Brazilian producer 'Bungle' returns to Thirtyone Records with his sophomore EP for the renowned British outlet for all things drum & Bass. Doc Scott curates the label closely and has selected four Bungle cuts that all have that same prolific vibe to them.
''Cocooned EP'' opens up with the sublime and dark title song. 'Cocooned' revolves around a savvy bass cut and Bungle's signature big drums. 'Distance' is a special piece with a gigantic pad at the centre of the song.
The big and jazzy hats are compilmenting the rhythm nicely while splashes of FX are cleverly being used throughout.
'Eclipse' is a nervous electronic cut with a thumping feel to it. Tech sounds, distortion and ethereal sounds are moulded to a buldging piece of dancefloor music. On the last position of the 'Cocooned EP' tracklist we find 'Impulse'. This track stands for: huge drums, deep bass sounds and a very ominous atmosphere
If ever an album could transport you to the hazy sunshine and imagined halcyon paradise of Southern California in the mid-1980s, could capture the early evening warmth of hanging at an inclusive boogie jam as it approaches “magic hour” in Santa Ana or Anaheim, then it’s Vaughan Mason and Butch Dayo’s Feel My Love. A brilliantly produced deep slung, low rider funk classic originally released on Salsoul in 1983. It’s a masterpiece of “funk love music”.
Yes, this is indeed a perfectly formed five track “mini LP” of unparalleled heat, but there’s one song here that, above the rest, represents Orange County boogie-funk. A straight killer beloved by all that have had the pleasure of moving to it. A track that can fill up a dance floor within seconds of its starting. That song is the eternal title track, “Feel My Love”.
This is a work of art that made people fall in love with the funk. It transcends the limitations of genre. “Feel My Love”’s deceptive simplicity makes it perfect to drop during a house set, a classic funk party or at a west coast rap jam. It’s sexy, deeply emotional, melancholic, hopeful, passionate and just radiates so, so much raw energy. This is music.
The rest of the record is hardly filler though. Opener “Oh, Love” is a dizzying, emotional slow jam. With heaven-sent vocals riding gorgeous, sweeping keys that alternate between sweet twinkling lines and funk-fuelled stabbing. It’s sensational. A rollerskating jam named “Rollalong Songs” is an ultra-swish piece of dance floor dynamite. Its slick drums, staccato piano and neck snapping claps underscore Dayo’s buoyant vocals. It’s essentially “Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll Part II”.
The flip begins with “Party On The Corner”. Smoother than silk vocals, day-glo synths, a bubbling bassline and guitar licks that surely received the Prince seal of approval. It’s another example of how Vaughan Mason and Butch Dayo flirt with perfection so routinely. The most majestic closer, the kaleidoscopic, cow-bell-assisted synth-funk heater “You Can Do It” is a proto-rap groover that truly smokes.
This prized LP is a stone cold jam and finding original copies on vinyl at affordable prices has been tough for years. Mastered brilliantly by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and with lovingly reproduced artwork, this fresh Be With reissue ensures this legendary LP now sounds, looks and feels as sensational as it should.
Trelik is an A-grade label for minimal heads and now the founder, Baby Ford, welcomes back fellow micro-house specialist Ion Ludwig for vital two-tracker. 'It Broke With Speed' starts with jittery rhythms and blurts of synth as the rubbery bass rolls on and the percussion is spindled lightly up top. It's a more fulsome sound than you might expect from this producer but the art is in the intricacies of its layers. 'Archa Edel' on the B is quick and deep, speedy but tightly controlled with fluttering snares peeling off the groove and cosmic whimsy existing in the pads. Classy cuts as always.
The latest edition of 'Downtownsounds Classics' arrives from Dublin disco messers Fatty Fatty, just in time for the summer sunshine !
Fully licensed and cut loud on 12 inch vinyl the way God (aka Walter Gibbons) intended, it sees in-house producers Pablo and Shoey take on two choice cuts from the legendary Salsoul label.
Salsoul was the very first label to release a commercially available 12 inch remix - the aforementioned Gibbons and his 9 minute extension of Double Exposure's '10 Per Cent'. They would go on to issue a raft of underground disco classics with mixes by the legendary likes of Larry Levan, Tom Moulton and Shep Pettibone. Having robbed the famous 'Baker-Harris-Young' rhythm section from Philadelphia Records, they defined the disco sound in the second half of the 1970's and kept roaring well into the next decade.
The new mixes pay explicit tribute to two hugely formative influences on the Fatty fellas - The A extends the mysterious and wondrously wonky Big Bear edit of Bunny Sigler's 'By The Way You Dance'. Back in the day, these cosmic under-the-counter 12s helped show the Fatties how to disco real right, and they've stood the test of time wonderfully. This one has been at the front of Pablo's bag for longer than he cares to remember, and now the rest of the world can enjoy it, with some extra Pablo and Shoey disco magic thrown in for good measure...
Speaking of cosmic, the flip sees the lads turn in a stripped-back, ever-building mix of First Choice 'Hold Your Horses'. Having first heard this played by the Cosmic King himself, Danielle Baldelli, they found themselves let down by the commercially available mix. Through the disco haze, and with some subtle stemming, several outer-space whooshes and a string/vocal climax to die for, they've tried to recreate the way they heard Baldelli play it...
With the classic Salsoul artwork also present and correct, this is a love letter to perhaps the most important label in dance music history, with music that still sounds amazing five decades on... Don't sleep!
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Lena Willikens & Sarah Szczesny feat. Viktoria Wehrmeister and Detlef Weinrich
"Phantom Seance Ballett is a boombox orchestra, Nō mimes, Vicky’s protection spells, Detlef’s psychic shuffles, a smoke machine, a strobe light chamber, painting, Margit Carstensen’s chiffre, Susie Greene’s insults, Schleim, Ebichu’s echoes and Anna Oppermann’s limbo."
Thus we welcome Lena Willikens & Sarah Szczesny's ethereal Phantom Kino Ballett project to Utter with 'Phantom Seance Ballett', an unusually tangible manifestation of what has become an on-going series of live performances and installations that incorporate sound, video, costume, still imagery and beyond. The themes explored weave in and out of grasp, touching on the otherworldly and mysterious, on hypnotic rites and ceremonies, on the fetishisation of cultural tropes and curios.
While carefully documented, these happenings had not been distilled or presented in a cohesive format until now. Of course, an attempt to harness and package such an experience required an imaginative leap beyond the traditional 'record-in-sleeve' approach and Lena and Sarah have overseen every aspect of this remarkable collection themselves.
Working with designer Till Sperrle, Lena and Sarah have conjured up a fold-out box containing an LP, a riso-printed credits poster detailing the samples and snippets collaged into the sound, a 36 page book with imagery from various shows and an essay by Thomas Vorreyer plus sticker pack. The limited 50 copy artist edition contains an additional 10 special riso-prints within an artist stamped hand-numbered box. For all, the LP contains twenty hidden locked grooves cut into the run-out on each side presenting snippets from the artists' archive.
