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In our series of related incidents we were out searching for a suitable incident to occur after our well received Black Merlin (George Thompson) voyage in early 2014 (it's been a long time, yes).
The following happened.
We approached "Will Flisk'' somewhere in the digital Jungle. Totally unaware that Will and George are actually long time friends.
ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED.
Havamal inspired Briton 'Will Flisk' takes his filmic approach to music to the streets with his first output on our curious little imprint.
With the help of good friend Black Merlin (George Thompson) on synths and drum machines and Natasya Hodges on Cello, this amazingly orchestrated title track (Red Planet) takes us to different planets and back, even though our money is too short for commercial space travel.
Nashville, Tennessee's very own Grey People (Alex J Michalski) works his distortion on a sinister remix (B1) that's leaning towards the more techno side of things. for the B2, Will bestowed an amazing bit of roughness upon us.
With the blessing of Zoroaster the vinyl release will take place in January.

Welcome to Berlin's best kept secret: 'Hot Pony: The Nightclub At The End Of The Universe'. It's from this fertile womb that 'Royal Athlete' was born. Created as a platform for the 'cosmic-italo-afro-electrofunk-boogie' sound that 'Hot Pony' blends so well, these release's will be various artists only and guaranteed party weapons for cybernetic lovers and space-jockeys. Always limited, always slamming. For this release we present the 'polyrhythmic renegade' turned electrofunk wizard Vexkiddy, his first new music since 2012's Pedantic Romantic on Human Shield, more cosmic nightdrive action from Giallo Disco's Antoni Maiovvi, a beast of a dancefloor heartbreaker from Bill Ambrose and Marika Gauci - the voice of UK Italo, better known together as 'The Dreamers' and finally the first release from Berlin's Dimitri SoEmotional a smooth modern-boogie-workout. Not to be missed!

Limited edition 8 track double 12" featuring some of the best tracks from now out of print MEMBERS ONLY 12" singles plus some tracks never released on vinyl previously. Tracks compiled from cassettes and overdubbed by ANNE CLARK, FGTH, BANANARAMA, LAST POETS and more. Hand stamped white labels.

Soma mainstay Deepchord returns with part 2 of the Luxury Series. This Double A release feature Deepchord's signature atmosphere rich tones and lush environments and also mark a slight upturn in terms of pressing on a more Techno vibe.

Luxury 3 opens as spacious as can be as the dynamic Modell crafts otherworldly pads and haunting tones, driven by muted kicks and driving subs. His effective use of delay and reverb knows no bounds as he subtly shifts synth stabs and background noise through the dimensional barrier, creating rhythms so refined they defy the natural law. His usual percussive wizardry is at work here that, whilst vigorous, retains a light atmospheric feeling keeping fully in line with the melancholic tones of the track. Clocking in around 14minutes, this is Modell as his most immersive.

Luxury 4 has a distinct Detroit heart to it. Those almost instantly recognisable saw waves, moulded by layers upon layers of processing, swirls and evolve and Deepchord slowly works in various elements of the track to unparalleled levels. Fairly reminiscent of earlier, more stripped work, subtle percussion brings things to life fairly quickly as Modell allows the layers of ethereal synths and processing to blend and fuse naturally, creating a cohesive background to which the listener can easily spend hours listening to, every time finding ever so slight nuances to each cycle of the track.

Deepchord never fails to impress with every release and can easily change his style up from previous incarnations based in pure atmospherics to his own unique brand of legendary Dub Techno.

Long-serving French talent Philippe Petit is welcomed to Figure SPC with this dextrous and inventive four-track EP. Petit is the owner of the Knotweed and Decision Making Theory labels, enjoying a busy schedule as a fine purveyor of edgy, melodic and classic Techno stylings. We look forward to more to come from Mr. Petit!

Versatile Parisian Jay Ka, offers a slow dripping slice of deepness to the SAFT following. With the help of Paula King on vocals, title track Only Grace is a reminiscent anthem with strong vocals supported by lush chords and smokey rhode hits. As a real single should, this package also offers 3 interpretations of the original. With remixes by Briton NY*AK and Atlanta situated Kai Alce, this SAFT output should grab your full attention easily.
Where NY*AK's rework maintains a more repetitive vibe with nicely timed vocal cuts, Kai Alce's 'Late Night' interpretation recalls classic vocal-house reworks from the glory days of extended 12inch mixes.
As usual for a complete single like this, an instrumental version of Kai Alce's rework is included.

After 14 years working with a huge spectrum of D&B greats, London based Irishman Cian McCann has long since established his place in the scene. From his early days in Dublin with the Bassbin label to working with the likes of Calibre, 4 Hero, Klute, Alix Perez, Rockwell and Noisia, he has never stood still. 2008's Cheap Shots LP for Total Science's CIA Records was a high point, with lead track Walk Away bringing vocalist Steo to the worlds attention. Also a noted remixer, he has retouched artists as diverse as Dillinja, Slam, Rolo from Faithless, Sabre, Lemon D and Lenny Fontana. Zero T's discography shows the diversity that his DJ sets have always shown, ranging from full vocal smoothness to darker, more technical styles. You are as likely to find his music on labels like Subtitles and Shogun as on Soul:r or Signature. 2010 saw two milestones reached; the Launch of Footprints, Zero T's own label, and compiling and mixing FabricLive052 for the esteemed London venue. After a short period away from the scene, 2014 sees the return of Zero T as a producer and DJ. Watch out for his collaboration with long-time cohort Beta 2 coming on Metalheadz Platinum soon and a follow up EP to the Roxy Music EP on Dispatch Recordings. Now The Prestige Music Group is proud to announce, 'Roundwood / Hurricane Charlie' due out in late September or early October

Sometimes, there is a certain attention for a new artist and you can actually feel that this one is about to go through the roof. This is exactly the feeling we have with Few Nolder right now. With releases and tracks on Boso, Suol, Cloud Vision and not to forget his little summer hit - IF' on Connaisseur in late August, the Vilnius resident has caught quite some attention over the last months. Now, he completes this successful and busy year with his frst full EP on Connaisseur called - Moli', featuring three new lovely tracks. One of Few Nolder's talents is to compose state-of-the-art music which also has a timeless approach. The a-side - Twin' is one of those tracks. Sounds and melodies which stick in your mind straight away and an on point buildup make - Twin' one of those universal tunes which can be played in every moment. - Sonar' on b1 is a bit more reduced and raw. Played at the right moment it is a heavy hitter, with its memorable break and the big synth theme. On b2 you will fnd the title track and maybe also the hidden hit of the release. The bittersweet - Moli" is a delicate extravaganza with big melodies and emotions.
The artwork is as always by Danish artist Sjulle

Listen to this if you like: anything that we've put out last year, wrapped together in a lovely double pack of a 12 and 10. The Roundup part 1 is the first part of an annual recurring event: the big Heist family remix EP, where all artist names get put in a big bowl, and by luck of the draw, find themselves remixing (and remixed by) another Heist artist. We've got Max Graef remixing Detroit Swindle and turning the break up into a full on Graef-affair. The label heads themselves take 'The Organ Grinder"'s 'Change all the time' and turn into a deep Chicago-esque tune and completing the 12, there's Frits Wentink's take on Bluebottle, experimenting with his trademark shuffle. On the 10, Standout track of the first year of Heist 'Jungle' gets a lovely rework by Nachtbraker, giving it a more 4x4 feel than the original and The Organ Grinder who turns Frits Wentink's Schrewd into a full on Filter house cut. The artwork is handmade and photographed by Baster. Sincerely yours, Lars & Maarten

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.
I said new but some of them are pretty familiar, which is the case with the almighty D'julz or Raw District for an incredible update on 2007 « Fast Forward » which deserves its title, Do I need to introduce D'Julz I don't think so, one of the most sought-after French dj and producer, he never disappoints.
Then we are pleased to welcome Accatone, having several EP's and remixes released since 2008 and a full album in 2012 on labels like Dabit, Apparel, Piston Recordings, Roots & Wings, One to One, to name some, and having his work remixed by legendary Matthew Herbert or Jay Tripwire (Poker Flat, Tonality), Piek, (Cadenza, Paulatine, diynamic), Accatone is becoming a full-grown producer by conquering the likes of Dj Sneak, Laurent Garnier, Stacey Pullen, Slam, Timo Maas, Danny Tennaglia, Olderic, David Labeij, Mirco Violi, Severino Panzeta (Horse Meat Disco), Paco Osuna and many others !
Scan Mode aka Alberto Sánchez began his career in the year 1998 and has since traveled throughout the Spanish territory, performing in major venues and festivals alongside the likes of Jeff Mills, Sven Väth, Dubfire, Marco Carola and Richie Hawtin to name a few. He is regarded as an eclectic artist who has taken different professional profiles during his musical career. His music is on the edge of House and Techno with brilliant melodies and rhytmic, Kike Henriquez began editing in Alex Flatner's labels, Later released on labels like BluFin, Greenhorn and with some of the best artists from the tech-house & deep-house scene, Introduced to David Duriez by Something Different(s head honcho Jesus Pablo, Kike soon joined the task force behind this new BR100 release, Another artist to watch out.

Early Support from:

Raresh / Nathan Coles / Dan Ghenacia / Claudio Coccoluto / Fred Everything / Tiger Stripes / Doc Martin / Shur-i-kan / Luke Solomon & more

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

From techno to house and back, or "Berlin House" as Pablo likes to call it himself. Expect to hear lots more from this super talented producer.

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..

