quête:the la s

Auf seinem Debütalbum, das von William Tyler produziert wurde, verwandelt der aus Georgia stammende Sänger und Gitarrist Jake Xerxes Fussell -
Schüler der Piedmont-Blues-Legende Precious Bryant und Sideman von Rev. John Wilkins - zehn obskure Folk/Blues-Stücke in vibrierende kosmische
Lamenti und vertrackte Streifzüge. Die Nashville-Session-Veteranen Chris Scruggs (Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Marty Stuart), Brian Kotzur (Silver Jews) und
Hoot Hester (Bill Monroe, Ray Charles) bilden die Besatzung des Schubboots.

Das zweite Album der US-Indie-Rock/Noise-Pop-Band feeble little horse, "Girl With Fish", feiert sein 1-jähriges mit einer neuen Sprinkle-Splatter-Vinylauflage. Die neuen Tracks zwischen glückseligem Pop, harschem Lärm, fehlerhaft programmierten Drum-Beats und ausgefallenem Indie-Rock – manchmal alles in einem Song - begeisterten 2023 die Fachpresse von Stereogum ("Album of the Month") über Pitchfork ("Most Anticipated Albums for both Spring & Summer 2023") bis zu The FADER ("Best New Rock Songs").

A remastered version of the very first Screaming Females album, originally self-recorded and self-released in 2006. Includes such hit singles as “Dinosaurs,” “Baby Jesus” and “Foul Mouth.” An instant classic.

Chelsea Wolfes siebtes Album, Nachpressung in Lavendel Eco Vinyl, LP in Klappcover mit 12seitigem Text-Booklet & DLC! Chelsea Wolfe hat schon immer eine kraftvolle Energie ausgestrahlt, und obwohl sie die Fähigkeit bewiesen hat, diese düstere Schönheit in eine Vielzahl von Formen zu kanalisieren, ist ihr Talent als Songwriterin nie offensichtlicher, als wenn sie ihre Songs auf ein paar Schlüsselkomponenten reduziert. Das Ergebnis ist, dass ihre feierliche Majestät und bedrohliche Eleganz auf Birth of Violence stärker denn je ist.Es gibt ein Kernelement in Chelsea Wolfes Musik - eine Art dringlicher Drehung des amerikanischen Trostlosigkeitsblues -, das sich durch ihre gesamte Karriere zieht. Im Zentrum stehen seit jeher Wolfes wehmütige Sehnsucht und ihre betörende Ernsthaftigkeit, auch wenn sich der Rahmen für die Kompositionen ständig weiterentwickelt hat, je nachdem, welche Ressourcen zur Verfügung standen. Ihre nüchternen Anfänge wurden nach und nach durch Elektronik ergänzt und mit Arrangements für die ganze Band ausgefüllt. Die Musik wurde immer dichter und konzentrierte sich mehr auf Live-Auftritte. Ihr Album, Birth of Violence, ist eine Rückkehr zur Zurückgezogenheit ihrer früheren Aufnahmen.

Kein Zweifel: Ohne Axel Rudi Pell wäre diese Welt um vieles ärmer. Der Bochumer Gitarrist und Songschreiber hält auch auf seinem 22. (!)
Studioalbum ‚Risen Symbol‘ die Fahne des melodischen Hard Rock hoch, ohne sie mit pseudo-modernen Stilvarianten oder effektheischenden Studiogimmicks zu verwässern. Gleichzeitig sucht er ständig nach neuen Einflüssen, spannenden Inspirationen und griffigen Hooks. Das Beste an den ARP-Hymnen: Sie sind treffgenau auf die charismatische Stimme von Frontmann Johnny Gioeli zugeschnitten. Der Amerikaner gehört zu den besten Rocksängern der Welt und bildet gemeinsam mit Pell, dem früheren Rainbow-Schlagzeuger Bobby Rondinelli und den beiden ARP-Langzeitmitgliedern Ferdy Doernberg (Keyboards) und Volker Krawczak (Bass) ein seit mehr als zehn Jahren perfekt eingespieltes Team, das Fans wie Medien gleichermaßen überzeugt. Veröffentlicht wird ‚Risen Symbol‘ am 14. Juni 2024 über Steamhammer/SPV. Für Ungeduldige gibt es am 3. April 2024 mit der ersten Single ‚Guardian Angel‘ und am 22. Mai 2024 mit dem Nachfolger ‚Darkest Hour‘ zwei Vorabsongs, die Pell treffend mit den Worten beschreibt: „Sowohl ‚Guardian Angel‘ als auch ‚Darkest Hour‘ sind typische-ARP-Songs, aber nicht unbedingt repräsentativ für ‚Risen Symbol‘.“

Eivør, die oft als eine der produktivsten und einzigartigsten nordischen Künstlerinnen ihrer Generation angesehen wird, hat bis heute 11 Studioalben veröffentlicht, wobei sie musikalische Genres und immer wieder die Grenzen des Erwarteten überschreitet. Eivørs musikalische Reise, die 2021 mit dem Musikpreis des Nordischen Rates ausgezeichnet wurde, fasziniert weltweit - von den größten Festivalbühnen Europas bis hin zum Soundtrack für die Netflix-Hitserie The Last Kingdom und das Videospiel God of War: Ragnarök.

Ihr kommendes neues Album 'Enn' knüpft an Eivørs nordische Wurzeln an. Die meisten der Texte, die komplett auf Färöisch gesungen werden, entstanden in Zusammenarbeit mit dem färöischen Dichter Marjun Syderbø Kjelnæs. Eivør bezeichnet den Text des Titeltracks als besonders "hardcore". Der Song handelt vom Krieg - "von den Kriegen, die in der Welt vor allem in letzter Zeit stattfinden, die es aber schon immer gegeben hat", sagt Eivør, "und davon, wie man in dieser überwältigenden Dunkelheit einen Lichtblick findet." Der gutturale vorletzte Track, "Upp Úr Øskuni", ist ein aufregender Ausreißer, der knurrendes Beatboxing mit viszeralem Kehlkopfgesang mischt (sicherlich Eivørs metallischster Moment).

'Enn' sticht aus Eivørs Diskografie als kühnes neues Projekt heraus. Ihr Debütalbum für Season of Mist lehnt sich stärker an dunkle Elektronik an - der neuer Prophet-5-Synthesizer hat es kaum aus der Verpackung geschafft, bevor sie "Hugsi Bert Um Teg" anstimmt, ein schwelgerisches Stück Dream-Pop, das wie die Farben der Milchstraße tanzt.

Im Großen und Ganzen folgt 'Enn' einem kosmischen Bogen. Der Titeltrack ist eine symphonische, vom Krieg zerrissene Weltraum-Odyssee. Aber das Album widmet sich auch irdischeren Themen. Die Leadsingle "Jardartra" wird aus der Perspektive einer verletzten Mutter Erde erzählt, mit einer stetig pochenden Basslinie, die so dunkel und warm ist wie der geschmolzene Kern unseres Planeten ist. "Komm und leg dich in meine blaue Umarmung", singt Eivør und entfesselt dabei in ihr opernhaftes Register, als wolle sie uns ins Licht locken.

Live-Mitschnitt des Attwenger Konzerts vom 6.12.23 im Chelsea in Wien, verteilt auf vier Seiten aus gelbem Vinyl mit Schwerpunkt auf den letzten beiden atmender-alben "Spot" und "Drum", angereichert mit Slangpunksongs aus den Neunzigern und Nullern. Attwenger ist live sowieso eine andere Geschichte als ein Studioalbum, ein Live-Album ist eine Momentaufnahme, licht, lärm und Leute bestimmen den Augenblick, der Augenblick ist schnell vorbei, aber den Mitschnitt unseres aktuellen Programms, der auf dieser Doppel-LP wiedergegeben wird, kannst du dir in hundert Jahren auch noch anhören und es wird trotzdem ein live-konzert sein. Attwenger live heißt Binder und Falkner auf der Bühne, singen und quetschen, verstärkt und verzerrt, Drums, Maultrommeln und Elektro-Beats, Stücke von 1990 treffen auf Songs, die grade erst im Entstehen sind, Lieder aus unterschiedlichen Entstehungsphasen werden zu ausgedehnten, groovigen Mixes kombiniert, geht alles. Die Reihenfolge der Stücke kann sich ändern, genauso wie die Reihen auf der Ziehharmonika und die Reime der Texte. alles Moment, alles bewegt sich, dreht sich, verästelt sich, die körperliche Intensität ist teilweise arg, die Gedanken sind oft woanders, das Publikum ist da, der Austausch zwischen Spielen und Tanzen führt zu einer Musik, die so dynamisch, stürmisch und euphorisch werden kann, dass du vom Akteur zum Passagier wirst in einem kollektiven Taumel, der alle beteiligten reinzieht, herumwirbelt, fortweht. Als Bonus-Track eine Aufnahme vom Juni 94, als wir mit unserem Gegenbesuch zur Zimbabwe-Tour im Oktober 93, Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits, einen gemeinsamen Auftritt in der Linzer stadtwerkstatt hatten. Zu hören ein Ausschnitt aus "I wanna know whats going on", in dem es schon damals geheißen hat: es is immer hoiba 8i.

Die 2021 erschienene EP der US-Metalcore-Band Knocked Loose mit 6 Tracks erscheint auf Vinyl in neuer Farbe: Laguna Eco-Mix.

Der bezaubernde Gitarrist und Sänger Jake Xerxes Fussell lässt seinem gefeierten, selbstbetitelten Debüt (produziert von William Tyler) ein
bewegendes neues Album mit "Natural Questions" in Form von umgedeuteten Folk/Bluestücken folgen. Dieses Mal sind diese alten Melodien um
einige Nuancen dunkler, während sie ihren absurden Humor verstärken und unsere Probleme beleuchten. Mit Artwork des berühmten Malers Roger
Brown.

