house . techno . electronica . ambient . neo-classical

WEEK STARTING 12 Apr

Genre pick of the week Cover of Note To Self EP by Bella.

Bella

Note To Self EP

Big Saldo's Chunkers

Fast-rising Dutch DJ/producer BELLA becomes the first new artist signing to Sally C’s Big Saldo’s Chunkers imprint, with the inspiring ‘Note to Self’ EP – her debut production.

Relationships are key for Sally C. Since the inception of Big Saldo’s Chunkers in 2020, she’s released three carefully chosen EPs, all from her own studio. When she met BELLA while playing a festival in Amsterdam during summer 2022, the click was instantaneous, with the pair going on to play an impromptu b2b that day. Vibing both musically and energetically, they kept in touch, with BELLA sending Sally her maiden productions ‘Note To Self’ and ‘Orchestra Spring’. Sally connected so deeply with the tracks that they’d form the backbone of her debut artist EP on Big Saldo’s Chunkers.

One listen to the final EP and it’s not hard to see why Sally wanted to emboss them as Chunkers. Three fresh originals taking in influence from ‘90s house, acid, electro and prog, all with a unique hard-to-pin-down energy that makes them hit with a special swing.

The title track – also the first production made for the EP - sees BELLA lay down a sonic blueprint – both for her own sound and the full body of work. “This set the vibe and guided me through the creative process. I was really trying to make something that felt my own, that was also unique and not something I’ve heard before,” she shares. ‘Note to Self’ is heavy on attitude and bounce, driven by banging old skool drums, a rapid-fire grime-style vocal and a duo of synth lines – one uplifting, the other mining a slick ‘80s sheen, and the results are memorable. An absolute tune that Sally’s delighted to add to the Chunker catalogue.

‘Orchestra Spring’ is the perky sequel, a wicked one-two punch of kaleidoscopic groovy house with lashings of attitude that loves to scribble outside the lines with lots of retro samples and trippy energy. ‘Odd Symphony’ completes the trio, a blazing late-night cut driven by a gurgling acid underbelly, gritty drums and warm chords, giving the EP a brilliant afterglow.

Olsvangèr – one of Sally’s favourite producers – steps up for remix duties of ‘Odd Symphony’, and delivers a dynamic re-rub that begins in upbeat house territory, before taking an interlude in perkier rave realms.

“I'm over the moon to be releasing this EP on Sally’s label. It’s really special to have someone who I look up to release my music. She has given me tremendous support and guidance over the last two years, always ready to chat or give me some advice. It was a big surprise and honour when she suggested releasing the tracks on her label. It feels like a perfect fit. It’s super sweet to share this journey with her.” – BELLA

"I’m so excited to welcome BELLA to the label for her debut EP. It was time to take this next step and open the Chunkers door to new artists. I couldn’t think of a better one than BELLA to debut her fresh Chunkers on the label. Three banging originals by an extremely talented artist which I’ve been playing ever since she sent me the tracks. Polished with an Olsvangèr remix, it’s a really strong four track EP." – SALLY C

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Sally enlists some outside help for her Chunkers imprint, with Dutch producer Bella perfectly hitting the label's modus operandi.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Note To Self
A2. Orchestra Spring
B1. Odd Symphony
B2. Odd Symphony (Olsvangèr Remix)

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Cover of Tides by Catching Flies.

Catching Flies

Tides

Indigo Soul

Catching Flies - aka multi-instrumentalist, producer and DJ George King – produces a bass heavy yet melodic mesh of broody electronics and intricate rhythms, containing shades of everything from hip-hop to house, from soul to jazz. Catching Flies has released on labels such as Cercle, AnjunaDeep and Ninja Tune.

TRACK LISTING

1. Prelude
2. GLY
3. True Colours
4. Halo
5. Snow Day
6. Diamonds
7. Magnolia
8. Friday Lake
9. Orsay
10. The Last Phone Call (feat. Imaginary Friend)
11. Tides

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Cover of Lost & Found EP Vol.3 by Kerri Chandler.

Kerri Chandler

Lost & Found EP Vol.3

Kaoz Theory

Kerri Chandler returns to his own Kaoz Theory with Vol.3 of his archive focused ‘Lost & Found’ series.

Kerri Chandler and his Kaoz Theory imprint continues to move from strength to strength still after decades at the forefront of House music. In this ‘Lost & Found’ series, Chandler dives back into his vault to unearth forgotten gems and bring them into the limelight today. For this release, Kerri also revisits ‘Let It’ from his recent ‘Spaces and Places’ LP, reworking it with a new vocalist this time round, namely AbbieLee.

