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Dutch power duo Doms & Deykers a.k.a Steffi and Martyn step up to the plate with a brand new action packed offering. Following up their "Fonts for the People EP" and their track "Whirling" on Ostgut Ton's Zehn LP, the two take their continuous collaboration to a new level. The three tracks on "Dedicated to those who feel" see Steffi and Martyn recognizing their respective strengths, combining their 90s heritage with a vision of the future, modern techno soul with all its flaws and bright euphoric moments. "Dedicated to those who feel" serves as the introduction to a full length Doms & Deykers LP, scheduled for later this year.

Anyone who knows Soul Intent's music will know he loves to dig into the hardcore, rave and jungle archives. Now he's taking it a step further by launching Dope Plates, the second sub-label to his Lossless Music imprint. Expect early 90s influenced Drum & Bass and Jungle, drawing from the foundations set by legendary labels such as Metalheadz, Reinforced, Moving Shadow and Good Looking. As for the logo (yes we know it's awesome) it was designed by Art Jazz from Genaside II... see, we really went in on this!

Up next to bat for the Astral Black label is Glasgow's Bushido and he looks set to hit his debut 4-track EP straight out the park. Over the past 18 months Bushido's playful, dance-hall infused take on UK club-music has built a steady reputation, with his soundcloud page showcasing a blaze of radio rips lifted from 1xtra, Rinse & NTS. His Beach Stage set at last years Outlook Festival was picked by The Daily Street as their personal highlight and his collaborations with label-mate DJ Milktray & contributions to releases from Liminal Sounds & LuckyMe's 14/15 advent calendar have picked up DJ support from the likes of Hudson Mohawke, Mssngno & Nina Las Vegas as well as press from the likes of The Fader & FACT.

On 'Grandmaster Cash', Bushido turns in 4 sweltering, hyper-tropical, club tracks - the arpeggiated cowbells & vocal chops of opener 'Palm Trees' sounding like you've hit the jackpot on a fruit machine. 'Palm Trees' has become a firm favourite in sets from the likes of Mr Mitch & Murlo and its clear to see why. The sino-centric 'Cherry Blossom' is up next, it's half-step breakdowns offering some mild respite before culminating in an arsenal of pan-flute chops & triplet hi hats. The mavado-sampling 'Just Us' rings out at the top of side B, a stripped back offering of anthemic vocal-chops, 808 kicks, sub bass and rim shots. Finally, leaving the B'more bounce of Boxed-favourite 'Jersey' to seal the deal.

Gari Romalis and Lello Di Franco - Dreamin For the uninitiated, our man Gary Romalis is the unsung master of Detroit's house and techno scene. Having DJed across the motor city's top venues for the last three decades, Gary is somewhat of a seminal figure for many of Detroit's DJs currently at the forefront. Following a slew of high quality releases on various labels over the past few years, Gary now unleashes that special flavour on us for SKYLAX 142! He is not alone though. With him, he brings all round Italian partymaker, and top selector in his own right, Lello Di Franco. Let me tell you, this duo's collaboration is something to behold. Throughout all 3 tracks on the record, Gary and Lello maintain the essence of what the Detroit underground is all about; stripped back tracks with soul that never feel like they go 'big' for the sake of it. While Dreamin (Wanda Mix) may be packing a big kick and power clap combo, it's the elegantly filtered, jazzy sample that will leave you wishing that the track lasted forever. The vibe takes a dip right into the deep in Detroit Underground (Beat Dat Mix). Spacious pad synths alongside a mesmeric vocal carry us through. Taking a step back up, Afrobeat rounds off the EP, made with a solid toolkit of afro-centric samples.

WEvery artistic scene is lead by their artists and kept alive by their fans, but mostly by its talents, who can look outside of the box and have a great relationship with their crowd. Junior C is a great example of how this theory comes true for a DJ and Producer.
Junior C is a very versatile artist, who consolidated his career in three columns: Technique, Feeling and Crowd-Reading, Important skills that added to his strong musical taste made him able to adapt his sets to many dance-floors, from underground to mainstream without loosing his musical identity.
As a producer, he got a lot of attention by his latest tracks Relax' and Sweet Acid Talk' released by Impact Records, produced in partnership with Wehbba and Propulse. Both tracks in just a couple of weeks hit the top 20 in tech-house at Beatport receiving compliments from: Sven Vath, 2000 and One, Karotte, Hector Couto, Joseph Capriati and many more, afterwards Sweet Acid Talk' was the best seller of Ibiza Underground 2013' released by Toolroom Records.
In this EP he has worked with H.O.S.H., Gui Boratto and Gunjah to create new approaches of his latest single Coming Over' and the result are 3 different interpretations of this dance floor timeless song, full of groove, lush harmonies and organic undertones. It doesn't take much to imagine this EP owning dance floors in the months and years to come.
Engineered to perfection by label head GUI BORATTO, it's an exciting step for the imprint and the project alike.
it's an exciting step for the imprint and the project alike.

Three cuts of heady, cerebral bliss guaranteed to push any dancefloor a little further out into the interstellar,In Russell's hands, Clay Wilson's "E4" becomes a spaced-out stepper's delight. His rework of Romans' "Coptos" lets the acidic undertones of the original run free while snappy percussion holds focus. And while we're not one to pick favorites, Russell's remix of Zemi17's "Rangda," stripped to its bare essentials, is almost a purer representation of the original than the original itself, designed to lift a willing crowd into a trance state.

Outstanding and miraculous, this record is an international effort, resulting in a great combination, relevant for both bagging it or playing out on a soundsystem. The original music is by one of Russia's most prolific and gifted reggae musicians - Rebelsteppa. Melodic instrumental music, a swing-stepper with a saxophone.

None Shall Escape the Judgement', vocals by Stikki Tantafari from Jamaica is on the A side of the record. This song is rough and tough, dynamic and persistent. Stikki Tantafari has previously released music with Paul Lush on Nucleus Roots Records.

On the B side "Give Unto Jah' by Sista Sherin, the German singer. Compared to the record's first side, this one is smoother, the voice of this young lady is glorious and captivating - positive vibrations.

Both sides feature Rebelsteppa's dub-mixes - His style is always a mixture of classical energy combined with peculiar intelligence of sound given by restrained echoes, created for the soundsystem.

You can call them a »supergroup«, but Moderat understands that it's the »group« aspect that makes them interesting.

Gernot Bronsert, Sebastian Szary (aka Modeselektor) and Sascha Ring (aka Apparat) have been working together as a trio almost as long as their two separate projects have existed. We've seen their collaboration grow from »laptop boy-band,« (as Ring playfully puts it) in 2003—with computers synched using software Ring himself had written, because at the time, »there was just no live performance software around.«

Ring confesses that Moderat wasn't »really meant to be a recording act ,« with Bronsert agreeing that, »it was really just about fun.« This maybe explains the six-year break that followed Moderat's first EP before they finally returned in 2009 with their selftitled debut album. Intent on creating something that contrasted with their own projects, the group started the cycle which blossoms on their second album, aptly titled II, culminating now in the trilogy's completion, III. Whereas I was the combination of two separate entities, II brought the members closer together, and in III, the final chapter in the trilogy, Moderat sounds like one band.

Both Szary and Ring will tell you that Moderat moved progressively from making tracks towards a more traditional writing approach of making songs - a process more fully realized on III. That's partly why the vocals have become more prominent. Mostly, you hear Ring singing (there are no guests this time), as he so often does as Apparat, but listen closely to »Ghostmother« to hear Bronsert and Szary backing him up. Stepping out of their comfort zone is the kind of thing that helped create their interplay between pop and electronics; doing it right won them the Resident Advisor Best Live Act honor as early as 2009, and they continue to gain popularity while remaining independent and underground.

Szary describes the idea behind Moderat as, »imagin(ing) yourself sitting in the cinema and watching a movie with an incredible soundtrack.« This is true with Moderat in general, but III in particular pairs an emotional pull with sensual imagery, creating dynamic sound and depth with lyrics such as »the calming scent of lavender fills the air,« or »burning bridges light my way.« You'd have
to ask them whether they're intending to manipulate the listener in the same way that John Williams or Hans Zimmer might with traditional orchestras.

One of the best parts of Moderat is their use of electronics to achieve orchestral diversity. They update the songwriting tradition with an intriguing palette, borne of careful attention and skill, informed by their »experiences with sounds of nearly 25 years of suband club culture.«
Let's not forget that these three were brought together by Berlin's now legendary rave scene. With this as their common foundation as individuals, III signifies Moderat's maturation in modern pop — an achievement shared under their collective belt.

Bronsert explains that, »the new album isn't based on jams. We went into the studio and knew exactly what we needed to do.« This is reflected in the sophisticated themes explored in the music. Take »Ghostmother,« which ponders inner peace, acceptance, fear of the unknown and how facing that fear often reveals something not so scary. Or »Running,« which is about being part of a mass that constantly needs to move to function, but doesn't have the power to decide the direction of motion. Or how about the wisdom of »Reminder,« which recognizes the world for its flaws and our role we've each played in that, but choosing to act differently and light the way to something better.

Given that, it's a bit of an understatement when Bronsert says, »I'd say our music has definitely matured.« Successful in their own endeavors, now they've mastered the »group«. It doesn't mean the end of Moderat, but it does mean they'll have to find something else to excel in.

As our fifth elixir finally manifests, Fjader guides us through the misty ocean of the mind to find bliss of rainbow light.

Early support from Deepbass, Svreca, Antonio de Angelis, Arnaud le Texier, Stephanie Sykes, The Noisemaker, Vilix, Nihad Tule, Iori, Rasmus Hedlund, ASC, Periskop, Shaded Explorer, Antonio Vazquez, BLNDR, Jana Sleep and Luigi Tozzi to name a few.

Spell PETS backwards to get STEP. Spell STEP forwards to find PETS going back to basics. STEP is the new concept vinyl only label from the founder of PETS, Catz 'N Dogz, that highlights the rawest forms and root functions of quality club music. STEP finds the fundamental groove with undertheradar house and techno that is isn't afraid to be rough around the edges. STEP is limited promo and all about the music. Each new STEP will be released every four months on vinyl only.

Consider this a warning - tearing out of 2015 on the gale of our compilation with the legendary duo of Jeroen Search and Dimi Angeli´s carrying us on their winds into 2016, Chronicle steps into the eye of the hurricane for its second release this year, by the mighty Mike Storm. A xture in the Dutch techno scene since the late '90s, it was when Michael de Winde moved to hardware live sets that he found his true inspiration, continuing to this day
to use only analogue equipment in his restless search for techno perfection. Consistently released since 2012, initially on Subsist, a label notable for
early work of SHXCXCHCXSH and Stanislav Tolkachev, he then moved on
to respected underground sources such as Ars Mechanica, Orbis Records, and Belief System, where he released his 2014 album 'Pulsars'. Supported by Mills, A&S, Arnaud Le Texier, Tadeo, Antigone, and others, we are proud to give Mike Storm the twelfth entry in the series with 'Where the WolvesCome From'.

It begins 'At Certain Points', channeling the jazzy mid-2000s Mills of his most abstract era with subtle string swells, cosmic bleep patterns and equally subtle Detroit-style percussion lls. 'The Day We See' moves into morning, with its complex, melodic bass gures and shimmering strings taking
the nocturnal intro into morning following a tense lead line that enters.
Again referencing Detroit but falling closer to the dystopian feelings of contemporary Terrence Dixon, 'New Light' is an exercise in tension between taught drum lines, dissonant keyboards, and a metallic sequence pattern. Stripping down for the hunt, the title track stalks more aggressively, razor- sharp hats and growling bass accelerating as the predator closes in on its prey, an eerie forest wind bringing terror in its path until the final struggle.

10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION / Drawing cover, UV sleeve, 2XLP, first-ever gatefold jacket / When Donuts came out, on J Dilla's birthday, February 7, 2006, it was with this drawing cover (scribbled up by Jeff Jank). As some years passed, the vinyl was eventually reissued with "the smile" photo cover, and the drawing cover eventually went out of print. Here's the 10th anniversary edition of the album. Drawing cover, new drawing on the back, UV coated sleeve, gatefold with liner notes by Jordan Ferguson, containing an excerpt from his book Donuts 33 1/3 about the making of the album.

