There’s more than a hint of ambition on the double LP sophomore effort from Sam Austin Rabede, the producer known as DJ Black Low. Pretoria, South Africa-born and based, the young man makes amapiano with new ways of expressing this local turned-global style of dance music.
In DJ Black Low’s musical imagination, the songs manage to smoothly vacillate between dreamy and firmly-grounded. Adorned with vocalists across most of the twelve tracks, there’s a new dimension to Black Low’s now-signature approach to abstract, angular deconstruction of the rhythmic developments in his songs.
The album references influences and ambitions in its song titles and lyrics while the music itself is anthemic in its sonic and structural aspirations. On many of the songs a slow-burning tension transforms into something unexpected until you’re somewhere else as the track concludes. There is an emotional and compositional maturity that builds on his earlier work. Vocals and lyrics are in focus.
Production collaborators among Black Low’s Gauteng Province circle add to the constantly churning array of ideas that populate this consistently surprising release. Despite being a relative newcomer, DJ Black Low is onto something here.
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SlothBoogie Records return for 2023 with a five tracker from Moonee.
Groovence Discs boss Francois Lefevre is well versed in deep grooves and has been releasing some of his finest discoveries on the label since 2015. More recently he's been making his own deep and atmospheric productions under the Moonee moniker which took off in 2020 thanks to debut track Faith & Sorrow. Collaborations with some of the French scene’s finest producers Mangabey and Tour Maubourg soon followed as well as a remix for Sweely’s banger 'I Gotta Keep On'.
The Wabi Sabi EP on the label landed in 2022 and was highlighted by Juno's editorial team as 'a sumptuous, slowly building chunk of intergalactic deep house beat loveliness'. That same EP caught the SlothBoogie crew's eye and they immediately began working on presenting a selection of Moonee's tracks that would celebrate their shared love of deep yet pumping Disco and House sounds.
The Primal Groove EP was born and it starts off with 'Apples', a Motor city soul drenched track with filtered bass, dusty horn samples and spaced out guitar licks. Shuffled along by MPC beats before an otherworldly vocal washes over and brings it all to a close. 'Shishingo' is up next with it’s clever vocal manipulation, bouncy drums, subtle organ flourishes and a skipping bassline that builds up to some good ol’ time piano workout. Completing the A side is 'Dinner At Michelle's'... the most disco cut of the 12''. More shuffling shakers and filtered guitar loops backed by a thumping kick and ever circling strings leading the way for a full on 4/4 workout.
Flipping over to the B sides introduces us to the title track 'Primal Groove' that takes us deep into a nostalgic trip with its string swells and filtered bass. Moonee is flexing his deep house muscles on this one as snappy percussion punctuates more MPC sampling, building tension towards the reveal of the main heads down groove section… classy business. Finally for dessert is 'Boka' a sumptuous glistening track that’s primed for beachside sunsets. Saturated with hypnotic vibes that’ll help you drift away into a calmer, more peaceful sanctuary
"‘Soil’ by Amsterdam-based producer and musician Jelee is heavily influenced by video game world-building. Like a beat alchemist, he carefully pours his love for beats into his lifelong passion for video game soundtracks. That far exceeds your typical 8-bits and bobs: Soil unfolds like a challenging adventure game, held together by a sonic palette of hip-hop-minded drum programming, jazz-inspired chords, and synthesized sounds.
The album features tight-knit homegrown collaborations with jazz multi-instrumentalist Guido Hoek, rising deejay Jerrau, producer lofi prototype (“one of Amsterdam’s best-kept secrets when it comes to beatmaking,” says Jelee), deejay, producer, and keyboardist Mo Wrights, and singer Erosi. With influences ranging from Brainfeeder’s roster to Zelda games, Jelee presents a multifaceted take on music.
Jelee’s music has been featured on compilations by Resilienza Records, Stamp The Wax, and Carista’s ‘Modern Intimacy Volume 1.’ Jelee is also known for his expressive live sets, such as the support act for Onra, Samiyam, and Salami Rose Joe Louis."
