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The story of So-Do is both familiar and completely unique. A classically trained multi-instrumentalist with a poet’s sensibility and a passion for folk music meets a worldly bar owner with a love for psychedelia, post-punk and dub in the small town neither could bring themselves to leave. Over two years, they play dozens of shows in independent live houses across Japan, cut and self-release three singles – two 7”s and a 12” – and leave behind just eight tracks, all of which are set to be reissued for the first time forty years on.

So-Do’s Studio Works ’83-’85 collects the full output of this iconoclastic post-punk phenomenon, whose sparse, syncopated arrangements were infused with a dubbed-out flair that owed more to Dennis Bovell’s productions of Orange Juice, the Jah Wobble basslines of Public Image Limited or Adrian Sherwood’s live dubs of Mark Stewart than even they knew at the time.

Because for lead songwriter Hideshi Akuta, music offered an escape from the existential malaise of small-town life, folding a melancholy nihilism into tracks like ‘Kakashi’ and ‘Hashiru’ (which translates as ‘run’), or taking aim at the inequalities and creeping apathies of the middle classes, as he does on ‘Get Away’ and ‘Nothing’.

And if Talking Heads had CBGBs, Sex Pistols had the Roxy, then So-Do had Buddha. Influenced by Buddha venue owner and amateur producer Atsuo Takeuchi, Akuta turned So-Do’s sound towards dub, crafting playful, ironic and funky compositions that crackle with live energy at the vanguard of Japan’s nascent independent music scene.“So-Do is hard to explain,” Takeuchi says. “It’s been a struggle for years to try to find the words for our music.” The answer perhaps, is just to listen.

Both familiar and completely unique, So-Do extend Time Capsule’s genre-defining exposition of Japan’s reggae-inspired music of the ‘70s and ‘80s, as collected on the label’s two critically acclaimed Tokyo Riddim compilations, and London-based live outfit Tokyo Riddim Band.

Embracing the rip-it-up-and-start-again ethos of the early ‘80s, So-Do burned bright for a short time and then burned out. Their legacy is about to be reignited. Expect it to catch alight once more.


All songs are written & composed by Hideshi Akuta

Produced by Atsuo Takeuchi

Artwork by Ben Arfur
Liner Notes by Anton Spice, Ayana Honma, Kay Suzuki

Curated by Kay Suzuki

Licensed from Atsuo Takeuchi (Oregano Cafe)

Tape Restoration and Mastered by Mike Hillier at Metropolis Studios, London, UK

Time Capsule | TIME023 | 1983-1985 → 2025

SEVENs first VA introduces seven new names to the label.
Kicking off this VA is vinyl enthusiast Sol Ortega with her fast paced track Dabz. With 4 r Luv, Posture created a melodic house tune that is sure to put you in a good mood.

Mastermind producers, Bailey Ibbs and Fergus Sweetland, join forces under the name DD Boys on their track Cannot Stop. Retromigation delivers old school tech house vibes with a touch of hip hop and funk in his track Cariati Feels
.

The G in Baka G stands for groove, and The Blue Spirit is real proof. CucaRafa delights with his debut track as Oliver Benji in Voice Mail.

Finally Ackermann rounds out the VA with another, more fast paced tune called Make You Wanna Do Right, sitting in the sweet spot between house and techno.

Xadenx Records kicks off the new year with its first vinyl-only release, featuring four high-quality techno/electro tracks from emerging Sydney producer Will Regan.

The sixth release on Fear No System: our first vinyl release by New Zealand-based musician, synth warper, and drum creator Go Nuclear, delivering an EP filled with nasty booty beats, featuring renowned producer and beat creator Detroit's Filthiest (AKA DJ Nasty).


The four-track EP includes remixes from Raw Takes, the creator of the NO SERVICE label, straight from LA; acid master Wheez-ie; and DJ/Producer Aura T-09, co-owner of Evar Records.



Artwork: Bazukka & Mariam Kantaria
Mastering: Incision Mastering

Zongamin and Mytron reunite on Multi Culti with an album of collaborations. Exploring the depths of leftfield outer nationalism these two mainstays of our global family serve up a colorful array of mind-altering disco and interdimensional dub. Tribal motifs merge with field recordings while synthesized animals call out over exotic hand percussion. Jams on vintage synths meet 8-bit sampling bounced onto spring reverbs and digital delays from the 80s. Started mid-pandemic, this collaboration ignored the surrounding havoc and social distancing, instead focusing on Good Vibes TM and positivity with a genre-defying approach belying trans-continental origins. The result is a playful symbiosis that is Phatter than the sum of its elements. Mytron is Jacek Janiszewski, a pan-European multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ, born in Poland, raised in Holland and Germany, and now living in London for the best part of a decade, his releases, for labels including XXX, Codek, Bordello A Parigi, Multi Culti, Nein and Les Yeux Orange, herald a similar nomadic spirit. Zongamin, Susumu Mukai is a composer, producer, and illustrator based in London. He has released records on Multi Culti, Flesh Records, XL recordings, Ed Banger, ESP Institute, and AD93, and has remixed for Air, John Cale, Trevor Jackson, Sandro Perri, and others. He is a member of groups Vanishing Twin, V/Z, Holy Tongue, and Stalactite.

Spin Desire Records is proud to present its first release of the year, a stunning EP by Namur, key member of the renowned Parisian collective :

Beau Mot Plage

Equally talented as a producer and DJ, Namur delivers a new EP featuring four captivating tracks that skilfully blend house, proggy hints and touches of breakbeat. With deep grooves, mesmerizing textures and finely crafted soundscapes which make for a perfectly balanced energy.

This release is sure to connect with both dance floor regulars and those seeking refined electronic music. We could not be more excited to unveil this one as it’s been in the pipeline for quite a while now. A hot take on modern days tech house and timeless addition to any record collection.

Berlin-based producer EDE returns with the Odyssey EP, a forward-leaning release that stays true to house music’s roots while carving its own path. Following his Poptroit EP, known for its pop sensibilities and Detroit-inspired grit, EDE refines his dancefloor-focused sound with a cinematic edge.