Following two EP releases on Delusions Of Grandeur the time felt right for thatmanmonkz to get working on his debut LP. The Sheffield b-boy is no newcomer to production having been releasing music since the mid-noughties but has seen a definite rise in interest the last few years following essential releases on his own Shadeleaf label as well as remixes and productions for the likes of Classic, Kolour LTD and Kon's StarTime.
With his first musical love being Hip Hop it's easy to understand how his approach to house turns out so refreshing. Inevitably MPC's, big, bold samples, Jay Dee inspired grooves and a raw, underproduced sound all play a big part and never one to shy away from an interesting collaboration he has enlisted the skills of several vocalists including Detroit MC Ta'raach (whose credits include Slum Village and Jill Scott), Erik Rico (collabs include Ron Trent and DJ Spinna), Khalil, Dave Aju, Pete Simpson (as A Brother Is...) and Malik Ameer.
Things kick off with a low-slung soul jam entitled Air featuring Kahil Anthony complete with sparkling Rhodes arps and a dub-wise bassline underpinning a beautifully lazy groove. Jus Anutha Wunna Deez follows with a rough and ready house jam that clearly doffs its cap to those old Sound Signature and Mahogoni Music releases we know and love so much. Next up we have Boogie Down with Erik Rico rocking some Parliament inspired vocal business bringing the feelgood vibes to this rolling P-Funker. Some Ol' Nex' Ish goes for a jazz samba meets house fusion whilst A Fly New Tune goes strictly old school with a classic combo of dusty break, filtered fusion rhodes n bass sample, movie dialogue snippets and a masterful flow delivered by Ta'raach. Dave Aju steps up next on Turn It Out laying down a unison vocal refrain to compliment the bumping disco groove complete with a call and response section for some singalong party participation!
As we continue, Another Night Under The Glitterball sees thatmanmonkz back in familiar territory with a rock solid, deep jazz-house jam. On I Can Hardly Breathe we're treated to a downtempo gospel-infused affair which leads us perfectly into the most bumpy club- friendly track of the LP For Bae. Moon On The Hill is a collaboration with Italian DJ Kali and his Raw Standard crew and treats us to some distinctly mid 90's Kruder and Dorfmeister vibes to zone out to before heading off in an altogether more bonkers, psychedelic dancehall direction on Vampires. Baked is another classy thatmanmonkz take on Hip Hop featuring Malik Ameer on the mic. Take U 2 My House sounds like something Prince might have made in the mid-80's if he'd just come off a 3 day bender at Panorama Bar. And closing the show in perfect style and fashion we have For Those I've Lost Along The Way which is a blunted yet beautifully optimistic number that has echoes of Lonnie Liston Smith and a brilliant spiritual vocal sample which provides the perfect closer to an amazing debut LP.

Reaching the milestone of its 100th single/EP release, Circus Company welcomes back Aquarius Heaven with a new EP of poignant, uplifting house music loaded with a meaningful message for these transient times. It's nearly three years since Brian Brewster delivered the Parallela Mundi 12', and in that time he has been on a relentless mission to spread his unique blend of house music, Caribbean roots and psychedelic magic across the globe in a whirlwind of live performances and collaborations. In a manifestation of his well-travelled soul, these new pieces call upon traditional influences in amongst the modern motifs that Aquarius Heaven has been built on, while lyrically dealing with the pressing issue of refugees escaping conflict, poverty and famine. The proud drum throwdown and carnival bleeps of 'Bato Chargé' conceal the seriousness of its theme. In Brewster's native tongue Creole, bato chargé translates as overloaded boat. With the Caribbean as equally rooted in the history of displaced humanity at the hands of sinister powers, the groove of 'Bato Chargé' takes on a defiant, hopeful tone directly inspired by the traditional percussive music style Gow Ka. '50 Drops' by way of contrast takes on a noirish tone with its gritty, street-weary tale and nocturnal melodics played out through enchanting arpeggios and warbling leads. Cooling off the tempo and heading into a digi-dub skank that plays off Brewster's roots in reggae and dancehall, 'Marie Galante' takes those same warm synths and runs them through a low-but-heavy stepping landscape; the perfect backdrop to the vocalist's dexterous ramblings on the mic. It's not often you hear Creole New Release Information delivered in contemporary electronic music, with a rare exception being the legendary work of Tikiman et al with Rhythm & Sound in the 90s.

Gone with the flow - after a little break the German musicians Julius Steinhoff and Abdeslam Hammouda revived their musical adventures and left all electricity untouched this time. For their new acoustic project the duo has chosen the alias Tonight Will Be Fine - a name that is familiar to those who followed their work in the past years. As Steinhoff & Hammouda they used the name for their first 12" on Smallville Records, the worldwide acclaimed house and beyond label and record store that Steinhoff co-runs. Now they reheated the phrase and chose it as the alias for a bittersweet acoustic singer/songwriter project. Their wonderful, captivating new musical venture came into life due to happenstance and old ferventness. After their trips into house music the duo parted geographically. Hammouda moved away from Hamburg while Steinhoff strengthened his label Smallville, built up a global DJ career and produced acclaimed house records on diverse labels - solo" and with his buddy Dionne as Smallpeople. In all the time Steinhoff and Hammouda never stayed out of touch, bound together through deep friendship.

At some point they met again for musical missions and started to record music that had nothing in common with their prior work. Steinhoff re-activated his self-taught guitar abilities and entered the studio of his friend Lawrence in the back of the Smallville record store to capture some steeldrums and vibraphone sounds. Hammouda brought more instruments like a banjo, a violine and tablas and they just started to record sketches and songs. Hammouda's musical backround leads to a widespread range of influences while growing up, before he got into producing hip hop and electronic music. For Steinhoff, the transformation from an electronic music producer into a singer/songwriter wasn't that new too, as his first musical steps have been routed in band music. Until his late teenage years, when he discovered house and techno, he played drums in a local indie group in Freiburg and for Tonight Will Be Fine he now also freed his old drum kit from cellar dust.

After the duo felt that their musical communication elevates into something more profound then a session thing, they provided themselves with additional instruments like new guitars, claves, an accordion, a piano and more. Initially the songs were very rough and sketchy. Musical ideas that did not have a real song structure. Then we started to arrange the tracks and added our voices and lyrics.' both reveal. Their charming singing covers almost the whole album with a characteristic sense of deep winking melancholy. Their lyrics are exercising the possibilities of words and are inspired by life, the world and all the those questions a human can ask in his time on earth. At some point both started to show their new songs to some friends and they liked it and encouraged the duo to move on. Somehow one of the tracks landed in Toshiya Kawasaki's mailbox. He instantly fell in love with it and asked if they would like to do an album for Mule Musiq. They did what was asked and after some reformatting and reinventing Tonight Will Be Fine originated 13 songs full of sweeping acoustic guitars, airy rhythms, piano melodies, gloomy accordion emotions, touching voices and a bunch of other exotic instruments, done without the help of electronics. They all form Elephant Island' - an incredibly inspirational place where impressionistic lyrics dance gently with kinetic acoustic music that comes out of plain jamming fun. The melange of a structured song base and free improvisation injects all songs a loose feeling. And shows two handsome fellas carving out their own musical utopia. It is a warming one, full of hope and musical freedom powered by an unabashed instrumental playfulness.
nstrumental playfulness.





É a5 | soliloquy

* Returning to Dispatch LTD after a string of successful and hard hitting releases, DBR UK are back to present their debut album, entitled 'Rough Edges', comprised of sixteen original productions from the UK trio.

* 'Rough Edges' is an ethos by which DBR UK live by in the studio, an ethos and distinctive style which has been developed over the years and throughout their own influences. Made up of varying elements, styles and attitudes within drum & bass, the album covers the trio's full spectrum, carried out with their own unique flair. * Certified masters of crafting their basslines and low ends to perfection, the pulse keeps every track pumping with soul, carefully mapped out and delivered to a tee, whatever the chosen direction. Eloquently arranged, but purposely gritty, dynamic but not over-complicated and never straightforward, glossy or predictable, it's an ideology the group stand by, whether it's a melodic vocal swathe or a murderous minimal mod. * Equipped with murky steppers for the shadowy back rooms such as 'Demolition' (ft. Slippy Skills), the album journeys through old skool & dub focused influences, like reece thronged 'Dark Alley' and hypnotic stroller 'Man Hunt'.

* Alongside their solo productions, the album also sees guest collaborators from the past and present combining efforts, with Skeptical, Structured, Gremlinz & Ahmad helping craft the gullied landscapes, the poignant and piercing vocals of MC Fokus striking at the jugular in 'Blood Water and the smooth, dulcet tones of Amanda Seal perfectly contrasting to the darkness and hysteria, before leading the listener back up the garden path.

* Back on the scene with a vengeance, having blown us away with an astounding quality and output, DBR UK deliver their first long player, 'Rough Edges', utilizing their subtly edged weaponry to maximum effect.

Here we are, finally ! After numerous months of hard work,
today is the release day of " Good Vibes "
from SoulChef on Délicieuse Records !


This is definitely a 2.0 project : a beatmaker based in New-Zealand, a french label, some french scratches, some english, north american, swedish emcees, etc. it's a countless number of emails that allowed us to release this beautiful project that you can listen today.


We're so f****g happy to finally be here ! This album sounds old-school, but it's message and conception are definitely modern. Enjoy, Love is the Message !


Soulchef revives with Good Vibes the original spirit of Hip Hop.


The New Zealand beatmaker gives new life to this still living memory that we're honouring on Delicieuse Musique since our inception. Taking us back to our classics, Soulchef shines a new and personal light on hip hop : the result is positive, groovy and true to its initial roots.


Good Vibes is the result of an exchange of more than 18 months between the producer, the label and various rappers. The album is a mapping of a league that helds the oldschool hip-hop standard : there can be found a whole bunch of more or less notorious MCs on it from Declaime to Croosh, a young talent spotted on Soundcloud.


Gathered around the unifying aura of Soulchef, Delicieuse Records decided to step out of its usual field, offering to its public its first Hip Hop release.

Marcos Valle - EstrelarMarcos Valle is back again, this time with the almighty 'Estrelar', his most well-known disco/boogie track co-written with Leon Ware. Added hints of Yacht Rock too!
Marketed as workout music" at the time, 'Estrelar' was his best-selling record with a total of around 90,000 sales.'Estrelar' is taken from his 1983 self titled LP released on Som Livre. 
Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti - AlleluiaTwo of the masters of the Brazilian Boogie sound joined forces to make a self-titled LP released in 1982 that epitamised the sound of early 80's Rio de Janeiro. Synths and keys float over razor sharp samba, jazz and 2-step drum grooves backed by huge layers of horns. Production is as shiny, bright and ultra clean as it ever got!'Alleluia' is a mid tempo groover, with rich horns, guitar, synth and vocal lines. An end of the night jam if ever there was one.Released on the LP mentioned above and also on 7' in 1983.

Welcome to our first release of 2016 - we'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary in September this year! During most of those years, Franklin De Costa has been a regular on Curle. We described his last EP as "organic deep house tracks that step out of the ordinary". If you liked that one, you're definitely going to love the title track on the new EP - fantastic bassline too! 'Needles' is a bit harder and has a bit of a UK vibe, and 'Silkworm' is even solid techno. Enjoy!

The new UAT kut brings the acid one step ahead... With a more teknoidal tribe A side and a Hardcore experimental acid very very good B Side ! A bit in some difference to the so called normal acid sounds... the EP brings a real open window to more experimental artists : different possibilities. Superb & Uncompromised !

Roberto Capuano has delivered Drumcode an immense 3 track EP that will blow out the cobwebs and see Roberto step back onto Drumcode with a bang. Lacing each track with pads and tantalising hook lines, Capuano's tracks fire on all cylinders with good use of vocals and drum rhythms.His tracks have a certain swagger that only Roberto can conjure.