Schlammpeitziger's album yields even more fruit. Six weeks after the release of his longplayer "What's Fruit" Pingipung releases this 12inch EP with remixes. The motley set of six electronic musicians and bands dice Schlammpeitziger's countless melodies into a delicious fruit salad! Candie Hank (Patric Catani) deals with the title track "What's Fruit" and beams the mantra-like vocals of the original unerringly to the dancefloor. Andreas Dorau, the infamous hero of German New Wave music form the 80s, is a year long companion of Schlammpeitziger. He sings about autumn leaves, on top of the instrumental hit "Balcony Sofaune", which is transformed into a disco piece by Dorau's producer sdfkt. (Golden Pudel Club, Hamburg). Springintgut dedicates himself to the complex melodic layers of "Pipe Claphorse", waves a giddy tambourine and tops it off with a three voiced cello chorus. The B side is opened by Mouse On Mars who turn "Balcony Sofaune" into an ever growing and collapsing bass monster, while focusing on the bold brass theme of the original. Thomas Mahmoud Zahl slows it down with a head- nodder. He thwarts the melancholy of "Schneid ein Stück aus der Zeit" with a stoically bouncing beat, which dubs and grooves like it wants to go on forever. Dub-Master hey (one half of Pingipung's Hey-Ø- Hansen) sends the same track through his studio, offers new harmonies with his quiet acoustic guitar and sugars it all with a galactic vocoder.

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.

This (insert month) FUSE London's sister label, Infuse, returns with the seventh installment of the series with three superior house deviations from Wigbert, Motif and Pelle & Roon aimed squarely at those in the know.

First up is Wigbert and his track 'Bongo Bongo' lives up to its name as it is a percussive journey through various rhythms. Next up is Motif who delivers the excellent rolling house number 'Inner' which features a dubby bass line, with an intermittent wailing vocal and perfectly executed stabs. 'Gida' by Pelle & Roon rounds off the EP in fine style. It is another low-slung house number characterized by deep bass and warm chords washing against more mechanical sounds.

This seventh installment is another sterling addition to the famed Infuse series. All the artists on offer here showcase their distinct sounds and styles and despite effortlessly slotting into that loved Infuse sound, their differing personalities shine through. Essential.

Now part of the family for more than a year, TvFrom86 aka Thomas Zander is releasing his 1st solo EP on the imprint. Tvfrom86 did a brilliant debut on Roche Musique with the single 'Loosing you' including the very good electro funk song 'Brooklyn Business'.

Keeping the good work and the talent for sampling, TvFrom86 explored the funk with dexterity and exactness in Purple People adding just what the sample needed to sublimate it and make it as powerful as it deserves to be. Creative Swing Alliance, side project of the talented label manager for MCDE, Pablo Valentino, and Steven Wobblejay, gave their own interpretation with and heavier bass and no less efficiency.

S3A was invited on the project for the rework of Flying Piano, the third original of the release. The French producer, very proactive at the moment with releases on Lazare Hoche, Hold Youth, Faces, Large Musique and more, definitely didn't steel his nickname. S3A Is telling us three stories in one with a rough analogic sound for an impressive result.

Efficient DJ tool, perfect to turn a dance floor into a mess, By all means combines great rhythmic, samples and voices around a bass guitar for the last original of this French touch record.

Maybe this is a mirage, an illusion Maybe we are on another planet, or maybe we are in the spaceship going to another planet Maybe we are all insane Possibilities, an infinite number of possibilities. 'We are in the darkness; nameless things with no memory-no knowledge of what went before, no understanding of what is now, no knowledge of what will be.' - this can easily describe what Absys Limited sublabel is offering us soon with Kontext studio album, 'Dispersal'. Kontext is an alias of Stanislav Sevostyanikhin from St. Petersburg, Russia - well acclaimed DJ and producer also known in drum&bass world as Dissident, who was responsible for the one side of our own first 12" vinyl with his track 'Scarecrow' and for numerous releases for such labels as Hospital Records, Subtle Audio, Counter Intelligence, Alphacut and many more.

'Dispersal', first LP since 2009's 'Dissociate' is Kontext at his finest. Ten track album that cannot be classified in genres, full of drifting through space orbits and dimensions, through newest technologies and our own human nature, through some glitched sonic fields and abyss of consciousness. Production level is high as always on Absys, tracks are kept in various tempos, with many layers and glitches to keep you moving places and enriched with quotes from film classics as 'Twighlight Zone' or 'Pi'.

Coming out with unique artwork by Krik, 'Dispersal' will be available on CD Digi Pack and 10" vinyl sampler.

Seattle/San Francisco based Techno label, From 0-1 issue "Time Dilation", a 12" vinyl/digital EP by label director, and co-owner Milkplant (Justin Pennell) of the San Francisco Bay Area. Andrei Morant and From 0-1 co-owner Sone join in as remixers. Including an endless groove and two locked grooves, this piece of vinyl is meant to be as utilitarian for the vinyl DJ as possible. 'Dimension 4' starts off the EP with a classic big room percussive Techno vibe, closing in an endless groove. Following is Andrei Morant's absolutely punishing treatment of Dimension 4, a tearing lead, and searing percussion point to the main room. Two locked grooves, one percussive, the other synth based close out side '0'. On the flip side Milkplant's 'Spherical' reps a tight "future-retro" vibe; elements of old Motor City Techno dominate with a bit of grit to keep it dirty. Sone dials in a perfect toned down, more expansive and hypnotic interpretation of Spherical showcasing slowly evolving filters and modulation fit for the wee hours of the morning. 'Plasmic' is included only as a digital extra in this release- tough, noisy, and a little tripped out with a bit of swing to keep them on the floor.


All12" vinyl jackets are custom screen printed by Bloom Press in Oakland, California, with design curation by label art director, Rubidium. Mastering and distribution by Dietrich Schoenemann of Complete USA. Marketing and promotions by Pullproxy Berlin.

When  DFC TEAM (PERSI, COLLINO & GEMOLOTTO)  started their Atahualpa project Techno Music was far to be a cool trend in the venues. Even more innovative was to mash up acoustic, electronic,  traditional instruments as Peruvian panflutes and synthesizers while  evocative voices drive listeners to the world of last Inca emperor.
It was in 1990 when  ULTIMO IMPERIO by ATAHUALPA topped   in several countries around the world  becoming a milestone in the dance music history. 
Nearly twentyfive years later DFC LABEL releases 4 amazing new Remixes and the story goes on.

Esta es la historia de ULTIMO IMPERIO. HASTA SIEMPRE ATAHUALPA!

Producer CRISTIAN VOGEL, born in Chile and in raised in Bristol, England, represents an inner turmoil within the history of electronic music and techno. Like only a few other artists such as Aphex Twin, he personifies the second wave of techno during which authorship, previously pronounced dead, returned in full force. The former punk, who had completed studies in composition (20th century classical music in Sussex) conveyed a powerful force in his music, which now finds its place very naturally as electronic music; back then, it did more than just shake up the concepts of techno. Complex and intricate rhythms (Süddeutsche Zeitung) dig deep chasms in dark (listening) spaces.

In 1996, together with JAMIE LIDELL as SUPER_COLLIDER, he made a final attempt to breathe life into electronic music, which was still primarily seen as dance/rave/club music, and produced clustered break funk music that was so relevant to its time that many considered it more a music of the future: science fiction for the dance floor. Although the project was not a failure, it did not succeed even halfway in meeting the expectations of an artist who was rather perplexed by the lack of interest he perceived in others in music as art and research. Vogel believes that music has a will to unfold, like a jungle from the undergrowth of industrial cities where music is thought of as an attack and a defense.
Seemingly out of disappointment in the predictably declining hedonism of the scene, he moved to Barcelona and bound his explosive ideas to more accessible formats, founded labels, created networks (No Future, Sleep Debt) and, at the same time, revisited his early days by working more and more on formats such as music for ballet and similar concepts. He also sought freedom precisely in what was referred to as functional electronic music through conceptual and serious endeavors in the artistic sense.
Vogel went under for a time and lived in Vienna before arriving in Berlin nearly two years ago, where he made his first new and daring attempt to assimilate everything that electronic music represented to him on one album: 'The Inertials' on SHITKATAPULT. Shortly after that, his mystical, floating ambient work 'Eselsbrücke' was released, which already spoke the language of the new city.

He now presents a new album on SHITKATAPULT entitled 'POLYPHONIC BEINGS' - a true masterpiece in the inimitable Vogel style, as his fans will no doubt claim. 'POLYPHONIC BEINGS' begins, after two minutes of an irritating noise wave, with a surprisingly classic dub track and grows darker and more abstract from track to track, minute by minute. An eerie and unbelievable sound, with all as it should be: every reverb tail, every movement of the fader, every composed note takes the listener piece by piece into Vogel's own cosmos.
He foregoes interwoven elements for swaying towers of rhythm, powerful sound passages, spaces, roads, mirrors and pathways, leading to a stream of ideas that never wants to end. He aptly quotes Karl-Heinz Stockhausen in the liner notes: These are the "atomic layers of ourselves." And so it is. We are what we hear. This is the definitive CRISTIAN VOGEL.

The structure and the essence of this release, focuses on a current argument in which more and more people in this society are found to be the early protagonists, often without even realizing it.
The artist wants to tell and convey through his work, a point of view towards this theme.
As can be deduced from the title of the EP, the project is to express and represent a war of colors, which fight the monotony of everyday, always flat and dark.
The first track, "Daily March", wants to criticize this monotony through a full-bodied sound that recalls a real daily march, which many people are facing every day. All accompanied by a setting of hypnotic sounds that capturing the attention of the listener, carrying in a vicious circle in which one perceives the focus of the concept that the artist wants to communicate.
The second track, "Appearance Of Freedom" is the soundtrack for those who are trapped in slavery everyday life, believing to be free or at least trying to able to escape from the monotony, but then realizing that it is only an appearance. The sound of this second soundtrack fully embraces with the first, almost as if it were a single story that is going to evolve, arguing the rebellion that the artist wants to express in this state of being of the person in the present life.
To accompany the two original works of Kalos, there are two remixes by great artists, the first made by the Irish duo Lakker, which are able to communicate their idea of daily march through their strong version, being able to also expose them a very clear message.
The second remix is made by the Begian artist Yves De Mey, for the track "Apperance Of Freedom" where he captures in full the message of the track and re-edited, bringing attention to the full-bodied bass carefully distorted, creating a trip hypnotic evolving.

