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Jules Reidy"s sublime music maps the human experience in glittering constellations of sound. The guitarist is a driver of Berlin"s fertile contemporary music scene. A wide-eyed imagination combined with technical mastery guide each work in Reidy"s extensive catalog, from solo guitar albums and collaborations with innovative peers, including recent works with claire rousay, Oren Ambarchi, Andrea Belfi and Sam Dunscombe to major commissions from JACK Quartet and Zinc & Copper. The songs of Ghost/Spirit collectively convey an astral sense of yearning and wonder, pushing towards transcendence. The album charts a deeply personal journey with love, spirituality and transformation expressed in fractal guitar figures, ethereal vocal vapors and rippling microtones. Reidy"s guitar approach unlocks the tonal and textural possibilities of the instrument from their use of alternate tunings and astute processing. The maximalist melodics of album opener "Every Day There"s a Sunset" are bolstered by rumbling bass samples from Andreas Dzialocha, Reidy"s collaborator in the duo Sun Kit. On "Satellite," cello samples from Judith Hamann stretch out through the cosmos, orbited by spiraling finger-picked guitars, while stacked trombone chords echo out into the ether. Thundering drum samples from Berlin metal mainstay Sara Neidorf push the album to ecstatic peaks on "Every Day There"s a Sunrise," fragmented rhythms breaking apart in the atmosphere. Field recordings of the Berlin S-Bahn recur throughout the album, another endless cycle of leaving and returning that shuttles beneath the album"s whirling tones. Ghost/Spirit captures the inherent power and agency in choosing to offer yourself up to the universe and let go, ego death and prayer rendered in incandescent sonics. Reidy"s inimitable skill as a guitarist, producer and composer is on full display, and when combined with the intensity of experience, the resulting album is a remarkable work of art.

The very first (and long overdue) career-spanning retrospective from Soul music legend P.P. Arnold • A 57 song 3CD set, or 25 song 2LP set featuring singles, album tracks, demos, and previously unreleased songs • A stylishly packaged collection with new sleeve notes by author Jude Rogers • A companion piece to P.P. Arnold's critically acclaimed autobiography Soul Survivor The term "well-established" might be appropriate for some artists but it barely begins to cover the career of the phenomenal P.P. Arnold, whose records and performances are now in their seventh decade.

Her consistently excellent music covers multiple genres, her high-profile admirers and collaborators are plentiful, and yet 'Soul Survivor - A Life In Song' is the first collection dedicated to this extraordinary body of work. Compiled by the artist, 'Soul Survivor - A Life In Song' is being released on a 57 song 3CD set, and 25 song 2LP set, both formats housed in an eye-catching sleeve created by photographer (and close friend) Gered Mankowitz, with extensive new sleeve notes by author Jude Rogers.

Alongside key singles and album tracks it includes previously unreleased recordings, demo versions, live performances, and some rare mixes that are being reissued for the very first time. From her early days at Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate label (where she "became one of us", according to Andrew) her allies, associates, and working partners have included the Small Faces, Cat Stevens, Mick Jagger, Barry Gibb, Eric Clapton, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Blockheads' Chaz Jankel, Roger Waters, Ocean Colour Scene, The Blow Monkeys' Dr. Robert, and Paul Weller. In 2022 P.P. Arnold told her extraordinary life story in her critically acclaimed autobiography Soul Survivor (Mojo magazine called it "a jaw-dropping memoir"); now that book has the soundtrack that it deserves.

Finnish-born producer and pianist Idealism (800K Spotify Monthly Listeners) and French transplant Lucid Green (175k SML) are no strangers to each other’s subtle, yet potent productions. Having worked together on „Untold“ their Sophomore, fully collaborative LP “Unsaid” is a natural journey into the beautiful ambient, downtempo, lo-fi worlds they’ve each created. Through visits to Lucid’s flat in Paris and ideas being exchanged remotely, the duo experimented with different sounds, instruments and aural environments, in the process crafting a natural partnership that sits in a comfortable, melancholic pocket.

