Search:spe

“Loves Love” jettisoned STÜM into 2024 and now “Beautiful Dancers” is here to take him ever higher.

As the second single off his forthcoming Essence Of Time EP, “Beautiful Dancers” is a blissful yet haunting take on techno. This track is total club rapture made up of ghostly vocal calls, static-like percussion and howling wind effects. A record of mixed emotions, pleasure and pain all blended up into 6 plus minutes.

Speaking on the tune, STÜM says “The songwriting process involved juxtaposing the organic with the synthetic weaving together contrasting sounds to mirror the duality of human emotion.”

Third in line is “Limbo”, a heaving acid hit full of hypnotic foreign instruments and vocals. This one gives off a massive street party feeling. From there we head to “Escape” a more dreamy and introspective bell-tone tune. A deliberate breather from STÜM before storming into the title track of the EP.

“Essence Of Time” is a shimmering rave piece. Dulcet piano intertwines with airy effects and hammering synths – another excellent example of STÜM’s ability to blend light and shade all at once.

Italy's tastiest jazz-funk band is back to what they do best, sharing dreamy summer vibes with this new 2-tracker.
Cannelé is a smooth, sun-drenched tribute to this sweet product of the Bordeaux terroir, that doublebass player and former Saint-Émilion employee Fabio Bordignon knows so well. Beautiful string arrangements come to sublimate the track with a highly cinematic feel.

On the other side is the final studio version of QMQS (Quando mai, quando sempre), which is an old italian expression to qualify people that only appear rarely, and always at the same specific occasions. This uplifting disco tune first appeared in its demo and live versions on previous releases Gusto di Luce and Live at Bolle Nardini, and has finally been re-recorded in a clean and groovy dress to be pressed on this 7inch record.

As many artists before them (Gainsbourg, Snoop Dogg, Lavilliers, Sinead O'Connor…), DA BREAK embarques us to revisit their best tracks “Inna Reggae Vibe”, and invites us listeners to rediscover their repertoire with a more than ever “Roots” sound. An enchanted break that will seduce the early fans as well as reggae connoisseurs; A suspended moment with a band on their new musical quest, assuming a different side of their DNA.

The idea of an “old school reggae auto remix” had bloomed for quite a long time, with the will to dive into the 60s & 70s sound esthetics and to pay tribute to this reggae culture - this unique cultural temple they love and respect so much.
DA BREAK concerts are always rich and intense musical moments, thanks to a crew of solid musicians, so the choice to record LIVE, all in the same room, was quite obvious; with “vintage” instruments and microphones, to enjoy this warm and authentic sonic texture. The result is a “Roots & Rock Steady” album without electronics, leaning towards sweaty and rough Jazz, tropical Soul or even Gospel with sand between the toes… definitely Reggae!
DA BREAK remains DA BREAK, with its inner light, this time looking towards the Caribbean musical culture.

Given the historical influence of Jamaican Sound Systems on the American Block Parties, it seemed logical for DA BREAK to pay tribute to the artists that influenced them since day one, and still do today: Bob Marley & the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff. Culture, Toots & the Maytals, Burning Spears, The Gladiators, YellowMan, Israel Vibrations, LKJ & Mad Professor, UB40, Shaka Demus, Peter Tosh... Just to name a few.

Being Punk and Hippie at the same time.
Les Rythmes Ruban experiment with the idea by doing absolutely what they want, but with love. Moving forward with enthusiastic trial and error has the double advantage of enjoying the scenery and easily crossing paths with people we love.
The first encounter between Marina P and Blundetto took place in 2014 with their collaboration on the track "Last Broken Bones" from the album "World Of". Marina, who had just created her label Homeys Records, continues to multiply experiences on stage and in the studio, solo or always well accompanied (Mungo's Hi-Fi, Stand High Patrol, Woman Hi-Fi with Biga*Ranx, Jahtari...).
But Marina's spectrum of influences goes far beyond reggae, drawing from the jazz sound of her parent's record player, her cello practice, and the discovery of great voices of Soul and Jazz like Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Chet Baker...
The track "Eugenio", written and composed by Marina, embodies all of this; it belongs to no particular style. It's primarily the evident essence of the song, its lyrics, and its emotion that inspired Blundetto to "set it to music", available to your ears in two different arrangements

As Freerange hits another landmark release with their 300th EP we see label head Jimpster join forces with Philippa who together deliver 3 original tracks which epitomise the labels’ sound over the past (almost) three decades.

