Search:syn

Mount Kimbie’s forthcoming contribution to the acclaimed fabric presents series marks one of the duo’s most dancefloor-focused bodies of work in years. More than simply a release on fabric Records, the project sits within the revered fabric presents mix series, placing Mount Kimbie alongside artists such as Daniel Avery, Midland, Helena Hauff and Overmono, artists who have each delivered defining entries for the series.

Leading the project is first single “Monroe”, a warm yet uplifting club track that unfolds gradually through loose percussion, driving synth work and subtle vocal fragments drifting in and out of the mix, adding flashes of emotion without interrupting the track’s momentum. An ode to their 2017 hit ‘Marilyn’ featuring Micachu, the track carries elements of the original throughout, with flourishes over reverb washed vocals that float around you amongst driving drums and bass. There’s a summery energy running throughout the track, making it equally suited to late-night club systems and open-air festival stages.

Long celebrated as pioneers of the post-dubstep and future garage movements, Mount Kimbie continue to evolve beyond genre boundaries while maintaining the unmistakable sonic identity that has made them one of the defining acts in UK electronic music. Their contribution to the fabric presents series captures the duo at their most refined and exploratory, without losing the emotional atmosphere and understated intensity that has always defined their work.

Released as part of the prestigious fabric presents series via fabric Records, the project signals a bold new chapter for Mount Kimbie.

Pure Motorised Instinct drives over to Dark Entries with At Last I’m Leaving the Earth, an LP of industrial-tinged ambient and new age. When legendary industrial outfit Nagamatzu went dormant in 1991, band member Stephen Jarvis moved forward with Pure Motorised Instinct, a name he pulled from a line in George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Throughout two cassette albums - 1991’s Between Intimacy and Elsewhere, and 1993’s Everything Is True - Jarvis pushed the Nagamatzu spirit in new directions. At Last I’m Leaving the Earth collects 9 tracks from this era, which are appearing on vinyl for the first time, along with 3 additional tracks on a bonus CD. The material here sits between the brooding and the optimistic, the claustrophobic and the soporific. Jarvis’s digital synths are pushed so far into tape-scuffed terrain that they talk and squawk analog-like, scurrying with vibrant curiosity. The late-night vibes peak on pieces like “Vincent V,” with its reverb-drenched digital drum machines, or “Geek,” which taps into a wide-eyed proto-vaporwave zone.    At Last I’m Leaving the Earth is Black Lodge ambient for the empty set. 

Edgar debuts on Dark Entries with Pavor, an 11 track LP of sleazy disco, warped synthpop, and gothic cumbia. Veteran musician Luis Gutierrez has spent the past two decades touring in bands, running Lalalandia Studio, and building his practice in Oakland and Guadalajara. But now, for his first solo outing, he has become Edgar, a pop star who knows no limits! “Edgar feels mightier than anyone but is always reduced to his vices” says Gutierrez, and Pavor delivers vices in spades. From the opening salvos of “Otra Agua,” it’s clear we’re in for a wild ride: seasick synths slide along slamming disco beats, menacingly chanted vocals sit amid a flurry of careening horror movie samples. The mischief does not abate as we’re guided through a demented funhouse of genre detournements.

Edgar puts his indelible fingerprints over every inch of this vinyl, from uptempo numbers like the spooky chip-tune frenzy of “Nunca Mas” to the twisted cumbia of “Panteon.” We’re even treated to a fairly faithful (and majestic) Spanish-language cover of Amanda Lear’s “Follow Me,” here titled “Sigueme.” EBM, space disco, and horror movie soundtracks all find their way into the mix on Pavor, but the diverse palette comes together perfectly, like a Yello album for the 21st century. Pavor comes housed in a sleeve designed by Eloise Shir-Juen Leigh and features a photograph by Izaak Schlossman. Also included is an insert with lyrics and notes. On Pavor, Edgar brings us a healthy dose of pure excess, reminding us that dread can be a hell of a lot of fun.

Ruf Kutz reaches release twenty-two with something close to heart...

Mike Kee is a face from the early days - red-lit rooms of the Bodega mushroom squat parties in Sydney. This is a second release for Mike Kee on Ruf Kutz since 'Seeing Crystals' on RK2 in 2010.
Recorded in the rainforests of Bundjalung Country (northern NSW, Australia). Making good use of a Fender Rhodes and a JX-8P synthesiser.

WHITE CLOUD PLACE is a destination that doesn't exist. Glimpsed once on a street sign, filed away in the imagination and allowed to bloom into an imagined geography of warmth and weightlessness.
The music is lush dream house that elicits euphoria out of the speakers and into the body. Mike Kee has been chasing this feeling across his music and here it lands cleanly.

Flip the record and the temperature ratchets up. BANANA MOON is one for the dancers - shuffling congas push the pace while Rhodes chords and those big analog synth strings hold the whole thing aloft.

Where the A-side invites you to float, Banana Moon keeps it pitched up and jazzy.

"ASSEMBLE MUSIC 15 YEARS - Part I : Founded in Lisbon in 2011, Assemble Music celebrates its 15th anniversary with a three-part vinyl compilation, bringing together fifteen artists who, in different ways, reflect the label's past, present and future. Released simultaneously in November 2026 and distributed worldwide by Clone Distribution, the three records are less a retrospective than a continuation of what Assemble has been building since the beginning: music with character, made by artists with their own language, away from trends and easy categorisation. Across fifteen years, Assemble has moved freely between house, techno, electro, dub and more experimental forms of electronic music. The catalogue has never been defined by one particular sound, but rather by a certain approach, personal, uncompromising and built to last. Part I opens with XDB, an artist whose relationship with Assemble goes far beyond a single record. His deep, understated approach to house and techno has always been closely connected to the musical identity of the label. Aubrey, one of the enduring figures of the UK underground, follows with decades of experience behind him and a catalogue that stretches back to the early 1990s. Synchrojack connects the compilation to another important lineage: the raw and deeply individual British house music with a track produced and never released in the 90's. Activ-Analog bring their machine-driven, analogue approach back to Assemble after previously releasing on the label, while Kumquat Kids aka Julian Phethean & Steve O'Sullivan with a track originally released in 1999 on the Various Positions EP for UK label Organised Sound. "Surface" is a genuine late-90s underground rarity! Over the years, the original 12" has become increasingly sought-after and notoriously expensive on the second-hand market."

Mark Ambrose has been a serious house head since the 1980s and has always brought his own flavours to the original Chicago and Detroit sound. He heads up the Crayon label, which is where much of his music comes from, including this latest deep dive into groove. 'I Want You' (feat Talia) kicks off with a meandering lead synth that comforts over a warm bed of drums as a sultry vocal whisper brings some intimacy. 'Rumble Jazz' then rocks back and forth a little more with swaggering attitude and hints of darkness and 'Monica Dancing With Angels' is a smooth cruiser with a far-sighted melodic edge. 'On A Dream' brings a sultry jazz flourish with some sombre trumpets lingering above classic deep house drums and bass that take you way back.