With lulling guitar and poignant piano progressions that provide a pillow to rest your ears, and downtempo percussions that keeps you ebbing and flowing along on a subtle current, unsure where one wave ends and the next begins, only the albums progressions dictate the head-nod. The album soars, reminiscent of life’s simple, yet wholly memorable moments.

As with all 823 releases, the project is a visual one as much as it is a musical project. The first singles visualizers are a fusion of Hopes & Dreams Club & 823’s design aesthetics with personal super8 footage captured by Idealism & Lucid Green, beautifully expressed from Hopes & Dreams Club membersi. Each visualizer and single art will easily stand on its own, transporting you to worlds familiar, yet undeniably groovy and sonically comfortable.

823 is a multifaceted Perth-based record label, fashion brand, and artistic community, founded by Australian producer and all-around creative, Ta-ku (630 SML). With an astute attention to detail and an ethos that appreciates the everyday things in life, 823 doesn’t stick to any particular genre. Past 823 releases include “So Far To Go” EP via Cabu (500k SML), Ta-ku and matt mcwaters’s duo project “Black and White,” featuring Masego collaboration “Flight 99” (38mil streams on Spotify), the “All Things Considered” compilations, a curated, collaborative series featuring both budding and well-established artists around the world and have included Idealism, Wun Two, pastels, L.Dre, Flobama, SwuM, Jinsang, Tenderlonious, among a host of others, as well as multiple sold out clothing capsules.

180 Gram Vinyl Melina Paxinos is a composer and saxophonist (soprano and alto) and dedicates her album "Time", to the now state of time, because time is the most precious thing we have. Here, modern Jazz meets Mediterranean flair, creating a small journey through time with the help of her expressive melodies. The band Melina Paxinos Quartet plays together since 2018 and consists of Melina Paxinos (bandleader, sax, comp.), Yiannis Papadopoulos (piano), Ntinos Manos (bass) and Dimitris Klonis (drums). As a guest musician this time she invited Andreas Polyzogopoulos, who with his lyrical playing, accompanies the band with his trumpet and flugelhorn. The last song on her album "Ta Matoklada sou Lampoun" is a composition by one of the most famous Greek rebetiko musicians Markos Vamvakaris (1905-1972), which Melina rearranged for her album, thus bringing the past, that is the cultural heritage, into the present.

180g, blue marbled vinyl. Melina Paxinos is a composer and saxophonist (soprano and alto) and dedicates her album "Time", to the now state of time, because time is the most precious thing we have. Here, modern Jazz meets Mediterranean flair, creating a small journey through time with the help of her expressive melodies. The band Melina Paxinos Quartet plays together since 2018 and consists of Melina Paxinos (bandleader, sax, comp.), Yiannis Papadopoulos (piano), Ntinos Manos (bass) and Dimitris Klonis (drums). As a guest musician this time she invited Andreas Polyzogopoulos, who with his lyrical playing, accompanies the band with his trumpet and flugelhorn. The last song on her album "Ta Matoklada sou Lampoun" is a composition by one of the most famous Greek rebetiko musicians Markos Vamvakaris (1905-1972), which Melina rearranged for her album, thus bringing the past, that is the cultural heritage, into the present.

2LP - 180 Gram Vinyl Jazz Standards Live is a remarkable collaboration between two iconic jazz musicians: Kenny Wheeler, a legendary trumpeter and composer known for his versatility, and Rain Sultanov, a saxophonist celebrated for his rich tone and innovative style. This album captures an unforgettable performance that has never before been released physically. Blending the expressive power of Wheeler's trumpet and Sultanov's saxophone, the quintet delivers a warm and resonant sound that harks back to the golden era of jazz in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fans of Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P. quintet will recognize the vibrant interplay reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. This double vinyl LP is a treasure trove for jazz enthusiasts, featuring a mix of beloved standards and original compositions by Wheeler. Adding depth and character to the performance is Shahin Novrasli's masterful piano work, which infuses the album with a distinctive mood. Meanwhile, Paul Clarvis on drums and Ruslan Guseynov on bass provide a dynamic and cohesive rhythm section that elevates each track. Jazz Standards Live is not just an album; it is a testament to the boundless creativity and artistry of two jazz maestros, uniting their talents to create an experience that is both timeless and fresh. Whether you're a longtime jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to captivate and inspire.

