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“Cue Blue”, the latest and fifth studio recording from Australian down under, gritty jazzfunk grooves ensemble Kerbside Collection sees a return to a more classic, stripped back, meat-and-potatoes, home-cooked, quartet formation sound of guitar, bass, drums and brass.


A sound formed on previous, recent recordings (incl. Golden Rules compilation tune “Fleet Streak” etc), seemingly harking back to the approach of the group’s first recordings (2013’s “Mind The Curb”, “Night in Tunisia” etc), whilst embodying inspirations from more ‘true school’, classic, bluesy New Orleans funk and soul groove flavours à la early Meters, Boogaloo Joe Jones, Melvin Sparks, Billy Butler etc. But it’s not all completely ‘retro’ and ‘looking back’, the album definitely taps into some of the current exponents and leaders of the contemporary deep funk sound – The Greyboy Allstars, Eddie Roberts, The New Mastersounds, The Mighty Mocambos, Breakestra and fellow Aussie funksters Cookin’ on 3 Burners, Lance Ferguson and The Bamboos etc.


The lead single and first tune “Shivers” gives us a clear, picture and definitive opening statement to the record with all the characteristics you’ve come to expect from the Kerbside gritty jazzfunk sound: silky guitar line phrasing, rubbery bass-lines, tight crusty drum breaks, and sweet brass arrangements. Then it’s straight into a frenetic, jangly, mod-funk workout complete with Northern Soul & Motown inflections in the surging B sections. “City Park Avenue” conjures up classic New Orleans funk flavours with its strutting brass, slinky guitar and swinging tambourine groove. There’s classic, b-boy funk territory covered in “Coffee Grinder” (a breakdance move) with its razor-sharp drum break groove and chunky riff complete with sizzling trombone solo. Before the pace of the record changes up with the finger-clicken’, hand-clappin’ boogaloo, reminiscent of early 60s Harlem x Puerto Rican Bronx sounds (à la Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto) loaded with a scintillating baritone sax solo from long standing part of the collection ‘Papa Joe’ Roberts.


“Sittin’ On The Porch” cools the temperature down even more, delving into slight Southern Louisiana Delta blues territory, while suggesting some of the hot and muggy atmosphere and imagery of their home town location in suburban Brisbane Australia, complete with kooky Casio percussion representing familiar yard sounds such as sprinklers (spinning lawn watering devices) and ‘mozzies’ (mosquitos), passing cars indicated by trombone, and guitarist TC Tyler, channelling some bluesy John Lee Hooker, R.L. Burnside guitar flavours - you can almost feel the humidity on your skin.


Then it’s time for a stroll down memory lane, with their version of a People Under The Stairs hip hop classic “San Francisco Knights”, bringing the tune full circle back into band mode, also with another tasty guitar solo. The album then enters its final stages with a mesmerising, soulful, jazz ballad “Shimmer”, complete with Elliott Parker’s sultry upright double bass, and trombone taking the melody for a gentle stroll down the street. The album finally closes and arrives at its title “Cue Blue”, a classic blue-eyed soul number (penned by bassist Parker), emitting the scent of true school, vintage R&B and soul (à la Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye).


An album of funky arrangements and refined compositions, mostly penned by recent new-ish member, guitarist Tyler (for fans of Tower of Power & John Scofield guitar playing) taking the ensemble through their paces with all the usual characteristics of the Kerbside sound, on top a groove that will take you round-the-block-and-back :P Gritty jazzfunk and rustic soul grooves with definite bluesy overtones, some classic 60s, 70s flourishes and down-home funk flavours.

Following a decade spent releasing music digitally, Brandon De Carlo's Downside Up label made its vinyl debut late last year - though initially only in the US. Thanks to a new global distribution deal, we can now savour the label's second wax outing - a mini-album of club cuts and loop-powered DJ tools from British techno veteran Jamie Bissmire (an artist whose first EP dropped way back in 1997). There's naturally plenty of floor-focused heat throughout, from the 'Livity Sound-in-space' polyrhythmic techno of 'Primal Pathways (Roll Right Mix)' and the minor key madness of 'Smoke & Oakum', to the ambient style soundscapes of 'Parallel Stream' and 'Tangible Roots', and the slamming creepiness of the deliciously relentless 'Blackwood Tread'.

Power tekno, electro and trancey a bit... the new sound !!

Red w/ black splatter vinyl. Savage Grace return with Underworld, their fourth studio album and first new full-length since 2023's acclaimed Sign of the Cross. Led by founding guitarist Christian Logue and featuring a powerful new lineup of Sebastian Hauser (vocals), Cristian Blade (bass), and Marcus Dotta (drums), Underworld delivers classic high-speed power/speed metal intensity with modern fire.

Jakob Bro, Brian Blade, Craig Taborn, Chris Cheek, Jesper Zeuthen, Anders Christensen, Larry Grenadier & Marcus Gilmore, playing compositions by Paul Motian and Jakob Bro.
The album was recorded in a single session at New York’s Power Station with engineer James Farber, following a week-long residency at the Village Vanguard.

‘Danish guitarist and composer Jakob Bro is celebrated for his pure reflective expression and penchant for celestial textures, effortlessly distilling and refining quiet sonics. At the Village Vanguard, he leads an impressive group – featuring two bassists and two drummers – for a nearly week-long residency.
‘The perfectly poised, ambient-leaning soundworld that characterizes Bro’s compositions was discomposed and distended by this octet, probing thrilling sounds and providing ample opportunity to create spontaneously. It was an exhilarating jazz night with some of the most esteemed players out there.’ ()

Marcal has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices of a new generation of techno producers, combining rhythmic precision with an instinct for detail, tension and movement. On Four Small Escapes, he delivers four tracks built around subtle shifts and carefully placed moments of surprise, where intricate sound design and groove remain in constant dialogue. Opening with Smoke from Respawn, Marcal immediately establishes the record's character. Syncopated rhythms, intricate percussion work and subtle sound design details unfold within a streamlined framework, creating a groove that feels both spacious and forward-moving. Wooden rimshots and glassy textures interact across an open arrangement, giving the track a fluid and trippy quality. Arapuca shifts into darker territory while maintaining the same sense of control. Organic percussion, rolling low-end momentum and sharply placed accents continuously reshape the groove, creating a track that feels alive through movement rather than dramatic intervention. On Ultimamente, Marcal introduces one of the record's most immersive moments. Fleeting sonic details appear and disappear throughout the arrangement, while a carefully integrated vocal element adds depth and emotional weight without disrupting the flow. The result is a track that invites complete immersion while remaining firmly focused on the dancefloor. Closing the EP, The Surprise Test delivers its most direct statement. Rough and driving without leaning into industrial aesthetics, the track is powered by rolling energy, syncopated claps and a series of subtle electronic details that continuously animate its surface. The contrast between rawness and precision gives the record a powerful closing moment. Across all four tracks, Four Small Escapes highlights Marcal's ability to create tension through detail rather than excess. Reduced yet expressive, the EP balances functionality with a strong sense of character, allowing small gestures and unexpected shifts to leave a lasting impact.

