quête:synths

A former pizza delivery driver and now self-taught full-time musician, CRi first caught the attention of tastemaker press with early single ‘Rush’ and his subsequent ‘Someone Else’ EP. Not long after, he joined the Anjunadeep roster in 2019 and gained attention from the label fanbase, and radio titans Pete Tong, Annie Mac and Jason Bentley with his ‘Initial EP’.

His debut album ‘Juvenile’ exceeded expectations, being nominated for a number of awards, including Best Electronic Album at the JUNO Awards, and three separate titles at the 2021 ADISQ Awards, including Electronic Album of the Year and ‘Revelation’ of the Year, which CRi won. Since the release of ‘Juvenile’, CRi has released three singles, an EP and remixes for Bob Moses and Lane 8; become one of the first electronic acts to headline Montréal Jazz Festival to an audience of 45,000; and performed around the world once more, writing as he went.

Since the slower days of the pandemic lockdown, and Quebec’s tentative reopening of nightlife and music venues, CRi’s life has become much more fast-paced once again; a transformation that has been infused into every beat of his new album ‘Miracles’. The vinyl release of ‘Miracles’ comprises 14 tracks, including two standout prior singles, ‘Something About’ and ‘Losing My Mind’ (feat. Jesse Mac Cormack), which, combined, have already accumulated 10 million streams between them.

The other twelve tracks on ‘Miracles’ (including 3 bonus vinyl-only recordings) showcase Christophe’s signature warming synths, in addition to an impressively wide range of sounds, from drum and bass, to indie, from electronic and chillout, making this work his most expansive to date. After the album’s release, CRi will be heading on a live tour of North America, stopping off in seven cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Toronto and, of course, his hometown of Montréal, where he’ll be headlining at iconic venue MTelus, which regularly plays host to indie-electronic stars, including, recently, Metronomy, Jungle, Monolink, Max Cooper and Amtrac, and is a perfect spot to celebrate his rise in this scene, before he takes his live tour to Europe in early 2024. ‘Miracles’ is out 22nd September, 2023.

KAU (previously KAU trio.) is an instrumental trio based in Brussels. Representing various European backgrounds, the Belgian capital and melting pot proves to be a never ending source of inspiration for the band. Taking influences from jazz, groove and dance music, their aim is simple but straightforward: to make your heads bob. The formula they use to do so has been the same since their early days: improvisation, never ending jam sessions and an open-mindedness towards various genres and styles. This gives their music an organic and vibrant feel. Furthermore, the three boys' long-lasting friendship is at the heart of it all, always relying on what brings them together: their love for music. The KAU cycle is bound to repeat itself and to birth something new - over and over again.

"The Cycle Repeats" is KAU's debut album, due on September 22 on SDBAN Ultra, the home of ECHT!, Black Flower, Glass Museum, STUFF. and more. It represents a milestone in the band's musical journey: it's their firm decision to present a strong and unified trio playing music that stands out through the combination of 80's synths, acoustic drums and electric bass. Moreover, the album succeeds in capturing the energy of their infectious and legendary live shows.

Highlights are album opener "Kampala", which has a throbbing bassline, jazzy synths and heavily modified arpeggiators at its core. The album's first single "Little Steps" starts with a strong hip hop groove, morphing into Herbie Hancock-style chords. "Amulet" is inspired by breakbeats, fast paced grooves and pentatonic bass lines. Both "Kautokeino" and "Alaska" are an invitation to travel to the utmost remote places of this earth, using intense sequencing and suffocating subbasses into an epic finish, probably demonstrating the trio in its most sincere form.

In short: with André Breidlid on drums, Matteo Genovese on bass and Jan Janzen on synths, KAU are a trio of childhood friends with a pan-European identity, whose music reflects the city they grew up in: unapologetic, richly diverse and with a spontaneous groove underlining it all. With their new album "The Cycle Repeats" they directly aim for your dancing shoes and souls.

When South Korean balearic prodigy Mogwaa came to MM Discos with an idea for his rst full-length album, we were a bit surprised.
He said, ‘I want to do an album of bossa tracks with synths, a drum machine and my guitar’. We obviously had to take him up
on that deal.

Fresh from the recent Bandcamp feature on his own brand of danceoor-ready modern boogie, Seungyoung Lee (aka Mogwaa)
arrives back on MM Discos with his - and our - rst full length exercise. With six tracks per side of 80s inuenced synth and bossa
badness, ‘Hazy Dreams’ is an exercise in simplicity, and more proof of the ever-expanding musical horizons of one of the scene’s
most virtuosic instrumentalists.

