Durban's 23 year-old producer Emo Kid has announced he is to release eight-track debut EP, 'Gqomtera', through Gqom Oh! on September 22nd. Although titled 'Gqomtera', which Emo Kid explains is a slang term he and others use for the music, the record actually explores Sgubhu — another strain of South African dance music that shares many stylistic parallels with Gqom, though is always written with a 4x4 beat. Like DJ Lag before him, an artist widely considered the king of Gqom, Emo Kid is also considered a pioneer in Durban; 'Some people call me the Sgubhu king, but I'm just happy they're enjoying my music', he says. Based in Inanda, in the Etafuleni area township in Durban, Emo Kid's house looks out over an area called Isandlwana — the spot where the Zulu army famously defeated the British Army in the Battle Of Isandlwana in 1879. It is from this backdrop that he has written the majority of his music over the last few years, including new record 'Gqomtera'. At eight tracks long, 'Gqomtera' provides a comprehensive overview of the Sgubhu sound, with the aim of taking the listener on their own 'Durban Journey'. 'I wanted to show the uniqueness of my own style which I would describe as more musical', Emo Kid explains, 'you can feel the music when you listen but it still hits hard with that Gqom flavour.' That Gqom flavour, powered by hard, fast, uncompromising drums, provides a solid core from which everything else functions. Bright, shimmering trance synths feature on 'Futuristic Gqom', while on 'Enkwarini' — 'another word for a party or fantastic get together' — vocalist Fawell skips over light, playful Sgubhu rhythms. There's also space for harder, deeper cuts like 'Ground Shaker', cut with a twinkling melody line, the charging pace and power of 'Insimbi Yase Dubane' and the anthemic 'Asbambeki' featuring local crew TLC Fam, translating loosely to being unstoppable; 'It means you can't catch us basically', Emo Kid says proudly, 'On the dance floor, you can't touch us, we're on fire.' Capturing the raw, street sounds of his city, Emo Kid is the latest Durban artist to take the music global and with 'Gqomtera', put Sgubhu firmly on the map.
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We welcome back long-time First Word family, Souleance, with 'Bamboule', fresh from their respective cut-ups for our sister label, Excursions, and their recent 'Raw Funk' set, we have a 5-track EP containing something for all the family, crafted with love once again by France's Fulgeance & DJ Soulist. A truly eclectic collection, comprised of afro grooves, tropical vibes, b-boy rhymes, head-nodding shakers and intensely hype floor-fillers. A seriously fun selection.
It kicks off with 'Partay', a mid-tempo slice of bouncy tropical boogie that does exactly what it says on the tin. An effervescent synth-bassline rides on top of a delectable disco shuffle, complete with classic reggae chants.
Title track 'Bamboule' is a seriously energetic afro-funk beast. A truly infectious percussive rhythm track, laced with an immense bassline, vocal chops and synth rides, this one is 100% guaranteed to entice any dancefloor into a trance-like state of bugged-out body moves.
'That Guy' is some uptempo piano-rolling hip hop business, enlisting the help of Brooklyn MC, Von Pea, from the crew Tanya Morgan, who've been making noise on the independent hip hop scene for over a decade, as well as recently collaborating with GUTS.
We dip down to around the 85BPM mark for 'J'aime Marcher', a lounging boom bap bumper with sloppy drums, jazzy rhodes and vivacious horns.
Closing the EP is 'Brown Bags', an almost Dilla-esque cut-up, complete with rolling neck-breaking drums, sweet soul samples and stabs of prog rock. An abundance of variety, we think you'll agree.
For those that don't know, the Parisian duo hooked up just over a decade ago, and haven't stopped to rock & shock parties, clubs and festivals globally since, building a fan-base of solid party people and revered selectors along the way. As always, the wonderful Alice Dufay provides the artwork, making this an essential package for you and yours.
Last year's On the Corner underground smash release, the 12' EP Santuri's Embaire Umeme, introduced Uganda's Mugwisa International Xylophone Group (M.I.X.G) to the world.
The recordings center on the Embaire, a giant xylophone native to Ugandan folk music, which is dug into a pit for a natural, earthy bass resonance as gargantuous as the instrument itself. The instrument performs a key role in village life, with ceremonial playing sessions lasting for hours on end.
These recordings may be esoteric in nature but they add important context to the Santuri's Embaire Umeme 12' and are a vital documentation of the Iganga village's culture, as well as that of Uganda. Jones has artfully chopped the epic session into a series of short evocative chapters to create a pioneering masterpiece. Remix duties are led by Griot House innovators, The Diabolcal Liberties, who have raved-up some Sun Ra frequencies for the cosmic junglist crew.