Welcoming Hermanez to Satya has naturally induced the label to transcend musical boundaries by opening up the creative parameters to more electronic artistry. Taking spring by storm, Hermanez has adopted 009 with grace and unequivocal individuality. With his full-body thrilling tracks, he empowers the listener to Rewire their listening programming, refreshing their palette with a high-energy burst of sexy flavors.
“The urge for freedom during the lockdown was a big thing for me. I personally had a production burst. Everyone needed to deal with what happened, so I did it in my own way by purely doing the only thing that kept me moving forward: creating a space to stock a feeling. Rewire is a story that is beyond words, as it is made up of healing sounds. Although there were cultural contradictions these past years, what mattered most for me was and still is people’s love for music. Overall, 009 was inspired by the beautiful collision of people and their experiences.” - Hermanez
Through defined grooves, rolling bass lines, granular uplifting synths and pad use, Rewire is literally wired with deeply hypnotic and mystical atmospheres. Hermanez truly strikes and presents us with four dance floor weapons.
When the body starts moving
And the mind stops racing,
The heart ends up pumping
And a smile keeps spreading.
Our programming is now rewiring
Our perspectives now expanding,
With all 5 senses heightening
Because of what is resetting,
Recalibrating and realizing.
Rewiring to a new reality.
- Ty Alexander
Stunning big band music from Finnish composer Kerkko Koskinen with saxophonist Linda Fredriksson and UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. "Agatha 2" is an album that continues the saga from "Agatha", released in 2007. Koskinen composes highly dynamic, emotive and expressive music for Finland's premiere jazz orchestra UMO. Linda Fredriksson (lately present due to their very successful album "Juniper" on We Jazz Records) shines as the soloist, who understands Koskinen's vision in its entire potential. This is cinematic, moody music for of the large canvas. The album also marks the first new release for Helsinki's Ricky-Tick Records (in collaboration with We Jazz Records and Grotto Editions) for over a decade.
It’s difficult to describe Partiboi69’s sound; words feel subordinate to the energy and personality he presents. This personality bleeds into his sound, as seen with his latest EP ‘Naughty By Nature’, in which the Aussie enigma brings born boundary-breaker MCR-T into his ‘naughty’ nirvana.
Bridging the gap between Techno, Hip-Hop, Trance, Booty House, and a further multitude of other genres, MCR-T is, like his partner in crime for this EP, Partiboi69, equally difficult to categorise: a compliment that few modern artists can claim. His pioneering mentality makes him a perfect fit for Mutual Pleasure; a label that bulldozes genre boundaries for fun.
From the sweet, funk-infused bassline of ‘Go To my Show’, to the devilish ‘Blow My High’, to the wildly outlandish anthem ‘Sex In The Club’, and ultimately the brazen ‘Get Freaky’, every track within ‘Naughty By Nature’ has a mind of its own, and its own unique character.
To partner the infectious production of each track, both Partiboi69 and MCR-T flex their muscles with vocal work, as the pair masterfully manipulate the microphone to create a dynamic element to their sound; one that is totally controlled by the devious double act.
Despite their differences, each track shares a common ancestor in Partiboi69 and MCR-T: mischief, rebellion and exuberance are deeply embedded into their DNA, and consequently, these qualities characterise the overall personality of this EP.
Time to welcome Session Victim back to Delusions Of Grandeur following some heavyweight releases on Toytonics and Rhythm Section International. The German duo show absolutely no signs of slowing down continuing to impress with their unique sound which combines organic live elements, fat, floor-filling beats and a deep, musical approach. Here on The Intangibles EP we’re treated to three original tracks spanning high energy jazz disco meets techno, soulful uplifting house and downtempo blunted beats.
Opener Motivation features spoken word from Ras Stimulant backed by urgent looping Rhodes stabs and an uptempo disco groove. An instant Session Victim dance-floor shaker if ever there was one, the energy cranked up to the maximum without losing sight of that all important groove.
