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Seemingly out of nowhere, a brand-new label and techno project, Cite, drops from a producer you’re not likely to have expected to deliver four warp-speed, techno chest rumblers.

Driving kicks and killer percussion cement themselves as the foundations finished off with deftly sampled vocals and hypnotic synthwork. It’s mesmerising, machinelike and magnetising in equal parts whether you draw for the big room business on the A side or flip it for the twisted rollers on the B. Make space for this in your bag, as once it’s in there, it ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

Pedro Zopelar (@pzopelar)is a musician, producer and DJ based in São Paulo, Brazil. Known for his many different projects like the duo “My Girlfriend” with Benjamin Sallum, the electronic performative act “Teto Preto” and his effervescent party “ODD” - Zopelar presents “Universo” on Apron Records! a collection of 9 tracks that represents the actual direction of his solo work

Inkswel is firing into 2020 with his debut release The People EP on Boogie Angst.

Having previously released on such top notch labels as BBE, Rush Hour, Sonar Kollektiv and Yoruba Soul (as one half of Planetself), quality is assured from the producer with two original tracks and high quality remixes.

Too Late featuring Atlanta rapper and broken beat master Daz-I-Kue collaborator Stan Smith is built around an 80's synth line and electro percussion throwing things back to the early days of hip hop and breakdancing.

Having previously worked with vocalists such as Georgia Ann Muldrow, Amp Fiddler and Steve Spacek – Inkswel first delivers The People - a perfectly crafted lo-fi club rocker with San Fran luminary Dave Aju on vocals.

Boogie Angst is run by Dutch electronic dons Kraak & Smaak and as well as their own output is also home to the likes of Moods, Secret Rendezvous, Vhyce and Saux.

Nicky Night Time and Ali Love have collaborated for a hypnotising new single ‘Ubiquity feat. Breakbot’. Filled with classic disco flair, funk riffs, and infectious vocals the track instantly encapsulates a dreamy dance-floor moment and comes complete with remixes from The Magician, Eric Duncan and Lubelski who all add their signature spark.

With each artist living in a different country, ‘Ubiquity’ has already made its way around the globe, Ali Love explains how the track came together, “‘Ubiquity’ started its life in Australia with Nicky Night Time as a drum and guitar track. Then made its way to London where I added electric bass and vocals very early in the morning. I recall there were about 8 Japanese girls in my flat for some reason, so you could say that really added to the song’s vibe. You can feel there’s a party happening. The tune then travelled to LA where, by chance, Nicky drafted in Breakbot, who wrote the amazing string and horn parts, and sent the song into the stratosphere. The stars have aligned and the vibe is ubiquitous." Nicky Night Time adds “It was a love project really and I think we felt it was a cool thing just to put out into the world between the 3 of us amigos.”

For the remixes, globally renowned producer The Magician adds his signature touch highlighting the original’s funk elements and punchy drums while maintaining the driving bassline from the original. Merging disco with French touch, The Magician accentuates the cut-off and phaser effects for a playful and energetic remix. Next up, Eric Duncan hits with a synth heavy cosmic remix as Lubelski closes out proceedings going for a stripped down, late night shuffler.

The sensation was perfect – Helloween, who have sold more than 10 million records worldwide, being one of the most respected German metal bands since 1984, announced their PUMPKINS UNITED WORLD TOUR in 2016. The media was raving about the TOUR OF THE YEAR, playing 69 shows in 32 countries all over the world. More than one million fans on three continents were ecstatic because it was not only a reunion of the original band, it was the summit of seven ultimate HELLOWEEN heroes: Andi Deris, Michael Kiske, Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, Markus Grosskopf, Sascha Gerstner & Dani Löble. Or to put it simple: it was a dream come true for fans around the world, the band received five times more spectators and all of them had only one wish: »Please stay together!«

Following the excitement, one of the biggest magazines in this genre ‘BURRN!’ (Japan) honored the band with four unbelievable cover stories, this was followed by the thunderstorm of the century within the social media universe, a celebrated PUMPKINS UNITED single and the quenchless hunger for more – much more! And yes, the musicians tasted blood and it was clear: there is no way back – the future of HELLOWEEN will be written in unity. It marked the beginning of a new era and the re-birth of a metal legend with exceptional artists.
Their first new album will be released in summer 2021. Flatten the runway with a loud drumbeat: in April 2021 the spectacular single SKYFALL will be released. The 12 minute epic, written by Kai Hansen has the long yearned ‘Keeper-Vibe’ but it isn’t telling the story of the whole album. SKYFALL has a musical arch which will be loved by fans of every era: from unforgettable times to glorious adventures all the way to the upcoming first album of the HELLOWEEN new age. The epic track tells about an alien landing on earth and a dramatic chase while Hansen, Kiske and Deris duel with each other in a breathtaking manner and create a broadband adventure - with a lyric sheet with colored blocks identifying the singers as well as a video that is formidable. Produced by Martin Häusler, it will be the most elaborate clip in the history of the band, the story to be shown with 3-D animation and looking cinematic – in these times almost a dinosaur in implementation.
The base of the upcoming milestone album was already erected in the studio: using the original Ingo Schwichtenberg drum kit, the recording was done with the same modulators at the Hamburg HOME studios where back then ‘Master of The Rings’, ‘Time of the Oath’ and ‘Better than Raw’ was recorded. Back to the roots and completely analog is the UNITED impact - another great work by well-known producer Charlie Bauerfeind and Co-producer Dennis Ward before the album traveled to New York and got the final mastering polish in the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (Iron Maiden, Depeche Mode, Rammstein).
With all this brand new material an album has been created, an album that is set apart from the digital mainstream and showing that the essence of the band was never more solid.

The artwork of Eliran Kantor (Berlin) is clear: SKYFALL is the beginning of something big – here comes HELLOWEEN.

Repress

The Vanguard Project is the brainchild of Steve BCee & Andrew 'Villem' Wilson. Both already being established producers this new project sees them truly going from strength to strength with every release. For the Daredevil EP they deliver four soul-soaked slices of deep spaced drum & bass with rolling drums. To keep things short and simple, this is dope.