Pairing a sensitivity to the construction of ambient, funk, bossa and cassette-tape 80s experiments with his own cinematic subtlety,
‘Hazy Dreams’ takes a gentle, minimalistic approach, crafting its own escapist world that oers a welcome diversion from the
steady ow of busy balearica and downtempo.

Opening track ‘Full Bloom’ paints a picture of midsummer at dawn, some clear-skied island where lush vegetation climbs through
hibiscus gardens. ‘Nacimiento’ is an AOR/bossa crossover evoking West Coast yachting in full afternoon, and A3, ‘Soothing’, adds
a touch of wistfulness with reverb-doused guitars over meandering bass motifs.
The easy kick-and-snare combo of ‘Levitation’ sets the scene for a drum machine love aair, unrequited love on the rocks, and
‘Flashback’ plays with short delay trails and o-kilter melodic sequences, where you feel the soft presence of the nebula approaching
at the break of day. Closing out the A-side, ‘Dispatching’ reaches out even further into the imagined cosmos of Mogwaa’s
picture-perfect world, portraying an ambience at dusk, observing, calmy, as pued-up pink clouds melt into the evening canvas.
On the other side, Mogwaa explores quiet corners with ‘Illusions’, a slow meditation on the nature of simple presence, and ‘Echoes
of You’, a stream of subdued brush strokes that crescendo into higher frequencies on gently undulating pads. B3, ‘Moondance’,
ups the tempo and recalls classic Mogwaa with its sideways shue and starry melodic refrain, pivoting through folk-dance
moods and surprising chord changes.
Nearing the end of the album, ‘Footprints’ wades through tall grass in search of altered states, innite and hypnotic, changing
course only to crouch down and study the landscape, and B5, ‘It always comes and goes’, pictures the to-and-fro of jetstreams and
comets in the blinding midday sky. Finally we have the closing credits of ‘Swingin’ that looks o into the horizon, jaunty and exalted,
a guitar-led tribute to an easy-going world, and ultimately mindful of the power of dreams.
We’re humbled to have such a special record for our rst full-length release on the label.

Die unverwechselbare Stimme von Frontman Christian Schöttel dient als Bindemittel der 10 Songs auf 'Sonne, Mond & Dynamit', die sich auf verspielte Sound-Exkursionen durch rockige Gitarrenriffs und wabernde Synths begeben. Sie begleiten die Reise des in der Ich-Form erzählenden Protagonisten durch Exzesse, Herzschmerzen und düstere Zukunftsdystopien, ohne Selbstmitleid, aber oft mit Humor und einem Schuss Selbstironie.

"RTR makes a dazzling return to WeMe Records with Circle coming through with 6 new tracks. 6 ways to outline his love for playful melodies, sauntering arrangements, squelching synths. Less breakbeat, more dancefloor oriented, RTR shows off some of his best and most colourful material as of late The record is both raw and punchy, kicking into gear over and over like an old fashioned detuned drum machine loop."

In the heart of the cosmos, a tale unfolds. It begins with "My Space," where ethereal synths weave a cosmic tapestry, guiding you through distant galaxies. As you journey further, "Satan" emerges, beckoning you to dance with the darkness itself, under the canopy of sadistic beats.

Venturing deeper into the EP, "Get Stupid" takes you to an enigmatic dimension, where gravity-defying rhythms entice you to embrace your wildest instincts. In "Yallah," the atmosphere shifts, transporting you to a mystical oasis where sonic mirages shimmer in the desert of sound.

And just when you thought the adventure reached its pinnacle, "Can't Get Enough" mesmerizes with its infectious grooves, leaving you irresistibly addicted to the sonic enchantment.

Turns out Coco Bryce is more than just a hot piece of man meat. On "My Space" this enigmatic master of sound once again harnesses the forces of the universe to craft five enthralling compositions. His boundless creativity and passion for exploration shine through in every beat, taking you on a euphonic jungle expedition like no other.

ChatGPT rated this release 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor

Big tunes on this new Electronic Emergencies release!! Police des Moeurs deliver dark electronic turmoil on Sauvetage, Electronic Emergencies' 40th release. With four tracks full of gloomy soundscapes, gritty synths and beats leaning to hardcore, the duo from Quebec, Canada, show an uncompromising side of their character. Francophone lyrics are sparsely floating along, commanding at one time and velvety at the other. Sauvetage is pressed on solid gold vinyl and comes in haunting artwork that fits the mood perfectly.