Last but never least, Victoria Topping has created beautiful artwork using the session photography taken by Jones during the recordings
DJ-Support by Madmotormiquel, Schlepp Geist, Bara Bröst, Mario Aureo, David Hasert and more.
After 15 years of Djing, clubbing and promoting including 4 years of FEINES TIER happenings in Cologne the busy crew is finally starting the label of the same title. Before going official with the first catalog number they pressed the SLINGA EP by PHILIPP FEIN & NIELS FREIDEL as a beautiful 3-tracker on vinyl. It contains the original and remixes by MAX MOHR from the Ex-Playhouse camp and bassline operator ALAVI with a slower funky edit.
Detroit producer Norm Talley shares his debut album, Norm-A-Lise' on FXHE Records. Having started his career when disco was king, Talley's real life influences over his 25+ year career have included the originations of house through various iterations. His reference points as one of the original members of the West 6 Mile Detroit crew and his dedication to his Analog only studio position him as one of the more dynamic Detroit artists who's finally taking the time to release a complete project for his long awaiting fans.
The album features 14 original tracks with influences of disco, house, and beyond taking his signature infectious style deeper. On top of all of that, the album includes a track written by FXHE label boss Omar S aka Alex Smith featuring L 'Renee.
Excise is a vinyl-focused label based out of San Francisco, California. Each release pairs a regional Californian techno artist and a local visual artist, thus serving as a platform to fuse the two local creative scenes. Its first release features label co-owner Muon with 3 hypnotic raw analog tracks. Many of these tracks received heavy play time in the San Francisco underground, and now are seeing a broader release for the first time.
Artist biography:
US based artist, Muon (real name Marc Kelechava) spent his formative musical years in Brooklyn, NYC, but has resided in Northern California since 2013. His initial release on Excise is an attempt to combine hypnotic synth work with heavier dance floor elements: music to get lost to.
As a DJ, he now co-manages the iconic Direct to Earth crew, which started as an Oakland underground rave in 2011. The group's primary goal is to help bring international stars to the San Francisco community for the first time. This year alone they've hosted (or will host) Phase, Cosmin TRG, Yan Cook, Ansome, Marla Singer, and Ben Sims. Muon's an opening mainstay with his hypno-aggressive mixing work.
Mamie's Records is the new project of troublemakers La Mamie's. The crew of Djs, well known for throwing wild parties in Paris and its suburbs, top-quality sets, and their dedication to the Macki Music Festival, have decided to launch their own record label. Kodäma is a music duo formed in 2014 by Kiala Ogawa (singer and composer originally from Japan and Congo) and by T-time (bassist and composer). The word «kodama», meaning «echo» in Japanese, also refers to spirits conveyed by trees and forests. According to the legends, these spirits are responsible for the the phenomenon in which the mountains echo. Kodäma's universe is very linked to Kiala's cultural sphere with, as a major source of inspiration, her childhood's memories from the Japanese countryside. Kodäma is a subtle combination of electronic and acoustic sounds with Kiala's captivating voice, blending English and Japanese. From this mixture of sounds emerges a spiritual, experimental music marked by their own neo soul groove or future jazz
Warehouse Find
This June Session Victim returned to Delusions Of Grandeur imprint with their third studio album.Listen To Your Heart is the result of a year of cross-continental scripting, started in their Hamburg studio and wrapped up stateside in San Francisco's Room G Studios where the duo had worked on their 2014 LP See You When You Get There. Here we present the third of three LP samplers containing four tracks each, cut nice and loud for the vinyl crew.
We kick things off with Almost Midnight, another uplifting summer jam loaded with trademark Session Victim energy and positive vibrations. Next up we have Castle For Sale which drops the bpm's for a dub influenced, spaced out jam session sounding like King Tubby and Nightmares On Wax getting stuck in the proverbial lift with a large bong for company.
Flipping over we have a Head Over Heels, which goes heavy on the lush orchestral strings and a brilliant bouncing Moog bassline bringing a deft touch. Finally we're treated to Thermal Explorer, which incorporates some wonderful Larry Heard-esque keyboards for a perfect wind-down track to close the release.
An impeccable demonstration of retro-inspired yet forward thinking house and downtempo music,Listen To Your Heartsees Session Victim at the top of their game.
