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To mark a decade as one of Ibiza's most iconic musical sanctuaries, Hostal La Torre announces 'La Torre Ibiza Volumen Cinco', a new compilation curated by long-standing residents Pete Gooding and Mark Barrott. Released June 27 on CD and double vinyl, the 15-track collection captures the spirit of the venue that has come to define the golden-hour soundtrack ofthe island's west coast.

Since opening in 2015, La Torre has established itself as a bastion of Balearic culture-set high on the cliffs overlooking the sea, where music flows with the sun rather than the clock. The fifth volume in the celebrated La Torre series is a journey through Brazilian soul, ambient electronica, classic deep house, orchestral minimalism, and dusk-lit Detroit techno-an emotional arc designed to mirror the progression of an evening at the venue.

From timeless icons like Nina Simone, Mazzy Star, Talk Talk (with their Spirit of Eden closer "Wealth"), and Boards of Canada, to boundary-pushers like Auntie Flo, Eden Burns, and µ-Ziq (aka Mike Paradinas), Volumen Cinco weaves together deep-rooted classics and leftfield discoveries. Mark Barrott contributes a brand-new exclusive, 'When Devils Become Gods', while the compilation closes on a rare gem from Yellow Magic Orchestra's Yukihiro Takahashi. Also includedis Software's 'Present Voice', a quietly powerful tribute to the late José Padilla, the spiritual architect of Ibiza's sunset sound.

Volumen Cinco is more than just a listening experience-it's a tribute to La Torre's ethos: open-hearted, genre-fluid, rooted in place and time. Each track is carefully sequenced to evoke a feeling, a shift in light, or a shared memory beneath the fading sun.

Over the years, La Torre has welcomed some of the most influential names in Balearic and electronic music, from José Padilla, Alfredo, and Jon Sa Trinxa to DJ Harvey, David Holmes, Lovefingers, Heidi Lawden, Wolf Müller, Don Carlos, and Phil Mison. With each summer season and each release, the venue continues to build a musical legacy that has earned critical acclaim from Resident Advisor, Phonica Records, Juno, and Piccadilly Records, regularly featuring in their year-end lists.

As Test Pressing once wrote, "La Torre is not a party, it's a place of pilgrimage. It feels almost sacred." That spirit resonates deeply in this anniversary compilation-a celebration of music, community, and connection that spans a decade.

La Torre Ibiza Volumen Cinco is dedicated to the artists, friends, collaborators, and guests who've shaped its story so far-and to everyone who continues to gather, listen, and lose track of time as the sun slips beneath the horizon.

The Temptations Get High on Psychedelic Soul: Cloud Nine Soars with Ambitious Arrangements and Production, Features Standout Vocal Performances and Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers

The Temptations’ Cloud Nine announced that Motown — and “The Sound of Young America” — would never be the same. Influenced by the emergence of cutting-edge rock and pop currents, as well as increasing sociopolitical turmoil, the album broke down barriers between rock, psychedelia, and soul while heralding the arrival of visionary arrangements and production techniques. Bookended by traditional R&B numbers, the 1969 record sent the Temptations in bold new directions and signaled the advent of psychedelic soul.

Sourced from the original master tapes, strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket, Mobile Fidelity’s 180g 45PM 2LP set presents Cloud Nine in audiophile sound for the first time on a domestic pressing. This collectible reissue bestows Norman Whitfield’s extraordinary production with the grand-scale dynamics, natural tonality, expansive openness, and low-end weight it deserves. The timbre of each of the five members’ voices is readily identifiable — even within the group harmonies — bestowing a realism never experienced outside the recording studio.

Making its debut on 45RPM, the album further benefits from the wide groove space by playing with greater separation and more realistic presence than prior editions. Everything from the brassiness of the horns to the dry snap of the snare comes across with reference-grade clarity and positioning. And since Motown’s renowned Funk Brothers backing band plays on many of the cuts, you’ll want to savor every note. The imaging, soundstaging, and organic bloom-and-decay of the notes make that possible.

Amid Cloud Nine, the instrumentation and architecture stand out as much as any element. Never before had a Motown album contained such ambitious patterns and complex passages. Seemingly conscientious of the departure from their past methods, the Temptations and Whitfield bunched together the tracks that mark a deep dive into psychedelic territory and counterbalance them with seven sterling soul cuts that dovetail with Motown tradition drenched with heartfelt vocals, swelling strings, and finger-snapping beats.

