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After Heading Up The First Three Releases Of His Akoya Circles Label, Look Like Brings A Brand New Name Into The Fold.

On The Motorsport Ep, New Swiss/ Serbian Talent Parco Palaz Takes Familiar Club Sounds And Reanimates Them Through His Own Prism Of Rhythm And Sound Design, Presenting An Unconventional And Sophisticated Debut Release. The Tracks Show A Mouth-watering Combination Of Heady Textures And Impulsive Movement That Mark The Young Producer As One To Watch For The Future.

The Lead Track, Motorsport Takes An Acid Trip Through An Imaginary, Nocturnal Landscape Of Hissing Percussion. Raw And Hypnotic, The Track Has A Looseness And Swing To It That Tempers A Tight Rhythmic Focus, Swelling And Pulsing For Sure Fire Dance Floor Heat.

On The Flip Side Palaz Steps Away From The Peak Time With A Pair Of Spacey, Ambient Leaning Electronic Pieces. Prelude To A Dream Is Wandering And Cinematic, Tinged With Psychedelic Melodrama. Slow Motion Is More Upbeat But Similarly Wide-eyed And Explorative. The Young Producer Experiments With Junglist Rhythms Against Soft Keys, Creating A Meditative Rave Homage To Round Off The Ep.

One thing The Vryll Society aren't short of is admirers, Lauded at just about every turn by press and public alike, the release of their debut LP for Deltasonic Records is hotly anticipated thanks to the promise this band have shown through their live sets and recent single releases.

Discovered and nurtured by the late and much missed Deltasonic founder Alan Wills, they fitted the type for him perfectly. He instantly saw in them similar attributes he'd previously found in the early days of The Coral and The Zutons. The confident swagger, the solid union formed by their band-of-brothers gang mentality, their willingness to stand outside the conventional and often stifling jangly Liverpool scene, and the work ethic. Always the work ethic.

Wills instilled in The Vryll Society something which has become over the ensuing years a key element of what they are, what they've become, and of the music they produce. He gave them belief. A belief that hard work and determination will bring them to the place they wanted to reach.

'Alan taught us that all you need to conquer the world is a rehearsal room, your instruments, a good work ethic and a positive attitude and you'll get there. He kind of taught us the rules and the attributes that you need to have to be successful so we've just continued on that path' says frontman Mike Ellis.

Ellis has stated that it was that attitude and that work ethic which got them through the subsequent tragic loss of their friend and manager in 2014, driving them forward through those times, propelling them to harder work, and bonding them even closer together as a unit.

That unit have spent the intervening time creating and honing their own brand new-psych sound, and building up a fanbase with their superlative live shows. Drawing from an eclectic palette of influence from deep funk to Krautrock, electronica and prog, they've created a heady, intoxicating, pin sharp, and tightly wound mellifluous groove, washed over with cyclical motifs, acres of effects laden guitar hooks, and shimmering, textural technicolour soundscapes. It is at once blissful, dizzying and madly infectious. It's that eclecticism, that kaleidoscopic swirl of influences which brings together hip hop flavours, with the prog stylings of names such as Aphrodite's Child and The Verve - pre Urban Hymns - when the drugs were still working. The dynamic leaps and folds through all these influences is where you find The Vryll Society's own brand perfect pop. Its all there in the loops, in the hooks, the drive and the vibe of this unique band. But this isn't frippery, these aren't throwaway cheap thrills for our disposable times. No, this is heavier. This is music too feed your head.

Live too, The Vryll Society are a formidable force. That gang mentality binds them together over the ideas formed by spending long hours together in the rehearsal every day. Hotwiring these ideas into the heads of the crowd through extended psych jams and deep solid grooves gives a different show every time, and with each and every set, the offer gets better. Recent travels have seen them take SXSW 2017 by storm as guests of BBC Introducing as well as major festivals such as Glastonbury and Leeds/Reading.

The songs that fill the delicious grooves of Course Of The Satellite weren't so much written as devised or developed, brought together organically over months in the band's underground lair, or over weeks in Liverpool's Parr Street Studios. Working closely with producers, Wills' right hand man and Deltasonic brother-in-arms Joe Fearon and Tom Longworth, the album took shape organically, biding its time and finding its way. The result is a work of impressive confidence and stature. It's a record that believes in itself, and for all the right reasons. This is an effortlessly cool album, the sort of record that makes friends easily. The world is ready, willing and more than able to take The Vryll Society even deeper to their heart. The path Alan Wills showed them awaits. It's a path that leads to greatness.

a1 | Course Of The Satellite
a2 | A Perfect Rhythm
a3 | Andrei Rublev
a4 | Glows And Spheres
a5 | Tears We Cry
a6 | When The Air Is Hot
b1 | The Light At The Edge Of The World
b2 | Shadow Of A Wave
b3 | Soft Glue
b4 | Inner Life
b5 | Give In To Me

This is a long overdue reissue of a fantastic album! Here we find a pure disco classic from the US scene of the late 70s. The original copies retail at plus $300, that's only if you can find one at all! So those who love to spin good music, but are unwilling or unable to lay down too much money can now lend an ear to this fine vinyl! The opening track is 6.5 minutes long and consists of ongoing grooves with a hint of rock thanks to the melodic lead guitar. The driving rhythms are irresistible with soulful and strong female lead vocals that capture you right away. This reminds me strongly of the lengthy Donna summer dance classic, released during the same period 'Better than walking out' which became a dance floor sweeper. There is nothing complicated here, just sheer groove interwoven with catchy melodies. 'Lovin' you is so easy' follows and is a mid-paced soul anthem that comes as clean, slick and close to pop music a tune can come, but the melody of the chorus will stick to your mind. The arrangements are tight revealing several layers of instrumentation on second take. The lead singer's expressive voice matches with the best of its genre. A grand dame of soul familiar to a wide audience. While we ruminate about the different stylistic ingredients of this album we reach ''Woman', an entire instrumental with a straight groovy beat paired by cool funky rhythm guitar that lies beneath a soundscape made by the electric piano. Both seem to interact tightly and communicate with another. This tune just moves you physically with ease. Lushly orchestrated ''Our love is special' turns out to be a wonderful soul pop anthem of the kind that stays with you when you have only enjoyed it once. I'm almost certain that most fans of the late 70's soulful dance and pop will spin this record over and over again. This is what the DISCO LADIES are made for. Their music has this certain disco feeling but the classic 60s Motown Soul roots are so obvious and keep the whole collection of songs so grounded, that the music will go straight to the heart, nestling there for a long time. ''I second that emotion' is again a mid-paced groover that has this fluttering beat with great instrumental figures build upon this footing. One might hear elements of reggae, gospel and funk melting into an utterly joyful soul pop tune that eventually would become an evergreen in the clubs. Last but not least we are treated to ''Woman', again the arrangements of lead and backing vocals are amazing! These are footed by equally amazing strings and horns. These melodies, soulful, expressive, intense and full of joy! The last tune is a vocal version of 'Woman'. Definitely being the highlight of the entire album and a worthy finale for a record that sticks out of the masses of disco music productions of it's era! All this makes a wonderful and delightful reissue ! worthy of joining every black music aficionado of the 1970s.

Body Music (Bosq and The Rapture's Vito Roccoforte) return with another dose of 21st century mutant-disco and nocturnal New York swagger. Following up on their lauded Just One EP (Razor 'n Tape), the new two-track 12" delivers on the epic stomp and punch of that debut with two instant classics.

A-side 'Don't Think Twice' is a tightly modern and muscular re-imagining of some long-lost Paradise Garage-era gem, replete with head-snapping claps, an expansive sonic palette and full strut groove.