Kicking things off is new version of Let It (Give Me Back My Love), laid out across six minutes, employing shimmering Rhodes melodies, fluttering arpeggios, a bumpy bass groove and crisp drums intertwined with AbbieLee’s soulful vocal stylings. ‘Another Dawn (Vocal Mix)’ follows with jazzy, bruk-tinged drums, uplifting piano chords and pulsating subs running alongside enchanting vocal lines,On the flip-side, Kerri dives into more underground basement realms with the murky basstones, shuffled dusty drums and expansive reverberations of ‘The Bassline (Kerri’s DarkMix). ‘The Breeze’ then rounds out the EP with an electro tinged 808 jam, utilising the machines classic cowbell chimes, skippy snares, rumbling toms and thunderous kicks.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Let It (Give Me Back My Love) Ft. AbbieLee
A2. Another Dawn (Vocal Mix)
B1. The Bassline (Kerri’s Dark Mix)
B2. The Breeze (Original Mix)

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Cover of Yacker by Container.

Container

Yacker

Alter

Ren Schofield’s long running electronic project Container returns with his first release since the Creamer EP in 2021. Rolling straight out of the pandemic Schofield has since played a large number of live shows all over the planet, rilling up audiences with a heady mix of method and mania. Now is the time to unleash a new studio offering.

Yacker presents what is undoubtedly an electronic record but one imbued with a spirit more aligned with rock music. Always hijacking the electronic music scene for his own unique and twisted path here we see a further extrapolation on his original blueprint for DIY noise techno adding a more physical and muscular edge to the standard hysterical proceedings. The drums retain an almost human, somewhat muscular feel with a sweaty and suggestive ‘real drums’ feeling.

Schofield cites inspiration on Yacker as the Nirvana song ‘Oh, The Guilt’, the Mindflayer album ‘It’s Always 1999’, and the Rah Bras song ‘Sooop Toe Pump Girls’. Container has always danced the absurd space between serious and stupid, with Yacker all elements are turned up to eleven as he delivers a pristine field guide to furious frenzied fun.

Yacker strikes an even balance between heavy, relentless, joyful, silly, and sloppy. Think Lollapalooza 1996 held at Berghain 2006 and you are somewhere on the way to formulating this fresh new insanity from one of the contemporary electronic music scene's more playful pioneers.

TRACK LISTING

1. Abrasion
2. Eraser
3. Spray
4. Aerator
5. Drooper
6. Yacker
7. Cone
8. Bonkers
9. Onion
10. Spritzer

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Cover of Seconds To Forever [remastered] by Cv313.

Cv313

Seconds To Forever [remastered]

Echospace [detroit])

Remastered into analogue bliss from the original ampex tape masters conducted at the NSC mastering lab in Detroit by the legendary Ron Murphy (R.I.P.) Recorded from a live session near the heart of Detroit, using countless modular synths, analog devices and custom made effects producing a hypnotic state like no other; tugs right at the heartstrings! 

Expect gorgeous plumes of sound, deeper than the ocean floor and a groove you would expect to hear rumbling the walls of Panarama Bar at 6AM, a beautifully deep affair. The remodel strikes a space age groove, live congas courtesy of The Howard Street Rhythm Section (who appeared on cv313's live excursion), a subterranean bottom and an atmosphere to float in. The B-side brings the reprise of "Beyond The Clouds" which is a clear example of the power of repetition, in its near 23 minute journey one questions whether or not time has stood still? This is an extended psychedelic trip meant to drift in, to float in, the very soundtrack for deep space exploration.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Benefiting from a high resolution remaster, these cv313 standards are now available once again, one sexy blue midnight vinyl to boot. Dub-techno classics, and a high watermark of the genre.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Seconds To Forever [original] 6:25
A2. Seconds To Forever [reshape] 7:24
B:. Beyond The Clouds [reprise] 22:58

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Cover of Subtraktive [remastered] by Cv313.

Cv313

Subtraktive [remastered]

Echospace [detroit])

Approaching 20 years since its original release (2007 via Smallfish), now remastered to pure analogue bliss from the original ampex tape masters.

The sound on display here I could imagine as a soundtrack while submerging in a submersible diving deeper than the Marianas trench!

The B side now features an epic live version captured @ AIR, Tokyo, Japan. Made in the heart of Detroit, with love! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Benefiting from a high resolution remaster, these cv313 standards are now available once again, one sexy blue midnight vinyl to boot. Dub-techno classics, and a high watermark of the genre.

TRACK LISTING

A. Subtraktive [remastered] 15:45
B. Subtraktive [live In Japan] 17:58

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Cover of Take Me For A Ride by Luuk Van Dijk.

Luuk Van Dijk

Take Me For A Ride

Dark Side Of The Sun

Making his first vinyl appearance on the label, Luuk van Dijk is back releasing his long awaited 'Take Me For A Ride'. Remixing the title track is Berlin house talent Running Hot. The record is completed with 2 of Luuk’s originals on the B side with the garage influenced 'Doin' It’'and groovy 'Sexy M*therfucker'

TRACK LISTING

A1. Take Me For A Ride
A2. Take Me For A Ride - Running Hot Remix
B1. Doin' It
B2. Sexy Motherf*cker

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Cover of Vapor by Yosi Horikawa.

Yosi Horikawa

Vapor

First Word Records

It's five years since we first released Yosi Horikawa's 'Vapor' album. To commemorate the occassion, we're releasing the album on vinyl for the very first time, also including a previously unreleased bonus track, 'Yoggo'.

