powerful tracks that are sure to captivate techno enthusiasts.
Each track embodies a unique yet straightforward approach, with intricately crafted and delicately nuanced sound design that immerses listeners in a rich sonic narrative.
Elevating the release even further, Japan's renowned DJ Wata Igarashi joins as a remixer, adding depth and refinement to the original compositions.
These story-driven tracks, combined with meticulously detailed soundscapes, unleash their full potential on the dancefloor.
This release is not only a bold new challenge for TENO but also a pivotal step forward for Aum Recordings, signaling its evolution into new realms.
La Matta Records proudly presents the first official reissue of Io Sono Io (Eu Sou Mais Eu), the rare Italo-Brazilian track by multi-instrumentalist and composer Ana Mazzotti.
Originally recorded between the legendary Estúdio Haway in Rio de Janeiro (1973-1977) and Rede Tupi’s studios (1978), where the Italian version first appeared released by GTA – Gravações Tupi Associadas S/A, this reissue captures a pivotal moment in Ana’s career and also includes collaboration with the Azymuth band. With its characteristic blend of jazz, bossa nova, and funk, Ana’s voice stands out in the groove with unique precision and emotion. Renowned for her experimental approach and praised by figures such as Hermeto Pascoal—who referred to her as a “super-musician”—this fully remastered gem is now available for collectors and enthusiasts on vinyl and all digital platforms. It also includes a killer extended mix and the 1977 version with horns.
Roberto Musci, born in Milan in 1956, studied guitar, music and electronic instruments. From 1974 to 1985 he traveled the world studying African, Indian, Arabic and Oriental music, recording ethnic music “in the field,” studying and collecting ethnic musical instruments from all over the world. His self-produced debut album, “The Loa of Music,” is a seminal work of staggering originality and extraordinary beauty in which field recordings, musique concrète, electronics, synthesis and instrumentation are interwoven, drawing on the countless musics from around the world that he has recorded. The subsequent “Water messages on desert sand,” composed with Giovanni Venosta, was nominated for a Grammy in the UK in 1987. In the 1980s and 1990s he broadcast ethnic and electronic-experimental music from Rai and Radio Popolare radio stations. He has also composed and played music for videos, commercials, dance, poetry, theater, composed soundtracks and accompanied silent films live. From 1980 to the present, he has played with many Italian and European musicians: Giovanni Venosta, Claudio Gabbiani, Walter Prati, Giorgio Magnanensi, Massimo Cavallaro, Massimo Mariani, Moni Ovadia, Roberto Zorzi, Chris Cutler, Jon Rose David Moss, Steve Piccolo, Elliott Sharp, Keith Tippett and the Third Ear Band.
The theme of travel, ethnicities and mysticism are a pivotal point in this new album of his as well, demonstrating once again how music needs absolutely no sharp lines of demarcation. The music is one.
It goes from the search for deep meanings in a time spent in a Hindu monastery (Ashram) listening to mantras and studying Buddhist philosophy (The Principle Of Things) to space explorations and human settlements on the Moon or Mars wondering how man will live and what he will bring to the new worlds imagining that Sufism, an Islamic mystical religion, will accompany him in the discovery of new worlds (Derviches On Mars). In Goodbye Monsters, harmony and peace are sought. Memories Of A Piano Player is a tribute to Keith Tippett, a great pianist (King Crimson , Centipede, Mujician) with whom he played in several concerts and with whom I spent evenings talking about music, food and Italian wine. Quantum State focuses on how quantum mechanics is creating a revolution in the way of thinking and dividing reality into infinite Parallel Worlds. Panthalassa is the vast ocean that surrounded Pangea and blends South American marimba music and traditional Chinese music. Burn The Shadows is a tribute to the fascinating Indonesian shadow theater, from the stories told and the atmosphere created during the long plays told in the sacred Indian texts of Ramayana or Mahabharata. Shadows are also more or less pleasant memories to which one is attached, and to burn them is still to move on with one's life.
Torajan Funeral Chant: The Toraja are a people living in Sulawesi (Indonesia) who have a special worship of the dead. Funerals are festivals that last several days, the corpses are protected by Tau-Tau (small dolls that watch over cemeteries), and over the years, they exhume the corpses of their relatives and keep them in their homes with them for a time to remember them.
The experimentation goes all the way to modern Artificial Intelligence that 'interrogated' to create something new by inserting conflicting inputs joins them together but nonsensically creating interesting insights; hence A.I. In Confusion. Pangea, named after the continent that contained all the land that emerged between 540 and 200 million years ago, in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods, imagined as inhabited by man without divisions created by borders, wars, religions or ethnic groups, is also a tribute to Steve Reich, one of the fathers and a great musician of minimal music. Prophecies, a reading of sacred texts and religious songs from evangelical sects in the United States filtered into granular synthesis with percussion music from South India, closes.
Laolu, the acclaimed Swiss-Nigerian producer and DJ, is set to release his highly anticipated EP titled Try, marking a pivotal moment as the first release under his newly launched record label, Siembra. Known for his transformative remixes and immersive club tracks, Try captures Laolu's signature blend of evocative beats and precise production. Leading the EP is the single ‘You Don’t See Me’, a collaboration with South African vocalist Nomvula, whose tender voice intertwines seamlessly with Laolu’s production. The track embodies the emotive, atmospheric qualities that have earned Laolu a loyal following worldwide while reflecting his desire to collaborate with one of the great voices of the vibrant South African music scene. The title track ‘Try’ features the distinct vocals of SeeMeNot, a standout artist from Defected Records additionally, the EP includes ‘Creature of the Night’, a track powered by one of house music’s most iconic voices, Starving Yet Full.
"Try EP marks an important milestone as the first release on my new label, Siembra. This record represents the latest evolution of my sound, a fusion that draws from both my European roots and West African heritage, seamlessly blending electronic and live music. It’s a sound crafted with both instinct and precision, embodying my deep love for dance music and a newfound passion for songwriting," Laolu explains. With these powerful collaborations and Siembra's commitment to artistic freedom, Laolu continues to elevate his creative journey. The EP sets the tone for Siembra’s future releases, offering fans a fresh, innovative blend of cultural influences in club music that moves both the heart and the dancefloor.
- A1: Basement 5 - Silicon Chip
- A2: Disconnection - Bali Ha'i (Us Discomix)
- A3: A Certain Ratio - Shake Up
- A4: 23 Skidoo - Language
- B1: Pil - Home Is Where The Heart Is
- B2: Mark Stewart And The Maffia - Jerusalem
- B3: The Unknown Cases - Masimbabele (The Original Version)
- B4: Allez Allez - She's Stirring Up (Dub)
- C1: Animal Magic - Standard Man
- C2: Lifetones - Distance No Object
- C3: Snakefinger - I Gave Myself To You
- C4: Startled Insects - Overrzoom
- D1: Maximum Joy - Silent Street / Silent Dub
- D2: African Headcharge - Throw It Away
- D3: Ep-4 - Tide Gauge
- D4: 400 Blows - Declaration Of Intent
(incl 40p fanzine written by Matt Annis with photographs by Simon Pyke and Ian Brodie) Postpunk Theory is a meticulously curated compilation by the legendary Tony Thorpe, known for his work with The Moody Boys, 400 Blows, and The KLF. These classic tracks were played at parties by Thorpe at the time, making them his personal classics. The compilation features 16 rare and sought-after tracks from the post-punk era, including works by Mark Stewart and The Maffia, Basement 5, 23 Skidoo and more.
Defining post-punk is no easy task. While punk was defined by a raw, rebellious simplicity, post-punk (1978-1986) expanded into a diverse array of sounds and ideas. It maintained punk's independent spirit but embraced experimentation, incorporating influences from various musical and cultural traditions, resulting in a movement far more eclectic and fragmented than its predecessor.
At its core, post-punk broke away from traditional rock structures, blending genres like industrial, goth, and punk-funk with emerging dance music cultures. This era's spirit of innovation and defiance against musical norms continues to inspire, making post-punk a pivotal moment in music history that defies easy categorization.
Tony Thorpe presents Postpunk Theory - Alpha ? is a meticulously curated compilation by the legendary Tony Thorpe, known for his work with The Moody Boys, 400 Blows, and The KLF. These classic tracks were played at parties by Thorpe at the time, making them his personal classics. The compilation features 16 rare and sought-after tracks from the post-punk era, including works by Mark Stewart and The Maffia, Basement 5, 23 Skidoo, African Headcharge, and more.
Growing up in a vibrant musical environment in South London, Thorpe was deeply influenced by the eclectic sounds around him, from jazz-funk to Brit-Funk, and later, the post-punk records he discovered. As Thorpe recalls, "Post-punk was a mishmash of different cultures and ideas. Out of post-punk came dance music culture. That period was the most creative time because the culture was in its experimental phase." This compilation captures that innovative spirit, offering a glimpse into the era that shaped Thorpe's musical journey.
The album comes as a limited 2xLP set, accompanied by an extensive 40-page fanzine. The fanzine, written by Matt Annis (Join The Future), dives deep into the post-punk movement, offering insight and context enriched with striking photographs by Simon Pyke and Ian Brodie.
The Concealed Club Manifesto project pays homage to the mid 2000s underground UK club music scene, an era of music which acts as well of inspiration and creativity for the Nouveau Monica, and has no doubt helped shaped his sound. For the French producer, the UK club scene holds a special allure and mystique, especially since he observed this phenomenon from afar, and was idealized as one of the most “pivotal” moments in underground club culture, making it seem intangible, hence concealed. Nouveau Monica’s sound palette is deeply rooted in the UK scene, which he combines with his own personal musical background. This mid 2000s UK club sound is what the producer defines as his “Golden Era” and the genres created during that time are the building blocks of the Concealed Club Manifesto EP.
“See the Light” closes the EP as a triptyque. First with the OG version, cut out to be the straightforward, grimy, clean, and uncluttered bass track the producer always seeks for when going for the uncompromisingly strong raw material.
The second version conducted by Nouveau Monica as an alternate 4/4 version of the same title, harmonizes the repetitive chopped vocals with a technically syncopated drum loop designed for a new mental perspective, an after-hours sensation that blurs the line between euphoria and melancholy.
The last iteration of “See The Light” comes from none other than Hodge himself. A club tailored cut with a heavy groove, pattered with percussive elements, followed by sun drenched melody and sweltering pads that unleash into a a bellowing bass track, perfectly suited for peak sunset hours at a day rave an unforgiving Soundsystem.
- A1: Vanish (Featuring Joachim Spieth)
- A2: All Light Will Remain (Featuring Karen Vogt)
- B1: Farbe Der Nacht (Featuring Sonae)
- B2: Ancestral Images (Featuring Pepo Galán)
- C1: Utopian Fragments (Featuring Arovane)
- C2: Father Of Waters (Featuring Benoît Pioulard)
- D1: While Hunting Nightmares And Dreaming For Peace (Featuring Abul Mogard)
- D2: Presence (Featuring Hollie Kenniff)
Markus Guentner returns to his longstanding label, A Strangely Isolated Place following the triptych of ‘Theia’, ‘Empire’, and ‘Extropy’, presenting eight inspiring collaborations on ‘Kontrapunkt’.
Collaborations are nothing new to Markus, but it’s hard to see beyond his strong singular presence as a pioneer of long-form ambient and drone. Collabs have punctuated his albums in various places over the years, and he is no stranger to working as a duo amongst other projects, with such a strong conceptual thread throughout his prior ASIP releases, Kontrapunkt represents a literal pivot and counterpoint in his production approach. Instead of music encapsulating a strong conceptual narrative, Kontrapunkt sees Markus create a dialogue between himself and a collection of inspiring production partners.
Kontrapunkt opens with ‘Vanish’, a widescreen cinematic odyssey created in collaboration with fellow German and Affin label-head Joachim Spieth, forming the perfect opener with its modest subtleties. Australian-born Karen Vogt, renowned for her voice layering and looping, brings a beautiful, and natural addition to ‘All Light Will Remain’.
Sonae, who appeared on ASIP’s early digital releases, demonstrates her evolution into experimental flourishes with ‘Farbe Der Nacht’, adding pulsating techno tendencies and a menacing, metallic approach to Markus’ foundations. Multi-instrumentalist Pepo Galán harmonizes beautifully with Markus on ‘Ancestral Images’, adding complex nuances to a slowly evolving euphoric piece.
A master of synthesis, Arovane delivers a powerful display of supercharged electronics and coils of energy on ‘Utopian Fragments’. Benoît Pioulard's renowned expertise with guitars and tape distortion become a perfect counter to the electronics of Markus, blending styles seamlessly on ‘Father Of Waters’.
‘An unstoppable force meets an immovable object’ on ‘While Hunting Nightmares And Dreaming For Peace’, as Abul Mogard adds powerful restraint in a meeting of two drone titans. The album concludes with ‘Presence’, where Hollie Kenniff’s uplifting vocals provide a shimmering finish, perfectly bookending an album of perfected counterpoints and evolutions on the Markus Guentner sound.
Kontrapunkt will be available on Gatefold Black/Grey/Blue marble 2LP, digital and streaming on August 30th 2024. Mastered by Gio at Artefacts Mastering, Berlin, and featuring artwork by Noah M / Keep Adding.
In an exciting development for OYE Records, the renowned Berlin record shop is set to relaunch with an anticipated debut EP from fast-rising local artist LACATY. LACATY's journey into the industry began through a serendipitous meeting with an OYE team member through Femme Bass Mafia and eventually found their own paths. As the idea of releasing a debut EP came up, it felt natural for LACATY and them to join forces. Relocating to London marked a pivotal moment in LACATY's career. Immersed in the city's vibrant energy, she was among a select group chosen for the AVA Creator Forum, where she honed her skills and creative practice. The distance from Berlin's social scene provided the mental space to fully develop her ideas, resulting in a debut EP. "I wanted to create what I play – tracks that are not only energetic and punchy but also filled with emotion," LACATY shared. "Being in London, away from the familiar Berlin vibe, allowed my sound to evolve naturally, unconfined by genre expectations." Designed to heat up any dance floor, all three tracks feel like an ode to the vibrant 90s music scene. They are woven together by a blissful euphoria, while simultaneously evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Anthony Linell's Lundin Oil project suggests a politic and an aesthetic in one swift movement. We may make certain deductions about each, but we must work backwards from where they meet.
Through the brutalising industrial mechanisms to which titles cryptically allude, we are given an exponentially urgent image of devastation. This is projected, pitch-perfectly, into a rapacious and erosive aural demonstration that barely meet metrical demands.
Exploit Divisions, the first Lundin Oil release since 2016, redoubles this threatening realisation. The album pivots between seismic static waves and jagged rhythmic noise, seeking a wider vantage with melodic drone ensembles. A ferocious departure from his primary work, Exploit Divisions is a purposeful reminder of the savagery of brevity.
Recorded by Anthony Linell in Sofia, Sweden 2022-2024
Visual by AL
Mastered by Giuseppe Tillieci at EnissLab, Rome
Back in circulation after over a decade, Jahtari's seminal "Jahtarian Dubbers Vol. 1 EP" receives the long-awaited reissue treatment, reviving the raw, 8-bit-infused dub vibes that defined a new era of digital roots music.
Originally released in 2008 and quickly disappearing into dub obscurity, this heavyweight 12" returns with four essential cuts that perfectly encapsulate the Jahtari sound—where chiptune meets the echo chamber.
The EP kicks off with Blaze Dem's "Roots Defender", a hypnotic concotion of deep basslines and eerie samples from a Swedish cult ritual, setting a heavy tone right from the start. disrupt's cinematic "Kozure Okami" follows, channeling Black Ark vibes through 8-bit synth explorations.
