quête:the key

Accepting the darkness can be a liberating experience. Realising, and struggling with just who we are and what world we live in requires it. By further complicating the fractured sense of beauty found on his droning 2022 release, ‘I dreamt we found a way’, Bristol-based composer, Rob Winstone creates a language that encapsulates the lifelong reach for our own personal heavens, along with the darkness and fear on which those foundations are built.

Winstone’s instrumental palette continues to reach out far from behind his keyboards, however the sound of ‘sifting through heaven’ is stripped back and pared down, putting melody front and centre. 'postcards and loose tea', a love song written for Winstone’s partner during a period coming to terms with health difficulties had previously self-released with heavy spectral and granular manipulation from the artist. Here Winstone re-presents the original: “the stripped back recording I made in my old damp and cold studio that was in a building that has since been demolished”. It reflects the composer’s own journey, doing away with veils and histrionics, and embracing emotional bliss wherever it can be found, warts and all. Even the rumbling dark ambience of ’hospital corridor’ - where distant chimings, groans, and droplets synthesized from field recordings made nervously in a hospital waiting for test results coalesce - harbours a sacred-seeming beauty and aseptic warmth within its very bleak sense of dread.

There’s no better way to describe Winstone’s method than ‘sifting through heaven’. The hymnal organ chords, sketched out acoustic guitar phrases, scattering drum thuds, and meditative field recordings may flit between tenebrous to incandescent, but his focus is always on the embrace of love; “a view of life that embraces positive growth, yet doesn't deny immense suffering,” as he puts it. The album is bookended by two of Winstone’s most outright peaceful moments, summarising his core message: 'in spite of it all...' '...love finds a way'.

Melbourne / Naarm stronghold Butter Sessionsclock 15 years in the game with a trilogy of 12"s, sustaining their uncompromising streak of peak-form electronics. The family-style V/A binds friends, collaborators, former studio neighbours and DJ booth allies, capturing a label that exists as community as much as catalogue.

Disc Two lifts off with recurring contributor Rory McPike's first label outing as Rings Around Saturn, a blissed-out cosmic floater skimming the periphery. Booked in the early days of the label's formative Mania residency, Japanese don Gonno twists freestyle, techno and breaks into pure ecstasy, before the unerringly bold Jennifer Loveless spikes the punch with a hallucinatory mix of drums, disembodied voice and jazz club keys.

On the flip, Boorloo's Guy Contact rolls out Dance In The Grey, a shadowy prog churn pitched between new-romantic vocal sheen and EBM muscle, with Kate Miller completely rewiring the script on Sub Series E - a masterfully minimal, double-time meditation. suki presents his Sniper1 alias to close with a demonic body-jacking groove loaded for the system.

Whether taken alone or folded into the three-disc triptych, each instalment stands as a bag-ready constant, charged with Butter Sessions' curatorial finesse.

BYAMM (pronounced 'bye-yam') is a retro soul studio project that was born during the 2021 lockdown. The focus is on soul music with strong themes, memorable melodies and catchy hooks layered with synthesizers, grooving bass lines and a hint of 1980s influences.
Central to BYAMM is a strong song-writing etiquette and a classic and timeless appeal to all ages.

BYAMM stands for Barima Yaw Asante Making Music. Barima is the songwriter, keyboard player and producer. Lead vocals are handled by the seasoned Ade Omotayo, whose credits including working with the late Amy Winehouse, the original members Amy Winehouse Band and the Gorillaz.

BYAMM is supported by a collective of professional session musicians recruited from around the world.