BERLIN, BRISTOL, CAIRO, JOHANNESBURG, KYIV, LAGOS, LISBON, LUANDA, NAIROBI, NAPLES
50 electronic music producers and instrumentalists from these ten cites were invited to collaborate
in studios over the course of more than six months. As a result hip-hop from the squats of Naples,
dubstep and bass from Bristol and Lisbon, experimental techno from Berlin and jazz-tnged deep-house
from Kiev are thrust upon the pumping kuduro of Luanda, the free-thinking crackled electronica of
Cairo, the afro-jazz of Lagos & Johnannesburg, and the Sheng street slang of Kenyan hip-hop and rap.
A selecton of the results of these cross-contnental experiments can be heard on this record.


















Ten Cites Masala

Here comes Strike150, the 150th Shitkatapult release. We're doing the same thing again that we did for the milestone releases Strike50 and Strike100: Sensational tracks, most of them previously unreleased, collected in the hope of presenting a certain contemporary attitude and music of the now.
Feat. Apparat, Oval, Phon.O, Christian Vogel and many more

Saxophonist Sean Khan is a multi-instrumentalist distinguished for his ability to fuse traditional jazz with contemporary styles. His involvement in the West London broken beat scene as band leader of the cult soul/ jazz outfit SK Radicals and as a collaborator with the likes of the Bugz in the Attic collective, have seen his unique breed of jazz put to full effect in London's clubs, at nights like the legendary bruk orientated 'CoOp'.

In anticipation of Sean Khan's second album on Far Out Recordings: 'Muriel', this four track 12' release features remixes from 4hero and Nicola Conte with father of British Neo-Soul, Omar on vocal duties. 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down' is uplifting and sophisticated dance-floor jazz. Dego and Marc Mac (4hero), two pioneers of broken beat, jungle and UK dance music as a whole, re-work the single from 'Muriel' into a delicately crafted downtempo number, which tames the original somewhat with club focused intentions, yet retains all of its fluidity and groove. Along with the eminence of rhythmic elements, Omar's instantly recognizable, thick and soulful vocals are sparsely and subtly layered to create beguiling, unconventional harmonies. Elevating the track to its peak, Sean Khan's exquisite alto sax solo demonstrates both his technical prowess and keen understanding of jazz's history, whilst working to carve out its future. The B side hosts Nicola Conte's remix of 'Things to Say'. Renowned for his input and influence in the lineage of acid jazz and fusion, as a producer, Dj and musician, Nicola Conte provides a deeper, darker take on Sean Khan's unique blend of jazz. A bouncy 4/4 house beat skips along beneath contemplative, whirring Rhodes, while the ghostly soulful vocals of Diana Martinez and samples of Sean Khan's expressive sax playing see the track taken to more introspective yet still clearly club focused territory. The final track is the intro to 'Sister Soul', previewing more material from Muriel, Sean Khan's forthcoming studio album on Far Out Recordings.

After a two year gap Clio is back on Metroline Limited after producing two of the most successful releases from the label's extensive catalogue: For Sure Baby (2010) and Do It EP (2012). In the opening track, The Beautiful Forces, Blade Runner soundscapes morph into post-rave stabs and combine with heavy subs and sci-fi effects to create the soundtrack to a rave in an abandoned space station. On a more Chicago tip, Something Like That is a collaboration with French groove master Loquace. The result is a loose, flowing house jam, which as the lyrics tell you, is all about vibe - it doesn't have to be planned... it's just how you feel! The legendary Thomas Schumacher turns out a serious burner on the flip with his remix of The Beautiful Forces, bringing the vocals up in the mix and throwing in a pumping b-line to keep things moving nicely. Swiss rising star Yvan Genkins takes on marginalising the Chi-town flavour of the original and working the elements up into a eyes-down Tresor-style techno monster. Classic 909 hits, a satisfying low-end rumble... it doesn't get more floor-friendly than this.

Zeitgeber and L.B Dub Corp split the second in Stroboscopic Artefacts' series of fifth anniversary records. Zeitgeber is the collaborative project of SA label boss Lucy and Dutch techno royalty Speedy J. Their joint alias birthed an exceptional long-player last year and has since been presented as a b2b act at festivals and clubs around the world. 'Totemism' is their first officially released output since that album, and is every bit as compelling. 'Totemism' opens with distant, reverberating bells and a thin film of hiss and crackle. But, one minute in, heavy and incessant drums cut through the ambience, hitting you straight in the chest. The surrounding atmosphere evolves and filters in-and-out of the mix until, halfway through, the track takes an unexpected turn with an elastic bassline and acid squelches. Then, the drums hit you again. This is an 11 minute masterclass in widescreen, narrative techno from two of the scene's most experienced and inventive producers. Luke Slater, a man of many aliases, slips into L.B Dub Corp mode for the B-side of this record. This particular moniker of Slater's generally trades in raw, culturally-inspired house music, though has also appeared on Stroboscopic's Stellate series with two deep and beatless dubs. For his contribution to SA's 5 Year anniversary, Slater re-visits a classic club cut of his own, delivering 'Take It Down Again (In Dub)'. 'Take It Down Again' is a brilliantly-realised exercise in tension, dub delay and mixing board creativity, all made to shine by a dose of oddball musicality and sampling. This version of 2010's 'Take It Down' is more restrained and tonally varied, equipped to instil a brooding and tribal darkness on the floor.

*More classic UK roots gets revived from Partial Records, this time in the shape of a pair
of hot shots from the vaults of the Jah Works stable and roots daughter Donette Forte.
* `Homeward Bound' is taken from the now long-deleted Donette Forte LP from 1991 `Wilderness', and this welcome reissue comes backed with previously unreleased dub cut `Dub Train'
* Mixed and produced by Rej 'Jah Rej' Forte at Channel One UK studio.
* Donette is recently back on the road touring with her new band Urban Lions after an absence of 20 years

Audiojack's Gruuv label returns this October with a four-track package from French producer Okain, featuring a remix from Tuccillo. Parisian artist Samuel Thalman aka Okain has quite the standing in contemporary electronic music having been a prominent name as a DJ and producer for the past fifteen years. Playing at some of the leading nightclubs across the globe such as Fabric, Watergate, Space Ibiza, Rex Club and Electric Pickle to name but a few. Thalman's also built quite the respectable back-catalogue in his time, releasing material via the likes of Tsuba, BPitch, Memento and Cadenza, and here we see him add Gruuv to his affiliations.

Kicking off the release is 'Down the Block', seeing Okain offer up a rugged percussion and bass led house cut, fuelled by swinging rhythms, rumbling sub tones, sporadic sax licks and processed vocal lines, opening up the EP on an energetic tip.

'RZ One' follows this, retaining a similar aesthetic with an insistent drive and penetrative low-end, though Okain opts for a grittier production feel here, distorting the drum sounds, instilling expansive, atmospheric reverb tails and drawn out delays alongside hip-hop imbued vocal lines.

On the latter half of the release we have two versions of 'By Your Side', the first of which is the original mix from Okain, which takes on a more stripped-back approach in comparison to the preceding composition's, laying its focus on fluttering synth sounds, a stab-led bass hook and warm motown style vocal chops. 2020Vision artist Tuccillo then rounds off the package with his mix of 'By Your Side', turning in his signature percussive-led style on the mix with intricately programmed drums and a subtle underlying tension that softly bubbles away in the depths over the cuts seven minute duration.

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!

After taking a short break 'House of Disco Records' are back with a purpose. Not content with the adding to the plethora of 'Disco Edit' labels representing the genre they have opted to walk a more distinct path, determined to lean on originals or clever sampling as opposed to outright re-rubs.

In this their twelfth release they recruit previous label-mate Harry Wolfman and compadre Skinny Love to provide three stunning dancefloor ready originals. The duo have certainly delivered on the brief and turned in three diverse and clever takes on what a modern Disco track with a House soul can represent.

On remix duties they have recruited a promising young producer 'Kickflip Mike', who has released on Box Aus Holz as Joschka Seibt and paired him with experienced disco merchant 'The Revenge' who is responsible for some of the best remixes we know of, and he doesn't disappoint here with either remix

Poker Flat is gearing up to celebrate fifteen years strong, with a series of releases that will assure their standing as one of electronic music's best known and most loved imprints. Poker Flat's unwavering dedication to the finest underground house music has unearthed new talent, developed rising stars and welcomed veterans into the fold, and the first of the label's 15th anniversary compilations brings together four of the brightest leading lights of the scene. With four seminal labels - Raw Elements, Dessous, Traffic Signs and Poker Flat - to his credit, Steve Bug has little to prove, but the tireless artist has never been a slouch on the DJ and production front, as he's proven time and again. Tracks like 'A Shot In The Dark' showcased his musical chops, and tied together elements of classic warehouse sounds, deep and sophisticated production and an uncompromising techy edge. The anniversary reworking of the tracks made for 4 Jacks boasts the remix talents of Taylor, whose sleek approach chops up the old school piano chords of the original for a bumping, more streamlined result. Another smashing new remix features in the form of Boris Dlugosch's 2012 acid-disco-house hit 'Sweet Talk". Here The Organ Grinder crafts a bass-heavy monster with a walloping kick drum and syncopated handclaps that enhance Boris' acid melodies and make it rough and ready for underground tastes. Two brand new productions round out the Jacks package.