“I Am Wavy” featuring Nowa is a true highlight of the EP, it digs into the core aspects of the genre—bass, groove, and an unrelenting "four-to-the-floor" drive—brought to life by a melody and vocal combination that makes the track a hot piece of music.

The title track, “Odyssey,” ramps up the tempo with bubbling, wafting elements and subtle acid touches. Closing track of the EP is “Paradox,” a collaboration between EDE, Nowa, and Samet Günal, delivering tool-like textures and energy to leave a lasting impression.

The album SATO was made by the Ukrainian Crimean Tatar pianist and composer Usein Bekirov.
SATO was created during the difficult wartime for Usein’s motherland Ukraine and for the author himself.
Despite circumstances, the compositions of SATO express the ideas of the beauty and revival of Ukrainian music, a part of which is Crimean Tatar folklore.
The uniqueness of the release is caused both by the concept of the album and by the performers' star crew.

The jazz sound of the compositions of SATO is directed to the stylistic course of ethno-jazz and world music.
Rhythms and melodies of colorful Crimean Tatar folk music became the main source of inspiration in the creation of the album.
We can find both Usein's original author's themes, skillfully stylized to the oriental sound,
and referenced to the classic jazz vocabulary in its juicy riffs and grooves with features of fusion and funk music.

The name of the album reflected the inheritance of generations through music.
Sato is not only a folk instrument but also the name of the first Crimean Tatar jazz band, which made the first jazz arrangements of Crimean Tatar songs.
The music of this band became the basic musical experience of Usein Bekirov, because one of the members of the group was his father Riza Bekirov, to whom the album is dedicated.

The author and producer of the album is Usein Bekirov - Ukrainian pianist, composer, arranger, sound producer, and author of music for a number of films and theater performances.
Usein Bekirov cooperates with both foreign and Ukrainian musicians of the highest rank.
This is evidenced by the participants of the album Sato: Dennis Chambers, Randy Brecker, James Genus, Mike Stern, Ada Rovatti (USA), Hadrien Feraud (France), and Cenk Erdogan (Turkey).
Each performer reinterprets the author's material of Usein Bekirov through the prism of his own experience, character, and manner of performance, which was expressed in the daring stylistic combinations within a jazz style.

A special role in the creation of the album was taken by the participants of the recordings, especially, legendary jazzmen Dennis Chambers, Randy Brecker, James Genus, Mike Stern.
Their ideological and creative support became an important part of the creativity process.
Musicians expressed their impressions in small addresses for the audience.
One of the reviews of the musicians:
"The process of recording compositions was really exciting! This music reflects Usein's national origin and sense of his native culture.
It is full of real emotions. Actually, this music is quite difficult, but it is very well written and produced!
I sincerely hope you will notice this album, which also took part in Dennis Chambers, James Genus, Mike Stern, Ada Rovatti, and others.
I think it's going to be a really special album, can't wait to hear the final version.
When you hear about the premiere, I highly recommend listening to this new album created by Usein Bekirov.
It will be great!" Randy Brecker

Legendary French DJ and producer The Hacker debuts on Radio Slave’s Rekids with the ‘Laser & Smoke’ EP on 21st February 2025. The two-track ‘Laser & Smoke’ EP harkens back to The Hacker’s early 90s roots in Detroit-inspired Electro & Techno. First, he starts with ‘Turborave’, a tasteful, bleepy cut with an unignorable bassline and muted dub chords that wash over its snappy groove. ‘Turborave’ is the kind of heads-down, lose-yourself dancefloor moment for the later hours before ‘Harmonia’ sees The Hacker play with high-voltage cables on the B-side. Charged-up zaps and zippy acid call and respond while bodied drum hits keep the rhythm moving, whistles and pads occasionally joining in.

Pioneering DJ and producer The Hacker is renowned for being a leading proponent of Electroclash in the early 2000s, his Techno and EBM-infused sound, and iconic collaborations with Miss Kittin. With releases on labels like Dark Entries, Mannequin Records, and Turbo, as well as remixes for Air, Soft Cell, Dave Clarke, and Front 242, The Hacker remains a vital force in electronic music. He now adds Radio Slave’s Rekids to his extensive discography for the first time via the ‘Laser & Smoke EP.

Radio Slave’s Rekids was founded in 2006 and has since spawned successful offshoots with the Techno-focused Rekids Special Projects in 2017 and its newest sublabel, REK’D, in 2024. With Matt Edwards as the sole A&R, Rekids has been crucial in developing early artist careers and has become a haven for established acts operating in House and adjacent genres, having recently featured the likes of Harry Romero, Hilit Kolet, William Kiss, Bushwacka, Mathias Kaden, Tiger Stripes, Tal Fussman, and many more.

Descr: The return of Monday Morning on vinyl is captained by it’s founder Manuel De Lorenzi in sweet company of his close friends and talented producers Giacomo Silvestri, Freddie Wall and Fichs. The aim of the label is always to promote music without compromises so you can play it loud on the dance floor or just listen at home to understand the journey and the message that Manuel De Lorenzi wants to give to the people. As the vinyl says: WE ARE ALL UNDER THE SAME MESSAGE CALLED LOVE…!

"The acclaimed 2007 album reissued on 1LP clear vinyl. Taken from the original 2007 masters when Pete Doherty was at the pinnacle of his creative powers, ‘Shotter’s Nation’ followed in the footsteps 'Down In Albion’, the band’s debut album, and Doherty’s first album outside of his first band - the era-defining Libertines. Both were met with commercial and critical acclaim, breaking into the top 10 of the album charts.

‘Shotter’s Nation’ is unmistakably Doherty. Melodic, stark, catchy, raw, brilliantly unique - his music has always created an unflappable loyalty from his many fans, remaining timeless, yet still sending a nostalgic excitement through its listeners. The album also features four songs co-written by Doherty’s then-girlfriend Kate Moss who also regularly performed live with them.