The first of these pieces - 'Identikit Arkaden Seance' - took place on the 2nd of October 2019 at NAK Neuer Aachener Kunstverein and is a live recording. This performance was part of their exhibition "Chambers of Phantom Kino Ballett", where they showed new video works and displayed the now infamous costumes and slippers worn by Lena, Sarah and a rotating cast of guest phantoms.
At this performance, the seven performers carried boomboxes playing individual audio tracks inside and outside the Kunstverein, while Viktoria Wehrmeister and Detlef Weinrich improvised music alongside the phantoms' moving soundtracks of sonic snippets, poetry, field recordings and soundscapes.
The second piece - 'Studio Chamber Seance' - contains diverse audio tracks of performances that were held by Willikens and Szczesny in collaboration with Wehrmeister and Weinrich. It has been deconstructed and rearranged with additional sound material from the Lena Willikens & Sarah Szczesny archive, then edited and mixed by Lena and Sarah in Amsterdam and Cologne last year. Additional music by Detlef Weinrich and Viktoria Wehrmeister features throughout, recorded live in Aachen 2019 and Frankfurt 2020.
Mastered by Gordon Pohl. Transfer, additional mastering & lacquer cut by Helmut Erler at D&M.
Mike Gordon's debut album as Mk.gee, "Two Star & the Dream Police," is a groundbreaking fusion of pop, rock, and soul. Hailing from New Jersey, the 26-year-old musician redefines familiar genres with his unique approach to sound, incorporating unconventional tones, tempos, and textures. His distorted guitar riffs and soulful vocals, reminiscent of Prince, cut through murky, experimental mixes, creating a captivating sonic landscape that refuses to conform to traditional boundaries.
Despite his experimental tendencies, Gordon demonstrates a mastery of melody, crafting intricate and engaging pop songs from seemingly chaotic compositions. "Two Star" is both innovative and accessible, offering a fresh take on contemporary music while retaining a timeless quality.
While Gordon has been releasing EPs and mixtapes since 2017, it was his collaboration with Dijon on the latter's debut album, "Absolutely," that introduced him to a wider audience in 2021. Their dynamic live performances, characterized by Gordon's frenetic guitar playing and Dijon's charismatic stage presence, exemplify the creative synergy between the two artists. Dijon credits Gordon with pushing him to new creative heights, infusing his music with a newfound rhythm and freedom. "Absolutely" marked a significant evolution for Dijon's sound, with Gordon's influence recognized as invaluable to the project's success.
OMRI. returns to Crosstown Rebels with his latest three-track release, ‘Signals’. Out on 24th July 2026, the in-demand DJ/producer follows up one of the label’s standout tracks of recent years with a collection of hypnotic, after-hours club cuts.
OMRI.’s relationship with Damian Lazarus’s Crosstown Rebels imprint began last summer when he made his debut with ‘Nothing Wrong’, a record that quickly became one of the imprint’s defining releases of the season while being awarded Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune on BBC Radio 1, and introduced his distinctive blend of understated yet driving dancefloor psychedelia to a wider audience. Returning to the label a year later, following a prolific run of recent releases on the likes of Hot Creations, TSZR, Higher Ground and AFFAIRS, plus his own burgeoning Collecting Dots Records imprint, his ‘Signals’ EP picks up where that breakthrough left off, while pushing deeper into his unmistakable sonic world.
Opening the release, the title track ‘Signals’ is quintessential OMRI. throughout. Rolling low-end pressure, spiralling effects, and an infectious female vocal hook all combine to create a track that feels playful and hypnotic. Built with a light touch yet packed with personality, it showcases the instinctive groove-led approach that has become central to his rise. On the flip, The Space dives further into late-night territory, pairing punchy drums and a wicked bassline with warped, stuttering vocal fragments that drift in and out of focus. Meanwhile, Scenius closes the EP through crisp percussion, acid-dipped textures, and cleverly manipulated samples, steadily drawing listeners deeper into its hallucinatory atmosphere.
‘Perfect We Are Not’ the latest track from Soulwax, emerges directly from the band’s recent Abbey Road After Hours project - a unique collaboration with the iconic London studio that saw Soulwax take over the building for a series of recording sessions and a landmark live event.
Working across Abbey Road’s historic spaces - from Studio Three, to Studio Two, to Studio One - the band used all three rooms as a continuous creative environment, moving fluidly between them in pursuit of new material. It was within these sessions that ‘Perfect We Are Not’ was written and recorded with their full live band (including three drummers).
The track was cut using the studio’s vast array of analogue equipment before being pressed direct to vinyl and played as the opening moment of their 2manydjs set inside Studio One
Now released as a standalone single, ‘Perfect We Are Not’ carries that immediacy forward — a driving, full-bodied track that reflects the band’s instinctive, performance-led approach in the studio, and will also be released as a limited edition 12” via DEEWEE.
Always lurking amidst the underground Porto music scene is Spitbender, the most stable moniker of the ever-morphing Francisco Antão. Spin gathers a collection of tracks that demonstrate his experimentalism & coy sonic precision. Spitbender takes cues from Jungle & Hip Hop producers to create his own unique blend of Downtempo. What becomes clear throughout the album is the attention to detail: it is infused as much by Industrial's red-line spectra as it is by the dubplate logic of the Darkside Continuum, yet it does so at its own tripped out speed.
Spin begins with the laid-back but constantly shifting 'Global Overgroove'. Its breakbeat science moves in & out of DSP glitch-work & dub reflections. When its slinky bassline melody arrives, a certain dread sets in.
'Weyward Fold' drops into a driving, hard-edged chug, threaded with snippets of Malcolm X's disobedient pedagogy. The momentum carries into 'Headnod Doctor', where the bass distortion thickens & the cymbal circuit is overloaded, landing somewhere between Hip‑Hop grit & metal weight.
Side A ends with the downtempo roller 'Dogs and Moles (Skylurk Mix)'. The familiar break drifts into new territory, pulled along & wrapped in a slap-back echo. A quirky melody cuts through the haze, giving the track a fresh tilt. The mulch of the track forms a steady, unhurried pulse.
Spitbender's spacious atmospherics & groove-focused approach comes further into focus on 'Nothing Here But the Recordings'. Creating his own chapter in the book of Trip Hop, his minimalist touch is laid out in full.
'Force the Hand Ov Chance' pulls Boom Bap gently into dub mechanics, letting space do the heavy lifting. Its simplicity hides a deep pocket.
Returning to broken-up distortion, 'Mirrors of Flesh (Dub Mix)' finds Spitbender using the mixer as an instrument to push & pull the heavy drums of Benjamin Brejon of Méchanosphere alongside the voice of Rui intoning the title phrase.
Sitting between the album's two poles, 'Out Take Dub' fuses the clipped‑obsession timbres of Spin's heavier moments with its blissed out flow. Feedback & distortion are welcomed & drawn long.
