Search:swin

Another Squid inks its way into existence. The new project from northern operator
Accented Measures, whose synth tower stacks taller than the horizon it’s aimed at. A self
made groove patroller, Aqua Surf releases four well swung jewels of power, an ode to
motion, pressure, and late night systems thinking.

Each track is cut from the same cloth but bent at a slightly different curve, offering a
focused glimpse into the Aqua Surf orbit. You’ll find heavy nods to the Quasimidi
classics, early Korg rompers, quirky Roland workstations and lost dub style vocal
fragments strung throughout the EPs play through. Ultimately, the record is a multi
planetary trip built on MPC sequences, where swing does the steering and texture does
the talking.

Functional but curious, these are tracks designed to travel through rooms, through
bodies, through time slots where the lights stay low and the floor stays sweaty.

Roman Khropko delivers four cuts balancing precision club mechanics with flashes of emotion. The record moves between stripped minimal techno and warmer electro, designed to unfold gradually.
The A side opens with Glimpse, a straight-forward roller driven by tight drums and a suspenseful build. Piece of Truth follows with a funkier swing, blending elastic basslines with subtle tech house inflections that keep things in motion.
On the B side, Fractum settles into a hypnotic minimal tech mood, laying steady groundwork for an extended club stretch. The closing track, Among The Machines, shifts into emotional electro territory, carrying melodic tension that leaves a melancholic aftertaste.
A concise and functional toolset for the dancefloor. This is one to stay in your bag for a long time.

Nail has been an important voice in the UK underground ever since his DiY Sound System days in the East Midlands in the 90s. After many years away, he returned, much to the delight of many heads, about a decade ago and has continued to roll out essential jams ever since. This one on his In The Dance label embodies his style - loopy, disco tinged house that's rough around the edges and burning with soul. 'Lick The Bag' is a cheeky title for a cheeky tune, 'The Price Is Wrong' shimmers with muted jazzy chords that are always held back, but the delight is in the promise and 'Medicine Stick' rolls on sweet grooves and knotted bass. 'Swing By' shuts down with plunging kicks and hints of MAW. Superb.

Der aufstrebende Country-Künstler und Songwriter Drake Milligan meldet sich mit seinem brandneuen
Album „Tumbleweed“ zurück – ein einzigartiges und lang erwartetes Kunstwerk. Produziert von Trent
Willmon, umfasst „Tumbleweed“ 14 Titel, die traditionellen Texas Country, Western Swing und moderne
Nashville-Elemente perfekt vereinen und Milligans zeitlose Musikalität unter Beweis stellen. „Das ist genau
das Album, das ich immer machen wollte“, sagt Milligan. „Es fängt so ziemlich alles ein, was ich an CountryMusik liebe, und ich freue mich riesig, es endlich veröffentlichen zu können.“ Das Album zeigt Milligans
beeindruckende Vielseitigkeit durch sein fesselndes Storytelling, sein Können und seinen charmanten Humor
in „Goodbye Ain’t All That Bad“. Im Schlusssong „How Much Beer“ holt sich Milligan seinen texanischen
Landsmann Randall King ins Boot, um eine Ode an die Kneipe des Arbeiters zu schaffen – der Song ist
eine schräge Hommage an den Bierliebhaber aus der Arbeiterklasse, seinen Barhocker und die Neonlichter

Von der Disco in den Jazz Club - Flore Benguigui ist zurück!
2024 platzte in der Welt des französischen Pop eine Bombe, als Flore Benguigui ihren Ausstieg aus der
erfolgreichen Elektropop-Band L’Impératrice bekanntgab. Mit ihrem ersten Solo-Album ist sie jetzt in
Bestform zurück und verbindet swingende Jazz-Songs mit Pop- und Elektro-Elementen.
Die ausgebildete Sängerin und Pianistin hegte schon immer eine tiefe Liebe zu Evergreens und zu Unrecht vergessenen Klassikern von Nina Simone bis Chanson-Legende Barbara. Ihr erstes Album unter
eigenem Namen greift diese Musik jetzt auf und transportiert sie ins Hier und Jetzt. Ihre unverwechselbare
Stimme, flirrend und mädchenhaft, aber punktgenau und selbstbewusst, ist die Basis der Jazz-Ohrwürmer
mit einer Dosis Indie-Pop, die sie mit ihrer Band The Sensible Notes erarbeitet hat. Für Pop- wie für
Jazz-Fans ist ihr ein sehr hörenswertes Werk gelungen.