Finally the dudes behind the fantastic Hell Yeah recordings step out into the limelight on their own with their debut EP of on Golf Channel. And what a debut !
Tracks range from blissful, boogie influenced house music (Adriatic Bolt) to the 1992 style Primal Scream psychedelic chugging banger (Quando) via sunny acid (Quiet Force) and deep emotional vocal led ambience (I Don't Care Who You Are).
Just as you'd expect from the amazing sounds their label has put out over the years, this ep is uncategoriseable in the best possible way We look forward to hearing more from the aptly titled Balearic Gabba Sound System, this is just an aperitivo, or is it a selection of antipasti...either way, it leaves you ready for the next course.
Golf Channel every time !

Hitting you like the soundtrack to some wonderful film you will never see, the depth and emotion of the sound of Farbror Resande Mac will take your breathe away.
They have crafted a wonderful EP for Back To The Balearics, which offers the listener a refreshing break from the norms of electronic music making.Across the 5 tracks they cover a variety of moods and themes with great technical skill and top class production values, while creating musical patterns that conjure up images of star studded Scandinavian skies, Balearic sunsets and the buzz of great cities at night.So why not step off the musical beaten track with Farbror Resande Mac on Back To The Balearics You won't regret taking the wander...

Norman Jay MBE presents his latest compilation, titled 'Good Times Skank & Boogie', set for release 9th October 2015 on Sunday Best Recordings. This is his first compilation since 2011's Good Times 30th Anniversary Addition and follows on from his hotly anticipated Good Times Goes East party at St John Church at Hackney on 29th August.
Norman Jay is undoubtedly one of the finest and highly respected DJs in the world today and yet again pulls from his impressive collection to provide the ultimate eclectic selection.
For this 12th compilation, for those of you counting, Norman kicks off with St Germain's version of Henry Mancini's Pink Panther Theme. A cult favourite from 2004s Pink Panther Penthouse Party album, it of course immediately brings Peter Sellers to mind and a smile to your face. Next up former Uniques front man Slim Smith's Everybody Needs Love is a classic from 1968, cut at the legendary Duke Reid's Treasure Isle studio. Penned originally by Motown heroes Norman Whitfield and Eddie Holland and covered by household names including The Temptations and Glady's Knight & The Pips, Slim's version became something of a signature tune until his mysterious death in 1971. Sticking with Motown, Stevie Wonder's Living For The City is up next but it's the Michael McDonald rendition from his 2008 album Soul Speak, which proves the man who gave us the sublime Sweet Freedom had lost none of his class 20 plus years on.
D-Influence's Good Lover takes things up and brings them closer to home, to the streets of London infact. After a couple of independent releases the band, who had strong connections to the London Jazz and Soul scenes, served up this contemporary boogie tune as part of their 1992 debut long player for East West. They would subsequently score hits as a production team for a number of British R&B acts. Homegrown soul continues with Paul Johnson's Better Than This, released here via longstanding UK soul imprint Expansion to deserved acclaim last year. It's quality and appeal are simply timeless, whilst master Dego and Kaidi's mix adds a classic 80s soul dimension to proceedings.
The Chi-Lites I Keep Comin' Back To You and The Real Thing's Love Takes Tears continue and expand the 80s theme, bringing in 2-step and boogie, as does Deodato's Never Knew Love from the same period.
We switch again with Delroy Wilson's Better Must Come, a massively popular sufferers lament from 1971 by this former Jamaican child star, it would go on to be used in election campaigns by various Jamaican political parties. Kent People by Laurel Aitken & The Gruvy Beat is the next one out the box and was the flip to the 1969 anthem Skinhead Train. It features the UK's top reggae band of the era The Rudies, who along with Aitken, the widely-proclaimed Godfather of Ska, comprised of Earl Dunn (lead guitar), Trevor White (bass), Sonny Binns (keyboards) and Danny Smith (drums). They would go on to enjoy UK chart success backing singer Freddie Notes before they evolved into Greyhound. From the same year Splash Down by The Crystalites is another slate that ignited dance floors in both Jamaica and the UK upon release. Some of you will have noticed the rhythm track is the same as that of the earlier Kingstonians' best-seller, Sufferer, which came courtesy of legendary producer Derrick Harriott.
As the end draws close The Stone City Band featuring Rick James serve up some hard edged boogie, hotly followed by a classic Tom Moulton slice of late 70s disco courtesy of The Fantastic Four and their I Got To Have Your Love. If that doesn't have you dancing then Chanson's superb Don't Hold Back featuring James Jamerson Jr. on bass will leave you no choice. Classic Good Times indeed.

French heavy weight producer and long time friend of the label, Rocco, is now back on Colourful Recordings! Going back to his techno roots sporting a gritty Lyon sound, A-side Viana, is building around a funky hook and housy beats. B-side sees Rocco picking it up a notch with a techno groover Basic Channel-esque style. On remix duty, romanian Marcman steps up to deliver an almost toolish remix of Viana that's been hammering the dance floors during the summer. Mastering by Andreas at Schnittstelle.

This is France in the Mitterrand years: fashions fleet as fast as governments. In the early eighties, the happy-go-lucky gather the nectar of each and every new release.
Believing in a bright future for videotex, and loosened up by the sexy talks broadcasted on the budding pirate radios, the new generation dreams of dance floors and holiday clubs. French Boogie, which preserves the spirit of these years of boodle and bunkum, is the ideal soundtrack to their dreams.

What the web now refers to as French Boogie is some synthetic funk reflecting the spirit of those days when nothing was impossible, or so it seemed. Its syncopated flow heralded the dawning of French rap. Often considered as some kind of post-disco, inspired as much by black music as by new wave, this carefree pop music with bawdy lyrics indulged in simple pleasures: holidays, swank and sun were recurrent themes. Totally in tune with its time, it incidentally glorified luxury, success, and a certain consumerism embodied, for instance, in Bernard Tapie.

In popular clubs such as La Main Bleue in Montreuil, or L'Echappatoire in Clichy-sous-Bois - where Micky Milan could be seen behind the decks - an enthusiastic audience discovered this new sonic wave, influenced as much by French pop as by Sugar Hill Gang or Kurtis Blow. The artists who first launched the movement engaged in it wholeheartedly, but as often the case with new music trends in France, humour and casualness quickly became a decoy to impose a new style. This explosive mixture, in which startling and typically Frenchy French lyrics go along New-York-style tunes, is sometimes reminiscent of the kinky comedies directed by Max Pécas or Claude Zidi. On this prolific scene, partly originating from the Jewish community, everybody was looking for success, trying to hit the jackpot with what was to hand. Famous media personalities, one-hit wonders or John Does in quest of fame, all had a go at French Boogie - more or less successfully. Apart from « Vacances j'oublie tout » by Elégance, « Un fait divers et rien de plus » by Le Club, or « Chacun fait ce qui lui plaît » by Chagrin d'amour (produced by Patrick Bruel), very few songs became hits: the story of funk in France is that of a half-baked robbery.

In this myriad of new musicians, the very young François Feldman and Phil Barney pioneered a fresh and hybrid style. Other well-known artists like Gérard Blanc from Martin Circus (Attaché Case), Richard de Bordeaux (Ich), or Jean-Pierre Massiera (Anisette, Pirate Scratch Band, Mandrake, Scratch Man...) added an eccentric touch to this sound-wave, making it often entertaining, and sometimes showy.

Capture d'écran 2015-10-26 à 12.55.43Singers like Agathe (the author of 'La Fourmi' and of the hit song 'Je ne veux pas rentrer chez moi seule') were far more than just window dressing. They even tried to give an ironic and subversive twist to this rather harmless genre. The very vindictive rebel Gérard Vincent shared in this spirit, but as a whole, French Boogie became associated with nonchalance and sauciness. Thus, Stéphane Collaro, Gérard Jugnot, Alain Gillot Pétré and other TV clowns would clumsily contribute to this French variation on funky sounds. In a few but intense years, French Boogie gave all the tips to party with style.

If some hits made it possible for the happy few to get a real house under truly exotic palm trees, the wave actually ebbed away very quickly, leaving quite a few musicians stranded on the shore. Whether they were sincerely motivated, or simply opportunistic, they had failed. In 1984, French Boogie was already breathless, and got merged with other genres: on the one hand, rap and breakdance adapted its flow to a more urban world, especially with Sydney's show, H.I.P.H.O.P, and Dee Nasty's broadcasts on Radio Nova; on the other, italo, new beat and house began to rule over dance floors, even more strongly asserting the will to develop music for clubs.

Squeezed in between the age of disco and that of modern electronic music, French Boogie was a transitional phase, but it remains an amazingly refreshing testimony to the intermingling of pop and underground cultures. The genre was hastily categorized as anecdotal in spite of its pioneering synthetic groove and matchless bass lines. An attentive ear will discover the poetry of the ephemeral beyond the eccentricities of the genre, as well as a certain unexpected avant-gardism. At the origin of major music trends, always cheerful and catchy, French Boogie is what you need to party.

Two raw extended trips from the mind of STL in a rare foray beyond his self-run Something imprint. Stephan Laubner applies his usual auteur principles to these groove experiments, whose sounds circle round each other cagily, rough meeting smooth, organic meeting synthetic, all combining in a propulsive form that's classic STL. Shifty hats on 'Crank Notion' provide an insistent shuffle through which nauseous pads plot a dissonant course. 'Neat Buzzl' is a grimier excursion in the undergrowth, little creatures scurrying left and right while the kick maintains its forward stomp. Join STL and Assemble Music in these off-map excursions and see where you emerge.

Ever since the debut, 'Communication EP' which also marked our 50th release, Alexander Lay-Far has a special place in the Local Talk family.Since then things have been going well with plenty more releases, tours, the launch of his label In-Beat-Ween Music plus a new full length album done.
With so many things on the go we're of course very happy to welcome Lay-Far back and with him this time, two UK house legends that need little introduction, Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Together the trio produced an EP that embraces the charms of both disco and house and we think it hits on every level. The A-side is dedicated to 'Doctor Feelgood', which is just as the name suggests, a delicious disco house cut that will make you feel good.Extra bonus points for the wonky bassline.
On the flip, you'll find two versions of Slope. The first one is an easy / breezy number built around jazzy drums, warm chords to catch your breath for a minute or two, lovers of rhodes should lend the track an extra ear, it's pure bliss. After those 5 minutes and 14 seconds has ended Lay-Far steps into the remix arena, turns up the tempo and sends the track straight to the dance floor. No need to fiddle around too much, he just sprinkles some extra touches of Lay-Far magic to the original and voila, it's done.

The last tune of this EP is the reason why i wanted to press these tunes from HFK...
Then i saw he did a cover version of the Jones and Stephenson famous rebirth....
As Mr Gazmask did one on Acid Night i decided to press these tunes on Acid Night and not on Rouge De Colère... just for the eye-blink...
And then HFK introduced my to his second projects (of many) called « Molecule SCAM »... And this long a-side tune, 180 BPM killer was the thing... reminding me very strong another famous tune Prime Assault it was called...
Well, this project is a bit special compared to the othe Acid Night... Not an easy record to sell probably... But what a bomb...
LOVE THIS MUIC ! So, fuck the sales and go for it:)

Stephen Brown presents his next new Mirage EP for Mojuba sub label a.r.t.less. The Scotish techno mainstay who just released an EP for the magnificent Indigo Aera returns after his huge debut Illuminance EP with a killer techno tune called 2FM in finest Robert Hood / M-Plant tradition on the A-Side! The B-Side is a very emotional synth laden track that will work perfectly for those opening or closing set moments when everyone is in the zone, eyes closed floating on the dance floor following the funk created by rhythmic melodies!

It is certainly not a small feat to have an ambient compilation series running for over a decade and keep it fresh and interesting - especially when the core aesthetic idea is as well-defined as POP AMBIENT's. However, this didn't keep last year's instalment (KOMPAKT 315 CD 120) from finding a compelling balance between veteran contributors like JENS-UWE BEYER or LEANDRO FRESCO and new, idiosyncratic voices like MAX WÜRDEN or THORE PFEIFFER. They all return for POP AMBIENT 2016, joining a captivating cast that also includes heavy-weight soundsmiths, experimental composers and ambient confidants like THE ORB, ANTON KUBIKOV of SCSI-9 fame, MIKKEL METAL, GREGOR SCHWELLENBACH or STEPHAN MATHIEU.