In the end, Spin hits like a fully formed statement—lean, focused, & unmistakably Spitbender. Every track pushes its own angle, but together they land with a clarity that feels earned. It's a sharp marker in his trajectory, & it leaves a charge in the air.
King Street Sounds Sampler Vol. 7 continues the long-running series from the legendary King Street Sounds catalogue, bringing together a selection of classic house cuts from some of the label’s most respected artists.
Featuring productions from Mood II Swing, Jovonn, Roy Davis Jr. and Osunlade, the release highlights the soulful, groove-led house sound that has defined King Street across decades of dancefloor culture.
Including standout tracks such as Mood II Swing’s Nafara and Osunlade’s The Fifth Dimension, the sampler brings together several proven records in one DJ-friendly vinyl package.
With warm grooves, musical depth and timeless club arrangements, these proven King Street records offer strong crossover appeal for both long-time house collectors and DJs looking for reliable dancefloor material.
As the seventh edition in the King Street sampler series, this release presents a selection of essential house cuts on one highly playable vinyl release.
A strong catalogue addition for stores serving soulful and deep house buyers.
Four cuts destined to take you on an Adventure In Paradise. No additives, just raw records spliced, diced, and processed through the blender to better feed the dancefloor and DJs alike.
A1 - If you’re asking yourself if something can be chuggy at 128 bpm then you’re in the right place. Disco-stomping belter ploughing its way down the M20 searching for the port, then the south of France and finally Freddie’s bedroom. Don’t forget the stops for a breather.
A2 - Four films?? That’s about as insane as this edit; a swaggering, mop-topped and dubbed-out groover boasting a ph-fat flamenco freakout at its klymaxxx. Would Harvey play it? Dunno, but the bootleg variety definitely already does.
B1 - Shades of Rimini as the pianos set over another rubbery bassline and the Adriatic Sea arpeggiates its ocean spray all over the gaffe. If this ain’t heaven, we’re not sure what is.
B2 - Nothing like a lashing of nutritious Italo-dance slop to carb-o-load the dancefloor at its peak. Just watch as the crowd devours this Ragú of musical flavours, with elements of Disco, New Wave, Acid House and Jazz all thrown in the pot.
Phonica unveil the first in a series of three 12" samplers featuring a selection of tracks from their new compilation 'Ten Years Of Phonica'.
Tigersushi and Crowdspacer boss Joakim kicks off the first 12" with melancholic masterpiece 'EAHR'. A prolific and sonically diverse producer, his balearic-flavoured remixes over the years for the likes of Antena and Max Berlin shines through on this one. Up next is the enigmatic Panoram, a shop favourite since his brilliant 'Accents' 12" arrived back in 2012. The lysergic 'Alpha Marmara' hits all the right spots once again.
On the b-side edit-masters and rare record connaisseurs Psychemagik contribute the string-laden 'Triumph Of The Gods', an ambitious Axelrod-esque modern funk gem. Finally, Alex Egan resurrects his work as The Draughtsman one last time with the previously unreleased track 'Fade To Green' - a deep, atmospheric house/techno cut recorded during the same 2010/11 sessions as his '1694 EP'.
Phonica Records was established in September 2003 and set up shop in Soho, London, adding to the high concentration of independent records stores that inhabited the area. Founders; Simon Rigg, Heidi Vanden Amstel and Tom Relleen joined The Vinyl Factory with the aim of creating an exciting outlet for innovative dance music, traversing all sub-genres and cultures. Over the past decade the emporium has developed into a well-respected destination for DJs and enthusiasts, and has subsequently become a bustling hive of conversation and inspiration as part of a wider community of music lovers.
While trends and movements in music have grown and faded over these years, Phonica has always remained in a state of evolution. It is this openness to change alongside a commitment to it's original ethos and an enduring ardour for quality, cutting-edge sounds that has fuelled the shop's staying power.
To celebrate reaching this milestone, Phonica Records have invited some of their favourite artists to produce a track for an eclectic yet cohesive compilation, which will hopefully go some way towards sonically unfolding the 'Ten Years of Phonica.'
Emotional Response presents Volume 2 of the LNS-ID series. Atmospheric, infectious, at times nostalgic, warm yet ghosty, the tension of Laura Sparrow’s music is her exploration in electronic music.
An introduction to DJing and music production has been a natural progression, applying skills in new and fresh formats. Built on the heritage of Chicago and Detroit house, alongside old IDM and electro, her first productions might have been raw, but the creativity was lit.
While her recent productions have explored club orientated, loud cut records, in collaborations with DJ Sotofett, that represent the sound found in her residency on the Globus floor at the Tresor club, LNS’s interest in the solo productions of the LNS-ID recordings and more organic-style explored in the recent Misiats EP burns bright.
LNS-ID 1 and LNS ID 2 are her latest offering. Two sets of four tracks based on the acid tradition in the more restless corners of 90s and early 00s Braindance. Acid lines drive the melodies, while drums move between sliced break fragments and the familiar sounds of the Roland TR-606 and TR-808.
Pads drift in with a warm glow or at times, quiet ghostly tension. The results are music that leans towards atmosphere and memory, something almost nostalgic that was built for those of us who still chase the more expressive edges of acid.
Easygoing Acid Express, Alive Acid, Blue Acid and Gentle Acid. Get the message. We call it Acid.
Emotional Response presents the first of 2 EPs by Laura Sparrow aka LNS, the Calgary raised, Berlin based producer and DJ with 8 acid-tinged cuts that are equally expansive and inspiring, personal and inventive.
After her debut Malinge Range (cassette) on fellow native Canadian 1080p label in 2016, LNS moved to Berlin and has released a steady stream of 12”s, exploring ambient, dub, electro and techno. Initially appearing on Vancouver émigré’s Jayda G’s (alongside Fett Burger) Freakout Cult label before settling at DJ Sotofett’s cult WANIA label and more recently on the legendary and ‘original’ German techno label, Tresor.
A love of the Roland TR-303, alongside deep diving into breakbeat creation, manipulation, mutation and production, plus some intrepid mixing and post-production assistance, development and support with DJ Sofofett, have led to a collection of some of her favourite music to date.
LNS-ID 1 and LNS ID 2 are the result. Recorded during a burst of creativity through dedication, new studio equipment and learning techniques, as well the necessity of artistic expression in the moment.
Two sets of four tracks based on the acid tradition in the more restless corners of 90s and early 00s Braindance. Acid lines drive the melodies, while drums move between sliced break fragments and the familiar sounds of the Rolant TR-606 and TR-808.
Pads drift in with a warm glow or at times, quiet ghostly tension. The results are music that leans towards atmosphere and memory, something almost nostalgic that was built for those of us who still chase the more expressive edges of acid.
The Rockers Sound (aka Steppas) came from the mid 70's and was created during sessions with The Revolutionaires band at Channel 1.
Drummer Sly Dunbar came up with a new 'Militant' style double drumming on the snare drum that seemed to add some credence to the political /Rasta based lyrics that were so prominent around this time.
So for this compilation we have pulled together some of the best cuts from this period when producer Bunny Lee was on the top of his game and the sound in town to get on board with was 'Rockers'...
