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Die Cinematic-Funk-Visionäre The Diasonics liefern mit ihrem neuen Album ,Ornithology", das am 3. Oktober über Record Kicks veröffentlicht wird, ein weiteres solides Set aus östlich angehauchtem Psychedelic, Cinematic und Disco-Funk. Nach ihrem 2022 von der Kritik gefeierten Debütalbum ,Origin of Forms", das von PopMatters zum Library Music Album of the Year gekürt wurde, kehren die in Moskau ansässigen Instrumentalisten The Diasonics mit ,Ornithology" zurück, einem zweiten Album, das ihre klanglichen Grenzen erweitert und gleichzeitig ihrem unverwechselbaren Stil treu bleibt. Aufgenommen in ihrem eigens errichteten Studio 23, das sich in einer umgebauten Lampenfabrik aus der Sowjet-Ära befindet, ist das Album das Ergebnis von zwei Jahren intensiver kreativer Erkundungen und Experimente. Mit ihrer ganz eigenen Mischung aus cineastischem Funk, östlich angehauchten Melodien, instrumentalem Hip-Hop und analogem Soul haben sich The Diasonics einen einzigartigen Platz in der globalen Funkszene geschaffen. ,Ornithology" markiert ein neues Kapitel: Inspiriert von wiederkehrenden Vogelmotiven in ihrer Umgebung, von Zügen und Bahnhöfen bis hin zu lokaler Folklore und den Schreien der Vögel, die über ihrem Studio kreisen, kanalisiert die Platte Ideen von Bewegung und Freiheit, sowohl thematisch als auch musikalisch. ,Das Thema Vögel und Ornithologie ergab sich ganz von selbst - wir fingen einfach an, überall um uns herum vogelähnliche Namen zu bemerken: Züge und Bahnhöfe, Geschäfte, Orte, Nachnamen von Menschen, Bücher und Filme", sagt die Band. "Wir besorgten uns ein paar alte Synthesizer und stimmten die Oszillatoren, während wir den Schreien der Möwen lauschten, die um die Fabrik flogen, in der sich unser Studio befand. Die Ideen von Flug, Freiheit und Raum wurden zentral für die Musik des neuen Albums." Klanglich gehören zu den wesentlichen Merkmalen von Ornithology nicht nur die Synthesizer, sondern auch Diana Grebs hypnotischer Gesang, der sich nahtlos in die Klangpalette einfügt und dem instrumentalen Funk Leben und Seele einhaucht. ,In unserer Vorstellung balancieren wir wie Vögel zwischen der Erde und dem Himmel und haben versucht, unsere eigene musikalische Sprache innerhalb des Konzepts der Ornithologie zu erschaffen, die den Wunsch eines jeden Menschen widerspiegelt, den Vögeln näher zu kommen und frei zu schweben, jenseits von physischen oder mentalen Grenzen." Die 2019 gegründete vierköpfige Band, bestehend aus Daniil Lutsenko (E-Gitarre), Kamil Gazizov (Keyboards), Maksim Brusov (Bass) und Anton Moskvin (Schlagzeug & Perkussion), erlangte durch eine Reihe von begehrten 45er-Scheiben auf Mocambo Records und Funk Night Records schnell Kultstatus. Ihr von der Kritik hochgelobtes Debütalbum Origin of Forms,, das von Henry Jenkins, dem Produzenten der australischen Kultband Surprise Chef, gemischt wurde, erschien 2022 auf Record Kicks und wurde von PopMatters (US) zum Library Music Album" des Jahres und von FIP (Radio France) zum Album des Monats gekürt. Das Vinyl war innerhalb weniger Wochen ausverkauft und ist nun in der internationalen Cinematic-Funk-Szene sehr gefragt. ,Origin of Forms" erhielt begeisterte Kritiken von Zeitschriften wie Wax Poetics, Mojo, Rolling Stone FR, Clash, Uncut und wurde von Jamie Cullum (BBC2), KEXP, Radio France und Huey Morgan, Don Letts, Cerys Matthews und Tom Ravenscroft von BBC 6 Music, um nur einige zu nennen, unterstützt und gespielt. Mit dem neuen Album Ornithology tauchen The Diasonics in üppige Synthesizer, stripped-down Grooves und rohes instrumentales Zusammenspiel ein, schöpfen aus der Library-Musik der 1970er Jahre, sowjetischer Jazz-Fusion und Disco-Funk und liefern eine weitere supersolide Veröffentlichung, die all die Einzigartigkeit bestätigt und vorantreibt, die ,Origin of Forms" so verlockend machte. Unverzichtbar für Fans von Khruangbin, Surprise Chef und instrumentalen Funk-Grooves.

Focus, integrity and substance, all allied to a relentless work ethic and that essential (if indefinable) sprinkling of magic dust, have kept Nick Warren at the top of the electronic music tree for not far short of forty years.

In that timespan, Nick has been tour DJ for Massive Attack, held a residency at Cream, been a Glastonbury regular, and become the UK’s most successful export to Argentina (in no small part due to his touring brand The Soundgarden). As half of Way Out West, he has helped write (and re-write) the rule book for club-based electronic acts, achieving true longevity without compromise. He has curated over a dozen essential compilations – a mainstay of the Global Underground series whose heavyweight influence is still felt to this day, an in-demand decknician for pivotal brands such as Renaissance and Balance, and the very first DJ entrusted with creating a blueprint for the now iconic Back to Mine series.

It's quite the CV, a career many can only dream of. But Nick has long had one further itch in need of scratching. Inspired at a young age by his dad’s Jean-Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream albums, coming of age with experimental labels like 4AD and Factory, roots deep in the dub-wise scene of his native Bristol, a long time collector of exotica and obscure film soundtracks…all that knowledge and passion has long been crying out to be channelled into a Warren solo album.

All of which brings us to the career-defining Turbulence. The world is certainly a turbulent place as Nick gets set to unleash his masterwork, but the musical turbulence at work here arguably takes its lead from other interpretations of the word – turbulence as a feeling of heightened intensity, turbulence marked by a sense of unpredictability.

Turbulence is a window into Nick’s musical soul, and the myriad styles and influences that reside there, drip-fed into a melodic melting pot to create a unique sonic stew. Tempos and styles switch and interlock effortlessly, the mood ebbs and flows like the best DJ sets, and the running order, from the ethereal opener Loveland all the way through to the achingly beautiful closing cut Sadly (in tandem with Tripswitch, one of several noteworthy collaborations) showcases an artist at the top of his game, and with a deep understanding of the concept of the long player.

We all need some turbulence.

Francois Kevorkian (Wave) : Lovely EP, atmospheric vibes.
Chris Udoh (Various) : Lovely !!!
Lea Lisa (Phonica Records / Folklor Club) : Fred P is a master of deep house. Live Long Love & When in Miami for me.
Will Hofbauer (Third Place, Wisdom Teeth, Rinse) : nice n deep ty!
Radio Slave (Rekids) : The King is back and what an EP ! Full support.
Jon Hester (Rekids, EDEC, Les Enfants Terribles, L.A.G.) : Lovely vibes on When In Miami and Live Long Love!
Jacques Renault : Nice EP, into When In Miami and The Heights in particular
Danny Howells (Dig Deeper) : Love Fred so much, always the highest quality music with soul. All four are stunners.
Dan Beaumont (Chapter 10 / NTS) : Always brilliant.. deeep! When in Miami for me
DJ Sprinkles (Comatonse) : thank you
Kai Alce (Real Soon) : Live Long Fred P!
Tomoki Tamura (Holic Trax) : pure class, deep house
Raresh (ar:pi:ar) : super! thanks
Laurent Garnier : FRED P alwayssssssssssssssss
Marcel Dettmann : thx
Archie Hamilton (Microhertz / FUSE) : Nice thanks
DVS1 : thanks
Alinka (Twirl, Classic, Crosstown Rebels, Batty Bass) : Beautiful tracks
Pat Hyland (Northside Loft Society) : Fred P is a master of deep. AWEsome EP!
Thor (Thor-Thule Records) : Another great release by the master of Deep House. Full support
Colin Dale : One of my fave producers from way back! Excellent 4 tracker with all the cuts 'hittin' the mark'. Will rotate & support.
Geir Aspenes (G-Ha (Sunkissed)) : Thank u
Jaye Ward (Dalston Super Store / Netil Radio) : Syncrophone just continues to churn out the goodness.. love Fred P too. so deep and full of the good soul ace! thx
Ame (Innervisions) : thanks
Domenic Cappello (Subclub) : love this
Greg Gow (Restructured / Transmat / KMS) : cool vibes full support
Jerome Sydenham (Ibadan) : When Miami is the business! Overall nice E.P!
Bill Brewster (NTS) : FRED P RETURNS!
Bailey Ibbs (Metafloor Records / Habits / Dansu Discs) : Live Long Love <3

When it comes to Latin soul, Bobby Matos And The Combo Conquistadores 'Tema De Alma Latina', has to be up there as one of the heaviest tracks ever recorded. This much-loved Latin workout has been rocking dancefloors for years with its infectious, driving energy and pulsating rhythms. Released in 1968, the 'My Latin Soul' album on Philips Records now receives a welcome reissue on Mr Bongo. It’s a sheer delight throughout and a premier example of the Nu Yorican sound that was thriving in New York in the ‘60s.

From a young age, the Bronx, New York-born Latin jazz percussionist Bobby Matos found inspiration through the conga drum masters Mongo Santamaría and Patato Valdez (who he had informal backstage lessons with) and timbales legends Willie Bobo and Tito Puente. Bobby was drawn into New York's club scene and began playing in the vibrant ‘60s beat / bohemian Greenwich Village cafes, followed by stints in a wide range of different venues. These included Bronx dance halls and after-hours clubs in El Barrio, through to the elegance of Carnegie Hall, Central Park concerts, and off-Broadway theatres.

Later relocating to Los Angeles, Bobby played an important role in spreading Latin music far and wide. He became an inspiration to many on the jazz dance and acid jazz scenes in the ‘80s / '90s where his recordings were picked and played, becoming prized collector items amongst DJs. The track 'Tema De Alma Latina' was immortalised as a classic for many, after being featured on the Gilles Peterson’s Street Sounds Jazz Juice 5 compilation in 1987. A captivating listen from start to finish, the album features other treats such as the dynamic album opener ‘Nadie Baila Como Yo’, the blazing flute led 'Mambo Maxims', and the blistering piano shuffler 'Raices'.

A truly iconic Latin classic whether you’re being reunited with it like an old friend or discovering it as a fresh new find.

Fuse resident Downside delivers the ninth release on Fuse Imprint, showcasing his sharp and emotive sound signature. Traces Of Spring forms a powerful yet delicate journey, balancing intensity with subtle detail. A perfect reflection of his evolving artistry within the club.

Shhh. The command to be quiet is not just part of the title of one of the two sprawling compositions on this pioneering album. It's also an apt metaphor for the relaxed hypnotism and spaced-out atmosphere that define In a Silent Way, a record that pushes the boundaries of studio possibilities, artist-producer relationships, and rock-jazz chasms. Recognized as Miles Davis' first full-on fusion effort and part of his "electric" era, the 1969 landmark claims a Who's Who line-up that sends the music into an ethereal stratosphere.

Mastered from the original master tapes and pressed at RTI, this unsurpassed 180g LP edition lifts the veil on the cutting-edge assembly process that created the pair of lengthy suites. Helmed by three electric instruments, the bevelled compositions melt away all preconceived notions of "jazz," ˜rock," and "ambience," following a loose theory Davis dubbed "New Directions."

Few albums are so delicately textured. And on Mobile Fidelity's meticulous reissue, such sulcate elements pour over ink-black backgrounds on a canyon-wide soundstage. In particular, Tony Williams' inventive percussive touch – he causes the cymbals to shimmer as a pieces of silver tend to do when exposed to sunlight – is broadcast with lifelike three-dimensional qualities, the panoramic view extending to Davis' nocturnal trumpet, Wayne Shorter's ribbon-unfurling saxophone, Dave Holland's extrapolative bass, and the mosaic of keys.

If the record's only accomplishment is its introduction of guitarist John McLaughlin to the world, it alone would be enough. Yet In a Silent Way continues to bedazzle, puzzle, and inspire for myriad reasons – not the least of which is the seemingly telepathic communicative methods employed by the group's members. The line-up is great on paper, but, if it's even possible, the octet sounds even better in practice, with the instruments and tonalities conjoining in avant-garde communion like hyper-sensitive tentacles exploring the stippled landscapes of an undiscovered planet.

Diverting from expectation, tubular grooves twist, turn, and spin, sometimes piling atop of each other, always shying away from structure and melody. Ellipsoidal solos provide hesitant guidance, ranging from Chick Corea's Fender Rhodes phrases to Davis' decorative spirals. And as colour is the primary unit of currency on Davis' Sketches of Spain, laid-back episodes, geometric spaces, and quiet sensuality reign here, with the set's maverick reputation attained via musings on solitude rather than explosions of noise.


Controversial for the period, the heavily edited production of In a Silent Way blew open the once-locked doors on what producer's could attempt – and how artists could assist them. Knitted together as one would construct a cross-hatched quilt, songs contain grafts of repeat passages that provide unifying structure and experimental continuity. What a statement.