The devil is in the details. And Yosi Horikawa understands this perhaps better than most musicians from his generation; crafting compositions with broad appeal that also withstand the most intricate scrutiny. Originality has always been a rare currency in the creative arts, and having honed his voice over the years Yosi has plenty of it to give to those willing to listen.

The RBMA graduate has collaborated with artists such as Jesse Boykins III, Dorian Concept & Daisuke Tanabe, performed at Glastonbury, Sónar, Mutek, Dimensions, Low End Theory, Ninja Tune's Solid Steel & Boiler Room, featured in Time Out Tokyo, XLR8R, Dummy & more, and received acclaim and support from the likes of Benji B, Tom Ravenscroft, Fulgeance, DJ Food and Gilles Peterson, with whom he has worked with on several projects since the release of 'Vapor', for Brownswood, Worldwide Festival & Worldwide FM respectively, producing a regular feature, 'Soundscape with Yosi Horikawa'.

Besides writing and producing music, Yosi is a highly skilled sound engineer, working with prestigious architects, fashion brands, and technology firms as well as designing speakers for bars and clubs. He's also composed numerous jingles and theme songs for radio stations to science exhibitions. Such is his diversity and originality, he was the subject of an RBMA film documentary in 2014, 'Layered Memories'.

Following his debut EP on Eklektik Records, two EPs were released on First Word prior to this, his debut album, 'Vapor'. 17 tracks from the Japanese sound designer and producer that weave together diverse field recordings and sample sources, with rhythms and melodies, creating something that defies stylistic boxing. Echoes of dance music, hip hop and musique concrete can all be found amid the sounds of nature and everyday life that underpin the grooves of the music. 'Vapor' is an album in the old-fashioned sense, a tightly-woven sonic journey that benefits from repeat listens.

'Vapor' was named amongst 2013 Albums of the Year lists in Fact Magazine and The Japan Times.

Sound Colour VIbration.com: "A sonic masterpiece and an entirely new pathway in to the matrix of emerging electronic creativity. Every piece on the album sounds boundless and full of texture & colour imaginable"

Earmilk: "A serendipitous mishmash of electronic, hip hop beats, and a litany of genres that fall in that spectrum with a liberal dose of acoustic magic.

TRACK LISTING

1. Intro
2. Bump
3. Maki
4. Splash
5. Beer
6. Wandering
7. Interlude
8. Summer In 1987
9. Kingdom Of Frogs
10. Rainbow
11. Cave
12. Starlings
13. Letter
14. Stars
15. Grandpa
16. Outro
17. YOGGO

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Cover of Error In The System by Kaiserdisco.

Kaiserdisco

Error In The System

Drumcode

Kaiserdisco share their first Drumcode EP in eight years. With a knack for clever vocal hooks and crisp production, Kaiserdisco are never far from Adam Beyer’s thinking when it comes scheduling Drumcode releases. With this in mind, it feels almost unbelievable to think ‘Error in the System’ will be the duo’s first EP on Drumcode since 2016.
In recent times the pair has contributed tracks to the label, highlighted last year’s ‘Get on the Dancefloor’ on A – Sides Vol.12 and their popular single ‘Together One Time’ from 2022. ‘Error in the System’ marks their return to the EP format and is an absolute treat. Lead track ‘In the Music’ is a trippy roller that lures you into a dancefloor trance via an addictive vocal hook, before morphing into an acid - drenched stomper in the second half. The title track is a peak - time head spinner, characterised by muted tones and industrial effects, it’s an eerie and powerful slice of club machinery crafted for maximum impact.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A pumping duo of snapping 808's and 16th drum fills, both pieces here are rich in the techno tradition and come on a label that's probably one of the most well known in the game. If you're a fan of the uptempo electronic business (Rusty), this one's for you.

TRACK LISTING

A1. In The Music
B1. Error In The System

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Cover of Badly Written Songs by Magic Number.

Magic Number

Badly Written Songs

Atjazz

‘Badly Written Songs’ is, of course, a tongue-in-cheek title. It comprises a carefully structured and well-produced array of songwriting, topped and tailed with live instrumentation, commanding vocal performances and high-end production: the result of years of sound engineering and music production experience. Since the last album, Ross Hillard has continually honed his skills whilst earnestly crafting this sophomore long player. As well as developing a range of audio plugins, Ross also manages recording sessions at his own Paddocks Recording Studios: huge live spaces boast cutting-edge technology, integrated with distinguished analogue kit. The studio is complemented by a collection of prized microphones, together with a fully-restored vintage Raindirk mixing desk.

