house . techno . electronica . ambient . neo-classical

WEEK STARTING 24 Jan

Release date:: WEEK STARTING 24 Jan

Browse by back catalogue:

Genre pick of the week

MORE INFORMATION

Vick Lavender

The Time Traveler

Sophisticado

Sophisticado Recordings presents Vick Lavender double vinyl LP: "The Time Traveler". This 14 track double vinyl LP highlights the production skills of the deep house music veteran as he explores many different moods of the musical soundscape
.
Disc one explores everything from the bossa influenced "Again" - featuring New York vocalist/songwriter Ammawhat - to the r&b influenced track "Nothing Broken" featuring Detroit native Angel-A; and on to jazz influenced tracks "411" & "Reminisce", featuring Chicagoan Spike Rebel.

Disc two focuses on the genre that Vick Lavender is known for throughout the deep eclectic house music world. Four deep house jamz that explores his roots in jazz and Afro-Latin rhythms. Along with Justin Dillard they've created a seriously musical and dare-I-say sophisticated vibe. Tracks like "Herbie" & "Rise I Rise" are sure to become deep house classics. "Play" goes right into a Johnny Hammond influenced heater, a relentless groove that's sure to please dancers all over the world. Meanwhile "Flame" mirrors Vicks love for r&b with hints of jazz fusion. Listen loud. Listen over & over.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: After winning our hearts and hips with some killer 12"s, modern poster of the deep house world Vick Lavender presents an expansive double LP. Highly musical house music, with downbeat interludes and rich instrumentation throughout; this is a super strong addition to the cannon of timeless deep house LP.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1.4-11
2.A Space Love Affair
3.Acid Outpost (album Version)
4.Archive 80(album Version)
5.Misty

Side 2
1.1981
2.Again (with Ammawhat - Album Version)
3.ICC (Inner City Children)
4.Nothing Broken (with Angel-A)
5.Reminisce (Sign Of Times)

Side 3
1.Herbie (Vick's Extended Time Traveler Mix)
2.Play (Vick's Jazz Playground Vamp Mix)

Side 4
1.Flame (Vick's Extended Time Traveler Mix)
2.Rise/Rise (Vick's Extended Time Traveler Mix)

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Actress

ДАРЕН ДЖ. КАННІНГЕМ (Daren Dz Kanningem)

Smalltown Supersound

LP

£21.99
Usually ships within: 2-10 days

Cat Number

STS439LP

Release date

15 Nov '24

CD

£14.99

Cat Number

STS439CD

Release date

24 Jan '25

Actress delivered his mix for RA in June and it was suprisingly all new and exclusive Actress music. When asked if this was a new album, Actress aka Darren S.Cunningham simply answered that "it's a collage -Braque". Whatever you call this, a mix, a mixtape, a collage/braque, a new album, what it is, is another Actress statement. Actress grows music. Completely unconcerned with what it is, with what format it is or what it's defined as.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Very exciting to hear new stuff from the highly innovative Actress who, in the past, has often dictated the sounds of the near future with his inspired, sometimes challenging, always rewarding pieces of music.

TRACK LISTING

1. ДАРЕН ДЖ. КАННІНГЕМ

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

David Allred

The Beautiful World

Erased Tapes

Coloured LP

£21.99
Usually ships within: 2-10 days

Limited edition clear... [ + ]

Cat Number

ERATP172LE

Release date

24 Jan '25

Format Info

Limited edition clear vinyl.

David Allred is a prolific composer and producer based in Portland, Oregon. His new album The Beautiful World captures an enriched, realised understanding of why he composes in the first place. Dedicated to the expression of existential themes such as death, grief, longing and loss, the album’s core theme centres around the suicide of a young girl Lauren, who was a family friend to Allred. For as long as he could remember, Allred always created music out of a kind of dissociative state which he finds alluringly easy to lapse into. A repetition of a motif is usually where he begins composing. But unlike his previous works, The Beautiful World firmly has one foot in reality and is deeply intertwined with Allred’s relationships, past and present.