Housed in die cut sleeve with info sticker.

A UK breakbeat gem from Static Flow- spread over 2x 12"s. Limited white label only double pack. Class.

10 years ago in 2015, The Golden Lion in Todmorden opened its doors under the guidance of Gig & Waka, Cloudwater brewed their first ever beers, the dance floors of Manchester got introduced to the world of Supernature Disco and from his spare room at home in Bolton Chris Massey started Sprechen.

What followed over the next decade has been a wild ride of amazing people, memorable (though fuzzy!) parties, creativity, art, expression, performance and at the centre of it all of course, the music.
Sprechen has never been one style or sound. A reflection of varied musical tastes without any limitations of style or genres, just a passion to share good music.
Over the last decade, Sprechen has been lucky enough to both work with and meet many like-minded cosmic creatives that share this mindset and that have all played a major role in the story.

Ein Null is a collection of original tracks from some of Sprechen's nearest & dearest who, for the last 10 years, have helped shaped the label via releases, remixes or performing at events.
It's wonky & weird, banging & beautiful, cosmic & consciousness-expanding and it continues to connect the invisible dots of club music and more abstract listening experiences.

From basements & beyond to sunsets & psychedelic socials...we are pleased to present this electronically charged selection of soundscapes courtesy of like-minded musical humans including; The Utopia Strong, A Certain Ratio, Lena C., Gina Breeze, Low Pulse, Psychederek, Lindstrøm, Supernature Disco, PBR Streetgang and of course Chris Massey.

Limited to a run of 300 vinyl with double-sided screen-printed sleeve.

Grey Matter - Lost In Thought, originally released in November 1996 on Axia Records as a 5 track EP is now back on vinyl.

Dave Mothersole had this to say in his review of it for Muzik magazine in February 1997.

"Acid Techno, slo-mo Hip Hop breaks, right through to old school, bottom heavy warehouse grooves and Depeche Mode-meets-Juan Atkins purism. The real surprise, here, though, is how thoroughly listenable the whole thing is. Innovative, imaginative, and pretty bloody good."

This release includes all 5 tracks from the original AX001 release which has been selling for over £60 a copy on Discogs, spread over two 12"s with 3 extra unreleased tracks 'Never Die Just Multiply', 'Musical Electronic Poetry', and the 'Melt Into The Floor Mix' of 'Gloomy Encounters'.

All tracks are remastered from the orignal DAT tapes by Paul Mac & Simon @ The Exchange.

Swearing allegiance to always bring the ruckus, Intermood is an instrumental four-piece hailing from the far reaches of planet Earth—Melbourne/Naarm, Australia. Since their debut show in October 2022, the band’s electrifying live performances have caught the attention of the city’s thriving dance and instrumental music scene, earning them spots at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Strawberry Fields Festival.

Blending psychedelic jazz with high-energy neo-disco, Intermood is guaranteed to make you move. Their debut EP, Casuarina, backed by Stone Pixels Records.

This plate is about to welcome back one of the unsung heroes from the 45 Seven lands of dub, meditating with us from day one. Weather it may be about 4578's foundations of the rolling Dub Over Distance along the shuffly Dub Pacifico or the later forward lurking tribal jungles of Black Lake flipped by Lack Blake on 45719: Dub Across Borders always knows to amaze with both a contemplating deep inner focus of well laid-out hand-made instrumentation and vintage dubbing as well as refreshing ear-opening sounds and soul-pleasing vibes collected from all over the world, creating a very own sphere of what feels like some kind of ancient sci-fi riddim, rooting upwards to the phuture.

When sweating over a hot mixing desk and hoping for a fresh breeze, the roots of Come Rain were laid in a form of bassdrums knocking at the sky's gates, stabby infra subs foreseeing well-wished thunders and moist dark skank works are calling for storm. An inner shout for the elements, incarnating in a certainly minimal yet pretty heavy 160 stepper, rolling over all the dry hot air out there.

Yeh Sih Dub comes after the rain: new branches grow, fresh leaves spread, foggy clouds reach up for a mountain-high rainforest. Awakening the world bass side of Dub Across Borders, it gives you ceremonial Bhuddist horns as well as houting sounds of the tantric Khamak, a poundy stab bass and the shimmering spring-splashing ride sitting on top as its crown. Only rarely 80 bpm bass has been as easily touching and moving at the same time.

Take a deep breath and dive into this piece of both mindful and reflective space bass, launching sub-heavy Jungle onto imaginery moons of spacial perception. We are actually just about to start this journey, feel free to get aboard!

"Absolute gold, thanks a bunch" Will be supporting lots" Pugilist
"Epic Dub pressure, big fan of Dub Across Borders" Sun People
"Sounding great as usual, will play for sure!" Tracy & E3 of Zamzam

Limited repress!

What is it about New York City, that concrete jungle that continually inspires the creative spirit? From Warhol’s Factory to Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage to David Mancuso’s Loft, collectives that celebrate and nurture unfettered, organic artistry have been absolutely intrinsic to the story of this sprawling metropolis. Its latest chapter is being written at the hands of ‘The Maestro’, Grammy Award winner Louie Vega and his Expansions NYC parties, the sound documented in his latest album Expansions In The NYC (Nervous Records).

Starting in February 2019 in Manhattan and Brooklyn venues, Vega’s Expansions NYC parties have their origin not in his revered prowess as a DJ but rather his whole-hearted appreciation of the different elements of the dance floor surrounding him: the dancers, the musicians who bring their instruments to join him ad-hoc on the night, the small, dedicated crowd of clubbers whose ears to the ground keep them informed on the underground party information. The events included 6-hour DJ Sets with Louie under his select curation, and would usually end with 3 AM jam sessions involving keyboardists, guitar players and poets all performing in front of a jam packed crowd. In just a few short years the Expansions NYC events have evolved into an NYC-clubland institution, an intimate celebration of house, funk, disco, afro, R&B and more.

As with his parties, so goes his album. The collective vibe that forms the beating heart of Expansions NYC parties is absolutely front and centre in Expansions In The NYC, Vega drawing in one of the most comprehensive lists of collaborators in recent memory. House heavyweights Honey Dijon, Joe Claussell, Moodymann, Kerri Chandler and Anané rub up against legendary vocalists Bernard Fowler, Cindy Mizelle, Lisa Fischer, Audrey Wheeler and Tony Momrelle. Gospel royalty BeBe Winans and Debbie Winans, pop icon Robyn and rising star Karen Harding sit alongside disco-era champions Unlimited Touch, Cuban jazz pianist Axel Tosca, Nico Vega, Two Soul Fusion with Josh Milan and Vega and underground legend DJ Spinna. At the centre of it all, fingerprint on every beat, touch on every groove, sits a master at work, weaving the individual threads into a rich dance music tapestry.

"In the past few years I’ve found new inspiration both from the musicians I’m working with and the audiences coming to see me at my DJ shows,” Vega says. “So for me this album represents new beginnings, bringing together a beautiful mosaic of artistic perspectives to express musically what we call Expansions In The NYC."

At its heart, Expansions In The NYC is a love letter to New York, as much as melting pot as the city it represents, the scope of its line-up possible only because of the influence and reverence of Vega the artist, the DJ, the producer, the curator. In creating this album, Louie Vega has once again utterly enriched the lives and libraries of music lovers the world over, far beyond the hustling streets of NYC that have so indelibly left their mark on his work.

TCHDWN — former DMC Vice World Champion and Barcelona-based artist — makes his vinyl debut on Track Deluxe with BCN City Of Mind Spring Collection, a sonic tribute to the city that shaped his journey.

The EP includes five original tracks, an intro, interlude, outro, and a unique scratch bank sourced from the project itself. A locked groove nods to TCHDWN’s turntablism roots, making this a treat for vinyl heads.

“Every beat is infused with the energy and inspiration I’ve found here,” says the artist. The result is a fresh, timeless soundtrack that captures the essence of a Barcelona spring.

Early support from: Velasco, Gabbs, Lukas...

A Colourful Storm launches Delicate Bloom, a new series of dancefloor sprouts. Klon Dump reinterprets a medieval choral song into two propulsive, forward-thinking wigglers.

Follows EPs for Thomas Melchior's My King Is Light and tunes that found heavy rotation by the likes of Raresh, Christian AB and Peach. Rave like it's 1299!

Mr. Fiel returns with a new collection of introspective sounds on his own label, Faith In Truth. The release — available soon on vinyl and digitally — marks the imprint’s second vinyl outing, exploring deep house and ambient textures beyond the club floor. Dreamy, meditative and emotionally rich, these tracks invite the listener into a gentle inward journey.

Peaceful mind - a warm deep house journey built on deep bass, soft rhodes, and subtle background chords. Peaceful and immersive – a perfect track to slow down and reflect.
No life without dreams - driven by a heavy bassline and hypnotic synths and congas, this track is mainly made for the dancefloor. A surprising flute outro adds a delicate, uplifting twist to the groove.
Beautiful day - emotional deep house with a nostalgic touch, like flipping through old photographs. Warm textures and soft melodies evoke memories of brighter days.
Into the Galaxy - ambient meets electro in a cosmic exploration of NASA-inspired sounds and samples. A spacious and otherworldly piece – are you ready for a sonic spaceflight?
Eternal sunrise - slow-burning at 110 BPM, this track unfolds with deep basslines, ambient pads, and layered synths. Perfect for quiet moments or watching the sunrise in a reflective state of mind.
Echoes of the divine - thick pads and trippy acid tones collide with slow breakbeats and textured drums. A surreal ride into another dimension – hypnotic and unpredictable.

All tracks were written, produced, and mixed by Mr. Fiel between the summer of 2024 and the spring of 2025.

Welcome to the first instalment of a new collaboration between The Reflex’ DISCOLIDAYS label and Because Music in Paris, remixing gems from the Zagora catalogue.

Created in 1975 by producer Daniel Vangarde (father of Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter), the Zagora label created some of the most exciting disco music in France, ranging from cult underground artists Who’s Who and Starbow, to massive international hits by the Gibson Brothers, la Compagnie Créole and Black Blood. Unearthing the multitrack for obscure cuts, The Reflex shifts the focus on the great studio musicians involved in these recordings (Wally Badarou amongst others) and delivers stunning revisions of ‘Harlem Bound’, a
131bpm jazz-funk disco powerhouse cut (1977) and ‘Dancin’ The Mambo’, a 122bpm Chic-esque meets early piano House monster laced with that unmistakable French sound, originally released in 1980.

Both first time-ever remixes from the stems, released on 180g vinyl with custom artwork on card sleeve designed by Al Kent / Million Dollar Disco.

Three more releases will follow, to complete the 4 x 12” vinyl and digital package spread over several months in 2024.

Radio City EP marks the vinyl debut on DOTS. Music, showcasing three distinctive cuts from Dutch producer Pascal Benjamin, along with a standout remix by Argentinian artist Alexis Cabrera. Built around tight grooves, warm analog textures, and playful percussive details, the EP captures a rhythmic, dynamic, and dancefloor-ready energy.

Opening the A-side, Radio City blends sexy chord stabs with Rhodes keys and tiny vocal fragments that lock effortlessly into the groove. Cabrera’s remix flips the original into funkier territory, adding a gliding bassline, electric guitar riffs, and an irresistibly rolling swing that complements the original’s flow while offering a fresh twist.

On the flip, Rewind explores a more underground dimension with sharp drum programming, subtle acid touches, and chopped vocals. A groovy, short-note bassline drives the rhythm forward, while deep chords make the track equally effective in afterhours sessions or peak-time club sets.

Flat Sprite closes the EP with a forward-driving acid hook riding over rolling snares and synths — a functional groove weapon with hypnotic momentum.

With Radio City, Pascal Benjamin delivers a tightly curated selection that merges minimalistic sound design with groove-driven charm — a confident debut that balances functionality with character on the dancefloor.

When billy woods released Today, I Wrote Nothing ten years ago, it was an unexpected departure from a rapper who was just starting to make waves in the indie rap scene. After spending the earlier part of his career in the wilderness, woods had managed to crawl out of obscurity with the minor success of 2012’s History Will Absolve Me. Dour Candy, 2013’s collaboration with underground legend Blockhead drew accolades, which only increased with Armand Hammer’s debut Race Music.

Then, woods dropped out of sight for two years before returning with Today, I Wrote Nothing, a record that deviated significantly from what had come before. Where Dour Candy had been concise and focused, TIWN was a sprawling 24 tracks. Where History Will Absolve Me was anchored by hard-hitting beats, anthemic songs, and a couple high powered features, TIWN was comprised of short vignettes, quietly eclectic production, and the only guests were his Backwoodz label-mates. Only one video was released; the claustrophobic “Flatlands”, shot on a shoestring budget in a Brooklyn housing project. Reviewers didn’t know quite what to make of the record, and in many cases, neither did fans.

