MAGIC MIX

disco . italo . cosmic . disco-not-disco . boogie

WEEK STARTING 18 Sep

Genre pick of the week Cover of We Like It by Kon And The Gang.

Kon And The Gang

We Like It

Star Time

Boston edit fiend Kon returns with his gang in tow for some more stone cold funk to make you groove...

Needless to say - this one slaps in all the right ways! Aided and abetted by his long time engineer Caserta and featuring the dope musicianship of Soul Supreme on keys and Xander Vrienten on bass, Kon brings us the boogie love, reimagining a jam from one of Buffalo's most famous sons. This has summer JAM written all over it, we're talking chasm deep bass, snapping drums and the illest rhodes you've heard for a minute. Oh yeah, there's a dub on the flip too.... essential. Welcome back Kon & The Gang!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Holy smokes! The funk is alive right here. Kon doing his thing with a little bit of Rick James - sounds like an unstoppable dancefloor force to me.

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Cover of Follow The Melody EP by A Vision Of Panorama.

A Vision Of Panorama

Follow The Melody EP

Omena

Hailed as the king of the modern Balearic sound Mikhail Khvasko aka A Vision of Panorama makes his debut on Omena with another must have EP.

Imagine if Nu Guinea would organize a jam session with Metro Area and set up the following rules - combine doses of slow paced disco, hints of boogie, a dash of jazz and deep layers of house.
Mikhail's music has always been warm and dreamy combined with impeccably tight drum programming. It is no wonder why his music is played & charted by Lexx, Detroit Swindle, Kenneth Bager, Session Victim and many more...

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Cover of Fields Of Play - Remixes By Tolouse Low Trax, Noema & Carrot Green by Anatta.

Anatta

Fields Of Play - Remixes By Tolouse Low Trax, Noema & Carrot Green

The Magic Movement

Over the past few years The Magic Movement have coolly secured a place at the top table of consciousness shifting club tackle, and their latest release continues to fuel the shamanic dance. Fresh from a debut LP on Random Collective, Anatta arrives with tribal throwdown "Fields Of Play", along with a trio of mesmeric remixes from Noema, Tolouse Low Trax and Carrot Green.

In the original mix, Anatta invites us to discover a sonic world between pitched down UK House and future-primitive downbeat.
Rough Drumbeats, quirky synths, and catchy vocal chops guide us through a sophisticated arrangement with unforeseen twists and turns.

Salon des Amateurs resident Tolouse Low Trax delivers the 'Knights & Wheels Remix' in his signature style: While a hypnotic vocal loop hooks you up from the very beginning, minimalistic and dreamy synths slowly submerge the listener into a jam of stripped-down Lo-Fi funk.

The 'Beat Mix' by Rio de Janeiro's sound wizard Carrot Green and long time family member of the label, speeds up the tempo, and puts together a groove of classic electro boogie vibes with a P-Funky bassline that sounds like a futuristic liaison between Afrika Bambaataa and George Clinton.

Increasing the UK house vibe with strong drums and a wobbly bassline, Noema's 'Acid Ghetto Style Remix' works the mysterious vocals of Anatta into a delicious hook and creates a highly animating and fun dancefloor monster.

And now, let's get weird!!!

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Fifteen releases in and The Magic Movement continue to deliver the high grade dancefloor psychedelia. Now Empire Market's down, I'd suggest you light a candle and embrace the shamanic shakedown of the Tolouse Low Trax remix here.

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Cover of White Light / Cold & Clear by Liam Bailey.

Liam Bailey

White Light / Cold & Clear

Big Crown Records

"White Light," an instant-classic, dancefloor filler. The rough and tough drum break intro catches you from the first beat before the track gives way to an infectious and uplifting reggae-dis- co number. Liam's instantly recognizable voice showers his muse with praise over deep round bass lines and a four on the floor beat. The combination of Leon Michels' crushing production and Bailey's lyrics like "You love yourself, you're so exciting, like no one else"... is sure to make this a staple in dj sets around the globe. The B side "Cold & Clear" is a proper lighters in the air, slap the wall, top ranking tune. The track struts in the door with a natural and undeniable confidence. Liam weaves a heavy metacognitive story over the one drop drums, perfect basslines, and organ stabs that will have people stepping in rhythm. The lo-fi production weaves elements from the finest early rocksteady era with touches from the late 70s / early 80s digital era and takes the entire vibe into the present with unorthodox arrangements and vocal treatments. Bailey has a tune here that will hold up next to the classics in the dancehalls from the yards of Jamaica to the discotheques in his homeland of England. 