With recent releases appearing on Slothboogie and Razor n Tape, remixes for Roach Motel on Faith, and James Curd and Robert Owens on Pronto, not to mention her recent Panorama Bar debut, it’s safe to say Philippa is making waves. The Berlin-based New Zealander has a sound all her own with an organic, deep and musical style winning her many fans from Terry Farley and Aroop Roy to DJ Spen and Dave Lee.

Lead track All I Wanted sees the duo pooling their influences with both producers sonic touches shining through. Chunky drums and bassline are the bedrock for pulsing synths and MON’s vocal which is chopped up and looped bringing a rolling momentum to the track.

Dreaming features the wonderful vocals of Care and goes on a floaty vibe with chiming synths and crusty Rhodes keys layering up to produce a densely textured track. The mood is powerful yet subtle and refined and will work as nicely on a chilled house playlist as it will on a discerning dance floor at 4am.

Closing out the EP we have Say What which goes on a jazzed out, UKG inspired excursion. Shuffling beats, bouncing square wave bassline and big brash synth chords all combine to form a track which sounds both retro and contemporary.

Having been recently credited for being the Hailey's Comet of the edits world, The Hole In The Wall Gang return after many calls over nearly two decades to bring you two outstanding dancefloor heaters on this limited 7 " release.

Underwater Sounds To Lure The Fishes is the second release from Free Tala, a project by Finnish sound artist Juho Toivonen. This LP features deep-sea droning sounds designed to attract fish. It’s perfect for all fishermen and women out there, as well as anyone who wants to dive into the deep blue, feel the weighty oceanic ambiance, and catch a glimpse into the mental landscape of these aquatic creatures. It also works very well in freshwater lakes, especially when enjoyed on the dock of your favourite summer cabin.

2024 Repress

Berliner Robert Dietz lands on the Rotterdam label Nous'klaer Audio with the summery five-tracker RIP To My Idea Of You.

A record infused with beautiful melodies and bright energy boosting drums - for the club, home and everything in between. The vinyl comes with a special poster designed by Hendrik Schneider.

No one has lived a life quite like Marcos Valle. He became an overnight international sensation, fled a military dictatorship, dodged the Vietnam war draft, had his music sung by Homer Simpson, made enemies with Marlon Brando, and became an unsuspecting fitness guru for multiple generations. But to truly understand the great Brazilian composer, arranger, singer and multi instrumentalist, one must listen to his music.

Lead Single (Life Is What It Is) : Between the release of his first album in 1962 and today, Marcos Valle has released twenty-two studio albums traversing definitive bossa nova, classic samba, iconic disco pop, psychedelic rock, nineties dance and orchestral music. He has also had his songs recorded by some of the all time greats, including Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Sergio Mendes, Elis Regina, and (last but not least), Emma Button of the Spice Girls. He has also had his music sampled by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Pusha T and many more.


With his twenty-third studio album Túnel Acustico, Valle set out to bring it all together.

“I believe my music is many things. It goes in different directions. I have many different ways of writing music, sometimes it’s melodies and harmony, sometimes the groove is the focus. But all the music I have made over my sixty year career is unified. It is all natural and it is all sincere. And this is what I wanted to bring to my new album.”

A prominent feature of Valle’s career has been his dual residence between Brazil and the USA. Originally moving over in the mid-sixties on the back of bossa nova’s international proliferation, Valle toured with Sergio Mendes and became hugely in demand as a composer and arranger. But the Vietnam War loomed and the threat of being drafted saw him return to Brazil. He spent the following years in Rio writing music for TV and film, as well as four cult favourite albums in collaboration with some of Brazil’s most groundbreaking musicians including Milton Nascimento, Azymuth, Som Imaginario and O Terco.

By 1975, Brazil's military dictatorship was at its most oppressive, making living and working increasingly difficult. Valle moved back to the US where he would reside in LA, writing songs for, and collaborating with the likes of Eumir Deodato, Airto Moreira, Chicago, Sarah Vaughn and Leon Ware, amongst others.