London-based NorthSouth Records has been quietly going about solid business for eight or so years now, and the 14th outing is a fresh one from CROFT. about whom we know little. But this EP suggests he's a slick hand in the studio with a love of melody twisting and psyched-out tech house. 'Beat Freek' is fast and punchy with nice neon colours swirling through the mix. 'Space Please' has a more broken and physical beat with some warped low end, and 'Licking Shells' then plays with synth texture across some shimmering arps that take centre stage in the mix before the closer is the sleaziest of the lot. 'West Ryder' has molten bass and rasping lines worming in and out of a crispy beat. Varied and brilliant throughout.

Classy Frenchman Franck Roger is one of the most consistent performers in the deep house game and he is back with another MVP performance on Seasons Limited this Autumn. This all-new trio of tunes opens with a delightfully airy, light-footed blend of Afro drum patterns and buffed metal melodies that have a lovely late-night glow to them. It's a persuasive rhythm that will infect your hips in no time, while 'Circulation' is more humid and bouncy, with nods to the deep and smoky foundations of house but still one foot in the here and now. 'Feel Free' closes with an elastic groove and the sort of introspective melodies that mean more than most throwaway synth lines in the modern scene. Tasteful and timeless as always from Roger.

Toka Project was a collective from Nottingham's fertile 90s party scene, including members Andrew Macari, Andy Riley and Steve Walker amongst others, and they dropped their 'One Day' EP in 1999 on Filter Flow, which now revisits the title cut with a new set of remixes. The original is a deep house sound with a rough metallic edge and humid pads infused with whispered vocals. Di Saronno remixes it into something more light and airy, with a subtle skip in the drums that recalls the best of Melchior LTD. Andrew Macari's version has a little cheeky wiggle and sunny synth work, then Latenight Society remixes it into a slower sound with a swirling backdrop of pastoral melodic colours. A dreamy close to a fine set of new versions.

Some things in life are meant to be consumed whole: a perfectly paced movie, an oyster at Whitstable Bay, a novella on a sunny afternoon. Into this pantheon of singular experiences comes Runners, the second album from London instrumental rock quartet Dog Unit. The follow-up to At Home, the band’s cult favourite 2024 debut album, Runners moves seamlessly across its 42-minute runtime. It finds the quartet – comprising Sam Walton, Henry Scowcroft, James Weaver and Lucy Jamieson – crafting tracks that undulate, churn and yearn in service of a greater purpose as they plough fertile fields of sonic storytelling. Made over the first four months of 2026 at the band’s studio in Limehouse, East London, Runners finds the core group, alongside producer and long-time collaborator Mark Estall, operating with greater ambition and scope than ever before. This time they commissioned a string quartet specifically for this project, and reappointed noted experimental bass clarinetist Heather Roche, as well as taking in a cavalcade of instruments at their studio, including vintage synths, drum machines, pianos, and harmonium. The band’s music is often compared to cinema, and if At Homewas a charming micro-budget indie flick bursting with potential, Runners is a widescreen realisation that stands up to repeat viewings.

Repress! Back by popular demand–VSR 001 is designed to take you to the outer reaches of where you need to go. Wiersma has created a world where with your eyes closed and head down, the dance-floor can transport you to the outer reaches of space and back again for another beautiful night with all your favorite people.

Vermilion Sun Records was started as a passion project in 2025 with a belief in the magic of physical media juxtaposed against the incursion of AI. The original release featured just 100 copies and utilized US-only distribution; it was sold out in less than 5 months. After being brought across the pond from Boston to Brussels by local DJ & tastemaker Rasaaq, it was subsequently shared, quickly gaining popularity on Discogs. This repress is a testament to Vermilion Sun’s core belief; that is meant to be shared and enjoyed by everyone, and there is magic in that ritual.

Wiersma is a cherished member of the electronic music scene in Boston/Cambridge, MA. A DJ, partygoer, and prolific producer, he has played many of the city’s favorite nights sharing bills with other local talent and setting the stage for international acts like Bradley Zero, Garrett David, and Cinthie. Tapping all of these channels brings forth a creativity where memories from nights in Boston and other global travel transform his unique productions. His release VSR 001 showcases this style, exploring the darker and proggier sides of the house universe while making sure to stay tethered to a reality with firm roots on the dancefloor. A1 begins with Once Around Vega where a cinematic opening draws you into groovy and spacey loops demanding you to move. Syntactic Roles churns more deeply, incorporating layered dystopian vocals, rolling basslines and light acidity that is sure to help you close your eyes and put your head down for a dance. The B side keeps the space station grooving with Transmission from L3, and closes out with Rules of Teleportation incorporating more vocals over chugging electro infused grooves.

2026 Repress

Should you happen to have been paying attention to progressive house and trance in the mid 1990s, you may well be familiar with Brendan McCarthy's most celebrated release as Aquartherium, 1994's Full Moon EP. It was a massive record across Europe but also found favour in San Francisco's freewheeling free party scene. 'Full Moon' itself is especially potent - an all-action chunk of hallucinatory progressive house/trance fusion full of star-burst synth motifs, bubbly electronics and ambient techno sonics - though the heavier, bleep-sporting, Brown Album-era Orbital flex of 'Luci In Deep Hypnosis' is just as good.

Nobody knows who Transpac is.

The project first appeared as an anonymous transmission: a folder sent through the network, containing music, instructions and a name - Transpac. No photograph. No biography. Just the request to use the name and let the music speak.

There have been several transmissions since. Still no interviews, no confirmed identity, no explanation of who - or what - is behind the name.

Some say Transpac is a person. Others insist it is a machine. A few believe it is simply a data packet that escaped the network and somehow learned how to make music.

The name itself offers a possible clue. TRANSPAC was once the name of a French public data network, launched in 1978 and built around X.25 packet switching - breaking information into packets and moving them across a network long before the Internet became what it is today.

Perhaps Transpac has been travelling ever since.

Packet Switching EP is the latest intercepted transmission: six packets of pure machine music, assembled somewhere between circuitry, communication protocols and whatever exists on the other side of the network.

Whilst the packets have been received, the sender remains unknown.

Synaptic Cliffs is particularly pleased to have brought Transpac into its network - a feat made possible, not least, by its principal operative, pdqb. Through communication channels inaccessible to ordinary Earthlings, pdqb was able to locate Transpac with remarkable ease and secure its transmission for the label.

The artwork, rendered in yellow and black and largely composed of binary code, echoes the visual language of the early machine age - a world of geometric systems, electronic signals and human beings beginning to communicate with machines. Created by the legendary Infamous Image Division.

Isle of Jura is proud to present the first official reissue of Esa’s self titled LP originally released in 1987. Following the 2024 reissue of iconic single 'A Muto', this full album release marks a bittersweet milestone for the label. Developed in close collaboration with the estate of the legendary producer Martin Socko Moukoko following his passing last year, this reissue stands as both a definitive archival release and a respectful tribute to his legacy in Cameroonian music.