Deas joins the CROWD family with 'Silent Tension', a refined EP that channels the Polish producer's signature blend of hypnotic groove and hardware driven production. Known for his precise studio craftsmanship and deeply intuitive approach to groovy techno, Deas has steadily built a reputation as one of the standout figures of the contemporary Polish scene. Through years of releases and international touring, he has developed a sound that feels both timeless and unmistakably personal, as proven on the label's 12th record. Opening track 'I Won't Cry' immediately sets the tone with classy vocal sampling from Loleatta Holloway, warm chord progressions and rolling swung percussion anchored by Deas' characteristically rich bass. Following up, 'Waterfall' introduces bleepy modular sequences and chopped vocal fragments, with a sweeping drone synth cutting through the mix above the track's rolling bass. On the flip side, 'Silent Tension' continues deeper into minimal territory, combining crisp clap fills, subtle vocal chops and delayed chord repetitions into a slow burning groove. The vinyl's closing cut 'Where Do They Go' brings dense low end weight and fast dubby chord stabs, accompanied by sharply placed vocal cuts, creating a track that balances restraint and impact. The digital addition 'Here Again' is a classic Deas production, characterised by repetitive synth stabs that gradually transform the cut into a hypnotic hook, while stripped back percussion and a powerful kick give the track a commanding presence. Throughout CROWD012, Deas remains firmly focused on groove and subtlety, while retaining a strong impact. The tracks unfold patiently, with a focus on tension, repetition and gradual escalation, maintaining the hypnotic functionality that has become both Deas' trademark and a defining characteristic of the sound of the label founded by FJAAK and Ellie Acula. The 'Silent Tension' EP stands as a sophisticated and deeply effective club record that further cements Deas as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary techno.

Ready, set, go!

We're absolutely stoked to welcome Swedish producer Sacred Grove for his second appearance on Parodia.

Four High speed racing tracks that perfectly find the sweet spot between intensity and softness, keeping the groove rolling.

The record set the tone with Earthbound, a percussive heater with an ever going groove, followed by Quest, an eternal eye-closed dancefloor aquatic jam.

B side offers Fever (Mushroom Mix) keeping the energy going, pedal to the metal, certified 4am banger.

Closing the race, "Heart" further cements the atmospheric sensitivity of the record and the enchanting magic that radiates from Sacred Grove power.

As they say, horses (hustlers) don't stop, they keep going!

New artist on the label, the talented Argentinian producer TOBI, who has already made some noise with his own imprint Nila's Quest. For his Slow Life debut, he delivers a powerful mix of tracks that blend genres, showcasing both his dancefloor instinct and his deeper, more atmospheric side.

This is the sound of dream Texas, the cinematic Texas conjured in film and 20th century literary and art myth… big dark blueing horizons swallowing the infinite distance, a lonely poetry of sound, but also a stock taker of the iconoclastic, psychedelic, art rebel side of Texas… the cracked rock music side of Texas, the avant-garde in concrete cracks, the recklessly used, mind expanding drugs Texas, the dripping eastern swamps, the Houston house parties with the sounds of records blasting down the block and becoming musique concrète in the hot summer night.

Chrome Chasm’s debut album Interpreter is ambient, minimal in feel, maximal in texture, beautifully disorienting, vastly spacious— until it isn’t. It's a naturalistic shapeshifter, taking majestic form in the aforementioned elements and then dissolving back to raw genetic material to form anew. Spiritual jazz overtones, pedal steel moans and buzzing, noisy ambient visions are upended by grey-folded psychedelic unveilings. Interpreter’s three expansive tracks present a most detailed performance by its three deft musicians and the outcome often feels like a gorgeous collage in real-time.

Chrome Chasm was formed in 2024 by three of Houston’s brightest underground stars: Mlee Marie (Hearts Of Animals) on alto saxophone, flute and voice (whose long-form experimental sax performances helped inspire the formation of the band), Will Adams (Lower Dens/ Ka-Nives) on pedal steel, synth, percussion and voice, and Tom Carter on guitar. Carter has been casting a long shadow over Texas psychedelia and American underground music for over 3 decades, most notably with the Houston based Charalambides, a powerful creative force of the pre-new weird America era of experimental and avant psychedelic music, and most notably since with his solo guitar magnum opus Long Time Underground (which was deemed among the best experimental albums of 2015 by Pitchfork).

Interpreter’s opening track “The Star,” recorded almost completely live in one room and one take, is a 16-minute manifesto on ‘Dream Noir.’ An astute scholar of cross-genre connectivity and the through-lines of kosmische and spiritual-leaning sonic realms can hear echoes of Cluster, the skronk and beauty of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and the architectural ambient flow of Harold Budd and Philip Glass in the tidal lapping of distorted guitar, mantra-like saxophone and pedal steel flow. From its deconstructed, pastoral opening moments to its proto-electronic center that crests into a bombastic polytonal climax, Chrome Chasm never neglect narrative arc for experimentation and avant technique. In fact, as a group, they effortlessly control, open, fill and contract space in abeyance to emotional vibration. “The Star,” and indeed the album as a whole, feels more like a communion or extended poem, in direct communication with the listener, than it does a ‘captured experience.’

Across the three longform tracks of Interpreter, Chrome Chasm conducts a masterclass in fusing real time performance energy with an abstract, cut-up master’s reimagining of the literal. They demand the listener meet their music with dream logic and then, like the best dream peddlers, they present a labyrinth to fall into and experience, a place where explanation and conclusion become obsolete, and engagement and immersion become sublime.

MALEDICTUS is a Portuguese metal band formed in Lisbon. Bringing together experienced musicians with a shared vision, the band creates dark, powerful and atmospheric heavy music. With a foundation of aggressive riffs, haunting melodies and emotional vocals, the band blends modern heavy metal with darker, more melodic influences.

The group was formed by musicians seeking to explore a heavier and more expressive sound, combining technical musicianship with compelling songwriting and a cinematic atmosphere. Their music strikes a balance between intensity and melody, moving between crushing guitar passages, dynamic rhythms, and dramatic vocal performances. ""Our music reflects who we are and how we process life and our own emotions. Music is life manifested through an artist's soul. We all process life with a sense of dark melancholy”, comments guitarist Ben Stockwell. As history has taught us, Portuguese metal bands are known for their melancholic sound, which reflects their cultural identity.