Das ursprünglich 2016 erschienene Album "Laugh Tracks" der amerikanischen Metalcore-Band Knocked Loose erscheint auf Vinyl in neuer Farbe.

LP (coloured white vinyl) + Download Code + Poster Das Trio Topsy Turvy ist die jüngste Entdeckung aus dem scheinbar unerschöpflichen Pool der neuen Wiener Indie-Szene. Theresa Strohmer (Gitarre), Lena Pöttinger (Schlagzeug) und Victoria Aron (Bass) schaffen es auf ihrem Debütalbum, die Energie des britischen Post-Punk der 80er Jahre mit treibenden Surf-Einflüssen und schön schrägen Indie-Pop-Melodien zu verbinden. Auf ihrem knapp dreißigminütigen Debütalbum "Butt Sore", das von ihrem Siluh-Labelkollegen Peter T. von Euroteuro produziert wurde, erschaffen die drei Musikerinnen wunderbare Soundcollagen, die ihre Musik leichtfüßig und dennoch treibend durch die elf Songs ihres Debüts tragen und sich im Spannungsfeld zwischen dem Lo-Fi Spirit der Moldy Peaches und dem Rock'n'Roll der Black Lips bewegen. Trotz vielfältiger und teilweise gegensätzlicher Einflüsse lassen die Songs schöne, verrückte und organische Assoziationen entstehen, die den Hörer auf eine unruhig entspannte Reise mitnehmen. Jeder Song auf dem Debütalbum ist ein absolutes Unikat, ohne dabei gewollt oder wie ein Fremdkörper auf dem zeitlosen und trotz der verschiedenen Einflüsse homogenen Platte zu wirken.Topsy Turvy haben die große Gabe, Ohrwürmer zu kreieren. Diese Fähigkeit macht "Butt Sore" zu einem der spannendsten Alben des Jahres und die Band zu einem Aushängeschild einer neuen Wiener Indie-Szene, die sich mit Gruppen wie Salamirecorder, Telebrains, Potato Beach, Gardens, oder Laundromat Chicks rund um das Label Siluh Records formiert.

Der Zauber der Nacht ist in der Musik seit jeher ein Thema, von den Nocturnes der Klassik über Late-NightJazz bis hin zu Max Richters Erfolgsprojekt “Sleep”. Auf ihrem neuen Album hat sich nun auch Sängerin und Songschreiberin Arooj Aftab, die für ihr Album “Vulture Prince” 2022 als erste pakistanischstämmige Künstlerin mit einem Grammy ausgezeichnet wurde, dieses faszinierenden Themas angenommen.

Arooj versteht es Songs zu schreiben und mit sanfter, tiefer Stimme zu singen, die sich entspannt in die Gehörgänge schmiegen. Ihre Lieder sind einzigartig, weil sie in der Tradition ihres pakistanischen Musikerbes wurzeln, aber zugleich elektronisch-modern und auf subtile Weise grooven.

Mit “Night Reign” ist Arooj ihr betörendstes und vielfältigstes Werk gelungen. Unterstützung erhielt sie dabei von so unterschiedlichen kreativen Partnern wie Vijay Iyer, Maeve Gilchrist, Moor Mother, Joel Ross, Cautious Clay, Kaki King, James Francies und Chocolate Genius, Inc

"French duo Human Rebellion make their debut on Alienata´s Discos Atónicos label with Polymorph, a 4 tracker killer EP in which we will find the perfect combination between techno, acid, electro & breaks.
Dark atmospheres and heavy beats topped with irresistible basslines, mesmerizing arpeggios & sci-fi textures straight out their analog studio.
Modern sound inspired by the powerful & punchy sound of the early 90’s electro-techno!
We are pleased to welcome Patrick & Charles to the Discos Atónicos Fam!

Seit langer Zeit kursierten die Can LPs nur als Bootlegs, jetzt gibt es endlich die offiziellen Vinyl Reissues via Spoon Records! Die limitierte Erstveröffentlichung des Albums erschien im August 1969 auf dem Label Music Factory noch unter dem Namen THE CAN. Die zweite Veröffentlichung, mit neuem Artwork wie man es heute kennt, erfolgte auf Liberty Records im darauf folgenden Jahr. Aufgenommen wurde das Album im Schloss Nörvenich mit Cans erstem Sänger Malcolm Mooney. Das Albumdebüt der Band verband Elemente unterschiedlichster Stilrichtungen aus Psychedelic Rock, Blues, Fee Jazz und World Music. Die Nutzung der Improvisation, des Editings und des Layerings der unterschiedlichen Sounds setzte den Standard für alle folgenden Can Alben!

Seit langer Zeit kursierten die Can LPs nur als Bootlegs, jetzt gibt es endlich die offiziellen Vinyl Reissues via Spoon Records! Das zweite Can Album, eine Kompilation verschiedener Filmmusiken, erschien 1970. In dieser Zeit verließ Malcolm Mooney die Band und ist nur noch auf zwei Tracks vertreten: "She Brings The Rain" und "Soul Desert". Stilistisch entfernte sich die Band hier vom ersten Album "Monster Movie" (und dem später veröffentlichten Album "Delay") hin zu den den mehr meditativen, elektronischen Studioaufnahmen der folgenden Alben wie "Tago Mago" und "Ege Bamyasi".

Tomorrowland Music kündigt ’TOMORROWLAND 2024 - LIFE - OFFICIAL COMPILATION’ an. Erlebe die Euphorie des diesjährigen Tomorrowland-Mottos „LIFE“ bequem von zu Hause aus, mit exklusiven Tracks und erweiterten Versionen, die für DJs und Musikliebhaber gleichermaßen geeignet sind. Mit einer handverlesenen Auswahl aktueller Singles von einigen der größten Namen der elektronischen Musik, darunter Lost Frequencies, David Guetta, Alok, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Martin Garrix, Alesso und einige der größten Club-Hits des Augenblicks, wie Zerb (Mwaki), Alex Wann (Milkshake 20). Von erhebenden Melodien bis hin zu herzzerreißenden Beats ist jeder Track ein Zeugnis für die Einheit, Freude und Vielfalt, die auf dem Tomorrowland gefeiert wird. Jedes Vinyl ist ein Sammlerstück, reich an ästhetischen Details und angereichert mit luxuriösen Verpackungselementen, die durch ein atemberaubendes Artwork aufgewertet werden.

A brand new label coming in hot, from Montreal to the world.
Run by E. Chamandy (part of the Fella's Q-Tips crew) our
label focuses on giving the spotlight to the seers around us
who's craft deserves to shine outside of their hard drive. Here
at Seer Records, we value quality over quantity, delivering
nothing but smooth trax exclusively for the underground.
SEER-001 packs a punch, with the A-side delivering
dance§oor movers of the highest proportions; battle-tested
and approved ! A1 includes a remix by Tony Lionni
(Madhouse Records), while A2 is a tribute track dedicated to
the rare 90s NY house track by Barkim & Langel. On the §ip
side, discover local house-heads 'Maximum Enemi' with their
debut releases on the B-side, mixing it up with deep & dreamy
§avours. Starting it off with a live jam on B1, expect lushychords, chunky basslines and a touch of acid on B2.
Finishing it off in style, label head has provided us with a
downtempo, electro-funk jam that carries an analog feel,
making any body move like it's an 80s groove. Tip!

The follow up and his second (4 Track) on a (Black) classic (TRAX) RECORDS (LOGO) from the
(LATE NITE 'DUB' ADDICT). Is another 'BIG' release on the inprint that pionnered (Chicago) & (Acid House). Making waves with DJ's such as (Marshsll Jefferson) / (DJ Pierre) / (Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk) & the late, great (Frankie Knuckles). The (Late Nite 'DUB' Addict) has been releasing a string of hits on Traxsource and winning through hearts of both 'HOUSE HEADS' & DJ's alike. His RAW Underground style has seen Bookings & has seen this talented (DJ /Producer) make waves & play with legends in the scene such as (Lenny Fontana, Victor Simolli, Ian Van Dahl, Filta Freqz & Dave Seamen (Brothers In Rhythm). His productions have had Chart success through (Traxsource) and through channels including his last solo release another (4Tracker) his (DEEP IN 'DUB' EP). In the last 10 years he has let his music do the talking. If you like beats deep - You are in
for a treat!!!

As the winds of music blow, a wise heart navigates the spiral, finding wisdom in each of its twists and turns.

As the releases of DUBBLACK’s catalogue pile up, the novelty and exploration for new music keeps on thriving.


A brand-new record is approaching, as always available both on a 12” vinyl – limited to 300 copies – and in digital format, featuring the presence of two Masters from the Electronic Music scene: A2 Abd El Monim and Tocchitek.


The two-track EP baptised “Dark Side” includes the gems “Euriale” and “Steno”; two expansive compositions that, also due to their length, masterly observe the task of narrating two complementary stories, each with its distinct moments, yet marked by a strong rhythmic temper. Both tracks are planned to share similar sonic elements: a pulsating 160 bpm kick drum, ghostly pads serving as an inevitable backdrop, and indispensable rhythmic details enriching the whole structure and arrangement.


A2 Abd El Monim, born Alan Abd El Monim, is an Italian-Egyptian artist/composer. He expresses himself through the creation of music ranging from electronic to purely instrumental, and through the interaction between the arts. His poetics opens in a “dark” dimension that considers and interprets the facts through the notion of shadows and darkness but also through penombre. His “dark” vision stands as a filter through which he reads the world and its interactions, therefore using also the notion of light. His music has been performed in Festivals including Musica d’arte (Riccione – Italy), Luci d’Artista (Salerno – Italy), GAMO (Firenze – Italy), Spazio Musica (Cagliari – Italy), On Air – On site (Den Haag -Netherlands), Sound Spaces (Malmö – Sweden), etc.