2LP - 180 Gram Vinyl Jazz Standards Live is a remarkable collaboration between two iconic jazz musicians: Kenny Wheeler, a legendary trumpeter and composer known for his versatility, and Rain Sultanov, a saxophonist celebrated for his rich tone and innovative style. This album captures an unforgettable performance that has never before been released physically. Blending the expressive power of Wheeler's trumpet and Sultanov's saxophone, the quintet delivers a warm and resonant sound that harks back to the golden era of jazz in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fans of Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P. quintet will recognize the vibrant interplay reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. This double vinyl LP is a treasure trove for jazz enthusiasts, featuring a mix of beloved standards and original compositions by Wheeler. Adding depth and character to the performance is Shahin Novrasli's masterful piano work, which infuses the album with a distinctive mood. Meanwhile, Paul Clarvis on drums and Ruslan Guseynov on bass provide a dynamic and cohesive rhythm section that elevates each track. Jazz Standards Live is not just an album; it is a testament to the boundless creativity and artistry of two jazz maestros, uniting their talents to create an experience that is both timeless and fresh. Whether you're a longtime jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to captivate and inspire.

The title of the brand new album from Brussels hybrid pop quartet FABIOLA refers to the fruit of the gigantic network known as mycelium. A fitting image to describe an album rich in luxuriant sound worlds. This unique collage of 90’s hip hop basses, vivid drums, ominous synthesizers, fields recordings and almost no-wave guitar pizzicati perfectly blends with Fab Detry’s lush vocal lines. If lyrics can express political concerns, crucifying conservatism, icons and orchestrated social division, they also hearten contemplation and a return to simplicity and nature. Fabiola’s pop is utterly smiling, even if it lacks a few teeth.

Within Tiga’s stripped-down electronic funk and Hudson Mohawke’s grandiose beats exists a common thread; an idea Tiga expresses as “hardcore romance”. Recorded in Los Angeles over the last few years, these commonalities ebbed and flowed through various recordings, culminating in their debut album - L’Ecstasy. Turbo revisits the album with a set of club-driven remixes, bringing together Keinemusik’s Reznik, Montreal masters Priori & Patrick Holland as Jump Source, and Berghain stalwart Quelza. Pressed loud on a stunning 12” picture disc, featuring imagery from none-other-than Wolfgang Tillmans.

We are very excited to present our first release "Prelude" RU001. This exceptional record marks the beginning of a new era in minimal electronic music, fusing the creativity of Lucas Moss with the unique interpretations of Vlad Arapasu and Nu Zau. "Prelude” is more than an album; it is a testament to our commitment to change and evolution in musical culture. This journey of original sounds reveals our vision of embracing art in all its forms, contributing to a cultural change on a global level. On the two original tracks by Lucas Moss, we explore the depths of change and transformation. Vlad Arapasu brings his unique perspective with a remix that captivates, while Nu Zau features a vibrant and joyful remix that redraws the boundaries of the dancefloor. “Prelude" symbolises a trip where change and purification can be achieved by bringing just a little bit of light into the darkness. The vocals symbolize the intuition we all have but which is sometimes dormant. Cumacanga express our shadows; we recognize that without them, the light would not shine as brightly. This release is our call for change, innovation and the continued support of art in all its forms. Join us on this journey, where minimal electronic music becomes the way to transcend barriers and create a permanent impact on the world of art. Together, we start the journey with "Prelude" RU001, and this is just the beginning...

Walter Astral's debut album tells the story of Light, its journey through the day and catalyzes it in the Éclispe, a suspended moment when space and time stop to contemplate the universe.

Over the past two years, the two druids have transmuted light into sound in the form of a concept album that explores all facets of Walter Astral, from folk and techno to pop, drum & bass and psychedelic rock, always in the presence of their totem banjo.

Sound explores and is explored, to represent light; magic and the everyday, between digital and analog sounds expressing the natural and the supernatural, humans and the cosmos. Transposing the invisible, the presence of absence, the Eclipse, into silence and sound.