While, low-slung flip-side 'Give My Love a Try' rolls on a flirtatious arpeggiated bass-line and gasps of steamy synths that make it the perfect vibe to open or close a party. Lending soulful and sultry vocals across both cuts is Christian Holiday.

Holiday darts in an off the slick synth stabs and bouncy live-drums of Don't Think Twice and reaches a yearning falsetto that draws out the romantic swoon of Give My Love a Try, helping elevate the scope and craft of both tracks.

Hooky and virulent, it's a venerated sound that fits seamlessly into sets of Arthur Russell, ESG and Liquid Liquid classics with a crisp and deep production that remains infectiously of the moment.

At parties from Brooklyn to Ibiza, this 12" will no doubt be a go-to slice of wax coaxing dancers to move a little closer all summer long.

- Upward Bound' is a long lost, incredibly rare and very expensive classic disco era album! It combines soul, funk with and slick pop appeal into a great cocktail of grooves and melodies! This will drive you to the dancefloor and make you sing along at the same time! The lush arrangements, tight grooves and powerful soul vocals with catchy harmonies make this album an instant evergreen. I'm least surprised that the arrangements should pose a challenge to every rhythm section and that the catchy melodies instantly stick to the listener. The flashing horn arrangements are amazing! The funky bass grooves and guitar riffs weave a cocoon of sound around your soul. The sound is certainly clean but also vivid and the music feels grounded despite it's larger than life expression. The swirling backing vocals in combination with the lead singer are the icing on the cake that already consists of catchy and outstanding songs. This is more funk and soul than simple disco music. There is depth in the arrangements with awesome details as you delve deeper into each single track. You can of course groove along and just enjoy the songs as they are, but be sure to at least be on the lookout for the beautiful ornaments in each song. This music will surely move you, it makes it impossible sit still . In this album you'll find a wide range of funky music, from Slow groovers to fast paced tunes, you will get them all. Some with a deep atmosphere, some energetic, all of them memorable with arrangements that keep your attention going even with the 50th spin on your turntable. To my opinion this album is an unmissable gem of the disco era at it's peak! The original album retails at $ 400 going up, rarely a decent copy could surfaces on the market once a year. So here's a chance for you to grab an affordable copy of this well-deserved and long overdue reissue on vinyl and be enchanted!

At 83 Years Of Age, Lee Scratch Perry Is Proud To Present To The World His Next Full Length Solo Album (with Dub Versions) , Continuing His Inimitable Roots Reggae Legacy.

Lee's Brief For The Album, Was To Blend The Vintage And The Obscure, During The Sessions Lee Referred To The Sound And 'black' And Wanted Space, Light And Darkness In The Songs And Their Respective Dub Versions.

The Result Sees Lee Having Mixed Up An Analogue Concoction Of Ultra-rare Effects, Sonic Wizardry And Deep Heavy Roots Rhythms.

Over 2017 and 2018, Lee Scratch Perry re united with Producer and Mixer Daniel Boyle, to start work on their second Solo album project for Lee.

Picking up where their last efforts ''Back on the Controls'' left off. Lee wanted to continue the raw analogue sound they had cultivated together over multiple past releases, and take it to the next level with new effects devices to create another sonic signature.

They entered the studio in 2017, to begin to put together ideas for the tracks, which were then taken to RAK studios in London with their ever changing Rolling Lion All Stars session band; to lay down the rhythm versions.

Using strictly vintage analogue equipment, they employed Neuman valve and RCA Ribbon microphones, and RAK's early model vintage API desk to record, the 'sound' for the album was sculpted in these sessions. Vintage, but punchy, which was then blended with Lee's choice of super rare and custom analogue effects. Ursa Major Space Station and Stargate delays and reverbs, old choruses, Plate and spring reverbs, and tape delays were used to create a tight vintage feel but retaining the rawness of the 'Low Fi' roots sound Lee was aiming for.

With the music coming together, the vocal sessions were held in Abbey Road studio 3, again using vintage RCA ribbon mics, over driving their EMI TG console and Fairchild compressors to create a pleasantly distorted Lo Fi vocal sound.

Lee and Daniel then returned to Daniels Rolling Lion Studio, to mix and Dub the album, live, on the mixing console.

'Rolling Lion All Stars' Musicians: Vocals: Lee 'Scratch' Perry Drums: Ed West Bass & Guitar: Hughie Izachaar Keys: Robbie Lynn Additional Keys: Calvin Bennion Percussion: Daniel Boyle Kete Drum: Mathias Liengme Hurdy Gurdy: Brian McCoy Horn Section: Rory Sadler, Robert Landen Melodica: Puraman Backing Vocals :

Comma And A.fruit Land Two Unadulterated Bangers On Rua Sound, Backed With The Unmistakable Sounds Of Tmsv And Itoa On Remix Duties.

Oakland's Comma Roars Out Of The Blocks On His Rua Debut With A Crushed-up Glitchy Cut Entitled Gasworks. Comma Rams The Heavier End Of The West Coast Beat Scene Into The Uk Hardcore Continuum, On A Track Buzzing With Furious Energy.

If You Don't Know Itoa Yet - It's Time To Catch Up. Exit Record's Latest Addition Brings His Singular Production Style To The Remix With Whip-sharp Drums, A Colourful Sound Design, And Fresh, Unconventional Arrangements.

A Producer In Ascendency, Russia's A.fruit Serves Up The Darkness On The Flip With A Stepping Growler, Sodden With Bass. Her Production Is Tightly Bound Together By D.e.'s Intense Vocal And Delivers A Punch.

Rua Regular Tmsv Picks Up The Pace On The Remix, Rounding Off The Ep With Dancehall-infused Dread-rave Vibes, Like Only He Can.

Support From Deft, Fixate, Tim Parker, Breaka, Mister Shifter, Dolenz, Yorobi, Executive Steve, Coco Bryce, Hyroglifics And More.

Here come The James Hunter Six! Serving yet another delicious dish of what you wish with the premier single off their upcoming LP, Whatever It Takes (DAP-051).

And I'll be a monkey's uncle if James hasn't delivered two of his most compelling sides to date on this one. I Don't Wanna Be With- out You' is a graduate level course in the Three R's of R&B: Rhythm, Rhyme, and Romance.

A sultry rumba sets the mood, as Hunter swaggers in - donning his finest voice like a crisp tuxedo, complete with ruffled vibrato and rhyming cuff-links - and proceeds to lay on an absolute heart-stealin', deal-sealin', panty-peelin' gem.

On the flip, I Got Eyes' loosens the collar and brings the metro- nome mark up a few clicks for a punchy tightened-up workout, edged-up with vibes and street corner backgrounds.