Gathering his most iconic early recordings, this collection captures the pure essence of the man who laid the foundations of Bossa Nova. From the tender intimacy of "Corcovado" and "Chega de Saudade" to the gentle swing of "Desafinado" and "Bim Bom", widely considered the very first Bossa Nova song, every track radiates Gilberto's unmatched grace and rhythmic subtlety. Pressed on high- quality vinyl, Luz de Corcovado invites you to rediscover the soft pulse and poetic warmth that changed Brazilian music forever.

reActive Lab proudly unveils its first vinyl release, marking a defining moment for the label's evolution. reActive Lab Collective 001 brings together four of the label's core members - Chrivu, Dragne, Flavius, and Pattern Tusk - to craft a 12" that perfectly captures the collective's sonic DNA: deep groove, subtle minimalism, and timeless house energy. The record opens with Chrivu - "Cell Division", a vibrant house piece driven by a confident bassline and crisp percussive motion. Built with clarity and flow, it sets the tone for a journey anchored in groove and precision. Dragne - "Get Funk" follows with playful rhythm and low-end warmth - an irresistible combination of swing, bounce, and character designed for the dancefloor. On the flip side, Flavius - "The Interview" introduces a more introspective dimension - stripped-down yet immersive, balancing atmosphere with emotion through delicate textures and steady rhythm.

Closing the release, Pattern Tusk - "We Went On" blends soulful depth with minimal intricacy, offering a smooth, driving finale that resonates with both feeling and functionality. reActive Lab Collective 001 stands as more than a debut - it's a declaration of artistic identity. A 100% in-house release from reActive Lab, crafted with authenticity and intent. A promising first step in what's clearly a long-term commitment to sound, craft, and community. Short Description: reActive Lab makes its vinyl debut with reActive Lab Collective 001, a powerful VA featuring Chrivu, Dragne, Flavius & Pattern Tusk. Four deep and groovy house cuts blending energy, warmth, and minimal precision - a pure statement of the label's identity.

Das zweite Album des Palace-Records-Gründers Andrei Nikolsky ist stark von Soundtrack- und Library-Musik der Vergangenheit beeinflusst, darunter auch von einem seiner Helden, John Cameron (Kes, KPM, Bruton), der auf dem Album mit dem Song "Swing Time" zu hören ist. Die Platte bietet eine Mischung aus ungewöhnlicher Elektronik, modalem Jazz und experimentellem Disco. Weitere Mitwirkende sind Mitglieder seiner Band The Kanpai Quartet (Charlie Searle, Euan McGinty, Dan Kabakov) sowie die Schlagzeuger Filippo Galli, Mike Bandoni (aka Funkshone) und Felix Weldon (Johnny Dankworth, Ian Shaw, Jean Toussaint, The La's).

- "Verdammt nochmal, Mann, was für ein Jazz!" - Sarah Evans (BBC6-Produzentin)
- "Ein wunderschönes Album! Perfekt für meine One Jazz-Show." - Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s)
- "Schöne Soundsammlung." - Rory More (Les Hommes)
- "Die neuen Tracks klingen super! Ich mag die Anspielungen auf Disco und die verschiedenen musikalischen Richtungen." - Paul Osborne (Project Gemini)

Two foundational releases from Toronto's Strobe Records get a well-deserved reissue on the Clone Classic Cuts series, spotlighting a pivotal moment in North American dance music. While often overshadowed by the Detroit and New York scenes, Toronto's underground in the early '90s was brewing its own potent blend of house and techno - and these tracks are prime examples of that cross-border synergy.

The Hayden Andre Project's contributions sit at the perfect intersection of tribal house rhythms and the emotive, machine-driven pulse of early Detroit techno. There's a raw elegance here - a sense of deep groove layered with just the right amount of percussive tension. It's no surprise that these tracks became staples in the crates of DJs both then and now. The production feels timeless, with hypnotic arrangements that still command the floor over three decades later.

On the flip, Kingdom Come, another alias of Ron Allen, delivers lush, blissed-out house music that channels the soulful energy of New York's golden era while adding a uniquely Canadian sensibility. Allen's piano work, layered with warm pads and swinging drums, gives these tracks an unmistakable vibe - equal parts deep house ecstasy and garage swagger. It's the sound of 3 a.m. euphoria, of packed dance floors and emotional peaks.

“Certain albums hit like howling bullets at pivotal moments, tearing open the face of music to reveal hidden sonic muscles and fusing them back into something both strangely familiar and yet entirely unrecognisable. We believe this is one of those records.”

The double album Death of Music delivers 18 crooked vocal pops, some ruthless, others unexpectedly disarming. In some songs, Ajukaja & Mart Avi function like a two-headed saurus swinging its spiky tail to shady pop-house smackers. In others, Ajukaja's serene organ licks descend into subterranean caverns, allowing Avi to float to the surface on their wavelengths and turn his voice into billions of extinct moths, enslaved by the moonlight’s pull. There are songs that face destruction and those that seek to prevent it.