On the original 33RPM release, traditional Motown soul — laden with heartfelt vocals, swelling strings, and finger-snapping beats — occupies Side Two. These songs reveal an ensemble still very much on top of delivering pristine pop-soul material graced with romantic sweetness, persuasive insistent, and soaring highs. Re-energized after the departure of lead singer David Ruffin, who was fired for a variety of reasons in June 1968, the Temptations seamlessly meld with his replacement, Dennis Edwards, on one melodic gem after another.

The collective tackles five songs co-written by the legendary Motown team of Barrett Strong and Whitfield. Not the least of which are the smooth, shuffling “Why Did She Have to Leave Me (Why Did She Have to Go)” and deceptively simple, horn-spiked “Gonna Keep on Tryin’ till I Win Your Love.” On these tracks, as well as on a lush rendition of the ballad “Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing” and pleading, tender send-up of the Gerry Goffin-Carole King classic “Hey Girl,” Edwards and Paul Williams take turns on the lead with the estimable Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams providing backing support.

All five vocalists trade-off leads on the simmering title track, a groundbreaking composition shot through with wah-wah-pedal effects, liquid funk, deep bass lines, Cuban percussion, saturated reverb, and gang choruses. Whitfield mines each member’s natural vocal range with spectacular results, keeps time with cymbals, and channels both the heated temperatures and escapist desires of a society embroiled in war, conflict, and experimental drugs.

Amazingly, the Temptations top themselves on the similarly revealing “Run Away Child, Running Wild.” Nearly 10 minutes in length, the song explodes R&B parameters and harbors a cinematic scope. Urgent pianos, distorted guitars, stripped-down percussion, steamy Hammond organs, minimal bass motifs, five distinct voices narrating the tale of a boy who fled home and now finds himself amid the scary, unforgiving external world: They combine to give the urgent tune a walls-closing-in atmosphere where fear and desperation reign. Bolstered by an extended instrumental section that precedes a climactic return of the singers’ voices, “Run Away Child, Running Wild” equaled the success of the record’s title track, with both reaching No. 6 on the pop charts.

2026 Repress

In 2000, Leonora Epremian collaborated with Evasive Records' founder Rob Pearson to produce a remarkable three-track EP, marking the fourth vinyl release on the label. Recorded at the renowned Online Studios in Croydon, South London, this EP captures the essence of a pivotal era in London's Tech House scene.

"Remember" and "My Soul" epitomize the quintessential London Tech House sound, their polished production still capable of energizing dance floors 24 years later. The breakbeat track "Promoseus" gained significant traction, becoming a staple in many DJs' collections, notably championed by Adam Freeland in his club sets and on his acclaimed Kiss FM radio show.

Due to the rarity and demand, original copies of this EP have fetched up to £150. This repress offers a unique opportunity to own a genuine piece of Tech House and Tech Breaks history, ensuring that these timeless tracks continue to resonate with new and seasoned listeners alike.

Swiss techno icon Deetron shows his class with a new four-track EP on Mutual Rytm's sub-label, X.

Deetron is one of the most respected producers of his time. From sleek house to deep techno, he brings impeccable sound designs and melodic elegance to his work while remaining true to his authentic signature sound. He always delivers, whether landing via labels like Ilian Tape under his Soulmate guise or via the likes of Axis and Music Man, and that quality is on show once again as he brings the class on this new EP via the sub-label of SHDW's Mutual Rytm.

First up, 'Translate Rhythms' layers jazzy, de-tuned melodies into a quick and slick deep techno groove. It's a colourful and playful sound with a serious impact. 'Cause' is a more heads-down and moody sound with walls of drums and bass rolling beneath raw percussive loops and tight vocal stabs that ramp up the energy levels. The fantastic 'Move' brings grainy pads, inescapable bass weight and bulky drum loops to make for an immovable wedge of serious concrete techno funk. Last is the digital bonus cut 'Orbit', which heads off to the stars with a deepspace
vibe, swirling pads and minimal drums that tap out a rumbling groove.

2026 Repress

ANNE and Sera J close their Symbiosis series on Mutual Rytm with third and most refined EP yet.