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Cover of Bredius 1998 / Walk On Water by Beesmunt Soundsystem / Cooper Saver.

Beesmunt Soundsystem / Cooper Saver

Bredius 1998 / Walk On Water

Hivern Discs

The Hivern split series was born as a platform for club-ready tracks that don't require a broader sonic context to express themselves. It's also as a way of generating an unplanned dialogue between artists in the label's orbit, connecting the dots amid them in spontaneous and almost unconscious ways. The third installment of the series brings together Beesmunt Soundsystem and Cooper Saver. Their two tracks share a similar approach, deconstructing ethereal sounds over dark rhythmic foundations to reach the same kind of narcotic transcendence. The visual concept of the series has been developed by Manchester's own DR.ME. Vinyl-only.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Beesmunt bring the post-apocolyptic attitude in spades on the A-side, turning out another techno-pagan growler at a gremlin friendly 110ish. For the flip, Cooper Saver lock into the prog revival with an amphibian trance dancer.

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Cover of Digital Lifeline by Gateway Shuffle.

Gateway Shuffle

Digital Lifeline

Open Space

For their second release, Open Space present an emotional 5-track EP by Alexander Folonari aka Gateway Shuffle stuffed with lush mid-tempo Balearic pop and slow bubbling acid club music. If you dig artists like Andras Fox, Benedek, Moon B, Pender Street Steppers & Caravan; plus labels like Ken Oath, Light Of Other Days, Mood Hut & Claremont 56, you're bound to enjoy the sounds contained on this lavish piece of wax.

Written and recorded in the Italian countryside of Chianti in late 2019.

Recommended! 


STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Anything produced in Chianti is gonna have an air of sophistication and class about it! Stick this next to a top shelf wine pairing for maximum buzz.

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Cover of Notorische Reflexe by Notorische Reflexe.

Notorische Reflexe

Notorische Reflexe

Bureau B

Notorische Reflexe was an experimental band, art form and a film performance group from West Berlin. Existing from 1982 to 1986, they were part of the early 80s Berlin art scene along with groups like P.D., Die Tödliche Doris, Einstürzende Neubauten or Malaria. Their only LP – originally released in 1985 – is an impressive outburst ranging from minimal electronics to more experimental takes with some jazzy/ethnic touches. Now reissued on LP featuring a bonus track, extended artwork and liner notes by Mark Reeder. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Total grail of the German underground this! Falling somewhere between NDW, tribal electronics and avant jazz, this killer LP balances ethno-industrial freakouts and noise experiments with absolute floor fillers for the weirdo dancefloor.

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Cover of LEV TLV by Rabo & Snob.

Rabo & Snob

LEV TLV

Lev

Hot new edit drop here from Israeli duo Rabo & Snob, who explore the forgotten jams from the outer limits of Tel Aviv's 80's scene on this super fine EP. While the sounds of new wave and synth wave mainly dominated in the clubs of the city at that time, some artists also experimented with Italo music. On this EP Rabo & Snob pay tribute to those early pioneers of a new and different Disco-inspired electronic sound, and sprinkle some of their own magic dust upon it to make it both interesting and fresh.
"Inn Yan" embraces the weird dance by fusing a smooth and buoyant boogie groove with some serious atonal brass and unexpected looping. If you dug on the spiritual synthesis of Alice Coltrane's 'Ecstatic Music', that gives absolutely no indication of whether you're ready for the Italo pump and vocoded Krishna consciousness of "Hare Rama", but if you have ears and a pulse, you’ll probably love it. B1 bomb “Ego Incognito” comes correct with a little synth pop meets Euro disco camp, frothing away with cooing female vocals and cold wave style brass before percussive closer “Tik Wah Hood” stomps through a little ethno-core tribalism perfect for Multi Culti fans.

Enjoy the trip. 


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Cover of Changes by Stone Foundation.

Stone Foundation

Changes

100%

    Following a rapid sell out of their last limited 7”, Stone Foundation return with Changes - the second single from their stunning new album "Is Love Enough?” The soulful track strikes a wistful note with a poignant lyric examining how change affects peoples lives. Whilst written in 2019, the sentiment has been very appropriate for the global events of this year. The b-side is a brand new cover version of Going Back To My Roots - listen out for the unmistakable voice of Paul Weller supplying backing vocals! 