One kykeon rap goes, “If you die before you die, then when you die, you don't die!”. Ajukaja & Mart Avi have embraced this notion to create new music that allows them to thrive in the algorithmic wasteland. 13 years in the making, these 66 minutes are packed with lifetimes of truths you didn’t know you needed to know. They are Ajukaja & Mart Avi – two against death.

Produced by Ajukaja
Words by Mart Avi, Music by Raul Saaremets
Guitar and Bass by Sten Sheripov (Can’t Touch The Earth, Safe)
Sax by Steve Vanoni (I.D.O.L.)
Recorded between 2011—2024
Mastered by The Bastard
Cover Photo by fs
Sleeve by Marke, Mart Avi
Pressed in Tartu, Estonia

The new record follows Priddy"s sophomore LP "The Pendulum Swing" which firmly established her as one of the most exciting artists on the contemporary British music scene. Produced by Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, Bat for Lashes), "These Frightening Machines" was written over the course of a year as Priddy made the transition from her 20s to her 30s. The most sonically varied of her career, the songs span a full spectrum of emotions from anger and despair to hope, longing and lust, from reclaiming the voices of women silenced by history, to expressing solidarity and love, to confronting illness, disconnection, the vulnerability and importance of relationships, and the general ache of growing older and not always wiser. They explore what it means to keep going when things fall apart, to hold onto connections in a world that sometimes divides, and to figure out where we fit into the machines and systems we find ourselves a part of.

The new record follows Priddy"s sophomore LP "The Pendulum Swing" which firmly established her as one of the most exciting artists on the contemporary British music scene. Produced by Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, Bat for Lashes), "These Frightening Machines" was written over the course of a year as Priddy made the transition from her 20s to her 30s. The most sonically varied of her career, the songs span a full spectrum of emotions from anger and despair to hope, longing and lust, from reclaiming the voices of women silenced by history, to expressing solidarity and love, to confronting illness, disconnection, the vulnerability and importance of relationships, and the general ache of growing older and not always wiser. They explore what it means to keep going when things fall apart, to hold onto connections in a world that sometimes divides, and to figure out where we fit into the machines and systems we find ourselves a part of.

„Twio“ hieß das fünfte Studioalbum des US-amerikanischen Tenorsaxofonisten Walter Smith III, das im
Februar 2018 bei Whirlwind Recordings veröffentlicht wurde. Der Titel war eine spielerische Wortschöpfung
aus „Trio“ und „Two“. Downbeat schrieb damals: „‘Twio‘ präsentiert den großartigen Tenorsaxophonisten in einem kompakten Trio-Setting. Sein Ton und seine Melodik sind umwerfend, gepaart mit reichem,
packendem Ideenreichtum“.
Für sein drittes Blue-Note-Album greift der Musiker jetzt das Konzept wieder auf und präsentiert mit
„Twio Vol. 2“ ein äußerst gelungenes Album mit klassischen Jazzstücken voll swingender Spielfreude. Das
Album besticht durch eine neue, wechselnde Besetzung mit Bassist Joe Sanders und Schlagzeuger Kendrick
Scott sowie Gastauftritten der Jazzlegenden Ron Carter am Bass und Branford Marsalis am Tenorsaxofon.

The album opens with a swinging version of "I'll Be There." The groove is up-tempo, slippery and almost gospel in intent, it's simply breathtaking.

Likewise, an extended version of George Harrison's "Something," is a blissed-out mind-bender.
Other covers, such as "We've Only Just Begun," and Bread's "Make It With You,"

The band has been sampled over 200 times, most often in the hip hop genre.
Born Again is available as a numbered limited edition of 750 copies on crystal clear vinyl and comes in a gatefold

John Pizzarelli returns with one of his finest albums yet, Dear Mr. Bennett—a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett, whom he knew personally. The cover even features artwork drawn by Mr. Bennett himself. A celebrated name in jazz, Pizzarelli has collaborated with music’s biggest stars and toured for years with Frank Sinatra. This release follows his acclaimed tributes Dear Mr. Sinatra, Dear Mr. McCartney, and Dear Mr. Cole.

This will be a two-project series based on the music of Tony Bennett. John is a well-known artist in the Jazz space and a staple in the NY scene. His father was a renowned studio musician and go-to person for years. Tony Bennett came to a show of John's and sketched a picture of him performing on a napkin during the show. That picture will serve as the cover of the album.