Through his correspondence with Erased Tapes label head and the album’s producer, Robert Raths, over the past year, he came to realise that everyone has a Lauren in a way – someone they’d lost. Through writing to Raths, Allred was able to draw out this thread from the work and position it more clearly as the central concept to this work. The music doesn’t reflect the chaos of trauma, instead it has a therapeutic quality. It was through this dialogue that Allred was able to create what may be his most cohesive body of work to date. The 11 track album unfolds around Oh Lauren, providing the core of the album’s sentiment – how grief returns to us throughout life over and over. Embedded more than halfway through the album, Allred allows listeners to cohabit a meditative space through ambient textures, drones and ballads echoing the vocal sincerity of Arthur Russell, Daniel Johnston and the hypnotic storytelling of Robert Ashley.

To truly reckon with The Beautiful World’s emotional position, listeners must understand the importance of the figure of Lauren, and the significance she has had throughout Allred’s life. Lauren’s suicide as a child provided the catalyst for Allred’s lifelong grief. But it was death anxiety and grief itself which provided Allred a link to a universal relationship that people have with each other and the world they live in. Impermanence and loss are the driving force behind all of our connections.

The trance-like nature of the album perhaps comes from David Allred’s time sense – particularly when it comes to memory and trauma. Time becomes non-linear rather than a straight line – where one can repeat or return to the same themes but older and in a different frame of mind. Grief continues to manifest itself in life and despite personal growth, there will always be moments where the same feeling will manifest itself again. The album encourages listeners to sit with the concept of grief, and Allred is hopeful they can find comfort and learn to process it in a healing way.

The Beautiful World is therefore heavily influenced by Allred’s work in therapy, particularly his relationship to writing music. In the past, Allred would be composing music as a means to dissociate from his life, but the album sees him engaging and connecting more authentically than ever with others and himself. Despite his prolific previous works being made in the company of others, Allred needed to step back from the scenes that he’s worked in to discover what he really wanted to create. Allred concludes: “In the power of love, curiosity, humour, and reconciliation, we give you The Beautiful World.”

TRACK LISTING

Side A:
1. Pupper
2. The Beautiful World
3. Stray
4. Piano Tree
5. Introverts As Leaders
6. Our Secret

Side B:
1. Good Afternoon
2. Oh Lauren
3. The Door
4. Look
5. Elevation

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Anane

Let Me Be Your Fantasy

Nervous

With her new “Let Me Be Your Fantasy” remix package, Anané continues to solidify her position as one of the most talented and charismatic recording artists in the world today. It’s never easy to take on a classic disco tune, which in this case is a song originally released in 1978 by The Love Symphony Orchestra. But working with producers Two Soul Fusion (Louie Vega and Josh Milan), Anané has crafted a new version of this song that retains the glamour of disco while also injecting a raw toughness and rhythm perfectly suited for today’s dancefloors. As is her custom on her remix packages, Anané has pulled together an outstanding team of producers to lay down their own very unique and high impact mixes, including Masters At Work, Dimitri From Paris, Mousse T, Blackchild and Moplen. Not only that, but the string section was arranged and conducted by Leroy Burgess and the instrumental credits reads like a who's who of session musician royalty. An incredibly well put together package. Limited copies!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Here's Nervous with another one of their expansive, deluxe, 12" double packs. Featuring a plethora of royal remix talent (just look at that list!), it's a modern take on disco anthem "Let Me Be Your Fantasy" and should have the Horse Meat Disco / Southport Weekender / Glitterbox / La Discotheque crowds whipped up into a mirror ball adoring frenzy.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris Club Mix)
A2. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris Dub)
B1. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Masters At Work Clap Yo Hands Dub)
B2. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Moplen Remix)
C1. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Mousse T. Fantastic Shizzle Mix)
C2. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Blackchild Remix)
D. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Two Soul Fusion Remix)