Bring your talcum powder and a change of clothes cause it's another jaw-droppin' showstop- per by that finger-poppin' pond-hopper, James Hunter

To Celebrate The 5th Anniversary Of The Agency, Rotate Has A Hefty 2xlp Compilation Coming, Featuring Its In-house Artists As A Follow-up To rotations I' From 2016. In The Meantime, The Imprint Prepared A 10" Split-ep Teaser, Appropriately Named mini Rotations I', Featuring Cleymoore And Loopdeville. This Release Will Also Kickstart A Series Of Split 10" Records For In-house Artists To Explore Their Solo Music Identities. The A-side 'how Far Would You Go' Brings Cleymoore Back To Rotate, And While It May Sound Very Different From What He Has Been Creating Over The Years, His Extended Storytelling Techniques, Attention To Detail And Peculiar Mind-body Targetting Are Still Identifiable, And Slightly Matured. Deeply Swung Basslines, Echoes Of Detailed, Syncopated Drum-arrangements, Nostalgia-drenched Pads And Spellbinding Melodies Are His Ingredients For Hypnosis, Bending Time, Space And Musical Genres. Loopdeville's 'why So Dark' Fills The B-side With A Lighter, More Playful Tone. Sparkling Modular Glitches, Synthesizer Stabs And Vocal Snippets Fill The Space Like A Micro-cosmos That Is As Colorful As It Is Dreamy, While The Roaring Bassline And The Tight, But Slightly Shuffled Hi-hats Keep Everything Groovy And Strangely Jazzy. Echoing Piano Loops In The Background Ensuring The Mind's Need For Something Organic And Warm, And Further Enabling The Effectiveness Of Syncopated Dance Moves So Familiar To Micro-house Aficionados. "mini Rotations I" Is A Versatile Start For This Series Of Split 10" Eps Where Artists Can Be Themselves, Loyal To Their Own Sound And Their Very Distinct Personalities. Artwork And Design By Max Binski.

The group Shake was the brainchild of the elusive soul and funk singer/producer Lenis Guess from Norfolk, Virginia. It is now considered one of the great overlooked funk bands of the late 70s Virginia scene - a tight little combo with a warm style that's just right for the dancefloor! The VA groove of the time was a different take on the styles being used up north in Philly and New York - as the groups were often more traditionally funk-based, especially in their instrumentation - but played in a mode that was upbeat and soaring, perfectly suited for the disco-era dancefloor, yet handled with the sincerity of an indie soul group. Shake communicate a heck of a lot in their music - moving through some great original tunes written by producer Lenis Guess, done with some nicely personal touches that maintain the indie spirit of the set, even though the group's overall sound is tightly professional. Originally released on Guess records, it includes the Kon & Amir favourite 'Lost In Space', but the whole album is just great.

Deadbeat graced ZamZam with a release in our very first year of operation. Lending his name & gravitas to our young effort with ZamZam06 meant a lot to us at the time, and is something we never forgot, so we couldn't be happier to have him back for a second outing. Canadian by birth, now residing in Berlin, Scott Monteith is known the world over as one of the most adventurous and reliable producers in the areas of techno and dub-inflected electronic music. Extremely tight quality control over multiple full length albums and countless singles on seminal labels including ~scape, Echochord, and his own flawless BLKRTZ have made him a household name in dub techno and beyond.

Deadbeat's second ZamZam sets aside obvious techno constraints for a mid-tempo reggae scorcher that sounds like it was beamed straight from the humid & heady glory days of the Black Ark studio. Anchored by a tar-thick bassline recalling Lee Perry's 'Dub Organizer,' 'Wail Ball and Cry' leans hard into its rockstone drum kit, with whip-sharp turnarounds, clattering Binghi drums, melodica stabs and restrained yet ever-present flange and reverb keeping the atmosphere swampy and sparkling. A sweet falsetto intones on the loneliness and alienation we all navigate in these times of political debasement and (social) media spectacle.

'Dub Ball and Flange' mutes the vocal for a traditional version focused on nuance rather than over-the-top effects; high hats take the spotlight through expert filter & phaser work, as the heat inches up in the room with a stew of bubbling reverb & delicate echo trails adding to the already simmering & shimmering vibe.

Mastered by Sam at Precise

For the newest L/F/D/M drop and his first for Beat Concern, Richard Smith serves up a plate full of his deepest, sizzling cuts that bring dance floor heavy workouts and run the field between acerbic Electro, off-kilter dark room EBM and woozy bass workouts.

After muscular releases on Optimo, Clandestine Traxx and Ecstatic plus regular collabs with Dom from Factory Floor as Green Gums / Bronze Teeth on Diagonal and Opal Tapes, 'Tea Ceremony' opener 'Fang' moves the L/F/D/M project forward by throwing the listener straight into the eerie fairground feels, laid over metallic acid baselines, microscopic hats and pounding kicks that seek to overwhelm as well as inform. The giddy aggression of 'Gold Foil' folds crunching distortion into 120 bpm jacking Chicago territory before closing Side A with the tight ethno-percussive jammer of 'Cylinders Vari II'.

The second side carves a path that starts at the minimal bouncing bass and hardcore of 'Ox' via heavy acid euphoria of 'Skin Slips' that needs to find itself in the golden 3-4am slot on a sticky dance floor this summer, before winding down into the Industrial machine funk of 'STR8 Thick' that clips and clangs all the way.

The band formed in late 2013 by former Coldworker members Joel Fornbrant (vocals), Oskar Pålsson (bass) and Anders Jakobson (drums). The line-up was completed by guitarist Kristofer Jankarls (also in Livet som insats) a few months later and the quartet focused on songwriting. The first recording took place in the spring of 2015 and the 12 tracks were released on the two 7' EP's Time and again and Mankind crawls.Following the releases of the EP's and a few live shows Axis of Despair continued to work on material with the ultimate goal to create a striking grindcore album with an aggressive, yet diverse selection of strong songs. The writing process was spread out over a year until the band went into the studio and begun the recordings in the summer of 2017.Contempt for Man propels with twenty super-charged raging songs, clocking in around the half an hour mark - short enough to retain attention, and long enough to serve a good taste of the bands particular brand of European grindcore.

Opening track 'In The B' kicks off proceedings in no uncertain fashion. It's 100% wall shaker material, the type of techno music best paired with strobe lights and towering speaker stacks. It mesmerises with its low-slung undulating bassline and Detroit rhythms before giving way to some riotous old school Essex stabs and sharp claps. No messing, this is a certified 3 AM red light burner! Track 2 'Chocolate Biscuit' accelerates proceedings! Beginning with unfussy drums and a robotic, bleep-heavy melody driving it off into a wonderfully off-kilter direction. Its arpreggio'd rhythms may be brutish and wrestle a growling sense of menace out of the track, but the overall feel, however, suggests considerable care and attention has been paid to make it sound this way. There's clearly an uncommon musicality at play here to make something this complex feel so simple.
The BPM drops next on 'Jenny's Hall' but from the offset, there's enough funk and thrust in the motorised synth line to get bodies gently grooving without the beauty getting lost in the slower loop. This is blissed out, psychotropic techno - the kind of track where it feels like you're floating and falling at the same time, but all the while making sure you still remain fit for purpose on the dancefloor. Ian Blevins takes on remix duties this time and the Berlin-based DJ/producer offers up a sleek peak-time banger that fizzes, bubbles and percolates. He gives the rhythm on 'Jenny's Hall' less space to swing and ties it to a tight motorik beat turning it into a slice of shiny, modern techno but with extra shoulder-checking force. Its vibe drawing from a sense of outsider-party fun with a wry smile, and a knowing wink running throughout before bringing the package to a suitably left of field crescendo.

The young Dutch DJ & producer Lewski debuts on Darko Esser's Wolfskuil Limited series with 'Folkloric Human' EP presenting four fine Electro / Techno cuts.The title track opens the EP with a blend of old school electro and distinctly modern techno, featuring rhythmic bouncy beats and a playful built up perfect for the floor, followed by 'Phase Mistress', a vintage sounding beauty with captivating bass sequences and plenty of analog flavor.'EreBus' kicks off the B-side with its twisted drive, cyborg samples and sinister attitude that justifies it's name been derived from the mythological god of darkness. The atmospheric, Detroit flavored 'Decommissioned Androids' rounds the EP off with tight basslines and relentless analog madness.Lewski's debut EP on Patron Records last year gained support by the likes of Ben UFO, DJ Stingray and Umwelt. Lewski is part of a select cut of young artists who are absorbing electro's legacy, carrying it into the future and with his release on Wolfskuil Limited we can be sure that the future looks very promising.