Zwerm is a Belgian-Dutch electric guitar quartet (with a backyard rehearsal shed located in Antwerp) that operates along the borders between styles and traverses traditions that are typically not convergent. Zwerm rhymes Larry Polansky with Nadah El Shazly and are galvanized by the likes of guitars pioneers like The Velvet Underground and Sonic Youth, the microtonal DYI-er Harry Partch, Middle Eastern sonorities and the prog-madness of Kind Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. ‘Musical adventure’ is not just a hollow cliché for this quartet, but a genuine commitment. Zwerm calls itself a ‘guitar quartet’, but that can be interpreted broadly as well as with a pinch of salt: “If we want to do something on instruments we don’t really master, we’ll just figure out a way to make it work.”
Toon Callier, Johannes Westendorp, Kobe van Cauwenberghe and Bruno Nelissen all met in 2007 while working on a project with Glenn Branca. A new guitar quartet was born and it became clear rather quickly that staying in the strictly contemporary compositions lane was not for this quartet-with-five-to-six-members (an organizational chart is available upon request).
An appetite for new and lasting collaborations has been a constant theme throughout their artistic parcours. The group has shared stages with theatrical producers like Walpurgis and Post uit Hessdalen, dancers such as Ecce and with the musicians Fred Frith, Stephen O’Malley, Shiva Feshareki, Rudy Trouvé, Mauro Pawlowski, Larry Polansky, Eric Thielemans, Yannis Kyriakides, François Sarhan, Serge Verstockt and Stefan Prins. These projects have not always translated into records, but they have been decisive in creating a unique musical approach. In 2015, when Zwerm was asked by De Handelsbeurs to collaborate with Fred Frith, they proceeded to pen a few new musical sketches over which Firth sublimely improvised. In 2018 ‘Badminton in Tehran’ was released, their first record that was made up completely of only the group’s compositions.
“a basket full of buttons here
and if you push the wrong one: fear
and if you push the right one: love
or maybe none of the above”
The route that Zwerm has taken is often defined by the question “What if... ?” - like a dart thrown at a musical map, not quite blindly, but naive enough to lead to unexpected endings.
“What if we play Renaissance pieces written by John Dowland, but instead of playing lutes we play these tunes with a Telecaster – and then jam it through effect pedals and an amplifier?”
“What if we connect one hundred guitar pedals and just leave our guitars at home?”
“What if we record a record with ten different one-page-pieces that we found on the Internet?”
In 2020 our metaphorical dart landed on “What if we tried microtonality?”.
‘Microtonality’ sounds a bit creepy, but actually there is nothing to be afraid of: there are no out-of- tune notes, just alternate notes. On the continents where Western musical theory is less stringently applied, microtonality is the rule, and has become the subject of many deep and thoughtfully written theories. However for Zwerm, this phenomenon occurs in many, often surprisingly lighthearted forms. A dilapidated piano that has settled into a beautiful microtonal tuning of its own accord, enthusiastic choral singing, a guitar whose three strings are tuned a quarter-tone higher, a saz (Turkishquarter-tone lute), a maddening guitar pedal, ...
"the dreams they were convicted for telling only lies reality came after for claiming to be wise what you don’t see is what you get just never light a spark I’m a crow in the dark”
“And… what if we work with a drummer?” Enter Karen Willems - dummer, extraordinaire, and ardent player in groups, projects and collaborations galore. One chance meeting and the deal was done. It was obvious before the start that Willems was the versatile and creative percussionist-in-a-toy-store necessary for this project. And in the studio, to our delight, she demonstrated an easy dexterity when switching quickly from one idea to the next.
At the reins behind the scenes was producer Rudy Trouvé, who – during previous sessions for ‘Badminton in Terhran’, when the classically trained guitarists went completely off the rails, staring deeply and forlornly into their scores, looking for answers – was able to pinpoint the problem and get the wagons rolling in the right direction again. Completing the team were Mark Dedecker (recording)and Joris Calluwaerts (mixing).
The results are in and it’s called ‘ Great Expectations’ – a title that, in several ways, fits perfectly with these strange times.‘Great Expectations’ goes wide! Zwerm is at its best when it can run along the borders between style and across traditions that otherwise would not necessarily intersect. The most straightforward rockers have a proggy tinge while the dreamy psychedelic songs lean more toward Richard Youngs. And if a nice melody dared come to close to becoming a ‘Kit-Katjingle’, then barbs-a-la-Pere-Ubu were trailed, tracked, found and promptly embedded. ‘Heavy Machinery’ sits neatly somewhere between Captain Beefheart and Richard Wagner, and ‘On My Way To Aguno’, set to an Iranian folk song chord progression, grew into a hyper-personal lullaby. Zwerm used the saz (Turkish lute) and the sinter (Moroccan gnawa bass instrument) without falling into pastiche psychedelia, but you can still sense the orient.

Digital Introversion is the first studio album of Aboukir, the new project of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ralph Maruani, also known as Flabaire for his electronic music pieces.

Throughout the 8 tracks of the LP, psychedelic guitars and dreamy vocals lie down on bluesy bass lines and subtle rhodes keys, putting great emphasis on instrumental sequences in every song.


Inspired by the sound of the 60s and 70s rock, the album conjures references to bands like Crosby, Stills & Nash, prog-rock pioneers Pink Floyd and more modern musicians such as Khruanghbin or Air. Recorded in 2018 and 2019 in his home studio, every instrument is played and arranged by Maruani himself except for the drums, performed by friends and family on several tracks. No samples here, just pure talent from an experienced producer and a lifelong vinyl collector. 


Aboukir’s Digital Introversion will be available in April 2021 on Rotary Phono Lab in limited edition vinyl and digital.

Repress!