The opening track and first single from this album is the positively-anthemic gem entitled ‘Good Morning Sunshine’. It tells a forward-looking story promoting the merits of getting back into the driving seat of life. It’s propelled further by superb jazz-inspired drums and live horns that build up to an exhilarating crescendo. Featuring the vocal talents of Sophia Marshall, the story she paints is supported by a wonderful, darkly humorous cartoon video. An animated cadaver hilariously acts out her notions of positive living.
Other tracks also destined for a single release include: ‘Loving You’. It’s a song written around love lost. A bouncing house composition lays the foundations for Sophia Marshall's beautiful vocal that narrates the many facets to be found in loving another person. ‘Better’ again echoes jazz-inspired drums behind Sophia's vocals, drawing attention to how so many people are lost on their devices, missing out on the awesome world around them. A catchy chorus chants the notion behind this song, i.e., that you ‘could be better!’ This single is also supported by another fantastic video featuring the same comical, deceased character introduced through the ‘Good Morning Sunshine’ video.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Good Morning Sunshine
A2. Better
A3. Coming Back
A4. SFS
A5. Loving You
B1. Was This Love
B2. All I Ever Wanted
B3. Thinkin’ Bout
B4. Exit

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Cover of God Made Me Phunky / Shake Dat Booty - Inc. Pal Joey Remix by MD X-Spress / Three Kings.

MD X-Spress / Three Kings

God Made Me Phunky / Shake Dat Booty - Inc. Pal Joey Remix

4 To The Floor

4 To The Floor are committed to delivering seminal house music to wax, making sought after heritage tracks readily available on vinyl for crate diggers to add to their collections. On Volume 1’s A-Side you’ll find a track with one of the most famous lyrics from house music history MD X-Spress’ ‘God Made Me Phunky’, the record has inspired countless producers to sample and remix it, but this 90’s gem still sounds amazing in its original glory. On the flip are two mixes of a Three Kings classic, ‘Shake Dat Booty’. The A Pal Joey Interpretation matches looped vocals with harmonious keys that perfectly complement each other, while the Wahoo Main Mix utilizes energetic drums and techy synths to up the ante.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Resurrecting bona fide classics from the house music cannon, 4 To The Floor turn their attention to two cheeky booty twisters from '94 and 2002.

TRACK LISTING

A. MD X-Spress - God Made Me Phunky (Original Mix) 
B1. Three Kings Featuring Jaygun & Bashy - Shake Dat Booty (A Pal Joey Interpretation) 
B2. Three Kings Featuring Jaygun & Bashy - Shake Dat Booty (Wahoo Main Mix) 

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Back in stock Cover of The Worst Edits Vol.6 by Members Only.

Members Only

The Worst Edits Vol.6

Members Only

Jamal Moss' now-classic series is back for 2024 with another entry in what must be one of the most creatively off-the-wall series of edits ever committed to wax. The 4 cuts on offer here deftly blur the lines between disco, house and EBM; reminiscent of The Muzic Box or Medusa's. It's a highly hallucinatory affair, ditching the hyper disco cuts for a more red lit throb - circling in on what must surely be Belgium's late nite underbelly for four coital twisters bursting with x-rated spectacle.


4 The Ones Who Know!!


STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The saga continues! Jamal Moss' Members Only series, to some, is one of the most important collection of 'edits' to have ever been committed to wax. Their balls-out reckless invention, leftfield source material and experimental frequency abuse appealing to the more adventurous and uncompromising DJ.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Release Of Lust
A2. 5 Fingers On A Hand
B1. Pray That U Find Luv
B2. Where My Hot Sht At

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Cover of Classics Volume 7 - The MK EP by MK.

MK

Classics Volume 7 - The MK EP

4 To The Floor

4 To The Floor continues to champion heritage tracks with Volume 7 of the Classics 12” series, ‘The MK EP’. As one of the most in demand producers of the halcyon period of house in the early 90s, this special delivery features three gems from MK’s early career. Opening the A-Side with vocal house masterpiece ‘Burning’, on the flip are two of MK’s most loved collaborations with Alana, first the deep and piano-lined ‘Always’ (Club Mix), before the soulful club anthem ‘Love Changes’. This release highlights the timeless quality of MK’s catalogue, with three cuts that truly stand the test of time.

TRACK LISTING

A. Burning (Vibe Mix)
B1. Always Feat. Alana (MK Club Mix)
B2. Love Changes Feat. Alana (MK Mix) 

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Back in stock Cover of NT by NT.

NT

NT

Is It Balearic

NT is Nail aka Neil Holliday, one half of Bent and a master of UK tech house. But here he shows a different side across six majestically Balearic groovers. That draw on everything he has done before to send you out to sea on gentle waves of shining synth goodness, downtempo bliss and dreamy, chubby, soft focus drums. 'Beside Boa Linn' is a soothing summer sound to kick off then 'Going Out To Feel It' is a spiritual house cut for sundown, and 'Don't Hide Away' is slow motion disco brilliance. The trip continues with the star-gazing 'Evening Fixture', Eddie C style guitar licks of 'Walk In Romance' and romantic lullaby 'Dreams On Hold.'

STAFF COMMENTS

Mine says: The long awaited EP by NT, six dubby and balearic groovers with an ecstatic disco feel, does not disappoint. There is something instantly uplifting about this record which should tide you over nicely until summer...

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Beside Boa Linn
2. Going Out To Feel It
3. Don’t Hide Away

Side 2
1. Evening Fixture
2. Walk In Romance
3. Dreams On Hold

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Cover of She And Me Fall Together In Free Death by Nurse With Wound.