He composed songs for the solo exhibition “La pelle degli oggetti” and for works Lui&Lei by the artist Giovanni Oberti. In 2020 he undertook a collaboration with the poet Milo De Angelis , putting to music the lyric “A volte , sull’orlo della notte, si rimane sospesi”. He wrote music for several theatre performances by director Emily Tartamelli and has written music for several directors films including Reto Gelshorn, Enea Francia, Paola Piscitelli and Fabio Corbellini. He collaborated with the London based fashion brand B DODI and was invited as an artist to participate in the collective exhibition “Instructions to Light-Keepers” (Milano – Italy). In March 2023, “Periodo Nero”, its interactive and generative installation music and video, was selected for the tribute to Picasso in the city of Florence, will be presented at the Certosa of Florence in September of the same year. In 2017 he won the International Competition of Composizione Silenzio Musica, in 2020 the diploma from President and Artistic Director of Winterreise International Composition Competition Moscow, in 2021 the Call For Scores banned by the Cultural Association Esecutori di Metallo su Carta. A2 Abd El Monim is signed to international label F.M.T Records and Dubblack Records, with which he regularly publishes his electronic music.


Tocchitek is an underground Tekno producer and performer born in Milan, Italy. He started playing live in 2007 as part of the “Approdo Caronte” sound system based in Milan. His first significant appearance as a live performer was at a “Mayday Parade” in 2008 in Milan. In 2009, he joined the “R909 Records” chapters crew based in Milan, bringing his live set to many local club dance floors. Meanwhile, he collaborated and played with many crews around Europe, spreading his music in the free Underground Tekno movement. In 2021, in Milan, he launched “F.M.T Records”.


Simplicity is often the hardest thing to achieve when producing this type of music, primarily designed for uncompromising dance-floors, but the duo successfully channels their message with purity and truthfulness.


The visual aspects of layout and design are once again entrusted to Vittorio Valigi, who puts a greyscale spiral at the center of the cover. A spiral within which one an eye can be glimpsed – the eye of the musical soul of DUBBLACK harmoniously fused with that of A2 Abd El Monim and Tocchitek, who become worthy ambassadors of the Dubblack’s sonic mission.

Unio Mystica: Absorbed from my room onto a triangle ship, by an alien wearing blue scaled bio-armour, to travel instantaneously across vast folds of time & space. The alien occupied the pinnacle of the triangle, the other two points by myself and an unknown human female, respectively. The ship, at least for this type of journey, was powered by harnessing the coalescent, universal force of LOVE. This truly hierogamic union acted as a sort of inter-dimensional transcendence driver, which allowed us the defeat of all material boundary and therefore, time itself. It was a keen insight into the ultimate conciliation: that love permeates and binds together an otherwise cold and hostile universe. And perhaps it was not an "alien" but an angel. Angels are traditionally understood to be preternaturally photonic (of a type), lacking physical densification, and which manifest themselves as various imaginal forms in the human psyche... What is known: the starship is ours; a portal of two souls combined. - personal log, entry #3073, 07/14/2017

Tilman offers up his new album ‘The Spirit Continues’ via his own Pleasant Systems this June, comprised of ten original compositions. Since 2008, the German producer Tilman has been honing his craft in House music through numerous EP’s on various respected labels and here we see him deliver his fourth long player. Taking in§uence from 80s NYC protogarage and Nu Groove’s era of deep house Tilman creates a collection of works which encapsulate the essence of his sound and history with House music over the past two decades, embracing a raw yet dreamy aesthetic throughout. Across the ten tracks Tilman employs sturdy, jacking rhythm sections, ethereal atmospherics, bumpy bass lines, shimmering chord sequences, infectious vocals and enchanting top lines culminating in somatic ecstasy.

Is a (4 Track) offering from the (Trax) 'Golden Boy' Daniel Smith AKA (Late Nite 'DUB' addict). The self confessed 'House' Addict says he is privileged to release on the same label as some of his heroes in the house world such as (Mr Fingers) aka (Larry Heard) / Joey Beltram / Jesse Saunders / Chip-E / Phuture / Saytek & DJ Rush. He is a prolific producer that has released more than (x200) original tracks on (Trax Records) alone with
some remixes under his belt from (Screamin Rachael) / (Joe Smooth) / (Todd Terry) & (Armando). This Solid Underground House EP once again shows that this New Cat in the Chicago House Scene is still hitting with the Big Hitters and is a statement that his sound is here to stay.

Color Vinyl Repress

The world moves faster than ever these days, and even in the digital age, things can always be counted on to go in cycles. Despite all of the advances in computer recording technology, home studios, and electronic instruments, there is a flourishing interest in analog recording techniques and in recreating the mood and sound of vintage soul records. With one foot in the past but their eyes firmly set on the future, El Michels Affair are among the leaders of a resurgent funk & soul movement from New York City that’s sweeping both the music community and the charts.

Led by saxophonist/organist Leon Michels and producer/engineer Jeff Silverman, El Michels Affair began as a loose collaboration of session musicians (including members of top-selling acts Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, the Budos Band, and Antibalas) that looked to blend some of the vibrant quality of soundtrack records with the recording aesthetic of early reggae, and the rawness of 60's rock--they called it 'Cinematic Soul.' This delicate balance was evident on their 2005 debut album Sounding Out the City, which earned critical acclaim and acted as the inaugural full-length release for Michels and Silverman’s burgeoning label Truth & Soul (also the moniker for the duo as a production team).

The buzz generated from the album and a series of moderately successful 7” vinyl singles from Truth & Soul led to an invitation by Toyota’s Scion division for El Michels Affair to accompany the rapper Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan for a promotional concert. As avid Wu-Tang fans, not only were the band leaders thrilled with the opportunity, but Michels found that the ‘Cinematic Soul’ sound was consistent with the moods of RZA’s gritty soundscapes on the classic Wu-Tang releases. The concert was such as success, El Michels Affair went oan to play several more concerts nationwide backing Raekwon and other members of the Clan, and the shows led to the recording of two smash 7” singles featuring instrumental reinterpretations of the Wu-Tang classiac songs “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Bring Da Ruckus.” The singles combined to sell an extraordinary amount of over 7,000 units worldwide, and their success led to a contract in 2007 with indie hip hop powerhouse Fat Beats Records to record an entire album of Wu-Tang Clan interpolations entitled Enter the 37th Chamber.

Since the contract was inked, a worldwide explosion of retro soul led by Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings has transformed the pop music landscape, and the Truth & Soul production duo have been in strong demand, recording with everyone from breakthrough Grammy-nominated artist Adele to punk rock innovator Iggy Pop. They’ve been commissioned for official remixes of Amy Winehouse and Dinah Washington (for the popular Verve Remixed series), and produced for Australian multi-platinum acts Jet and Gabriella Cilmi.

Despite the eclectic group of clients for the Truth & Soul production company, El Michels Affair continued to build an audience within the hip hop community. A track from Sounding out the City was sampled for Ghostface Killah’s 2007 track “Shakey Dog Lolita,” and a horn part written and performed by Michels (for Menahan Street Band) was famously lifted for Jay-Z’s smash single “Roc Boys.” Truth & Soul also worked in the studio on original productions with multi-platinum producer Just Blaze (T.I.’s “Live Your Life,” Jay-Z, Usher).

With their increasing presence behind the scenes in the industry, El Michels Affair looks to have their status as recording artists rise significantly in 2009. With the release of their finally-completed album Enter the 37th Chamber, they can finally step out of the shadows of the retro-soul trend and establish their status as one of the most exciting and versatile bands in modern recorded music.

My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross, ANOHNI"s sixth studio album, expresses a world view by shape-shifting through a broad range of subject matter. Through a personal lens, ANOHNI addresses loss of loved ones, inequality, alienation, acceptance, cruelty, ecocide, devastation wrought by Abrahamic theologies, Future Feminism, and the possibility that we might yet transform our ways of thinking, our spiritual ideas, our societal structures, and our relationships with the rest of nature. On her first full album since 2016"s HOPELESSNESS, she explains the creative process was painstaking, yet also inspired, joyful, and intimate, a renewal and a renaming of her response to the world as she sees it. "Some of these songs respond to global and environmental concerns first voiced in popular music over 50 years ago." ANOHNI"s approach since her last record has shifted from someone tasked with challenging global denial, to an artist seeking to support others on the front lines. "I learned with HOPELESSNESS that I can provide a soundtrack that might fortify people in their work, in their activism, in their dreaming and decision-making. I can sing of an awareness that makes others feel less alone, people for whom the frank articulation of these frightening times is not a source of discomfort but a cause for identification and relief. On "It Must Change," ANOHNI soulfully describes systems in collapse with a note of compassion for humanity: "The truth is I always thought you were beautiful in your own way // That"s why this is so sad." ANOHNI"s voice is sensual and smoothed, selectively reaching to the edges of what it can contain. "We"re not getting out of here // No one"s getting out of here // This is our world," she murmurs. A portrait of legendary human rights activist Marsha P. Johnson taken by Alvin Baltrop features on the cover, reflecting a 25-year relationship with the memory of Johnson that ANOHNI has held space for in the presentation of her own work. Elsewhere, the album artwork states "IT"S TIME TO FEEL WHAT"S REALLY HAPPENING". In some ways it feels as if she is reaching across her life"s expression, and has found a moment of unique composure, wearing her long exploration of disarming intensity, with the maturity of a painter carefully choosing her colors. "I want the work to be useful, to help others move through these conversations we are now facing, to move with dignity and resilience through this bitter dawning."

