A collection of transfixing, storm-like compositions, "Drifts" draws you into its heightened sense of quiet, reveling in iridescent, tranquilized vapors - one part ambient Classical, one part Club-adjacent ambience.
Pitched, reduced, sampled and re-sampled, the album's glowing, elliptical abstractions - using piano, harp, strings & modular synthesizer - explore the emotional terrain between aftermath and renewal, blending the unstructured immediacy of improvisation with the elegant sculpture of composition.
"Drifts" represents for its maker a newfound interest in shadow and mystery, each track a shifting terrain, a collection of clues, a scene set in a larger story, the effect cumulative.
Featuring collaborations with Patrick Belaga, Marilu Donovan (LEYA), and Takuma Watanabe, the album's cinematic suite of impressionistic, ambient works invites the listener into a vast, mapless space of dreamlike non-linearity where interior and exterior landscapes bristle with intimacy and electricity.
For the fifth release on Silum Records, the in-house production collective Wavetest teams up with longtime friend Lexx for two tracks and completes the 12” with a new creation of their own. “Last Dance at Zukunft” and “Alpine State” were both inspired by the iconic Zurich venue Zukunft which closed its doors in the spring of 2025. Club Zukunft was a cornerstone of Zurich’s underground club culture for nearly two decades. Everyone involved in the making of this record spent countless nights there, whether behind the decks, on stage or dancing in the crowd. This release is both a celebration and a heartfelt farewell to a place whose impact on Zurich’s music scene remains unmatched.
With My Best Friend, CHOP — the duo of Cosmo Dance and Whodamanny — return to deliver a new chapter of their analog-driven dance language on Mirella Records.
Built around warmth, groove, and an unspoken dialogue between machines and emotion, My Best Friend reflects CHOP’s purest intentions: to explore rhythm as a living form, to make the floor breathe, and to connect people through sound. Each element feels carefully shaped yet deeply human — the pulse of friendship and creative trust translated into music.
This 7-inch release, pressed on red transparent vinyl, stands as a statement of authenticity. It’s not about spectacle or nostalgia, but about presence — a timeless moment captured in movement and frequency. CHOP invite listeners to tune into the essence of the dancefloor: where simplicity becomes depth, and truth becomes magic.
1987 eroberte „Houseman“ die Tanzflächen weltweit – nun kehrt der Klassiker als exklusive, farbige Maxi-Vinyl zurück: neu abgemischt, remastered und bereit für kraftvolle ClubMomente im authentischen Vinyl-Sound.
Track-Highlights der Maxi-Vinyl:
• New Radio Edit – die kompakte Fassung für direkte, energiegeladene Einsätze.
• Oliver Bach Remix – treibender Techno mit maximaler ClubPower.
• Dominatrix Remix – hypnotischer Indie Dance für anspruchsvolle und experimentierfreudige Hörer.
• Remastered Original – der Kult-Track in frischem, modernen Klangbild, klarer und druckvoller als je zuvor.
• Germany Calling (Remastered) – die legendäre Version neu aufgelegt und perfekt für nostalgische Vinyl-Momente
In 1987, ‘Houseman’ conquered dance floors worldwide – now the classic is back as an exclusive, coloured maxi vinyl: remixed, remastered and ready for powerful club moments with authentic vinyl sound.
Track highlights of the maxi vinyl:
• New Radio Edit – the compact version for direct, energetic performances.
• Oliver Bach Remix – driving techno with maximum club power.
• Dominatrix Remix – hypnotic indie dance for discerning and adventurous listeners.
• Remastered Original – the cult track with a fresh, modern sound, clearer and more powerful than ever before.
• Germany Calling (Remastered) – the legendary version reissued and perfect for nostalgic vinyl moments.
VIER - IIII, a project by: Machinedrum x Thys x Holly x Salvador Breed.
Across its eleven tracks, 'IIII' dissolves borders between breakbeat, trap-meets-gabber, skippy UK shuffle, halftime, jungle and cinematic electronica, music that shifts from serious voltage to full-colour euphoria. What ties it together is philosophy, not genre.
The group's working method began playfully in the studio with a ten-minute egg timer: each member would sketch for ten minutes, then pass it on. That rule became a ritual, a way to keep things human, spontaneous and shared. In VIER, every track passes through four sets of hands; every decision is a test of trust. What could have been chaos instead became a flow state, a cycle of surrender and discovery thatdefines their sound.
Following singles such as Frankfurt, Control, Where Were You, Solitu and Vai Pulando, 'IIII' stands as VIER's first full statement, a body of work that feels both playful and deeply considered. Moments of quiet bloom into distorted joy; melody drifts through broken percussion; endings turn into new beginnings.
The ever enigmatic Deepchord makes a most welcome return to Soma with this, the first single to be taken from this latest full length, Ultraviolet Music. Three beautiful slices have been cut from the album to form this truly outstanding single and shows Deepchord return to a straight up mix of heady, cerebral dub techno infused with more solid rhythms.
X-IMG presents “SEARCHING HELL” the new album by industrial body music producer SARIN, this 12” full-length LP marks his first release in six years.
SARIN (aka Emad Dabiri) has spent the last years sharpening his teeth on numerous collaborations and dozens of remixes. His evolution and development is displayed in the Gesamtkunstwerk that is “SEARCHING HELL” a nine track cybernetic joyride into oblivion; featuring his distinct militant drumwork, heat-seeking bass lines and surgically interlaced sampling, augmented by deceptively serene atmospheric pads & bloodied vocals. All this composed and assembled with an array of analog, digital and software based weaponry. “SEARCHING HELL” seeks to find meaning in an increasingly meaningless & subjugated world while maintaining a subversive & defiant autonomy.
DJ Support: Ben UFO, Pearson Sound, Midland, Pariah, Or:la, Ciel, Florentino, HAAi, Tom VR, DJ JM, Peder Mannerfelt and Bradley Zero.
Ikke Sant’s debut release, Sub Cut, delivers three tracks of genre-blurring psychedelia and club pressure from label founder SUCHI. The title track unfolds a didgeridoo-driven strut with unconventional textures, Every Pan Has A Lid layers hypnotic grooves with processed vocals, and Propeller dives deep with celestial arpeggios over driving basslines. Music for adventurous dancefloors.
The Éthiopiques series returns! Essential archive recordings from an extremely fruitful period in Ethiopian music.
Before “Swinging Addis” took over the world, there was Moussié Nerses Nalbandian — the Armenian-born composer who shaped modern Ethiopian music. Mentor, arranger, and pioneer, he laid the foundations of Ethio-jazz.
This Éthiopiques volume revives his forgotten legacy, recorded live by Either/ Orchestra First issue ever with new exclusive photos and in depth liner 8-page insert.