On the flip, John Frum delivers the hauntingly beautiful "January Dub", while Rootah's slomo slammer "Holy Mount Part 2" closes the EP with Lynchian, echo-soaked vibrations that linger long after the needle lifts.
Timeless tracks, mastered by CGB-1 at D&M in Berlin for maximum impact. Pivotal piece of Dub music!
Markantonio's record label, AnalyticTrail, proudly presents "Groove Impact," an dynamic techno EP by young Irish talent CULT, known for his fast-paced rhythms sequenced into jackin' grooves.
CULT, one of Europe's most talked-about young talents, has a raw style defined by intricate synths creating upbeat machine-funk. Influenced by '90s techno, his music perfectly blends captivating atmosphere with driving energy. Known for his warm, punchy basslines and tribal drum patterns, CULT's tracks are already staples at Vault Sessions events and are championed by DJs like Alarico and Future666 among others.
Founded in 2001 and based in Naples, Italy, AnalyticTrail has been pivotal in shaping the Neapolitan techno sound. A cornerstone of the scene, the label has achieved great success with
its groovy, dancefloor-engineered tracks. With "Groove Impact," AnalyticTrail returns to its roots restarting vinyl releases driven by the desire to produce timeless music that endures on physical formats, just like in the good old days. The label has also started signing techno that puts a contemporary spin on the classic hardgroove style that first brought it success in the early '00s.
The EP opens with A1 "Jumpin' Traxx," featuring cowbells and a dramatic hip hop vocal sample layered over a throbbing bassline to create an upbeat groove. On A2, "High Pressure" follows with booming percussion, fizzing ride cymbals, dystopian synths, and invigorating vocal stabs. B1 features "Anotha Beat," combining hypnotic vocal tones, relentless percussion, and intense synth stabs. The release closes with B2 "Brass Tac," offering a jazz-infused groove built around a live percussion loop.
"Ken Ishii has risen to be one of techno's biggest names" Bandcamp Daily
"A pivotal moment in the history of techno, ambient and electronic music from Japan. An important milestone in a journey to explore the endless possibilities of music and a precious result of our passion and adventure at the time" Manabu Yamazaki (Sublime Records)
Revelation is the 2010 album by dub pioneer Lee ""Scratch"" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry). From his Jamaican based Black Ark Studio, he created some pivotal works by producing new instrumental or vocal versions of existing tracks. Later, he moved to Switzerland, where he reinvented himself as a performance and visual artist and collaborated with artists such as The Beastie Boys, The Clash, and Adrian Sherwood among others. For his album Revelation, he collaborated with Keith Richards and George Clinton. The album is the last in a series of three albums he made with English musician and producer Steve Marshall a.k.a. John Saxon. The album is accompanied by the full-length film The Revelation of Lee “Scratch” Perry, which looks behind the scenes of the recording sessions and features an in-depth interview with the great man. The 2LP Revelation is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on translucent yellow coloured vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve.
Suburban Architecture are pleased to announce the fourth in their 'Architecture Dubs' series of limited edition 10" vinyl releases, which sees some of the most revered names active during the mid 90s golden era of Drum & Bass deliver remixes of Suburban Architecture material in homage to that most innovative of periods.
Following on from the now sold out release of Architecture Dub #001 (featuring remixes from Peshay and DJ Trax), #002 (featuring Blame and DJ Trace), and #003 (featuring Nookie and DJ Crystl), edition #004 enlists two further legendary names to put their stamp on the duo's material.
Ray Keith is a DJ and producer who requires little introduction. From his beginnings in the Acid House scene of the late 80s through to the present day via Hardcore and, of course, Jungle, Ray's output has been a steady presence in UK dance music for over 3 decades. From manning the counters of legendary record stores including London's infamous Black Market Records to masterminding bonafide dancefloor hits such as 'Terrorist' and 'Dark Soldier', Ray has touched every corner of the scene. For this remix, Ray brings some of his trademark Dread flavour to 'The Drifter' injecting some tough Amen and Bassline energy to the track.
DJ Harmony is another DJ who cut his teeth behind the counters of some of the scene's pivotal record stores, having worked in Lucky Spin and Section 5, while releasing music on some of the most important imprints in the genre, notably including Moving Shadow. Today Harmony is best known as the driving force behind the brilliant Deep Jungle imprint which delivers classic, new and unreleased music from Jungle's heaviest hitters. Recent releases have come from names including Adam F, Dilinja, DJ Trace and, naturally, Harmony himself. Harmony's remix of 'The Believer' takes cues from classic Jungle with a half time break down, giving way to a smashing Amen workout accompanied by the rousing vocal refrain of the original.
Pressed on 10" vinyl and housed in brown Kraft paper sleeves, the series makes visual reference to the exclusive dubplate pressings which introduced so many classic cuts to the UK's dancefloors in the 90s.
Despite recent speculation and curious confirmations of an association with the pivotal Production House from those close to the source, the identity of those behind this mysteriously initialled 1991 breakbeat hardcore banger has remained a closely guarded secret for over thirty years. Despite not having a follow-up and not benefitting from the hype of big name credentials to justify inflated asking prices it has remained in high demand for over three decades as a constant in informed record bags and on discerning wantlists. It will come as little surprise to many then to find out that it is in fact the work of none other than House Crew stalwarts Floyd Dyce and MC Juice. The missing jewel in Dyce’s Production House crown, this sole FZ outing was released on one of a handful of short-lived Production House sub-labels that served as platforms for Dyce’s prodigious output, and can now take its rightful place alongside his other production and writing credits with the likes of Acen, The House Crew, Brothers Grimm, DMS and Baby D. Available once again on 12” black vinyl and licensed with the full-cooperation of Dyce himself it has been faithfully remastered from the original studio source material with the lacquer cut by Beau Thomas.
DJ Support: Jamie Jones, Reboot, Dennis Cruz, Raresh, Reelow, Dimmish, Fabe, Archie Hamilton, Rich NxT, Chicks Luv Us, Christian Burkhardt, Terry Francis.
This EP is inspired by love and dreams and continues her quest to find the perfect blend of emotional yet minimal melodic beats. Opener 'L'Amour' radiates Lazic's signature sounds with a slick bassline and melodic chords that convey meaningful emotions under female spoken words. It's a seductive world of warm pads and silky beats that cast a hypnotic spell. The fantastic 'Todo El Universo' features the vocals of Lazic's Spanish friend Monica. The title translates as 'all the universe' and is a favourite line from Paulo Coelho's novel The Alchemist about accomplishing your dreams. It's a deep and comforting groove with soft drums and pillowy pads that soothe the soul and are perfect for more intimate dance floors.
Remixer Nu Eau is a pivotal part of Romania's minimal scene with a meticulously crafted sound that has taken him to the likes of Gettraum and Memoria Recordings and he also co-founded the Uvar imprint. His version of ‘L'Amour' is more up tempo but no less heady, with lush cosmic synths doing an elegant dance over the compelling beats.
Spanish pair Los Suruba have done it all over the last 20 years - released hundreds of tracks, played thousands of gigs, established their own network of record labels, held residencies everywhere from Ibiza to London and crafted countless underground hits. Their remix of ‘L'Amour' is serene and cerebral with paranoid voices drifting through the mix and rippling chords keeping you afloat in the cosmos.
In 1969, Albina in the US underwent a pivotal transformation which saw the arrival of Black residents displaced by the Vanport floods. While a local Black economy thrived to start with, the neighbourhood eventually got neglected due to disinvestment by the city's elites but citizens didn't take it lying down and some of them formed Shades Of Brown, a group that emerged at the Albina Arts Center which was a haven for artists during civil unrest. With members from various musical acts, they found unity under leader Thara Memory who instilled discipline and required them to read and write music before performing. This EP, which is the group's sole record, embodies their camaraderie and the community's struggle against neglect across six raw-as-you-like funk cuts laden with emotion and narrative.
Since 2019 Demdike Stare had been playing edits of Dolo Percussion’s bare-boned breaks in their DJ sets, eventually sharing them with Dolo’s Andrew Field-Pickering (Beautiful Swimmers, boss of Future Times) and fomenting a creative fusion that hits at the square root of their shared tastes for unruly, deadly rhythms. In a transatlantic back ’n forth - or what Kodwo Eshun termed a double refraction - they juggle the rudest aspects of UK hardcore, as derived from electro, breaks and garage-house - that would feed into Dolo’s pool of sound, and return to the UK via the likes of breakbeat wizard Karizma, who was a key touchstone for the whole late ‘90s broken beat movement key to Demdike’s tastes.
Still following the thread? It’s not that tricky - both US and UK operators favour breakbeat music more than anywhere else, and this devilish hook-up is the epitome of a conversation ongoing for generations now. At each parry, the three cuts here are exemplary of the way DJs, producers and dancers on both sides of the pond have pushed each other to new heights in a feedback loop designed to make the dance throw the maddest shapes.
‘DOLO DS 1’ racks up a full clip of flintiest breakbeat hardcore, pivoting gasping samples inna dervish of ruffneck syncopation, ruggedly distinguished from the pitching, gritty drum machine chicanery of ‘DS DOLO EDIT 1’, and their super crafty sidestep into the offbeats, hingeing around ghost snares and practically spectral levels of percussive suss in ’DOLO DS 2’ which basically sounds like a prime Autechre tumbling thru dub.
“It’s just too easy to make a standard dance track,” Aphex Twin said of his mindset back in 1992. “You’ve got to put a bit of thought into it to get something a bit different.”
‘Didgeridoo’ was released on the Belgian R&S Records label in 1992, and originally peaked at #55 in the UK singles chart in May of that year. Over the last 32 years the track has become one of the essential Aphex Twin tracks in a gargantuan catalogue that continues to amaze and inspire.
“I wanted to have some tracks to play to finish the raves I used to play in Cornwall, to really kill everybody off so they couldn’t dance,” Richard D James, AKA Aphex, told Select magazine back in the 90s. “Digeridoo came out of that.”
Released as a 4 track EP that also included early Aphex productions (now classics) including the industrial, acidic clang of ‘Flap Head’ and hyperbolic futurism of ‘Isopropanol’, the release cemented a relationship with the R&S label that went on to release the ‘Xylem Tube’ EP and the pivotal album ‘Selected Ambient Works 85-92’ in the same year. The label’s owner & A&R Renaat Vandepapeliere reflected “When I first heard Aphex Twin’s music I said, ‘This is it!’, and everybody else said, ‘You’re crazy!’ …a lot of the hardcore R&S fans dropped us. To them it wasn’t music.”
‘Didgeridoo’ (Expanded Edition) is the first time the EP has been re-issued with extra material. Whilst digging in his DAT archive (allegedly stored in an airtight military ammo box), Richard James revisited the recordings, encoding them through a Nakamichi CR7e cassette deck, using the customised deck with vari-speed to encode at speeds “felt right at the time”. Alongside these CR7e versions, the original mixes have been remastered by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven Mastering, offering a dilated insight into one of electronic music’s most endearing releases.
‘Digeridoo’ (Expanded Edition) by Aphex Twin is available on R&S Records from 31st May 2024.
"...too G to take a knee, still I gave you all of me.”
A pivotal force in the early ‘10s NYC rap revival, now LA-based rapper and producer Chuck Strangers steps into the limelight on new solo LP A Forsaken Lover’s Plea.
The album sounds markedly lush, candid rhymes bolstered by a slew of guest producers—including The Alchemist, Animoss and Strangers himself. Chuck’s own production feels current without ditching its previous homeliness, a seamless compliment to his honest, lived-in raps.
A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is laced with guest verses from a collection of fellow New York rap torchbearers, from Pro Era comrade Joey Bada$$ & Flatbush Zombies' Erick the Architect to Queens’ own Remy Banks.
Strangers’ tangled romance with hip-hop is the crux of the project—the culmination of a decade’s unwavering dedication to his craft, with its lofty highs, inevitable lows, and rough lessons of humility, patience, and process.
It’s Chuck’s most comprehensive solo project since Consumers Park, his 2018 debut, and follows The Boys & Girls EP, released May 2023.
A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is available on heavyweight green vinyl, silver tape and CD.
The Mental Groove Classic series returns with a treasure trove of rare and hard to find tracks plucked from the personal collection of label founder Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene.
On Volumes Two and Three of the series - the first installment hit stores in 2017 - the Mental Groove and Musique Pour La Danse label founder takes us back to the turn of the '90s, a time he spent promoting parties in fields, squats, forests, warehouses and former factories in and around Geneva and behind the counter of a record shopof the same name. While others in Switzerland's emerging dance music scene gravitated towards US house and garage, Olivier and his crew opted for a bass, breaks and techno-focused sound inspired by regular trips to clubs, raves and record shops in the UK.
Drawing directly from his own record box and a memory bank full of snapshots of euphoric dancefloor moments, Mental Groove Classics volumes Two and Three sees Olivier reaching for cuts of near-mythical rarity, genuinely overlooked gems, and undeniably brilliant tracks that have left a long-lasting impression on the local raving landscape. It's an autobiographical audio document, historical archive and personal musical statement all rolled into one, inspired by a moment in time where musical boundaries were being redrawn in a wave of carefree optimism and freedom inspired new rave scenes across Europe and far beyond.
Matt Anniss
Original artwork by Soho's Brain Club co-owner and artist of early British club culture Mark Wigan.
File under house, breakbeat, techno and warehouse rave music
The Mental Groove Classic series returns with a treasure trove of rare and hard to find tracks plucked from the personal collection of label founder Olivier Ducret, a pivotal figure in Switzerland's acid house and rave-era party scene.
On Volumes Two and Three of the series - the first installment hit stores in 2017 - the Mental Groove and Musique Pour La Danse label founder takes us back to the turn of the '90s, a time he spent promoting parties in fields, squats, forests, warehouses and former factories in and around Geneva and behind the counter of a record shop of the same name. While others in Switzerland's emerging dance music scene gravitated towards US house and garage, Olivier and his crew opted for a bass, breaks and techno-focused sound inspired by regular trips to clubs, raves and record shops in the UK.
Drawing directly from his own record box and a memory bank full of snapshots of euphoric dancefloor moments, Mental Groove Classics volumes Two and Three sees Olivier reaching for cuts of near-mythical rarity, genuinely overlooked gems, and undeniably brilliant tracks that have left a long-lasting impression on the local raving landscape. It's an autobiographical audio document, historical archive and personal musical statement all rolled into one, inspired by a moment in time where musical boundaries were being redrawn in a wave of carefree optimism and freedom inspired new rave scenes across Europe and far beyond.
Matt Anniss
Original artwork by Soho's Brain Club co-owner and artist of early British club culture Mark Wigan.
File under house, breakbeat, techno and warehouse rave music
Aerials live, dials tuned, Transmission Towers broadcasting. On either side of the river Mersey, transcendental communications are traded back and forth. Two late-night revellers, one firing messages filled with music, the other returning them laced with lyrics. The result, a dopamine hit of oddball machine soul, melded with a highlife, Afrofuturist touch. Wonky and murky yet deeply emotional, Transmission One, is a debut album that also marks the first release on Luke Una’s É Soul Cultura label, encompassing expertly the off-kilter atmosphere the label sets to orbit.
A synthesised landscape with a Northern charm, Transmission Towers marry the musical worlds of two artists that last collaborated over a decade ago. 10 years have passed, lives have been led, but a gravitational pull has placed Mark Kyriacou and Eleanor Mante back in each other’s spheres on opposite sides of the city of Liverpool. Energised with a newfound desire to strip it all back to the sounds that influenced their formative years in the late ‘80s and ‘90s - astral travelling, intoxicated on Motor City techno, Black Dog IDM and mystical Sun Ra.