Since their formation, MALEDICTUS has been focused on creating music that reflects the darker and more emotional aspects of the metal genre. Drawing inspiration from classic and contemporary metal acts, the band aims to create a sound that feels familiar yet distinct, appealing to fans of powerful, atmospheric metal.

Boasting a line-up of seasoned performers and a clear artistic vision, MALEDICTUS is developing new material and establishing its presence in the Portuguese metal scene and beyond. Their debut album, „Lazarvs“, is set to be released on Friday 13th of November. The album title draws heavily on the biblical story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John, in which Jesus performs the great miracle of raising his deceased friend Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days.

With Rez on vocals, the band has an exceptional singer with a distinctive, powerful voice. „He is undoubtedly one of the best out there having power, soul, range and timbre. Everything fits perfectly with our sound. We couldn't have asked for a better voice or frontman"", says the guitarist. Rez’s lyrics are another perfect addition to the band's dark, epic and partly progressive sound. The lyrical themes focus on life's darkest moments. „Death brings an opportunity for renewal, as do our most difficult struggles, which require part of us to die in order to be overcome.

Gold vinyl. Norwegian folk/prog collective Lumsk returns with Einsemda, a dark, emotional and deeply atmospheric new album based on selected poems by Tor Jonsson (1916-1951). Following their acclaimed return after a long hiatus with Fremmede Toner, Lumsk have continued to refine their distinctive blend of progressive metal, folk rock and evocative Nordic storytelling. On Einsemda, the band moves even deeper into the emotional core of the material, shaping music that amplifies the tension, vulnerability, beauty and darkness of Jonsson's poetry. Jonsson's writing is known for its lyrical clarity, emotional intensity and stark contrasts between hope and despair, closeness and distance, life and death - a natural match for Lumsk's powerful and nuanced sound.

X Clan emerged from Brooklyn, New York as one of the most distinctive and politically charged groups of the early 1990s. The original lineup, Anthony “Sugar Shaft” Hardin, Claude “Paradise” Gray, Jason “Brother J” Hunter, and Lumumba “Professor X” Carson, became the driving force behind the Blackwatch movement, a collective that also included artists such as Lin Que aka Isis and Queen Mother Rage.

Renowned for their Afrocentric vision, militant activism, and unmistakable sonic identity, X Clan quickly rose to prominence. Their 1990 debut album To The East, Blackwards sparked both acclaim and controversy, reaching No. 11 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 97 on the Billboard 200. The record delivered several standout singles, including “Heed The Word Of The Brother” backed with “Raise The Flag”, “Funkin’ Lesson” backed with “Shaft’s Big Score”, “Grand Verbalizer, What Time Is It?”, and the funk-driven, sample-heavy track “Verbal Milk”.

The group’s original formation dissolved in 1995, and tragically, both Sugar Shaft and Professor X passed away later that year.

To The East, Blackwards is now reissued on vinyl for the first time since 1991, honouring one of hip‑hop’s most influential and culturally resonant albums.

Turn back the clock to an unforgettable era, with 32 huge hits from 1980–1984 brought together across 2LPs.

LP1 launches with Wham!’s feel-good ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’, before Duran Duran’s ‘Is There Something I Should Know?’ and Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ capture the contemporary sound of the new decade. The Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me’, Soft Cell’s ‘Tainted Love’ and Heaven 17’s ‘Temptation’ continue an outstanding run of synth-pop classics, with Blondie and Frankie Goes To Hollywood completing Side One. Culture Club open Side Two with ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’, followed by colourful 80s favourites from Adam & The Ants, Altered Images and Kajagoogoo. Haircut 100’s ‘Love Plus One’ and ABC’s ‘The Look Of Love’ lead into Dollar and Bucks Fizz, rounding out a side packed with pure pop nostalgia.

LP2 starts in suitably anthemic style with Spandau Ballet’s ‘Gold’, alongside Elton John’s uplifting ‘I’m Still Standing’ and Billy Joel’s ‘It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me’. The Cars’ ‘Drive’ and Bonnie Tyler’s epic ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ bring some of the decade’s biggest power-pop moments, while Laura Branigan’s ‘Self Control’ and Matthew Wilder’s ‘Break My Stride’ pave the way for Dexys Midnight Runners’ ‘Come On Eileen’. Side Two brings another burst of ’80s energy with Ray Parker Jr.’s ‘Ghostbusters’, Chaka Khan’s ‘I Feel for You’ and Billy Ocean’s ‘Caribbean Queen’. Diana Ross’ ‘Upside Down’ is followed by favourites from The Police, Pretenders and The Jam, before Roxy Music’s ‘Jealous Guy’ provides an elegant finale to this celebration of 1980–1984.

CFUNK 050 is presented as a special collector edition commemorating the 50th Cyberfunk release. The package celebrates more than two decades of the label's music, artwork and visual identity.
The accompanying booklet brings together artwork from across the Cyberfunk catalogue, including labels from some of Quest's biggest and most memorable releases, alongside a personal retrospective from DJ Quest looking back at the creation of the label, the artists who shaped it and the journey back to vinyl.
Dedicated artist pages introduce DJ Quest, Paket, Destroyers, Code BreakerZ and Groovebox, connecting the artists behind release 050 with the wider story of Cyberfunk and the international breakbeat community that continues to support it.
More than simply a four-track 12", CFUNK 050 is designed as a physical celebration of Cyberfunk: its records, its artwork, its artists and the people who have kept the sound alive.


Cyberfunk reaches release number 50. To mark the milestone, DJ Quest opens up the Cyberfunk archives for a special four-track vinyl release featuring new interpretations from Paket, Destroyers, Code BreakerZ and Groovebox.
CFUNK 050 connects the label's original UK Bassline Breaks foundations directly with a new generation of producers. Each artist has been given the freedom to reinterpret classic Quest material in their own style while retaining the character, bass pressure and dancefloor attitude that made the originals unmistakably Cyberfunk.
From Paket's reworking of Muffled Mayhem and Destroyers' take on Cybanet, through to two very different versions of Back To The Old Skool from Code Breakerz and Tech House maestro Groovebox, the release moves across modern breaks, heavyweight club production and rolling groove-led territory.
It is both a celebration of 50 Cyberfunk releases and a statement about what comes next.

A1. DJ Quest feat. Yoof - Muffled Mayhem (Paket Remix)
Spanish breaks heavyweight Paket takes on Muffled Mayhem, retaining the attitude and personality of the original while rebuilding it for contemporary dancefloors with heavyweight drums, powerful bass and the polished low-end pressure that has made him a leading figure in the new generation of Andalusian Breakbeat.
A2. DJ Quest - Cybanet (Destroyers Remix)
Destroyers turns his attention to Cybanet, pushing one of Quest's darker electronic productions firmly into modern club territory. Futuristic electronics, heavyweight rhythm programming and serious dancefloor pressure meet the machine-driven character of the original.
B1. DJ Quest - Back To The Old Skool (Code BreakerZ Remix)
Code BreakerZ completely re-engineer one of Quest's defining tracks for a new generation. Their acid-tinged, hard-hitting approach injects fresh energy into Back To The Old Skool while keeping the hooks and attitude that made the original such an important Quest record.
B2. DJ Quest - Back To The Old Skool (Groovebox Remix)
Groovebox closes the release with a deeper, tech house, groove-led interpretation. Built around movement, rhythm and rolling dancefloor momentum, his remix takes the original somewhere different while preserving the unmistakable old-skool spirit at its core.

