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This Spring, the Psionic imprint returns with its seventh chapter, welcoming rising Uruguayan talent Juanma Alegre to the fold. Across four forward-thinking, rave-infused cuts, Alegre blurs the boundaries between mysticism and pure dancefloor drive.

The journey opens with “Capsule of Time”, a deep, pulsating opener awash in acid-laced atmospheres and hypnotic grooves. Next up, “Selvinter” delivers a seismic mix of rolling drums, liquid acid lines, and dreamy pads—built for moments of late-night transcendence.

Flipping to the B-side, “Intrus” locks into intricate percussion and mind-warping textures, maintaining pressure without letting up. Finally, “Going Inside” closes the record with breakbeat pulses and off-kilter rhythms, channeling raw emotion straight to the heart of the peak-time floor.
Juanma Alegre opens the portal—step through if you dare.

Meet The Mechanic: Tom Ries, formerly one of Offenbach’s groove technicians, now based in Berlin, delivers three stripped house tunes designed for full dancefloor function. Known for his role in the Pager Records orbit and his dry, deadpan charm (in both music and manners), each piece here hums with twitchy funk, stripped-down functionality, and just enough mischief under the hood. We first hit him up as fans. A year later, The Mechanic is ready to roll. Built by hand, tested in clubs, and delivered with a grin.

Oblique Records returns with its fourth vinyl-only instalment, Oblique 004, delivering a unique selection of groove-laden house and tech house cuts infused with UK garage flair. This VA release features standout contributions from Velvet Velour, Eli Atala, and Mtty, each offering a unique blend of rolling rhythms and infectious energy. From deep, bass-driven textures to crisp percussive elements, Oblique 004 is a freshly squeezed VA of club tools ready to perk up the dancefloor.

Beeyou Records presents its latest imprint from rising UK talent Wodda. For Wodda, this release spans several years of work, representing the evolution of his sound as he heads into 2025.

The Welcome to the Future EP explores previously uncharted territory, while still touching on the 2000s house and speed garage influences, we’ve come to expect from his productions.

The A-side kicks off with 'Bang to the Beat of This' , diving into darker territory, with moody chords, hypnotic vocals, and sirens — a whompy, peak-time speed garage cut, with serious attitude.. 'I’ll Be Careful' brings the energy, with a swingy party starter that everyone needs in their bag. Golden-era 2000s chords, a rolling bassline, and positive groove.

Flipping to the B-side, the title of the EP 'Welcome to the Future' — welcomes a playful, peak-time groove, with a stabby garage bassline. To close things out, 'Santa Cruz' follows with a 90s-inspired melody, paired with swingy drum rolls and a commanding bassline — a fitting finale to Wodda’s highest-quality release to date.

Limited Vinyl Box Set including 6x olive 12” vinyl & download code

Cocoon Recordings presents: Cocoon Compilation V

Back for the summer season, Cocoon Recordings proudly unveils the next chapter in its iconic compilation series. With its 22nd edition, Cocoon Compilation V once again bridges past and future, showcasing the essence of electronic music’s constant evolution. True to the spirit of the label, this handpicked collection delivers a diverse, emotional, and forward-thinking selection that drifts through shimmering currents, pulsating machinery, and moments of pure release.

Delenz & Zeitstill set the tone with “Place To Be”, a smooth and warm opener that invites the listener into a meditative microcosm. What starts as dreamy minimalism steadily unfolds into deep, shimmering depth. A sublime invitation to get lost in sound. Superpitcher takes us further into the mist with “Dream B”, an ethereal and cinematic dreamscape that floats between melancholy and magic. Its stretched textures and hypnotic pacing form a gentle passage into inner space.

The energy intensifies with Patrice Bäumel’s “Nat”, a sophisticated tension-builder with a subtle pulse and haunting atmospheres. Sound waves that breathe, evolve, and subtly command movement. Sawlin switches gears with “Der Jasager”, a deep technoid beast that hits with low-end pressure, modulated percussions, and gritty textures and spooky features. Raw, physical, and unrelenting.

A bright contrast comes from DC Salas and his track “Escapism.” Psychedelic, synth-heavy, and effortlessly groovy, it channels the playful side of electronic storytelling. It channels a trancy 90s flair with its vibrant energy, brilliant use of choir bits, and irresistible vibe that transports you back to a golden era. With Tal Fussman’s “Eyes”, we’re taken into euphoric territory. This stomper is a conversation between piano and strings, rising above crisp grooves, weaving emotion and momentum with finesse.

On the second half of the journey, legendary Ken Ishii teams up with Yuada to deliver “Split Second,” a bold, wild and crazy techno excursion full of mechanical grace and Japanese precision. An ode to organized chaos. Marcel Fengler’s “Aura” follows, powerful and deep, pushing air like an engine through tunnels of tension and light. The blend of rhythm and sentiments is a masterclass in functional elegance and states of mind.

Impérieux brings us “Kala,” a track both twisted and beautiful. Its detuned hypnotic melodies and skewed harmonics are unsettling in the best way while the unconventional rhythms cloak the entire track in a mysterious aura. It creaks and twists toward transcendence, underscored by primordial flute sounds. A fractured lullaby for the club. Joe Metzenmacher injects wildness and attitude into the mix with “Da Freak.” Fuzzy, distorted synths collide with a funky bassline, sharp guitar stabs, and mad bleep effects, bringing the raw groove and dancefloor chaos of a bygone funk era into a futuristic setting.

Joseph Capriati debuts on Cocoon with “Cosmopop” and surprises with an unexpected stylistic shift. Capriati explores a more melodic, emotionally driven sound. Subtle harmonies meet a warm, rolling groove. It’s a bold and personal statement, showing a new side of an artist who continues to evolve beyond expectations. To close, Matthias Schildger offers “Distorter,” a raw and emotional cut that leaves room to breathe while keeping the mind spinning. It begins with beautiful pads, before distorted kicks drop in, yet the track retains a certain tenderness, like the feeling of sitting at a tranquil, untouched nature spot, surrounded by the beauty of the world. A grand finale to a compilation that refuses to settle.

From sunrise moments to peak-time madness, Cocoon Compilation V captures the full spectrum of what dance music can be. Transcendent, visceral and endlessly evolving. This isn’t just a collection of tracks. It’s a curated experience for the body, the mind and the soul.

A highly respected figure for dancers and artists alike, Markus Suckut offers his signature built-to-last sound to Fuse with 'Moments'. In this style, confidence is key and Suckut provides soul to club music in a way few have been able to. Simple yet ever so refined, the German artist furthers his sound with the Belgian label with rolling tracks that reach beyond the dancefloor yet again. 'Moments' is just that, a collection of instances spent inside the mind or outwards into the world in order to move and connect.


The A1 remains usually the first impression of every record, so it makes sense that 'Patience' would mark the beginning of this eight release for the Brussels' club. A bubbly yet impactful track, 'Patience' rolls through six minutes in no time with eccentric percussion and a viscous low-end. Unafraid to break the codes in order to push his sound forward while respecting the essence of what makes the genre great, Suckut puts years of mastery at work in order to find balance and air between his elements. This impressive low-end rhythm is continued into 'Resurrection' - which is more of an exploration of dissonance and texture than its predecessor. With hi-hats whipping around the stereo field through metallic bends and a harmonic kick/bass, the record knows for what context 'Resurrection' is reserved for. 'Myth' then comes along to lighten the load with a positive groove and an extraverted arrangement, maintaining balance to the overall EP. Complete with a subtly modulating live-played percussion that echoes the character of a vocal and layered over an almost vintage drum sequence, the persistence of 'Myth' finds a sweet spot between techno and house, making it a versatile tool in almost any record bag. The soul of the EP, however, belongs to its title track 'Moments'. Appropriately named, this fourth piece concludes Markus Suckut's latest statement for the dancefloor. A suspension of time in structure as much as in melody, the producer takes the time to unveil each element of the record while maintaining a burning intriguing throughout. A truly timeless piece reserved for only the most special moments and most deserving crowds, Suckut proves once again that his understanding of emotion through his medium will echo his music across the world for years to come.

Rhiza Semar returns with Scarlet Cloak, the second instalment from Dutch-Indonesian producer and label founder Hitam. Emerging from the depths of sonic experimentation, Scarlet Cloak continues Rhiza Semar's mission - blending club-oriented tracks with a left-field approach. With three tracks from Hitam and a remix by Nawaz, the EP offers a subtle nod to early 00's mental tribe, reimagining it with a sleek, contemporary, edge. Pulsing tentatively, Scarlet Cloak opens with delicate drum patterns, paving the way for gritty, heady sonic immersion. Meticulously crafted, faint and distant synths emerge on the horizon, orchestrating an ambience that conjures quiet anticipation - a peaceful wonder drifting through the shadows. Blissfully snaking into the next production, Nawaz remixes the track with a razor-sharp switch in tempo, locking the mental trip. Setting the pace for deep introspection, fast and obscure aquatic layers ripple, submerging the listener into dark, murky textures. Flashes of club lights dissolve into a distorted memory, intangible yet electrifying as Future Kill seizes the mind. Pangs of liquid acid spread through an aphotic tunnel of sound, while percussive elements pump the heart, mirroring the adrenaline rush before stepping into a cavernous rave. In Your Head spins forward, stripped-back minimal layers congregate, spiraling the EP toward a hard climax. Rough-cut textures and skittish vocals lay on a soft bed of snares, creating psychedelic dissonance. The atmosphere thickens and breaks with permeating, rolling kick drums, drawing this 10-minute odyssey to a close. Lose yourself in a sonic labyrinth as Hitam masterfully crafts Scarlet Cloak - a volatile minefield seeping with rude, mental, teeth-gritting energy. credits Words by Charlotte Hingley

Black Truffle is thrilled to announce Spilla, the second album from Nantes-based Ensemble Nist-Nah, 48 minutes of music for Gamelan, drum kits, wood and metal percussion instruments, and plucked strings that will surely count as one of the most electrifying records you hear this year. Founded by the Australian drummer/percussionist Will Guthrie in 2019, continuing the explorations begun in solo form on Nist-Nah (Black Truffle, 2020), the ensemble (eight or nine core members with occasional guests) has been consistently active in the half-decade since: composing, rehearsing, recording and touring Europe (with a mass of equipment in tow) to great acclaim. Spilla tracks the continuing evolution of the project since the recording of their first album, Elders (Black Truffle, 2022). The two sides of this record document two different iterations of the group, and the members' compositional input has increased: each side contains one piece by a member other than Guthrie. It has become clearer than ever that Ensemble Nist-Nah is not an attempt at a European Gamelan ensemble but rather a hybrid percussion ensemble that uses instruments from a Javanese Gamelan alongside other percussion to perform original music informed by a variety of South East Asian music but also by everything from free jazz to contemporary hip-hop: while Nist-Nah and Elders both featured traditional Javanese pieces, on Spilla the only tune not generated by a member of the group is by Guthrie’s long-time musical hero and occasional collaborator Roscoe Mitchell.

The two short pieces that open the record could almost be the two sides of a wild 7” selected to show off what the Ensemble can do. On opener ‘Gerak Maju’, intricately skittering open-snare patterns bounce over clanging metal, chiming bell-like tones and deep gong hits, adapting the rhythm-register connections heard in traditional Gamelan musics—where the lowest pitched sounds are heard least frequently—to a cut-up breakbeat straight off Feed Me Weird Things. ‘Strollabout’ then moves into an entirely different realm of meditative repeating patterns, performed entirely on Chinese, Javanese and Vietnamese gongs. The remaining seven pieces, ranging from three to twelve minutes, offer up a wealth of different percussive, compositional and arrangement possibilities. On ‘Ghostly Klang’, two drumkits mirror each other’s moves, bouncing hats and snares across the stereo field in a way that recalls On the Corner and the jittering hi hat patterns of trap, while slow moving melodies on the tuned instruments add a sense of majesty contrasted by scurrying details in resonant wood. The epic closing track presents a take on Roscoe Mitchell’s ‘Uncle’, performed by the Art Ensemble of Chicago on their classic Urban Bushmen live album. Where the Art Ensemble used Mitchell’s dirge-like melody as a jumping off point for virtuosic improvisational flights, Ensemble Nist-Nah rethink the piece as a near-static dialogue between the monumental, slow-moving sequence of unison tuned percussion notes and a textural cloud that grows in richness and intensity from whispering cymbal rolls into a mass of gong overtones and bowed metal.

Beautifully recorded and mixed, Spilla arrives in a sleeve decorated with core member Charles Dubois’ drawings of cymbals and gongs. Against the backdrop of a wider musical landscape dominated by over-produced electronic slop and bland harmonic wallpaper, Ensemble Nist-Nah stands out as a reminder, vital and unpretentious, of the joys and possibilities of human beings playing instruments together.

Backspin's next release brings Selective Response, a prominent figure in America's techno scene, to the forefront with his Inner Heaven EP. Known for his hard-hitting techno rollers, he brings his expertise and passion to Backspin, delivering a release that aligns seamlessly with the label's mission to rejuvenate the Hardgroove sound of the early 2000s, blending releases of legendary pioneers with those of fresh talents.



The EP opens with Hells Bells, a doomy track that encapsulates Selective Response's signature style, featuring relentless rhythms and an underworldly bell theme. The title track Inner Heaven follows, offering a, contrasting atmosphere, blending ethereal elements with driving beats to explore the balance between intensity and tranquility. On the flip side, Power Hungry delivers a potent mix of pulsating basslines, sharp percussion and industrial elements, embodying the raw energy that defines the Hardgroove genre. The EP concludes with Purifier, a track more in line with the EP's title track, merging driving loops with intricate sound design, leaving listeners in a state of ecstatic trance.

Hailed as the “Godfather of electronic music,” Paul Oakenfold is one of the most successful electronic artists of all time, counting more than 110M streams, 5M albums sold worldwide and three GRAMMY nominations.
Oakenfold’s discography includes three full-length studio albums, countless live/compilation albums, singles and remixes, and over 20 DJ mix albums. He has written and produced for major stars like Cher, The Happy Mondays, U2 and Madonna and also counts more than 100 remixes, including ones for The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and Elvis Presley.

He continues to push the envelope via his game-changing projects, including a once-in-a-lifetime DJ set in April 2017 at the top of the base camp of Mt. Everest, commemorating the set with the release ‘Mount Everest: The Base Camp Mix.’ In September 2018, he became the first-ever artist to perform at Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by his ‘Sunset at Stonehenge’ mix album (February 2019) capturing the historic DJ set. In March 2019, he performed at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games opening ceremony in Abu Dhabi, in addition to remixing the Games’ official theme song.

