quête:the sound

Lapalux (Stuart Howard) is a UK-based experimental electronic music producer known for his emotionally charged sound design, intricate textures, and immersive sonic storytelling. With releases on Brainfeeder and widespread critical acclaim, Lapalux has built a loyal global following and earned consistent airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and NTS. His work has been championed by DJs including Mary Anne Hobbs, Benji B, and Tom Ravenscroft, and praised by outlets such as The Guardian, Resident Advisor, XLR8R, and Clash. Lapalux's music occupies a unique space between IDM, ambient, and leftfield electronica — rich in atmosphere, detail, and feeling.

On the Grid is Lapalux's latest EP — a deeply intricate, hardware-driven exploration of rhythm and emotion that fuses fragmented IDM with warm analogue tones and deep dynamics. The EP showcases Lapalux's continued evolution as a producer, balancing intricate sound design with powerful melodic undercurrents. It follows years of refinement in the studio, drawing on his signature use of modular synthesis, Digital and analogue hardware and organic imperfections. With a limited vinyl pressing and strong fan demand, On the Grid stands as a key release in Lapalux's catalogue and a compelling addition to any store's forward-thinking electronic selection.

Beyond Illusion EP is the debut release from Uruguayan record label Mettamaya. Four sonic explorations by Agu Alegre, Pi, Lightmaker, and Juanma Alegre, who contribute powerful yet melodic tracks that energize the dancefloor while also accompanying an intimate listening experience.

Beyond Illusion EP proposes a sound aimed at deeper, more authentic listening — a spiritual search for inner connection. A sonic journey to be experienced with full awareness.

Mettamaya is a label rooted in the ideas of compassion, illusion of reality, and transcendence. Its name brings together Metta — loving-kindness — Maya — the illusion of reality — and Meta — that which goes beyond. A platform dedicated to conscious sound and inner exploration.

Epicentre was an R&B/funk group formed in Seattle, Washington by keyboardist Ric Ulsky. The band developed a loyal following, playing the extensive NW club, concert and dance venues throughout the mid-to-late 1970s. Their sound was a blend of melodic R&B and powerhouse funk that dependably filled music venues throughout the Western US. Bernadette Bascom was the lead vocalist, who captivated audiences with her powerful yet velvet-smooth voice and commanding, magnetic stage presence.

In 1978, Epicentre worked with Seattle producer Don McKinney to record their music in Seattle's now legendary Kaye-Smith studios. The result was seven strong, fully -produced R&B songs, with occasional horn and string orchestrations tastefully added to the final versions.

Their music quite literally sat on a shelf for decades until McKinney decided that all the hard work and talent should no longer remain undiscovered and it needed to find its audience. He restored and digitized his copies of the master tapes and looked for an opportunity. A chance call to the former leader of the group, Kell Houston, led to a serendipitous introduction to UK boutique/funk/R&B label founder Russell Paine. The result was an agreement to release their music, starting with two songs, "When You Were In Love With Me", and "Magic Carpet."

Footnotes: Lead singer Bernadette Bascom became a protegé of Stevie Wonder, and was the first artist to be signed to his label Black Bull , starting a period of collaboration between the two. Bermadette is the daughter of Reverend Dr. Marion C. Bascomb (1925-2012), one of Baltimore's major civil rights voices and pastor emeritus of Baltimore's Douglas Memorial Community Church. Ric Ulsky eventually left the group to play keyboards and tour extensively with The Association. You can also find Epicentre's music on the compilation album "Seattle Funk, Modern Soul & Boogie: Volume II 1972-1987." In addition to Bernadette, the musicians on the 1978 sessions are Kell Houston, keyboards, Michael Cox, bass, John Carmondy, guitar, and Ricky Lynn Johnson, drums and vocals. While their recorded material is primarily original, Stacy Christensen from Seattle's Gabriel contributed two of his compositions. Label credits: Epicentre featuring Bernadette Bascom. Recorded at Kaye-Smith Studios, Seattle, Washington, August 1978"When You Were in Love With Me" and "Magic Carpet" written by Bernadette Bascom. Produced for Epicentre by Don McKinney

Haino sings. Hasunuma plays. It’s a minimal framework, but what emerges is a boundary-blurring sonic exploration. Across the album, Haino’s voice threads through Hasunuma’s layered soundscapes built from analog synths, electric guitar, piano, field recordings, and more. Haino entered the studio with only lyrics in hand, improvising melodies in response to Hasunuma’s evolving arrangements. The result is a work of deep trust, intuition, and sonic tension.