This final chapter reflects everything the collaboration has stood for across a trio of inventive techno releases on SHDW's imprint. Creative and life partners ANNE and Sera J have been two voices growing in parallel, evolving separately but moving with the same pulse. ANNE is well established thanks to standout EPs on the likes of Soma and Hardgroove, while Sera J has released on the likes of Life in Patterns and Renegade Methodz, and both have featured on Mutual Rytm's 'Federation Of Rytm' series before now. 'Symbiosis III' is the moment where everything comes full circle: the culmination of a journey built on respect, creativity, and the freedom to explore their own paths while lifting each other forward.

Sera J kicks off with 'Ransomware', a commanding and driving techno cut lit up with flashy synths but always moving with urgency. 'Phosphate' keeps the energy levels high with stripped-back drums and bass designed to perfection, while 'Anthrax' has an anxious edge. The synths are wispy but evocative as bass kills and swiping filters bring the drama.

ANNE then ups the ante with the acid-tinged 'Dementia', which is loopy and unrelenting before 'A Taste of a Real Woman' gets more seductive with a sultry spoken word and sustained chords that bring the paranoia. 'Heart Rate' is propulsive with Detroit-style synth soul and an aching vocal, before Sera J returns with 'On the Run' - a percussive, trippy and eerie roller. His final Cut 'Similar Minds' has a searching synth surveying a desolate landscape, before ANNE then closes the EP with the punchy drum patterns and icy hi hats of 'Primal Howl Of Ego' and a blend of deep drums and evocative synth work on the 'Analog Heartbeat' - which proves potent techno can be beautiful.

2025 Repress

Chlar returns to his Primal Instinct label with 'Modern Survival'

Following the widely praised Funk Assault (Chlar & Alarico) 'Minimum One Post A Week' EP, which kicked off the Primal Instinct label last summer and won the support of the likes of Rodhad, Tasha, and Luke Slater, as well as routine plays from Sarah Story on BBC Radio 1, Chlar now returns to his imprint with solo venture 'Modern Survival'. While the first Primal Instinct release saw references to artist urges and behaviours on social media, this next instalment explores a modern recontextualisation of humanity's hierarchy of needs in yet another high-concept EP.

First up, 'Internet Soulmate' boasts a crunchy bassline as its drum work chugs along the track playfully. The groove twists and turns before the hypnotic and tribal 'Supermarket Hunting' continues with sounds of nature, loopy rhythm and syncopated bleeps.

On the B-side's 'Body Control Officer', human-made grooves intertwine with machine-like thrum, synths whirring and zapping, while 'Competitive Influencing' takes off with rolling percussion, subtle whistles and distorted vocal one-shots. Closing out another stellar offering from the Primal Instinct frontman, Chlar brings the dark 'Scout My Algorithm', a brooding slow-burner offset by smooth arpeggio snippets and warped slices of digital noise.

"In an era where technology entwines our everyday existence, where the virtual realm shapes our interactions, and where the pursuit of influence takes centre stage comes an EP that delves deep into the modern tapestry of human existence. 'Modern Survival' is not merely a collection of songs and visual clips, but a poignant reflection on the intricate dance between our primal instincts and the brave new world we navigate today. The EP invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and reflection, prompting them to ponder the fundamental essence of our existence in an environment of fast-paced technological evolution." - Chlar

Deep techno, sometimes nostalgic and melancholic: that what Zooloft Records is. Giorgio Gigli and Francesco Baudazzi (Obtane), balancing soul and body, give birth to intense storytelling through sound, enhanced by an intimate reflection about childhood innocence.

Introspection is driven by a vein of subtle and rarefied nihilism, pervaded in each release. Project's graphics evoke the idea of abstract thoughts written on blank paper, where shadows meet memories.

Future, maybe, is the memory of a beautiful past. So, we are here, today, and proud to present you a special, collector-item vinyl boxset, limited to 100 pieces only, handsigned and remastered, containing the full Zooloft discography.