This release is a reissue of his classic soundtrack album for the 2001 Joel Silver produced Swordfish starring Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry & Don Chedle. It contains tracks specially commissioned for the film written by Paul & film composer Christopher Young, plus his remix versions of N*E*R*D – Lapdance, Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock, Muse - New Born, plus tracks from Lemon Jelly + Dope Smugglerz, Jan Johnston.

The original release has sold over 100k units to date & the vinyl is now selling upwards of £300 on Discogs. This 2025 triple vinyl reissue has been remastered at Metropolis Studios + will be pressed on green coloured vinyl & coincides with the 4k UHD limited edition 25th anniversary Blu Ray release.

CS003, our next offering on wax, is home-grown. The Instruction EP features three original productions by label co-founder Niall Kelly complimented by a remix from the inimitable Carl Finlow. Niall’s debut EP showcases his prowess as producer harking to a pool of influences found in the sonic DNA of our hometown of Leeds, with added firepower provided by a legendary artist with close ties to the city.

Echoes of the rowdy bygone Mint Club ooze through the slappy tech house roller ’Section 1’ which opens the record. The chunky basslines retro synths and robotic vocoder connect the dots from Niall’s palette to the unmistakeable sound of Yorkshire Bleep on ‘Seven Wolves’. Carl’s treatment of ‘Section 1’ pivots into a darker, dystopian soundscape full of fizzing hi hats and dizzying synths that amalgamate into a dancefloor shaker that is unmistakably Finlow. The EP is rounded off by Groove Key, a track which serves up a special disorientating euphoria designed to be heard on large soundsystems and felt deep within your bones.

A noughties classic, an earworming anthem, an eventual schoolyard ringtone favourite; Roman Flügel’s once inescapable ‘Geht’s Noch?’ celebrates turning 21 on Running Back, refreshed and remixed by a scene-spanning set of artists paying keen tribute to its absurdist energy.
Casually released as part of a Cocoon Records compilation in 2004, ‘Geht’s Noch?’ rose from the depths with the support of Sven Väth, becoming an international phenomenon, conquering and uniting the dominant scenes of minimal and electroclash alike. Some have said it laid the foundations for the ‘Dirty Dutch’
house scene, albeit from over the border in Germany.
Well known for injecting much-needed levity into the contemporary club landscape via her Live From Earth parties, DJ Gigola adds additional firepower to ‘Geht’s Noch?’, inducing a planet-shaking kick drum, before sending the track’s signature bleeps into nonsensical Morse code for even greater pleasure. Another rave
culture connoisseur, Luca Lozano, offers two alternate takes; his ‘Technocs’ mix rolls deep with additional cowbells, robotic voice commands and stadium-sized claps. Meanwhile, the ‘Gehts Garage Remix’ draws a savvy connection with the original’s as-yet-untapped UK funky potential.
Peder Mannerfelt, who straddles the line between innovation, functionality, humor and seriousness quite like its original author, takes ‘Geht’s Noch?’ to truly wuthering heights. His remix builds unexpected drama and catharsis around the enduring riff, before a collaboration with studio partner Par Grindvik as Aasthma
spins the club out with a glossy, anime-tinted take, full of whimsy and colour.
And while the digital release of Geht’s Noch? also spans interpretations from Audion, Domnik Eulberg & Moguai, this vinyl release presses Steve Angello vs Who’s Who remix to wax, that which helped take ‘Geht’s Noch?’ out of the underground and into the stratosphere. Twenty years on, and Flügel’s offbeat hit is always ascending. Love it or hate it, ‘Geht’s Noch?' will still get you good.
Words by John Loveless

Selekt Sounds proudly launches its vinyl-only imprint Selekt Wax with an evocative EP from Dragomir, one of Bucharest’s most prominent voices in minimal. Deeply introspective yet effortlessly hypnotic, this record is a meditation on space, tension, and the emotional resonance of stripped down groove. Each track pulses with a quiet intensity—crafted with care, driven by instinct, and tuned to the inner ear.

Etched on the sleeve, a poem sets the tone:

the space between the sounds
expansion and contraction
allow what comes up to flow
ebb like the ocean waves
keeping in time with the synchrony
manipulating sound waves
helps navigate the now
can you hear yourself between the sound?
in the space between.

Much like the words that frame it, this release invites listeners to tune in—not just to the music, but to the stillness it surrounds.

A1 Trust - A hypnotic minimal roller built around a looping vocal mantra, jazzy percussive details, and swirling psychedelic textures. Subtle yet immersive, it invites deep focus and surrender.

A2 Mirroring - Moody, meditative, and rich in detail, Mirroring unfolds through broken rhythms and shadowy textures—perfect for reflective moments on or off the dancefloor.

B1 Irresolute - With a steady 4x4 pulse and airy, emotional pads, Irresolute balances tension and release in a way that feels both uplifting and unresolved. A track for when the night blurs into morning.

"Bassland Prophecy" was a collection of Southern California musicians, including Alex Xenophon (Deep Squared), Stuart Breidenstein (formerly of Skylab 2000), Alissa Kueker (vocals), and Maxx Vaxx (Euterpre, Butterfly Garden).

The act nourished and grew the emerging LA scene and was a renegade force in live electronic improvisation. Rather than composing full tracks, Breidenstein stated over email that they built musical "ingredients" on the fly, syncing DOS and hardware sequencers mid-performance. Their unpredictable sets, from illegal raves to makeshift desert parties, resulted in electrifying, unforgettable sonic trips.

Recalling 90s LA, Breidenstein said: “Before the internet, finding a rave was an adventure. You’d get a flyer with a phone number, call it the night of the event, then drive—sometimes 100 miles or more from a map point to the actual party. The scene was raw and underground, built by music obsessives hunting for the freshest sounds.”

Two standout tracks from 1996—“Nine / Deeper” and “Blue and Purple Starship of Trust”—perfectly represent their unique genre-bending concoctions. Against all odds, the recordings survived and have been given new life, remastered and reissued on Bristol-based *Sex Tapes From Mars*. To produce the wizardry, their setup included a Juno 106, Yamaha FB-01, a Roland S330 sampler, and a Sequential Circuits Pro-One mono synth with external MIDI, and some guitar effects pedals.

“Nine / Deeper,” born from one of their many spontaneous studio sessions, became eerily intertwined with recurring appearances of the number 9 and black cats. So much was the frequency of apophenia episodes that paranoia began to take over the artists. Recorded in a makeshift living room studio, the 14-minute excursion traverses genres and tempos, beginning quick and hypnotic, and climaxing chuggy and drenched in adlibbed acid lines, culminating in a surreal and legendary live performance in Hollywood. The piece captures the raw spontaneity of their sets, crafted with vintage gear, cassette tape recordings, and, as always, a DIY ethos. Breidenstein states, “While improvised sessions often failed, when it succeeded, it was definitely a kind of infectious magic the listener would recognize.”

“The Blue and Purple Starship of Trust” is a deeply personal piece, named after when Breidenstein saw a heavenly blue morning glory on a walk around his neighborhood, and emerged from heartbreak and the following deep depression entrenching his life at the time. Recorded in a single take onto cassette tape, blending piano, guitar, and heart-rending vocals into an emotional, dreamlike journey. The track starts with a lush, cascading synth sound, bolstered up by rolling, reverbing downtempo drums. Using Sequential Circuits Pro-One throughout, the rippling synths and off-key piano licks act like pipetted droplets of water, all elements bleeding into each other in some kind of hallucinogenic swelling, reflecting Breidenstein’s fading relationship. The guitar part is a nod to Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and Breidenstein recalls just “bawling as the guitar line was recorded.”

Created in a time of artistic struggle, living in an old school bus, surviving on instant noodles while hauling their gear from venue to venue, and scraping by on gig money, these recordings act as rare artifacts of a movement that thrived on passion and perseverance, standing as a poignant testament to resilience. Though they released a handful of tracks, ranging from deep house to ambient to techno, their true legacy lay in their high-energy, genre-blurring live shows, which are powerfully encapsulated within these recordings and leave a lasting impact on underground electronic music today.

After over 50 events of Bristol's beloved Club Blanco, the city's anointed high priest of night, Chez de Milo, is crystallising his party's dimension-hopping hedonism into a label, calling on an extended family of esteemed producers and musicians to make it happen.

First up is Johnny Aux, aka Quinn Whalley (Paranoid London, Sworn Virgins, Decius), delivering two offerings accompanied by remixes from Jamie Paton and Chez de Milo himself.

Supersonic blends a hyperspace bassline with euphoric 90s synth elevation that delivers us to a blissful dance floor crescendo, where you've been dancing for hours—maybe days— when the sun appears over the horizon and pierces through the club's blacked-out windows. Chez de Milo's re-rub wraps you up vines of a living, breathing forest, where all your favourite flora and fauna summon you to the dappled light of a clearing, front left of the booth.

On The Train locks you into a rolling groove, and electro slaps and smacks. It feels covered in equal parts space dust and the dust of an old crate of records, where this forgotten banger has been buried deep for 25 years, waiting for the right hands to pull it out. Jamie Paton veers off down a stranger track, conducting a driving Italo beat with eerie soundscapes dissected by lasers and a brooding bassline.

The fryer’s on full blast – Pomme Frite welcomes the Parton Brothers to the kitchen!
Straight from Jolene Records, Danny & Mike make their Pomme Frite debut with a golden-crusted 4-track EP that could’ve rolled right off the Roule press back in ‘98.
The brothers serve up four slabs of vintage French touch – ‘Extraball’, ‘Gemini’, ‘Luniz’ and ‘The World Without You’ – each dripping with filter-funk, crunchy samples, and that unmistakable disco sizzle.
We’ve always had a soft spot for that authentic French sauce – and the Parton Brothers bring it homemade, hot, and with love.

interloot returns with a stellar compilation, assembling a cadre of versatile heads to deliver a bulletproof warehouse set for your gear bag. kicking off the a-side is »once again« by stuttgart's jakob mäder. known for his eclectic blend of ambient, disco, house and techno, mäder crafts a heavy opener boosted by a propulsive rhythm, seamlessly melding forceful chords with swirling acid echoes. »tick« by bristol-based fella thrilogy screws down the force and untwines the groove with a more mellow, bass-driven foundation and intricate percussive patterns to a subtle yet weighty synth journey through space and time. flipping to the b-side, »back on back« by renowned duo decent rides instantly slaps your face and unfolds its raw energy with a stomping infectious vibe urging forward unchecked. supplemented by delicate vocal rollbacks this guy’s a real peak-time pusher. rounding out the little concrete jungle voyage, »groove got me« by vienna’s moff & tarkin proves the name’s the product. A massive breakbeat blast tenderly detailed and beautifully arranged builds up to a complex raw and punchy climax leaving no one’s body parts unmoved. savour this collection poised to satiate the appetites of discerning nightlife buds and sistas.

Planet E looks to the heart of Detroit’s club culture for the debut appearance on the label from Motor City mainstay, Mister Joshooa. A DJ and sound engineer closely intertwined with the city’s music scene, regularly found behind the decks at clubs like TV Lounge and Lincoln Factory and having previously appeared on Carl Craig’s celebrated Detroit Love compilation, ‘Settle Down’ introduces four tracks that cement Mister Joshooa’s lucid, far-out take on house.

Lead track ‘Settle Down’ distills the energies and influence of the scene into a rubber-jointed, rolling introduction that vibrates with energy and anticipation, nailing a bassline that could run for hours and injecting trippy effects, live percussion and out-there vocals drawing in dancers. ‘Snake Oil’ meanwhile strips things way back, squeezing plenty of juice for the floor from a tunnelling, lightly psychedelic arrangement, offering bang-for-buck deepness that’s no scam.

‘Stop Me’ continues to drive Mister Joshooa’s productions in even wonkier, even mysterious directions, its oscillating crawl and hypnotic melody primed to create a heady atmosphere, giving surreal or even sinister, depending on each dancer’s perspective. Finally, ‘Step Up’ offers the roughest, readiest ride to close, where classic drum machine programming reverberates against throbbing sonics and all manner of analogue weirdness, transforming into an outsider techno stepper from the darker side.

2025 Repress

Jim Coles once again turns the tide towards a new horizon and travels further into the echo chamber. Leading on from the much-lauded ‘Secret Location’ mini-album with Seekersinternational, one-offs such as ‘Open Palms dub’ (Dub Stuy) and other teasings, ‘Acid Dub Studies’ is the fully-fledged result of the merging of the calligraphic expression of the 303 Acid bassline with the stern sway of Dub Reggae and the hazier edges of Dub Techno and Ambient music.

For those who have been paying close attention, this project will come as a welcome return to the vulnerability and playfulness of early Om Unit records such as his sub-radar single from 2010 ‘Lightgrids/Lavender’ (All City Records) or the unearthed chugging ambience of ‘Friend of Day’ (Idle Hands) and indeed in some sense draws from similar wellsprings as moments on 2013’s Bass classic ‘Threads’.

Whilst being perhaps an ‘interim project’ this is still a vital and important expression of exploration and playfulness. A study in the true sense and borne out of a subtle but pervasive frustration with the rigidity found in musical words he has up to now been cohabiting, Acid Dub Studies comes from the pressing need to break with perceived expectation and to explore an honest and natural space away from the genre labels and tags that had been often lazily applied to his sizeable catalogue of music.

With no desire to reinvent the wheel, rather to paint pictures in an honest framework, the LP was crafted using a medley of classic analogue mixing techniques inspired as much by the adventurous dubbing of Adrian Sherwood as by the inward-delving haze of Scott Monteith’s Deadbeat project. Created during a period of lonely introspective walks through his home town of Bristol, the cover art is a photograph of some of the iron kerbstones that are found almost exclusively in the characterful and hardy city which were installed in the late 1800’s to protect pavements from cart wheels. Something about the permanence of those iron slabs and cobblestones inspired a sense of comfort and determination.

Acid Dub Studies is due for release as yet another self-released label-free project leading on from recent EP titles ‘Violet’ and ‘Submerged’ both of which hinted at some of the shapes found in this full length album.

Once again Jim has shown a rare convincing adaptability that few electronic artists can embody. Another step on the journey of personal and creative curiosity that fans are sure to appreciate.

Regal launches Backspin Records with a first seismic release by Cristian Varela. With the Supraconscience EP, Varela delivers a masterclass in groove-driven intensity, further defining Backspin's mission to resurrect and reimagine the pulse of early2000s techno.