So sit back and enjoy another period in Reggae's history that still sounds as good as when it was created way back when...
EVERYTHING ROCKERS....
Tipped by many as a true DJ’s DJ, London’s Isaac Carter has a sound that sits between heritage and reinterpretation. Drawing from the iconic hubs of Chicago and Detroit, his productions reframe classic influences with a contemporary UK perspective, prioritising groove, swing, and a stripped, functional edge.
At the heart of his work, Carter has developed his Ochi imprint, where his deeper material has circulated within a select circle of DJs, with love from names such as Ben UFO, Raresh, and Joy Orbison. A controlled outlet for ideas shaped specifically for club use, that approach also carries over into his sets, playing at the likes of DC10, Glastonbury, and Love International.
Fresh from his appearance for the London favourites at FUSE’s annual Open Air showcase, Enzo Siragusa now welcomes him to the label for the first time as he brings a collection of cuts that journey into varying corners of the house sphere.
The ‘Disconnected’ EP brings five tracks built around direct function and contrast. ‘Disconnected’ opens with rolling low-end pressure and slinking drums, loaded with swing, setting a clear rhythmic foundation for the project. ‘Bad Girl’ shifts into a more playful space, led by vocal fragments, hazy chords and dubby tones. On the B-side, ‘What We Do’ leans into crisp repetition sitting beneath shifting, trippy movement, followed by ‘Loopy’, which strips things back into a reduced late-night percussive trip.
* Edition of 500 colored vinyl (transparent purple)
* Artwork developed in collaboration with Paris-based visual artist Caroline Ventura
* Including download code
i got a song, it’s gonna make us millions is the highly anticipated new album by Sirens Of Lesbos, led by sisters Jasmina and Nabyla Serag. The dynamic release is a vibrant showcase of the group's expansive musical range, blending R’n’B/Soul, Afrobeats, electronic music, and lo-fi indie pop into a rich, genre-defying experience. With its eclectic sound and captivating melodies, the album solidifies Sirens Of Lesbos as a standout force in modern music.
Featuring on the album are the singles “Room 333” feat. Kendrick-Lamar-collaborator Zacari, a futuristic R’n’B song with progressive club beats; the epic “Call Me Back” (feat. Drake-co-signed rapper SadBoi and the Kabusa Oriental Choir); and dub-infused reggae song “Let It Hurt”, plus new song “My Moon”, which draws inspiration from artists like Bruce Hornsby, Justin Vernon, and Jai Paul. Sirens Of Lesbos have earned widespread acclaim from outlets like CLASH, COLORS, Dork, Tsugi and Earmilk, with BBC 1Xtra’s CassKidd calling the collective “magical.”
As Black women living in the diaspora, Jasmina and Nabyla navigate the intersection of their parents’ collectivist North-East African culture and the Western emphasis on individuality. Questions of identity have always been central to their journey. While society often demands clear-cut definitions, the sisters have come to embrace their multifaceted identities: “We have always been many things.”
Both artists are deeply rooted in the technical and philosophical dimensions of sound. Jasmina recently completed her Sound Arts degree, and Nabyla is now finishing hers. Their academic pursuits have included creating abstract sound installations in exhibition spaces. However, their focus for the foreseeable future is on elevating the Sirens Of Lesbos project, writing and producing standout indie pop tracks, performing live, and delivering unforgettable experiences for their audiences.
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The vinyl version of i got a song, it’s gonna make us millions is published by Präsens Editionen, a Switzerland-based publishing house and music label. Founded in 2011 in the process of launching zweikommasieben Magazin, Präsens Editionen has since released music on vinyl, cassette, CD, and digital formats—alongside magazines, books, and other printed matter. Recent audio releases include works by Martina Lussi, spalarnia, Magda Drozd, Anom Vitruv, Belia Winnewisser, and Red On, among others.
Portuguese techno mainstay Dextro drops cultured EP 'Covil Dos Abutres' for his label debut on Mutual Rytm.
Dextro has been immersed in electronic music and DJing since the early 90s. In the decades since, he has become synonymous with a sound deeply rooted in simplicity and authenticity. Fuelled by a passion for his craft, his production process is guided by intuition and spans a diverse range of styles, from tunnelling grooves to more potent techno with deep and hypnotic layers. He has held several key residencies and released on top labels like CLR and Missile Records, and he adds to those with a first outing on SHDW's Mutual Rytm with 'Covil Dos Abutres'.
The five-track 12" and eight-track digital EP has a sleek, stripped-back style, with wide-spanning corners of the techno realm explored. 'Covil Dos Abutres' is a deep space transmission with journeying, frictionless beats and deft sci-fi motifs that recall classic touches synonymous with the genre's pioneers. 'Correct Incorrect' keeps the pressure on with more rubbery, dubbed-out groves beautifully decorated with delicate melodies. 'Vida E Morte' is another sublime and hypotonic minimal techno sound with funk in the kicks and a freaky late-night spirit. 'Element One' again combines perfectly reduced drum groves with atmospheric pads and curious samples that keep you intrigued, and 'Beautiful Day' closes out with sonar-like synth pulses over the most skeletal but captivating rhythms. Digital cuts 'Time Line', 'Savana Urbana', and 'Diferencas' further explore the intersection of minimalism with cosmic synth designs that take you off into distant astral worlds.
Maltese talent Human Safari debuts on Mutual Rytm with jazz-influenced techno EP, 'Culture Shock'.
Human Safari is a key player in his native scene in Malta. He's a resident at Glitch Festival, has played cult spots, and has a dynamic sound that brings jazz improvisation to techno, often featuring live instrumental elements. His music has found its place on top labels like R&S Records, and most of this new EP for SHDW's Mutual Rytm imprint was produced during his Colombian summer tour last year - written and recorded amongst inspiring and unusual settings with just a laptop and headphones.
"This EP represents embracing new beginnings that, though might bring uncertainty and fear, the
light always guides you to where you were always meant to be." - Human Safari.
Opener 'Mouse on Keys' has been a key cut for the label boss across the past year, a unique track that peaks curiosity from dancers to DJs whenever it's played. Its cantering techno rhythm is overlaid with delicate, heartfelt piano keys straight from a smoky jazz bar, making for a great counter to the physical drums. 'Fragments' is a deeply personal track dedicated to the artist's late grandfather. It's a funky, soulful techno roller with blissed-out and sunny chords full of hope.
Next, 'Classique' gets more gritty with loopy drums and bass and glitchy percussion that fizzes with energy, while 'The Labyrinth' features piano motifs recorded in just one take. It brings a dark paranoia in the uneasy, off-grid keys which dart about with nervous energy over the booming low ends. There is just as much intensity and edge to the unresolved keys that loop over the raw drums on 'A Rainy Day in Bogota', before digital bonus cuts 'Dorian' and 'Phantom' bring more jazzed out techno madness with warped keys and expressive elements bringing great invention.