This is the debut release on Noir Music from Brazilian K.A.L.I.L.
We have been working quite some time to perfect this first release from him on the label and give it the edge needed to stand out. After tons of road-testing and going back and forth with production ideas I am now happy to have 2 perfect tracks ready from K.A.L.I.L. that really showcase his super solid techno sound and production flair. Involved (co-produced with Any Mello) is a quite simple trip with Any's spoken word in center of industrial elements wobling it and out. This track works really well in the clubs because of its on point minimalism, the high intensity stacatto synths and the catchy vocal line from Any. It's not easy to do big tracks without big basslines - but that's what K.A.L.I.L. and Any Mello truely achieved with this one. Revolved is a track I signed already last year and since then K.A.L.I.L. has been perfecting everything about the track from small details to bigger arrangement improvements. This track has that big bassline that sits right in your face. It also has the right build for those peaktime
moments in the clubs. I have been playing 'Revolved' a lot over the past months and people go crazy for those big bass drops.
We are honored to have another great producer join the Noir Music family and proud to have another belter of a release ready for you.

In 1984, German band Alphaville released their iconic debut album "Forever Young" that enjoys international popularity to this day. The album contains some of their biggest 80's classics such as the first single "Big In Japan", which went to number one in several territories, and the timeless 80s-anthem "Forever Young"!

Even before the album was released, the band unveiled their second single "Sounds Like a Melody" that topped the charts in Sweden yet again and reached the Top 10 in several European countries. The title track "Forever Young" was released along with the album on September 27th, 1984. Since then the track has become one of the greatest pop anthems of all time.

"Forever Young" the album hit the Top 20 in six European countries, went triple Gold in Germany and was awarded a Swedish Rockbjörnen as "best foreign album". The iconic album from 1984 has been remastered for the first time ever including additional bonus material.












CD1 & LP
Original Album Remastered

01-A Victory Of Love
02-Summer In Berlin
03-Big In Japan
04-To Germany With Love
05-Fallen Angel
06-Forever Young
07-In The Mood
08-Sounds Like A Melody
09-Lies
10-The Jet Set

CD2
Original Singles, B-Sides, 12" Versions

01-Big In Japan (Single Version)
02-Seeds
03-Sounds Like A Melody (Single Version)
04-The Nelson Highrise Sector 1-The Elevator (Single Version)
05-Forever Young (Version Rapide)
06-Welcome To The Sun
07-The Jet Set (Single Remix)
08-Golden Feeling
09-Big In Japan (Extended Remix)
10-Sounds Like A Melody (Special Long Version)
11-The Nelson Highrise Sector 1-The Elevator
12-Forever Young (Special Extended Dance Mix)
13-The Jet Set (Jellybean Mix)
14-Big In Japan (Extended Instrumental)
15-The Jet Set (Dub Mix)


CD3
Demo Versions

01-A Victory Of Love (Demo Remix)
02-Summer In Berlin (Original Demo)
03-Big In Japan (Demo Remix)
04-To Germany With Love (Original Demo)
05-Fallen Angel (Demo Remix)
06-Forever Young (Demo Remix)
07-In The Mood (Demo Remix)
08-Sounds Like A Melody (Original Demo)
09-Lies (Original Demo
10-The Jet Set (Original Demo)
11-Leben Ohne Ende/Seeds (Original Demo)
12-Traumtänzer (Original Demo)
13-Blauer Engel (Original Demo)
14-Romance (Demo Sketch)
15-Colours (Instrumental)
16-Into The Dark (Demo Remix)

DVD
New 60 min documentary "Never grow up - The story of Forever Young" incl. new interviews with Marian Gold & Bernhard Llyod (both Alphaville), Wolfgang Loos & Colin Pearson (both original album producers) and the original artwork designer

Original music videos: Forever Young, Big In Japan & Sounds Like A Melody



ALPHAVILLE FOREVER YOUNG (Remastered) Release Date: 15th March 2019 Format: 1LP 180g black vinyl PPD: £13.00 UPC: 0190295526283Track List

Original Album Remastered

01-A Victory Of Love
02-Summer In Berlin
03-Big In Japan
04-To Germany With Love
05-Fallen Angel
06-Forever Young
07-In The Mood
08-Sounds Like A Melody
09-Lies
10-The Jet Set


ALPHAVILLE FOREVER YOUNG (Deluxe) Release Date: 15th March 2019 Format: 2CD digipack PPD: £12.50 UPC: 0190295509040


Track List


CD1
Original Album Remastered

01-A Victory Of Love
02-Summer In Berlin
03-Big In Japan
04-To Germany With Love
05-Fallen Angel
06-Forever Young
07-In The Mood
08-Sounds Like A Melody
09-Lies
10-The Jet Set
CD2
Original Singles, B-Sides, 12" Versions

01-Big In Japan (Single Version)
02-Seeds
03-Sounds Like A Melody (Single Version)
04-The Nelson Highrise Sector 1-The Elevator (Single Version)
05-Forever Young (Version Rapide)
06-Welcome To The Sun
07-The Jet Set (Single Remix)
08-Golden Feeling
09-Big In Japan (Extended Remix)
10-Sounds Like A Melody (Special Long Version)
11-The Nelson Highrise Sector 1-The Elevator
12-Forever Young (Special Extended Dance Mix)
13-The Jet Set (Jellybean Mix)
14-Big In Japan (Extended Instrumental)
15-The Jet Set (Dub Mix)

We're back with our 5th release! This time it's the certified dancefloor weapon by Alonzo Turner ‘Whoever Said It?’ Released on a 7 inch with a part 1 & 2, this record has been played on dancefloors worldwide by such players as Rahaan, Sadar Bahar and more, with those selectors favouring the part 2 in the most euphoric moments with that incredible vocal half way through. The record has remained hard to come by for most so we are thrilled to have this one out there as an affordable and great sounding reissue.

Remastered as always by Frank at The Carvery and this time released with a vibrant company sleeve and a baby yellow label on the 7 to match the original.

"Alonzo Turner was born in Northern California in 1955 and was introduced to music by his church, of which his father was pastor. As a young adult, Turner moves to West Hollywood and at 23, he starts to manage a local rock band while working day and night to write what will turn out to be his first and only release, ‘Whoever Said It’.