The EP plays like a coded message from another dimension. With uncompromising tribal rhythms, the tracks draw from the same well as the classic vinyl cuts that shaped Backspin's sonic ethos: groovy, loop-driven, bass-heavy and packed with percussive punch. J0T4 kicks off with punchy low-end pressure and epic synth melodies, while J0T5 goes deeper, layering syncopated trippy percussion with eerie atmospheres. Next up is Exegon, a tightly wound, loop-heavy storm of shuffled rhythms and distorted stabs - hypnotic, functional and built for peak-time intensity with its melancholic hook. Closing track J0T7 brings a warped, rolling energy that ties the EP together in true Hardgroove spirit.

As Backspin gathers momentum, Supraconscience proves that this isn't just about nostalgia. It's about pushing the timeless power of groove into new realms, led by legends like Cristian Varela who helped write the blueprint in the first place.

Building on the subtle beauty of her last album ‘Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing’ (???? The Times, ???? Mojo) ‘Weight Of The Wheel’, the first single off her new album ‘From Newman Street’, evokes feelings of heaviness and confusion with life’s constant cycle. Delivered with what can only be described as exquisite songwriting alongside her unmistakably tender yet warm voice that conjures up thoughts of the likes of Karen Dalton, Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny with much of the same quiet wisdom.
Kassi Valazza returns with From Newman Street on May 2 via Loose Music. Newman Street refers to the location of a friend's house in Portland where Kassi found shelter and a safe space while navigating change in 2023. Here, she wrote most of the songs for the new record and planned her move to New Orleans, Louisiana. The 10-track set is delivered through a strikingly honest lens as Valazza ponders her willingness to accept change, finding positivity where she can. From Newman Street follows 2023's Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing, which received rave reviews from NPR Music, UNCUT, No Depression, MOJO, The Times, Holler, and more.
‘Weight Of The Wheel’, the first single from the new album, evokes feelings of heaviness and confusion with life’s constant cycle. Delivered with what can only be described as exquisite songwriting alongside her unmistakably tender yet warm voice that conjures up thoughts of the likes of Karen Dalton, Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny with much of the same quiet wisdom.

BEATALISTICS, the soulful South-German Drum & Bass label, run by Enea and MC Fava, is celebrating its 100th release. ONEHUNDRED reflects on almost one and a half decades of label back catalogue with a 29 tunes strong 'best of' various artists digital compilation. Included are also 6 brand new tunes which are packed on a vinyl sampler In addition. Featured is orchestral DnB pioneer KEENO who puts his magic hands of 'Sarah', taken off FAVA's Destiny EP with Smote & Becca Jane Grey and rounds up the meaningful song with his cinematic trademark sound . FAVA also adds some decent chants to COMMAND STRANGE'S 'Kindness Flow, a positive and uplifting liquid roller that is going to make your soul smile for sure. Long time label friend PAUL SG, head honcho of the brilliant soul driven Austrian imprint Jazzsticks delivers one of his signature amen break soul-rollers with 'Pale White Boy'. Label boss ENEA can't be missed on here and literally delivers the 'Heat' with his contribution. Beatalistics sticks to the label philosophy and supports local talents and important label representatives DAVA and MOJOMAN.'Pictures' delivers dancefloor vibes with a deep bassline and strong vocal arrangement and proves that Dava is one to watch out for in the near future. MOJOMAN maintains a desire to dance with the hypnotizing 'Pillers of Nah', following his unmistakably melodic and hymnal style.

MAD012 has arrived! or as we’ve been referring to it the ‘M.A.D Garage’ EP. (as in Paradise Garage)

After receiving Magari and Ilija Rudman’s tracks within a short time of each other it felt like a perfect fit to pair them together. Both productions give a nod to the 80s House sound whilst expertly bringing the aesthetic up to date.

Magari has provided us with an eyes closed dub’d out groover and Rudman supplies a winding and weaving synthesised journey, giving a sonic glimpse in to his fully stocked studio.

It’s always been top of our list to work with the inimitable Mark Seven. His music is a staple of our sets and as many of you know, is somewhat of guiding light of our scene. Any fan of Parkway Records knows it’s always an exciting day when they announce something new, needless to say we are proud to present a Parkway Powermix on M.A.D.

Finally, our good friend, the extremely versatile Producer/DJ Manuel Darquart finishes off the record with a sublime rolling take on ‘Danceteria’. If somehow you didn’t know him already consider yourself informed.

Space Tours head honcho Mitch Wellings debuts on Private Parts with potentially his most explosive EP to date. Kicking things off with some bass heavy, ragga infused breaks. ‘The Ritual’ is pure authentic riddims, featuring Mitch’s recordings of Zimbabwean, Persie Pee, on the vocal. ‘Had Me Livid’ ramps up the tempo with some rolling bass/tech. Intricate drum programming, hip shaking dancefloor fun. Flip to the B and you have two highly gratifying electro jams. ‘Leave With Us’ heads into Mitch’s signature, out of this world, alien territory. Wrapping up the ep is the instructional electroid funk that is ‘Choreography’ – dance routines encouraged.

Subterranean stalwart and Underground Quality boss Jus Ed reworks a trio of archive tracks on his 'Mash Up' EP, embracing production with newfound freedom as he continues his ceaseless creative journey. The Bridgeport native has been turning out raw, uncompromising house jams for decades, routinely delivering dancefloor fire. Here, the freak flex of '209 Remix' powers over a relentless synth hook, with vocal cuts, rhythmic bleeps and emotive pads completing the stripped-back sonic landscape. The brooding dub traction of 'Back To Basics' sees hypnotic chords drift over sleazy drums as vocal delays roll into the distance before Ed gets some gripes off his chest via 'Fack Ass Muthafukas' i sending a disapproving message to someone or other, with pointed spoken words jibing over a sinister bass hook.

Chontane returns with Set A Dot, the third release on his label, TANE. Offering a four-track statement of pure rhythmic intensity and intricate groove construction. Known for his precision-driven approach to techno, Chontane continues to refine his sound, fusing raw
percussive elements, hypnotic basslines, and evolving sonic textures into club-ready weapons that move both the mind and body..

From the outset, Magallanes asserts itself with rolling drum patterns and pulsating synths, locking listeners into its hypnotic rhythm. Hypnotic synth pulses weave through the track, building tension gradually until it breaks into a dense, rhythmic crescendo.

Next up, Turn the Tables lives up to its name, amplifying the energy with snapping hi-hats, deep bass momentum, and restrained synth modulations. A functional yet immersive trip through layered percussive textures.

The B-side offers a deeper, more atmospheric twist. Cycle Break channels a grooveheavy, tribal-infused flow, using intricate rhythmic interplay and distant, metallic textures to create a track that breathes and expands across the mix.

Rounding out the release, Set A Dot leans into pure forward motion, with skittering percussion, sharp synths, and a rolling low-end pulse, making it a go-to tool for seamless DJ layering and extended club sets.

With Set A Dot, Chontane refines his signature style, delivering tracks that are meticulously detailed and irresistibly powerful.
A journey through rhythm, texture, and raw energy.

Kicking off the New Year with a release that truly stands out, Slamm! EP is a high-energy, retro-inspired journey through house and techno. This record is particularly special, featuring a remix by none other than Diego Krause—an artist whose work with the Beste Modus crew was instrumental in shaping my journey into music production. Having admired his craft for years, it’s a privilege to collaborate on this project, especially with both of us sharing roots in Berlin.

The title track, Slamm!, delivers a driving groove packed with punchy percussion and hypnotic synth work, setting the tone for the EP. Diego Krause’s remix refines the original, layering it with intricate textures and deep, rolling basslines that showcase his signature sound. Soul of Fantasy (House Mix) brings a touch of classic house warmth, blending soulful chords with a steady rhythm, while Euro Phase leans into a progressive flow, building tension through evolving layers. Closing out the EP, Landing Time (Digital Bonus) captures the deeper, late-night essence of house, rounding off a versatile and dynamic release.

Rooted in the uptempo energy of early ‘90s house and techno, Slamm! EP fuses past influences with a fresh, modern approach—making it a must-have for house music lovers.

New sounds from the gaullic underground on Violent Cases’ latest release, the first one since many moons. Two long tracks born out of myths and mist to take you on a mental journey.
Side A’s „Chaos Theory“ sets off at 145 bpm. Synth layers and strings over deep bass create the atmosphere. Drama. Then a brilliant incorporation of a classic guitar solo in mid track. Unique.
Side B „Pagan Blade“ is a joint venture with Ciklo and ups the tempo to 160 bpm. Rolling and riding it’s pushing the dance floor while the pagan assassin whispers the rhythm.

You can tell the artists have honed their skills playing live, these tracks will unfold their full potential and deepness on a proper system.

Stunning full sleeve artwork by Darkam. Graphically edited and arranged by TDSIGNZ. Mastered by Stefan ZMK in the low countries.
Each copy includes an artwork poster, artwork sticker and digital download link.

Nanel 008 marks another solid release for the label, packed with two stunning tracks that will speak to both DJs and listeners alike. On the A-side, "Farfor" offers an infectious blend of groovy basslines and punchy breakbeats, creating a track that’s both energetic and deep. The smooth, atmospheric pads intertwine seamlessly with a catchy piano melody, giving the track an uplifting vibe that’s perfect for those dancefloor moments when the energy needs to rise. It’s a perfect combination of classic and contemporary elements, with a sound that feels both fresh and timeless.


Flipping the record over, "Ready" takes things in a more dubby direction, featuring a deep bassline that rolls smoothly beneath crisp percussion and atmospheric elements. The track’s vocal shots add an extra layer of texture, cutting through the mix and pulling you into its hypnotic groove. The percussion is tight and purposeful, adding a rhythmic complexity that draws you in and keeps you moving. With its dub influence and a steady, captivating groove, "Ready" creates an immersive listening experience that showcases a different side of your production style. Together, these two tracks offer a diverse yet cohesive sound that exemplifies the signature style of Nanel.

Velasco’s Moving In Silence label kicks off with four heavy hitters. An exciting time as the Berlin based New Yorker embarks on this solo label project, uncovering underground sounds from all corners of the globe. Landed kicks off the project with gritty peak-time action from the producer on the rise, crammed with an abundance of rave textures throughout the “Enigma” EP. Expect 4 live recorded rolling techno tunes to keep you stuck in a loop.

300 Limited copies

Repress! Limited to 100 Copies


Garage Hermétique, returns with a new EP of music from Views, presenting the ‘Kyoto Love’ EP. An alias of Atilla Fidan - producer & live performer, founder of the Berlin label Tape Archive, and also known for releases as Waitress/ASWA - each of the four tracks hits a naturalistic groove driven by vintage Chicago-esque rhythms and warm, acidic tones.

On opening and title-track ‘Kyoto Love’, charming bird song flourishes into a rubbery bassline. ‘Go Well (Part 2)’ embarks on a similar tip, before loosening up into a soaring, somewhat new-age atmosphere, while never sacrificing it’s watertight drums.

On the flip, ‘Kimura’ and ‘Systems (Last Mix)’ move in deeper directions still; The former is a sparkling, detailed cut that rolls out nocturnal dance floor depth, while the latter rounds off the release with transcendent choral breaks.

2025 Repress

Searchlight Moonbeam is the new narrative compilation from Time Is Away (Jack Rollo and Elaine Tierney) whose eponymous monthly NTS Radio shows, tinctured fusions of fugitive sounds and reverie-inducing archival speech, have won them an ardent following. It follows from the London-based duo’s Ballads, a remarkable driftwerk released on A Colourful Storm in 2022.


Searchlight Moonbeam is an autumnal dreamscape, intimate and vespertine, pensive and irresolute. An imagined community where differences drop off and resonances emerge – between Maher Shalal Hash Baz affiliates Kasumi Trio, Taiwanese score composer Chen Ming Chang whose ‘Rainwater’ (written for Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s 1986 film Dust In The Wind) is exquisitely heartbroken, and the plangent improvisations of self-taught French pianist Delphine Dora.


Revelations are frequent: the bedsit isolationism of Bo Harwood and John Cassavetes’ ‘No One Around to Hear It’ (from The Killing of a Chinese Bookie); the narked minimalism of Klang (an early 2000s band formed by ex-Elastica guitarist and featuring prize-winning experimental novelist Isabel Waidner on bass); the etude-grooves and echoic wobble of below-the-radar French avant-gardists Omertà ; the beautiful, plaintively dubby ‘Is It You?’ by Slapp Happy; a psych-tinged reimagining of PiL’s ‘Poptones’ by Simon Fisher Turner (one half of Deux Filles, and here, recording for él as The King of Luxembourg) that's as perverse as the cover of Throbbing Gristle’s 20 Jazz Funk Greats.


Searchlight Moonbeam is the musical analog of an Italo Calvino novel or a medieval fable. Associative, intuitive, borderless. Emotional and mysterious. Endowed with the tactility of Braille. A private language that is both unknowable and understood. It is a record of the seasons, for the seasons.

2023 marks the tenth anniversary of Time Is Away’s first broadcast. Featuring an evocative essay by writer Jeremy Atherton Lin and disarming cover art by Penny Davenport, Searchlight Moonbeam showcases Rollo and Tierney’s still-unrivalled talent for gloaming melodies, disques du crépuscule, ensorcelled storytelling.

Forgotten Paradise is a new vinyl series from Western Lore, focussed on exploring the full breakbeat hardcore &
Jungle Tekno tempo range through a collection of 12” singles & EPs

After an under the radar, vinyl only bootleg 12” kicked off the series in 2024 (and flew out so rapidly on Bandcamp, none of the ltd run of copies made it to retail), FP2 sees Dead Man’s Chest & Thugwidow roll out two gully slices of 140bpm(ish) hardcore heaven, with a naughty 160 jungle edit thrown in for measure.

Breaks, vocals, bleeps, pads, pianos, mentasms and a hefty measure of bass, all thrown in the mix and weaved together in Dead Man’s Chest & Thugwidow’s signature waved out styles.

On the third Ziemia release, Private Press invites their long-time friend Piotr Baranowski, known as Mutual Attraction. Piotr is a veteran of the local Warsaw scene, recently channeling his talent through a combination of jazz and house music. The musical inspirations and absolute joy of studio time shared by Piotr, Jan and Adam (Private Press) form a solid foundation for this compilation.

The first side of the record is dedicated to a signature corroded dub sound, infused with an emphasis on rolling bass and heavily delayed stabs. While A1 is an old-school-leaning take on fast, straightforward techno, A2 is a minimalistic definition of a tool track, executed with metallic chords and a frosty atmosphere.

The situation changes dramatically on the other side, bringing warmer and more uplifting vibes, yet it still maintains the energy as all the artists focus on a moodier, more laid-back sound. Mutual Attraction brings his skills, laying down the smoothest melodies and chords, while Private Press dubs out the sounds to their limits. This collaboration offers a beautiful contrast between the functional roots of club music and more storytelling melodies cut from a late evening jam. It’s all held together by classic house grooves, bridging the familiar sounds of Chicago and Berlin in these two collaborative tracks.

