"The only career-spanning best-of compilation available on vinyl for the first time for pop sensations A-ha. The band turns 40 this year with a documentary currently available on streaming platforms and their biggest song “Take On Me” back on the Spotify Top 100 streaming. Now seems like a great time to get this back to market - with two new tracks included!
These tracks are currently available digitally and previously on CD"
Brazilian artist Acid Asian steps up to Charlotte de Witte's KNTXT imprint with his Deep Soul EP, which explores the many different facets of his sound from rap and trap to techno and psytrance.
Fábio Seiki is São Paulo-based and started this project in 2020 during the pandemic. Since then he has made an impact with his fresh blend of influences and love of his 303. In 2022 he was the first artist to release on Charlotte de Witte's sub label, RPM, with his Break Into Acid EP and followed it up last year with The Night EP.
On Deep Soul EP, he says: "The title track is one of my favourites because it represents me 100%. Focusing on the acid line with this mantra vocal, I wanted to express something more deep to this track. 'Space Colors' is a track with which I wanted to express this new hard techno era using the hardstyle's kick but keeping my style. 'Ain't Nobody Like Us' is my background from rap/trap and 'Humans' is my psytrance background, it's an off-beat track.”
Charlotte de Witte adds: “Acid Asian is back! From his first release with us in 2022, it's been such a pleasure to see him grow and gain respect in the techno scene. We've played many shows together and he's one of the most talented, most instinctive producers out there. Playing Space Colors as the closing track at the main stage of Tomorrowland Brazil where Fábio was dancing in the crowd, was a very wholesome moment. These four tracks are absolute bombs and also show the variety he has to offer as a producer. I'm very excited about this release and I hope you are too!”
Opener 'Deep Soul' is hard and fast with a hypnotic vocal and gurgling acid lines that shoot through the mix to electrifying effect. 'Space Colors' has slamming drums that are lit up with bright, shiny trance chords and underpinned by a rugged bassline that is sure to raise the roof. There is a fantastic rhythm to 'Ain't Nobody Like Us' with its fresh drum patterns and funky edge, narcotic trap vocals and trippy synths. 'Humans' shuts down with ghoulish vocal sounds and squelchy synths all stuffed into a driving, unrelenting hard techno groove.
This is a wonderfully expressive new EP from Acid Asian.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6… the countdown to blastoff has started! Paris-based band Setenta is preparing for their upcoming 20th anniversary by releasing their sixth album, Apollo Solar Drive. The record is poised to be their best yet and is the culmination of an odyssey of artistic discovery. Setenta has been constantly striving for illumination through the years, yet also exploring the dark side of the human condition along the way. As the band describes it, this record is an Afro-Latin retro-futurist tribute to the sun. If their previous album, Materia Negra, launched the Setenta space shuttle crew into the void of “dark” matter and black holes, they now change course and valiantly approach the sun at full warp speed, taking us from darkness into the light. Miraculously, Setenta manage to bring some of the rhythmic and harmonic material they’ve explored on Earth with them, yet boldly dare to go where no one has gone before, challenging themselves to take their music, and their audience, to uncharted dimensions and new realms of existence.
In keeping with the themes of Materia Negra, FIP (Radio France) selection in 2020, Setenta’s sixth mission to explore “the great beyond” of “inner space” is aptly titled Apollo Solar Drive, emphasizing the band’s turning to the life-giving light of the sun for inspiration while playfully echoing the title of Eddie Palmieri’s Latin funk and social commentary masterpiece, Harlem River Drive. The overall vibe is warm and positive, propelled by the dual energy thrusters of funky, fierce beats and deceptively complex arrangements, yet going down smooth in the best sense of the word, like your favorite tropical cocktail or classic jazz dance fusion record of the 1970s. Of course this delicious treat is served with a special Setenta flavor all its own.
This time around, Apollo Solar Drive celebrates the trajectory of the band’s unique interstellar journey by deploying a resolutely jazzy, “funkadelic” angle to their beloved Afro-Latin music. Setenta’s band members tell their truths as a collective, with an emphasis on instrumental sections, focusing on the interweaving of multiple keyboards and guitars, while condensing the vocals to group choruses, as opposed to the solo voices of the past. The overall approach is more futuristic in its conception and realization, from the arrangements to the sonic engineering, although the rhythmic base still remains rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions as well as those of other Caribbean nations.
Pablo E. Yglesias (DJ Bongohead) of Peace & Rhythm (USA)
RIYL: Sufjan Stevens, Pearls Before Swine, Richard Dawson, Incredible String Band, Scott Walker. When Dominic Harris started work on the follow up to 2017’s “Rural Tonic”, he had a different kind of landscape in mind than the bucolic inspiration he’d mined for that album and its predecessor (2013’s “Woodland Casual”). Instead it was nostalgia for winters of a youth (mis)spent in 90’s Berlin.