Starting off with a surprise guest, POP AMBIENT 2016 presents electroacoustic composer and installation artist STEPHAN MATHIEU, whose highly textured opening drone APRIL IM OKTOBER bears all the hallmarks of a pop ambient classic, stealthily weaving in layers of sound and moving fluidly between territories. The man clearly knows what he's doing - after all, he has worked with luminaries like Taylor Dupree, Ekkehard Ehlers, Janek Schaefer or Sylvain Chauveau (see also Pop Ambient 2009). Meanwhile, THE ORB show off the full extent of their experience in the field and have their own little ambient collage opera going on in ALPINE DAWN - a slight detour from their beat-laden full-length MOONBUILDING 2703 AD (KOMPAKT 330 CD 124), but just on that same level of masterful sonic dexterity.

Moving forward, SCSI-9's ANTON KUBIKOV builds momentum with a sweet melody slowly evolving to the atmospheric backdrop of a light synth rain, while MAX WÜRDEN imagines a dreamy, yet twisted underwater world with lots of space to get lost in. He later returns for a collaboration with THORE PFEIFFER (not on vinyl), the other newcomer hero from Pop Ambient 2015, and the result is a fascinating amalgamation of both producer's distinct sonic sensibilities - the grittier, drone-based approach from Würden and Pfeiffer's penchant for roaming samples and skewed loops. Another dedicated collab comes from SICKER MAN & GREGOR SCHWELLENBACH who team up for string-infused, cinematic epic TURNS.

Longstanding Kompakt ally MIKKEL METAL presents the surging TITAN, followed by LEANDRO FRESCO's magistral rework of DAVE DK's VEIRA from his VAL MAIRA album (KOMPAKT 326 CD 121). A very special bonus adventure can be found in THORE PFEIFFER's "megamix" of WOLFGANG VOIGT's RÜCKVERZAUBERUNG (not on vinyl) - an entire concept series succesfully reimagined as one sweeping cut. JENS-UWE BEYER continues his expeditions into hypnotic, semi-acoustic soundscapes on THE BREMEN, transitioning into the windy mountaintops of LEANDRO FRESCO's mysterious, multi-layered CONFIGURACION DE ATAQUE (not on vinyl). THORE PFEIFFER has the honour to conclude POP AMBIENT 2016 with the appropriately titled IDYLL, a soothing, swirling synth study giving the listener ample opportunity to return to mundane reality at his own pace.

Former Steppah Huntah' member, Missoless has
collaborated and worked in the past with Nu-Tropic and also
made remix for 4Hero to name just a few.
Now making music as solo artist, she teams up for this
project with singer Stan Smith (Tokyo Dawn Records) to re-
build this forgotten unique Broken vibe. Daz-I-Kue (from
Bugz in the Attic) & Lay Far talented Russian producer also
collaborated and made 2 nice remixes.
You will find here a blend of Hip-Hop / Broken-beat / Nu-Jazz
flavors to rock the floor.

Grand Ancestor announces it's first 7" release, featuring the massive riddim work of Reggae Roast's Adam Prescott and the vocals of the legendary Danman. The A side, Gideon Time, is a full on heavy steppers track that will crank up the energy of any dance. The B, Gideon Dubwise, takes the track in a dark, effects laden direction. This is a 140 gram, vinyl only hand stamped released.

Single sleeve glossy LP jacket with double sided euro sleeve art insert and Dropcard w/ free digital download.
When Lindsay Pitts and Clifford John Usher first met, their connection was instantaneous. That bond still fuels their art. As GEMS, they self-released the Medusa EP in 2013, a debut with a remarkably mature sound. On Medusa, Lindsay's haunting and deeply emotive vocals provide the backbone for Clifford's dark and dreamy production, balancing gauzy atmospherics with emotional heft. That mix finds new tension and release on GEMS' first full-length album, Kill the One You Love.

The record more deeply indulges in the group's evocative shadow pop, influenced by R&B production and shoegaze. At the core of GEMS' music is existential longing. Lindsay and Clifford try to capture the intangible and they arrive closest with Kill the One You Love. Music is a never-ending process of learning and growing and reaching,' Clifford says. Of stepping outside of what is familiar and moving into a place where there aren't answers.'

After a Summer of Church White Releases, Church Black steps back to the forefront, this time with eight Raw Jams from Church alumni Viers.

* Jon Gurd's Birth Right EP is the first material from the Portsmouth based Techno producer in more than 2
years since his ventures on Octopus recordings, 8 Sided Dice and Quartz. The EP therefore indicates an
audible step change not just in the approach to production but also in the mindset and emotive feeling
behind each texture and layer. Having emerged unscathed from a traumatic family related drama Jon
communicates a tortuous and re-evaluated life message across all 3 tracks, and is dedicated to his brother
with a hidden meaning conveying, Tomorrow Is - Promised - To No One'.

* Dissecting the EP further the educated are blessed with field recordings, analogue rumbling and modular
synthesis exiting from almost 24 months of lab driven experimentation. No real process has been applied or
extant formulae followed and the EP's resounding success is that this now exudes what Jon feels' innately
rather than what the industry wants, therefore the journey, endless noise making and experimentation gives
a balanced and exciting offering. Jon comments seriously my process for producing this has been all over
the place, literally stumbling on shit, slipping over my own creative vomit, workflow went out the studio
window on day one'.

* Having spent two years asking himself why he makes music, I think on first listen of Birth Right EP we will all begin to empathise why. Remixes kindly provided by Messrs Dave Clarke and Ancestral Voices (new project from Liam Blackburn formerly Indigo / Akkord).

* A long time-friend and recording partner of Alan Fitzpatrick, as well as one third of Mister Woo with Dave from Reset Robot, Jon Gurd is best known for his work on the likes of Octopus Recordings, 8 Sided Dice and Quartz. Abundant with field recordings, analogue rumbling and modular synthesis, his latest signing to Derelicht is a result of almost 24 months of lab driven experimentation, and marks an auspicious return from a musical hiatus that stemmed from a personal tragedy. From the off, 'Tomorrow Is' is a driving piece of techno complete with sinister undertones and menacing atmospherics, meanwhile 'Promised' focuses on a low-slung groove as tantalising synths operate on top. The last original, 'To No One', then exhibits a deeper vibe with ebbing pads and spectral chords. Dave Clarke's decadent rendition of 'Promised' ups the tempo whilst demonstrating commanding kicks, until Ancestral Voices, the new project from Liam Blackburn (Indigo / Akkord), strips back the beats of 'To No One' for a subdued subterranean workout.

* Press / Promotion: 3 x Co-ordinated PR Campaigns (In House campaign by Derelicht, Dispersion PR and EPM Music, 100 vinyl hand-distributed to leading editors, artists and tastemakers. Key editorials through Resident Advisor, Inverted Audio, Ran$om Note, Beat Vision, Slate The Disco, Magnetic Magazine, DJ Mag, Noise Porn, Mind Grub Audio, Portals, Elevated Culture. 1 x videos produced to support Dave Clarke remix
Tiefschwarz - 'Just Beautiful!'
Alan Fitzpatrick - Yeah massively into this, will play a lot. Thanks for sending.
Dustin Zahn - Feeling the original of "To No One." the chord/pads are hitting the right spot for me this morning! The remix is also a nice take on the original
Baikal - to no one and Derelicht are dope
Kirk Degiorgio - Dave's mix for me!
Bas Mooy - yep! A1 for me mate!
Ben Sims - a1 is the cut for me, heavy and heady but still has the groove
Benjamin Damage - Thanks for sending this, top work!
Bryan Chapman - really feeling this EP, fav is the Ancestral Voices remix, that downbeat vibe
Bryan Zentz - Wonderful, moody, and emotive...LOVE it
Carlo Lio - Actually feeling all of them. Something for every time of the night. Can see myself playing a few of these for sure
Lo Shea - Tomorrow is sick! Dave Clarke's remix is dope too.

Optimo Music release THE GOLDEN FILTER's 'PS1103' in late September.


We are very happy to welcome The Golden Filter to Optimo Music. In fact we loved all the tracks they sent us so much that as well as a 4-track EP, they will be sharing an EP release on Optimo Trax too.

Penelope and Stephen originally hail from opposite sides of the planet (Australia and America) but have united to create a distinctly unique electronic sound. Following several previous releases, their sound has progressed into a deeper, richer, advanced hypno-sound with state of the art synthetic sound design and vocal phrases ricocheting around the mix. It's hard to pull off tracks that constantly morph and develop over the course of a few minutes but The Golden Filter accomplish this with seeming ease on the "PS1103" EP.

Music for nightclubs and far beyond.

Auntie Flo returns with his 'Theory of Flo' LP masterpiece, his
first release on H+P in over 3 years!
Following his critically acclaimed 'Future Rhythm Machine' LP,
'Theory of Flo' is a bold step ahead from FRM, as it takes us on
the trip of a lifetime, spanning continents, genres, languages and
cultures to create a wholly unique listening experience, and one
which is only possible in 2015.
Teaming up with long term collaborator, Esa Williams, the album
also features collaborations with the incredible Ghanaian singer,
Anbuley (who last appeared on the Autonomous Africa hit
'Daabi'), Shingai Showina (of The Noisettes / Matthew Herbert /
Dennis Ferrer fame) and has experienced a lengthy recording
process between Havana, London and Glasgow - with outstand-
ing results.
'Theory of Flo' lands this November, in the meantime, his 'So In
Love' smasher and the spellbinding 'Waiting For A (Woman)' drop
on limited 10'..

Following almost two years of driving bass music promotion, in the form of compilation albums, free download round-ups, reviews, guest mixes & mix series CDs, the time has come to transcend from what first began as an online blog into our very own music label. After working with renowned artists such as El-B, Quest, BunZer0 and Phaeleh, as well as fellow promotional platforms FatKidOnFire & Deeper Vibrations - the Albion community has developed and grown to become recognised across the board of the bass music spectrum. This extension of our brand will help in pushing this music even more, enabling us to curate a fundamentally diverse sound beside the culture that we so passionately enjoy.The launch of Albion Collective Recordings is to be set in motion with In Pieces, a collaborative down-tempo effort conceived between Vaun and Jafu which is radiant in textural soundscapes. This particular piece has been doing the rounds as a clip on Deeper Vibrations' YouTube channel since 2013, inducing longing excitement for the song to finally surface.
Bristol based Daniel Brown, aka Vaun, has prospered into one of the scene's most prolific producers, covering multiple styles and turning out numerous releases for MindStep Music, Redshift-One and Soulstep Records. After recently hinting at the imminent release of an album, Brown can also reap in the keepsake of ALBION001 alongside Canadian artist James Fuller, aka Jafu, who likewise has blossomed astutely alongside his soulful Chord Marauders collective.In Pieces falls somewhere amongst immersive trip-hop and jazzy 2-step, an affectional arrangement that makes wonderful use of Marvin Gaye's a cappella in his classic Sexual Healing. The composition will certainly induce healing of the cerebral kind, with its stripped and delicate percussion work, dubbed out horns and soothing string sections. Encapsulated within Vaun & Jafu's musical offering is our label's statement of intent. That is, to champion unique music that emanates elegance such as this collaboration - and such as J.Sparrow's remix treatment. Ryan Wild aka Jack Sparrow, a Deep Medi Musik signee and one half of dubstep extraordinaire duo Author, has granted the scene with his tenacity to build profoundly stunning electronic music. Wild has the tempo notched up for his In Pieces edit but remains true to Vaun and Jafu's approach in the sense of its lavish spatial touch. The atmospherics breeze over with a soft vibrancy, as the electronic guitar solo recording from the original plays over the initial main section charmingly. This is all resulting in a simply sumptuous mix which goes right up there with his top drawer remix work for Annie Drury and De Niro & Y. To compliment J.Sparrow's sublime contribution and to also complete the package, the Black Butter Records assosciated and Bristol-based outfit Sly-One have whipped up an outright banger of a remix. Joe Cannon, Dave Constant and Oliver Read can already boast an admirable set of releases in the four years since they've joined forces, featuring on Shifting Peaks, Lost In Translation and 877 Records. Add that to a rude collaboration with fellow Bristol head & rasta emcee Buggsy and a remix for Bad Mojo on Meanbucket, Sly-One had clearly meant business from the offset - and have shown absolutely no let up for us at Albion Collective. Served with a side order of the trio's classic subtle cowbell hits, their 2-step/bassline fusion works wonders with the vamped-up vocal sample and is ready and waiting to rumble clubs & festivals for this summer and beyond. Early DJ support for the release has been noted from artists including Phaeleh, Quantum Soul, Thelem, J. Robinson, Walsh, K-Man, Nanobyte, Syte, Trashbat, Majora and D-Operation Drop & Foster. Radio airings to date stand at Sub FM on the BunZer0's legendary FOB Show, BBC Introducing showcased the release and Monki played the Sly One Remix on BBC Radio 1 Extra. The almighty
Dubstep duo Truth added the J.Sparrow Remix to their recent 'Chronicles' mixtape on Soundcloud, which was posted to their 75,000 plus following, Biscuit Factory Records owner and dubstep legend Walsh opened the edit on his latest podcast and J.Sparrow is set to showcase the version in a mix for the iconic Deep Medi label. Support is confirmed from digital publications such as FatKidOnFire,
GetDarker, Trusik and MTV Wrap up, which will involve a number of featuresm reviews, track premieres and artist spotlights. A review will also be printed in November's edition of Mixmag on Tomas Fraser's Grime/Dubstep page