As is often the case for woods’ albums, many perspectives shifted as the years passed. Listeners came to see the sad, quiet beauty of Today, I Wrote Nothing; a road trip album that doubles as a meditation on life’s journeys and death’s hiding places. The album’s power is in it’s intimacy, it’s insistence on holding your hand through the darkness. Now, TIWN is considered one of the more unique and vital records in woods catalogue. The dynamic woods created with TIWN vis-a-vis History Will Absolve Me and Dour Candy is one that would come to define his ouerve; constant experimentation, a refusal to be pigeonholed, and an unwavering search for the emotional heart of his subject. For us at Backwoodz, being able to repress this album on it’s ten year anniversary is especially sweet, because we remember how long it took us to sell that original run of 500. To everyone who copped one of those and helped us keep the lights on, this is for you too, we couldn’t have gotten here otherwise.

With two critically acclaimed compilations already under his belt, DJ / collector miche returns to Mr Bongo with the third instalment of his With Love series. Testament to his ever-expanding taste, Volume 3 isn’t just a subs bench call-up from the past compilations, it’s an evolution and progression casting the net deeper and wider than before.

Keeping true to the series, but with some fresh surprises along the way, this carefully curated compilation is a celebration of soulful, independently released music from across the globe, and the amazing (often unsung) musicians and vocalists that made these sublime records.

Across the third volume, miche explores a jazzier side of his tastes. “The deeper I went, the more I found myself gravitating towards jazzier music - not leaving soul behind, but following that same feeling into new territory”, he explains. Tracks like the gliding jazz funk found on Late Nite Music Band’s ‘Sundance’, or the glorious jazz-soul number ‘In Flight’ by Spectrym are shining examples of this.

That defining soulful thread of previous volumes is still in full effect throughout this latest edition. “There’s a healthy dose of impossible-to-find soul gems that have that unmistakable, heartwarming feel. Tracks like John Simmons' 'Ain't Nothing Like The Love', which I've adored ever since Zaf Love Vinyl played it, sit perfectly alongside records like Le Cop and New Way”, states miche.

The addition of some top-tier Turkish music showcases another side to his ever-broadening taste. Nükhet Ruacan's 'Gölge' is something unique, a floaty Brazilian-inspired gem recorded in Turkey and not what you’d typically expect from Turkish records of this era. 

It also wouldn’t feel right to leave out a stop in Brazil, with miche looking to the work of Carlos Bivar whose track 'Amargo Amar' carries that undeniable groove of samba-funk from Rio.

Spreading the With Love message far and wide the series has led to miche DJing across the globe, “from batucada sessions in Timisoara, to all-night sets in a club in Beijing, and even an eight-hour Root Down With Love stage takeover at We Out Here festival, joined by Danilo Plessow, Jeremy Underground, and of course, my mentor and buddy Rainer Trüby.”

Volume 3 then, carries that message even further. It’s an eclectic but intentional collection, built for the music lover who wants to discover something new. Working just as well as a soundtrack to cook dinner to, as it does keeping a packed dancefloor moving into the small hours.

Limited to 300 copies. No repress.

This is Queenie DJ and Music producer from China I’m thrilled and honoured to have YangBing — a true master of Chinese electronic music — join this project with his remix for spring

About this EP — “Four Seasons (IIII Season)”It took me two years to complete this album (from pre production to Released )
This EP was inspired by the distinct feeling and atmosphere of each season. The four vinyl colours reflect that same seasonal bloom.

Track by Track:

1. Spring (Splash Fluorescent Pink Vinyl)
This song was born during Spring Festival in Guangzhou. To capture the local spirit, I sampled the classic Cantonese opera “The Princess’ Flower” — a touch of tradition. YangBing’s remix then injects vibrant electronic energy, making the track blossom with the renewal of spring.

2. Summer (Splash Blue Vinyl)
I was sitting by the sea in Xiamen, coffee in hand, feeling the sun and ocean breeze wash over me. Right then, it hit me: a jazz-house tune would be the perfect soundtrack to that summer afternoon. This track is that moment, frozen in sound.

3. Autumn (Splash Yellow Vinyl)
For me, autumn is a bridge to winter — a time for natural soundscapes. You’ll hear birds, evocative chimes, and traditional Chinese textures like the Jiangnan pipa and urgent gong rhythms. Part of this song was inspired by Yangshuo, where mountains and water truly embody the season’s essence. It’s where East meets West, sparking something special.

4. Winter (Splash Pure White Vinyl)
A downtempo rhythm to ease busy minds. Winter’s morning light enters on the lingering birdsongs of autumn, followed by subtle holiday warmth and the quiet feeling of falling snow. To me, winter is a season of gathering — of holidays, family and friends.
(coloured vinyl 12" 180g comes in different coloured vinyl, we cannot guarantee which colour you will receive))

...Three years ago, we had our first contact with this mysterious being from another galaxy, and since then it has been spreading its AURA and relentless sound to everyone it has encountered. We don't really know where this is all heading, but a strange force pushes us to keep moving forward, spreading the sonic message of ALIEN RAVE in plastic format until it decides otherwise. We have no choice; the expansion continues...

Since 2019, Amsterdam-based curator Pieter Jansen has used his yeyeh label as a vehicle for carefully considered (and sometimes unlikely) ‘first time’ collaborations between different experimental and avant-garde artists including Eversines, Carolina Eyck, Greetje Bijma and Oceanic. After pairing saxophonist/composer/producer Jerzy Maczyński with fellow Polish experimentalist Waclaw Zimpel on 2021 collaborative release Sariani (which was credited to Jerry&ThePelicanSystem in a nod to the former’s earlier album for Warner Music’s Polish Free Jazz series), yeyeh founder Pieter Jansen had an idea. That simple idea – getting Maczyński in the studio with Chicagoan DJ/producer Hieroglyphic Being – was the genesis of this record, the debut album by Universal Harmonies & Frequencies. In June 2022, Hieroglyphic Being flew to Amsterdam to spend five days improvising with Maczyński in a rented studio beneath Volkshotel, under the watchful eye of recording and mix engineer Rein De Sauvage Nolting, better known in electronic music circles for his work as RDS. During those sessions, 26 long, improvised compositions were recorded, with Maczyński contributing saxophones and electronic tools, and Hieroglyphic Being laying down synthesizer parts and vocals. These sessions were captured on film by VLF (Katarzyna Debska), who later created the artwork and visual language for this record release. Some days after the recording sessions, Sauvage Nolting – who had delivered artistic input during the improvisations – sat down with Jansen to select 13 pieces to put forward for the album and a loose conceptual framework. It was then that the hard work began. While a decision was taken to present some improvisations in full, most of what you will hear on Tune IN, as the album is titled, is based on fragments of improvisation. The resultant pieces were reconfigured, re-worked and re-produced by Maczyński and Sauvage Nolting over many months, and in discussion with Hieroglyphic Being. Maczyński added more layers of instrumentation, creating a “whole digital band of reed instruments” – a method he previously utilized on Sariani. What you hear when you play the record defies categorization. It is rooted in a specific moment in time and the spontaneity of musical improvisation – both Maczyński and Hieroglyphic Being are experienced improvisers, albeit with different musical instruments and tools – but also the product of extensive post-production and reflective re-shaping. It is not free-jazz, ambient, electronica, rhythmic cubism (as Hieroglyphic Being’s distinctive sound has previously been called), or avant-garde experimentalism, but something that combines all these musical approaches and more, with a sprinkling of far-sighted futurism mixed in. It is a magical and mystical meeting of musical minds that will pass the test of time in decades to come.

When The Information Centre first dropped on the pirate radio airwaves in the ealry 90's, there was nothing like it. It was at the birth of Jungle, and the track was a slow but immense classic, spreading accross the UK from its London Roots to become one of the most influential tracks in jungle's long and storied history.
Here we have the original version of the track, masterfully remastered and sounding absolutely gorgeous, plus two brand new and heavy hitting remixes, both of which are being played by the likes of Ray Keith, Nookie, and many others...BIG new remixes for 2025....

When The Information Centre first dropped on the pirate radio airwaves in the ealry 90's, there was nothing like it. It was at the birth of Jungle, and the track was a slow but immense classic, spreading accross the UK from its London Roots to become one of the most influential tracks in jungle's long and storied history.
Here we have four of the classic remixes from back in the day, lovingly remastered and made available for the first time since those early days...

Birchy is a relative newcomer to the Kniteforce label, although his previous release (KF266) that played with the Terminator theme tune was a big seller. It's not overly surprising, as Birchy may be new to the label, and a new name to many old skool heads, but he is an experienced producer who has been around for decades, with releases spread far and wide...
This EP samples the classic news broadcast surrounding the famous Castle Morton event in the UK, and the whole EP is deeply old skool and classic in feel. Full on breakbeats, pianos and authentic rave sounds are the name of the game here, and Birchy creates a timless feel to all of it!

By the time Jackie Mittoo released this outstanding album (his 4th), he had already gained a big reputation in the early days of Reggae, Ska and Rocksteady for his contributions to the Studio One catalog and his work with the Skatalites. With his beloved Hammond organ, endless talent and a bag on influences that included Jamaican sounds, Soul and Funk, Mittoo created a cool, moving, warm and groovy sound that would explode in his amazing dance songs and has gained cult status among followers of Jamaican Music, Soul and Funk lovers. A great collection of reggae-soul instrumentals by one of the most talented figures of the genre.

Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Gotta go through it. And somewhere out there in the Pitch black beyond all darkness lies Peace & Purpose. The horizon you never quite crest until the inevitable end. Breathe deep — this fearful moment is the most alive you’re ever gonna feel. For the last decade, Crack Cloud’s vision has grown ever more expansive, more cinematic. Last go around, they dropped from The Heavens and then performed with their bare backs to an endless darkening desert. Now they’ve crammed all that life into some metallic and strange object called Peace & Purpose. All the terror of living. All the helplessness. All the raw human will. All glued and screwed and locked into this impossible tactile shape of dungeon dub; sour milk vox; Avant-protest music. Music arm wrestling itself to the ground. Far afield of beauty. The discordant symphony of factory farming and grim timber of the meat processing plant. The grinding din of the cogs. And yet, never giving up in spite of all good sense. Even in death, we are a coterie of survivors. Look now: There’s Terry Fox on his one-legged Marathon of Hope across The Great White North while cancer spreads through his lungs. A self-annihilating drive to feel alive. Rage against the dying of the light, they say. Well, how ‘bout it then!??! Peace & Purpose is not in any way some art project meditation on Punk Rock. It is Punk Rock. Terrifying, inspiring, vital, invigorating and most importantly, utterly unexpected. Every goddamn stupid day is a sublime slice of fresh hell. That’s the point. Gotta go through it. Wishing you Peace & Purpose — if only in that last big breath.

When The Style Council’s debut album Café Bleu was released in 1984, Weller and wing-man Mick Talbot unveiled a cosmopolitan blend of jazz, soul, and pop that felt effortlessly sophisticated and daringly fresh. Café Bleu was more than a debut—it was a statement of intent, redefining what British pop could sound like in a new decade.

Since then, fans have been waiting for a deep dive into the Style Council vaults eager to hear any unreleased material. And now the wait is over.

The Café Bleu Special Edition is a treasure trove for Style Council devotees and music lovers alike - an immersive journey into one of the most inventive eras of Paul Weller’s career. This lavish release unveils a wealth of previously unheard material, including early demos, alternate takes, and unreleased songs that showcase the band’s restless drive for experimentation and evolution.

Portuguese techno force Lewis Fautzi debuts under his own name on Mutual Rytm with ‘Beneath The Surface’. Hailing from Barcelos, Portuguese maestro Lewis Fautzi has carved out a formidable reputation through a run of uncompromising releases and a sound rooted in tension, precision and raw power - exemplified by his recent outing on the agenda-setting Hayes Collective. He has previously established his fierce, potent sound on Soma, PoleGroup, Mord, and a number of other influential labels, while also heading up Faut Section. Having previously appeared on Mutual Rytm’s Federation Of Rytm III compilation under his Non Cyclic alias, he now steps out on SHDW’s label with a six-tracker busting full of impactful techno cuts. The heavily-requested ‘Beneath The Surface’ opens the EP with menacing low-end and tightly coiled pressure that's released through simmering valves and hissing synths. ‘The Hollow Cycle’ brings a loopy, tunnelling groove with a snaking lead and snaking metallic percussion, while ‘Inner Mechanism’ keeps things dark, deep and driving with a backlit glow that pulls you in. ‘Nonlinear Form’ is streamlined deep techno that fizzes with texture, spraying chords and a rumbling sub-bass, while closer ‘Anamorph’ rides meticulously designed broken beats with an ever-present sense of bass-driven foreboding. For digital purchasers, sparse and eerie bonus ‘Surface’ slams down with industrial weight and real warehouse grit, shaping up another weighty offering for the label.

House and techno's most innovative improviser, KiNK, lands on Mutual Rytm X.

Offering four more thrilling dancefloor weapons, the iconic talent lands on SHDW's new Mutual Rytm X Series to deliver the label's second release.