With a lucky find of a Hohner Guitaret, (a 1960s electric thumb piano), Harris began writing lyrics around its sparse and austere accompaniment. And after reconnecting with an old friend from Edinburgh, Ricky White, now living in the USA, the plan became clearer: a winter-journey to the rural Mid-West to write and record an LP. Convening in White’s new hometown of Bloomington IN, Harris would work each morning in the county library, the pair then venturing out on long, aimless drives down country roads before returning to put their ideas and conversation into music. With songs written over two weeks, Harris and White headed to a small studio space in a derelict strip mall in Indianapolis, to capture the album in as minimalistic a form as was fitting to the wintry feel of much of the music; glimmers of pedal steel and recorder shining out amid the dual acoustic guitars and piano arrangements. After the pandemic cut its swathe through all plans, the recording sessions decamped to Scotland.
By then Harris’s longtime collaborator Robert McFall had written string arrangements for each song, effortlessly capturing the spirit of the original vision whilst elevating each song towards the universal. Still there were the frosty hedgerows and abandoned factories of the rural Rust Belt. But also now the sandstone architecture and cobwebs of Edinburgh, and the cold grey of the Firth of Forth. Diminuet, the cover artwork showing a catheter transformed into a flower, captures that fragile moment where the world seems forever frozen in time, even as the Spring prepares to transform us all once again
Adventus is the Latin word for "Coming", which is a translation of the Greek word "Parousia".
A symbolic title for the introduction of two new artists to the Techno scene Eluna Vex & Olympios.
Both hailing from Greece, they are debuting with a high quality record that is proper, raw and very underground. It defines exactly what Renegade Methodz stands for. Music with the force of future!
Nearly two decades after it was first released, Norken’s sleek cult classic album ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ is being reissued on vinyl via Hydrogen Dukebox on 6th December 2024.
With its unique sonic blueprint of early 2000s electronica, ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ is a record that is at once both deeply reminiscent of a particular era and place, yet remains a timeless invocation of Norken’s idiosyncratic palette of minimal, techno, house and British IDM.
This vinyl reissue presents all 12 tracks from the original release, with the inclusion of 'Df23' and 'Flirt' making this the first time that ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ is available on vinyl with the complete album tracklisting.
Norken is one of the many pseudonyms of Lee Norris, a producer who is considered by those in the know as one of the unsung heroes of UK electronica. With a slew of releases throughout the years as Man-Q-Neon, Nacht Plank, Norken, Tone Language and Metamatics, this reissue shines a light on his soulful, immersive output under the Norken name.
As Norris explains, “The release of ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ has a nostalgic, warm feeling for me. I made his album in a garden shed with a wood burner, an Atari computer and a few synths in the depths of an English winter. I still had the thought process of making emotional style techno that would warm any soul on a cold day.”
First released in 2005, ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ carries the echoes of electronic luminaries such as the Detroit ambient techno of John Beltran, through to the immersive atmospherics of Biosphere and the innovative IDM of fellow British outfits Autechre and The Black Dog. Yet as Norken, Norris retains a distinctive musical voice that has continued to deepen in stature over the years since the album’s initial release.
Opening with the brief intro cut ‘Fern 2’, the album slides into the dreamlike groove of ‘Memories’, where rich, resonant chords wrap around cool, galactic-sounding synths and a compelling bass undertow.
On ‘It Might Have Been Rain’, that signature bass texture again propels a luxuriant mid-tempo rhythm, while Norken layers in hypnotic washes of string-like synths, gentle electronic pulses and the brief murmur of a vocal, across seven-plus immersive minutes.
Vocal textures, often subtly looped and distorted, also add a distinctive depth and personality to tracks like ‘Eastern Soul’ and ‘Here’. Throughout the album, there’s a feeling of intricate microcosms unfurling, as Norken coaxes a myriad of contemplative moods and emotions from his machines.
Whether shaping the smooth, lulling ambient gauze of ‘Ty Canol’, or letting the kaleidoscopic, dancefloor-leaning drive of ‘Audic Strable’ loose like a coiled spring, ‘Our Memories Of Winter’ presents the singular voice of an artist whose innovative contribution to UK electronic music has only become heightened with the passing of time.
‘The Night of the Stars’ is the fantastic sixth album from Swedish dream pop favorites AZURE BLUE. The album pushes the quality to its peak, exhibiting a richer, clearer, and more luxurious approach to the patented AZURE BLUE sound across ten enticing tracks. Three of the songs generated significant buzz when released as singles. Album opener ‘Rise’ is a shimmering track with a rushing drumbeat topped by luxurious layers of analog synths and a Peter Hook-like bass. The song is a dream pop anthem featuring a timeless chorus and vocal harmonies from AZURE BLUE’s long time companion The Land Below.
The crystal-clear topline in ‘Three Times The Drama’ shines over electric guitars and analog synths to create an immediate pop song with great summer hit potential. The song is also a bittersweet dedication to Tobias Isaksson’s mother, who recently passed away, and its completion provided comfort following a period of unspeakable grief. The album also includes ‘Define Your Dreams’—a bright flare first previewed during the dark days of the pandemic with massive synth walls and lyrics that suggest that while difficult times have passed, more difficult ones may be coming. ‘Visions and Themes’ will have its premiere on October 25 when it is released as the fourth single from the album, while the remaining six tracks provide even further evidence of the brilliance of one of Sweden’s most internationally acclaimed indie artists.
Mixed by Tobias Isaksson and Ollie Olson. Mastered by Håkan Åkesson at Nutidstudio.