Built around recordings by the acclaimed pedal steel player Henry Senior, the album's six hypnotic and enveloping tracks are supplemented with piano, strings, synths and field recordings performed by Wallis.

The making of the album took an unplanned route. During the winter 2021 lockdown, Wallis began work on an album of more conventional songs, sending several to Henry Senior (Danny & The Champions Of The World, Honey Harper) to record pedal steel parts remotely. Though subsequently deciding to shelve the album, he realised that Senior's pedal steel outlines of the songs formed the basis of something completely different.

The result is an immersive, meticulously crafted album that recalls the ambient pedal steel work of Chuck Johnson and Daniel Lanois mixed with the ethereal post- classical instrumentation of Stars Of The Lid and the field recording work of Claire Rousay.

In Huge Gesturing Loops' is Wallis' fourth release in as many years. The album's title comes from a poem by Philip Larkin. The artwork was put together by designer Luke Jarvis based on the 1930s swimming pool on Marshall Street in Soho, where Wallis swam regularly while working on the album.

"Neural transmissions of crisis on the eve of WEB 3.0"

Net Prophet finds the band moving deeper into the vaporous territory of 21st century excess, where power casually corrupts absolutely and the mental netscape is more deranged in the membrane than we ever knew possible. A world on the edge, where imminent ecocide and violent social upheaval lurk beneath every minute mental distraction. The doomscroll gets longer and the attention span shorter as a disconnected global internet life takes over with its scepters of promise and looming evasiveness.

The sound is rich in variety from the darkwave pulsing synths of "Lichtenberg Monologue" reminiscent of Shape / Shifting's "Tomahawk" to the growling, slowdriving bass of "A New Dawn" which harks back to the bands S/ T 1st record, albeit with a synth instead of guitar. Even with the stark contrasts of murder-punk "AR-15" and jangle- pop "Purgatory Mall" the record never strays from the prime colors of the band: Vox, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Synth.

Recorded live in the Berlin studio Monoton, the record demonstrates the band in its prime - tightened up and influenced by their extensive touring, who have honed their sound from simple elements into a rich and tasty nugget, easily digestible for the modern consumer. Always true to their company slogan "tight, loose and evil".

Available again this first pressing of this reissue is on neon yellow vinyl. Chapter Music presents a vinyl reissue of Australian post-punk icon David Chesworth's mutant punk-funk second album, 1981's Layer On Layer. After his revered 1979 debut 50 Synthesizer Greats (reissued by Chapter in 2017), David swapped the solo home-recorded synths for something very different - infectious, percussive art-funk weirdness. Aged 21, David recorded nights and weekends at the studio in his university's music department, building Layer On Layer from the ground up, using non-instruments like telephone directories, cardboard boxes and car parts. He created an art-damaged sound world, driven by irresistible rhythms but emphasizing chance and experimentation. Robert Goodge, Chesworth's bandmate in the celebrated Essendon Airport, contributes his trademark cyclical guitar, with Tsk Tsk Tsk's Ralph Traviato on sax and other Tsk members Philip Brophy, Jayne Stevenson and Maria Kozic on backing vocals. Layer On Layer was the beginning of David's investigations into rhythm, and remains one of his most striking works. His 70s/80s records and productions have become sought-after collectors' items and DJ holy grails. Chesworth is now a renowned composer sound artist. For digital bonus tracks, David has revisited Layer On Layer tracks to create mutant DJ versions. Also Available From David Chesworth: 50 Synthesizer Greats LP

Rising up from the dark depths of the underworld, Toni Moralez presents his latest project, Echoes From The Grave, via Mutual Pleasure Records.

A four-track serving of truly devilish sounds, Echoes From The Grave brings the listener deep into the world of Toni Moralez; a world of high-flying dance floor deviousness. Within the EP, the Frankfurt based producer coordinates a masterful balance between sinister and groovy, with daring blends of funk-infused basslines, pulsating drum patterns and synths, resulting in an unmistakably mischievous sound.

From the infectiously old-skool nature of DON’T B SHY (TURN AROUND), to the equally infectious hypnosis of I WANNA SUCK UR DICK (LONG N HARD), to the bassline mastery of TAKE OFF UR CLOTHES, which is then propelled into total misbehaviour with (Partiboi69’s Cheek Spreading Rework), which features a contagiously brazen verse from YBM.