The song catches the attention of Dave Crawford, A former producer at Atlantic. Like most stuff on Crawford’s label, LA Records, the single never makes it to the charts but helps Turner make a name for himself in L.A. and Orange County where he performs often. There is only speculation about what happened to ‘You’ve Got Something’, the LP on which the song was meant to appear, but five years later Alonzo ends up writing an eponymous piece for Norma Lewis (Shakatak, Charade) on her debut album ‘It’s Gonna Happen’.

In 1984, struggling to make ends meet from his music career, Turner takes a part time job at a record store, while also pushing garments to an elite clientele in Beverly Hills, even selling clothes to one of Michael Jackson’s designers. In 1991, aged 38, Alonzo Turner will pass away from illness.

Written by a loner who lived in a modest flat filled with antiques and expensive art pieces, ‘Whoever Said It’ is a testament to the idea that love does exist beyond our imagination. While asking who is to blame for spreading the opposite theory, Turner makes this simple yet compelling argument to debunk it: emotions are a motor of action, they literally set us in motion and therefore reality derives its very momentum from them."

Hailing from Medellin, Colombia, Killabeatmaker is a Global Bass DJ / Producer, audio engineer, singer and songwriter; a multi-faceted artist you'll be hearing a lot about in the near future. Drawing his inspiration from his Afro-Colombian and Indigenous roots, Killabeatmaker efficiently mixes traditional sounds and rhythms with urban beats and raw club music. His EP "Matiela Suto" is an homage to the diversity of Colombia's people and cultures, packed with progressive house buildups, Nigerian club music influences and enchanting female voices.

Cumbia chiptune heads get ready!

Solo Moderna is coming strong and mad!

Too long overlooked, multi instrumentalist Dutch producer, master of broken-sounding toys and possessed electronic puppets is bring you this exclusive dancehall anthem banger on 7"; a digital cumbia chiptune homage to Jamaica at his very own unique freaked-out style.

This little beauty is announcing a full length album to be released in November 2019. So stay tuned, and don't miss this double-sided delight that will set the dance floor on fire.

Giordano arrives on Savy Records with one of his strongest EPs to date - an emotional four tracker carrying on the label's theme from its sold-out first release. 'Into Your Mind' sees the producer combining analog and digital tools to create raw hybrid energy consisting of energetic drums that sit in a perfect balance with rich modular pads. The EP neatly weaves together ambient, techno and UK breaks, with dynamics that make the Berlin-based Italian producer stand out from the crowd.

Dojo Cuts were one of the first groups to release a 45 on Colemine Records back in 2009 and eleven years later, they represent the 89th 45 in the label's history. As perhaps the most soulful outfit to come out of Australia the last few decades Dojo Cuts with the help of leader singer Roxie Ray and producer Nathan Aust are back to cranking out new tunes like they haven't since 2012. "Rome" and "Falling In Love Again" are from the most recent LP Tomorrow's Gonna Come.

Pelvis and Burning Rose Records present the debut 12” from producer and vocalist Purient. Her voice floats over tough production on three original tracks, pushing from an icy cool to blistering heat.
It’s page one for Purient, and exceptional remixes from Eartheater and Varg²™ further pull the curtain back on her expanded universe.

Cognitiva and ANMA Records present ‘Outlines’, a snapshot of a new generation of exciting producers from across Europe, collaborating and mixing jazz, broken beat & house in exciting new ways. 10 tracks split into two parts on vinyl, featuring ones-to-watch artists Contours, Werkha, Footshooter, Allysha Joy, Karmasound, Domenico Sanna and more. ANMA and Cognitiva have not only curated the featured artists but also some of the collaborations featured.

Bad Colours is the moniker of London-born, Maryland-raised, Brooklyn-based DJ and producer Ibe Soliman. With influences of garage from both sides of the Atlantic as well as funk, post-disco, proto-house and rap samples; his debut album 'PINK' is set for release by Bastard Jazz on 26th February 2021.

The drive to record an album came about while isolating at home in Flatbush during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by some rough ideas and samples that friends sent him, Ibe focussed his attention on making music. From time well spent soaking up and storing sounds from clubs around the world, Ibe found, now with the time to dedicate towards it, the tracks flooding out. Taking cues from early Trax records and Larry Heard, the UKG musicality of MJ Cole, Todd Edwards' vocal sampling techniques, the brashness of Bmore, and an encyclopedia of disco, funk and soul knowledge; Ibe got to work and quickly compiled more than enough tracks for a full-length release.

Flowing from the album intro 'PINK!', first single 'Cookin' vibes over a Chris Faust sample and saxophone from south California virtuoso Carras Paton. 'Feelin' Like' was originally built around a short vocal sample by Jarv Dee, but grew to include additional lyrics on black power from the Seattle rapper after he heard it: "Dancey stuff with a message" says Ibe.

Slow jam 'Heyyy', with its preemptive lyrical synths, bridges to the album's next single 'Get You Off'. Ibe had been listening to a lot of Marvin Gaye - particularly 'I Want You' - during lockdown, getting into the production and vocals. After writing the "I just wanna get you off" hooks, he handed the track over to talented singer, actor and playwright Marcus Harmon who wrote the verses and provided the stunning vocal performance.

Keeping the sensual vibe, 'Skin To Skin' samples vocals from 'Private Play' by Wash 'N' Set, also produced by Ibe, with the Chris Isaak-esque guitar lines by Lex from Foreign Tapes. Made late at night, CMYK reminded Ibe of driving at night in the rain in NYC, where the colors bleed together on the wet road while 'Boss', the first track made for the album, is based around a Sunny Jones sample. The closing track 'Feel' was made at the peak of Black Lives Matter protests. "I just wanted something hard sounding," says Ibe.

Known for his residencies at some of New York's top venues, Ibe has been rocking crowds as a DJ for over a decade, and has shared the decks with the likes of James Murphy, Mark Ronson, and Q-Tip. He's performed alongside Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, and Young Thug, to name a few. In high demand as a private party curator, he's helped set the tone for Jeff Koons, FKA Twigs, Justin Timberlake, Travis Scott, and Usher. When Ibe's not behind the decks, he's in the lab, where he's produced for Kendrick Lamar, Faith Evans, Keyshia Cole, and Rick Ross, among others.