Ryo Fukui is a renowned pianist born in Hokkaido, Japan. His fresh and delicate playing has attracted many listeners, and his first album, "Scenery," has been highly acclaimed worldwide. Fukui, who began playing the piano at the age of 22, recorded this album at the age of 28. The earnest performance of his youthful days shakes the listener's emotions in a pleasant way. It Could Happen To You" swings as if strutting, "Early Summer" is exhilarating and joyful, and "Scenery" seems to contain the night air of late autumn. The "Hokkaido-like emotion" that blends with Fukui's qualities and combines a large scale and subtlety is pleasant to listen to. The green leaves sprouting, the dazzling clear stream, the clear sky, the snow falling without a sound.... Here, the beautiful scenery spun by Ryo Fukui lives on forever.

Rhythm N Vibe treats us to four different and equally brilliant garage cuts here from four different and equally brilliant artists. Marc Cotterell opens up with the slinky and dusty drums of '96 Is Back' powered by a rasping bassline. Jason Ward then brings some fresh 90s sounds with a neon baseline and diva vocals on 'The Meaning' while J Erazo keeps it deep and paired back on the sublime 'The Pulse' which is a real late night warmer. Paul French then layers up nice fresh and bumping drum funk on his lovely number 'Jump' (unreleased dub). There is lots to love here on a very useful EP.

Max Graef, the trailblazing German producer is back, this time applying his sparkling flair and infectious appeal to the widescreen spectrum of psychedelic, starry-eyed jams of his third album, comfortably nestled into a bean bag in the backroom. Natural Element coincides with the 10th anniversary of his revered debut LP Rivers of the Red Planet, which remains a cherished high watermark for label and artist alike.

Saoirse looks to talent from her home country for the next release on her trUst imprint.

A versatile emotive four-tracker soaked in euphoric melodies and jacking basslines from Belfast born Swoose. With one eye on the past and another firmly on the future, Swoose’s amalgamation of sun-kissed house, 90s IDM, warm soul, and electronica has earmarked the artist as one of Ireland’s finest electronic talents.

Lead track "Cubensis" has been one of the most ID'd tracks from Saoirse's sets over the last 2 years.

Planetary Assault Systems is one of UK techno innovator Luke Slater's most enduring aliases, a project focused on forward-thinking techno with maximum cerebral impact. Each Planetary Assault System release is closely related to the live shows, joining the dots between studio and stage.

For his first new music as Planetary Assault Systems in several years, and the 70th release on his own Mote-Evolver label, he heads full throttle into the deep dark recesses of the club. 'Deep Heet Vol 5' EP follows 2017's 4th volume which included the ever popular 'Desert Races'.

Irish producer Balmr lands on Selections after nice outings on the likes of Sofa Movement Records, Kolour Detroit and Expanded Records which have all established him as a fresh deep house artist. His love for the Motor City shines through again here with the warm, dubby drums and swirling pads of 'In Search Of' bring to mind the Midwest's best. Jon Dixon remixes with a little extra bite in the percussion and 'Forager' then layers up more dusty drums and wooden hits with diffuse synth curlicues. It's a sound that works on both head and heel and lastly, Glenn Davis remixes with a touch of jazzy cosmic class to his synth work.

DJ Cat comes through on Scruniversal here as the young label continues to go from strength to strength early in its existence. This time he serves up some re-edits and reworks of old and rare records from Scru's friends' collections. Up first is 'Roots & Culture' which is a languid funk workout with Prince style vocals bring some libidinous vibes up top while sci-fi synths and raw claps and perc all flesh out the groove. 'Possibelle' then cuts loose on a much more laid back and steamy summer vibe with the sort of chords that have you laying back in the park and staring up at a cloudless sky.

Exin follows 2021"s Companion, the final part of a trilogy of solo piano records that began with 2014"s Pinô and continued with 2019"s The Lost. Given their intimate, subtle nature, many of these compositions have accumulated remarkable streaming figures, but Totland"s musical miniatures are as emotionally eloquent as they are technically elegant, with this latest set proving no exception. A humble man by nature, however, Totland"s keen to emphasise that his work isn"t intended to change the world.

J & M Music Co US welcomes LeBaron James for another standout four-tracker that brings raw house and smooth disco together on one EP. Up first is 'Always Be True' is a deceptively simple sound that brings straight-up dancefloor beats with hooky pads. 'House Party' then has more heavy kicks and wild percussive patterns to liven up any party and 'One' then brings a more cool and laid-back disco groove that has a slick modern twist. Last but not least is 'Sugar And Spice' which brings a touch of sophisticated and chic instrumental vibes. It's a fourth different sound on a versatile EP.

Garage Hermétique continues to explore the musical world of its esteemed producer Views, once again showcasing his unique oriental-influenced, punchy, melancholic vibe.

The record also includes a remix of a still unreleased Views track by label owner Onirik.

Der Produzent, DJ, Songwriter und Musiker Roosevelt veröffentlicht sein mit Spannung erwartetes neues Album auf Counter Records! „Embrace“ ist der Nachfolger seines gefeierten Albums, „Polydans“, aus dem Jahr 2021 und ein klanglich lebendiges und zutiefst persönliches kreatives Statement des deutschen Multiinstrumentalisten, der sich schnell einen Ruf als eines der innovativsten Musiktalente der Welt erarbeitete.
„Embrace“ wurde komplett von Roosevelt (bürgerl. Marius Lauber) geschrieben, aufgenommen und produziert. Das Album enthält zutiefst persönliche Texte und gefühlvolle Instrumentalstücke, wie man sie bislang von früheren Roosevelt-Veröffentlichungen noch nicht kennt. Da er sich von der Musikindustrie entfremdet fühlte und mit dem Impostor-Syndrom kämpfte, nahm Lauber sein Heimstudio mit auf Tour, um sich wie nie zuvor voll und ganz in den Schreibprozess zu vertiefen. Mit improvisierten Setups in Städten auf der ganzen Welt hat Lauber ein Album geschaffen, das gleichermaßen intim und groß klingt, mit kaleidoskopischen Synthesizer-Arrangements und süchtig machenden Disco-Basslines. Der Titel des Albums entstammt Laubers Erkenntnis, dass viele seiner Freunde aus der Kindheit mit 30 Jahren „richtige Jobs" gefunden hätten, während er immer noch on the road war und den Lebensstil eines Künstlers lebte - der Titel „Embrace“ fungiert dabei als Hinweis an den Künstler selbst - eine Erinnerung daran, die unvorhersehbaren Wendungen des Lebens zu akzeptieren. Roosevelts ohnehin schon sehr geschäftiges Jahr 2023 folgt auf frühere hochkarätige Kollaborationen mit Nile Rodgers, Classixx und Washed Out sowie auf wichtige Remixe für Künstler:innen wie Taylor Swift, CHVRCHES, Glass Animals und Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Making a comeback to Kontakt, Thomas P. Heckmann unveils the latest chapter under his Metric System moniker. The release showcases a fresh composition with distinctive chords and reveals a hypnotic, unreleased gem from the TPH vault. Vril has crafted a sublime, bass-heavy treatment of 'Soul 440,' drawing inspiration from the distinctive soul of minimal Detroit house.

Making a comeback to Kontakt, Thomas P. Heckmann unveils the latest chapter under his Metric System moniker. The release showcases a fresh composition with distinctive chords and reveals a hypnotic, unreleased gem from the TPH vault. Vril has crafted a sublime, bass-heavy treatment of 'Soul 440,' drawing inspiration from the distinctive soul of minimal Detroit house.

Making a comeback to Kontakt, Thomas P. Heckmann unveils the latest chapter under his Metric System moniker. The release showcases a fresh composition with distinctive chords and reveals a hypnotic, unreleased gem from the TPH vault. Vril has crafted a sublime, bass-heavy treatment of 'Soul 440,' drawing inspiration from the distinctive soul of minimal Detroit house.

Rapid-fire with the releases like it’s effortless, minimal donny Velvet Velour steps up with his latest 4-tracker. Strong tech house currents in a similar vein to Kepler’s recent ‘Lowlife’ EP, but with extra zonk - it’s a head turning label debut.

The growing catalogue of releases belies a relatively short time spent producing. That said, he’s already a key proponent of the sound’s contemporary vanguard and XK035 might be the most vital effort to date.

Riot Records offshoot Disco Juice kicks off with 4 massive disco house bangers featuring some big hitters in the scene. Soul Sonic Orchestra Ft the legendary Kathy Brown / Da Lukas & label boss Yam Who?

DJ Support: Lee Burridge, Lost Desert, Sebastien Leger, Roy Rosenfeld, Volen Sentir, Gorje Hewek, Izhevski

The first ever vinyl from Ruvenzori, including tracks from Volen Sentir, Stan Tone, Talemastes, and label honcho Izhevski.

To celebrate its 25th release of its regular series, long-standing Minimood unleashes a 2x12" monster assembling Tobias Oliver, Die Wilde Jagd, AU Cheek, Ray Okpara, Bluetrain, JS, and Anton Kubikov. The sleeve has been designed by Milano based sculptor Tillmann Lauterbach and every record also contains a limited art print of his as a mighty extra.

Folly Group become the first band on Ninja Tune imprint Technicolour
(Elkka, Sofia Kourtesis, VTSS) with their new EP ‘Human and Kind’.

The four-piece of Sean Harper, Louis Milburn, Kai Akinde-Hummel and Tom Doherty formed in the tumultuous melting-pot of the London musical circuit. They released their debut EP ‘Awake and Hungry’ last year, receiving wide acclaim for their electronic infused post-punk sound and furiously brilliant live shows, landing coveted slots at Pitchfork Music Festival, in NME’s 100 Artists On The Rise and a co-sign from IDLES’ singer Joe Talbot.