Mick has been active in the seedier corners of electronic music for more than 30 years, first immersing himself in the world of hi-NRG and new wave before embracing the house, techno, acid and electro explosion of the late 1980s. Aligned with DJ Hell in the 90s and more recently the Intergalactic FM crew, he's the quintessential selector. A life spent digging in the undergrowth for deviant dance music has given him the edge that makes a truly gifted spinner, without riding on hype or studio productions. However, Mick isn't adverse to the odd outing on vinyl, having previously appeared on International DJ Gigolos both solo and as The Kinky Lovers with sometime partner Isabella Venis, but these moments are few and far between. For this release on Arma, Mick has given us two edits that speak to his distinctive style as a DJ - the original tracks are cult choices re-moulded into deadly, subversive club weapons. The brooding darkwave of 'Himmelfahrt 89' is enough to turn the most indifferent bar crowd into swaying, baying denizens of the night, while 'Stay Silent' pummels out a relentless electro motif that teeters on the edge of destruction for 11 thrilling minutes. These aren't crowd-pleasing DJ tools, and neither are they slick and easy edits of obvious classics. This is a peek into the inner workings of a man with decades of experience working masses of flesh into a sweaty fever pitch using sounds you've never heard before. The mastering on Mick's edits was undertaken by none other than Dutch electro legend Rude 66, while the striking artwork on the sleeve sees Arma reach out for the first time to French artist Judex. The nerve-shredding, broken Op-Art assault was originally found in a book published by cult illustrator Sam Rictus. Cover Artwork by J
La Fleur releases her new EP 'Right Behind You' via her own Power Plant imprint. The EP includes two tracks, 'Circadian', and the title track 'Right Behind You' - both showcasing La Fleur's in-demand brand of groovy, vocal techno. The EP release marks the end of La Fleur's busiest summer on record. A residency at Hot Since 82's Labyrinth parties at Pacha in Ibiza, touring Brazil with the Watergate crew and remixing their new single from the mighty Sasha have lead to it being a season to remember. The title track, 'Right Behind You', features vocals from Austrian vocalist/songwriter Lula, who is best known for her distinctive work on Danny Tenaglia club classics like La Fleur favourite 'Read My Lips'. La Fleur said: Lula's voice is special and distinct. Hearing her unique way of vocalising on favourite tracks of mine from back in the day (like Tenaglia's '98 single 'Read My Lips' for example), I just felt I had to reach out to her. Creating 'Right Behind You' was a labour of love and we spent months working on it until we finally got to the definitive version.
Minneapolis Exchange is excited to bring the next exchange; a long awaited release for us. As promised, the exchange is the goal so for this exchange we bring you music from our crew in the US.
Side A is exclusively brought to you by two amazing Minneapolis artists that are literally head first in the Minneapolis House Music and Techno scene. These guys are out there on the front lines every weekend and many week nights, they don't sleep! Welcome two tracks from Jeff Swiff and Christian James.
Next up is side B, this is the exchange part ya'll! From Chicago we have Dan Ryan and from Los Angeles we have Ricky Tinez. These two bring in a seriously raw and darker vibe to the release, let the tracks speak for themselves and enjoy!
The MLH crew brings House music tracks based on raw rhythms, infectious stabs and hard hitting grooves, written somewhere between Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Paris.
After their first solo EP, MLH bring back the 90's New York vibe with two veterans of this sound : The Dat Project aka William Rosario and Transitive Elements aka Enrico Mantini
The debut vinyl release from label Supervoid Records, out August 21st, 2017, has already made some waves, with two of its three tracks finding their way onto several prominent mixes, including Ben Sims' Run It Red' and Resident Advisor's 513th podcast, performed by Markus Suckut. The release has also been given the nod by other heavy-hitters, including members of the Droid Behavior crew and a Berghain resident. Label owner and artist Dustmite has been remixed by Audio Injection and long ago, Distance. His track Bare appeared on Photek's DJ Kicks.
The music of 7073 was largely inspired by the experience of an intimate, 6+ hour set by Jeff Mills in a US warehouse some years back. There is a feeling one can get in such a setting, with the right sound, the right DJ and the right people - a feeling that anyone who is reading this is probably familiar with - where at some point in the night, when people are in their own worlds, it feels as though at any moment the building could just lift into the sky. Simply put, the track entitled '7073' is Dustmite's attempt to capture some of that magic. Tracks 'Advanced Persistent Threat' and 'Lightwall' stand out as fast, sci-fi-inspired techno drivers, a modern take on early 2000's fast-paced, irreverent but melodic bangers.