Mark half Irish, half Greek Cypriot, Eleanor half Nigerian, half Ghanian, the music contained within is an alchemy of those roots and the pivotal acts that buried deep into their minds. A cosmic contrast, part machine-made, part distinctly human. Take the opener ‘UP’, an ESG-channelling, sci-fi punk beatdown or the polychromatic hyperspace anthem ‘Roller Skater 23’.
Transportive throughout, you ride the solar waves, pace and emotion ebbing and flowing. Tracks like ‘Go Slow Heart’ and ‘Cosmic Trigger’ step to a slower beat but hit with a punch. The former, a slo-mo blast of celestial tenderness, the latter an otherworldly, chugged-out lunar excursion, micro-dosing on whacked-out Wah Wah and Eleanor’s ethereal vocals. Beaming love letters to space and back, ‘Sparse’ marries the organic with the artificial, pianos and percussion circling around synth pads and broadcasting bleeps.
Elsewhere, vibrations move faster. ‘Mega’ strikes, fusing sonic tribalism with psychedelic swirls, as ‘Everything’ sweeps you up in its extra-terrestrial new wave grip. Synth stabs and basslines fizzing from every angle.
Demos of Transmission Towers music surfaced on Luke Una’s radar, making him stop in his tracks. Something magical was emerging, perfectly aligned with the E Soul guardian’s tastes. Guidance followed, quickly turning into conversations about Transmission One becoming the first release on Luke’s own label.
Escapist and futurist yet grounded and relatable. Transmission One is synthesis meets sentiment with a deep, spine-tingling soul at its core.
Duo Lucas Brell and Marvin Uhde deliver fire-powered percussion to Osàre! Editions. Longtime friends
and collaborators, they channel a liquid medley of drum menace that flips sideways, swiftly pivoting
between wildly different tempos. As disorientating as it is formidable, Purest State Confusion offers up a
fractal prism of ever-shifting beat patterns – an endlessly warping vortex of guttural, narcotic sounds.
The titular number, a wormhole techno ordeal, builds steadily, layer upon layer. A crystalline dancefloor
pleaser, it subverts classic four-to-the-floor with a delayed kick drum that punctuates every 8th beat. Like
black oil diffusing in water, the bass creeps in menacingly to 'The Disappearer', in hard and fast contrast
with the sharp fluctuations of the amen break. Slamming in mercilessly, 'Channeling Bryn Jones' opens
up the B-side, its fluttering rhythms joining together with an infectious klaxon melody before the IDM
stylings of 'Brain Massage' closes out. Purest State Confusion was recorded at various locations in Leipzig and Berlin.
Final touches and mixing assistance were performed by Mike Bierbach at the WSNWG studios. The pioneering techno producer
inflects the record with his staunch taste for aerobic club rhythmics, teasing out the whirling tempos and
pointillistic harmonics.
"Systolic" was conceived in the aftermath of K.A.L.I.L.'s experience with a stroke. During his hospitalization, he meticulously captured the rhythmic cadence of his own heartbeat during a medical examination, intending to incorporate this unique audio into a potential musical composition. Endeavoring to articulate the myriad emotions he grappled with during the challenging days when half of his body was nearly paralyzed, the song came to fruition.
The composition intricately weaves together the tumultuous thoughts that permeated K.A.L.I.L.'s mind with moments of solace. The distinctive presence of his recorded heartbeats permeates the entire track, rendering it a profoundly special and vibrant narrative of this pivotal moment in his life. Augmented by melodies that poignantly convey elements of fear, love, and self-awareness throughout the ordeal, the rolling bass line sustains an energetic undercurrent, laying the groundwork for a formidable and intense drop that serves as a visceral impact.
New tape from Gabber Eleganza's Never Sleep imprint.
This time its a live recording of Drum & Bass legend / Critical Sound boss Kasra at Fabric with MC's GQ and Mantmast.
The tape is in honour of Shaun Roberts, the sadly departed Fabric booker who was a pivotal figure in the UK's electronic scene. All proceeds go to Bowel Cancer UK
"Fabric played a huge role in shaping me as a music fan and years later became the London home for me and my label. This wouldn’t have happened without the help and support of Shaun Roberts, who left us far to soon in Dec of 2022 after an 18 month battle with colon cancer.
When the Never Sleep crew asked me to contribute to their mix series I knew id like to honour Shaun and help raise some money for Bowel Cancer UK.
Without Shaun and people like him taking chances on people like me the music landscape would look very different.
This is mix is taken from the Critical Sound 15th birthday event in 2017.
- A1: Sugar And Spice Feat Ill Blu
- A2: Stay In Your Lane
- A3: How Did I Get So Calm
- A4: London Boy Feat Frisco
- A5: Roll Wiv Me
- A6: What You Know About That Feat Jme And D Double E
- A7: Get Out The Way Feat Backroad Gee
- A8: Here For Now Feat Not3S
- B1: You Can Have Dat
- B2: Switch And Explode
- B3: Jerk And Jollof
- B4: Swerve And Pivot
- B5: Pov
- B6: Tell Me About It
- B7: Keep That Same Energy Feat P Money And Backroad Gee
- B8: How Does It Feel
Black Vinyl[7,77 €]
Ltd. Yellow+Red Splatter Vinyl
Die unbestrittene britische Musikikone Dizzee Rascal meldet sich mit dem elektrisierenden neuen Album 'Don't Take It Personal' auf seinem neuen Label Big Dirte3 Records Ltd. zurück. Die LP stellt seine besten Arbeiten in den Schatten und ist eine eindrucksvolle Erinnerung daran, wie Dizzee zu seinem legendären Status kam. Es fängt ihn in aufrührerischer Form ein, während er mühelos und mit unvergleichlicher Leichtigkeit durch eine ganze Sammlung an eindeutig britischen Genres fliesst. Dizzees neuestes Werk, das sich auf prahlerische Flows und beeindruckendes Wortspiel konzentriert, ist eine weitere Siegesrunde eine der prägendsten Legenden der Rap-Musik, und während es weiterhin Reime regnet, denkt daran: Es ist nichts Persönliches.
Unleashing a sonic tempest, "Infected Frequencies" by DisX3 marks a pivotal moment for the first release of SE records. A tribute to the artist who ignited the label owner's techno odyssey in Berlin in the end of the 90s, this release is a manifestation of a dream come true. From the moment the needle touches vinyl, the pulse of underground subculture reverberates through your soul. DisX3's mastery crafts a raw, primal energy that's destined for heavy rotation. With each track, "Infected Frequencies" carves a path through uncharted sonic territory. Get ready to be infected.
The release doesn't stop here, as the enigmatic MasCon, delivers remixes with Tresor's resident Mario Berger and SYER, who adds a dark techno version.
Flowers’ is an homage to the journey of my first love, the patience it requires, and the pivotal moment I met my wife. It reflects on our memories and tells the story of the comfort I feel in that relationship.” This new single from Jordan Rakei showcases his affecting vocal and ability to reveal his truest feelings, wrapped in his captivating production.
In the early seventies, Joey Gilmore embarked on his musical journey, captivating audiences with a series of unforgettable singles that showcased his raw talent and unique style. It wasn't until 1977 that the culmination of his musical endeavors arrived—the release of his highly anticipated debut record.
This debut album marked a pivotal moment in Joey Gilmore's career, solidifying his reputation as a self-taught guitar virtuoso and soulful singer. The record resonated with listeners, capturing the essence of his artistry and leaving an indelible impact.
Now, after a 45-year wait, the time has finally come for a vinyl reissue of Joey Gilmore's debut album. This reissue is a celebration of his timeless music, meticulously crafted to preserve the authenticity and integrity of the original recording. Every note, every lyric and the original design of the sleeve has been lovingly restored to transport you back to the magic of that era.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the unadulterated funk and soul of Joey Gilmore's music, as this remarkable reissue brings his debut album back to life. Allow the melodies and rhythms to envelop you, taking you on a captivating musical adventure that transcends time. Revisit the magic, rediscover the artistry, and let the music of Joey Gilmore captivate your soul once again.
- A1: The Mechanical Man - The Magic Number 5 32
- A2: Minimono - Grit Wave 5 14
- A3: Lucretio - Gradius 4 14
- B1: Queen Of Coins - Genesis 5 43
- B2: Miguel Herrnandez - Bad Renaissance 5 29
- B3: Twovi - Galassia Cosmica 4 57
- C1: Data Memory Access - Controller 6 14
- C2: Passarani - Bungy Bungy Bungy 4 52
- C3: Dj Rou - Milky Way 4 43
- D1: Lapucci - One 1St 5 18
- D2: Alexander Robotnick - It's So Easy 5 00
- D3: Feel Fly - Peach 5 36
The Stallions compilations have become a benchmark of Bosconi's position as one of the leading house and techno labels operating out of Italy. This third instalment marks a shift in sound which also comes full circle to the music that first inspired founder Fabio Della Torre as a DJ and producer around the turn of the millennium, when punchy electro production was driving European house and techno into new zones.
All the artists featured on Vol. III are Italian, holding true to Bosconi's commitment to supporting local talent from Florence and across the country. Amongst the familiar faces is Della Torre's own Minimono collaboration with Ennio Colaci, which indulges a proudly manic palette of tweaked bleeps and dirty low-end. Elsewhere, recent additions to the Bosconi fold include veritable legends Alexander Robotnick and Marco Passarani, who infuse their unpredictable approaches to electro-techno and italo disco with ear-snagging synth-pop and driving analogue box jams respectively to create vibrant, impassioned dancefloor monsters.
The Mechanical Man is an alias from Nicola Altieri, who leans in on a classic Italo arpeggio to create a seductive club sound which builds on his recent Bosconi EXV EP, while Cixxx J switches from the mood of his own Bosconi appearance for a new alias Queen Of Coins and a pivot towards heads-down electro-techno-trance with a whiff of International Deejay Gigolos. Lapucci builds on the promise of his 2021 Bosconi 12" with a sentimental fusion track which lands somewhere between old school Italo house, the snappy pulse of EBM and crisp 00s-era electro house. Meanwhile modern day Italian techno legend Lucretio of The Analogue Cops makes his first appearance on Bosconi with the playful video game stylings of 'Gradius'.
A great deal of space on Vol. III is given over to emergent talent, ranging from Miguel Herr's twitchy detroitian synth-pop braindance and Twovi's vocoder-charged electro funk to DJ Rou's jacking ghetto house flavour. Giammarco Orsini and Jacopo Latini appear as Data Memory Access and deliver an emotive, punchy strain of machine soul. Feel Fly rounds the compilation off in bombastic style with an epic, cinematic workout which draws on Moroder-inspired drama without losing the forthright peak-time focus which binds the whole collection together.
Even the artwork on Vol. III serves as an opportunity to celebrate Italian creativity, as pioneering crypto artist Niro Perrone builds on his accomplished work in the field of NFTs and a background in music production to respond intuitively to the vibrant, synthetic sound of the compilation. For all the futurism in the music though, there remains a strong sense of human feeling which has marked Bosconi out since the beginning. The label remains as inspired and inspiring as ever, celebrating the fertile crossover when people manipulate technology to express themselves in an honest, playful way. Independent of wider trends or fashions, Bosconi remains true to its own idiosyncratic passions, and so Bosconi Stallions Vol. III stands proud as a compilation like no other.
- A1: Dj Efx (Beta Test) - Star Trax
- A2: Wechselspannung - 220V (Extract)
- A3: Jupiter 6 - A8
- B1: The Ultraviolet Catastrophe - The Trip (Trip Harder)
- B2: Electroliners - Loose Caboose
- C1: High Lonesome Soundsystem - Champion Sound
- C2: Single Cell Orchestra - I Hear The Dj’s Here
- C3: Jim Hopkins - C’mon Now
- D1: Central Fire - Kamba (The Lost Mix)
- D2: Dj Emma - The Duster (Fuck Off And Dance Mix)
Vol.003[28,53 €]
In the late 1980s, Disco was taking a backseat to the burgeoning psychedelic scene in San Francisco, marking a pivotal shift in musical culture. A dynamic transformation was underway as the younger generation sought a fresh auditory adventure, all while the devastating AIDS epidemic cast a somber pall over the city's nightlife. Amidst this evolving backdrop, a subtle yet distinct sonic movement quietly emerged within the confines of San Francisco’s vibrant club scene, often referred to as "The Beat." Although Hip-Hop, New Wave, Gothic, Punk, and the burgeoning Modern Rock genre held considerable sway, the pre-RAVE clubs in SF witnessed the fusion of these genres into a unique amalgam of sound that insiders dubbed “The Beat.” This musical tapestry encompassed everything from Hip-Hop and Freestyle to Industrial, New Wave, Boogie, Miami Bass, and Techno – the unifying thread being the distinctive vibe that characterised this eclectic mix.
As House, Techno, and Raving gradually gained prominence along the West Coast, a distinctive interpretation of these evolving sounds took root. Drawing inspiration from influential hubs like New York, Chicago, Detroit, Europe, and notably the UK, which saw a wave of talented young DJs migrate to California, San Francisco became the backdrop for its own version of the second Summer of Love. While the exact chronology might spark debate – some recalling '92, while others leaning towards '93 – what remains indisputable is the era spanning from 1990 to 1994, an unparalleled epoch of exuberant dancefloor revelry on the western shores.
In the face of limited backing from major labels or established independent dance music entities of the time, a grassroots movement of labels and producers emerged organically, ardently championing this distinct sound and catapulting it onto the global stage. This sonic identity was deeply influenced by “the Beat,” acting as a creative wellspring that informed the musical landscape. While the tracks compiled in these volumes might not encompass the entirety of this transformative musical epoch, they offer a vivid snapshot of the melodious tapestry that coloured San Francisco and the broader West Coast during that era. Each track featured stands as a 100% Sure Shot that was played heavily by DJ Spun back in those very heady days.
The second installment of this remarkable journey into the underground scene maintains the same profound level of depth and significance as its precursor. Showcasing tracks from Electroliners, High Lonesome Soundsystem, Single Cell Orchestra, DJ Emma, and Spun's own Central Fire project, all harmoniously enclosed within the captivating and arresting artwork by Villain Standard, this release stands shoulder to shoulder with its forerunner. Beyond a mere compilation, it's an indispensable extension of the narrative that has indelibly shaped the culture of underground American dance music within the region, embodying the era and the individuals involved. This is the authentic underground sound that reverberated across San Francisco and its surrounding environs, a truly distinctive and exceptional moment in time and space.
We are delighted to present to you a very special release. Gregor's anthemic „Quiet Distortion“, the titletrack of his album back in 2016, received a very special peaktime remix treatment by Bart Skils. Gregor and Bart have been friends for a long time, so it was a no-brainer to be excited, when Bart told us he is working on a remix. Barts meteoric rise in recent years, kicked off by his fantastic productions and his pivotal role in the Drumcode artist roster, are only the next step in his constant career and the reward for his hard work as he continues to deliver remarkable work as a producer and DJ as well. His version of Quiet Distortion highlights Gregor's songwriting qualities by featuring the original melodies and pushing them to new levels by adding Barts irresistible trademark drumming and also a dramatic arrangement, guaranteed to set every dancefloor on fire!
Nico Motte returns to Antinote with his second album ‘The Missing Person’ after his 2015 introductory EP ‘Rheologia’, 2016’s ‘Life Goes On If You Are Lucky’ LP, and 2017’s ‘18 Rays’ EP collaboration with Zaltan and Raphaël Top-Secret. Truly though, Motte never really left, having been the aesthetic eye for each Antinote artwork since day dot. His visual style would prove pivotal to the labels decade long success in the leftfield music underground. But here Motte shows us once again that his skills don’t solely lie in graphic art.