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Binary Digit

Balearic Acid Protocol

WeMe

Following the success of his debut EP on WeMe records, Binary Digit is back with a brand new 6-track EP dedicated to the mythical Balearic Islands. From the very first tracks, we find the atmosphere represented by the legendary island of Ibiza, synonymous with partying, relaxation and getting high. The rest of this EP is a good definition of the well-being and the holy and benevolent feeling that all these clubbers can offer every year, who come to party in an atmosphere of sharing and respect, and above all who make a point of honor of ecology by favoring swimming. The track "Smkndpe", literally translated from Latin as 'how to better consume your herbal tea', is already a hit on Tik Tok to accompany the best female influencer of the moment! We end this EP with the track "Overdoze In Ibiza", which will bring this well-deserved vacation to a close.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Imagine Radioactive Man and Luke Vibrant jovially skipping through the white sands of Talamanca beach. Braindance and acid with the sun on its face and given a pastel blue wash. Ace!

TRACK LISTING

1 Desilusion In Palma
2 Ale By The Sean
3 Corner Office Acid View
4 SmknDpe
5 Bongoz
6 Overdoze In Ibiza

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Bitter End

Adjustment -> Love

Bitter End

Richard Barrett, the man like Parrot, fires up his Bitter End alias again for more soul-flecked, full fat house music. Always on point with his production, the track's are sonically plump and velumptuous, perfect for sound systems or a cruising around in a souped up Honda Civic.

Following his work with Roisin Murphy we get another smattering of soulful house tracks (vocalist currently uncredited) that pump, sway and swing in all the right places. Recommended!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Bitter End brilliance with fizzy textures, high def bass and rich production that pours of the wax like Manuka honey.

TRACK LISTING

A. Adjustment->love
A. Rivers
B. Maladjustment->love
B.something Going Nowhere

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Burial / Kode 9

Phoneglow / Eyes Go Blank

Hyperdub

Burial and Kode9’s acclaimed joint 12”, initially released as a Hyperdub webshop exclusive in summer 2024, now available in record stores worldwide, with revised label art and custom sleeve.

TRACK LISTING

A. Burial – Phoneglow
AA. Kode9 - Eyes Go Blank

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Dina Summer

Girls Gang

Iptamenos Discos

Coloured LP

£28.99
Usually ships within: 2-10 days

White vinyl

Cat Number

IDI21LP

Release date

24 Jan '25

Format Info

White vinyl

2xIndies Exclusive LP

£34.99

White vinyl LP with bonus... [ + ]

Cat Number

IDI21LPX

Release date

Expected 31 Jan '25

Format Info

White vinyl LP with bonus black 12" with alternative/extended versions & remixes

Release date: Expected 31 Jan '25

Donning a decadent sound described by Resident Advisor as “dark disco meets EBM”, Dina Summer is a collaborative project formed of electro-punk band Frittenbude member Kalipo and dark-disco dj & producer duo Local Suicide.

Their previous work includes the critically acclaimed 2022 album ‘Rimini’, which offers a nostalgic dive into retro disco vibes, along with the 2021 EP 'Who Am I’ and 2024 EP ‘Hide & Seek’. They also contributed to Curses’ 'Next Wave Acid Punx’ compilation, participated in Purple Mag x radiooooo’s ‘2070’ project, and performed at Reeperbahn Festival's prestigious ‘Collide Session’.

With millions of streams and worldwide radio airplay, Dina Summer's music has earned spots on numerous Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists and has been supported by DJs like Charlotte De Witte, The Hacker, Âme, Dixon, Joris Voorn, DJ Hell, Joyce Muniz, and Dubfire. Their releases have been covered by major publications such as Resident Advisor, DJ Mag, Mixmag, Groove, Spiegel Online, Musikexpress, Tsugi, ELLE, Penthouse and FAZE among others. The new album is a versatile collection of 11 tracks that delve into themes such as empowerment ('No More Tears' & 'Girls Gang'), outsiderhood ('Alien' & 'Zombie'), impermanence ('Promise' featuring Curses and Joshua Murphy), nostalgia ('Halkidiki'), and relationships ('Nothing To Hide' & 'Hypnotized'). While their debut album was characterized by its club-centric sound, drawing from Italo disco and '90s electro influences, this new release explores a richer palette of new wave, post-punk, and synth-pop.