Everything is perfectly finalised by on-point mastering by Wouter Brandenburg and the atmospheric artwork on the label. This record offers a great, cohesive atmosphere from top to bottom.

Humphrey Aniakor started Duomo Sounds after a trip to Milan. The idea was to produce a new sound for the emerging generation. A sleek funky but refined, Nigerian disco sound. This compilation captures all of that intention with a broad array of artistes. The music is sometimes sung in local Nigerian languages and sometimes in English but always with an African Accent. Modern grooves for an African market.

After several months spent hanging out at studios in Los Angeles and New York, observing the musicians, producers and engineers at work. He went to nightclubs to study what kind of sonic textures made the crowd move. And when he felt he had gotten the hang of it, he returned to Nigeria to set up his record label. A label that would showcase the au courant, cosmopolitan face of the Nigeria’s emerging young generation. That would encompass the boundlessness of imagination, focus, persistence and craftsmanship. That would deliver music that touched the soul.

There was hardly a shortage of available musical talent by 1980, as Duomo was preparing to launch. The seventies had seen a massive flowering of bands offering a wide array of sounds and styles. But 1980 proved to be the year that would change the topography of the music landscape and its approach to packaging talent. Artistes like Mike Umoh (erstewhile drummer with Bongos Ikwue and the Groovies), Bindiga (Ghanian afrofunk musicians), Christy Ogbah (who worked as a policewoman) bring their personal artistry to create the new sound.

And he would call it—what else?—Duomo. Duomo Sounds Limited.

This combination created high-quality Nigerian music but it also marked the end of bands as the focal point for the popular music marketing. After Okotie’s breakthrough, it became clear that the eighties would be the era of the solo artist. And this would lead to the fracture of established bands as members opted to roll the dice on solo careers.

Still sniffing out the gnarliest bassweight swerves on his rounds in the underground, Dogpatrol makes his way back to Sneaker Social Club for another four cuts of irreverent, misfit rave damage.

Hailing from Offenbach (DE) but with a sound more indebted to UK styles like breakbeat hardcore, dubstep and garage, DogPatrol has been a natural fit on Sneaker. The slanted approach he takes to his influences results in a mutant style that shuffles and slams in all the right places without sounding like anything else out there.

‘1200kcal’ rides jagged, dusty drums that come on like drunken UKG, offset by rubbery bass arps that add a cosmic lick to proceedings. ‘Baby Flame’ has a nastier outlook hinging on a bludgeoning synth splat that calls back to the Control Tower brand of warehouse electro from the early 00s. Making sure no-one is second guessing the scent Dogpatrol is tracking, ‘Ya Playin Yaself’ dips into a dubstep-minded half-step roller with naive keys run through a giddy signal chain. ‘Offgenbach HBF Riddim’ completes the set with a breakbeat cut n’ paste job which tracks back to the source with strong echoes of The Blapps Posse’s raw and funky approach.

The reference points are just slight hints of familiarity, but Dogpatrol comes across as inspired as ever digging up the bones of cult rave signifiers and chewing them into his own unique shapes.

Dajusch unleashes the 'Ambition EP', a raw and uncompromising statement of techno tradition. Berlin-based producer, DJ and sound engineer Dajusch returns with his latest four-track EP, a high-powered offering that channels the essence of Detroit and Chicago techno while pushing the boundaries of contemporary club sound. Known for his deep connection to electronic music's pioneering roots and his work behind the scenes as a mastering engineer, Dajusch brings an intense and refined energy to this release. The EP opens with the single 'No Mas', a relentless percussive workout where hypnotic synths intertwine with driving drum patterns, setting the stage for an unyielding ride. The title track 'Ambition' follows suit with a high-octane groove, combining raw machine-funk aesthetics with a pulsating bassline and intricate, evolving textures that command the dance floor. On the flip side, 'Split' takes a darker and more cerebral turn, layering industrial-tinged sonics over a tight, rolling beat, blurring the line between peak-time energy and introspective depth. Closing out the EP is '36g', a heady, propulsive cut that builds into a whirlwind of syncopated rhythms and distorted stabs, rounding off the record with a powerful, no-holds-barred climax. With Ambition, the Spandau20 artist Dajusch reinforces his position as a purist and innovator, delivering a release that feels both timeless and forward-thinking. Whether experienced in the heart of a sweaty warehouse or through the pulse of a late-night drive, this EP stands as a testament to the raw, unfiltered power of techno.

Phonomena are back and this time joined by Haste on a mission to Andromeda with 4 Hardcore Jungle tracks ready to do damage on the dancefloor.
Kicking off with a remix of Paul Renegade’s Multiverse from London based Jungle veteran Haste that has been floating around on dub for a little while. Taking the tempo of the original up a notch this is the perfect track to start the EP with its Mentasm fuelled mayhem.

Rage and Renegade then drop their first track on wax together with Best Served Cold, taking a sample from a 92 classic then twisting it up with some distorted bass before switching things up as the track progresses. This was made over a bunch of Saturday nights late in 2024 and continues the vibes from the first two records.

At the end of side A there’s some scratch samples for DJs to battle with, pitched to the perfect tempo to use with Hardcore and Jungle.
First up on the flip DJ Rage drops a bass heavy breakbeat workout with Ready To Roll. This was made to contrast with Haste’s remix, a bit more laid back at first but slowly building up to a euphoric tear out towards the end.

Paul Renegade closes out the EP with Dark Carnival, a trip to the underworld with haunted samples and effects that drops into some full on bass, no letting up here with more Hardcore pressure to rattle your speakers!
Coming on ice blue translucent vinyl with hand stamped labels, these Kniteforce exclusive versions come with in an Ice Blue (single colour) label or Electric (double colour). These special editions are limited to 30 copies each.

28th April 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of David Bowie’s STARMAN, the first single from THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS. To celebrate, Parlophone Records is proud to announce release details to mark the album’s Golden Jubilee.

On 17th June 2022, 50 years and one day after the original U.K. release date, THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS will be issued as a limited edition 50th anniversary half speed mastered LP, cut by John Webber at AIR Studios.

THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS is the breakthrough album that catapulted David Bowie into the international spotlight. Over the past 50 years it has remained a touchstone record, growing in stature with each passing year. It is now ingrained in popular culture, its undeniable influence spanning musicians from Arcade Fire to Lady Gaga, to Harry Styles’s androgynous fashion sense to Noel Fielding’s shirts on The Great British Bake-Off to Ziggy make-up challenges on Tik-Tok.

David Bowie laid to rest the Ziggy Stardust persona in July 1973 at his infamous last show with the Spiders From Mars at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, but Ziggy’s impact reverberates to this day.

Last May, Hard Times captivated us with The Lost D.A.T.S (Part One)—a remarkable collection of unreleased and freshly unearthed gems from the vaults of NYC legend DJ Romain. But the story didn’t end there. To our surprise and delight, Romain had delivered an even larger treasure trove of beats—too many to reveal all at once.

Now, Hard Times is proud to present the next chapter: DJ Romain – The Lost D.A.T.S (Part Two).

"1996-97? Yeah, that’s when New York was still NEW YORK!

That was around the time we really started to get hold of exotic herbs. Copper Haze, hydroponic! The vibes in the studio were always lovely. I had hair at the time! Dread-Locs down to my shoulders... I was still rockin’ the Wallabees, or British Walkers as we called them - representing for Brooklyn and my West Indian roots!

There was no social media, no supervision, nobody all up in our business… It was classic "mind your own business" NYC Vibes! I was DJing at a lot of the hot clubs and THE hottest afterhours in the city. There were nights when I saw Micheal Douglas roll into the afters with Grace Jones - they were there to party and unwind and I was there dropping the dope tracks for the people.

When it was studio time, with my homie Matt Echols...I was probably setting things off with some quality herbage, a big ass bag of Funyuns and my trusty SP-1200, lol. I had picked up some tips and tricks from Todd Terry and by '96-'97 I was a Shaolin with it myself! This was around the time tracks like "Flowers" and "Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Dub)" were tearing up the clubs. I wanted to be able to get my ideas out with no problem, and by then I had a lot of confidence...

Being able to Dj in some of the hottest NY hot spots at the time, I was able to really see what worked and what didn't on the dancefloor. The best House Dancers from around the world and around the Tri-State area would be at my jams. I'm talking Ejoe, Voodoo Ray, maybe kids from the Mop-Top Crew... I was definitely taking note of the kind of rhythms and sounds that would make them go crazy on the dancefloor!

And that's how we went about it - I laid down the rhythms that made it happen in my sets and translated the vibes I was picking up from NYC itself. Matt threw down musically and we were just being as creative and inventive as possible! But we always kept in mind that our job was to make the people on the dancefloor jump!

A lot of the jams from those days got signed to various record labels, we dropped a lot of them on our own label...and some of them ended up in the archives - until now!"

Love Ensemble Quatuor is back with a fresh release that redefines their vibe. Half a decade later, the crew of ICTV, Nephews, and DimSum return under their solo aliases with a slick new record. This German-Swiss-Lebanese connection known for blending their respective styles, builds on the success of their first EP, while taking their sound into a new direction.

Side A kicks off with “Midnight Mirage,” a smooth, melodic track that mixes tight percussion, soft chords, and a rolling bassline – perfect for easing into a set. “Love Ensemble Theme” follows with deeper beats and rhythms that show the seamless chemistry between the four producers.

On the B-Side , “Elevated Workout” ramps up the energy with a punchy, club-ready vibe, packed with whistles, sound effects, and a nod to ‘90s rave energy. It’s been tested on the floor and gets the crowd moving every time.

To top it up, two remixes round out the record: Irish Hitmaker Trent Voyage delivers a hard-hitting take on “Elevated Workout,” while Venezuelan Swiss based producer Giorgio Maulini gives “Love Ensemble Theme” a unique breakbeat twist, adding more flavor to the release.

2025 Repress

With Moving Pressure 02, Rene Wise allows us to dip into a psychedelic undercurrent, yet maintaining a very grounded mentality. Its an effortlessly rolling type of minimalism, but lets be clear; its a type of minimalistic spirit backed up by a rich, kaleidoscopic sound design. MP02 is an immersive batch of mystical dance floor journeys which, in four steps, navigates the realms of gaseous sound design to more subaquatic dynamics, working with a palette of serpentine rhythms that pull us into his distinctive, subtly hypnotic world.

A1 Silo Cybin opens the release with the artists unmistakable kick drum pattern, the heartbeat of his sound. Theres a trippy, swampy energy here, enhanced by robotic vocals and broken claps that weave polyrhythms into the track. The minimalist core pulses with playful energy, while detailed textural elements softly emerge like a waves bubbling foam. Up next we have Complicated, which offers a more minimalist composition, yet injected with rich rhythmic structures. Small circular modulations swirl in the background, filling the air with a delicate yet persistent energy, while his signature vocal snippets further enhance the groove. On the B side, Rough Escorts taps into a brighter psychedelic dimension, conjuring the ethos and trademark of Moving Pressure as a whole. Listen closely a fine connection to Wises previous work on MP01 shines through, maintaining the sonic coherence of the project while pushing further into a lush space. B2 Bleep Police, dives into dystopian bleep territory. Here, the artist strips techno down to its essence, intertwining bleeps with percussion into a hyper rhythmic whole.

A living organism composed of intricately layered sonic structures. A variegated interplay of texture and rhythm. Multi dimensional sound. Welcome to Moving Pressure 02.

The Alarm 40th Anniversary release History Repeating is new Double CD and LP collection. The CD features 44 of The Alarm’s biggest singles and greatest songs and the double LP features 27.
Spanning all eras of The Alarm Timeline, History Repeating brings together all of the band’s ‘Crown Jewels’, including a brand new and previously unreleased recording of the title track.
History Repeating features all of the keynote tracks that have helped create The Alarm’s phenomenal and loyally dedicated following. The Double CD comes in a replica LP gatefold sleeve configuration and is the most comprehensive ‘Best Of’ ever released by the group since 1998’s Best of The Alarm and Mike Peters.
The Double LP comes in a gatefold configuration and is the first ‘Best Of’ compilation to appear on vinyl since 1990’s Standards. This is the record every single Alarm fan will want to own with its distinctive Red Poppy cover and beautiful depiction of The Alarm family across the inner gatefold.
Upon release, lead singer Mike Peters will be hosting a series of completely SOLD OUT Alarm Rock and Roll Staycations in the band’s hometown while telling the story of The Alarm through thealarms internet broadcast platform
The Big Night In, that will feature weekly shows dedicated to every single year of the band’s history.
In 2022, a major touring itinerary begins with the already SOLD OUT official 40th Anniversary Concert in St. David’s Hall, Cardiff Wales on January 21st 2022 followed by an international 40th Anniversary concert schedule all the way through to 2023.

Scala Muziek presents its second vinyl EP, Next Horizon, building on the success of the debut release. After a remarkable year of music and events, this EP embodies the spirit of exploration that defines Scala. Produced by label head Pascal Benjamin, the four tracks blend hypnotic grooves with forward-thinking soundscapes—each crafted to leave a lasting impression.

A1: Personallity opens the EP with minimalist, richly textured rhythms. Its bouncy, infectious groove and subtle shifts in bass and melody create a dynamic flow, making it perfect for both dancefloor energy and introspective moments. Pascal’s attention to detail shines through, balancing personal and expansive sounds. A2: Progress delves deeper into rolling rhythms and uplifting sonic layers, with ethereal synths floating above a driving beat. The track unfolds gradually, building momentum with a continuous, evolving motion. B1: On the flip: Shifting Grounds brings a sense of exploration, with gurgling synths and subtle modulations creating a cerebral yet physical experience. It's an atmospheric, groove-laden track perfect for late-night sessions. B2: Far From Clear closes the EP with a moody, introspective energy. Eerie vocal snippets and sharp minimalism weave together to create a haunting, mysterious atmosphere, rounding off the release with a deep dive into uncharted sonic territory. With Next Horizon, Scala Muziek offers a refined selection that showcases Pascal’s artistic growth and the label’s commitment to immersive, forward-thinking music.

Hooj present Warehouse Tools EP with a spread of tempos, but keeping the energy levels up across the 4 tracks.

Fast rising Brighton bod Jamie Unknown takes Farayen & Liam Parkin's Where Do We Go ‘, and strips it all back into a big floor bassline banger.

Young South Wales / Valleys producer Dan Newman makes his debut with 'Moving' with it's rolling piano's, spacey pads and fat housey rhythms treading the line between Italo scream up and Dream-House journey. Early doors, or first light starting to appear through the cracks in the grimey Warehouse windows, we're here for it..