Next up we have Dromedary Twist which keeps up the pace but goes deeper on the jazzy organ chords and lays down a heavy syncopated bass- line which ensures the funk factor remains present and correct.
Rounding out the EP in fine style, Green Run drops the BPM’s as we head into lazy, hazy, blissed-out jazzed-up beats territory. Lush strings and layers of analogue synths come together on this simple yet enchanting little tune which compliments the other tracks perfectly and will appeal to fans of SV’s more home-listening output from their 2020 LP Needledrop.
The next transmission from planet BRUK comes courtesy of Lårry, an enigmatic artist ploughing an individualist furrow through various fields of electronic expression, one hand tweaking the tiller and the other casually dismissing the rules of rave. You might have caught their sharply-pointed sound on Super Hexagon or Awkwardly Social, or perhaps stumbled across their fabled 2021 live performance from Fitzroy in Berlin, or even unconsciously swayed to something spun in a set any time over the past five years. Lårry's discography is modest but mighty, and How Was That For You builds into that idea with four
precise tools for forward-leaning soundsystem communion. From the fractalised barbs of electronica stepper 'In Water' to patiently dread-eyed wobbler 'Angela's Knife', 'Uniform Uninform's icy incisions to the snaking spiral staircase of 'Yargachin', this is brain fodder first and foremost, with bassweight impact threaded through as an added bonus. Keeping fine company amongst the other oddities inhabiting the Bruk mandate, Lårry continues to keep us on our toes, literally and figuratively.
Alvars Orkester was formed in 1987 in Johannishus, a small village in the south-east of Sweden by a group of young boys interested in the mysteries of psychic sickness, mental institutions, industrial music culture and the power of sound. For the first very creative years, Alvars was very active within the independent cassette culture scene releasing their stuff (that quite soon drifted from the industrialism inspired by Test Dept, TG, SPK and z'ev to an atmospheric, psychedelic and quite ambient version of noise) on small labels in Italy, Portugal, USA etc.
Joachim Nordwall writes: "1990-1991. In the middle of all teen confusion going on, me and Zwarre had a long creative time together. Recording every weekend, connecting with like-minded (or at least we thought so) people around the world and trading tapes with whoever. Our world was analogue synths, Party Zone late Friday nights on MTV, zines and out-there experimental music. By then, we had a few tapes out and had "Nobody Finds Nothing" being released on the Italian super-label (in our opinion) Biotope Art Organization. We were in the midst of something and recorded "Nuthull" for another Italian top level label called Old Europa Café. However, they did not like it and the tape was abandoned and forgotten. Then years and years later, close to present time, Zwarre was in touch with OEC for some reason and had the master returned." - Joachim Nordwall, Gothenburg, 21 February 2023
Eric Clapton’s eponymous first solo album, originally released in August 1970, represents one of rock history’s most successful reinventions. After emerging as one of the seminal guitar heroes of the ’60s, the English superstar decisively re-established his musical priorities with Eric Clapton. The album marked Clapton’s transition from flashy instrumental icon to well-rounded recording artist, downplaying sonic pyrotechnics in favour of a song-focused ensemble approach that would lay the groundwork for his massively successful solo career. For the occasion, he surrounded himself with a new cast of American musicians, tapping into a rootsy musical foundation that provided an inspired framework for his talents. This Anniversary Deluxe Edition presents Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton in three separate mixes –
The Eric Clapton Mix, The Delany Bramlett Mix and The Tom Dowd Mix (The UK Version). The Eric Clapton mix is being released in full for the first time. This anniversary collection also includes some singles, alternate versions and session outtakes.