“Eclipse” questions the shadows hidden by light, and the glimmers hidden by shadows, the ambivalence of a state, its capacity to transform, to mutate. Like ancient alchemists, Walter Astral set to music the transitions of states, stars, humans and emotions.

The original track came back in February and proved an immediate hit. Next to the original, versions from the likes of DJ Spen & Gary Hudgins also helped make this a breakout tune in the first quarter of 2021. Now comes the turn of Kenny Dope, one half of Masters at Work, the most seminal house duo of all time. Kenny Dope is an obsessive record collector, studio wizard and all-round musical encyclopedia whose influence on the scene cannot be overstated. He has been involved with numerous projects, from The Bucketheads to running his Dopewax label and never fails to impress.

This new remix from the Brooklynite is a glorious one baked in the sun's warming rays. It's built on a loose, Latin-tinged beat with big chords, expressive xylophone stylings and plenty of irresistible syncopation. The buttery smooth vocals bring the soul up top and help make this a timeless tune that will unite all dance floors. An instrumental mix is also included that strips things back, shows off the track's effortless musicianship, and draws out the beats for extra dance floor impact.

These two vital versions are the sort of life-affirming, and feel-good house sounds the world is desperate to hear right now.

2023 was a whirlwind year for Oracle Sisters. The trio—Julia Johansen, Chris Willatt, and Lewis Lazar—followed the release of their debut album Hydranism with a globe-spanning tour that captivated fans and critics alike. From the highways between Knoxville and Nashville to sold-out clubs in rain-soaked Seattle, and festival stages across the UK, they logged countless hours on the road. Their journey was a tapestry of exhaustion and exhilaration, falling apart, brawls and disputes, love and acceptance. By the year’s end, just two days before Christmas, they found themselves in Tokyo, reflecting on the fleeting nature of time and the fragments of inspiration gathered along the way. It was there the seeds for their next album, Divinations, began to sprout. Composing as a true trio for the first time, Oracle Sisters pieced together sketches formed during stolen moments on tour. These fragments coalesced into Divinations, an album shaped by the band’s nomadic existence. The recording sessions spanned cozy Parisian studios, a barn in northern France, and the storied Valentine Studios in Los Angeles. Their creative process embraced experimentation—swapping primary instruments, playing with toy drum machines, and crafting melodies on quirky tools like the OP-1 and a baby Casio keyboard. This spirit of discovery lent the album a sense of spontaneity and wonder. At its core, Divinations channels mysticism and timeless storytelling. The band’s songwriting draws on diverse influences, from the surrealist poetry of Baudelaire and Rimbaud to the introspective philosophies of Carl Jung. Musically, echoes of Talking Heads, Air, and Leonard Cohen resonate throughout the album and tracks like “Riverside” delve into existential questions— “How far are you going? Is it more than money can buy?” Elsewhere on the album “Marseille,” born in the city that gave the song its name, kicks off as a trance with lyrics that play between the sincere and desperate self-help affirmations, we give ourselves while trying to find a bridge between our individual lives and a universal feeling. Lead-single “Alouette” is Oracle Sisters at their most direct; propelled by a driving bassline and exuberant strings, the track summons the sound of 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s rock n roll as they sing about “getting out of dodge, finding a pirate ship and sailing home.” Inspired by the book Caliban and the Witch, “Blue Left Hand” is a lyrical tapestry weaving together history, philosophy, and cultural critique. The lyrics, “It’s in the harbor of every page / It’s in the corner of the playwright’s stage / And every player and every fake / And every witch that we burned at the stake,” reflect on the forces that shaped the capitalist society we know today. Across Divinations’ 11 tracks it’s not only geographic boundaries that were crossed but also the boundaries of time and circumstance. While their work may not consciously reflect specific worldly events, they seek to embrace the universal and offer a space for healing. “Good music would make sense to a farmer in 17th century France as it would to a pastry chef in Slovenia in the 21st century,” shares Lazar. “It’s not written for any temporal powers that be. It’s about expressing our common humanity and taking it from there.” This intuitive approach fuels Oracle Sisters creative process - whether composing in a frozen French farmhouse or performing live with an ever-expanding lineup of collaborators, the band remains committed to exploring the unknown. Through Divinations, they hope to leave listeners feeling transcendent, levitating on waves of intuition and discovery.