Dive into the ultra deep field with the fourth release by Alphawaves.
A0910EP showcases Alphawaves' characteristic ability to fuse the organic and the synthetic into a cohesive, hypnotic whole. Across two tracks, a subtle but insistent surge of energy powers both dancefloors and hi-fidelity systems. Dubby and repetitive yet undeniably playful, a sound that feels both intimate and expansive. A sonic space rooted in past, present, and future, echoing far beyond the moment.

'Get Back' is a 8-track album and collection celebrating the last ten years of Italian DJ and producer Da Lukas, a respected name in the global nu-disco and house music scenes. Known for blending vintage disco nostalgia with modern electronic production, this collection brings together his strongest club anthems from the past decade. The album also introduces two brand-new tracks. The first new track is a powerful cover of the James Brown-penned Lyn Collins funk classic, "Take Me Just As I Am," featuring a brilliant vocal performance by Fatimah Provillon. The second new addition is the original title track, "Get Back," a driving nu-disco anthem featuring the legendary dance/pop singer Amanda Wilson. This album serves as both a perfect retrospective of his signature sound and an exciting look at his latest work.

Los Angeles-based producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Dexter Story returns with his sixth album, T'som (pronounced sawm), a deeply personal work inspired by the spiritual practice of fasting. Meaning "fasting" in the Afro-Semitic languages Tigrinya and Amharic, as well as in Arabic, Tsom represents a time of prayer, reflection and discipline across northeast Africa. Guided by this tradition, Story draws on the musical heritage of the Horn of Africa and musical traditions of the Middle East to create a spiritual jazz album that reflects on devotion, transformation and the power of letting go. Working with frequent collaborators Carlos Nino, Sudan Archives, Kamasi Washington, Jimetta Rose and Kibrom Birhane, the album touches on themes of reflection, inner poise and a quest for deeper connections, bound by explorations of traditional rhythms from the Horn of Africa. Named after jazz saxophone legend Dexter Gordon, Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, music director and producer Dexter Story is one of the key figures in the city's vibrant creative music scene. Renowned for his genre-defying approach, he has collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists, including Carlos Nino, Madlib, Kamasi Washington, Build An Ark and Gaslamp Killer. His acclaimed solo albums Wondem and Bahir, released by Soundway, established him as a distinctive voice at the intersection of jazz, African music and contemporary production. Most recently, Story produced Mulatu Astatke's acclaimed studio album Mulatu Plays Mulatu, further cementing his reputation as one of today's most sought-after creative producers and musical collaborators.

Das zweite Album der "Colors"-Trilogie! Der aufstrebende Metal(core)- und Alternative-Künstler hält seine über 2 Millionen TikTok-Follower in Atem. Arankai stammt aus Wisconsin (USA) und trat erstmals 2022 mit einer Reihe von Independent-Veröffentlichungen in Erscheinung. Durch die Kombination von Elementen aus Metal, Alternative Rock und emotionalem Storytelling baute er sich dank seines rohen Sounds und seiner markanten Präsenz in den sozialen Medien schnell eine treue Fangemeinde auf. Nach der "The Portrait Tour" im Mai und Juni 2026 - seiner ersten Headliner-Tournee, die mehrere ausverkaufte Shows in den USA umfasste - wird Arankai ausgewählte Headliner-Konzerte in Europa spielen (darunter einen Auftritt beim Reeperbahn Festival). Anschließend nimmt er diesen Schwung mit ins Frühjahr 2027, wenn er gemeinsam mit Melrose Avenue als Support-Act durch Europa tourt. Arankai in his own words: ""The Shape of Blue", like its predecessor "A Portrait of Red," covers a range of human experiences: rebellion, pride, sacrifice, to name a few that stick out. I tend to draw from personal experiences, but with this particular record I found myself writing songs that reflected specific situations involving other people; sometimes I wasn't even a part of those situations, it was just a powerful moment I found inspiring. I really wanted this record to be something special. I did a lot of things I haven't done before, wrote songs in styles that were new to me; I really wanted to give people a new, exciting experience. I believe "The Shape of Blue", as an album, is a strong, emotive piece. And I hope people enjoy it as much as I loved making it."

Los Angeles-based producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Dexter Story returns with his sixth album, T'som (pronounced sawm), a deeply personal work inspired by the spiritual practice of fasting. Meaning "fasting" in the Afro-Semitic languages Tigrinya and Amharic, as well as in Arabic, Tsom represents a time of prayer, reflection and discipline across northeast Africa. Guided by this tradition, Story draws on the musical heritage of the Horn of Africa and musical traditions of the Middle East to create a spiritual jazz album that reflects on devotion, transformation and the power of letting go.


Working with frequent collaborators Carlos Niño, Sudan Archives, Kamasi Washington, Jimetta Rose and Kibrom Birhane, the album touches on themes of reflection, inner poise and a quest for deeper connections, bound by explorations of traditional rhythms from the Horn of Africa.


Named after jazz saxophone legend Dexter Gordon, Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, music director and producer Dexter Story is one of the key figures in the city's vibrant creative music scene. Renowned for his genre-defying approach, he has collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists, including Carlos Niño, Madlib, Kamasi Washington, Build An Ark and Gaslamp Killer. His acclaimed solo albums Wondem and Bahir, released by Soundway, established him as a distinctive voice at the intersection of jazz, African music and contemporary production. Most recently, Story produced Mulatu Astatke's acclaimed studio album Mulatu Plays Mulatu, further cementing his reputation as one of today's most sought-after creative producers and musical collaborators

In Dead Deities, SATANIC PLANET’s new album for Relapse Records, we see a band coming into its own while offering an aggressive, pitch-black, deeply surly call-to-arms against autocracy in the age of Christian Nationalism. Lucien Greaves (The Satanic Temple co-founder and spokesperson), Luke Henshaw (Planet B, Sonido de la Frontera, First Power Crew, Variations In the Key of the Afterlife), Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Misfits, Mr. Bungle, Dead Cross), and Justin Pearson (The Locust, Swing Kids, Deaf Club) are now a fully together-in-the-studio band with razor-sharpened focus, creating a sound and lyrical catalog of ideas that Greaves says is both more personal and even closer aligned to the goals of The Satanic Temple, which through art, action, and activism seeks to “encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practiced common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits.” The Satanic Temple and SATANIC PLANET are here to empower all those who are needed in the ongoing battle against theocracy, apathy, and inequality. Dead Deities begins as a brooding, doomy soundscape with backwards ritualistic vocals that churn forward like a barbaric horror flick scene before launching into the aptly named “Antichrist,” with a hypnotic, screamy post-post-post-hardcore intro that melds into a slow, nasty, heavy vision of what pop music might sound like in Hell. This 11-track stygian brute of an album is a journey through modern dark music with tolling bells, blackened synth, diabolical noise interludes, drums as heavy as a mountain, and group vocals torn straight out of your best-worst nightmares.