Nurse With Wound

She And Me Fall Together In Free Death

The Circle Music

    "She and Me Fall Together in Free Death" is probably the most approachable, largely "musical" album that NWW has released since Rock N' Roll Station . It's also one of his strangest concepts, a marriage of trance inducing Krautrock grooves with a traditional jazz standard and some jarringly atonal musique concrete. Side A is the 20- minute title track: a slow-motion jam reminiscent of of one of Can's sidelong tracks on Tago Mago or the more avant-garde grooves of Tony Conrad and Faust's Outside the Dream Syndicate. The propulsive Jaki Liebezeit drumbeat is the foundation for a long jam session with what sounds like a dijderidoo and layers of guitar feedback. It's a massive, heavy sound, the kind that Julian Cope would devote a whole chapter to in his "Kratrocksampler". Side B is one long piece with three distinct movements. Beginning with those familiar, World Serpent-trademark windchimes, the listener is quickly ushered into Staple- ton's singing debut (!) in a rendition of the oft- covered traditional jazz ballad " Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair " This was a favorite of the recently deceased Nina Simone, and also of the avant- jazz screamer Patty Waters. Nurse With Wound's version is backed by cello drones, repetitive guitar strums and tambourine, sounding very much like The Velvet Un- derground's " Venus in Furs ". It's such a treat to hear Steven Stapleton's multitracked vocals cover this classic song, and this eerie version rates as one of my favorites. This song and the title track prove to the naysayers that Nurse With Wound is equally adept at rock n' roll songcraft as he is at demented sound collages. The creepy jazz cover seques into "Chicken Con- cret (For Missy E)", a truly warped tape-edit job that juxtaposes chicken squawks and sythesized birdcalls with random bleeps, speaker hiccups and gongs.

    Could this be Steven Stapleton 's tribute to Timbaland and Missy Elliott's incomparable use of musique concrete techniques on their major label hip- hop anthems? Hard to say, but I like to think so. Side B ends with the hyper-sexualized "Gusset Typing", in which a mutated woman's voice describes her masturbation and orgasm in in- timate, anatomical detail. Her monologue is set against an intense rhythmic throbbing that builds as she reaches her climax. At the end, she blows her load and the record ends. This certainly qualifies as an active listening experience, and it's also a great make-out rec

    TRACK LISTING

    1. She And Me Fall Together Like Free Death
    2. Black Is The Color Of My True Loves Hair
    3. Chicken Concret 
    4. Gusset Typing
    5.She And Me Fall Together Like Free Death (Phosphorous Mix) 
    6. Chicken Korma
    7. Fine Writin'
    8. She And Me Fall Together In Free Death (Funereal Mix)
    9. Yellowed
    10. Seeting Red
    11. Black

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    Cover of Face / San Diago Remixes (Prins Thomas, Rahaan) by Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK.

    Arnau Obiols & KAYYAK

    Face / San Diago Remixes (Prins Thomas, Rahaan)

    Compost

    The visionary electronic music producer team Arnau Obiols and KAYYAK, known for blending cultural influences into captivating soundscapes, present two new tracks seamlessly fusing afro-inspired rhythms with groovy organic beats. Splendid remix works by the masterminds Prins Thomas, Medlar & Dele Sosimi and Rahaan are the icing on the cake.

    Arnau Obiols and KAYYAK return to Compost Records with their third release for the esteemed German label. Following their debut EP, 'Chang'an', and the single 'Tunacheza', which was also featured in the compilation 'Future Sounds of Jazz Vol. 15', the duo presents their latest offerings: "Faith" and "San Diago". Recorded between Zurich and Barcelona, these tracks embody a fusion of disco, funk, and jazz infused with a strong West African influence drawn from genres such as highlife, afrobeat, and juju. Their passion for psychedelia and krautrock is evident in the recordings, characterized by raw tape echoes, primitive drum machines, heavily processed analog synthesizers and dream-like atmospheres. While the original tracks maintain an organic vibe, the remixes offer club-ready versions tailored for the dance floor. Featuring outstanding remixes by the Norwegian space disco pioneer Prins Thomas, the Chicago legend Rahaan, and the British house producer Medlar, along with Nigerian musician Dele Sosimi, renowned for his work as a keyboard player for Fela Kuti in the late 70s and early 80s. Don't miss your chance to experience these captivating tracks. Grab it while you can, as this release is expected to go fast!

    TRACK LISTING

    1. Faith
    2. San Diago
    3. San Diago (Prins Thomas Remix)
    4. Faith (Medlar & Dele Sosimi Remix)
    5. Faith (Rahaan Remix)

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    Cover of FUTUROMANIA: Electronic Dreams, Desiring Machines And Tomorrow’s Music Today - SIGNED EDITION by Simon Reynolds.