- A1: Three (Intro)
- A2: Noisia & Camo & Krooked - Nova
- A3: The Upbeats & Noisia - Shibuya Pet Store
- B1: Noisia & Imanu - Shift
- B2: Noisia & Skrillex - Horizon
- B3: Noisia & Former - Cleansing
- C1: Mefjus & Noisia - Foundations
- C2: Scrapped
- C3: Shutters
- D1: Noisia & The Upbeats - Halcyon
- D2: Noisia & Halogenix - Wordless
- D3: Told You
- E1: Noisia & Two Fingers - Dzjengis
- E2: Noisia & Former - Pleasure Model
- F1: Noisia & Phace - Deep Down
- F2: Noisia & Posij - Simplon
- G1: Noisia & Black Sun Empire - Caps Lock
- G2: Skrillex & Noisia & Josh Pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic (Vip)
- H1: The Hole Pt 1
- H2: Closer
"After Outer Edges we were trying to find a new direction for Noisia. This resulted in an extensive journey that took us through a lot of new ideas and music.
Although we eventually decided to stop, we are proud of the things we made along the way, and these tunes were always meant to be part of a larger whole. So before we finally close the book on Noisia, we wanted to share them with you, on one last album. Previously released or newly finished, they all represent directions we enjoyed exploring.
In the end, we didn't manage to figure things out. But we did get closer." - Nik, Thijs, Martijn (Noisia)
IZIPHO SOUL are stoked to release their second vinyl offering from THE REGIME, the Australian funky collective are now 25+ members and they are set to reach new
heights in 2023.
BE A LOVER oozes silky soul, funk flavours, sensuous instrumentation with an effortless flow.
A glockenspiel begins the story of our sleeping subject, snoring loudly. Queue harp and chimes to set the scene, dancing guitar strings, pulsating bass and punchy
brass. Lead vocalist Liam Stacey serenades the Gods with his soulful ode to funky liberation followed by Jaspar Gubbay with his oh so smooth tone. The track closes with an epic prophetic funky-mantra.
Sonic indulgence right here that will keep you listening again and again!
On the flip is KEEP ON LOVIN’, a unique, creative full on production that only THE REGIME can pull off! * Explicit content is present on KEEP ON LOVIN' *
Having been given the seal of approval from Rolling Stone, NME, TheFace, Danny Howard (TOTW), Jack Saunders (TOTW), Zane Lowe, Mary Anne Hobbs, Matt Wilkinson and more. An artist on the rise and poised to soon be one of the world’s most recognisable names, in the last year alone, Nia has won a MOBO award for ‘Best Electronic/Dance Act’, the NME Award for ‘Best Producer’, been hotly tipped by BBC Radio 1 Dance as a ‘Future Star’ and Spotify as their ‘Our Generation’ cover star. With additional accolades such as #3 in the BBC Sound of 2023 Poll and a Brit nomination for the ‘Rising Star award’. Alongside her cover debut on one of the world’s most prestigious dance music publications, Mixmag, Nia Archives has been given the seal of approval from tastemakers across the board from British Vogue, Pitchfork, The Fader, i-D and CRACK. Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against The Wall is available across retail on Limited Edition Red Vinyl and will be released on Friday 10th March. This game changing EP features ‘Biana’, ‘So Tell Me’ and brand new single ‘Conveniency’ released on Friday 3rd Feb.
- A1: Beyond The Dream - Kenny Cox
- B1: Tune For L.n. - Larry Nozero
- B2: Face At My Window - Sam Sanders
- B3: People We Got To Do Better - The Soulmates
- C1: Noh Word - The Contemporary Jazz Quintet
- C2: Joy Road - The Lyman Woodard Organization
- C3: Time Is Wasting - Tj
- C4: Root In 7/4 Plus - Maulawi
- D1: Salsa Pt. 1 - Fito Foster2. Maiden Voyage - Ursula Walker
- D3: You're The One - Tj
- D4: Where Is The Place? - Maulawi
- E1: Saturday Night Special - The Lyman Woodard Organization
- E2: Inner City Player - Sam Sanders
- F1: Island Song - Kenny Cox
- F2: All But Blind - Mixed Bag Feat. Ursula Walker
EN
Belgian musician and visual artist Youniss announces his second album which is dubbed ‘White Space’.