Keiji Haino and Shuta Hasunuma’’s creative connection began in 2017 with an impromptu performance in Shibuya—Hasunuma on a Buchla modular synthesizer, Haino responding with the Japanese national anthem, “Kimigayo.” That moment sparked their unlikely collaboration.

In 2018 Haino appeared at the Hasunuma-organized event “MUSIC TODAY IN KYOTO” at Rohm Theater, alongside Nobukazu Takemura, Manami Kakudo, Elena Tutatchikova, Kukangendai among others. In September 2021 during the pandemic, the two performed "U　　　　　　　TA" for the first time at in Shibuya. They began planning the album soon afterwards.

For the recording of U　　　　　　　TA, Haino entered the studio with only the lyrics in hand, with no knowledge of what sounds Hasunuma would produce. Responding to Hasunuma’s music in real time, Haino composed the melodies and layered in his voice on the spot. With additional sessions at Hasunuma’s private studio and Haino’s preferred studio, the album was completed.

All melody and vocals by Keiji Haino
All instrument, written, played, arranged, mixed and produced by Shuta Hasunuma
Recorded by zak at st-robo studio, Shuta Hasunuma at Studio i.M.O and windandwindows
Mastered by Rashad Becker at clunk
Production Management: Eishin Yoshida, Kento Ono (windandwindows)
For Temporal Drift: Yosuke Kitazawa, Patrick McCarthy
Art Direction: Aiko Koike
Special Thanks to Toshihiko Kasai, Ryoichi Kiyomiya, zAk, Yumiko Ohno
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TO COMMEMORATE THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING

DEFECTED HONOURS FRANKIE KNUCKLES WITH SPECIAL EDITION ‘HOUSE MASTERS’ VINYL

Defected celebrates the life and legacy of house music pioneer Frankie Knuckles with a limited-edition vinyl offering of his notable ‘House Masters’ release.

Marking ten years since his passing, join Defected in honouring the enduring legacy of house music pioneer. All proceeds of ‘House Masters: Frankie Knuckles’ will be donated to Frankie Knuckles Foundation as it was when the compilation was originally released back in April 2015.

“Frankie Knuckles, whom many consider to be one of the architects of house music is still highly influential to a new generation. Since his untimely passing ten years ago it has been incredible to see the continued outpouring of love and respect that he has received. His legacy is why the Frankie Knuckles Foundation exists. Through our work we honour him by supporting initiatives that he was passionate about: music education, AIDS and diabetes research, prevention and LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness. This commemorative vinyl release of ‘House Masters’ in association with Defected will allow us to do just that!”

Frederick Dunson, Founder, President & Executive Director, Frankie Knuckles Foundation

The forthcoming vinyl releases will feature a selection of his finest productions and remixes including the seminal ‘Your Love’, ‘The Whistle Song’ and remixes for Chaka Khan and Sounds Of Blackness.

Find out more about Frankie Knuckles Foundation and its commitment to educating and supporting initiatives across LGBTQIA+ communities and AIDs prevention

Where maturity evolves into a signature sound, the personal and musical journey becomes one. Chromadelia by Italian producer and live artist Ness refines two decades of precision and craft. It is techno reduced to its core logic - direct, functional, and self-aware. Ness' process moves from spontaneous jams to detailed sculpting, a continuous sequence where improvisation gradually becomes structure. Randomness plays a role, but only as the foundation for his architecture. The result is music that feels both deliberate and fluid, shaped by intuition and refined through years of practice. Minimalism here isn't merely an aesthetic choice, but an organic conclusion -- drawn from experience and the trust that less can truly reveal more. The four tracks on Chromadelia extend this clarity onto the dance floor: sharp, beepy, metallic, rhythmically charged, yet open enough to let each element breathe. Introspection and club-functionality coexist seamlessly, each amplifying the other. In Chromadelia, Ness demonstrates that every tone, every pulse serves a purpose, offering a clear reflection of an artist who has learned to let precision speak louder than complexity.

Repress!