    Simon Reynolds

    FUTUROMANIA: Electronic Dreams, Desiring Machines And Tomorrow’s Music Today - SIGNED EDITION

    White Rabbit

      Simon Reynolds's first book in eight years is a celebration of music that feels like a taste of tomorrow. Sounds that prefigure pop music's future - the vanguard genres and heroic innovators whose discoveries eventually get accepted by the wider mass audience. But it's also about the way music can stir anticipation for a thrillingly transformed world just around the corner: a future that might be utopian or dystopian, but at least will be radically changed and exhilaratingly other.

      Starting with an extraordinary chapter on Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer, taking in illuminating profiles of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Boards of Canada, Burial, and Daft Punk, and arguing for Auto-Tune as the defining sound of 21st century pop, Futuromania shapes over two-dozen essays and interviews into a chronological narrative of machine-music from the 1970s to now. Reynolds explores the interface between pop music and science fiction's utopian dreams and nightmare visions, always emphasizing the quirky human individuals abusing the technology as much as the era-defining advances in electronic hardware and digital software.

      A tapestry of the scenes and subcultures that have proliferated in that febrile, sexy and contested space where man meets machine, Futuromania is an enthused listening guide that will propel readers towards adventures in sound. There is a lifetime of electronic listening here.

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      Cover of Great Doubt - 2024 Repress by Astrid Sonne.

      Astrid Sonne

      Great Doubt - 2024 Repress

      Escho

        Astrid Sonne is a Danish, London-based composer and viola player. Throughout her acclaimed discography, Astrid Sonne has been carefully crafting different moods through electronic and acoustic instrumental endeavours. On her third album Great Doubt, released via Copenhagen's Escho, this skill is refined, now with the distinct addition of the composer's own vocal in front. The tone of each track is unmistakably Sonne’s, structured around contrasts through an impeccable sense of timing. Lyrics on the album are sparse, merely highlighting different scenes or emotional states of being, leaving the music to fill in the blanks. Yet they also form a pattern of ambiguity, consolidated through the album title, searching for answers through looking at how and what you are asking, questions for the world, questions of love.

        The viola, a trusted companion since Astrid Sonne’s youth, appears effortlessly throughout the album, fully integrated into the sonic universe; through a pizzicato driven arrangement in the poignant track “Almost” or along with booms and claps in mutated cinematic stabs during “Give my all”, paraphrasing Mariah Carey's 1997 ballad. Yet the string section also gives way to explorations of woodwinds, counterbalancing the bowed movements with digital brass and airy flutes. Finally, beats and detuned piano are fresh additions to the soundscape, cementing how Sonne’s practice is always evolving into new territories. 

        TRACK LISTING

        1. Light And Heavy
        2. Do You Wanna
        3. Give My All
        4. Almost
        5. Boost
        6. Everything Is Unreal
        7. Staying Here
        8. Overture
        9. Say You Love Me

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        Cover of Issue 483 - May 2024 by The Wire.

        The Wire

        Issue 483 - May 2024

          Still House Plants: London’s post-post-punk trio use deconstructed songform to tap emotions others cannot reach. By Frances Morgan

          FUJI|||||||||||TA: Pulling out the stops with homemade pipe organs. By Antonio Poscic

          Cheer-Accident: Thymme Jones’s motley crew of Chicago outsiders flip the conventions of the rock band. By Peter Margasak

          Lolina: One half of influential duo Hype Williams explores a comic book dystopia in new project Unrecognisable. By Claire Biddles

          NikNak: The British musician turns the tables on sound art. By Tayyab Amin

          Invisible Jukebox: Kristin Hersh: Will the songwriter and author find her muse in The Wire’s mystery record selection? Tested by Emily Pothast

          Unlimited Editions: Tripalium Corp

          Unofficial Channels: Billdifferen

          Ana Lua Caiano: Portuguese tradition made anew by the musician and audiovisual artist. By Shane Woolman

          BBBBBBB: The Japanese trio present their scum manifesto. By James Hadfield

          Fatboi Sharif: The Garden State Gargoyle raps a dance of the macabre. By Joseph Stannard

          Angelica Sanchez: A set of monster jams from the East Coast pianist. By Stewart Smith

          The Inner Sleeve: Lee Gamble on Various Artists’ Decay Product

          Epiphanies: Jlin maximises her creative potential with Philip Glass

          Soundcheck: [Ahmed], Ancine, Andrea & Mud, Maria Bertel Et Nina Garcia, Alan Braufman, Anthony Braxton, Kyle Bruckman, Natalia Cappa, John Carpenter/Cody Carpenter/Daniel Davies, Cheer-Accident, Clarissa Connelly, Anastasia Coope, Viv Corringham, Alison Cotton, Couch Slut, Richie Culver, Elkhorn & Mike Gangloff, Phil Geraldi, Carlos Giffoni, Allen Ginsberg, Allen Ginsberg & Youth, Grackles, groundsound, Liz Helman, Julia Holter, Jack O’The Clock, Goran Kajfeš Tropiques, Kowloon Spider Temples, Sean Ono Lennon, Magic Tuber String Band, DJ Marcelle, Melvins, Monopoly Child Nightlife, Monopoly Child, Star Searchers, NOUT, Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet, Organum Electronics, OU, Pye Corner Audio, Quiet Husband, Mikel Rouse, Bianca Scout, sinonó, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Ches Smith, Kavain Wayne Space & XT, Guido Spannochi, Malini Sridharan, Luke Stewart Silt Trio, Sunburned Hand Of The Man, Thollem, Thollem & Ka, Thollem/Terry Riley/Nels Cline, tilt, Toadliquor, Alan Tomlinson & Lawrence Casserley, Alan Tomlinson Trio, Kamasi Washington, Larry Wish, Cody Yantis, Zombi, Various Resist Colonial Power By Any Means Necessary