On the flip we have Dutch duo Dean & Di After’s ‘Wicked Dreams’ keeps it steady paced, subtly bouncy with a crafted, Italo '90 old school feel.

Rounding off the EP we have the South West’s premier MDMA Marxist, Shade Guevara goes mid tempo maximalist piano slammer on 'Ted or Dead'.

ReKaB drops another strong four-track EP, rooted firmly in the Detroit sound with a nod to the soulful techno styles that shaped the UK underground in the 90s. His second EP for Cologne's YORE Records. The production, as always, is spot on—sharp, detailed, and endlessly listenable. While the tracks carry the weight of tradition, they’re not stuck in it. There’s a fresh, forward-facing energy here that keeps things exciting.

My Inspiration opens with classic metallic strings and a tight, robotic square bass that locks you in straight away. Just when you think you know where it’s going, the vocal drops—a bold touch that shifts the track into more human territory, giving it an emotional pull without losing its edge.

Soul Brother is a late-night cruiser. Rhodes chords, rolling bass, and lush strings set the scene for a proper cityscape vibe. It’s smooth, it’s warm, and it glides effortlessly, all while keeping enough groove to move.

Future Times kicks things up a gear with more tempo and bite. Acidic basslines and a writhing lead sit alongside deep chords, making it equal parts hypnotic and urgent. It’s the kind of track that turns heads in the club—direct and effective without being predictable.

Wrapping it up, Random Fragments pulls things back into a more reflective, dubby space. The layers are rich but restrained, with chirps and analogue echoes drifting through a hazy atmosphere. It’s introspective but not sleepy, the perfect comedown to round off the EP.

ReKaB’s consistency is something else—each release feels like it’s levelling up, pushing his sound forward without losing its roots. This EP is no different. It’s a tight package of ideas, all executed with precision and style. One for the heads, no question.

Part 2 of ‘La Decima’ Compilation to celebrate the 10 years of Refuge kicks off with Melbourne kings, Ben Silver & Boogs long standing residents at Revolver. They collaborate on a driving house number taking inspiration from Detroit & Chicago. Next up, Jason Hodges & Joey Coco’s jam, Valentino feat vocals by Emerson Alexander. The B side kicks off Elijah Something offers up a groovy drum weapon with Skippy Disco Track. B2 features Ritmiq, remixing Historia with a rolling acid dub tool that is built for those late night sets. Get familiar, familia.

Cameron Jack returns to Crosstown Rebels as he delivers his first EP on the label with ‘The Late Shift’. The release, set to drop on 6th December 2024, delivers a standout offering featuring two collaborations with vocalist Liz Cass and two solo productions from the fast-rising house music talent.

London-born, Ibiza-based DJ/producer Cameron Jack has quickly become a name on the up, having been championed heavily by Crosstown Rebels’ founder Damian Lazarus, as well Blond:ish and Lee Burridge. While still young in his musical journey, 2024 has seen him sharing stages with heavyweights such as Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones and DJ Tennis. His five-show residency at Hï Ibiza coupled with appearances at Extrema Outdoor, PHAEX Festival, Get Lost Mexico and Fabric London as well as an upcoming Asia tour to round off the year, has cemented his rise as one house music’s most in-demand up-and-comers. Having previously appeared on the label as part of Crosstown’s SPIRITS VA series, and adding to releases via Knee Deep In Sound, Abracadabra Music, and All Day I Dream, Cameron now returns to Lazarus’ brainchild with his first EP on the label as he unveils a refined exploration of his late-hours sound with ‘The Late Shift’.

The EP kicks off with two collaborations featuring singer/songwriter Liz Cass, whose vocal talents have graced tracks from Hot Since 82 to Nora En Pure. The opening track, ‘Dusk Till Dawn,’ pairs deep, rolling grooves with Liz's seductive spoken word vocals, setting the tone for the late-night atmospheres that define the release. ‘Move Your Body’ follows, with driving rhythms and infectious energy, inviting listeners to get lost in dancefloor moments. On the flip side, Cameron showcases his prowess further with ‘Get High And Dance’, bringing a captivating fusion of rolling percussion grooves and playful tones, before ‘Won’t You?’ rounds out the EP with another drum-led workout perfect for keeping dancers in motion.

 Age Of Paranoia, the latest chapter in the band's lineage, was recorded by Igor Wouters at ARC Studios in Amsterdam, and includes several special guest guitar solos by J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr., Witch) and Bubba Dupree (Void, Soundgarden, Dave Grohl's Probot, Brant Bjork).  

Age Of Paranoia offers sixteen volatile tracks, packed into a succinct, white-knuckled twenty-eight minutes. The album surges with rapid-fire punk angst, replete with ripping rock leads and raised-fist, group-chanting anthems.

To complete the recording, the cover artwork is created by Marald (Baroness, Kylesa, High On Fire). See cover artwork, track listing and live dates below.
 
'One of the best and most important hardcore bands today" - PROFANE EXISTENCE
 
''Excellent and addictive, gathering the best of punk and metal: one part hardcore punk, another Motörhead'' - METAL ADVISOR
 
'the supreme thrash band in all of current rock 'n' roll'' - MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL

DaRand Land, who hails from the post industrial confines of Buffalo, NY was one of the leading figures of Deep4Life, a cult label known for submersible oriented, yet dancefloor-friendly productions. With ambient synth-driven tones and heavy funk basslines being at the center of his sound, DaRand Land’s music often evokes an introspective quality, without losing its groove fundamental. DaRand’s works, which span decades on deep house labels such as Downbeat, Confluence and Pulp have been described as “uncompromising” and has afforded him a passionate following of listeners who seek a more emotive, thought-provoking brand of underground music.
Teaming up once again with Scissors and Thread - the perfect fit for his sound - DaRand Land drops an album full of crafty, trippy house for the heads. Wander Being contains 10 tracks on the double vinyl release with a pair of additional tracks for the digital release. The vibe is deep and sleek, with a rough, bumping edge. The title track sets the tone, a smattering of percussion accompanying a thick, round kick drum and Rhodes chords, giving off a classic Detroit feel. Tracks like Turn to The Music ramp up the energy somewhat, but overall the tracks sit in the sweet spot between dancefloor burners and soulful, jazzy, deep cuts. Noticeable is the space given to each element across the tracks - the hi-hats sparkle, the snare snaps, and the basslines roll and rumble. Add to this the magic melodic flourishes provided by the pads and synths, reminiscent of the late Mike Huckaby in places, made this whole album a thoughtful, joyful experience.
„The genesis for the Wander Being LP”, says DaRand “was a desire to return to the essence of some of my original Deep4Life productions. How was this accomplished? Principally, through the exclusive use of hardware components, minimalist arrangement, and a minds-eye approach to source the musical elements. In particular, the single, The Nature of Reality was written to convey a sense of what it feels like to be in a state of suspended animation. There is a natural tension introduced via the organic, swirling pad progression juxtaposed against endless vocal echoes and the low-end groove of the bassline. Thematically, I wanted to carry this forward through the entirety of the album.
balancing subdued keys and strings with ethereal tones and atmospheres

Leo Gibbon debuts his first solo release, as the first release on his own Mudline label with Happy Lovers, a four-track EP that immerses listeners in a sonically rich exploration of love’s complexities. Weaving a tapestry of sounds that seamlessly blends deep cuts, hard-hitting drums, and weighty low ends, creating an engaging landscape for both dancefloor enthusiasts and reflective souls alike.

From the opening track, you can feel the infectious rhythms that draw on a diverse range of influences. Glitchy house elements flirt with the raw essence of street soul, while nods to 140 UK rollers add an irresistible pulse. Each track unfolds like a chapter in a modern love story, capturing the tumult of falling in and out of love, all while maintaining a groove that keeps the crowd moving.

The EP’s production shines, showcasing a meticulous attention to detail. He masterfully balances emotional depth with dancefloor energy, making Happy Lovers not just a collection of tracks, but a coherent narrative that resonates on multiple levels. Whether you’re seeking introspection or an escape into sound, This Mudline debut offers the perfect backdrop.

In Happy Lovers, Leo Gibbon has established a strong foundation for his musical journey, inviting listeners to experience the highs and lows of love through an expertly crafted sonic lens. This is a compelling start for both the artist and his new label, one that promises exciting avenues to explore in the future.

A1 Dharma
Opening the LP in lively fashion, JLM liberally flecks a detailed composition with exquisite breaks cymbals playing a key role in the evolving patterns as the track progresses while heavy layers of synth work forms a substantial atmosphere. Musical and resonant with micro melodies and sprinkles of FX, Dharma encapsulates JLMs everimpressive attention to detail throughout its seven minutes.

A2 Artha
Where to start with Artha Setting the scene immediately with an epic synth intro that whooshes through your mind to prepare you for what is to come, its immediately obvious JLM has crafted a modern day classic here. Crisp Hot Pants breaks drop before we are treated to inspiring, continually developing and rousing melodies with a tuneful 808 bassline playfully dancing below. One to drop any chance you get Artha deserves to be heard.

B1 Moksha
Delightfully clear, characterful percussion introduces Moksha, a dancefloor friendly piece which rolls along beautifully thanks to old school breakbeats seizing the initiative while fluid keys, filtered synths and waves of serene effects punctuate the production. The
kick-light breaks will stay long in the memory as perfect for both the headphones and the discerning dance floor, just as weve come to expect from JLM.

B2 Kama
Taking you back to the early Progression Sessions era with a modern scifi twist reminiscent of your favourite space operatics, Kama will sit effortlessly alongside tracks from those days and now with its simple yet memorable core wind melody, sprawled
across energetic breakbeats and wide layers of synths & pads to a typically appropriate bassline. Another fine example of the evolving diversity in JLMs production with Spatial.

C1 Boundary
Switching things up, JLM treats us to a notably laid back vibe as Boundary is introduced by understated, filtered synth work and explorative kicks before a mellow yet chunky break pattern provides energy to the track. Detailed as ever, a myriad of effects and
samples are introduced and dance around the mix with a wistful complexity, in a track destined to be in your playlist for some time to come.

C2 Hexis
Kicking things off with a filtered DJ friendly beat intro, Hexis soon drops with constant old school jungle synth work and periodical strings alongside rasping, striking breakbeats that drive the track forward with impressive energy. The breaks reverberate in and out of the mix at intervals as JLM toys with the listener at will, creating a tonally unique and vibrant composition very much worthy of our attention.

D1 Ideal Forms
Low pass breaks echo and jostle for position with FX free counterparts early doors in the finely crafted intro to Ideal Forms, slowly developing with a triumphant assortment of keys and synths before a third layer of breaks are added which underpin a detailed, yet never busy, breakbeat landscape. Occasional breakdowns offer respite in a glistening wilderness of comforting melodies and light ambience.

D2 Physis
JLM rounds the album off very much on form with Physis a suitably climactic piece that opens with a detailed array of percussion, synths and effects before superbly programmed breaks take over the mix. An occasional, all encompassing sci fi synth rush
permeates the atmosphere to almost cinematic levels, while a melodic bassline nestles below leaving you with a track (and an album) you will not forget.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Dimi Angelis presents ANGLS 14 - four raw, spaced out, 909-driven tools in his characteristically direct and minimalistic style. Sparse, delicate sequences reverberate to provide a sense of space against classic drum patterns that build into a full workout.

The A1 opens with Third Eye - a slow, tense build with heavy low end and terse percussion, setting the tone. Endorama on the A2 is driven by a living bleep - distorted, repeating, but never quite the same.

Decka opens the B side with a remix of Intergalactic to provide a groove heavy, sequence-driven and lethal interpretation of Dimi's sound. Chrysalis rounds off the package on the B2 with a rolling 101 bassline and descending bleep that hypnotizes
and controls the listener.

Intergalactic originally appeared on ANGLS 13.

Moodena’s London-based imprint Tropical Disco’s latest offering is a shimmering journey into the heart of the underground, blending nu-disco, classic house, and contemporary electronic funk in a way that feels both nostalgic and totally fresh. Featuring four standout tracks from Vagabundo Club Social, Scruscru, Da Lukas, and Fun Kool feat. vocals from Bcleo and Anna Dee Tee, — the EP is a testament to the evolving sound of the dancefloor, where groove meets grit, and melody flirts with sultry rhythm. This release channels the spirit of sweaty basement parties, neon-soaked nights, and a collective desire to get lost in the music.

Opening the record is Colombian duo Vagabundo Club Social, presenting Latin-soaked funk colliding with shimmering brass instrumentation, creating a deep, rolling pulse that invites movement from the first beat. 'Zumba Z' is a track that feels right at home in a DJ’s warm-up set or closing down an all-nighter, with a hypnotic flow and vocals that seep into your bones.

Scruscru’s story pushes things deeper into late-night, cosmic territory. 'Konyaalti' is a lush, sun-drenched production, utilising sublime sax, Scruscru delivers a cut that's both playful and distinctly driving.

Da Lukas adds a sophisticated touch, remixing Rosario Cristofaro, and taking you on a slick ride that leans into Italo-disco influences. Swooning synths and crisp percussion form the backbone while gliding melodies create a sense of elevation. It’s elegant yet laced with energy, ideal for a peak-time set where the vibe is euphoric but refined.

Rounding off the release is veteran DJ and producer Gerardo Cinquegrana, whose playful Fun Kool moniker belies the serious funk he delivers in his production. German-born, and now Italy-based, Fun Kool’s sharp, syncopated rhythms and sexy vocal lines from Anna Dee Tee bring an irresistible groove to the forefront, with the kind of bassline that takes over your entire body and mind.

Altogether, 'Tropical Disco Volume 28' encompasses a record that’s both familiar and exploratory—rooted in the timeless grooves of disco and house but pushing forward into new musical territory and picking up sonics from different continents along the way. Whether you’re looking for late-night celestial cosmosis, sophisticated Italo-inspired dubs, or straight-up, no-nonsense funk, this release has something for every dance floor.

Ulterior Motives launch their main label with a single from DJ Persuasion, featuring a Liftin’ Spirits remix from Ant Miles. The label, which is helmed by DJ and producer Noah Tucker, began life in 2021 with an anonymous edit of a much-loved underground hip hop gem. Two further 12”s in the white label series followed along similar lines, joining the dots between jungle, footwork and r’n’b in UM style. Since then, they have also launched their cassette series with a Metrist mix covering golden era tech step and d’n’b.