2017 saw the arrival of Pin Up Club here at the Bordello with a superb three tracker, Friends of the Vortex. Now the Dutch partnership are back. This time a quartet of tracks has been selected to produce The Forever Machine. The bold bars of Friends of the Vortex, the romantic rushes and soundtrack silhouettes are all present with new elements being introduced to further develop a truly unique style. Breathy vocals and melancholy are countered by warm synthlines in the brooding 'Valis' before the lonesome 'Is There Anybody Out There' blooms into a daringly bright work of disco dimensions. Opening the flip is the title piece. Smouldering, 'The Forever Machine' burns with quivering chords that rise ever skyward on a column of tight rhythms as lyrics spiral ever upward. 'A Deepness In The Sky' is a perfect illustration of Pin Up Club's ability to transform burgeoning sombre sounds into tempered elation, rumbling strings and fragile percussion intermingling for a heady finale. Welcome back to Bordello A Parigi guys, welcome back to Pin Up Club.

In 2015, something magical happened. We met a couple of talented young Swedes named Artur Bra¨ndstro¨m and Egil Kahlbom who excelled at composing and producing these lighthearted, breezy disco-hued house tracks (or house- hued disco tracks, perhaps) that both fit the aesthetic and character of LPH and brought something new into the fold. The result of that first encounter was Marathons, a full-length album, their debut to the world, and now, two years later, we're back for the much-anticipated follow-up.

Rehearsal is a little briefer than its predecessor—it's five tracks—and has a markedly different tone, one that's less about dusty, sun-bleached samples and more about tightly-engineered and delicately-crafted songs. If the first effort was marked by its carefree naivete´, the sophomore effort is, well, something a bit more advanced or, perhaps, rehearsed.

What hasn't changed, though, is these guys' ability to home in on grooves and coax something trasncednetally hooky, memorable out of them. The five tracks contained here are low-key in attitude but powerful and punchy in approach. They're uniquely juicy, nourishing numbers for mellow hours and fearlessly fun ditties for party hours.Lots of love went into the lot of them, and we hope all's you feel when you let them wash over you is that. Love.

Following his R&S debut, Afriqua (aka Adam Longman Parker) presents Vice/Principle, his second release for the renowned Belgian label.

Recorded in the summer of 2017, Vice/Principle began as one of Afriqua's seasonal music packs, a quarterly offering of original tracks shared privately with a small cohort of friends and collaborators. R&S quickly picked up the collection, which expands on the melodicism and textural depth explored on his previous release for the label, Aleph.

The extended EP sees Parker veering into psychedelic territory, inspired by the cosmic departures of '70s krautrock and jazz. The title, Vice/Principle, more a coy bit of humor than a philosophical statement, reflects a wittiness that Parker often embeds into even the brawniest of his productions. This offbeatness is active in the music as well, which makes use of his voice, and edges past familiar four-on-the-floor patterns with interwoven polyrhythms and modality. Vice/Principle is confident in its curiosity, harnessing a wealth of artistic threads into a tightly knit, futuristic vision.

Parker currently resides in Berlin, Germany, where he works from his home studio in the city's quiet Charlottenburg neighborhood. Born and raised in Hampton, Virginia, Parker developed his craft as a producer while studying classical piano and practicing hip-hop turntablism from a young age.

After several years developing a hefty catalog of releases, Parker has embraced his R&S signing as an opportunity to dive deeper into his signature, yet versatile sound. His successful winter 2017 tour through the U.S. was a career first, and preceded international events at Comunité in Mexico, Concrete in Paris, and The Block in Tel Aviv.

For its third release, Here To Hell welcomes Melbourne (via Adelaide) veteran, Rambl, and his incredible groover 'Doss'.

This third release on the label happened purely by surprise, and what a discovery! The track itself is no accident, but the signing took place after a chance encounter. Richard Campbell aka Rambl, who is one of Melbourne's best and most consistent DJs since the last two decades, had developed a small cult following of viewers via facebook, where he had been providing live video coverage of Australia's wild weather in a kind of comedy-weatherman format. Once these updates caught our attention, the magical facebook algorithm placed all of his content at the top of our feed.

One day his video moved away from the wild South Australian coast and into the studio. Rich - who we also know for his huge stature akin to an NBA basketballer, and his brain for Mathematics and Computational Biology - was bopping that giant brain up and down and making his 'bass face', with a mixing desk and some speakers (and some beers) in the background. The soundtrack to this video was completely mesmerising. We sent him a private message immediately: 'what the hell is THIS!!!'

His reply: 'This is one of mine, it's not finished yet but it feels good'. Our reply: 'It feels INCREDIBLE!!! Finish it and let's put it on wax!'

So today we bring you 'Doss' and we expect you'll love it.

On the flipside we've invited another Melbourne man, Sly Faux, to demonstrate why he's appearing in the playlists of Richie Hawtin and Maceo Plex, and why his EP on Nicole Moudaber's Mood was a bestseller. He's also just remixed The Presets and continues to impress with his tight productions. Sly Faux's remix takes the original Detroit-inspired techno-funk and twists it into a different kind of main room banger.

* With a number of high profile releases already behind him for labels including the legendary XL Recordings and Dusky's 17 Steps imprint, Hugo Massien has carved a sound for himself that sees him bring together elements from house, techno, dubstep and hardcore, all combining force to produce this killer 4-track EP, running at the techno-friendly tempos of around 128bpm.

* 'Advanced Aerial Threat' kicks things off with a fractured half-step rhythm that gives more than a nod to his formative years as a fan of the early UK dubstep movement. Stark, deadly and meticulously constructed, the rhythm taps a pace as wild bass stabs rip across a theatre of sound.

* Next up is the delightful melancholy of 'Ursa Minor' which takes a rolling breakbeat as its backbone before a Reese-like bassline emerges from beneath, rising and empowering. An intimate piano line comes in, providing an introspective element, balancing the otherwise rave-savvy ingredients in place.

* 'Candy Flip' takes things into a more electro direction, providing a reliable work out for the dance floor as the tightly tuned drums and bass hold down the spooky synth stabs.

* Last up, closing the EP is 'Divisions From The Start' where once again we see Hugo's intuitive sense of soundscape grandure, creating a kaleidoscope of moods all strung together with precision drum programming and heavyweight sub work.

* DJ Support from: Shed, Loefah, Pinch & many more.

Twenty-eight Years Ago, Pissed-off Twelve-year-olds Around The Universe Discovered A New Planet, A Black Planet. Public Enemy's Aggressive, Benihana Beats And Incendiary Lyrics Instilled Fear Among Parents And Teachers Everywhere, Even In The Border Town Of Laredo, Texas, Home Of The Future Founders Of The Latin-funk-soul-breaks Super Group, Brownout. The Band's Sixth Full-length Album (out May 25th) Fear Of A Brown Planet Is A Musical Manifesto Inspired By Public Enemy's Music And Revolutionary Spirit.

Chuck D., The Bomb Squad, Flava Flav And The Rest Of The P.e. Posse Couldn't Possibly Have Expected That Their Golden-era Hip Hop Albums Would Sow The Seeds For Countless Public Enemy Sleeper Cells, One That Would Emerge Nearly Three Decades Later In Austin, Texas. Greg Gonzalez (bass) Remembers A Kid Back In Junior High Hipped Him To The Fact That Public Enemy's bring The Noise' Is Built On James Brown Samples, While A Teenaged Beto Martinez (guitar) Alternated Between Metal And Hip-hop In His Walk-man, And Adrian Quesada (guitar/keys) Remembers Falling In Love With Public Enemy's Sound At An Early Age. when I Got Into Hip Hop, I Was Looking For This Aggressive Outlet . . . And I Didn't Even Understand What They Were Pissed Off About, Because I Was Twelve And Lived In Laredo . . . But I Loved It And I Felt Angry Along With Them.'