SKYLAX RECORDS proudly unveils the final chapter in its monumental 4-part saga — SKYLAX BLACK 4: Enlightenment Theory. This visionary series, bringing together two of France’s most iconic electronic artists — ARNAUD REBOTINI and ACID WASHED — was never just a collection of records. It was a journey through the deepest layers of the underground — a conceptual project where each release was a coded message, each track a fragment of a greater whole. On the A-side, Enlightenment Theory explodes with fierce urgency — an anthem forged in the spirit of Underground Resistance, echoing the soulful intensity of early ’90s Detroit without imitation. It’s bold, emotional, and militantly underground — a future classic cloaked in defiance and elegance. On the B-side: B1. Space Is The Place channels the weightless gravity of dub techno at its purest — all echo chambers and endless delay, a direct line to the Berlin school of Basic Channel, Maurizio, and Deepchord. B2. Beyond Current Biological Constraints closes the chapter in deep space — an electro masterwork evoking Drexciya, full of aquatic melancholy and cybernetic funk. It’s not retro — it’s timeless. With this last installment, the puzzle is complete. The meaning is revealed: R.A.V.E. — four records forming one powerful word. One timeless idea. A tribute to everything this culture stands for: raw energy, emotional truth, sonic innovation, and spiritual depth. This project could only be born on SKYLAX RECORDS — a label that has always stood apart. Uncompromising. Devoted to physical formats. Fiercely loyal to the culture. While others chase trends, SKYLAX continues to chart a different course — one rooted in the sacred codes of house, techno, electro, and beyond. It is no exaggeration to say that SKYLAX is one of the last true purist strongholds of underground music — and this series, with its layered meanings and fearless artistry, is proof. From Redshifts to Blueshifts to Artificial Darwinism then Vision Quest, every chapter has pointed toward this moment. Now, with Enlightenment Theory, the full vision is revealed. RAVE is not just a word — it is the truth. A philosophy. A myth reborn. The circle is complete. The message endures. The legacy lives on.

2024 Repress

Random Factor's 'On The Air' EP is a hugely sought-after classic by those who know. It came on Ralph Lawson's ever-reliable 20/20 Vision and now, as it turns 25 years old, he has decided it is the right time to get it remastered and reissued. 'On The Air' is first up on this fine EP from Carl Finlow and it has serene synths that bring to mind Detroit techno soul over pulsing bass and slick drums. 'Lockdown' has a raw vocoder vocal over punchy drums and twitchy synth stabs and 'Undercurrent' is another weapon that has more than withstood the test of time as it bumps along on funky drums and is overlaid with more playful synth patterns. 'Disconnect' is a crunchy and 8-bit closer with pixelated synths and screwy acid lines. Superb.

SKYLAX RECORDS proudly unveils the fourth and final chapter in its epic, conceptual 4-part saga — SKYLAX BLACK 4 – Vision Quest. This secretive series brings together two pillars of French electronic music, ARNAUD REBOTINI and ACID WASHED, in a bold tribute to the essence of rave, electro, and techno. Following the critically acclaimed Winter Sequences and Musical Component, this last installment pushes even deeper into the roots and futures of the underground. On the A-side, Vision Quest opens the EP with a pulsating journey of progressive electronics — cinematic and sleek, evoking the robotic spirituality of Kraftwerk and the expansive textures of early kosmische music. Next, TOI 700-d channels the golden age of acid house with infectious 303 lines and jacking grooves. Think DJ Pierre, Phuture, and Ron Hardy at their most transcendental — raw, euphoric, and timeless. Flip to the B-side and dive into Black Star Liners — a dub techno masterclass in the lineage of Maurizio, Basic Channel, and Chain Reaction. Deep, minimal, and full of ghostly delay, it’s a meditative immersion in pure sound system hypnosis. Closing the EP, Trojan Asteroids fires into classic Metroplex territory — icy, futuristic, and funk-laced. A perfect nod to Cybotron and Model 500, this is hi-tech soul with a razor’s edge. Once again, SKYLAX RECORDS delivers a visionary release — timeless, intelligent, and essential. The final piece of the puzzle is here. The journey ends… or just begins.

Given the Balearic life that Leeds ex-pat Nightmares on Wax now leads in Ibiza, we have to admit we did not see this coming: the downtempo Warp legend returning to his early 90s electronic roots. He does so with a new series of collaborations with young talents on 20/20 Vision, starting with Marlon Lopez. 'Patang' is slow, snaking dub with glitchy synth patches and melodic bass. 'Cancel Dat!' has a crunchy feel next to the bleepy synths with a leggy, loopy low end and tech house snap. Wulf's Jam 4 Jamie is a deeper, more twisted version and label head RL's Get It Together remix cuts up the groove and brings a spoken word that reframes the cut as soulful I:Cube style jam.

Collecting pre-orders for a limited time only.