Born in Zary and currently based in Poznan, Julia Rover is a singer, songwriter, and DJ. She has been active on the music scene for several years. She has recorded several tracks, performed numerous concerts, and collaborated on productions with other artists. All this inevitably led to what has just happened-her debut EP.
"Co z Toba" ("What's happening with you?" ) is the first entirely new and original (no samples!;) release in the label's catalog, simultaneously inaugurating the series The Very Polish Originals.
This record tells a story on multiple levels. The lyrics reflect tales of relationships. Of emotions. Of questions. Of dilemmas. Of disappointments. Of hopes. Of cold breakups and passionate reunions. The musical layer is also a kind of storytelling, only expressed through different means. Each track musically corresponds with the lyrics, the singing style, and the interpretation.The music complements the lyrics, embedding them in a mood-appropriate "setting."
The EP opener "Co z Tob??" moves within the climate of coldwave basslines. After that comes "Sen" (Dream), veering into territories closer to '80s synth-pop. As it fades, we catch our "Oddech" (Breath) at a slower tempo reminiscent of italo or rather neo-italo styles. We remain 3-4 decades behind. However, this journey does not feel regressive. Instead, it's reinterpretative. Constantly immersed in the DNA of the label, which has been bringing the best of musical history to light for years. The fourth and final track on the record slows down almost into a dark, psychedelic, leftfield ballad, slowly floating towards the '90s. It carries.
And that's almost everything. But it's worth getting here. Because at the end, as a sort of postscript, the title track "Co z Tob??" reappears in a danceable version. So, as it began, so it ends. Just more acid-like.

In Mallrat’s (aka Grace Shaw’s) vision of the world, light is more than photons and electromagnetic radiation hitting the eye — it’s a moment of divine intervention. A bold swerve into the metaphysical, this is the premise of the prized Brisbane-born, LA-based pop songwriter and producer’s 2025 sophomore album: Light hit my face like a straight right. Set against a newly informed backdrop of expressive breakbeats and dance music, its 12 songs explore the intangible and mysterious allure of human connection, held together by curious investigations into light — “the closest thing to a concept this album has,” Mallrat says. She reunited with Butterfly Blue producers Styalz Fuego (Troye Sivan, Tate McRae) and Alice Ivy, while bringing into the mix indie electronic producers Chrome Sparks and Casey MQ. Mallrat serves up highs like “Hideaway,” a song where heart-racing garage clashes with her trademark candor: “I’ll be your lucky charm just let me hang around your neck,” she sings. Sleek and early standout “Pavement” gets a gritty underlayer with chopped up vocals from DJ Zirk’s “Born 2 Lose” and mid-album standout “Hocus Pocus” finds Mallrat singing about being pulled “under the spell” of someone new, borrowing a different part of the same DJ Zirk sample to build its shimmering, dancefloor-ready facade. It’s an endeavor that perhaps reaches a peak on “Horses,” the record’s gentle and organic closer which Shaw herself calls “objectively the best song.” Written after returning home to Brisbane and “feeling like an alien,” it gained new meaning in the wake of her late sister’s passing. For Shaw, it’s the convergence of the song’s minimalism, lyrics, space, and the way her voice cracks on the recording as she sings, “Hey, I’m right here, I look different now.” After years of solidifying herself as a master of well-crafted, timeless pop — fielding recognition from New York Times, NYLON, Teen Vogue, Billboard, The FADER, NPR, and more — Light hit my face like a straight right is a step into the art of world-building, bolstered by her intuitive songwriting and clever, studied production.

The third album Fort Sensible by Brisbane alt-rockers Tape/Off is a genuine labour of love, a passionate dose of opinionated heart-on-sleeve rock’n’roll representing not just a place but a time with its cache of meticulously-crafted guitars, robust rhythms and socially-conscious lyrics mining both the personal and the political.