Having worked in the video game industry for over a decade, Dustmite has taken a unique approach to pushing his vinyl-based label apart from the rest: each record has its own unique QR code, which, when scanned, will contribute to the unlocking of bonus content via a modern, interactive visual experience on the Supervoid website. Not only does this mean each record has its own distinct identity, which can be used in interesting ways, but those who purchase a future Supervoid release will have a singular narrative across their collection, which the label can use as a seed for generating content, experiences and rewards, unique to each individual.
First & foremost - thank YOU for supporting this album, and for your patience. Special thanks & love to my family, friends - you know who you are. Your love & support means everything - I wouldn't be here without each one of you. Much love & P.E.A.C.E. to my Bruvz - RaSoul & Testament, for blessing our track & always having my back! Huge thanks & love to Relic/Rel McCoy for the hilarious impressions & Skydiving with us! Mad love & respect to Timbuktu for steering the ship & keeping us laughing at all times. Tremendous love & thanks to Evul & the entire Droppin' Science family - a dream come true! Massive love to my UK fam - DJ Rumage & Ruztik Records, for connecting us with Mr. Fantastic & the AE Productions crew - so thankful to be working together! And last, but never least - to my partner in rhyme, Ghettosocks - nothing but eternal gratitude, love & respect for you, your unmatched artistry, & incredibly selfless dedication from day one. Thank you for saying yes.
Valkyrie is a voice for the Warrior. It is dedicated to those who have faced adversity, and been tested in life. For those courageous souls who push through to the end, prevailing against all odds. It is especially for those who feel like giving up. You will make it. You are powerful. Keep going. Surround yourself with the truth-sayers. Educate your minds, hearts and souls. Show love. Give love. Be love. Connect with all of our generations. Be strong. Be brave. Be real. And above all, remember - always stay true to yourself.
REPRESSED !!
Frak are Björn Isgren, Johan Sturesson and Jan Svensson, a trio of synthesizer lovers from Sweden. The band was formed when Svensson and Isgren's older sisters were best friends and they introduced their little brothers to each other. Inspired by Severed Heads, DAF, Human League, Devo, Skinny Puppy, the boys began collecting analog equipment and started Studio Styrka. While the band were still in their early teens they released the first FRAK cassette album in 1987 on their own record label Börft.
Almost 30 years later, FRAK continue to release their bizarre brand of Scandinavian techno with their debut release on Dark Entries. 'Sudden Haircut' was recorded in 2015, a ten-minute brooding, heavy hitting acid attack full of 808 drum claps aimed at the dance floor. The three remaining songs come from a studio tape the band found in their archives named 'FRAK "After The Silence" 2001-2010' 'Synthgök' and 'Synthfrilla' were recorded in 2010 and originally released on the 'Börft' EP by Sex Tag Mania in 2012. Utilizing a 808, 303, 101 and MS-10, both are supreme cuts of electro leaning acid techno that perfectly fit the sweatiest moments of any club land experience. The deliciously rugged final track 'First Glimt I Ögat' is a vintage unreleased Frak song from 2001 recorded one month before the track 'Second Coming' (later released as B1 on 'Börft' EP).
All songs have been mastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Designer Eloise Leigh has created a playful DIY jacket based on a mysterious black and white photo of the band in their classic tin foil masks. Each copy comes with a black and white postcard featuring a distorted back stage photo of FRAK in their teens. 'Forget all you know about Swedish electronic music, this is Börft crew, the core underground of "söta bror's" techno history - here represented by Frak - a full out techno acid punch.' Juno Records
Dark Entries is proud to release the latest offering from Bézier, a 3-track EP titled 'Primes'. Bézier is the moniker of San Francisco based musician Robert Yang, who is also part of the Honey Soundsystem crew. A multi-instrumentalist, Robert planted his roots in San Francisco in 2005. Over the years in SF he has built an impressive analog synth-based studio, which also serves as the creative hub for his riveting live performances.
'Primes' represents the theme of primordial origins and creation with three tracks that explore disparate, sonic environments in each song. The title track flows and ebbs like currents in an oil slick. Out of something messy (like primordial ooze) arises organized chaos. 'Stranger' is a moody dark electro/wave track for a sweaty night cruising on the west coast of Holland. Set against an underwater sound canvas the song features seductive guest vocals and lyrics by Nicole Ginelli. Doc Sleep of Jacktone Records provides additional production duties. The final track, 'Imperial Tranz Am', is an airy, ethereal slow burner clocking in at over 13 minutes. It originally appeared as the soundtrack to an experimental queer fantasy film of the same name by SF film maker Aron Kantor.