Joseph Abajian (fat Beats' Owner) Must Have Sensed The Deep Hip-hop Well Lying Beneath The Versatile Band's Latin-funk Veneer. i Thought Their Sound Would Work Covering Public Enemy Songs,' Abajian Says, And, it Was Good To Know They Were P.e. Fans . . . We Came Up With A Track Listing And They Went To Work.' Despite The Band's Eagerness To Work On New Original Material (an Album Of Original Songs Is Slated For Next Year), They Couldn't Pass Up The Opportunity To Pay Homage To This Iconic And Influential Posse.

Translating Sample-based Music To A Live Band Turned Out To Be More Of A Challenge Than They Anticipated. Adrian Tried To Get Inside The Bomb Squad's (public Enemy's Producers/beat-making Team) Head In Order To Find The Inspiration To Reinterpret P.e.'s Songs: imagine The Bomb Squad Going Back In Time And Getting The J.b.s (james Brown's Funky Backing Band) In The Studio And Setting Up A Couple Analog Synths And Then Playing Those Songs.' While Some Songs Closely Follow The Original Musical Blueprint, Others Use The Source Breakbeats As Jumping-off Points Later Sweetened By Trombonist Mark speedy' Gonzales' Horn Arrangements, Synth Wizardry Courtesy Of Friend-of-the-band Peter Stopschinski, And Dj Trackstar's Turntable Scratches. But Don't Listen Expecting To Hear Paint-by-numbers Recreations Of Classic Public Enemy Jams. our Approach Is Never In The Tribute Sense,' Adrian Explains. we've Always Taken It And Made It Our Own, Whether It's The Brown Sabbath Thing Or This Public Enemy Thing.' Coming Off Numerous Tours As Brown Sabbath And Even A Stint Backing The Late Legend Prince, Brownout Is Arguably The Tightest And Funkiest Band On The Road Today And They're Psyched To Bring This Revolutionary Music To The People. For A Band Without An Overt Political Agenda, They Collectively Couldn't Resist The Opportunity To Play This Music Live, Especially Now. if There's Any Way That We Can Use The Already Political And Protest Nature (of P.e.'s Music), We Would Like To Try,' Beto Says. the Album's Title, Fear Of Brown Planet Is Definitely A Relevant Idea Today And We're Not Afraid To Put It Out There, Because We Want To Speak Out.' By Reinterpreting These Hip Hop Classics In Their Unique Style And Channeling The Spirit Of Public Enemy That First Echoed Around The World And Captured Their Imaginations All Those Years Ago, Brownout Is Doing Exactly That.

* Following on from last year's debut release on Cold Recordings, Cocktail Party Effect makes a welcome return to the imprint with 4 new genre-melting rhythmical workouts, charged and ready for the dancefloor.

* 'Lemons', the eponymous EP title track, kicks things off, opening with dubbed-out chords and a fidgety, rattling percussive loop which eventually disappears into the background as the breakdown primes itself for the drop. Suddenly, in comes a hyperactive rhythmical workout, rolling at 128bpm but turbo charged with double time percussive flicks. Soon the dub elements return to fill out the sonic, keeping the pace lively and engaging. Quality, effective dancefloor music.

* Following straight on is 'Bangers' which almost sounds like an imagined collaboration between JA rhythms stars of the moment, Equiknoxx and Walton or Batu. Squelchy drums and a t'umping bassline roll things out in fine style.

* Flip the plate then for 'Quite' which brings things back into slightly more familiar territories, utilising a swooping bassline as pitched, deranged vocal stabs swirl about and tight drum programming keeps the pace moving. Last up is 'Flat Football' which returns to a similar form as the title track, 'Lemons'. Manic drum programming is used to create the impression of being in fast forward without moving the tempo over 130bpm! Not for the faint hearted.

After his debut single "Tell Me That You Love Me" on Timmion's Stylart imprint, Jonny Benavidez is back with a tighten uppish slab of Texas tinged soul. In "Let's Get Together" Jonny pulls out his best dance craze chops and delivers a positive message over the rolling northern soul rhythm track by Cold Diamond & Mink.

It doesn't matter if you get down to soul music in leather soled slicks or sneakers, this 45 should be your ticket to dance floor heaven. With these two tracks under his belt Jonny is set to continue melting hearts and moving feet anywhere you hear him on record or a live performance.

Bar by bar it starts to come clear that Jonny's gentle voice has some of the same emotive depth as legendary cats like Richard Caiton, so it's nice to know that he has fresh material in the pipeline. If you enjoy the crossover soul sounds of classic indie labels such as Ovide or San Antonio's Dynamic, you will undoubtedly get along nicely with this blast of sunshine.

Tracks to get lost deep inside of: That's Elliott Lion's aim when he hits the studio solo... And that's the vibe we're definitely experiencing with this brand new EP for Warm. 

A complementary contrast to Elliott's other musical life as a member of a very well-known UK rock band, this three-track follow up to last year's 'Pearl' and 'Athens' probes even deeper into Elliott's psychedelic psyche than ever before. Total departure tracks: Timeless technoid expressions with tightly coiled narratives that unfold with sudden surprises and twists, each construction is a condensed trip. Time to buckle up...

Ryuji Takeuchi provides Instruments Of Discipline with an EP of noisy, hypnotic tracks, ranging from giddy, stomping, left-field techno to melancholic ambience; the EP's title 'One's Sentiment' provides a thoughtful angle to this at times cacophonous collection, for while they are bristling with noise there is something contemplative about the pieces, expressed in a way that suggests more than one thought trying to take life at the same moment, Ryuji finds space for conflicting voices both spatially and in terms of mood, the first three tracks, 'Ambivalence', 'Sadness' & 'Sorrow' crawl with competing elements, synth lines drool over and meld with throbbing kick patterns, anxiety & excitement are tightly wound in focus as tracks build and develop, leaving the listener to navigate these abstract planes, intoxicated; while the final track 'Regret' is a compelling piece of noisy, ambient minimalism that allows for an austere pause after the eruption of the initial works. It becomes evident that Ryuji's journey as a producer, through periods of hard-techno, deep-minimalism and the more abrasive ventures on HueHelix, has created a powerful and nuanced voice that is fully on display in 'One's Sentiment'.

Ryuji Takeuchi - Artist Bio

Ryuji Takeuchi (Local Sound Network / LSN, HueHelix) was born in Osaka, in the late 90s, he moved to the United States where he discovered Techno, House and Electro Music, influencing his desire to produce & DJ. His first wave of releases on LK Records, Arms, Mastertraxx, FK Records, SWR, Innervate, I.CNTRL, Impact Mechanics, Silent Steps, GSR & Brood Audio to name a few, were straight-up, hard techno,

In 2011, Ryuji started his own imprint, 'Local Sound Network / LSN', a platform for a new generation of both Japanese & global electronic music & later on, in collaboration with Tomohiko Sagae, Go Hiyama & Kazuya Kawakami, the label, 'HueHelix / HHX', developing further the voice of Japanese techno & experimental electronics, with a focus on distorted, industrial sounds.

In 2012, Ryuji launched the 'Local Sound Network Digital Solutions / LSNDS' series born from a desire to both discover and introduce a wider range of electronic music to the world.