The approach to the recording and release of the album was an escape from Doherty’s previous methods. Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, Morrissey, The Cranberries) took over producer duties from The Clash's Mick Jones, and it was and his first album released by a major label, Parlophone."

‘Colours Revisited’, a revision of Adam F’s MOBO Award-winning 1997 debut album is a story of musical rebirth and passion. Adam F, realising that ‘Colours’ had found a new audience—partly thanks to artists like PinkPantheress—decided to recreate the album. Instead of simply remastering the tracks, Adam went all in. Over two years, he meticulously reworked the original music, from restoring vintage instruments like his Fender Rhodes piano to enlisting UK jazz legends like Julian Joseph. Vocalists including Kirsty Hawkshaw and the late MC Conrad re-recorded their parts, while new solos from world-class musicians added fresh life to the tracks.

“Colours holds a special place in my heart because it was not only my first solo album, but also because I had the opportunity to collaborate with diverse talents,” says the seminal producer on his ground-breaking album. “Musicians of a calibre such as Dave Ital (Guitars), The Jazz Great Julian Joseph (Keyboards and Fender Rhodes), MC Conrad (MC/Artist), Roni Jordan (Jazz a guitarist who had a hit with Miles Davis’ “So What”), Tim Philbert/Tim the Bass (Bass), Greg Leicester (Bass), Maurice Capillaire/MC MC (Live MC)…”

Adam continues “We were honoured to be nominated for MOBO “Best album of the year” alongside renowned acts of that time, including Hinda Hicks, Des’ree, Lighthouse Family, and Massive Attack. In fact, I was so convinced that we wouldn't win that I didn't prepare a speech, and that definitely showed in my genuine surprise. Colours also went on to be a top 20 UK National Chart hit which lead to Metropolis winning Tune of the Year at the Underground Awards. Music In My Mind from the same album was inspired from Herbie Hancock ‘Rocket’ and ‘I Thought It Was You’.

“Fast forward to 2020, I never thought of ever revisiting ‘Colours’. But it seems that time has come round full circle, the interest is there.” The revisited album deftly weaves together the energy of new live instrumentation with the 80’s British electronica and jazz fusion inspired sounds of the original.
The result is a project which not only brings the album into the glistening present but somehow manages to add further depth and sense of understanding of the original ‘Colours’, the influences latent within it and how and why it has gone on to influence so many others since it’s inception throughout the world. This is a must have album which pays homage to what has become a cornerstone of British electronic music history.

‘Colours Revisited’, a revision of Adam F’s MOBO Award-winning 1997 debut album is a story of musical rebirth and passion. Adam F, realising that ‘Colours’ had found a new audience—partly thanks to artists like PinkPantheress—decided to recreate the album. Instead of simply remastering the tracks, Adam went all in. Over two years, he meticulously reworked the original music, from restoring vintage instruments like his Fender Rhodes piano to enlisting UK jazz legends like Julian Joseph. Vocalists including Kirsty Hawkshaw and the late MC Conrad re-recorded their parts, while new solos from world-class musicians added fresh life to the tracks.

“Colours holds a special place in my heart because it was not only my first solo album, but also because I had the opportunity to collaborate with diverse talents,” says the seminal producer on his ground-breaking album. “Musicians of a calibre such as Dave Ital (Guitars), The Jazz Great Julian Joseph (Keyboards and Fender Rhodes), MC Conrad (MC/Artist), Roni Jordan (Jazz a guitarist who had a hit with Miles Davis’ “So What”), Tim Philbert/Tim the Bass (Bass), Greg Leicester (Bass), Maurice Capillaire/MC MC (Live MC)…”

Adam continues “We were honoured to be nominated for MOBO “Best album of the year” alongside renowned acts of that time, including Hinda Hicks, Des’ree, Lighthouse Family, and Massive Attack. In fact, I was so convinced that we wouldn't win that I didn't prepare a speech, and that definitely showed in my genuine surprise. Colours also went on to be a top 20 UK National Chart hit which lead to Metropolis winning Tune of the Year at the Underground Awards. Music In My Mind from the same album was inspired from Herbie Hancock ‘Rocket’ and ‘I Thought It Was You’.

“Fast forward to 2020, I never thought of ever revisiting ‘Colours’. But it seems that time has come round full circle, the interest is there.” The revisited album deftly weaves together the energy of new live instrumentation with the 80’s British electronica and jazz fusion inspired sounds of the original.
The result is a project which not only brings the album into the glistening present but somehow manages to add further depth and sense of understanding of the original ‘Colours’, the influences latent within it and how and why it has gone on to influence so many others since it’s inception throughout the world. This is a must have album which pays homage to what has become a cornerstone of British electronic music history.

Heavyweight Black Vinyl / Original glued prints on Thick Cardboard 700 gram / 2 Separated parts hand-glued / Glossy lamination / PVC outer sleeve / Insert with 10 pages Booklet 30 x 30 cm printed on Gmund Colro Felt Red Purplea d 90 Gram Favini papers with detailed interview between Tony Higgins and Mustafa's family (his sisters and children are all musicians), as well as an insight into the recording of the album with Gregory Bufford, the drummer for the session, lyrics and exclusive pictures.


Colored Vinyl Details:
Heavyweight "A side - B side solid purple + transparent blue" vinyl / Original glued prints on Thick Cardboard 700 gram / 2 Separated parts hand-glued / Glossy lamination / PVC outer sleeve / Insert with 10 pages Booklet 30 x 30 cm printed on Gmund Colro Felt Red Purplea d 90 Gram Favini papers with detailed interview between Tony Higgins and Mustafa's family (his sisters and children are all musicians), as well as an insight into the recording of the album with Gregory Bufford, the drummer for the session, lyrics and exclusive pictures.

