Cerca:z lab

Promo White label of East End Dubs & Jesse Perez remixes of Lazare Hoche classic.

For years, Rhythm Buro and Zadig have maintained a special relationship. The French DJ and producer (real name Sylvain Peltier,) became involved with the Ukrainian institution when he headlined their first party in Kyiv back in 2014. In the few years since, both Sylvain and Rhythm Buro have developed into strong international brands that have become well-known and trusted. They are thus ready to present another form of collaboration: Zadig's debut record on the Kyiv-based label. "Takara-machi" EP is the sixth release in Rhythm Buro's catalogue, following previous releases by Haze, Na Nich, Cyspe and a few VAs on the imprint.

RB006 is particularly notable for its sonic diversity. Zadig, often known for his uncompromising and hard-hitting techno ventures, explores a deeper musical side here, and delves into his wide range of influences and inspirations. A good example of this is found in the manga series "Amer Beton", with the excellent soundtrack by Plaid, hence the Japanese name for the record's title track. At least three of the six tracks on the record follow this influence precisely and are rather cinematic: these are A and B sides' closing tracks; "Shores of Sorrow" and "Kuro & Shiro". Both of which play to a certain dreamy ambient field. The title track on B2 exemplifies Zadig's passion towards an old-school 100 bpm-ish tempo.

And then there's the more dancey side of the record. The EP's opener, "No-face" on A1, and its following tune on A2, "What We Become" are both a clear take, albeit more modern, to classic Detroit techno. Rich with melodies and 909 patterns, both A1 and A2 are conscious in their reference to Detroit, and pay homage to the master minds that spawned the genre in their studios 30 years ago and started it all. The B-side's opening track is another dance floor friendly stomper, although in a different way: "A World of Children" may be best labelled as "slower-electro". Its synth-heavy, almost naive essence, describe its name perfectly.

Despite its aforementioned diversity of sound and tempos, Zadig's "Takara-machi" EP still possesses and maintains a unique commonality and voice across the spectrum. It is dreamy, it is soulful, it puts substance over form. In other words, it has something the vast majority of today's techno palette is missing. Rhythm Buro doesn't miss the mark in unearthing and releasing pure quality for those who know and care.

The blending of Don and Phil Everly’s voices is truly one of the great sounds of post-war American popular music. Derived from Folk and traditional styles brought to the USA via immigrant communities, their seamless vocal harmonies had its precursors in mid-twentieth century duo / family Country music acts such as the Louvin Brothers, Delmore Brothers and many others. The Everlys, however, were able to bring the fraternal harmony approach into the mainstream pop market of the late 1950s by dint of their youth, good looks, and that other, far more elusive quality – timing. Recorded for the Cadence label in Nashville in 1957, their first album “The Everly Brothers” features the singles “Bye Bye Love” (US # 2, UK # 6) and “Wake Up Little Susie” (US # 1, UK # 2). Issued in a faithful reproduction of the original LP sleeve, the inner sleeve features annotation by Alan Robinson. The record is pressed on 180 gram white viny

As a long-time friend of the Connected label, Le Croque makes his debut with a superb single that comes with a remix from Themba. At the forefront of the ever-growing Greek afro-house scene and part of The Madorasindahouse team, Le Croque has also released on Open Bar Music and King Street, and DJed alongside such legends as Black Coffee, Adam Port and &Me. For this release he teams up with Berlin via Munich vocalist HRRSN who came to electronic music from soul and R&B and has released on such labels as Stil Vor Talent, Suol and Noir Music. This latest partnership leads to a beautiful deep slice of electronic hypnosis on 'Melancholia.' The track has a driving rhythm that is sparse and simple, with lush keyboard refrains and vocals soaring in the drop. It is the sort of majestic and melodic offering that will make for a fantastic high point in any set, while the dub keeps things even deeper for more intimate moments. Remixer Themba has swiftly risen to prominence over the last few years and is at the forefront of the South African house scene. Here he delivers a sharp and striding groove that is joined by stabbing bass, with fading, string-like notes and dubbed vocal refrains taking things to another level as HRRSN comes into the spotlight and delivers a message from the heart. This is a subtle but celebratory house package packed with plenty of emotion.

Sublunar Records, the label run by Sciahri and Dagdrom, start 2020 with the second chapter of the trilogy “Corpora”.

Part II involves Svreca, founder of the legendary label Semantica with ìPaganismî. A precisely contoured aural architecture that leads in a psychedelic feeling where all sense of space and time are lost.

Rhyws, known as one-half of the duo Cassegrain and recently releasing two stunning EPs on Avian under his own name, debuts on Sublunar with ìPasajulî. Sculpting highly textured sounds where percussions have the perfect amount of rough and smooth.

The EP is closed by Pris, an artist who has made a career from this style of techno hypnosis across records that represent the very best of modern deep techno. His track ìRustî is a psychedelic odyssey where a melody works its way into the background, but never quite reaches the surface completely.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the 16th release: Dubs Convention LP. This killer LP was originally released in 1996! This joint album features UK Dub legends; The Bush Chemists, and The Dub Organiser.

This gem shows the true 90s Dub vibes through the raw mixing skills used throughout the album. From the lightening sounding reverb on the snare, to the phasing phaser on the chords; this is the sort of original sound that shaped the Dub scene into the “steppers style” that it is today!

The original artwork of the cover and labels have been maintained to keep the authentic look of the original pressing from the 90s. As well as the original master tapes to keep the audio at the best quality possible!

Container is the project of American noise veteran Ren Schofield, originally from Providence, Rhode Island, and now based in London. Container first appeared at the turn of the decade with a slew of freakish tapes for various small labels. In wake of thesereleases, Editions Mego offshoot Spectrum Spools –run by old friend John Elliott of the band Emeralds –took the punt to release his debut LP, a collection of mutated Techno tracks simply titled ‘LP’.

The record gained attention quickly in the Electronicmusic scene largely thanks to Schofield’s unique production style that separates him from forms of conventional dance music. Whilst the music of Container sits perfectly fine within the genre and is functional enough to blow apart the walls of any club, years on the US noise circuit have given Schofield’s brand of techno a rawness and direct intensity that stands out in the club and crosses over into other sub-sections of the underground.

His modest set up of Roland MC-909, a four-track porta studio and anarray of pedals allowed him to hone his scuzzy and bewildering beat music over the years, leading to three more well received, and literally titled, LP’s. Over this time period Container also released some EPs on Morphine, Liberation Technologies and Diagonal, did a variety of remixes for acts likeFour Tet, The Body, Panda Bear and Fucked Up plus maintained a healthy touring schedule that reached over every continent.

His exhilarating live show has hit pretty much every major electronic music festival andclub in Europe, as well as tours and gigs with a diverse range of acts such as Wolf Eyes, Zola Jesus, Daughters, Pharmakon and Ryley Walker.Almost a decade since his debut, Container arrives on ALTER with his first non-”LP” titled album called ‘Scramblers’. The title taken from both a Baltimore street drug and a Rhode Island Diner he used to eat at with his father.

Schofield elaborates: “The juxtaposition between these two Scramblers is a great one. I wanted to pay homage to a nice name that lends itself to both depraved and wholesome contexts and do my part to carry on the tradition.” The eight tracks have their origins in live performance and a more high-octane delivery is noticeable when compared with previous Container albums.

‘Mottle’ sits in a mysterious zone between the productions of EVOL and early Ruff Sqwad. Fierce electro cuts like ‘Trench’ and ‘Nozzle’ work alongside the nauseous slink of ‘Duster’, which in typical Container fashion morphs into a frenzy in no time.

A frenzy which may be linkedcosmically to the fact that ‘Scramblers’ was recorded, mixed and mastered in one day, reinforcing further his unorthodox and fun approach to club music.

Shanghai-based music producer HUAN HUAN （aka Diamond Lil) is releasing her first 12” EP “One Big Bug” in Ran Music’s sub-label Ran Groove in November. The EP includes 3 dance tracks with influences from Electro, Industrial and Techno music. There’s also a remix from her good friend Fishdoll. Being deeply involved in Shanghai’s club scene, HUAN HUAN’s debut EP is a re-interpretation of her aesthetic towards club music. Her usual deep and exquisite sounds have turned into a more minimalistic and industrial direction which you can hear in the classic Electro grooves, aggressive modern sub-frequency sound design and random industrial noise in the background. The listener can find the trail of the modern techno direction as well as feel the smell of an electro revival, together with Fishdoll’s contrasting flavor remix, presenting us this amazing EP.

HUAN HUAN（aka Diamond Lil) is an independent music producer and DJ living in Shanghai. She’s one of the most appearing figures in Shanghai’s club scene. As an excellent music producer, she produces music and remixes for many other artists in the scene. She’s good at creating deep atmospheric soundscapes with a cinematic feeling. Her delicate sounds are glued together into vibrating grooves, with the synth sounds from the 90s forming her secret weapon conquering people’s ear drums on dance floors. Benefiting from Shanghai’s advanced club scene, HUAN HUAN’s performance and music work have reached wider platforms and have caught the ears of many overseas acts and labels

Alabaster DePlume is a Manchester UK-born, London-based bandleader, composer, saxophonist, activist and orator.
He's a resident at the legendary London creative hub Total Refreshment Centre, a recording artist for the off-grid Scottish Hebridean island label Lost Map, and now the latest arrival into Chicago-based International Anthem's growing family of progressive musical explorationists.

States of Fugue SF02 is the adventurous & uncompromising new record from Zoë Mc Pherson. It follows the success of her critically acclaimed 2018 album String Figures SF01, an audiovisual project that earned her invitations to perform around the world.

States of Fugue SF02 also inaugurates her new hybrid label SFX, a collaborative project with fellow multimedia artist Alessandra Leone. The label presents an opportunity for the pair to fully embody their creative vision whilst building bridges between, and for practitioners working at the intersection of different creative fields.

Zoë Mc Pherson's recent recorded work includes collaborations with Rupert Clervaux and Christina Vantzou, and a remix for Contagious, which was released on Rabih Beaini's Morphine imprint. SoF features collaborations with Elvin Brandi and dutch free improv scene singer Greetje Bijma, a cast which reveals Zoë's punkish & deviant taste and who's vocal work provides moments of both ballistic & mystic power.

Brandi features on Learn Ur Language with a rabid diatribe, somehow flowing through Zoë's staccato barricades. On album closer Bug, Greetje's alien annunciations are neatly vaporised into the year 3000.

The album relentlessly toys with typical dance music meter, creating complex organic structures that activate forgotten muscles in those exposed at sufficient volume, puppeteering the obedient dancer into new patterns of movement. Tenace is the prime example, where wormhole rhythms pull you in with the gravity of an unknown planet.

The album within it's singular feeling for electro-naturalism is rich in humanity and personality, aided throughout by the diverse terrain of Zoë's voice - a tool she uses for full spectrum expression, from whispers to screams. With the launch of SFX and a clutch of multimedia collaborations alongside, we are witnessing her evolve in all directions.

SFX is a new hybrid label from Zoë Mc Pherson and Alessandra Leone. After collaborating for three years on their multimedia String Figures project, the label will build on this foundation, continuing to develop and release objects and experiences across various mediums.

The labels first release will be Zoë Mc Pherson's sophomore LP
States of Fugue, released February 20th 2020.