DJ Persuasion is principally known for A History Of Hardcore, a series of ten mixes covering ’88-’98 which appeared across a number of platforms between 2015 and 2020. Certain entries in the series appeared on cassette via The Trilogy Tapes, Blackest Ever Black (Id Mud) and Tape Echo. Persuasion also hosted the NTS Demon Poetry show (now the Drum Poetry show) for some years, and contributed In Focus sessions covering the work of Dillinja and LTJ Bukem, alongside Dev:Null.

Jameela EP covers four contrasting, but also concentric areas of the hardcore continuum, featuring a remix from Liftin’ Spirits aka Ant Miles of Origin Unknown. The title track rolls out at bleeding edge jungle hardcore tempo, taking in a mixture of familiar and unfamiliar references. Liftin’ Spirits contributes a standout remix which reframes Jameela as a drum’n’bass epic, opening with a panoramic intro and a quaking bass drop, then building to soaring strings. Robin Gets Revenge is an audial intervention into one of the last remaining unsolved mysteries in acid house, and a stomping 89’-’90 style jammer to boot. The B2 finds Jameela in a slower guise, offering something for after the club and the warm up.

After solidifying its presence in the electronic music scene, 'Anva' returns with its fourth release, featuring a collaborative effort from Tagir & Indigo Minds. Meditation Dance EP explores the balance between minimal house and tech house, offering four original tracks that traverse atmospheric soundscapes and punchy rhythms.

'Meditation Dance' opens the EP with a deep, rolling bassline that gradually unfolds into a hypnotic groove. Layered with subtle textures and rhythmic nuances, it invites dancers into a meditative state while keeping the energy moving forward. 'Bandit' shifts the momentum with tighter percussion and playful melodic accents, creating a steady groove that’s both engaging and dynamic.

On the B-side, 'Donut' introduces intricate sound design and spaced-out synth work, maintaining a relaxed yet detailed rhythm that adds depth to any set. Closing out the release, 'Jack' brings a bouncy and upbeat vibe, with sharp beats and a syncopated groove that injects playful energy into the dancefloor.

The Meditation Dance EP offers a versatile selection of tracks, perfect for DJs who seek to mix minimal precision with engaging rhythmic flow.

Zuperflex is a new born Frankfurt label from Oskar Offermann and Porco Rosso aka. Luca Hartz.

The kick off release is from the almighty Porco Rosso himself, who delivers positive dance floor sure shots for every occation and had previously released on labels such as Pager Records, Blank State and others.

This action packed 4 Track Ep is filled with rolling baselines, captivating melodies, banging kicks and the typical energizing musical stories Porco Rosso is known for. Moving between House, Tech-House, Acid and Techno and playing around with the borders of genres, its hard to pin down this musical journey. But it sure works perfect from warm up until the after party and makes you move your body.

Introducing the new Prison Brain imprint for downtempo and ambient lovers. Solidwood's first solo release “The Surprising Secret" offers a wider exploration into the the world of the Italian producer. All six tracks were composed in southern Italy during the pandemic's rolling stay at home. Music is his language and his communication tool

Wellington, New Zealand-based producer, drummer and band leader Cory Champion aka Borrowed CS delivers his second release on Planet Trip Records ~ Rise N Shine EP, expanding the infectious outsider boogie sound he explored on ‘Mystic Shuffle’ (off 2020’s Balance/Ascend EP) into a six-song suite of neon-lit machine funk, mutant post-disco and uptempo future soul. Draped in synthesisers that sparkle and glitter like summer sunlight hitting the harbour waters, the programmed Roland TR-606 drums and keyboard bass on these club tracks absolutely snap, wobble and groove.

From the space-aged melodies and throwback electro bounce of ‘All My People’ (featuring the pioneering British electronic soul vocalist Steve Spacek) to the dialled-in dancefloor weaponry of the title track and ‘Potplant’, the A-side of Rise n Shine unfolds like Friday night at a 1980s roller disco. On the flip, Champion reconnects with the idiosyncratic Māori singer-songwriter Mara TK to pen another golden-voiced chapter in the hi-tek South Pacific future soul story with ‘Hearsay’ before diving into some deep mid-tempo body music on ‘Subsonix’ and ‘Mystic Dream’. One for the dancefloor dreamers, Rise n Shine, will be available in 12” vinyl (limited to 300 copies) and digital versions.

Soul Jazz Records’ new collection, ‘Electro Throwdown - Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth 1982-89’, is a journey into the outer reaches of electro, a galactic roller-coaster ride of turbo-charged sci-fi grooveology.
The album is comprised of mainly private-press and independent label electro jams of the highest calibre (with some as rare as space ships landing on Mars) all created in the 1980s, at a time when a vocoder, a Roland TR-808 drum machine and a groove was all that was needed to get the party started.
With a few notable exceptions (Michael Jonzun’s Jonzun Crew and The Packman) the album features mainly under-the-radar killer tracks from a host of one-off artists and back-room electronic pioneers – including Pretty Tony, Planet Detroit (James McCauley, aka Maggotron) and Rich Cason – who together helped shape the sound of electro across the USA from Miami to New York, Los Angeles and beyond during the 1980s.
This album is released on super-loud double vinyl, packaged in a gatefold sleeve complete with full sleeve notes (from Derek Walmsley of The Wire), plus download code and digital.

TRANCE ATLANTYK is dropping some serious heat with the upcoming release of EARLY ZEROS, the latest EP from label founders PANKOFF & DJ VARIUS TRAX. After experimenting with some polish vocals on their “Sound of Poldon” debut EP, the duo serves us this time a modern high-energy tribute to the early 2000s—an era when progressive house and trance ruled the dance floors.

The EP kicks off with "Early Zeros," a track that’s pure nostalgia wrapped in a slick, modern package. Think of it as a sonic time machine, zooming you back to those legendary nights when the bass was thumping, and the vibe was electric. It’s got that uplifting, feel-good energy that’s impossible to resist.

Next up is "Schemes," a track that’s as deep as it is groovy. This one’s all about the journey, with layered beats and hypnotic rhythms that build and evolve, taking you on a ride through the trippy side of progressive house and early trance music. It’s got that classic, boundary-pushing vibe that’ll have you lost in the music.

On the B side the duo slows down the tempo with the track “We Can Rebuild Him” that pays homage to the 6 Million Dolar Man, one of Pankoffs favourite TV series. Piercing cascading synths, a driving bass line and some breakbeat percussion thrown into the mix make this one a great choice for the eclectic dj’a out there.

And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, Bliss inc steps in with a remix of "We Can Rebuild Him" that flips the script in all the right ways. This remix increases the tempo of the chuggy original and transfoms the track into a stomping peak time banger that some might label as furious progressive tech trance.

EARLY ZEROS isn’t just an EP—it’s a party, a flashback, and a forward leap all rolled into one

A full tank of gas, the gentle glow from the radio dial, & stretches of open highway await, Forever Gamblin’ On You meanders through miles of soulful AOR, funky folk, & dusty soft rock obscurities. A follow up to Sky Dust Drifter, this compilation was gleaned from American private press oddities & rarities of the 70s & 80s, all of which are seeing their first official reissues on this album. A celebration of love, rebirth, and exploration radiating like the warmth of a loved one from the passenger seat.

Featuring “Feeling The Fire”, a jazzy, AOR grooving declaration of love and desire taken from the sole release from The Mad Brother. The compilations’ title track “Forever Gamblin On You” by Petroc And Pals, features an echo-laden folk rock recollection of hard feelings delivered with swelling guitar in a mournful soft psychedelia. Angie Pepper’s “Miss You Too Much” dwells on a past love, rolling along with an effortlessly cool rhythm section, while Roy McComas croons of his manifested “angel of love” on the swirling psych folk rocker “Girl Of My Dreams”.

Forever Gamblin’ On You unfolds as a hopeful yet equally melancholic collection of nomadic anthems, primed for a memorable journey along the back roads of familiar American landscapes.

“Wild Boy …” is a reissue of the well-known 2016 release curated by Brian Chidester, renowned researcher and biographer of Eden Ahbez. Especially for this album, Brian wrote an interesting text about Abi’s life, which definitely became the decoration of the release.
With the new 2020 re-release, we went a little further and kept what is commonly referred to as studio cuts. It’s a few more minutes in the studio with ahbez himself, full of emotion and life. In addition, to the delight of fans, the edition includes an additional composition Nature Boy (Mantovani Orchestra).
Especially, it is worth noting the outstanding mastering prepared from practically decomposed tapes by the Grammy-nominated Jessica Thompson, which guarantees the deepest and warmth possible sound. Jessica a huge ahbez fan and we’re highly appreciated for what she has done to save his music for the future.
Eden Ahbez is definitely at the origin of psychedelic music and this release can be taken as further proof. Over the past twenty years, the iconic figure of the world’s first hippie Eden ahbez has become famous primarily for his 1948 song “Nature Boy”, praising universal love, and his amazingly solo album from the 1960s called “Eden’s Island” – one from the first concept albums in the history of music and probably the first psychedelic music album. “Wild Boy: The Lost Songs Of Eden Ahbez” deepens understanding of the origins of the psychedelic movement in the 1950s.
The disc contains a musical selection of works by Eden ahbez himself, written by him in the period after Nature Boy. The inclusion of songs such as “Palm Springs” – Ray Anthony Orchestra and “Hey Jacques” by Erta Kitt gives the listener the chance to discover for the first time the little-known recordings of world-famous artists composed by Eden ahbez. Through “Wild Boy” and “Surfer John” you can hear the author’s handling of absurd rock and exotic experimentation, as well as sweet psychedelic pop like Monterey (with Paul Horn on flute). Overall, Wild Boy: The Lost Songs Of Eden Ahbez offers an overview of the lost works of 1949-1971 with seven unpublished recordings and eight rare singles.
If in 2020 you are missing the hallucinogenic content in Eden Ahbez, it amazingly makes up for that deficiency with simple chords, expansive arrangements, and lyrics about travel, relaxation, free love, and spirituality. Thus creating the standard of psychedelic music. Eden Ahbez’s songs weren’t only fantasy and his personal philosophy was the real thing that he lived.

reviews:

“This carefully and extensively researched compilation culls covers by top notch mainstream artists juxtaposed with unreleased Eden recordings. What might sound like a mixed bag is actually more like a chronological, musical non-fiction novel about Eden Ahbez. While Eden was writing hundreds of songs and performing live and making recordings in various styles, his songs were also being picked up by popular artists like Nat King Cole and Eartha Kitt who recorded with a more polished mainstream style. There are also some early rock n roll style recordings here. Eden’s professionally recordings often end up as Novelty Pop records such as “Child of Nature” and “The Clam Man” but if you read between the lines and listen to the lyrics it is pretty eye-opening that he is singing about Eastern-religion-style and pre-hippie philosophies about being at one with the planet Earth.
All of this is explained in the lengthy liner notes inside the lp along with a few choice photos that establish Eden as a founding father of Southern California mystic/psychedelic music.” – Tiki_News
“Eden Ahbez’s life philosophy was summed up in the lyrics of his most famous song, “Nature Boy,” a 1948 hit for Nat King Cole: the song describes a “strange enchanted boy” who wanders the world in search of truth. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn,” he concludes, “is to love and be loved in return.” Ahbez was a pre-cursor of California’s beatniks and hippies, and an exalted icon of ex-otica via his rare 1960 album Eden’s Island. Beyond “Nature Boy” and Eden’s Island, though, there were nu-merous lesser-known Ahbez record-ings. Ahbez biographer Brian Chidester has been doing an exemplary job of archiving and documenting that catalog of work. The Exotic World of Eden Ahbez (reviewed in UT#38) appeared a few years ago, gathering together 14 Ahbez-related rarities” – Ugly Things

Announcing Icon Roller's Debut Vinyl and Digital Release: "Anytime EP"
Following the success of Icon Roller's two digital-only releases, we are thrilled to announce the of his debut vinyl EP titled "Anytime EP." This highly anticipated release features four exceptional tracks that have garnered rave reviews and support from some of the most respected DJs and producers in the Jungle scene.
Tracklist Overview

A1. Anytime. The title track, "Anytime," is a masterful blend of influences from Source Direct and Total Science. It features filtered pads, dubbed-out effects, and intricately chopped-up Apache and amen breaks.
This track has received significant praise from Double O, who featured an early version in his Juno Daily mix. Jungle originator Bizzy B has also highly praised this track.

A2. Peaceful & Orderly. "Peaceful & Orderly" starts with a pulsing beep and filtered-down pad, as the filters rise, so does the track's energy, transforming it into a true dancefloor banger.
This track has received significant acclaim from the Bristol Jungle scene and has been played on radio shows by Amy Kisnobo (SWU/RinseFM), Leftarm (Eruption), and Aftershock (Afterdark Radio).

B1. Personal Riddem. Kicking off the B side, "Personal Riddem" is a dark roller featuring a warped, time-stretched melody.
This track has been played by Double O on his Rinse FM show and was featured in Bizzy B's YouTube show "Dubplate Wars," where it won the popular vote against nine other contenders.

B2. For The Listeners. "For The Listeners" is a chilled track that begins with a 2-step flow break and sampled Rhodes. In the second half, it transitions into more jungle territory with a syncopated and pitched break, offering a unique blend of styles that cater to both casual listeners and jungle enthusiasts.

Mastering and Production
The "Anytime EP" has been mastered and cut by Beau Thomas at Ten Eight Seven Mastering, renowned as one of the best in the industry. His expertise ensures that each track is delivered with pristine sound quality, providing an exceptional listening experience.
Stay tuned for the release of "Anytime EP" and join us in celebrating Icon Roller's debut vinyl release.

2024 Reissue

Missing returns on his Sub System Recordings label with some 80’s inspired vibes. Keeping the presentation on the 80’s tip we have opted to press this on a fluorescent pink 10”.

Fugitive is Dave Wallace from Aquasky, dusting off his old alias that he used to record under on Underdog Recordings back in 1994. Digging deep for some 80s licks, while rolling out the beats! Watch that drop! On the flipside M-Beat returns to the label for a proper remix on that 94 tip.

For the first time since its inception 36 years ago, Steve Hiett’s elusive Down On The Road By The Beach is finally made available outside of Japan. Most recognized in the fashion sphere as an English photographer and graphic designer, Hiett‘s transportive audio portraits amplify his serpentine guitar to the infinite blue, recorded across Paris, Tokyo and New York with no coastline in sight. Now widely celebrated as a desert island disc, very little is actually known of its unfathomable genesis.

A career devotee of Brian Wilson’s ground breaking harmonies, Hiett shot The Beach Boys for Rolling Stone - as well as The Doors, Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix (in one of his final performances at the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival) - while establishing himself as a fashion photographer. Decamping to Paris in 1972, he began what would become 20-year collaborations with Vogue Paris and Marie Claire, printing his signature warm, saturated and vibrantly hued snapshots.