Peronnel:
Mustafa Abdul Rahman - Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, Producer
Ahmed Abdullah - Trumpet
Malachi Thompson - Drums
Gregory Bufford - Bass
Richard Radu Williams - Piano
Rafik Abdur Rahim
Tony Smith - Guitar
Larry Banks - Synthesizer
Khalil Abdullah - Congas
Babafumi Akunyon - Percussions
Odell Grier Backing Vocals – Fred Harley, Hilda "Asia" Richbow , Linda Hall

Notes:
In the course of our deep research, we sometimes discover a hidden thread that unites musicians, songwriters, artists, and poets linked by music. Mustafa's 'Polygamy' is no exception. Apart from the music - the main reason we decided to work on this first ever re-press, a jewel at the crossroads between jazz funk, spiritual jazz and proto rap - are the many other things that make Mustafa an intriguing and fascinating character. For starters, he was a childhood friend of the Ayler brothers with whom he played in different formations. He also played with other beloved figures such as Noah Howard and Charles Tyler, on a still unreleased album recorded for Amiri Baraka's Jihad label, and worked with The Legendary Master Brotherhood and Steve Reid. This and much more will be revealed in a detailed interview between Tony Higgins and Mustafa's family (his sisters and children are all musicians), as well as an insight into the recording of the album with Gregory Bufford, the drummer for the session.

Shaka is a multi-talented DJ / Producer who produces music that crosses several sub-genres of House, and at the highest level of musicality and soul. While well-known in his home country of Switzerland through his 3 decades in the industry, he is now on the verge of gaining much more intensive and wide-spread acclaim with his debut 4 track EP on Nervous Records.

Escola Records is proud to present its third offering, this time from Pau Roca, one of the local representatives of the house sound in Barcelona with the greatest projection in the scene. He releases 'Your Energy' featuring the incomparable vocal talents of Laura Elle to bring the warmest vibrations as only she can. A phenomenal soulful house track cut filled with warm chords and dusty percussions that fuses Latin rhythms with classic house music. The release comes with the unmistakable sonic signature of the legend from Detroit, Alton Miller, and the collaboration between two of Barcelona's most intriguing and brilliant producers, Less J and Karmasound.

Oversized custom cut LP jackets (13” / 33.02 cm width)
Silkscreened with bespoke iridescent citrus green ink by Mark Rice
Short story by Natalia Zuluaga

Flexi 7”:
steaming mescaline (extended mix by bad lsd trips)
Citrus green metallic foil stamp
Pressed in full stereo
Edition of 150

I.

bad lsd trips is the collaborative duo of makers doris dana and domingo castillo flores. Respectively the two have fostered practices that have sprawled out through various approaches and, whether in the lanes of the musical or the contemporary arts, the phenomenology of the social and inclusive prevails. On ultrafest, this motif continues through the psychedelia of its eight time-defying recordings, welcoming the listener into an open temporal architecture of the stereo field as a signifier of environment. It is worth noting that the group began collaborating in Miami, Florida with longer form improvisations recorded to a stereo cassette deck. In these recordings, the paved geographical sprawl and oceanic view permeated the approach to amassing long swaths of sound material. Listening back on that work at the time of this writing, each track feels as though one is walking into an active space, arriving to an event already in full swing and finding your place inside of it. On ultrafest (this album) something different occurs. The space and events are built around you as you move through the record.

II.

The name of the album is ultrafest, which should effectively provoke your mind's eye the imagery of young people dancing, salivating, grinding, and imbibing chemical compounds to the perversely formalized musical genres of “Electronic Dance Music” and latter-era Dubstep often heard in European Uber rides and energy drink commercials. A far distance from the icy and machinic reverie of Techno’s finest rave eras or the notable historical contributions of Miami’s cerebral producers to IDM’s global output, ultrafest is a libidinal catharsis as festival scaled to a multinational corporation of hedonistic excess. The festival has been a hallmark of Miami cultural industry production and optical enticement for tourism, purportedly bringing in nearly a billion dollars in revenue to the city since 2012. Scores of documentation exist wherein this decadent escapism leaves the concertgoer, usually in some neon garment on a near nude body potentially adorned with fluffy faux fur leg warmers, facing a comedown from the combination of volume, sun, dehydration, and methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine. This MDMA experience characterizes an aspect of the way bad lsd trips employs vocals and pitch on this album. The detached, high octaved longing of a high pitched vocal is decoupled from its typical auditory body of song. High-pass clicks and pops touch the (h)air on the back of the neck, promising goosebumps and teasing towards euphoric rushes of dopamine, yet also exist decoupled from the body of song. As the dopamine depletes and the sun imposes itself, Miami’s downtown of skeleton real estate is your company as you meander towards your parked vehicle to rest your fatigued senses, elevated heart rate, and quench the need for air conditioning on your skin. The immediacy of bombastic social immersion to architectural alienation palpable here.

III...

- Nick Klein

Since launching her own club night, “Motivation,” back in 2018, B.AI has played a key role in bringing the underground’s club sounds to her home country, China. While introducing some of the scene's most exciting artists to her local audiences, she emerged as one to look out for as well: first as a DJ and quickly thereafter as a producer. Her original takes – a sensitive, highly personal approach to melody and a knack for playing with expectations – crystallized in a slew of A+ releases and a couple of international tours. This trajectory, shaped by taking matters into her own hands and self-empowerment, now sees a logical next step, with the inception of a label that will also operate under the “Motivation” banner and features her own “Hope” EP as its first release.

Sparkling mallets, with synth-pop quality catchiness, open the title track. Rather than further evolving, their two-bar arrangement gets looped over and again, serving as the foundation for a slick FM bass rhythm and a variety of hooks. Although these incline to the bright, the overall vibe is melancholic. In vintage B.AI style, the aptly titled “Hope” is more ambiguous than its patches suggest. Similarly, the vocal this type of palette would call for ultimately comes in the form of aloof, covert musings. A bit buried in the mix, they are most efficient – just like the tension that keeps brooding underneath the surface.