Exceeding and succeeding in utmost rebellion, Toni Moralez’s Echoes From The Grave EP is a uniquely daring project, full of devilish personality and character, and one that sees its creator reach newfound heights with his sound; a sound that continues to evolve and develop rapidly.

Repress!

LA producer Blake Robin aka LUXXURY’s new full-length album finds the bassline obsessed disco addict experimenting with funk, synthpop and even (gasp!) pure instrumentals. ‘Increasingly in my most recent singles I’ve been treating vocals like instruments’ says Robin, ‘backgrounding and balancing them as sonic elements instead of centerpieces, so the listener gets lost in the groove.’ And indeed the star of these 11 songs is undoubtedly the 11 stellar basslines that ground the swirling synths and melodies as vocal fragments coolly dip in and out of the mix along.

Highlights include: KCRW fave ‘What Are We Gonna Do?’; the slap bass workout ‘Somebody Tonight’; the contemplative ‘…At Any Moment’ (playlisted by Purple Disco Machine) and its sister track, the title track ‘Alright’; while playful disco-house burner ‘Let’s Stay Together’ blends house and jazz funk rhythms with his trademark dusty basslines.

The album was 100% created by Robin, who wrote, performed, recorded and mixed all 11 songs, and even created the artwork. The 11 songs on LUXXURY’s album are all infectiously rhythmically-oriented while exploring new disco direction

1970’s Cloud One disco brilliance and one of P&P’s most well-known cuts gets a much-needed official reissue. A studio project masterminded by the legendary Patrick Adams and P&P Records’ Peter Brown, Cloud One’s ‘Disco Juice’ showcases the genius of Adams’ songwriting and production prowess. A bundle of joy from start to finish, every element is given space and arranged exquisitely from the soaring strings and Venus Dodson’s celestial vocals, to the vibraphone twinkles and power piano keys. Deliriously good grooves.

On the B side, ‘Charleston Hopscotch’ a cosmic funk-fuelled jam bouncing guitar riffs, sweltering synths and piano stabs out to the stratosphere and back again, returning with another Patrick Adam’s masterclass.

After a slightly extended break, CEP Records makes its return! This edition features a trance-inspired release by the hero Arman John, accompanied by two incredible remixes from Janis Zielinski and riko.

Kicking off this release is 'Pump That Soundsystem', a genuine trance driver infused with a hint of techno energy. The soulful pitched vocal and distinct chords add a remarkable touch, making this track poised to burn the dancefloor. Within riko's remix of 'Pump That Soundsystem,' he preserves the positive essence of the original track while infusing it with his personal signature. With rhythmic drums, an unceasing bassline, and an infectious melody, he introduces a touch of old-school sound that keeps the groove alive. For the second original piece, Arman John presents 'Like A Salt Shaker.' Powerful bassline rhythms, textured drums and a significant vocal hustle the track with intensity. The soulful synth, making a notable appearance midway, elegantly includes an unprecedented touch of elegance. Bringing the release to a close is Janis Zielinski's remix of 'Like A Salt Shaker'. A dynamic interplay of fresh chords and synths bringing the track into boundless realms. The transformed synth from the original version fosters familiarity and diversity, adding significant drive that impeccably concludes both the track and the entire release.

'Pump That Soundsystem' by Arman John drops via CEP Records on 20th September 2023.

CNPY007 marks a strong return to Canopy for Sam Redmore, on the second edition in the Alafia series where he impresses with two powerful and inspired re-imaginings of these tropical synth future-classics.

Tough afro-centric broken beats meet dirty fuzz basslines. Chic-esque guitars and icy synths swirl among horn crescendos and steel drums. Sam assembled a troupe of tight players who deliver slick performances which sincerely compliment the original arrangements, while he turns the electronic tropical funk factor to full - Inspired music reinvented for inspired dancefloors!

The debut album from Winnipeg psychedelic jazz-funk collective Apollo Suns, 'Departures' (Do Right! Music), finds the band evolving across new styles and moods, encompassing the shifting tides of the pandemic years.

Produced by Juno award-winning producer Ben Kaplan (Bootsy Collins, Five Alarm Funk), Departures is a cinematic journey inspired as much by artists like Goblin, Lettuce, and Frank Zappa as film, TV and video game scores and soundtracks. The band combines classic compositional techniques with synths and electronics, showcasing genre-melding finesse. Introducing strings, acoustic guitar, grand piano, and lap steel into the mix, Apollo Suns explore the visceral and heavy, the elegant and ethereal, epic house rock to New Orleans-y brass, proggy pathways, string-backed balladry, greasy funk and beyond.