In 1982, representatives from Tokyo’s Galerie Watari visited him to propose a solo exhibition. Asking if he could insert a 7” of original music into the back of the exhibition catalogue, Hiett laid down ‘Blue Beach - Welcome To Your Beach’ in a Parisian radio station, playing all of the instruments himself, and two more cuts in New York with Yoko Ono, The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan hired-gun Elliot Randall. Once dispatched, the phone began ringing off the hook with requests for him to fly to Tokyo. Assuming these long-distance callers were wanting him to check proofs for the book, it wasn’t until he arrived that he discovered CBS/Sony had facilitated an entire album. Heitt hastily gripped some petty cash, bought a guitar and retreated to his hotel room to start writing.

Entering the studio the following day, he was further surprised by a waiting room of session players known as Moonriders - one of Japan’s most acclaimed rock bands of the 1980s. Intimidated by their indecipherable sheet music, Hiett suggested Randall join them and with money being no object for major labels at the time, his wingman was on the next plane out of New York to finalise the high production indulgence. Near-ambient arrangements that float in a space between The Durutti Column, Steve Cropper and Ashra, Down On The Road By The Beach also crowns Hiett the master of recontextualization with his zero-gravity blues visions of Roll Over Beethoven, Santo & Johnny’s Sleep Walk and the 1967 Eddie Floyd soul hit Never Found A Girl.

Produced in coordination between Be With, Efficient Space and the artist, this definitive reissue is restored from original masters with vivid reproductions of the Down On The Road By The Beach exhibition catalogue, intended to accompany its original release, and extensive liner notes penned by fellow Steve Hiett obsessive Mikey IQ Jones.

Formed in Edinburgh in 1992, The Kaisers set out to bring the excitement and joi de vivre of the early ‘60s beat era back to the Scottish music scene. Armed with junk shop guitars and tiny amplifiers, they quickly gained a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting live bands, belting out forgotten rock ‘n’ roll gems and their own period-perfect compositions with unsurpassed rawness. As their fame spread, they were soon firing their beat salvos at audiences from America to Japan. The broadcasting authorities took notice and radio sessions for John Peel, Mark Radcliffe and many others followed, both at home and abroad. The Kaisers released seven albums plus many singles and EPs – all on vinyl and always in mono. One EP was recorded during a particularly wild night at New York’s famous CBGB. Although their records featured plenty of the good-humoured sonic violence that their fans craved, heartfelt yet visceral ballads were never off the musical menu. After a 13 year hibernation, The Kaisers returned to the stage via the festivals circuit and continue to appear at festivals across Europe. The resurgence of interest in the band has led to the writing and recording of a brand-new album ‘More From The Kaisers’, due for release on the 28th of June, 2024.

Deep dive into Tom Roland's latest vinyl release ‘Exposure’. Crafted with precision, this collection of tracks is the fusion of driving beats, infectious rhythms, and fresh production.


A Side:
Exposure - Let the grooves take you on a journey through rolling bassline, crisp hi-hats, and hypnotic synth loops. This opener sets the tone with its lush synths and crafted drops.


Free Ride - This track delivers a raw, unfiltered groove straight from the heart of the 90’s scene. With its chunky beats and hypnotic loops, it’s designed to keep the dancefloor moving.


B Side:
K2000 - Dive deeper with this moody track that brings an edgy vibe to the release. With driving beats, subtle melodies and a touch of acid influence.


Zero Control - Closing out the vinyl with this groove-laden cut, featuring rolling bass, melodic elements and dynamic percussion. It's the kind of track that builds and builds, creating an irresistible urge to dance.


Each track is offering a rich palette that reflects the depth and diversity of the genre. This vinyl is a tribute to the timeless sound that continues to inspire.


Only 200 copies.

2024 Repress

SHDW & Obscure Shape are back with their second EP for 2023, following their debut release on their mothership label From Another Mind. The German duo's latest release, 'Basic Instinct', is a collection of five dancefloor anthems that provide the perfect soundtrack for any moment in a set. The EP features their signature die-cut cover and includes a digital bonus track.

'Basic Instinct' is the 12th installment of their Mutual Rytm label and showcases the pair's exceptional production skills and innovative approach to electronic music, with a mix of old and new school flavors, vivid drum programming, organic percussion and captivating melodic elements. The A-side kicks off with their signature track 'Eraser', which blends crisp drums with warm sub-bass and piercing synth stabs.

"Dancer in the Dark" takes a deeper dive into late-night territory, combining lush dub-influenced synths with a rolling acid bassline. "Disturbing Behaviour" closes the A-side and shows why the 303 has become an iconic tool for producers. Despite the sirens dominating around the breakdowns, the simple two-tone acid stab is the defining element of the track, complemented by amen-break leaning drums that hint at a UK rave direction.

The B-side goes in a different direction, with 'Memories of Nobody' taking a filtered and less aggressive approach, as echoing dub pads gather around a growling bassline and kick drum combination, topped off by brushed hats. The EP concludes with 'The Last Seduction', a track that reveals the full organic breadth of the previously hinted at Amen break. The fusion of said amen break with the warmth and familiarity of waxing and waning pads is reminiscent of the golden days of electronic music. With its expertly crafted soundscapes and diverse range of styles, 'Basic Instinct' is yet another stunning release from SHDW & Obscure Shape.

Amsterdam's Locked-In imprint continues its hot streak with LKDNV07, a four-track EP by Offenbach's Tom Ries titled "Comeback Kid." This release showcases Ries' talent for crafting immersive, emotionally charged house narratives.

The title track sets a warm, rolling groove with organic percussion and lush synths, creating a hypnotic late-night vibe. "Deepfried Diversion" blends soulful keys with driving rhythms for a true dancefloor odyssey.

On the B-side, "One Eighty" combines classic house sensibilities with modern flair, featuring an undulating bassline and ethereal melodies. The EP concludes with "Rieses Pieces," a transcendent exploration of pure groove with interlocking rhythms and euphoric breakdowns.

Warehouse Find!

Maceo Plex’s taste-making Ellum Audio serves up a sizzling EP from Madben, featuring a remix from men of the moment Brame & Hamo.

Frenchman Madben has a healthy reverence for Jeff Mills and Detroit techno that infuses all his work. He has been mentored by Laurent Garnier and released on a wealth of quality labels from Bedrock to Suara. A resident of the Rex Club in Paris where he puts on his MAAD parties, he is now a regular in the best clubs around Europe where he serves up his always profound sounds, something he does again here.

First up is the fantastic ‘Blooming’, with its old school rave styles and dusty breakbeats. Euphoric chords light up the whole thing and it’s a tune that is sure to get hands in the air. Brame & Hamo are Irish sensations who are based in Berlin and known for big tunes that range from house to techno to disco. After establishing their own label they step out with a remix that is superbly stripped back. On deep rolling drums, sleek synths unfold and take you on a cosmic adventure that is well paced and cinematic.

Madben’s ‘Enjoy Yourself' is well crafted techno with a sense of progression in the ever evolving lead synths. Rumbling drums provide the power below and filtered, whispered vocals are an intriguing detail up top. Last of all, ‘Haze’ is a prickly track with snappy mental drums, off kilter synths that twist and turn and a dark energy that is tinged with industrialism.

This is a fresh techno offering that comes with plenty of new ideas that are all
expertly executed.

DJ Support from Danny Howard, Annie Mac, Mistajam, Pete Tong, Charlie Hedges, Kraak & Smaak, Maxinne, Todd Terry, Alex Preston, Full Intention, GW Harrison, DJ Rae, Rudimental, Alaia & Gallo, Illyus & Barrientos, Johan S, David Penn, Sam Divine, Riva Starr, Claptone, Nice7, Dario D’Attis, Mousse T, S-Man, Huxley, KC Lights, Friend Within, Dombresky, Gorgon City, Chris Lake, Format:B, Pirupa, TCTS, Alan Fitzpatrick, Low Steppa, Mat.Joe, Raumakustik, Eskuche

Next up on our new Toolroom Trax vinyl series, we kick things off with a fresh new banger from Italian talent Nausica who with another deep club cut 'Se Pone Loca'. Featuring rolling percussion, a hooky lead vocal with expertly placed chops, 'Se Pone Loca' is looking to lay carnage on the dancefloor. Nausica's mastered her infectious minimal, percussive sound that has seen the likes of AAA talent support her music from John Summit, to Jamie Jones, MK to Solardo proving Nausica's a name many acts are reaching for in their sets! D.Ramirez returns to Toolroom Trax with his highly anticipated remake of Bodyrox's anthemic 'Yeah Yeah'. Firmly rooted within Toolroom's foundations, releasing genre defining dance music for nearly two decades with hits such as 'Downpipe' in collaboration with label boss Mark Knight and UK pioneers Underworld, 'Colombian Soul' and many more. D.Ramirez doubles up as not only a genius in the studio, but as one of the talented Toolroom Academy tutors, teaching a new generation of producer's fundamental skills in dance music production. Remaking the Bodyrox Electro House classic 'Yeah Yeah'; an era defining masterpiece with an unforgettable synth line, D.Ramirez gives us an essential update for today's dancefloors. Label favourites, Sllash & Doppe return to Trax next with their unique style of uplifting, feel good house music. Their music is regularly found in the sets of artists like Fatboy Slim, Solomun, Bedouin, Blond:ish, Martin Solveig, Roger Sanchez and more, and the playful cousins are now conquering the world, from deck to deck, with an energetic and exuberant style that has won them favour on the dancefloors.

Closing out the sampler is Saison with their signature house sound. The London based duo have been solidly in the game for the best part of a decade perfecting their unparalleled sound of raw, feel-good house music at it's very best. With numerous releases on revered labels including Defected, Nervous, Big Love and of course their own imprint, No Fuss.

Countless radio plays on Radio 1 from Danny Howard, Sarah Storie, Pete Tong Other notable radio plays – Kiss FM, Toolroom Radio, Sirius XM, Data Transmission Radio, Radio 1 Dance Anthems, Radio 1 Party Anthems, Rinse FM, Select Radio, Tomorrowland Radio

2024 Repress

Straight in the wake of their eponymous debut LP released on the label back in 2016, Weval return to Kompakt this year with their sophomore album, 'The Weight', breaking their pop-mellow, nostalgia-friendly facet further out in the open as they arrive "at this place again were everything felt spontaneous, new and exciting, like we had in the beginning". Orbiting around that ever luminous yet wistful melodic halo that surrounds their music, this second full-length effort sweeps an extra-wide and languidly woven palette of emotions and moods, making for a uniquely ambitious and generously coloured mosaic of sound. If the recording sessions "often started grumpy and emotionless" by Harm and Merijn's own admission, the pair was "surprised by the joy it gave us, which can be compared to the emotions we felt back in the first days of making music together"; subsequently reconnecting with that fresh, naïve feeling of "absolute creative freedom" they were after. The album is also the fruit of a whole new working process for them - more playful and unpredictable - which saw them switch from "guitars lying around to piano, onto our own synths and the most cheap quirky toys synths you can imagine", and involved "recording all of our own samples, voice and almost every instrument out of the box - which for us was a totally new way of working". "We've always wanted a narrative for the album, and finding the right order perhaps took the most effort" they explain; "we felt anxious, felt insanely positive, felt heartbroken again, felt in love again, and there was death, and even suicide around us. It was quite chaotic. As a whole, 'The Weight' breathes with that transformative richness, free of limits and rules, except perhaps to "do quick and not think too much". Amidst this collection of songs and instrumentals that live by Weval's singularly positive take on music - one that can "lift you up, and make you feel hopeful without being necessarily straight out 'happy'" as they define it, the title-track and lead single stays true to the duo's dynamic approach, putting on a fine balance of floor and dream inducing adaptability that sound engineer David Wrench (Frank Ocean, The XX, FKA Twigs, Caribou… etc.) subtly made palpable. There's heavy showers of funk drops pouring from endless bars of thunderstorm clouds and laid-back riffs beating a restrained poolside-party kind of pulse, but also sensual vocals rising from beneath the sheets and rueful polaroid-filtered ambiences to soundtrack all possible moments in life - from the most euphoric to those when music seems the only viable healing potion. More on the post-KLF, BoC-inflected electronica side of things, 'Are You Even Real' takes its listener for a round-trip across the star-studded dome and beyond, before songs like 'Someday' and 'Same Little Thing' head back down to a state of pulsating, earthly organicity, tense and mercurial as get. An arpeggiated slice of piano-strewn kosmische, 'Heaven' is another invitation to an epic-scale odyssey from the inner-spheres into the distant fringes of the outer-world. Weightless and airy, yet texturally dense and widely magnetic overall, Weval second LP is a synthesis of the duo's multi-angle take on electronics: blissed-out, heartening and infinitely free.
Nur zweieinhalb Jahre nach der Veröffentlichung ihres selbstbetitelten Debutalbums finden sich WEVAL zurück "an jenem Ort, an dem sich alles spontan, neu und aufregend anfühlt - so wie als wir anfingen zusammen Musik zu schreiben". An diesem Ort entstand "The Weight", ihr zweiter Longplayer, auf dem Weval sich ganz den Pop-verliebten, Nostalgie-freundlichen Facetten ihres Sounds öffnen. Stetig um den sehnsuchtsvollen Strahlenkranz ihrer Melodien tanzend, legt diese Platte noch vielschichtigere, mit feinster Präzision gewobene Gefühlswelten frei.

Obwohl die Aufnahmesessions nach eigenem Bekunden oftmals "miesepetrig und emotionsarm" begannen, so war das Duo überrascht darüber, wie schnell sich bei der Arbeit jene Freude einstellte, die sie aus ihren künstlerischen Anfangstagen kannten, eine Woge des frischen, naiven Gefühls der "absoluten kreativen Freiheit". Dieses Album ist die Frucht eines verspielteren und unvorhersehbareren Arbeitsprozesses innerhalb der Band, in welchem alles zum Einsatz kam, was ihnen in die Finger kam - von der ollen Gitarre, die in der Studioecke stand, über ein Piano und den bandeigenen Sythesizern und den sonderbarsten Spielzeuginstrumenten, die man sich vorstellen kann. All dies sowie zahlreiche Vocalaufnahmen dienten als alleinige Samplequelle - "was für uns eine völlig neue Arbeitsweise war". "Es war uns wichtig für das Album den perfekten Erzählbogen zu spannen. Die richtige Reihenfolge zu finden war ein extrem aufwendiger Vorgang", erklären Harm und Merjin. "Uns war bange, wir fühlten uns total selbstsicher, uns zerbrach das Herz und wir verliebten uns erneut. Wir waren sogar von Tod und Selbstmord umgeben. Alles war Chaos. Insgesamt atmet "The Weight" die Reichhaltigkeit dieser sich ständig verändernden Gefühlslagen, frei von Einschränkungen und Regeln - außer vielleicht "mach es schnell und zerdenke die Dinge nicht." Inmitten dieser Ansammlung von Songs und Instrumentals, die aus Wevals einzigartiger, von Zuversicht geprägter Herangehensweise entstanden sind - "Musik, die dich hochzieht und Hoffnung spendet, ohne dich notwendigerweise happy zu machen. Der Titeltrack "The Weight" steht exemplarisch für Wevals ambivalenten Ansatz, die feine Balance zwischen Dancefloor und Traumzuständen, perfekt in Szene gesetzt von Soundengineer David Wrench (Frank Ocean, The XX, FKA Twigs, Caribou… etc.).