Legendary Bulgarian artist KiNK is widely regarded as one of the most respected live acts on the global scene. He is a noted tech wizard who creates loops on the fly, crafts killer drums and never fails to hypnotise dancefloors. He has released on almost every influential label of the last 15 years and taken his unrivalled live show to all corners of the world, often drawing on those sets to bring aspects and inimitable qualities from his performances into his tracks. This innovative approach has helped to solidify his reputation as a groundbreaking figure, inspiring a new generation of musicians and producers, and he once again showcases precisely why he's in a league of his own here with a first appearance on SHDW's newly minted Mutual Rytm X.

'Unicord' opens up this new EP in thrilling fashion with sleek, Detroit-style synth loops flashing up top as the heavy, pounding while warm drums drive things down low. 'Quantum Shake' brings 90s energy with new school sound deists - the dubby drums are fast and urgent, the synth craft is deft, and the percussion adds texture to a straight-up but sophisticated techno anthem. 'Pitch Down' then brings fantastically unhinged synth leads that spray and zip about the mix to boggle the brain. Rattling percussive loops and chunky drums keep things moving as those synths get even more wild. To close, the digital bonus 'Highpass Lowpass' is a masterfully muscular cut with rugged bass and taught synths interlinking to mind-melting effect.

A central figure in Belgian techno, Border One's work has also been an international reference for consistency and direction since his early releases. An artist for artists with true commitment to his sound, Steven Petit's impact in the studio and behind the decks is admired by anyone who has done their homework. His music describes tight pressure under curious, modular-like sequences that stretch through the timeline of each track. The scale of minimalism remains key here, and the Belgian wastes no time when tunneling through his erratic tracks. Jazz-like dissonance drives his tension and although each element is carefully measured, the records truly command dancefloors. 'Inner Radiance' is no different. The Fuse resident takes his game one step further, pushing harmony to hysteria at every turn.

The EP skips foreplay and dives straight into the extremities of Border One's sound. In 'Reducing Valve', sustain is the key ingredient to this chaos. Slowly ripping the synth sequence into chords, Border one maintains a firm hold on the track's tension while remaining playful with the main theme. 'Sensory Reset' is more of a lurker with its shifting pad that spreads across the stereo image. This track is characterized by a grim urgency as opposed to its predecessor's progressive spiral. Keeping things low to the groove, the A2 swings about satisfyingly while Border One tinkers at his 909 constructions. Continuing his work on resonance, 'Transfigured' balances obscurity and surrealism. With a sequencer on the loose and a drum machine to emphasize it, the Fuse resident guides his audience into twists and turns at a constant pace. Here, we explore the dichotomy between the warmth and cold of a modular sound in techno, something frequently done but rarely mastered. Border One puts his years of experience to work to provide a combination of flair and balance to his tracks, something that is clearly translated in this EP. Of course, the final track - the title track - 'Inner Radiance' brings something very special to the table. The power of simplicity can never be underestimated and Petit knows just how to use it. With a strong core to an already sturdy track, the conclusion is spectacular. Emphasizing the electrifying nature of the record, Border One adds vintage chord stabs that fit right in with the sharp lead to create a powerful and memorable dancefloor experience. Not as much of a wind-down more than it is a gripping cliff hanger for his future releases, Border One provides once more an EP that underlines the true ethos of techno music.

Slowly yet firmly blooming into focus, An Unfinished Rose is the new album from Australian duo Troth.

This is their first since relocating to Hobart, Tasmania and their introduction to Night School Records. With a detailed web of past releases on labels A Colourful Storm, Mammas Mysteriska Jukebox, Knekelhuis and Bowman’s own Altered States Tapes imprint, An Unfinished Rose is the group’s most realised and composed work thus far. While still drawing on the improvisatory and DIY practices that informed Troth’s beginnings, it points to a new incarnation of the duo’s music; an intentional language emerging from the fog of obfuscation and mists of uncertainty.

Over these 9 meditations on change, acceptance, renewal and rebirth, An Unfinished Rose finds Amelia Besseny and Cooper Bowman peeling back some of the roughhewn architecture that defined their earlier releases to reveal a masterful - if auto-didactic - use of space and melody. Composition and improvisation compliment and feed each other throughout, with locked-loop earworms providing the springboard for lines of clarinet or synth melody, and the negative space between chord clusters giving ample room for Besseny’s most confident vocal performances to date. Shaving off a little of the defining dissonance and tape compression of old reveals Troth’s music in radiant daylight, humbly accepting of its place in the world while yearning for better, more sympathetic modes of living. Leaning more heavily on acoustic instrumentation and post-production processes than previously, the result is a transcendent body of work infused with an almost zen-like presence.

Troth’s music exists in the border between forming and becoming, its goal to project a kind of preternatural beauty, leaving interpretation open to the listener. Field recordings, happenstance and improvisation may provide seeds for the duo’s compositions, particularly on Side A, but there is a deft touch of songcraft on show. Loam Loom Leaf Litter opens An Unfinished Rose, directly referencing natural cycles of life, death and regeneration, before the blissed-out drum machine groove of Gold Plum continues a discussion concerning the totality of nature and one’s place in it. Besseny’s vocal, swelling like an ocean churn in duet with itself is adorned with synthesised harp and a revolving synth pattern, conjuring plumes of medieval smoke. Thistle’s rounded, bass-heavy drums, nodding to the vast echo of dub, is a relatively new terrain for Troth. It’s propulsive and thumping, pulsing with a meaning and symbolism consistent with Troth’s past work, referenced overtly in Bessey’s lyrics - “Say it too much and it loses its meaning…”. Similarly, the sprawling modern-classical suite, Tides Reflected In Her Eyes, is intentional in its lyrical themes while traversing new ground, revelling in layers of bowed cello and vocal intonations. Side B’s 4 tracks feel like Troth’s most thoroughly accessible and affecting music to date. Leaning into their own detoured version of Synth Pop, Cocoonist explores downtempoisms via a crunchy low frequency synth, and dream-like, fuzzy trip-hop modalities, not unlike Besseny and Bowman’s other group, Th Blisks. Following on, Myrtle Mystes is an open and searching DIY pop song, forged out of drum machine, bass guitar and cello. (An) Unfinished Rose’s title-track is a clear stand-out, built upon an evocative rhythm sample that appears to change emotional resonance with each undulating repetition. Its cascading waves of affect, interjected with a subtle breeze of synth, bowed instrumentation and soaring, densely-layered vocals.

An Unfinished Rose is enveloping, warm, forgiving. Difficult, yet retaining a unique beauty. Troth’s music aims to celebrate the duo;s shared experiences of being in the world, despite the complexity often surrounding us all. Theirs is a message of hope and perseverance, learning and patience.

This top label continues to do great work, serving up hip-hop gems from legends of the scene from days gone by. Next up on this limited 7" is another classic from a pioneering MC and producer. 'Black Snake Root' dropped more than 20 years ago but endures as a classic with its smart use of samples, breezy jazz-funk melodies and warm drums all lifting spirits like the dawn of a new Spring day. On the flip is 'Cedar' by the same artist, this time sampling a great West Indian funk and soul outfit to craft a low-slung groove with hooky riffs and noodling bass.

***
My heart is a thousand years old.
I am not like other people.
***

10 years of the journey. 20th release.
This record is a message — to myself, to those I love, and to everyone who listens with an open heart.
Each track is a piece of my story:

My Life Is Beautiful — a reminder to see the light.

Be As You Are — to embrace yourself fully.

Spread Love — to give without fear.

I'm Only Human — to accept our flaws.

Sweet Baby — for those I love most in this world.

Thank you for growing with Memory Remains. This isn’t just music.
This is life.
With love and hope,
Kirill Kirik

MR XX early support: Green Velvet, Adriatique, Ilario Alicante, De La Swing, Neverdogs, Massimiliano Pagliara and many more …

Cleaning Out The Empty Administration Building ist Ross Farrars neuestes Werk aus rohem, gesprochenem Wort und experimentellem Sounddesign, hier präsentiert unter dem Namen R.J.F.. Der Frontmann der amerikanischen Bands Ceremony und SPICE begann dieses Soloprojekt zunächst als persönliche Herausforderung: Songs von Grund auf selbst zu schreiben, sich mit Instrumenten vertraut zu machen und dabei zugleich sein Unterbewusstsein freizulegen. Dabei ging es weniger um musikalische Virtuosität als um Verletzlichkeit - darum, etwas Ehrliches aus einem ungeschützten, unbearbeiteten, unpolierten Moment zu ziehen, kompromisslos amateurhaft und rein.Diese Sammlung zeigt Farrar im offenen, poetischen Dialog: mit Drumloops und gefundenen Klängen, durchbrochen von Gitarren, Bass und Tasteninstrumenten. Nach über zwanzig Jahren in der vertrauten wie chaotischen Welt von Band-Kollaborationen, legt Farrar all das ab - als Experiment. Das Ergebnis ist unverwechselbar und bewegend.Farrars Punk-Pathos ist in Spuren vorhanden, doch seine deutlichsten Einflüsse stammen von repetitiven Musikformen: Drone, No-Wave, Avant-Jazz und darüber hinaus. Seine nüchternen Texte erinnern an Lou Reed, Rowland S. Howard und andere große Exzentriker. Farrars Texte kreisen um Liebe, Sucht, Vaterschaft und das Leben in der heutigen Welt. ,Ich wollte Bilder schaffen, die die Menschen klar vor sich sehen können", sagt er. Farrar unterrichtete früher Schreiben und Literatur - und wendet hier ein einfaches Prinzip an, das er auch seinen Schülern mitgab: Nicht zu viel nachdenken. ,Ich habe mir einfach gesagt: Diese Songs sollen Spaß machen. Sie sollen nicht stressig sein. Zwei, drei Takes aufnehmen und dann gut ist. Nicht über jedes Geräusch den Kopf zerbrechen. Mach einfach das, was natürlich aus dir herauskommt - und wenn es sich gut anfühlt, dann nimm es."Aus hunderten freier Songs, die Farrar in den letzten Jahren mit geliehenem Equipment aufgenommen hat, kristallisierte sich dieses Album langsam heraus. ,Es kam einfach immer wieder."Der Ton von Cleaning scheint die Zeit zu verbiegen, versetzt die Hörer in eine Art Gang voller Songs, bei denen jede Tür in einen neuen Raum führt - Räume, die oft auf unheimliche Weise vertraut wirken. Der gurgelnde Bass des Openers ,Advance" taucht auch in anderen Stücken wieder auf, etwa im gespenstischen ,Ovidian", benannt nach Ovids Metamorphosen, in dem Farrar über das Wunder der Veränderung sinniert - begleitet von fernen Glockenklängen. Instrumentalstücke wie ,Gravity Hill" - ein Flattern aus Synth-Brummen und statischem Rauschen - oder ,Frogs", mit Saiteninstrumenten und perkussivem Topfschlagen, wirken wie tranceartige Zwischenspiele und verstärken die Wirkung der Texte drumherum.,Exile" blickt zurück auf Verluste, die sich nicht mehr reparieren lassen: ,So much of your heart caught in my exile", singt Farrar mit sanfter Resignation - über einer einsamen Klaviermelodie und schlingernden Gitarrenakkorden. Es ist das strukturierteste Stück der Sammlung und erinnert daran, dass Farrar ein Gespür für melodische Linien besitzt.Das Album endet mit ,Traveling Light From Afar", deutlich schneller als alle vorherigen Songs. Hier, über einem stoischen Motorik-Beat, spricht Farrar das zentrale Thema des Projekts direkt an:,I've been so young in my old age / Selfish & self-pitying / But that's just narcissism - man."Genau dieser Balanceakt - zwischen schonungsloser Selbstbefragung und der Klarheit, die mit dem Älterwerden kommt - schafft Raum für Entwicklung. Farrar leert das Gebäude - Zeile für Zeile.

Skkkrt! Step Ball Chain is officially running redlights and disregarding road rules with Anderson in the driver’s seat. The US born, Berlin based producer and deejay offers up Cut The Breaks, a 5 track EP bursting at the seams with ruff, tuff and techy freakouts, never neglecting the groove. Transcending genre, the low key king of the underground reaches into new realms sprinkling in electro, tech house and bouncy techno with a nod and a wink to hip hop.

Sleek & sexy; the opening title track is as fresh as it gets, a soldering of prize elements from different electronic ecosystems. Whiplash drums and vocal chops that weave their way through the record, also cropping and popping up on the B Side. Pedal to the metal for Giving it All and Visconti Bounce; playfully traversing dancefloors with tongue & cheek turboness and rhythmic exploration that will drive you wild. Smell the rubber burn for STEP15; let Anderson strap you in and take the wheel.

Das Leid ist uns allen verheißen, aber auch die Freude. Man muss muss man in dieser Dualität Frieden finden", sagt Yaya Bey, die Humor, Liebe, die Kraft der menschlichen Bewegung und menschlichen Bewegung und Verbindung - auch wenn sie Angst hat. Mit ihrem neuen Album, das auf eine Veröffentlichungen folgt und ihr Debüt bei einem Indie-Label drink sum wtr erscheint, ist die Singer-Songwriterin aus Queens, New York, durch ihr aufmunterndes, sprudelndes Material. Eine Absage an vergangene Vergangenheit, die auf sie projiziert wurde, findet Bey in ,do it afraid ihre Geschichte mit entschlossenem Spaß, vollem Herzen und nuancierten Songs, die sich aus R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul Soul und Tanzmusik, einschließlich des Soca-Stils ihrer Bajan-Wurzeln ihrer Familie. do it afraid zelebriert alle Seiten von Yaya als Teil einer kollektiven Lebenskraft, die nicht die sich nicht der Angst verschreibt, sondern den Momenten, die uns bewegen.