Since his 2012 debut as Heathered Pearls, Jakub Alexander has constructed art — music, objects, installations, performances — as a way of re-imagining fragments of his past and mapping ideas for his future. The Polish-born, Michigan-raised, New York-based artist and producer sees imagery and narrative framework as fluid components to his craft. Alexander’s first album, Loyal, mimicked the hypnotic motions of ocean waves at night, offering melodic, loop-based ambient music as a tribute to the tasteful influence of his mother and aunt. The second Heathered Pearls album, Body Complex, found inspiration from comfort, imperfection, and visions of interior architecture, transforming Loyal’s soft textures into driving 4/4 figures, glacial tone drifts, and starry synth plateaus. His 2017 EP, Detroit, MI 1997 - 2001, reflected on a formative era through ephem- eral dance music. The third Heathered Pearls full-length,


Cast, returns to moodier loop formats joined by the distinctly new presence of the spo- ken word. The move mirrors the multitudes of its namesake: collaborators comprise a cast, healing in the bind of a cast, complex emotions and the shadows they cast. Alexander started work on Cast when living in Berlin and in Queens.

“I hit a wall listening to these tracks when they were instrumental.” This is where he diverged from previous modes, deciding to integrate speech. With a healthy distaste for aspects of performance art, he invited strictly non-scripted recordings, a series of anti-performances. This new format adds a surprising human element to music that has previously operated as sea-shapes or infrastructure. These flashes of language, Alexander’s close friends speaking about things, narratively and cerebrally, casually and profoundly, turn the distinctive Heathered Pearls sound into some- thing surprisingly gritty, tangible, and in certain sweeps, cinematic. It is as if the world outside of these compositions bleeds into the music, casting their verbal being from just off the surface, like the album’s cover artwork where the light hits the plexi object but misses the wall.

Alexander sees his covers as naturally unfinished workstations; the gauzed and patinaed copper on Cast continues in this philosophy. This is all to say Cast deals with absence as much a presence. Among the guest storytellers is Alexander’s friend and tourmate Nick Murphy (formerly Chet Faker), who unwinds a series of tender observations on “Basic Needs.” The swirling synthesizer immerses a series of empathies; feeling like an egg yolk, a window’s view, his love for the color yellow, and wanting yellow to love him back.

Hannah Peel’s latest work "Fir Wave" contains re-interpretations of the original music of the 1972 KPM series featuring Delia Derbyshire and the Radiophonic Workshop.



The new album, a sonic shimmer of textures and pulses that switches between raw atmospheric edges and environments, arrives with a fascinating history. As Peel explains, “The specialist library label KPM, gave me permission to reinterpret the original music of the celebrated 1972 KPM 1000 series: Electrosonic, the music of Delia Derbyshire and the Radiophonic Workshop.” This process of re-generation and finding fresh inspiration in pioneering, experimental electronics from the early 1970s is at the core of the album. Peel has made connections and new patterns that mirror the Earth’s ecological cycles through music. Peel explains, “I’m drawn to the patterns around us and the cycles in life that will keep on evolving and transforming forever. Fir Wave is defined by its continuous environmental changes and there are so many connections to those patterns echoed in electronic music - it’s always an organic discovery of old and new.” As Delia Derbyshire revealed in 2000 to BBC sound engineer, journalist and academic Jo Hutton: “I like new things that don’t seem new . . . as though they’ve always been there.” Known more recently for curating and presenting on BBC Radio 3’s Night Tracks, the Northern Irish Emmy-nominated composer and producer’s work is ambitious and forward-looking, adapting and re-inventing new genres and hybrid musical forms.



Recent albums include the solo electronic and pop work of Awake But Always Dreaming, which became an ode to her grandmother’s mind as she lived with dementia; the electronic ruralism of Chalk Hill Blue, an album recorded with the poet Will Burns; and the space and the unparalleled vastness of Mary Casio: Journey to Cassiopeia, scored for synthesisers and a 30 piece colliery brass band. In 2019 she composed and recorded the soundtrack for Game of Thrones: The Last Watch which earned her an Emmy nomination for ‘Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)’.

LA-based producer, composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist James McAlister is a rare creator, and highly sought after collaborator. Perhaps best known for his work with Sufjan Stevens , McAlister has also appeared on record with Lorde amongst many others, and is a regular contributor to Aaron Dessner 's projects, including the latest albums from Taylor Swift, folklore and evermore . His regular work with film music includes The Two Popes, The Big Sick, and Ron Simonsen 's recent films. In 2018 he joined Stevens, Casey Foubert , St. Vincent and Moses Sumney for the Oscar performance for music from Call Me By Your Name, where he played piano and a bottle of cupcake sprinkles. With nearly countless projects to his name, it was in 2017 that his collaboration with Stevens, Nico Muhly, and Bryce Dessner entitled Planetarium was released by 4AD. Around the same time McAlister started a deep dive into a personal sonic realm that has manifested as an ambient project under his own name. 2018 saw the release of Three Breaths , the first offering from this exploration. 2021 will see the second installment, an album called Scissortail which vividly puts McAlister's evolving master craft on display. It is a collection of moving, meditative, immediately satisfying and quietly stunning work. It is the sound of an artist letting go entirely of pre-conceptions or expectations, instead mining the depths of that very real and abstract place of sound, texture, color and feeling. Some songs arrive almost intuitively, while others feel mechanically made, fed through the framework of synthesizers and the patchwork of recording gear. And with that comes a compelling duality to the work; a machine grace informing the on-going but subconscious dialogue between energy and material, sensitivity and asceticism.

VII Circle returns to his Destroy To Rebuild imprint this March with two fierce techno tracks alongside Mickey Nox and Fractions remixes.

Following 2020's "Fearless EP", which saw support from the likes of Rebekah, Regal, and Randomer, VII Circle returns to his own Destroy To Rebuild imprint with two blistering originals and a pair of remixes from Green Fetish's Mickey Nox and Russian duo Fractions.