Tulipa Ruiz is a Latin Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and illustrator from Sao Paulo. Born in a family of musicians (her father, Luiz Chagas, played with Itamar Assumpçao, and her brother, Gustavo Ruiz, is her longtime producer), she followsthe footsteps of the Vanguarda Paulista and offersa bold, genre-bending sound. Fusing MPB, soul, pop, and rock, her music is joyful, rich, and one of a kind. Since her debut album, Efêmera (2010), Tulipa has become one of Brazil"s most distinctive voices, with five critically acclaimed albums, collaborations with Elza Soares and Milton Nascimento, and performances at international festivalssuch as the Montreux Jazz Festival and Lollapalooza. From the hypnotic "Samaúma" to the infectious "Estardalhaço," Habilidades Extraordinarias seamlessly blends improvisation and groove. The duet "Disco Voador" with Joao Donato, one of her last recordings, bridges generations, combining bossa-jazz swing and the warmth of Donato"s Fender Rhodes with Tulipa"s luminous vocals. "Pluma Black" (feat. Negro Leo) explores pre-jazz abstraction, while "Novelos" and the album"s title track evoke the soul-jazz of the Hermeto Pascoal and Stevie Wonder era. Acclaimed throughout Brazil, Habilidades Extraordinarias established Tulipa Ruiz as a leading figure in modern MPB, combining melodic sophistication, humour, and emotional depth. Ten years after her spectacular climb to success and her Latin Grammy Award victory, she continues to enrich the Brazilian pop and jazz scene.

Cheeba’s Funky Rock Ensemble are back with two sides of funky rock breaks for hairy b-boys !

After the great feedback of their debut release 18 months ago, they went back into the studio soon afterwards to record some more slices of hip-hop orientated funky-psyche beats aimed at the dancefloor. Since then, both new tracks have been on a one-off dubplate and getting aired all over the country to an enthusiastic reception - so it’s about time we got them out there for everyone else to, like , just dig, maaaaan !

DRUG-CRAZED LONDON HIPPIES takes you down to the seedy back street clubs of late 60s swinging Soho - to the early discotheque scene and the psychedelic experience of numerous young rock groups and their fans. With heavy fuzz, funky beats and dirty flute loops this takes you straight to those hedonistic dancefloors in the early hours.

YOU WANNA RIDE ? Stays in the same era and same counter-culture, but on the other side of the Atlantic with the free festival vibe of alternative lifestyles in California. More fuzz-rock sounds, blended with heavy beats , screaming hammond and wordless female vocals to take you on a deep trip - to lose yourself in a field as the sun rises.

Blue Vinyl Repress

The special one! Mr. G’s productions are distinctive, deep, driving and, above all, a listen to behold. Like the man–machine interface between hypno house and roots techno, he manages to unite dance floors either through his High Mass–like live sets full of swing, grit and soul, or simply through other DJs playing his records.
Blessing Running Back for the second time, Mr. G’s Reconnection EP is the result of a serious dive into his vaults.
City Heat (G’s Underground Dub) is a picture-perfect example of his skill to groove without a doubt: raw, funky and fabulous. Serendipity and Work on the flip side complete this picture. Decades of record buying, music making and a love supreme for this culture rolled into one. Made yesterday, released today, and it will still sound great tomorrow. A personal gift from Mr. G’s archive to Running Back.

Als das Oscar Peterson Trio im August 1964 mit Trompeter und Flügelhornist Clark Terry ins Studio
ging, um dieses Album aufzunehmen, spielte es bereits seit fünf Jahren zusammen. Die drei Musiker
funktionierten wie eine perfekt geölte Swing-Maschine. Großzügig überließ Peterson seinem Gaststar viel
Raum, um als Solist auf seinen Hörnern zu glänzen. Beim Publikum kamen insbesondere die beiden spaßigen Blues-Nummern ”Mumbles” und ”Incoherent Blues” gut an, in denen sich Clark Terry erstmals als
nuscheliger Scat-Sänger präsentierte.

Als Gitarrist Herb Ellis 1958 aus dem Oscar Peterson Trio ausstieg, ersetzte der Pianist ihn nicht durch einen
anderen Gitarristen, sondern holte stattdessen den Schlagzeuger Ed Thigpen an Bord. Diese Entscheidung
erwies sich als wahrer Glücksgriff, denn die Chemie zwischen den drei Musikern stimmte auf Anhieb . Dies
zeigt sich vor allem auf Alben wie ”Affnity”, auf dem das Trio die gängigen Standards links liegen ließ
und eine raffniertere Songauswahl präsentierte. Das Album ist ein für Musterbeispiel für den Swing, die
Subtilität und die Ensemble-Balance des brillanten Trios.