A bandcamp review of Motte’s first LP reads ‘French late seventies synth-laden electronics of avant garde film soundtracks with a touch of early house, minimalism and Balearic…’
‘The Missing Person’ holds true to that balearic core while adding flavours of lollipop dub, sugary synth and Martin Denny-esque Exotica. Synth-Pop from a tropical island. Perhaps The Missing Person here is the album’s protagonist themself, having sailed away from the trivialities of urban life to lay on a white sand beach somewhere warm, drinking fresh coconut water and not giving a shit. A laissez-faire attitude.
Underneath the cool sonic facade of ‘The Missing Person’ Motte effortlessly meanders through pastel sounds drawn from an extensive collection of vintage synthesisers, drum machines and effects units at Synth City. The result: a smooth textured continuous listen of an ear off to somewhere far… island life perhaps? perhaps urban life in need of reprieve.
- A1: Garbage Day #3
- A2: Get-U-Now
- A3: What A N*Gga Know?
- B1: Sweet Premium Wine
- B2: Plumskinzz (Loose Hoe, God & Cupid)
- B3: Smokin’ That S*#%
- C1: Contact Blitt
- C2: Gimme
- C3: Black Bastards!
- D1: It Sounded Like A Roc
- D2: Plumskinzz (Oh No I Don’t Believe It!)
- D3: Constipated Monkey
- D4: F*#@ Wit’ Ya Head
- D5: Suspended Animation
Black Vinyl[30,67 €]
Before MF DOOM donned his mask and became one of the most prolific MC-producers of modern Hip-Hop, he was a member of KMD, an early ‘90s rap group whose work still goes criminally under-appreciated to this day.
Following their 1991 debut album, Mr. Hood, the former trio shed one member leaving only two remaining – Subroc and his brother, Zev Love X (better known today as MF DOOM). Originally scheduled for release in 1994, their sophomore album Black Bastards showed clear progression from their debut. It was a truly amazing record, both sonically and lyrically, full of youthful creativity and tinged with the stresses of growing up as Black men in urban America. Songs like the lead single “What A N*gga Know”, the slippery, bass-driven “Get U Now”, and the album’s title track explore Black consciousness viewed through young-but-experienced eyes. Musically alternating between bouncy and raw – many times both, concurrently – the tracks gave the MC’s the springboard they needed to express themselves clearly.
Sadly, Subroc would face a sudden and untimely death in 1993, just as the duo were finishing the album. Grief-stricken, his brother Zev Love X – now the sole remaining member of the group – was determined to carry the legacy of KMD onward, but Elektra Records unceremoniously shelved the project in the eleventh hour, due to controversy surrounding the album’s provocative cover art. Following the fallout with Elektra, Zev tried for years to release the album on other labels, but he was continually met with dead ends. Struggling through the pain of losing his brother, coupled with the inability to release their final project together, a discouraged Zev Love X quietly withdrew from the scene and began quietly plotting his revenge on an industry that had broken him spiritually. Thus, in order to understand the true origin story of the super-villain, MF DOOM, one must recognize and appreciate the evolution of his former group, KMD, and the backstory of their pivotal album, Black Bastards.
(Produced, Arranged and Conducted by Claus Ogerman)
Not long after the dawn of her career, as a teenager in Rio de Janeiro, Joyce was declared “one of the greatest singers” by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Yet despite reputable accolades and the fact that she has since recorded over thirty acclaimed albums, Joyce never quite achieved the international recognition of the likes of Jobim, João Gilberto and Sergio Mendes, all of whom became global stars after releasing with major labels in the US.
There was a moment when it seemed she might be on the cusp of an international breakthrough. While living in New York, Joyce was approached by the great German producer Claus Ogerman. Ogerman had already played a pivotal role in the development and popularisation of Brazilian music in the 1960s, recording with some of the all-time greats like Jobim and João Gilberto, as well as North American idols like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Bill Evans.
"I met him in New York City, in 1977”, recalls Joyce. “I was living and playing there, and João Palma, Brazilian drummer who used to play with Jobim, introduced me to Claus. We had an audition, he liked what we were doing and decided to produce an album with us.”
Featuring fellow Brazilian musicians Mauricio Maestro (who wrote/co-wrote four of the songs), Nana Vasconcelos and Tutty Moreno, and some of the most in-demand stateside players including Michael Brecker, Joe Farrell and Buster Williams, the recordings for Natureza took place at Columbia Studios and Ogerman produced the album, provided the arrangements and conducted the orchestra.
But mysteriously, Natureza was never released, and what should have been Joyce’s big moment never happened. As Joyce remembers, “I returned home, but Claus and I remained in contact, by letters and phone calls. He was very enthusiastic about the album and tried to hook me up with Michael Franks. He wanted me to go back to NYC in order to re-record the vocals in English with new lyrics, which I actually wasn’t too happy about. But then I got pregnant with my third child and could not leave Brazil. And little by little our contact became rare, until I lost track of him completely. And that was it. I never heard from him again."
While Claus was known to be something of an elusive character, the album’s disappearance might also have been a result of timing. The Brazilian craze was coming to an end, making way for disco and new wave at the end of the seventies, and Ogerman struggled to find a major label interested in a new Brazilian sensation. Additionally, as Joyce mentions, it wasn’t quite finished. Ogerman wanted to add finishing touches to the mix and to record alternative English lyrics for the US and international markets - a critical artistic difference between Joyce and Ogerman.
As the military dictatorship’s grip on Brazil began to subside in the 1980s, Joyce had a handful of hits in her home county, including a tribute to her daughters ‘Clareana’, and the iconic ‘Feminina’ - an intergenerational conversation between mother and daughter about what it means to be a woman. But already a feminist pioneer, these successes were hard fought. Joyce had caused controversy as a nineteen-year-old when she became the first in Brazil to sing from the first-person feminine perspective, and the institutional sexism she faced was worsened by the dictatorship who would often censor her music. Even once the Junta was out of the way, Joyce found herself up against the male-dominated major record companies in Brazil, who sought to dictate her career and sexualise her image, before dropping her for refusing to play along.
A few years after the success of her albums Feminina and Agua E Luz in Brazil, Joyce’s music began to find its way to the UK, Europe and Japan, and “Feminina” and “Aldeia de Ogum” became classics on the underground jazz-dance scenes of the mid to late-eighties and early-nineties.
The full-length version of “Feminina” from the Natureza sessions was first heard on a Brazilian Jazz compilation in 1999 and “Descompassadamente” was licensed for a CD compiling the work of Claus Ogerman in 2002. Following these, word began to get out about an unreleased Joyce album with Claus Ogerman and the legend of Natureza grew.
Forty-five years since it was recorded, Natureza finally sees the light of day, as Joyce intended: with her own Portuguese lyrics and vocals. Featuring the fabled 11-minute version of ‘Feminina’, as well as the never before heard ‘Coração Sonhador’ composed and performed by Mauricio Maestro, Natureza’s release is a landmark in Brazilian music history and represents a triumphant, if overdue victory for Joyce as an outspoken female artist who has consistently refused to bow to patriarchal pressure.
***Disclaimer! While “Feminina” and “Descompassadamente'' were mixed by legendary engineer Al Schmitt and mastered from the original master tapes, the remaining five tracks are unmixed. Due to significant deterioration of the master-tapes, the best audio source for these tracks was an unmixed tape copy Joyce had kept of the recordings. The best care has been taken in the restoration and mastering of this release, but the sound quality may differ from other releases on Far Out Recordings. We advise listening to sound clips before buying where possible.
Repress!
incl Adam Beyer & Layton Giordani Remix
Sam Paganini’s ‘Rave’ was a huge record for Drumcode. It was a defining moment for the label as well as being a pivotal release in the club techno movement of the last decade. When originally released in 2014 it became an instant anthem for techno fans and DJ’s alike but it also forged a path into the mainstream with mass support coming from all sides of the electronic spectrum. Since that 2014 release ‘Rave’ has generated more than 100 million streams; a testament to its global popularity and appeal.
Here we see Adam Beyer and Layton Giordani unite to remix this illustrious title - bringing a fresh and dynamic 2022 perspective to it.
‘Rave' remixed by Adam Beyer and Layton Giodani, respectfully nurtures the iconic essence of the original mix, including the signature riff, but it does so while also dramatically increasing the heart rate with more drive, energy, power and punch.
The original breakdown and famous ‘tricked you!’ drop has now evolved into a more marked double break with the second one now including a haunting war cry before that instantly recognisable burst of staccato melody pulls you back into trademark Beyer / Giordani pounding beats.
A crowd driving highlight from all of Adam and Layton’s recent headline shows - this remix is beyond peak time music. Add to that the extensive list of early headliner support and we have what is clearly set to be a year defining track of the incoming Summer.
Single release from the forthcoming album “Catharsis”, produced by Sven Va¨th & Gregor Tresher The second release before the upcoming mighty new Sven Va¨th album “Catharsis” gives you another hint at what´s coming at you! Let us tell you, we couldn´t be more excited for everyone to finally experience Sven´s new masterpiece! But before we unleash the beast, we decided to release a second single. This time containing two absolute highlight tracks. If you have heard Sven playing in the past months, you will recognize both, as they were pivotal moments in almost every set! First up we have “Mystic Voices“, a track that was created during the early stages of the album production with Sven gathering ideas and words to finally record the unmistakable vocals during a hectic tour through India, and Gregor spending days and nights on the other side of the planet in his studio to process the stream of inspiration. When the two finally sat down together in the studio, the track emerged quickly. Some would call the instant vibe that magic that every creative mind is longing to find. “Butoh” is a raw and dark force, influenced by Japanese dance, an art form that deeply touched Sven during his travels on Nippon Island. It´s an otherworldly sounding track, still based in the Techno Realm but heavily twisted by a long break that introduces Japanese percussions that eventually get topped by the haunting vocals of Cana Hatsushiba.
Siedah Garrett's seminal 1985 classic 'Do You Want It Right Now' receives 3 new incredible remixes from Dr Packer, BluePrint and Jolyon Petch.
Dr Packer delivers a truly funk-worthy re-work injecting a barrage of the smoothest soul-laced sonics for an early 90s house meets nu disco cut.
Jolyon Petch ramps up the funk with infectious guitar licks and groove-laden bass for his 'Elektrik Disko Mix’.
Burgeoning British producer and Stress Records artist BluePrint drops a rolling progressive house / melodic techno hedonistic dancefloor cut, re-working the classic with absolute finesse with sleek piano work floating euphorically around the iconic lyrics.
Most famous for her song writing credits on Michael Jackson's 'Man in The Mirror', as well as a duet on Jackson's 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You' and 'Don't Look Any Further' with Dennis Edwards, it's no surprise that Siedah Garrett's long career has cemented her as one the most iconic names from the 80's. 'Do You Want It Right Now' which featured in the 1985 movie 'Fast Forward' has been sampled over the years by the likes of Armand Van Helden and covered by Degrees of Motion and this iconic anthem is still considered as one of the game changers during the pivot into the 'Freestyle' movement during the 80's.
DJ Support across the mixes from Danny Howard, Mark Knight, Breakbot, Rudimental, Claptone, Jamie Jones, Sam Divine, Oliver Heldens, Riva Starr, Alaia & Gallo, Judge Jules, Mousse T, Joachim Garraud, Kevin McKay, Russell / Freemasons, Paco Osuna, Oliver Dollar.
Leftwing : Kody have have enjoyed huge success on Toolroom since releasing their hit 'I Feel It' back in 2019. The single went on to rack up over 20m streams on Spotify alone and played a pivotal part in the London based duo signing a recording deal with major label giants, Columbia.
‘If You Wanna’ follows in a similar path with it's old school piano flavours and insanely hooky vocals which create that uplifting fee-good energy that we all need right now!
a A1 - If You Wanna Extended Mix
We celebrate our 20th release on Amphia with "Shattered Glass", a new EP from Amorf.
The first track, "Glass", debuts with a subtle piano motif that sets the mood, paving the way for a wide array of musical instruments to come into play. Throughout its steady development, rich modular sounds, rhythmical bass sequences, and synthesizer lead sounds can be easily discerned. A pivotal point of the track is its middle part, defined by the intertwining of a second rhodes motif and a distorted synth lead. Going full circle the track ends with a similar motif. "Shattered" is mostly based on improvisation and spur of the moment ideas. Quirky break beats and dense textural pads blend together to create an exciting pattern that immerses you further into the soundscape. The arrangement is a bit more straightforward and, because of that, the track's dynamics keep you invested from beginning to end.
2025 Repress
On his fourth album proper, Now Here No Where, Danish producer Kölsch (aka Rune Reilly Kölsch) is charting new terrain. Fans of his ‘years trilogy’ – 1977, 1983 and 1989, released on Kompakt over the past decade – were privy to a kind of sonic diary, an autobiography, tracking the artist’s early years through three albums of superior, meticulously rendered techno. Calling in collaborators where needed – most notably, the strings of Gregor Schwellenbach – there was still something deeply personal going down, not quite hermetic, but internally focused; the albums proved not only Kölsch’s mastery of his chosen form, but also his capacity to make techno personal, individual, and to trace histories of the self through music. But on Now Here No Where, Kölsch finds his feet firmly planted in the present. Reflecting on his new album, he notes, “It is fascinating to write about memories and feelings that have had years to manifest and develop, but how would I approach current emotions?” It’s a good question: our past coheres through the narratives we build around memories, but the moment we’re in, the newness of the now-ness, is harder to navigate; this story is as yet untold. For Kölsch, this makes Nowhere Now Here “an album about life in the year 2020. A time defined by confusion, misinformation and environmental challenges. It is an emotional interpretation of personal and mental challenges, observations and personal growth.” Kölsch does this with music that effortlessly balances emotional heft with the dancefloor’s brimming desires. It’s a space that Kölsch has navigated for a while now – one of techno’s breakthrough acts, an in-demand DJ across the globe and a prolific and restlessly creative producer, he’s also Kompakt’s biggest-selling act – but Now Here No Where ratchets up the lushness, making for a delirious drift across twelve tracks that are at once perfectly poised and deeply trippy. “Great Escape” is an elegant swoon, an opener that pivots on a sigh and a prayer; then “Shoulder Of Giants” bustles into view, subliminal clatter and an aching violin line giving way to a riff that glows with fluorescence and iridescence. “Remind You” combines an odd ECM jazziness with notes from a twenty-first century torch song; “Sleeper Must Awaken” mines huge buzzing synths and lets them float, in and out of sync, with reduced, ticking beats; “Traumfabrik” (dream factory – there’s a giveaway) is oddly lush, the tones malleable and plastic, morphing across a glitching undertow. There are sad, emotional washes of strings throughout the penultimate “While Waiting For Something To Care About”, while “Romtech User Manual”’s patterns twist and shape in the light. Throughout, Kölsch never keeps his eye off the dancefloor, and you can tell this is his still his home. “The amount of energy and joy I experience every time I perform, has a profound effect on me. It has inspired me so much of late and has become an integral part of my musicality.” “The way we join in expressing our hope for the future every weekend has given me so much,” Kölsch concludes. The club as a temporary autonomous zone, as a space both of freedom and of politics; somehow, that’s all here, Now Here No Where. “Most of all, it is an album about hope.”