Title track "Warriors" gets straight to the point with a heavy-duty synth snaking its way through the track, as a series of relentless drums and sharp production combine to form a pure sonic assault. "Mayhem" takes a darker turn, conjuring images of dark, sweat-filled rooms, taking influences from intense club experiences.

For Mickey Nox's take on "Warriors", the Melbourne based producer strips the track to the bone, turning his focus to bone-crushing drum shaping, reducing the lead synth of the original to a sparsely used element, deployed to maximum effect.

Drawing from their experience on Rotterdam Electronix and Dax J's Monnom Black VA, Fractions turns "Mayhem" into an upfront banger. By adding rave-infused stabs and the occasional breakbeat to the mixture, the duo brings a fresh take on the original, with a euphoric breakdown thrown in for a brief respite before the pandemonium resumes.

ANMON was born from the collaboration of French producers DJ Saint Pierre and Ténèbre. Through rearranged recorded live jams, their music is a series of fast-paced experiments at the fringe of the techno spectrum. Built for the stage and trance-induced listening experiences, Anmon summons a renewed tribal spirit - an unexpected resurgence of the sonic aesthetics of freeparties via their very own interpretation.

Prince Far I was a Jamaican reggae DJ and producer, and a well-known member of the Rastafarian movement. Known for his distinctive voice. Far frequently used his music to criticise the Jamaican government. On his ninth album Jamaican Heroes, he collaborated with musicians like Roots Radics and The Flying Lizards. The album was mixed by Anthony “Crucial Bunny” Graham at Studio One in Jamaica. Each song has something special, and revolves around topics that were close to Prince Far‘s heart. That makes this record a must have for everyone who is interested in reggae music and Rastafarian culture. It’s available as a very limited edition of 750 copies on orange vinyl.

Vertical67 aka Thomas Pahl joins eudemonia with his new EP ‘The Early Hours’. During the past years the versatile producer and co-owner of Vortex Tracks has released a great amount of records on well-respected labels like 100% Silk, Lunar Disko Records and Mechatronica. On this record he again shows his talent to produce versatile and masterly crafted tracks which can be played either in the early hours of a clubnight or during an extended home listening session. As a little gift you get the digital bonus track for free if you buy the record.

There are no two voices like these. The late Amália Rodrigues, the Queen of Fado, a unique singer up there with the great voices of 20th century popular song like Piaf, Sinatra, Ella, Oum Kalthoum. Mariza, the young singer that has helped bring Fado into the 21st century. Two of the greatest and most influential stylists of Fado, the ex-libris of Portuguese popular music, a world cultural heritage.

Two artists who have a lot in common, beyond their origin. Mariza swept global audiences off their feet like only Amália had done in the 1950s and 1960s, with her residences at legendary venues such as the Paris Olympia or Carnegie Hall. Through her critically acclaimed recordings and unexpected collaborations, Mariza expanded what Fado could be – just like Amália had done in the 1960s and 1970s. Mariza became the ambassador of Portugal’s music in the 21st century like only Amália had been able to be in the 20th century.

2020, the 20th anniversary of Mariza’s career, the centenary of Amália’s birth. “This the best way I can find to pay my tribute to Amália, and to thank her for the legacy and inspiration she gave us,” says Mariza. It’s been a long time coming, but now it’s here: Mariza Sings Amália. Ten Amália standards reinvented for the 21st century, their soul intact, their identity unmistakable, their stylings unexpected.

For this new album, Mariza invited an old friend – Brazilian musician and producer Jaques Morelenbaum, regular accomplice of Ryuichi Sakamoto or Caetano Veloso. Morelenbaum produced Mariza’s triple-platinum 2005 album Transparente; here, he creates a seductive, inspired series of orchestral arrangements, simultaneously classic and innovative, that allow Mariza to delve into songs we all thought we knew and make them new, fresh, ravishing.

Mariza may have performed all over the world, may have multi-platinum albums that topped charts throughout the glove, may have received endless prestigious awards – but in the studio, face to face with the standards that defined Fado for global audiences, Mariza is starting from scratch. She has recorded Amália before, but never like this, never with this wisdom, this experience, this power of interpretation. Now was the time to try on for size the great Amália classics: “Gaivota”, “Estranha Forma de Vida”, “Com que Voz”, “Fado Português”, “Povo que Lavas no Rio”, “Foi Deus”... Ten in all for an album where Mariza more than lives up to her awards, her success, her performances and assumes the mantle only Amália wore before: that of an ambassador of music, culture, talent.

Recorded between Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, Mariza sings Amália. Like only Amália could have done, like only Mariza can. Is it Fado? Yes, and no. Above all, it’s a match made in heaven.

Wait for Me is the compelling new album by Snowpoet, created by Irish vocalist and lyricist Lauren Kinsella and producer Chris Hyson. After their hugely successful release of 2018 Thought You Knew, this fourth body of work is a bold, flowing statement offering a mantra evocation to explore the deeper questions of how we love, how we accept our faults and how we let go in a time of profound confusion. With storytelling at its core and impeccable taste they weave their signature and evocative hook-like melodies, rich harmonic movements, flutters of emotive sung-spoken singing and thick, rich production to create an album that suggests repeated listening.