Artwork by Alexander Palmestål. Design by James Tassos and Steve Lippert.
Breve is the new album by Stefan Paul Goetsch aka Hainbach.
"After a ceaseless amount of work and family struggles, 2023 had left me empty and tired. Instead of the many hats I usually wear, I shifted my focus exclusively on my music. For two weeks every day I sat down behind a few modular synths, a toy piano and an Ondioline, recording tape after tape. I did not lock myself in though - my kids were playing around me, commenting, touching knobs, adding oscillations. What in „deadline times“ can be disrupting, became restorative. I was with my family, just drifting on waveforms. I hope some of that atmosphere shines through, and the album can help you to find peace as it did for me.
Thanks to Forgotten Futures for the loan of the Ondioline and technician Daniel Kitzig for the beautiful restoration work." - Hainbach
Based out of Berlin, Germany, electronic music composer and performer Hainbach creates shifting audio landscapes THE WIRE called "One hell of a trip". His music has been released on Opal Tapes, Seil Records, Spring Break Tapes, Limited Interest and Marionette. He has been fascinated with sine tones, noise and FM since he discovered the dial on the radio. Never losing his childhood wonder, he still searches for the sounds in between on modular synths and other devices.
As always Kling Klong gives space for new artists and supports upcoming talents. This time Martin Eyerer & Rainer Weichhold had no doubts signing this debut release from Stuttgart's dj/producer Ninetoes as 'Finder' is obviously a massive stand-out track which has the words 'summer hit' written all over it. So it was just easy to convince Leon and Re-UP from Italy to do the remixes and help to make this release even more oustanding.
Support from:
Matthias Tanzmann, Loco Dice, Adam Beyer, Nick Curly, Butch, Riva Starr, Popof, Kaiserdisco
DJ Feedbacks:
Adam Beyer: like the leon mix!
Loco Dice: Will try. Please send me the WAV. Thanks
Nick Curly: schöner release....leon remix gefällt mir am besten, danke!
Matthias Tanzmann: woher kenne ich denn die Melodie Coole Tracks auf jeden Fall.
Davide Squillace: Nice one..
Monika Kruse: der leon remix rockt.
Tiefschwarz (Ali): nice nice :) re-up rmx is my favorite.
Butch: leon rocks
Riva Starr: leon rmx for me thx
Claptone: supersonniger tune das original
Ramon Tapia: Leon mix is cewl !
Gregor Tresher: Leon mix sounds cool.
Chus: Leon and Re-Up mixes for me.
Popof: Great remix from re up ! love it
Kaiserdisco: Original mix is nice, will try it out.
Wally Lopez: Leon remix are huge!! Support
Shinedoe: I'll try it out.
Humanoid continue their push to shine the spotlight on up-and-coming artists and the fifth instalment on the label comes from another Liverpool local on the rise – Brent, with a powerful release bringing synthwave sensibilities and driving basslines to the forefront - taking you on a sleek, high-octane journey through a polyphonic landscape.
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.
Brian d’Souza, better known as Auntie Flo, delivers his brand-new fourth studio album, ‘In My Dreams (I’m A Bird and I’m Free)’, set for release on 21st November. The album, a rich blend of electronic music, live instrumentation, and global influences features collaborations with the likes of Nicola Cruz, Joshua Idehen, Shingai Shoniwa, Yohan Kebede (Kokoroko) and even his Goan Auntie Florie, where the Auntie Flo moniker is derived from. Each track on the album transports you to a different location: Goa, Istanbul, Nairobi, Mexico City, Waiheke Island, Rio De Janeiro, Havana, Seoul are all destinations to nest in across its ten tracks. It will be available in both digital and vinyl formats on his own label, A State of Flo Records.
Auntie Flo’s latest body of work is the culmination of a five-year journey that has seen d’Souza expand both personally and musically. Known for his unique ability to fuse electronic sounds with rhythms and influences from across the globe, d’Souza takes his craft to new heights in this album, offering listeners an intimate look into the experiences, places, and stories that have shaped his artistic evolution. The groundbreaking DJ and producer presents an expansive, deeply personal exploration of global sounds, collaboration, and migration.
Following the success of the Afro-disco single Green City—a dynamic tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti and Luke Una’s ‘track of the year’—In My Dreams (I’m A Bird and I’m Free) ventures further into uncharted musical territory. The album, however, is more than just a continuation of Auntie Flo’s signature sound. It is a reflection of d’Souza’s life and career, capturing his exploration of identity, migration, and cultural fusion. With tracks that draw inspiration from field recordings collected around the world, the album resonates with a profound sense of place and memory.
In My Dreams (I’m A Bird and I’m Free) is not only a reflection of d’Souza’s creative journey but also a commentary on migration—both human and musical. The album draws on the freedom of birds to migrate across borders as a metaphor for artistic and personal freedom, juxtaposed with the challenges that political barriers impose on human migration. As d’Souza explains, “Birds have the freedom to migrate wherever they choose, while humans face constant barriers”.
A State of Flo supports Earth Percent. 10% of the revenue generated from this release will be paid to environmental charities.