Originally released on Atesa in 1987, Esa is a pristine encapsulation of the "Paris Makossa" phenomenon. In the mid 1980s, Cameroon’s finest musical minds migrated to Parisian studios, cross pollinating traditional rhythms with cutting edge European studio electronics and Antillean Zouk sensibilities. At the absolute center of this movement was visionary producer Martin Socko Moukoko. The album is driven by the dancefloor anthem 'A Muto', which showcases a brilliant fusion of horn heavy Makossa and slick Antillean Zouk. Across the five other expansive, spiritual tracks, the sonic template expands significantly. Striking a perfect balance between the urban, brass led grooves of Douala Makossa and the fast, driving, syncopated polyrhythms of Cameroonian Bikutsi, the LP delivers a unique rhythmic energy. These traditional backbones are seamlessly laced with Martin Socko Moukoko’s advanced studio programming, bubbling digital synthesisers, slinky slap bass, and rich, layered harmony vocals.

By bringing the full LP back into print alongside Martin Socko Moukoko’s family, Isle of Jura ensures that his musical legacy is preserved, allowing this timeless intersection of Cameroonian tradition and electronic innovation to be heard exactly as it was intended.

A 180 gram pressing in a 3mm full sleeve designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

Mario Batkovic’s music occupies a singular space between composition, performance and sonic experimentation.
Based in Bern, Switzerland, the composer, accordionist and multi-instrumentalist has developed an intensely personal musical language rooted in a radical interrogation of the accordion — its timbre, mechanics, physicality and rhythmic potential. In Batkovic’s hands, the instrument becomes something far beyond its conventional role: a source of intricate, evolving sound in which performer and machine appear to become one.
Batkovic received International critical acclaim when his eponymous debut album was released on Invada Records in 2017, with Rolling Stone listing it in the top 10 avant-garde albums of the year. ‘INTROSPECTIO’ followed, a self-questioning, self-examination of society which featured collaborations with Colin Stetson, James Holden and Clive Deamer (Radiohead / Portishead).
II sees Batkovic venture further into radical, uncompromising and experimental territory, both in the reduction and the expansion of sound. Voices overlap, rhythmic structures develop an almost mechanical force, and layers of sound evoke analogue synthesizers. Then everything falls away: near-total silence, the breath of the bellows, a single frequency. Sounds emerge that can barely be traced back to any particular instrument.
The album is built entirely around the physical relationship between one musician and one instrument. No loops, no electronic layers. Everything you hear comes from an uncompromising exploration of the instrument itself. A primal force of creation and destruction.
With credits that include music for the global hit game 'Red Dead Redemption II’, commissions for AMI Paris, Cartier Fondation, Hugo Boss, Chanel and film scores ‘Mad Heidi’ and ’Shame and Money’ his compositional work has extended into some of the most distinctive fields of contemporary culture.

Heir to French Touch, French 79 opens a radical new chapter with his fourth album, Close to the Giants. For this project, French 79 relocated his studio deep into the wilderness, standing alone against the elements from high alpine peaks to the open sea. Armed with a portable modular synthesizer, he composed the entire album in the very heart of nature.


Fueled by the raw adrenaline of the elements, French 79 translates the intensity of his emotional journeys into a raw, moving electronic language—navigating from electronica to dance and tech-house, by way of electropop and French Touch.


Far more than an album, it is an intuitive, intense, and compelling logbook of a quest for solitude and human experience, honoring the legacy of French electro pioneers through signature analog arpeggios, hazy synths, and spellbinding melodies.

Cardinal & Nun is back on L.I.E.S. with a new 12 track double lp "SCARS"

Here we get the French artist in top form going full on heads down darkwave on this record with his song writing taking a new twist. These are catchy gothic almost synth-pop arranged tracks reminiscent of some of Sheffield's and Manchester's finest, and driving enough to move the floor peaktime at the Batcave as well. Head right to the b-side for "It Doesn't Change The World" featuring Andrew Clinco, of Drab Majesty, which is a perfect slice of down trodden bass driven shoegaze with Clinco's signature vocals stamped all over it. The title track "Scars" follows, going right into new wave pop territory as well, extremely catchy and moody vocals scattered throughout. A stunning album that works for the desolate days alone whether the moon is up or the sun is going down...beautiful and powerful.

Marwan’s debut on Gated finds the sweet spot between dub, deep, and ambient techno.

The focus is firmly on rhythm: layered percussion, spacious atmospherics, and slowly evolving textures that reveal a little more with every listen.

These are immersive, patiently crafted tracks that never lose sight of the dancefloor.

Tedere Onverschilligheid (which we think roughly translates as Tender Indifference) opens with evolving percussion and sweeping synth textures that gradually pull you under. Vrijheidsdromer settles into rolling bass, organic percussion, and subtle atmospherics, while Ik Ontdekte Sacramento Ezel begins with darker intent before opening into one of the EP’s more uplifting moments. Heldere Geest (Clear Mind) takes the scenic route, unfolding from fractured rhythms into a deep, hypnotic groove, before De Speech rounds things off with an expansive finale that feels equally at home closing a club set or carrying you through the last train home.

Five expertly crafted, highly mixable tracks that will slot effortlessly into deep sets, and quite possibly convince you that buying “just one more record” was always a sensible idea.

2026 Repress

The undisputed Godfather of Boogie, Leroy Burgess’s Logg project is his grand masterpiece.

The self-titled LP, originally released on Salsoul in August 1981, is one of the greatest albums of the post-disco era. It’s one of Be With’s favourite ever LPs and so it’s a complete honour to be giving it our reissue treatment. With all the touchstones of Burgess’s finest work - breezy grooves, undulating synths, funk-drenched bass and life-affirming lyrics - delivered with gospel-derived vocals and harmonies - it’s a record to uplift both body and spirit.

Already a cult soul figure as lead singer of seminal vocal group Black Ivory, Leroy Burgess cut his teeth as arranger, vocalist and songwriter with legendary producer Patrick Adams on essential late-70s projects like Phreek and Dazzle. He went on to define the essence of “boogie”: the vibrant underground dance sound that stood in contrast to commercial disco. With its reduced speed - mid-90 to under 110 BPM - the cool boogie of Burgess has the disco bounce, just more laidback.

All six tracks here could have been stand alone 12" hits. Indeed, some of them were. But together they are also an incredibly cohesive album, where all the compositions are deeply relevant to each other. In short, it’s essential; a thrilling showcase for Burgess’s finest arranging and production work - with his vocals at their euphoric peak alongside the inventive rhythm section of Aaron (Sonny) T. Davenport on drums and James Calloway on bass.

Opener “(You’ve Got) That Something” is a balmy sunshine groover with an insistent chorus whilst the timeless vocal of “Dancing Into The Stars” - married to percolating synth and airtight drums - showcases the chemistry between Burgess and the rhythm section.