“Murderbot Diaries 1991” turbocharges four-to-the-floor synthetic drums with an arpeggiated rolling bass. The blue note melody on top feels sequenced via a pocket calculator, and the dissonant, electroclash-reminiscent stabs that follow might sound even more angular. The tune is frantic, sinister – and perhaps above all tongue in cheek. It reaches fever pitch with the arrival of a tubular bell theme between the two breaks.

“Once”’s slomo cutoff modulation on the 16th note mid-bass instantly creates a sultry atmosphere that meshes greatly with the pastel cool of the gently delayed DX7 leads. The energy drifts between effortless control and uncertain outcome. These contrasts are amplified as the drums alternate amidst moderation and beat-repeat rendered havoc.

On “Only We Know,” a progressive sine lead lays out the central motif. Yet as briskly as it appears, it makes way for detuned, gliding square waves taking on the same theme. This outlines the track’s structure: as slightly morphed repetitions keep getting introduced almost haphazardly, a dreamlike, mesmerizing ambience unfolds. Techy drum rhythms and a 101-type bass make sure everything stays fuelled. Within the ingenious tapestry of melodies and new twists, it never loses touch with the dance floor. It illustrates B.AI’s club savvy neatly and is therefore a perfect closer for this EP.

Dear Friends, Shouldn’t we all take a moment to re­ect on ourselves from time to time, break away from habits, and venture down new paths? Simon Hinter, widely recognised as a house producer with releases on renowned labels such as Freerange, Quintessentials, and Kerri Chandler’s Madhouse Records, is now daring to explore something new with us, while embracing something old: Drum’n’Bass is his great old love, now rekindled with his Confusion EP.

Unsurprisingly, this comes with intense emotions, and the four tracks of the EP oscillate between profound euphoria and melancholia. You can sense both, the beginning and the end of a party night at the same time. These tracks, however, defy the current listening habits shaped by the need for instant grati¬cation. Instead, they are an ode to the loop. Here, the mind is invited to engage, to actively listen and perceptually complete the experience. We hope you enjoy this rollercoaster of emotions! Sincerly yours, Brombért P.S.: The physical release comes with handcrafted, screen-printed artwork by the fabulous graphic artist Zatina Kessl

In their new project, DJ/producer Mayo and rock star CAH experiment with hard beats, melodic vocal lines, synthesizer improvisations, and found sounds. With A Spiral Walk, they blur the lines between pop and underground, between seduction and rejection, between darkness and light

After its first release, the renowned Italian club of international caliber, Sound Department, is back with a new production. This time, the reins are handed to their DJ and producer Fisherman, who presents his EP Walking, featuring four explosive tracks!

In this electrifying 2024, Flexi is still spinning, louder and prouder, as it marks 40 years of igniting dancefloors and fueling underground happiness. From its humble beginnings as a haven for vinyl enthusiasts to a cultural stronghold amidst the turbulent waves of the music industry, Flexi has become a name synonymous with passion, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of quality sound. To honor this milestone, Flexi’s indie label, Flexi Cuts, is dropping a second, limited-edition compilation. Aptly named "Musica Solida," this collection is spread across three or possibly four lush 12-inch samplers, each showcasing a handpicked selection of tracks from Flexi's cherished circle of artists and producers. This release is more than just a celebration; it’s a declaration—a call to arms to keep the spirit of the scene alive and thriving in Italy and beyond, against all odds.

"Musica Solida #2" doesn't just hold tracks—it’s got stories, moments, and grooves that demand movement. Each cut is a slice of that raw, unpolished energy that Flexi has championed for four decades.

Featured Artists on Musica Solida #2

Minimono: The powerhouse duo of Fabio Della Torre (founder of Bosconi Records) and Ennio Colaci take us on a hypnotic journey with their floor-filling "Before Morning." It’s the kind of track that keeps the dancefloor alive until the break of dawn.

DJ Rou: Going minimal yet impactful, DJ Rou delivers "Elastic Body," a dancefloor-ready cut that blends a stripped-back groove with robotic vocals—a futuristic twist that keeps things unpredictable.

Relative: Flexi’s proud owner kicks things off with an electro track that was conceived, birthed, and brought to life in a single whirlwind afternoon—an anthem for those who live for the moment.

Delphi: One half of the renowned Tiger & Woods, Delphi isn’t afraid to dive deep with a heavy-hitting house track, loaded with acid stabs and thick, pulsating basslines. A track that’s both a nod to the past and a push towards the future.

The record will be released in about 200 vinyl copies no more.

Packaged in the classic discobag 2- holes, with a distinctive letterpress print in a beautiful red cover.

Reflex Blue, Kosh, Christopher Ledger, and Luca Attanasio come together for the fourth chapter of our Retro Future series. Expect top-notch music from some of the scene's best forward-thinking yet deeply rooted producers in the game.

Semi Delicious kick start 2025 with a very special EP from Amsterdam based producer D Stone. Following a slew of releases on labels like 803 Crystal Grooves and Cecille he delivers a killer 4-tracker that epitomises his deep, percussive house productions. Teeming with superb sampling, rolling drum grooves and basslines that’ll keep the dance flowing!

Poet, novelist, musician and academic, Anthony Joseph teams up with legendary UK producer Dave Okumu for forthcoming album, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’

Dave Okumu, known perhaps best as frontman for The Invisible, though digging deeper into his production credits, huge names emerge such as; Grace Jones, Amy Winehouse, Jesse Ware, Rosie Lowe and Eska. On this album, the magic and alchemy of Dave’s production style showcase subtle sonics and deep layering resulting in a contemporary sound to carry Anthony’s afrofuturistic metrical meanings.

Anthony and Dave first came across each other when working with Shabaka Hutchings during Covid broadcasts, and then after Anthony performed some poems on Dave’s 2023 album ‘I Came From Love’, the seeds of collaboration were sown.

With a little more psychedelia, a little more experimentation, Dave’s eclectic vision focuses on the actual sounds on these pieces. Anthony stated that “The best producers guide you, not push you” now add to that the fact that both these humans were born on the same day, a concoction of laid back attitudes in people with strong purpose, some real magic can happen, naturally.