SHDW & Obscure Shape are back with their second EP for 2023, following their debut release on their mothership label From Another Mind. The German duo's latest release, 'Basic Instinct', is a collection of five dancefloor anthems that provide the perfect soundtrack for any moment in a set. The EP features their signature die-cut cover and includes a digital bonus track.
'Basic Instinct' is the 12th installment of their Mutual Rytm label and showcases the pair's exceptional production skills and innovative approach to electronic music, with a mix of old and new school flavors, vivid drum programming, organic percussion and captivating melodic elements. The A-side kicks off with their signature track 'Eraser', which blends crisp drums with warm sub-bass and piercing synth stabs.
"Dancer in the Dark" takes a deeper dive into late-night territory, combining lush dub-influenced synths with a rolling acid bassline. "Disturbing Behaviour" closes the A-side and shows why the 303 has become an iconic tool for producers. Despite the sirens dominating around the breakdowns, the simple two-tone acid stab is the defining element of the track, complemented by amen-break leaning drums that hint at a UK rave direction.
The B-side goes in a different direction, with 'Memories of Nobody' taking a filtered and less aggressive approach, as echoing dub pads gather around a growling bassline and kick drum combination, topped off by brushed hats. The EP concludes with 'The Last Seduction', a track that reveals the full organic breadth of the previously hinted at Amen break. The fusion of said amen break with the warmth and familiarity of waxing and waning pads is reminiscent of the golden days of electronic music. With its expertly crafted soundscapes and diverse range of styles, 'Basic Instinct' is yet another stunning release from SHDW & Obscure Shape.
‘Italo Disco Compilation V1’ Italo Hub delivers a refreshing various-artists compilation where four distinct voices reinterpret Italo Disco through their own lens.
Featuring contributions from Philipp Lauer, K!pz, Marta Paradise and Marcello Giordani, this release seamlessly blends nostalgia with forward-thinking production.
The A-side opens with Lauer’s “Buongiorno”, a sun-soaked anthem packed with signature grooves and an unmistakable Italo flair. K!pz follows with “Notte di Sicilia”, a darker, more introspective cut, fusing driving Hi-NRG basslines with sentimental melodies.
On the B-side, Marta Paradise delivers “Please Don’t Let Me Go (A-U-A-I)”, an irresistible floor weapon driven by a catchy vocal hook and shimmering synth work. Closing the record, Italo Deviance’s “Hyperactive (1983 Mix)” dives deep into nocturnal territory—an atmospheric electro piece built on repetition, texture, and immersive energy.
An essential release for lovers of contemporary Italo Disco with a deep respect for its roots—equally suited for the dancefloor and the record bag.
Originally composed by Collage in 1985, Herzschlag returns in a newly recorded cover version by Berlin-based synth-wave duo Bionda e Lupo. Describing themselves as a “boy/girl band like no other,” Lupo recreated the NDW-electro tune from the ground up using an impressive array of vintage instruments and studio equipment, including classic synths such as a Pro-One, a Roland Juno-60, and a Farfisa Syntorchestra. Bionda’s distinctive voice adds a new emotional depth to Katrin A. Kunze’s lyrics while still remaining true to the original spirit of the song.
Lupo of Bionda e Lupo has long been a devoted fan of Mit den Puppen tanzen, Collage's only release at the time, originally issued as a 12" single in 1984. Despite never managing to acquire an original copy, he considers the record unique within the German NDW landscape thanks to its unmistakable "Bravo-breakdance-meets-synth-pop" character. Indeed, Markus Kammann, Jürgen Grah, and Katrin A. Kunze drew significant inspiration from the electro-funk pioneers of the era, particularly Afrika Bambaataa's iconic Planet Rock. When we approached Bionda e Lupo about re-editing a track from the Collage's Motel d'amour release, they instead proposed recording an entirely new cover version.
Work on the project began in spring 2025 in coordination with Markus Kammann, who, together with Jürgen Grah, originally composed the music. Sadly, Kammann, born in 1958, passed away unexpectedly on October 17, 2025. This release is dedicated to his memory.
The liner notes reveal additional details about Kammann's remarkable life and achievements. He was the founder of the legendary Beatbox club in Wuppertal, which was once recognized as the "Best Club in Europe," and a co-founder of the Groove Attack record store. Groove Attack would later grow into one of the world's most influential music distributors, especially for Hip-Hop.
The 12" release is limited to 200 copies. Pressed on transparent red vinyl with black "smoke" effects, it comes housed in a picture-disc sleeve with an accompanying sticker. As an additional highlight, the record includes a previously unreleased NDW bonus track recorded around 1983 by Collage. It features Katrin A. Kunze as well as Thomas Kohl, the vocalist of Schwarze Bewegung.
- Red transparend vinyl with black smoke
- Housed in a picture-disc sleeve with large sticker
- Released in memory of Markus Kammann (1958-2025)
- Contains A4-sheet with liner notes
- 5 tracks, including the vinyl only bonus track "Hallo E.T.",
- Quality lacquer cut by Manmade Mastering
STAR CREATURE is proud to welcome aboard a new collaboration between some of the globe’s heaviest funkers. French disco collective Spaced Out Krew (S.O.K.) and Geneva’s Ghostape have teamed up for two sides of cosmonautical freaky mutant funk selected from vaults by label-head TIM ZAWADA. Drawing inspiration from the backroom and basement boogie bombs of yesteryear, the krew has assembled 2 giant cuts of bass heavy, booty shakers with a dangerous feeling twist, perfect alternative cuts to keep a set on the edge.
Sticky Plastik returns with its fourth album. Side A features two peak-time tech-house cuts by Romanian artist Mar.c., while Side B resonates with warm-up and after-hours deep house from South African producer Saunter.
A1 “Errand" is hypnotic and driving tech-house groove built around stripped-back percussion, rolling low-end pressure, and subtle tension. “Errand” delivers a raw late-night energy designed for peak-time dancefloors. A2 “Advised” refines a rhythmic journey with crisp drums, infectious grooves, and atmospheric textures. It balances deep minimal elements with dancefloor momentum, making it equally effective in intimate clubs and larger spaces. Side B opens with “Memories of Venice”, a dark and emotional composition enriched by an unfiltered acid bassline and deep tech-house aesthetics, the kind of track made for dimly lit and intimate environments. The closing track, “Plastik Dreams”, is a deep and airy composition, perfect for warm-up sessions or open-air settings surrounded by nature.
Dam Swindle nail 2026 as the year of House music’s glorious return with their new “Call me” EP.
2026 is the year of House music. Festivals, clubs, bars and living rooms have been craving for more warmth and soul in electronic music and you know we’re here for it.
It’s only been a few months since we celebrated the 100th release on Heist with our ‘House of House’ compilation; a 19-track embodiment of everything we love about house music where label heads Dam Swindle teamed up with Detroit legend DJ Minx on their track ‘Back to the old school’. Now, landing just in time for summer, the Amsterdam duo deliver a new EP filled with dancefloor energy across 5 original cuts and vocals courtesy of British-Bengali rapper Surya Sen.