Zurich-born, New York-based DJ Tony y Not is best known for her free-spirited sets, seamlessly weaving together techy acid, progressive, dark disco, and heart-opening indie. She brings that signature energy to her Kompakt debut with striking precision. Have You Lost Your Mind channels a touch of Swan Lake-era Todd Terry – one of NYC house’s legendary figures – delivering a razor-sharp acid line, a rock-solid groove, and one of the most flawlessly executed breakdown/drop combos in recent memory. Deep Don’t Stop follows suit, skillfully reviving the essence of ’90s New York club culture in a way that would have set Junior Vasquez’s Sound Factory ablaze. True to her mission, Tony y Not continues to spread joy and uplift others, both on and off the dance floor.

TEE MANGO’s first release on Kompakt has been a long time coming. Ever since Michael Mayer heard his sunkissed remix of The Invisible’s ‘K Town Sunset’ back in 2017, he’s been obsessed with his music. The two tracks here, ‘Moonshots’ and ‘My Mind Is Making Up Monsters’, are prime examples of TEE’s ability to create heartfelt, uplifting modern house music. There’s a sense of bacchanal liberation, a potent transcendental element that opens the mind to joyful bliss.

HARMONY020— One year from Ayū’s debut on Harmony—Neon Affair, four artists closely connected to the release were invited to remix their favorite track from the record. The result is a new remix EP featuring a dancefloor-driven A-side, crafted for peak-time energy, and a B-side dedicated to closing sets and trippy storytelling.

Side A opens with Maara’s remix of “Space to Come”- a progressive, sexy spacey journey with muttered vocals and a blissed-out groove, blended with her iconic sound. Keeping up with the dance-floor energy, Spray delivers a dreamy yet bubbly take on “Point Nemo.” Spray’s take showcases his distinctive musical patterns and fuzzy textures.

The B-side remix by Harmony’s Alfred Czital and Jeku sends the record to the late hours of the party. Jeku’s version of “Neon Affair” brings driving drumlines and euphoric prog beats, layered with hypnotic, trippy touches – sweet, yet dirty. Alfred Czital closes the record with his Dream Mix of “Space to Come,” an exciting and misty journey through sound – playful, metaphysical, and the perfect closing track for extended parties.

VHF debut and second widely-available LP by Liam, part of a new generation of underground “American primitive” guitar players serving the traditions and smashing them up simultaneously. Prodigal Son is a portrait of an artist on the road, changing fast, recording things as they spring from the fountain. The sound here is raw – grass and dirt instead of pre-fab; homemade/handmade instead of high-tech, etc. There’s a visceral quality and immediacy of culture that’s being lost every day in modern life – Prodigal Son is a chance to grab some of it back. “Palmyra” has Liam on weissenborn-style lap steel, the sound fuzzed out and distorted by the guerilla recording technique. “Salmon Tails Up The River” stretches out to nearly 13 minutes, a dense meditation on 12 string that sustains a dark and heavy mood for the entire duration. On the B side, “Insult to Injury” reverses the mood, with an elegant and unhurried 12 string sequel of deep beauty. Liam’s unexpected take on Loren Conners’ “A Moment at the Door” is a perfect translation of Loren’s reverb-heavy electric drift to unadorned acoustic (and tape hiss) – a frozen moment of absolute grace. Wrapping things up is a take on “Old Country Rock,” with fiddle and banjo, just a brief taste of the barnstorming old-time sound of Liam’s touring trio.

French talent Framboisier lands on the eighth Duality Trax release this August with his debut EP Planetary Vision, backed by a remix from breakbeat queen Angel D’lite.

Landing just in time for the height of summer, the release has already garnered support from scene heavyweights Spray, Job Jobse and James Zabiela. The Grenoble-based artist known as Framboisier has seen his prole steadily rise in the last two years, with his 90s-inspired house sound
lighting up labels like Shue Valley, Backspin and Gestalt. It was through the latter and a back-to-back set at Edinburgh’s legendary Sneaky Pete’s with Gestalt founder Steffan Todorović that label boss Holly Lester rst encountered Framboisier’s music - instantly recognising its place on Duality Trax.

The title track Planetary Vision kicks off the EP with a rush of prog-house nostalgia. Contemplative pads and shimmering synths verge with driving percussion and a bouncing Juno bassline, creating brief moments of euphoria before slamming back in for a powerful peak-time reprise.

Memory Access follows with sun-drenched textures and a rolling groove - locking into a deep, introspective danceoor moment led by an infectious bassline. The B-side shifts gears with Neuro System, a deep house excursion driven by sweeping pads, subtle melodies and a hypnotic low-end.

Rounding off the EP, Angel D’lite brings her signature rave energy to a remix of Memory Access, ipping it into a breakbeat-heavy workout packed with amen breaks, playful spinbacks, and cheeky vocal chops

With two critically acclaimed compilations already under his belt, DJ / collector miche returns to Mr Bongo with the third instalment of his With Love series. Testament to his ever-expanding taste, Volume 3 isn’t just a subs bench call-up from the past compilations, it’s an evolution and progression casting the net deeper and wider than before.

Keeping true to the series, but with some fresh surprises along the way, this carefully curated compilation is a celebration of soulful, independently released music from across the globe, and the amazing (often unsung) musicians and vocalists that made these sublime records.

Across the third volume, miche explores a jazzier side of his tastes. “The deeper I went, the more I found myself gravitating towards jazzier music - not leaving soul behind, but following that same feeling into new territory”, he explains. Tracks like the gliding jazz funk found on Late Nite Music Band’s ‘Sundance’, or the glorious jazz-soul number ‘In Flight’ by Spectrym are shining examples of this.

That defining soulful thread of previous volumes is still in full effect throughout this latest edition. “There’s a healthy dose of impossible-to-find soul gems that have that unmistakable, heartwarming feel. Tracks like John Simmons' 'Ain't Nothing Like The Love', which I've adored ever since Zaf Love Vinyl played it, sit perfectly alongside records like Le Cop and New Way”, states miche.

The addition of some top-tier Turkish music showcases another side to his ever-broadening taste. Nükhet Ruacan's 'Gölge' is something unique, a floaty Brazilian-inspired gem recorded in Turkey and not what you’d typically expect from Turkish records of this era. 

It also wouldn’t feel right to leave out a stop in Brazil, with miche looking to the work of Carlos Bivar whose track 'Amargo Amar' carries that undeniable groove of samba-funk from Rio.

Spreading the With Love message far and wide the series has led to miche DJing across the globe, “from batucada sessions in Timisoara, to all-night sets in a club in Beijing, and even an eight-hour Root Down With Love stage takeover at We Out Here festival, joined by Danilo Plessow, Jeremy Underground, and of course, my mentor and buddy Rainer Trüby.”

Volume 3 then, carries that message even further. It’s an eclectic but intentional collection, built for the music lover who wants to discover something new. Working just as well as a soundtrack to cook dinner to, as it does keeping a packed dancefloor moving into the small hours.

Rocker’s Revenge was a studio musical project, assembled by producer Arthur Baker in 1982. The band comprised of Baker himself plus Donnie Calvin, Dwight Hawkes, Tina B and Adrienne Dupree Johnson. They are most remembered by their 1982 post-disco hit "Walking on Sunshine", which peaked at number 1 on the US Dance Chart and number 4 in the UK.

On the A side of this release, the track is reset for 2025 with a remix by post punk indie rockers Yard Act, where they have include their own guitar, synths & vocals to give their unique stamp to it. – It’s become a track they have been performing live. On the other side is an unreleased 9 minute remix by New York’s legendary Sound Factory co-founder Junior Vasquez back from 1988, to make it proto acid house bassline & driving percussion journey.

Boston-born Arthur Baker launched his music career as a Disco DJ, but soon made his way into music-making, producing classic Disco for legends Northend and TJM. Arthur is one of the most visible and widely imitated early Hip-Hop/House producers; masterminding breakthrough experimentation with tape edits, sampling and synthetic beats on such records as Afrika Bambaataa's 'Planet Rock', New Order's 'Confusion', Freeez's ‘IOU’, and his own break Dance classic ‘Breaker's Revenge'. Baker would go on to become an award-wining DJ, music and film producer, working for and with the likes Dylan, Hall & Oates, Al Green, Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, &many more; on film music for 80s/90s classics such as Beat Street, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Life Less Ordinary. Turning his hand to film documentary’s, Baker has produced Finding The Funk and 808 the Movie. Baker has also directed a documentary on Rocker’s Revenge ‘On A Mission’ along with completing their debut album.

Repress!

Sophomore release from the acclaimed trio of Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan) And 7L & Esoteric. Features MF Doom, GZA, Method Man, Large Professor, Juju Of The Beatnuts, Ra The Rugged Man, & Meyhem Lauren. Packaged in a 70+ Page Hardcover CD Casebook / 2LP on Clear vinyl with Lyrics & Cover Art From L'amour Supreme (Mishka NYC). Includes a comic, written by Esoteric with artwork by Gilberto Aguirre Mata (El Ultimo Codice) & L'Amour Supreme. CZARFACE - Wu-Tang founding MC Inspectah Deck and veteran Boston duo 7L & Esoteric - isn't concerned with the glitz and the B.S. that modern consumer culture is pushing. And neither are the group's fans. In 2013, the trio appeared relatively unassumingly with their self-titled debut, which was chiefly produced by DJ 7L and included guests ranging from Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna to Vinnie Paz, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano. The soon-to-be acclaimed group found out quickly that there was a groundswell of hip-hop fanatics thirsting for the lunchpail, lyrics-above-all-else rap they fell in love with in the '90s. Several pressings of the album on CD, 2-LP and even cassette later, they are back and ready to up the ante. This time around the group is the same, but it's fair to say that all three men have stepped up their game. We knew how we felt about the last album, but weren't sure how it would be received by listeners,' explains MC Esoteric. But people really responded to it, even more than we had hoped. That gave us the confidence to really spread our wings and let loose on this one. The chemistry is even tighter this time around. We know exactly what lanes we are cruising in and what weight class we are fighting in for Round 2.' Inspectah Deck adds, Czarface is like the Danger Room for the X-Men, I can use all my weapons on there. When I'm in Wu-Tang, I have to come a certain way because we have a certain style of fan, when I'm here doing the Czarface projects, it allows me to actually be an MC, it allows me to actually just spit...I love that. I love when i can just spit freely and just be an MC.' The fighting analogy - whether drawn from pugilism or '80s wrestling, both which figure into Every Hero Needs A Villain - is an apt one, considering the unrelenting lyrical attacks that Deck and Esoteric unleash on track after track, each trying to one-up the previous verse. Best of all, it is friendly camaraderie, based around a loose theme of renegade mutant MC talents running wild. DJ 7L explains, All three of us are influenced by comics, sci-fi movies, TV, wrestling. Czarface encompasses all of that, and it helps with the visuals as well.' On the production side, 7L shows yet again - as he did with the group's debut - that he remains a formidable yet underappreciated musical force, constantly providing hard, funky and alternatingly ominous backdrops for the assembled MCs to use as lyrical luge paths. If that wasn't enough, it's all iced with a ridiculously intricate and beefy 70-plus page, hardcover CD casebook with lyrics and extensive artwork by Gilberto Aguirre Mata (El Ultimo Codice) and L'amour Supreme, and with Death & Abduction,' a comic written by Esoteric, and an explosive, comic-book-inspired cover by L'amour Supreme (Mishka NYC).

01. Don The Armor
02. Czartacus
03. Lumberjack Match
04. Nightcrawler (Feat. Method Man)
05. World Premier (Feat. Large Professor)
06. The Great (Czar Guitar)
07. Red Alert
08. Junkyard Dogs (Feat. Juju Of The Beatnuts)
09. Sgt. Slaughter
10. When Gods Go Mad (Feat. Gza)
11. Ka-Bang! (Feat. Mf Doom)
12. Deadly Class (Feat. Meyhem Lauren)
13. Escape From Czarkham Asylum
14. Sinister
15. Good Villains Go Last (Feat. Ra The Rugged Man)

MIKE & Tony Seltzer präsentieren das Doppelvinyl ihres zweiteiligen Albums "Pinball". Das Original aus 2024 wurde von Fans und Kritik begeistert aufgenommen, war es doch etwas Neues, MIKE in dieser Direktheit rappen zu hören. Dieses Neue ersetzt MIKE auf "Pinball II" mit verfeinertem Songwriting und einigen der besten und energiegeladensten Raps seiner Karriere. Tonys Produktion klingt dabei kraftvoller und mutiger als je zuvor. Nach zwei Kollaborationen haben die beiden Künstler eine gemeinsame Chemie gefunden und schaffen ein Projekt, das vielleicht MIKEs zugänglichstes ist, das gleichzeitig aber die Essenz bewahrt, die ihn bis hierher gebracht hat. Zu den Gastfeatures und Kollabos beider Teile gehören Earl Sweatshirt, Clams Casino, Jay Critch, Akachi (Chief Keef-Produzent), Lunchbox, Sideshow, Niontay und viele mehr.