Davide Squillace, the Italian DJ and producer behind the This And That Lab and Hideout imprints, has kept up a hugely productive schedule since the 1990s, and lands on Luciano's Cadenza Music this fall with the 'Goiânia' single release. Previous musical output on a multitude of labels such as Primate, his own Sketch Music & Minisketch labels, Ovum, Supernature and M_nus has also seen the artist collaborate with plenty; Guti, Martin Buttrich and Philip Bader among those who he has conjured up some inventive and dancefloor-centric minimal electronic music with. On the lead track 'Goiânia', Squillace opens up a highly musical pot of orchestral stabs and brass hits, morphing bottom end and freestyle synth licks, cavorting around a steady percussive beat to great effect.'Blossom' comes heavier in vibe, but maintaining the classical atmosphere developed on the EP's opener. Pizzicato synths play a call and response with dramatic strings whilst an electro tinged drum pattern and sizzling hats lay the foundations of a track with more than a nod to the classic house sounds developed on labels like Innervisions and Ibadan. 'Unit 9 closes the release, and Squillace goes on a Galactic ride through meteoritic bleeps and humungous pads for a cosmic and pacey techno number, dubbing it up midway for a most enjoyable ride and a fitting closure to a classy release on Cadenza.

Continuing to operate on the very outer fringes of the techno and electronica genre, A Sagittariun returns this Autumn with a new release on Elastic Dreams. Following on from 2013's acclaimed 'Dream Ritual' album and the 2014 single 'The Jupiter Chronicles' EP, the one born under the ninth sign offers up more cosmic techno and astral excursions on the 'Wish You Were There' EP. From the searing techno of 'Loopholes' to the heavy break and subaquatic melodies of 'The Lathe Of Heaven' to the wide-eyed and emotive closer of 'Blakes Vision', another trio of versatile tracks from 'the Archer' here.

As Pathway Traxx finds itself embarking on a dawn of maturity the now familiar colourful label welcomes in its 4th vinyl only release.
This bright yellow vinyl 4th installment welcomes on board relative newcomer on the house scene, Amir Maglajlija a.k.a. Espada. Originating from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Espada only began producing in early 2011 but as you will hear on this release his production skills far out weigh his years of experience. Amir delivers a truly sublime A-side with sprinkles of jazz influenced house and funk. He effortlessly intertwines melodic keys with jazzy horns whilst keeping things moving along nicely through his infectious drums and percussion.
The B-side of the EP see's Pathway Traxx return to more familiar ground with a stripped back deep rework by Mannheim native, ManooZ. Having released on the likes of Tomorrow is Now Kid, Swink and ALIVE Recordings to name but a few, its clear to see Manooz is a force to be reckoned with, and a name well-known for quality house productions.
And last, but by certainly no means last, in typical Pathway Traxx style, they've saved the heavy weight banger for the last track on the B-side. This out and out club ripper is delivered by close label friend and well renowned groove maker, Kezla. Expect nothing more and nothing less than Stripped back drums and a bone-shaking baseline!

After one year from the foundation of ARTS, label boss Emmanuel focused on giving space for all the other sonic artists that he found on his road. He is back to give directives for the label, and give more sonic spectrum for the people. Mentality is the result of a long process, it focus on mechanical quality and precision, Scenario is a picture of something you do not know, but would like to see.

What better way to follow up Andy Meecham's (Chicken Lips / Emperor Machine) huge Gino Fontaine originals than a duo of remixes from Balearic chieftains Pete Herbert & Stratus

As one half of Reverso 68 alongside Phil Mison, and in his own right Pete has been behind a ton of mesmerising sunrise and sunset workouts, and he's more than delivered here - crisp and club ready percussion, those stark punk-funkin' guitars and his trademark synth work all conspire to cook up a storm on the floor

Martin Jenkins and Mat Anthony's Stratus outfit (remember their superb 'Spring Tide EP' on Aficionado last year ) take a pop at the sublime Konkondo on the flip
And what a masterpiece it is !
A ten minute, utterly absorbing and expertly evolving piece, which flips the darker elements of the original into a mesmerising, cinematic, early 90's style Balearic epic

Mark Henning returns to Soma with yet more jacked up machine funk in Titan. Mark has firmly established him self within the Soma mainstays and continues to further his sound on the label. This latest EP sees him take to the street with two energetic drum workouts laden with his unique flavour.

Title track Titan is very typical Henning, keeping the ingredients simple yet effect and created live. A solid groove from his trusty 909 that just oozes dance floor compatibility hooked up with a quirky synth stab, weird vocals and a eerie organ-like riff all rounded off with a fantastic arrangement makes for one seriously infectious track

Roots gives of a real ghetto-tech feel, as once again a 909 groove is enough to get things going while squelchy synth hits bounce of rimshots working up to a subtle rolling bass line. Mark's skill in the arrangement process take hold as he allows the tracks to develop into a full drum workout with mutes here and there and the simple addition of more stuttering percussion help to pick up the pace.

Henning as the enviable talent of being able to create dance floor burners with the simplest of elements, a task he delivers of with blinding result on this EP.

The acclaimed and highly sought-after LP by Hailu Mergia and the Walias, Tche Belew, an album of instrumentals released in 1977, is perhaps the most seminal recording released in the aftermath of the 1974 revolution. The story of the Walias band is a critical chapter in Ethiopian popular music, taking place during a period of music industry flux and political complexity in the country. Hailu Mergia, a keyboardist and arranger diligently working the nightclub scene in Addis Ababa, formed the Walias in the early 1970's with a core group of musicians assembled from prior working bands. They played Mergia's funk- and soul-informed tunes, while cutting 45rpm singles with various vocalists. While the Walias performed at top hotels and played the presidential palace twice, their relationship with the Derg regime was complex, evidenced by the removal of one song from the record by government censors. Decades later, Hailu Mergia was surprised to see the album fetching more than $4,000 at online auctions (it helped that the most popular of all Ethiopian tunes "Musicawi Silt" appeared on the record). Now everyone has the chance to listen again - or for the first time - to this timeless pillar of Ethiopian popular music. // 01. Tche Belew 05:01! 02. Yemiasleks Fikir 04:04! 03. Yikirta Lemminalehu 03:35! 04. Musicawi Silt 03:49! 05. Lomi Tera-tera 04:07! 06. Woghenei 03:58! 07. Ibakish Tarekigne 04:00! 08. Birtukane 05:30! 09. Eti Gual Blenai 04:59! 10. Yenuro Tesfa Alegne 01:46!

With his new album "What's Fruit", Schlammpeitziger touches the dancefloor more than ever before in his 22-year long career. Yet his dancefloor is a playful one. The Cologne based composer's sounds electrify with their multi-layered melodic structures. He weaves countless details in perfection, to a high density of musical activity, always focusing on the slow, driving beats which hold everything together. Each of the eight tracks represents shades of the unique humour we love about Schlammpeitziger: The tricky question about what's those things we call fruit, or his mantric German lyrics on "Schneid ein Stück aus der Zeit" are charming messages which never fail to be heard in the guise of those lovely synth hooks. This new Schlammpeitziger disco has its source in a situation which does not quite promise relaxed creativity: In the past year Schlammpeitziger's studio in Cologne has been surrounded by construction works. Locked up in his private space between massive hums, squealing saws and pulsating jackhammers, he delivers this indeed relaxed album with eight tracks. It comes across with the freshness of a debut work. Contrary to his previous records which had been mostly made with analogue synths, this album has been produced with iPad synths at 90% of the time, before taking the mixes to Stefan Mohr's (ex- member of the band "Workshop") mixing console.

The second to last Black Boxx EP serves up a heavy 808 dance floor crusher on the entire A side, flip the record over for 2 more heavy, and melodic tracks unique to the Black Boxx sound.

OOC Records is a new sub label and the latest member of the Subwax Bcn family. First release sees a Various Artists EP feat. 3 strong, versatile & raw dub techno and detroit sounds. Vinyl only, don't snooze..

Sev Dah brings his brand of powerful, no-nonsense techno with the mighty, pounding Xanax. Life Of The Unborn takes a more experimental approach and offers a dark and haunting soundscape. Inter Gritty is on remix duty, stripping it down and turning the EP around with his jacking, Chicago-inspired take on Xanax.

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.

The Viennese duo, otherwise known as Tosca, confound expectations on their new album, 'Outta Here'. The sonic collages and smooth downbeat jams with which they made their name are replaced with a soul/jazz/blues confection that's closer to a band like Brand New Heavies than anything else. 'It's called 'Outta Here' for a reason,' explains Rupert Huber. 'The title stands for change, a change to the concept we've had so far. It refers to a change in energy and dynamic. We've been know for an almost ambient sounds. The new songs are much more beatoriented and direct. Basically, it's just a lot more energetic.' it certainly is that. See tracks such as 'Crazy Love' for evidence. Built on a muscular bassline, it sees Rob Gallagher (ex-Galliano) doing his slinky, soulful thing, while keyboards and muted sound effects flare in the background. The rare groove revival starts here. 'Swimswimswim' reworks the same elements, with the addition of Cath Coffey (Stereo MCs) into a irresistible pulse of feel good vibes. Meanwhile, the title track, 'Outta Here', sounds like a lost gem from the early '90s acid jazz era. 'It was a natural evolution,' says Richard Dorfmeister. 'In the past, we were very focussed internally because we were in a studio on our own, working slowly making sonic collages. This time, because we were working more with singers the process was naturally quicker and the results more instant and upbeat. In that sense the title 'Outta Here' literally means that we got out of our studio.'
Do Tosca think the new sound will wrong foot their fans 'It's not completely different. It's still our style and mood, it's just more direct,' says Richard Dorfmeister. 'People always have a picture of you and it can take a long time to change that. You stand for something and that's how they see you. I think people see us in that laid-back and chilled kind of way. Over the last 20 years we've been described as lounge, chill out, downbeat. We always ignored it because we felt it was more about the music. We've always seen ourselves more in terms of being an alternative to commercial music. That's still what we're doing, just in a different, more direct kind of way.'