Early writing sessions for this record took place in 2022, around Mount Blanc in France. Anthony was away touring with long-time collaborator, Jason Yarde. Ideas were a little thin and they found themselves somewhat repeating previous work resulting in Anthony rethinking things a little, and so entered Dave Okumu.

LP opener ‘Satellite’ is a fine example of how this new partnership pans out. New musicians have been enlisted; Dan See (Drums), Aviram Barath (Synths), Nick Ramm on Fender Rhodes and Byron Wallen (Trumpet). Add to that the mighty vocal power house of Eska and we have a whole new dimension of soul and depth, to carry Anthony’s statements. “You build a wall, we go under, you build it higher, we go higher, like a satellite” .

On the album's second single, ‘Tony’ - there’s a nod to all drummers and creators of African rhythms, from the point of view of Afrobeat legend Tony Allen. Highlighting this is drummer’s drummer Richard Spaven as Dave’s choice of skin beater. He successfully reminds us that Tony was someone who understood the real power of rhythm and how it is used to unite people.

As well as the new musicians on this LP, Dave Okumu played all the guitars and used the studio as his tool. On ‘A Juba for Janet’ - a poem to Joseph’s mother, and a track so bass heavy that it feels as though it could sit in a deep dubstep set in Plastic People days, - Anthony’s voice reaches straight down your ear canals next to dark drums, huge synths and delayed saxophone stabs from Colin Webster. Slightly more introspective verses on ‘An Afrofuturist Poem’ see Dave’s beats show off the real future sound of this record, kalimba, moog bass and guitars all played by the man himself.

Mellower and deeper moments are also present, Anthony’s cryptic yet informative storytelling is at its absolute best on ‘Churches Of Sound (The Benetiz-Rojo)’ - Caribbean and Windrush history reeled off alongside a linear musical timeline of Black music in the diaspora.

A reminder that this body of work is first of 2 volumes, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’ is not a follow up to Anthony’s previous album, but more a development of his 2006 novel, ‘The African Origins of UFOs’ a book where experimental elements of afro-futurism, metafiction, science fiction, surrealism, mythology are rewritten in Anthony’s innovative language. Look out for Volume 2 also coming in 2025.

Anthony Joseph releases, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’ (Vol. 1) via Heavenly Sweetness 7th February 2025 and he will play live at Ronnie Scotts in London on 14th March 2025, with Dave Okumu as a special guest.

CREDITS:

Vocals - Anthony Joseph

Additional vocals, vocal arrangements - Eska Mtungwazi

Producer - Guitars, Bass, Moog, Synthesisers, Programming, Percussion - Dave Okumu

Drums - Dan See

Drums on ‘Tony’ - Richard Spaven

Synthesiser - Aviram Barath

Fender Rhodes, Synthesisers, Nick Ramm

Trumpet - Byron Wallen

Saxophones - Colin Webster

Trombones - James Wade Sired

After Dull Boy Johnny's previous release, a double EP with a tropical A-side and an erotic B-side, this time the three gentlemen are out on the dance floor. After all, the neighbours decided as much.

Unlike the recordings of their previous work that took place abroad, this time they stayed in a steamy attic room in Belgium, where guitarist and producer Jan built a studio. Unable to record at night because of neighbours who did not (yet) appreciate Dull Boy Johnny's music, they dove into Antwerp's nightlife.

The group's previous work took you on a cinematic journey where every musical nuance takes you to a specific setting. Be it an erotic seventies scene, a beach party in the Bahamas, or a blood-curdling chase in the Wild West, Dull Boy Johnny covers it all. Nard Houdmeyers, Rik De Bal and Jan found each other in a shared interest in film genres such as blaxploitation, neo-noir and spaghetti westerns. And therefore also the artists inherent to these genres such as Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield and Ennio Morricone. Dull Boy Johnny's conceptual approach to music can be traced back to this passion for cinema.

For the new EP, however, they traded that cosy movie-watching for turbulent nightlife (the angry neighbours, you know). Besides, it was about time to get their inspiration in the flesh. Dull Boy Johnny immersed himself in the pulses, flashes and swell of downtown Antwerp. Thunder chasing crept under their skin and then into their guitars. In grandfatherly fashion, they then turned to composing, first with just bass, guitar and vocals. In that small lineup and with the sounds of the night still reverberating in their minds, the first pieces of the puzzle were laid out. After that, the sound was opened up and a solid rhythm boost was added. This defined the catchy, up-tempo nature of the upcoming EP that centres on themes of dancing, flirting and partying. Expect rousing riffs, catchy hooks and swinging rhythms. Details were meticulously laid out and bricked into the songs with delicate grouting. The fine polishing of the songs was done with patient finesse and a constant attitude to serve the song. With songs like Suspicion, She Can Groove and Dynamite, it is immediately clear that the gentlemen got their mustard from the club: action, party and spunk! All without losing their typical sensuality.

Despite the different working methods for the third EP, there are a lot of recurring elements that define Johnny's fresh sound. The essence? Catchy high vocals contrasted with a sensual baritone voice, carried by a groovy bass and rhythm section. Around it, the details that give the songs the right atmosphere swirl.

Dull Boy Johnny's music prefers to function as a soundtrack to your own imagination. As you listen, you are invited to wander through the various landscapes of their musical world, regularly giving a nod to the more lustful side of your brain. The songs have already been praised for their compelling melodies and irresistible energy.

With this release, Dull Boy Johnny proves their ability to create timeless music that both touches the soul and moves the body. So surrender to Dull Boy Johnny's punchy grooves and dance the night away. Long live the neighbours!