Calum Gunn has spent the past few years becoming a key figure in the European electronic avant-garde. As well as releasing his own music through labels like Entr'acte, FLUF and Tsuku Boshi, the Berlin-based Gunn also helms Conditional Records, one of the most forward-thinking computer-music imprints to emerge in recent times.

Gunn's Addenda EP, his debut drop for Central Processing Unit, contains some of his most dynamic work to date. While his commitment to experimentalism remains, these four tracks represent a clear shift in focus for Gunn - namely that, for perhaps the first time in his career, he is making music that is club-friendly. A whole host of dancefloor innovators are recalled when listening to Addenda - particularly Autechre, Analord-era AFX and several of Mark Pritchard's projects as well as Gunn's contemporaries Rian Treanor and Renick Bell.

These tracks never sit still, their rhythms constantly evolving and turning themselves over. Addenda's first two cuts use metronomic hi-hats to keep these ever-changing grooves in check. With its thwacking kicks and snares, opener 'Esephony' enters the fray with the heft of an early Wiley riddim. Atop these drums we find squeaky half-melodies interlocking and breaking apart, meaning that the overall effect is not dissimilar to the tweaking beats that Pritchard came up with as part of Africa Hitech. 'Esephony' is followed by 'Moebu', another track that harks to grime through its fluttering lead synth. The way that this single-note line snakes above a slow, steady drum pulse pitches 'Moebu' halfway between Last Japan and rRoxymore.

Gunn increases the tempo in Addenda's second half. 'Ternenmarz' introduces itself with more blarts of bass, but whereas these were steady on 'Esephony' they now jump around unexpectedly. Gunn holds the erratic kicks in place with twittering hats and snares - indeed, when you factor in its gnarly synth lines, 'Ternenmarz' steers closer than any other cut here to the high-grade electro drops that CPU has made its name with. Closer 'Pins' supercharges the snap of 'Esephony' to 145 bpm before Gunn softens up the track with reverb-drenched synths that nod to the sombre post-grime of Mr. Mitch's Gobstopper Records.

With the Addenda EP, Calum Gunn has achieved something that proves elusive to so many producers - making club tracks that are at once innovative and immediate, their experimental tendencies serving to elevate their dancefloor impact.

RIYL: Rian Treanor, Africa Hitech, Autechre, Renick Bell, Brainwaltzera

Adam ‘Adred’ Baker is an imperative part of the US drum & bass scene, providing a home for its fans amongst the cultural hub of New York City. Alongside his work as a promoter for ‘Natural Selection NYC’, he’s also dropped music on labels such as Metalheadz, Soul:R and 31 Recordings, proving that he’s as multi-faceted as they come.

This is something which shines through on his forthcoming LP ‘KIM’ set to be released on Goldie’s Metalheadz; named after his late father whose Fender Rhodes features prominently in much of Adred’s music and is a central part of his inspiration.

The album is an introspective look at the producer’s history and one which will identify the elements which have made him both such a successful artist and drum & bass event host.

Available on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 1984, Outernational Sounds proudly presents Build An Ark pianist Nate Morgan’s second outing for the celebrated Nimbus West label – the conscious and spiritualised sounds of Retribution, Reparation.

Pianist Nate Morgan (1964-2013) was a central figure on the Los Angeles jazz undergound. A core member of the circle around the legendary bandleader, pianist and community organiser Horace Tapscott, Morgan had been part of Tapscott’s U.G.M.A.A. (Union Of God’s Musicians and Artists Ascension) since he was just a teenager, and was a key member of the Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra, known as ‘The Ark’. Through the 1980s and 1990s he kept the PAPA flame alive, organising the Ark’s sprawling songbook, running legendary jam sessions, and keeping LA’s deep jazz roots well watered. By the early 2000s he was bringing hard won knowledge to a new generation as part of the Build The Ark collective. He was a musician’s musician, at the beating heart of the radical, community-minded Los Angeles jazz network that Tapscott and his associates had first put together in the early 1960s.

Retribution, Reparation was the second of the two LPs Morgan recorded for Tom Albach’s storied Nimbus West imprint. His first, Journey Into Nigritia (Outernational Sounds OTR- 008), had been a declaration of arrival laced with energies drawn from Cecil Taylor and Coltrane. One year later, with nods to Herbie Hancock (‘One Finger Snap’) and Ellington (‘Come Sunday’), Retribution, Reparation was a confident statement of purpose. Politically charged with pan-Africanist and Black nationalist sentiments inspired by Marcus Garvey, and titled with uncompromising directness, the album focusses the soundworld of the Ark into a surging, restless masterpiece of spiritualised modal jazz. With Danny Cortez on trumpet and Ark stalwart Jesse Sharps on saxophones the frontline is explosive (this set is also one of the few places the extraordinary Sharps can be heard in a small group setting), while Fritz Wise and Ark regular Joel Ector hold down the rhythm section. Morgan’s forceful, Tyner-like chords and virtuosic solos and bind the music together. From the poised drama of the opening dedication to Tapscott’s U.G.M.A.A. (‘U.G.M.A.A.GER’) to the propulsive militancy of the title track, Retribution, Reparation spreads the word: ‘Advance to Victory, Let Nigritia Be Free!’

British DJ and producer Inland (Ed Davenport) has compiled and mixed 'Stream State', his biggest project to date, bringing together over 20 artists in a DJ-ready compilation of colourful, diverse modern techno on his label Counterchange.

Complete with a 90 minute continuous mix by Inland himself, the project celebrates over 15 years behind the decks and cements Davenport's reputation not only as a tireless force in the studio, but as a trusted selector and curator of contemporary club music. Spanning deep idm-rooted studies, lush chord-driven euphoria, powerful modernist workouts and tough house-groove jackers, Davenport weaves an addictive mix full of character and his precision mixing style.

From veterans and heroes like DJ Skull, Efdemin, Joel Mull, Boddika, Peter Van Hoesen, and Mark Broom (alongside Discrete Circuit), to a new echelon of up-and-coming talent like Rhyw, Sophia Saze, Jamaica Suk, Johanna Knutsson, Aiken, DJ Sodeyama, Perm and Felix Fleer, there's an underlying thread of shimmering production values and close attention to detail in every track. Inland also selected debuts from Berlin based artists Fred Mann and Arbitrage, and welcomes back BNJMN, P. Lopez and Distant Echoes to the label, now in its 7th year of operation.

'Stream State' is Inland's celebration of the DJ mix / compilation format. Enamoured with UK dance music culture in the mid 90s, the burning, illicit energy of early rave mixtapes left a huge impression. Mystical bootlegs recorded at mass gatherings in fields or late night Radio One transmissions captured on cassette - their eternal spirit was absorbed and cherished. Now more than 2 decades later, Davenport has channeled that fascination into this weighty collector's item and a captivating continuous mix.

All 22 tracks included are new and original productions made by some of Inland's favourite artists and colleagues. A network and a community - complied and presented by an artist who continues to demonstrate his longevity and unique voice in the scene.

We are proud to present another debut on Axces Records, this time from label head Alfredo92. The A side kicks off with Mimis, an explorative bass driven track with crisp snares and bubbling synthesizers. Next up is the title track Helfand, whose experimental sounds and textures take things in a mystic IDM like direction.
On the B side we Adax_pcp, a hypnotic club cut which further explores complex pulsating outernational rhythms. Finally to seal the deal we have Scalex, a twisted dancehall tune with splashes of futuristic sound design.

We are very proud to presents this official and first ever reissue of The First Coming, by Twylyte ’81, an extremely rare and underrated Soul-Jazz album produced and released in 1981. Twylyte ’81 was a 3 pieces band composed of Frank Jones Jr., Alfred Brown Jr. and John
Belzaguy, who, except for John, have never recorded anything else than this incredible album. The First Coming is primarily standing out by a superb composition, mixing touch of Soul, Jazz, and Disco together. It secondly shines thanks to the amazing deep and spiritual
voice of the band leader, Frank Jones Jr., whose vocals style can sometime remind of John Lucien. Even more impressive is the fact that these 3 fellas were all less or close to 18 years old when composing and recording this beauty. As did others brilliant hidden projects such as Ted Coleman Band, or Minority Band, it was also useful for Twylyte ’81 to receive the support of JSR Records, a kind of non-profit label dedicated to help young bands and artists in recording and producing their own records. Here are a few words from Al Brown Jr. about this release: “After 38 years, I still have the euphoric feeling while listening to this album. I would say that this was one of my greatest achievements. I want to say "Thank you" Pascal Rioux and associates for sharing the group's vision with the rest of the world. I pray the listeners will feel a portion of what we tried to convey through these songs. When I first began this project, I thought it was just killing time. Being 17 years old at the time, I didn't see the music we worked on being recorded. We (Frank and I) were in a basement practicing each song. Who knew that this music would be recorded let alone picked up 38 years later? I still remember every beat, drum roll, every stop/start; everything. Wow, the nostalgia of it all. I wish this album much successful and I hope in the future I can perform this album live.

'Postlude' is the second release on Solitary Dancer's new imprint, Private Possessions. After having released on some of the world's most esteemed underground labels such as Dark Entries, Graded, and Optimo, Private Possessions was borne out of a desire to control all aspects of output pertaining to the development, creation, and dissemination of their music, video, and other media. Following their debut LP 'Rites Of Passage', 'Postlude' is a three-track affair which juxtaposes two of the album's floor-focussed cuts with an extended version of 'Test Dream'. The latter has been processed into a 15-minute "Devisualization" using degradation techniques that slowly destroys the piece over time, harkening the ever-changing lucidity and memories of our own dreams.

Alicia Keys' original is a much loved beauty, and this remix by Jan Kincl, a Zagreb-based producer known for his jazz-informed house project with Regis Kattie, was made just hours before a Berlin DJ gig.

Two months later, Jan and Delfonic, a Berlin staple coming from a more organic and soulful side of the city, were in Montenegro on a shuttle from the airport to Southern Soul festival. Eddy Ramich, mutual friend who's been playing Jan's demo was on the same bus and played it to Delfonic. Before making it through one full listen, Delfonic said this should be released and suggested to make his own remix.

What they ended up with is a 12" with three versions, three attempts to flip the original's beatless soul and bend it into shapes of deep house and Miami bass.

XXX starts 2020 fresh with catalog number XXX008. A diverse EP with four original tracks by Stijn Sadée, who had a killer release on Kitjen in 2018. It’s not the first time we see Stijn Sadée releasing on XXX, but this time he delivered a proper EP. Manfredas is on remix duty on the b-side. When Stijn was playing his live set on a festival in Amsterdam Manfredas saw him play. They clicked soundwise and a remix idea was born. Artwork was made by artist Thomas Sadée in collaboration with Stijn himself. Already played and supported by massimiliano pagliara, il est vilaine, nuno dos santos, dave harvey, curses and many others.

Berlin-based Frag Maddin bursts onto STRCTR with four hefty cuts. Maddin, whose hard-hitting sound has touched Mistress Recordings, Madhouse Records, W&O Street Tracks and Snatch! in the past makes his way into 2020 in style.



Side A’s lead track kicks of the label’s sixth release; the aptly-titled ‘Industrial Deafness’, is one warehouse-proof, downright dirty jumble of loose 4x4 drums and hardware groove. Nick Behringer’s remix forms its own subtle groove with a minimal house edge – more intimate bar, less cavernous warehouse.