AUS Music continue to bolster an ever expanding roster in uncovering an adroit and overlooked producer - the Dublin born producer Timothy Blake. In amongst those in the know, Blake is an artist whose reputation reaches back over 20 years and one whose releases have touched the likes of Dirt Crew, Fatty Fatty Phonographics and Kleine Reise. For his first ever outing on AUS he teams up with man of the moment Marquis Hawkes in delivering 'The Stormy Search' EP. Now residing in Berlin, Blake's idiosyncratic productions have been described as 'joyous freewheeling Funk' by Infinite State Machine as sounding 'like Stephen King decided to start making house music' (Trevor O'Shea Bodytonic) and also 'kinda like some lost Prince demos from an alternate world' according to Golf Channel's Dan Selzer. That goes part way to elucidating his creations and - as you'd expect from these descriptions his latest offering is a meld of jubilant synth lines, bumping 909 drums and Funk-indebted bass grooves. Having originally made the introduction to Will Saul which eventually lead the record - Marquis Hawkes offers up a remix of the title track which he additionally co-produced. Also on remix duties of the title track - Hawkes does as he does best in dimming the tenor, driving percussion through purring tape machines and adding in the signature dose of granular soul that's been his calling card throughout releases on Dixon Avenue Basement Jams, Houndstooth, Clone and Créme Organisation.

Riding high on the success of a second release that introduced A-Scott & Chad to the Constant Sound fold, the third instalment finds Burnski back in the saddle to offer up "Changes", getting into a more techno-oriented frame of mind without losing that warmth and playful sensibility he has made his own over the years.

After strong remixes from Trus'me, Steve O'Sullivan and Cab Drivers on previous releases, Constant Sound 003 gives another opportunity for the label to call upon the finest in the business to reinterpret the original material.

In keeping with the heads-down workout tones of Burnski's original, it makes perfect sense to invite an artist as accomplished as Deadbeat up for a remix. Scott Monteith has long been a stellar example of how to push dub techno in thrilling new directions and it shows on his version of "Changes".

Kris Wadsworth has just as much to say for himself after years spent crafting heavyweight house and techno with a mercenary instinct matched by lashings of machine soul. He reduces the original track into a stripped down techno dub perfect for late at night.

It's yet another step forwards for a label committed to delivering nothing but the highest quality house and techno for those who seek a touch more depth from their music.

The Hypnus clergy is delighted to finally reveal our 10th sacrament. This time we've gathered yet again in choir to howl in unison as the midnight sun soar through the night.

Support from Antonio Ruscito, Arnaud le Texier, Artefakt, Brando Lupi, Echologist, Cio D'Or, David Att, Deepbass, Eric Cloutier, Etapp Kyle, Exium, Felix Lorusso, Gianluca Meloni, Iori, Kwartz, Mattias Fridell, Ness, Nihad Tule, Nika Khak, Oscar Mulero, Rasmus Hedlund, Reggy van Oers, Samuli Kemppi, Setfan Vincent, Stephanie Sykes, Svreca, Takaaki Itoh, Unam Zetineb, Victor Martinez (Error Etica), Vilix, VSK, Warmth and still counting.

The stage is set from minute one on Clay Wilson's new 4-track EP, "Skandha," his second release for The Bunker New York.
The eponymous first track begins with a familiar techno throb, but is quickly overcome by a blooming swirl of coruscating synthesizer pulses that seem to gather inside the listener's head, a phenomenon Wilson seems particularly interested in: "I've never been into really straightforward club techno that works in neat 8- and 16-bar sequences," he says. "I'm always looking for things that have forward momentum, ways to escape that 'block-y,' downbeat-centric feeling that you find in so much contemporary techno. For me, it's the drone—what's going on in the background—that serves to hold my interest."

Nowhere is this more apparent than on the record's second track, "Cataleptic." The meat of the track is its tightly-wound techno core built from insistent, hypnotic percussion, but it's what's happening in the background that keeps you coming back for more: The sound of a babbling brook and a plaintive, meandering bird call ("the only actual recorded animal sounds on the record," notes Wilson) gently give way to the tintinnabulation of a distant bell, whose meditative timbre brings to mind a Tibetan singing bowl. It turns out that the naturalistic, organic sounds in many of Wilson's tracks are often just that: "I make field recordings all the time, actually—on my phone," he says. "I've found field recordings have been a great way to pull things along, never repeating themselves, but also never being so upfront as to draw your attention away from the synths and drums."

That's a key point, and make no mistake—for all the flora and fauna lurking in the background of Wilson's productions, they're designed for the dancefloor through and through. "Feres," the EP's third track, slows down the pace a little bit, keeping time with a static kick-hat pattern while chunky, stepped percussion laid on top makes the track feel remarkably dynamic. The final cut, "Pict," seems to slowly unfurl like flowers at dawn, while a ghostly vocal sample (or merely something approaching it) repeats itself underneath it all.

While at times the drawn-out shimmering tones in Wilson's work may recall modern minimalism, "getting into techno, and more specifically techno production, was kind of a way for me to get away from (formal, classical musical) training," he recalls. "I had been headed down an open-minded, anything-goes path with a compositionally-geared approach, and ... all those paths led to techno." And for that, we're glad.

South London producer Paul White and Florida vocalist/rapper Eric Biddines have joined forces to form new duo Golden Rules. Their debut album of soulful, psychedelic hiphop features Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and its sound recalls Outkast and Cee-Lo.
Golden Rules have already seen radio support from BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens, plus 6 Music's Gilles Peterson, Tom Ravenscroft, and Mary Anne Hobbs, while key online hip-hop sites such as The Source and 2 Dope Boyz have been quick to recommend the group. Paul White has been described by the Independent as a 21st Century DJ Shadow', counts Madlib and Diplo among his fans and is best known for his production for the likes of Danny Brown and Charli XCX. Newcomer Eric Biddines has built a career in Florida and his last video received heavy rotation on MTV Jams, but this is his first step on the international stage.

Following the huge success of the lead single "Settle Down" (played twice on one show by David Rodigan!), Blend Mishkin and the Roots Evolution band deliver their stunning debut album "Survival Of The Fittest" for NICE UP! records. Having spent most of his professional career behind either a computer screen or pair of turntables, Athens based producer Blend Mishkin (real name George Mantas) has been putting in work since the mid 90s with releases on labels such as Pork Recordings, Tru Thoughts, Shadow Records and many more. For this, actually his 8th studio album, he decided to do something a little different and step out from behind the computer. A chance meeting with some like minded musicians led to a conversation about them re-creating some of his past tracks for a potential live show, but after much thought it was decided that something brand new and fresh was needed. After numerous sessions and jams, a collection of tracks had begun to take shape. Recorded live and then taken back to the lab for mixing and dubbing, "Survival Of The Fittest" is the fruits of these sessions. The next step was to scout for vocal performers to bring the rhythms to life, with the focus on using both international and local talent to give a wide breadth of influences and themes. Lining up are Rebel Salute show-stopper and Juno award winning Exco Levi and seasoned veteran Skarra Mucci from Jamaica, UK reggae/dancehall don Gappy Ranks, Italian raggamuffin KG Man, Mandinka Warrior from Denmark and fellow Greek BNC amongst many others. Retaining an authentic vibe whilst keeping it current, "Survival Of The Fittest" is a truly modern roots reggae album.

Alphahouse imprint deliver the 'YY' EP from Italian duo MFS: Observatory, backed with a remix from label-head Butane & Alexi Delano.

MFS: Observatory is the collaborative guise of Italian duo Matthias Tuchetti, Francesco Cozzolino. The outfit are relative newcomers having only released material since late 2014 and here we see them take a huge leap in their career stepping into international water via the Alphahouse imprint, slotting them alongside heavy hitters like Skudge, Mark Broom, Alexi Delano, Butane, and Ricardo Villalobos on the stellar roster. With a Little Helpers release also confirmed in 2015, this is a duo on the rise.

Opening up the EP is 'Observatory Y1' which see the duo deliver a haunting slice of electronica fueled by smoky atmospherics, meandering arpeggio synth hooks and raw weighty rhythms to smoothly set the tone for what's to come. 'Observatory Y2' provides a more reduced, but still heavy, groove with bubbling synth drones, menacing stabs, a bumpy bass hook and mesmeric vocal murmurs.

On the flip side Alexi Delano collaborates with Alphahouse founder Butane to reshape 'Observatory Y2' into pure vibe. The duo provides a typically infectious groovy number, which evolves over six and half minutes with a subtle dubbed out hook taking over the last half of the track. 'Observatory Y3' rounds things off afterhours-style, laying the focus on a sparse rhythmic foundation while howling sweeps and spaced out vocals fuel the psychedelia.

Iosefa Manumaleuna, aka DJ Hyperactive, is now back in Chicago after nearly 20 years in LA. Prior to his return, his classic Wide Open track got a serious re-working by Berghain resident Len Faki on Figure. As part of the Droid Behavior crew he released the 25Hrs. EP on Droid Recordings. More recently another DJ Hyperactive classic "Venus" got re-released along with Ciren and Truncate remixes on the "Venus Revisited" EP on Chris Liebing's CLR imprint. 2012 rmarked the return and start of a heavy remix cycle starting with Luis Flores "The Word" and recent remix of Mike Gervais "Churn" both on Detroit based Blank Code, Impact Unit "Dread" on Silent Steps, Manic Brothers "Sledgehammer" on Octopus Black Label, Truncate "31" on Gynoid Audio and the current list of TO DO's is long...!
The first release back in 1997 on 4 Track Records was by DJ Hyperactive titled P.51 and here were are nearly 20 years later and we're going to see the next release again by Hyperactive on vinyl again titled "Black On Black" EP. This EP will be three tracks, 2 which are acid tracks and one long experimental spaced out track.

a1. Celestial Encounter (Original Mix) 6:08 - 4×4 driven groover laced with choppy hi-hats, complexed rhythms, and orchestration only fit for mental travels. An uplifting tune of spirit and electronic sorcery.
a2. Ominous 4:58 - Steely industrial percussion, creepy atmospheres, dance floor know-how....The honest depiction of the title lurking within the corners of your psyche.
a3. Celestial Encounters (Interlude) 1:22 - A fine example of the latest in signature interludes from the 'Optic Nerve' project. Movement & Imagination.
b1. Jazzy Circuitry 4:49- Moody, computer-ridden textures walking along side a odd-time signature until the introduction of the bassline and trippy piano keys seal the deal on craft & creation. Niceness, Indeed.
b2. Jazzy Circuitry ( Blaktony's Step Glide Remix ) 4:18 Traditional 'Optic Nerve' ambience is chopped & rehashed into a 1/2 step groover; Then.... blasted into a full jam session by 'Blaktony'. Madness/A complete new trip on the original structure & tune.