Spincycle are back on Coin-Op Records. To celebrate 25 years since writing it, they’re repressing their much sought after first release on Geek Records: Coin-Op/Cold Sweet Beer. Originally released as Geek#001, now repressed for the first time on Coin-Op#003. It’s Coin-Op on Coin-Op!!  

Coin-Op: 
“Alright alright let me take ya to the scene”. The original Coin-Op track inspired the new label name and is a techy dancefloor groover with addictive funky bass.

Cold Sweet Beer: 
“I’d give my god damn soul for just a glass of beer!” CSB hits a bit deeper with repetitive stabs and organs over a relentless groove.  

The Love symbol is universal for LOVE. Přistěhovalci is the Czech word for Immigrants.
The "Love Immigrants" EP was created partially from field recordings in 2025. It has 3 Grooving Deep House tracks with messages of Solidarity, Love and Long Life.

The Vessel Recordings Group label is headed up by Ira James who has shown he has great taste when it comes to tapping into global house sounds. This new EP is another standout with Toronto talent Demuir behind the beats. He brings his signature mix of influxes to this one starting with 'Conversing With Angels' which has disco-tinged loops and soulful, feel-good vibes that liven up any party. 'Everynight' has a deep cut and funky groove that is made all the more arresting and emotive with the vocals and smart synth filters, while 'Mizz Hunni' comes as a hefty tech stomper and also as a dub.

Veteran Japanese electronic music producer, AKIO NAGASE, a leading player in the Kansai underground music scene since the late 1990s teams up with Yukino Inamine, a gifted and young female singer from Okinawa who magically mixes traditional Ryukyu (Okinawa) folk songs with her sanshin (Okinawan Shamisen) playing into the modern age, to create this wonderful collaborative album, Yugafu ai KAJI. This album is set to be released on GLOCAL RECORDS, a record store/ record label run by Genta Minowa, an ex-staff at the record store, Disc Shop Zero in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo and who still continues to introduce a great selection of dubby, club music from his HQ in Harajuku.

AKIO NAGASE regularly organised parties at his own venue, as well as ran a record store of the same name while actively being part of the Kansai scene at legendary clubs such as Tsuru no Ma, Sound Channel, etc., the best of what was offered in the Kansai underground dance scene in the 2000s.

As an artist, he released his own productions out of labels such as Sound Channel and RUDIMENTS run by Minowa. His album, Make Dub was released in 2003 out of the label, Sound Channel featured an innovative, techno meets dancehall track, Dance Hall King which connected techno, acid house with reggae and dub. This album is an undiscovered gem whose sound still emulates freshness and originality today (my wish is for it to be reissued on vinyl!) After a brief hiatus of releasing music, he released the EP, Delusion out of Chillmountain Records, a label run by his friend, Ground in 2018 and at his own leisurely pace, he has been slowly but surely releasing material that oozes originality, expressed through a robust acid sound and a variety of elements such as afro and Ryukyu folk music that is then incorporated into the medium of dub. Recently, he has also started to gain international attention by releasing original material and remixes out of labels such as the UK label, Emotional Especial, etc.

For this album, NAGASE teams up with Yukino Inamine who brings her own distinctive singing and sanshin playing magic into this collaboration and they fuse electronic music sounds with Ryukyu folk songs to create this wonderfully imaginative album that has no precedence or equal. Apart from the song, Ishikawa Koiuta, all other songs are covers of Ryukyu folk standards that were handpicked by NAGASE from the repertoire of songs that Inamine regularly performs live. They met up when NAGASE was commissioned to remix one of her original compositions, Miyagi Kaigan that was released in 2023 and that evolved into a collaboration with a concept that mixed Inamine singing Ryukyu folk standards with a backing tracks produced by NAGASE. Whenever she went to the the Kansai area, she would work on the basic track material created by NAGASE at the dub master of Osaka, Soulfire’s studio, HAV who would then additionally edit her takes to create the finishing tracks.

This album, Yugafu ai KAJI opens with Shirahamabushi, a track that slowly builds with an interesting mix of slow acid techno and sanshin and then moves onto the easy-going electro dub of Tinsagu nu hana (it is actually a cover of the track of the same title that first appeared in the label sampler, Comuni ó n Especial that was released on Emotional Especial. NAGASE initially wanted to feature Inamine on vocals for this track but due to scheduling issues, it did not happen but with good fortune, the new version of this track is now included in this album). A side closes with the optimistic Balearic sounds of Tsuki nu Kaisha that converges immaculately with slow-mo steppers. It is also worth noting that the person who introduced NAGASE to Inamine was the Okinawa dub master, HARIKUYAMAKU. They met at a concert held by both him & Yukino Inamine hosted by BUN BUN THE MC at the venue, RAGGA CHANNEL. From this encounter, this album came into fruition and they also asked HARIKUYAMAKU to produce an earthy, traditional rootsy, dub version of Tsuki nu Kaisha that is included as the 3rd track on the B Side.