“Ethiopian jazzmen are the best musicians that we have seen so far in Africa.
They really are promising handlers of jazz instruments.”
Wilbur De Paris
(1959, after a concert in Addis Ababa)
አዲስ፡ዘመን። *Addis zèmèn* **A new era.**
The time is the mid-1950s and early 1960s, just before "Swinging Addis" bloomed – or rather boomed – onto the scene. Brass instruments are still dominant, but the advent of the electric guitar, and the very first electronic organs, are just around the corner. Rock’n'Roll, R’n’B, Soul and the Twist have not yet barged their way in. Addis Ababa is steeped in the big band atmosphere of the post-war era, with Glenn Miller's *In the* *Mood* as its world-wide theme song, neck and neck with the Latin craze that was in vogue at the same period. Life has become enjoyable once again, with the return of peace after the terrible Italian Fascist invasion of Ethiopia (1935-1941). The redeployment of modern music is part and parcel of the postwar reconstruction. *Addis zèmèn* – a new era – is the watchword of the postwar period, just as it was all across war-torn Europe.
The generation who were the young parents of baby boomers** were the first to enjoy this musical renaissance, before the baby boomers themselves took over and forever super-charged the soundtrack of the final days of imperial reign. Music is Ethiopia's most popular art form, and very often serves as the best barometer for the upsurge of energy that is critical for reconstruction. Whether it be jazz in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the *zazous* who revolutionised both jazz and French *chanson* after the *Libération*, be it Madrid's post-Franco Movida, or Dada, the Surrealists and *les années folles* that followed World War I, the periods just after mourning and hardship always give rise to brighter and more tuneful tomorrows. Addis Ababa, as the country's capital, and the epicentre of change, was no exception to this vital rule.
**Two generations of Nalbandian musicians**
Nersès Nalbandian belonged to a family of Armenian exiles, who had moved to Ethiopia in the mid-1920s. The uncle Kevork arrived along with the fabled "*Arba Lidjotch*", the** "*40 Kids*", young Armenian orphans and musicians that the Ras Tafari had recruited when he visited Jerusalem in 1924, intending to turn their brass band into the official imperial band. If Kevork Nalbandian was the one who first opened the way of modernism, pushing innovation so far as to invent musical theatre, it was his nephew Nersès who would go on to become, from the 1940s and until his death in 1977, a pivotal figure of modern Ethiopian music and of the heights it. Going all the way back to the 1950s. Nothing less. And it is Nersès who is largely to thank for the brassy colours that so greatly contributed to the international renown of Ethiopian groove. While the younger generations today venture timidly into the genealogy of their country's modern music, often losing their way amidst a distinctly xenophobic historiographical complacency, many survivors of the imperial period are still around to bear witness and pay tribute to the essential role that "Moussié Nersès" played in the rise of Abyssinia's musical modernity.
Given the year of his birth (15 March 1915), no one knows for sure if Nersès Nalbandian was born in Aintab, today Gaziantep (Turkiye/former Ottoman Empire) or on the other side of the border in Alep, Syria... What is certain is that his family, like the entire Armenian community, was amongst the victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Turks. Alep, the place of safety – today in ruins.
Before Nersès then, there was uncle Kevork (1887-1963). For a quarter of a century, he was a whirlwind of activity in music teaching and theatrical innovation. *Guèbrè Mariam le Gondaré* (የጎንደሬ ገብረ ማርያም አጥቶ ማግኘት, 1926 EC=1934) is his most famous creation. This play included "ten Ethiopian songs" — a totally innovative approach. According to his autobiographical notes, preserved by the Nalbandian family, Kevork indicates that he composed some 50 such pieces over the course of his career. This shows just how much he understood, very early on, the critical importance of song as Ethiopia's crowning artistic form. Indeed, for Ethiopian listeners, the most important thing is the lyrics, with all their multifarious mischief, far more than a strong melody, sophisticated arrangements or even an exceptional voice. (This is also why Ethiopians by and large, and beginning with the artists and producers themselves, believed for a long time — and wrongly — that their music could not possibly be exported, and could never win over audiences abroad, who did not speak the country's languages).
Last but not least, one of Kevork's major contributions remains composing Ethiopia's first national anthem – with lyrics by Yoftahé Negussié.
Nersès Nalbandian moved to Ethiopia at the end of the 1930s, at the behest of his ground-breaking uncle. Proficient in many instruments (pretty much everything but the drums), conductor, choir director, composer, arranger, adapter, creator, piano tuner, purveyor of rented pianos,... he was above all an energetic and influential teacher. From 1946 onwards, thanks to Kevork's connexion, Nersès was appointed musical director of the Addis Ababa Municipality Band. In just a few years, Nersès transformed it into the first truly modern ensemble, thanks to the quality of his teaching, his choice of repertoire, and the sophistication of his arrangements. It was this group that would go on to become the orchestra of the Haile Selassie Theatre shortly after its inauguration in 1955, which was a major celebration of the Emperor's jubilee, marking the 25th anniversary of his on-again-off-again reign.
At some point or other in his long career, Nersès Nalbandian had a hand in the creation of just about every institutional band (Municipality Band, Police Orchestra, Imperial Bodyguard Band, Army Band, Yared Music School…), but it was with the Haile Selassie Theatre – today the National Theatre – that his abilities were most on display, up until his death in 1977. To this must be added the development of choral singing in Ethiopia, hitherto unknown, and a sort of secret garden dedicated to the memory of Armenian sacred music, and brought together in two thick, unpublished volumes. Shortly before his death (November 13, 1977), he was appointed to lead the impressive Ethiopian delegation at Festac in Lagos, Nigeria (January-February 1977).
His status as a stateless foreigner regularly excluded him from the most senior positions, in spite of the respect he commanded (and commands to this day) from the musicians of his era. Naturally gifted and largely self-taught, Nerses was tirelessly curious about new musical developments, drawing inspiration from the very first imported records, and especially from listening intensely to the musical programmes broadcast over short-wave radio – BBC *First*. A prolific composer and arranger, he was constantly mindful of formalising and integrating Ethiopian parameters (specific “musical modes”, pentatonic scale, and the dominance of ternary rhythms) into his “modernisation” of the musical culture, rather than trying to over-westernise it. It even seems very probable that *Moussié* Nerses made a decisive contribution to the development of tighter music-teaching methods, in order to revitalise musical education during this period of prodigious cultural ferment. Flying in the face of all the historiographical and musicological evidence, it is taken as sacrosanct dogma that the four musical modes or chords officially recognised today, the *qǝñǝt* or *qiñit* (ቅኝት), are every bit as millennial as Ethiopia itself. It would appear however that some streamlining of these chords actually took place in around 1960. It was only from this time onward that music teaching was structured around these four fundamental musical modes and chords: *Ambassel*, *Bati*, *Tezeta* and *Antchi Hoyé*. A historical and musical “details” that is, apparently, difficult to swallow, especially if that should honour a *foreigner*. Modern Ethiopian music has Nersès to thank for many of its standards and, to this day, it is not unusual for the National Radio to broadcast thunderous oldies that bear unmistakable traces of his outrageously groovy touch.