Leisure System presents rising talent Will Ward's Interval One EP, the second in our 2015 GRIDLOCK series of dance floor 12"s and the British producer and DJ's most exuberant record to date. In addition to two prior solo releases, Will Ward is a member of the esteemed electronic trio Circle Traps along with Jack Wyllie and Duncan Bellamy of Portico. He has previously collaborated with the likes of My Panda Shall Fly and gained support from tastemakers such as Rob Da Bank and Gilles Peterson for dazzling productions that blur the lines between pumping house and windswept techno. The Interval One EP is a strong representation of that sleek sound, with tracks that are bursting with emotion and memorable detail. "Digital Design" is an aural kaleidoscope, with a shimmering melody line refracted in squiggly arcs next to murmured female vocals and resonant chords. It's a fittingly varied introduction, drifting between hot and cold poles. "Portion" features Circle Traps member Jack Wyllie, and subtle additions accrue to create waves of unease, while the melody line bounces energetically through a maze of ossified handclaps and buoyant chord stabs. Closing things out, the EP's title track builds from a woozy introduction to an ebullient peak, as if rolling out of bed and stepping immediately onto a throbbing dance floor. It's a cleansing and exhilarating feeling, the type of rare emotional response that Will Ward has proven himself thoroughly capable of creating with Interval One.

Clip! steps up to the plate as FINA White continues to set out its stall as a go-to label for top quality techno.

Second up on FINA White is a four tracker from rising Barcelona producer, Clip! Since being cherry picked by RBMA back in 2011 Clip! has quickly established a name for himself in and amongst the city's growing pool of electronic artists and further beyond. Diverse releases on on Discomaths, Classicworks, Sweat Taste and JD Records, coupled with his signature 'hardware only' live shows, showcase his sound shifting style and impressive knowledge of sound design - unsurprising perhaps given his classical and jazz music roots.

Clip! is a chameleon of sorts and for FINA White, he puts on his thick skin and offers up a package of pure and unadulterated peak time cuts.

The title track is an absolute sonic stonker. Its menacing bass line, low end throb and sharp edged hats roll and slice with a galvanized intent whist the old Chicago house sample and gradual layering of pumped up beats and sustained synths give it an unmistakable groove with attitude.

Meanwhile, long drawn out synth tones, distorted vocals and broken beats make up the stirring intro of 'R36'. The calm is short lived of course as the steady beat gives way into the track's defining hard-hitting bassline; one that is enveloped and then let loose again by a carefully crafted fusion of atmospheric sounds.

On the flip side, 'Forward' is, well... forward; a no messing, relentlessly percussive banger. And wrapping up the EP is 'Dissonance's Technique' an equally straight-up, rough n ready belter which once again showcases Clip!'s skills in the studio. Watch his space.

'Brotherhood EP' is out on FINA White.

Fasziniert von der Dynamik elektronischer Tanzmusik und der ungeheuren Kraft und Reichhaltigkeit von Live-Instrumenten, schufen Chris Davids und Liam Ivory, aka Maribou State, mit "Portraits" ein unwiderstehliches Album. Es ist ein Album, auf dem sich Organisches und Synthetisches umarmen und an James Blake oder SOHN erinnern und dessen Groove es durchaus mit dem von Moloko aufnehmen kann. Maribou State setzen uns atmosphärischen Dubstep gepaart mit House und einer gesunden Prise Pop vor - "glitchy, sad and slow" (The Guardian), aber ungeheuer tanzbar und garantiert aus der Mitte des Herzens kommend. Die letzten 18 Monate des Duos waren strikt getaktet: An den Wochenenden wurde wild durch die Gegend getourt (von England, Europa, den USA und Australien war alles dabei, die Bühnen von Glastonbury und Bestival waren nur zwei der Meilensteine auf ihrem Weg), während man sich unter der Woche disziplinert den Albumaufnahmen widmete. Bei Radio-Schwergewichten wie Zane Lowe oder Huw Stephens schaute man auch vorbei und werkelte ganz nebenbei an einer schönen Palette von Remixen für "alte Hasen" wie Kelis, Lana del Rey oder den Crookers. Die harte Arbeit zahlt sich mit Erscheinen des Debüts nun endlich aus.

The Bunker New York is proud to announce the second EP from Mehmet Irdel, also known as Løt.te (pronounced Loat-tey), following his debut release on our label in 2014.
Løt.te's 'History of Discipline' EP features two distinct moods and detailed, industrial-inspired sound design with a firm focus on the dancefloor.

"When I discovered the heavy, dark techno coming out of the U.K. and Japan in the '90s and '00s, like Regis, Surgeon, Female, and Takaaki Itoh, it was a revelation," Irdel says. "Until then, I hadn't realized that techno could reference the grittiness and physicality of industrial music and make it work so well, and feel natural on the dancefloor." These muscular, upbeat techno artists are the perfect reference point for Løt.te's music, but Irdel takes his work one step further, featuring an emotional complexity that many other producers lack. "I'm interested in techno that feels both masculine and feminine at the same time," says Irdel. "These days, most techno feels either very intricate and clean, or very noisy and macho. What interests me is finding an in-between."

True to its name, "History of Discipline" is the darker track here. Built on a foundation of heavy, swinging kick drums and shuffling hi-hats, the track builds to an enormous climax before winding down into a rattle of metallic percussion. "A Mutable Constant" is more ambiguous, featuring a rubbery bassline and steadily-building background percussion - until a moody, longing synthesizer pad begins to take center stage. "I don't honestly know where the emotion in 'A Mutable Constant' came from. That wasn't the plan when I started working on it," recalls Irdel, "but I incorporate a mix of analog synths into my productions, like the Korg MS-20 or Doepfer Dark Energy, and their sounds sometimes surprise me. My production process begins and ends with a computer, but I love being able to have that '90s analog sound' in my work. I'm very conscious of not having any 'overly digital' sounds in my tracks."

Løt.te's latest EP embodies the spirit of techno while simultaneously pushing its sound forward. "Techno, for me, is an experiment in human perception. A way to find the fringes of perception in rhythm, melody, and emotion, to push all the way to the edge, to find the breaking point. I'm trying to push techno's boundaries without ever losing sight of 'what makes techno techno': its restraint and groove."

Hardy and Stephan began their musical careers separately in the early 2000's. They randomly met in the clubs in Berlin and started the Survey project back in 2013. Sharing one common direction to produce DNB with a deep, refined and hypnotic edge. Their minimal sounds, paired with systematic DJ skills have seen them perform in some of the top dance venues in Germany and across Europe.

Fast forward to 2015 and we are presented with a 4 track EP on DSCI4. Manufactured on crystal clear vinyl for a crafted, futuristic look. A release that stimulates the mind, body and soul with their signature trademark vision.

//Time EP//
A.Twisting, rolling bass flows with pure techno adrenalin in 'Move in Time'
B. Deep future-sub pairs rolling warehouse vibes in 'Warp Resistant'
C.Warming party atmosphere and dance floor perfection in 'As You Want'
D.Final thoughts with the creeping, haunting electronic precision of 'Both Sides'

This is classic DSCI4....with momentum geared to the future of drum and bass. Pushing and showcasing the finest producers of the moment. Survey leads us into the ever evolving blueprint of Drum & Bass.
There are no rules.

One year has passed since the last release in this series and, as always, the Tramp Records crew have been working hard during the last 12 months to come up with an equally fine selection of tunes for this brand new volume. Our aim is to keep up with the quality of each release, a task which certainly does not get any easier as we step forward into the twenty first century.

There is no need to praise this selection of tracks. It is larger-than-life. And those who do not recognize the distinctiveness of it should better seek medical advice. The most astounding fact is certainly that 99% of the record buying public have never heard any of these tunes, most likely not even the artists. And we are not talking of people who solely listen to mainstream music. No. Even music lovers who believe that they have a good portion of knowledge when it comes to jazz and soul music will be left speechless.

You can skip to any song on this album and you won't be disappointed. The only premise is that you are a fan of raw, earthy soul and jazz music. If this is the case then you can't go wrong. Rene Bailey, Matilda Haywood, Lee Mitchell, Nu Art Quartet, to name a few. It is high time to introduce all these names to a broad audience and to prevent that they vanish into thin air. The Movements series was coined to introduce music lovers to so far unheard musical treasures. Tunes which only hardcore record collectors have had the privilege to enjoy it...until now.

Speedy Ortiz is proud to announce their sophomore album, Foil Deer, which will be released via Carpark Records on April 20th.

'Major Arcana' released in 2013 won them glowing reviews , features and several UK tours (highlights below):

- 4 PAGE NME FEATURE

- 9/10 LEAD REVIEW IN NME: 'One of the reasons 'Major Arcana' works so well is because it's addictive and fun. The guitars and bass sound incredible, like the last Deerhunter album without the Yankee Doodle Dandy'

8/10 Drowned In Sound : ' Speedy Ortiz are way too euphoric and glorious to suffer for their artfulness. Stripping away the frills, at heart Major Arcana is a mournful treasure that asks to be celebrated.'

*NME RADAR FEATURE: 'What's miraculous, though, is that Major Arcana doesn't sound at all self-pitying; it's torrid Slint-meets-Pavement rattle bolsters Sadie's relished words so that yelling along is an exercise in gleefully exorcising your own demons'

8.4 ON PITCHFORK: : 'There's the squalling, guitar-on-guitar carnage of Archers of Loaf, the grungy mysticism of Helium (Dupuis lifted the title Major Arcana from a book she was reading on black magic), and of course the deadpan wit of vintage Liz Phair ('I was never the witch that you made me to be,' Dupuis tells a burnt-out old flame on 'Plough', 'Still you picked a virgin over me').

Standard LP is gatefold, single black LP with chapbook, plus digital download card.
Deluxe LP Is as above but with metallic gold coloured vinyl, and sticker.(200 ONLY FOR UK)
CD comes in digipak with a folded poster approximating the chapbook in the LP.

Speedy Ortiz said they would get the flowers themselves. What a lark! What a plunge!

When considering Massachusetts' Speedy Ortiz, that line from Virginia Woolf comes to mind. Not only for the obvious echoes to DIY, a form and function that's characterized the band's nascency, but in the proto-feminist undertones driving much of their sophomore album, Foil Deer. "I'm not bossy, I'm the boss," Sadie Dupuis sings on "Raising the Skate," invoking in spirit one half of the Carter-Knowles clan and echoing the other's wordplay. And wordplay makes sense, considering Dupuis-the band's songwriter, guitarist, and frontwoman-spent the band's first few years teaching writing at UMass Amherst. She's drawn to the dense complexity of Pynchon, the dreamlike geometry of Bolaño, the confounded yearning of Plath-all attributes you could easily apply to the band's 2013 debut Major Arcana, which fans and press alike have invested with a sense of purpose and merit uncommon in contemporary guitar rock.

The group, including Mike Falcone on drums, Darl Ferm on bass, and new addition Devin McKnight of Grass is Green on guitar, have spent the last year on an almost endless cross-continental touring jag, tagging along with the likes of The Breeders, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, and Thurston Moore. That shift into full-time musicianship brought with it an attendant reordering of priorities when it came to songwriting, and the band members' lives in general. They would get the damn flowers themselves.

Dupuis wrote much of Foil Deer at her mother's home in the Connecticut woods, where the songwriter imposed a self-regulated exile and physical cleansing of sorts, finding that many of the songs came to her while running or swimming alone. "I gave up wasting mental energy on people who didn't have my back," she says. "Listening to our old records, I get the sense I was putting myself in horrible situations just to write sad songs. This music isn't coming from a dark place, and without slipping into self-empowerment jargon, it feels stronger." Many of the songs deal with a similar sense of starting over, editing out the unnecessary drama. "Boys be sensitive and girls be, be aggressive," she sings on "Mister Difficult."