Speaking about the EP, Folly Group said: “Where ‘Awake and Hungry’
doubled as a diary of the band’s formative months and encapsulation of our live show, ‘Human and Kind’ is a projection of our ambition, and our desire to push ourselves through what we might previously have
perceived as the ceiling of possibility for four players.”

For fans of Black Country, New Road, Squid, Yard Act, Black Midi, Dry Cleaning, Shame, Do Nothing.
140g crystal clear vinyl in 12” sleeve with spine and printed inner, plus
digital download code. Pressed sustainably within a 99% circular
environment at Deepgrooves.

“Every track is so good. They haven’t released anything that isn’t
amazing.” - Joe Talbot (IDLES, speaking on BBC 6 Music)
“thriving in well-crafted chaos.” - NME
“brilliant, experimental jungle rock” - i
“Give me that post-punk syncopation any day of the week” - Lauren
Laverne, who has made the band’s last three singles (including ‘I Raise You…’) her While You Were Sleeping Track Of The Day.
Headline UK Tour starting 31 March, taking in London, Bristol,
Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Nottingham, Margate, Newcastle,
Southampton, Milton Keynes and more.

12" compilation with new tracks by Eoism, Voertuig, Colkin and a lost gem by Peter Seiler featuring Sheryl Hackett. Picture sleeve with a bold artwork based on a sculpture by Hede Bühl. Limited to 500 copies.


Colkin (Raw Soul, Mauke Club) kicks off the a-side with a spheric acid house meditation. Next is a track by Peter Seiler which could be found on the extended reissue of his 'Flying Frames' debut LP on Innovative Communication in 1989. It features the soulful voice of Sheryl Hackett. An extraordinary groover that is meandering between song and jazz improvisation. Eoism (Pulse Drift, Undersound, Inch By Inch) complete the a-side with some low-swung electro flavors, driving you straight into sunset.

On the b-side Voertuig (Tonal Oceans, Cobra Club) hit us with a serious and raw acid jam - dark and dirty. On the following track they show us their experimental jazzy side and cool things down again. A track the 1990s downbeat era was missing. Eoism close the first volume of FUTUR with a floating, futuristic banger from their lab.

Benedikt Meger's aspiration for funkscapes was always to feature funk grooves, old and new, fresh and relevant for today. Whether some rare, not so rare or just under the radar recordings from the past or new productions from today's artists across different electronic genres. This idea now culminates into the selection for the compilation FUTUR.

Enjoy the ride.

Airrica makes her Crosstown Rebels debut with ‘Hi Speed Lover’, featuring Nick Morgan and KinAhau remixes.

Balancing experimental musical curiosity with her playful take on house and techno, Los Angeles’ Airrica may only be two releases into her blossoming journey as a producer, but she has already showcased her growing sound and vision while aligning with her own powerful DJ sets. Following her collaborative release alongside Ashee on Diplo’s Higher Ground and building on her debut via Crosstown’s sister label Rebellion, Damian Lazarus now welcomes her to Crosstown Rebels for the first time ahead of her appearance alongside the label boss at Hï Ibiza as she unveils her ‘Hi Speed Lover’ EP - accompanied by remixes from Canadian-born DJ/producer Nick Morgan and hotly-tipped talent KinAhau, as both also make their label debuts.

Bumping and trippy, ‘Hi Speed Lover’ is a snaking, bass-heavy cut loaded with energy as warped vocals are accompanied by slinking drums, icy hats and resonant chords and strings, while Nick Morgan’s take brings a stylish, hazy glow to the track as dubby low-ends and delicate keys work amongst the mix. Second original ‘Cherries’ is another impactful production merging metallic drums with further vocal murmurs and an infectious acid-dipped bassline, while KinAhau’s remix strips things back to deliver a classy journey through rich textures with an ethereal trip to close the package.

Since 2008 our Spiritual Jazz series has presented unlimited horizons. Each album celebrates the rich tradition of African-American songs based on the belief in a higher force than oneself and has also focused on geographical areas, such as Europe or Japan, thus recognizing that these territories have immense cultural riches. Religions, like Islam, whose musical traditions have vivid Arabic and North African resonances, have also been highlighted. The stylistic range of all the above is wide.

Yet historic record labels, from Blue Note and Impulse! to Prestige and Steeplechase, have also featured because their catalogues are musical treasure troves that could not be more relevant to Spiritual Jazz, even though they issued vast amounts of music between the late '30s and present day, that have not been confined to any one school.

Spiritual Jazz 16 is a focus on Riverside and its associated sister labels. Riverside itself was founded in 1953 by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer, and became an important purveyor in that decade and beyond of what would be marketed as of modern jazz. That coinage was itself an amorphous, umbrella term that essentially created a demarcation from the vocabulary of pre-war classic jazz and inter-war big band swing, thus recognizing that improvising artists were breaking new creative ground that would subsequently give rise to a flurry of sub-genres, for example bebop, hard bop, cool, modal and Latin jazz. And it's from this multiplicity of sub-genres that we choose the deepest, most vibrant selections that the vast, pan-generational catalogue of Keepnews & Grauer has to offer

Reality Hacked Part 1 sees the long-awaited vinyl release of the Matthew Dear, Perel and Jonny Rock remixes of Mirage. Taken from Lost Souls Of Saturn’s album ‘Reality’, released on their Holoverse Research Labs imprint, the original tracks saw Seth Troxler and Phil Moffa teaming with vocalist Adam Ohr (aka Addy Weitzman of Footprintz and The Beat Escape) for a cosmic synth-pop anthem.

The first 12” collects together the irresistible house remix from Perel (DFA / Kompakt), Jonny Rock’s chugging rework by Jonny Rock, and the gloriously twisted sprawling take from Matthew Dear.

U.S. Cinematic outfit Whatitdo Archive Group returns to explore the worlds of Mid-Century Exotica and Library Music with "Palace Of A Thousand Sounds," out on May 5th.

From the instrumental cinematic-soul outfit behind 2021's critically acclaimed The Black Stone Affair comes Whatitdo Archive Group's most recent foray into the realms of the esoteric and arcane, and their most adventurous album to date: Palace Of A Thousand Sounds, available May 5th, 2023 on Record Kicks on limited edition LP, CD and digital platforms.

After The Black Stone Affair enthralled record collectors by traversing the cinematic landscape of an imagined 1970s Spaghetti Western, Palace Of A Thousand Sounds finds Whatitdo Archive Group entrenched deeper in the worlds of mid-century exotica and library music—from the Tropicalia-steeped Amazon to the minor key tonalities of the far-out Near East.

When the dust finally settled from their debut album, composer and tireless sound scientist Alexander Korostinsky set out to discover the band's new direction, with the ultimate goal to breathe new life into the mid-century era sound with the compass of modernity as his guide.

From its conception in 2021, Palace has sought to carry on a legacy set in motion by the likes of Martin Denny, Les Baxter and Juan García Esquivel. Korostinsky, guitarist Mark Sexton, and drummer Aaron Chiazza recorded the album in marathon sessions from Korostinsky's Studio "A," in Reno, Nevada—a mysterious sonic laboratory where the year 1970 has yet to happen, and vintage analog equipment interfaces with modern musical perspectives and experimental recording techniques to produce era-defining sounds.

Not content to appeal to the sensibilities of armchair anthropologists, Palace Of A Thousand Sounds finds the band interrogating the genre itself while making studious tributes to the real places and times it draws from. It's in this tension between here and there, fantasy and reality, that Whatitdo Archive Group find their groove.

Drawing from a century of pop and folk sounds from around the world the way only 21st-century crate-diggers can, Palace is rooted in an undercurrent of heavy funk that is decidedly here and now. Whatitdo Archive Group showcase the breadth of their influences with disarming confidence, equally at home behind sweeping harp, loungey vibraphone or Turkish bağlama saz. A lush seventeen-piece orchestra commanded by award-winning composer Louis King (Janelle Monáe, Monophonics) completes the instrumental mélange, enticing listeners to imagine a borderless planet unified by melody and rhythm.

The album is unafraid to explore the strange and uncomfortable in pursuit of an authentic musical identity, subverting expectations in pursuit of forwarding the genre while paying homage to its past. Fans will appreciate the architectural complexity of the record accessible only through multiple listens—each visit to the palace yielding new details to marvel at, curiosities to ponder, grand mysteries to explore.

Once the needle drops, W.A.G carefully guides you from room to room, sound to sound within the walls of the album's sonic palace. Listening becomes an aural journey providing glimpses into different worlds both real and imagined; you are everywhere and nowhere all at once—a guest in the grand halls and hanging gardens of time and sound.

Steeped in obscurity, a cult following of crate-diggers and musical oddity collectors has been brewing over the mysterious releases of the Whatitdo Archive Group. Surfacing in 2009 from the high deserts of Reno, NV USA, this three-piece recording collective(Alexander Korostinsky, Mark Sexton and Aaron Chiazza) focuses solely on curating, performing and preserving esoteric soundtrack, library and deep-groove collections. As an onlooker, it's hard to tell whether the music they are procuring is actually archival, music of their own creation, or both. Their debut LP The Black Stone Affair, the formerly lost soundtrack music of a once-shelved Italian cinematic masterpiece, was released in 2021 and received praise from the likes of Wall Street Journal, Mojo Magazine, Uncut, Shindig, Blues & Soul Magazine, BBC 6, FIP Radio (FR), KCRW (US), JazzFM (UK) and more. Two years later, the Whatitdo Archive Group is back. Get ready for an exotic adventure with their sophomore full-length effort: Palace of a Thousand Sounds.

Repress!