Seeking out the inspirational intersection between free improvisation, rave and ancient mysticism, Plants Heal deliver an album of kaleidoscopic, organic beatdowns to Quindi.
Plants Heal is a collaborative project between Dan Nicholls on synths, Dave De Rose on drums and Lou Zon (aka Louise Boer) on visuals. The roots of the project are entwined with Dan and Lou's London-based event Free Movements, which began in 2018 to explore how instrumental music could merge with live electronics and DJ sets. Dave and Dan found themselves playing together frequently at the event and as part of Dave's free improv project Agile Experiments, with their accomplished track records as multi-instrumentalists reaching across many layers of music culture. The particular synergy of their partnership taps into the subliminal, surreal and transcendental soundscapes, but they're reliably anchored by instinctive rhythms and driven by a natural flow-state.
From the tentative steps of their first collaborations, Dan and Dave coalesced Plants Heal as a more pronounced project with Lou's live visuals, culminating in a first self-released album in 2021 and since organically fed and watered through continued performances across adventurous festivals and intimate club spaces. Every incremental step along the path of the project yielded new surprises and the deepening sense of a unique, powerful energy. The trio opted to pour this energy into two days of studio sessions at Sonic Playground Studios in Athens, maintaining their unplanned approach and letting the music and visuals unfold in the moment. The end result is Forest Dwellers, a sincere document of truly free music that uses the rhythmic structure of dance and trance music as a springboard into heightened consciousness.
Throughout the album you can hear hints of the familiar - dub techno shimmers, trip hop boom-bap, kosmische momentum, snarling bass modulation, new age ambience and even the odd sizzle of disco. But none of these references are explicit, and they weave in and out of less placeable expressions deeply bedded into Dan and Dave's sonic practices. The end result is a swirling tapestry of unspooling groove, wide open and agile enough to shift gears mid-flow - just as comfortable letting the propulsion melt away as locking into a four-to-the-floor throwdown. From the slippery syncopation of 'Avena Moon' to the angular bait-and-switch of 'Alien Hardware', 'Yarrow's starry-eyed reverie and the rolling, warm-hearted funk of 'Space Ballad', the Plants Heal sound world is expansive and equally enthusiastic for immediate musical motifs as much as wild abstraction.
Lou's visual practice is an intrinsic part of the project. During performances she improvises with analogue footage from her library run through video mixers and synthesisers, focused on medicinal plants such as yarrow, hawthorn, nettle and thistle. All those plants feature in processed form on the cover of the record, which was designed in collaboration with Lou's brother Arthur Boer. Meanwhile, Lou recorded additional footage in Athens during the recording sessions to feed into the continued cycle of the project's live evolution.
Forest Dwellers' meaning honours this cycle and its reflection of the eternal undulations of the natural world. It's also a sincere tribute to the spiritual importance and radical potential of the dancefloor, drawn from the freedom taught by jazz and dedicated to reclaiming lost ideas about community, agency, bodies and the enduring allure of the unknown.
lim. 150 blue transparent 180 Gr LP + 7" + Poster / incl. Silent Servant Remix
A cross-cutting label exploring the boundaries between different disciplines based on deep listening and music research, Modern Obscure Music is set to release 'INRI' (INDUSTRIA NACIONAL DEL RUIDO INFINITO) on the 1st December, the new album from Dellarge.
Inspired by the scenic beauty of his studio's surroundings at Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico, Alejandro Barba, aka Dellarge, delves deep into the depths of his artistic consciousness to craft a spiritual album that encapsulates the essence of the place. 'INRI' stands for Industria Nacional del Ruido Infinito (National Industry of Infinite Noise) and serves as a vessel for Dellarge's innermost self-expression and reflections on the potential of humanity.
A multifaceted artist and veteran of the music industry for over two decades, his latest musical creation is an intimate and personal album and a departure from previous Techno/EBM-orientated Dellarge releases. 'INRI' (INDUSTRIA NACIONAL DEL RUIDO INFINITO) offers a mesmerizing blend of ambient, futuristic, and industrial sounds that transport listeners into a realm of mysticism, futurism, and duality and stands as a testament to Dellarge's artistic growth and his ability to transcend boundaries, offering listeners an immersive experience that connects them to his world.
Drawing inspiration from numerous sources, Dellarge found creative fuel in books such as 'El Arte de los Ruidos' by Luigi Russolo, 'Manifiestos y Textos Futuristas' by F.T. Marinetti, and science fiction classics including 'Congreso de Futurología' by Stanislaw Lem, 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson, and 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. Musically, he delved into the works of Coil, Michael Bundt, The Threshold Houseboys Choir, krautrock legends CAN and Popol Vuh, early Kraftwerk, Arthur Brown, Yello, Esquivel, The Residents, and Hector Lavoe for inspiration.
When asked about the creative process behind the album, Dellarge revealed a disciplined routine that involved immersing himself in the sounds, focusing on minute details that connected with the vivid world he envisioned. Ethereal tracks such as 'Viento Androide' and 'Viaje al Sol' offer a glimpse of a hopeful future, while darker compositions such as 'Corpus de Sangre' and 'Toro de Falaris', explore the wickedness and compassion within humanity. Each piece in the album represents a unique sonic journey.
'Viaje al Sol', the first single to be taken from the album, is set for release on the 27th October, and is also available as an EP which includes a remix from Juan Mendez aka Silent Servant. The remix is also included on the digital version of the album and available on 7" vinyl alongside an exclusive reworking of 'Cascabel' by the founder of Modern Obscure Music, Pedro Vian.
Blue Lake reveals his most ambitious album yet, which finds its visionary creator Jason Dungan harnessing the collective alchemy of his band, with ten spirited tracks that resonate with a powerful directness, evoking an ecological connection to the wider world.