The title track ‘Call me’ is a stabby and string-heavy peak time jam, where chopped female vocals and offbeat cowbells deliver a simply irresistible groove. ‘5 to 9’ features the vocals of London rapper Surya Sen whose deep voice add an instant vibe to Dam Swindle’s deep and Detroit’esque production. This track sits somewhere between gritty dark rooms and sweaty dancefloors.
Definitely not the stuff for your 9 to 5, but with plenty of funk for your after-work pleasures. The track comes in 2 versions; the vocal mix and a longer club-dub with some cleverly chopped vocals that comes in handy for the DJ sets.
The B1 is saved for ‘I like it’. A track full of old school Swindle swing, Rhodes chords, a dash of electronics and soulful vocals chops for good measure. The EP closer is ‘A house track’; a song dedicated to the old school New York house sound and an affirmation that great house music doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs to groove.
This one has been road-tested all year and is now ready for your listening and playing pleasure. As always, share the music and play it loud!
Yours,
Heist HQ.
“So Help Me God is the long-awaited second album from Kelsey Lu, arriving June 12 2026 via Dirty Hit. Moving between shadow and release, the 10-track record follows her groundbreaking 2019 debut Blood and is co-produced by Lu, Jack Antonoff and Yves Rothman, mixed by Oli Jacobs, with contributions from Sampha, Kamasi Washington and Kim Gordon. Across the record, Lu blends distorted guitars, choral swells and dark electronic pulses into a sonic landscape that moves between devotional intensity and cinematic scale. So Help Me God expands Lu’s singular creative universe - where music, visual art and performance converge into one multidisciplinary project, marking the return of one of contemporary music’s most singular voices.”
Sweet Breeze Sound's first 12" is inspired by DC's long-running DIY party Extended Play. Local legend and veteran Marc Meistro knows the room he's building for here and opens with a wildly inventive flip of an Earth, Wind & Fire classic, full of hefty Daniel Meinecke's Rhodes and organ solos. 'Be More Bruk' takes a tougher route through Baltimore club energy and the flip cut 'Roll Em Up' leans into early-80s NYC spirit for a proper outdoor-jam feel. 'Julien, Sammy, et Jojo' closes things out with an 80s-inspired African disco flip of an obscure Central African cut. Playful and fun.
Brutkho strikes back on Goldmin Music with his very first vinyl release. A first physical release is always something special and exciting, So of course, it had to be a very personal and deeply touching package of music. Horvath Tamas alias Brutkho is actually one of the artists we feel since the first listen of his music. This hungarian producer has the power to play with the unexpected, to build captivating structures without losing sight of the essential simplicity this music needs."Now & then", his first ep on Goldmin Music and "Magic 32" on the compilation were already authentic demonstrations of this guy's assertive personality and aspirations but he definitely pushed the process further on this record.
Gabriella and Coleman are two massive deep-techno stompers focused on the atmosphere, the texture, the immersion which will play with your senses from the beginning to the end and fool your previous certainties without any doubt.Tel-Aviv based producers Deep'a & Biri who recently joined Derrick May's Transmat agency and who deliver some of the finest dub techno cuts of today catched the original track delicious pianos and dropped them into their sumptuous cinetic industrial groove.French producer Jan Hendez drives it into a pure rhythmic and organic piece of music unbound by usual genre limits. Menacing, very cold yet still deep and sexy remix that reminds both his first releases and his newer strictly atmospheric and mental approach.That's exactly the point with this record. It's a meeting of spontaneous artists who never stop their musical research, who don't mind about fleeting trends and who push boundaries further on every single track they do.
Luca Olivotto returns to Groove Culture with "Underground Ensemble," a solid four-track EP built for the heads.Blending heavy classic influences with a sharp, modern dancefloor edge, Olivotto delivers a masterclass in timeless House music. Each cut balances deep, nostalgic vibes with a cutting-edge production style, making this a versatile essential for any record bag. Whether you're looking for warm, early-evening grooves or peak-time energy, this EP provides a brilliant sonic journey from start to finish.
SEVEN brings together a fine selection of fresh producers delivering everything from proper house slappers to drifting deep house cuts and progressive house on their latest Various Artists compilation. This VA highlights a bunch of promising newcomer artists across Berlin, Paris, Hamburg and Switzerland, each with their own distinct sound - alongside the already established Nesa Azadikha, a percussionist and producer from Iran. She dedicates her music to the people of Iran fighting for freedom, using house the way it was originally intended: as a rhythmic, electronic escape and a form of cultural expression for oppressed people and communities.
The master of ambient soundscapes, intertwining authentic old school breakbeats with his inimitable style returns with a fresh album of choice cuts for the Spatial crew. A1 - Form of Defraction Opening the LP in his gloriously unique style, Aural Imbalance sets the tone with a powerfully ambient intro of padwork and delicately filtered breaks before dense, analogue old school breakbeats roar to life sending the track skyward. The sublime 808 bassline simmers beneath an ever-evolving soundscape of twinkling melodies and strings, the very essence of serenity captured in just under 7 minutes of audio bliss. A2 - Discreet Function Enveloping the listener with a warm blanket of silky ambience, Discreet Function soon jolts to life with a crunchy breakbeat that counteracts yet compliments the pads and myriad of delicious micro melodies so well, you wonder how it’s possible to take such extremes and mix them down so expertly that our ears accept it as one. After a relatively brief breakdown the track rolls out before the breaks are snatched away at the death - capping off a quite unique composition. B1 - Softlight Light cymbals and delicate textures introduce us to Softlight, a track which sees Aural Imbalance guiding the listener through the clouds to a haven of gentle serenity where your troubles simply fade away, punctuated by a stunningly programmed and memorable Hot Pants break pattern, timid classic basslines and an overall plethora of sun-baked energy - perfect for the headphones and the record box - as always. B2 - Airwave Immensely old school vibes are immediately present in Airwave, with analogue breaks and succinct female vocal samples that mingle with echoing melodies and synthwork to create a beautifully flowing and unique slice of atmospheric gold. Additional breaks are fused into the mix as the track progresses, elevating the piece to the heights we have come to expect from Aural Imbalance, yet never cease to amaze. C1 - Speed of Light Gentle cymbals and filtered breaks open Speed of Light, before a crisp barrage of amen goodness descends and dominates proceedings - just as a good amen should! Programmed to perfection with an immensely danceable rolling pattern, the amens lead us through a sea of washing synths and delicate melodies, intertwining and frolicking in the mix, completing a charming and memorable piece. C2 - Fading Star Playful strings and a luscious 808 bassline play with sumptuous padwork in the intro to Fading Star, a track which sees Aural Imbalance capture the essence of 90’s jungle and it’s symbiotic relationship with atmospheric drum & bass perfectly. Developing throughout with an array of unassuming effects and a quietly moving vibe, Fading Star is the perfect addition to sets spanning the entire history of this music. D1 - Drifting Under Bright Skies Aural Imbalance resurrects the excellent break last featured on Spatial in his sublime track Surface Area, this time chopped and sliced to a different vibe, with kickdrums at the forefront and that fantastically crunchy snare deployed more sparingly. Shimmering padwork and light melodies dance across the mix throughout to leave us with a refreshingly unique and memorable track you won’t be able to get enough of. D2 - Violet Completing this fine LP of old school ambient breakbeat mastery, Aural Imbalance deploys Violet to see us out - a climactic-feeling romp that opens with quiet intent before launching the listener through cheery melodic tones and bustling soundscapes, sprinkled liberally with airy pads and fluttering micro melodies that zip and whoosh around thick analogue breakbeats. A fitting end to a thoroughly enjoyable album. Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist) credits
Sciahri and Sublunar are proud to welcome Spanish artist Vilchezz to the family. Known for his releases on labels such as KEY Vinyl and Vault Sessions, he makes his Sublunar debut with the powerful EP Deadlock, showcasing his unique ability to seamlessly blend contemporary sound design with timeless techno aesthetics. The release opens with the title track, "Deadlock", a highly groovy cut driven by sophisticated sound design and a compelling rhythmic flow. It is followed by "Ghost In The Code", where refined textures and carefully crafted elements create a hypnotic groove that remains effortlessly engaging. On the flip side, "Lamina" explores darker territory, delivering deep, shadowy atmospheres and a more intense energy. Closing the vinyl edition is "Room101", the deepest track of the EP, a versatile and timeless tool capable of creating memorable moments at any stage of a set. With Deadlock, Vilchezz demonstrates an impressive range of moods and sonic approaches, confirming himself as one of the most exciting and versatile artists emerging in today's techno landscape.