4 To The Floor is committed to delivering seminal house music to wax, making sought after heritage tracks readily available on vinyl for crate diggers to add to their collections. Now in its fifth edition, the series continues to raise the bar. The A-Side features two mixes of the mid-nineties Mood II Swing production ‘Living In Ecstasy’ by Fonda Rae. The R&B singer who was responsible for cult hits like ‘Touch Me’ delivers silky-smooth vocals that remain the focus in the opening Groove Mix, whereas JC’s Ecstasy Dub follows up with a rumbling bassline to deliver a club-focussed version. On the flip we’re greeted by a slice of 2001 goodness with the Original Distant Music Mix of Jon Cutler featuring E-Man ‘It’s Yours’, a seminal house classic. Closing out the release is The Return’s ‘New Day’, originally released on Fourth Floor Records in 1999, twenty years later this sublime and emotive piece of house music history sounds fresh as ever. Classics Volume 5 is another record box essential delivered to you by 4 To The Floor.

'Quintela', the debut album by Carme López, a performer, teacher and researcher of traditional oral music from Galicia, is a new experimental work for Galician bagpipe. Influenced by the approach of composers like Éliane Radigue or Pauline Oliveros, the Spanish composer creates slowly modulating sound environments, and stretches the sonic the possibilities of the bagpipe to its absolute limit. 'Quintela' is structured in four movements, plus a prologue and an epilogue, which serve as a link to the contemporary language of the instrument.

The bagpipe is strongly tied to traditional musics; its use in different genres and musical contexts is extremely limited and unimaginative. 'Quintela' brings it to a wholly unknown field, decontextualising the bagpipe in order to elevate a personal approach, and leaving behind its male-dominated past (in which it relates to ideas of prestige, dominance or carries even sexual connotations). López expertly demonstrates its grandeur and breadth; the music on 'Quintela' ranges from barely audible sounds of air passing through the hide bag through rhythmical use of its reeds to all-encompassing drones with complex harmonic structures and vibrant overtones.

The narrative arc focuses on the composer's past, its people and places, and could be conceived as a journey in and of itself. A homage to those in our memories, but also a step into the unknown, 'Quintela' is an ambitious, graceful and captivating debut.

DJ Subaru has already made their name exciting dancers with offbeat anthems and obscurities as part of their luminous Pleasuremaxxx parties, alongside similarly inclined soirees in Leeds, London, Berlin and beyond. Making their accomplished production debut on CWPT with 'Lots of Love', DJ Subaru instinctively mines the expressive, outsider strains of disco, Italo and pop pleasures in their record bag, revealing an EP that throbs with the pleasures, pain and potential of a life in strobes and smoke.

Vocalist and muse Tiss Vampiric emerges from London’s shadowy underground to lend their voice to the brooding, disco-Gothic track, ‘My Love’. Stalking a moody paradise amongst DJ Subaru’s EBM-oriented synthesizers, their baroque lyrics conjure an atmosphere that bridges the energies of subversive pioneers such as Soft Cell and Ministry, a sensual maze where denial only leads to more devotion, as well as more dancing.

Keeping the lights dim but brightening the corners, the prolific cosmic disco pioneer Prins Thomas reinvigorates his legendary ‘Discomiks’ approach for a euphoric remix of ‘My Love’. Incorporating DJ Subaru and Tiss Vampiric into a dancefloor canon that also includes Lana Del Rey, Pet Shop Boys and the Chemical Brothers, this classic arrangement has been road-tested to build euphoria, joyfully reflecting menace from mirrorballs.

The latter portion within 'Lots of Love' leaves us entirely in DJ Subaru’s musical visions. The only voice on ‘I <3 You’ is soft and robotic, intoning the track’s simple title over a lush, caramelized groove that’s pure circuits and sentiment. In contrast, the moody pads of ‘Just Visiting’ build to a crescendo of breaks and basslines that capture more urgent early hours energy, while ‘She’ provides a beautifully naive melody and a slightly balearic touch for a wide-eyed kiss goodbye.

The 9th studio album of the band tumido features trumpet player Alex Kranabetter (Soap and Skin, Vodoo Jürgens). For more than 20 years Tumido has been on the lookout for something new, always on the move, focused on energy in any form, driving rhythms, powerful bass, spacey drones. Trumpet has always been a big part of their sound universe, so it felt very natural to collaborate with a master of trumpet sounds, Alex Kranabetter and record an album together.
Lithox - a maelstrom you can't escape, sucked in by a hypnotic bass & driving rhythms into a trance world you don't want to leave Dwa - a summer hit out of Hades on the slide to hell.
180° - a volcanic eruption on a lonely island - pure energy; Dirt Rodeo - the branches of the fire tree dance with laughter, clouds of smoke cloud the senses and the landing is a success.

The latest EP for Tee Mango’s SUPERUNKNOWN imprint shines a light on up and coming Mancunian DJ & producer Joey T.

With the SUPERUNKNOWN label continuing to shine a light on artists Tee has met via his ‘FINISH YOUR F***ING EP’ coaching and mentoring program.

This aptly titled STRONG TEAM EP combines original tracks from Permanent Vacation favourite Tee Mango & Joey T. It feels very much like a family affair, and comes fresh off the back of Joey’s sold out shows with Luke Una’s excellent E Soul Cultura.

The lead track is by Joey T titled "When You Are Not On My Mind" (WYNOMM) comes in original (Maurice Fulton inspired) loose house flavour, courtesy of Joey himself.

We are also treated to a Tee Mango remix, which channels Joe Claussell’s seminal Instant House via warehouse era Chicken Lips.

The remaining x2 Tee Mango's trax are a left leaning electronica made in his inimitable style. Plenty of feel and colouring outside of the lines.

This is house music for cultured dancefloors, sparse, minimally melodic and just the right amount of weird.

Support from: Mixmag, Tim Sweeney, Crazy P, PBR Streetgang, Hot Toddy, Bill Brewster, Will Saul & Mano Le Tough with others sure to follow.

Review: Three German instrumental talents - Chris Haertel, David Nesselhauf, Julian Gutjahr - make up The Drawbars, whom together describe their music as 'off jazz'. Following up their prior outing for Basel's BurningSole, on which two instrumental originals stuck out like raw thrums, their latest is an unexpected curveball in the form of a standout rare groove version of Billie Eilish's modern classic 'Bad Guy'. Riffing of its madhouse hooks by way of a watery high electric keyboard part, the essence of the track pairs timely well the Northern-soulful form of breaks, fills and bass jaunts. The B, 'Smokes & Mirrors', returns to OG songwriting and hears electric glisses and portamento synths dance across sultry, incense-filled rhythmatic rooms and navy-noted blueses.

NEW LABEL ALERT!!!

Tropical Pop arrive on the scene to serve peak-time refreshment to the stale dancefloors of the world.

Bursting with flavour, artificial sweeteners and a whole load of E numbers, these cuts deliver totally tropical disco pump and tangy technoid madness - teased, tweaked and transformed for maximum sugar rush.

LIMITED EDITION - ILLICIT INGREDIENTS

Feel the fizz, folks.

This collaboration between Spanish producer Nueen and Manc vocalist / rapper Iceboy Violet - who has previously sprinkled their magic dust across Hyperdub releases from aya and Loraine James - traces the arc of a four year relationship, memorialising its highs and documenting its lows, processing, reflecting, and then ending with the ecstatic spark of new love. It’s a magical, intimate and heartfelt album, sometimes anguished but often enchanting. Nueen's music responds with foggy, but richly detailed, production. Smudgy drill-laced beats contrast with curdled, spiralling chords, at times drawing out a malevolent ambience. ‘You Said You'd Hold My Hand Through The Fire’ is an immensely affecting and lucid album, powerfully wrought, ultimately hopeful.

Modern Obscure Music kick off their new sub label, Altre with a super limited 7" from Continent & Cont Ext. Proper experimental electronics that take the listener on a journey through the stars and beyond.

SAM MORTON, das musikalische Duo, bestehend aus der Sängerin, Songwriterin und jüngst mit dem BAFTA (dem britischen Äquivalent zum Oscar) ausgezeichneten Schauspielerin und Regisseurin Samantha Morton und dem Musikproduzenten und Co-Songwriter Richard Russell, veröffentlichen ihr gemeinsames Debütalbum. Das Album trägt den Titel "Daffodils & Dirt" und wird am 14. Juni über XL Recordings veröffentlicht. In zwölf atmosphärischen Tracks bauen die beiden eine zutiefst persönliche musikalische Welt auf, die gleichzeitig intim und zart, aber auch kraftvoll und mitunter schroff wirkt. In der teilweise autobiografischen Songfolge bilden Russells spartanische Klanglandschaften das fragile Gerüst für Mortons wunderschönen wie ätherischen Gesang. Unterstützt werden sie dabei von einer Reihe musikalischer Freunde. Darunter Alabaster DePlume, Laura Groves, Jack Peñate und als zusätzliche Sängerin Ali Campbell (bei "Broxtowe Girl"). Obwohl Samantha Morton schon ihr ganzes Leben lang Musik liebt und sich mit ihr beschäftigt, ist dies ihr erstes Projekt als Musikerin überhaupt. Die Zusammenarbeit kam zustande, nachdem sie im Oktober 2020 in der BBC-Sendung "Desert Island Discs" auftrat und Russell zufällig zuhörte. Er war nicht nur von ihrer Songauswahl beeindruckt (einschließlich der gemeinsamen Vorliebe für ein bestimmtes Lied: "I Remember" von Molly Drake), sondern auch von der Art und Weise, wie die Musik ihre Lebenserfahrungen verwebt. Die beiden nahmen Kontakt auf und tauschten Ideen, Skizzen und Gedankenströme aus. Schließlich trafen sie sich Monate später im Studio und begannen eine spontane wie intensive und ergebnisoffene Zusammenarbeit, die sich für beide Künstler als kathartischer musikalischer Prozess erwies. "Daffodils & Dirt" wurde schließlich 2023 fertiggestellt und zeigt, wie es klingt, wenn Sound-Kosmen miteinander zu einer wunderschönen Fusionen verschmelzen. "Daffodils & Dirt" ist digital und als CD, LP und exklusive gelbe Indie-Vinyl erhältlich. Das Cover des Albums zeigt ein Archivfoto des renommierten britisch-amerikanischen Fotografen und bildenden Künstlers Nick Waplington, der das Leben in Nottinghams Broxtowe Estate zur gleichen Zeit dokumentierte, als Morton dort Mitte der 1980er Jahre aufwuchs. Bereits heute erscheint die neue Single "Let"s Walk In The Night" aus dem Album. "Let"s Walk In The Night" ist eine gespenstische, jenseitige Neuinterpretation des britischen Street Soul und wird von einem Video begleitet, bei dem Samantha Morton selbst Regie führte. Das Video wurde auf der jährlichen Goose Fair in Nottingham gedreht und ist das zweite Musikvideo, bei dem Morton Regie geführt hat, nach dem Video zu "Cry Without End", in dem sie auch die Hauptrolle spielte Anfang des Jahres.