And while their debut album was recorded on the fly, Speedy Ortiz spent almost a month in the studio on Foil Deer. Falcone's drums are taut, mechanistic; Ferm's bass ranges from the aggressive rattle of an AmRep classic to smoother, hip-hop inspired lines. McKnight, meanwhile, lends spacier, textural riffs to complement Dupuis' wiry, melody-driven guitar style. "The demos for our songs have always had tons of small details and production experimentation, but we never had any money to pay for more than a couple days in the studio, so the songs came out very live-sounding and guitar heavy," Dupuis says. It was recorded and mixed at Brooklyn's Rare Book Room with Nicolas Vernhes (Silver Jews, Enon, Deerhunter), with the record mastered by Emily Lazar (Sia, Haim, Beauty Pill), lending a more polished sound and a pop sensibility that will stand out to existing fans and new converts alike. For all the lyrical complexity and guitar-based excursions Speedy Ortiz have built their reputation on to this point, Foil Deer has a sense of light-footed fun. What's the point of doing things yourself if you're not going to enjoy the trip

Standard LP is gatefold, single black LP with chapbook, plus digital download card.
CD comes in digipak with a folded poster approximating the chapbook in the LP.

After their stunning 2014 debut EP I.D.', SHADOW MOVEMENT, created by music producers Raphael Bartel and Raul Monteiro, return to the scene with their second single WHALES' released by the label D.O.C. created by acclaimed producer Gui Boratto.

WHALES' was announced at ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) on 2014 and has been long expected by music lovers.

The new EP has two tracks: WHALES PART ONE' and its progression WHALES PART TWO' and is released on vinyl, in a limited edition.

It will be the fourth release from the label D.O.C., the EP brings all the darkness and deep harmonies with a melodic touch the duo is known for, it's an exciting step for the project and the label alike - we can't wait where they'll go next.

*A tough tune from vocalist Paul Fox who has carved out a steady stream of new roots reggae classics over the last two decades. Boasting an instantly-recognisable, unique and distinctive vocal style, here he teams up with top UK roots reggae label Partial on a tough steppers rhythm topped off with some tasteful guitar licks.
* On heavy rotation on dubplate throughout the UK and Europe, with play on several sound systems.
* Produced by the Partial Crew and mixed at Conscious Sounds studio, London.

Swedish house hero Tiger Stripes steps to the Barnhus with Twilight - a high-octane destroyer of clubs loaded with thunderous drums and shadowy yet sweet organ melodies. The dub version strips the track right down while adding some extra crash 'n boom before Studio Barnhus comrade HNNY closes things out with a slow-swingin' spook story recorded straight to cassette. Vinyl only until further notice.

Wrong Steps is back!

Following on from his outstanding debut last Autumn, the talented Berlin based artist, delivers a lovely selection of melodic musical melters.

It's a bit daft describing something as 'musical', but in this instance, we challenge you to defy us.

Given its short gestation, it is striking how far removed the new album is from its predecessor . After the dark complexity of recent output, Same As You is startlingly fresh, as inclusive and accessible as the title suggests, while still maintaining the playful experimentation on which the band has made its name.

Originally conceived as a single longform piece, the tempo remains constant but does not prevent the band from producing swells of raw, joyous, life-affirming energy within these self-imposed limits

The vocal performances and the heartfelt, spiritual lyrics are an inspired addition to the rich instrumental mix: Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart (tenor sax), Tom Herbert (double bass) and Leafcutter John (guitar, electronics), with Shabaka Hutchings (Sons Of Kemet, Melt Yourself Down) making a guest appearance.

The album's lead single 'Dont Let The Feeling Go' sees Rochford take on vocal duties alongside a choir of friends and collaborators: it's Polar Bear at their most direct.

The use of vocals may catch the ear but that should come as no surprise given that Rochford has enjoyed working with singers as diverse as Beck, Spoek Mathambo, Paolo Nutini and Rokia Traoré over a 15 year career that has seen the drummer, composer and producer emerge as a pivotal figure in contemporary British music

Recorded by Rochford in London, and mixed in the Mojave Desert with Ken Barrientos late last year

Polar Bear will tour Europe from February (see confirmed dates below)

File under : Dub. The story begins in 2000 in Britany (France). Two guys decide to create a sound system with the aim of sharing their common passion for roots reggae and early digital. Rootystep (selecta) and MacGyver (operator) begin to collect records and purchase music equipment. They are quickly joined by Pupajim who becomes the MC, the singer and the dub builder. The Stand High Patrol first toured the land of Brittany, gradually moving towards stepper dub production emanating from the English stage. Fifteen years later, the sound is more present than ever. Stand High has created a true identity and has established itself as one of the essential sound systems of the French dub scene. The french dubadub crew presents a second album and extends the musical experimentation from jazzy riddims to the ruffest dub sounds. Showcasing raw hiphop beats, digital reggae and bassmusic material voiced by Pupajim, « A matter of scale » shatters musical barriers.

Revered Belgian DJ and producer Mugwump proudly presents his longawaited debut album on his Subfield imprint. An impeccable nine track LP, informed by two decades as a globe-trotting DJ, producing tracks that have inspired everyone from Andrew Weatherall to Mr. Scruff. A mainstay from the Belgian club scene, on the ground in Ibiza in the early 90's, behind the cult Food Club in the late 90's, now running his own Leftorium clubnight in Brussels, with releases on the highly influential Kompakt label but also on R&S, Gigolo, Cocoon, Gigolo, Eskimo, Permanent Vacation or Throne of Blood... Mugwump has the CV to deliver one of the year's most eclectic and inventive studio albums, a timeless excursion into modern-day, leftfield dance-pop and mutant disco with heavy New-Beat influences. Produced with his partner Olivier Grégoire, it also gathers a solid list of collaborators : Circlesquare's Jeremy Shaw (!K7/Output), Brussels guitar wizard Raphael Lee (aka Spookhuisje), Luke Jenner (ex-The Rapture), Norway 's cosmic disco lords Päl Nyhus of Mungolian Jet Set and Tore Gjedrem from Ost & Kjex, Belgian multi-instrumentalist Stephan Fedele, Philip Janzen (frontman of Cologne's Krautrock-Disco band Von Spar) and Sami « Morpheus » Birnbach from 80's cult punkfunk/new-wave band Minimal Compact.

KEY POINTS
-Mugwump's SF001 and SF002 releases have been supported by Pachanga Boys, Ivan Smagghe, Horse Meat Disco, A Love from Outer Space, Huxley, Jack Savidge (Friendly Fires), Sasha, Ben Pearce, Groove Armada, Andrew Weatherall, Erol Alkan and featured in Mixmag, Clash, Ransom Note, Resident Advisor, DJ Mag, Phuturelabs, Insomniac and repeatedly in France's prime-time news show Le Petit Journal (Canal +)

-This album will be supported by a 4/5 piece live band, with SF002 collaborator DC Salas plus Raphael Lee (Spookhuisje), Stephan Fedele and Mugwump, plus a live drummer when possible. Early tryout dates already scheduled in Brussels (23.01 Maison du Peuple/20.02 Central)

-Freeman PR will be handling the full album UK campaign targeting all the major blogs, webzines, specialist and mainstream print medias with also tba UK plugger targeting radios. Two original videos are being finished right now.

-Mugwump co-runs and resides at the highly-rated Leftorium clubnight in Brussels and has a weekly radio show on FM Brussel, running for 10 years now.

Since its 2005 debut, Torsten Profrock's T++ project has grown in stature and scope to the point where it's admired by fans of techno, dubstep, d'n'b and experimental electronics alike, and annexed by none. Anchored in the kind of scuffed, sub-heavy atmospherics Profrock developed in his 90s recordings for Chain Reaction, and naturally influenced by his work with Robert Henke as Monolake, the sound of T++ is singular, always evolving, difficult to fix.
Long ago snagged by the rhythmic innovations of the post-jungle underground, here Profrock makes explicit his debt to the radical fringe of UK garage. Snapping 2-step rhythms are at the heart of all four tracks; for all the distress, deconstruction and detournement they undergo at his hands, the spirit and swing of the British soundsystem tradition is unmistakable.
Further, Wireless is a kind of remix, a commission, shot through with the contorted samples of voice and ndingidi from a handful of old East African 78s (collected on the Honest Jon's compilation Something Is Wrong).
The result is a record that sounds at once ancient and modern, possessing a unique tonal language, and with it a curious, almost occult power — his most expressive, energetic and fully-realised work, affirming the enduring fundamentals of the T++ aesthetic even as it steers it into uncharted climes.

Fokuz Recordings makes its advance on the international drum & bass scene. Already a quality, consistent label for the last couple of years 2015 is already looking promising with the ''Opium Dream EP'' by Need For Mirros and HLZ!

Both tracks are drenched with that distinctive NFM sound. It's a hommage to the early tech step vibes from back in the days sometimes even comparable to Grooverider's Mysteries Of Funk album. The digital release will have two extra tracks for those that can't get enough, just like us here at Fokuz HQ. Essential!

*Old school roots reggae steppers rhythm produced by Ryan Moore aka Twilight Circus employing the talents of veteran vocalist Mikey General and riddim section Mafia and Fluxy, alongside legendary Jamaican guitarist Earl `Chinna` Smith.
*`Bulletin' was originally released on CD almost a decade ago but after extensive sound system play on dubplate by numerous sound systems in the UK and Europe, Partial Records have decided to give it a welcome vinyl release.

Since its conception three years ago, the Hamburg based label hafendisko has been patiently building its reputation with a diverse and varied artist roster. Alongside releases from emerging talent such as Deo & Z-Man and Brynjolfor, it forms parent label hfn music's outlet for club oriented music whether with full releases or remixes for artists such as Kasper Bjørke and Faded Ranger and just recently welcomed renowned remixers such as Michael Mayer, Charles Webster and Luke Solomon, to name a few. Now with the release of Nummer Eins, Hafendisko is taking the next step in its evolution, serving up the best of past and present releases together with a string of exclusive cuts that signal an undeniably bright future. It's machine music with real heart and soul as, time and again, the tracks locate that elusive sweet spot that unifies mind and body. The opening act replicates this highly collectable four track vinyl EP that precedes the digital release: Snacks' ‚Easy' provides an aptly titled intro, with sweet melodies, warm synth swells and looping vocal hooks evolving over a low slung, funk inflected groove. 'Purdie', the duo's debut last September instantly became a huge underground hit, while they are currently working on their debut album. Unkwon is Anders Dixon from Copenhagen and people will stop asking if it's a typo soon. Just off his stunning remix for Trentemøller's Deceive he takes it underground with the stuttering beats and melancholy phase of ‚Everything', building a cavernous yet claustrophobic soundscape that's designed to make your eyeballs sweat, before Ewan Pearson's NRG instrumental of Kasper Bjørke's ‚Apart' goes into dance floor overdrive, upping the ante again. Both the Michael Mayer and the Ewan Pearson mixes of Bjørke's final single off his newest album stirred a buzz.

House Of Black Lanterns is the latest musical project from Dylan Richards, the man behind the King Cannibal and Zilla monikers (on the Ninja Tine and Warp Records labels respectively). With an album and two singles out in 2013 on the highly respected Houndstooth label, Richards returns with a deadly EP for Hypercolour, backed with a very fine Mosca remix.

In its Original Mix, 'The Smack' is a dense and atmospheric production, the slow pace and chugging bassline evoking shades of early Chicago house but with a thoroughly modern UK twist. Filled with tension and drama, 'The Smack' is a big sounding record that cuts through so many genre sounds from dub techno to dubstep but sounds entirely individual and unique.

Mosca steps up to the remix, following on from the launch of his new label Not So Much, and remixes for Alland Byallo and Sweatshop Boys. Taking 'The Smack' up to an altogether skanking tempo, Mosca plummets the Basic Channel school of sound for the aptly titled 'Dread At The Controls' version. Spring reverb all over the joint as Mosca works the droning synths and fire & brimstone vibes over a watertight, dub heavy workout. 'Grey Leather Glass' takes things up a notch, continuing the HOBL theme of dark & shadowy techno sounds with heaps of drama and sinister twists and turns, like some cinematic score to a Wes Craven slasher epic, and '8 Million Stories' cuts up vocal chops, finger snaps and piano stabs over a brooding house production. Deliciously dark music from HOBL here....