Túnel Acústico features two songs originally conceived during Valle’s time on the West Coast: “Feels So Good”, a stirring two-step soul triumph written in 1979 with soul icon Leon Ware, and the sublime AOR disco track “Life Is What It Is”, composed around the same time, with percussionist Laudir De Oliveira from the group Chicago.

Built around an unfinished demo Marcos found on a shelf in his house 44 years after it was made, the “Feels So Good” demo was restored with the help of producer Daniel Maunick, who also utilised AI stem-separation to remove the placeholder vocal ad-libs. Valle added Portuguese lyrics to sit alongside Ware’s vocal hook, as well as extra keyboards and percussion.

Also written in late seventies LA, “Life Is What Is It” was co-penned by Laudir De Oliveira from the band Chicago and first released on the bands’ Chicago 13 album with lyrics by Robert Lamb. Another nod to his good times in LA, Valle recorded his own version for Túnel Acústico, upping the tempo and deepening the groove for a blast of irresistible summer soul.

On Túnel Acústico, Valle's core band features two members of the renowned Brazilian jazz-funk group Azymuth: Alex Malheiros on bass and Renato Massa on drums. The rhythm section is completed by percussionist Ian Moreira, with additional contributions from guitarist Paulinho Guitarra and trumpeter Jesse Sadoc.

The contemporarily composed music on Túnel Acústico features an impressive lineup of guest lyricists, including renowned Brazilian artists: Joyce Moreno (Bora Meu Vem), Céu (Nao Sei), and Moreno Veloso (Palavras Tão Gentis) as well as Valle's brother Paulo Sergio Valle (Tem Que Ser Feliz).

The album closes with "Thank You Burt (For Bacharach)", a tribute to the legendary composer who passed away in 2023.

Túnel Acústico will be released on 20th September 2024 via Far Out Recordings. Valle is set to tour Europe and America in support of the album.

Guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli hold unique places in the history of jazz music. As the mainstays of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, they are the first European musicians to directly influence what was until their heyday, a totally American-based genre. The pair could hardly have been more different, yet it was this contrast that apparently fired up their partnership. Even though they collaborated with many famous figures, their work with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France
remains the most celebrated of their careers. Celebrate their collaboration with eighteen specially selected pieces, which includes works penned by the pair; Swing Guitars, Djangology, My Sweet, Daphne, Swing '39, Nocturne, Hungaria, H.C.Q. Strut and Swing From Paris

Italian duo HUMA returns to Angis Music with a brand new, ultra-limited singlesided 10" featuring "Gentle Frames", the ultimate dancefloor anthem. To record
this special jam, they've joined forces with Brothermartino, old friend of the
label and key figure in the Italian underground scene, who has enriched the
magical atmosphere of the track with his flute, turning it into a potent blend of
jazz, funk, and broken beat with a retro-futuristic flavor. Don't miss it!

A joint collaboration between long standing L.A garage label In The Red, Universal Music Australia and spearheaded by Feel Presents and Saints founder Ed Kuepper, the deluxe edition of (I’m) Stranded will feature 4 x vinyl long players covering all the band’s studio and live recordings from 1976 thru 1977 and includes; • The iconic debut album remastered for vinyl for the first time in over 40 years • A five-song live performance from Paddington Town Hall Sydney 3.4.1977 appearing on vinyl for the first time. • A full live performance from the Hope & Anchor Front Row Festival, London November 1977 appearing on vinyl for the first time • All three tracks from the 1977 This Perfect Day 12” single and all four tracks from the 1977 1-2-3-4 double 7” single • The previously unreleased 1976 demo mix of the full (I’m) Stranded album. In addition to all that vinyl (I’m) Stranded deluxe edition will also features a 28 page 12” x 12” photo essay of the band covering their origins from 1973 through the end of of ’77, authorised band history, an 8” x 10” 1976 promo photo and a (I’m) Stranded sticker.

Deejay-turned-produced Jah Thomas’ Midnight Rock helped shift roots reggae to dancehall in the late 1970s and Thomas continued producing in the new millennium, sometimes revamping Roots Radics tracks from Channel One, and alternately cutting fresh work at King Jammy’s, Black Scorpio, and Mixing Lab. Secret Tapes has stellar guests like roots messenger Luciano, dancehall don Super Cat, supreme crooner Courtney Melody, Jah Thomas himself, and a collab between Pinchers and Josie Wales; Tony Curtis, Ghost and Mitch are courtesy of a Buju Banton co-production. Special request to all dancehall fans!