Der schwer aus gewaltigen Gewitterwolken tropfende Funk, die eine verhaltene Poolparty suggerierenden Riffs, die sinnlichen, geisterhaften Vocals und ein verwaschenes Ambiente, das wie ein Album alter Polaroidaufnahmen alle erdenklichen Momente des Lebens festhält - von den euphorischsten bis hin zu jenen, in denen Musik der einzige Trank ist, der Linderung verheißt. Das post-KLF und Boards of Canada evozierende "Are You Even Real" führt den Hörer auf einen imaginären Flug ins Sternenzelt, während organisch-klingende Songs wie "Someday" oder "Same Little Thing" wie Quecksilber am Boden haften. "Heaven" ist eines jener "kosmische" Stücke mit wilden Arpeggios und Pianosprengseln, die Weval in den vergangenen zwei Jahren zu einer Live-Sensation werden liessen. Wevals Musik ist schwerelos und luftig, aber gleichermassen von dichter Struktur und von einer magnetischen Anziehungskraft. Ihr zweites Album "The Weight" ist eine Synthese aus dem multi-perspektivischem, kaleidoskopischen Verständnis von elektronischer Musik: Herzerwärmend, alles umschmeichelnd und unendlich frei.

Following the resounding success of Rythm by Nature's first release by Nail, the imprint's second outing, "Deep Cuts", builds upon the previous momentum and introduces label owner SaPu for his first solo EP. "Deep Cuts" features three groove-drenched original works and a foot-stomping remix from Berlin-based groove master and sound wizard Tripmastaz.

Drawing from his 15+ years of experience in the scene, "Deep Cuts" displays SaPu's impeccable production skills and evident passion for deeper house grooves and hypnotic rhythms — the ideal music for extended dancing marathons. The EP's first track, 'Roll Out' (A1), is a classic, tech-house-infused banger: funky bass, filtered samples, and snappy percussion elements. Tripmastaz's version, 'Don't Let Joe Change the Name Dub' (A2), adds new layers of depth to the original, infusing it with dubby, sample-based elements and warm chords. SaPu's inclination for old-school grooves shines through on 'Clappin Iron' (B1), delivering Detroit tribal vibes punctuated by stabby synths and rolling basslines. Closing off the EP, 'Keep it Trill' (B2) provides a relatively stripped-down approach, allowing SaPu to demonstrate his innate skill in dubby sample manipulation.

Forest Green Vinyl

Seafood Sam is a futuristic artifact. If that description might sound confusing at first, it matches the eclectic dualities found in true originals. With his effortless cool and timeless style, the North Long Beach native defies convention and exact comparison. He's a virtuosic rapper, a stop-you-in-your tracks singer, and a symphonic producer. Welcome to the lavish life of a laid-back transcontinental man of mystery, rolling in old school Cadillacs, eating caviar with a blade in his pocket, and making plays in vintage Pelle Pelle gear. A blaxploitation icon for the Instagram age, blessed with the bars of a `90s legend and 23rd century swagger. Seafood Sam is a true hero of modernity. On his full-length album debut for up-and-coming label drink sum wtr (Kari Faux, Deem Spencer, Aja Monet) debut, Standing on Giant Shoulders, Sam splits the difference between Snoop Dogg and D' Angelo, Curren$y and David Ruffin. The songs reveal a forward-thinking sensibility rooted in ancestral soul. He creates spiritual hymns for the streets that tap into universal ideals and irrepressible groove. In an era plagued by short-term thinking, his ambitions reveal a crate-digging depth of music history and a meticulous ear for detail. The giant shoulders in the album's title refer to James Brown, Bobby Brown, and Miles Davis - the holy trinity who inspired Sam's process. From the Godfather of Soul, Sam took a perfectionist's rigor and focus. The example of Bobby Brown lent an unshakeable confidence and self-belief. While the constant artistic left turns of the trumpeter that birthed Ccool offered an aspirational archetype. The story starts in the glory days of Long Beach hip-hop. As a young child, the G-Funk era soundtracked rides in Sam's father's car. Some of his earliest memories are trying to memorize Snoop's verse on "Nuthin' But a "G" Thang." Beyond gangsta rap, the LBC has historically doubled as a capital of lowrider soul and carwash oldies. At any intersection, you could hear Dogg Food or Brenton Wood, Warren G or Barbara Lynn. This too was absorbed via osmosis. It also just so happened that the art of performance was always in Sam's blood. So at family functions, he and his sister supplied entertainment by singing karaoke renditions of The Isley Brothers. While his Harlem Shake remains a thing of local lore. Long Beach is a culturally diverse mecca of skate parks and gang life, street fashion and tricky dance moves. This is the place that raised Sam on a diet of Wu-Tang and Nelly Furtado, Lil Bow Wow and Allen Iverson. He was the middle ground between his two older brothers: one who gangbanged, the other who graduated with a master's degree from UC-Santa Barbara. But it wasn't until the end of high school that Sam started to take rap seriously. Alongside long-time collaborators like Huey Briss and Reaper Mook, Sam's name began to make waves on the northside of the city, but he was partially distracted by a modeling career that paid the bills and took him all to way to walk in Paris' fashion week. The first turning point arrived with 2018's "Ramsey," a self-produced, slick-talk anthem with over 10,000,000 streams across all platforms. With each subsequent release, Sam showcased his peerless consistency, building buzz both online and in the city streets. Spin hailed his "smooth and unhurried cadences and understated lyricism_ that sounds like nothing else in Long Beach." Clash raved about Sam's "evolution as an artist, cruising through nostalgic production with slick, witty rhymes." The culmination arrives with Standing on Giant Shoulders. It's the evidence of a master, a young sensei in the model of Quincy Jones. All rhymes, singing, production, and arrangements were handled by Sam - with an assist from his close Long Beach kinsman Tom Kendall from the group Soular System. It's hard-edged and lyrical enough for disciples of Larry June and Roc Marciano, but orchestral and melodic enough for fans of Anderson .Paak and H.E.R.

Presenting ‘Lotus Island EP' by Forest on Stasys, a record that seamlessly weaves through the tapestry of the deep techno landscape. We kick off with the title track, 'Lotus Island,' a hypnotic journey characterised by rolling percussion and menacing synths. Feral then adds his reconstruction, plunging the listener into a dark, swampy realm, reimagining the original with his unique signature sound.

Next up is 'Torre De Alquimia,' a spacious, haunting track that rolls through techno terrains with an enigmatic allure, evoking a sense of mystery and suspense throughout. Closing the EP is 'Prism of Nature,' a brighter, melodic workout that serves as a serene conclusion to this wonderfully deep record.

Repress!

Early ‘80s boogie business from De De, ‘S & M (Sexy Music)’, gets a much-deserved, official reissue. OG copies regularly trade hands for £30+ so it’s high time this sweet sexiness found its way out of more sound systems.

With a title like ‘S&M (Sexy Music)’ it was only ever going to be a sleazy, sexy, synthy heater, drenched in tantalising keys, spacey arps, funk guitars and salacious vocals. And with the production prowess of George Kerr & Reggie Griffin behind it - who produced, wrote and arranged for the likes of The O’Jays, Treacherous Three, The Whatnauts and Patti Labelle to name only a handful – it had certified party starter written all over it!

Two mixes take either side of this full frontal 12 inch. The A side houses the ‘Rated G’ mix, where layered vocals trade off from male to female and sleazed up saxes parade through the later stages as that short but sweet rap rolls around. The B side’s ‘Rated X’ mix adds even steamier verses with ever more female power behind them and extra unadulterated, squelching bass into the pot.

Sensuous offerings from De De that will get any crowd crying out for more.

The package, posted from Inglewood in California, dropped through my letter box…
I was looking forward to seeing this, the VHS of the then relatively ‘unknown’ but now legendary live show at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. But when I fed it into my VHS player, I was disappointed. I could not quite figure out why. The band were tight, each musician sounded great, the product of being on the road, year after year, club after club in the States, sometimes playing five shows a night, all propped up by one of the best soulful voices we had ever heard, the maestro Frankie Beverly.
It took a second play of the VHS to realise what was missing. It was ‘too comfortable’ an atmosphere. A few wealthy customers sat around coffee tables quaffing champagne. It seemed to me that this audience, somehow, did not fit the band.
Paul Fenn at Asgard promotions received the contract from the band to appear live in London and Manchester. I became more and more convinced that his UK fans were going to be a lot more responsive than those from New Orleans.
We put the word out with just a couple of exclusive ‘shout outs’ by Robbie Vincent on his Radio London Soul programme. Those two plugs were enough to sell out all four shows at London’s premier music venue, the Hammersmith Odeon. The ticket office was rammed and the queue six deep, stretched halfway down Queen Caroline Street.
“I have never seen anything like it” expressed the manager of the theatre as he rolled down the shutters and turned on the “Sorry, SOLD OUT” notice above the theatre box office.
I was curious, so I went up and stood in the wings of the Hammersmith stage on that first show. Frankie, introduced to the stage by his sound engineer, Greg Blockman, sauntered past me, strumming his rhythm guitar, dressed in a casual dark green towelling suit, a brown leather visor and flip flops…and then five seconds later, he suddenly stopped. He seemed suddenly to be aware of the thunderous ’Welcome to London Maze’ roar, circling around the theatre about to engulf him. He slapped every black and white hand offered up to him that night, with a huge smile as he circled the edge of that stage. We wanted to get next to him, even if it meant climbing over rows of seats in front of us to do so.
That was the beginning of our love affair with Maze and Frankie Beverly. It certainly wasn’t New Orleans comfort; it was more like a crazy, but friendly, London riot.
Five albums on from the “Live in New Orleans” LP, Frankie sauntered into the California recording studio, probably with the same swagger as in London, to cut the delightful A-side here, “Somebody Else’s Arms”, from his aptly named ‘Silky Soul’ album. Along with the B-side, ‘Love is’ (from the “Back To Basics” CD, 1993) both are so delicious you might want to relax and pour yourself that London glass of champagne, 1983 vintage. Tell your mates your Maze/Hammersmith story too. You deserve it.

Repress!

New school Italian techno sensation Alignment is back with a third thrilling EP for on Charlotte de Witte’s KNTXT label that once again stands him apart.

Alignment's previous outings on the label - the Time EP in April 2020, then his Nothingness EP in November 2020 - made huge impacts. They are standout techno offerings from a young and exciting artist who has quickly risen to the top. He has remained hugely busy in the last 12 months with a wide-ranging sound that takes in everything from old school bangers to trance-tinged rollers via futuristic workouts.

Says label boss Charlotte de Witte, "Alignment's music has been strongly represented in all my livestreams of 2020 and 2021 and I honestly can't wait to finally bring his music and his latest creations on Power EP to the dancefloor. It's made to make you move and I'm very happy to have him on board once again!“

The artist himself adds, "The vibes we shared pre-pandemic on our beloved dance-floors inspired me a lot to create Power EP. I tried to focus on effective and highly energetic, peak-time techno weapons for KNTX011. Signature synths, big stabs and kicks following only one formula - no compromise and four to the floor.”

First up is Power, a high octane track with hard drums, slamming bass and bright synths that cannot fail to get hands in the air. The excellent 'Disconnection' has laser-like synths shooting across the face of the track while big, edgy trance stabs light up the barreling drums from way up above. 'Frequency' is another trance-influenced track that brings peak time energy to stomping and distorted drums. It is an emotive rollercoaster that never lets up and will make a mark on even the biggest dance floors. Last of all is 'Radioactivity' which has scuffed metal textures, crashing drums and strobe-lit synth lines that will turn every party into a rave.

2024 Repress

Often the best music gets made when people get out of their comfort zone and venture into new territory. That is what I felt listening to these tracks from Ukrainian veteran Alexander Pavlenko. He has a long history in drum 'n bass as Sunchase, and as Na Nich, you might have heard him on Rhythm Buro or Semantica, but this release reveals another side of him that we haven't heard before.

The Karpati EP kicks off with "Manipulation". A rolling sub and punchy drums propel the track's momentum forward and make it dancefloor-ready. The sounds on top take inspiration from multiple genres for a track that finds a perfect balance between the deeper sides of both house and techno.

Next up is "Still There", a stripped deep house tune where filtered percussion, pads and vocals alternate each other, flowing in and out of focus.

Title track "Karpati", a hypnotic techno track, takes inspiration from the mountain region in western Ukraine, the melody reflecting a similar beauty as the Carpathian nature. Add Na Nich's expert sound design on top, and the result is a deep and captivating trip.

"Morning Habit" rounds up the EP by slowing things down for a dubbed out house cut. Chords playfully bounce over the beat for a tune suitable for either the early or very late mornings.

repressed !

Office 04 circles in memories: The record is about Johannes 'Iron Curtis' Paluka's time at Karl-Marx-Straße Berlin where he used to live next door to label head Baaz and graphic designer Chris Fladung.
A1 track 'Magnet' is an ecstatic piece of house music holding all elements IC's production is esteemed and loved for : Heavy, unrelenting kicks, rolling bass lines, shimmering pads, topped with searing hot yet gamelan-like synts and an icing of slightly loose, detuned organ stabs predesting grand emotions on any dance floor. 'What happened happened' surely marks up as another proof of Curtis' fearless takes on house music: distorted field recordings and blurred spoken words, a web of gossamer melodies and subtle clicks and cuts, all cohered by the louche bassline and the reshuffled groove in a true dilla-ish vein.
Adapting elements to their own agenda, clandestine groove explorers Berg turn 'What happened' into a true midnight roller: razor-sharp hihitas join forces with a steam-maschine like percussion, whipping relentlessly in-between kick drum and kick drum. Berg cools off their take with prancing melody motifs and strung out pads of the original track, though never loosing focus of the 'reductions' aim: keep the dancer dancing.