Also Playable Mono, the nom de guerre of Rafał Lachmirowicz, channels musical greats and the romance of Italy with the Firenze EP. “Neverland” reimagines Giorgio Moroder’s iconic introduction of “I Feel Love”, undulating arpeggios and clean kicks giving way to an addictive tongue-in-cheek melody of laser futurism and eastern influences. “Firenze” follows. Broad analogue bars call to mind the works of Patrick Cowley, disco funk flirting with a spoken word tribute to Florence in this bright and bold track. Our next stop off is “Bergamo.” Low-slung, this smoky number is primed for the night. Thick thrums of bass are punctured by piano keys and toms, robotic pulses and trills adding a 1970s sci-fi groove to the proceedings. Turning the tables is “Breakfast Date.” Slow and dreamy, this early morning lounge affair lowers the tempo. Considered and thoughtful, meandering melodies border the blurred lines of jazz and funk. The words of “Firenze” are left in the wings for the instrumental close, Lachmirowicz’s synthesizers taking the limelight in this uplifting finale. A 12” that encapsulates the expansive sound of Also Playable Mono.

The fledgling Supremus is back to roll out a second edition of the London-based Frenchman Giom's classics series with three more carefully chosen cuts that underline his club clout. His own remix of 'As Darkness Falls' returns with warming chords and bright keys over a rolling groove and Apple Rochez vocal that oozes r&b appeal. 'Summerized' resurfaces after years out of reach with a more tight, tense groove and diffuse synth work that washes over the mix. Closing track 'Play On' leans into warm days and outdoor dancing with a nu-disco vibe that's effortlessly lush and absorbing, so it will likely be big all over again this year, especially after a fine remaster for 2026.

Tilaye Gebre is one of Ethiopia’s most soulful saxophone giants, with a musical legacy that’s hard to surpass. A founding member of the Equators, later renamed the Dahlak Band, he was a key figure in Ethiopia’s vibrant hotel music scene and a sought-after musician and arranger for artists like Aster Aweke, Mahmoud Ahmed, Tilahun Gessesse, and Muluken Melesse.

Tilaye — still going strong — was at the epicenter of the Ethiopian music scene during one of the most turbulent periods in the country’s history. Tilaye’s musical trajectory, regardless of the forms it has taken over the decades, is simply ceaseless. The road to a musical career spanning six decades started out winding, and the first steps came almost as a fluke.

With the Dahlak Band, Tilaye had managed to secure a musical residency at the legendary Ghion Hotel, where they honed their skills and developed their musical expression to unparalleled levels. From the late sixties onwards, Dahlak Band lit up Addis Ababa with a mixture of James Brown and Wilson Pickett tunes, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, and the sound of the disco era — mixed with modern Ethiopian styles — serving up majestic concoctions with full-range instrumentation, featuring trumpet, keyboard, saxophone, bass, drums, and guitar. Through their hotel sessions, Tilaye developed further as an arranger, arranging fellow band member Muluken Melesse’s first solo album, Muluken Melesse with the Dahlak Band (Kaifa Records – LPKF 39), recorded during the turbulent years of 1975–1976, following the fall of Haile Selassie. Everything was in flux in this transitional period, but a constant was how Tilaye stood in the spotlight. On that record, there’s a loose vibe to the soundscape that lets Tilaye’s skills shine, while all the other musical contributions coalesce into a slowly cooking atmosphere where the groove at times fluctuates into psychedelic territory, making the music stand out from most contemporaries.

Most of their recorded output came from one-take live cassette recordings at the Ghion, or from music shops at that time — one microphone at the front, hit record: no EQ, no reverb, just some delay. Some of the Dahlak Band’s releases featured Tilaye as frontman, such as Tilaye’s Saxophone with the Dahlak Band from the late 1970s — typical of a rare groove on the Ethiopian scene — with excursions into reggae territory, including the band’s characteristic sound featuring Tilaye Gebre (tenor and alto saxophone), Dawit Yifru (organ), David Kassa (electric guitar), Shimelis Beyene (trumpet), Moges Habte (tenor saxophone), Abera Feyissa (bass guitar), Tesfaye Tessema (drums), and Muluken Melesse (cowbell). The Dahlak Band’s output was so prodigious that they simply couldn’t be pigeonholed.

No saxophonist in Ethiopia influenced the sound of popular music more than Tilaye in the 1970s, yet his recordings have been hard to come by for ages, which has meant that newcomers to the scene have gems to uncover in retrospect. Arguably, Tilaye shifted gears when he relocated to the U.S. to such an extent that his musicianship became even more renowned, accompanying the greatest of his contemporaries internationally. Tilaye is one of Ethiopia’s all-time greats, with a musical legacy — both as musician and arranger — that’s hard to surpass. It’s a wonder to be able to enjoy a recording like this half a century later.