Musician and Zoitrax record label owner ZOiD, also known as Daniel Jacobson, announces the release of his sixth album, ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2.
Featuring thirteen tracks digitally, seven of which will be released on a 12” purple marbled translucent vinyl album distributed by Rubadub, ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 will be available in record shops and on all streaming services and Bandcamp starting Friday, 22 November 2024.
ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 is an electronic music album showcasing ZOiD's global collaborations with jazz musicians, creating a unique form of electronic jazz. Notably, his work with jazz drummer and brother Matthew Jacobson shines on the first single “Fit In Tree” debuting on September 13. Building on this momentum, the second single, "Module Bone, " featuring jazz trombonist Colm O'Hara, will be released on September 27, followed by the third single, "ZVSW, " featuring saxophonist Steve Welsh, on October 11. A special REMIX EP by Kirk De Giorgio, Sunken Foal, Americhord, and TR-One will be out on October 25.
Expanding the album's diverse sound, ZOiD collaborated with Dublin vocalist, composer, and jazz improvisation specialist Jenna Harris on “ZVJH” and with Niwel Tsumbu, a Cork-based Congolese guitaristwho tours with Rhiannon Giddens on “ZVNT.”
ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 is further enriched by the talents of Shane O’Donovan (H-Ci), who combines electronic and jazz elements, Australian saxophonist Daniel Rorke, US-based free improviser Catherine Sikora, Galwegian multi-instrumentalist Matthew Berrill, Dublin saxophonist Matthew Halpin (flute), and trumpeter Bill Blackmore, a key figure in Dublin's jazz scene.
ZOiD released his debut album, ZOiD Vs The Jazz Musicians of Ireland Vol. 1, in 2007. Production of ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2 began soon after, taking nearly 17 years. For Vol. 2, some musicians recorded their parts independently, while others recorded in Arad Studio with Les Keye and ZOiD's Dublin studio.
The album artwork is by New York-based artist Shane Ingersoll. The front cover displays black-and- white illustrations of Dublin in the year 2116, a city at war centred around a bold purple "ZOiD" logo, with the title "ZOiD Vs Musicians Vol 2" on the upper left. On the back cover is a 12-panel comic book story (originally written by ZOiD using stick figures) and a glowing robotic hand.
Mona Lee aka Lissa Callens and WPH label man Red D go a long way back. Red D always knew it was a matter of time before Mona Lee would come up with some music he could not refuse. A gig together and the first notes of ‘The Reason’ and that was that.
Classic house that would make Kerri Chandler proud is the order of the title track. A bright piano melody, a good vocal hook and rough and ready beats in a crisp production that will shake up any dancefloor. Red D himself delivers a dub that focuses on the hooks and makes them shine even more on top of a killer funky bass line. For good U.S. house measure Atlanta’s finest Stefan Ringer steps up to deliver his trademark dusty twist on things. As a bonus you get ‘Spaces & Places’, a delicate organic deep house beauty with Mona Lee scatting ever so subtly to make you go out of your home and out of your head.
It’s house, it’s good and it will make you dance and sing.
Techno, Disco, Italo, Electronics, House, Library, Cosmic and Ambient frequencies - These are the bedrocks of the Midnight Drive ethos and sound. A label shining a light on overlooked or unheralded creations and respectfully reissuing them for the contemporary audience.
A label that respects and understands the connection between these disparate and sometimes forgotten forms of musical expression and celebrates them. Midnight Drive are extremely proud to reintroduce the world to the sublime after-hours, cult downtempo sounds of Belgian duo Pieter Kuyl and Jan Van Den Bergh aka Mappa Mundi.
Mappa Mundi's sole release 'Musaics' was released on Belgium's legendary USA Import label in 1990, riding on the wave of early trance and ambient house sounds and exploring the same sonic terrain and worlds as The Orb, The KLF, Sun Electric and other like minded outfits. A wonderful swirling collage or mosaic of breakbeats, samples and new-age synth stylings, 'Musaics' is indeed a real trip.
A spontaneous late night studio concoction borne of endless takes and experimentation between Kuyl and Van Den Bergh who both display a deep knowledge and a shared love of different sounds from around the world. The end result is a meditative, sprawling journey that touches on many different styles from languid widescreen techno to frantic drum machine driven machine-funk, all while retaining a feeling of post-rave atmospherics and psychedelia.
This is a very special record indeed, and is somewhat of a lost gem from a very fertile and interesting period in sample based music. Undoubtedly the perfect soundtrack to numerous late nights and early mornings to come, remastered and spread across 2 discs for maximum sonic playback.
Damian Lazarus returns to Crosstown Rebels with new single ‘Sunrise Generation’, featuring Fink. Including a remix from Norwegian talent and up-and-coming Crosstown family member Meera, the single marks Lazarus’ first material on his iconic label in over a year.
Visionary DJ/producer and Crosstown Rebels founder, Damian Lazarus, makes his long-awaited return to the label with his new single ‘Sunrise Generation’, featuring the voice of acclaimed and celebrated singer-songwriter Fink. Set for release on 8th November 2024, the highly anticipated production marks Damian’s first material on Crosstown since his collaboration ‘Revolution’ with Dennis Cruz in October 2023, his Grammy-nominated single ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ with Diplo & Jungle, and his first solo release since his ‘Beijing Spring’ project on sub-label Secret Teachings in April 2022.
