Suche:xra

With an intrigue for a particular niche of old UK hardcore which takes cues from Sheffield bleep ambience, heady rave futurism and soft, almost new age synth pads, Blank Mind presents ‘Lost Paradise: Blissed Out Hardcore 91-94’. Though the records gathered for the compilation span a short three-year period and bridge the gap between scenes, the collection manages to find a sweet spot where the influence of Warp’s Artificial Intelligence, back room chill out sonics and the nascent jungle boom meet with elements of Italian piano house and slower breakbeat cuts.

Opting to focus on atmosphere to highlight shared connections; in this case the duality of often serene and calming soundscapes with frenzied breaks and bass (see Hedgehog Affair’s ‘Parameters’ and Luxury’s ‘Twirl’ respectively); Lost Paradise is a formidable collection of tracks plucked from a thriving time for British dance music experimentation. The general themes of ascension and escapism channelled through digital samplers are also inescapably linked to a turbulent time in politics, beginning in the post-Thatcher years and culminating in the year the harshest anti-rave Criminal Justice Act came into force.

Initially building the compilation around DJ Mayhem’s track ‘Inesse’, Blank Mind label founder Sam Purcell and Amsterdam based producer Tammo Hesselink began a process of swapping favourites and deep cuts to spread across this 2x12” doublepack. The compilation avoids any obvious centrepieces through masterful sequencing, allowing for moments of refrain and tempo changes in a way that helps add to their overall vision of what this music is and can be; “We wanted to frame hardcore in a different light, looking at this idea of ecstasy through the traditional meaning of the word and exploring that symbolism”. By drawing from what some might consider the softer edges of the movement, the pair offer a look into the relevance of these tracks in the contemporary era, where the past years have seen both an explosion in popularity of old ambient/new-age music and a certified jungle revival.

Cobra & The Brotherhood of the Grape is a celebration of friends making music together for many years. An album conceived in the Clot neighbourhood and recorded in Barcelona, Mallorca and Buenos Aires. An "All Stars" occasion where many of the musicians who have played in STA over 20 years have come together to contribute.

The album features digital dub, dark roots and other sunny and bright tracks. Experimental and electronic, but also analog and dense in textures, and delicate in showing it.

After 20 years of the first CD, STA follows their personal path to make Dub. A special mention deserves the album's art by Tomás Spicolli, an old friend and collaborator of STA. Cobra & The Brotherhood of the Grape is the sixth LP in vinyl format within a production that also has several CDs, 7'' and cassettes.

A completely self-produced album. All original riddims. Dub for adults.

Cobra & The Brotherhood of the Grape is a celebration of friends making music together for many years. An album conceived in the Clot neighbourhood and recorded in Barcelona, Mallorca and Buenos Aires. An "All Stars" occasion where many of the musicians who have played in STA over 20 years have come together to contribute.

The album features digital dub, dark roots and other sunny and bright tracks. Experimental and electronic, but also analog and dense in textures, and delicate in showing it.

After 20 years of the first CD, STA follows their personal path to make Dub. A special mention deserves the album's art by Tomás Spicolli, an old friend and collaborator of STA. Cobra & The Brotherhood of the Grape is the sixth LP in vinyl format within a production that also has several CDs, 7'' and cassettes.

A completely self-produced album. All original riddims. Dub for adults.

For the past two decades, Dr Roman Belavkin (Solar X) has been deeply involved in AI research and mathematics at British universities. His albums from the 1990s are a testament to an era defined by the early internet-bulletin boards, FTP sites and mailing lists. In keeping with this, Solar X's music sounds surprisingly futuristic, a romantic artifact of a time eagerly anticipating tomorrow.

Following the re-issue of Solar-X's "Xrated" in 2019, GALAXIID is releasing his debut "Outre X Mer". All tracks are from the original DAT tapes and have been remastered for this release. "Pozdno Utrom", "Dileg" and "Solar X" were originally released on the "Outre X Mer EP" on Defective Records in 1995. Other tracks are out on vinyl and digital platforms for the first time.

"I was homebound for two years between 1992 and 1994, and the only way I could escape was through computer networks and writing," Belavkin recalls. Before the nasty car accident he was a member of the USSR/Russia national wushu team. Confined to his home, Belavkin started creating tracks based on ideas from his school days in the late 1980s, when he first recorded melodies on cassette tapes. This time, however, he fused those sounds with Soviet analogue synthesizers and PC sound cards. He shared these tracks via email with friends in different countries, becoming part of the "Analogue Heaven" mailing list, a community of enthusiasts united by their passion for analogue synthesis dating back to the 1960s.

During his initial pursuit of a PhD in Computer Science, Roman wanted to explore the intersection of what electronic music could offer humanity, the potential for AI to experience emotions, and whether emotions enhance or hinder intellect. These themes resonate in the music of Solar X. The album embodies ambient techno with intricate rhythms and ear caressing melodies, choppy percussion and blissful synths, making it both tranquil and danceable. Like a shimmering spaceship navigating between anxious dreams and visions, it transports the listener to a naively hopeful era yet to come.

Hot Jams Straight out the 330XX !!

In collaboration with his Ritmo Astral label, Belters is pleased to introduce Orion Agassi from the Asturias region of Spain! Remastered for vinyl, this one has been a while in the making and seems to be reaching the right ears so far. It's very exciting to now share with yours too.

Who knew that classic house and boogie had been missing some reggaeton vocals?? Each track has been very effective on dancefloors around the world and counts support from people you've heard of. 'Dos Blokes' even got a notable mention in the New Yorker.

“a fluorescent EP that fuses reggaeton house and electro into unexpected but undeniably effective club tracks” - Resident Advisor

"UNITED", Tristesse Contemporaine’s new album is like a space shuttle, full of metropolitan and eccentric music makers.

Inside the shuttle: Narumi, Leo & Mike, respectively from Japan, Sweden and Jamaican-British. All "united" behind the unique Tristesse Contemporaine flag and led since the start by French label Record Makers (Kavinsky, Sebastien Tellier, Cola Boyy…).

After three rock & post-punk infused albums: "Tristesse Contemporaine" (2012), "Stay Golden" (2013) and "Stop and Start" (2017), they’re off to a new start and open a new cycle with their new opus "UNITED".

Who other than young prodigy Lewis OfMan, the one-man band behind hits like "Attitude" and renowned collaborations including Rejjie Snow or Carly Rae Jepsen, to join the joyous ride?

After hearing "Sly Fox"'s first demo in 2019, they convinced him to produce a whole album for them and became the fourth member of sorts, adding his pop sensibility, mixing genres and emotions with funky basslines, strong hooks, and digital arrangements.

A free-spirited album filled with irresistible beat-driven tunes thanks to Mike's thunderous voice, Narumi's sparkling synths and Leo's gleaming guitar, conquering new territories from reggae to 90’s breakbeat or New-York disco. A unique and united style glued together by a rare ability to switch moods and dynamics in a gleam of light, like a skilled DJ would.

LTD Clear 2LP+MP3

Re-issue Of 1991 Doublepack Of Acid House / Hardcore And Techno Tunes- Hold Tight!

Official Mr Bongo reissue of the ultra-rare album by 'Super Elcados'. A fusion of heavyweight Nigerian funk, soul & disco, originally released by EMI Nigeria in 1976. The 'Super Elcados' (and 'Elcados' on other recordings) recorded three albums in the mid and late-70's, this is their first. It was followed by 'This World Is Full Of Injustice' and 'What Ever You Need'. Licensed from Geoffrey Johnson (Elcados), courtesy of PMG, with special thanks to Dave Hill for his help.