Ryuji Takeuchi provides us with an EP of noisy, hypnotic tracks, ranging from giddy, stomping, left-field techno to melancholic ambience; the EP's title 'One's Sentiment' provides a thoughtful angle to this at times cacophonous collection, for while they are bristling with noise there is something contemplative about the pieces, expressed in a way that suggests more than one thought trying to take life at the same moment, Ryuji seems to find space for conflicting voices both spatially and in terms of mood, the first three tracks, 'Ambivalence', 'Sadness' & 'Sorrow' seem to crawl with competing elements, synth lines drool over and meld with throbbing kick patterns, anxiety & excitement are tightly wound in focus as tracks build and develop, leaving the listener to navigate these abstract planes, intoxicated; while the final track 'Regret' is a compelling piece of noisy, ambient minimalism that allows for a pause after the . It is testament to Ryuji's journey as a producer through periods of hard-techno, electronic minimalism

'Source', a new release by Wolfgang Tillmans, comes in an original version and two remixes by legendary German producer Roman Flügel.
The sixteen-minute original version is a vocal piece in which Tillmans explores his abilities to generate vocal sounds to tell a story while refraining from using actual words. Meshing six different sequences into one composition, each sequence investigates different moods and emotions meandering between the guttural, sacral, and absurd. Recorded in a studio session in 2017, the piece focuses on the immediacy of vocal improvisation as much as on its post-production and edit.
Tillmans knows that whatever is achieved through spontaneity can as easily be lost, as he recently told Emily Bicks in a feature for 'The Wire': I am, of course, always planning things ahead, and I am managing an archive of 25 years, and communicating in the now with dozens of contacts, but the fortunate thing that I feel I've retained is an ability to get in touch with this moment of being in the here and now, and seeing, or hearing, or allowing words or melodies to pop into my head in such moments.
The A-side and an additional bonus track are both remixes by German producer Roman Flügel. In a ten-minute remix, the multi-faceted producer stays true to the original's spontaneity and develops changing arrangements wherever Tillmans' vocals are creating momentum. Exploring various directions, Flügel's experience allows him to glide effortlessly through the different sequences. The bonus 909 Mix instead takes a tighter direction with claps and high-hats and builds up around Tillmans' staccato laughter before culminating in beautiful house piano chords.

The title may suggest a specific origin, a 'source' that is to be located, but in Tillmans' understanding it is a transient space abundant of undiscovered possibilities.
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Med School's most innovative release series returns. Responsible for delivering the drum & bass scene early stories of Etherwood, Royalston, Stray and Whiney, 'New Blood' is definitive of Med School's ethos when it comes to discovering and nurturing quality talent. With artists constantly redrawing the boundaries of 170BPM, this '018' edition breaks the mould showcasing the weird and wonderful sounds from the genre's most promising new talent.

Interdimensional waveman Lakeway has mustered up a jukey-jungle hybrid in the form of 'Lock Off'. Panpipe synths and some big beat steps combine to make the ultimate banger. Keeping things correct is Bristolian serpent Constrict. Choppy snares and flirty 8-bit synth stabs slither together to create 'Tight Coil'. Both choice cuts for any DJ looking for that D&B curveball.

This internationally spread line-up also features some of Russia's best D&B exports. A.Fruit's 'Tender Love' is a delectable fusion of footwork and techno rolled into one and Soela's 'I Wish You Would Come' is an ambient spaced out down tempo number.

A myriad of styles from across the globe are the key ingredients for the 'New Blood 018' LP. Med School has once again proven its A&R prowess, signalling to the world there is no better home for fresh talent.

Originally from the United Kingdom, funky soul-jazz veterans The New Mastersounds have been touring USA, Europe and Japan for over a decade and return here with their twelfth studio album, recorded in New Orleans and Denver and featuring a slew of musical guests.

"Renewable Energy" expands on the NMS template while still providing plenty of the band's trademark sounds. Guitarist Eddie Roberts, drummer Simon Allen, bassist Pete Shand and keyboardist Joe Tatton are joined on this 11-track effort by a number of guests: Sam Bell, one of the founding members of NMS precursor The Mastersounds who also guested on two previous NMS albums, plays percussion on most of the tracks. Mike Olmos and Joe Cohen of the West Coast Horns once again provide added horn action as they did on "Made For Pleasure" from 2015, while Adryon de León from LA band Orgone contributes vocals on "Gonna Be Just Me". Uptempo numbers "Tantalus" and "Yokacoka" see the band flexing their playing chops over a tightly-wound rhythm, while "Green Was Beautiful" and "Groovin On The Groomers" are toe-tapping slabs of soul jazz. The band's cover of James Gang's "Funk 49" takes the album in a fuzzed-out psych-rock direction with Eddie singing the lead, while the moody Hancock-esque inflections of "Stash" and the sweet mellow vibes of "Swimming With My Fishies" add the final brushstrokes of colour to the canvas.

It was chance that brought about the release of One/Three, Dabrye's debut album. Early demos were tucked on the B side of a cassette Tadd Mullinix passed to Sam Valenti in 2000 while working at the Dubplate Pressure record shop in Ann Arbor. Mullinix had spent the late '90s producing jungle, techno, house, hip-hop and more using the All Sound Tracker software as a primary instrument. Each style pulled from a similar sound palette as Mullinix used limitations to define the contours of di-erent musical personalities. Dabrye was his hip-hop wildstyle, a captivating collage of sparse instrumentals inspired by the laid back vibes of midwestern hip-hop and east coast boom bap, the futuristic funk of Umma-era Jay Dee, and the calculated subtlety of Detroit dance music. Released in 2001 as the first in an intended trilogy, One/Three announced Dabrye's arrival with an unavoidable contribution to Detroit hip-hop. Ghostly International is reissuing the album in 2017 for the first time, including a long overdue vinyl edition.

On its release One/Three was the rare album that appealed to both fans of Slum Village's smooth yet rugged hip-hop and enthusiasts of the distinct American IDM released by labels like Schematic. Over the following decade, the inadvertent demo submission turned into a body of work that placed Dabrye alongside innovators such as Prefuse 73 amid the cannon of a new generation of producers. Today, One/Three remains a concise and intriguing study in instrumental hip-hop that helps join the dots between J Dilla and Flying Lotus.

One/Three is a record that says much with little. There are no obvious hip-hop tropes. Instead Mullinix captures the ingenious minimalism of '90s hip-hop instrumentals to build tracks both supple and hard, joyous and melancholy, full of sharply angled rhythms and warm rubbery basslines: 'The Lish' throws a sickly sweet saxophone against digitally fragmented melodies, 'How Many Times (with this)' draws you in with an irresistible, clipped guitar groove, the rhythmic stutter of 'Smoking The Edge' makes your head spin with pleasure. Playing with his inspirations, Mullinix injects omitted downbeats for imagined rhymes and repurposes the intricacy of ragga jungle for breakdowns.

But what really defines One/Three is the rhythmic sensibility and metric modulation of Detroit's school of hip-hop production, which Mullinix was a fervent student of. The beats feel like they're constantly escaping a rigid tempo grid even though they are, in fact, pretty tight. A lot of it is nuance,' Mullinix explains. I've been known to say that I'm not impressed by spectacle. I think that nuance is what really captivates people.'

If you like your beats with a dash of class, do not miss this. An essential purchase of the highest order.' -BBC

- First time all tracks from the original 2001 release appear on vinyl.
- Remastered by Daddy Kev
- Standard weight black vinyl is inserted in to 3.5mm matte finish vinyl jacket.
- Download card includes free download of the Payback EP

Tim (aka Jean Marie Tiam)and the sadly departed Maurice Foty who died in 2011. The musical cousins hails from Bafoussam in Cameroon. Their signature vocal harmony sound may be the first thing you hear, however they also have produced a host of funkiest African funk around. They sing in their native language Ngomâlah, as well as Duala and English.