"It's been a heavy couple of years. We wanted to make an album that summed it all up," says bandleader Ed Durocher. "I always kind of think of music as the different parts of life. Sometimes it's aggressive, sometimes it's fun and loose, and sometimes it's sad and hard. So, since we don't have vocals, a lot of these songs try to convey those experiences through sound."

Originally released in 1994, this re-issue bring new wind to "Lamento" with a compatriotic remix by Berlin based Italian producer Trent. Sitting somewhere between tribal and techno with early hints of progressive trancey elements, "Lamento" boasts an assertive underlaying beat coupled with playful percussive elements that get skillfully laced with a driving sawtooth wave synths. 4 mixes to choose from, peak time italian 90s early progressive sound brought back to your record bags with newly remastered care.

Foxbam Inc is a new label from underground Scottish talent Foxtrot and countryman and long-time acid lover Egebamyasi. Both feature on this first EP which is a various artists affair inspired by many years of playing and partying in the dance world. HIs 'Freaky Foundations' kick off with flat-footed and hard-assed techno, then comes Mr Gasmark who has roots in back metal but loves "a dark acid cocktail". He serves up a high-octane 303-laced monster banger here in the form of a remix of Araknoid. Egebamyasi's 'Fryer State Of Unconsciousness' is a wall of distorted noise and sheet metal synths that never let up. Last of all is a remix from Mark Archer, half of the legendary Altern8, and here offers up a jacking house cut with fat acid lines tearing it up.

Boulderhead makes his debut on Natural Frequencies a new imprint from Handy Records.

Four bouncy bass tech house cuts in true Boulderhead form, driving percussion, soaring synths all embellished with trancy textures. Bridging the gaps between House, Techno and Trance.

If that isn't enough for you already Luca Lozano steps in for remix duties, moulding his signature style into a pacey 140bpm stomper.

Having established his name with releases on Craigie Knowes, Small Hours, Running Out Of Steam, Gestalt and more. Were gassed to have Boulderhead on our first record.

The Blackwhitecolorful sind eine Kölner Alternativ Rockband mit ihrem 2. Longplayer. Ihr Anspruch dabei ist es, ein lebendiges Oxymoron zu sein: Inhaltliche Tiefe schaffen, sich mit komplexen Themen auseinandersetzen, dabei aber zugänglich und einfach bleiben.
Sie sind die Leichten unter den Brachialen, die Leisen der Lauten, die sanftmütigen Stürmer - eine widersprüchliche Rezeptur, die dennoch -oder gerade deswegen - aufgeht. Das Konzept Album Brace For Impact ist das dritte Kapitel der Navigators-Saga. Die Geschichten handeln je von einer Gruppe von Menschen, die aus unterschiedlichen Nöten heraus ihre Heimat verlassen und sich in die Ferne aufmachen. Notgedrungen werden sie jedoch zu Pionieren, denen es gelingt, imaginäre Grenzen zu durchbrechen und Unerschlossenes zu erschließen. Während das erste Album sich noch damit befasst, unbekannte Ozeane zu ergründen, geht es nun darum, den Weltraum zu erobern. Musikalisch manövrieren The Blackwhitecolorful gekonnt zwischen Alternative Rock/Metal, Post-Rock und Post-Hardcore. Neben tiefen, voluminösen Gitarren und glasklaren, eingängigen Vocals finden auch lange Synthesizer-Passagen und Instrumental-Parts ihren Platz. Ein weites Spektrum von sanften Klängen bis hin zu harten Rhythmen. Die erste Single Echoes vereinbart exakt diese Reibungsfläche breiter Gitarren und moderner Synths, sanfte Vocals, ohne auch nur für einen Moment den treibenden Puls zu verlieren. Zahlreiche Kooperationen runden das Ganze ab: Sänger: innen Tobias Brandt (Cera Maven), Emelyn Blanco (Privacy Please) und Eric Stöcker (Illusions Fade), sowie 1LIVE-Moderator Kotaro Dürr für ein Gastspiel am Bass. 2021 spielte die Band auch beim ARD Film Taufalarm-Familie ist ein Fest mit & steuerte 4 Songs zum Soundtrack bei.