Tig Notaro is an Emmy, Grammy and SAG Award-nominated comedian, actor, writer, director and podcast host originally from Mississippi, and named by Rolling Stone one of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time. She appears in Season 3 of THE MORNING SHOW on Apple TV+ alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, and STAR TREK: DISCOVERY on Paramount Plus. Tig recently starred in the Netflix films YOUR PLACE OR MINE and WE HAVE A GHOST, as well as Zack Snyder's ARMY OF THE DEAD. Prior to that, she starred in the heartwarming Paramount film INSTANT FAMILY alongside Mark Wahlberg and Octavia Spencer. Tig wrote, produced and starred in the semi-autobiographical Amazon Prime Video series ONE MISSISSIPPI, also directing the premiere episode of Season 2. The show yielded critical acclaim and several award nominations, including WGA, GLAAD and The Critics Choice Awards. Tig's HBO standup special, DRAWN, made history as the first-ever fully animated stand-up special, and was nominated for a Hollywood Critics Association Award. She was previously nominated for an Emmy and a Grammy Award for her 2016 HBO special BOYISH GIRL INTERRUPTED, a GLAAD Award nomination for the Netflix Original Documentary TIG, and her memoir I'm Just a Person is a New York Times Bestseller. In 2013, Tig was also nominated for a Grammy for her sophomore release, LIVE, which was the #1 selling comedy album in the world that year. LIVE is a stand-up set delivered just days after Tig was diagnosed with invasive bilateral breast cancer, from which she is now in remission. Tig remains a favorite on talk shows, including "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon", public radio, and continues to tour internationally. Tig and her wife, Stephanie Allynne, co-directed the feature film, AM I OK?, starring Dakota Johnson and Sinoya Mizuno, which premiered at Sundance and premiered on HBO Max in June 2024. Tig also hosts HANDSOME, a critically acclaimed comedy podcast, alongside friends and co-hosts Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin. Her newest special, TIG NOTARO: HELLO AGAIN, premiered in March 2024 on Prime Video.

This vinyl album by Spear of Destiny is released on Secret Records and presented with informative sleeve notes and captures the band Live on Tour in 1997. Formed in 1983 by singer and songwriter Kirk Brandon, Spear of Destiny is known for its powerful and anthemic sound, combining elements of post-punk, rock, and alternative music. Their music often features Brandon's distinctive baritone voice and lyrical themes that touch on politics, history, and personal struggle. Spear of Destiny regularly tours and produces new material. Their enduring appeal lies in their ability to blend powerful rock music with thought-provoking lyrics and an engaging stage presence.

This album is about memories. About a feeling of nostalgia and longing, both beautifully comforting and devastating. It is an attempt to transform an unspoken sensation of the past to a solid object serving the future, an urge to remember and hold onto moments that we can't keep forever. On the 6th of October 2023, the release date of her third solo album ‘Ghosts’, Hania performed a very special album release concert with a string ensemble in a uniquely special location - Witold Lutosławski's Concert Studio at the Polish Radio in Warsaw. Over the years, the spaces of Polish Radio have become an important part of Hania’s life - both privately and professionally.

Visiting for the first time as a student of Chopin University of Music and returning to make her first recordings in late 2018, just before the release of the debut album ‘Esja’. It was also in these studios that Hania recorded her Live from Studio 2 video and EP. But whereas that featured a much-loved solo performance, for this very special recording from the larger Studio 1, Hania is joined by her regular collaborator Ziemowit Klimek on double bass and moog as well as a luxurious eight-piece string ensemble featuring Karolina Gutowska violin Jan Pietkiewicz violin Marta Piórkowska violin, Paweł Czarny viola, Tomasz Rosiński viola, Dobrawa Czocher cello, Marianna Sikorska cello, Mateusz Błaszczak cello.
Beautifully mixed by Greg Freeman in Berlin the music takes on a new life as Hania’s ethereal vocals, beautiful playing and exhilarating compositions are brought fully to life by the beautiful sweeping strings of the expanded ensemble. The concert is included here in its entirety with the addition of one beautiful extra performance – the title track ‘Nostalgia’ a beautiful interpretation of a much-loved piece from the Ghosts album taken from her concert at the Roundhouse in London. In addition the LP features a beautiful 16 page booklet of photographs of the Polish radio studios taken by Hania herself and featuring her thoughts on the recording, studios and the compositions themselves and the CD includes the photos in a beautiful glued in 12 page booklet.