Jüngstes Lob für Pinball II:
* "Der Rapper und der Produzent aus Brooklyn haben sich für eine energiegeladene Fortsetzung des letztjährigen Pinball wiedervereint. Es ist eine leichter verdauliche Version von MIKE, die sich dennoch authentisch anfühlt." – Pitchfork 8.1
* "Der immer produktivere Rapper aus Brooklyn liefert eine Reihe Trap-beeinflusster Tracks, die es schaffen, alle Genre-Schubladen zu sprengen, in die man ihn stecken könnte." – Rolling Stone****
* "Rap-Fans auf der ganzen Welt sollten dankbar sein, dass MIKE sich entschieden hat, mit Tony Seltzer zusammenzuarbeiten." – The FADER

Visionary producer and one half of pioneering electronic duo The Chemical Brothers, Tom Rowlands returns to Phantasy with ‘We Are Nothing / All Night’, the first solo dancefloor material since his last appearance on Erol Alkan’s storied London label in 2013 with ‘Through Me / Nothing But Pleasure’.

Once again, Rowlands delivers a double A-side single in order to commit two progressive new productions to wax. Heavily road-tested across the world in Chemical Brothers DJ sets, the sprawling arrangement of ‘We Are Nothing’ trips through a decades-long obsession and subversion of house music and psychedelia alike. Imaginatively sampling Canadian outsider artist Bill Bissett, Rowlands uses the poet’s existential phrasing as the foundation for a rising slalom of acid catharsis, peppered with snatches of soul, analogue freakouts, and all-encompassing groove.

‘All Night’, meanwhile, finds a different, perhaps unexpected rhythm. Here, Rowlands’ unmatched studio instincts deviate in a different direction entirely, employing a searing tempo to embrace the analogue experimentation at the heart of his work, as well as an appreciation for electronic music’s willingness to barrel ever-forward; the result is a worthy head spinner from both label and artist alike.

Tom Rowlands will play a rare solo DJ set at Glastonbury's Stonebridge Bar on Friday 27th June, as part of Bugged Out's 30th Anniversary celebrations.

2025 Repress Cherry Vinyl limited

A mystery bag of magical editing tricks is on full display here with a groove so sweet you could sprinkle it on a donut. This is a track that bobs, weaves and ducks like a seasoned Heavyweight Champion - all perfectly timed to an outrageously hypnotic rhythm that’s layered with heavy-slap bongos, triangle percussion and crisp congas. When the familiar bassline and unmistakable vocal kicks in, you’re certain you know where this journey is going. But you’d be wrong. All wrong. Reality is swiftly flipped by the mother of all rug pulls. Suddenly, you’re off-road; driving through a hazy, surreal combination of twisted sonic reverb cuts and delicious diva-drenched vocals. This is a masterclass in the art of the edit - adding subtle ingredients to make something so individual and so unique. Good enough to eat? You bet it is. Any self-respecting selector will want this gem in their record bag, so grab it while you can!

Moto Music proudly presents Time Synthesis, a sonic collaboration of the living legends Dan Piu and DJ Estimulo, creating a future past guaranteed to last. Experience the dynamic aurora of class, seamlessly guiding your senses through savory flavors of funky Detroit and atmospheric Techno hybrids to the smoothest of sunset coastal Deep House designs marinated to move bodies on the dancefloor and influence the mind. Indeed a synthesis of good times where the future of authentic house and techno was never left behind. Perhaps the dreamy chords and confident bassline of Strobes" unlocks your center of rewards via groovy techno modes, or its the Estimulo Ambient class pass of Wayne" that's the perfect sound for your late spring sunsets and nights in the rain; never the less with Moto Music since 1994, complete quality is here to adore in this ep menu of four…

Written and produced by Dan Piu & Estimulo

"tilt your back
pay respect
hand on heart

we were raised without table,
without manners,

where is it we gather this time?


In ‘Of No Fixed Abode,’ Saint Abdullah and Eomac extend their experimentation with genre dissolution to press upon the tensions that exist between culture, place, and migration. This fourth collaborative LP addresses the inherent fluidity of cultural memory, accepting our inability to remain fixed in the past, and explores how best to carry its spirit forward into an ambiguous future.

Through extensive research into 50 years of Persian pop, they meticulously reinterpret the legacies of artists like Andy, Hayedeh, and Fereydoun Farrokhzad, refracting samples by way of gritty beat work-outs akin to more contemporary musicians like Rezzett and Madlib. Through extensive archival research and sampling, they recontextualise these iconic melodies, placing reverie and frenetic drum programming in conversation with one another in a fashion that seeks to express a sense of two disparate tendencies cohabiting together, all while refusing homogenization. This reimagining extends beyond mere homage, serving as a conduit for exploring the narratives of migrant experiences, both in the UK and globally.

Sonically ‘Of No Fixed Abode’ plays with new sampling techniques, utilising the quick-fire intensity of the Roland SP404 with the cool precision of digital DAWs, and features collaborations with drummer Jason Nazary, sound artist Aria Rostami (both New York based), New Zealand-based mHz, and a vocal collaboration with London-based artist and musician Raheel Khan."

Locked-In rises again through tumultuous times with its eleventh instalment, Peace Pack EP, the four track EP from FSK24, lands just in time to spread sonic sanity.

We only see clearly at the brink of change, and Peace Pack EP embodies that moment, with four bulletproof cuts that instill calm, carry you forward, and keep it locked on the dancefloor.

A1. A groovy roller, with crisp synth stabs and bouncy kicks, radiating timeless hypnotic allure, poised to energise the crowd

A2. Pure driving elegance, with psychedelic modular synth lines weaving through crisp hats and rolling bass, evoking the peak of a sunrise after hours

B1. Subterranean minimalism, layered with rich textures and cavernous bass, creating a late night delirium distilled into one track

B2. Cheeky funk meets squelching acid riffs in a sinister finale, lacing the floor with dark euphoria

Kaba & Hyas continue their musical exploration at the crossroads of Rap and House by announcing their 3rd opus “Wooferz Only”, a 7-track EP to be released in early February on H3 Records and Entreprise.

The two comparses establish their club music more than ever, reviving sensations of hectic nights from Detroit to Manchester, and hammering home the markers of the style they've made their own. Like a block party MC, Kaba chants incisive, edgy lyrics, set to the energetic rhythms of Hyas, obviously at the center of the game.

Solid on their feet, Kaba & Hyas have not hesitated to step out of their comfort zone, exploring new styles (Juke, Baltimore...), collaborating with a jazz pianist on a couple of tracks, or hosting their first French featuring with thaHomey on the track “Magic Stick”.

After a spring/summer tour packed with dates including Nuits Sonores, Macki Music Festival and Ed Banger Party, the duo followed up their winter season with appearances at the MaMa Festival and the Transmusicales de Rennes. In peak time, we'll have the chance to see them perform “Wooferz Only” at La Maroquinerie for their first headline show on April 10, 2025.

Ewan's Makati EP, named after his birthplace and dedicated to his mother, draws inspiration from his earliest memories of life in the Philippines. As a house music producer in Perth (now Melbourne) for over 25 years and releasing dozens of records ... this one hits close to home and his heart as a positive, affirming set of cuts for your ears and feet.

The record starts by jumping onto the mechanical funk of JEEPNEY. A roving mural of quirky synth rhythms riding on a solid stomping house groove.

PELOTA finds the beat and bass marking firm lines of a game of call-and-response. Bouncing from wall to wall, the melodies trade licks while a stoic flute tops out the dance.

On the flip, SEREMONYA mixes spritely conversing synth lines on alternating chord stabs and sustains. With the erratic bass and matching snare guiding both anticipation and reflection as equal partners.

SKYFLAKES encourages the listener's mind to run away with a simple mind-object of the past. As a downtempo hymnal of chords, pads, strings and bells it leaves us high in altitude and higher in hope.

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

2025 Repress

Dom Dolla makes a triumphant return, with 'Take It', a deep, dark, heaving club mix that combines an evocatively catchy vocal, with a deep groove beat to create one hooky production. Off the back of his 2017 ARIA nomination for Best Dance Release for the huge collaboration with Torren Foot on 'Be Randy', Dom has been busy touring the globe, stewing away in the dark corners of clubs, tweaking 'Take It', until it reached tech-house perfection.

"I put the bones of this tune together in a hotel room while road tripping between gigs in Arizona earlier this year, feeling heavily inspired by the west coast club audiences I was playing to. The vocals were written and recorded while sick in bed, using my tour manager's iPhone earbud microphone and a duvet as my vocal booth. At the time I had planned on replacing my recording with a cleaner take when I got home to Australia, but was never able to recreate something I liked as much, so it stayed! It's been slaying it for me ever since.", Dom Dolla had to say on explaining the origins of 'Take It'.

Having received over 20 million streams and consecutive ARIA Club Chart #1s for the former and Define, his 2016 collaboration with Go Freek, it becomes obvious that perfection is a common occurrence for Dom Dolla. Also, giving reason to why Dom has been cherry picked for official remixes by the likes of RUFUS DU SOL, Flight Facilities, Peking Duk, Madison Avenue, Motez and Sneaky Sound System and ongoing festival slots at Beyond The Valley (closing out the festival 4 years running), Splendour In The Grass, EDC Las Vegas and Splash House Palm Springs.

With Chris Lake, Kyle Watson and Billy Kenny already jumping on board, 'Take It' will be sure to garner a solid amount of support from the big-dogs. This goes without saying when Pete Tong is your biggest supporter, playing a spate of Dom Dolla releases across BBC Radio 1, a guest mix on All Gone Pete Tong and chosen as support for Pete Tong's huge orchestrated Ibiza Classics show at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

After being tried and tested, this track is 100% guaranteed to rip your heart out and 'take it' straight onto the darkest dance floor out there. Australia, hold tight for a tour announce very soon, otherwise you can catch Dom on dance-floors throughout the US from July.

11 million streams across Spotify, SoundCloud + YouTube
#1 ARIA Club Chart
#1 Beatport Overall
Named as Pete Tong's artist to watch for 2019

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

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

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

Step back into one of the most exciting years in pop history – a time when boundary-pushing alternative anthems, flawless dancefloor fillers, global megastars and fresh faces all collided on the charts. NOW - Yearbook 1997 celebrates an unforgettable year of hits with 43 massive tracks across a 3-LP set pressed on gorgeous green vinyl.

LP1 kicks off in style, with the stunning jazz-drenched ballad from legend George Michael, ‘Older’, before Natalie Imbruglia's huge debut single ‘Torn’. The Cardigans had a #2 smash with ‘Lovefool’ and Hanson hit the US & UK #1 with ‘MMMBop’. ‘Barbie Girl’ from Aqua and the Spice Girls’ anthemic ‘Spice Up Your Life’ were both #1s, and Boyzone’s ‘Picture Of You’ was a huge hit and featured in the film ‘Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie’. Eurovision glory happened for the UK in 1997, and winners Katrina And The Waves with ‘Love Shine A Light’ close the first side…while over on the other, a second George Michael classic from his ‘Older’ album, the beautiful ‘You Have Been Loved’, opens ahead of another contemporary masterpiece ‘Secret Garden’ from Bruce Springsteen. Texas scored a UK top 5 with ‘Say What You Want’, and Sheryl Crow had a top 10 hit with ‘A Change Would Do You Good’. Paul McCartney’s ‘Young Boy’ is next before ‘Ready To Go’ which gave Republica a Top 20 chart debut, and closing the first LP, Robbie Williams’ ‘Old Before I Die’, which became his second smash as a solo artist.



LP2 kicks off with Radiohead’s defining ‘Paranoid Android’, ahead of Kula Shaker’s hit cover of ‘Hush’, and alt-pop from Embrace (‘All You Good Good People’), The Charlatans (‘North Country Boy’) and The Seahorses (‘Love Is The Law’) before the side closes with Oasis’s huge #1 ‘D’You Know What I Mean?’ – the lead single from their third album ‘Be Here Now’… Flip the LP over and discover some of 1997’s dancefloor gold – opening with the club juggernaut and #1 ‘Professional Widow’ from Tori Amos, remixed for single release by Armand Van Helden, along with Olive’s UK #1 ‘You’re Not Alone’ and the huge ’97 ‘Now Voyager’ remix of ‘You Got The Love’ from The Source feat. Candi Staton. En Vogue’s powerful ‘Don’t Let Go (Love)’ is up next, ahead of ‘I Wanna Be The Only One’, a #1 for Eternal feat. Bebe Winans. LP2 finishes with pure pop gems from 911 with ‘Bodyshakin’, Backstreet Boys with ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’ and Steps with their debut hit ‘5, 6, 7, 8’.