The solo project (Blue Lake), now on its fifth album, found its name and inspiration via Don Cherry's 1974 live album, sparking a creative epiphany in Dungan, who set off on a path into his own untapped sonic world, guided by what he cited as the emotional potential found within non-lyrical composition. With a newly inspired ethos aimed toward creating direct and simple instrumental music imbued with a deep sense of feeling, Jason began combining an array of musical elements that gave rise to his highly revered album 'Sun Arcs' (2023), with its "ornate, zither-led lattices" (Pitchfork, Best New Music). Conceived in the blissful isolation of a Swedish cabin set in the woods, this was music that soundtracked spring in full bloom. Then, in contrast to the solitary approach of 'Sun Arcs', the highly lauded mini-album 'Weft' (2025) began to set the tone for a more band-oriented approach to delivering the Blue Lake sound. Jason had by this time experienced a special collective energy with his band during a swathe of live performances, which he then sought to harness and distill on 'The Animal', leading him to take the project into a traditional recording studio (The Village) and its limitless potential along with his gifted cohorts.
'The Animal' at its core vividly celebrates human collaboration and is deeply rooted in a sense of community and non-hierarchical connectivity. The group's creative alchemy transcends outwards and beyond the musicians performing together, to summon an inclusive, existential and ecological connection to the wider world and its inhabited spaces. The album contemplates the idea of the human as an animal as Dungan explains: "I'm quite fascinated in thinking about humans more as part of the animal environment and not as something that's so separated into a "human" realm, or sitting on top of a hierarchical pyramid. So the Animal is also me, or us - that we are just living, existing, in the same way as a piece of moss or a sparrow or a cow.
'The Animal' is a form of musical metamorphosis, still acoustic, yet more amplified, elevating it to new dimensions. The Blue Lake project takes on a new lease of life to encompass collaboration with Jason Dungan bound in a universal connectivity, resulting in his most ambitious album to date. A harmonious rejoicing that cements his reputation as a transformative presence in contemporary music.
Originally released in 1972, Toni Tornado's self-titled debut is a landmark in Brazilian soul and funk - a gritty, groovy record that helped define the sound of the Black Rio movement. Blending deep soul, psychedelic funk, and bold orchestration, this album channels the revolutionary energy of James Brown with the tropical swagger of Rio's streets. From the urgent rhythms of 'Torniente' to the undeniable strut of 'Mané Beleza' and 'Tornado,' Toni's music pulses with a fierce sense of pride and liberation. It's the sound of a new cultural identity taking shape - where African-American soul met Afro-Brazilian reality. Often compared to the legendary Tim Maia, Tornado brought his own explosive edge to Brazil's growing soul scene. By the 1970s, other Brazilian musicians, such as Banda Black Rio, Cassiano, Gerson King Combo, Jorge Ben and Gilberto Gil, began making soul records. DJs started throwing soul-only parties. Toni Tornado's voice carries grit and passion, his grooves hit hard, and his message is crystal clear - Black is beautiful, and the funk is real. Back on vinyl for a new generation, this reissue is more than a collector's gem - it's a time capsule from an era when music moved bodies and minds. Essential listening for fans of vintage soul, global funk, and revolutionary sounds. Reissue on 180g vinyl.
Renowned for his rich, soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting, Wellington, New Zealand's Louis Baker blends neo-soul, R&B, and folk into a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. His single "Keep On" is an uplifting anthem of perseverance, now reimagined by a hand-picked selection of acclaimed producers, each bringing their unique touch to the track.
Delfonic: Berlin's Delfonic is a digger's digger - a selector, DJ, and producer with an encyclopedic ear for groove. Fresh from delivering stunning Roy Ayers edits for BBE Music, he brings his soulful touch to "Keep On", crafting a warm, deep, and floor-friendly rework.
Larse: German DJ and producer Larse has released on acclaimed labels such as Defected, Glitterbox, and Noir Music, earning a global reputation for timeless, emotive house. His remix of "Keep On" channels the smooth, sultry elegance of UK soul icon Sade's '80s sound - lush, classy, and built for late-night listening.
Gush Collective: The legendary German 2-step producers Gush Collective are masters of soulful, shuffling rhythms. Their remix of "Keep On" blends classic UK garage swing with uplifting melodies, delivering a dancefloor-ready cut that radiates joy and energy.
DJ Philippa: Originally from New Zealand and now based in Berlin, DJ Philippa has built a strong following for her uplifting, groove-rich house sets and productions. With releases on Freerange Records, SlothBoogie, and Local Talk, she's known for her deep musicality and impeccable feel for the dancefloor. Her remix of "Keep On" injects warm basslines, shimmering keys, and irresistible rhythmic flow.
Welcoming London-based artist House on the Strand to the Eastern Nurseries fold following his impressive 2024 debut, "Heroine", Ruben Elbrond-Palmer channels a sombre, cinematic sense of sound with "Unrest".
Interpolating the visual sensibilities of some of his favourite artists, filmmakers, and photographers into the sonic field, Elbrond-Palmer’s palette cuts loose from the percussive elements of his previous work, blending analogue synthesis with repurposed guitars, haunting melodies, and field recordings that call to mind the hazy delirium of a dusty summer’s day. Sitting at its core, "Unrest" places harmony front and centre, with each sombre movement rising and falling as electric fences hum, helicopters hover overhead, and unknown events are set in motion.
Deceptively simple, the resultant album is gestalt—an elegy of melancholic moments, lost to the world.
Mastered by Ike Zwanniken of Hysterical Love Project - mainstay mastering engineer behind majority of INDEX, Co:Clear & Theory Therapy Releases
Established in 2019, Eastern Nurseries is a platform for deeply emotional contemporary electronic music based between Porto and Newcastle upon Tyne. Curated by Rui P. Andrade (aka Canadian Rifles) and Christopher Macarthur Owen (aka Burning Pyre).
The label has released a steady yet considered magna of records from Hasfeldt, Emma Acs, innerinnerlife and VAs encompassing the likes of Conna Harraway, Severin Black & Slowfoam.
Flanked by a team of collaborators - including Nick León, more eaze, Ultrafog and Kissen - Ben Bondy captures the Kwia-pop zeitgeist on 'XO Salt Lif3', sluicing down dappled emo and downtempo grooves with log drum thwacks, tempered field recordings and sandblasted shoegaze guitars.
Forget what you think you know about Ben Bondy; like Naemi's fuzzy 'Breathless Shorn', ‘XO Salt Lif3’ is a decisive shift away from the ambient world and towards contemporary underground pop. Last year's amapiano-tinted loosie 'Bend' serves as the album's opener and is the best taster, its slick DSP squelches, granulated drones and sub rumbles immediately swapped out for breezy acoustic guitar riffs, tuned log drum hits and Bondy's own Autotuned vocals. When Bondy turns down the temperature a little, letting the orchestral synth arrangements slip into fuller view on 'Halfmoon', a collaboration with Nick León and Aussie producer Lovefear, it's tempered by low slung emo riffs and mumbled sweet nothings.