A reflective mood shapes this new ENSOULED compilation, which leans into thoughtful deep house and rhythmic exploration. Italian producer Kikko Esse sets the tone with 'Nightfall Chroma', a spiritual cut guided by warm chords and the sort of slow burn groove that is like sinking into a lush bath, and is later reworked by Alton Miller, whose Detroit-rooted style adds some lovely swing. On the reverse, Cee ElAssaad and Masaki Morii deliver 'Tribe', a more prickly percussive cut underscored by dub effects and spoken word. Hugo LX closes the 12" with a deeper club reinterpretation that keeps you locked.
Bassmæssage is the oldest and most consistent bass night in Leipzig Germoany, pushing local soundsystem culture and grass roots artivism. We are about to welcome a fresh release "for all who like it low and want it vibrant"!
After two installments of bass-heavy multi-genre various-BPM grooves on Volume One in 2015 and on Second Drop in 2023 here comes the full triplet in this line of bass music vinyl compilations featuring acts who have been mÊssaging our nights. This time on Threenity, one side side is running garagewise 130, flipped by a more dubsteppish 140 area, all drowning in dark sinister midranges, mindful drum programmings and heavy-weight lows for huge speakers, to be released around 9th May 2026 on a 2 floor DIY soundsystem night in Connewitz!
Opening with genre wizzard LUI from Leipzig, showing how dirty and fonkey a garage bit can actually go. Bricks of beats on a fundament of nasty bass concrete, roofed by a vast selection of uplifting samples are vibing for sure.
Trainsient is the deep bass moniker of Leipzig's Plastiks running DDNBC, delivering a heavy tribal statement of a lost place of a deep grime, overgrown with flutey leaves and dreamy synth lianes hiding da moddership.
Psionide from Dresden with estonian roots is celebrating a vinyl debut with a slow-jungle dream-breaks bit between retro and future, braindance and dance, listening and bassline coaster.
Son du Maquis outa Toulouse sneaks in low in a classic dubstep manner, only to drop the lowest wobble possible right throughout the ride.
Miles Won transmitting from Plugwhiz, nails headnodding with his beat writing skills. Where bass meets hip hop, the grass has never been greener.
Finally, veteran like Dub Across Borders cabling from Copenhagen is delivering the contemplating outro: a melancholic 140 halftime not only to send you home but right into the night sky.
These six peaces are found on a heavy cut vinyl, ready to shake your system. As bonus there is another papercraft Basstelbogen cover, which lets you build your own BM logo and a 1:3 ratio record player on top. Mach's mit, mach's nach, mach's b‰sser!
Twenty years ago, somewhere in Scotland, an album that was the missing link between The Black Dog, Chain Reaction and Irdial was released by an enigmatic Glasgow producer called Pub, on his equally mysterious label Ampoule.
The album ‘Do You Ever Regret Pantomime?’ (2000) has become the stuff of local folklore, a key work in the UK’s rich history of IDM and ambient, and one of the most celebrated albums of the early noughties. Bizarrely, it even infiltrated the Billboard Top 100.
‘Do You Ever Regret Pantomime?’ is also very much a key statement from a producer who has chosen to stay in their own space, where everyone is welcome. Records like these are about losing yourself in the sound and creating your own universe to explore.
Over the record's 70 minutes or so you’re instantly wrapped in a deep matrix of spacious chords, abstract textures and gently shifting rhythms.
The 2020 reissue has been re-mastered and cut at Berlin’s Dubplates & Mastering, pressed as a 2x12” and features new artwork and a bonus track.
This release also heralds the return of Ampoule, the Glasgow label which released music from the likes of Lucky & Easy, Omens Jot and Moped Endo among others. Forthcoming releases will be a mixture of new music and re-issues from the archives.
Fantastic Friends Recordings proudly presents a new vinyl journey through deep, minimal and underground electronic sounds, bringing together four distinctive artists from across the scene.
A1 – Nicolas Duvoisin & Kim Kemi
Swiss underground veteran Nicolas Duvoisin joins forces with Danish selector and producer Kim Kemi, known for his close connection with intimate dancefloors and hypnotic grooves. Their collaboration delivers a refined blend of driving rhythms and atmospheric textures, perfectly setting the tone for the record.
A2 – Mike D.
Hailing from Chihuahua, Mexico, Mike D. is part of the new generation of minimal and underground house producers. Recognized for his sophisticated productions and support from respected international DJs, he brings a groove-focused and highly effective club cut to the release.
B1 – Guedes & Kid Moss
Longtime collaborators and regular contributors to the Fantastic Friends universe, Guedes & Kid Mosscombine infectious basslines, rolling percussion and playful melodic elements. Their productions are known for balancing dancefloor energy with a distinctive underground character.
B2 – Isaac Elejalde
From the Berlin scene, Isaac Elejalde delivers a deep and elegant interpretation of the label's signature sound, blending precision, groove and subtle emotional depth into a timeless late-night track.
A carefully curated four-track vinyl release designed for selectors, collectors and dancefloor explorers alike, continuing Fantastic Friends Recordings' commitment to forward-thinking underground electronic music.
"After years of audio exploration and creativity together, Bizarre Trax co-founders B.Love and oliver.r unveil their much-anticipated LOVE.R alias with a dynamite, four-track EP on the ever-vibrant Dias de Campo imprint. This powerhouse pairing has been on the label's radar for a while, and their Dos Cremaet Por Favor EP proves exactly why.