BERNARR, the latest album from Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and vocal powerhouse Durand Bernarr, marks the next chapter following his 2026 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album for BLOOM. Named after his father, legendary sound engineer Bernarr Fields, the album honors legacy while capturing Durand in full command of his voice, his lineage, and his artistic evolution. Originally envisioned as a deluxe edition of BLOOM, the project evolved into a full-length album, blending Bernarr's signature R&B, soul, and gospel roots with vibrant influences from yacht rock, P-Funk, house, and Miami bass. The album features collaborations with Khalid, Big Sean, Sevyn Streeter, VIC MENSA, and James Fauntleroy, alongside production from Raphael Saadiq, Bryan-Michael Cox, and James Fauntleroy

BLOOM, the 2026 Grammy Award-winning album from four-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and vocal powerhouse Durand Bernarr, is a landmark release from one of contemporary R&B's most celebrated voices. The album also earned Grammy nominations for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance ("Here We Are") and Best R&B Song ("Overqualified"), further cementing Bernarr's reputation as one of the genre's most innovative artists. BLOOM explores the concept of love beyond romantic intimacy, weaving together themes of self-love, personal growth, friendship, community, accountability, and the freedom to cultivate spaces where love can flourish. Rich in soulful songwriting and genre-blending production, the album showcases Bernarr at the height of his creative powers.

It's hard to pin down the age of chest's music, as it seems to be in a state of constantflux - a fusion of spontaneous energy and timeless electricity. The band didn't choose this name by chance: for years, its members have been breathing music through every pore of their bodies; they bonded amidst the darkness and vibrations of Supersonic, the heart of the independent music scene in Paris, where they met and have all worked. Even before releasing a single record,chest. were spotted by NME,which ranked them among the 100 to follow last year in 2025. A debut EP in February 2025, All Good Things End (Howlin Banana), further boosted the band's credibility and international popularity at breakneck speed. chest. opened for DITZ, Jehnny Beth, Heavy Lungs and KNIVES, who welcomed them with open arms onto a bustling Anglo-Saxon music scene. They're spotted at La Maroquinerie, Rock en Seine, ESNS and across the UK. chest. come of age without ever going through adolescence. In autumn 2025, chest. began recording their debut album at La Frette studio, known for having hosted sessions by Nick Cave and the Arctic Monkeys. The band, with a line-up featuring three sound engineers, self-produced the album there and opened themselves up to new inspirations without, however, straying from the powerful and melodic noise rock of their early days. Their sound becomes even more complex and personalised, revealing perfectly assimilated influences from industrial, techno and shoegaze. chest. embodies the future figurehead of a French rock scene that is no longer afraid of anything. A band capable of bringing people together without compromising their artistic standards.

La Rama is hyped to bring you the debut 12” of an incredible Montreal based DJ/Producer, Ghazi aka Visionaire Not Millionaire. With some singles on VAs making it out in to the world over the last few years, it was time for Ghazi to have a maxi of his own. ‘Electrika’ arrives with a massive nu-school title track, the Bass/Break rumbler ‘L.O.S.T.’ & the dungeonous ‘Distress’. All this rounded off with our main man Marco Passarani’s second appearance on the label with a Passarani Club Dub!

Straight dance floor power for all your international party needs. Thank you for rocking with us :-)

Music & Mix by Ghazi aka Visionaire Not Millionaire. Mastered & Cut by Marco Pellegrino. Remix by Marco Passarani. Design by KG. Distributed by Mother Tongue & La Rama Records.

2026 Repress

Ezra Feinberg's third album Soft Power sees the composer-guitarist enlist an impressive array of fellow musicians including Mary Lattimore, David Moore (Bing & Ruth), Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, Robbie Lee and share the life affirming lead single 'Future Sand'.

Defined by its abundance of melodies, repeating figures and ecstatic improvisations, Soft Power exudes an enlightened and transformative spirit to empower the listener. Feinberg, a practising psychoanalyst and former founding member of the San Francisco psychedelic collective Citay (Dead Oceans / Important Records) resides in the artistic enclave of upstate New York's Hudson River valley. Initial recordings emerged in the late summer of 2020, before added synthesis with collaborator John Thayer (Arp, Sunwatchers) during early 2021. Soft Power follows previous albums 'Recumbent Speech' (2020) and 'Pentimento and Others' (2018).

Feinberg artfully transcends the listener to an enriched place, his compositions distinguished by the deep humanity that lies at their core, plugging the listener into a state of wide eyed being, open and alive. Soft Power then is Ezra's own mantra but also one of power giving - a colourful catharsis translated into music.

Feinberg's music always speaks to the listener, but Soft Power, in whispering, speaks loudest.

"Much like everyday life, I wanted to convey these very plain, simple, tranquil, nearly quotidian aspects, but each piece contains this arc in which that form expands, is broken out of, so what starts out like a painting of flowers in a seaside motel turns into a riot of color and sound, or you feel slipped into a dream that feels like it could go on forever"

2026 Repress

Divorce From New York returns with Jazzthetics, a sophisticated blend of Broken Beat, Nu Jazz and House, where detailed musicianship meets club ready energy. Featuring collaborations with Quiet Dawn, Stickydub, and Carla Luna, the EP explores warm, organic textures and rhythmic depth.
Remixes by K15, GE-OLOGY, and Stefan Ringer expand the sonic palette with future?minded interpretations that connect soulful atmospheres with powerful grooves.

After releasing three LPs and appearing on influential labels such as Nervous Records and Toy Tonics, as well as being featured on the acclaimed Somewhere Soul compilation, Divorce From New York presents his new EP Jazzthetics.
Distinctive fusion of Broken Beat, Nu Jazz, and House. Collaborations with Quiet Dawn, Stickydub, and Carla Luna, plus remixes by K15, GE-OLOGY, and Stefan Ringer.
12" vinyl format with premium finish and digital download included.
Supported on stations such as NTS Radio, Worldwide FM, Rinse FM, The Lot Radio, and Kiosk Radio. Endorsed by influential DJs and platforms including Lefto, Marco Weibel, Mr.Redley, Somewhere Soul, and Brownswood Recordings.
Backed by an international promo campaign and European club tour throughout summer 2026.

or its first release, CRVSH introduces the new 6-track EP by Zaatar, co-founder of the label, entitled First Crush. Zaatar unveils a collection of new anthems that reflect her distinctive sound, standing between club music and live performance energy. Throughout the EP, she blends diverse cultural influences that echo across each track.