The final LP opens with Pet Shop Boys’ and their brilliant version of the musical classic ‘Somewhere’, ahead of the genre-blending #1 ‘Your Woman’ from White Town, and the atmospheric ‘Out Of My Mind’ from Duran Duran. Suede’s plaintive ‘Saturday Night’ leads into three of the years’ electronic dance music highlights: Orbital provided the theme to the remake of ‘The Saint’, Moby with his re-imagining of the classic film-series theme: ‘James Bond Theme (Moby’s Re-Version)’ and The Chemical Brothers with the massive ’Block Rockin’ Beats’ completing the side…Turn the LP over for the final side featuring the debut from All Saints with ‘I Know Where It’s At’, and fabulous dance-pop from Whitney Houston with ‘Step By Step’, and both Ultra Naté and Dannii Minogue enjoyed euphoric hits with ‘Free’ and ‘All I Wanna Do’. Pan-European smash ‘Encore Une Fois’ from Sash! is followed by Ricky Martin’s global success ‘María’… but the final word on the collection goes to Elton John. His superb ‘Something About The Way You Look Tonight’ was one half of the biggest selling single of – not only 1997 – but of all time and ends the collection on a perfect pop high.



NOW – Yearbook 1997: A celebration of the diversity and creativity in the charts of a truly magical year in pop.

A bold System Error debut for Vitya Payal'nik, the young Ukrainian talent who is already carving out a very signature sound.

Built on punchy, powerful sounds, each track speaking its own language of tension, grit and groove. Mood, movement and mystery that hits hard and commands attention. One for your bag no doubt…

Vinyl only.

Facta returns to Wisdom Teeth with ‘GULP’: a zippy, hi-def mini-album full of scrambled vocals, blown-out basslines, dripping synths and spring-loaded grooves that together map out his playfully psychedelic corner of contemporary club music. Written in a quick creative burst in late 2024, the record brings together a range of the producer’s distinct creative strands into a sharp, cohesive whole. Sitting snugly within the stylistic niche carved out by his A&Ring and DJ sets (alongside label co-founder K-LONE), we hear the influence of 00’s minimal, tech house, UK soundsystem music, ambient electronica, dub and more rubbing shoulders in a way that feels effortless and personal. Many of the tracks began life as sketches penned on the road - dotting between festivals, European club shows, and on tour in Japan - and so the record carries with it a sense of movement and forward momentum, and feels populated by voices, memories, people and places.

The Londoner’s characteristic approach to sound design and genre interplay are on full display here. Generative vocal hooks melt and warp into strange fluid forms, while synths stretch, detune, bend and dissolve into space before snapping back into shape again. Keyboards mirror human vocal formants, forming melodies that feel at once organic and alien. Basslines warp and distort, as if being re-moulded out of different synthetic properties.

Across the record there’s a commitment to expressing simple or familiar ideas in new and unexpected ways, whilst experimentations and innovations are presented clearly and intuitively. Cherished genre references are lovingly deployed as personal touchstones across the record - bleeping minimal- and tech-house; breakbeat dubstep and funky; Chicago house; dub techno - yet sounds and influences are combined and meshed in unexpected ways. Each track is tightly engineered and reduced down to its key elements, which are then manipulated, flipped, warped and pushed to breaking point. As is typical of Facta’s music, uncanny contrasts are worked throughout the music in unexpected ways. Warm, balmy moods come laced with seams of tension or uncertainty, whilst the record’s darker moments are handled with a light, playful touch.

With 15 years experience writing, DJing and A&Ring under his belt, ‘GULP’ is testament to Facta’s love of creation and curation - of seeking out, absorbing, experimenting, and channeling new sounds to create your own sonic world. A record borne of playful experimentation and happy accidents, ‘GULP’ shines bright with a simple, pure energy - a testament to writing quickly and intuitively and, above all else, enjoying the process.

The album’s artwork features photography by award-winning Boston-based photographer, Pelle Cass, whose complex time-lapse composites present hyperreal yet impossible tableaus of seemingly simple everyday scenes - an approach that parallels the record’s blurring of the familiar and the unfamiliar. Cass’s work has been widely exhibited, collected, and published, including solo shows at Gallery Kayafas, Boston, the Photographic Resource Center, Boston, and the Houston Center for Photography, and in collections such as the Fogg Art Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He was twice a Critical Mass Top 50 photographer and has received two fellowships from Yaddo and one from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation.

Facta and K-LONE’s Wisdom Teeth imprint returns to the V/A format with ‘Pattern Gardening’: a new collaborative project that leans head-first into the label’s love of minimal-, micro- and tech-house, carving out the label’s distinct, contemporary take on the sound - one that swims between warm, bleepy, rolling, dubby, psychedelic and bass-heavy channels across its duration. The vinyl sampler brings together 6 highlights from the wider 22 track digital project. Wisdom Teeth heads Facta and K-LONE appear alongside longtime label associate Lurka and new signees Polygonia, rRoxymore, Sub Basics and Jichael Mackson.

By now, Wisdom Teeth and its founders are well known for their unabashed love of minimal and tech house, which - alongside ambient, UK club music, experimental electronics and a broad palette of other influences - makes up a key cornerstone of their distinctive sound. The duo’s DJ sets often see them mixing ‘00s gems from labels like Perlon, Mosaic, Minibar and a:rpia:r with more contemporary club sounds, creating a hybrid style that sits somewhere between Balearic terraces and dark UK club basements. Likewise, the label has become known as a go-to outlet for artists occupying a similar crossover space, with names like Jorg Kuning, Parris, Steevio, Duckett, Leif and LUXE all known for pushing house and techno into experimental and refreshing new territories.

‘Pattern Gardening’ follows loosely on from the label’s previous V/A releases ‘To Illustrate’ (2021) and ‘Club Moss’ (2023), which explored downtempo (100bpm) and uptempo (150-170bpm) styles respectively. Here, the focus is fixed on lush, groovy, quirky 4x4 jams, joining the dots between a global spread of producers that bring new energy and perspective to these well-explored frameworks.

As is always the case with Wisdom Teeth’s output, the results fit somewhere between the club and a more contemplative, home-listening headspace, with texture, melody and mood afforded as much significance as rhythm and functionality.

The artwork features photography by Hong Kong-based photographer Jimi Chiu, who captures seemingly ordinary corners of city life in glossy, cinematic detail.

Repress.

Marcal is back for round two on Dustin Zahn’s Enemy Records with “Cyber Dystopia.” Marcal’s trademark grooves and clever vocal processing make this one of his most exciting and hypnotic records yet. It’s pure class…there isn’t much else to say!

BUT we have to try anyway…
“Cyber Dystopia” starts off with Bionic Jungle, a trippy peak time roller sprinkled with uh, lifeforms or something? We haven’t been able to identify them, which is just proof that Marcal is living on another planet we haven’t been to yet. We’re standing by for the invite.

Moravex’s Paradox picks up where Bionic Jungle left off…chugging along in his signature style. It’s loopy. It’s tooly…but still heavy on the grooves, making it a perfect fit in deep and peak time sets alike.

Nothing About the United States hits a little harder and darker. Dissonant drones and catchy sound design take over, flipping the switch from “party” to “punish.” For fans of his recent track on Enemy, “Never Wrote This.”

Don’t Fear the Three is a classic Marcal percussive workout in heads-down mode. It’s as equally powerful as every other track on the record.

London based Surusinghe creates percussive, bass-driven dance music, combining South Asian rhythmic ideas with UK-rooted sounds. Her arrival on dh2 is a surefooted four-track EP of tightly-wound club gear that sees her spreading out into exciting new realms. First single received multiple plas across 6 Music, Radio 1, NTS and Rinse FM. Press support from Dazed, Resident Advisor, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Crack and NME. Upcoming festival appearences including Gala, Love Saves The Day, Parklife and Glastonbury.

Compiled by Philip King
“And then came the rise of synth pop : blokes with dodgy haircuts hunched over keyboard-operated
machines stuffed with wires and do-it-yourself tone oscillators making sounds like a brood of geese
passing gas in a wind tunnel. Whoopee! This is the way the ‘70s ended : not with a blood-curdling bang
bang but with a cheap, synthesized, emasculating whimper.”
NICK KENT, NME.

All The Young Droids: Junkshop Synth Pop 1978-1985 is a new compilation that charts the
underbelly of the epoch-defining sound of the synthesiser in 80s popular music. Compiled by Philip
King (previously seen compiling All The Young Droogs, Glitterbest and Boobs - The Junkshop
Glam Discotheque), the music here connects the dots between DIY synth enthusiasts grappling with
new, cheap synthesisers at the tail-end of punk and wannabe, jobbing songwriters enthral to the new
music pioneered by Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and Daniel Miller’s Mute Records. Featuring rare
tracks of auto-didactic progressive pop music, proto-techno punk, shoot-for-the-stars-land-in-the-gutter
chart flops and heralded, underground synth classics, School Daze paints a picture of beautiful failure.
Complete with extensive sleeve notes written by King and never before seen imagery, all 24 tracks
were remastered by RPM in-house engineer Simon Murphy, many from vinyl copies due to lost master
tapes. The story told on All The Young Droids is one of the dawning opportunity presented by both the
emergence to the market of cheaper analog synthesisers and the distribution networks plus indie labels
that exploded with the advent of punk music in 1976. While the music that sprouted out all over the
globe in the wake of these factors was decried as fake, plastic, a refutation of punk’s guitar-led
revolution, it’s telling that much of the music on All The Young Droids.. was created in bedrooms,
ramshackle studios and home-made set ups with often borrowed equipment. In the era of record labels
jumping to capitalise on the success of The Sex Pistols, The Clash (both on major labels, of course)
these artists struggled to stand out from a new gold-rush with next to no budget or PR team. With radio
and labels desperate for the new Yazoo, what resulted was a testament to necessity being the mother
of invention.

At the time, the synthesiser was the music of the future, a shiny new machine that could paint like an
orchestra with a single finger and a 4-track. In the hands of Manchester avant-pranksters Gerry & The
Holograms it’s a pulsing, sardonic weapon.. the only instrument on the Messthetics classic lampooning
of New Wave fashion. In Hamburg, a 16 year old Andreas Dorau used it to write and record (with his
female classmates on vocals) a global smash in Fred Vom Jupiter (later licensed to Mute Records).
The hard-to-find English version (Fred From Jupiter, natch) is included here. Many artists with alreadystoried careers caught the bug and recorded synthesiser-fuelled peons to space, computers, the future
and, of course, love-interests. Harry Kakoulli, late of Squeeze, recorded a solo album in 1979 that
included the incredible power-synth-pop smash-that-never-smashed I’m On A Rocket. Similarly, Ian
North of Neo and American Power Pop stalwarts Milk ’n’ Cookies bought a Korg MS20 and used a
tape machine to record We’re Not Lonely, an absolute lost-classic of minimal synth pop. We’re Not
Lonely also features on the Junkshop Synth Pop sampler 7” twinned with John Howard unreleased
track You Will See, released April 12th 2025.

There are plenty of compilation debuts in evidence. Sole Sister were a mysterious trio who were
featured on the Scaling Triangles compilation of female-fronted, queer-adjacent post-punk /
underground music that also featured The Petticoats. Selwin Image were from San Francisco and
featured members of the recently defunct power pop/punk group The Pushups. Their stupidly catchy
The Unknown fizzes with New Wave energy - think XTC to Sparks but remains unreleased until now.
Dream Unit’s A Drop In The Ocean is an early synth wave cut, positively teaming with Joy Division
instrumentation, previously only released on a long-forgotten and super rare, self-released EP.
Incandescent Luminaire’s Famous Names belies an archetypal struggle of a small-town trying to
make it in a cruel industry but is a thrilling New Romantic-Synth Wave cross over with a OMD
gloominess that’s a joy to hear. Feminist Minimal Wave track I Am A Time Bomb by performance artist
Peta Lilly and Michael Chance is a revelation destined for new found cult status. It was released on 7”
and lost until now.

The flipside to the subterranean, never-made-it synth pop mentioned above are the ambitious, even
fruity attempts at success that have a perennial elegance to their confidence. New Jersey-ite Billy
London (real name Ed Barth) tried to cash in on the synth boom with Woman, released by a major
label, a lurching new wave track built on the Louie Louie rhythm and a wonderfully camp Lou Reedstyle sleazy vocal before exploding in the synthesised chorus. The song bombed but with a chorus like
this, you have to wonder why? Ex-Glitter Band member John Springate’s My Life is truly epic, with
doomed chord progressions and massive sounding drums turning into at least 3 different songs in the
course of the track. Before you wonder what’s going on the song resolves with a glorious return to the
main refrain.

