Anonymous British funk studio outfit Ultrafunk was spearheaded by Blues & Soul magazine proprietor John Abbey, who ran a fashionable record shop and label called Contempo in London’s West End during the 1970s; he conceived of the group as the UK counterpart to US studio bands like Mfsb. Arranger Gerry Shury, who had worked with Barry White and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, drafted guitarist Chris Rae and bassist Frank McDonald (who often composed library music together) and future Rubettes drummer John Richardson to form the group, in situ. A lack of band photos, suggestive song titles and a predilection for American cover tunes led many to believe the band was US-based. Their self-titled debut LP is where the myth all begins, with a number of truly atmospheric and cinematic hard funk instrumentals, given added textural depth through full orchestration, including covers of Bill Withers’ “Use Me” and Stevie Wonder’s “Living In The City.” Though not quite as compelling as the better-known follow-up set, Meat Heat, there is still plenty to savour on Ultrafunk, making this debut companion disc a must-have for all true funk aficionados.
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Review: Three German instrumental talents - Chris Haertel, David Nesselhauf, Julian Gutjahr - make up The Drawbars, whom together describe their music as 'off jazz'. Following up their prior outing for Basel's BurningSole, on which two instrumental originals stuck out like raw thrums, their latest is an unexpected curveball in the form of a standout rare groove version of Billie Eilish's modern classic 'Bad Guy'. Riffing of its madhouse hooks by way of a watery high electric keyboard part, the essence of the track pairs timely well the Northern-soulful form of breaks, fills and bass jaunts. The B, 'Smokes & Mirrors', returns to OG songwriting and hears electric glisses and portamento synths dance across sultry, incense-filled rhythmatic rooms and navy-noted blueses.
Acquit Records takes it back to its roots with ACQR00 marking a new beginning with Synaptic Voyager. This artist always cooks up Detroit-influenced techno and house tracks that ooze sophisticated synth craft and absorbing atmospheres. This fantastic seven-track double 12" features more club-ready stunners like 'Auditory Imagery' which marry disuse chords with tightly programmed beats. 'Echo Location' has punchy analogue beats softened with widescreen chords straight from the Motor City and 'Preordained Destiny' goes slower, with percolating bass funk and wispy, glowing keys slowing worming their way into the cosmos.
White Vinyl Repress!
Techno pioneer Thomas Schumacher celebrates 25 years of his groundbreaking track "When I Rock” with a stunning remix by trailblazing DJ and producer talent. A.D.H.S.In 1997 Thomas Schumacher broke new ground with the release of "When I Rock," a track that defied genre boundaries and captivated listeners across the globe.
With its unprecedented blend of raw Hip Hop energy, infectious Rap vocals and relentlessly driving Techno rhythms, "When I Rock" marked a watershed moment in electronic music history. By infusing the track with his signature touch, A.D.H.S. maintains the essence of the original while seamlessly integrating contemporary sounds and production techniques. The result is a remix that captures the essence of the past while propelling it into the present.
To top it off Thomas’ adds a fresh remix of the Uber-Classic that is “House Of House” by Cherrymoon Trax. Essential.
- A1: Seba Feat Marina Samba - How It Goes
- B1: Seba - Horse Power
- C1: Seba - Etzli
- D1: Seba Feat Collette Warren - All Too Much
- E1: Seba - Sequence 5
- F1: Seba - Outer Worlds
- F2: Seba & Björn Berglund Feat Samuel Lancine - Diamonds
- G1: Seba - Public Beauty
- G2: Seba & Blackeye - Thoughts Run Free
- H1: Seba - Progression
Yellow Vinyl
Seba smashes his way into 2022 with the much anticipated release of his third studio album, "Ingaro".
Prepare yourself for ten brand new tracks of Seba. Secret Operations presents the first LP in almost ten years, from a producer who believes albums are not to be taken lightly.
"Ingaro" takes it's name from the small island outside of Stockholm, which Seba has called home for the last 20 years and is also where he spent his formative years.