By the time we hit 'Dreamseed', Bondy's in full swing, offsetting slow breaks and multi-tracked vocal harmonies with full-spectrum shoegaze power chords that cut into the mix like a chainsaw, with crunchy amp crackle foreshadowing the Bark Psychosis-like drop. Bondy hits a cruise when More Eaze helps out on 'There Is A Place'. Maurice's unmistakable pedal steel draws us in, used by Bondy to add an Americana accent to his euphoric fusion of amapiano and indie pop. It's music that'll make perfect sense if you've caught one of Bondy's notorious DJ sets, where you might hear anything from American Football and Jessica Pratt next to Gwen Stefani, Skinny Puppy or Sneaker Pimps. It’s this chaotic, open-hearted approach - which also plays a part in the Shineteac material - that makes 'XO Salt Lif3' so effortlessly enjoyable.
To mark Grid's second anniversary back in 2023, the label brought together 13 tracks from the bass scene's most forward-thinking artists, all of which sank you into deep sonic chambers. Now, six of those tracks are available on wax for the first time in what is an essential sampler featuring boundary-pushing contributions from forward-thinking artists. Sister Zo opens with the percussive pressure of 'EMP,' Ronan lays down a lithe rhythm that befits its 'Shadowbox' title and Seekersinternational drill down into warped low-end chaos. There is a deftness to Jonny From Space's tumbling perc and E-Unity brings clean lines and a futuristic sheen to his deep dub workout 'Of All The Places I Could Be'. Tammo Hesselink brings ambient soundscaping with his floating delight, 'Paint Reduce Trick.' This is high-quality, original music that moves both mind and body.
Into The Woods returns to wax with “Gizmo,” marking Crihan and Jay Tripwire’s first collaborative project. Three stripped, hypnotic cuts from two masters of the craft. The aim of this series remains unchanged: to present forward-thinking expressions of minimal. Music for Carpenters and DIY enthusiasts!
Das Set enthält acht Maxi-Singles auf Vinyl+ ein Nachdruck des Promo-Posters zu "Dream-On" sowie ein großformatige Poster, welches Bestandteil der 12'' zu "Good Lover" war + die Tracks der audiophilen Maxis wurden anhand der Original-Tapes gere-mastert.
Hanagasumi, or "flowering haze," is a Japanese term that poetically describes the smoky, blurred appearance of numerous cherry blossoms visible from a distance. This image is often compared to a floral mist or fog. Through this word, the Japanese convey the visual effect created by a large number of flowers forming a soft, diffused, and ethereal picture. Such a description beautifully resonates with the musical palette of the new release. Introducing the long-awaited album Agera by the mysterious musician Jon'Smu. The record combines elements of classic deep house and ambient music, creating a unique atmosphere and the author's distinctive signature. The album features 8 stunning tracks, carefully selected and compiled into a cohesive story. A few words from the author: "This album, spanning a vast timeline of creativity, is about how important and interesting it is to be in motion and in constant search of something new. The recordings presented cover a significant interval of my musical journey through the diversity of genres and sound experimentation. At the core of the music lies Nature - it is the primary source of inspiration for me, and Action is a key moment of life for everything in nature. A wide range of instruments was used in the recording process, whether fully digital compositions or those featuring vintage analog instruments. I hope my love for an immense variety of genres is reflected in this album and brings joy to the listeners."
The Tuff Fluff EP from Joe Koshin channels the spirit of classic Tech House while pushing it somewhere new. Bouncy and full of groove, each track brims with fresh ideas and details that give the EP its own unique character. Born from a shared musical connection between Joe and label
head A for Alpha, Tuff Fluff began taking shape a few years back. After patiently waiting, the record now arrives feeling more relevant than ever - vibrant, groovy, and timeless all at once.
Marking the first release on Alpha’s Trip in two years, Tuff Fluff also celebrates the label’s relaunch, complete with a fresh new look crafted by the legendary Pointless Illustrations. It’s the start of an exciting new chapter for the imprint, setting the tone for what’s to come. Rounding out
the release is A for Alpha’s remix, a darker, moodier take built around the unmistakable sound of the Roland SH-101 bassline, whilst lifted with floaty, luscious pads - the perfect counterpoint to Joe’s bright and bouncy originals.
Neroli reaches release number 50 during its 20th anniversary and celebrates with a special project, an album of songs by some of the label artists and friends. The title reference goes back to 20 years ago when label’s honcho Volcov decided to give the label the name of Brian Eno’s Neroli album, an hour long ambient opus inspired by the oil derived by the flowers of the Seville orange. So after 20 years and 50 releases the label goes full circle and offers an album of delicate and heartwarming melodies and atmospheric songs. The talent of original UK dons Kirk Degiorgio, Dego and Ian o’Brien is enrolled once again to guarantee sophistication and depth. Patrice Scott and Fred P, who had recently released eps on Neroli, are joined here by fellow spacecadet Aybee…all delivering warm futuristic pieces! K15 and Linkwood debut on the label, opening and closing the album with class. And there is even a lost composition by Volcov himself with Detroit’s Gerald Mitchell and Pirahnahead as part of some 2010 sessions that might resurface soon…THE FIRST CIRCLE is complete!
Design by Al White. Manufactured and Distributed by Mother Tongue, Verona.
"The Land of the Sun, the Moon and Cosmic Melodies" is a conceptual Opera of III movements, inspired by a cosmogony that features the planets of the sun and the moon. These two characters guides us on a journey of light and shadow, rising and setting in a cycle of unexplored musical territories.
The Collective Move presents its debut album with a broad palette of sounds, ranging from jazz to opera, from southern Italian folk music to northern Indian classical music, orchestrating a 60-minute "sonic narration" that ends with the fable "What do the birds tell?".
The Collective Move is an international group of young musicians formed in the Amsterdam Conservatory in 2022. The Collective's vision is to unite diverse artistic expressions and musical genres, inviting diverse artists and musicians from diverse cultures and countries to collaborate in flexible and interdisciplinary formations.
Groovin Recordings proudly announce the forthcoming release of "Back From Paradise", a track co-produced by the legendary Italian DJ Costantino “MixMaster” Padovano and renowned South Italian producer Antony Reale.
This record is a dedication to the enduring legacy of Costantino MixMaster Padovano. Originally produced in the late 90's but never officially released, this collaborative piece is finally seeing the light of day as a powerful celebration and tribute.
Costantino MixMaster Padovano needs no introduction to house music aficionados. He was one of the first Italian DJs to achieve deep respect in the 90s US house scene, regularly sharing the decks with titans like Frankie Knuckles, Kenny Dope Gonzalez, Louie Vega, and Todd Terry. His studio influence was massive, including official remixes for legends such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige and many more.