The dry-ice-dressed dance floor is well catered for too. Design’s Premonition and Vision’s Lucifer’s
Friend are stone-cold minimal synth bangers, well loved but given a new lease of life here. The
Warlord’s The Ultimate Warlord was released in 1978, a homespun proto Hi NRG banger that was
later re-recorded by The Immortals in Canada who had a club hit with it. One-man- band Disco
Volante’s No Motion was re-issued by Synth wave label Medical in 2012 but makes its first vinyl
compilation appearance here. Close your eyes and you can imagine what Lawrence of Felt would have
sounded like with some cheap Korgs a little earlier in his career. Gibraltar-based trio The Microbes
imagined a computer programming people to dance - how prescient - and ended up with a propulsive,
robo-funk track with splendid rubbery bass playing over a tectonic drum machine. Previously picked up
by Belgian label Stroom TV, Dee Jay Bert & Eagle’s heavily Euro-accented I Am Your Master
demands the listener to “come to paradise!” In a frankly terrifying manner.
All The Young Droids is the first compilation to peel away from the narrative that dour, Minimal Synth
and Cold Wave were the only musical children of the first rush of synth pop. Philip King and School
Daze Records describe a much more complicated world: along with the austere, Brutalist children of
Daniel Miller (who produced Alan Burnham’s Bowie-Low-influenced Science Fiction here) was a
plethora of desperate cash-ins, accidental mainstream hits, ambitious pop dramas and major label
punts that went nowhere. Crucially, the compilation blurs the line between junk and treasure. What if the
two things are interchangeable. What if it’s all science fiction?

The PARTI-PILLZ story charges into 2025 with its third release, spotlighting the electrifying sounds of Italian maestro Verniß. A masterpiece of crisp, punchy productions, Verniß brings the heat with his Black Shape EP—a four-track trip tailor-made for the late-night hours. From eccentric electro to sharp, modern techno, each cut delivers a knockout blow, crafted with livewire energy and club-ready precision. Verniß flexes serious finesse across the board, making this record a must-have in your DJ bag this Spring. Four tracks. Four weapons. One essential EP.

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

David Versace is an Australian multi-genre keyboardist, composer and producer based in Meanjin, Queensland. Growing up in a very musical household it was always important to express and embrace all types of music and sonics. His sound ranges from Jazz and Samba to ambient works and the odd dance-floor heater. David also plays in Meanjin nu-jazz dance outfit First Beige.

Tartelet is pleased to welcome the tranquil acid delights of fast-rising Frankfurt-Leipzig duo not even noticed for a brightly melodic, rolling EP of positive party gear.

Since forming in 2020, the pair have won over a succession of well-established labels and dancefloors with their infectious, easy-going approach to acid and breakbeat. The mellow, soulful mood on their Aerial EP arrives as the perfect soundtrack to the brightening skies of Spring in the Northern hemisphere.

From the airy pads of 'Aerial' and the psychedelic chill-out breaks of 'Voidness' to the tough groove of 'Fidelity' and 'Affected's tightly wound electro framework, there's plenty of scope across the whole record without losing a grip on the warm and grounded mood that makes this duo such a resounding success wherever their music gets an airing.

Coming correct with an all-too-rare restorative quality to their tunes and a serious weight that comes to life over a big system, not even noticed are a perfect fit right here on Tartelet.

The 12-inch is limited to 300 copies and comes in a black sleeve with sticker.

K69 & Original ravers Dream Frequency are a formidable force once again as they deliver this limited edition 4 tracker. Hot on the heels of Raveology ; A meeting of minds, the guys throw in fierce breakbeats, Uplifting piano breaks, and a sprinkling of rave magic all on a limited edition translucent blue and red butterfly effect vinyl. If previous releases are anything to go by, get this in your basket as it will sell out with no repressing guaranteed. This is the 2nd release in the Raveology trilogy.
Our most ambitious vinyl release to date goes beyond the 4 floor fillers into amazing graphic design and one of the rarest vinyl colour designs out there. This will look as amazing on walls as on turntables.

"Bordeaux-based emerging talent Salomee deals in menacing and moody atmospheres, drawing on a range of techno, electro, house, and the ill-lit corners in between. Hypnotizing and neon-tinged melodies drive her tracks: these are bare bones, high on repetition, and very compelling. They come backed by elaborate and agile drum rhythms, composed with a rawness that references the most seasoned inspirations. The Before Time Began EP sees the artist further develop her sangfroid aesthetics with four tracks that assuredly reach beyond bunkers and basements. On Sacred Gatherings, several entrancing, alternating arpeggios work up a spark against a backdrop of tightly choreographed kicks and SH101 patterns. When the cut rises to a peak, a salvo of vocal chops drops - a rare event in Salomee's discography, even though the samples are rearranged beyond recognition. Before Time Began utilizes a similar palette, but this time, an undercurrent of melancholy seems to propel the track. A leisurely modulated, dubby sub segment amplifies the theme. By The Sea combines dark bass sequences and strings as gloomy as a fog horn with vivid 909 drums. The highs of the lavishly programmed hats and claps and the intense lead provide a slug of energy. It is a rendition of trance, manipulating both the genre's and the artist's signifiers. On Love Prevails, a slowly filtered, heavily delayed lead is spread atop a Bristol techno style beat. An array of cinematographic chords and subtly mixed gasps inject this closing track with a precarious balance, one that explores the tension between yearning and relief."

ANORAX sticks to its’ #eatsleepmantra with the reissue of the perennially in demand TIGHTEN UP by Melbourne soul disciples THE BAMBOOS.

The track - a catchy as you like instrumental slant on Archie Bell & The Drells USA #1 million selling smash from 1968 - was originally released in 2006 on Kenny Dope and Keb Darge’s KAY-DEE label.

It immediately became a favourite in Soul & Acid Jazz circles, and it’s’ popularity rapidly spread across all dance genres, THE BAMBOOS main man LANCE FERGUSON showed genius by ditching the idea of vocals and lyrics in a composition hailed by Rolling Stones magazine “as one of the greatest songs of all time” and instead coming up with the quirky irresistible instrumental we all love. Funky flute anyone?

The Kay Dee 45 was reissued some years ago but enduring demand has outstripped supply.

Limited edition press so grab em while you can….

Two years ago he released ‘The Peak Season EP’ under his alias Flo 87, hitting all the right buttons, and now his back with ‘The Full Moon EP’ under his own name Jan Rezelman. The EP consist of three brand new tracks, all recorded in 2024. ‘Nobody’ is basically me cutting up a beautiful soul song on my MPC, and re-play it and having fun with it. I’ve put some banging drums under it, Maspaventi did the mastering, so you know it’s ready for club use! ‘Full Moon’ is an up-tempo track where I’m filtering a guitar loop and having fun with it. Anton Pieete mixed it and Sam Irl mastered it to tape, so you already know it’ sounds super phat! ‘Soul Music’ has a more experimental vibe to it, where I was messing with my new synthesizer and came up with this infectious bass-loop and those heavy hitting 808 drums. I added some strings and drum-breaks and kept the track really minimalistic. ‘The Full Moon EP’ is pressed to a limited amount so be quick! The vinyl will be in stores around spring ‘25.

Azzurro 80's new album—his first ever on LP—is a beautifully faded Polaroid that, like a true flashback, plunges listeners into the heart of the 1980s. It's a sonic journey that captures the essence of a decade, distant yet vividly etched in our collective memory.

The Roman producer unleashes his sonic vision with even greater intensity than before, weaving through dreamy italo-disco, electric atmospheres, soundtrack-worthy synth-pop, and boogie-funk grooves.

Each track opens a window onto an era the artist experienced only fleetingly as a child, yet he evokes it with a powerful and refreshingly original touch. Much like a classic library music record, these tracks conjure a wealth of images, scenes, and visual sequences—perfect soundtracks for imagined films or evocative advertising campaigns: as seductive as a perfume ad, as desirable as a car commercial, and brimming with the bright future the 80s promised.

It's no surprise that cinematic references spring to mind even before musical ones. The album echoes the dreamy atmospheres of early 80s Italian cinema, particularly films like Carlo Verdone's "Acqua e Sapone" (1983) and Carlo Vanzina's "Amarsi Un Po'" (1984). Meanwhile, flashes of New Romantic aesthetics and hints of electro-funk transport you to a neon-lit dance floor where a DJ is spinning the vinyl copy of Flashback.

Azzurro 80's new album is a vibrant, energetic work, balancing groove and emotion in equal measure and infused with a sense of nostalgia that feels remarkably contemporary.

Available May 9th on LP and Digital from Four Flies Records!

Introducing the second release under the Statica imprint “MyCn18: Engraved Hourglass”

STATICA002 comes from Berlin-based artist Johannes Mai aka John Spring. John's productions have gained legendary notoriety over the past decade with his early releases revered for their timeless sound and experimental edge, whilst always keeping to a ritual of dancefloor compatibility. An influential artist who pushed the boundaries of minimalism and helped lay the foundations that have sculpted the sound of the present. It's a great honour to be releasing his first EP in over 13 years with 3 never before heard tracks from the mid 00’s.

“Train Ride” is an energetic A1 with pacey drums and a marching topline, while the A2 “Ravebehave” delves deep into spring reverb mastery and wavering synths. The B1 “Melodic Ten” begins with rolling percussion and uplifts with the whispers of enchanting vocals. B2 comes as a remix of Melodic Ten by Fabric resident and stand out London artist Harry McCanna aka Henry Hyde! stripping it back even further and introducing his own sinister synths, growling bass and groove-led drum patterns. It's a pleasure to have Harry featured on the release.

MyCn 18 is a young planetary nebula in the southern constellation Musca. It was discovered by Romano Coradi and Hugo Schwarz in 1991. MyCn 18's hourglass shape is produced by the expansion of a fast stellar wind within a slowly expanding cloud which is denser near its equator than its poles. The central star of the nebula is unknown.

Credits-:

A massive thank you to John Spring & Harry McCanna for their Contributions. Distributed by Deejay.de. Mastering by Justin Drake. Design and Curation by Alix

When you’re running a label, a demo occasionally comes across your desk that makes you reconsider everything you thought your label was all about. For Balmat, such was the case with this stunning album from Stephen Vitiello, Brendan Canty, and Hahn Rowe. It sounds like nothing we’ve released so far—and that very otherness opened up a whole new world of possibilities for us.

Fans of ambient, experimental electronic music, and sound art will be familiar with Vitiello, a New York native, long based in Virginia, who has collaborated with a cross-generational list of greats: Taylor Deupree, Steve Roden, Lawrence English, Tetsu Inoue, Nam June Paik, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pauline Oliveros, and many more. On labels like 12k, Room40, and Sub Rosa, he has explored a wide range of minimalism, microsound, lowercase, ambient, improv, and other styles. But this album is something different. It may begin in ambient-adjacent territory, but it quickly veers off, and it just keeps zigzagging, taking on elements of krautrock, post-punk, dub, and the groove-heavy interplay of groups like Natural Information Society and 75 Dollar Bill.

This stylistic turn is thanks in large part to Vitiello’s choice of collaborators. “We’re coming from three different schools,” Vitiello says: “sound art, art rock, and punk rock.”

Active since the early 1980s, Rowe—a violinist, guitarist, and producer/engineer—has played with, or manned the boards for, a frankly jaw-dropping list of musicians: Herbie Hancock, Gil Scott-Heron, the Last Poets, Roy Ayers, John Zorn, Glenn Branca, Swans, Live Skull, Brian Eno, David Byrne, Anohni, R.E.M., Yoko Ono, and many more. But he might be most closely associated with Hugo Largo, a one-of-a-kind New York quartet—two basses, vocals, and Rowe’s violin—that in the late 1980s helped lay the groundwork for what would eventually become known as post-rock.

Canty, of course, is the legendary drummer of Fugazi, the visionary DC post-hardcore group, as well as Rites of Spring before them, and, currently, the Messthetics, a Dischord-signed instrumental trio with guitarist Anthony Pirog and Fugazi bassist Joe Lally.

Vitiello’s trio first collaborated on First, a 17-minute piece released on the Longform Editions label in 2023. Second picks up where the freeform drift of First left off, channeling the trio’s exploratory energies into more intentionally structured tracks and—in a real first for Balmat—some almost shockingly muscular grooves. “Sometimes my projects are more conceptually driven,” Vitiello says, “but I think this was more musically geared. I just wanted to open up the references and bring in an incredible drummer, bring in some melodies, and I’m sort of the center.” But his collaborators, he stresses, are “vastly creative in making anything I might suggest better.”

Like its predecessor, Second took shape in phases, shifting between improvisation and collage. Vitiello laid down the skeleton of the music at home, sketching out initial ideas on Rhodes keyboard and acoustic and electric guitar; he then fed the parts through samplers and his modular system, recording 10- or 20-minute jams. Once he had edited them into more structured forms, he hit the studio with Canty, who added not just drums but also bass and piano; finally, Vitiello took the results of those sessions to Rowe, who played violin, viola, electric bass, and 12-string acoustic and bowed electric guitar, and assisted in some of the final structuring and mixdown.

A few more surprises along the way: Reanimator’s Don Godwin, the studio engineer where Vitiello recorded with Canty, contributed what he calls “resonant dustpan”; and none other than Animal Collective’s Geologist, who just happened to be in the studio that day, sits in on hurdy gurdy on “Mrphgtrs1,” the album’s gorgeous, stunningly atmospheric drone closer. “I love these chance encounters,” Vitiello says. “Somebody I admire, a group I admire—that was an unexpected gift.”

An unexpected gift is a great way of describing Second as a whole: three veteran musicians venturing outside their usual zones and finding a new collaborative language together. The results can’t be neatly slotted into any given genre; they belong not to any given category, but to the spirit of conversation itself.