Side B’s ‘Stuhltanz’ has floating flutes, jazz keys and one catchy vocal sample – a weighty kick and bumping bassline brings it together. And the DOS remix takes the euphoria of the special track one step further, adding a warm break and a complimentary sprinkling of acid.

Having made a huge impact amid Carl Craig’s celebrated 2019 entry in Planet E's Detroit Love mix compilation series, Ataxia's anthemic ‘Oblivion’ arrives on vinyl for the first time alongside a new cut, ‘Michaelangelos’. Each track takes Ataxia’s notoriously detailed production techniques and applies them to a widescreen, enveloping template.

Constructed from rubbery basslines, wormholes of rave power and a structure that applies tension and release to killer effect, ‘Oblivion’ has continued to engross dancers since it’s digital release, transmitting an increasingly rare blend of minimal yet maximal rave pleasures.

On ‘Michaelangelos’, Ataxia further demonstrates a fluid ability to keep listeners on their toes, shuffling the deck but applying the same irresistible tricks to a rhythmic, tripping cut and the unexpected sample at its core.

Consisting of Eric Ricker and Ted Krisko, Ataxia have previously released on labels including Visionquest, 2020 Vision, Leftroom and Kevin Saunderson's KMS Recordings. They currently hold down long term residencies at the legendary Marble Bar and TV Lounge in their hometown of Detroit.

Shcuro is the alias of João Ervedosa a DJ, producer and graphic designer based in Lisbon. He also runs the record labels Sombra and Paraíso, makes music as Jose Acid and hosts a show on Rádio Quântica. His first contact with a DJ setup happened at age 15, and that’s when Shcuro decided to buy his own turntables and mixer; and started producing his own beats, too. He’s since released music on Basal, Circus Maximus, Obscuur Techno, Golden Mist Records and his most recent collaboration with Photonz for Future Déjà Vu.

‘Particle of Memory’ is a hypnotic 6-track EP that explores new territories in contemporary dance music. Sonically Shcuro paints his sounds blending moody techno with industrial noises alongside fast, apocalyptic electro and breakbeat. He is influenced by Portuguese rave culture that was born in the mid-90s at Lisbon clubs Alcântara-Mar and Kremlin and the country’s first electronic label Kaos Records. Shcuro continues to expand and morph this rich dance heritage to create something entirely different. The bouncy, lead track “Afterlife” features vocals and lyrics by London's ELLES followed by a Decadent Dub rework. All songs have been mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. Housed in a die-cut jacket designed by Eloise Leigh reminiscent of ‘90s escape/sci-fi films with futuristic bright pink pop flourishes

The long standing and hugely respected label and events company Astropolis welcome Blutch for a new single that comes ahead of his debut album on this same label later in 2020, and includes a remix from Michael Mayer.

Blutch has had numerous releases on the likes Nowadays, Dance Around 88 and Délicieuse Musique, has collaborated with heavyweights like Terrence Parker and Red Rack’em and has received support from NTS and Radio 1. He is a respected talent in France and deals in classy electronica that blurs the lines between dream states and reality, and the forthcoming album will be presented as a gripping audiovisual tale with the help of video maker Romain Navier.

First up here is expressive techno masterpiece ‘Beau Rivage’ which soars on supple synth lines and elastic drum programming. It’s elegant stuff awash with melodic beauty and emotion. Single, ‘Compétition’ which gets an early release on December 18th is another excellently mature and musical track with symphonic synths reaching to the heavens and colourful arps lighting up the uplifting grooves. ‘2014’ is driven by vast, pounding and cavernous drums, with distant vocal harmonies bring an angelic feel to the celestial synths and chords. The final vinyl-only original is the brilliant ‘La Cité Des Etoiles’, which is layered up with pixelated leads, soft chords and found sound percussion samples that fire your every synapse.

Remixing is Kompakt label boss and one of the most revered names in electronic music, Michael Mayer. He flips ‘La Cité Des Etoiles’ into deeply rooted techno that is riddled with claps and synth lines that bright real light. Buy the digital version and we’ll also get the added bonus of ‘Vorlen’, which again brims with fantastic synths, chords and sorting grooves.

This is a fantastic package that more that whets the appetite for the forthcoming album.

Soul Jazz Records set Sounds of the Universe:
Art + Sound 2012-15 features some of the heaviest Afrofuturistic producers out there, PITCHFORK.

Soul Jazz Records new Sounds of the Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 is a new double album CD (and two separate volumes of double-vinyl) featuring a line-up of some of the most forward-thinking and progressive artists and producers working with electronic music around the world today.

This lovingly compiled collection features a stunning array of contemporary artists: Chicago’s Afro-futurist genius Hieroglyphic Being; Kaseem Mosse (aka Gunnar Wendell/Siege of Troy), one of the most talked-about, respected artists in underground house and techno; out of Detroit’s Moodyman stable comes Andres; also featured is Los Angeles-based Ras G, associated with the Brainfeeder label established by fellow producer Flying Lotus; and many more!

This new collection features a first CD of tracks recorded exclusively for Soul Jazz Record’s bespoke Sounds of the Universe label. These were originally issued under their Art + Sound series between 2012 and 2015 as unique hand-etched and original commissioned art pieces (reproduced here) collectors’ 12” singles - all pressed in micro-editions of 250 copies for each artist’s release that were only ever available exclusively from Soul Jazz Records’ boutique Sounds of the Universe shop in Soho, London.

The second CD features a fantastic set of all brand new exclusive tracks from the likes of Seven Davis Jr, Drexciya collaborator DJ Stingray, deep house virtuoso Mike Huckaby, Glaswegian noise-punk six-piece Golden Teacher, and lots more – all created and commissioned especially for this release. These songs are not available anywhere else in the world.

Together these 2CDs comprise an amazing selection of new progressive electronic music.

This album is released as double CD pack with slipcase and booklet. It is also available as two separate limited edition double vinyl editions in heavyweight vinyl and gatefold sleeves with full artwork + free download codes, and as a worldwide digital release.

Latest Vaerel Records artefact limited to 200 copies, bringing together 5 different visions of the label's esoteric aesthetics. The manager of the label Raar bringing powerful percussion accompanied by samples of "Making of a Cyborg". Newcomer Quelza provides us his signature techno with broken rhythms and intriguing synths, then AWB continues to hypnotize us with his deep techno and finally Zadig & Ruhbarb team up for a tool full of high-speed drums and sharp cymbals.

· This compilation features the rarest and unknown instrumental tracks of that Funky Groove early sound.
· Light music along with wind section and keyboard ready to hit the dance-floor, that we call Spanish-Grooves.
· Composers, musicians & arrangers like Gregorio García Segura, Rafael Martínez, Antonio Barco, Antonio Latorre, Jaime Botey, etc.

During the 70's, an important number of orchestras and dance bands popped up in our country but not many of them released their own songs or covers on vinyl, so we can’t say that our music library has bulky volumes, rather it’s just the opposite.

You have to dig deep in the catalogue of obscure record labels to find some quality pieces, which we will usually attribute to Tinglado 13, Conjunto Nueva Onda, The Matches, Conjunto Don Pelegrin, Rafael Martínez, Carlos de Ros, Salgado y su Grupo, Mesié Bató, Pedro González, Jorge Enrique.

Most orchestras played bossa nova, soul, some lounge and easy listening, and a usual mix of light music with wind section and keyboards, something like “spanish-soul” or “rhythm'n'blues-pasodoble”.

It was a time when the bands survived playing shows with a repertoire based, mostly, on Spanish popular songs and international hits.

Many artists recorded with nicknames, many others used licensed songs paying rights to the original authors and some orchestras changed their names when they pressed their records, in an attempt to appear modern or simply for pure commercial purposes, that's why it is difficult to trace accurately the musical path of many of these artists. This scene was especially intense in Aragon and Catalonia, where a bunch of labels emerged, often simply as platforms for bands to promote their own music.

This compilation aims to discover to a wider audience some of the most sought-after instrumental gems by discjokeys and disco music collectors, eager for soul, groove and hot sounds.

· This compilation features the rarest and unknown instrumental tracks of that Funky Groove early sound.
· Light music along with wind section and keyboard ready to hit the dance-floor, that we call Spanish-Grooves.
· Composers, musicians & arrangers like Gregorio García Segura, Rafael Martínez, Antonio Barco, Antonio Latorre, Jaime Botey, etc.

During the 70's, an important number of orchestras and dance bands popped up in our country but not many of them released their own songs or covers on vinyl, so we can’t say that our music library has bulky volumes, rather it’s just the opposite.

You have to dig deep in the catalogue of obscure record labels to find some quality pieces, which we will usually attribute to Tinglado 13, Conjunto Nueva Onda, The Matches, Conjunto Don Pelegrin, Rafael Martínez, Carlos de Ros, Salgado y su Grupo, Mesié Bató, Pedro González, Jorge Enrique. Most orchestras played bossa nova, soul, some lounge and easy listening, and a usual mix of light music with wind section and keyboards, something like “spanish-soul” or “rhythm'n'blues-pasodoble”.

It was a time when the bands survived playing shows with a repertoire based, mostly, on Spanish popular songs and international hits.

Many artists recorded with nicknames, many others used licensed songs paying rights to the original authors and some orchestras changed their names when they pressed their records, in an attempt to appear modern or simply for pure commercial purposes, that's why it is difficult to trace accurately the musical path of many of these artists. This scene was especially intense in Aragon and Catalonia, where a bunch of labels emerged, often simply as platforms for bands to promote their own music.

This compilation aims to discover to a wider audience some of the most sought-after instrumental gems by discjokeys and disco music collectors, eager for soul, groove and hot sounds.

The Flying Luttenbachers’ “Shattered Dimension” is the first offering by the seminal cult band since 2007. It is released on CD and download on March 1st, 2019 via ugEXPLODE Records and on gatefold double LP in April 2019 via the Austrian God Records label. The current New York City based version of the group on this recording features stalwart leader and primary composer Weasel Walter on drums, saxophonist Matt Nelson (GRID, Elder Ones), bass guitarist Tim Dahl (Child Abuse, Lydia Lunch) and guitarist Brandon Seabrook.

M!R!M is the solo project of Jack Milwaukee, italian multi-instrumentalist based in London since 2011. Inspired by early 80's synth pop, cold and dark wave, M!R!M has been releasing on labels as Fabrika and Manic Depression. Since his debut album, he’s been touring and playing shows all around Europe building an important following and a significant name within the scene.

On January 31st, 2020, Avant! Records will release his third full-length, The Visionary. Still featuring Milwaukee at the helm along with selected collaborators as supplementation, The Visionary is a further evolution in M!R!M sound, which showcases how the musician’s vision has evolved throughout the years.

Holding firmly to the vibes that recall the most dreaming 80’s, Jack Milwaukee this time blends together that typical FM synth timbre, which has always characterized the artist, with deeper and sumptuous sounds found within the notes of Mellotron and sax; overcoming previous Lo-Fi approaches to undertake a solid, prominent and more mature path.