SAM MORTON, das musikalische Duo, bestehend aus der Sängerin, Songwriterin und jüngst mit dem BAFTA (dem britischen Äquivalent zum Oscar) ausgezeichneten Schauspielerin und Regisseurin Samantha Morton und dem Musikproduzenten und Co-Songwriter Richard Russell, veröffentlichen ihr gemeinsames Debütalbum. Das Album trägt den Titel "Daffodils & Dirt" und wird am 14. Juni über XL Recordings veröffentlicht. In zwölf atmosphärischen Tracks bauen die beiden eine zutiefst persönliche musikalische Welt auf, die gleichzeitig intim und zart, aber auch kraftvoll und mitunter schroff wirkt. In der teilweise autobiografischen Songfolge bilden Russells spartanische Klanglandschaften das fragile Gerüst für Mortons wunderschönen wie ätherischen Gesang. Unterstützt werden sie dabei von einer Reihe musikalischer Freunde. Darunter Alabaster DePlume, Laura Groves, Jack Peñate und als zusätzliche Sängerin Ali Campbell (bei "Broxtowe Girl"). Obwohl Samantha Morton schon ihr ganzes Leben lang Musik liebt und sich mit ihr beschäftigt, ist dies ihr erstes Projekt als Musikerin überhaupt. Die Zusammenarbeit kam zustande, nachdem sie im Oktober 2020 in der BBC-Sendung "Desert Island Discs" auftrat und Russell zufällig zuhörte. Er war nicht nur von ihrer Songauswahl beeindruckt (einschließlich der gemeinsamen Vorliebe für ein bestimmtes Lied: "I Remember" von Molly Drake), sondern auch von der Art und Weise, wie die Musik ihre Lebenserfahrungen verwebt. Die beiden nahmen Kontakt auf und tauschten Ideen, Skizzen und Gedankenströme aus. Schließlich trafen sie sich Monate später im Studio und begannen eine spontane wie intensive und ergebnisoffene Zusammenarbeit, die sich für beide Künstler als kathartischer musikalischer Prozess erwies. "Daffodils & Dirt" wurde schließlich 2023 fertiggestellt und zeigt, wie es klingt, wenn Sound-Kosmen miteinander zu einer wunderschönen Fusionen verschmelzen. "Daffodils & Dirt" ist digital und als CD, LP und exklusive gelbe Indie-Vinyl erhältlich. Das Cover des Albums zeigt ein Archivfoto des renommierten britisch-amerikanischen Fotografen und bildenden Künstlers Nick Waplington, der das Leben in Nottinghams Broxtowe Estate zur gleichen Zeit dokumentierte, als Morton dort Mitte der 1980er Jahre aufwuchs. Bereits heute erscheint die neue Single "Let"s Walk In The Night" aus dem Album. "Let"s Walk In The Night" ist eine gespenstische, jenseitige Neuinterpretation des britischen Street Soul und wird von einem Video begleitet, bei dem Samantha Morton selbst Regie führte. Das Video wurde auf der jährlichen Goose Fair in Nottingham gedreht und ist das zweite Musikvideo, bei dem Morton Regie geführt hat, nach dem Video zu "Cry Without End", in dem sie auch die Hauptrolle spielte Anfang des Jahres.

Albums don’t get much more intimate than the ones made by Stina Nordenstam. The Swedish singer layers her delicate voice over minimal, ambient soundscapes, and her lyrics are impressionistic, personal, and poetic. It’s like you’re swimming in her stream of consciousness, which is a pretty nice place to be, especially on this 2001 album, which presents Stina at her dreamiest and poppiest. Long desired by vinyl fans, This Is Stina Nordenstam is here in a clear pressing with a color inner sleeve featuring lyrics. Mitchell Froom co-produces; includes a couple of duets with Suede’s Brett Anderson (on “Trainsurfing” and Keen Yellow Planet”)!

Viele von uns werden sich täglich daran erinnern müssen, dass es nicht mehr 1967 ist. "We All Belong" von DR. DOG ist eines dieser Meisterwerke, dass eine Standleitung zu der Quelle hat, an der sich seinerzeit auch Brian Wilson, Neil Young, Robbie Robertson, John Lennon und Paul McCartney gütlich taten, um so erfrischt einige der besten Songs der Geschichte zu schreiben. DR. DOG haben damit einen Klassiker geschaffen, der nicht nur absolut zeitlos, sondern reich an Seele, voll von purem Rock'n'Roll und manchmal auf so unheimliche Weise vertraut ist, dass man sich sofort zu Hause fühlt - trotzdem jedoch bleibt der Sound auf ,We All Belong" einzigartig. Die Produktion steht ebenso in der Schuld von George "The 5th BEATLE" Martin wie auch Jeff Mangum (NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL). Die Songs, die da regelrecht aus der Feder und den Instrumenten von DR. DOG fließen, sind auf der einen Seite eine große Hommage an die Brillanz vergangener Zeiten und auf der anderen Seite der Weckruf einer Generation, der vom müden Indie ihrer Zeit ganz schläfrig zumute ist. An den Trompeten des Weckrufs: DR. DOG, deren Appeal durchaus noch weitere 40 Jahre bestehen könnte.

Orebolo (or-RAY-beh-low) is an acoustic trio featuring Rick Mitarotonda (vocals, guitar), Peter Anspach (vocals, guitar), and Jeff Arevalo (upright bass). The band, comprised of members of the emergent indie rock group Goose, has built a faithful following nationwide, performing an eclectic mix of originals and covers. With their debut studio album, The Chateau, the trio finds comfort in exploring Goose's deep catalog acoustically - a feeling they hope to translate to those listening at home.

The Primitives return with a new 2 song 7" after last years surprise EP "Don't Know Where to Start". The
band are better than ever with their twee pop meets c86 meets garage pop two track single "I Won't
Care" backed with the sinister "Everybody Needs Somebody to Hate." The Primitives are indiepop royalty
and this single retains their early DIY vibes with being housed in a screen-printed sleeve.

Since 2002, Rebeka Warrior, poet by night, producer by day, and Carla Pallone, composer, baroque violinist turned multi-instrumentalist, have formed Mansfield.TYA. If we knew until now the sensitive world of Mansfield.TYA: meaning of melody, melancholy and minimalism, today the group returns with a poetic ode New Wave. With Monument Ordinaire, Rebeka and Carla are making their fifth album: 45 minutes of life and death, of poetry carved out of rock, imagined as words by Master Dogen on simple and catchy melodies by Jacno. An album of happy melancholy, an escape to celebrate the furious love of life, like so many cries of the heart. Always guided by emotion and constant attention to words, Mansfield.TYA shares 12 songs that make us dance even when we cry.

EELS veröffentlichen ihr 15. Studioalbum mit dem Titel 'EELS TIME!', das über E-Works/Play It Again Sam erscheint!

Die Albumankündigung folgt auf ein arbeitsreiches Jahr 2023 für EELS, die endlich ihre lang erwartete 'Lockdown Hurricane'-Tour durch Europa und Nordamerika antraten, und der Veröffentlichung ihres zweiten Compilation-Albums 'EELS So Good: Essential EELS Vol.2' mitsamt eines brandneuen Weihnachtssong 'Christmas, Why You Gotta Do Me Like This', mit der sie ihre drei Jahrzehnte währende Bandgeschichte feiern.

'EELS TIME!' wurde in Los Feliz/Kalifornien und Dublin aufgenommen und enthält zwölf brandneue Tracks und einige von E's introspektivsten und persönlichsten Stücken der letzten Jahre sowie Kollaborationen mit dem amerikanischen Musiker und Schauspieler Tyson Ritter, Frontsänger der Rockband The All-American Rejects.

Das sich ständig verändernde Projekt um Sänger/Songwriters E (Mark Oliver Everett) hat seit seinem Debüt 'Beautiful Freak' aus dem Jahr 1996 insgesamt 14 Studioalben veröffentlicht. Im Jahr 2008 veröffentlichte E sein hochgelobtes Buch 'Things the Grandchildren Should Know' und spielte die Hauptrolle in dem preisgekrönten Dokumentarfilm 'Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives', der sich mit seinem Vater, dem Quantenphysiker Hugh Everett III beschäftigte.

- Col. LP: (Translucent Neon Pink Vinyl, Gatefold Sleeve, Printed Inner Sleeve)

Akio Niitsu's first album, "I/O(i?o)" released in 1978, was produced in a homemade studio that had been converted from a storeroom in his home, and he spent three years doing everything from composition to engineering by himself, using overdubbed guitar recordings. 's first analog re-release has been decided.