While musically they veer seamlessly between intricacy and intensity their words cut straight to the quick, the songs caustic and catchy in equal measure, making Fort Sensible by far the most ambitious and accessible album in the band’s storied decade-plus history.

Tape/Off’s first two albums - Chipper (2014) and Broadcast Park (2018) - were both longlisted for the prestigious Australian Music Prize, yet Fort Sensible takes the tried and tested Tape/Off aesthetic to a whole new level as the band seek to both share the creative load and fully harness their innate collective chemistry.

The guitars of Nathan Pickels and Ben Green weave together like an electric tapestry, the resultant soundscapes both intricate and ambitious whilst still entirely capable of busting out massive riffs with the best of them, their inherent simpatico now built upon by years of experience playing off each other. From a rhythmic perspective Tape/Off's propulsive drummer Branko Cosic's immense power and Cameron Smith's robust, expressive basslines combine to provide the perfect rhythmic bottom-end throughout the record.

Excitingly Tape/Off's sonic palette has been broadened substantially on the new album, with Pickels' angry and angst-laden diatribes throughout Fort Sensible now augmented by Green and Smith taking vocal turns at junctures, adding a whole new dynamic and dimension to proceedings.

At a time when our leaders seem lacking and the world needs the redemptive powers of art and music more than ever, Tape/Off announce themselves as a serious force to be reckoned with the uncompromising power and beauty of Fort Sensible!

Soul Quest are proud to present the latest release from Berlin based DJ and producer Jean-Jez, who continues on with a musical journey with flourishing roots and a bright, bright future.

Jean-Jez has made waves in Berlin’s underground for a good while now, with his Kedi Bounce parties (whom he co-founded) quickly becoming a celebratory cornerstone of community and culture. His DJing style and production approach act as a core expressional loop, with Jean-Jez embracing a multitude of styles and sounds with both. Bridging the gap between house, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Afro-Latin and beyond, Jean-Jez is all about nurturing the collective joy found within music - either through his own tunes or deep in the mix at a Kat Nip party.

‘Soul Notion’ wears its heart on its sleeve, and embodies the core musical principles to which Jean-Jez holds so very dear. ‘Did you want to dance!’ kicks things off with a deep melodic embrace, before spreading outwards with brassy frills, evocative simmering drumming patterns and vocal samples which kick the inner consciousness into another gear.

‘Take me to the moon’ contains an up and front piano lead, with uptempo drums providing a twist and flair to proceedings. Some inspired vocals add further to the atmosphere, one of airiness and emotional escapism.

‘What is it tell me’ stirs into life with a wide scope through the low ends, but Jean-Jez cooks up a storm with some wondrous jazz guitar that weaves one final spell to get lost deep within.

To wrap things up, Jean-Jez enlists his own collective: Kedi Bounce to put an Acid twist on ‘Did You Want To Dance’ to close the ep in style. This mix is exclusive to the vinyl mix and won’t be released digitally.

Jean-Jez looks to celebrate and resonate through his music, and this EP is a full demonstration of his abilities to bring things together. Seamlessly blending some of his favourite styles, this record contains all the feels to be wished for, and an experience that leaves plenty of room for return visits, this EP has you covered.

FELT welcomes back Civilistjävel! with »Följd«, the follow-up to last year’s »Brödföda«. 7 tracks further chronicling his melancholic murk, ever drifting towards that faint dub glow. Features a collaboration with Thomas Bush Jolly Discs.

Uncanny are the nocturnal sounds that ebb patiently from Tomas Bodén and his machines. His music continues to uncover equal parts beauty and dread from isolation, a purposeful slow pace guiding those gentle noises through the arctic air surrounding its author. No matter the weather, these expressions as Civilistjävel! continue to find a loving home on Fergus Jones’s FELT imprint.