TRACK LISTING

1. Girls Gang
2. Schall & Rauch
3. Nothing To Hide
4. Alien
5. Halkidiki
6. Promise Me Feat. Curses & Joshua Murphy
7. Hypnotized
8. Zombie
9. Disco Goth
10. FOMO
11. No More Tears

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Discotecas

Discotecas 006

Discotecas

This is like rave. Only if it was for now and could sit happily in any set. Breakbeats that roll and tidy samples. You know… These are fun club tracks. On and on to the break of dawn… Bass heavy. Inside. Ask a dream. Solid.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Perceptive
A2. Kazbah
B1. Bass Instinct
B2. Ask A Dream

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Eddie C X Keita Sano

Disko Universal

DU001

Eddie C and Keita Sano joins forces on new label Disko Universal. Leading with the synonymous title track, a shuddering electro-disco jam with stupendous slow-down / speed-up breakdown that's sure hit the accellerator on any dancefloor languishing in first gear. "Joy Joy Joy" on the flip is a silky deep house groove peppered with jungle subs and lashings of breakbeat science.

The manifesto is evolve and hybridize past dancefloor sounds into a futuristic new vision. They've more than managed that, and in doing unleashed a beast of peaktime track that's certain to do the rounds come festival season.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Cranium bursting festival banger anyone? I know it's late January listening to this I can almost see the sweat sizzling off a crowd of gyrating bodies under the canopy of a hot day's raving.

TRACK LISTING

A. Disko Universal
B. Joy Joy Joy

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Brian Eno & Bette A.

What Art Does : An Unfinished Theory

Faber & Faber

Why do we need art? What Art Does is an invitation to explore this vital question. It is a chance to understand how art is made by all of us. How it creates communities, opens our worlds, and can transform us.

Curious and playful, richly illustrated, full of ideas and life, it is an inspiring call to imagine a different future.

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Fimiani

Disco Music Remixes

Toytonics

"Disco Music" is probably one of Toy Tonics’s catchiest tracks. Played by DJs like Palms Trax, A-Trak, Louie Vega, Folamour and tons of other big names, this track could become a anthem for the new wave of disco that is invading the clubs.

Fimiani who made this track, inspired by a rare old song from the 1970ies played all instruments himself with a group of friends (no samples).

Now its time to bring on variations of the track, Remixes by Young Pulse, the house maestro from Paris; Elado, crazy edit king from Tel Aviv; Berlin's Delfonic, who one more time proves that he knows how to tune a soul song into a dancefloor anthem and last but not east Paul Older, the guy who just released his debut EP on Toy Tonics with massive support himself by DJs like Folamour, Master at Work and many others..

These remixes are all dancefloor gold. Fimiani is on the roll.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: After the deep house elegance of recent releases, Toytonics return to the flamboyance of "Disco Music". A unifying anthem sure to raise arms and spirits on the dancefloor, three fresh remixes that all add to the magic in various ways.

TRACK LISTING

A1) Disco Music (Young Pulse Remix)
A2) Disco Music (Elado Remix)
B1) Disco Music (Original)
B2) Drums From The Motherland

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

FKA Twigs

EUSEXUA

Young

Coloured LP

£32.99

Clear vinyl.

Cat Number

YO381LP

Release date

24 Jan '25

Format Info

Clear vinyl.

Indies Exclusive LP

£34.99

Milky clear vinyl.

Cat Number

YO381LPE

Release date

24 Jan '25

Format Info

Milky clear vinyl.