The Visionary is a collection of songs pieced together in a meaningful and harmonious way where the storytelling is very vivid and fundamental. Trapped between hope and melancholy each track evolves smoothly into another one until it gets to a mystical end, a point of no return. From syncopated punchy bass lines drove by solid drum beats to elegant violin quartets accompanied by almost religious choirs, The Visionary is an engaging work that doesn’t remain only inside the robes of shimmering synth-pop tunes but also explores more intimate and private territories as an ode to the most deep feelings.

Pulling from the ‘pop’ approach of mid 80’s synth-pop pioneers like New Order, The Wake, Tears For Fears to most iconic figures of the Italian 80’s era, M!R!M dialed in on a clear understanding of it's own specific sound, which has since evolved. The Visionary is the ultimate unified vision of M!R!M’s work, it’s the sweetest transition of the most nostalgic daydream.

Kniteforce and Just Another Label (owner of the Bear Necessities Sub Label) have been friends since the early 90’s, so when JAL wanted to remaster and repress some old and much sought after classic EPs, it was only natural for Kniteforce to take on that roll. Here we have the third of those EPs, and its another one that many have been looking to get hold of for a long time! A timeless old skool EP and one that has been high on many a collectors wants list for decades!

Club / DJ Support
Billy Bunter, the Fat Controller, Glowkid, Slipmatt, Dj Jedi, Dj Luna-C, Dj Brisk, Clayfighter, Jimni Cricket, Bustin, Sc@r, Doughboy, Saiyan, Dave Skywalker, Ponder and many others

Kniteforce and Just Another Label (owner of the Bear Necessities Sub Label) have been friends since the early 90’s, so when JAL wanted to remaster and repress some old and much sought after classic EPs, it was only natural for Kniteforce to take on that roll. Here we have the fourth of those EPs, and it’s a 4 track stunner that many have been looking to get hold of for a long time! A timeless old skool EP and one that has been high on many a collectors wants list for decades!

Club / DJ Support
Billy Bunter, the Fat Controller, Glowkid, Slipmatt, Dj Jedi, Dj Luna-C, Dj Brisk, Clayfighter, Jimni Cricket, Bustin, Sc@r, Doughboy, Saiyan, Dave Skywalker, Ponder and many others

Succeeding last year’s collaborative single ‘Feel My Butterfly’ which saw Chicago house DJ/producer Parris Mitchell and Siberian producer-singer-songwriter Nina Kraviz go head to head via Riva Starr’s Snatch! Raw and Dance Mania, February 21st sees the two labels combine once more for a special, two-sided remix package of the stellar ghetto house track featuring reworks from the likes of Jamie Jones, Dance System, DJ Deeon, Radio Slave and DJ Slugo.

‘Feel My Butterfly’ stemmed from Nina Kraviz’s trip to Chicago where she met with Dance Mania’s label crew including their influential selector, Parris Mitchell. The track was birthed from a bout of rare collaborative studio sessions and is their first official release together - their only previous encounter being in 2014 when Kraviz remixed Mitchell’s ‘The Track Stars’, on Berlin-based label Deep Moves.

Assembling a handful of some of the most prominent names in modern dance music, Snatch! Raw teams up with Dance Mania once again to now present a comprehensive remix package of the duo’s acid-laden, dancefloor-ready masterpiece. Providing a touching tribute to the late influential American house artist and Wallshaker Music founder, Aaron Carl, the illustrious Welsh house DJ/producer Jamie Jones kicks things off by inflaming the track’s heavy bass and percussion by adding his own laser-style synths and atmospherics.

Reinforcing ‘Feel My Butterfly’ with helpings of meatier, old school house rhythm, the second remix sees London’s Dance System team up with Chicago house pioneer DJ Deeon to provide the track with some well-placed elevated pace and precision. On side B, the British-born Berlin-based DJ, Radio Slave takes more a of stripped back approach by opting to just few vocal snippets from the original and setting them to a tougher techno-infused aesthetic, whilst on the final rework, Chicago’s ghetto house spinner DJ Slugo redefines Kraviz’s hypnotic vocal lead.

Completing a red hot trio of remix EPs of Calm’s By Your Side album is this final part with Lucas Croon, Cantoma and Gallo and Yuri Shulgin all serving up expansive and mind altering new versions.

He doesn’t release often but when he does you need to listen to Lucas Croon. His unique take on ‘Before Landing’ is a proper dance floor heater to get you on your toes. Once you're there, a gentle rush of rave euphoria tases over you and sends shivers down your spine as old school breakbeats and glowing pads complete the trip.

Elsewhere, long time Balearic pin up, scene hero and all round blissed out boss man Phil Mison has a new album corn gin the spring. Before that, he becomes Cantoma for a timeless version of ‘You Can See The Sunrise Again’ that has bright blue skies and jaunty chords making you move.

Regular label artist homie Gallo is in the form of his life right now - he's resident DJ at Hell Yeah's weekly Balearic night Buena Onda in Berlin, has a growing reputation for being one of the best eclectic selectors in the game and is currently working on compiling the forthcoming BUENA ONDA comp with label head Marco. He gets long legged on his deep cut remix of ‘Sky Color Passing’ which is another killer that slowly but surely works you in a slow motion acid trance.

Completing this most exquisite outing is Yuri Shulgin, a multi-instrumentalist music producer from Tajikistan with credits on Cocktail d'Amore Music. His spellbinding take on 'Ending of Summer, Beginning of Autumn' is a fusion of jazz, leftfield and electronica will have you in a spin and your head lost in the clouds amongst the twinkling stars and cosmic pads.

Cai Bojsen-Møller co-founded the original Multiplex imprint and released his debut solo album A Bit of Something on the label in 1996. Cai is an accomplished drummer and his acoustic talents shine through in his electronic work and 909 skills. Out of the circuit for fifteen years, he now returns in stunning form!

Released as a two part EP, this is the second half of "The Spirit of Man and Machine". The idea behind which, evolved around the point where organic elements meet and elevates the programmed part of the music. Much music today is completely quantized, but to make things flawless, risks the loss of feeling to digital perfection. Emerging from the Danish rock scene in the early 80's, correctness was nothing to strive for. With the formula of analog synths through an analog mixer and the drums and sequences recorded live, with a mindset for the right vibe, Cai's new tracks ties in well with his 1990's productions.

Mark Broom returns to Multiplex to deliver his “Skank Mix” of Cai’s “Decomp” track, which Broom has churned into a massive, deep, thumbing, dub-techno tune. This is followed by the original version - a timeless example of chord-driven, minimalistic techno. On the flip side we find the beautiful melodies of the melancholic “FaxImprov”, before rounding things of with Skudge, who has remixed the track, resulting in his great signature sound for the dark floor.

Bram De Looze is a Belgian pianist and composer whose distinct musical vision has found its way through both solo projects and collaborations. His unique technical skill and musical maturity have earned him considerable critical acclaim back home as his work spotlights his far-ranging interests - from traditional classical piano music, to solo improvisations that have often been compared to Keith Jarrett and Jason Moran. On the 21st February 2020, Sdban Ultra will release his highly anticipated new solo album, 'Colour Talk'.

De Looze made his entrance onto the national jazz scene with LABtrio, formed in 2007 with Anneleen Boehme and Lander Gyselinck, and he immediately impressed, flirting with urban jazz, electronics and hip hop.

After a period of studying abroad at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where he studied with Uri Caine and Marc Copland, in 2014, De Looze launched the international septet, Septych, that once again stressed his affinity for jazz, classical music and improvisation. With diverse and astounding improvisors like Daniel Levin, Lester St-Louis, Robin Verheyen, Gebhard Ullman, Bo Van Der Werf and Flin Van Hemmen, it was the start of an explorative musical journey.

Over the past few years, De Looze could frequently be heard with kindred spirits like Stephane Galland, Dre Hocevar and Antoine Pierre but it was a visit to the historical collection of pianofortes of Chris Maene that inspired De Looze to release his first solo album 'Piano e Forte' (2017), and it received critical acclaim for its creativity, spontaneity and passion. He would later garner further acclaim working alongside fellow Belgian Robin Verheyen and American rhythm painter Joey Baron with whom he recorded 'MixMonk' (2019), a tribute to the legendary jazz pianist Thelonius Monk.

Bram De Looze's solo career took off in an unexpected way with 'Piano e Forte', a project for which he approached historical instruments from a contemporary perspective. The switch to the Chris Maene Straight Strung Grand Piano for 'Switch The Stream' (2018) indicated a renewed search for movement, evolution and introspection. His latest solo project 'Colour Talk', continues this trajectory with another revolutionary piano model, designed by lauded architect Rafael Vinoly, and a continued attempt to renew from within.

On 'Colour Talk', what you hear is a musician who has freed himself from stylistic constraints and limitations. While still rooted in jazz, classical music and free improvisation have found a new balance, a coexistence that enables the pianist to express himself with a new vigour. Switching between shorter pieces that feel like curious, unresolved puzzles and more extended explorations, 'Colour Talk' is once again an ode to (re)invention in the grey zone were the classical idiom and improvisatory urges meet, with the 13-minute tour-de-force of 'Hypnosis' as one of several undisputed highlights.

If you asked De Looze about his current position as an artist, he would probably tell you that it's all about forward movement and the need to keep evolving, about a trajectory as work-in-progress. However, if you consider 'Colour Talk' as a freeze frame of where De Looze is at, it is hard not to consider it a highlight in a career that should have some more surprises in store.

* Classic UK vocal and dub LP from 1992 gets the reissue treatment from Partial Records
* This was the first album from the Conscious Sounds label which features UK-based singer Tena Stelin and the then in-house Conscious Sounds group (Nigel Lake, Chris Petter and Dougie Wardrop).
* Presented in a showcase, with the vocal followed by dub version.
* The original pressing is long-deleted.
* Limited to 500 copies only.

Zenit is a jazz ensemble from Krems in Lower Austria, founded in 1976 by Hannes Treiber and Willi Langer. Their music was celebrated locally, but to reduce them to their local fame would be a shame: After all, their first two LPs, Stimmungswechsel (Change of Moods) and Früchte (Fruits), quickly gained them a much wider audience of discerning listeners. Arguably, however, Zenit’s third and final LP Straight Ahead is the most special of their records. It initially came out in 1986 on the producer’s label Spray Records, and is today one of the hardest-to-find Austrian jazz records. Its centrepiece is the infectious slow-motion disco piece “Waiting,” with vocals by American jazz singer Linda Sharrock. Effortlessly bringing together pop, soul and new age vibes, this is a record that is as unique as it is difficult to date. Does it sound like from the 80s? We’re not sure. To our minds at least, it could also be from the future.

As the world turns the page towards yet another decade the Two Swedes from SpaceTM in MLU embraces new beginnings and paves the way for their very first, and very own musical outlet. MLU Private Press is their new label-not-label and the result of years of joint music making. “We looked ourselves in the mirror and all we saw was us” - it’s a vanity label in the truest sense. An audial outlet candidly and simply releasing streams of future and past sounds flowing through a crack from their Stockholmian mountain and out into the world.

The first release features three tracks of MLU-matic electronics, spanning in making over the last decade. From the energetic rave-sentimentality of “Blue...” eloquently dreaming of approaching future skylines to the sound of breakbeats, to the nostalgic arpeggios of “Astro Travelling Pt. 2”. A track which got lost but recently resurfaced in the MLU lost-and-found bin, recorded almost 10 years ago and sound-wise very reminiscent of their earliest work. The aptly named “Madame of the Magic Mushroom” with it’s mix of acoustic drums and shroomy synthesis ends the 12” in weightless psychedelia recollecting memoria of ecstatic driven 70’s loft-rock.