We start the album off slowly with the scene-setting and largely instrumental "Douala By Night". Tight guitar and choppy clavi drive this song along. The groove is so deep even Missy Elliot couldn't resist a cheeky sample. "Funky Bafoussam" carries on the theme and expands it to include a kick-ass horn section. "More And More" is next and here the vocals burst forth over this up tempo punchy pop-funk track. With "Love Is Light" the pair show their versatility with a smooth English-sung soul ballad.

The hopelessly upbeat "Aie" is next with its earworm keyboard riff, slice guitar and catchy falsetto vocal. "Not So Bad" brings on the boogie. "I Love Yaounde" is a smooth swinging boogie-ballad with a killer chorus hook. "Eda" is a hit from early in their career. We close of the comp with the disco funk of "Funky Boogie Love" and synth grooves of "Eya Mba".

The songs on the comp represent only a 2 year period but some of the finest from the duo. These days Tim keeps the Tim and Foty flame alive. He currently lives between France and Cameroon. A musical flame that most definitely is burning bright.

Since composer Sean McBride unveiled his first utterance as Martial Canterel almost 2 decades ago, he has produced a body of work both substantial and alluring within the field of live analogue electronic music. Effortlessly fusing a variety of styles and influences, Martial Canterel is one of the premiere outfits utilizing analogue electronics and modular synthesizers. In particular FM synthesis is employed to produce clustered polyphonies and organic atmospheres - a staple of his signature style.Three years have passed since Martial Canterel's last full length album Gyors, Lassù was released on Dais Records. During this down time, McBride found himself in a state of flux, ebbing back and forth between material displacement and musical aestheticism. His expert pedigree in electronic sound and arrangement bridges the gap created by an undecidability between life at home and abroad - his new album, Lost At Sea, is an attempt for the artist to locate common ground, mutating fable with reality, exteriority and interiority.

The album's introductory track, Giving Up, has all of the hallmarks that Martial Canterel has utilized in the past...melodic chorus, upbeat rhythm and classic sequential dynamism. Where the song diverges is in its core theme of nature: nature's return to a period of restoration after the failures and recklessness of humankind. Although this first glance refamiliarizes one with the tight, upbeat appeal typically found within the genre, Lost at Sea quickly takes a more serious and sobering tone.The slower pace of songs like Scampia and Puszta yearn for McBride's complex love affair with far flung destinations. Re-evaluating the political strife and social unrest in these historical locations, McBride delves deeper into political and geological reference points creating symbolic representations using mechanized percussion, white noise and various sine waves.The conceptual nature of Lost at Sea reaches even deeper depths within the waveforms of Astralize, a track based upon academic Donna Haraway's pre-civilized theories of human neglect after the 'azstralization'.

Garden City Movement's debut album 'Apollonia' is set for release on 16th March 2018. The trio of Roy Avital, Yoav Saar and Johnny Sharoni produce a blend of sounds drawn from their diverse cultural worlds, ranging from art-pop to experimental house to horizontally-aligned vibes.

Since surfacing at the close of 2013 with their breakout track 'Move On', Garden City Movement have released 'Entertainment' and 'Bengali Cinema' EPs, the 'Modern West' 12' in collaboration with The Vinyl Factory, climbed the Hype Machine Popular Chart with multiple singles, recorded live sessions for Boiler Room, Majestic Casual and FACT, opened for Bonobo, Caribou, Alt-J and played all over the world. The band's music video for 'Move On' received a nomination for Best Music Video at the LA Film Festival, won Best Video of The Year' at the MTV Israel Music Awards and the video for 'She's So Untouchable' screened at Raindance Film Festival in London.

Recording through 2017 at their studio in Tel Aviv, Garden City Movement took the time to explore their sound as a band. From the combination of dream-like vocals and cinematic-RnB in singles 'Slightly All The Time' 'Before I Fall' and 'A Means To An End' to the leftfield four-four of 'Mediterranea' and 'Sans Titre' or the ethereal jazz of 'I Knew Before I Met Her (That One Day I Would Lose Her)' and worldly influences of the title track - the heightened craft in their production is firmly felt across the album's 18 tracks.

After releasing three EPs, which each had a very tight deadline, recording the album has been a chance to grow. It's the first time we have been able to really take the time and experiment a lot in the studio, try to develop and deepen our language, come up with new sounds, and take our techniques even further'. - Garden City Movement

The album takes a darker path lyrically, exploring the breakdown of a fading relationship and the depression, loneliness and abuse that follows. While not explicit, this melancholy grounds the album in the real world. The fusion of forward facing production and confessional account of human-interaction frames an emotional and honest album of modern soul music.

Deadly styles we've got many, deadly vibes we've got plenty...
45 Live is proud to welcome the new record 'Ready', a masterclass to mash up yer dance from club dub doyens The Nextmen, featuring badass Bristol babe Eva Lazarus (Mungo's HiFi/Gentlemen's Dub Club), the goddess with the golden pipes.
'Ready' is a sweet slice of dancehall that feels tightly sprung, with songbird Eva Lazarus rolling on the rhythms' rise from sweaty and soulful to saucy, priapic pop. You will want to wiggle. This joint feels infectious.
Much loved music makers The Nextmen have been busy twiddling knobs and working wires purely for people's pleasure over two decades deep, having worked with everyone from Public Enemy, Wilkinson, The Pharcyde, Ms Dynamite, Groove Armada, Plan B, Chali 2na, Tippa Irie, Cutty Ranks and a million more.
Good. Grooves.
Crate diggers quickly quickly, make it snappy to make Daddy happy, this limited edition 45 release is exclusively vinyl only.
Pressed loud on 45.
'Ready'. The whole room knows it's on...

Quality is the key word from Copenhagen based Music For Dreams and here is another home run. Willie Graff splits his year between DJ residencies in New York and Ibiza. In this new outing with studio partner Darren Eboli, the influence is, as the title suggests, clearly NY-based. Over only four tracks, the pair manage to craft a stunningly comprehensive exploration of the essential elements of dance music.

Opening track "Love Flight" staggers into a lush string-driven groove that recalls the glory of Metro Area meets Wally Badarou vibes. Minimal yet playful, it lounges somewhere in the depths of the house tradition, calling on familiar sounds while throwing in odd details along the way (harmonicas). It takes both skill, devotion and a sense of humor to pull this track off, making for a strong opening. "Moon Tan" lingers on a metallic hook that drags you into a plethora of percussion followed by a rubbery soft baseline. Dubby key work would suggest this was a new wave band jamming at Compass Point, while the icy chill of the xylophone transports you into 80s italo territory.

"Second Sun" pulls out the bag of boogie tricks, relying on a firm but humble baseline and smattering drum machine claps. Nile Rodgers-style guitar licks guide us onwards into a well-orchestrated jam that builds up and breaks down with perfect timing while dreamy chords reach for the sky. "First Light" keeps the groove tight while dipping over towards more Balearic temperatures. Steeped in a watery atmosphere and gentle organic percussion, it focuses in on a trance-inducing arpeggio that lulls you in to the swaying Badarou-style synth swirls that intercept it.

Nat Birchall charts new paths toward spiritual communion, connecting jazz with classical Indian influences guided by the wistful flow of the harmonium.