Auf seinem vierten Album “Now Here No Where” betritt der dänische Produzent Kölsch (alias Rune Reilly Kölsch) neues Terrain. Seine Trilogie mit den Jahreszahlen 1977, 1983 und 1989, die in den letzten zehn Jahren bei Kompakt erschienen war, hatte seine Fans durch eine Art akustisches Tagebuch, eine Autobiografie geführt, die die frühen Jahre des Künstlers über die Länge von drei großartig produzierten Techno-Alben nachgezeichnet hatte. Wo es nötig war, wurden Kollaborateure hinzugezogen - allen voran für die Streicher, arrangiert von Gregor Schwellenbach -, dennoch zeichnete die Musik immer auch etwas zutiefst Persönliches aus, etwas nicht Hermetisches, auf eine bestimmte Art immer auch nach Innen fokussiert. Die Alben bewiesen nicht nur, wie sehr Kölsch die von ihm gewählte äußere Form beherrscht, sondern auch seine Fähigkeit, Techno zu etwas Persönlichem und Individuellem zu machen und der eigene Geschichte durch Musik näher zu kommen.
Auf “Now Here No Where” steht Kölsch nun mit beiden Beinen fest auf dem Boden der Gegenwart. Mit Blick auf sein neues Album stellt er fest: "Es ist faszinierend, über Erinnerungen und Gefühle zu schreiben, die Zeit hatten, sich zu manifestieren und zu entwickeln, aber wie nähere ich mich meinen aktuellen Emotionen?”. Eine gute Frage: Unsere Vergangenheit wird im Innersten zusammengehalten durch Geschichten, die aus Erinnerungen entstehen, aber der Moment, in dem wir uns befinden, die Neuheit des Neuen, ist schwieriger zu beschreiben; die Geschichte ist noch nicht erzählt. Für Kölsch ist “No Here Now Where” daher "ein Album über das Leben im Jahr 2020. Eine Zeit, die von Verwirrung, Desinformation und ökologischen Herausforderungen geprägt ist. Es geht dabei um die emotionale Interpretation von persönlichen und mentalen Herausforderungen, von Beobachtungen und der eigenen, individuellen Weiterentwicklung".
Kölsch tut dies mit Musik, die mühelos kleine Gefühlsausbrüche mit den großen Sehnsüchten der Tanzfläche in Einklang bringt. Es ist dieser Zwischenraum, in dem sich Kölsch schon seit einiger Zeit bewegt, als weltweit gefragter und gefeierter Live Act, DJ und so unermüdlicher wie kreativer Produzent (nicht umsonst ist Kölsch der “biggest-selling-artist” bei Kompakt), doch “Now Here No Where” treibt all das noch weiter auf die Spitze: ein enormer Sog entsteht, der uns über zwölf Tracks hinweg gefangen hält wie ein perfekt ausbalancierter Trip. Der Opener "Great Escape" ist pure Eleganz, ein Track, der irgendwo zwischen Seufzer und Gebet hin und her schwankt; dann drängt "Shoulder Of Giants" ins Blickfeld, ein unterschwelliges Geklapper, eine wehende Geige, schließlich ein schillernder Riff, der in der Dunkelheit zu leuchten und zu glühen scheint.
"Remind You" kombiniert seltsamen ECM-Jazz mit einem sentimentalen Liebeslied des 21. Jahrhunderts; "Sleeper Must Awaken" schürft im Bergwerk riesiger Synthesizer, mal im Takt, mal aus dem Takt ticken die minimalen Beats; "Traumfabrik" ist ungewöhnlich “lush”, die einzelnen Töne, geschmeidig und modelliert, zerfließen in einem glitzernden Abgrund. Das vorletzte Stück "While Waiting For Something To Care About" wird von traurigen, emotionalen Strings untermalt, während sich die Strukturen von "Romtech User Manual" im Licht drehen und immer wieder neu formieren. Die ganze Zeit über behält Kölsch die Tanzfläche im Auge, und man merkt ihm an, dass sie immer noch sein Zuhause ist: "Die Menge an Energie und Freude, die ich bei jedem Auftritt erlebe, hat eine tiefe Wirkung auf mich. Sie hat mich gerade in letzter Zeit stark inspiriert und ist zu einem integralen Bestandteil meiner Musik geworden.”
"Die Art und Weise, wie wir an jedem Wochenende gemeinsam unsere Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft zum Ausdruck bringen, hat mir viel gegeben", so Kölsch abschließend. Die Vision des Clubs als eine temporäre autonome Zone, als ein Raum von großer Freiheit aber auch von politischen Ideen, das ist irgendwie alles hier drin, Now Here No Where. "Es ist vor allem ein Album über Hoffnung."
Mannequin's 100th - a comp looking forward featuring an international and serious cast... BIG TIP!
The modern synthwave scene would be significantly poorer without the keen ear and tireless efforts of the Mannequin label run by Alessandro Adriani. Geographically situated within the nerve centers of Rome and Berlin, yet with a musical spirit that easily transcends these boundary lines, Mannequin's back catalog has been an important component in the modular assemblage that makes up electronics-based independent music in the 21st century, and an important reference point for those who need to defend against the lazy accusations that this such is purely retro' in its form and content. Recent accolades and accomplishments - being named Resident Advisor's label of the month' for May of this year, starting the 'Death of the Machines' 12' series, and being given the 'green light' for bi-monthly parties at the Säule room in Berghain - have been earned through Mannequin's unflagging commitment to sonic diversity and Adriani's own realization that the anxious and sharp-edged sounds associated with, say, the Cold War of the 1980s can convey a completely different message today. Adriani says it best when claiming that there is no such thing as 'old' or 'new' music...only the music of now'. With this cogent statement of intent, Mannequin continues to go on exploratory missions to find the best and most relevant aspects of genres like acid, industrial, EBM, post-punk, coldwave and still more.
Which brings us to Mannequin's newest project and 100th release overall: the Waves of the Future double LP compilation, which itself is not a conventional retrospective collection. Case in point - none of the artists appearing on this collection have put out their own releases on Mannequin yet, despite acting as Mannequin's unofficial ambassadors (via DJ sets and other means). This makes the set even more compelling rather than less so, since it shows how Mannequin fits into a larger picture that includes other scene leaders and label owners including Beau Wanzer, Willie Burns (WT Records), Silent Servant (Jealous God) and Ron Morelli (L.I.E.S.). Of equal importance is how Waves of the Future projects a sense of aesthetic resilience and continuity, showcasing just how well the current artists allied with Mannequin employ and re-interpret the sonic lexicon that appears on that label's reissues of 'classic' acts such as Nocturnal Emissions, Bourbonese Qualk, Din A Testbild and Doris Norton.
However, none of this would matter as much if the music itself didn't have strong potential for lighting a blaze in the dark corners of the human imagination, and of course for forcing bodies into motion. Each track here pivots around a couple of key sound elements that seem to set the stage for the next track to come: see the sputtering / chopped ghost voices on Morelli's Charges Won't Stick,' which easily informs the slicing drone and authoritarian beat of Shawn O' Sullivan's Ill Fit,' which then lays down the emotional foundation for the sequencer-powered With You' from An-I & Adriani or the glassy landscape of Illum Sphere's Exhaustion'. Elsewhere, the wired mischief of Not Waving intersects easily with the spherical electro-funk and coded commands of Beau Wanzer. When all the disparate parts of Waves of the Future are soldered together, it perfectly illustrates Mannequin's non-linear philosophy and Adriani's suggestion that Mannequin listeners directly engage with the music rather than trying too hard to analyze or dissect it.
We welcome our very own Kessell to Pole Group Recordings, being a pivotal part of the Spanish techno scene with his project Exium with Hector Sandoval, he runs his label Granulart curating the repertoire with the best producers out there. Now is time for his debut as a solo artist with this four tracker, including three original tracks and a Reeko remix.
First cut is Cloned motions, a relentless number made of an obsessive sequence that runs over a percussive sea of sharp elements that grow in space with reverberated washes and a continuous arrangement. A mental exercise.
Chains of abstraction goes more bleepy, with a low filtered start that soon is filled with cosmic sinoidal sequences running all over the track while drums mutate and take turns to add an alien groove to the overal feel.
B side track one is for Reeko, remixing Sensorium, opaque kick drums, subtle sequences and white noise drones combine their movements in a dense exercise that fills every possible frequencies in the sound spectrum.
The original mix of Sensorium is based on bell like fm synth lines, lots of reverb, noise crescendos and an hypnotic groove below to keep things movable.
A precission work from the hands of a veteran expert producer.
- A1: The Gathering
- A2: She Wants Me
- A3: Pants On Fire
- A4: War & Peace
- B1: Luva Changer
- B2: Samba
- B3: After Hours (Extended Euro Mix)
In the vibrant, post-millennial landscape of independent hip-hop, few collective names commanded as much respect as the Living Legends. A monumental alliance of some of the West Coast's most respected solo artists—including Murs, The Grouch, Eligh, Aesop, Bicasso, Luckyiam, Sunspot Jonz, and Arata—the crew's 2008 album, The Gathering, served as a powerful declaration of their unity and enduring relevance.
The Gathering was a snapshot of a legendary crew working at the peak of their collaborative power. The project masterfully weaves together the diverse styles of its eight members, moving effortlessly from the conscious storytelling of Murs to the soulful, introspective flow of The Grouch and Eligh, and the abstract lyrical dexterity of Aesop. The production, handled largely within the collective, provides a lush, sample-heavy, and distinctly West Coast soundscape that perfectly complements the lyrical fireworks. Tracks like the anthemic title track "The Gathering" and the legendary posse cut "After Hours" showcase the organic chemistry that made the Living Legends a seminal force in underground music.
For the first time ever, this pivotal album is being officially pressed on vinyl. This highly anticipated Record Store Day 2026 release finally delivers The Gathering to the format its rich, soulful production has always deserved. This limited edition pressing is presented on striking Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl, a perfect visual complement to the album's crisp, refreshing sound.
A crucial artifact of independent hip-hop history, The Gathering on vinyl is an essential addition for fans who have supported the Living Legends for decades and a must-have for vinyl collectors looking to own a tangible piece of the era's best crew collaborations. Don't miss the chance to own this definitive, first-ever vinyl pressing of a true underground classic.
Niels Orens is an electronic producer and live performer working at the intersection of acoustic instrumentation and immersive electronic sound design, creating deeply textural compositions that prioritize atmosphere, space, and emotional weight overtraditional song structures. "Never Again EP" expands on the introspective tone of slow night/s, pushing further into rhythm and sonic detail while exploring themes of alienation, loneliness, and quiet internal violence.
After successful collaborations with Max Cooper, the new EP marks a pivotal moment in Orens' evolution. "Never Again EP" forms the foundation of a new live chapter currently unfolding across Europe, while signaling a deeper dive into experimentation, texture, and the evolving dialogue between acoustic sound and electronic manipulation.
- 1: Gypsy Woman
- 2: Little Anna Mae
- 3: I Can't Be Satisfied
- 4: I Feel Like Going Home
- 5: Train Fare Home
- 6: Sittin' Here And Drinkin
- 7: You're Gonna Miss Me (When I'm Dead And Gone)
- 8: Mean Red Spider
- 9: Streamline Woman
- 10: Muddy Jumps One
- 11: Little Geneva
- 12: Canary Bird
- 13: Screamin' And Cryin
- 14: Where's My Woman Been
- 15: Rollin' And Tumblin' Part 1
- 16: Rollin' And Tumblin' Part 2
The Definitive Origins of the Chicago Electric Blues. Witness the birth of a legend. This essential collection captures Muddy Waters at the most pivotal moment of his career: the transition from a Mississippi Delta traveler to the "King of Chicago Blues." Muddy Waters was an ambitious young man who saw little future in Mississippi. In 1943, he headed for the bright lights, big city of Chicago, where he soon connected with blues giant Big Bill Broonzy, who began featuring Muddy as an opening act at his club dates. Within a year, Muddy had switched to electric guitar and formed his first blues combo, quickly becoming an established figure on Chicago's club scene. In 1947, Muddy came to the attention of the fledgling Aristocrat Records, just as Leonard Chess-then running a nightclub called the Macomba Lounge-invested in the company. Working frequently with pianist Sunnyland Slim, Muddy recorded a split session with him for Aristocrat in December 1947. This collection begins there: eight Aristocrat 78 rpm releases (sixteen sides), recorded between 1948 and 1950 and presented here in chronological order of release. Just three years later, Leonard and his brother Phil Chess would buy out Aristocrat's remaining partners and rename the label Chess Records-ushering in a new era of Chicago blues that would reverberate around the world. Includes extensive liner notes by Muddy Waters expert Fred Rothwell.
2025 Reissue.
Münchenbuchsee, a suburb of Bern, Switzerland. Stephan Eicher is the youngest of three children. His father, a radio and TV repairman, is also a jazz violinist and a sound tinkerer in his spare time. In the family home's converted fallout shelter turned studio, Mr. Eicher experiments with homemade sequencers, tortures handcrafted drum machines, and abuses reel-to-reel tape recorders—all under the fascinated gaze of young Stephan.
The boy quickly develops a musical curiosity, exploring sound through various experiments and wanderings. Alongside his younger brother Martin, Stephan crafts audio plays on a homemade multi-track recorder (essentially several cassette decks hooked together!), which they write, record, add sound effects to, and perform for family and friends. Just a couple of nice kids, really...
Then comes 1972, and Lou Reed's Transformer album changes everything for the Eicher kids. For 13-year-old Stephan, it's a revelation—especially "Vicious", the opening track, which he plays on repeat for months. He convinces his father to buy him an electric guitar. Not stopping there, his father also builds him a tube amp using an old radio.
Then comes adolescence. A rough one. Stephan leaves home at 16 and moves to Zurich. With obvious artistic talent, he persuades his art teacher to help him get into F+F, a radical, alternative art school—despite his young age. Accepted, he starts learning video techniques, determined to become a filmmaker.
At F+F, Stephan organizes Dada-style happenings and concerts with a group of friends known as the Noise Boys. Among them: one of his teachers on bass, Veit Stauffer on drums (who would later found ReR/Recommended Records), his girlfriend Sacha on vocals, and Stephan on guitar. In one of their early performances, they release a remote-controlled mouse covered in dull razor blades into the audience to create panic and chaos. Keeping with this aggressive, confrontational spirit, they once played a concert while wearing headphones blasting Tristan and Isolde, trying to perform their own songs simultaneously—to maximize the cacophony. The goal was always the same: clear the room.
Their “songs,” if you can call them that, followed suit. Take "Hungeriges Afrika", for instance—performed entirely with power drills and some drum feedback.
To make ends meet, Stephan returns to Bern on weekends to work as a waiter at the Spex Club, the city’s main punk venue. On September 16, 1980, during a show by proto-electro group Starter, the police raid the club and arrest everyone. Stephan, who manages to avoid arrest, seizes the opportunity to “borrow” Starter’s gear left behind. He suddenly finds himself in possession of a Roland Promars synth, a Korg MS20, and a gorgeous CR78 drum machine, which he runs through a Big Muff distortion pedal to get that perfect gritty sound.
He then sets out to reinterpret some Noise Boys tracks, reworking them during impromptu sessions recorded on a dictaphone (yes, a dictaphone—now the lo-fi sound makes more sense, doesn’t it?). He ironically titles the resulting cassette "Stephan Eicher spielt Noise Boys" ("Stephan Eicher plays Noise Boys"). This gem features seven tracks, which are the ones reissued here.
Back in Zurich, he visits his friends Andrew Moore and Robert Vogel, who have a DIY cassette duplication setup. They make 25 copies of Stephan Eicher spielt Noise Boys for Stephan and his friends. Robert encourages him to visit Urs Steiger of Off Course Records and play him the tape.
Without much hope, Stephan shows up at Urs’s office. But Urs is instantly hooked and suggests releasing a 7” single. Due to space constraints, they reluctantly drop two of the seven tracks ("Hungeriges Afrika" and "One Second"). As for the musical score featured on the cover—it was randomly chosen and remains a mystery to this day. Calling all music theory nerds!