First Word Records is incredibly proud to present 'Starts Again', the debut album from Tawiah.

The latest signing to the Worldwide Award-winning indie label, Tawiah is somewhat of a trailblazer in the world of alt-soul. Despite this being her debut album, she's long-established in the UK music scene, having previously self-released two EPs and a mixtape, as well as high-profile collaborations with Cinematic Orchestra, Blood Orange, Mark Ronson, Kindness, Cee-Lo, Wiley, Zed Bias and Eric Lau. Additionally being championed by the likes of Zane Lowe, Gilles Peterson and The Guardian, and supporting Moses Sumney on his recent EU tour, it's finally time to unleash a full solo project into the world.

'Starts Again' is an exploration of her identity as a queer woman of colour, raised in a pentecostal family, and a determination to express her musicianship in all its raw glory, free of the constraints of major label wrangles from before.

Co-produced with Sam Beste (Hejira), the album also features vocals from Sharlene Hector, Vula Malinga, Ladonna Young, Ade Omotayo and Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne, as well as glorious string arrangements composed by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, with a series of field recordings from Ghana, amongst the varied components.

In Tawiah's words; "the process of creating this record independently has taken years!! From self-produced demos to live recording sessions with my good friends; Blue May, Sam Beste, Alex Reeve, Alex Bonfanti, Nathan Allen and Lewis Wright. Sam and I then had two years of long joyful studio sessions working on the post production. With no external deadlines or briefs we had the freedom to create whatever came. It was a privilege to collaborate in this way".

A triumphant 10-piece opus, the music seamlessly blends avant-garde sensibilities with low-slung beats and layered harmonies. The vestiges of Tawiah's early church vocal training contrast subtly against a distinctive South London accent, which has helped place her firmly at the vanguard of the British alternative soul movement, and establish a rep as one of the country's most exciting live performers. Time Out even saying "she slays so hard, you better hope there's a doctor in the house".

With a series of immersive live shows being planned in collaboration with spatial artist, Studio Myrrh, the latter half of 2019 headed into 2020 is looking to be a busy time for Tawiah. A decade on from her debut EP, 'Starts Again' is a creative reset of-sorts, though she is already highly revered within the music industry. A unique talent, this debut album should rightly cement her status as one of the UK's finest recording artists and songwriters.

Tim Digby-Bell, Peter Kriek and Ariaan Olieroock are Cubicolor. In 2016 they released their debut album ‘Brainsugar’ via acclaimed independent label Anjunadeep. Accumulating over 40 million streams, the album won praise from Mixmag, Resident Advisor, Consequence of Sound and DJ Mag, who described it as “a startlingly accomplished debut” in their 9/10 review.

Originally an electronic duo comprised of Dutch producers Ariaan and Peter, Cubicolor became a three-piece band with the arrival of British singer-songwriter Tim in 2015, after collaborating on breakthrough single ‘Falling’.

A published poet and playwright, Tim’s musical upbringing was rooted in playing guitar and listening to Nick Drake. Combined with Ariaan’s encyclopedic knowledge of electronic music and Peter’s love of late romantic classical, created what Clash described as “a beautiful, haunting fusion of ideas.” In 2018 the band delivered, and then shelved, their second album…

“It had twelve tracks, a different name, all the artwork was done and a date was set for it to be released. We got home and listened to it, then called each other and decided to drop the whole thing. The next week we went back into the studio and started again.

We loved the record we made but for some reason, it didn't feel right, so we didn't keep anything, we shut ourselves on the boat in Amsterdam where we work and didn't stop until we'd written a new album.” A year after going back to the drawing board, the trio now presents ‘Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night’.

Inspired by the cycles of time, and the cyclical movements of the planets, the new 12 track record weaves together themes of loss, hope, and acceptance. “There were a lot of moments when we weren't sure we'd ever find what it was we were looking for. On the way, we lost friends, lost loves, battled health issues, lost an album, lost each other and came back together again.

It feels like a lifetime has passed but the world keeps spinning and I guess we knew we would eventually find our strength and make the album we wanted to make.” Showcasing their remarkable production techniques and textured sound design throughout the album, Cubicolor continues their unconventional rise to the upper ranks of the electronic music world.

The band will celebrate the album release with a listening event in London in February 2020, before taking their live show to festivals around the world in the summer.

Their 2016 debut album ‘Brainsugar’ picked up wide spread support including backing from BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac, Pete Tong and Phil Taggart, BBC 6 Music's Nemone and Tom Ravenscroft, Joris Voorn, and Kölsch and accumulated over 40M streams. 'Brainsugar' - Press pickup included Mixmag, RA, Thump, Consequence of Sound and the album was given a 9/10 review in DJ Mag.

Cubicolor are Amsterdam based producers Ariaan Olieroock and Peter Kriek, and British singer-songwriter Tim Digby-Bell. They made the album on Peter’s studio boat in Amsterdam. Ariaan built the custom modular synths, mixing desks and speakers that the band use in their studio - every Cubicolor sound is created from scratch.
They also DJ and release music as 16BL on Anjunadeep. one of the labels most loved and legendary acts, responsible for some of the biggest releases in the label's back catalogue.

Paella Hair Sex is the beginning of a new chapter in Alexis Raphael’s musical story. The first two EPs will be from the label boss himself, kicking off with ‘Digital Music Almost Killed Me EP’. Then attention turns to new artists joining the PHS family - please email demos to paellahairsex

Alexis came to prominence in 2011 with his seminal track ‘Spaceship’ and followed with a series of lush, sexy and warm house records that gained universal praise and put Alexis’ sound all around the world with fans from Australia to Peru. As the music and scene evolved, so too did Alexis’ sound becoming somewhat harder whilst still retaining some of his signature elements; references to acid house, hardcore and jungle, deep pads and sweet vocals.

However, by 2016, Alexis had become somewhat disconnected with the path of the music and scene he was involved in. It took a long time to put together what was wrong, but what followed was a three year path to this point now of launching PHS.

A return to and playing vinyl at the end of 2016 was the first step to finding his love again and feeling good about the music. This was followed by a halt to gigs where the music expected from him was different from what he wanted to play and a feeling of disconnect from the crowd. Then came the gradual move away from constant social media output.

The final and most important part of this transition was going back to making music simply without any thought of where it can fit or who can play it, or what label it will go into. In essence this is a return to how Alexis started - making music solely from the feeling inside.

And so PHS returns to some of that more sexy, emotive house music that Alexis was originally known for, but with a fresh sound for the new decade.

Paella Hair Sex is set to be a representation of the music Alexis loves, both his own and other artists.

The first EP: PHS001 – Digital Music Nearly Killed Me kicks off with the main room groover ‘Respect & Belief’ . A jazz-infused bass line underpins chunky rolling beats, punctuated with vocal samples calling for unity and love and laden with floating classical pianos and warm pads. A definite party banger !
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The second A side track “Sex Appeal” references back to Alexis’ original signature House sound. An emotive and sexy track bound to get temperatures rising on the dance floor .

Flip to the B-side and find the after party brother of Respect & Belief - ‘Liberty’. A seminal minute long speech paves the way to the single breakdown moment of the track when lush Jupiter-8 chords make way for an epic moment as the beats drop back in. A unique piece of minimalistic House music for the after hours .

The bonus track, House of Chorge. ends the EP with a bang. An upbeat cheeky groove that stays in your head long after the turntable stops spinning. But who is Chorge.?

Ferox welcomes the return of Alejandro Lopez's Hoax Believers for his second EP on the label. Following an EP for Spanish imprint Fanzine, Alejandro returns to Ferox with these four tracks of hi-tech funk, fusing Electro with the sound of Detroit via Madrid.
Available on 180g - Vinyl Only.

In addition to the inclusion on the "Movements Vol.10" double-gatefold LP we felt that a release of The Headliners' "Little Sister (Sho Nuf Fine)" on our beloved 45-rpm single format is more than justified.
Walt Maddox, owner of the Super M label on which "Little Sister" was released, started singing as a teenager on the street corners of his Manchester neighborhood on Pittsburgh's Northside.

In 1961 he joined The Marcels. ... In the following years they released three full length albums and numerous hit singles with sales in the millions. Maddox sang with the group through its many permutations for four decades before becoming its manager and producer in 1999.
Maddox produced The Headliners sole single which has become a sought after collectors item on the Northern Soul/Funk scene in recent years.

The first release in Ernesto Chahoud’s ‘Middle Eastern Heavens’ reissue series for BBE Music, we are delighted to present Lebanese maestro Ihsan Al-Munzer’s 1979 album ‘Belly Dance Disco’.

In late 70's and early 80's Beirut, Lebanese organist, composer and arranger Ihsan Al-Munzer made a series of pioneering synth-driven fusion albums that reimagined Middle Eastern music. The records came at a pivotal time in Lebanon’s musical history of avant garde experimentation that was blossoming, just as the country’s 15-year civil war took hold.

Ihsan Al-Munzer’s first release as a solo artist, ‘Belly Dance Disco’ aimed to fuse ‘Western’ modern music and bellydance to make it more accessible to the local audience in the late 1970s. “I wanted to put a mixture of European beat with Arabic percussion, but I made the European rhythm and harmony very easy to listen to for the Arabic ear – soft and understandable” says Al- Munzer.

Today, the composer’s music has made the return journey back to the West; with tracks on the album featured by hip hop artists such as Mos Def, who sampled Al-Munzer’s composition ‘Joy of Lina’ on his 2009 song ‘The Embassy’.

The 10-track album was released in 1979 on the legendary Voix De L’Orient label, which was also home to pioneering Lebanese composers The Rahbani Brothers. One of the earliest artists to introduce the synthesizer to Middle Eastern music, Al-Munzer leads the band, playing the main melody lines on the Kawai Organ and Solina String Synthesizer. Three of his original compositions feature on the album, alongside creative re-imaginings of Turkish and Arabic folklore and modern classics, pushing the boundaries of bellydance music to chime with the international scene.

Al-Munzer’s five titles from the 1970's and 1980's are part of BBE’s ‘Middle Eastern Heavens’ reissue series, a collection of groundbreaking productions from Lebanon, curated by Lebanese DJ, compiler and music researcher Ernesto Chahoud.

Notes by Natalie Shooter, a music journalist and researcher based in Beirut, edited by Will Sumsuch.

Yes, we know the soul and funk world of the glory days, big labels, radio shows and bands amid a social context of segregation. A context that starts becoming less important when this music genre enters the mainstream in the late 70’s to eventually fade away at a fast pace in the 80’s until its complete disappearance in the 90’s and beyond. This time though, we dive a bit deeper into the hoods, because the social context of today ain’t no greatly different and it has its very own music, deeply rooted in the sounds of the early days, although more immediate and dense of beats and urban feel.