The record deals with his own personal ‘panic attack’ instilled by the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. The first single ‘Arms Bent Back’ is out now on Bandcamp and all digital platforms.
The record is set for release on March 8 on the Belgian label VIERNULVIER RECORDS.
FR
Le musicien et artiste visuel belge Youniss annonce son deuxième album intitulé «White Space». Le disque traite de sa propre attaque de panique amorcée par les séquelles du mouvement Black Lives Matter en 2020.
Le premier single «Arms Bent Back» est maintenant disponible sur Bandcamp et toutes les plateformes digitales.
L’album sortira le 8 mars sur le label belge VIERNULVIER RECORDS.
NL
De Belgische muzikant en visual artist Youniss kondigt zijn tweede album 'White Space' aan. Op de plaat onderzoekt hij zijn zwarte identiteit na gevoelens die Black Lives Matter in 2020 bij hem teweeg brachten.
De eerste single 'Arms Bent Back' is nu uit op Bandcamp en alle digitale platformen.
De plaat komt op 8 maart uit op VIERNULVIER RECORDS, het label van het Gentse Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER.
We've been writing new material as a trio since the first lockdown in the spring of 2020.
An organic and electro-acoustic impulse that translates both mine and Eliete's need of self-archiving,
re-inventing and auto-cannibalising Tetine's past, present and
future in order to explore other aural
landscapes and modes of composing intuitively, while at the same time, re-experiencing moments of our
trajectory as a hybrid organism.
Music For Breathing was born as a respiratory, meditative, and improvisatory piece of DIY
tropical-mutant-punk "chamber music" written for cello, voice, piano, organ and electronics.
The work responds to the suspended acts of breathing and vertigos experienced in contemporary polluted
environments in political, social and philosophical transitions, whilst investigating the
secret ontologies of inanimate objects and architectures, as well
as the echoes and ethics of modes of operating things.
Recorded during the intense period of heatwaves that hit London between July and August 2022, in
a small studio set up in our flat's kitchen - so that we could capture the acoustic instrumentation
(in particular, for the recording of cellos) without much
noise interference from the street -
this vinyl version of the album comprises of 5 distinct yet complementary reflective movements.
Musically and lyrically, it explores the atmospherics and syntaxes of time and space, voice, rhythm,
as well as themes such as hearing loss, menopause, pollution and respiration. It builds an expanded suite of unexpected
electro-acoustic textures through repetition, minimalistic motives, simple melodies, chromatic
developments, free counterpoint and atonalism. Conceived as an ode to the poetics of slowness,
the sounds you hear give continuity to the music we composed for the performance-film
The Ether - Prelude No.1 over the first lockdown in 2020 as it simultaneously explores the warmth,
melodiousness and power of the cello in conjunction with electronics.
Music For Breathing evokes this transitory moment: a place and time where language runs out,
communication and information lose their functions, sound and meaning do not correspond. Facts do not correspond to contexts. Spaced Out in Paradise. The last degree of the structure, the
loss of memory. The lost voice.
The album also features our 12-year-old daughter Yoko Afi on cello and vocals. It reflects
a period of free sound experimentation influenced both by romantic composers of the late
19th / early 20th centuries and contemporary electronic music. The pieces you hear were composed, arranged, and recorded
with the joy and melancholy of "those who do not know". In other words, "with the arrogance
of a second childhood" as Derek Jarman once put it. 'Agile and candid as a child'(1).
1) Manifesto da Poesia Pau-Brasil, Oswald de Andrade, Correio da Manhã, 18 de Março de 1924.
KINGUNDERGROUND TO RELEASE SET OF 45s, FROM CAVENDISH MUSIC CATALOGUE. PAYING HOMAGE TO LIBRARY MUSIC, FURTHERING ITS EXPOSURE TO A NEW GENERATION OF LISTENERS.