Antony Reale is an established Italian DJ and producer with a large discography spanning the last two decades. He has produced and remixed a roster of top artists, including Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Ultra Naté, and RuPaul.
"Back From Paradise": Originally created by Antony and Costantino during their creative prime in the late 90's, Antony has now decided to finally release the track. It serves as a beautiful and fitting monument to the memory and fantastic career of this iconic Italian DJ and producer who helped define the 90's house scene.
Departure Lounge Records returns with its 7th vinyl release from Ode To 97, delivering unmistakable club cuts infused with a romantic, nostalgic vibe. These tracks blend emotion reminiscent of yesteryear, and driving rhythms, perfect for late-night dance floors and reflective moments alike. Known for its warm, eclectic house selections curated by label owner and producer, Brandon Pinel, Departure Lounge continues to craft music that's both intimate and dancefloor-ready.
Bangalore-based producer Chaz (IN) makes a striking debut on KUJE002 with Soul Contract, a four-track EP that marks a shift from his industrial roots into mental techno with a driving edge. These tracks aren't just meant to be heard; they're body music, built to be felt as much as listened to.
The EP opens with Hardwired, a percussion-heavy trip that builds tension through progressive hihat patterns, bleeps, and raw energy. Sling Hook follows with a composition that's both driving and mind-bending.
On the B-side, Wiggle Room taps into an almost animalistic dimension; a jungle of percussive textures that breathe, shift, and pull you in. The record closes with Retroactive, where shimmering synths and ghostly, wailing tones sketch out a post-human vision of Bangalore.
Soul Contract is mental techno with a pulse, designed to inhabit your body while captivating your mind.
Der legendäre Club-Hit von 1987 ist zurück! **Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto! **, einer der prägendsten Tracks der Electronic Body Music (EBM) und Synth-Pop-Ära, erscheint jetzt wieder – als limitierte farbige Maxi-Single.
Mit seinem markanten Vocoder-Gesang, treibenden Beats und futuristischem Sounddesign war Rejekto! ein absoluter Clubburner der späten 80er und gilt bis heute als Meilenstein der elektronischen Tanzmusik.
Die Maxi enthält insgesamt 4 Versionen, darunter die begehrten Club- und Extended-Mixe – perfekt für DJs, Sammler und Fans elektronischer Klassiker.
Ein echtes Sammlerstück – **Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto! **, der Kult-Hit von 1987, jetzt wieder auf Vinyl erhältlich!
The legendary club hit from 1987 is back! Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto!, one of the most influential tracks of the electronic body music (EBM) and synth-pop era, is now being rereleased as a limited edition coloured maxi single.
With its distinctive vocoder vocals, driving beats and futuristic sound design, Rejekto! was an absolute club burner in the late 80s and is still considered a milestone in electronic dance music today.
The maxi contains a total of 4 versions, including the coveted club and extended mixes – perfect for DJs, collectors and fans of electronic classics.
A real collector‘s item – Robotiko Rejekto – Rejekto!, the cult hit from 1987, now available again on vinyl!
Manizeh Rimer, founder of London’s Love Supreme Projects, announces her debut album Mahku, releasing on vinyl and all digital platforms on December 5, 2025 via LEITER.
A bold contribution to contemporary spiritual jazz, the album was co-produced by LEITER labelmate ganavya – who recently released the celebrated Daughter of a Temple and Nilam. Recorded in early 2025 at LEITER’s Funkhaus Studio in Berlin, Mahku features eight chants, including a reimagined version of Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide, with ganavya appearing on three tracks.
The album brings together a stellar cast: Grammy-nominated Jai Uttal; bassists Ben Hazleton and Doug Weiss; harpist Miriam Adefris; pianist Jay Verma; and Manizeh‘s teenage daughter, Mahku Rimer, on vocals and guitar. Tracks range from a 3,000-year-old Zoroastrian prayer (‘Ashem Vohu’) to Sanskrit and Buddhist mantras (‘Asato Ma’, ‘Gate Gate Paragate’) to the devotional ‘Avan’s Sita Ram’, dedicated to Manizeh‘s late mother.
Mahku means “eclipse” and is also the name of Manizeh’s grandmother. Developed from her long-standing chanting practice and deep creative partnership with ganavya, the album opens and closes with three generations of women’s voices, exploring music as a timeless, intergenerational loop. Recorded in a space Manizeh describes as “suspending you in an infinite river of time,” Mahku is both personal ritual and universal offering, flowing through lineage, loss, and love.
Arguably one of the most memorable house music moments, born out of the black LGBT scene in Chicago at the legendary Warehouse and known as one of Frankie Knuckles earliest productions; ‘Your Love’ is a stone cold classic. A record that is up there with the greats, instantly recognisable and a song that only get better with time.
Written by Jamie Principle and originally released in 1986, ‘Your Love’ has become a seminal recording over the past 34 years. Originally an underground club anthem, famously borrowed on the crossover hit ‘You’ve Got The Love’ (The Source feat. Candi Staton), and most recently re-produced by as part of the Director’s Cut project which aimed to update a number of classic cuts for the modern dancefloor, this is a record that endures the test of time. Working alongside The Frankie Knuckles Foundation and Eric Kupper, SoSure Music now releases two new remixes for 2020 from Darrius Syrossian and Alan Dixon.
First up, House music aficionado and legendary Sankey’s resident Darius Syrossian offers his unique blend of beats to the remix package. With releases on the likes of Get Physical, Viva Music and Hot Creations, Darius’ production is heavily influenced by some of the greats – think of the finest spinners from Detroit, New York and Chicago – and is well placed to approach this huge task. Darius introduces a rolling house beat and some old skool breakbeats into his mix, keeping the energy high throughout; bringing a feeling of a euphoria and hitting the peak time moment.
Charting a rapid rise through the ranks in a relatively short time Alan Dixon is already building a name for himself in House and Nu Disco scene and has recently released on labels including Glitterbox, Permanent Vacation, Running Back and True Romance. Alan’s remix aims directly at the centre of the disco dancefloor. A strong beat dominates a unique energy through the mix along with a slightly nostalgic vibe. With a beautiful floaty interlude and a raw emotion this remix updates a classic with respect while also giving a fresh new twist.
HOLY GRAIL ALERT!!! Following on 2021’s massive reboot of Midnight Magic’s seminal classic Beam Me Up, Razor-N-Tape have now unearthed a bit of NYC indie disco history with 'I Found Love.'
Although recorded over 10 years ago in Midnight Magic’s nascent early period that produced many of their legendary hits, the song never received an official release; until now it has been heard only by select ears and lucky concert-goers. The package comes with a grip of luminous remixes by Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca, Sophie Lloyd, Perel, some solicited at the time of recording and some brand new, but all exceptionally fresh!