CD

£11.99

Cat Number

YO381CD

Release date

24 Jan '25

Eusexua is a state of being. A feeling of momentary transcendence often evoked by art, music, sex, and unity. Eusexua can be followed by a state of bliss and feelings of limitless possibility. Also used to refer to: ‘The pinnacle of Human Experience’. It is united through any moment in which we are fully embodying ourselves, present in the moment, disconnected from technology, synthesized with those around us. It was moments of Eusexua that birthed 'EUSEXUA' the album, as twigs cites her late nights in the underground techno scene of Prague.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Jagged, glitchy pop music and euphoric, trance flavoured minimalistic electronica, both phasing in and out beneath the sometimes haunting, often ethereal vocal passages. Perfectly crafted, constantly moving and drawing influence from all over the musical spectrum.

TRACK LISTING

Tracklist TBA

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

GRRL & Made Of Oak

Hardcore

Psychic Hotline

On Hardcore, James Mapley-Brittle (GRRL) and Nick Sanborn (Made of Oak), meld their love of late-night club music to make mind-bending high-energy dance music. GRRL is one of the brightest emerging stars in the underground arts space and a regular collaborator with PC Music, NTS, and more; Sanborn is better known as one half of the Grammy-nominated electronic pop duo Sylvan Esso.

First sparked during DJ sets in North Carolina basements, the duo’s unique creative chemistry has grown exponentially since the 2022 release of their debut EP, Inertia. GRRL x Made of Oak’s glitched-out sounds have been featured on Adult Swim, Fortnite, and with their own sample pack on Splice. Finding new fans in the likes of Björk, Arca, AG Cook, Porter Robinson, Barker and DJs across the world, GRRL x Made of Oak is an exhilarating experience that will shake the speakers and get any after-hours dance floor moving.

TRACK LISTING

01 Hardcore
02 Power Station
03 Chord Thing
04 Juno

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Gary Martin

The Sonny Lester Samples EP

Teknotika

100% inspired by an old favorite album of Gary’s called "How To Belly Dance For Your Husband" by the Sonny Lester Orchestra in 1963. It’s jazz and belly dance influenced. "Belly Dancer Waltz", the lead track, setting the exotic and mysterious tones wonderfully with a tumbling 3/4 groove, funky guitar chops and mystic sax line. Very clever, and sure to cause a simmering feeling of excitement and anticipation on the dancefloor. "Turkish" fires of rampant percussion before hitting us with wild eastern melodies, technofied through Martin's outbaord. A real head turner with intriguing sound design and unignorable energy. "Unveiled" closes things off with a rambunctious live-bossa-techno romp that feels like it could have been used in Jeff Mills' infamous "Exhibition" mix.

This release reminds us of songs he won our hearts with decades ago like "Casa Caugat" and "Girlfriend". Sure to make old Teknotika fans happy and make some new ones as well. Not only that, it's guaranteed to inject novelty and excitement, and freshen up any stale dancefloor. TIP!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Tumbling out of the starting blocks with carnival energy and shit tons of style and personality. Old school techno favourite Gary Martin shows the young guns how it's done as he revisits tribal and jazzy techno with flair and precision.

TRACK LISTING

1. Turkish
2. Belly Dancer Waltz
3. Unveiling

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Maur Vs Dave Spoon

At Night

Toolroom Records

Starting life as the most asked about ‘ID’ in Maur’s DJ sets during the Summer, to now finally being released on Toolroom, this stone-cold classic from 2006 gets an update from Maur. Maintaining much of the original vibe but adding their trademark big room melodic twist with bundles of energy. Already causing a huge stir at club level with Gorgon City, Danny Howard, Adam Beyer and Nicky Romero all providing early support. On the flip is the 2006 original in all its glory.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Maur Vs Dave Spoon - At Night
B1. Dave Spoon - At Night

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Rehab333

DR0000

WeMe

WeMe has always had the ambition of producing outsiders alongside its established artists. Let's hear it for the debut EP from Rehab333, a discreet but no less creative artist and graduate of the Rephlex School Academy. After taking classes with teachers such as Richard d James and Dr. Chris Jeffs, analog machines hold no secrets for him, enabling him to develop wonderful melodies at a time when they are sorely lacking. First released on cassette on the Binary Bigit label, it seemed essential for WeMe to record these tracks on vinyl, in perfect harmony with the label's musical history.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More braindance excellence from the WeMe label with Rehab333 piloting the drum boxes and 303s for a Cornish sounding excursion that also nods to Holland's RX-101.