Ashimizubushi, the track that magically blends old school Chicago house ala TRAX with Ryukyu folk music starts off the B side and it carries on to an uplifting track with a Skaouse (ska + house) feel, Hounen Ondo. Inserted after HARIKUYAMAKU’s dub of Tsuki nu Kaisha, this album closes out with the song, ‘Ishikawa Koi Uta’, the only song written by Inamine who said that she wrote it after falling in love with chill-out music. It is an ambient dub track with a collage like flavour, reminiscent of early The Orb (remixed by Mad Professor) and the latter half of the track finishes off with a message presented by Masao Itokazu (her uncle) who received tutelage from the prior owner of her sanshin that Inamine plays, Moritomo Inamine (her grandfather).

Incidentally, the album title, YUGAFU ai Kaji is derived from an auspicious word from Okinawa, Yugafu which means fruitful year, happiness, prosperity and ai (indigo) is a word that Yukino found inspiration few years ago (she wears a Okinawan indigo clothing called kinonuno in the front cover of this album).

The unique indigo colouring produced by nature overlaps with the unique charm of the human personality, and she wanted to present that current along with the music so the name was integrated to ‘indigo wind’, and the two were connected to form the album title, ‘YUGAFU ai Kaji’.

The photo of the front cover was taken by a young, Uchinaanunishie—- (meaning a boy from Okinawa) 17 year old photographer named Ratio and the designer of this album is Anmonaito who is a childhood friend of Inamine who also did the artwork for her album, Miyagi Kaigan. And the mastering and cutting of this album was done by Rei Taguchi.

The cosmology existing in Yukino Inamine’s singing is fully amplified by AKIO NAGASE’s spacey, abundant with many ideas, dance machine beat~ambient music and all of these elements are organically linked by the adhesive effect of dub.

The second part of Roy’s return to Emotional Response and the While Line Sunrise series dives further in old Hard Drives and DATs to unearth more lost techno for the brain, heart and feet.

Ensuing melody for driving beats, Fenix Haus 6 is a TB303 blast. Electro meets acid, the focus is on the rhythm, percussion is pushed to the fore and the rest will follow. Exit Ren8 brings some melody touches to the jacked-up ride, acid melodies ride classic Roy beats, programming for the mind and soul.

As with Part 1, here the flip expands the retinae of the found sound, Cristia Theme with flourishes of IDM and industrial touches, wrapped in a sheen of acid squelches and snap hats.

The series completes with the theme, the ambient meets kosmiche of White Line Sunrise III. Minimalist keys against cathedral sweeps, motorik drums float in and are gone, a grandiose ending with, as always, a light hearted ending, Roy’s return is a welcome and an intriguing interlude.

Repress

Manchester's Cleric make a storming debut on Soma with a solid 4 track EP packed full of his heavy hitting, layered Techno.

Strut proudly presents a new edition of one of Sun Ra's most celebrated albums, Sleeping Beauty, reissued in its original artwork for the first time.

Originally released in 1979 on his independent Saturn label, Sleeping Beauty captures Sun Ra and his Arkestra at their most soulful and serene. A masterclass in cosmic jazz, the album blends lush grooves, celestial soul, and meditative funk with Ra’s singular spiritual vision — a sound both grounded and otherworldly.

The album emerged during an extraordinarily fertile period for Sun Ra in late-‘70s New York. Between 1978 and 1982, Ra “occupied” Variety Recording Studios on West 42nd Street, often staging marathon sessions following late-night Arkestra gigs around the city — from the Village Vanguard to Sweet Basil and even a wedding in Central Park. These were not just recordings; they were rituals. Ra and his core players — John Gilmore, Marshall Allen, June Tyson, Michael Ray, and others — would begin sessions mid-morning, often continuing past midnight, much to the dismay of the studio owner. Out of this creative whirlwind came some of his most enduring work, including A Fireside Chat With Lucifer, On Jupiter, and Sleeping Beauty.