With First Crush, Zaatar develops a musical language of her own, where her North African roots meet the rawest forms of electronic music. Percussions borrow from rock’s intensity, while dissonant synths crackle like guitar riffs, all driven by the power of deep bass frequencies.

The voice takes a central role throughout the EP, shifting from a sensual whisper to a mechanical and robotic texture. It creates a constant tension between human and machine, between organic warmth and mechanical coldness.

Children of Zeus return with their third studio album ‘As The World Burns…’

Five years on from their highly-acclaimed sophomore album ‘Balance’, Manchester’s kings of hip hop soul, Tyler Daley and Konny Kon, bring us a brand new 16-track opus.

Sonically the duo continue their story where they left off; crafting an amalgamation of street soul, alternative r&b and boom bap hip hop, with a sprinkle of flavours taken from their original multi-genre pirate radio influences, and a dash of forward-thinking new sounds, ensuring all tracks are destined to become future classics.

The features are sparing but powerful, enlisting the talents of revered UK rapper Knucks (‘Before We Drown’), Colorado-native Young Old Soul (‘Dopamine’), MCR family K S R (‘Do You Want To Get High’, & Australian/Mauritian up & comer Anieszka (‘Water & Vibes’).

As with previous projects, this album is largely produced by the duo themselves, though there are guest productions from previous collaborators too, including Grammy Award-winner Beat Butcha, Grammy-nominated Teo, and broken beat pioneer K15, along with an assortment of new players making moves in the underground neo-soul & beats circuit.

Conceptually, this project continues on with the story to date. An eternal search for sunsets and soulfood, as a respite to the anxieties of the modern world; personally, professionally and globally. Assertive swagger is matched with brutal but sincere candidity. As ever, it encapsulates the rough with the smooth, with reflections on where they’ve been, where they’re at and where they’re headed. There’s no preaching to be found here; just an acceptance of things as they are, an embrace of the environment and people they were nurtured by, and a celebration of some of the finer things in life; slow jams, weed & rum, water & vibes. Raps for listeners, blunt heads, fly ladies and prisoners. All packaged together as another perfect sonic love letter to sound system culture. 50 minutes of big people music.

Since the release of their anthemic debut single ‘Still Standing’ a decade ago, to the subsequent EP ‘The Story So Far’, and their critically-lauded debut album ‘Travel Light’, the duo have received numerous accolades, including nominations for AIM Awards & Worldwide Awards both, along with tons of ‘Album of the Year’ nods care of Clash Magazine, Bandcamp, Complex, Wordplay and many more. This along with huge swathes of support from DJs, radio stations, press outlets, tastemakers, luminaries & fellow artists across the globe.

Children of Zeus have performed sessions for COLORS, Soulection (Apple Music), DJ AG, Boiler Room, BBC 6 Music and at the infamous Maida Vale studios for BBC 1Xtra as well as touring across Europe, Australia and South Africa. This is in addition to collaborating & touring with Mercury Award Winner’s Ezra Collective, including a Wembley Arena show. Other collaborations over the years have included Shy FX, Juls, Goldie, Black Milk, Kofi Stone and the late great Lenzman.

From the Broke ’n’ English / Hoodman-era, to the present day, Children of Zeus have been omnipresent in the fabric of British black music. Proud ambassadors of Manchester music, and of UK soul, it really is “Zeus to the world”.

Children of Zeus have been adorned with plenty of flowers over their career. The unbridled quality and poignance of the music and the message on display throughout this project will see the algorithmic needle move some more. It’s undoubtedly set to be a Zeus Summer. As the world burns…

Available on all digital platforms and physical formats, Friday September 4th 2026.







t 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. K S R ) - Children of Zeus03:26







t 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. [ K S R ]) - Children of Zeus03:26







[t] 07: Do You Want To Get High? (feat. [ K S R ]) - Children of Zeus03:26







[g] B3 | Do You Want To Get High? (feat [ K S R ]) - Children of Zeus03:26

Do Da Doo' Returns with New Life on Definitive Recordings
SPECIAL VINYL ONLY RELEASE

Definitive Recordings revisits one of its most iconic releases with a fresh reissue of Robotman feat. Marshall Jefferson - 'Do Da Doo', originally released in 1992. A cornerstone of the label's early catalogue, the track returns with newly re-recorded vocals by house legend Marshall Jefferson, bringing renewed energy to a timeless classic.

Robotman, a moniker of Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman), represents an essential chapter in the evolution of house and techno. As one of the most influential figures in electronic music, Hawtin helped shape the sound of acid and minimal techno while co-founding the legendary Plus 8 label alongside John Acquaviva. His forward-thinking productions and groundbreaking DJ sets have defined generations of dance music culture.

On this release, the original Plastikman Acid House Mix stands as a true highlight. Spanning 12 minutes, it delivers a deep and hypnotic acid journey driven by classic TR-909 drums and a signature TB-303 bassline. The instantly recognizable vocal 'Got the Do Da Doo' sits prominently within the groove, creating a powerful and timeless club moment that defined an era.

On the flipside, Detroit's DJ Minx brings a fresh perspective with a groove-heavy house interpretation. Known as the 'First Lady of Wax' and a key figure in Detroit's scene, Minx reshapes the vocal into a rhythmic element, layering it into a shuffling and classic house framework. Her version adds warmth and swing while staying rooted in the track's original spirit.

With this reissue, Definitive Recordings celebrates a landmark release that continues to resonate across generations, combining legendary artists, timeless production, and the enduring energy of house music.

Riva Starr teams up with Australian duo Close Counters for a sun-soaked debut on Heist.

What do you get when you put an Italian house legend in the studio with 2 of the most talented artists from Melbourne? Have a listen to the newest release on Heist and you’ll find out. On their ‘Push your luck’ EP, Riva Starr, Close Counters and UK soul singer Andre Espeut bring a heavy dose of jazz & soul and most of all, upbeat dancefloor energy. Whether it’s the deep soulful vibe of the title track or the house meets jazz-funk energy of ‘Gearbox’, this EP brings together everything we love about house music.