TRACK LISTING

1 DR0000 0187
2 DR0000 0189
3 DR0000 0217
4 DR0000 0174
5 DR0000 0175
6 DR0000 0195

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Saison / Pete Moss & Colette / Dirtytwo

NFRV 012 - Incl. Fouk & Saison Remixes

No Fuss

There is a wealth of No Fuss releases all dropping this year and number 12 is a tasteful house four-tracker from various quality artists. Saison's 'Suffer' is up first as a remix from Fouk, and it is a lovely, jazzy, laidback and heartfelt sound with an infectious skip in the drums. The original is just as infused with dusty soul and warming chords and on the flip Saison remixes Pete Moss & Colette's 'Higher' into carefree grooves with more noodling melodies and DirtyTwo then keeps the grooves flowing with 'Rymden' which exudes summery excellence.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Saison - "Suffer" (Fouk Remix)
2. Saison - "Suffer"

Side 2
1. Pete Moss & Colette - "Higher" (Saison Remix)
2. DirtyTwo - "Rymden"

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Choir

Feelin' Lonely

Nervous

Now universally recognized as one the great ambassadors of house music around the globe, Todd Edwards first built his reputation in the early 90’s with a string of 12" releases from some of New York’s more prominent independent labels. This was an era when on any given week you would have up to 100 new 12" releases from New York based producers, all vying for space on the 12" shop walls. In this hypercompetitive environment it was not easy for a new producer to garner a reputation. But Todd’s releases did not sound like anything else. Using an innovative blend of rhythmic, cut-and-paste vocal samples, rubbery basslines, and slapping percussion, he created a 4 track EP for Nervous in 1994 under the production acronym The Sample Choir. This 12" created such a massive buzz in the UK that it is now considered instrumental in helping to propel Britain’s Sunday clubscene into the genuine cultural phenomenon of speed garage.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The importance of this record simply cannot be ignored! Todd Edwards injecting energy and attitude into a genre that could be argued, was in danger off getting too smooth around the edges. Credited in the birth of speed garage, and now available on Nervous once again.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Feelin' Lonely
A2. Love Will Make Things Better
B1. The Praise (God In His Hand)
B2. Break Smooth

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Scan 7

Black Print

Scan Records

Fresh from the lab, "Black Print" is finally here - a sonic formula meticulously crafted by Detroit’s Scan 7 to awaken minds and ignite souls. This release delivers five distinct tracks, including a collaboration with acclaimed Detroit DJ / producer AMX, aka The AM. Each track is a universe unto itself, bound together by rhythm and energy, guiding you toward a singular truth. To truly grasp the message, dive in. Listen deeply, surrender to the sound, and step into "Black Print".

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: New material from long serving, cult Detroit technicians Scan 7, one of the of the most inventive collectives on the Underground Resistance roster. Constantly looking to evolve and innovate the techno genre, these five cuts should have the club crackling with high voltage power.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Addicted Feat. AMX
A2. Light Seekers
B1. Born Out Of Darkness
B2. Code 7
B3. Ripple Effect

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Stimulator Jones

The Stimulator Tracks Vol. 2

Star Creature

It's fitting that the Stones Throw alum would tap Star Creature for round 2 on this next phase of his already impressive musical journey. Coming off several incredible albums ranging from beats, RnB, jazz-funk and all sorts of in between fusions for Stones Throw Records, arguably one of the most influential underground labels of last couple decades, Stimulator Jones pushes us even deeper into the underground clubset on "The Stimulator Tracks Vol 2" via Tim Zawada's Chicago-based Star Creature label.