After great success of 2 previous releases, 'Sound Of Vast ' is now about to hit 3rd release. The producer of this deep monster is one of the most respectful Japanese artist, and Womb's resident Dj 'The People In Fog (aka DJ Sodeyama).'
Even though DJ Sodeyama is more known as techno producer, The reason that Sodeyama used the other nickname was, As you could guess from poetic sentence, to express his music in more deeper and emotional ways, he even choose EP name as 'Deep', also, all the track's titles contains the word 'Deep', funny but straight forward way of thinking, if you want to deliver right moods on the dance
floor, by not only sold beat but also unusual emotions that come from organic percussion, this whole EP will give you the answer.
As usual of SOV policy, this EP contain one each of exclusive digital, and vinyl only tracks, this time, 'Deep
Woods Remix' chosen as vinyl only exclusive, the remixer 'Elbee Bad' is the legend of US House, as known as 'The Prince Of Dance Music', if you are fan of Rush Hour Records you should be heard about his name, as he is one of the be loved, and featured artist from the label. His remix of 'Deep Wood' is indeed funky and sexy, one more reason to have this vinyl in your collection.
Lastly, this EP will pressed 500 copies only with out repressing, quicker people will have a benefit as usual.

After a 12 year break the UK Techno label Solid Groove is back.
Kicking off with a collaboration with New York artist and Metroplex label manager Kimyon Huggins.


A1: Track one Sandy is a Detroit influenced track with noises recorded live by the man himself from hurricane sandy.
A2: Aubreys windy city remix is a more peacetime mix of the original with twists and turns and a dark groove throughout.
B1: Aubrey-Dust storm salsa, is a atmospheric journey with a hypnotic groove and has been tested at Panorama bar at peak time by various DJ's to great success.
B2: Kimyon's remix, taking a more dance floor feel with harder beats and driving metallic sounds.

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

A different jimi is a project of the guy who is well known as egoexpress.

this new project is a blend of classic beats house,disco in the sense of hamilton bohannon and the unmistakable passion for the jazz sound of the hard bop era that resonates in the depth of the production.

title track on a side is melancholic jazzy house and b side is more barealic mood.
enjoy!!

Scuba Death is Ricardo Donoso's alter ego. With more of a focus on analog sound, percussion, sampling, and location recordings, there is an organic undercurrent on Scuba Death recordings that isn't as prevalent in his solo work. This music is rich in atmosphere while still tethered to the deeper ideas that Donoso often explores in his work. Treatises on fear and death­anxiety, the underlining thematic framework for the project, run rampant throughout these claustrophobic electronic passages, and teeter on the edge of being oppressive. Nitrogen Narcosis marks the first full length and strongest statement in the Scuba Death repertoire after the privately issued, ruthless 'Demon Seed' twelve inch back in 2011. The album alternates between surprising lethargic dance inflections all nestled between 75 & 100 bpm, the normal resting heart rate for adults, and the more conceptual, numbness­inducing pieces like '50­-70 Meters' and 'Nociception.' Sequencing plays an integral role on Nitrogen Narcosis as the listener is suddenly thrust into the darkest reaches of the ocean after dark alley grooves are sucked into an aquatic abyss. For a project named after Donoso's near­drowning experience in the South Atlantic when he was younger, there's an impressive amount of reflection & vulnerability present - the field recordings that permeate throughout the album were captured at the same location the undertow caught hold of him that bright Summer day 20 years prior. An inner battle between paranoia and euphoria is played out in well­conceived, precision sonics on Nitrogen Narcosis as Donoso reminds us to look back, break through the surface and go deeper.

Steve Frisco, of Serie Limitee fame, brings us the latest bundle of hot tracks to hit Wax Classic in 2014. As the title suggests, Steve takes us on a journey through low fidelity sounds and production techniques. Think dark, moody, yet crunchy basement house tracks with inspiration taken from all over the U.S and the rest of the house world. It's a generous offering as well. Six whole dusty tunes for those diggers who are looking for something with a bit more range than another record of generic piano laden, house-by-numbers pieces that still seem to be flooding the record store shelves in 2014. The moods do vary from track to track, but they remain very reflective and almost melancholic at points. The title track, 'Adventure in Lo-Fi', is the deepest of the lot with filtered chords, echoing claps and a sporadic kick pattern that often clears way for the track's bass hits. Now, compare that to 'Da Brooklyn Beat'. Whilst the former had a distinct sunrise/sunset kind of feel to it, the latter is definitely more of a club affair. Skippy snare hits and a strong organ lead the track on, and at the risk of utilizing very overused buzzwords such as 'raw' and 'ruff', this track, and the rest of the A-side for that matter, certainly captures that essence.Stalwart Wax Classic fans will no doubt be picking this one up to add to their collection. However, I strongly recommend this EP as a jumping in point to the label for any newcomers out there!

Took a bit of a break from demos and releases after extending the family with a cute little boy, but now we're back with some of the best deep techno and house lined up for you! But first, something completely different.
Michele Mininni hails from the south of Italy and counts everything from post- and krautrock over new wave, house and disco amongst his influences. He's been a DJ for years, but only recently released his debut EP on Optimo Trax in Glasgow. He immediately found himself on the playlists of Beats In Space and Rinse FM. We were literally blown away when he sent us his music and didn't hesitate to release it although it's not what you're used to hear from us. It's hard to describe 'Endless Ceremony'. Epic, but not as you know it. Cosmic, definitely.
For the remix we thought of Rocketnumbernine. Two brothers with releases on Soul Jazz, Four Tet's Text label and more recently an album on Smalltown Supersound. Currently touring with James Holden and Neneh Cherry. Their remix could be described as almost dreamy electronica/idm.
We think this is a really special release. The following people already agree: Gavin Russom, Âme, Ripperton, A Made Up Sound, James Holden, Optimo, Deadbeat... First pressing on coloured vinyl!

The Jamaican Reggae duo Dave and Ansell Collins hit big time in 1970 when they topped the UK Charts with one of the all time classic reggae singles 'Double Barrel'.
It also became one of the first Reggae hits in the USA.
The distinctive chant of singer Dave Barker calling out the intro to songs letting the listener know what about to hit them is timeless.
He also carries a great soul voice that has added magic to many a great reggae tune.
Dave and Ansell are two talented artists that on their own have added so much to the reggae sounds we know and love.
But together they have made a name that will go down in history as one of the great duo's that came out of Jamaica and onto the world's stage.
We have compiled a set of songs that show the wide ranging talents of Dave Barker and Ansell Collins..
Time to Double Up...one more time........

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.

Driving weirdo techno, warm melodic acid and daring sound experiments - Killekill welcomes a new duo on board: SKEW & SATIRIST are Max Cooper and Gareth Williams who met in the Not- tingham, UK club scene in the early 00s, living together for a number of years, leading to an effec- tive collaboration.
Max learnt production from sitting and watching Gareth in the studio, Max helped show Gareth the way with his DJing. Both became successful in their solo projects, Max as a regular guest
on stages all over the world, Gareth starting a music technology business with partners such as Richie Hawtin, John Acquaviva or Daniel Miller.
Over the years the musical collaboration between the two friends has continued in the background and they've finally found the time to bring it to fruition and start this project for their darker, more extreme and twisted techno which has been lying dormant over the years.

"Teilstueck" (German for part or segment) is the next excerpt of Jacob Stoy's ongoing attempt to translate his surroundings into music. It's his second EP for Uncanny Valley and is even more multifaceted than his debut "Redenswart" from 2012. With "OMG" you'll get the feeling that something sublime will happen right from the beginning. It's one of those tracks whereby time stands still until a mighty synth-line unfolds in all its glory. "CFM" comes in the same musical vein with a similar and slightly melancholic bass-synth dominating the drumming. By far more cheerful is "MKM". Based on a catchy bass line foundation, Jacob Stoy showcases wonderful synth-effects and sound with the beautifully oscillated pad making the cut. This is House music for machine lovers. The flipside starts with "HIM" and probably the most floor-friendly track on the record. The slowly but steadily rising organ chords prepare things and when the carefully targeted percussion elements come in, it feels like summer will never end. In contrast, "QFL" lives from its mysterious atmosphere and is very good example for Jacob Stoy's preference to use Electronica-like sounds for his House Music. The record is rounded up with "HHM" and a little nod towards past times when he used to play in a Jazz band. With its Delay effects, a fuzzy guitar and a great bass melody it's not far away from Krautrock either. For the artwork Jacob Stoy teams up with fellow student Chris Dietzel.

Founded by Matthias Schildger & Carlo Ietri in 2013, Repeat is finally ready to conquer the world and bring it's sound to all music lovers out there.
The first imprint of the new label was made by Wigbert // Matt Star & Marvin (incl. Dorian Paic, Dragosh Rmxs) and is called - Play, Stop, Repeat'. It will be out very soon on vinyl and digital.
With the label comes a new booking agency which contains a nice mixture of already well known artists and a few fresh and talented ones.

Here a little overview what you can expect from the first release - Play, Stop, Repeat':


Wigbert - Destroy me:

Wigbert unleashes a monster of a track with - Destroy me' on the dancefloors worldwide. Powerful beats combined with hypnotic rhytmic and some dark vocals will shake your body for sure! This tune will destroy some speakers if you are not careful with the volume... :)

Dorian Paic Remix:

Dorian Paic transforms Wigberts tune into a more happy and melodic but not less uplifting setting with the addition of some nice piano chords. It will put some sunshine into your hearts!

Matt Star and Marvin - In the Trees:

Matt Stars long experience in production combined with the freshness of the very talented Marvin resulted in this deep and groovy track driven by some nice drums and a fat bassline. Dark Athmospheres meets broken beat dubbish minimalism is the best way to describe it.
This track will go straight to your bones!