"Tonight At Noon" compiles tracks from two earlier recordings sessions: one session from 1957 with Jimmy Knepper on the trombone, the drummer Dannie Richmond, Saxophone player Shafi Hadi and the pianist Wade Legge, which were released on the album "The Clown" (Atlantic 1260). The second session took place in 1961 with Booker Ervin and Roland Kirk on the saxophone, Knepper, the bassist Doug Watkins, Mingus at the piano and Richmond on the drums, and was released on "Oh Yeah" (Atlantic SD 1377).

The two sets differ in mood, but this does not mean that it is an album that uses leftovers. While Mingus in the first session strives for European harmonics and melodic approaches with a hard bop tempo (particularly on the title track) in the direction of the blues, the second session with its vespertine elegance and spatial explorations comes over rather as a sort of exercise à la avantgard Ellington with sophisticated harmonies that pave the way for sluggish marches and gospel-like blues. Kirk and Ervin complement one another particularly well, their swing is appararently boundless. Mingus’s piano playing is deeply rooted in the blues, and his sense of tempo and lightness anhances these numbers, particularly in "‘Old’ Blues for Walt’s Torin".

In these compositions one already finds hints of Mingus’s later recordings. The most beautiful number is taken from the 1957 session and concludes the album: "Passions Of A Woman Loved", almost ten minutes in length, feels like an Ellington suite. Although, or maybe simply because several years passed between the two sessions, one cannot deny this album’s magic.

Close Proximity lands on Second Sight with a four-track statement that spans the full spectrum of the label’s world. From upfront, peak-time club pressure to 90s-tinged house swing and Balearic-leaning warmth, the EP moves between late-night drive and sunlit release without losing momentum. Tight drums, bold hooks, and a vivid sense of space make it equally built for big systems and repeat listens — a focused package of energy, groove, and atmosphere.

Clubhouse Vice President Oldboy supplies the fairway with 2 swift crowd pleasers – hole in one settings.

With Severance, IGLO returns to Figure with a focused yet exploratory EP that reflects his open-ended approach to contemporary techno. The release moves fluidly between restraint and expression, combining functional structures with subtle, unconventional elements that give the tracks a distinct sense of character. Rather than settling into a fixed formula, Severance highlights IGLO's curiosity and willingness to push his sound forward while remaining grounded in precision and control.

Connection opens the release with a restrained, heads-down groove. A firm low-end foundation and sparse percussion lock into a steady momentum, while understated melodic elements add depth without breaking the track's linear drive.
On Kauriraris, the energy tightens. Nervous synth motifs and crisp rhythmic details create a sense of urgency, pushing the track forward through constant micro-variation. It's a lean and effective tool built for sustained pressure.
Flipping the record, Blink Twice moves into darker, denser territory. Murky textures and a weighty groove unfold gradually, building tension through repetition and space. The track thrives on its slow burn, making it well-suited for late-night transitions.
Alive introduces a more open and flowing feel. Warmer tonal elements and a subtle swing soften the edges, while the groove remains firmly anchored and forward-moving.
Digital-only track Forlornly closes the EP with a spacious and introspective mood. Reduced rhythms and airy melodic layers create a calm, drifting atmosphere that rounds off the release with control and restraint.
With Severance, IGLO delivers a tightly structured EP that emphasizes clarity, tension and functionality - a confident addition to the Figure catalogue.

Stateside Swing is a UK Garage focused vinyl only dance record label that showcases the genre's production and manufacturing exclusively from the USA.

Nat King Cole was one of the most distinctive and beloved voices in popular music, whose warmth, elegance and effortless phrasing defined an era. Very Best Of Nat King Cole brings together a superb selection of his most enduring recordings, from timeless ballads like Unforgettable, Mona Lisa and When I Fall In Love to upbeat classics such as (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66, Straighten Up And Fly Right and Ramblin’ Rose. Showcasing his remarkable range as both a romantic crooner and a swinging entertainer, this vinyl LP offers a perfect introduction to his extraordinary legacy. Pressed on highquality 180g black vinyl, it is an essential collection for long-time fans and new listeners alike.

Shall Not Fade welcomes Pugilist for SNF140 "Maternal".

If you don't already know (and love!) Pugilist's prolific output, you need to get to know! The Naarm/Melbourne based DJ, producer and Rinse resident has released on Martyn's 3024, Melbourne's killer Modern Hypnosis, Silent Era's Of Paradise, Samurai, Rupture, ZamZam, J:Kenzo's Artikal, Sub Basics' Temple of Sound, Whities/AD93, Al Wooton's Trule, Banoffee Pies, Best Intentions and now his own buy on sight Ruff Kutz imprint.