The 7-inch is pressed in 750 copies and released in the first week of December 1980—a date Stephan remembers well, as it’s the same week John Lennon was killed. Smartly, Urs sends a promo copy to François Murner, Switzerland’s answer to John Peel, who hosts a show on alternative station Sounds. Murner falls in love with the record and starts giving it airtime. To Stephan’s surprise, sales follow—and people actually seem interested in his music.
Even this modest underground success scares Stephan a bit. He stops making music for a year and moves to Bologna, where he works as a programmer at Radio Città, a feminist radio station.
Meanwhile, Stephan’s younger brother Martin, who’s also involved in the punk scene, joins the band Glueams as a singer and guitarist. Glueams, named after the fanzine run by two of its members (drummer Marco Repetto and bassist GT), eventually rebrands as Grauzone. Stephan is invited to their shows to project hacked Super 8 visuals live on stage.
Urs Steiger, now working on a compilation titled Swiss Wave – The Album, asks Grauzone to contribute alongside bands like Liliput, Jack and the Rippers, The Sick, and Ladyshave (Fall 1980).
For the album, Martin tasks Stephan with producing their recording sessions. Under Stephan's artistic direction, two tracks emerge: "Raum" and "Eisbär". During "Eisbär", Martin plays a minimalist bass line borrowed from post-punk band The Feelies (just an open string). Drummer Marco Repetto struggles to keep time. Later that evening, unhappy with the takes, Stephan builds a four-bar drum loop from a ¼-inch tape and uses it instead of the flawed original. He then adds bleepy synths and wind sounds to complete the track’s icy vibe before handing it over to Urs.
The Swiss Wave – The Album compilation is released quietly at first, but things snowball thanks to "Eisbär", which eventually becomes a smash hit—selling over 600,000 singles.
Meanwhile, Stephan plays in a rockabilly band called SMUV (named after Switzerland’s social security agency) and begins producing artists, including the debut album of Starter (1981), which includes a more pop-oriented version of "Minijupe".
By early 1982, Stephan starts spending time with the post-punk girl band Liliput (formerly Kleenex). They’re older than him, and he happily drives them around in his Renault Major, acting as their roadie.
By 1983, Grauzone—signed to the major label EMI, which turned out to be a misstep—is falling apart. Stephan begins to pivot toward a more mainstream pop sound with his debut solo album Les Chansons Bleues.
But that... is already another story.
Formed in Taipei in 2013, Scattered Purgatory (破地獄) has occupied a liminal space between drone, ambient, psychedelic folk and ritualistic kosmiche experimentation. Their early work, including ‘Lost Ethnography of the Miscanthus Ocean’ (2014) and ‘God of Silver Grass’ (2016), blended dense instrumental drones, improvisational guitar, and ambient textures rooted in the heat, humidity, and urban pulse of Taiwan. Over the years, the duo-turned-band has drawn on Krautrock, minimalist electronic music, and heavy drone traditions while remaining firmly grounded in Taiwanese geography and culture.
‘Post Purgatory’ emerges after a three-year hiatus following the pandemic, a period the band describes as pivotal to the album’s conception. “The feeling of loss and uncertainty has later become the inspiration of this record, and ‘time’ is the main theme – it can heal or it can destroy,” they explain. Musically and lyrically, the record traverses Taiwanese, traditional Chinese, and English, reflecting the multilingual fabric of Taipei life. While there isn’t a linear storyline, metaphor and poetry imbue the lyrics with reflections on love, loss, and the human experience, interlaced with influences of Hokkien and Mando pop and traces of trip-hop.
Recorded half in their home and half at the studio where they composed their first album, ‘Post Purgatory' integrates precision, clarity, and digital production techniques. Guest contributions—from White Wu’s dynamic drumming to Minyen Hsieh’s tenor saxophone and dotzio’s sci-fi-infused vocals—expand the band’s sonic palette, creating a doom metal record shaped by electronic sensibilities.
‘Post Purgatory’ is a statement of loss and re-empowerment, a bridge between their past and present. Through it, Scattered Purgatory reclaim their distinctive voice, presenting a sound that is at once rooted in Taiwan, informed by global musical traditions, and unflinchingly forward-looking.
credits
- A1: Ghidrah
- A2: Partes Nada
- A3: Nos Deixei
- B1: Choros (Edit)
- B2: Choros (Club)
- B3: Sigilo (Megamix)
Bruno Silva, operating here under his restless Serpente alias, returns with Visita do Fogo — a sharp, stripped-back and incendiary counterpoint to the drifting, dream-jazz abstractions of Dias da Aranha. If that record floated like smoke, this one crackles and snaps like dry wood.
Visita do Fogo finds Silva stepping back into the heat of his beat-driven origins, embracing a raw, forward-leaning approach that feels closer to his live detonation than a studio construction. The record is built on stark materials — drum fragments, percussive jolts, scorched-earth loops — all manipulated with his unmistakable “screw” instincts: micro-cuts, sudden pivots, rhythmic false floors and the sense that the track might turn itself inside-out at any moment.
Rather than smoothing edges or leaning into atmospherics, Serpente doubles down on urgency. Each piece moves through the record with a chop-and-go physicality, a kind of ritual propulsion that never settles into comfort. Silva’s rhythmic language remains entirely his own: crooked but precise, feral yet meticulous, rooted in dance structures but constantly mutating away from them.
Visita do Fogo is less a sequel to Dias da Aranha than a flare shot into the same night sky — brighter, hotter, and designed to leave afterimages. It captures an artist burning forward, shedding everything unnecessary, trusting the flame.
- 1: Flatulent
- 2: Two
- 3: Timeaftatime
- 4: Suckas
- 5: The Rapper
- 6: Papsmear
- 7: Fbi
- 8: The Archer
- 9: J-O-B
Dudley Perkins, aka Declaime, is a visionary wordsmith and sonic architect who has been a pivotal figure in the underground hip-hop scene since the mid-90s. Renowned for his introspective lyricism, intricate rhyme patterns, and innovative production techniques, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre. Declaime's music is a fusion of soulful samples, jazzy undertones, and raw, unfiltered emotion.
His ability to seamlessly blend intricate beats with thought-provoking verses has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Throughout his career, Declaime has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Madlib, Oh No, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Flying Lotus, knxwledge, Aloe Blacc, Kankick, Saul Williams, Latoya Williams, Hudson Mohawk, Casual and many other notable names. His solo projects and collaborative efforts have left an enduring impact on the hip-hop landscape, inspiring countless artists and shaping the sound of future generations.Dudley has unveiled his latest 9-track album titled "Flatulent," set to be released on the esteemed Urbnet label. The album, produced by German beat maker and producer Der Brxwnsxn, highlights Declaime's signature blend of intricate rhythms, haunting samples, and ethereal melodies.
While many have tried to emulate the ancient German (black)thrash sound, CRUEL FORCE brimmed with an authenticity that could not be denied, as well as songwriting that added to that noble tradition rather than lazily picking at its corpse. Their two successive albums, 2010's The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011's Under the Sign of the Moon, made CRUEL FORCE a certifiably CULT name in the international metal underground. Sadly, the band fell into a hiatus following that second album, but returned reinvigorated with the comeback 7" EP Across the Styx in 2022 and, a year later, the glorious full- length Dawn of the Axe at the hands of new label home SHADOW KINGDOM. Continuing to make up for lost time, CRUEL FORCE storm back with swords gleaming high on their fourth full- length, Haneda.
Where a line could be drawn between the band's "first era" of The Rise of Satanic Might / Under the Sign of the Moon, so continues this Second Era that began with Dawn of the Axe - one that harkens to the "Jurassic period" of heavy metal, when everything was rawer, less polished, and more energetic and powerful. As displayed by that pivotal predecessor, Haneda further proves that CRUEL FORCE are more so an old-style speed metal band, largely bereft of that blackened edge during their First Era. The tradeoff is that there's a prominent mysticism coursing through that speed, and the blue-collared aspect of Dawn of the Axe is now spit-shined to a lethal slickness that makes Haneda hit that much harder.
However, it must be stressed that, while it follows logically from Dawn of the Axe, Haneda is very much its own headspace, its own continuation of a still-vital aesthetic. At times more epic, exuding both more and different atmospheres, CRUEL FORCE here take the listener on a journey from old temples to desert planes, from deep jungles to mountain tops, and other mysterious locales beyond; indeed, the whole record is like a journey through mystical realms. Although no concept album, Haneda is very conceptual in its aesthetics, even down to its production: BIG and naturaltoned, from the guitars to especially the drums, everything here is as '80s and authentic as possible, underlining
This fresh release fuses house, trance, and garage, showcasing the young producer's remarkable versatility and skill. Nomad seamlessly combines the best elements of modern house with a nostalgic, old-school touch-featuring euphoric breakdowns, captivating vocals, and thumping basslines. It's a standout creation that marks a pivotal moment in Shuffa's rising career in the dance music scene.
- A1: Dun
- A2: Sleep
- A3: Make My Feat Big Krit & Dice Raw
- A4: One Time Feat Phonte & Dice Raw
- A5: Kool On Feat Greg Porn & Truck North
- A6: The Otherside Feat Bilal Olivier & Greg Porn
- B1: Stomp Feat Greg Porn
- B2: Lighthouse Feat Dice Raw
- B3: I Remember
- B4: Tip The Scale Feat Dice Raw
- B5: Redford (For Yia-Yia & Pappou) (Redford Suite)
- B6: Possibility (2Nd Movement)
- B7: Will To Power (3Rd Movement)
- B8: Finality (4Th Movement)
Undun is the story of a man, Redford Stevens, dying in reverse, rewinding from the moment he became a statistic and hitting the points in his life where he's at his most self-aware. That he's a criminal who got caught up in the familiar street-hustle trappings that the modern media's documented countless times is a pivotal detail-- it's hit at an angle that seems to emphasize the futile inevitability of it all. His life could be any number of misdirected narratives that ends with a toe tag, and what details listeners learn about him are hazy, buried under archetypal turns of fate and decisive struggles. That this protagonist is a fictionalized composite of a handful of real people, filtered through a matter-of-fact narrative that splits character ambivalence with journalistic impartiality, only makes his lack of direction and the failure of any real closure stand out even more. "Lotta niggas go to prison," Dice Raw states on "Tip the Scale", "how many come out Malcolm X?"
So the Roots' latest album isn't a sprawling, rise-and-fall crime story, not a condemnation or a veneration of a man living outside the law, not a bullet-riddled grand guignol heavy on explicit details of soldiers getting cut down. It's a character study of a man whose existential crisis ends only with his death-- a death gone largely unspecified, the glamor and tragedy washed over with a doomed resignation. That's a hard thing to pull off, even for a band as given to deep-thinking concepts as the Roots are. And when your main lyrical catalyst is Black Thought-- a man more given to allusions than direct statements-- it's likely that it'll take a while for the full scope of Undun to really sink in.
If and when it does, it might strike listeners as a bit skeletal: omit the mood-setting instrumental bookends, including a brief, four-part orchestral suite that builds off Sufjan Stevens' "Redford (For Yia-Yia and Pappou)", and you've got maybe a half hour's worth of material. By ?uestlove's accounts, writing Redford's story introduced the headaches and challenges that come with scriptwriting into their songwriting, and what's left on Undun is the end result of frequent revisions and rewrites that attempt to reconcile character, theme, and continuity. If it comes at the expense of nuance, it's not always obvious: There's an easy-to-trace narrative line from Redford's acceptance of his fate ("Sleep") to his acknowledgement of how close it's approaching ("Make My"), back through declarations of aggravated toughness ("One Time"), and celebratory fatalism ("Kool On"), along ups and downs that juxtapose motivation ("Stomp") and helplessness ("Lighthouse"). When the vocal portion of the album ends with two of the bleakest sets of verses in the Roots discography, peaking with the estrangement of "I Remember" and the desperation of "Tip the Scale", Undun reveals itself as a story where a man's actual death isn't quite as tragic as the circumstances that pushed him to it.
- A1: Dj Tennis - Hello Hello
- A2: Rudy With A Hoodie - Lovelovelove
- B1: Dj Tennis & Ashee - I Wanna Know
- B2: Easttown - Bubblicious
- C1: Josh Wink - Higher State Of Consciousness (M-High Edit)
- C2: Andre Zimmer - Simpli-City
- D1: Paurro - Bubbles
- D2: Vitess - Insane
- A | Redrago - She Got It Wrong (10")
- B | Redrago - Free The Drums (10")
Manfredi Romano, founder and A&R of Life and Death Records, has been a pivotal figure in electronic music for over two decades. This year marks an important milestone as he is invited to curate the upcoming fabric presents mix for fabric Records, a release that highlights his instinctive storytelling and the distinct musical identity he has cultivated throughout his career.
Manfredi’s journey began in Italy around the turn of the millennium, tour-managing punk bands and organizing left-field music events before completing his studies in computer science at the University of Pisa. He went on to form DAZE, Italy’s first booking agency dedicated exclusively to electronic music, laying the groundwork for what would become a globally influential presence in the scene.
In 2010, he shifted focus to his own artistic project, DJ Tennis, which quickly gained international recognition for its emotive blend of house, techno, and disco. Renowned for creating intimate atmospheres in even the largest spaces, DJ Tennis has performed at leading clubs such as Circoloco Ibiza, Fabric London, and Panorama Bar Berlin, and at major festivals including Sonar, Timewarp, Primavera Sound, and Coachella. His 2022 residency at Phonox in London further showcased his ability to shape dancefloors with nuance and depth. Since 2017, he has also co-founded and curated Rakastella, the celebrated Art Basel Miami festival created in partnership with Life and Death and Innervisions.
As a producer, DJ Tennis draws from early relationships with post-rock pioneers such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Tortoise, and Fugazi, channelling their influence into intricately layered electronic compositions. His work has appeared on respected labels including Kompakt, Rhythm Assault, Running Back, !K7, Cercle Records, Aus Music, and Circoloco Records, alongside frequent releases on Life and Death. His remix portfolio includes collaborations with Diplo, Boys Noize, Loco Dice, WhoMadeWho, and Acid Pauli, among many others. He has also previously contributed a DJ-Kicks mix, bringing his eclectic sensibilities to one of electronic music’s most beloved series.
After extended periods living in Miami, Berlin, and Barcelona, DJ Tennis now resides in Paris. Outside the studio and club environment, Manfredi is a passionate chef who has curated menus for charity events and collaborated with Beatport at ADE, Pioneer, and Resident Advisor. He is also an avid collector of bicycles, vintage action figures, and vinyl — his record collection now surpasses eleven thousand pieces.
With the forthcoming fabric presents DJ Tennis release, he offers a deeply personal, narrative-driven statement that reflects decades of crate-digging, boundary-pushing selections, and a lifelong devotion to sound. It marks a new chapter in his artistic evolution and stands as one of the year’s most anticipated entries in the iconic series.
The first single from DJ Tennis is a collaboration with long-time studio partner Ashee, and it immediately sets the tone for the mix: warm, seductive, rhythm-driven, and emotionally charged.
“I Wanna Know” is a sleek club track built around a pulsing groove and a steady, hypnotic rhythm. The low end is rounded and warm, giving the track a driving but understated momentum. Percussion is crisp and minimal, allowing the bassline and vocal elements to take center stage. The repeating, robotic earworm of a vocal hook, “I wanna know’ is the lynchpin to the track and will remain in your head long after the track has finished.
It’s the kind of record that warms up a room early in the night, sets the tone for a sunset beach set, or adds a lush, emotional peak during a more leftfield club moment.
Strut Records highlights a landmark in British jazz-rock with Second Wind, the 1972 album from keyboard visionary Brian Auger and his powerhouse group Oblivion Express. Capturing a fully matured lineup, the record finds Auger expanding his fusion language - bridging jazz sophistication, funk-driven rhythm, and soul-infused songwriting with the clarity and fire that defined his early ’70s work.