“It was my wish to cool things down a bit,” says David Helbock. The
Austrian-born pianist has formed a new trio with guitarist Arne
Jansen and trumpeter Sebastian Studnitzky and it is clear when he
talks about it how far he has already moved on since his previous
group: “In the Random Control Trio we had a lot of instruments on
the stage, there was a lot of changing from one instrument to
another… and a lot of notes.” And the new group? “It is more about
emotions. And emotions are the most important thing in music.”
There are other differences too. Whereas Helbock’s previous groups
have consisted of musicians from his native Austria, he has now lived
in Berlin for five years, and ‘The New Cool’ presents his first group
formed with players who have also adopted Berlin as their home city.
With Arne Jansen, originally from Kiel, what appeals to Helbock is
that “he is such an unselfish player, very centred and very calm - and
subtle too. With him it’s all about the music.” Studnitzky is originally
from the Black Forest and Helbock liked “his style of playing with that
very airy sound” and the fact the range of timbres and moods he
creates with just one effects device. And how does it work in the
trio? “All three of us are melody players, but we are all capable of
holding back and giving space to the others.”
It would be wrong, however, to see the elegiac feel of much of this
album as a response to the pandemic. Helbock and producer Siggi
Loch were having “a productive and fruitful discussion” about these
ideas a full year before the recording sessions took place at the Emil
Berliner studios in August 2020. Loch has a fascination for the way
cool jazz “turned the wheel around” to connect with a wide audience
and references and connections with the cool jazz movement are
scattered throughout this album. It is also the very first time that
Helbock has included a tune by his teacher for over a decade,
American pianist Peter Madsen, who toured extensively with Stan
Getz and also taught Maria Schneider.
Helbock has been inspired by the innovations and concepts of Lennie
Tristano and his sense of affinity with the Chicago-born genius runs
deep. Tristano once decreed that “the jazz musician’s function is to
feel.” Helbock, Jansen and Studnitzky have taken that maxim to their
hearts.
LP pressed on 180g vinyl with digital download included.

For two decades Sara Watkins has been one of the
most visible artists in roots music, with her
catalogue ranging from solo albums and Watkins
Family Hour, a duo with her brother Sean Watkins,
to her Grammy-winning bands Nickel Creek and
I’m With Her.
With the nostalgic and gentle new album ‘Under
the Pepper Tree’, Sara Watkins offers a comforting
record for those moments as daily rhythms fade
into nightly rituals and when a child’s imagination
comes to life.
Made with families in mind, the personal project
encompasses songs she embraced as a child
herself, as well as the musical friendships she’s
made along the way. Recorded in Los Angeles with
producer Tyler Chester, ‘Under the Pepper Tree’
brings storytelling, solace and encouragement to
the listener, no matter the age.
LP in gatefold sleeve.

Latest solo release by legendary Grammy nominated producer Salaam Remi that reflects his perspective of what it means to be "Black on Purpose", with features from Nas, Busta Rhymes, Jennifer Hudson, Super Cat, Common and more.

This deep soul-jazz double-sider, recorded on October 3rd 1972, was released as a seven-inch single on Motella, one of the many labels of the Mavuthela Music division of Gallo Africa (now Gallo Record Company). Mavuthela was founded by the talent scout and producer Rupert Bopape in 1964. This recording of 'The Toreadors', a one-off session group, was produced by Ray Nkwe who worked as an independent producer for several different companies and was responsible for organising many African jazz-oriented sessions in the 1970s and early 80s.

On first hearing the A-side ‘Thembi’ (written by Ray Nkwe) ‎you’ll wonder why you haven't heard this song before, but simultaneously be struck with a sense of instant familiarity. It has a loose floating jazz vibe with echoes of 60's hippy, psychedelic soul-jazz qualities, and elements that remind us of acts such as The Deirdre Wilson Tabac. The vocal deliveries are stunning, hauntingly beautiful, and from a place where it is hard to pinpoint just where this song originates.

The B-side, ‘Gwinyitshe', is also absolute fire. This song has gained more coverage and notoriety among South African music fans / collectors and DJ's over the years. It is a deep, pulsing soul-jazz-funk groove with another exceptional vocal performance that is relaxed yet engaging and spiritual, whilst managing to surf the instrumentation to perfection. 'Gwinyitshe' was written by one of the sleeping giants of South African music, Teaspoon Ndelu, who also plays on the record and whose material we can't get enough of here at Mr Bongo.

When you think you have all the records you need a gem like this resurfaces from the past, reminds you that you've only scratched the surface and there is still a wonderful treasure trove out there to enrich you and your music collection. So dive into The Toreadors world briefly, your day will be the better off for it.

• Official vinyl replica
• South African soul-jazz obscurity
• 'Gwinyitshe' written by Teaspoon Ndelu

Drumcode heavyweights Pig&Dan and Victor Ruiz link for their maiden collaborative EP.

The project begun in the first quarter of the year when the artists were still touring and was later completed during a series of productive sessions after lockdown Pig&Dan members Dan Duncan and Igor Tchkotoua experiencing a creative synergy with close friend Victor Ruiz that injected some lightness into an otherwise challenging time for the trio of producers.

‘Consciousness’ is driven by a catch low-end riff that’s powerful and funky in equal measures and is a particular favourite of Adam Beyer’s, highlighting the boss’ Drumcode Indoors II and Tomorrowland’s United Through Music stream. ‘Music Takes You’ is a delicious low-end roller driven by a punchy synth workout that drops down into a captivating vocal break made for big moments. ‘Paradise Lost’ is a widescreen melodic gem, comprised of a laser-kissed synth hook, crisp percussion, and a clever low-end chord progression, giving it a classy timeless appeal.

Re-issue of a soul masterpiece from 1974, 'I Love You More and More' by Tom Brock was Tom's only solo album release, but what a beautiful classic it is. For some, it is up there in the pantheon alongside their all-time treasured soul favourites such as Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On'.

Produced by the legend Barry White and released on 20th Century Records in 1974, it features the lush hallmark orchestration, heartfelt songs, and funky yet slick playing you’d expect from a White production. Like a dusting of sugar onto the top of the cake, the record also features the stunning arrangements of the great pianist, arranger, composer, and producer Gene Page, whose musical career left an impressive and prolific legacy.

'I Love You More and More' received another lease of life when it was resurrected for a new audience after having been sampled by Jay-Z, Mos Def, C.L. Smooth, and others. The record is solid throughout, but the song 'There's Nothing in This World That Can Stop Me From Loving You’ proved to be an extra-bright star in the sky and it formed the base to Jay-Z's 2001 hit 'Girls, Girls, Girls'. The sampling of Tom’s work triggered the collectors, diggers and DJs to explore his record and to transfer their passion for it onto their followers too.

Tom Brock passed away in 2002, but left behind his sensational soulful voice on a handful of amazing dusty 7" singles, several assorted productions recorded by other artists, and this absolute winner of an album, which will be cherished for years to come.