Across its three tracks, Sleeping Beauty showcases the Arkestra’s gentler side. From the dreamy sway of “Springtime Again” to the funk-deep uplift of “Door Of The Cosmos” and the title track’s meditative drift, this is music that floats, beckons, and unfolds. It’s a record of hypnotic beauty and quiet power — cosmic jazz for dreamers and seekers alike.

This new edition features a selected version of the hand-drawn original cover, embossed with the Sun Ra logo and housed in a heavyweight card sleeve. Liner notes come courtesy of Arkestra member Knoel Scott and Sun Ra authority Paul Griffiths. Remastered by Technology Works.

“Music is a language. You see, it’s not notes — it’s a language of the spirit. That’s why it’s so important.” – Sun Ra

Representing the spirit of the underground in Dubai, Shadi Megallaa is a multifaceted music lover whose unwavering passion for music permeates throughout all of his endeavours. A pioneer of Dubai’s electronic music culture, Shadi’s roots lie with the foundations of modern day electronica: all shades of house, techno and beyond. His commitment to preserving and evolving the culture is inherent in his record shop, The Flip Side, which has been intrinsic to the growth and development of music culture in Dubai. As a DJ and producer he draws on a multitude of experience, diverse taste and a refined ear that has instilled the ability to craft compelling productions. On Spirits Of The Deep we find Shadi exploring the deeper side of electronic music, creating layers of vibration designed to immerse the listener in layers of positive vibration.

As prescribed by Shadi himself, we start the traditional way, with Side B (the info side), where ‘Microgravity’ transports us into the cosmos. Soothing sonics envelop a taut low end with crisp percussion and swathes of pad work cultivating an interstellar atmosphere. Subtly shifting layers keep you locked into a groove, as the track maintains its energetic pulse. The synth lines increase with intensity midway through, adding more potency. Across almost nine minutes Shadi takes us on an excursion beyond the stars…

This is followed by ‘G-Dub’, a smooth jazz-inflected piece full of soul nourishing goodness. Intuitive drum programming with a groove-laced low end form the propulsive backbone of this track. The dreamlike melodic elements are almost transcendent in their illuminating impact. With all of its elements combined, ‘G-Dub’ is a glorious foray into the depths of true deep house. Shadi keeps things interesting throughout, adding and subtracting layers to complement the pace. Those hi-hats and intermittent cymbal crashes are especially impactful. A delight.

On the flip we have ‘Pressure’, where Shadi’s UK breaks influence comes through. A characterful vocal sample features throughout the intro before we enter a world of unusual sounds. The beats are, once again, impeccably executed, accompanied by a dubby bassline and an ever-evolving cacophony of squelchy sounds and chirps. Running at just over 9 ½ minutes, ‘Pressure’ sees Shadi flexing his creative muscles with a heady, expansive composition that invites us on a deep musical trip.

Finally, ‘The Poet’ closes out the EP on an emotive tip. The track is dedicated to the Palestinian poet and activist Refaat Alareer, who was killed during an airstrike on Gaza in December 2023. It utilises Refaat’s powerful poem If I Must Die, with the spinetingling words taking centre stage, as Shadi’s beats, bass and bright pads provide the backdrop. A piano-led melody appears in the latter part of the track, amplifying its emotionally-charged atmosphere. A wonderfully imagined homage to a martyr for peace. As the samples state, Let it bring hope…

Belgian DJ / producer down under Gratts is back with his most intriguing collection of songs to date.
Different shades of house music are on offer - always raw, real, and full of personality.
‘Off My Feet’ is dedicated to Restless Soul and features Durban force Venessa Jackson on vocals.
Adelaide’s Ed Temple destructs, rerubs and transforms it into a sleazy slice of hardware boogie.
‘Smiling’ chronicles hazy London days and nights some 20 odd years ago, brought to life by the
illustrious JPHiLo. A track both for club and airwaves use. ‘Better Days’ is a warm and uplifting chunk
of balearica, in which Rose ensures us better days are soon upon us (surely), while Belgium’s
Steven De bruyn shines on harmonica. The ‘Moody Beatdown Dub’ pulls things firmly into Detroit
territory. The EP concludes with title track ‘New Horizons’, an emotional piece that fuses a juicy acid
line with the cascading magic of Adelaide pianist (and techno veteran) Antony Coppens.