Whereas Vol 1 gave us part Larry Heard, part Ten City, part Ron Trent; Volume 2 comes a bit harder to the face with even more original analog production gear and techniques diving further along the historic progression of Chicago house music. "Cali Red", the lead single and opening A1, kicks this off with a massive, big-room space stomper - might leave dents on the dancefloor if it wasn't so atmospherically lifting.

The rest of the EP follows heavily with a hefty bites of acid, deep, gritty filter disco, and borderline booty – the project lays down raw & uncut, heavy trax that somehow manage to stay soulful and breathable. Another big 12" that fits somewhere between a secret Ron Hardy rhythm weapon, undiscovered basement reel-to-reel demo tape, and the output of the legendary Trax label.

This one is sure to sound slamming near any front left speakers with mastering job courtesy of underground East Coast techno veteran Dietrich Schonemann of Complete Mastering.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Cali Red
A2. Cytoplasm
B1. Fantasies
B2. Hold Plz

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Studio

West Coast - 2025 Reissue

Ghostly International

Coloured LP

£28.99

Fog machine coloured... [ + ]

Cat Number

GI437LPC1

Release date

24 Jan '25

Format Info

Fog machine coloured vinyl.

LP

£25.99

Black vinyl edition.

Cat Number

GI437LP

Release date

24 Jan '25

Format Info

Black vinyl edition.

CD

£12.99

Cat Number

GI437CD

Release date

24 Jan '25

Cassette

£12.99

Cat Number

GI437CAS

Release date

Expected 31 Jan '25

Release date: Expected 31 Jan '25

Some called Studio, the project of Swedish musicians Dan Lissvik and Rasmus Hägg, “the missing link between The Cure and Lindstrøm,” Pitchfork heard Durutti Column and Can, as the duo’s story became swept up in a loosely developing scene — adjacent first to the label Service (Jens Lekman, The Whitest Boy Alive) and later Sincerely Yours (The Tough Alliance, jj) — and a precursor to the 2010s boom at the axis of electronic and psychedelic music guided by indie greats like Caribou, Four Tet, and Darkside.

'West Coast', their seminal 2006 debut, captured a faraway romanticism of Balearic brushed up against Krautrock, disco, dub, and afrobeat, with pop lyricism lifted from new wave, all made modern by two art school grads in Gothenburg. First pressed in a small vinyl-only run via their own Information label, the album has been notably absent from most streaming services, and the internet’s record of its initial impact is all but fossilized from a bygone blog era, while its sound is simply untraceable to any one moment in music.

Outside of three 7” releases, they’d keep the music to themselves for several more years. In 2005, Hägg remembers, “We got our degrees and were kicked out of our studio spaces so all these recordings were just piled up. A year later we dusted them off and started to deconstruct and assemble them in a more drawn-out fashion.” In the same breadth, they cite DJ Screw, J Dilla, and Joy Division, along with early ‘80s European live DJ sets from the likes of Beppe Loda, Dj Mozart, and Baldelli as reference points. “The anything-goes mentality was very encouraging and was a big cornerstone to the Studio sound,” says Hägg. “But there’s so much more to the picture, we were not that young then and had lots of musical baggage in our suitcases, the new thing was that we finally let it all come through, not bound by any borders that was often the case with music identity in Sweden during the 90s.”

In the afterglow of the record’s 2007 reception, Studio receded from view, clouded behind a mountain of remix requests (including one for Kylie Minogue that saw release) and label bureaucracy. “It’s easy to wish we would have done some proper recordings of our own instead,” Hägg reflects. But both artists, now well into respective careers beyond Studio, have come to peace with West Coast as their most enduring effort together. Lissvik adds, “It serves as a good reminder for me to keep to that decision and promise and to continue exploring and growing.

TRACK LISTING

1. Out There
2. West Coast
3.Origin
4. Life’s A Beach!
5. Self Service
6. Indo

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Super Flu

Believe

Nervous Records

Super Flu has crafted a unique and special track with a fresh reinterpretation of Cher’s legendary Grammy Award winning song "Believe". Infusing raw electronic beats and atmospheric soundscapes, this track reimagines the classic in a way that resonates with the burgeoning underground dance community, but at the same time retains the essential melodic elements of the tune that gave it such universal appeal. Experience the haunting allure and hypnotic rhythms that only Super Flu can deliver, redefining a timeless anthem for the next generation of listeners.