          The Boomerang: Amon Düül, As One, Cranes, Curve, Brian Eno, Brian Eno/Holger Czukay/J Peter Schwalm, NRG Ensemble, Pharoah Sanders, Linda Smith, Twelve Cubic Feet, Vile Cherubs, Mars Williams & Hamid Drake, Mars Williams/Darin Gray/Chris Corsano, Bernie Worrell, Bernie Worrell/Cindy Blackman Santana/John King, Various Aceh Punx Compilation, Various Groucho Marxist Record Co.Operative, Various Noise Of Cologne 3, Various Punk KS, Various Trouble Brews: A Belfast Punk Compilation

          Print Run: Basta Now: Women, Trans & Non-binary In Experimental Music by Fanny Chiarello; Dream Machines: Electronic Music In Britain From Doctor Who To Acid House by Matthew Collin; Ears To The Ground: Adventures In Field Recording And Electronic Music by Ben Murphy; Ain’t It Fun: Peter Laughner & Proto-Punk In The Secret City by Aaron Lange; 20 000 Words: Interviews With Antoine Le Bousse by Sylvain Darrifourcq; Switched On: The Dawn Of Electronic Sound By Latin American Women edited by Luis Alvarado & Alejandra Cárdenas; The Future Of Songwriting by Kristin Hersh; Elizabethan Tape Loops by Drew Mulholland; The Notebooks Of Sonny Rollins by Sonny Rollins with Sam VH Reese (Editor)

          On Screen: Neo Sora Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus

          On Location: André 3000, San Francisco, US; Fred Frith & Susana Santos Silva, London, UK; FLEA Presents Random Gear Festival + Rashad Becker + Joanne Robertson + Callahan & Witscher + Nick Malkin, London, UK; Cassie Kinoshi with seed. + NikNak + London Contemporary Orchestra, London, UK; Fortuna 2024, Tokyo, Japan; Charlemagne Palestine, Amsterdam, Netherlands; On An Endless Road: Itō Noe And The Women Composers Of Her Time, London, UK; Ustad Noor Bakhsh, London, UK; Glamorous Pharmacy, Shenzhen, China; ML Buch + Astrid Sonne, London, UK; Life After Death, London, UK; Bríghde Chaimbeul, London, UK On Site: Pan Daijing Mute, Munich, Germany; Ginsberg In London, London, UK

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          Cover of Classics Volume 5 by Various Artists.

          Various Artists

          Classics Volume 5

          4 To The Floor

          4 To The Floor is committed to delivering seminal house music to wax, making sought after heritage tracks readily available on vinyl for crate diggers to add to their collections. Now in its fifth edition, the series continues to raise the bar. The A-Side features two mixes of the mid-nineties Mood II Swing production ‘Living In Ecstasy’ by Fonda Rae. The R&B singer who was responsible for cult hits like ‘Touch Me’ delivers silky-smooth vocals that remain the focus in the opening Groove Mix, whereas JC’s Ecstasy Dub follows up with a rumbling bassline to deliver a club-focused version. On the flip we’re greeted by a slice of 2001 goodness with the Original Distant Music Mix of Jon Cutler featuring E-Man ‘It’s Yours’, a seminal house classic. Closing out the release is The Return’s ‘New Day’, originally released on Fourth Floor Records in 1999, twenty years later this sublime and emotive piece of house music history sounds fresh as ever. Classics Volume 5 is another record box essential delivered to you by 4 To The Floor.

          TRACK LISTING

          A1. Fonda Rae - Living In Ecstasy (The Groove Mix) 
          A2. Fonda Rae - Living In Ecstasy (JC’s Ecstasy Dub) 
          B1. Jon Cutler Featuring E-Man - It’s Yours (Original Distant Music Mix) 
          B2. The Return - New Day (Original) 

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          Cover of Glitterbox Jams Volume 7 by Various Artists.

          Various Artists

          Glitterbox Jams Volume 7

          Glitterbox

          Following several releases that continue to establish Glitterbox as the hub for independent house and disco worldwide, four sought-after mixes that have soundtracked the label's parties appear on wax for the first time. Leading Glitterbox Jams Volume 7 is label head Melvo Baptiste alongside Detroit trio Dames Brown with the infectious 'Sweat', a track that made waves in 2023 with its irresistible rhythms and stellar vocals. Marking their first original track on the label, Lovebirds ‘Burn It Down’ showcases the Berlin-based duo as the house and disco authorities that they are. Next up, Art Of Tones & Inaya Day make dancefloor magic with their uplifting collaboration 'Give My Love', before sensual earworm ‘Smooth Sweet Talker’ by Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur closes out the compilation. This four-track package once again shows the disco, funk and soul sound of Glitterbox at its very best.