Here are some words about the song by the band:
“'I Found Love' was recorded in a fever on the heels of releasing 'Beam Me Up' New York dance music wizard Tommie Sunshine approached us about a co-write saying we should go as big as possible. So we did, it is one of our all time favorite vocal performances from our singer, Tiffany Roth. We had big plans, too, for a release but nothing quite felt right until meeting the Razor N Tape crew almost a decade later. Finally the stage is set, the lights are on, and we're ready. This song is very special to us because it is the last unreleased recording of our original lineup. We dedicate its release to our late bandmates Andrew Frawley and Jason Disu.”
Rooted in the New Orleans tradition and the essence of hip hop, Hip Horns Brass Collective unleashes its powerful sound in KREWE, their debut album. KREWE takes the brass band genre beyond its boundaries, diving into the underground with danceable rhythms like boombap and bounce, full of influences such as afrobeat, gospel and funk. The lyrics, filled with references to hip hop culture, flow in an explosive mix of English, Spanish, and Catalan, sharing their love for the tradition of rap and African American music. KREWE is a manifesto of the positive side of hip hop, a tribute to the unstoppable strength of the collective that a brass band represents in contrast to the solitude of the individual, and a homage to the legacy of hip hop and the vibrant tradition of New Orleans
Since the recent reissue of Sylvia Striplin's one album for Uno Melodic Records, demand has been building again for two of the key tracks back together again on 12' single. Huge on disco, rare groove, two step scenes these track capture the essence of the period of music and genius of producer Roy Ayers. First released in 1980, both tracks became signature tracks for Roy's Uno Melodic label. Sylvia previously sang with Roy at Polydor, sang lead momentarily with Aquarian Dream and one album with Eightes Ladies.
Emerging from the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica during the late 1970s, Main Attraction was a group of talented singers whose music captured the social and political energy of their time. With a sound that blended reggae and soulful ballads, their songs were both a reflection and a response to the challenges of the era.
The group originally featured Sonia Copeland, a gifted writer, arranger, and back-up singer, alongside Sharon Jones, whose velvet voice led many of their reggae tracks. They were joined by Allison Smith, Marjorie Smith, and Shahiba Ali, forming the group’s first lineup. As time passed, Michelle Thompson and Lileth O’Connor joined, further enriching the group’s dynamic harmony.
Main Attraction’s musical journey began with their debut recording, a cover of Once Upon a Time, produced by David Haughton under the management of Clayton Downie. Later, with Owen Palmer as their manager and producer, the group expanded their horizons, performing in cabaret gigs with the band Mind Benders and embarking on an overseas tour that showcased their talent in New York City. While Sharon Jones led reggae tracks like Jam Up, Allison Peart and Shahiba Ali brought their soulful touch to R&B songs, creating a rich, versatile repertoire that captivated audiences.
Jam Up was the group’s first original recording, composed and arranged by Sonia Copeland. Performed as part of the Reggae Song Competition during Carnival in 1978, the song is a rallying cry for unity and progress. With powerful lyrics and a Shaka rhythm, Jam Up calls on Jamaicans to come together, strive for economic growth, and uplift the nation collectively.
Sonia’s vision was clear: that Jamaicans from all walks of life would find inspiration in the song’s message, motivating them to improve their standard of living and contribute to the country’s growth and prosperity. Decades later, the lyrics remain just as relevant — a timeless call to action for social and economic strength.
Hold this record in your hands, let the music play, and feel the enduring power of reggae music to transform, uplift, and connect.
Belgian tastemaker Charlotte de Witte returns to her own KNTXT to serve up the well regarded label's seventh EP. Rave On Time is about reminding us of the joys of being lost on the dance floor and is another hard hitting EP filled with her distinctive techno energy.
Charlotte is at the centre of her own musical movement, with a hard hitting, no frills style. Her powerful grooves, whether solo or in collaboration with the likes of Chris Liebing, come laced with ambient and synth beauty. She has mesmerised crowds all over the world as well as at her own special KNTXT events, and has been as creative as ever during lockdown, as this new EP shows.
Says the artist herself of this latest offering, "Rave On Time. Three words that probably have never been more relevant. In a time where raving feels like a distant memory, it seems increasingly important to bring music back in our lives, in reverse. Let's not forget where we came from and let's not lose hope. We'll be together again soon. Rave On Time."
Opener Rave On Time is built on hammering, distorted kicks that bend you to their whim. Freaky vocals and monstrous hits add extra pressure and ensure you stay locked before shooting laser synths and retro hoover sounds bring the rave. There's No One Left To Trust keeps up the energy with scintillating synths rattling over rock solid drum programming that never lets up. The World Inside is brain frying material, with serrated synths firing out and growing ever more acid as the groove pounds on. Common Era is brilliant hands in the air acid-trance-techno that froths with energy and flashing strobes. Finally, vinyl only track 'Wahr Ist Sie Dann’ is a distorted, brain melting techno workout with brutalist kicks and vast walls of synths that are hugely powerful.
As ever from de Witte, this is pure, unadulterated club music that makes a gargantuan impact.
This holiday season, global hip-hop icon Ice Cube makes a powerful return with Man Up — a brand-new album from a cultural trailblazer whose influence spans music, film, and activism. With over 10 million albums sold and six Platinum plaques, Cube’s legacy is undisputed, from his revolutionary work with N.W.A. to timeless solo anthems like “It Was a Good Day.” Now, sharper and more unapologetic than ever, he’s back to deliver a project that fuses his raw lyrical power with a message rooted in resilience and authenticity.
To mark the release, Man Up will be available exclusively as an ultra-limited vinyl drop this holiday season. Each record features a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted cover — a unique blend of artisanal design and proprietary technology (created without A.I.) — alongside city- and country-specific sleeves that pay homage to Cube’s global impact in places like LA, Tokyo, London, and France. The campaign will be amplified through a global social media rollout, city-focused influencer activations, and Ice Cube’s upcoming North American tour. Major press coverage and podcast appearances will further elevate the conversation, making Man Up not just an album, but a collector’s piece and cultural moment fans won’t want to miss.
Psychedelic electronica, which breathes the open mindset of early 70s German synth pioneers, but the music still the signature of Brian Dougans and Gary Cobain, The Future Sound of London. The album breathes and feels organic beside the electronic and in many respects partners FSOL's Synthi a album. Plenty of digitana synth on this expanded edition of the digital only 4 track release from 2017 here on CD and LP.