Second Phase (aka Joey Beltram and Mundo Muzique) are 2 legendary producers whose output shaped an entire generation of ravers, DJs and producers minds.
'Mentasm / Mind To Mind' is one such influential release, literally creating new styles, new directions and impacting on dance music for decades to come. Unique programming and fresh sounds made their records stand out head and shoulders above everyone else's output. 'Mentasm' particularly broke ground with it's now infamous 'hoover sound', influencing house, techno and trance music to come and even spilling over into the nascent hardcore, jungle and D&B scenes where it was often imitated or sampled by producers who wanted that ruff, visceral feel for their own tracks, but didn't know how to create it themselves. A new energy was born and it emanated from this milestone 12". 'Mind To Mind' on the flipside is equally as deadly, but in a deeper, more spaced out realm it maneuvers and pulls into a trippy early morning space, the yin to 'Mentasm's yang. This is a quintessential techno record, a glimpse of innovation from back in the day. File under 'classic'.

This special 2021 edition is reissued by R&S Records from original master sources, remastered by Curve Pusher.

Kicking off 2026 in style! Here we have volume 5 of the annual Razor-N-Tape Family Affair series. As always a wide-ranging collection of vibes and grooves from the extended international Razor-N-Tape network, this year’s vinyl sampler includes label newcomers and veterans across 6 tracks. Recloose, Medlar & Daisybelle, Misiu, Saucy Lady, Anoraak and Marina Trench deliver in their respective signature styles, taking us on a genre-bending tour of genres and sounds. From House to Disco, Dub to Breaks, and Chuggers to Pumpers, there’s bit of something for everyone here…fun for the whole Family!

Métron Records announces Mycorrhizal Music, the forthcoming album from composer and multi instrumentalist Ess Whiteley. Currently a PhD candidate in Composition at the University of California-San Diego, Whiteley’s practice spans recordings, installations, performances, and scores, a body of work as diverse as the fungal webs that inspire it.

Across seven tracks, Whiteley explores interconnected sound worlds shaped by mycelium networks, rhizomatic structures, and other unseen systems that sustain life. Rooted in experimental electronics, minimalism, ambient and IDM, the record imagines sound as ephemeral connective tissue capable of reshaping how a listener might experience time, memory, and futurity.

At the core of Whiteley’s work is an excavation of what lies beneath perception, the felt but unspoken currents of emotionality and subtle experiences that dwell in the unconscious.

Mycorrhizal Music channels these hidden threads into a speculative ecosystem of kinship and exchange, where joy, play, and spirituality interlace like branching hyphae beneath the soil. Mycorrhizal Music has been conceived as kinetic ambient music, designed to move with the listener while walking, riding trains, driving, cooking, where everyday rhythms align with shifting sonic textures, reminding them of hidden, interconnected, mycelial webs of spiritual vitality beneath the surfaces of daily activity.

Guided by a vision of speculative ecology and interspecies resonance, it thrives in contrasts: tracks like Rhizomatic Harpists and Whispered Messages in Tapestried Fields of Fluid Motion pulse with fluid momentum, while Kaleidoscopic Patterns of Emptiness Dancing drifts into fragile stillness.

With artwork by Kenta Senekt and mastering by Brandon Hocura, Mycorrhizal Music extends Métron Records’ ethos of cultivating subtle, interconnected sound worlds.

Original Gravity Records announces a deadly new 7" from Boss Foundation, the fresh alias of producer and multi-instrumentalist Neil Anderson. Previously known as Woodfield Rd Allstars for his vintage Jamaican (predominantly instrumental) output, Anderson now moves forward under the sharper, more genre-focused name Boss Foundation—a banner that reflects the heavy, stripped-down, late-’60s Boss Reggae style at the core of his sound.

Side A: The Henchman

A tough, propulsive Boss Reggae instrumental driven by a fierce groove, The Henchman comes armed with vintage-style pistol-shot effects and a pair of unmistakable Dennis Alcapone vocal drops, giving the cut the swagger and tension of a lost 1969 sound-system special. Heavy, atmospheric, and tailor-made for selectors who favour harder-edged instrumentals.

Side B: Pressure Version

An organ-led version built on the riddim Anderson created for The Pioneers’ 2025 recording of “I Feel So Bad” (the Jackie Edwards classic). Featuring Abramo Riti on Hammond organ, Pressure Version offers a warm, melodic excursion that highlights the depth and movement of the rhythm—spacious, soulful, and crafted with the sensibilities of a classic late-’60s version cut.

Pressed in a strictly limited edition, this double-sided killer marks the official debut of Boss Foundation, signalling a powerful new chapter in Original Gravity’s ongoing commitment to era-authentic Jamaican sounds.