The fusion of funk and gospel-influenced harmonies which propels “Something Else” is remarkable - deep, joyous and bouncy. Infamously mixed by Larry Levan, “I Know You Will” is an easy glide, all rollicking electric piano underpinned by a precise and relentlessly upbeat groove. “Lay It On The Line” radiates smooth, understated brilliance, elevated by interstellar keys and finally album-closer “Sweet To Me” is a chilled-out gem of profound soulful elegance.

Logg has long been a hit with the likes of Kenny Dope and Dam-Funk whilst, in the last decade, MCDE and Harvey Sutherland have routinely cited it as a huge influence. Accordingly, finding original copies on vinyl at affordable prices has been a thankless task. This fresh Be With reissue ensures this legendary record now sounds, looks and feels as sensational as it deserves to.

Mastered brilliantly by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and with lovingly reproduced artwork, we think this is a reissue that does justice to this classic LP.

“One foot out the door, another in the otherworld…”
So begins Hannah Lew’s debut, self-titled solo record, soaked in imperious, wide-eyed pop songwriting and a girl-group/post punk aesthetic that belies the artist’s history in the U.S. underground. A towering, hook-laden album, it’s infused with an optimism and surrealism that conversely deals with the times we find ourselves in.

Recorded at home in Richmond, CA and in The Best House studio with Maryam Qudus in Oakland CA, with the assistance of a crack team of West Coast musicians, this album sees Hannah Lew stepping out from behind the legacy of her two groups Grass Widow and Cold Beat. While musically bearing similarities with her previous work, “Hannah Lew” is a bold leap into direct pop territory, making ample use of a vocal style that teases out the inherent melancholy in her melodies. Mastered by Sarah Register, each song is a perfectly honed nugget that frequently pulls the heart in two directions at once.

Themes of change, breaking up, shattering old ways of being are shot through the record. For the front cover, a photograph of the artist’s face was printed, ripped up and re-assembled, resembling the creative process embarked upon by Lew for her first “solo” material. The album feels instinctual, almost dream-like in its assemblage of sweeping synths and pulsating, propulsive drum machine beat patterns with Lew’s vocal performances sensitive and caressing over the top. Increasingly relying on the subconscious and dreams to guide her creative process, Hannah Lew frequently abandons literal interpretations or linear narratives, the songs seeming to exist in a swooning, effortless flow-state while remaining emotionally hard hitting.

On an album where every song could be a single, there are kaleidoscopic shades and varying emotional tones in abundance. First single Another Twilight is carried along a pumping, Italo-disco-style 4/4 beat and mono-synth bass line, the low end pulling at the heart and body. Lew’s vocal melody teases the track before swan-diving into a gorgeous chorus as she sings “it’s all over baby and I don’t mind… in decline, I take my time…” The album is suffused with moments like this. On slow builder Damaged Melody, an arpeggiated synth elongates the verse before a cascading synth showers down melodic glitter. The stunning Replica uses dual swirling synth patterns before a driving, synthpop chorus for the ages carries Hannah Lew’s vocal into the stereo field, sailing in on a high register singed with the embers of a break up.

In a departure from previous groups, her solo songs are guided by dreams and free association inspired by Dada and the Surrealist movement and sculpted afterwards. As such, the songs reveal themselves on repeated listens, revealing traces of heartbreak inspired by both personal and global elements - Hannah Lew regards the album “a wartime album.” On Move In Silence, Lew intones “there’s a war outside, just out of view,” revealing the dichotomy at play throughout. With the songs evolving naturally and in a flow state, the pressures and sadnesses of the modern age bleed through, mixed in with Lew’s inherent love, sensitivity and fractured-but-intact optimism. On the swooning, sublime Sunday layers of Numanoid synths open up for the commanding vocal performance pontificating on grief, love, pain as she “feels the ache on Sunday…” As the chorus builds and Lew’s call-and-response vocal adds to the emotional tension, it almost feels like too much to take.

Elsewhere, there are echoes of Hannah Lew’s previous work. On Time Wasted a bass guitar comes in with a heavy, punk attack before the synths and vocal harmonies reminiscent of later Cold Beat elevate everything. The glassy, sweetly resigned closer The Clock sounds like so classic it could be cover, a sweetened Jesus & Mary Chain tune perhaps, before it erupts into volcanic chorus that could only come from Hannah Lew in 2026.

Stemming form the Saurus in NY Ep released in 1994, Sex Line is getting its own well deserved release and make over. The new EP contains the original mix re- mastered and a new mix made in 2020. Side B “I feel myself” previously unreleased (new recordings) was written while working on the original Sex Line project but did not make it in the original release by Muzak.

House is the Religion. The DJ is my Deacon. The Music is my God and James Bangura is cool af.

Genuine, passionate, clear, authentic and real…. He isn’t trying, he just is. And his music is the same. It’s fucking cool. It’s real and authentic and it just is James Bangura. So it’s a real honour to add him to the Shall Not Fade roster; from Techno to Jungle to House and everything between the DC native can extract the true essence of a genre and simultaneously make it his own & pay homage to its roots.

So on Jack Sermon there’s no surprise when he flexes a seemingly generationally inherited knack for all things House (and Techno) and delivers four tracks of raw, real, genuine House music. OG shit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘House is the Religion, and the DJ is my Deacon, but the music is my God” says the Evangelical vocal on title track ‘Jack Sermon’. Never has there been a more aptly named track…This is a jack sermon… an OG inspired Chi town cut channeling early house music’s soulful beginnings delivered with straight up jacking house beat offset with laidback dusty dub chords….. We don;t say this lightly but we’re calling anthem on this one.

‘Scat Pack’ takes a more percussive and drum forward House motif. Thunderous kicks tease techno but this is still house, NY at heart complete with voguing diva vocals . Blown out and choppy we could say ‘this could have been ripped from a late 90’s club recording on a lost tape’ but that would do disservice to the precise but invisible fusion that's been laid down here..

‘Funk To Berlin’ opens the flip side and in Bangura’s journey to explore classic forms of house and techno, this track may well have taken root from Dub techno pioneers from the past. Deep dub chords and deeper subs lead the track but that jacking percussion makes this more than homage. Machine Funk, Machine soul. AA side business.

‘The Green Line’ closes out the EP in style.. rolling it out with skittering synths that work like percussion, ethereal pads and a faint vocal ‘Chicago’ spiralling into itself making this track one you can get lost in. Some might argue that this one is techno but who cares. It’s the journey not the destination. Two tickets please.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you don’t know James Bangura’s music already (or even if you do) do some digging.. Look for releases on Mister Saturday Night, K7! and Floorspeed and check his output as part of “Black Rave Culture” with Amal and Nativesun and as a member of Groovedeep with Toronto’s Ciel and fellow DC native Jackson Ryland.

To close, we’ll leave you with this note from James……. told he is cool af.