'Maternal' is four blissey dubwise house blurring cuts. Embracing, medicinal, lush & corrective. Vibrations for heads and feet.

'Title track 'Maternal' is deep grooving infectious and honeyed house. Hypnotic, pulsating with head-meltingly warm padwork. 'Bona Fide' sees Pugilist team up with UK duo Mystic State. Drums sidestep with jazz swing while graceful piano and an ensemble of pads are topped with an introspective vocal sample dialing for your subconscious. The B1 'Anomaly' is a stepper - FWD charging drums backed with sub low pulses all brought together by trumpet echoes and woozy melodics. Finally comes 'Marigold', a soulful jungle excursion > early hours business, caressed nostalgic percussion, brushed rhythms, fleeting guitar licks and undulating vibes.

Especial is delighted to reprise the label’s relationship with Osaka’s acid master, Akio Nagase. Following his debut, Global Acid EP and follow up African Acid EP covered a range of influences, all with the heavy dose of Roland TR-303, here he completes a trilogy of EPs, culminating in a homage to his love of dub reggae.

Having made reggae influenced dance music under the Makedub alias for decades, here he takes it a step further, utilising a knack for catchy hooks and acid lines, while fusing reggae and live desk-dub mixing.

I Love Smoke, a chant, the stand-out, those classic vocals flowing in and out with a 3AM (Eternal) bump. Riotously expounding the virtues of smoking ’Mari Jane’, the hypnotic stoner vibes are wrapped around Nagase’s meditative and dancefloor heartbeat.

Night Time High Acid swings, the low-end rumble and kick build before the TR-303 and harmonica lead interweave, samples and sirens encase in an ethnic, tribal slo-mo dub flow.

Things shift with the 4/4 bump of Creation Dub. A call to rise wrapped in the warmth of Dub House beats. Melody and dub flow, no need for 303. Vox are space echo’d to the limit. Keys stab, horns call, slip side away.

To finish, Harmonica Dub is just that. Heavy mouth organ solo, the blues calling atop a dub-techno stepper beat. Rimshot, stabs, echo. All encompass that psychedelic flavour of Akio. Dub, Love and Respect. Thank you Mr Kikumoto for the acid, thank you Mr Nagase for beats

2026 Repress

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With his fourth album Rhythm-Al-Ism he created his masterpiece, a perfect hip-hop album. As Quik explains, “the name Rhythm-Al-Ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy”. It’s absolutely sensational and as with a lot of mid-90s albums those original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue.

A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.

Released in 1998 on Profile, Rhythm-Al-Ism was the closest Quik ever got to making a commercial splash. “You’z A Ganxta” and “Hand in Hand” made radio waves across the country and the less radio-friendly tracks like “Medley For A ‘V’” were bumping out of car stereos. Combining his soulful, jazzy P-Funk/G-Funk beats with his effortlessly smooth flow, Rhythm-Al-Ism was the quintessential West Coast Party. Squelchy synths, bouncy bass, monstrously knocking drums and freaky keys - this is peaking acidic party-rap, straight out the gate. Music for gliding, for skating, for time with your people and your poison. Sunshine. No cares. BBQs. Heavy smoke in the air. Dripping with wit and good humour. A real swing to the vibe.

The album opens with Quik setting out his mission statement with “Rhythm-Al-Ism (Intro)”, telling us what this is all about before the self-explanatory “We Still Party” rocks the spot. It’s definitely all about the party here, complete with Quik’s signature head-nod/body-moving beat. Next up, the undeniable laidback funk and dripping swing of groove-laden “So Many Wayz”. This positively slaps.

Then we get to the three huge singles. The R&B-tinged radio-friendly minor-hit “Hand In Hand” closes the first side only for the flip to get straight into the rolling and scratching of bleepy computer-funk banger “Down, Down, Down” (featuring a particularly nice use of Howard Johnson’s epochal “So Fine”). The effortlessly smooth, flute and guitar-laced “You’z A Ganxta” completes the trio. Next up the fast-paced, vocoder-enhanced, woulda-beena-global-hit “I Useta Know Her”. This coulda (shoulda) been a single too. Head-nod funk workout “No Doubt”, with its ace sample of Prince's “Sexy Dancer”, closes out the second side.