The new LP takes the listener on a soaring journey through the entire Seba sound. Whether it's the dark and insistent forces of "Horse Power", which grow and fold in on themselves throughout the track, or the blooming euphoric roller "Public Beauty". A fresh collection of tracks which contain the unmistakeable Seba DNA, which has helped cement the name Seba firmly into the world of drum and bass.
Any album is not complete without some guests joining along the way and Seba has also enlisted some helpers on the journey and the LP includes collaborations with Collette Warren, Björn Berglund, Samuel Lancine and Blackeye.
For many, Seba is a name they are very familiar with. From his early releases on Good Looking right through to the present day Seba has made a name for himself for his exciting and varied production.
His music draws influence from far and wide across the musical spectrum and his work alongside the legendary Paradox and vocalist Robert Manos have gone down in Drum and Bass history.
Not just famed for his work in the studio, Seba's sets have gained a reputation for their energy and emotion. One of the scene's unique veterans. Seba's work is inspiring producers and fans more than ever. An album which sets the bar high for 2022!
% discount from 3x %
10" Cover in black with hole, fits no inner sleeve
% Rabatt ab 3x %
10" Leerhüllen / Stecktasche in schwarz mit Loch
passend für Platten ohne Innenhülle
"Promise": 1985 kam Sade mit einem Album auf demselben Niveau zurück: Auf das hervorragende "Is It A Crime" folgten die Klassiker "The Sweetest Taboo" und "Jezebel". Das Album wurde in den Abbey Road Studios mit halber Geschwindigkeit von den Original-Mastern gemastert. Das Mastering mit halber Geschwindigkeit erzeugt einen außergewöhnlich klaren Klang, der die Dynamik der Originalmischungen bewahrt. 180G Vinyl. Die Originalcover wurden einschließlich der Papierqualität und Druckmethoden reproduziert.
Some more FunFunFun, this time brought to you by Hamburg stalwart Rupert Marnie.
Playful acid-drenched exotica and metamorphic electroid blends are his sounds of choice. Expertly melting and recasting sounds into off-kilter weapons and one-off sonic experiences to repurpose the club system.
Marnie combines hi-octane stunts and unsuspected u-turns to present us with his own de-finition of club material...
All tracks written and produced by Matthias Schubert.
Mastered by Analogcut in Berlin.
System Error MM GmbH, Berlin, Germany, Earth © 2024.
- A1: Srirajah Sound System - Si Phan Don Lovers Rock
- A2: Perikas - Laberinto
- A3: Mac Thornhill - No Way To Control It
- A4: King B. - Love Is Crazy
- B1: L'innovateur Djoe Ahmed Et Le Zoukabyle - Amek Amek
- B2: Champagn’ - Bel Ti Négress
- B3: Androo - Lyriso
- B4: Hidrogenesse - La Carta Era Muy Larga (Dub)
- C1: Kajou - Tet Chajé
- C2: Conjunto Baluartes - Nira Gongo
- C3: Landshark - Tie Me Up - The Nas T Version Instrumental
- C4: Pellegrin El Kady - Selva De Carnaval
- D1: Lee Jackson - Call On Me
- D2: Lta - What Comes To Ya?
- D3: Urban Volcano - Ame No Uta (Rain Song)
Cream[27,31 €]
To celebrate 10 years of one of London’s most loved underground club nights, Tangent, Mr Bongo are thrilled to launch this new compilation series. Crafted by its two residents, John Gómez and Nick the Record, it aims to transmit a taste of Tangent’s spirit. A party rooted in inclusivity and open-mindedness, whose name captures the spontaneous switches in musical direction that are a defining element of their nights. For the compilation, the pair have cherry-picked a selection of their prized, rare and dancefloor-ready tracks from around the globe, that have soundtracked the past decade of parties.
Friends for close to 20 years, music lovers, record obsessives and internationally renowned DJs in their own right, John and Nick have two lifetimes worth of musical knowledge to draw from. John a long-standing NTS Radio resident and compiler for Music From Memory. Nick one of the UK’s go-to record dealers, resident DJ since the ‘90s at one of Japan’s pioneering parties, Life Force, and co-captain / co-edit-expert of Record Mission with Dan Tyler (Idjut Boys).