Following the success of its first release by the ever elusive Jason Grove, the vinyl-only sub-label Skylax Extra Series returns with a little something beyond special. For those house-heads in the know, the man needs no introduction, but for those uninitiated, sit back and prepare for this double 12' selection to further your education in house music.Joey Kay hails from Chicago in the US and has influenced a great many producers in the last two decades with his signature take on the deep house sound. He keeps things simple in the best possible sense of the word, stripping back tracks to their bare essentials in order to maintain what the spirit of house music is all about: the groove, the soul and the feeling of being carefree, even if only experienced for a few minutes at a time. There are no superfluous or ancillary sounds in Joey's music and this is all the more evident when taking a step back and listening to his spectrum of output in this collection, which spans more than twenty years of his career.

Following the digital premiere of the track 'Nobody knows' at the beginning of September, myr. is an artist who remains shrouded in mystery. His debut EP 'Nobody knows Avalon' is set to be released through recognised Cologne label PNN on January the 19st, yet as the title suggests, still very little is known about the man behind the music.

myr.'s wish to withhold information is made obvious through the choice of track names on the EP: 'Nobody Knows', 'Avalon' and 'Homii' are all titles clearly designed to provoke the listener's curiosity, whilst upholding a sense of the enigmatic.

Although some might argue that such conscious obscurity is little more than a publicity stunt, surely at a time when the cult of DJ and celebrity are often intertwined there is something refreshing about myr.s decision to step-back. You only have to look at the homemade, monochrome videoclip that accompanies 'Nobody knows' to realise that myr. is about as removed from the glitz of DJ culture as it is possible to be.

It is this determined distancing from the norm that comes through is his music. The minimal sound is carried through by an underlying warmth, a grittiness that sets it apart from the often near-perfect production of popular techno. The first two tracks 'Nobody knows' and 'Avalon' create a sense of anticipation, with minimal, ambient beats that build, the listener is left with itchy-feet and a hankering for more. In the final track on the EP 'Homii' there is a change in tempo, the monotone beats make way for some slowed-down, trippy vocals that open the listener up to myr.'s versatility as an artist.

'Nobody knows Avalon' is an EP that represents a return to something raw and removed from popular music. As for the mystery surrounding myr. Well if you can't put a face to a sound then the only option is to listen.

Our 14thDubplate in the series sees young recruit Bopperson step up to the plate for the very first time. His unique approach, recording 45s at 33 RPM and then editing from there, delivers dance floor friendly results.

Side A sees Harry Coade's version of Michael Jackson's Remember The Time get the slow & synthy treatment. While on the flip, chesty country legend Dolly Parton gets deep as her voice and those strings are slowed and stretched by Bopperson for a cunning take on the heart wrenching Jolene.

Reminiscent of a time where we were releasing 4-tracks sampler every month (remember the Secret Gems From The Vault) It is naturally that we thought about a various artists sampler in order to introduce the new wild bunch,

Julian M, is french and is taking over right now, releasing here his first track on Briquerouge, But the man is no beginner, having released on Catwash, Homecoming, Denote, to name but a few and of course recently on our own RZ Muzik, His music is deep, acid, techy and ready to please any crowd, Ange Siddhar is working for Laboratory Records and works with legendary artists such as Ron Carroll, Paul Johnson or Chris Count and now teams up with Illan Nicciani on several House project, They have a strong vinyl lovers community following their releases and just joined the label with 'The Show'

Jepe was one half of John Waynes who already release on Brique Rouge and is now one of the most respected producer from Portugal, Actually living in Berlin, he has released on Get Physical, Blossom Kollektiv or MuleMuziq, Jepe's tracks have a very high level of quality, True House Music,

And last but not least, our good friend from Switzerland, mr Salvatore Freda, With the machine-driven futurism of Detroit in his step, and the bounce of Chicago in his shadow, Salvatore Freda is a pure vinyl DJ from Lausanne, Switzerland. With a production career that began in 1997, Freda has built up an impressive discography over the years. His music has touched some of techno and house's most respected labels including Trapez, Music Man Records, Liebe Detail, Freerange, Area Remote, Push Communications, Dessous, Nightvision, and Cadenza.

Early Support:

Dubfire / Nacho Marco / Matthias Vogt / Tyree Cooper / Ame / Clive Henry / Renato Cohen / llorca / Blacksoul & many more

In the beginning of the 80's reggae music became increasingly in tune with what was happening in Kingston's dancehalls....probably more so than at any time since the sound system operators had started to make their own shuffle and boogie in the late 50's..
The international audience and the critics were too busy looking for a new Bob Marley to appreciate what was happening downtown and failed to acknowledge that this was a return to the real,raw roots of the music...brash,confidient,young record producers who were totally in tune with the youth audience stepped forward and seized the moment...
Oswald'Ossie'Thomas began his apprenticeship in the music business at the age of fourteen and served his time as a record salesman for Bunny 'Striker 'Lee and Winston 'Niney the Observer' Holness before moving on to Miss Sonia Pottingers Tip Top Records...
'I ended up working in three record stores on Orange Street from 1976 to 1981...Yeah man,Me deh 'pon me bicycle till I buy my motorcycle..Them days records were coming out left right and centre..everyday'
Ossie Thomas...
It was during his time with Miss Pottinger that Ossie began to produce records for himself and in 1979 Ossie and Phillip Morgan began The Black Solidarity label based deep in the Kingston ghetto on Delamere Avenue.
And the man who had made his name in the business selling other people's records now became one of the most important and influential record producers of the era..

REPRESSED !!
Tim Xavier's newest imprint looks to cross the boundaries between House and Techno, this time featuring Jamaica Suk with her Spektrum EP. Stepping into harder Techno territory the up and coming artist brings a solid 4-track EP with style and flair like none other.
Born and raised in California, Jamaica Suk has always been surrounded by music playing many instruments as a child. In her teenage years she began to play bass guitar in many Math Rock and Shoegaze bands. After becoming frustrated with the conflicting ideas of band members she would eventually find a new love in electronic music.
After enrolling in audio engineering school in San Francisco, she quickly became a known force within San Francisco's electronic music scene. Once she completed her audio engineering studies she decided she wanted more. Traveling around the world following her Techno dreams, she would eventually find her new home in Berlin where she has built her own fully functioning production studio at Salon Wilde Renate.
Jamaica makes her vinyl debut on Face To Face, following her Embers EP on Coal Recordings. Her sound can be described as sexy and sophisticated contemporary Techno but still packing a punch that puts it perfectly in line for prime time sets. The 4-track EP with a bonus digital only track explores all her ideas as a musician and artist including taking inspiration from her rock roots with gritty raw elements.
Already highly respected amongst her professional peers as a tour de force of creative energy and drive. There is nothing this woman can't do, as all her work is produced and mixed solely by herself. She continues to push the boundaries of Techno music while staying true to herself as an artist and it's through this determination we're sure to see more from Jamaica as she continues to evolve.

Dutch drum & bass legends Maduk and Nymfo head up the latest Fokuz Recordings 12''. Three feel good tracks leaning more towards the musical side of the spectrum. We kick off with 'Motions', an energetic stepper with a powerfull wobble bass en deep vocals.

On the flip we a solo track by Maduk called 'Approaching Me'. A smooth roller wit slick vocals and groovy guitar licks. To round things off Maduk and Nymfo bless us with 'Tatta Ganja' a naughty little reggae infused roller, that will go down perfect at a festival. Boh!

180 gram audiophile vinyl

Thirteenth Step is the second studio album by A Perfect Circle. The American Rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan.

Originally released in 2003, Thirteenth Step sold well, charting at the number 2 position on the Billboard 200 in its premiere week and staying on the charts for 78 weeks. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA. Following the release of the album, the band toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Three singles were released from the album, "Weak and Powerless", which topped both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks, followed by "The Outsider" and "Blue", which also charted on the respective charts.

The reissue of this critically acclaimed album is pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl,

Erlend Øye is a skinny nerd, but maybe that's what makes him a pop star. His huge thick spectacle-lenses act as an interface between his inner life and his numerous collaborators and fans. Erlend Øye is a travelling singer-songwriter, who has been making music in various constellations since the late nineties. He sang for Röyksopp, while his own bands are Kings of Convenience and The Whitest Boy Alive, who recently split up. A laid back, everyday vibe runs through Erlend Øye's music. Erlend is not larger than life, at the most his songs may be. The pop star from next-door doesn't make any drama, but leaves that to life itself. His relaxed, laid back sound opens your eyes and ears for places, situations and encounters. A certain mournfulness runs through the songs, although they deal with a longing for self-fulfilment. Erlend sings of loneliness, and in doing so, he creates a 'we'. Until now Erlend's projects have often been based on simple concepts - two guitars and two vocals with Kings of Convenience, and four instruments with The Whitest Boy Alive. With his new solo album he frees himself of these parameters; for the first time everything is possible, for the first time Erlend Øye stands alone. The songs on 'Legao' were arranged and recorded with the Icelandic reggae band Hjálmar.

The magic of 'Legao' lies in the fact that Erlend's vulnerable vocals and his sincere lyrics are supported by the elegance and consistency of the band. Today roughness is often used to counterbalance roughness, whereas on Legao a equilibrium is sought - and found. A simplicity, clarity and minimalism is created that is rarely found in pop music. Erlend Øye has grown up. He accomplishes nothing less than the step towards an independent, free-standing solo musician, who can perform in any constellation - with a band, orchestra or alone with a guitar.

Sarcastic and obscure neo-italo-wave band Cristalli Liquidi once again steps into limelight with a third single on the equally mysterious Artifact imprint. Incubo Assoluto (which is Italian for "absolute nightmare" or so we are told) comes in a thick, pulsating synth mix as well as in a more straight and spread out version with just enough chugging guitar to mutate your dance moves from whirling disco dervish to robot rock. Lyrics are by Roberto "Freak" Antoni (known as frontman of 70s Italian punk band Skiantos who sadly passed away on february 12th this year). This is another ultra cool release on Bottin's Artifact label.

For his Carpark debut, Saint Pepsi takes a step away from the more genre-shuffling styles of his Internet releases to focus his skills on high-power pop. The title track of the "Fiona Coyne" 7-inch is an uplifting tribute to fantastical romance and the joyous dreams pop culture can provide

ZOV ZOV is a collaboration of Oliver Ho and Tommy Gillard - the culmination of almost 10 years of unreleased sound experiments. The two artists have worked on building up a vault of music that holds hours and hours of material.

This debut release signifies the first step of compiling this huge archive of material into reduced and distilled installments. Ruin Lust holds four sonic excursions, which further define the boundary-challenging aesthetic of Shifted's emerging sub-label Mira.

ZOV ZOV, a new word to describe something unknown, something ancient and deep inside that floods from the depths of the earth.

Like all great music, it's often difficult to explain what it sounds like or convey the excitement you experience upon first hearing. Wrong Steps falls into this category exactly. Describing his music as 'melodic house' wouldn't do the intricacies and depths on display justice.

Instead, it might be easier to liken him to artists such as Floating Points, Metro Area and Portable - and we don't use those comparisons lightly!

Big boots to fill of course, but this is a very promising debut from a very promising debutante. Watch this space for more.

The unsung hero of melodic techno prepares to step up to the Poker Flat plate for a second time, continuing the partnership that began with the epic 'Planet Funk EP' earlier this year. Vince Watson is a stalwart of the scene and truly in a league of his own: an unparalleled discography, a singular flair for arrangement, and a signature sound of lush layers and deep irresistible grooves. 'Rock It' is another complete chapter written in Watson's unique vocabulary. The EP's title track's swift pacing and bright multi chords-create a constant state of uplift and progression, movement and light. Subtle changes and hypnotic building loops drive this number towards a state of blissful contradiction: slow-burn euphoria. 'Sonar' contains all the scale, emotion and colour that the title may suggest; a prominent chord progression is sustained throughout, running through the track like a shot of neon, ensuring its future a peak time anthem. 'Feel It' is the yin to the yang of the previous tracks, easing into a looser, deeper tech house tempo, and unravelling tight melodic harmonies for breezy watercolour washes of pads.

Another gem from the DJ International vaults... This time label owner Rocky Jones steps to the plate with 4 fresh acid house cuts from 1987. Re mastered from DAT and re released for 2014.

One of the rarest releases from DJ International with releases going for silly money on Discogs.