Dragosh Remix:

Dragosh's interpretation of - In the Trees' is a more percussion orientated track wich will put a lot of smiles on the faces of dancers. Crispy, rhytmic and simply good.

And now, Play, Stop and REPEAT!!!

This double-header from Glen Goldsmith takes one of the best UK soul tracks of 2014 ('Don't Delay') and couples it with a brand new song 'London Skies'.

'London Skies' is mixed by Soul Talk, the team who reign supreme in the soul world right now with their work for Paul Johnson, and Lisa Stansfield among many more.

Glen Goldsmith comes to Expansion following a career that began in the late 1980s with RCA Records ('I Won't Cry' was a UK Top 40 hit, 'Dreaming' reached even higher in the UK Top 20)

'London Skies' was made for Glen's own Soul On Soul label and acquired by Expansion for both a single and a position on the forthcoming compilation 'Soul Togetherness 2014'.

Soul Deep has established itself as one of the hottest labels bringing quality Drum & Bass to all D&B lovers. The label features a number of talented artists and a diverse sound, with songs from many different styles of Drum & Bass. Whether it's deep, liquid, jazzy, or atmospheric, Soul Deep is committed to releasing timeless songs that satisfy the Soul.
dRamatic (V RECORDS / LIQUID V / CHRONIC / GOOD LOOKING / INNERGROUND / INGREDIENTS / FOKUZ and many more) brings the funk on this latest vinyl release. Signature amen breaks laced with pure funk and heavy basslines. Cool and effective on the dancefloor, summertime fav!
Malaky & MsdoS (FOKUZ / PRESTIGE, and more) step in for the flip. Reminiscent of the wellknown Goodlooking sound, this one is another perfect anthem for the summer festival spirit. Pure funk!

Having made a nice splash for himself with his recent outing on Delusions of Grandeur and recent string of quality releases on his own imprint, Shadeleaf, we are proud to welcome in thatmanmonkz for our next release on Kolour LTD. He serves up three immense cuts of deep, underground rhythms with that infamous "touch of soul" that is quickly becoming his own trademark. Remix duties were laid upon someone we've had our eye on for quite some time now - Glenn Astro. His unique musical vision & precise execution is on full display with his remix of "Remember" and the end result speaks for itself. Needless to say we're very excited to have him in! Altogether it's an exceptional package of tunes more than worthy for the 16th slot in our Kolour LTD catalogue!

Alphabets Heaven delivers his fourth release Everything Stays The Same, following last year's critically acclaimed EP Siamese Burn. This is his first vinyl pressing on Black Market Records (celebrating 30 years) and King Deluxe and he's gone big. The music continues a refinement of his sound... which is in large part formula-less although there is something rich, spacious and minimal to it that ties his work together... his North American tour though last summer has seemingly made Jonny a bit bolder, a bit more extroverted with his compositions. Possibly because of the endless praise he receives after observers of his drum machine mastery pick their jaws up off the floor. Joining him on ''Pride and Joy'' is fellow British genius Deft and Angelika Arendt for Artwork.

Panik Pop are back on Grain Audio with their second EP. The main track "Beat is Law" is a real primetimer while "Lost in Paradise" is more soulful tech house introducing female vocalist Sophie Zeller.

Panik Pop kehren mit ihrer zweiten Single auf Grain Audio zurück. Während "Beat is Law" eher ein kompromissloser Primetimer ist widmet sich "Lost in Paradise" (eine Zusammenarbeit mit der Leipziger Sängerin Sophie Zeller) eher dem gefühlvolleren Techhouse Genre.

Sparse and daring sonic experimentations, as the name suggests, on this fresh imprint by the upstream collective that is John Swing, EMG and Battista. The first two have now established their patterns of work via the Livejam and Relative stables, while the third has been busy pushing his sound through the younger and ever-promising Uaudio label. A common obsession with machines and spontaneity has led them to this latest collaborative effort; two extended, wide-eyed jams - one per side of the plate - which shift from moments of stability to sudden bursts of chaos. The A-side represents the former; a thick layer of chords, gritty low-ends and icy percussion slither out of the whirlpool only to become locked into a moody, cut-throat groove. The flip cuts the formalities and dives head first into a deluge of saturated hardware fuzz, showcasing the trio's more abstract personalities as conjurers of fine noise-funk.
Limited to 300 hand numbered copies, 180g.

Raw District is Belgian duo Vernon Bara and Massimo DaCosta, Under the Vernon&DaCosta moniker, they have released music on labels such as OM Records, AMA Rec, Robsoul, Aroma, OFF, Icon, Doubledown and many more of the world's finest underground house labels.

They have remixed artists such as Brett Johnson, Fred Everything, Style of Eye, Miguel Migs and JT Donaldson and have garnered a reputation as important international producers and DJs with respect paid by great DJs like Luciano, Ricardo Villalobos, Jamie Jones, Mark Farina and DJ Sneak.

Vernon Bara also makes music as Ultrasone alongside Igor Vicente, which is a more techno orientated project that can count releases on Hot Creation and Supplement Facts to its name.

Ladybird is well known for being the singer of Soldiers Of Twilight and vocalist on one of the most famous Llorca's song My Precious Thing among the tons of project she been working for, One of the best, if not the best, soulful singer in Paris,
And now they can add to their resume that there are the very first new release on the briquerouge reboot, Orchestrated by David Duriez himself, the label is back for a new series of releases and reworks from the back catalogue with brand new top names added to the roster.

On this release you can enjoy top remix works by the likes of Nacho Marco (Ovum / Loudeast / Saw) and the head honcho David Duriez (2020Vision / Ovum / Classic) both on the acid side but in a very different way, A very complete package for the deep house heads as well as proper house djs.
DJ SUPPORT:

Detroit Swindle
Richy Ahmed
Jamie Anderson
Kiko Navarro
Chilli Davis
Inland Knights
Spencer Broughton
Orde Meikle Slam
Jozif
Bryan Zents
Flash Brothers
DJ T
Dubfire
nathan detroit
Hernan Cattaneo
Snooba
Tristan da Cunha basics, redux , 2020
Julian M
Florian Meindl
Sleazy Mcqueen
Dan Ghenacia
Chris Fortier
Jussu Pekka
Peter Gelderblom
Phonogenic
The Henchmen
Nuno Dos Santos
Tiger Stripes
Agoria
Timo Garcia
Ekkohaus

This 5th release consists of three tracks made by the twin duo Manic Brothers, one edited by Petter B. They have during their relativity short career proven themselves as worthy keepers of the Swedish techno heritage with big releases on Drumcode a.o. What they bring to Bond on this release is their signature big room sound but with a much more simplified approach than previously heard. On the a-side there are two great tool tracks with lots of space for creative interpretation for a DJ. On the flip there are a long and epic track with a massive vocal breakdown. Groove based but yet with a big and strong hook.

The label Bond is the brainchild of Swedish techno DJ and producer Petter B. The concept of the label is 'music by DJs for DJs'. The label focuses on releasing tracks that enable the DJ, rather than the producer, to be creative. It is based on that special bond which is created every time a DJ combines tracks, loops and sounds live into something new and unique.

'Follow Your Heart' is the new single from Holly Johnson, taken from his first album in 15 years. To be released on limited coloured vinyl 12' and download only, the vinyl includes an extended version of the original and the Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper Director's Cut Remix. The album will be released in September and is followed by his first UK tour since the late 80s. More singles will be released, but this is your first taste of the new music!

Optimo Music is usually known as a 12" label, but occasionally something rare and dangerous comes our way that compels us to release a full length album...

It's not exactly a dance album, although there is music you can dance to on it. It's more filmic in nature, with gads of references to wonderful directors like Kubrick and Carpenter that will enthrall a film buff, particularly if they're interested in electronic and dance music. There's a sleazy and unsettling feel to much of the tracks ("Tina Weymouth" is a sleaze-floor monster groove...), but we hope it will intrigue and delight!

The film references are directly relevant as Felizol and The Boy are film directors Yiannis Veslemes and Alexandros Voulgaris, who live in Athens, Greece and have composed music for numerous feature films. They also perform live in house clubs, heavy metal dungeons and hippy-friendly festivals...

They have this to say about their release: "We had a loose concept for this album and we compiled tracks that we've recorded the last 3 years that have to do with the cannibalism. Literally but also as a metaphor for the blessing and the tyranny of paying homage and influenced from music and films (and directors and musicians).

So these are songs about the agony of creating something new and personal when so much information and influences are fused in them."

EAN steps up to bat for Cosmic Bridge, bringing 4 tracks of heavyweight, eyes down 80/160-range BPM rollers blending footwork rhythms with deep soundscapes and tinges of Jungle and Techno. His past work has come in the form of remixes for Om Unit's Searching on Stretched records, Ghostpoet's Cash and Carry Me Home and his contribution to Project Mooncircle's recent 10 year anniversary box set entitled Pictarus. More recently Civil Music enlisted him for a blistering re-rub of XLII's No Cure which has been very well received.

Hot on the heels of his last outing for the Delsin house series comes this, another essential new offering from German producer Erdbeerschnitzel. The experienced producer has many skills in his arsenal and this new EP proves that once again. The title track The Ample Waters is a joyous and lively concoction that fuses curious melodies with busy little piano stabs and more trilling, sunny melodies. It's busy house for bustling dancefloors and next up, Never Tilt slows things down with jumbled, woody percussion falling over lazy drums and stretched, yawning synth smears. Colourful and effervescent, it's a track that makes you want to shake your limbs. With Level Hopes is again characterised by melodic colour, with pixelated patterns stretched over a funky, gooey bassline and clacking percussion. There's a beautifully DIY feel to the loosely assembled track that gives it a life all of its own before closer Yet Unfulfilled pairs slo-mo beats with neo-soul vocal snippets, lazy and stoned summer chords. It's the most emotive of the lot, but all four tracks are truly feel good jams that have come just in time for some serious summer action.