Kin Gajo is a Brussels based electro-acoustic jazz trio drawing inspiration on the one hand from J Dilla and Flying Lotus, and on the other from the sound of British jazz artists such as The Comet Is Coming, Yusef Dayes, and Alfa Mist. With their atypical instrumentation-accordion, saxophone, and drums-the trio has developed a sound entirely of their own, with the accordion often resembling a heavy analog synthesizer.



DJ and producer Lefto featured Kin Gajo on his compilation Lefto Presents Jazz Cats Volume 3, positioning the trio at the forefront of the young Brussels jazz scene. The music clearly demonstrates how original and vibrant the results can be when elements of contemporary jazz merge with diverse influences from a metropolitan melting pot.



With Tsuki ?, Kin Gajo releases their first full-length album.

Celebrate three decades of dance music history with 30 Years of Klubbhopping – the ultimate Best Of collection from the legendary Dutch DJ/producer team, Klubbheads. Known for their unstoppable beats and countless club anthems, Klubbheads have shaped the sound of global dancefloors with releases under many aliases, including Drunkenmunky, Da Klubb Kings, Itty-Bitty-Boozy-Woozy, DJ Disco and others. This anniversary release unites their most iconic tracks for the very first time, capturing the creativity, energy, and party spirit that defined generations.

From the club to eternity, 30 Years of Klubbhopping is more than a compilation—it’s a celebration of the sound that made the world move.
30 Years of Klubbhopping is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on crystal clear vinyl and includes an insert with track-by-track liner-notes written by the Klubbheads.

DGM & Panegyric proudly present…

One of the highlights of the King Crimson 50th anniversary CD/Blu-ray editions to date has been King Crimson producer David Singleton’s series of Elemental Mixes as he utilises the full spectrum of available studio sessions for each album to produce very different takes on the familiar songs and pieces.

This is especially true of Lizard where the ambition of the material, the much-expanded line-up of musicians - the background of many of them in the jazz rather than the rock world - and the number of takes recorded, resulted in a large amount of material to be considered for this album.

There was enough material for David to be able to mix and produce alternate takes for every piece from the original album.

As well as giving great insight into the recordings, the nature of Elemental Mixes allows for different takes from individual musicians to be included – sometimes alongside one another - in a way that would never be considered in the formulation of the original album.

David comments that “When I was working on the Elemental mixes, I jokingly described them as ‘Lizard for those who don’t like Lizard’. They were a complete revelation. Lizard is the one album which, in its initial incarnation, never quite convinced me. And yet these Elemental mixes, with their opportunity to look ‘under the hood’ of the album, revealed something fresh, wonderful and astonishing. So, if you are a King Crimson fan, who like me, has never quite taken Lizard to your heart, then these are essential listening. And hopefully equally fascinating to those who already love the album”.

Presented as a single 200gram LP and including the complete album in Elemental Mixes form, running in the same sequence as the original album, this release showcases Lizard in a very different manner to how it’s previously been heard.

Lizard’s reputation has grown, deservedly so, in recent years as old and new audiences alike rediscovered the album, initially when it was first remixed for new Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound editions in 2009 by Steven Wilson and then as much of it was performed live for the first time in concerts by the most recent King Crimson line-up between 2016 and 2018.

January 2025. Serra Grande, Bahia.
The sound of the forest dampening the steps of weary travelers. The air dense with the song of the Araponga. In the distance, amidst the rustling leaves and tropical raindrops, a distant voice howls: “P… Cara… A…zing”. A child’s soul, expressed through the body of a Japanese man, plays ‘Gishiki’ for the first time with the innocence and wonder of a young alchemist that just turned a rock into gold. We were captivated by the elegance of the composition. A friendship was struck and months of work followed.

Fast forward, and we find ourselves down by a familiar Portuguese lake. Rushing towards another Floresta just in time to hand over the test press before a spellbinding set. ‘Suiryuu’ plays and everything magically falls into place.

We hope this record touches you the way it touched us and reminds us all how life can really be Pra Caralho Amazing.

MIO: Memories in Orbit is one of 2026 best games so far. With a synthwave-induced melody, blissful choir voices echoing the main theme of the game, buzzing electronic noises and a hint of groovy patterns, this track captures the very essence of the game. Reminiscent of other iconic OST like Power Glove’s Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and Ben Prunty’s FTL: Faster Than Light.