Though Auger’s roots lie in the lineage of hard-swinging jazz organ and the improvisational fire of the ’60s British scene, he has never been an artist content with tradition. With Second Wind, he moves further into a hybrid language that fuses rhythm with harmonic depth and groove, without sacrificing sophistication. His playing is expansive yet precise, translating the electricity of live performance into a studio work that breathes with immediacy.
At the heart of this era of Oblivion Express is the telepathic rapport among its members. Vocalist Alex Ligertwood (in one of his earliest major recordings before Santana fame) brings a soulful intensity that feels both grounded and forward- looking. Second Wind contains tracks that have become deeply significant in Auger’s discography - original compositions Second Wind, and Truth to name a few - but it was Auger's high octane revisioning of Eddie Harris' Freedom Jazz Dance, (adding new lyrics to the original instrumental) that genuinely broke barriers. The track became a DJ friendly classic and highlighted the groups deeply original approach.
The rhythm section of Barry Dean and Robbie McIntosh balances weight and fluidity, giving Auger the space to stretch across Hammond organ, Rhodes, and keys with characteristic boldness. Their collective sound is one of seamless motion: jazz-inflected lines swelling into rock-driven crescendos, funk-leaning grooves locking with vocal hooks, moments of quiet clarity emerging between bursts of improvisation.
Second Wind stands as a pivotal moment in Auger’s discography: a record that bridges the exploratory spirit of his earlier projects with the more groove-oriented approach that would soon bring international attention. More than five decades later, it remains a vivid document of a band carving out its own language. Music born of instinct, collaboration, and a restless desire to push beyond the expected.
Often cited as the strongest Tribe 69db live recording, this cassette emerged from a tense and pivotal moment in the early 90s free party scene.
At the time, Techno Import was the largest electronic music shop in Paris, and arguably in France. The shop planned to release a CD compilation titled Sound Of Teknival, featuring Spiral Tribe. As the project progressed, disagreements over money, copyrights and control led Spiral Tribe to withdraw their approval.
Despite this, Shark Records, the label linked to Techno Import for the project, proceeded with the CD release without full artist consent. In response, 69db released a tape titled "Fuck Techno Import". This cassette stands as raw testimony to the clash between underground culture and commercial structures, capturing both the sound and spirit of an era when autonomy mattered more than compromise. Originally released in 1997, specially remastered for tape.
- Amazone Blues
- Chebika Courage
- Leila
- Greve Revolte
- Vent Poussiere
- Samba Loca
- Quand Tout S'arrete
Featuring a topflight quintet, Healing Songs includes Texier's son Sebastien on alto sax and clarinet, rising US trumpet star Hermon Mehari, plus internationally acclaimed drummer Manu Katche guesting on two tracks. Henri Texier, born in Paris in 1945, is a highly respected French double bassist and composer who has played a pivotal role in shaping modern European jazz. He began his career in the vibrant Paris jazz scene of the 1960s, quickly gaining acclaim for his work alongside vanguard musicians such as Don Cherry and Daniel Humair.
Over the decades, Texier became known for blending jazz with influences from folk, African, and Middle Eastern music, giving his sound a unique global flavour. His work has earned him several prestigious awards, including multiple 'Victoires du Jazz' (France's top jazz honour) and widespread international recognition. In the words of The Guardian newspaper, "Texier is one of Europe's consistently inspired jazz musicians, with a career that continues to inspire new generations.
WRWTFWW Records is delighted to announce the first-ever vinyl release of Art Form I, the overlooked 1997 compilation from Tokyo’s cult imprint FORM@ RECORDS, now available as a limited edition double LP housed in a heavyweight sleeve as part of the ongoing collaborative series between the Swiss and Japanese labels.
Originally issued only on CD, Art Form I is a fascinating deep dive into the rich and singular world of late ’90s Tokyo electronic music—an inspired collection of timeless IDM, techno, ambient, and electronica experiments. Showcasing a roster of visionary underground artists including fan-favorite Virgo (Landform Code, Remnants), the compilation maps the innovative spirit of the era: emotional machine music, intricate rhythmic architecture, mind-expanding textures, and the soulful heart that serves as the solid foundation of everything FORM@ RECORDS.
Art Form I reminds of the pioneering explorations from Warp’s Artificial Intelligence series, B12, The Black Dog, Ken Ishii, and early Carl Craig, all while maintaining its own distinctive local identity. This long-awaited vinyl edition offers listeners a fully immersive rediscovery of a pivotal moment in underground music.
Following the acclaimed reissues of Virgo’s Landform Code (1998) and Remnants (1999), the simultaneous releases of Art Form I and Art Form 2 (1998) continue the archival collaboration between WRWTFWW Records and FORM@ RECORDS, with a forthcoming vinyl edition of remix collection Re-Form Ver-1.0 (1999) to follow.
Placid aka Paul Wise is the operator in chief at ‘We’re Going Deep’ – an online community and record label born out of a lifelong love affair with the many shades of electronic rhythm, and an obsession for collecting records since 1988. With a mission to share and release new music via his We’re Going Deep and We’re Going Back imprints, you’ll find only the best in underground Acid, Electro, IDM, Techno and House for the dance floor and your listening pleasure.
Up next in the label series, We’re Going Deep is excited to welcome 4 tracks of fresh material from pivotal electronic music maker Gerard Hanson, under his much prized E.R.P. alias. Renown for keeping his profile below the radar and letting the machines do all the talking for him. Hanson’s work as a producer has been much coveted since his debut back in the mid 90s as Convextion. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, he has become something of a hero in the underground Electro community. His work as E.R.P. has left a huge impression on labels such as Frustrated Funk, Bleep43 and Semantica over the years. Renown for his distinctive shimmering machine funk aesthetic, he ably summons the outer reaches of deep space listening thanks to his innate mastery of brooding, sci-fi soundscapes that few can equal.
Following releases for Apnea and Synchrophone, Hanson lifts off with a heartfelt tribute to our recently departed friend James Baker on ‘One4ReKab’. Ascending with the pulse of a steady kick drum, precision snares take hold as whispered vocals seep in and out of consciousness. Underpinned by trademark angular bass tones, soaring strings inject a deep sense of foreboding as all the parts fuse with a fierce glow. Stepping things a notch back as the sonic trajectory levels out, ‘Onward’ takes a more contemplative stance in a fusion of hypnotic drum programming that leads the fray whilst subtle arpeggios flow, all whilst wistful melodies wind you in.
Over on the flipside, Hanson revisits his 2008 composition “Multipole Vector” to launch yet another interstellar cruise by mission in the shape of “Multipole Vector II”. Leading with the simplest of bass progressions and metronomic beat programming, twinkling synth elements reach across the void as chords sweep to and fro to powerful effect. Ending out on the uplifting yet almost IDM inflected tones of “Self Unemployed”, this low tempo air rounds the EP off on an equally captivating note filled with playful charm, that makes this collection of music all the more pleasing.
- 2: Against Death
- Smashed
- Can't Touch
- Sit
- Lucky
- Safe
- Son Of
- Destiny
- Billions
- Death Of Music
- No Mail
- I.d.o.l
- Yo
- Bawk
- Crack
- Headless
- In So Many
- Ajukaja Me
“Certain albums hit like howling bullets at pivotal moments, tearing open the face of music to reveal hidden sonic muscles and fusing them back into something both strangely familiar and yet entirely unrecognisable. We believe this is one of those records.”
The double album Death of Music delivers 18 crooked vocal pops, some ruthless, others unexpectedly disarming. In some songs, Ajukaja & Mart Avi function like a two-headed saurus swinging its spiky tail to shady pop-house smackers. In others, Ajukaja's serene organ licks descend into subterranean caverns, allowing Avi to float to the surface on their wavelengths and turn his voice into billions of extinct moths, enslaved by the moonlight’s pull. There are songs that face destruction and those that seek to prevent it.
One kykeon rap goes, “If you die before you die, then when you die, you don't die!”. Ajukaja & Mart Avi have embraced this notion to create new music that allows them to thrive in the algorithmic wasteland. 13 years in the making, these 66 minutes are packed with lifetimes of truths you didn’t know you needed to know. They are Ajukaja & Mart Avi – two against death.
Produced by Ajukaja
Words by Mart Avi, Music by Raul Saaremets
Guitar and Bass by Sten Sheripov (Can’t Touch The Earth, Safe)
Sax by Steve Vanoni (I.D.O.L.)
Recorded between 2011—2024
Mastered by The Bastard
Cover Photo by fs
Sleeve by Marke, Mart Avi
Pressed in Tartu, Estonia
- A1: Kunde - Late Bloomer
- A2: Kunde - Odd Rose
- A3: Kunde Feat. Helena Casella - Shades Of Navy
- A4: Kunde Feat. Tennishu - Weighdown
- A5: Kunde - The Slope
- A6: Kunde - Clouded
- A7: Kunde - Tired
- B1: Kunde Feat. Fred Gata - Bittersweet
- B2: Kunde - Clickbait
- B3: Kunde - Malice In Thunderland
- B4: Kunde - Shoulda
- B5: Kunde - Litestepper
- B6: Kunde Feat. Okon - Out Of The Blue
With Late Bloomer, Belgian-Cameroonian rapper, composer and multi-instrumentalist Kunde delivers a work that is both deeply personal and socially charged. The album forms a diptych with his previous release, Dandelion(2024). In Late Bloomer, Kunde pays tribute to his mother, who largely raised him and his sister on her own, using pivotal personal moments as a mirror through which he reveals the world from his perspective.
Composed and arranged entirely by Kunde and brought to life by his live band, Late Bloomer unfolds as a rich, layered universe where jazz, R&B, hip-hop, samba and touches of psychedelic rock intersect. Whereas his first album emerged mostly from the home studio, the new work is driven by live energy, collective interplay and a broader sonic scope. The album is further enriched by guest contributions from Helena Casella, Fred Gata, Okon and Tennishu (US), frontman of the Anderson .Paak-supported jazz-fusion band Butcher Brown.
Late Bloomer cements Kunde's reputation as a storyteller, composer and musical director. The album is both intimate and expansive, rooted in personal history while offering incisive reflections on the human condition. Like his inspirations, ranging from Coltrane and J Dilla to D'Angelo, Don Blackman and Arthur Verocai Kunde crafts a distinctive sound that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant.
- San Francisco
- Take A Look At Yourself
- Send Me Your Pillow
- She Shot Me Down
- I Love Her
- Old Time Shimmy
- What Do You Say
- Let's Make It
- You Know I Love You
- Big Soul
- Good Rocking Mama
- Onions
- No One Told Me
- Boom Boom
- Thelma
- Process
John Lee Hooker is widely recognised as one of the true giants of the blues, along with Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Howlin' Wolf. Hooker is often called the "King of the Boogie" and his driving, rhythmic approach to guitar playing has become an integral part of the blues' sound and style that perpetuated the UK's rhythm and blues scene of the '60s. Presented here is one of John Lee Hooker' s finest album, The Big Soul of John Lee Hooker, recorded in Chicago in 1962.
In a career that spanned some forty odd years, a pivotal point of success came with his 1989 album The Healer, which featured collaborations with Carlos Sanatana, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, and Los Lobas. The album expanded his audience beyond the blues idiom, earning him his highest Billboard album chart success (#62) his first Grammy Award; all of this at the grand-old-age of 73. For those not familiar with Hooker's earlier work, the Big Soul of John Lee Hooker is an excellent starting point.
- 1: O.c. Life
- 2: 10
- 3: Yur 2 Late
- 4: Everyday
- 5: One Shot
- 6: Falling Out
- 7: Surfside
- 8: It's Doing Something
- 9: Fast
- 10: Section 8
Rikk Agnew's All by Myself is one of those records that feels like a secret you're lucky to stumble upon -- a raw, weird, totally personal snapshot of a restless artist at a pivotal moment. Originally released in 1982 on Frontier Records, the album stands apart from most of what was coming out of Southern California at the time, even though it was born right in the middle of the exploding hardcore punk scene. By 1982, Rikk Agnew was already a big deal underground. As the guitarist for Adolescents, he helped shape the sound of Orange County hardcore with sharp riffs, surf-inflected melodies, and a sense of urgency that became hugely influential. He also played in bands like D.I. and later Christian Death, moving fluidly between hardcore punk, post-punk, and darker, more experimental territory. Agnew wasn't just a fast, aggressive guitarist -- he was a songwriter with range, curiosity, and a strong DIY instinct. All by Myself lives up to its title in the most literal way. Agnew recorded the album largely on his own, playing all the instruments and handling vocals himself. Instead of delivering another straight-up hardcore record, he went inward. The result is a lo-fi, home-recorded collection of songs that blend punk energy with new wave, post-punk, psychedelic touches, and even moments of pop sensitivity. It's rough around the edges, but that's exactly the point -- the album feels intimate, unfiltered, and honest. In the early '80s, Southern California punk was loud, fast, and often confrontational. Bands were pushing against the mainstream and even against each other, racing toward more extreme sounds. While All by Myself shares that DIY spirit, it doesn't fully play by hardcore rules. The tempos shift, the moods wander, and the songs feel more like personal experiments than scene anthems. That made the record a bit of an outlier at the time -- but also what gives it lasting appeal. Frontier Records was the perfect home for a release like this. The label was known for supporting artists who didn't quite fit into neat categories, and All by Myself captured that ethos perfectly. Today, All by Myself is often seen as a cult classic. For fans of early punk, post-punk, or anyone interested in the roots of DIY recording culture, this album is essential listening
London's PRESTi lands on Shall Not Fade's Time is Now imprint with four dancefloor weapons that feel like they forked from the hardcore continuum at the point El-B, Horsepower and Artwork's dark garage was becoming proto dubstep.
EP title Track 'As We Move' is everything that is special about that time; bassweight, space and rudeboy swing. On "Big Ting" PRESTi reaches for more classic UKG groove but fuses it with yet more spacious wobbling low end precision. "Baile Pulse" pivots... channeling in grimey pulse basslines and 4/4 baile funk techno this time. "Get Back" is just the fait accompli for a producer clearly enjoying such fertile ground, a peak time speed garage warper ready to cause damage at any function.
Essential dancefloor gear from a producer growing tall and widening the cracks.
A chance meeting in Mexico City set Points of Inaccessibility into motion. When Ibero-American composer Rafael Anton Irisarri crossed paths with Dutch media artist Jaco Schilp at MUTEK in 2024, a conversation about how technology shapes perception revealed an unexpected common ground. Schilp invited Irisarri to a spring 2025 residency at Uncloud, the Utrecht-based collective he co-founded, where Irisarri's sound began to take form amid an environment shaped by Schilp’s visual research.
The Uncloud studio was located inside the former Pieter Baan Centre, a forensic psychiatric prison where suspects of violent crimes were once confined. Its long history of silence and containment shaped the atmosphere in which the project developed. Within this setting, Irisarri coaxed long bowed-guitar tones through a network of pedals and looping systems. The raw gestures thickened into a vaporous and architectural field of sound. Schilp processed the material through a custom point-cloud software patch that produced images in continuous flux. The visuals flickered, dissolved and reformed like memories that resist coherence, functioning as a digital Rorschach that reflected the observer’s own perception.
Amid these spectral echoes, the project evolved into an examination of how the past persists within present signals. Memory endures as residue and interference, continually shaping perception even when its source has faded.