Drawing from an acute sense of what could perhaps be described as deep-minimalism-turned-into-a-quasi-equatorial-feast,
"Full of Holes" gradually unfolds and weaves its fabrics in ways that are evocative of the disparate sensations and heady
feelings one might run into in a proto-ritualistic setting, whilst XDB's recontextualisation routes a more linear
but no less absorbing excursion.'

During the '70s, work days at Umiliani's Sound Workshop Studios were hectic; thousands of sessions were held in order to keep up with a very busy Italian movie industry: Hundreds of soundtracks alongside with music library were recorded and released on vinyl in very limited quantities for TV and film production use only. Those LPs are now proper collectors' items, extremely hard to find.

Filled with hypnotic bass lines, heavy drums and screaming fuzz guitars "Underground", the first LP of the fictitious group known as Braen's Machine, is one of the rarest and the most expensive of them all, always "reaching" sky high prices throughout the second hand vinyl market. A fast-beat jam with hammond scales and a twin lead guitar theme ("Flying") opens the A Side soon followed by "Imphormal", a classicfunk-beat-meetsfender- rhodes-and-psychedelic-guitar number. The music then switch to "thriller territories" with "Murder" which is based on prepared piano swells and a deeply hypnotic walking bass, reminiscent of the best Morricone's soundtracks for Dario Argento's movies. Two highly percussive songs complete the A Side: "Gap" is an improvised song with guitar and keyboards dwelling over an infectious drum rhythm while a marching snare and a vibraslap effect are the special features on "Militar Police".

The mood relaxes slightly on the opening of the B Side with a lazy jazz groove on "New Experience" but the rock influences are soon brought back on the following track "Fall Out". "Obstinacy" is all about keyboards with syncopated rhodes themes and distorted hammond sustained notes whilst the fuzz guitar is back again screaming through the left channel on the last song of the album, "Description". We could happly say that that was the golden age of the Italian music library. But who's behind the name "Braen's Machine" On the original cover the songs are credited to the composers Braen and Gisteri. Braen was a pseudonym often used by Alessandro Alessandroni, an extremely skilled and versatile musician, and one of Umiliani's closestcollaborators. He could write, conduct and arrange, he could sing (ever heard "Mah Na Mah Na"), he could whistle (ever heard Morricone's "For a fistful of dollars") and he could play almost anything: guitar, bass tuba, accordion, sitar and the list grows..... His first album "Alessandro Alessandroni e il suo complesso" (Sermi, 1969), had transformed the Italian library music from orchestral sound beds into the psychedelia we all love; the extremely fuzzy guitars are very "present" on "Underground" too. For a long time Gisteri's real identity was rather mysterious; often wrongly attributed to Umiliani. Gisteri was the pseudonym of Oronzo De Filippi, art name of Rino De Filippi, music supervisor to the Italian public broadcast company (RAI) between the '60s and the '70s. De Filippi composed other notable pieces such as "Riflessi" (Edipan, 1975) and "Nel mondo del lavoro" (Sermi, 1972).

De Filippi passed away few years ago but we were able to contact Alessandroni to talk about this LP. Remembering "Underground" recording session as one of the thousands he took part of, Alessandroni told us that this record was produced very quickly, in two days maximum. This was made possible by a team of wonderfully capable session musicians and the creative genius behind the mixing desk; this incredible combination helped to focus on the mood of each track even more. Unfortunately there are no liner notes but Alessandroni's memories and speculations, based on other music tracked in the same period at Soundworkshop by resident engineer Claudio Batussi, led us to identify this as the most probable lineup: Munari on drums, Majorana on bass, Vannucchi on keyboards and Alessandroni himself on guitar. For this reissue the sound has been restored and the cover art reproduced exactly as it was.

On the mean streets of Chicago's infamous Southside, a music pioneer was born... DJ Slugo, born Thomas Kendricks, is most famous for his influential and fundamental position as the original King of Ghetto House. With 20+ years in the game, over 20 albums in his pocket and over 50 CDs on the street, began a journey that lead him to become one of the original creators of a style of music commonly known as Ghetto House, more recently regarded as Juke.

in the past ten years lots of little and big stories happened in the music culture. house literally disappeared almost from the scene in order to come back as strong as never before. 

minimal morphed back into techno while leaving the question mark why the term minimal ever got invented. some originators like frankie knuckles or romanthony passed away, while others like larry heard just stopped to perform. 

in-between countless new artists appeared, twisted dance music with new perspectives on the old, and released their fresh ideas on even more countless labels out there in the void called music market. 

one of the rare platforms that stayed solid as a rock in all these years is mule musiq, the tokyo based label that spreads miscellaneous sound vibes that long from jazz to disco, house, and unobtrusive ambient since 2004. 

with a versatile artist roster consisting of producers such as henrik schwarz, lawrence, dj sprinkles, dj jus-ed, kuniyuki, eddie c, roedelius, or new kids on the blog like barnt or lord of the isles the japan based record company developed a status of her own for being one of the most free spirited organisations in contemporary music. 

'if the music is good, any kind of music is welcome. i don't like labels which release one style music.' 

mule musiq's mastermind toshiya kawasaki once said in a rare interview. now he celebrates a ten years of freedom jubilee with the sixth instalment of his famed 'i'm starting to feel ok' compilation serial.  a real massive international anniversary celebration that is ventilating all what happened in the past ten years in order to form something that travels right into the future. and that is where mule musiq tries to be since a decade to tell some unheard musical stories that stay for good even when the future is long past.

This is the first release of the low awaited Sampling As An Art Label. Owned by Parisian house artist S3A, the four tracks of this ep are merging the 4 aims of the Concrete Parties resident: Dynamism, Musicality, Groove and Aliveness. After several years of active productions on labels as Phonogramme, Hold Youth, 4Lux, Concrete Music, Local Talk and Faces Records; S3A decided to make is own structure to promote his vision of music and produce the artists he loves. Let's welcome this truly ethical Label!!
Looping Strings' and 'Seekin'sunshine' are two feet stomping anthems, with massive sampled themes. 'The First Year' and 'The 4th' are more musical and emotional beautiful productions. This Ep is very personal and is released to last decades!

Ovum's 20th birthday celebrations continues with the return of Itamar Sagi. Itamar Sagi debuted on Ovum in 2009 with the amazing Fiona/Agnes Blue. After a five year hiatus from the label, he triumphantly returns with the Invisible Key EP. Raised in the hot spot of Tel Aviv, with his artist roots deep in the techno underground. Itamar is from the new breed of the current techno wave. Already well respected, Sagi's reputation continues to grow with his unique floor filling productions. His productions have caught the attention of legends such as Laurent Garnier, Josh Wink, Carl Craig, Francois K and others. It wasn't long before he found recognition on a worldwide scale, including reviews and interviews with many of the world's most popular dance magazines and radio stations. With releases on Ovum, Be As One, Soma, Drumcode and more, Sagi has shown that he is here to stay. The Invisible Key EP kicks off with the title track 'Invisible Key", which is classic Sagi. The track slowly brings you in with it twists and turns. The track bubbles and builds and creates a tension that will keep the dance floor wanting more and more. The second track from this EP 'New Order' harkens back to the sound of Basic Channel, G-Man, and John Ciaffone. Sagi once again builds the tension with vocal samples and effects that deliver an absolute massive punch without being over done. For the final track 'Dub Superstitions", Sagi brings us a proper techno workout. The track percolates and builds and once again Sagi's amazing use of tension deliver a proper massive finish to this stellar EP.

This ep is brought to you by serbian dj and producer Dejan Milicevic and is a reflection of a long period of music consumption and numerous attempts to find the right kick drum. The obvious clash between nu school in terms of editing and old school in terms of sample choice will make you dance with a tiny nostalgia as if you were a clubber back then. The sound of Roland 303, 808, 909 for sure will take you where it all began with an extra touch of sophisticated production width and a cracky neve on top of it. The tracks aligned tell the story of true and raw chicago influenced dance floor slammer and be sure to check all 3 tracks in your next dj set to see what happens with the crowd below. Stay tuned for more to come in the close future.

Planet Rhythm is gearing up for the second effort in their PRRUKBLK series. Both Moerbeck and Fanon Flowers have come up with 2 gritty peak-time anthems made out of heavy drum-action, distortion and hazardous percussion. Moerbeck's A-Side is a ferm combination of granular synthesis and vigorous drums. Where "Black Hand" recalls memories of graveyard shifts in soviet coal mines, the A2 track Mode evokes up a more tripped out state of mind.
Fanon Flowers lays down a more ominous ambiance for his B1 track that has the more than suitable title "Vultures Circling Part 3". Closing down the B side we find "Vultures Circling Part 1" which carries that same threatening vibe but with even more energy due to the use of abundant percussion.

Footsteps,
savage smile.
Strap the damage to my face.
Iron fist,
it was never loaded.
We care no more,
we don't.


Early support by: Luke Slater, Oscar Mulero, Ben Sims, Marcel Dettmann, Perc, Clouds, Tommy Four Seven, Pfirter, Truncate, Max M, Thomas Hessler, Killawatt, Radial, AnD, Roberto, Paul Birken, Sigha, The Public Stand, Samuli Kemppi, NX1, Rebekah, Bas Mooy, Gary Beck, Ansome, Wire, The Advent, Nuno dos Santos, Unbalance, Blind Spot, Mark Morris, Erphun, Sebastian Kokow, Juho Kusti, Markus Suckut, Par Grindvik, The Black Dog, Darko Esser, Joachim Spieth, Happa, Martyn Hare, Sawf, J. Tijn, Doka, Lag, Luis Ruiz, Exium, Takaaki Itoh, Ryuji Takeuchi, Inigo Kennedy, Operator, Jeff Rushin, Shards, Darkfloor , Kriz, Exium, Ben Long, Fran Hartnett, Octave, Henning Baer, Dimi Angelis, Paul Mac, Jeroen Search, P.E.A.R.L., Dax J, Mike Humphries..