An emotive, captivating and uplifting track, ‘Sunrise Generation’ is not just a return to form but a heartfelt homage that celebrates the magical moment and euphoric energy of sunrise.
The release also features a return for Norway’s Meera, an exciting artist whose recent outing on Crosstown Rebels with her ‘Stikk’ EP made notable waves, building on her debut on sister label Rebellion last year in style. Her remix brings fresh energy, layering deep textures and rhythms over Fink’s haunting and heavily processed vocals to create a stirring counterpart to the original.
A sonic celebration of unity and renewal, ‘Sunrise Generation’ once again affirms Lazarus’ status as a true leader within the electronic scene. The single follows a series of high-profile remixes, including reinterpretations of tracks from Josh Wink, Jamie Jones, Bedouin, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED), and Made By Pete, along with his acclaimed collaboration ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ with Diplo and Jungle. As always, Lazarus’ ability to craft atmospheric, emotion-driven soundscapes shines through here as he continues to innovate and inspire with another cherished anthem crafted for special dancefloor moments.
Myriad has always bought its A game to the table. This EP from Madcap and Shine showcases the perfect way to make a summer amen roller. Proper vibes for the dancefloor, the dj, or the lazy afternoon, this one drops hard either way and makes you want to move...
Truth Manifest Records is proud and excited to release Beyond Jazz Volume 2, the second volume in this wonderful, futuristic four-part series!
This stellar vinyl release on Truth Manifest Records is from executive producer Malik Alston, with distribution from Mother Tongue. As we travel to the edge of our senses with Beyond Jazz Volume 2, it is immersed in poetry pulling on the heartstrings of urban reality. This is where live meets a hip-hop foundation, sped up and transformed into a dance jazz Afro-Cuban up-tempo banger, to tell the story of the groove. Put Volume 2 to a funky jazz lick phrase, reminding us that through the struggle, there is victory. Let your spirit shine as you feel the essence of boom bap jazz.
This powerful collection has special new remixes and edits based on Malik’s current radio show, Beyond Jazz
Mood Child is back with 'Various Moods Vol. 3', a captivating collection of six tunes, each possessing its own distinct mood and power.
Led by founders Manda Moor and Sirus Hood, this superb album features standout contributions from label favorites Reboot and Marian (BR), while also shining a spotlight on fresh talent, including Crewcutz, Band&Dos, Sterium, Samarone, and Drewski.
Available now on both vinyl and digital formats, *
'Various Moods Vol. 3' continues Mood Child's tradition of delivering innovative, boundary-pushing music.
Moodena & Charles Levine drop ‘Badman’ on Rekids. Radio Slave and Cratebug remix the track, with the EP landing this October.
‘Badman’ sees Moodena & Charles Levine team up on Rekids this October, including remixes from label founder Radio Slave, and Cratebug. The vocal mix of Moodena & Charles Levine’s ‘Badman’ is up first, a high-energy dance track with classic house strings and an infectious bassline, telephone-like samples dialling the keypad, and a big vocal to top it off. Chicagoan edit royalty Cratebug steps up to remix ‘Badman’ first, turning the track into a hypnotic after-hours cut with plenty of dub echo, the original faintly shining through its rolling elements.
On the B-side, Moodena & Charles Levine’s ‘Badman’ is then remixed by Rekids’ own Radio Slave, who in turn transforms the track with a more low-slung vibe, cruising along with tripped-out sonics and traces of the vocals while bringing the dial-up sounds forward. Closing out the EP, there is also a dub which loses the original ‘Badman’ vocal but maintains the classy house heat.
Moodena has been active in the Disco and Nu-Disco scenes for over thirty years, earning accolades via releases on Midnight Riot, Nervous Records, and his own Tropical Disco Records. Following a twenty-year-long friendship, he collaborates with one-half of Soul Clap, Charles Levine, for the first time for the ‘Badman’ EP on Radio Slave’s Rekids. With Soul Clap, Levine influenced the House and Nu-disco scenes through varied tracks on labels like Defected and Crosstown Rebels while releasing tracks from artists like Jkriv, Josh Wink and DJ Rocca on their eponymous Soul Clap Records label.
Occasionally an album comes along that seems to capture the mood of the time. "The K&D Sessions" was one. In the late 1990s no afterparty, smoking session or languid Sunday afternoon was complete without Kruder & Dorfmeister blasting from the Bang & Olufsen. Now approaching it"s 25th anniversary the lore around this iconic release, steeped in a silvery cloud of smoke, retains a star quality which only shines brighter as time hurtles on. With the original having sold well over a million copies by this point in time, it"s hard to imagine a mix or remix compilation being able to inform a movement like "The K&D Sessions" has. To celebrate this monumental milestone, we"ve created a limited boxset in 6LP and 3CD of "The K&D Sessions", mastered and cut by LA luminary Bernie Grundman for a luxurious listening experience, with newly designed inner sleeves using unseen photos from the original photo shoot. Inserted in the box is a forty-page booklet containing multitudes more never before seen photos from the same shoot and notes which recount humorous tales surrounding the duo and the people who spent time with them in this epoch. Included on the 6th LP is their legendary 11 minute shimmering remix of Madonna"s "Nothing Really Matters". The 6th LP also contains Peter Kruder"s Powercut Mix of Roni Size"s "Heroes" and K&D"s remix of U.F.O, "L.O.V.E.". In addition there are two cerebral alternate remixes of Lewis Taylor, one being completely dubbed and the other the using the vocal line for this beautiful gem, "Lucky" and a special remix of "Speechless" by Count Basic. These have been staples in K&D"s sets and now take their rightful place collected in the canon of "The Sessions".