House music, to me, exists on a wide spectrum. I’m inspired by its many forms: stripped-back minimalism, percussive drive, hypnotic textures, and soulful undertones. Rather than confining myself to one approach, I treat each track as an exploration—testing structure, pushing rhythm, and allowing subtle details to carry emotional weight. The studio becomes a space where groove and atmosphere meet intention. This body of work highlights that process. It reflects how I balance technical precision with feel, tension with release, and tradition with forward motion. Every decision—from drum programming to spatial design—is part of shaping a sound that feels honest and instinctive. - James Bangura

Aural Imbalance returns to Curvature for the first time since the label’s very first release with an EP of stunning atmospheric and old school bliss. A1 - Ghosts of Midi - String Theory (Aural Imbalance remix) Kicking the EP off with a spirited remix of the immense Ghosts of Midi track String Theory, delicate padwork and subtle hats open proceedings before Aural Imbalance deploys a brisk, heavily chopped and spliced Circles break to drive the luscious atmospherics atop a deep, moody 808 bassline. Synths, pads and strings jostle playfully across the soundscape before the breaks fall back before we are treated to a blissful extended ambient outro. A2 - High Time Taking us right back to the early 90’s with crunchy, rustic amen breaks that immediately burst into the mix, Aural Imbalance flexes his old school muscle with a flurry of thumping, distorted breakbeats with an earthy analogue sub bass rumbling below. Synths and light strings add character and juxtaposition to the track to complete an enjoyable and very dancefloor friendly throwback classic in the making. B1 - Magnetism Chunky, belligerent breaks smash their way into a drum-riddled intro as Aural Imbalance unleashes an old school amen workout for the ages. Punctuated by cheerful, swirling sounds of sonic phosphorescence, the drums are chopped and filtered liberally as an earworm melody works its way into the mix. Magnetism is a perfect example of how old school breakwork and atmospheric ambience are such a perfect match. B2 - Night Vision Switching things up with a more introspective vibe, Night Vision sees Aural Imbalance opening with trancey synths before thick drums with metallic snares and dense kicks are introduced - carefully and elegantly arranged with a thoughtfully constructed pattern. The synths continue to surf the audio waves with deep 808 bass accompanying the beats and micro melodies layering throughout.

Proto Exotica notches its third release with The Infinite Hum EP , the debut project from Melbourne producer Mateo Torres Rodriguez under his new alias: Cerro.

Cerro is a personal and transportive collection of recordings owed to four months in Colombia, where Mateo returned to the neighbourhood he grew up in. On a table in his childhood home, he set up a modest travelling studio with a small collection of analogue hardware. At times, he'd pack individual pieces of
gear to travels within his travels, working without a fixed room or routine.

And so from a drum machine, a monophonic synth, a polyphonic synth, a laptop, and a pair of headphones (but no speakers) came five tracks of dub-inflected house and cosy Balearica.

The EP opens with 'The Bright Side' , dub bass, warm analogue pads, housey tempo. 'Unending Journey' slows things down, its deep low-end holding space beneath a synth that drifts in and
out.

'Power Of The Small' brings a dreamy house melody alongside a dubbed-out analogue lead, the filter opening and closing as the track breathes. On the B-side, Andras remixes 'The Bright Side' , keeping the bounce and weaving a jazzy lo-fi Rhodes solo through it. The EP closes with 'Indubitably' , dubbed-out vocal samples and floating pads settling into a downtempo Balearic lilt.

Luca “DJ Rocca” Roccatagliati isn’t just a producer, he’s a shapeshifter of sound. Emerging from the late ’90s under the Maffia Soundsystem alias, he’s spent decades bending genres, dissolving boundaries, and reconfiguring the DNA of club music.

From cosmic disco to leftfield house, Rocca’s catalogue reads like a map of underground excellence. He’s collaborated with a roll call of innovators—Howie B, Dimitri From Paris, Daniele Baldelli, François K, Jazzanova, Zed Bias and many more. Crafting releases for some of the most respected imprints in the game: like Rekids, Toy Tonics, International Feel, Defected, Rush Hour, Hell Yeah, Rotters Golf Club among others.

His output is prolific, restless, constantly evolving.

Partnership is central to Rocca’s universe. With Dimitri From Paris, he co-created Erodiscotique, a sleek electro-disco project that fuses vintage sensuality with future-facing production. Alongside Daniele Baldelli, he’s explored deeper, more psychedelic terrain, delivering albums like Podalirius and Quagga—records that blur the line between Balearic mysticism and dancefloor propulsion.

His aliases Ajello, Supersonic Lovers, Crimea X are parallel auditory dimensions. Each one pushes a different facet of his sound, from Italo-tinged grooves to raw, analog-driven club cuts. As a remixer, Rocca has reworked everyone from Andrew Weatherall to Soul Clap, always imprinting his unmistakable signature.

To say we are excited about this new EP is kind of a massive understatement……

Having been huge fans for over two decades, when he reached out to us it was a bit of an eye rubbing and arm pinching moment.

We have been graced with a 3 track EP titled “Tonight is the Night”

A1. Sun Deck – A link-up with Athens mainstay Lex, drifting somewhere between yacht funk and late-night boogie. Sun-washed grooves, crisp synth leads, and just enough 80s energy to keep it moving without trying too hard.

B1. Italo Boogie Stomp – Does exactly what it says. Rolling Linn drums, sharp synth lines, and a nostalgic flute motif that nods to NYC’s street soul era without getting stuck in it.

B2. Ferroso – Picks up the pace slightly. Deep house drums meet a driving electro bassline, with arpeggiated synths and warm pads rounding it out—focused, functional, and built for the floor.

Lewis Taylor is a rising 20-something house head from Newcastle who shows off his chops on this new one from Ebullience. Ebullience is a good way of describing his take on tech and minimal, too. There is plenty of cheer in the lively synth work of opener 'Do You Wanna Come Party', to which the answer is yes, please, very much so. 'Satisfaction' has its head up in the clouds with more wispy cosmic synth motifs, zippy grooves and silky pads that are luminous and pure. 'Optimism' strikes that same balance between low-end oomph and celestial melodic charm - a fresh, future blend that is perfect for summer. 'Still Dreaming' closes with more mature melodies and accomplished arrangements that quietly buzz.

Nippon Psychedelic Soul 1970-1979 is Time Capsule’s continuation of the deep dive into Japan’s rich history of folk and psychedelic soul music.

Vinyl LP with 4 page insert, original artwork and photos

The kaleidoscopic psychedelia of 1970s Japan captured a fragile and fertile moment as the country sought its future in funk grooves, heavy reverb and lyrical hallucinations.

The follow-up compilation to Time Capsule’s Nippon Acid Folk, Nippon Psychedelic Soul takes myriad pathways into the tripped-out undergrowth of 1970s Japan. Finding their feet at home and looking for inspiration abroad, the musicians featured here were engaged in the communal soul-searching that followed the breakdown of the 1960s protest movements. Some made it big, others drifted into oblivion. The music they left behind shimmers with intensity.