King Street Sounds is on a mission to reintroduce timeless house classics to the dancefloor with another iconic release. Their aim, to educate a new generation about the sounds of the old school while also offering fresh remixes for everyone to enjoy.Kerri Chandler's 'Bar A Thym' is back on 12-inch vinyl, featuring the full original 7:24 mix. This track builds, keeping listeners at the brink of euphoria and inviting them to dance. It’s THE perfect groove.The original track is accompanied by a new version via South African producer Themba who adds his signature afro sound to the mix, infusing the song with swing, extra percussion, and heightened anticipation around the various drops.Then the classic Foremost Poet's version, which was a great alternative to the timeless bomb. If you’re a house head, you need this in your life.

Marshall McLuhan said:
"Knowledge gets in the way. It is only the very ignorant person who can get past that problem because he is not fogged over by knowledge. When you're looking for new answers to new questions, it is knowledge itself that blocks progress. It is knowledge that creates rear currents just as wealth creates poverty. Knowledge creates ignorance."


We are very happy to announce the second instalment in our collaboration with SMEM. Dorian Concept spent 10 days at the Swiss Museum for Electronic Music Instruments to record Music From A Room Full of Synths. Even though he doesn't consider himself a "gear-guy," his unique approach led to a record defined by its playful curiosity and free-form arrangements. The entire album was recorded live, with no sequencing or programming involved. Thus, capturing the rawness of the moment, while celebrating the quirks and imperfections of older electronic-music gear, became the core of this project.


Dorian Concept is a highly respected electronic musician who has been releasing music for close to two decades. As a cross-genre "synthesizer virtuoso," he mixes experimental electronic sounds with jazz, ambient, and club music. Due to his unmistakable sound and singular live show, he has become a sought-after performer. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with musicians and producers such as Flying Lotus, Thundercat, and Kenny Beats.

Beijing-based artist/producer Howie Lee interprets Tibetan Buddhist chants on his new album 'At The Drolma Wesel-Ling Monastery', the follow up to 2021's critically acclaimed 'Birdy Island'.

Recorded over two weeks at Drolma Wesel-Ling Monastery in the mountains of north-eastern Tibet, Beijing-based multi-disciplinary artist/producer, Howie Lee combines Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist singing with Kode9-channeling bass/footwork science, glitched-out hyper-rhythms and sampled Chinese-Tibetan instrumentation for his latest album on Mais Um.

Invited to contribute and interpret chant recordings from the sound archive of monastery founder and master, Tuga Rinpoche's self-built recording studio, Howie Lee connects parallels in electronic music, deep meditation and devotional chanting to present eight reconstructed, IDM-warpedVajrayanamantras, journaling the beginnings of his journey into buddhism, and to continue Lee's career-long threading of ancient, cross-generational practice, modern Chinese history and experimental club-futurism.

Get ready to sail with the vibrant ocean vibes of the new Uluru! Rescuing 2 iconic reggae remixes from Portuguese producer Dedy Dread, Uluru017 is a sure shot, ready to give a groovy kick to the dancefloors worldwide.

Occult Vision; a new LP based imprint, offers a space for artists to share a more complete body of their work. We create windows into the deeper, alternative and often more authentic sounds of carefully selected artists. It's rare a producer in the underground house and techno scene has this type of platform and Occult Vision aims to fill the void. Our first album is from one of Frankfurt's finest producers, Frank Heinrich. Known to most as Reboot and sharing what will be his first solo LP since 2016, we have here an intricately crafted collection of music that was brought to life during the lockdown phase of the pandemic. This unique time had a resounding impact on Franks creativity in the studio, leading to a sound that strongly represents his emotions throughout that period. The tracks we have helped to curate for this release are often melancholic, yet hopeful with carefully placed textures and rhythms carrying a stripped back yet emotive energy throughout. This isn't your typical club music; it's more personal and meant as a listening experience. "On A Grind" presents the harshness and rawness of that period for so many of us and whilst you will hear Reboots style weaved into these tracks, Frank hopes that you will feel the passion and emotions put into this record accompanying you in your own moments of reflection.

Backspin first release is delivered by French producer Framboisier with a massive 4-tracker spanning from house to hardgroove, neatly designed for the dancefloor.

New full-length LP from Toronto producer, DJ and recording artist Tony Price on his Maximum Exposure label. Tony Price is a multi-time Juno and Polaris Prize nominated producer, having worked on a wide variety of records on labels like 4AD, DFA, Slumberland and more. Host of “The Maximum Exposure Power Hour” on NTS Radio

“Requiem For The Ontario Science Centre” is Tony’s ninth full-length LP since 2017, following a series of acclaimed records on labels like L.I.E.S. Records and Telephone Explosion which received coverage and reviews from established outlets like Pitchfork and Resident Advisor. “Requiem For The Ontario Science Centre” pays homage to the beloved 1960’s Canadian landmark and renowned brutalist architectural marvel, which was abruptly closed in the summer of 2024.

The album features longtime collaborator and Caribou touring band member Colin Fisher on Saxophone. The music is Rich with kaleidoscopic saxophone loops, surrealist sound collages, and retro-futuristic synthesizer mirages and will surely resonate with fans of Boards of Canada, Terry Riley and Don Cherry’s “Brown Rice”

Little John is one of the most loved and prolific 80s dancehall artists. He started as a child artist in 1979 and by the mid 1980s had recorded for every major producer. In 1984 at age 14 he already knew the ropes of the business and started to produce 45s on his own Romantic label, which he continued sporadically releasing tunes on up until 1993. For us this is one of the coolest looking labels of the latter 1980s, and has a handful of hard to find killer 45s, mostly obscure and mostly slept on. So naturally we needed to corral these for another all killer no filler compilation. True to his own roots, Little John’s label mostly features fresh youthman artists, though a handful of veterans, like Frankie Paul and Early B who are both featured here, also recorded for him. The ten songs on this comp are our favorites from the label, featuring a selection of killer rhythms spanning the heavy mid 80s style, the proper late 80s digital style, and the more uptempo early 90s style. Hardcore DKR heads take note - this features three cuts on that most hallowed 1987 digi rhythm.