Locked-In returns with its eighth vinyl release, showcasing the talents of DOTT in a four-track EP.
The A-side opens with "Shock FM", setting the EP's tone. DOTT's masterful sound design is fully displayed, building tension and release through intricate percussion. The track's progression is sure to captivate dancefloors and headphone listeners alike.
"The Helper Returns" follows, diving deeper into atmospheric territory. Swirling synths intertwine with a driving bassline, evoking vast, subaqueous landscapes. The track's subtle evolution reveals new sonic details with each listen.
Flipping to the B-side, "A Bit of Dis & Dat" presents a more stripped-back approach. Its minimalist structure allows each carefully placed element to shine, from crisp hi-hats to a rumbling low-end. This is DJ material to maintain energy while adding depth to their sets.
The EP closes with "Sine Bass Runs Deep." Here, undulating rhythms and shimmering top-end create a sense of constant motion, perfect for those early morning hours when the dancefloor is locked in a collective trance.
The second taste of what is to come from the Dave & Maurissa album, 'What About My Love' is a modern slightly boogiefied take on the Johnnie Taylor classic. Here Maurissa shines with a heartfelt soulful vocal performance over Chic styled guitars, hip-cracking bass guitar and squelchy leads. On the flip is Disco Sparks's 'Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow' (feat Christine Wiltshire & The DS Orchestra) which is another life-affirming, lush disco/soul cut with funk drenched basslines, epic brass sections and standout vocal turns. Both specially edited for 7", this is an absolute must-buy for disco lovers.
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.
Ever more secure in her chosen path, Nídia radiates gloriously in all moods for the dancefloor in this, her album number 3. Consistent with her fiery nature and mixed roots in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, »95 MINDJERES« is framed by the decisive role of women freedom fighters in PAIGC's struggle for the independence of Guinea-Bissau from Portuguese colonial domination during the 1960s and 1970s. Among others, the names of Teodora Gomes and Titina Silá shine brightly as leaders of a group of 95 women, providing them with military training and political awareness.
The album starts righteously with a question-themed banger; ambiguous in its sense of curiosity, even mischief, or perhaps it is a passionate commentary on the hard atavic realities of the world. It sets the tone for the wonderfully bouncy »Deep«, pads gently pulling at the legs, longing for action.
All of Nídia’s work has been basically concerned with pushing forward, instant piece by instant piece, a particular, some would say peculiar, view of what culture is, what role it plays in social life. She exercises her experimental inclination within the groove, interweaving percussion sequences and melodies in a very lean way - track durations are generally within range of what many would call "sketches" but the music just says what needs to be said. Beats are never artificially extended for the dancefloor, there's not a hint of that culture in »95 MINDJERES«. Closest would be "cp", an actual drum tool. Ideas are in motion now. And they fly out during the following »Mindjeres«, marked by gentle stabs as if counting the steps skyward. Unexpected turns near the end make final songs "abcd" and "Paradise" accentuate a longing sensation.
Stuff is ready, bodies alert, mind is sharp with warmth and fellowship, detoxed, we can now hear the overall tone of the album, a clear view on self nurture, freedom and responsibility. We believe it is sustained by Nídia’s progressive interpretations and approaches to promote harmony in never-ending family entanglements, reconcile notions of ancestry and uproot, and try out means to resist and fight. In praise of Love.
For over a decade, Mako has been a distinctive presence, both as an individual and through his music, a talent we've proudly showcased at Metalheadz.
This September, we are honoured to release his third album on the label, and his second solo endeavour, which serves as a seamless continuation of his earlier work. His 2020 album, 'Oeuvre', represented years of dedication and refined production, solidifying Mako's esteemed place within the Metalheadz family.
Now, four years later, we're thrilled to present 'Oeuvre – Part 2'. This 12-track album is a celebration of Mako's deep passion for music, while also reflecting his sometimes disillusioned views on a modern era that often seems to pass us by. In a world where individuality can struggle to shine amidst an overwhelming flood of content, Mako's superior production stands out as a beacon, demanding not just recognition, but active listening.
Mako's commitment to his musical community is evident throughout the album, with contributions from long-time collaborators Fields, Hydro, Villem, and Mikal, each bringing their unique expertise to the project. The album also features a special collaboration with the late Marcus Intalex, a friendship that blossomed in the years before Marcus' untimely passing and one that continues to bear fruit.
Diving into the heart of the album reveals Mako's charm as a producer: from the captivating vocals in 'Feed You', the sleek homage to techstep in "Suspension', to the pure dancefloor energy of 'Direct Source', a track long favoured by Goldie. As expected, Mako also delivers deeper, more contemplative pieces like the album's opener 'True Expression' and the graceful melodies of 'Overshare'.