Early support from Keinemusik, Black Coffee, LP Giobbi, Blondish, Desiree, Adam Ten and more

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Marmite tackle but I'm on board. I reckon it's gonna find favour with the younger ones and well timed moments of Ibizan excess.

TRACK LISTING

A. Believe (Main Mix)
B. Believe (Instrumental)

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Ricardo Villalobos

Heike

Rawax

Released in 1998, relatively early on in the soon-to-be global superstar DJ / producer's career, "Heike" is regarded by many as one of few, no nonsense, balls-out techno bangers in his catalogue. The swirling drive, trippy daft 8-bit loop, female vox and slamming beats all contributing to a heady and exhilarating ride.

Side B's "Mood Mix", though beginning gently and subtly, soon grows into a growling technoid beast - that square wave bassline acting like a sonic obelisk to which 4/4 drums, squiggly fx and warm bass are tethered to. It's equally captivating and arresting as its precursor on side A and shows the producer's genius grasp of dancefloor kinetics perfectly.

Post 2004 the producer starting exploring more cerebral and, shall we say complicated? areas of the techno landscape; but "Heiki" still stands as a high watermark in this iconic dance music star's discography. Reissued for the first time since 2006.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Rawax reissue a huge moment in Villalobos' catalogue. The mighty "Heike" and it's Mood Mix show the up-all-nite genius of the producer keenly at play. Driving, hypnotic, and possessing an ethereal divine energy.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Heike
B1. Heike (Mood Mix)

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Frits Wentink

Heartbeat FM

Wolf Music

Frits & WOLF team up once again for the fourth edition in the series with another four floor filling heaters. The Heartbeat FM EP opens with Rhythm and Blaze a track made exclusively for the WOLF 15th Birthday earlier this year in London. The EP continues with three tracks that have been road tested by a select numbers of DJ’s in the last few months, turning dancefloors into a frenzy! As always, Frits brings a level of class and style like no other and with the previous FRITS X WOLF 12 Inch selling out in record time, we’re serious when we say BUY OR CRY!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Rhythm And Blaze
A2. Lost In The Moment
B1. Turbo Passion
B2. Nocturnal

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Various Artists

King Street Sounds Sampler Vol. 2

King Street Sounds

King Street Sounds continues to reissue house classics from their legendary back catalogue, this time releasing a second VA sampler featuring four deep soulful house tracks.

This compilation showcases dancefloor fillers from notable artists such as Dennis Ferrer, Lil Louis, Masters at Work, Mood II Swing, and Kimara Lovelace. These underground anthems have stood the test of time and still sound as fresh as when they were first released.

House music enthusiasts can once again come together and take the opportunity to own these incredible tracks on this fantastic EP.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Dennis Ferrer Feat. K.T. Brooks – How Do I Let Go
A2. Rain: A Lil Louis Painting – Give It Up (Masters At Work Club Mix)
B1. Mood II Swing – Sunlight In My Eyes
B2. Kimara Lovelace – Misery (Lil Louis Club Mix)

[ + ]

[ - ]

MORE INFORMATION

Various Artists

The Gesu-ƨ Plateau (Enslavement Of The Species)

Light Sounds Dark

New 2x12" compilation from LSD who conjure up an imaginary soundtrack to the one of the great ancient mysteries - was there really an advanced cilvilization some 10,000 years ago in direct communication with interstellar beings? For fans of Graham Hancock, Egyptology, library electronics, noise//drone, sonic conspiracies and astral planing.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More interplanetary communication devices from the Light Sounds Dark cult. Fifth dimension antennas for red shifted sonic exchanges and extra terrestrial radio frequencies. Concept aside, there's some incredible rare library electronics available here.

[ + ]

[ - ]