Schilp’s visual process required a continuous stream of sound in real time. Irisarri improvised throughout the residency, generating material that allowed the visuals to develop in parallel. Once back in his New York studio, he began shaping the recordings by carving pathways through the improvisations and mapping selected passages into MIDI. This process allowed him to build outward from the bowed-guitar material with minimal overdubs, adding Prophet 5 textures, Moog bass and strings that expanded the harmonic field while keeping the original performances at the center. To refine the structure, Abul Mogard provided editorial input, working with Irisarri’s stems to guide transitions and strengthen the overall pacing. The material, originally created under conditions of immediacy and constraint, evolved into a fully realized work through careful revision, patience and sustained reworking.
The title engages the geographic concept of the Poles of Inaccessibility, locations defined solely by their distance from all surrounding points. Irisarri adapts this idea to the conditions of digital life, where new forms of inaccessibility arise through the informational enclosures that structure perception. What appears to be a fully connected network often produces a deeper kind of separation, one shaped by the filtering logic of the systems that mediate experience. In this sense, the digital sphere mirrors its geographic counterpart. We inhabit spaces saturated with signals, yet the possibility of genuine contact becomes increasingly remote.
At its core, Points of Inaccessibility considers what can be understood as the new rituals of capitalist realism. Irisarri uses the term digital shamanism to describe the forms of simulated connection that organize contemporary life. These systems promise comfort through algorithms, influencers and AI interlocutors, yet they often reproduce the same conditions that generate loneliness in the first place. What appears as connection becomes the echo of connection, a sequence of gestures that imitate solidarity while withholding it. Like the geographic poles, these rituals are defined by distance. They pull us into environments where everything is illuminated, yet meaningful proximity becomes increasingly rare. In this sense, the work approaches a hauntology of the present, a reflection on futures that have stalled and intimacies that have been thinned by the algorithmic infrastructures that surround us.
This thematic tension unfolds across the album’s four movements. Faded Ghosts of Clouds introduces the work with textures that rise and dissipate in slow cycles, creating an atmosphere that resists clear definition. Breaking the Unison occupies a pivotal position in the sequence and focuses on the moment when the individual and the system fall out of alignment. Its shifting patterns trace the scattering of signals that once suggested connection, revealing the instability at the heart of contemporary perception. Signals from a Distant Afterglow forms the center of the album and features vocals by Karen Vogt, whose presence enters the sound field like a fragile transmission shaped by distance and delay. The closing piece, Memory Strands, follows motifs that appear, recede and briefly intersect before returning to quiet. Across these movements, the album outlines a landscape in which emergence and disappearance continually inform one another.
Listening to Points of Inaccessibility is an encounter with a sound field that is constantly in flux. Elements surface briefly, shift position and recede, creating a sense of motion that resists stable interpretation. The music moves between closeness and vastness, carrying traces of memory while withholding a clear point of resolution.
The album’s visual identity completes the project’s conceptual arc. In Mexico City, where Irisarri and Schilp first met, Daniel Castrejón transformed stills from Schilp’s point-cloud visuals into the cover image. The final artwork captures a single suspended frame of the digital material, a moment extracted from a field that is normally in constant motion. Its surface recalls the texture and abstraction found in the work of Catalan artist Antoni Tàpies, where material presence and erasure coexist within the same plane.
What emerges is a work that examines the tension between technological systems and human presence. Points of Inaccessibility asks whether connection is still possible within environments shaped by mediation and delay, or whether we have become isolated points within the very networks that promise proximity. What possibilities for relation persist within environments organized by algorithms and interruption? And how are we meant to understand presence when so much of it is constructed at a distance?
Points of Inaccessibility will be released on BioVinyl on February 6, 2026, with audiovisual performances planned throughout 2026.
Mastered by Stephan Mathieu
Artwork by Jaco Schilp
Design and layout by Daniel Castrejón
Artist photo by Iulia Alexandra Magheru.
LVCA returns to EYA Records with a full solo release that hits straight to the heart — deep nostalgia, melodic uplift, and pure motion.
Shimmering pads and warm, rolling grooves blend into moments of freedom and reflection. Dreamlike yet grounded. Intimate yet expansive.
EYA032 reaffirms LVCA’s pivotal presence and EYA’s timeless role in shaping the modern underground sound.
- A1: Roudi Vagou - Gleisende Lichter
- A2: Roudi Vagou - Halb So Schwer
- A3: Roudi Vagou - So Sueß
- A4: Roudi Vagou - Lila Gibt Es Nicht
- A5: Roudi Vagou - Iss Mich Ganz Auf
- A6: Roudi Vagou - Grenzueberschreitung
- A7: Roudi Vagou - Aufgeben Ist Kein Verzicht
- B1: Läuten Der Seele - Komischer Anruf
- B2: Läuten Der Seele - Punkt Mitternacht
- B3: Läuten Der Seele - Nur Fuer Uns Zwei
- B4: Läuten Der Seele - Mineralwasserflasche 1
- B5: Läuten Der Seele - Glaskopf Mit Watte
- B6: Läuten Der Seele - Rathausdach
- B7: Läuten Der Seele - Ein Kitzeln In Den Graebern
- B8: Läuten Der Seele - Mineralwasserflasche 2
- B9: Läuten Der Seele - Mondraetsel
Across an extensive suite of enchanting miniatures, Matthias Kremsreiter and Christian Schoppik present the hypnagogic vision of Taghelle Nacht. Recording under their respective Roudi Vagou and Läuten der Seele aliases, Kremsreiter and Schoppik combine their distinct but equally accomplished instrumental practices into a new collaboration that weaves swooning samples amongst instrumental passages. They lead us through 16 vignettes that revel in the cognitive dissonance and seductive magic of moonlight at midnight.
Both artists have past form within the folds of contemporary experimental electronic music in Germany. Kremsreiter's work as alibikonkret has manifested on DIY tape releases created with a methodical, technically-minded approach. Debuting his Roudi Vagou pseudonym on Taghelle Nacht, he pivots to a more playful, instinctively felt method that allows the compositions to flow with a natural cadence. Schoppik has been a key figure in the celebrated dark-ambient-folk scene, not least as part of the group Brannten Schnüre. His work as Läuten der Seele includes the acclaimed 'water trilogy' of LPs between 2022 and 2024, with a greater emphasis on instrumental, atmospheric production, and a last, stunning collaborative album with Nový Sv?t's Jota Solo.
On Taghelle Nacht the precise ingredients of each piece soften at the edges as tape loops and swathes of reverb seal the joints between spellbinding melodic refrains. Opening track and lead single 'Gleisende Lichter' sets the tone with ghostly murmurs, spine-tingling string refrains and splashes of cymbal that cut through the gloom with stark clarity. A lilting romanticism stirs at the heart of the orchestral samples that populate the likes of "Grenzu?berschreitung" - old-world beauty sometimes buried in dust, elsewhere rendered with startling clarity. 'So Süß' lets buzzing, sustained drones and dissonant sweeps of extended technique glide in and out of each other. Granular processing subtly breaks apart the mellow swell on 'Komischer Anruf', and forlorn sax calls out into heavy-hearted space on 'Glaskopf Mit Watte'. At every turn a new scene is painted, distinct from the last and yet all bound up in the pervasive, pale blue light cast over the sleeping landscape Kremsreiter and Schoppik have sculpted.
Snatches of song drift by like dreamlike fragments, and achingly tender flourishes fleetingly appear and retreat - ideas and expressions momentarily caught in the light before retreating into the shadows once more. This is the evocative world of Taghelle Nacht - an unsettling depiction of the surreal blend of memories and imagination that merge into each other once the sun goes down.
Out of Buenos Aires, Argentina the ever-consistent Manuel Sahagun comes
correct for Sounds of Style Records with our 6th release titled “Feed The
Flame EP”.
With excellent releases on Freerange, Pomme Fritte and Fortunea we are
excited to welcome Manuel to the team!
We start off with a jam that's funky and moving titled “Stressed Out’ that’ll give
the heads something to think about while the dance floor boogie’s. Next up is
“1000 Shamans” with a nice spoken word over a funky chugger that will turn
out the heads whether its early in the night or full-on boogie till the sun comes
up.
The B side starts off with our title track “Feed The Flame” which gets to the
feels of classic House music that we love so much! We round out the ep with
“Younger Brother” that ties a catchy spoken word over solid chord work and
bumping low-end to round out this quality record!
Already getting play by DJ Sneak, Toomy Disco, Jay West, DJ Dazy, Mateo
Dufour, Cory Wells, Sound Process & more.
Up next, we have Eddie Leader ”Need To Pivot EP” that is due out January 30th!
Prolific beat pharmacist par excellence Brendon Moeller continues his hot streak with a return to Samurai to serve up the exquisite craftsmanship of Shadow Language. Across 15 fresh productions the seasoned house and techno producer demonstrates yet more variations on his rejuvenated sound since pivoting towards 160 tempo zones. Heavyweight dub techno pulses collide with D&B pressure and dubstep snarl, delivered with devastating restraint and mediative warmth.
Moeller's dub-informed, high-grade production hit a hot streak as he started to experiment with faster tempos and more broken rhythms, reaching into thrilling new sound fields where fast-slow rhythmic intrigue meets with spatial subtlety and constantly evolving synth voices. The past year has seen him release a swathe of albums, from Further on Samurai to outings on Constellation Tatsu, ESP Institute and Quiet Details that all burst with inspiration, each distinct from the last and offering an original perspective on this rich seam of crossover electronics.
Shadow Language shows Moeller burrowing even deeper into this new era of his work, continuing the hypnotic approach set out on Further while edging more forthright ingredients into the mix. From the outset 'Division By Zero' hits with immediacy even as it dips into a dubwise breakdown, with snatches of vocal and even the iconic loom bird making the slightest of appearances. 'Feral Hymn' finds a curious kind of uplift in the synth chord that twists in and out of the mental techno murmurations of the rhythm section. 'Impermanence' has some snarling bass that belongs in the gnarliest tech-step, while the nagging hats ticking through 'Junkyard Syntax' hint at a shockout without resorting to brute force. The majestic dub techno chords of 'Driftform' create a through-line across Moeller's extensive catalogue, but here they dominate the mix above a spongy bed of sub bass throb and framed by the tiniest slithers of percussion.
Throughout the album, it's the implications Moeller suggests with the tools at his disposal that create a powerful energy. Restraint governs the delivery, guiding the listener in deeper until they find a maximal experience from each elegantly understated roller. The weight and presence is abundant across every track, fuelled by the invigorating power of each tone and frequency while avoiding the clutter of overloaded arrangements.
Finding the notes in between and half-hidden rhythms, Moeller himself perfectly summed up his latest opus as he continues to develop his own compelling Shadow Language.
- 1: Right Now
- 2: Follow Me
- 3: Whole Again
- 4: Eternal Flame
- 5: Tomorrow & Tonight
- 6: Get Real
- 7: Turn Me On
- 8: Hippy
- 9: You Are
- 10: Cradle
- 11: Bye Now
- 12: Strangers
- 13: See Ya
- 14: I Want Your Love
The original trio featured Liz McClarnon, Natasha Hamilton, and Kerry Katona. Just weeks before the release of their breakout single "Whole Again", Katona departed and was replaced by Jenny Frost, a pivotal change that coincided with the group's meteoric rise. "Whole Again" soared to number one on the UK Singles Chart in 2000 and topped charts in 18 other countries, cementing Atomic Kitten's global appeal. Their follow- up single, "Eternal Flame", cover of The Bangles' 1989, became their second number one in both the UK and New Zealand, with strong international chart performance. Originally released in 2000, their debut album Right Now was partially re-recorded following Frost's arrival. The revamped edition featured three new tracks: "Eternal Flame", "Tomorrow and Tonight", and "You Are". Jenny Frost's vocals were also added to updated versions of "Right Now", "Whole Again", "Hippy", and "Bye Now". Celebrating it's 25th Anniversary, the reimagined album reached number one in the UK, earned double platinum certification in 2001. Right Now is available on vinyl for the first time and includes an insert with credits.
'In 2023, sound artist and composer Weston Olencki toured across the American South. Beginning in their hometown in South Carolina, they snaked a circuitous path from the mountains of West Virginia to the banks of the Mississippi River. As the miles accumulated, so did the initial seeds of new work.
'Instruments and artifacts they acquired hitched a ride in the backseat, while songs and sounds filled their portable recorder: water in its various states, the familiar insectoid buzz of those summer nights, trains cutting through the landscape, the traditional music that lived alongside the communities that kept it. Olencki took it all in, and over time, found ways that these experiences coalesced into a bramble-like perspective of time, where past, present, and future intersect in ways both barbed and beautiful.
'Broadsides, Olencki’s newest solo full-length is the multilayered result of this journey. The album follows their landmark release Old Time Music from 2022, which presented radical interpretations of traditional tunes from Appalachia and throughout the South alongside original compositions that drew significantly on archival recordings. On Broadsides, Olencki rejects delineations between the unmoored avant-garde and the rootedness of one’s cultural heritage, revealing their porous and intertwined nature. “My mother was a quilter. Her mother before that,” they write in the album’s liner notes. “Quilting, like music, is a practice of embedding knowledge and remembrance into the very core of the thing you are making. It’s not just about the materials, but how they’re reassembled, recontextualized, stitched, woven to form new patterns - the minutiae of craft holding significance to those looking to find it. Stories woven from stories, never told the same way twice.”
'Like all great road trips, Broadsides unfolds slowly and continuously, with moments of dramatic reverie punctuating the endless melt of highway in the rearview. We’re immediately confronted by the uncanniness of revisiting old haunts, as Southern storms break through the initial churn of the freight locomotives of Alabama. Olencki’s interpretation of the bluegrass standard “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” captures the euphoria of melancholy in motion. The permutational plucks of banjo are bounced around the frame by a computer, its pitches determined within algorithmic sequences and transcriptions of classic three-finger licks. The tonalities of old-time are smeared and stretched until all that’s audible is the insistence that Heaven might be real.
'In the album’s second half, “Omie Wise,” a murder ballad made famous by Doc Watson, follows an interlude recorded on the river in North Carolina in which the titular character’s body was laid. Ghostly echoes of a dozen other renditions float through the substrata as Tongue Depressor’s Henry Birdsey accompanies them on the pedal steel guitar. The album’s central composition, “all my father’s clocks,” is a profound meditation on entropy and impermanence. The sound of their father’s extensive clock collection ticks away as Olencki pulls a bow across the length of an autoharp sourced from a rural strip mall. The instrument was left as detuned as it was found, the resonance of its deep bass drone and clanging high-end the result of years of neglect and the warping effects of Southern humidity.
'Historically, broadsides were an early form of broadcasting, an often- musicalized telling of current news pasted in the public square. The name was later taken up by Sis Cunningham and Gordon Friesen in the 1960s, whose Broadside magazine published songs and social commentary when American folk music resurfaced as an urgent way of communicating the multifaceted politics of its time.
'Olencki borrows the phrase to recall both this old form of songmaking and that later prominent reexamination of traditional music’s role in modern life, but also to draw attention to the fragmented and machine- mediated way heritage is diffused in this very different, but no less pivotal, moment.
'As a sanitized past is used as justification for current violence and domination, we can turn to these artifacts to better understand the history of ourselves, but only if they are consciously pushed to evolve. Broadsides represents one personal, striking vision of what far-flung futurisms could be respun from = these high, lonesome sounds: a reflection of the unbridled joy and deep sorrow inherent to living together through time, and a desire to push further into the untold and unknown.'
































































































































