At the core was Happy End, the first project of YMO’s Haroumi Hosono, whose distortion-heavy guitar and crisp back-beat laid the foundations for Japanese lyrics that flipped the paradigm of Japanese rock music on its head. With it came a new found sonic ambition, such as in the bold Philly-soul style arrangements of producer Yuji Ohno, whose work with occult wandered Yoshiko Sai shares some of the bittersweet grandeur of Rotary Connection or David Axelrod.

Then there was Jun Fukamachi, a pioneer of Japanese synthesis, whose debut album was a carnival of orchestral funk, euphoric horn lines and rich production, complete with soaring guitar solos, psychedelic organ and a truly cinematic finale. The first and only time Fukamachi would sing on record, ‘Omae’ rips like the ultimate end-of-nighter.

Influenced by giants of the US soul scene, maverick composer Hiroshi “Monsieur” Kamayatsu (otherwise known as ‘the Brian Wilson of Japan’) went one step further, enlisting Tower of Power to play on ‘Have You Smoked Gauloises?’ The B-side to Monsieur’s biggest-selling single, it coasts with sophisticated cool - a liquid bassline and suave keys comping under a roaring trademark ToP sax solo. No surprise it found favour once more on the Acid Jazz dance floors of ‘90s London.

Such was the spirit of experimentation that big studio productions and private press releases sat side-by-side, with the likes of Momotaro Pink and Kazushi Inamura, taking their hopes of success into their own hands with the resources available to them. More reflective but no less robust, theirs was a heavy, fat-backed drum sound, soaked in dramatic, soulful psychedelia.

If some were dreamers and others space cadets, none were further out than sci-fi writer, musician, activist and self-made scientist Tadashi Goino, who transformed his own fantasy novel Messenger from the Seventh Dimension into an operatic prog odyssey with few discernible musical reference points – a majestic and completely bonkers outlier even among company as strange and brilliant as that which is collected here.

Less a compilation of a scene, as a compilation of a sentiment, Nippon Psychedelic Soul is a wild ride from start to finish, shattering the narratives of the Japanese folk and rock tradition into a million tiny pieces.

Zeta-Kognition is a rarely documented perceptual phenomenon in which thoughts are no longer experienced in the order in which they are formed.

The first reports appeared shortly after the promo release of this EP. Listeners described a strange effect while listening to pdqb's signature electro tracks: while the music was playing, memories, expectations, and present perceptions seemed to exchange places. Some felt they had already completed a thought before it had even occurred to them. Others reported that half an hour vanished in what felt like seconds, while a few minutes seemed to contain an unusual depth and density of experience.

Intriguingly, those who experienced side effects after listening could restore their normal perception by playing the entire EP in reverse. It was said that the reverse playback would unwind the cognitive displacement caused by the original sequence, gradually returning memories, expectations, and present awareness to their natural alignment.

Dr. Sascha Dornhöfer, who first documented the phenomenon, speculates that the remix by Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto) may contain a unique balance of repetition and symmetry that survives both forward and reverse playback. This would explain why listeners experiencing the effects of Zeta Cognition consistently identify it as the point from which normal perception can be restored.

In any case, dear listener, there is no cause for concern - the antidote is hidden in reverse.

P.S. Then again, who knows. Persistent rumors suggest that Adam Pendleton's exclusive black-and-white artwork conceals a visual counterpart to the phenomenon, though no one has yet determined exactly what it reveals - or to whom.

Adam Freeland relaunches Marine Parade with the ‘Transhuman’ EP, a collaboration with Spooky’s Duncan Forbes and the first of three releases set to arrive throughout the year. Available to stream now, the title track previews a deeper, more atmospheric direction ahead of Freeland's first solo material in sixteen years and the first new music on Marine Parade since 2009.

Across Adam Freeland and Duncan Forbes’ ‘Transhuman’ EP, broken rhythms sit subtly beneath spacious arrangements, while flickering synths, sci-fi -infused vocals and static-charged textures create an immersive, cinematic feel. It's a sound that reflects both Freeland's longstanding love of dub and Techno and the distance gained from stepping away from the dance music landscape in the 2010s.

Best known for his seminal ‘Coastal Breaks’ mix album and a run of acclaimed releases, remixes, and mix compilations spanning Fabric Live, Global Underground and Back To Mine, Adam Freeland spent a decade living off -grid in California’s Mojave Desert, while also working with Ry X to form The Acid, a band that has since released the ‘Liminal’ LP on Mute/Infectious, penned a film score and toured to great acclaim from well outside the electronic world.

Joining Adam Freeland is Duncan Forbes, one half of pioneering UK duo Spooky, whose landmark releases on Guerilla Records and influential debut album ‘Gargantuan’ helped define the early ambient Techno and progressive House movements. In the decades since, Forbes has continued to evolve through projects including collaborations with Mr. G and Sasha, as well as recent solo releases via Enzo Siragusa’s Fuse London and his own 49North imprint.

The ‘Transhuman’ EP marks the beginning of a new chapter for Marine Parade, with two further EPs from Freeland scheduled throughout 2026. The label will also expand with forthcoming material from longtime friends and previous label artists Evil Nine, alongside a new generation of talent joining the roster.

Pure Devotion, benannt nach der gleichnamigen Live-Reihe von 2024, markiert einen weiteren Entwicklungsschritt für Overmono. Hinter dem Projekt stehen die Brüder Tom und Ed Russell, die bereits seit Jahren in der britischen Elektronikszene aktiv sind - sowohl gemeinsam als auch über ihre Solo-Projekte Tessela und Truss. Diese Erfahrungen aus dem UK-Underground bilden die Grundlage ihres Sounds bis heute. Das Album vereint bewusst Unschärfen, technische Imperfektion und zufällige Momente mit einer klaren künstlerischen Haltung. Über elf Tracks hinweg erweitern Overmono ihren Produktionsansatz und greifen dabei auf ungewöhnliche Mittel zurück: analoge Synthesizer aus den 70er- und 80er-Jahren, alte Lautsprechersysteme oder experimentelle Klangbearbeitung. Das Ergebnis wirkt kontrolliert, organisch und immer treibend. Auch die Vocals tragen zur Atmosphäre bei - unter anderem von John Joseph Holt, Kindora und Ruthven. Insgesamt legt Pure Devotion den Fokus stärker auf Emotionalität und Klangtiefe als auf reine Funktionalität im Clubkontext. Das Projekt entwickelte sich aus einer Neujustierung ihrer Live-Show und gewann parallel zu ihren Touraktivitäten an Form. Nach dem Erfolg ihres Debütalbums Good Lies (2023), welches ihnen größere Aufmerksamkeit und internationale Auftritte einbrachte, spielten Overmono zahlreiche Festivals und eigene Shows, darunter Glastonbury und Alexandra Palace in London. Während dieser Phase entstand neue Musik, die später in Rückzugsorten wie Spanien und Island weiter ausgearbeitet wurde. Die Single "Lockup" steht exemplarisch für die Herangehensweise des Duos: direkte, rhythmisch präsente Strukturen treffen auf zurückhaltendere, emotionale Elemente. Pure Devotion wirkt damit weniger wie ein Bruch als vielmehr wie eine konsequente Weiterentwicklung - geprägt von Erfahrung, Neugier und dem Anspruch, den eigenen Ansatz weiter auszuloten. Overmono sind eine neue Größe in der internationalen Club-Kultur.