Die britisch-bengalische Musikerin Tara Lily aus Südlondon verbindet auf ihrem Debütalbum "Speak In The Dark" Alternative-R&B, Jazz, Electronica und traditionelle indische Klänge zu einer einzigartigen Fusion. Produziert von Dom Valentino, sind ferner US-Jazz-Trompeter Theo Croker, UK-Rapper Surya Sen und Archy Marshall (aka King Krule), mit dem sie schon die Bühne teilte, beteiligt. Erste EPs erschienen bei Motown UK, der Musikexpress zählte sie zu den hochgehandelten internationalen Newcomer*innen 2023".

- "Spellbinding" - The Guardian

- "Beautiful, melancholic" - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2

- "One to watch!" - Jamz Supernova, BBC 6Music

- "An all-star jazz collaboration." - Clash

- "One to watch for 2024" - Simon Phillips, Jazz FM

- "Soulful and heartfelt" - Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1

Planet Asia and 38 Spesh is that team-up fans didn’t know they needed until they got it. When Trust The Chain dropped in 2020, heads were afforded a dose of the antidote. While Asia is always nice on the mic, he was in rare form over Spesh’s soulful production. So, it should come as no surprise that the sequel, Trust The Chain II, is a level jump once again. In fact, the project is so packed with heat, almost every song was released as a single. Joints like “Checking Traps,” “Crumble Cake,” and “Inertia” have had listeners eagerly anticipating this LP since last year. Guests include Klass Murda, Tristate, The Musalini, and A Plus Tha Kid

MICHELLE’s first project of buoyant R&B tracks was an ode to New York City, the city where all 6 members of the band grew up. But amid the success of that project, 2018’s HEATWAVE, and 2022’s AFTER DINNER WE TALK DREAMS, they left home and broadened their perspective. The band travelled across the U.S. and Europe opening for Gus Dapperton, Arlo Parks, and Mitski, headlining their own shows, and playing festivals.

While writing their new album, Songs About You Specifically, MICHELLE decided to rent out a house in Ojai, California. Surrounded by lizards, the smell of ripe cactus fruit, and endless expanses of sand, they experienced a sense of solitude and closeness they hadn’t before. It shifted the tone of their work. While their earlier music channelled the churning restlessness of the city, these news songs meander and expand into starry shoegaze reveries, slick funk riffs, and lilting 80s synth pop.

Their newfound closeness also helped them write more vulnerable music. On Songs About You Specifically, the band members express their complicated desires, voice their regrets, and own up to their moments of selfishness. By slowing down, cutting out any distractions, and fostering a sense of communal closeness that necessitated honesty, MICHELLE ended up with a collection of songs that feel like the truth.

Punk collective TOKKY HORROR have released their brand new EP 'KAPPACORE', today via Venn Records. Order the EP - HERE. To celebrate the release the band have released new single 'MAXINE'. Speaking about the new single the band said, “Maxine is a perfect example of collaboration breathing new life into an idea. We’d been sat on the instrumental version for over a year, and wasn’t until we got into the studio with Blazer that it really came into its own. We wanted to capture the atmosphere of rave culture but play it as a band. It’s got all the breaks, bass lines, stabs that a rave track would carry. It’s just done live” Speaking about the EP the band said, “This is the last thing we’ll put out before disappearing to record our album. It’s road tested, high energy material from the first era of Tokky Horror. We’ve wanted to meld breakbeats with visceral guitars as we usually do, but expanded our range of sampling further and pushed our weirdness at times, there’s less out-and-out riffs and more times where our love of Orbital and Aphex Twin shines through. It’s still a record for the punks, just not purists.” KAPPACORE Tracklisting: MAXINE (feat Blazer Boccle) HAMMER 2 THE FACE JAZZ MUSIC TOILET TRANMERE RAVER (feat. MC NULTi) Tokky Horror who recently supported Enter Shikari on their sold out tour, have announced a headline tour for this October..