In 2014, the pair decided to bring some of Life Force’s grassroots principles to the UK, whilst channelling underground clubbing institution Plastic People’s meticulous attitude to sound. Tangent grew from being a small gathering of friends, to an established fixture in London’s nightlife, whilst always maintaining a strict no guest DJ policy. “As London’s clubs have become increasingly reliant on international guests, we wanted to emphasize the importance of a club night growing through its residents”, John and Nick reflect. With 10 years of the duo at the helm, an intimate connection between DJ and dancefloor has been built, allowing for freedom of expression on both sides of the decks.
Tangent reaches around the globe and across different eras to make connections that stimulate emotional reverberations in the unfamiliar. Where the blissfully Balearic ‘Laberinto’ by Miguel Perikás, goes hand-in-hand with the Cameroonian hip-house of King B.’s ‘Love is Crazy’. The thundering ‘Amek Amek’ by L'Innovateur Djoe Ahmed et le Zoukabyle, rubs shoulders with the soulful Caribbean-influenced touch of Champagn’s ‘Bel Ti Négress’. And Pellegrin El Kady’s afro-cosmic ‘Seiva de Carnaval’, crosses paths with Kajou’s Kompa disco anthem ‘Tet Chajé’.
Tangent’s longevity is in part down to it having always embraced contemporary sounds. The sub-rattling bass of Srirajah Sound System’s stunning Molam dub stepper ‘Si Phan Don Lovers Rock’ and the slow, woozy mantra of leftfield dancehall explorer Androo’s ‘Lyriso’, are two shining examples.
This compilation represents an ongoing dialogue between past and present, transporting listeners to the heart of a pure musical experience, where open minds and open hearts are eager to follow the tangent.
The Knife’s Olof Dreijer introduces Colombian - Swedish percussionist and DJ Diva Cruz with a new collaborative EP on Dekmantel Records. The 'Brujas' EP follows the debut of their exciting hybrid live show at Sonár Istanbul and ahead of upcoming performances at Sónar Barcelona, Dekmantel, and Øya Festival. Together, opposing patriarchy, racism, colonialism, capitalism, and immigrant challenges, they joined forces in Olof's studio, resulting in the creation of the ‘Brujas’ EP, where Diva debuts her voice. The 'Brujas' single and the entire EP, meaning "Witches" seeks to inspire us to find that powerful ancient energy within ourselves.
"I dream to empower everyone who feels outside the box with my lyrics. It is so sad to see children singing and dancing to music made by male artists whose lyrics degrade women, and on top of that, they win prestigious awards while doing so. I dream for a better world and especially Latin America, which needs to change the macho perspective and work together for a better world for everyone," says Diva Cruz.
As a percussionist Diva brings a combination of fierce live percussion together with a rhythmic blend of tunes from all over the world during her energetic DJ-sets. She has also been the lead percussionist for both Fever Ray and Robyn on their world tours.
Olof quote: I’m very excited about sharing this music with the world especially since it’s been a few years in the making. I’m very grateful to work with Diva. She has shown me a new world of music and I feel like I keep evolving and learning new things all the time, especially with our new live show when playing percussion together.
Igor Radošević aka Cosmic G is next to join the E&X roster with his encapsulating “Human Spirit EP” for our first delve into 2024.
The Serbian DJ & Producer has been in high demand over the past 12 months releasing a plethora of well received records on respected labels such as Haws, Goddezz & Neptune Discs, ensuring a rapid rise through the progressive house & trance scene.
Both originals are backed by two stunning remixes from up and coming French talent Clint who has added plenty of raw energy into both his renditions, turning this record into a must have for any discerning DJ or record collector.