“Speed” races out the gate on the second disc, sampling Edwin Birdsong’s “Rapper Dapper Snapper” in a harder, better, faster, stronger way than those daft Parisian punks. Amphetamine-swift raps over soaring, string-drenched b-boy beats. A total anthem. Up next, the staggering, near 8-minute laconic, lounge-y sax-rap of “Whateva U Do” cools things down and smooths things out with its flute wrapping around a sample of Smokey Robinson’s “So In Love” and some oh-so-classy lounge-piano tinkling. And speaking of smooth, things don’t get much smoother than the blissfully melodic glider-anthem “Thinkin’ ’Bout U” riding that ace flip of SWV’s “Use Your Heart”. Exceptional.

The exquisite funky-flute-slapper “Medley for a ‘V’ (The P***Y Medley)” opens the fourth and final side, with star turns from Snoop Dogg and a typically suave Nate Dogg. It’s followed by the supremely skanked-out “Bombudd II”, a beautifully sweet reggae-fuelled ode to the herb. “Get 2Getha Again” is slick funk. Stunning.

This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Rhythm-Al-Ism was originally pressed as a double and we’ve reproduced the original LA vibe picture sleeve and insert to match.

As that original front cover says, this is “over 70 minutes of commercial free music” and it’s absolutely perfect from start to finish. There are no stand-out tracks here. It’s all gold.
: Rhythm-al-ism (2LP)

DJ Support: Dennis Quin, Benny Rodrigues, De la Swing, Archie Hamilton, Jamie Jones, Rich Nxt, Roger Sanchez, Ilario Alicante, Jon Cutler, Adriatique

Fabio Santos is a DJ and producer from Rotterdam whose sound is firmly connected to the underground. With inspiration from labels such as Dungeon Meat and Slapfunk Records, his music and sets combine raw rhythms, rolling basslines and a stripped-back energy that reflects the essence of the scene. Fabio approaches DJing with a focus on flow and atmosphere, building tension and release in a way that keeps crowds engaged from start to finish. His style is direct, uncompromising and always aimed at serving the dancefloor.

While Toronto producer Demuir regularly features on a wide variety of house labels, it's always worth keeping an eye on his Purveyor Underground label and its' limited-edition offshoot. He's back on the latter label for this outing, where he shares vinyl space with long-serving Parisian producer (and Robsoul founder) Phil Weeks. Demuir handles side A, delivering two passes on 'The Spark': the lightly funk-fuelled original mix, where woozy jazz samples dance atop a rubbery bassline and vintage Masters at Work style beats, and the more bumpin', cut-up and sub-heavy swing of the 'Some Too Suspect remix'. On side B, Weeks delivers 'Party Time', a typically low-slung and analogue-rich deep house number where classic boogie-era vocal samples and occasional chords wrap around loose-limbed machine drums and a killer TB-303 acid bassline.

Heady French minimal and tech producer Janeret makes his debut on reliable Leeds label 20/20 Vision in early 2026 with four slices of pure late-night propulsion and deep introspection. The French producer stays true to his usual balance of groove and emotion while sculpting a sound that feels weightless yet grounded. It's forward thinking but with some hints of familiarity that makes it all the more engaging from the off. Side A brings the lift as 'Xpress' shimmers with euphoria, while 'Wiggy' locks into a playful, percussive swing. Flip it, and 'A Certain Era' slides into acid-touched reverie before 'Ocean Dreams' drifts home in layered, meditative bliss. This is Janeret at his best.

If you’ve been following the wanderings of prolific psychedelic magicians Elkhorn, you might be surprised that Elkhorn guitarist Drew Gardner’s solo LP Wave Field is the most out and out “rock” record on VHF in many years. Working here in a small group with excellent players Tom Malach (guitar), Andy Cush (bass), and Ryan Jewel (drums), Gardner cuts loose on a set of propulsive and swinging material that allows him to greatly expand his sound into unexpected areas. “Rhizoid” starts with a sneaky groove riding the nimble bass and drums of Cush and Jewel before a leap into the ripping Sonic Youth/NEU! hybrid of “Space Ray.” “Shadow Casting Grass” brings things back down to end the side with some Elkhorn-adjacent gentle guitar weave backed again by the sly rhythm section. “Wave Field” kicks off side 2 with an extended buzzy guitar raga with Cush’s melodic and fat bass providing jammy counterpoint. The epic “Mayan Bees” closes the LP with an extended workout on another extremely fine drum and bass ostinato, a hypnotic minor key riff that slow builds over 10+ minutes.