Combo Efectivo was formed in November 2024 in Bogota in a studio in the Teusaquillo district, at the invitation of Jazztropicante. It brings together an all-star cast from Bogota's neotropical movement and three iconic brass players from the current French jazz scene.
The chemistry was immediate and the energy palpable: a sound that was both playful and demanding, exuding groove, rich material rooted in contemporary jazz structures, and breathing the spirit of brass bands and the splendor of popular expression from the Colombian Caribbean.
A two-track EP was produced from this unique studio session, recorded and mixed at Mambo Negro Records, with the expertise of Daniel Michel. Mastered in Paris at Loom, this first 45 rpm single was released in February 2026 with The Pusher, officially marking the birth of the Casa Maguey Records label, which promotes the catalog resulting from Jazztropicante's encounters.
On the French side, three musicians who are making their mark on their generation: Stéphane Montigny on trombone, Antoine Berjeaut on trumpet, and saxophonist Léon Phal, the spearhead of a new generation of jazzmen. The Colombians are a cocktail of musicians from the most exciting groups on the current scene: Karen Nerak on vocals, rap, gaita, and percussion, Ruben Aragon on keyboards, Pelango on bass, and Kike Narvaez on drums.
Combo Efectivo magnifies the alchemy between the finesse of European jazz and the power of Colombian rhythms. A tropical trance fueled by improvisation, where the contemporary jazz scene and neo-tropicality meet in a spirit of openness and exploration.

Category 1 Music Sampler - Vol. 4 represents a unique blend of contemporary house music’s most influential and respected personalities. “What I Want” showcases the remixing wizardry of Eric Kupper, who has worked with numerous superstars including Usher, Alicia Keys, Donna Summer & Miley Cyrus; along with the producing genius of Chicago’s great house trailblazer, Ron Carroll. “Call Me” showcases a multi continent contingent of musical talent from the UK, South Africa and the U.S. combining to deliver a soulful house gem that’s highlighted by Stacy Kidd’s distinctive Chicago influenced vibe. Joe Smooth, another Chicago house legend, lends his deep house sound to the appropriately titled, “Soul Deep”, featuring the classic vocals of Ed Ramsey coupled with Sweet Georgie’s impeccable production.

Concluding this house music journey is Ron Carroll’s “Underground”, a Garage banger that’s the creative concept of Marc Cotterell, 1 of the leaders of the U.S./UK Garage genre. “Underground” is the perfect way to end another Category 1 Music house excursion.

Ideologic Organ freut sich, die brandneuen Aufnahmen von The Necks zu präsentieren, dem legendären australischen Trio, das sich durch die Umgehung musikalischer Klischees auszeichnet und gleichzeitig die Praktiken der Improvisation, des Jazz, des Post-Rock, des Ambient, des Minimal und der texturierten, ,klangbasierten" Musik erforscht und erweitert. Das neueste Werk dieses langjährigen Ensembles, Unfold, präsentiert sich als Doppel-LP mit vier seitenlangen Tracks. Das bewusste Fehlen von nummerierten Seiten gibt dem Hörer viel Raum, sich einzubringen, und lässt ihn seinen eigenen Weg durch die Klanglandschaft finden. Die kürzere Länge des Vinylformats ist für die Mitglieder des Ensembles kein Hindernis, sondern bietet ihnen einen kompakteren Horizont zum Nachdenken, in dem die zurückgelegte Strecke auf unmittelbarere und dynamischere texturale Aspekte neu ausgerichtet wird. Die Unmittelbarkeit von ,Rise" bestätigt diesen neuen Weg, während die traurigen Töne von Lloyd Swantons Bass um Chris Abrahams' kristallklares Klaviermotiv wirbeln und Tony Bucks Percussion den Prozess in erleuchtende Free-Jazz-Gefilde lenkt. ,Blue Mountain" bahnt sich einen Weg durch das klangliche Unterholz, wobei Soul-Orgel, rasselnde Percussion, Pfeifen und hüpfende Schallwellen um den Vordergrund wetteifern. ,Overheard" behält eine erhabene melancholische Aura, während Percussion und Keyboards sich gleichzeitig umarmen und auseinanderfallen, während ,Timepiece" als sanfte Geste weiterer Möglichkeiten dahinspringt. Wie genau The Necks ihre besondere Magie entfalten - so einfach es auch scheinen mag -, während sie sich immer weiterentwickeln, kann nur vermutet werden, aber ,Unfold" beweist einmal mehr, dass Regeln und Schulen gebrochen und zu Mustern und Rahmenwerken umgestaltet werden müssen, die sich von denen unterscheiden, die wir kennen.