All songs have been mixed by Mark Pistel (Meat Beat Manifesto, Consolidated) at Room 5, San Francisco and EQed for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The vinyl comes housed in a jacket featuring a Quadtone pastel earthtone of pixelated celluar ooze designed by Eloise Leigh. Each EP includes a postcard with an image still from the 'Imperial Tranz-Am' movie. 'Do I hear what I see, is it real or just a feeling, a vibration of N-R-G.'
Beat X Changers comes back to you with our new release, introducing young and gifted Canadian producer Ferness.
Matthew joined the Beat X crew following what has become a classical path to the producers of the labels.
After joining the forum in 2015, he shared a collab with Frakktale on 'Speed Luanda' which got our attention with its deep, broken and melodic structure. Today we can proudly introduce you to his first release - Internet/Dreams/Deception - which will take you in a soft and beautiful daydream tinted with a 80's grain.
You'll be guided all along of this trip by a strong and powerful rhythmic, full of House, Broken Beats & Bass influence. Beat X Changers at its best!
180 g 12"
NAISSANCE MUSIK proudly presents ELEPHANTOMS, the second EP, produced by HEAR and SAN PROPER.
Elephants represent past and present, but also part of our future.
They are among the largest and oldest animals on earth - powerful and yet fragile, eternal and yet almost extinct. When you think about music, similar ideas come to mind - of course the power of sound and dance, the energy of the party because of that group-feeling of the herd, but also the fragile aspect of harmony, the quality of family that is so difficult to reach in a formation of individuals, plus that moment when the music adapts to the people, and the people adapt to the music.
Elephants are phantoms in music, they haunt dancers and listeners. But they haunt us in a positive way, to remind us with the idea that we are part of a refreshing and renewing cycle, the circle of life. This is why this elephantism' brings awareness, love and care to your sound-system, think about it and remember.
(the first track Up the Hill' starts the journey and will make you climb the first mountain, then The Groin allows you to copulate and get sexy with your crew through the tune. Macha Moves brings laughter and tears after sex, makes sweat in the late hours but whips up breakfast and morning-glory at the same time, while the last track is a medley of memories, for an Elephantom remembers everything...).
ELEPHANTOMS is the collaboration between HEAR & SAN PROPER, two dedicated musicians who have created this EP in Canada, Lebanon, Holland and Germany in honour of a dying breed which is close to extinction.
This is for the spirit of the elephant.
While you purchase this piece of music, please also look into the right organisation to donate and help these dinosaurs before they will haunt you like phantoms. (Manuel Benguigui)
- A1: Jim Spencer Wrap Myself Up In Your Love
- A2: Michael Miglio Never Gonna Let You Go
- A3: Ned Doheny Before I Thrill Again (Demo)
- A4: Johnny Gamboa That Good Old Feeling Back Again
- A5: Solenoid Acquaintances (Promo Version)
- B1: Steps Your Burning Love
- B2: Jeff Harrington Kristi
- B3: Paul Skyland Give Me Your Love
- B4: Rob Galbraith Tell Me With Your Eyes (Just Be You)
- B5: Calvin Johnson Dance Of Love
- C1: Salty Miller One More Time
- C2: Canyon Country Lovin
- C3: A.j. Loria Please Analyze
- C4: Gary Marks Sailing
- C5: Country Comfort To Be Lonely
- D1: Madness Madam Operator
- D2: Chuck Senrick Don't Be So Nice
- D3: Breathers Don't It Make You Feel
- D4: Damon Danielson How Long Has It Been
- D5: Rudy Norman Back To The Streets
The Numero Group's dive into the deep end of America's private press continues. Having battled the witches and wizards of Darkscorch, the outlaws of Cosmic Americana, and traveled alongside Ladies From the Canyon and their Lonesome Heroes, it's time to take it easy.With pop music's volume knob adjusted for deflation in the early '70s, softness begat smoothness. Crewmen arrived from the worlds of jazz, folk, rock, and soul, all peddling a product that was sincere, leisurely, and lofty. A sound that was buoyant, crisp, defined. Sometimes classified as West Coast—and, later, Yacht Rock—the compass points of our Private Yacht expedition are the blue-eyed harmonies of Hall and Oates, the cocaine-dusted Fender Rhodes of Michael McDonald, and the combover strums of James Taylor. Here, at the glassy apex of rock's softer side, 20 strong swimmers are gathered together. An album for both relaxation and reflection, where listeners can enjoy the present, a cool breeze, and a taste of the good life.




