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    Cover of Dub Dub Dub Dub Dub - The Wmnw Remixes - Inc. Phazer Boys / Sk / P. Otterbach / River Yarra by Wolf Müller / Niklas Wandt.

    Wolf Müller / Niklas Wandt

    Dub Dub Dub Dub Dub - The Wmnw Remixes - Inc. Phazer Boys / Sk / P. Otterbach / River Yarra

    Glowing Pin Records

    Another win for the Glowing Pin as Müller & Wandt drop a fresh new age groover on a killer club dub tip. Elsewhere Phazer Boys, Suzanne Kraft, Philipp Otterbach and River Yarra remix the pscht out of their favourite tracks from ‘Instrumentalmusik..’. Expect Goan hits, cosmic trips, loved up rave and chilled out wave on this flawless five tracker.

    Growing Bin becomes Glowing Pin for the most anticipated rematch of the century. Back at the beginning of 2018, Wolf Müller and Niklas Wandt went head to head for a box office smash, throwing a high school percussion tray, wall of hardware and voodoo skull into the ring for the tribal trip of ‘Instrumentalmusik Von Der Mitte Der World’. Now the multi-instrumental duo face off once again, but this time it’s a royal rumble with Phazer Boys, Suzanne Kraft, Phillip Otterbach and River Yarra all bringing the noise to the Glowing Pin.

    Müller and Wandt dominate the action on the A1, playing loose with sampler vox, serene pads and future primitive rhythms on the unreleased ‘Fun Dub’ of the also unreleased ‘Dub Dub’. Imagine Ferris Bueller’s trampoline tumble trading Chicago to the Weissenhof and you’ll sense the mood of this New Age groove. Germany’s number one party dudes, those freaky Phazer Boys take a break from dropping killer Candomblé cuts to reach for the lasers on the A2, taking ‘Ahu’ to another dimension. Dripping in neon body paint and armed with fire poi, the Düsseldorf duo power up progressive house sequences, didgeridoo bass and thumping tribal house percussion for a wall-shaking, speaker-breaking remix.

    The B1 belongs to synth whiz Suzanne Kraft who revels in glistening, gliding glory on an expansive remix of ‘Auflösung’. Sleek, serene and futuristic, the track shimmers like Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, free from inequality and rendered with the 5D(ub?) majesty of a DMT breakthrough.
    B2 hears Salon associate and serious talent Philipp Otterbach take over on a stripped back and psychedelic post punk dub of ‘Expedition’. Angular bass by Süne Große and a stuttering rhythm underpin astral flourishes and the hazy vocals of Lucas Croon before the African elements begin to move to the forefront.
    Last man standing is Australian outlier River Yarra, who leads us into the Krautback with a chugging dub of ‘Weltraumsandalen’. Lent a lysergic sparkle by a percolating one-note bassline, this slow motion stunner masters perpetual motion amid the eerie echoes of the bush, organic percussion and electronic animal cries fading into the night. Let the pins glow again.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Patrick says: Not content with turning out the hottest LP of 2018 (back in stock now!), Wolf Müller & Niklas Wandt swap Growing Bin for Glowing Pin for this remix spectacular. Calling on Phazer Boys, Suzanne Kraft, Philipp Otterbach and River Yarra, the drum-loving duo serve dub-not-dub, wavey pop, prog house, post punk and cosmic wobble, all with the required amount of weirdness. Essential business for the fun loving DJs of the world!

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    Cover of Various Lurkers by Zmatsutsi, Tross & Houschyar.

    Zmatsutsi, Tross & Houschyar

    Various Lurkers

    Space Ritual

    Three extra special tracks from Zmatsutsi, Tross & Houschyar on the Leeds-based imprint: Space Ritual.

    "Psychedelic Frogs Are Ok" takes cues from the current resurgence in 5-MEO-DMT and the Colorado River Toad; conjuring up a psychedelic sonic tapestry that transcends the planes of conciousness with extra-dimensional SFX and a richly transportative palette.

    Trosss' "Gallium" is the kinda wacked-out, smoked-out, loose groove that might grace a Light Sounds Dark compilation. Flanging bass, sloppy breaks and sweeping FX insistant on keeping us upright but by no means stable.