- A1: Dirt
- A2: Work
- A3: Randy Orton
- A4: Chromosomes
- A5: 2 For 1
- A6: Pop My Shit
- A7: Designer Down
- A8: From Nothing
- B1: Key Rex
- B2: In & Outta Town
- B3: Fuck Dat Shit
- B4: Money Over Hoes
- B5: Ratchet
- B6: Homicide Gvng
- B7: Fuck A Feature
- C1: Sucker Free
- C2: Let's Go
- C3: No Hook
- C4: Penny
- C5: Mama Said
- C6: Presidential Rolex
- D1: Lean Habits
- D2: Last Man Standing
- D3: No Hook 2
- D4: Murder & Millions
- D5: One Me
Glockoma 2 is the third studio album from Memphis rapper Key Glock, and follow-up to the wildly successful mixtape, Glockoma. The deluxe physical release sees the addition of 8 new tracks, and includes 3 singles released shortly after the digital deluxe release. As we’ve grown accustomed to with Key Glock’s solo albums, Glockoma 2 features all material written and performed by Key Glock, and only Key Glock. Standout tracks from the album include “Work,” “Dirt,” “Chromosomes,” “Presidential Rolex,” & the explosive single, “Let’s Go,” which saw its own moment of virality upon its cinematic music video release and was recently Certified Gold by the RIAA. The 2xLP deluxe vinyl release is pressed on Cobalt marbled vinyl with Red Splatter, and housed in a gatefold jacket with poly-lined sleeves.
2024 repress.
Dive into the spiritual depths of Carnatic Music (Southern Indian classical music) - An enchanting journey of devotion and transcendence pulsates with raw sincerity and profound spirituality, casting a spell that transcends boundaries of belief.
Originally released on CD in 2000 from South Indian Carnatic music label and reissued on vinyl and digital first time in 2019 by Time Capsule. New 2024 repress vinyl has different tracks on the B side and it still remains as the reverse cut as the 2019 version.
2024 new vinyl repress with different track list on the side B. Reverse Cut Vinyl - This record plays from the inner groove to the outer groove. Comes with a hype sticker.
Born into a musician family steeped in the south Indian tradition of vocal music, the Mumbai-raised singer took advantage of the city’s cosmopolitism to study northern Hindustani disciplines, one of the few vocalists to train in both. Now revered as one of the greatest living exponents of Carnatic music, she received an Oscar nomination for her work on Ang Lee’s Life of Pi.
Within the first minute of opener Sada Bada (Slokam), Jayashri’s intensely spiritual vocals give a clear indication of why she has been increasingly embraced by a new generation of western listeners who’ve made the natural leap from ambient soundscapes to new age and devotional music. Accompanied on the following Bhajeham Bhajeham by a hypnotic rhythmic backing of mridangam drums, bells and the drone of a tambura, over its epic twenty-minute length she stretches her voice into a variety of spellbinding forms – her softly enunciated dedications to Shiva enveloping you with their immersive warmth and cosmic beauty. Keshvaya Namaha is an invocation to Lord Vishnu, the protector of creation and one of the other major deities of the Hindu tradition, while Raghavam recites the names and attributes of two of his most popular avatars: the heroic Rama and the playful, loving Krishna.
One of the album’s new-found devotees is label boss Kay Suzuki: “every time I listen I’m amazed at how such a small ensemble can create such a deep musical landscape. The incredible production plays a big part. That intricate percussion sounds so clear and sits in all the right pockets rhythmically and sonically. Just by following this groove I’m put into a timeless zone, but when her voice hits on top of that gorgeous drone sound and I focus on the details of her small melodies within melodies, my heart centres and I find myself in a blissful place.”
As professor of cultural and political theory in Universicty of East London, Jeremy Gilbert states in the album’s liner notes, the mesmerising sincerity and deep spirituality of these songs present an intense and spiritual charge that will appeal to an audience well beyond believers and devotees of Hinduism.
Inspired by Front 242, Skinny Puppy and Clock DVA, Arno and Tibor were fellow students at the Center of Electronic Music (CEM) in Arnhem, Netherlands during the mid 80's.
After getting a record deal with the Belgian Antler Subway, and started producing their first EP, originally meant as EBM. But since they were in the middle of proceeding, they took the chance to incorporate some of those influences in their first record, 'Force D'Inquisition', in 1990, which became one of the earliest Dutch house records.
Track A2 is the legendary 'Apocalypse', which was quite a hit at the time both in the EBM and acid scene, with gentlemen like Frankie Knuckles playing it in his sets.