Konstantin Sibold makes his debut on Adam Beyer’s revered imprint with compulsively danceable, highenergy, abrasively dark yet, in Sibold’s expert hands, somehow upbeat three-tracker ‘Lost In Space’. Previously releasing on Afterlife, Running Back, Aufnahme + Wiedergabe and Innervisions, the German producer eschews any genre straitjacket with his underground roots and mix of very diverse sub-genres. As a DJ, Sibold plays iconic venues worldwide inc.

Panorama Bar, Fabric, Tomorrowland, Awakenings and is famed for his marathon B2B sessions with artist inc. Solomun, Kobosil, Kerri Chandler, Kevin De Vries, and his remixes of such differing luminaries as Vintage Culture, Rebuke, Adriatique, Lana Del Rey, Laibach, Royksopp & many more. For the title track, Konstantin collabs with rising 20-years-young Brazilian talent KAF3R who aims to bring ‘sentimental and memorable experiences’ to all, creating a maelstrom of yin & yang. ‘Lost In Space’: This Peaktime Mainstage Melodic Techno monster efficiently resets the dance floor and turns it upside down at the same time.

A spacey robot vocal riff predicts a massive synth orchestrated shutdown. Konstantin Sibold debuted this beast at Tomorrowland Winter Mainstage. Heavily supported by Kolsch, Vintage Culture, ANNA, Kevin De Vries, Innellea and many more. ‘The Arrival’: This catchy stadium singalong hymn unites the dance floor with its Hands-Up hook, gated vocals and rolling baseline. Feels like a retro futuristic classic you already seem to know from a distant euphoric memory. ‘Dark Matter’: A hypnotic, recurring melody transcends between light and darkness. Referring to Konstantin Sibold’s old melodic techno hits such as 'Mutter', but with the addition of a trippy, alarming vocal fragment.

2025 Repress

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With 1995’s Safe + Sound, he scaled new levels of musical magnificence with his signature new age P-Funk/laconic G-Funk. A quintessential, sun-scorched LA album, this is pretty much essential. Typical for mid-90s albums the original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue, complete with “Tanqueray”, the hidden track from the original CD release.

A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.

By the time of his third album DJ Quik was a household name on the West Coast - California’s premier rapper/producer not named Andre Young. Released on Profile in 1995, Safe + Sound was certified gold. Less reliant on samples and more focused on live instruments, it elevated him from producer to fully-fledged composer. This sound — the quick, winding basslines, tinny high hats, smooth instrumental solos, soulful pipes, and Roger Troutman’s talkbox — defined him. This is an album of full-blown masterpieces. Rich soundscapes and masterfully arranged orchestrations with dense layers of sounds, intricate rhythms, and well-balanced songwriting.

The first track proper, “Get At Me” samples Cameo whilst Quik takes aim at the Judases in his life, the horn-laced chorus providing a triumphant feel. On the horizontal “Diggin’ U Out”, the soulful electric piano of Warryn Campbell lays a relaxed groove for Quik to talk over about one of his favourite topics: sex. Title track “Safe + Sound” chronicles Quik’s formative years over a slick instrumental. The moody bass locks a laidback infectious groove, the hook is catchy and Quik’s delivery is in fine form. On the uber-chilled “Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood”, Quik cooks up a breezy, feel good track of sparkly keyboards, syncopated claps, shuffling hi-hats, woozy synths and a floating two-minute flute solo courtesy of Robert “Fonksta” Bacon. Analysing the highs and lows of an average day in the hood, it echoes Cube’s “It Was a Good Day”.

“It’z Your Fantasy” is a silky smooth soundtrack to Quik’s detailed retelling of a sexcapade with a young lady and whilst “Tha Ho In You” is musically perfect for that midsummer family BBQ, its lyrical content is unsurprisingly decidedly less family-friendly. A real highlight, the infamous “Dollaz + Sense” is one of the most ruthless diss tracks of all time. The brutal lyrics ride a laidback West Coast beat, flipping a sample from Young & Company’s “I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)” as Quik fires lyrical shots at his arch Compton nemesis, MC Eiht. On the loping, hazy “Let You Havit”, Quik is again in gangsta mode, with more bars of barbs aimed at Eiht, rhyming over sun-kissed synthy-rollerskate funk.

Some of the finest tracks on Safe + Sound are those designed to de-stress. The evocative “Summer Breeze” is a classic warm-weather jam, anchored by a twangy funk guitar, breezy string arrangement, and a soulful hook delivered by Dionne Knighton. Quik’s nostalgic lyrics are not far from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”, reminiscing over barbecues at the park, young love, and the brevity of halcyon youth. The relaxed and jazzy “Quik’s Groove III” is another highlight, as bass, guitar, piano and flute combine to create a smooth, soulful instrumental.

The swaggering “Shack Up”-sampling “Sucka Free” features a cameo from Playa Hamm, all funky braggadocio and over much too quikly (pun thoroughly intended). The jazz-flavoured “Keep Tha ‘P’ In It”, again featuring Playa Hamm but this time extending the cameo invitations to Hi-C, 2nd II None and Kam, is pure laidback P-Funk. The deep bass and industrial drums make sure the groove hits hard.

“Tanqueray” was originally a hidden track on the CD version of the album, but it’s too good to hide. This wild party samples Brass Construction’s gigantic “Get Up To Get Down” and soars in its drunk-ebullience. An apt way to close this party-driven set.

This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Safe + Sound was originally pressed as a double, so all that was missing was the CD’s hidden bonus track “Tanqueray”, so we’ve fixed that. The original vinyl release never got a picture sleeve, so we’ve recreated the original’s promo-style silver-sticker and plain black jacket. A subtle cover for a wonderfully unsubtle record.

World-renowned DJs and producers Marco Faraone and Deetron finally release their highly anticipated single,
“The Answer”, from the iconic party Pyramid, happening weekly at Ibiza superclub, Amnesia. “The Answer” is an
exquisite fusion of two techno powerhouses that is already making waves on dance floors worldwide.
Including an amazing remix from the man himself Paul Woolford, who delivers a hot dub remix for this first release of We Are Pyramid.