As a guitar multi-recording album, the idea was realized six years earlier than the album "E2-E4" released in 1984 by Manuel Göttsching, the central figure of "Ash La Tempel", but it was too early. A hidden experimental/ambient gem!

The paradoxical sound that makes you feel as if you are lost deep in a labyrinthine forest, combined with Tadanori Yokoo's artwork, is a piece that allows you to enjoy Akio Niitsu's worldview with your ears and eyes.

Closing off a four release run with Samurai Music and affiliated labels, Eusebeia collaborates with Aisatsaana for the Transformation EP on Samurai Music. The combined creative perspective and approach of the two artists results in a textural adjustment, a glistening and psychedelic sheen is sprinkled over the tempered kick/break/bass combos. It's a perfect EP that smoothly traverses mood waves.

Multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans known for chart-topping hits like "Sud in the Bucket " and "A Little Bit Stronger," is poised for a new chapter. This March marked her debut on Melody Place Records with the release of the single "Pride" and her long awaited album, Unbroke. Simultaneously, she's preparing to unveil an updated version of her memoir, "Born To Fly," through Howard Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint. Expect this insightful memoir to hit shelves this Summer, offering readers a deeper understanding of Sara Evans beyond her musical achievements. Add in the recent launch of her lifestyle podcast and "Diving in Deep" and a plethora of TV appearances expect to see (and hear) Sara Evans everywhere.

INEX016 takes you on a magical journey through the mellow realm of house music. Veteran Eddie C delivers a disco-infused belter that will make your hips shake. Tilman presents a juicy nu-groove track that transports you back to May 1st, 1992. Making his wax debut, Julius Renner offers a soulful voyage to the peak of the dance floor. Toomy Disco, a newcomer on InEx aswell, delivers a shuffling and groovy bomb, pondering the future of DJs. Ron Brown collaborates on a deep, almost Latin-spiced organ track with moments of melancholy and hope. Lastly, Meeshoo touches our souls with strings and disco excellence.

Kiyoshi Yamaya's "Japanese melody by PCM recording" series second work. A crossover sound picture scroll created by the genius Kiyoshi Yamaya on the theme of Kyoto, featuring Toshiko Yonekawa (1st), who later became a Living National Treasure."

A1. Koto / B1. Kyo gion warabeuta

Joe Nora exemplifies Californian cool from the bay to LA. With a wide production palette that varies from dusty instrumental and alternative hip hop to breezy indie R&B, his range falls under a vibe that only he personifies. On his forthcoming album, Puzzle Face delves into the journey of navigating confusion and rebuilding oneself after facing adversity.

Known for her powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and diverse musical influences, LA-based soul and funk singer Nikka Costa returns from a musical career break with future-forward disco-inspired sounds on ‘Dirty Disco’.

The lyric “Everyone is welcome, everyone’s an Avatar” denotes a place where anyone can go to be themselves and let their freak flag fly! and sets the tone for her disco and soul fused, progressive album, which is recorded with and produced by Justin Stanley (Prince, Jamie Lidell, Beck etc). Along with the talents of versatile musicians such as Brandon Coleman (Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Donald Glover, Flying Lotus), Greg Phillinganes (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder) and Kaveh Rastegar (John Legend, Beck), Nikka Costa invites you to immerse yourself in her “Dirty Disco” world.

“Dirty Disco is about a place anyone can go to be themselves and let their freak flag fly! It’s about a place where no one is looking, no one cares what you're doing or what you're into. It could be a disco, but it could also be another planet or headspace or vibe. It's dark and sparkly, blue and purple. Gritty, raw and sexy. Whatever you want it to be.” - Nikka Costa

Drei Jahre nach ihrem morbiden Manifest "Limbo", einer bitteren Abrechnung mit der Pandemie und ihren bestialischen Folgen, kehrt Wave-Alchemist Ronny Moorings zurück. Im Gepäck hat er einen schwarzen Blumenstrauß aus Trauergesängen für eine kranke neue Welt, Elegien für einen neuen Status quo, mit dem wir alle leben müssen.

Auch 40 Jahre nach ihrer Gründung sind CLAN OF XYMOX ein Leuchtfeuer tragischer Eleganz und düsterer Tristesse. Sie sind die unbestrittene, unangefochtene Speerspitze einer Szene, die zuletzt überraschend die Aufmerksamkeit einer viel jüngeren Generation auf sich gezogen hat, die ihre Angst und ihren Schmerz durch Musik wie diese ausdrücken will. Gerne doch! "Exodus" zeugt von diesem Ausnahmestatus und führt das Feld der prosaischen Trauer mit zehn neuen Hymnen von erlesener Nachtschwere an. Das Besteck, welches Ronny Moorings benutzt, mag noch dasselbe sein; das Ergebnis ist ein weiteres Meisterwerk voller sehnsüchtiger Melodien, weltabgewandten Vocals aus den Tiefen der Erde, hallenden Gitarren und hypnotischen Drums, die die Phantome in uns allen zum Mitternachtsschmaus einladen.

Wir tanzen direkt in den Abgrund, will uns dieses Album sagen. Aber wenigstens tanzen wir noch. Denn wenn es nichts mehr gibt, an das man sich wenden kann, wenn alle Hoffnung verloren scheint und die Welt uns unter Fluten biblischen Ausmaßes begräbt, bleibt manchmal nur noch, sich der Musik hinzugeben. Diesem fesselnden Exodus in Richtung Katharsis. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum "Exodus" einige der düstersten und niedergeschlagensten Stücke enthält, die Ronny Moorings seit vielen Jahren geschrieben hat. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum diese Platte mit den besten Veröffentlichungen von THE CURE mithalten kann. Weil die Zeiten, in denen wir leben, ihn dazu gezwungen haben. Weil es einfach keinen anderen Weg gibt, als all seinen Kummer, seine Wut und seinen Weltschmerz in seine klagende Musik einfließen zu lassen. Nicht, weil die Welt danach eine bessere sein wird. Sondern weil es für ihn die einzige Möglichkeit ist, mit dem brutalen Wahnsinn, den wir Alltag nennen, fertig zu werden.

"Exodus" ist kein Album für Träumer. Es ist aber auch kein Albtraum - trotz der Schatten, die unter der Oberfläche brüten. Es ist ein Tor für all jene, die die Dunkelheit unserer Tage anerkennen und sich dennoch weigern, aufzugeben. Lasst uns also diese nächtlichen Wiegenlieder gemeinsam singen und tanzen, solange wir noch einen Boden dafür haben. Denn das ist alles, was wir im Moment tun können.

Drei Jahre nach ihrem morbiden Manifest "Limbo", einer bitteren Abrechnung mit der Pandemie und ihren bestialischen Folgen, kehrt Wave-Alchemist Ronny Moorings zurück. Im Gepäck hat er einen schwarzen Blumenstrauß aus Trauergesängen für eine kranke neue Welt, Elegien für einen neuen Status quo, mit dem wir alle leben müssen.

Auch 40 Jahre nach ihrer Gründung sind CLAN OF XYMOX ein Leuchtfeuer tragischer Eleganz und düsterer Tristesse. Sie sind die unbestrittene, unangefochtene Speerspitze einer Szene, die zuletzt überraschend die Aufmerksamkeit einer viel jüngeren Generation auf sich gezogen hat, die ihre Angst und ihren Schmerz durch Musik wie diese ausdrücken will. Gerne doch! "Exodus" zeugt von diesem Ausnahmestatus und führt das Feld der prosaischen Trauer mit zehn neuen Hymnen von erlesener Nachtschwere an. Das Besteck, welches Ronny Moorings benutzt, mag noch dasselbe sein; das Ergebnis ist ein weiteres Meisterwerk voller sehnsüchtiger Melodien, weltabgewandten Vocals aus den Tiefen der Erde, hallenden Gitarren und hypnotischen Drums, die die Phantome in uns allen zum Mitternachtsschmaus einladen.

Wir tanzen direkt in den Abgrund, will uns dieses Album sagen. Aber wenigstens tanzen wir noch. Denn wenn es nichts mehr gibt, an das man sich wenden kann, wenn alle Hoffnung verloren scheint und die Welt uns unter Fluten biblischen Ausmaßes begräbt, bleibt manchmal nur noch, sich der Musik hinzugeben. Diesem fesselnden Exodus in Richtung Katharsis. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum "Exodus" einige der düstersten und niedergeschlagensten Stücke enthält, die Ronny Moorings seit vielen Jahren geschrieben hat. Vielleicht ist das der Grund, warum diese Platte mit den besten Veröffentlichungen von THE CURE mithalten kann. Weil die Zeiten, in denen wir leben, ihn dazu gezwungen haben. Weil es einfach keinen anderen Weg gibt, als all seinen Kummer, seine Wut und seinen Weltschmerz in seine klagende Musik einfließen zu lassen. Nicht, weil die Welt danach eine bessere sein wird. Sondern weil es für ihn die einzige Möglichkeit ist, mit dem brutalen Wahnsinn, den wir Alltag nennen, fertig zu werden.

"Exodus" ist kein Album für Träumer. Es ist aber auch kein Albtraum - trotz der Schatten, die unter der Oberfläche brüten. Es ist ein Tor für all jene, die die Dunkelheit unserer Tage anerkennen und sich dennoch weigern, aufzugeben. Lasst uns also diese nächtlichen Wiegenlieder gemeinsam singen und tanzen, solange wir noch einen Boden dafür haben. Denn das ist alles, was wir im Moment tun können.

Recorded in 1956 for Tom Wilson’s Transition label, Watkins At Large was the first of two albums bassist Doug Watkins made as a leader. With a first-rate band featuring Donald Byrd, Hank Mobley, Kenny Burrell, Duke Jordan, and Art Taylor, Watkins swings through a stellar set of blues, ballads and more. This mono Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket with an 8.5” x 5.5” booklet.