For over a decade, Mako has been a distinctive presence, both as an individual and through his music, a talent we've proudly showcased at Metalheadz.
This September, we are honoured to release his third album on the label, and his second solo endeavour, which serves as a seamless continuation of his earlier work. His 2020 album, 'Oeuvre', represented years of dedication and refined production, solidifying Mako's esteemed place within the Metalheadz family.
Now, four years later, we're thrilled to present 'Oeuvre – Part 2'. This 12-track album is a celebration of Mako's deep passion for music, while also reflecting his sometimes disillusioned views on a modern era that often seems to pass us by. In a world where individuality can struggle to shine amidst an overwhelming flood of content, Mako's superior production stands out as a beacon, demanding not just recognition, but active listening.
Mako's commitment to his musical community is evident throughout the album, with contributions from long-time collaborators Fields, Hydro, Villem, and Mikal, each bringing their unique expertise to the project. The album also features a special collaboration with the late Marcus Intalex, a friendship that blossomed in the years before Marcus' untimely passing and one that continues to bear fruit.
Diving into the heart of the album reveals Mako's charm as a producer: from the captivating vocals in 'Feed You', the sleek homage to techstep in "Suspension', to the pure dancefloor energy of 'Direct Source', a track long favoured by Goldie. As expected, Mako also delivers deeper, more contemplative pieces like the album's opener 'True Expression' and the graceful melodies of 'Overshare'
Kirk Degiorgio is back on Neroli with a follow up of his acclaimed 2023 ‘Robe Of Dreams’ album. In this new record, aptly entitled ‘The Statement’, Kirk widens the jazz/modern jazz palette and it almost feels like an extension of the previous one, but this time exploring more unbeaten paths. Free-jazz drums meet ambient pads, soaring vocal harmonies from Beauty Room vocalist Jinadu meet funky breakbeats, some channeling of classic Lonnie Liston Smith/Marcus
Miller era jazz-funk all adds up to another feast of sonic delights from
Degiorgio.
Somewhere between Solid State Survivor, Force Majeure and Danzindan-Pojidon you’ll find Shinichi Omata’s Boku ・ Neko ・ Platanus. Or rather you won’t – throughout his captivating debut from 1984, reissued by chOOn!! in 2022, you’ll hear connections to other music but its unique unbridled will keeps pushing those references out of mind.
Shinichi Omata is a fascinating figure – an unsung hero of early Japanese electronic music who between 1981–84 recorded three albums of incredible DIY techno-pop while studying as a student in Tokyo. At University, Omata worked and collaborated as a sitar player and keyboardist with artists such as Hiroko Yoshihara, Takami, DEA and various members of the LLE music circle, where he developed an expressive fusion of minimal synth and psychedelia.
This selection, lovingly extracted from Omata’s unreleased early recorded output, dating from 1981’s Neo Modernism through to 1983's With My Dog Ricky, demonstrates just how closely he clung to the original abstract ideal of moulding 8-bit bleeps and ungainly drum patterns into lo-fi triumphalism. On paper you wouldn’t give this aesthetic clash a pass were it not for the aural evidence of a unique sensibility, precociously openminded and visionary, charmingly transparent in respect of its influences yet possessed of a need for individuality.
Throughout this kaleidoscopic collection, all the ghost plastic in Omata’s head, Kosmische synthesis, synth-funk squiggles, arcade games and early Ambient is thrown together, reimagined and regarded affectionately – through a glass lightly, so to speak. Beneath the pulsing arpeggiated bleeps, Omata’s compositions show a remarkable economy and poise hinting at European classical influences - like a reimagining of Erik Satie’s piano miniatures that swaps 19th century Parisian boulevards for Tokyo’s 1980s technopolis. The music is sheer skin- puckering delight throughout, a delirious, mesmeric collage of dark disco bubblegum and eccentrically enchanting atmospheres that you cannot quite believe you’ve never heard before.
Available for the first time on vinyl, With My Dog Ricky: The Early Works of Shinichi Omata 1981-1983 is a vivid selection of synth miniatures lovingly extracted from Omata’s unreleased early recorded output.
Produced in cooperation with the artist for chOOn!!.
Mastered for vinyl/digital by Josh Bonati. Artwork by the acclaimed book designer Luke Bird
Introducing the new record by Hendriks Toth on Sofa Movements Records.
Hendriks summed it up in his own words:
"I am glad that my first LP on vinyl is being released on a Slovak label.
Part of this LP was recorded on the streets of Kolkata, India, and also in Tbilisi, Georgia. Travel is closely connected to my music, and this EP is no exception, which is probably audible. Interestingly, in the track 'Low Histamine,' I sing for the first time (though perhaps I wouldn't call it singing).
Since I don't usually release music in Slovakia, I am very pleased that such alternative music can be released on vinyl on a Slovak label, and I take my hat off to the label manager.
I hope you will enjoy it, or at least find it an unusual experience, whether positive or negative."