On »Följd«, he naturally develops on the inclinations found on »Brödföda«. »XIII«’s unsettling warble melts into the dusky spurts of »XIV«. Further on, the dew-glowed ambience of »XV« precedes »XVI«’s dub trudge which casts a hypnotic grey shadow. »XVII«’s wind-swept acid redux then quietly transitions into the stunning introspective drone of »XVIII« before closer »XIX« comes into view, its positive dawn enacted through Thomas Bush’s croons lilting amongst organs, guitars and tempered sound design.

Civilistjävel! continues to emote a great deal with very little, a reliable abstract practitioner that posits »Följd« as an arresting audio tale within his celebrated oeuvre.

Emmanuel Mario returns to Karaoke Kalk with his third album under his Astrobal moniker for the Berlin-based imprint. »L’uomo e la natura« (»Man and Nature«) sees the prolific drummer and producer, who has worked with artists such as Laetitia Sadier and label mate Pink Shabab, take a different musical route than before. The French electronic music composer pays homage to the spirit of library music while also making concessions to different strains of pop and even classical music. With only two of the ten songs putting words to the music, »L’uomo e la natura« is a masterful exercise in the evocation of atmospheres: expressing much while saying very little outright—show, don’t tell.

The album was born out of a desire to push the envelope. »I wanted to make music that was both pop and ambitious in its chord progressions as well as surprising in its construction,« explains the Paris-based artist. Taking inspiration from library music artists such as Alessandro Alessandroni or Bruno Nicolai as well as the more cosmic strains of electronic instrumental music, he strove »to create a soundtrack that would immediately bring to mind outer space.« The first of the three singles released ahead of the full album, »L’abeille pourpre,« captures this spirit with funky rhythms and an overjoyed interplay of different melodies, all tied together by wordless yet terminally catchy vocals.

The second single, »Miami 2064,« traverses through many different moods in its six-minute run-time: Starting off as neo-noir synth-wave piece, it then proceeds to pay its dues to the masters of the cosmic music tradition such as Tangerine Dream or, of course, Jean-Michel Jarre before slowly descending back to Earth with guitars and dreamy synthetic vocals, playfully punctuated by a plethora of wistful melodies. It is the perfect encapsulation of the open-ended approach Mario follows throughout the entire album, taking full creative licence in regards to songwriting and arrangements. »I wanted to surprise myself,« he shrugs. He succeeded.

»L’uomo e la natura« rewards multiple listens not only emotionally, but also intellectually. »I also wanted to talk about politics and ecology, because it’s impossible not to,« Mario notes. Some of the track titles express this more openly than others and the two title tracks sung by Mario and Nina Savary use French and Italian lyrics, respectively. However, as a whole the album leaves things open to interpretation. Does »The End of Capitalism« sound elegiac or triumphant? And what do you actually make of this musical vision of the Floridian metropolis, whose mere existence is threatened by climate change already today, four decades from now? Mario doesn’t necessarily answer these questions—he doesn’t tell, he shows.

Attention space cadets!
Following last year's much lauded Kaliyuga Express debut 'Warriors & Masters', Nolla (Finnish psych/space rockers) & Mike Vest (Maximalist guitar guru, Bong, Blown Out, Drunk In Hell, Artifacts & Uranium, Modoki, Tomoyuki Trio, Mienakunaru etc) combine their visions once again and explore dark futuristic mindscapes.
They set their sights to the looming eons and gaze through an occult lens. Inspired by classic space rock, driving hypnotic krautrock and bleak synth soundscapes.
The ground was laid in improvised Nolla sessions and further ascended with gloomy prophecies and lyrical explorations by Ilkka and Otto. With Ohto’s assertive drums and Teemu's solid guitars the canvas was set for Mike to paint his transcendent multilayered guitars.
Bleak and overbearing sights are explored, but the future holds a speck of hope if you are prepared to embrace the darkness.
For fans of: Hawkwind, Can, Sun Dial, Bevis Frond, Space Rock, Krautrock etc.
Otto Juutilainen - Vocals, Synth, Lyrics, Mix, Mastering, Ilkka Vekka - Bass, Electronics, Lyrics, Art, Mike Vest - Guitar, Teemu Vilmunen - Guitar, Ohto Pallas - Drums
Recorded in Finland & the United Kingdom Winter/Spring 2024