After the excellent response to the first volume, Acid Jazz Classics returns with the second volume.
The Acid Jazz sound born in the 1990s, which harked back to the Soul Funk of the 1970s, found in IRMA one of the labels most dedicated to
this world, and still releases music that can be categorized under this name.
From songs from the 1990s with artists like Jestofunk, Bossa Nostra, Black & Brown, Gazzara, Italian Secret Service, LTJ Xperience, Sarah
Jane Morris, to the present day with artists like The Smoke Orchestra, Yuts and Culture, Fusion Funk Foundation, Micky More & Andy Tee,
Belladonna, and many others.
19 tracks on a double vinyl, some of them never before released on vinyl, all rigorously perfect for both the club and listening.
In fact, some tracks are little club gems:
"Say It Again" by Jestofunk in its very first version from 1993;
Belladonna - Black Jazz, one of her most requested songs ever released on vinyl;
Key Tronics Ensemble - You For Me, the Montuno Salsa version performed for years by Little Louie Vega at many of his gigs;
the Micky More & Andy Tee remix of Sarah Jane Morris's Hold On To Love!

Luca Olivotto is back on Small Great Things sub-label At A Glance with new four-track EP, ‘Acquafun’.

Berlin-based DJ, producer, and label head Luca Olivotto continues to shape the underground house scene through his acclaimed imprint Small Great Things and its signature Small Great House events. Known for his warm, soulful House sound and meticulous curation, Luca now recently expanded his creative universe with the launch of At A Glance, a new sublabel under his direction.

Leading the charge is ‘I Got Nothing’ setting the mood with a buoyant bassline, bright piano lines, west coast funk style synth licks and jazzy undertones floating amongst a crisp, swinging drum groove. ‘Prosciutto’ follows in style a delectable sonic treat layered with organic percussion, airy chords, dubbed-out vocals, smooth strings, and a deep, rolling low-end that oozes warmth and character.

On ‘Half A Ever,’ hip-house vocal snippets and chanting hooks intertwine with sharp stabs and a driving rhythm section, showcasing a vibrant, club-ready energy. Concluding the EP, ‘Equalizer’ ties it all together with jazzy keys, soulful organ lines, marimba touches, choppy bass, and saturated drums, a masterful nod to the timeless essence of House.

Gothenburg-based Finnish pianist Joona Toivanen makes his We Jazz Records debut with his long-standing trio featuring Tapani Toivanen on bass and Olavi Louhivuori of Superposition on drums. Searching for new opportunities on the minimal side of acoustic groove-based free music, the trio introduces a single edit of a hard-driving album track to be, "Except For", and a fresh take on Terry Riley's "Keyboard Study No. 2" on the flip. Fans of introspective jazz piano plus minimalist modern composition take notice.

nagoyaka na kaze / 和やかな風 (quiet wind): a collection of forward-thinking electronic experiments sourced from central Japan - co-curated by Nagoya artist abentis for Facta & K-LONE’s Wisdom Teeth imprint.

The project profiles a close-knit community of music makers operating in and around the Japanese city of Nagoya: one of the country’s most populous and industrial cities, but one all too often overlooked in terms of its cultural significance.