    Houschyar completes the collection with a gentle, electro-Balearic lullaby via the delicate plucked tones of "Einsteig". A dreamy fairytale that dissipates into the ether after nursing us into a relaxed slumber. Beautiful stuff.


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: Tasty new Leed imprint, Space Ritual return with more digital psychedelic ceremonial music for the toad lickers and mushroom hunters!

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    Cover of Dave Lee Presents 30 Years Of Z Records EP 3 by Various Artists.

    Various Artists

    Dave Lee Presents 30 Years Of Z Records EP 3

    Z Records

    Part three in a series of 12” vinyl EP’s celebrating 30 years of Z Records and the legendary Dave Lee. Featuring sought-after tracks and remixes by Joey Negro, The Sunburst Band, Opolopo and TW Funkmasters.

    On the A side, an all-time classic JN remix of ‘Love Hangover’, tweaked for the modern dancefloor but retaining all of it's authentic mid 70's flavour.

    A stratospheric, ‘80s influenced, house cut by Opolopo is a welcome curveball from all the disco and boogie Dave's been peddling. With all-mighty pianos and sizzling signature bass plus all the high Q's and analogue sfx, it's still gonna keep the disco ball massive tweaking right through till sunrise.

    Flip it over for a jazz-funk gem in the form of TW Funkmasters 'Love Money', beefed up and dubbed out to the high heavens. While we part ways with the soulful sunset rhythms of The Sunburst Band "Far Beyond". Unstoppable! 


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    Cover of FTD 4X401 by Various Artists.

    Various Artists

    FTD 4X401

    Feel The Drive

    Szymek Lawik and Maritn Lefteri’s regular party and NTS show, Feel the Drive, turns record label with a debut release that takes you through the gears.

    Spending their lives digging up the very best Italo, New Beat and EBM delights, a record label was the next logical move for Szymek Lawik and Martin Lefteri. The perfect distillation of their combined tastes and determination to search the globe for new music, the four-track debut EP features big hitters from Franz Scala (Bahnsteig 23, Tusk Wax, Cocktail d'Amore), Anatolian Weapons (Beats in Space, Dark Entries), Furor Exotica (Bordello a Parigi, Sprechen) and the label bosses themselves under their Ondata guise (Red Laser, Night Noise Music).

    First up is Franz Scala, with “Sabrina”. A pulsing, new beat thrum bolts out of the gate, setting the pace with heads-down conviction. This straight-ahead velocity soon leans into guitar licks and Italo horn stabs and, before you know it, you’re transported - hugging the curves and corners along with the motorik rhythm.

    Next, we shift down a gear and head east for “Ela” as Anatolian Weapons lights up the skies with a slow-burning intensity delivered with complete conviction. Exotic synth melodies, impossibly dextrous string playing and rolling acid lines carve out a unique path through the terrain, leaving no choice but to follow in its slipstream.

    Argentinian duo Furor Exotica pick up the pace with “Fat Training”, an arpeggio-supercharged dancer guaranteed to lift the spirits and recharge the batteries come 3am. This is a track that carries its momentum up front and its boogie in the back. There’s a nod to the old new beats, but with wide eyes facing resolutely forward.

    And then it’s time for the last lap. “Kolossos” is an apt moniker for this no-nonsense, heads-down, full-force monster. It’s a neon-lit tunnel late at night – unfamiliar, alien light throwing repetitive, yet slowly shifting shapes against sheer walls as you move through. “It’s not as bad for humankind to be dominated by me than to be dominated by others of your species” a voice intones as we reach our destination.

    It’s metal machine music to save us from ourselves.

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    Cover of Star Creature Vibes by Various Artists.

    Various Artists

    Star Creature Vibes

    Star Creature

    Star Creature's first official compilation featuring unreleased tracks and new mixes by label fav's E. Live, Giovanni Damico, Shiro Schwarz, Ourra, Saucy Lady, Proh Mic, Amalia and Kutcorners...

    Star Creature is the no. 1 international label for new boogie and modern funk. No other camp has represented the sound so strongly and authentically in present times. Finding a natural habitat across the digital airwaves of many a Manchester radio show, and soundtracking a fair share of its nightlife too (check the whole Wet Play / Full Beam / Red Laser Disco gamut for proof...), it continues the long standing tradition of US dance music going down a storm in the north west of England!