Review: Sade's Lovers Rock marks a significant evolution in the band's sound and image. Departing from their signature luxuriance, the album embraces a sparser, knottier sound that beautifully balances past influences with contemporary trends. Adu's vocals, thick and low as ever, blend seamlessly into the breezy landscape of acoustic guitar, reggae bass, and simple percussion, creating an atmosphere of understated sensuality. The album's themes range from new love to motherhood to societal issues, showcasing Adu's lyrical prowess and her ability to navigate the complexities of human emotions. Lovers Rock also pays homage to the cultural influence of Caribbean Britishness, both in its title and its musical style, adding depth to Sade's sonic palette. While the album was released amid a pop landscape dominated by shiny, slick productions, Sade remained true to their sound, avoiding obvious trends and opting for a more introspective approach. The album's impact reverberates through contemporary music and allowed Sade to maintain their unique identity and continue evolving with each release.
Rain&Shine proudly present ENERGIZE, a band out of Marin County, California in 1979. Previously unobtainable even for top DJs due to rarity, Rain&Shine gives this double A side modern soul/disco 45 an official re-issue treatment. About ENERGIZE (words by Dan Hays - Guitarist, Songwriter):
ENERGIZE came to age in a post-hippie era, where musicians went back to playing covers in bars. However Marin was still inexpensive and it was possible to pool money together to buy studio time.
That's how ENERGIZE formed - working musicians led by the superb producer and guitar player, Archie Williams (son of Archie Williams Sr - a passionate educator, WWII air force pilot and 1936 Olympic champion) Dan Hayes - songwriter and guitarist, and John Isabeau - lyrics and our executive producer.
John is now a successful Hollywood producer, Oscar documentary award winner, and resides in James Brown's former house in Las Vegas.
The record also features a hugely successful blues vocalist who has asks to remain uncredited. Archie, John and I now have grown children and a few grandkids as well and getting a kick that 40 years later, our self-produced record has found an audience. Far Out
Continuing its streak of lit releases, Modeight Records now shines a light on an exciting new Romanian talent Raz, based in Manchester. Injecting some sick minimal house grooves, infectious energy into 4 original compositions. The young artist captivates the listener with his raw and rollicking flow. From the mega fun, head bobbing bassline jam and smooth vocals on "Time Chamber", to the slick electronic riffs of "Fun Ensemble". The deep, sub sonic wiggle of "A Sharp Delay", Raz carves out a sophisticated and hella enjoyable sonic journey diving into "Orange Glide". A breakout release for an artist who's definitely gonna be one to watch in the future.
No stranger to the System Error family, Pohl returns following his sumptuous 2020 release on LowMoneyMusicLove. Signature sounds from the man from Madrid. Four sneaky, well-crafted grooves.
Overview
Arguably the greatest Jamaican record producer of all time, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was instrumental in transforming the island’s national sound throughout the Sixties and Seventies, with his unique approach to music making pushing the music beyond previously perceived boundaries.
To mark the first anniversary of his passing, the very best of his work is showcased across a number of products, all of which effectively demonstrate why Perry was widely venerated figure for so long..
The deluxe box set comprises four vinyl LPs and four CD sets featuring his best known and most influential recordings including a previously unreleased mix of Junior Murvin’s powerful ‘Police And Thieves’, UK chart-buster ‘Hurt So Good’ by Susan Cadogan and the Upsetters’ boss reggae classic ‘Return Of Django’, as well as numerous major Jamaican hits.
Aldo included in the set is a 50 page fully illustrated page book, penned by Scratch’s official biographer, David Katz and featuring an array photos by celebrated photographer Adrian Boot, and a newly designed two sided full colour 24” x 24” poster.
The 2x gatefold LP and 2x CD set collection focus upon of the legendary music-maker’s best known productions from the Sixties and Seventies, performed by some of the giants of Jamaican music, with both extensive notes on the man whose talent and imagination took reggae to new heights of excellence.
With Australia‘s dance music scene being more prolific than ever, it‘s only fitting that one of the continent‘s hottest tickets appears in the Running Back universe. Sam Alfred‘s debut on it’s subsidiary Misfit Melodies melts the old with the new, swings the hips with the hits and unites the past with the future. The man with the adorable underground white label mp3 Shine II Dawn under his belt, is not only a DJ to die for, but also a witty, interesting and most of all enchanting studio talent. Aptly titled Roadblocks, this 5-track-EP once more underlines his appeal: his-speed house and sprinkles of retro rave meet the melodies of tomorrow.
While My Heart and Back To sound like Strictly Rhythm tracks played by UK Garage DJs, Drift and Fortune are prime examples of Sam‘s production powers. last, but not least the title track is the result of a trip to Dekmantel and a nod to the proggy bounce of the 90s. Built with love and made to last.
DJ support - Danny Krivit, Francois K and Joe Clausell to name a few.
Calm presents K.F.'s 'Shining of Life' returns with an array of unreleased mixes that breathe new life into the iconic 2004 Japan-only release. This special edition features innovative reinterpretations by Calm, offering a fresh auditory experience that blends the past with the present in an extraordinary musical journey.
This new package contains four unreleased versions, including the mesmerizing 'Flutemental' mix and the expansive 'Space Ritual Dub' rendition.
This collector's edition is a must-have for true music aficionado