The late pedal-steel guitarist Susan Alcorn leaves a final surprise hinting at new directions left underexplored on her collaboration with Nomad War Machine, the improvising metal duo of drummer Julius Masri and guitarist James Reichard. Their death-metal-influenced pummel adds new fire to her molten flow across a suite of improvised tracks that show off the vast range and simpatico of the trio. Julius Masri and James Reichard of Nomad War Machine: “An unexpected opportunity arose out of a catching-up conversation where Susan had revealed a recent fascination with death metal, confessing, ‘I’m 70 years old—I think about death!’ She had learned a couple of Arch Enemy songs on her pedal steel, particularly compelled by their frontwoman’s intensity and vigor as a performer. Voicing an appreciation for the hook-oriented sound of Swedish death metal made sense for a melodic thinker whose roots as veteran pedal steel player reached into the Texan Western swing circuit in the ’60s and ’70s. For her, ever the explorer, metal was a new, appealing point of departure into fresh musical territory. When she expressed an interest in playing with Nomad War Machine, it felt like there was a whole world of shared or complementary interests to explore.” Though known for her fluency in jazz, country, and free improvisation, Alcorn had also studied Arabic, the oud, and maqam, with all holding a deep curiosity for her. Pre-’70s country & western music had also been a lifelong presence for both members Nomad War Machine. Masri, a Lebanese free-jazz and metal drummer, and devoted fan of Texas swing legends like Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant, Leon Rhodes, and Joe Maphis, was also steeped in Arabic music traditions. James Reichard, before coming to “freely” improvised metal, xenharmonic music, and non-Western tuning systems, had grown up being subjected to countless singalongs to numerous pre-’70s country records, entranced by the pedal steel.

Das 1958 bei Verve erschienene Album dokumentiert das seltene Zusammentreffen zweier gegensätzlicher
Jazzgrößen: des entspannten Tenorsaxofonisten Stan Getz und des fulminant swingenden Trios von Oscar
Peterson. Höhepunkt ist ein zehnminütiges Medley aus fünf bekannten balladesken Jazzstandards.

Dear friends, What’s left of a genre when you drop the posturing and keep nothing but feeling, space and rhythm? Freudenthaler answers that question straight up with a stripped-back, no-nonsense take on UK garage. With a sharp ear for space, swing and restraint, he boils the sound down to its core — nodding to the golden age of sound system culture while lacing it with the jazz-tinged touches that run through his productions. The result is a record that feels both timeless and personal. Freudenthaler plays with expectations, flips them neatly, and leaves just enough room between the beats for the atmosphere to breathe and the dancefloor to lock in. One for lovers of vinyl, heavy sub and subtle moves. Sincerly yours, Brombért P.S.: The physical release comes with handcrafted, screen-printed artwork by the fabulous graphic artist Zatina Kessl

FUSE11 - Rosati - Divina Nostalgia

For Fuse Imprint's eleventh release and the first of 2026, Rosati unveils 'Divina Nostalgia', an ode to vibrancy in dance music through four truly euphoric tracks. The Italian artist focuses on the enduring power of vintage production with a much-needed spotlight on techno's optimistic underbelly, resulting in a sound that is both charismatic and electrifying.

'Division' sets the tone of the EP with playful percussion and bright synth work that unravels as the track progresses. Rosati utilizes the full character of the 909 for the flair that drives the record: rides, claps, and open hi-hats thunder through the arrangement in celebration of each transition. The artist then zeros in on 'Echoes', tightening the energy with an unflinchingly analog bassline and lush pads that round out the harsher edges of the percussion. This serves as a more linear approach for immediate effect; where the track favors minimalism, it provides maximum impact.

Gradually turning up the energy, 'Orbital' jumps through toms and filtered chord stabs to emphasize the record's extroverted nature. The synths dazzle along the rolling drums for a track that possesses house's temperament but techno's insistence. Finally, the title track 'Divina Nostalgia' concludes the EP in a moment of pure release. If you wondered where jazz comes into the picture, just ask Rosati. Organs, Rhodes, swing, and sustained tension slice through to a victorious finish line that highlights dance music's command of the present moment.

Mit His Greatest Hits präsentiert Billy Vaughn eine stimmungsvolle Vinyl-Zusammenstellung seiner bekanntesten und erfolgreichsten Aufnahmen. Der legendäre Bandleader und Arrangeur prägte mit seinem unverwechselbaren Orchester-Sound die Easy-Listening-Ära und erzielte weltweit Millionenverkäufe.

Diese LP vereint seine größten Klassiker, darunter „Melody Of Love“, „A Swingin’ Safari“ und „Blueberry Hill“ – zeitlose Instrumentalhits, die bis heute für entspannten Hörgenuss und nostalgisches Flair stehen. Der warme Vinylklang unterstreicht die eleganten Arrangements und macht diese Veröffentlichung zu einem besonderen Hörerlebnis.

His Greatest Hits ist die ideale Zusammenstellung für Fans klassischer Orchester- und Instrumentalmusik sowie für alle, die zeitlose Melodien schätzen