*repress*

The prolific Lord Of The Isles (aka Scotland's Neil McDonald) has had a string of stunning 12's over the past few years on labels such as Permanent Vacation, Unthank, Shevchenko, Mule and of course his four track 'Year Of The City EP' on Phonica, which was widely acclaimed upon its release in 2012.

This time LOTI presents two long-form tracks, each a mini-masterpiece in itself. The 10 minute plus 'Greane' bursts into life after an intro of kicks and white noise hi-hats. It continues to slowly build, with pitch-bent synth lines and a pulsing bass-line making way for a melacholic shift in mood. Truly original stuff!

On the flip, a swirl of synthetic strings introduces 'Gigha', in a manner that brings to mind Rhythm
Is Rhythm's legendary 'Kao-Tic Harmony', before the drums and infectious acid-line join in. Over the 8 minutes they continue to interweave and play off each other to dazzling effect.

Artwork by Jack Featherstone, the designer of a number of sleeves for Border Community (including the highly praised campaign behind James Holden's 'The Inheritors', its singles and live visuals), Electric Minds, Warm and of course, Phonica.

With his distinctive touch for melody and texture, "Thunder EP" opens a portal to a new world, both vibrant and underground. Split into two parts, the A-side burns with a groovy house and breakbeat energy, while the B-side shines with deep, progressive and electronic soundscapes.

With its powerful vocals reminiscent of Bicep and a melody that brings a breath of fresh air, the opening track of the EP "Thunder" has all the makings of a future anthem. It perfectly sets the tone with its raw breakbeat energy and rolling textures

Right after, the A2 "You've Got The Feeling" offers a subtle blend of softness and groove. True to Houseum’s deep and sunny DNA, the track revolves around an effective classic piano house hook and a captivating soul vocal that instantly sticks in your head.

Closing the A-side, "Space Jam" shifts into more atmospheric territories with floating vocals and airy synth pads, moving the dancefloor toward a deeper, more mental vibe.

On the flip side, the hypnotic bassline of the B1 "Bullet Train" sets the pace immediately. The track nods to 90s progressive house through its structure while offering distinctive deep tech and dub techno sounds.

Finally, "Haag" wraps up the record with a subtle blend of IDM, ambient, and dub techno, a sound aesthetic that might remind a certain In Limbo EP released on Houseum's sub-label, Ellipse Records. It acts as the perfect closing track, inviting the listener to wind down and float away after the intensity of the previous tracks.

Nite Hawk is a new name to us, but one we'll be keeping an ear on, just off the back of this new EP on York-based John Deevechis's The Owl label. The opener plays with a classic rhythm and serves it up with a bleeping synth sequence that will also be familiar, while the rickety drums unfold in off-grid patterns. It's a great start before 'Shake Ya Rump' brings machine-made disco with sugary synths and playful vocals over funky basslines, then 'Be Together' closes with another cold analogue groove that ramps up the pressure and is the sort of tasteful and timeless crowd pleaser you will be playing forever.

London based Reposition Records return with ‘Electric Dream Romance’ - celebrating a brand new beautiful piece of braindancing house music from trailblazer Kim Cosmik. DMX Krew, dBridge, El Prevost and Kim herself all provide 4 distinct remixes.

With deep roots in UK soundsystem free party culture as a member of the legendary Spiral Tribe, Kim remains a fixture in the underground regularly DJing in spaces from London's FOLD to The Advent's Technoclub. Past releases across 20/20 Vision and her own label Cybersoul have explored the harder, industrial edge of techno. Electric Dream Romance turns toward the more heartfelt side of her production, finding a feel for classic dancefloor house, tantalising vocals and seductive chords wrapped around playful acid lines and Kerrier District-esque synth work.

The unique remixes then glide from DMX Krew's patient electro workout through to an off-kilter shuffling dnb remix from Exit Records boss Dbridge, an emblematically stripped back workout from Reposition co-founder El Prevost, and finally a broken techno interpretation from the EDR innovator herself, Kim Cosmik.

This has been a very personal project and a mammoth undertaking for us folks here PACE HQ: 12 tracks unearthed from the cult Scottish figure’s completely overlooked back catalogue. Collected archive material from the past 25 years, originally composed as an OST for the feature length film The Flesher (1992) which was also written, shot and directed by Rae. No copies remain. Deep cuts that span G-funk, hip-hop, house, synth-pop, electro, dub, downtempo, funk/soul, R’n’B with appearances from Rae’s heavyweight list of frequent collaborators… Bernie Worrell, Adrian Sherwood and Jimmy Douglass.

"In 1991, the Scottish Rugby Union & the Royal Bank of Scotland, commissioned me tae make the world's first Scotland World Cup music video... they didn’t pay me so I fought back. It took 18 years tae win, and I nearly lost everything. I turned to audio visual art: under the pseudonym Jock Pleasure - I wrote and directed a feature length film called The Flesher as well as creating 100s of full length DVDs and tracks” (Jesse Rae).

One man took on the banks and won, but it took its toll and in this totemic corpus of work Jesse Rae counts the cost. The Flesher is art as pure defiance: “this stuff is very dark and deep, it is such a vast body o’ work, but when I won my battle against the bank, I secretly returned tae Hodge Close (in the Scottish borders) and dropped the entire work sealed in stone intae the deep deep murky depths of that water, where it has remained since 2009. There are no mair copies."

What we have here then is the salvaged remains. A hopeful dunt of Scottish erotica that gets you right in the pits.

Splice DJ Screw with Dean Blunt, Moodymann, Prince, Cocteau Twins, MF DOOM, Luther Van fuckin’ Dross, Barry fuckin’ White; run that through the B-movie videotape static meets Harmony Korine, Les Blank & early Grand Theft Auto. Empty boulevards. Small-town strip joints. Late-night dial-up. Sacrifice and solace. Outside of the OST, there’s a cast of forgotten characters: primary school kids making house jams, teenage popstars from the Scottish Borders, and the rhapsodic Ayrshire soprano NIKA laying down haunting vocals in Miami.

Celebrated as a cult figure in the USA, Jesse’s work has never fully had the appreciation it deserves at home. Not really. Aye, we know Inside Out and The Thistle. But he’s too easily fobbed off as an eccentric outsider: a helmet-wearing, claymore-wielding gimmick. But do we really know the extent of what this man has done - and gone through - for the sake of art?