Curated in close collaboration with local scene organiser Yuya Abe - aka abentis - the record seeks to capture the creative energy of a community of artists making hard-to-define, future-facing electronic music away from the clamour of the bigger cities. “In Nagoya, there’s a strong culture of supporting artists. Even if you pursue music in your own way, as long as it’s good, you’re encouraged to keep doing what you want”, explains abentis. “Within that environment, my generation has been able to freely bring in elements we like from all kinds of genres, combine them in our own way, and express ourselves individually. If you go to Tokyo or Osaka, that kind of freedom isn’t something you can take for granted.” Spiritually, Nagoya fits the mould of cultural hotbeds like Bristol, Detroit or Melbourne, showing that some of the most innovative creative communities form away from the glare of the capital cities. Like Detroit, Nagoya is principally known for being a major auto manufacturing hub, famous for being the home of Toyota Motors - but behind the scenes, it is quietly harbouring one of Japan’s most vibrant and forward-thinking electronic music scenes. “In a good way, Nagoya is a bit removed from the cutting edge, so you find people making all kinds of music”, explains Karnage. “If you’re making music, you feel like part of the crew, and people of different ages mix together without much hierarchy.” The city’s music scene is characterised by a freedom to mix genres and an open-door approach to creatives of all disciplines. The artists featured come from a diverse set of backgrounds, ranging from hip-hop to noise music, but have found a common collective identity in their omnivorous approach to genre. As such, the record moves fluidly between shimmering ambient and new age (Am Shhara, DHYAN, daiki hayakawa), psychedelic minimal house (Methodd, abentis), abstract, low-slung downtempo (baptisma, Nasty Soupman) and spaceage steppas (Karnage). “I’d say the way ambient, new age and that kind of sound design are blending nicely with dance music feels somewhat new”, says baptisma, the crew’s eldest member and de-facto scene leader. Responsible for bringing artists like Basic Channel, Mala and Jan Jelinek to the city, baptisma has been crucial in establishing underground electronic music in Nagoya since the 90s, and now helps cultivate the next generation of local talent. “Artists and DJs are seamlessly mixing ambient and new age with techno, house and bass music. I think that’s a really interesting development.” nagoyaka na kaze has its roots in a one-off event held in October 2024 as part of the 10 Years of Wisdom Teeth Japan tour. Curated by abentis in collaboration with Facta & K-LONE, the showcase featured live sets from eight artists based in and around Nagoya at one of the city’s key dance music hubs, Club JB’s. Each of the artists features again here, on record, presenting an original commission produced especially for the project. The record’s art direction was led by Yudai Osawa - in-house designer for Kankyō Records, the much-loved Tokyo record shop run by H. Takahashi - and features original photos by Hayato Watanabe.

I Never Knew Love sees Detroit house mainstay Chez Damier return to the iconic KMS catalogue with a timeless house classic, now available again on fresh 12” vinyl.

A staple of the deeper side of Detroit house, the release combines soulful vocals, warm grooves and refined production, reflecting the signature sound that has defined Chez Damier’s work across decades.

This edition features standout versions including the MK Extended Club Mix from Marc Kinchen, alongside additional extended mixes and a reconstructed version of Help Myself by Carl Craig, offering strong depth and versatility for DJs.

As a key release from the KMS catalogue, this record continues to hold lasting appeal across both classic house collectors and DJs seeking authentic Detroit-rooted material.

Back on fresh 12" vinyl, this repress brings an essential Chez Damier release back into circulation for a new generation of listeners.

An essential catalogue piece for stores supporting classic house and Detroit heritage releases.

Reissue 2026

"Call Me" is an electronic/house track by DJ Dino (Dino Lenny) on Nu-Tella Records, released in 2003.

It's praised for its deep, emotional, and melodic atmosphere, occasionally shifting from darker tones to uplifting major keys,

recalling classic electronic sounds with modern touches, though specific aggregate scores are scarce.

Official 2026 reissue includes, in addition to the original and remixes by Par-T-One and Santos, the previously unreleased version by Walterino.

Mixes completely remastered by Gianni Bini at HOG Studio.