    Star Creature have lavishly dished out seven new tracks for our dancing feet, and at remarkably good value too. They could have just as easily reissued five of their now-sold-out 7" across one disc and charged us twenty quid for it. Instead we get a jam packed 12" with ALL NEW material and featuring a different artist on each track, and for less than the price of two cocktails in the Northern Quarter. Star Creature we love you! 


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    Cover of The Very Polish Cut Outs Vol. 7 by Various Artists.

    Various Artists

    The Very Polish Cut Outs Vol. 7

    The Very Polish Cut Outs

    Holy smokes! It's almost ten years since Zambon began to flip our lids with TVPC and what better way to celebrate than with a 7th instalment. Get ready for another quartet of forgotten Polish jams, polished up for the modern dancefloor. 
    Cast your ears within and you'll find freaky and frisky Moroder-esque acid via Dyyune's deep and cosmic edit of Izabela Trojnowska's 'Jestem Twoim Grzechem' ('I Am Your Sin'), the hip-hoppin Balearica of Dyyune and Bisti's take on 'W Moim Niebie Nie Ma Gwiazd' ('There Are No Stars In My Heaven') which was recorded by lesser known 80's Polish girl band Fiesta. If you try to imagine the Venn diagram overlap between a Red Motorbike and Eric Duncan's "Dolly Parton" edit, then you're bang on the money, honey. 
    Take a sidestep to the B1, neck a gary and  prepare to hold a toal stranger to your rushing bussom as FOPA & Tamten re-interpretate Polish pop classic 'Jezioro Szczescia' ('The Lake of Happiness'). Hefty breakbeats, sustained bass and nostalgic AF keys abound here, all leading to a chorus which hits the same melody as Rozalla's "Everybody's Free".  The whole package is rounded up by Stachy DJ (a Polish veteran who recorded with DJ Koze) who offers up the hypnotic stomp of 'Obiecany Raj' ('Promised Paradise') from one of the top Polish synth bands of all time. Reinforced percussion, neat loops and a consciousness shifting arrangement score 10/10 for this reviewer.
    As always all killers no fillers and a very limited pressing !!

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Patrick says: TVPC are back (for at least the next 13 mins before this belter sells out)! This time round we get an acid infused Italo peach, a little Balearic beat down, pilled up pop euphoria and some slick synth pop - all on one unmissable disc.

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    Cover of V Is For Vision by Various Artists.

    Various Artists

    V Is For Vision

    Invisible, Inc.

    Can you believe it's five years since Invisible, Inc. started releasing records?! Run by GK Machine, the label's been pivotal at unearthering lost, digital-only tracks from cult underground artists and re-issueing them on vinyl; alongside a plethora of incredibly strong new music from the current underground, often by artists with very little profile. Who knew such a formula would proove so popular (we did! - ed) but five years on and the label is a mainstay here at Piccadilly Records as well many other establishments who embrace the 'wierd shit' catagory with open arms.

    Focussing on artists who provided much of his favourite music of last year; for the fifth anniversary of the label GK Machine has enlisted people like Anatolian Weapons, Youkounkoun, Puma & The Dolphin, Golden Bug & In Fields and TCB, alongside acts that have been the backbone of the label from the beginning: Sordid Sound System, Secret Circuit and Double Discone. It's a brilliant snapshot of this truly great label five years into fruition and still as vital as when it was first conceived.

    For newcomers, expect immersing dips into modern kraut, voodoo percussion workouts, digital sonic shamanism and technicoloured, over-flowing Balearica. It's a magical listen, captivating and transportative in equal measure and probably one of the strongest releases we've got in this week! 


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: Sick label this; celebrating five years of ingenuity and passion. A great snapshot of what they're about and featuring pretty much the whole roster of artists. Nice.

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    Can confirm that this is a great record housed in a great sleeve 🙌 https://t.co/8Oh9TEafby
    Mon 21st - 5:36
    💙 be quick people 🙌 https://t.co/nMeS1x3cfQ
    Mon 21st - 5:26
    💫 COMPETITION 💫 @idlesband are back with their latest album ‘Ultra Mono’ out Friday. Pre-order now to be in with a… https://t.co/CyweDMt0KV
    Mon 21st - 3:20
    Happy Monday everyone ☀️ We’re OPEN as usual today 12 - 5 for browsing, purchasing and ‘click n collect’ orders. Se… https://t.co/MkhZyXFNDz
    Mon 21st - 11:10
    Glad you could make it in and well done on getting that one ⚡️ https://t.co/ozuMIqLa2y
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