Arno Peeters was later part of Random XS and Urban Electro and worked solo as Spasms on Djax-Up-Beats.
In memory of Tibor Fülöp, 17-03-2010.
- A1: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Kore Bonvenon (Intro) 2 01
- A2: Freundeskreis Feat Déborah / Max Herre - Esperanto 4 20
- A3: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Fk Skit 0 50
- A4: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Erste Schritte / Retrospektive 6 52
- B1: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - 20$ Skit 0 47
- B2: Freundeskreis / Max Herre / Fk Allstars - Tabula Rasa Pt Ii 4 52
- B3: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Hit Skit 0 23
- B4: Freundeskreis Feat Mighty Tolga / Max Herre - Sternstunde (Oder Die Revolution Der Bärte) 5 24
- B5: Freundeskreis / Shurik'n / Max Herre - Briefwechsel / Letter Exchange 5 56
- C1: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Reprise1 00
- C2: Freundeskreis, Joy Denalane, Max Herre - Mit Dir 4 39
- C3: Freundeskreis Feat Sékou The Ambassador / Max Herr - All Apologies 5 23
- C4: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Frico's Skit 0 50
- C5: Massive Töne / Afrob / Freundeskreis - Pulsschlag 6 29
- D1: Freundeskreis / Samy Deluxe / Max Herre - Eimsbush Bis 0711 4 55
- D2: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Don's Cp 70 Skit 1 34
- D3: Freundeskreis / Udo Lindenberg / Max Herre - Nebelschwadenbilder 4 27
- D4: Freundeskreis / Max Herre - Kore Salutas (Outro) 2 41
- E1: Freundeskreis, Joy Denalane, Max Herre - Mit Dir (Fk Radio Edit) 4 14
- E2: Freundeskreis, Joy Denalane, Max Herre - Mit Dir (Fk Slow Jam) 4 45
- F1: Freundeskreis, Joy Denalane, Max Herre - Mit Dir (Paley Jay Remix) 3 59
- F2: Freundeskreis, Joy Denalane, Max Herre - Mit Dir (Fk Slow Jam Remix) 4 20
Das zweite Studioalbum von Freundeskreis - "Esperanto"- ist eine Fusion aus Hip-Hop, Soul und Reggae, dass die musikalische Vision und Botschaft der Gruppe in die Welt getragen hat. Mit Hits wie "Mit Dir", "Esperanto" und "A-N-N-A" hat Freundeskreis die Musikszene geprägt. Zum Jubiläum der Single "Mit Dir" erstrahlt "Esperanto" in einer speziellen Jubiläumsedition. In dieser enthalten ist das Album "Esperanto" auf goldener Doppelvinyl, sowie die Single "Mit Dir" auf coke bottle greenem Vinyl. Diese Single-Vinyl beinhaltet neben der Originalversion zwei brandneue Remixe. Diese neuen Interpretationen bringen das Gefühl und die Energie des Originals in eine neue Ära und sind ein Dankeschön an alle, die diesen Song lieben und leben. Das Jubiläumsbundle ist für die treuen Fans, die Freundeskreis seit Tag eins supporten, und für die neuen Hörer, die die Musik gerade entdecken. Es ist ihre Art, Danke zu sagen und die Freundeskreis-Vibes weiterzugeben.r
DJ Support: Danny Howard, Annie Mac, Mistajam, Pete Tong, Charlie Hedges, Kraak & Smaak, Maxinne, Todd Terry, Alex Preston, Full Intention, GW Harrison, DJ Rae, Rudimental, Alaia & Gallo, Illyus & Barrientos, Johan S, David Penn, Sam Divine, Riva Starr, Claptone, Nice7, Dario D’Attis, Mousse T, S-Man, Huxley, KC Lights, Friend Within, Dombresky, Gorgon City, Chris Lake, Format:B, Pirupa, TCTS, Alan Fitzpatrick, Low Steppa, Mat.Joe, Raumakustik, Eskuche
Kicking things off on our next 4-track vinyl sampler series is Toolroom's very own Martin Ikin who returns to the label with ‘Make U Sweat’! He was the Best-selling Tech House artist on Beatport in 2020 and 2021 and has over 1m monthly listeners across streaming platforms. Recent studio collabs have included Noizu and Joshwa and tours have seen him travel far and wide to the US, Brazil, Bali, Ibiza, Italy, Croatia and of course, his hometown of London. This new record is the follow up to 'Oscill8' that dropped in March 2023 and sits in a similar lane, in that it's pure, unadulterated club weaponry! Next up is Italian house legend Flashmob with the frenetic, high-energy club vibe of new cut ‘My Body’. Flashmob's sound, production and go-for-broke DJ sets have changed with the game, embracing the vitality of new house music rather than hankering