Strut proudly presents the debut album from producer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist, Momoko Gill. Fresh from her critically acclaimed collaboration Clay recorded with cult electronic artist Matthew Herbert, Momoko steps forward in her own right for the first time with her remarkable debut solo album. Momoko has long been one of the UK electronic and jazz scene’s best-kept secrets.

A self-taught drummer, producer, songwriter, and vocalist, she has brought her unique touch to collaborations with Alabaster DePlume, Matthew Herbert, Coby Sey, Tirzah, and Nadeem Din-Gabisi (her musical foil in An Alien Called Harmony). Extensive touring behind the drum kit, at the keys and in front of the mic have honed her compositional and production instincts. With Momoko, Gill emerges into the spotlight with an album that is entirely her own. Throughout, you can hear the stylistic flavours of jazz musicians as much as singer-songwriters, experimental artists and electronic producers. Though Gill rejects imitation, sculpting her sound through feel and expression rather than tradition. Based in London and having grown up in Japan and the US, Gill channels her breadth of perspective through her musical ideas and storytelling, with a unique voice developed through instinct, collaboration and solitary study.

The album’s eleven tracks take in a wide spectrum with the jazz-infused groove of ‘No Others’ and harmony-drenched, reflective ‘Heavy’ contrasting with the dark, confrontational sound of 'Shadowboxing' leading into an eerie left-field instrumental beat, ‘Test A Small Area' and the impressive 50-person choir on ‘When Palestine Is Free’ (which includes heavyweights Shabaka Hutchings, Soweto Kinch, Alabaster DePlume, Coby Sey, Marysia Osu and more). It is a deeply personal and poetic recording and showcases the full uncompromising range of Momoko’s vison, presented in her own voice. Momoko was produced by Momoko Gill, recorded at Total Refreshment Centre, mixed by Matthew Herbert and mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios.

Intriguing Siberian B-Boy roots informed Anton LTF's first solo album last year and its mix of funk, hip-hop and early turntablism influences really worked. He's back now with a tidy two-tracker on Soul Service Sabrosura that leans into Latin funk. It's raw, direct and charged up tackle for once again getting under the skin of b-boys and girls thanks to the killer breaks. 'Garra' is lit up with shuffling percussive keys and rhythms and big brass horns, while 'Aroma Sunset' is more pared back and loose. There's a celebratory vibe that's smoother and more languorous, with sunny flutes leading the way and irresistible Latin charm in the ways the keys dance.

DJ Normal 4 appears first time on the label with 10” record consisting different flavored genre tracks for the ears of the curious listeners, and die-hard music lovers. Tim has been creating electronic music for a long time and has appeared in some of the key music events around the globe. With a high level of skill and accuracy this artist is able to tackle music of many styles which also can be witnessed on this record. This is the second ten inch record the label has welcomed to its catalogue so you can imagine the level of excitement in the air. From the A side going into the electro approach right to the trance infused B side, this disc is guaranteed to feel absolutely correct in the record bag if these are the genres of music that resonates with you.

Data Music proudly presents Various Artists "Levitate EP" - the label's first-ever vinyl release!

Staying true to the core vision, we've carefully selected four deep and atmospheric drum & bass cuts from the label's key artists and close friends.

"Levitate EP" embodies the diverse identity of Data Music - a perfect soundtrack for home listening, long journeys, and dark, smoky dancefloors alike.

WOLF proudly welcomes the return of Tom Esselle to the label. Fresh from his latest release on Rhythm Section, Tom follows up his 2022 Praise Bes EP on WOLF with a new four-track collection of deep, dancefloor-ready cuts.

Opening track Livewire sets the tone immediately, pulling you in with a heads-down, UK garage influenced groove. A-side follow-up Don’t Have To is a strong contender for standout moment, pairing luscious keys with a sweet vocal for peak-time soulful impact.

On the flip, Small Talk delivers a quirky vocal sample over an undeniable groove, before EP closer Spaced Out dives deeper, unfolding beautiful, emotive chords. Another standout release that oozes quality from a producer hitting their stride and firmly establishing himself as one to watch.