Brimming with intricate textures, playful grooves, and the duo's unmistakable flair for left-field dancefloor energy, each track delivers a heady mix of quirky rhythms and off-kilter beats that define each of their signature sounds. The A-side marks the grand entrance of LOVE.R with two innovative collaborations, while the flip lets each artist shine with a solo cut of their own.
And if that's not enough, you can catch these prolific tastemakers lighting up the decks at this year's festival. See you front left."
The corner of the cover is slightly wrinkled, STILL A VERY GOOD PLUS COVER
With Panorama, Frank Maston pays homage to the classic era of library records and Italian soundtracks of the 70s. A blissed-out, grooving collection of filmic cues, it continues the unique brilliance of Tulips and Darkland. Elegant and easy, subtle and stylish, breezy and beautiful; this is his Maston-piece. Commissioned by legendary label KPM, Panorama cements Maston as a master of modern classics and the most mesmeric of contemporary composers.
In early 2020, Be With suggested to Frank that he should make a KPM record. He wasn't aware that they were still putting out new library records - but he was super keen: "It was completely surreal and it still hasn't fully sank in that I have a record in that catalog, sitting alongside those incredible albums that were so influential to me."
Frank was visiting family in his hometown of LA in March 2020 when the world ground to a halt so the KPM project arrived at a fortuitous moment. Having fantasised about committing to a record with no distractions, with a proper budget, access to his gear and space to work in - to really dig in and try to write and arrange the best work he could possibly make - it was a real "be careful what you wish for" moment. But, as Frank explained, "it completely saved my year and sanity to have something to focus on and get excited about. It was my lifeline." He spent seven months on it, working almost every day.
Maston had already been making library-influenced music so when KPM outlined the criteria for the tracks it was exactly what he had been doing all along. He thought the best approach would be to make a follow-up to Tulips that had a parallel life as a KPM record. Enjoying complete creative freedom, “gave me the drive to power through and dig in deep. I'm not sure if I could have kept myself on such a rigorous recording schedule under my own steam, and I think the momentum I had writing and recording it is part of the strength of this record."
Maston’s sleek retro-groove instrumentals emulate the classic KPM “Greensleeve” reel-to-reel recordings that provided mood-setting music for mid-century cinema, television, and radio programs. Apparently in close conversation with the John Cameron-Keith Mansfield KPM pastoral masterclass Voices In Harmony, Maston's Panorama could be heard as that record's funky follow-up. Yes, it's *that good*. Another reference point from the hallowed library would be Francis Coppieter's wonderful Piano Viberations.
Opener "First Class" is a blissed-out groove, featuring the soothing vocals of Molly Lewis and a glistening harp over drums, a two-note bass motif (from Eli Ghersinu of L'Eclair) and an assemblage of guitars, synths, French horn and glowing vibraphone. Acid Lounge, anyone? The irresistibly funky "Easy Money" is a gorgeous cut led by more of Molly's vocals, pastoral flute and Rhodes, underpinned by drums and percussion, grooving bass, chilled guitars and synth strings. Kicking the tempo up, the percussive "Storm" is a vibin' filmic-fusion jam where psychedelic guitars (courtesy of Pedrum of Allah Las/Paint) organ, jazzy flute, Rhodes and vibes all compete for a place in the sun, over drums and walking bassline.
The heavenly "You Shouldn't Have" is a delicate, melancholic wonder; a dreamy instrumental where the melody is shared by a whistle, harpsichord and celeste, over a cyclical piano chord sequence and bass, synths, guitars, organ and distant French horn. The tempo rises again with the passionate, sticky "Fling", a summery, nostalgic groove with skipping drums and percussion, warm bass and electric guitar, yearning flute and synth strings. The brilliantly titled "Fool Moon" has that Voices In Harmony sound down pat. A romantic slow-mo dreamscape of Rhodes and harpsichord, piano, light drums and softly strummed acoustic guitar.
Side B opens with "Medusa", a hopeful, mellowed-out track with shuffling drums, feel-good flute, muted horns, glowing Rhodes and synth strings. The soft and gentle "Morning Paper" is an elegant way to start the day; a beatless blend of flute, guitar, percussion, ambient synths and vibes. The upbeat head-nod jam "Scenic" has that widescreen car-chase feel, uptempo drums and percussion, grooving bass, piano, synths and ambient electric guitar. "Adieu" is a smooth summer vibe, relaxing with brushed drums, Rhodes, flutes and horns. Molly Lewis's gorgeous vocals steal the show, alongside vibes, jamming organ and synth strings.
"Hydra" is another laid-back 70s-sounding retro cinema cue with light drums and percussion, walking bass, spacey synths, clavinet, glowing vibraphone, vintage organ and electric guitar. Closer "Jet Lag" is a laconic bow out; bass-driven drum machine soul, featuring hand percussion, Rhodes, vibes, synths and organ.
Multi-instrumentalist Frank played a bit of everything across Panorama. Yet, humble as ever, he believes the time, energy, and enthusiasm of all of the musicians invited to the sessions helped him realise his vision: "There were two Italian flautists who really understood what I was going for. Two french horn players, cor anglais, a vibraphonist and a flügel horn player. I've never involved this many people in my projects before, and yet the result is the most "me" record I've ever made."
Musically, a strong Italian theme runs through the record. Frank is fascinated by ancient Rome and both his parents are Italian (Maston was originally Mastrantonio before anglicisation). So, it felt natural to fully embrace these strands and tie everything together with the striking artwork. The Romans were influenced by Greek culture, emulating their art and architecture, which, in turn, influenced Renaissance era artists. Frank acknowledged this tradition when reflecting on his place in the lineage of library and soundtrack composers. He then asked his friend Mattea Perrotta, a painter and sculptor, for some sketches. What he received was exactly what he had in mind: "Especially the theater mask, which really captures the range of moods on the album". Frank arranged them as per the cover and it soon felt right: "I wanted to make a cover that was reminiscent of the classic KPM albums without making it too pastiche - so it has its own identity and looks at home alongside other library records, while still fitting in nicely in the KPM catalogue." The last step was for us to introduce Frank to Be With-KPM’s Rich Robinson, who helped put together the back and centre labels and align it all within the KPM standard.
Panorama is a perfect title for the album. With no opportunity to travel for tours or recording projects, Frank arranged postcards from his collection on his desk with beautiful views of the mediterranean coast, the Roman Colosseum and Cinque Terre. These also served as visual prompts: "That was part of the sonic concept - imagining myself driving down the mediterranean coast with this music on, with the top down." Additionally, the range of moods and vibes - "I tried to make each song very different from the previous one in terms of tempo and arrangement and feeling" - speaks to the idea of a Panorama of music and sounds and emotions. The last track was originally called Panorama, but KPM already had that title in their catalogue so it was changed to "Jet Lag", which, as Frank notes, "is perhaps even more fitting, since the trip is over".