We are in Chicago, a place where every 2 hours someone is shot, and every 14 hours someone is murdered. It ain’t no Iraq or Afghanistan but one of the biggest and most sophisticated cities in the world. In the city’s west and south sides, which are considered the heart of Black America, gang rivalry is tearing its people apart. It has become so brutal that both police and perpetrators agree that this urban warfare is out of control. I started this release process after Yann sent me an heads up on this song and it took me most part of last year to build some mutual trust with Lay Lemons aka Biggz from North Lawndale, main area in the west side of the city and one of the most dangerous places in the world. When I first contacted him, Lay was having a hard time (and still does) as his daughter Raven was caught innocent in a gang shooting crossfire.

After the following investigation, the FBI (yes, big gangs are federal business) arrested and charged some members of The Four Corners Hustlers, yet Raven’s murder has no responsible and Lay suddenly lost his daughter overnight in the summer of 2017. He simply couldn’t concentrate on music, and the silly requests from a mad Italian with his crooked english were probably sounding to him like aliens speaking from outer space. I’m pretty sure this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Lay’s cousin, sound engineer and recording studio owner living today in Detroit, so accept my gratitude Mr. Tony Amos.

Lay Lemons has never been involved with gangs nor was Raven, nowhere near that business. They are people of music, family and religion trying to survive in one of worlds toughest places. This song, its vibe, the beats, the voice... Are coming straight out of their hood, written around a fire bin on the side of the street and put together with 3 instruments. It has no chorus, it’s verses all the way through, it is a kind of prayer to the unknown in the hope of salvation through everyday strength.

Lay Lemons I salute you.

Maceo Plex's Lone Romantic welcomes ManEater for a superb debut single that comes backed with a remix from the ever-excellent Alinka.

ManEater is a mysterious name with no online profile but an evocative sound that goes way beyond the dancefloor and well into the future. They make music that is much more than club fodder, instead cooking up cinematic and evocative landscapes.

The excellent 'Hurry On Up' is an expansive electro trip to the edges of the cosmos. Distant pads shimmer like forgotten planets, crisp claps and slick drums make for a frictionless groove that always keeps you moving and the ominous bass and soulful vocal cries finish the whole thing in real style.

Chicago native Alinka is enlisted to remix. She is known for her weird and idiosyncratic take on house on labels like Crosstown, Classic and her own Twirl and is one of the most exciting names in the current Windy City scene. Her fantastic version of 'Hurry On Up' is harder hitting, with tough drums and a lead arp that lights up the whole track with a late night menace.

This is classy electro that really makes a mark.

Sotomayor is the electronic music project with afro latin influence by siblings Raul (music production) and Paulina (vocals). It is a dance music project that fuses rhythms like cumbia, afro beat, dancehall, Peruvian "chicha" and merengue with futuristic electronic beats.

The band debuted in 2015 with "Salvaje," an album that allowed them to perform in several festivals around the globe in countries like England, US, Mexico and Colombia.

The album received excellent reviews from foreign media in countries like Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Chile, United States and Colombia. They also appeared in more than 25 lists of the best of the year from medias from all around the world. 2020 will see the release of "Orígenes" their 3rd studio album trough the NY based label Wonderwheel Recordings.

This album was recorded between Mexico and Puerto Rico, and was produced by the 28 times Grammy Winner Eduardo Cabra aka "Visitante" from the legendary band "Calle 13." In this production Sotomayor explores a new Afro Caribbean vision in the music, much more dance floor focused, and highly influenced by percussion

Treating Anger Disorder” is a frantic 4 tracks fast paced techno E.P.
that wraps murderous drums, dangerous acid bass lines and unsettling digital synthesisers. On “The Voice”, discomfited Underworld reminiscences leak out the struggle between the artists and the code, knocking over all the ravers.
“Rage Therapy” is the name of a laboratory research on the wretched conditions of dancing humans conducted with a self developed javascript computer program by two expert researchers of Techno social semiotic.

Sharif Laffrey is something of an unheralded hero of the underground Detroit scene. Active since the halcyon days of the early-90s Motor City rave movement, his sporadic releases are rarely less than superb. Sharif Laffrey has been playing records and making music for over 20 years. Born in Detroit, Michigan - he's worked on the line checking camshafts for Chryslers & as an operative for Underground Resistance (UR) at Submerge for Mike Banks, at the same time. Currently releasing music on his own label SPECIAL FORCES.
Championed by DJ Harvey, Carl Craig, Dixon, Andrew Weatherall, Ivan Smagghe, Seth Troxler, The Juan Maclean, Optimo, Trevor Jackson, Hunee, Manfredas, Solar, The Chemical Brothers…

"SOUNDS TO COME" - Is the 2nd release on Laffrey's own label SPECIAL FORCES
following its successful debut release "AND DANCE".

'Sounds To Come' is a long trip of low "techno" with a brute baseline and mesmeric vocals - when turning directly into The Golden Hour of a late night / morning is the thing to do.

"Rhyth-matic traditions that have become oblivious to our modus operandi.…
welcome to awesome…..the sound of sounds to come"

Cocada, a project which emerged as a diffuser of the musical talent present throughout Latin America, quickly spread its sounds to the four corners of the world, becoming a great initiative for electronic music. We couldn't be happier by this time, Cocada's first release as a record label is born with some respected artists and a beautiful story behind.

The wonderful artwork was illustrated by the Brazilian artist Paula Dornelles, who dedicates herself to the production of experimental artworks, she was able to convey through all her creative potential the depth of the meaning present in the word "freedom", a small sample of Latin American talent also in the visual arts.

On the album, who begins the work is the Brazilian duo, Diogo Vaille and Marcelo Abreu aka Bruce Leroys, with "Liberdade" (Original Vocal Version), a rework of a classic MPB song. The artists managed to perfectly merge the melancholy voice present in the song with a deep and dense bass line, bringing all the emotion present in the lyrics, causing goosebumps.

However, the duo isn't alone in this release. None other than Ricardo Villalobos has also left his trademark with a great remix, featuring fuller grooves and inserting multiple textures for the track.

xDream is the re-awakening of the child spirit. The child spirit lives everywhere: in our memories, the corners of our emotions, moments of mischief and euphoria, and whispers in the trees. In our youth, it grew from a seedling into the shape of the internal conscience, that little voice in your head that tells you right from wrong. The debut album by Dasychira features contributions by fellow artists Malibu, Embaci, and Baby Blue, as well as live violin by Iglooghost collaborator Vivek Menon and voice acting by mirukii and daisyvoice. Dasychira completed an Asia tour this year performing A/V sets with Yikii in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hongkong, and Shenzhen before going to Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo. xDream was released digitally on Halloween 2019 via Blueberry Records x UNSEELIE with music videos by Awe Ix, Dante Capone, Slama & Delong, and others.

7"

Kalakuta Soul Records is back and starts the year with a new collaboration with one of the most inspiring record stores and well of fortune for all music lovers, especially for those who enjoy carribean music and the profound musical heritage of Jamaica - the infamous Bahlo Records.

For this first release, both have created a new imprint that brings both labels together and goes by the name KABA that stands for (well…) Kalakuta Soul Bahlo Records.
For their first collaborative release, they were able to license two songs originally released on a private pressed LP by the mighty "Golden Sunshine Steel Band" in 1980 that will definitely wave you through day and night, whether you're listening to it at home, on the road or in a furious set on a mind-blowing sound system.

More releases will follow through 2020!!

Jungletrain resident Trainspotter debuts on Vivid’s first black label
series release. Spaced out ambient pads, noisescapes, and sparse
percussion take you far out and bring you to a place entirely new and
yet somehow familiar. This series is dedicated to individual, abstract
conceptualizations of the jungle / drum n bass landscape, exploring
freedom from formulaic beats while taking you to the fringe of
160-170+ bpm music. Fading Train EP is a truly unique take on this and excellent for bringing a sense of space to busy mixes.

Chaotic Discord - Time Migration introduces the second vinyl-only release from Tsarskoye Selo record label.

Our little reissue label is back in the game with a solid four tracker, written and produced by Doug Cavender and Mark Orosz - under the ILK alterego. Four Freqs EP was originally released almost twenty years ago on the Los Angeles based imprint Straylight Recordings. Proper cuts balancing well between techno and house from an era where unique ideas were easily melted into raw and uncompromising compositions without any genre standards. - Tape Hiss Crew

Limited hand written label 7" is for Indie stores only. On the heels of his debut LP, "How Do I Talk To My Brother?", Ben ventured to the west coast and was welcomed with open arms by fans of his sweet and uplifting soul music. The A-side, a cover "That's The Way It Goes by the Harptones, was recorded on a handheld cassette while performing live at a radio station. The B-side was recorded in Brooklyn upon returning from the tour and thus christening their newly renovated recording studio. So enjoy this unique little 45!
Also Available From Ben Pirani: How Do I Talk To My Brother? LP/CD, Art School Girl 7”, Light Of My Life 7”.

"1995" is a reissue of three tracks extracted from the Album "Rage Of Age", released in 1995 on the famous record label ACV Records. The CD version of the album contained more tracks than the album's LP version. These three tracks were never released on vinyl and it is impossible to find on the net.

Three different aspects of Freddy K really on fire at only 24 years old. Three tracks with an original style that made Freddy special at that time. Unusual from what today is called '90s style'. The title of "Mac-Beth" wants to remind the famous damned opera called "Macbeth", the track is hard, abstract and psychedelic at the same time. "Electro K" is a personal vision of something electro, funky and crazy. "Love trax" is a representation of what a love story can be.

Welcome to this rare Freddy K's world picture from 1995...
Expect the unexpected!

Dauw welcomes back the California based r beny to the label for his new album “echo’s verse”. It forms the follow-up of his acclaimed “saudade” album (selected as one of the best ambient albums of 2018 by Fact Magazine).

“Echo’s verse” forms no exception on that regard and continues along the same melancholic lines of his previous work. However, whereas the initial albums were much more centred around feelings of loneliness, isolation and solitude, the new album clearly moves away from a sole focus on sad and distressing emotions. “echo’s verse” touches the other side of the spectrum as it is about emotional connections, bonds and not feeling alone in the universe.

Side A: Band' Azul - Melo Do Fricote
Licensed From Top Tape Musica Ltda ©1982

Side B: Octavio Burnier - Que Nem Sol
Licensed From Top Tape Musica Ltda ©1980

Club Internacional unearth more long lost Brasilian grooves from the archives of Rio imprint Top Tape for lovers and collectors around the globe.

This edition kicks off with the funk-driven sounds of Melo Do Fricote by Band' Azul.
Fusing rapturous vocals, guitar and horns this track originally appeared in 1982 and was the band's only 45 single release.
Here it is in its original format at last.

The flip side features the much more established artist and celebrated guitarist Octavio Burnier. As one half of Burnier & Cartier he produced one of the most sought after LPs in Brasilian music in 1974, which became like gold dust to collectors of Brasilian music. It was recently reissued by the excellent Mr Bongo to the relief of all lovers of Brasilian sounds.

In this later solo track 'Que Nem Sol', Burnier demonstrates his exquisite guitar playing as well as his talents as a composer and singer.
A seriously delicious slice of soft boogie funk it was released only on 45 single on the Top Tape label back in 1980, and again has never been repressed.

Club Internacional hopes you enjoy bringing these long lost, blissful funk vibes back to life via this limited edition vinyl 45 pressing.