after sentimental sunsets. His ethic and aesthetic move relentlessly forward, using the old and new to craft unique sonic alchemy from big festivals like Tomorrowland to the intimacy of small clubs on the international circuit. ‘My Body’ is typical of Flashmob's current sound, combining solid drums and some insane synths and fx, alongside an earworm vocal sample that results in yet another memorable club cut from an established master. Canadian Tech House maestro Nathan Barato debuts on Toolroom kicking off the B-side to the vinyl alongside studio partner, Matheo Velez with 'Weapon'. A record that has already caught the attention of the underground elite with Michael Bibi premiering the track at his first appearance back at DC-10 in Ibiza last Summer. Both artists are enjoying great success across key labels such as Viva, Circus, Snatch and RAWthentic. This is an addictive, bumpy club track
that packs a huge punch on the dance floor and actually features Nathan's very own 'Move me… Rock me' vocals! Rounding things off is UK DJ/producer duo, Jenn Getz & Alfie who are residents at Dubai's #1 nightlife destination, Soho Garden, where they warm up for legends such as Sonny Fodera, MK, Claptone, Solardo & Fisher on a weekly basis. In their relatively short 3 year career they have already released on Solotoko, Abode and Toolroom Trax and now debut on Toolroom with 'Vibration'. Both girls are incredibly passionate about house music and are also big advocates for a life centered around well-being and meditation, and the idea of this record was to combine their 2 passions in life, so they proceeded to co-write these original lyrics to accompany the track, which in itself is very inspiring! This is a super cool club record that will excite fans and DJ's alike, welcome to the Toolroom Family, Jenn Getz & Alfie!
Countless radio plays on Radio 1 from Danny Howard, Sarah Storie, Pete Tong Other notable radio plays – Kiss FM, Toolroom Radio, Sirius XM, Data Transmission Radio, Radio 1 Dance Anthems, Radio 1 Party Anthems, Rinse FM, Select Radio, Tomorrowland Radio
Charles Levine is best known as one half of SoulClap, the love-fuelled production and DJ duo that brought all new emotions to the dance music scene when they first emerged in the mid-noughties. MartinButtrich is an acclaimed studio wizard and Grammy-nominated producer with an enviable discography that pairs meticulous synth craft with compelling grooves from across the house spectrum. Together, the two have formed a close friendship originally stemming from a 2016 collaboration where Buttrich mixed and added production to Soul Clap’s self-titled second album which was released on !K7 Records. Since then, Buttrich and Levine have worked their way through a variety of studio sessions, exciting moments of synthesis and deep philosophical wax-ings, ultimately culminating in this present moment in time on Stratasonic.
They open up their new EP with 'Festival Queen', a powerful and fulsome cut with angelic vocals working you into a frenzied state as the percussive grooves power on. After a pulsating, stripped-back Dub allows the colourful synth work to shine, 'Festival Queen Reprise' is stripped of the drums and becomes a more heavenly piece perfect for comedowns.'Charlie & The Moog' is a deep and playful trippy affair with languid synths bringing cheeky energy to the loose-limbed drums. It's a cosmic world of ever-shift-ing melody that warps space and time, and a dub gets even more wonderfully woozy.
Ten years after his first full-length effort ‘Man Is Deaf’ landed him firmly in the runnings for DJ Mag’s album of the year, prodigal son Michael Anthony Wright AKA Brassica returns to Civil Music with a deeply accomplished, painstakingly whittled LP of hydraulic electro slickness, rich synthscapes, and hooky, peak-time tearjerkers for the most discerning front-left lifers. ‘Tribeless Gathering’ is a barnstorming testament to Brassica’s stylistic and timbral deftness, touching down in the elusive epicentre of the club/home listening venn diagram with ease.