Library Music experienced its heyday in the 60s and 70s, as thousands of instrumental tracks were produced by musicians and composers for the purpose of placements in radio, television, and film.
The first 45 of the to be released, classified as ‘Dramatic’ features tracks from both John Scott and Tony Kinsey. Titling was important to Library Music, because it needed to clearly represent the emotions being expressed through the music, so it was easy for television and film executives to find what they needed to complete their projects. John Scott wasted no time getting into the dramatics with the opening track “Milky Way”, it displays the importance of grabbing a listener from the top, as well as being concise clocking in at just 47 seconds. Scott was not only a master composer, but also known for his work on the Saxophone, including playing on John Barry’s soundtrack for ‘Goldfinger’ in the James Bond series.
The juxtaposition of Tony Kinsey’s composition on the record offers a dynamic not present in the two tracks from Scott. Kinsey is more patient in his approach to “Kaleidoscope” building the tension with multiple movements and highlighting several instruments. The way the keys and bass play off each other leaves just enough room for a guitar lick to sneak in, as if it is hinting toward something.
In all there will be 8 individual 45s, licensed from Boosey & Hawkes & Cavendish Music Library and released by KingUnderground. Including compositions by Tony Kinsey, John Scott, Sam Fonteyn, Ray Davies, and more.
Alter Hour is pleased to present its 5th release with Romania’s ever-rising Macarie returning to the label with his unique sound and broken take on minimal. Complete with a deep remix from renowned Vlad Arapasu.
Early support from Priku, Mihai Pol & Cosmjn.
Feedback Moves kicks off 2023 with a new record by @xcrswx and Lolina. @xcrswx are Crystabel Riley (drum-/human-skin) and Seymour Wright (saxophone), they released ‘Call Time/Hard Out’ on Feedback Moves in 2020. Lolina is an electronic and digital musician, who has previously released music as Inga Copeland and was a member of the band Hype Williams.
Their collaborative relationship stems back to 2020. Lolina invited @xcrswx to contribute new work to a radio residency on NTS. They made 3 pieces played across 3 episodes. After these were broadcast, further ideas were exchanged which led to a collaborative audio-visual piece, streamed on Cafe Oto’s website in February 2021. They also performed as a trio live at Café OTO in 2022.
The artists now present a split 10” vinyl. @xcrswx weave the above-mentioned pieces into a 10 minute piece titled ‘FIXES’. The duo strip their sound to bare components. Beginning with the sound of fireworks, the pair then work through stuttered snare shots and warbled, interplaying saxophone.
Lolina presents ‘FM’; some of her strangest and most subtle work to date. Echoing and furthering the abstract turntablism found on previous records ‘Who Is Experimental Music?’ and ‘Fast Fashion’. We hear found sounds, close and distant, rhythmically gathered and dissolved in a swirl of dub tone and timbre.
Tracks have had early play on NTS Radio, Clydebuilt Radio and are expected to be played on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Late Junction’ and ‘Freeness’ show’s.
Empress Enigma:
The contradictory language of speech, rhythm and melody generate this musical paradox.
Drivetrain (Detroit, USA)
It Can Never Be The Same (Parts 1 & 2)
Deep and moody, Part 1 is driven by a captivating bass groove with lush, silky pads constructing a mesmerizing wall of sonic euphoria. The vocal hook echoes the commentary with one simple phrase.
The stripped down Part 2 replaces the drums with hand percussion while Drivetrain shows off his bass guitar chops charismatically with an emotional solo throughout.
Rennie Foster (Vancouver, CAN)
Guiding Light
A ghostly banger, poised in atmospheric essence. Shifting layers of sound harmonize to the unyielding bass line as Alejandra Garcia sprinkles vocal seasoning on top.
I Haven't Forgotten
Built on the foundation of a rock-solid bass progression, the ambience of melodic strings and piano blend an audio sedative accompanied by an airy vocal presence and bits of acid integration.




