‘Push your luck’ comes right in the middle of Close Counters’ world tour, just after Riva Starr’s album ‘Keep me on the dancefloor’ and is the follow up to their recent collab ‘Jinga’ on Riva Starr’s own Snatch Records. We all know Riva Starr from his 2013 Fatboy Slim collab ‘Eat sleep rave repeat’, his work with Groove Armada, and more recently his collab with Prunk on his PIV records debut album. Close Counters have already worked with Heist mainstays Fouk and had their breakthrough moment with their 2023 album ‘Soulacousta II’, which got wide support ranging from Gilles Peterson to Jyoto and Folamour.

Their ‘Push your luck’ EP kicks off with the title track featuring the silky vocals of Andre Espeut. When we first heard this song, we immediately got transported to the soulful sound of the mid 2000s led by Recloose’s unique track ‘Dust’ with Fat Freddy’s Drop singer Joe Dukie. It’s moody, stripped back, and bouncy at the same time. The lush chords, disco bassline, and vocal harmonies all make for a track that goes beyond genres and trends. This is a future classic.

‘Gearbox’ is a disco-tinged piano jam full of live elements, rolling congas and disco bleeps, where the musicality of the Close Counters boys comes in at full speed. This song takes its inspiration from the Brazilian jazz-funk of legends Marcos Valle and Azymuth, with a clear sense of modern-day dancefloors and a love for electronic noise. Also; 10/10 for creatively naming the track after the glitchy electronic sound that freaks & funks throughout the track.

On the flip, ‘Dizzy’ sees the trio go more into disco-house territory, again teaming up with Andre Espeut for a track that blends catchy vocal loops with a tight groove and lush chords. The EP finishes with a club dub of ‘Push your luck’ for those in favor of more groove and less vocals.

We’ve had Riva Starr and the Close Counters boys on our radar for a while, and they landed on Heist with the perfect combination of musicality and dancefloor power. We hope you like this release as much as we do!

As always, play it loud and share the music.

Lars & Maarten

After the sell-out sensation of the album 'Soul Drums’, the Steve White Trio return with a special 7” single, as they take on Deep Purple’s ‘Mandrake Root’. A fitting tribute to Jon Lord, with a Hammond-heavy groove, White shows his range and power from behind the kit. It is backed by the original ‘Sunburn’, written by Joel White and Chris Hague, who complete the brilliant Trio.

’Soul Drums’ was the inaugural release in the new Acid Jazz Jazz Sessions series earlier this year and, remarkably, the first album bearing the name Steve White. After a storied session career and long association with Paul Weller, as a member of the Style Council and as the heartbeat of Weller’s solo band on ‘Wildwood', 'Stanley Road', 'Heavy Soul’ and ‘As Is Now’, the Trio sees Steve return to his jazz and filmic influences, with a true modernist touch.

The 7” release coincides with a special appearance at the 100 Club on 17 September.

The annual Bonkers Music compilation is back with another dose of high-energy bangers. For its seventh anniversary, the series takes a fresh step forward, exploring a slightly evolved musical direction while keeping the distinctive sound that defines it. “Year VII” lands on 12” vinyl.

A1 David Meyer & Ludviq – Mandanga 2.0 (Feat Nick Hanzo)

The collaboration between Ludviq and David Meyer strikes a compelling balance between tension and movement. Drawing from underground electronic influences, Mandanga 2.0 evolves through hypnotic layers, acid-driven momentum, and a powerful groove, resulting in a distinctive cut that feels both immersive and uncompromising. Mandanga 2.0 is a dark, hypnotic electronic track built around squelching acid sequences, deep rolling grooves, and haunting vocal elements from Nick Hanzo. Atmospheric textures and a relentless rhythmic drive create a tense, immersive journey through shadowy soundscapes, blending raw energy with a refined sense of space.

A2 Neskeh – Liquid Sky

A raw trip built entirely around samples from Liquid Sky, Neskeh’s one of all-time favorite films. Crunchy saturated highs, basement-shaking low end, heroin-soaked wonky vocals, and freaky alien leads drifting through the mix. A warped tribute to an iconic soundtrack. Welcome to the space trippy club

A3 Your Reference – Afterparty

Julia Konor aka “Your Reference” one of the hidden gems of Barcelona’s underground scene, lands for the first time on the label with “Afterparty”
”Afterparty” draws inspiration from abandoned industrial spaces, empty warehouses, and nights where the only thing that mattered was the music. No rules, no expectations. Just raw energy, dusty air, concrete, and people completely immersed in the moment. The track is a personal postcard from that world.

B1 Lebollet & Mar Bravo – Aleta

“Aleta” is one of those Colombian words that somehow made its way into our shared language. We use it for raw, intense, dark tracks. Hard to translate. Makes sense when you feel it.

B2 Funboys – Skin In The Game

“Against the persistent ebb and flow of a breaking heart’s pulse, echoes of half-faded memories tease your attention… On the edge of forgetting, you can almost remember. And then it hits you – the coalescence of feeling into colour and form, warm in its familiarity, powerful in its simplicity. Uncanny, because it was right there all along. Don’t hold your breath… Listen!”

B3 Milla Campollo – Brote Psicodélico

“Brote Psicodélico” emerges from a hypnotic intersection of acid rhythms, psychedelic textures and raw downtempo energy. The track slowly unfolds through repetition and movement, creating a constantly evolving state between tension and release. Dark, trippy and physical, it is built around a groove that pulls you deeper with every layer. Distorted elements and acidic patterns weave in and out of the rhythm, giving the track an organic yet alien character. A journey designed for listening, less about following a linear narrative and more about entering a state of mind, where the boundaries between rhythm, body and psychedelia begin to blur.

“Sacred Aeolian music capturing and harnessing the divine power of the wind”

Aeolian Harp is somewhere between a string instrument and a receiver. Its strings are agitated by the wind without any human interference, producing tones entirely of its own volition. Archer toured the British Isles setting up his harp in various sacred and loosely mystical locations. Where he let the Devaharp transmit an otherwise unknown sacred music that has ALWAYS existed around us.

Listening to the natural swells of the strings and their unusual tonalities, the billowing wind and bird song overhead, it feels divinely calm and comforting. Something like tapping into the natural resonance of Mother Gaia or being back inside the womb.

DELUXE 2LP REISSUE
Housed in it’s original gatefold sleeve with original inserts, 2 new special colour inner sleeves, a new 2026 insert and a BONUS UNRELEASED album recorded in 1983 on Robert’s previously UNHEARD pyramid-shaped Aeolian harp the DEVAHARP 2.

The third release on Uprising pairs a sax-driven rockabilly thumper with one of the coolest dance craze records of the mid-60s. ‘Red Hot Car’ was Bobby Verne’s only recording and came out on the tiny Californian Doc Holiday label in 1962. Judging by the current price and collector demand for an original copy only a small quantity were pressed. This is a powerhouse of a tune that has been filling dancefloors across the globe for some time now.
As for the flip, in 1965, Buddy Wayne added self-penned lyrics to Gary Paxton’s rendition of the James Bond theme. Released on the Big Ben label – that only put out four records − it sat unwanted for decades. Then the rockabilly scene picked up on it in a big way when they discovered that it was the perfect stroller. This was closely followed by the northern soul and mod scenes. Today, it is at last crossing over to a more mainstream audience.