Cosmic Language sees the UK-based saxophonist, composer and arranger return to Jazzman Records with a cross-cultural approach: an exploration of the parallel musical paths of jazz and Indian ragas. Here he takes influence from spiritual jazz forebears such as Alice Coltrane and Yusef Lateef and introduces the Indian harmonium to his band, where it takes the place of the piano. Making new connections to realise his transcendental ambitions, it's a logical next step in making music as spiritual cleanser.

The idea for the album was spawned from a one-off performance at a meditation centre, the Maharishi Golden Dome in West Lancashire. Seeking to bring a band set-up that was fitting to the quiet-minded setting, Birchall brought the harmonium with him. A small pump organ, it's an instrument he'd been in possession of for many years but hadn't previously used in his music. Building on the spiritual context of that show, and the associations of that instrument, it led naturally to the musical approach undertaken on the album.

Both the album and the show which preceded it were recorded with the same tight-knit group of players which have featured on Birchall's previous albums. All members of the group are part of the same like minded circle of Manchester-oriented jazz musicians, sharing stages and acquaintances with the likes of Matthew Halsall (a longtime collaborator with Birchall) and GoGo Penguin.

Birchall has always channeled wide-ranging ideas into music that's simple to understand, and this album is no exception. Album opener 'Man From Varanasi' is an ode to Bismillah Khan, one of Birchall's heroes of Indian music who hailed from the northern Indian city named in the title. It also sees him taking cues from the Indian raga tradition which, as with most other traditional Indian music, is a foundation which underpinned Khan's music.

Crucially, the ragas tap into the idea of of music as a means of spiritual release. As Birchall explains, "The whole act of making music is a spiritual experience. It's during performance and when playing music that I look for a kind of truth. It's with music where I find myself feel closest to attaining that 'enlightened' kind of feeling." "On rare occasions I've actually felt as though I was listening to the music being played rather than being involved in making it, almost like an out-of-body experience."

This natural feeling comes from Birchall's attitude toward jazz music. He sees it as an essential part of day-to-day life: instead of brightly-lit, occasional entertainment in lugubrious concert halls, he considers it an everyday, vital source of inspiration. At a moment where jazz-influenced music is undergoing creative renewal and wider appreciation, it's an important perspective that's found resonance elsewhere. His experiences and the world around him are filtered through his music, and he looks to have his music - be it live or on record - absorbed in the same quotidian way. "To me, it's an integral part of society, an everyday thing," he says. "You should hear the music every day."

Andrew Scott, aka NY*AK, Scott has remained a consistent representative of the music scene and we're delighted to have him on board for the first release of 2018 on Local Talk, Bound EP.

We're treated to four tracks, the opening track 'Bound' is a cut up, soulful disco house slammer.
Next up we got Dancing, a perfect example of Andrew's skill when it coms to slowing down the tempo but still letting the track have enough character to keep you...'dancing'.

On the flip we got 'See More' which takes you straight to a dark and gritty club with it's stuttering chords, tight drums and pulsing bass.
Last but not least we got 'Sandwiches' which features long time collaborator Ian Blevins.
A stunning low deep groove for any Theo Parrish or Marcellus Pittman fans out there.

We know you've been waiting for this one since last summer! Caspa's debut on Youngsta's ridiculously on-point Sentry has been one of the most requested releases in a very long time. Hot on the heels of releases by dBridge, Nomine and Akcept, the Sub Soldier comes in hard with two absolute burn-ups...

'Gutter Riddim' is a stately spacious construction where every weighty element is carefully considered and plays a key role in the momentum. Tightly sprung tension buzzes through it with high voltage as Caspa lays down some of his darkest designs to date. 'Hot Head' hurls us even deeper into the shadows. A true teaser piece, the first bass line is a staccato stab that gives you just enough time to settle into the groove before the real big-balls bass line comes hurtling out of nowhere.

Rewind every single time, this has been causing uncut mayhem for the few DJs lucky to have it early enough. Timelessly gully and a perfect way to kick the doors of 2018 in. As those who were at Sentry's first anniversary at Fire earlier this month will corroborate: London's heart rate is pounding away at 140 again, some of the most crucial bass music is coming out of the city and Sentry, Youngsta and Caspa are slap bang in the heart of it. The wait is over... Enjoy.

Voda (water) the second part of his trilogy sees Aleksei Nikitin delving deep into Baltic seas. coming up again with chilled flows of acid on Vdaleke, the bubbly yet driving thump of subaqueous Place-holder; then he goes diving even further on the flip, cruising through underwater caves filled with ten-tacles of twisted, seductive electro, gnarly acid-techno, before finally emerging in Iskatel, ears still ringing with harmonies of shredded beauty.

Having recently completed a live tour across Europe, Scott Gilmore returns to International Feel with Another Day. Following on from his "mini-masterpiece" last year, the LA musician confidently delivers four new records. The uplifting Electric Gestures is the first of the four dreamy soundscapes. Setting the tone, it drifts through with tight yet subtle percussion. A melancholic twist ensues with the melodic string number Things Forgotten. Next up, Lately follows suit blending emotive keys with thoughtful strings, which lead onto the hopeful and hypnotic chords of Another Day. "Before recording the songs for 'Another Day' I had never worked on music with the knowledge that it would be released. Both 'Volume 01' and 'Subtle Vertigo' were made in a state of aloneness, and there is a comfort in that state of mind because it is easier to work freely without any inhibitions.Making music that I knew would be heard by others was a process of putting that out of my mind, and a process of remembering that the most important part of creating music is to explore." - Scott Gilmore Sitting comfortably in Mark Barrott's International Feel, Gilmore studied the guitar for eighteen years and his compositions demonstrate a real master at work. Combining elements of 70's underground psychedelia, kosmische, and library music his music "has the distinct air of something you might find in a dusty corner of someone's garage" (Pitchfork).

It's impossible to talk about this album without acknowledging the spectre of death that hangs over it - not only is it the third entry in Strata-East Records' Dolphy Series, a collection of archival recordings from some of the label's close associates honoring the recently deceased multi-instrumentalist, but it is actually dedicated to two members of the band, Wynton Kelly and Kenny Dorham, who died in between the recording sessions and its release. The point is driven home even further by the fact that the album begins with a tribute from Payne to the fallen Martin Luther King, Jr., a piece that acts as a de facto solo for Dorham - his playing all rosy elegance and regal warmth - before shifting into the lighter (though equally coolly-paced) "I Know Love," a showcase for Payne's sax. While not the most somber jazz track ever recorded, this opening suite is a low-key and mournful way to open the affair, but thankfully the album really picks off and shows these musicians more in their element the rest of the way.

"Girl, You Got a Home" is a funky piece, beginning very soulfully with some tight interplay among the rhythm section of Kelly, bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Albert Heath. Ware is in especially fine form on this track, tying together the disparate passages of the piece by grounding the more ponderous moments in a deep funk, while Kelly's playing is especially ear catching in the way he stabs at his piano like it's an organ. After the first two tracks take up nearly twenty minutes, the four-minute "Slide Hampton" feels almost impossibly brief, a feeling that's enhanced by its quick, jittery, and infectious rhythm, driven by some really dexterous work from Kelly. The final track, "Flying Fish," may be the album's highlight, a Caribbean-inspired composition that casts the rhythm section as flighty ground for both Payne and Dorham to vamp on. The track is oddly danceable for something released on Strata-East, maybe the most fun moment ever for the label, and relentlessly uptempo. Though this release may be in part defined by the deaths that preceded it, it's clear that the recording process was actually a lot of fun for everybody, as their enthusiasm and energy jumps right out of the speakers. This is one of the first Strata East records I really got into and is still one of my favorites, a must-hear for any fans of the flightier moments of Dorham or Kelly's career, and a fitting tribute for both master musicians.