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is an American composer, performer and producer, originally from Orcas Island and currently based in Los Angeles. After several self-released albums, Smith was signed to independent record label Western Vinyl in 2015, who released her first official album, Euclid, in January 2015. Her latest album, T ides: Music for the Meditation and Yoga , was released in January 2019.
Smith grew up and was home-educated on Orcas Island, Northwestern Washington. She left the island to study composition and sound engineering at Berklee College of Music in Boston, before returning to the island after her graduation.
It was after returning home that Smith discovered synthesizers, when a neighbor introduced her to the Buchla 100 Synthesizer. Having originally intended to use her voice as her primary instrument, and then moving to classical guitar and piano, Smith switched to the use of synthesizer after being leant and experimenting with the Buchla 100 for a year.
Smith formed indie-folk band Ever Isles whilst still at Berklee but left the project after discovering the Buchla 100, explaining, “I got so distracted and enamored with the process of making sounds with the Buchla’s potential that I abandoned the next Ever Isles album”.
When developing her composition skills, Smith used visual aid as inspiration for her music. She has said that she is always composing to a visual in her head, explaining, “Sometimes I let the sound create the image for me and then I build off that. Or vice versa: I come up with imagery that is inspiring to me, or I see something that is inspiring, and then create sounds that I feel match it”.
Recorded in 2013, Tides is a glimpse into the early phase of what has become Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s signature approach to electronic music. Composed and played on a Buchla Music Easel––the modular synthesizer that gives Smith’s music its organic feel––this collection of instrumentals is at once uplifting, transportive and meditational.

'P&F Recordings' returns with it’s fourth release. This time they are coming at you straight outta NAPOLI, ITALY with a four track EP by MILORD (known to many as one half of the duo “The Normalmen” and one-third of “The Mystic Jungle Tribe”).

M • E • T • A / M • U • S • I • C is one part vintage library-music studio wizardry another part lowkey house. Imagine a slinky G-funk synth at a new-age retreat, a spacey kraut jam at an eighties video arcade - all at once familiar, yet unglued from any particular moment in time.

DJ SUPPORT: “Bro, I’m finding it hard to control the sunset with this damn Japanese remote,” said Crockett. “Can you lend me a hand?” Tubbs side-eyed with extreme shade and replied, “You’re such a k-hole, dude, that’s not a remote. It’s the car phone and you’ve been staring at it for an hour. Put that shit down and let’s hit the sauna.”

-Lovefingers (ESP Institute)

Meditative sunset sounds I could also use whilst taking an Epsom bath or a Hawaiian hike at dawn. Artwork also 10/10 another epic release from my fave new label.

-Danny McLewin (Psychemagik)

Thanks for the music - its right up me alley. I’m also already a fan of Mystic Jungle Tribe and Normalmen, so that is a formula I can definitely chemicalize with.

- Dreems (Multi-Culti)

Worked this album in the studio with Milord and I never got sick of listening to the tracks! "The kemetist" brings me in that fabolous druggy-place I would like to be at every weekend …
- Manny Whodamanny (Periodica - Naples IT)

Third release delivered by label boss Ma.to. 2 break tracks and two more straight to the point works to balance the record and walk you through the night / peak / morning glory moments. Get lost with deep and warm basslines and intriguing melodies or samples worked with an acid 90s techno retro feeling.

A treat for the cold Berlin winters…

(M)or Mint was originally a digital release on a small and now defunct label. Being released under a different title its existence has been basically scrubbed from the internet. Caserta felt it was time to bring it back remixed and mastered as a physical release.

The Baby Maker Dub puts this mid 90’s soulful vocal front and center. With a sparse drum arrangement complimenting the smooth piano stylings of Yuki ‘U-Key’ Kanesaka, you have a make out inducing end of the night jam.

For those not ready to go home yet, Caserta added more drums, a lot of 909 and a whole lot more low end. Turning this smoothed out subdued affair into a certified dance floor stomper.

Born out of a desire to share a selection of personal DJ focused, dancefloor edits, that have been exclusively test run and hammered by DJ Harvey and Lovebirds for the past few months, SIRS kicks off this new label offshoot with four, slick, sweltering and powerful reworks that ooze class.

Secret weapons of the highest order, each edit reimagines it’s original from the mind of the DJ – anticipating the moves of the club and harnessing the power that deft touches, reshaped structures and expressive effects can make to the force and energy of a record.

As appropriate soundtracking the crescendo of a club night, as they would be scoring the backdrop to a hazy sunset these edits are a must have in any DJs record bag.

* Carlton Livingston, is a well known Jamaican Reggae artist, who started his career in 1978 at Channel One (Ja) with the track: ‘Tale Of Two Cities’. Subsequently he recorded for many JA ‘labels’, Studio One, Thirllseekers, Taxi, Dynamite and others. His most notable and best known recording is ‘100 Weight Of Collie Weed’ for Percy Chin (Jah Life Rcds). The album which features the track is still available (Greensleeves).

This release, recorded for producer Phillip ‘Gadd 59’ Whittaker, features a new song on an up-dated original mid 1960’s Rock Steady rhythm, ‘Bum Ball’, courtesy of Derrick Morgan OD. The Vocal & Dub have been mixed by Russ (Disciples) at …studio..

The more rice label reconvenes for a third course. This time
mogwaa serves up four timeless chicago indebted house
tracks. Hidden spheres remix inside.

Presenting another fully legit, remastered and repackaged reissue from the WD vaults! Brand new style for 2020.

Londons "Warriors Dance" Label was a unique operation + pioneering London label during the late 80's acid house phenomena. Home to an assortment of DJs, MCs and soundmen, they went on to make their own original and indelible mark on the rave scene from the infamous 'Addis Ababa' studio on Harrow Road on the North-West side of the city.

A former reggae and soul studio that was instrumental to the output of influential artists like Soul II Soul and more, a steady diet of reggae, bass, hip-hop, house and techno kept their edgy, and diehard UK sound and style right at the cutting edge of the dance music underground across the globe with the top DJs and producers of the day celebrating the label. The studio, helmed by label owner Tony ‘Addis’, acted as an incubator for artists whose names would go down in the history books.

No Smoke was one of the main and best known outfits on this cult label. Their mammoth worldwide, cult club smash 'Koro Koro' is still in DJ bags across the galaxy today! 'Righteous Rule' is another tuffy from this crew, some heavyweight bassline madness for the dance.

All the elements of the WD sound are here, a perfect mix-up of Reggae vibes, jacking house and tribal badness rolled into one. A proper record, to be played on a proper system! This one's become a rare catch out in the wild, and is fetching some P's on the web among the collectors. Here's a nice 2020 repress for you, done the right way!

No Smoke 'Righteous Rule' is the pure unadulterated WD vibe, featuring original label artwork tweaked by Atelier Superplus and lovingly remastered by Curvepusher, UK. Special thanks to Nicky Trax & Tony Addis. Proudly distributed by Above Board distribution. 2020.

Nikki Nairs latest release for the new label Muy Muy Limited, based between Mexico City and Ponderosa CA, is a rich and textured testament to his ever evolving production abilities.

Evoking feelings of fireside reflection, this 6-song EP flows from rich ambient orchestration to hypnotic hymns + rhythmic instrumentation, while maintaining an overall feeling that evades description.

This all seems fitting for the first release on a label the was born in a remote cabin high up the Sequoia National Monument.

Led by some of Senegal's most famous singers, like Youssou N'Dour and Laba Sosseh, Star Band achieved the perfect gumbo of Cuban and Senegalese sounds. Changüí, Guajira, Salsa, and Son mingled with cosmic Mbalax guitars, Sabar rhythms, Afro-Latin horns, and Spanish vocals spiced with a Senegalese twang.

With just two microphones and a four-track Revox tape recorder, Ibrahim Kassé, Star Band's founder and owner of Le Miami nightclub, recorded their entire catalog in his venue. Each album contained one stand-out Afro-Cuban tune, often covers of Cuban classics or original compositions using the deep, layered sound that had evolved over centuries from the roundtrip journey across the Atlantic. Six of Star Band's most psychedelic Afro-Cuban tracks, an ode to their finest hour, are selected here.

Remastered in the original mono, and accompanied by 12-page booklet containing an essay on Cubanismo in Senegal, a rare interview with Star Band guitarist Yakhya Fall and vintage photos from his personal collection, this album is the soundtrack to a time when Cuban music was the future for 1970's Senegal and commemorates the anniversary when another way — the Cuban way — was possible.

Maceo Plex hasn't dropped an original on Drumcode since 2014 when the hugely popular 'Conjure Infinity' EP was released. Despite this, he's been a significant feature at DC events over the last year.
Sharing a tight relationship with Adam Beyer, the pair have laid down memorable B2B sets at Warehouse Project, Ultra Music Festival, and the Resistance opening party in Ibiza this summer, thus cementing their tight musical bond.

Produced in the early part of 2019, 'Destination Mars' marks his terrific return to Beyer's iconic label. The track is trademark Maceo, a master class in tension and release, characterized by a slick low-end bass hum that gathers steam as crunchy drum lines and breathy vocal accents combine effectively with the main vocal lead, a contribution from Josh Wink, no less.

... No surprise, it went down a storm when debuted at Time Warp's mammoth 25th-anniversary party in April and has been highlighting the Ellum boss' sets ever since.

The ever-reliable Raxon is charged with remix duties, stripping back the track's engine to focus on a central melody, chugging bassline, and hypnotizing vocal effects. Shall Ocin's re-rub is made for misty-eyed mornings as celestial pads result in a transcendental finale to bring it home.

Lyrical King is the debut 1987 album from one of rap’s pioneers and innovators who was said by some to be the first artist recorded by Def Jam Records. T La Rock recorded this album for Sleeping Bag Records as the labels first rap act and show cased him at the
height of his career. An old school legend, MC and dancer who was sampled by Public Enemy and Nas, heavily influential on artists such as LL Cool J and the Def Jam sound and would walk out on stage with Run –D.M.C . Highlights include ‘Back to Burn’ and ‘This Beat Kicks’ where T La Rock teamed up with visionary producer Kurtis Mantronik.

'IMB12001' shipping to You in a designed Uni Cover with a Sticker of the Label "The Inbeciles" on it!

This is the music for our times; our darkening times. The Imbeciles are making the soundtrack for the world we really live in, which is set to become increasingly angry, unhappy, unfair, and messed up. “The world is slowly imploding.” That’s the warning from The Imbeciles, and the message behind its first album. The idea of what to do emerged like a surprise attack.

“I don’t even know where it came from… it ambushed us,” says Butch Dante, of the band’s forthcoming self-titled debut album. “To us it looks like mankind will endgame itself in this millennium, and probably within the next 100 or 200 years. The Imbeciles as harbingers of that fall. We’re pointing out that the world is imploding, for many reasons — environmental, political, technological, and ultimately because human beings themselves forgot how to be humane, how to be kind.”

“Saying we are political would infer that we have some faith in the political system. We don’t. Or that we have answers, a solution to prevent this coming slow apocalypse. But we don’t. We are sitting at the side of an innocent-looking pool saying: hey, you’re drowning but you don’t even know it. And we’re giving you some music to listen to as you go down.”

Inspired by the likes of Wire, Devo, Gang Of Four, but utterly unique, a new form of avant-garde art punk, against greed and mendacity. The band’s forthcoming album was recorded deep down at Sonic Ranch on the Texas/Mexico border. All analogue, in seven days. Produced by Calvin Voltz.