          STAFF COMMENTS

          Matt says: These Glitterbox Jams go from strength to strength. Giving other modern disco-house stables such as High Fashion and Lumberjacks In Hell a run for their money. High gloss production, big hooks and driving energy their signature; four more cuts for extended dancefloor enjoyment.

          TRACK LISTING

          A1. Melvo Baptiste Ft. Dames Brown - Sweat
          A2. Lovebirds - Burn It Down (Club Mix)
          AA1. Art Of Tones & Inaya Day - Give My Love
          AA2. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur - Smooth Sweet Talker 

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          Cover of REACH by Various Artists.

          Various Artists

          REACH

          Numero Group

            A post-modern mixtape of 12 microgenres created by The Numero Group. Bending the rules of the compilation with a selection of songs bound by their soaring spirit and adventurous approach, REACH is inspirational living for algorithmic times. The only LP guaranteed to save your life during humanity’s apocalyptic demise.

            TRACK LISTING

            1. Lenny White - Enchanted Pool Suite: Prelude & Part 1
            2. Masumi Hara - To Live In The Sea
            3. Alex Johnson - The Kiss
            4. LaRhonda LeGette - Thou Art With Me
            5. Ascending Wave - Modulation Del Sol
            6. A.R.T. Wilson - Past Life Regression
            7. John D. Curnow - Wisconsin Bird Songs
            8. Calvin Keys - Touch
            9. Suse Millemann - Open Heart-Hawk Belly
            10. Batang Frisco - Myth
            11. Bob Siebert - Rain
            12. Reach - Gold Dust Twins

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            Cover of Sampler by Various Artists.

            Various Artists

            Sampler

            Sweat It Out

            Our very own Sweat Sampler has landed and Vol. 1 kicks things off with four exceptionally Sweaty bops. Firstly, GRAMMY award-winning producer CID joins forces with Italian DJ duo Havoc & Lawn for an epic rework of America's 1972 hit 'A Horse With No Name'. Followed by ‘Come Out’, a product of the new project Saturday Love from Fiorious and Boston’s Kon, fresh off The Vision’s instant-classic Defected LP and 9 million streaming anthem ‘Heaven’. Flip the vinyl and you’ll then find the mastermind who seamlessly combines the underground with a house twist, Marco Lys, as he teams up with Sweat homestay Ben Miller for the funky crowd-pleaser ‘Give It To Me’. Top it off with one of Australia’s most adored dance acts, with over 100 million streams, Platinum and Gold plaques and numerous triple j ‘most played’ hits, Set Mo gives us the feel-good ‘Could I Be’.

            STAFF COMMENTS

            Barry says: A particularly summery selection of tropical groovers and deep, housey percussion. Included : a particularly satisfying version of America's 'Horse With No Name'. Highly recommended for fans of house or disco alike.

            TRACK LISTING

            A1. CID, Havoc & Lawn - A Horse With No Name
            A2. Saturday Love, Kon, Fiorious - Come Out
            B1. Marco Lys & Ben Miller - Give It To Me
            B2. Set Mo - Could I Be

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            Cover of The Sandy Rivera EP (Moodymann Edit) by Various Artists.

            Various Artists

            The Sandy Rivera EP (Moodymann Edit)

            4 To The Floor

            4 To The Floor is committed to delivering seminal house music to wax, making sought after heritage tracks readily available on vinyl for crate diggers to add to their collections. The fourth edition of the series pays homage to one of the most loved names in house music – Sandy Rivera. Known for his soulful dancefloor cuts he has produced timeless classics, with his long-lasting career and multitude of aliases captured by this 12” release. Opening the A-side is the Moodymann Edit of Kings of Tomorrow’s ‘Fall For You’, featuring the stunning vocals of long-time collaborator April Morgan, followed by Sandy’s grooving ‘Come Into My Room’ which features LT Brown. On the flip is Soul Vision’s ‘Don’t Stop’ with its atmospheric strings and gospel vocal. The release is closed with Kings Of Tomorrow featuring Elzi Hall ‘Show Me’, an atmospheric club cut that shows the versatility of this house legend.

            STAFF COMMENTS

            Matt says: Worth it from the KOT track alone, "Fall For You" would keep you warm through the coldest of winters. The rest of the EP is pure soul throughout. 4 To The Floor delivering must-have house music at a reasonable price!

            TRACK LISTING

            A1. Kings Of Tomorrow Featuring April - Fall For You (Sandy Rivera's Classic Mix - Moodymann Edit) 
            A2. Sandy Rivera Featuring LT Brown - Come Into My Room (Take It Back Mix) 
            B1. Soul Vision - Don't Stop (Remix) 
            B2. Kings Of Tomorrow Featuring Elzi Hall - Show Me 

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