La Dispute is an American post-hardcore band formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2004. The band consists of vocalist Jordan Dreyer, guitarist Chad Sterenberg, drummer Brad Vander Lugt, bassist Adam Vass, and guitarist Corey Stroffolino. Known for their intense and emotionally charged sound La Dispute has released five studio albums to critical acclaim, including “Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair” (2008), “Wildlife” (2011), and “Panorama” (2019). Their music often explores themes of loss, grief, and human relationships through a series of interconnencted stories. La Dispute has developed a devoted fanbase and is known for the powerful, unforgettable live performances.

Anika Kunst makes her debut on Unterwegs with her 'The Presence of Power' EP.

Tip-on Cover, Special Varnish

Available in the following Territories: Wordwide minus Japan & Korea

NOTON is pleased to announce12 Conversations, a collaborative album by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto to be released on 18 September 2026.

The partnership between the legendary musician and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and the German artist Carsten Nicolai (aka Alva Noto) has produced some of the most distinctive and enduring works in contemporary electroacoustic music. Beginning with Vrioon in 2002, the artists spent more than two decades fusing and expanding their disciplines, with Sakamoto's evocative, sustain-drenched piano compositions finding their counterpart in Nicolai's skilful and sensitive electronic detailing.
Each successive project further deepened their artistic dialogue: from the five studio albums of the V.I.R.U.S. series (Vrioon, Insen, Revep, Utp_ with Ensemble Modern, and Summvs), to their score for Alejandro G. Iñárritu's The Revenant; Glass (2017), a wholly improvised performance inside Philip Johnson's iconic Connecticut landmark, in which the pair fixed contact microphones to the glass walls, playing the architecture itself as an instrument; and Two (2019), a document of their live performance at the Sydney Opera House.

Across these works, their distinct approaches achieved a rare synthesis, a brilliantly sustained dialogue between piano and electronics, Sakamoto's warmth and melodic finesse meeting Nicolai's abstract electronic formalism to invoke a mesmeric quietude as deeply satisfying in its melodic resolutions as in the merger of its filmic romanticism and meditative subtlety.
12 Conversations brings together musical exchanges recorded in November and December 2022. Rooted in the same creative period that gave rise to Sakamoto's final solo album 12, these recordings were not originally intended as a standalone release. It was only after the completion of 12 that Sakamoto and Nicolai decided to present these exchanges as a work in their own right.
The album reflects the vitality and curiosity that defined more than two decades of shared inspiration: fluid, exploratory, and forward-looking. Created with openness and trust, it captures a creative process in constant transformation - sounds expanding, altering, and evolving through attentive listening.

Conceived as the continuation of an artistic dialogue extending beyond the physical, 12 Conversations honours Sakamoto's wish that these encounters should exist beyond the archive, offering an enduring testament to one of contemporary music's most revered collaborations.


Carsten Nicolai writes:
"A heavy breath can be heard in the recordings. Yet this work is not about remembrance but continuation, vitality, curiosity, and the spirit of experimentation that shaped an artistic relationship over decades.
The twelve pieces we exchanged in November and December 2022 possess extraordinary density: sounds expanded, altered, recontextualized. Initially, every intervention felt almost inappropriate. Yet this was part of our openness and trust: adding, shifting and radically yet softly transforming.
Even in these final exchanges, plans for future projects continued to take shape, mindful of finite yet firmly believing in the power of new ideas. We chose the name Conversations, which has become a space of memory and vision, where past, present and future intertwine.
For a long time, releasing this music seemed impossible. The loss felt too sudden, and the emotional connection too profound. As time passed, it became clear that these twelve musical encounters should have life outside the archive. To honor Ryuichi's wish, these pieces are now being released as the continuation of a dialogue that extends beyond the physical."

The first single, Conversation 3, will be released on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The second single, Conversation 6, will be be released on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
12 Conversations will be available worldwide on vinyl, CD and digitally. A Japanese edition will be available on Ryuichi Sakamoto's commons.

Channeling his honed sample craft towards the ominous portent of modern times, Romare returns with his fifth album Oblivion, with the previous 3 out of 4 LP's appearing on Ninja Tune. Across a suite of downtempo, broken beat, bubbling grooves and brooding reveries Archie Fairhurst threads a narrative that wrestles with the big questions of the present moment — the tipping points of the planet and technology, the fight for social justice and the power structures that govern our existence. While his trademark source material continues to cast a long line back through recorded history, this is Romare at his most contextual.

Nothing is placed by accident. 'Machines' hums its throbbing 4/4 pulse along to a German language recital of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 'Blessed Longing' — an enduring reflection on the human condition that rings true from way back in the 19th Century when it was written. 'Computer Love' slinks into a sumptuous trip-hop lull laced with sci-fi flourishes sculpted from samples of old computer documentaries — a bittersweet romantic backdrop to our complicated situationship with the devices in our lives. 'Take Us' goes one step further on its hard-stepping boom-bap strut as a subtle tale of possession by screens unfolds around Romare's signature strain of technicolour mutant funk.

There is space for optimism in the message on Oblivion as well — the strength of the suffragettes as a benchmark for social justice and activism amidst the speakeasy slink of ‘Deeds, Not Words', and spring-loaded acid house joint 'Change' pointing to the need for positive action in the face of imminent calamity.

The artwork for the album follows Fairhurst's thought process, drawing on Edvard Munch's iconic 'The Scream' along with Philippe Halsman and Salvador Dali’s ‘Voluptuous Death’ to help render the ideas of the album visually.

The wild ride of Oblivion races towards a final beguiling opiate on 'The Last Lullaby' — the perfect sedative after the rush of information and emotion that comes with a full-length trip through Romare's vivid, uniquely creative world of sound.

2026 Repress

After a five-year hiatus, JKS makes a triumphant return to the iconic French label Molekul with a highly anticipated solo EP. Leading the release is the standout track, The Cult, a testament to JKSs evolution while staying true to the essence of his sound.

Built for the club, The Cult channels an undeniable sense of power through its driving rhythms and immersive energy. The tracks tribal undertones create an
almost ritualistic atmosphere, pulling dancers into its pulsating core. With expertly layered textures and a commanding structure, The Cult keeps the momentum
unrelenting from start to finish.

True to his roots, The Cult brings a distinct old-school vibe, laced with a plurality of influences that have defined his sound since the beginning. Its a journey through raw rhythm and immersive layers, a bridge between past and present, aimed squarely at making people move.