Dedication is Stevie Bensusen and Lashley Todd, two friends born and raised in Seattle, WA, who started singing together in high school. Their dynamic blend was undeniable and it made all the sense in the world to form a band together. And if and when the planets were somehow aligned and they were gifted with adequate financing, go into the studio and record their voices. Convinced that their unmistakable vocal blend would be better served by recording their own material (songs both written and arranged by Stevie) that would showcase their voices, both solo and together. After attending Boston's Berklee College of Music to study theory and composition, Stevie returned to Seattle with a batch of new tunes and arrangements in his portfolio. He and Lash focused on rehearsing the material and looked for a chance to take their sound into the studio. As luck would have it, someone liked their prospects enough to bankroll their studio sessions. They hired and rehearsed the top-notch players that would make up their masterful rhythm section, then booked time at now legendary Kaye-Smith Studios in Seattle to cut and mix their tracks. What came from those sessions are four powerful and sophisticated R&B performances, being made available only on the Final Bell label by Super Disco Edits. Their adventures in the unpredictable world of recorded music are now beginning to unfold. Which brings us to this moment in time when audiences in the UK can finally discover, and appreciate . . . Dedication.

Dedication is Stevie Bensusen and Lashley Todd, two friends born and raised in Seattle, WA, who started singing together in high school. Their dynamic blend was undeniable and it made all the sense in the world to form a band together. And if and when the planets were somehow aligned and they were gifted with adequate financing, go into the studio and record their voices. Convinced that their unmistakable vocal blend would be better served by recording their own material (songs both written and arranged by Stevie) that would showcase their voices, both solo and together. After attending Boston's Berklee College of Music to study theory and composition, Stevie returned to Seattle with a batch of new tunes and arrangements in his portfolio. He and Lash focused on rehearsing the material and looked for a chance to take their sound into the studio. As luck would have it, someone liked their prospects enough to bankroll their studio sessions. They hired and rehearsed the top-notch players that would make up their masterful rhythm section, then booked time at now legendary Kaye-Smith Studios in Seattle to cut and mix their tracks. What came from those sessions are four powerful and sophisticated R&B performances, being made available only on the Final Bell label by Super Disco Edits. Their adventures in the unpredictable world of recorded music are now beginning to unfold. Which brings us to this moment in time when audiences in the UK can finally discover, and appreciate . . . Dedication.

It’s been over 20 years since Kenny Dixon Jr., better known as Moodymann, released Black Mahogani—an album rich in atmosphere and emotion, offering a quintessential journey through deep house, soul, and jazz. Timeless yet modern, it’s an immersive and emotionally resonant experience that reflects the singular character of Detroit’s deep musical heritage.

Originally released in 2004, Black Mahogani is arguably one of Moodymann’s most revered and sought-after works. It completes the puzzle laid out by his rare and elusive KDJ 12” releases from the mid to late '90s. With the help of Detroit legends like the late Amp Fiddler, Roberta Sweed, and Norma Jean Bell, Dixon infused his analog soundscapes and samples with a new organic warmth—expanding the deep house genre while simultaneously paying homage to 1970s soul and cinematic soundtracks.

Dixon’s masterful control of tension—knowing exactly when to hold back and when to let go—makes Black Mahogani an enduring masterpiece. It's not just a landmark in electronic music, but a definitive statement in 21st-century Black American music.

Rotes Vinyl, limitiert auf 1000 Exemplare. 4x A6-Postkarten mit Bandfotos Exklusives Interview auf den Innersleeves. Wir feiern das 30-jährige Jubiläum des legendären Albums ,The Bridge" von Ace of Base - jetzt als limitierte Auflage auf rotem Vinyl, in einem Gatefold-Sleeve und mit 4 exklusiven Postkarten mit Bandfotos. Das ursprünglich 1995 veröffentlichte Album markierte einen neuen Abschnitt für das schwedische Pop-Phänomen und verband unwiderstehliche Melodien mit einem reiferen und introspektiveren Sound. Mit Hits wie ,Beautiful Life", ,Lucky Love" und ,Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry" fing ,The Bridge" den Geist der 90er Jahre ein und bewies gleichzeitig die zeitlose Anziehungskraft der Band. Remastered und auf exklusivem rotem Vinyl gepresst - eine unverzichtbare Sammleredition für jeden Ace-of-Base-Fan.

A brainchild of YAKO440 & GODBODY108, 'Dub In Full' began with a series of studio visits between two artist-musicians who saw themselves reflected in each other's work. From those early conversations came an idea rooted in instinct and a shared reverence for musical innovation: a mighty dub reinterpretation of golden-era hip hop classics.