Arepas Records follows up its debut serving with a second course of flavoursome house music: “Ceylon Treats EP” by Erwin. True to the Arepas concept of combining dancefloor functionality with culinary storytelling, “Ceylon Treats EP” is all about mood, texture and pacing rather than obvious peaks. Erwin’s production leans on warm basslines, rolling drum programming and hazy chords, spiced with percussive details and small melodic phrases that flicker through the mix like passing smells from an open kitchen. Some moments are cosy and intimate, others are more driving and hypnotic, but everything is tied together by a deep, inviting groove that works from warm-up to after-hours. AREPAS002 feels like a natural evolution of the label’s first chapter: still deep, still soulful, still obsessed with flavour, just with a new recipe and different ingredients. House, deep house, dub house and tech house come together in one coherent, story-driven EP that rounds off the flow of a day, night or early morning like a carefully prepared dessert course. No skips, no fillers. Just pure flavour. Beats & treats.
South London producer Nima announces his debut album. A project five years in the making that pays homage to the formative dance floors of UK bass music. Drawing from the spirit of nights like FWD>> and DMZ in London, and many from Bristol, the record sits at the crossroads of hip hop, dubstep, grime and cinematic sound design.
Of Iranian heritage, Nima grew up on a steady diet of 90s Hip Hop and Grime before discovering 140 culture through pioneers like Skream and Benga. His sound developed further in Bristol during one of the city’s most vital periods for bass music, later refined at London’s Roundhouse studios. His productions blend filmic atmosphere with the physicality of sound system music, heavy hip-hop drum structures, rolling 140 basslines, and emotive grime-inspired melodies.
Across the album’s tracks, Nima explores the evolution of UK sound system culture through his own lens. From the weightless grime-inspired “Imperial Dreams” and cinematic, jungle-inflected “Big Up”, to the stripped-back melodic grime of “Ruff Sqwad” and the deep, meditative bass of “One People.”
Referencing everything from Plastician’s Beg to Differ to Mala’s Boiler Room set, Fugees skits, and samples from films like Imperial Dreams and Belly, the record is a reflection of the cultural layers that have shaped Nima’s musical identity.
Nima’s debut is a personal statement to the foundations of UK bass music. Cinematic, weighty, and built for the dance floor.
‘Açid Blüüs Räägs Vol.2’ is the latest evolution of the sound of last year’s Volume 1. The debut album was described by Joe Banks for Shindig! Magazine as; “Shivering slabs of drone blues transcendentalism…a burning junkyard of sheet metal blues… Hot stuff.” Volume 2 builds on the skronk blues guitar, sax and electronic drones of it’s predecessor, to explore cosmic free jazz, concrete exotica and dub, channelling influences of Moondog, Terry Riley, 75 Dollar Bill and Wolf Eyes. Playing like the imagined film soundtracks to a dystopian, re-wilded, post eco crash world in the style of Tarkovsky's ‘Stalker’ and ’Solaris’, Jodorowsky's surreal desert western ‘El Topo’, or the early novels of JG Ballard. This new collection sees the addition of minimal analogue drum machine loops as well as live instrumental contributions from the new players of the ever evolving Invocation band, plus some superstar guest contributors.
Featuring five brand new tracks, including the forthcoming single; ‘Cosmic Fanfare’, has already picked up BBC 6 Music support from Gideon Coe. The new album was mixed by Alex McGowan (aka Captain Future) of Space Eko Studios and features Invocation band regulars Rick Jensen of Apocalypse Jazz Unit, Skronk and Oneirologist on sax and bass clarinet, Will Emms aka Tiki Eerie on melodica, horns and claviola, plus special guest appearances from Duke Garwood on clarinet and Mikey 'Moondog' Chestnut of Snapped Ankles on bass synth. “….Acid fried kosmiche blues meets drone raag transcendentalism”. Jonny Halifax is a primitivist free blues outsider, sonic shaman of the acid fuzzed lap steel guitar, demented blower of the howling harmonica of doom. His new band project now combines avant swamp blues heaviosity with kosmic free jazz experimentalism in a fluid collective of godless raag brut improvisations - sonic visions of an hallucinatory apocalyptic near future. Inspired by Henry Flynt’s avant bluegrass experiments fusing country blues with eastern acoustic musical stylings, Spacemen 3’s contemporary sitar music, and the monolithic drone doom immersion of Sunn 0))), THE JONNY HALIFAX INVOCATION build hypnotic instrumental soundscapes using lap steel and homemade slide guitars, harmonica and alto sax. Underpinned by layers of acoustic and electronic drone instruments and fed through an arsenal of pedalboard electronics that would make Kevin Shields weep, the blues are transmogrified, unhinged, reduced and re-imagined as intoxicating, trance-inducing, feedback-drenched noise paintings. THE JONNY HALIFAX INVOCATION follows Jonny’s junkshop skronk blues one man band Honkeyfinger, and the Julian Cope endorsed gospel fuzz psychedelia of Jonny Halifax & The Howling Truth, whilst not forgetting his ambient drone metal side project; Deathenteredinerror. His musical CV also includes studio contributions to tracks by Andrew Weatherall’s Two Lone Swordsmen, UK metal behemoths Orange Goblin, Heck and Melting Hand.
Two years after he first appeared on Balmat with 1977, Mike Paradinas returns with 1979. The sense of continuity between the two records is clear, and not just from their titles. Both capture the Planet Mu head venturing into the wilderness, seeking something—half-formed memories, thoughts caught in midair—in some of the most abstract, searching music he has released.
Just like 1977, 1979 surveys a synth-heavy array of ethereal soundscapes, ominous crevasses, and strange, psychedelic fugues. Like its predecessor, the new album’s atmospheric cast sets it apart from much of the work Paradinas has released as μ-Ziq on Planet Mu. It’s not strictly an ambient record, but it’s close, as close as this famously mutable artist ever comes to inhabiting a particular genre.
Paradinas’ inspiration for the record began on visits to the Spanish cities of Ávila and Majadahona, where his family hails from. That might account for the sense that there are spirits flitting through this music, presences you can intuit if not quite grasp. But 1979 is also a record to meet on your own terms, and to find your own meanings in.
It’s a stunning record, every track a world unto itself: the mysterious contours of “Majadahonda at Dawn”; the playful melodic fillips of “Clari”; the airy melancholy of “Galletas”; the full-scale breakbeat abandon (yes, you read that right) of “Houzz 14,” the rarest of dancefloor detours for Balmat. There are echoes of classic braindance and isolationist ambient and golden-age IDM; there are easter eggs and recurring themes and hidden symmetries. Every time we listen, we discover something new. Despite what the title might suggest, it’s less a trip back in time than a portal to another universe, a destination for(to?) which only Mike Paradinas knows the exact coordinates. – Philip Sherburne, Balmat