Latest single “D.I.E.” is “a lament for the end of the world. With references to global endgames. They’re grim. All self-inflicted. The chorus is epic when played live. It’s incredibly passionate. People really get into it.” And now it’s been remixed.

Red Rack'em's take on is wonderfully curveball as one might expect; homing in on one unique part of the vocal and making it the fullcrum, from which his psychedelic, deep-house, hardcore jazzathon is then able to blossom and unravel before your very eyes. Atmospheric, experimental and hooky too - clever business from the Bergerac boss.

Next up we have the amazing Oliver Ho and his Broken English Club. Here we witness a more flagrant and faithful use of stems, and through layering both the band's parts, and instruments of his own design - he transforms 'D.I.E.' into a towering slab of dark and raw, industrial EBM.

Justin Strauss and Max Pask have joined up to form the new project Each Other, who will release their self-titled debut EP ‘Be Nice To Each Other’ on February 7th, 2020 via Soulwax/2manydjs label DEEWEE. While Strauss and Pask have DJ’d together on numerous occasions, this is the first time that they’ve collaborated on a production project.

The EP finds Each Other creating an eclectic range of sounds in the space of just three tracks. The opener ‘Same As It Never Was’ is the most immediate of the set, becoming more hypnotic as the minimalist topline buries itself into your subconscious. The downtempo ‘Burn It Down’ then darkens the mood, feeling closer to a dystopian sci-fi soundtrack than an underground club classic, before the playful and progressive ‘Six Weeks’ up the energy with jittering beats, sparkling synths and a cooly understated vocal.

“What we were trying to do and what we’ve hopefully achieved was to merge our influences with a nod to what many consider to be the ‘golden age’ of New York,” explains Justin Strauss. “You don’t realise that these periods were becoming important markers in history when we were living through them. It only comes later with the added benefit of time. I hope that in years to come, history will find a place for what we’re doing now” - Each Other.

As with all DEEWEE releases, ‘Be Nice To Each Other’ was recorded produced and mixed at DEEWEE.

Back again it’s the return of the Originals kicking off the new decade with some pure fire and a fresh new label design. Side A features the Bob James classic break Farandole which has been spliced down to a 45 edit courtesy of them doctors of funk over at the DNA labs.
Flip to the B side and DJ Muggs samples the A side to great effect creating a B-Boy banger featuring rhymes from Planet Asia and a guest appearance from B Real – sure to light up the dancefloor. Limited as always – don’t sleep – snooze you lose!

Brand new Bastard Jazz signing Buscrates comes out of the gate swinging with his first release for the label full of the bubbling, electronic funk he's become known for. "Lost & Found" features the vocal talents of Sally Green over a slappin' bassline, guitar licks and airy synths while "Cruise Control" goes on an instrumental ride with it's heavy drums, catchy g-funk lead and growling bass. Another funky affair from the Pittsburgh producer.

White Vinyl 10"

A new release this winter marks a landmark moment in an important musical story. Way back in little 2009, the label hfn music was born in Hamburg, and made its introduction to the world with the release of the Trentemøller compilation Harbour Boat Trips: 01 Copenhagen.
Founder Tobias Lampe wanted to start a label that was more broad in scope than his previous, more electronic-focused projects, and the compilation provided the perfect opportunity to launch one. In the 10 years since then, the label has survived the whirlpool waters of the early 21st century’s constantly changing music industry, and released everything from pop to art-punk, with artists ranging from New York to the Faroe Islands.
Now, they’re about to put out their 100th release. Fittingly, given the label’s focus on new and innovative music, and the historic aspect of the release, hfn100 sees one of hfn’s best songs of 2019 put into the hands of the man it all started with, Anders Trentemøller. His Danish compatriots Blaue Blume’s new album Bell Of Wool is one of hfn’s standout releases this year, and so hfn100 sees Trentemøller remix one of that record’s standout tracks, the fragile, but soaring “Lovable”.
In Blaue Blume’s original, “Lovable” is an airy, tormented song, a gossamer-delicate composition that carefully stitches together layers and layers of shining synths that gradually build up and up into a peak, before crashing into a subtle beat, a musical journey that mirrors vocalist Jonas Smith’s trip from anguish to numbness. Whereas the original’s music sounds woven together from light, Trentemøller takes it into darker territory. He hooks the song to a harsh, sparse beat leaving Smith’s vocals bare and isolated in the burnt-out, dystopic musical landscape he creates.
Trentemøller mirrors the original’s careful building up, adding new elements to fill in the song’s sound, before it collapses into a tough, noir disco groove. It’s a perfectly realised remix – Trentemøller keeps the original song’s skeleton and soul, but fills in the space with sonic touches that could be no one else’s but his.Ultimately, it’s a fitting song for hfn’s hundredth release. For a label that’s always been a platform for its boundary-pushing artists, a collaboration between two of them, that sees an already innovative song pushed into a bold new shape is the perfect way for hfn to step into the next 100 releases..

Repress.

stunning second 12" single on his new label´is finally coming folks. what a name for this pretty incredible 2 tracker!! "Return of the Zombie Bikers" is a massive spine shiveringly intense almost dnb b lined big room track recorded in early 2005 and can easily be compared to Mat´s strongest moments including "decompression" on minus. Don't get us wrong though, this track doesn´t necessarily need the comparison,it easily stands out by far.let it work on and let it touch you, we feel it´s probably one of the strongest records MJ ever did!! "Put your booty shorts on" is yet another a side track written in 2002 dedicated to his wife Frank and remixed with including a vocal in 2005. A unique taste of what is to come in future live sets at the festivals this summer.this is the "hi end" in micro house coming.

Auf "Small Favours" - der 6–Songs Vinyl–Auskopplung des Albums "Favours", verbündet sich Elektronikmusik–Zauberer Wolff Parkinson White mit verschiedenen SängerInnen, unter anderem Norah Jones, Natalie Beridze und Pascal Leboeuf.

Wolff Parkinson White's typisches Maschinengewehr–Feuer aus manipulierten Audio–Splittern steht hier in krassem Kontrast zu der Wärme der menschlichen Stimme. Seine erste EP–Veröffentlichung auf Nonplace bedient sich an vergleichsweise bekannten Liedstrukturen und beantwortet die Frage, wie ein Projekt von Björk und Venetian Snares klingen würde, wären sich beide jeweils der Nachteile diatonischer Monotonie und der endlosen harmonischen Wüste bewusst.

Die 6 Tracks der EP wurden von Labelchef Burnt Friedman persönlich von den 13 Album–Tracks ausgewählt. Der Schlagzeuger Jochen Rückert, der hinter dem Spitznamen "Wolff Parkinson White" steht, spielt auf "Heaps Dub" (nonplace20) von Root 70 und "Coptic Dub" (nonplace27) von Hayden Chisholm's Projekt The Embassadors.

Soul Jazz Records new ‘Apala: Apala Groups in Nigeria 1964-69’ is the first ever collection of Apala music ever to be released outside of Nigeria. The album focusses on a wide selection of recordings made in Nigeria in the 1960's, a time when Apala music was at the height of its popularity. Apala is a deeply rhythmical, hypnotic and powerful
musical style that combines the striking nasal-style vocals and traditions of Islamic music, the Agidigbo (thumb piano), and the equally powerful drumming and percussion rhythms and
techniques of the Yoruba of Nigeria.

The most significant figure in Apala music is undoubtedly Haruna Ishola who features throughout this album. Ishola holds an almost mythological status in his role as populariser of Apala music in
Nigeria. Ishola’s singing was believed to be so powerful that, without proper restraint, it could kill the recipient of his music.

Apala is a popular music that also functioned as a form of cultural resistance – Apala music involved no western instrumentation and is sung in the Yoruba language, its aesthetic an implicit cultural
rejection of the British Empire’s colonial rule over Nigeria which lasted from 1901 until independence in 1960. Apala music was popular and widely accepted in Nigeria due to its philosophical and profound
lyrical content alongside the complex rhythmic patterns of this heavily percussive style, which highlighted many of the percussion instruments of south-west Nigeria.

He's one of a number of popular urban styles of music that came out of Nigeria in the 20th century and sits alongside the more well-known (in the West) styles of Fuji, Highlife, Juju and Afrobeat. Of these modern forms Apala remains perhaps the most ‘roots’ style (sometimes described as ‘neo-traditional’) due to the authenticity of its sound. It has similar Islamic roots to other neo-traditional styles of Nigeria – including Waka and Sakara – examples of which are also
included on this collection contextualising the music of Apala.

These recordings were originally made and released locally by Decca and EMI Records as well as a variety of independent labels in Nigeria and have never been released outside of the country before. Soul Jazz Records are releasing this album as a deluxe double gatefold vinyl (download code), CD, slipcase and booklet, both containing full text and photography.

New year, new luck.

Our resident JESSAMINE is making the serve and releases his first artist EP on our in-house label.

With its rough bassline and arpeggio, the title track flutes clearly focuses on the dance floor, moreover, it is not too fine for an emotional break either. dérive-the second track on the A-side-is a much more twisted, darker and trippier one, more suitable for the later hours on the lobby and similar intimate dancefloors.

As long-time friends of the club, MAP.ACHE and KASSEM MOSSE contributed fantastic remixes. While KASSEM MOSSES's stille floeten remix comes along a little more stoic and therefore all the more hypnotic, MAP.ACHE's interpretation of flutes is uplifting and a catchy tune as described in the books.

Agenda 2020 ://about blank-style.

Pleaxure's debut EP, "No Such", leads us down the rabbit hole of a guided LSD therapy session
formatted to a half hour of psychedelia-infused techno. Keeping one foot in Baltimore and the other in Brooklyn, "No Such" drops as the first release on NiCE1, a label collaboration between Pleaxure and Broke City's Jordan Ehr. With remix blessings from New York underground artists Anthony Naples, MoMa Ready and Bergsonist, the EP rounds off as a special exploration of crafty fodder for dancefloors and heady listening alike. The proceeds of all Pleaxure records will be donated to help the city of Baltimore (currently at Rebuilding Together - Baltimore, https://rebuildingtogether.org)

Kêtu Records proudly presents, after two years looking for the artists in Nigeria, the reissue of this album from The Faces!!Originally released in 1975, Wake Up Today, differs from the Afro-Funk productions of that time by its Afro-Rock/Afro-Funk Garage style.

We let you discover this UFO and thank you for your support to the label.

Revive the legend Faces,
Vibrate the dancefloor,
!! Wake up today !!

Rhythm Syndicate Records is proud to present their debut vinyl release. Both tracks come from a true veteran of the Drum & Bass scene, and an exclusive release from top level producer Blade. DJ Blade, has a sound that is much sought after amongst headz, and his following has continued to grow steadily over the past few years. His production style is distinctive, and has seen him have various releases on labels including, Good Looking Records, Fokuz Recordings, Soul Deep Recordings, Smooth N Groove, Liquid V, Think Deep, and Flight Pattern, to name a few. Known for producing big anthems, and a prolific unreleased back catalogue die hard fans can only dream of owning, its no surprise that Blade receives continuous heavy support from some of the top Deejays in the game. The song, "China Town Womad", has been supported consistently by scene legend, LTJ Bukem. Now this sought after track is available on a limited vinyl run, so get one while they last!