• Half-speed vinyl cut at Abbey Road Studios

• Sampled by Jay-Z, Mos Def, C.L. Smooth…

• Produced by Barry White, arranged by Gene Page.

The “Hôtel Costes Presents” series returns this March with "Hardcore Lounge", the new album by Greek duo Glacial, comprise of eight original tracks and a special collaboration with the well-know star singer Giorgos Mazonakis.

Glacial is the joint project of renowned Greek techno/house producer Lemos and saxophonist/experimental artist Ilan Manouach. The duo released their debut album back in 2012 via the former “Costes Presente” series, picking up support along the way from Ricardo Villalobos who called it “the album of his dreams”. With this new album, the band is back together for a release on the new “Hotel Costes Presents” series, once again delivering their inimitable twist on jazz infused electronic music.

The focal point from the album comes in the shape of "Den Ime Ego", which sees Glacial collaborating with one of Greece’s most infamous pop singers, Giorgos Mazonakis, to create a cinematic composition driven by emotive strings, jazzy drums and airy sax tones alongside Mazonakis haunting vocals.

Producer extraordinaire John Morales returns to BBE Music, celebrating the life and work of R&B / soul legend Teena Marie with a double album full of brand new remixes, lovingly crafted from the original studio tapes, entitled ‘Love Songs & Funky Beats’. “Teena is somewhat underrated, and people don't really know much about her.” Says Morales. “I set out to immerse people in her music and represent what she really did. That meant for me a dive into more than her R&B hits, to dig into her ballads and dance cuts. People know she was talented. I don't really think they really knew the depth of her abilities, her complete confidence to take it upon herself to do everything – singing, producing, arranging, songwriting. Teena Marie was the total package.” John Morales had the pleasure of mixing many of Teena Marie’s original records over the years, so it felt natural to dig into the archives and select his favourite cuts to rework, extend and subtly update in his own distinctive style. While by no means a definitive collection of Lady Tee’s expansive musical catalogue, ‘Love Songs & Funky Beats’ represents a fitting tribute to a multifaceted and important voice in popular music, by one of the most storied mix engineers and remixers of our age. Jumping into the music industry deep end in 1979 with a three-year mentorship from Berry Gordy & Rick James at Motown, Teena Marie then spent seven fertile years with Epic, which yielded her greatest commercial successes (including the classic album 'Starchild'). After founding an independent label ‘Sarai’, Marie took a ten-year hiatus which ended in 2004 in a deal with hip hop label Cash Money Records; a less unlikely partnership than some might assume, given that Teena was one of the first ‘mainstream’ artists to perform a rap verse, on 1981’s ‘Square Biz’. Teena Marie Brockert forged a unique path through the industry, an artist in-charge of her own destiny, influencing (and heavily sampled by) both the hip hop and R&B sounds of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Her 1982 lawsuit against Motown records resulted in "The Brockert Initiative", which has benefitted literally thousands of other artists by making it illegal for record companies to ‘shelve’ artists by keeping them under contract without releasing their material. She continued to tour regularly and deliver commercially successful, expertly sculpted music, right up until her untimely passing in 2010.

‘In Praise Of Shadows’ is a delirious dreamland of soulful
vocals, D’Angelo-ish guitars and muted electronic beats.
Its fourteen tracks are a contemplation on “the balance
of light and dark, the painful things you have to heal
from or accept, that bring you through to a better
place,” says the 25-year-old Puma Blue, real name Jacob
Allen. “It’s about finding light in darkness - and realising
that it’s what got me here today.”
Puma Blue’s nocturnal, soul-searching sound was born
from a decade in which the 25-year-old was plagued
with insomnia, “for literally a decade, I just couldn’t
sleep,” says the cult-acclaimed London
songwriter/producer. That certainly helps to explain the
hazy, late-night “voicemail ballads” of the early EP
releases that propelled him to prominence, 2017’s
‘Swum Baby’ and 2018’s ‘Blood Loss’ earning him a
reputation as affecting chronicler of unrequited love and
inner turmoil.
It’s an intimacy still present across ‘In Praise Of
Shadows’ but there’s also a new maturity and lucidity to
the way in which Allen deals with his demons and
celebrates beauty across his debut album, influenced no
doubt by his journey over the last two years in which a
blossoming romance has finally helped him to sleep
whilst a burgeoning career forced the previously
bedroom-bound songwriter out into the open, driving
him to find new perspectives on loss, love and
everything in-between.
2LP pressed on 180g milky clear vinyl (first pressing
only).

Limited edition white vinyl. Two signature Average White Band funk bombs, much danced to and sampled across the years - but nothing beats the originals and the first time either have been pressed on 12".

The A side houses 'Pick Up The Pieces' an essential sax laden gem loved by hip hop producers the world over, for that melt in the mouth funk hook. The flip a cover of the incredible Ned Doheny anthem 'Get It Up For Love', featuring the mighty Ben E. King on lead vocals.

Following a journey of releases via Morocco, Uganda and Kenya, Banana Hill look close to home for their fifth release and present an accomplished debut from Manchester-based producer Clay. Sounds of the city run through this record, from the ethereal synths, scattered percussion and driving low end of 'Up There' to the broken beat swing of 'People Floating' and the title track 'Shapes' that sounds like it was crafted for a specific moment at 5am in a Salford club.

Amor Satyr makes his debut on Promesses with “Na Viela / Virar DJ”, a double single featuring Brazilian rappers MC Buzzz (Spain-based) and T9 RJ (France-based). For this release the French producer brings what he does the best : hybrid baile funk. “Na Viela” is a cartoonish club banger where Buzzz’ broken voice and T9’ deep breathy hooks melt with Amor Satyr’ epic strings and bassline. Followed by grimy glacial bullet “Virar DJ” where T9’ voices from beyond the grave match with sharp snare and hypnotic synth. The release contains instrumental versions of each song. "Na Viela / Virar DJ" is available on limited edition vinyl (handmade silkscreened cover illustrated by Acacio Ortas).