Common Language is a project of the Community Library label. We started it as a way to reconnect with the ideas that drove ComLib’s inaugural releases back in 2005, uncompromising and eclectic DJ 12’s. We’ll be focused on this imprint for a while, and near-term, putting the emphasis on releases by label cofounders and our closest friends.

On CLANG02, the Middlemarch 12” EP, Solenoid transmutes his signature buoyant syncopated acid, electro, and mutant techno into moodier, reverberant territory. If you previously knew Solenoid for his restless, sophisticated Braindance-adjacent stuff, this EP is totally consistent with his long discography. Here though, he gets into a dreamier, and also bassier zone that is equally rewarding either in the innerspace immersion of headphones or in the warmth of your favorite local underground club’s sound system--lots of detail and atmosphere to sink into.

“Middlemarch” is moody deep techno-- a clatter of distant percussion encircles eerie pads and an extra-bassy, double-filtered TB303 bassline. “Ways and Means” rotates perplexing polyrhythmic patterns driven by bright, elasticchords that keep it moving (reminding me of The Martian’s stuff on Red Planet a bit). “A Winter Walk” offers a skeletal, skittering rhythm that wouldn’t be out of place next to a Livity Sound track; and the closer, “Dvv Waltz” reserves a 3/4-time experiment for the bravest / most inquisitive DJs.

Edition of 300 vinyl copies includes special full- color insert
Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann

About Solenoid
Solenoid is the primary musical vehicle of David Chandler, a lifer underground producer, musician, and visual artist. As a lone electronic voice in the wilderness of early-90s Portland (which was at the time a grunge-saturated third backwater) he started out releasing adventurous, now- unobtainium tapes on his DIY Pharmacy label. Solenoid then became known internationally at the turn of the millennium as one of Portland’s persistent ambassadors for underground crossover electro and techno, releasing on labels like Outward Music Company, Emanate, Orac, and many others (most recently, on the Paris label Partout). He’s a real legend honestly--doggedly clocking in almost 40 years of uncompromising experimentalism with a signature sound and vision running all the way through.
-- Paul Dickow (Strategy)

The return of Jonne Lydén aka 53X is an exhilarating welcome for Emotional Especial with 4 more seismic analogue psychedelic jams that are becoming recognisably a unique and hypnotic statement.

Lydén’s studio time is distillation for personal contemplation and perfection just 3 releases in 5 years that are worth the wait. The heady demand for his debut ‘Synapse’ and the following ‘Zen ‘23’ on Especial (limited repress incoming!) show constant development a sound of widescreen technoscope where dub beats trance pyrotechnics and 303 mind-melt swirling in a cosmic matter.

His return takes this further his music heritage in Finland’s hardcore punk scene to finding the techno of Detroit and Berlin before submerging in synths and drum programming jamming recording and mixing these trip-out electronic journeys live.

This heavy 4/4 jack is apparent on opening Sanctuary. Like his recent outings ‘Radar’ found on the Especial 50th “sampler” release ‘Gracias Especial’ (EES050) and also ‘Simulaato’ hidden away on blink and you miss it cult label Avidya (AVI003) this is a pure undiluted bang. Straight forward heavy bass kicking charged with acid 303 and monotonic vocal insights the track is a flourishing temple a call of embrace.

The eponymous Cyan Haze showcases 53X’s cinematic finest panoramic audio and sound design creating expansive phonics. BPMs drop samples flourish around break drops and rolling bass – breathing looping shouting lifting.

Owls enlightens. Hardware rumbles cerebral a temporal universe awakening. The collage of found sound successive sequential all encased by hypnotic broken chords rolling bass and melancholic piano refrain. Meta worming braindance ecstatic tribal industrial gliding by Shiva into the night.

Dust closes apt its basement collage pounds Lydén to techno genesis. Proto-zeitgeist steppa dark room incantation pulling and expanding the fantasy to strange dreamscapes. Reincarnation and hope in 2026.

A long-time figure at the heart of Samurai Music, Last Life makes his first appearance on SAIBAI trading his signature snarl for shadowy psychedelia and snaking beatdowns. Since 2015 Mauro Picciau has been cultivating a sound that maximises on the space that opens up around half-time 170, finding plenty of power while stretching out his rhythms. On this new release he pivots towards subtler tones and textures, and plugs directly into the wave of innovative artistry occurring at the intersection of D&B and deep techno. Writhing, taut sound design spells out the mood on opening track 'Gear Cutter', as Picciau gets expressive with metallic feedback tones that elegantly contort across the front of the mix. There's a strong sense of narrative that brings the track's dynamic movement to the fore, holding back energetic shifts with a measured intent to ramp up the tension. 'Norma' has a more ceremonial feel, locking into a steady pulse and letting distant clouds of melodic ambience create a bewitching atmosphere around the percussive mantras. 'Radian' speaks its own minimalist, techno-spirited language, drawing on alien murmurs and steely drones to strike a lighter note without breaking the mysterious fog that hovers over the EP. 'The Moat' leads on a heavier set of drums to close the record out, shaping space with skilful reverb and a tightly controlled synth pulse. Within this echo chamber, and across the whole release, Picciau has capitalised on this patient approach to bed infinitesimal ripples into the mix, rewarding the active listener and instilling his creations with a kinetic vitality that can always be felt, no matter how slight the sound is.

A legend returns as the alias of scene stalwart DJ Levi and Curvature co-creator Ghosts of MIDI unleashes an EP of seismic tracks backed with remixes from ASC and Aural Imbalance. A1 - Iron Dinosaurs Opening a fine Curvature debut for the label’s very own Dan Azimuth, Iron Dinosaurs is an epic piece of atmospheric goodness introduced with a long, elegant intro of synths and luscious female vocals. Before long, classy, energetic metallic breaks kick in, set to an immensely memorable key melody and a room-filling bassline, creating a breathtakingly fluid and captivating piece. A2 - Iron Dinosaurs (ASC remix) Taking an incredibly evocative track and lacing it with sprinkles of ASC goodness to create a true gem is the order of the day here, as the heart of the original courses through an ominous intro, quickly beset by fine analogue amens that hit hard for the dancefloor, while allowing the soul of the piece to breathe, syncing in harmony with the distinctive vocal samples and swirling synthwork that colour the atmosphere so perfectly. B1 - Deadly Dimensions A DJ-friendly intro of hi hats gradually ushers in epic, bassy melodies gliding through serene vocals and airy pads, before the drop reveals exquisite breaks with just the slightest hint of an apache in there. Very danceable, the breaks are chopped and diced at will, driving a determined pace for another superbly epic, ethereal piece of atmospheric drum & bass from one of the OG’s of the scene. B2 - Deadly Dimensions (Aural Imbalance remix) The EP closes with a real treat - this is as close as an example you’ll hear to a match made in heaven as the eerily epic production of Ghosts of Midi collides with the inimitable ambient mastery of Aural Imbalance. Intersecting the thoughtful vibes of the original, this remix sees playful old school breaks jostle with swathes of fluid synthwork and delicate pads, creating a unified expression of atmospheric purity.