EP in Sleeve with 3mm spine + download card Territories: World, Ex F,UK Tracklist : A We Got Soul B Time Bomb At the end of 2013, Boston Bun released his second EP, 'Flasher", on Ed Banger. The three tracks were hypnotic and tailored for clubs. They were played on the radio (BBC1, Le Mouv, France Inter) and also by the best DJs on the electro scene (2manyDjs, Skream, Duke Dumont, Erol Alkan, Surkin, Boys Noize, Daniel Avery...). Boston Bun's new EP, 'We Got Soul", is a great step. Vocals are more important than ever, it's club music with soul! 'We Got Soul' features Bear Who (DJ Sneak's voice) on vocal. It's an anthem-tribute to The Mongoloids, Boston Bun's main influence that adds a contemporary flavour to the special scene. The B-side, 'Time Bomb' (featuring the DJ/singer Piu Piu) is an emotional growing track, between pads and explosion. With such a unique and breakthrough sound, Boston Bun establishes further more among the French producers who really matter.

In the wake of Blocks & Escher's recent outings on Metalheadz, Critical, and Zomby's Cult Music, Narratives present the first solo
excursions on the label from one of its founders, Blocks. Varied, emotive and beautiful, the Séance EP is innately Narratives Music in sound and yet unlike anything the label has delivered previously. The Séance EP fleets between ethereal vocals, forlorn strings and analogue bursts of glassy synths, while drum machines dance with live kits that would be fitting of 90s Mowax records. Bass lines loom heavy throughout, simple and driving rhythms that bed the delicate keys and story telling harmonics above. As immersive as it is succinct, Blocks has created an extended player awash with feeling and juxtaposition; again displaying why Narratives Music has been lauded across electronic music from the likes of Goldie and
Com Truise to Zomby and Rob da Bank. Forming the veritable gem of the collection, is the vocal laden 'Haven', a collaborative piece between Blocks and the hugely talented Jennifer Hall. Live instrumentation of bowed strings and bass provide canvas for the heart wrenching tones of Hall. Doc Scott describes the track as 'Deep, deep blues'. More akin to a personal reflection of the artist than the frenetic speed of a club, more Twin Peaks meets Portishead than dance floor energy; this is music at a Drum & Bass tempo by a producer that doesn't want to be caught in a debate on style or subgenre. In essence it seems to emphasise a recent quote by Blocks, 'Drum and Bass is anything you can get away with'. Label support from Goldie, Kuedo, Doc Scott, Rockwell, Benji B, Paul Woolford, Zomby, Friction, ASC, Jubei, Teebee, Pedestrian,
Rob Da Bank, Midland, Kasra.

Without trying to revive any talk about a jungle revival, Akkord follow up to their self titled debut album on Houndstooth (which is simply titled by its catalogue number: HTH020) finds the duo changing tack a little, the EP is a move into darker realms, and finds Synkro and Indigo absorbing even more jungle influence into their productions

Population One returns on Metroplex. More info soon...

Phiorio's Animals release has been a labour of love. After co-running Metroline Limited for the past 6 years and after a series of digital releases and remixes for both Metroline and Retrometro (as well as Letroom Limited and MBF amongst others), Phiorio's vinyl debut on ML finally sees the light of day. The choice of remixers has also been laborious but over at Metroline HQ we are really happy that in the end we managed to secure two stunning reworks by the likes of the more and more in demand French producer Doubtingthomas (with releases on labels such as Hummingbird, Organic and of course, Metroline Limited) and the super-hot up and coming Russian producers Adjustment Bureau. The EP opening track Ninja Cat is a deep and quirky number. The groove is tight with heavy drums and crisp percussions. An acid b-line leads the way while atmospherics pop in and out until an off key synth appears and adds a level of spookiness to the proceedings. Doubtinthomas remix take things into even deeper territory. His landmark reduced drum programming is very noticeable here with shuffled up percussions, lush pads and a very heavy bass to guarantee maximum impact on the dancefloor. Superpupider is a no-nonsense straight up dark and dirty techno tool. It's all about the groove with this track, the drums lead the way with clever use of filtered hats and percussions. That said, Phiorio's ability with abstract sound is still in evidence with plenty of spooky voices, pads and noises firing off in all directions. Adjustment Bureau remix of Ninja Cat completes our tasty package. The Russian duo's (soon to release a stunning debut EP on Hypertone) approach is in line with modern trippy and experimental techno and has a distinctive 'Romanian' vibe. They used the original elements of the track and added extra percussive and vocal samples to create an epic, intricate and groovy paranoid funk number.

For the second instalment from Quantum Entanglement we delve into the misty past, a time when moving parts ruled the dance, when the power of the night rested on a needle and a bassline, and before CDJs calculated the bpm for you...you had to touch things, buy things, and the bassline ruled over all. Acid Thunder, a classic by Fast Eddie, was the first dance record i ever bought. It was important. The guy who sold it to me, at the time a spotty school kid in his school uniform, was called John Stapleton, and the shop was Sidetrax in Bristol. Mentrix totally gets the kinda NY sluttiness of the original, and brings it right up to date....less of a cover, more of a homage, the entanglement of then and now. Need You is an entanglement of two very unlikely BFFs... John Lee Hooker and Joey Beltram. This isn't really a cover, it's more like the offspring of many things, times, and moments - it's like the grandchild of John Lee Hooker's track dated the nephew of Joey Beltram's track and lived in Neukölln. Again, Direct - 'Techno Gone Mad' on R&S was another of my earliest techno purchases - at the time it was considered 'Dutch Hardcore' but now, it's almost cute.... Quantum Entanglement....recycling other people's good ideas since January 2014

Fokuz Recordings, founded early 1999 by Dreazz and Drum Origins, has been through a lot over a long, winding road. Thanks to the boundless dedication of our talented artists and the loving fans, we can now celebrate our 15th anniversary! Expect six 12'' records and a double CD packed with tracks by some of the most upfront names in present day drum & bass. This is 15 Yearz Of Fokuz - Episode 1.1.

On the A-side we find the mighty Lenzman on remix duties! With an album forthcoming on Metalheadz he's one of the major players in drum & bass today. Exactly the reason why he delivers effortlesy with this fresh, smooth take on 'Rock Steady' by Command Strange.

On the flip London based outfit Reds come correct with 'Meraki'. Their diverse production makes them stand out from the pack although this particular track leans more towards a more classic liquid funk sound. It contains gentle piano keys and tight drums that roll along nicely for the duration. Add a warm sub bass that shines through from below, little edits adding interest and you've got something exciting!

Luciaen, AKA Lucien Nicolet, presents the second chapter in his Basaec series, with Origins. The new label from the Cadenza Records boss looks back to the roots of his production career, whilst presenting a wholefully futuristc take on electronic dance music. Origins (Wild Origins) leads release #2, a collosal twelve minute piece of neo-classical electronics. Waves of arpeggio synth dominate the beatless track, its mighty stabs and light percussion propelling the track along at great speed and urgency. The heads will no doubt hear inspirations from Detroit techno in here, but you can't put this piece in any genre box, rather it's a huge musical showcase from one of dance music's most enigmatic figures. The Great Amael finds Luciaen in more familiar territory, a lo-fi bubbling groove and dusted Hammond organs hustle along whilst the live percussions shine through. Energetic and infectious, the tone softens with the oceanic pads that provide its classic melody and threatens to envelope the listener in a wall of beautiful sound.

7 years after the last Zhark Vinyl Release, Heavyweight Techno Nihilist & Labelhead kareem opens up another
chapter of advanced technoid NOIZCORE with his 11th full length EP on Zhark.
After a few years of silence kareem had just reemerged with releases on Foundation Sonore (FS 01) ,
PORTO RONCO on Death of Rave or MESMER on Zhark Digital but is now threatening to inspire more
uncompromising percussive hostility. Let this just be the beginning:
Whereas Side A emphasis on a very distinguished DANCE FLOOR groove concept of Machine Funk embedded
in metal Layers Side B leaves room for a less formatted approach building up tension which is leading to a free
firezone of depravity.
While methodic differentiations can be discovered on each side, the listener is continously confrontated
with haunting sonic extremism.

Furfriend strong-arm their way on to Perc Trax after a run of eyebrow-raising releases on Berlin powerhouse Killekill. Vocal-led techno is not something you hear done well every day but Furfriend's below the belt lyrics fused with their percussive, bass heavy techno has proved the exception to the rule. Their filth driven releases fit perfectly with the anything goes atmosphere of Berlin, but also connect with the UK's love of both tougher techno and close to the bone humour.

'Endless September' is classic Furfriend, a foundation of chest beating kicks and sub-bass provide the perfect platform for their most politically charged release to date, taking pot-shots at everyone's favourite Eastern European aggressor whilst also spotlighting the ongoing global fight for LGBT rights.

Perc is known for delivering remixes that turn a track inside out, yet keep the essence of what makes the original track great intact, with his remixes of Factory Floor and Daniel Avery being recent examples. Here he does it again, as the key vocal message of the original mix is looped to infinity over jabbing kick drums and a snare drum volley sharp enough to cut through any sound-system.

Next up is L.I.E.S. / Avian artist Vapauteen (AKA Shawn O'Sullivan & 400PPM), who adds his own spin on the track, keeping the tiniest fragments of the original's vocal and building two completely different analogue environments around them, serving up the most experimental tracks on the release, but which also perfectly compliment the more club focused mixes...