From the elastic, neon acid pointillism of opener ‘Hop Kweng’ to the mardy, miasmic plod of closing chugger ‘Changa Hill’, Brassica seamlessly segues between avenues of influence, his notoriously omnivorous musical knowledge roadmapping each turn. Raised on a diet of everything from early rave standards to metal, and schooled in avant garde sonics as a student of sound design at LCC, Brassica does a peerless job of sublimating his countless influences into a record of refined, heterogeneous, and most crucially, catchy, club moods.
Less spartan than his more recent oeuvre on Feel My Bicep, and less baroque than his technicolour experiments in postmodern synth pop with vocalist Stuart Warwick, Tribeless Gathering represents Brassica’s triumphant return to the main room, replete with rushy hooks primed for the planet’s finest soundsystems, and passages of heads-down tension bound to draw listeners right to the edge of their seats. Overall it is a concise and refined testament to Wright’s command of spectral sonics and effortless ability to pressurise a dancefloor. It is no surprise that he has also worked as a prolific mastering engineer, tuning music from a plethora of dance disciplines for maximum club impact. This work extends to his own projects (including this one), cementing them as rare expressions of complete artistry from studio to turntable.
As we delve deeper into the record, we are ushered through a series of accomplished and varied club moods, each channelling a unique cocktail of influences, but retaining a warm, ebullient analogue sensibility unique to Brassica’s work. This playful scope of influence calls to mind James T Cotton or Machinedrum’s experiments in dance music form, but Wright manages it all under one roof, wrangling everything from sashaying wub-laden two step to snarling Dillinja-esque FM damage into something inherently his.
Choice cut ‘Change Yourself’ layers an almost Cerrone-like piano refrain over radiant surges of saturated bass, dubby, strobing chords and a jagged, driving break, building to a jaw-clenching apex of dancefloor elation, while the rude, playful half-step of ‘Elevation’ breaks down the vintage speed garage formula into linear fragments, utilising a tight palette of resonant bass slugs, infectious synth leads and Papua New Guinea-style vocal strobes. The aptly named ‘Hold Tight’ fuses heart-in-mouth UK ‘ardkore pads with glissando acid disturbance and surgical snare fills in a formula which recalls the ethereal grit of Nubian Mindz’ 00s experiments in big-smoke break science, while the questing melodic arcs and arpeggiated squarewaves of ‘Pinball Marinara’ could easily have soundtracked an 80s sci-fi epic, beset with sparkling, bare-bones drum programming and hazy beds of sub sediment.
With ‘Tribeless Gathering’, Brassica both irreverently fuses and pays homage to the many unique and weird permutations of UK dance music. The short lived gathering of junglists, ravers and house hotsteppas of a similar name may have long since dissipated, along with the tribes themselves, but across these 11 tracks, he lays a blueprint for a new sound of togetherness.
One of melodic techno’s biggest breakout stars, Massano steps up for his Drumcode EP debut. The emerging DJ/producer from Liverpool already gave us a taste of his elite studio capabilities via the fantastic ‘Betrayal’, his contribution to last year’s Drumcode A-Sides Vol.12 release – one of the highlights of the compilation. Massano’s sound hits with a fantastic punch, characterised by super charged sound design and powerful melodic riffs with key releases on Afterlife and his own Simulate to date. His ‘Telepathic’ EP reinforces why we’re rightly so excited to have him on Drumcode. The title track is a juicy psy-laced stomper, propelled by a menacing low-end vocal that adds plenty of atmosphere to the cut. ‘Destructure’ is formed around rattling percussive effects, before euphoric melodic layers build in intensity throughout the second half. When the two elements coalesce, we’re treated to a track with immense peak-time power, that never loses its unique edge. ‘The Method’ is a melodic ace, shifting between laser-kisser dynamism and full throttle bass-driven energy.




















