MAGIC MIX

house . techno . electronica . ambient . neo-classical

WEEK STARTING 20 Apr

Genre pick of the week Cover of Cerebral Hemispheres by Mr. Fingers.

Mr. Fingers

Cerebral Hemispheres

Alleviated

Piccadilly customers, house music inclined Mancunians, the whole of Chicago (surely?!) and WHP attendees will have known about this for some time now - but that hasn't quelled any anticipation or excitement - yes you heard right - THE FIRST LARRY HEARD ALBUM IN TWENTY FIVE YEARS!!!!

Take a breath...

Famous as one of the most important heads in dance music around the world, Larry has enjoyed a successful career as a producer, remixer, collaborator, vocalist and DJ spanning 35 years. Out on his own Alleviated Records, "Cerebral Hemispheres" features 14 new pieces of music that allows the listener to fully immerse themselves and dig deep into Larry's musical world. Often regarded as one of the brightest stars to shine on deep house music, Larry's alter-ego Mr. Fingers has rarely put a note wrong across an illustrious and expansive career. Lucky for us, the fingered one has decided not to change the formula tooo drastically, so it's full of rich, textured piano, delicately played congas, dreamy xylophone licks and swinging house beats. There's a touch of Latin flavour, a stupendously rich and varied palette plus an advanced musical structure, owing itself to proper 'songs' than repetitive beats n trax that litter the modern day house scene. Larry's gone and brought home the bacon pop pickers, showing every mutha f***a how it's done in 2018. An imperative release. Every home needs one! 


STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Possibly the most antipated 'dance' album from the last...five years..? Anyway, ignore the hype just listen to the music and make up your own mind. Is there anyone that crafts house music like ol' Larry H. I doubt it. Impeccable - he's still on top!

Patrick says: Larry Heard follows up that spectacular 12" with his first album of new material in years. Ranging from the deep and soulful to the totally alien, this is top tackle from the real OG. Get your orders in, because this triple vinyl will fly...

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Cover of No Way Back by Adonis.

Adonis

No Way Back

Trax

DJs of the world rejoice! You no longer have to play either, a) your crap 1980s Trax original 'Weetabix' pressing, or b) your scuffed and dusty (cough cough) 'replica copy' of this Chicago house classic and Hacienda anthem, as it's here, remastered from the original tapes and reissued on the purest of wax for full high fidelity action and with authentic Trax label artwork! A possible winner of the much coveted "Best Bassline Ever" trophy (it gets my vote!), Adonis' 1986 ode to hedonistic dancefloor oblivian rocked the house on both sides of the Atlantic and its dope blend of 808 jack, bass power and creepy treated vocal still does the trick today. Get on it! 


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Cover of I’ve Had Quite A Day To by Borai.

Borai

I’ve Had Quite A Day To

Discovery Recordings

Bristol native Borai’s drops some heat for NYC-based label Discovery Recordings. Perfectly fitting the label's aesthetic, "I've Had Quite A Day Too" blends a multitude of sonic stata - bubbling bass, crashing cymbals, emotive vocal part and a sweep of joyous E-harp. "Tri Chevron Dynasty" has a bit more umph, taking it straight to the heart of the nightclub and dazzled with strobe lights. The fizzing synth stabs and direct b-line are difficult to ignore when constructed with such finesse and this one's a no brainer for your working nightclub technician. "Your Place" concludes, another bright-eyed, optimistic number that's delightfully restrained but really quite alluring.

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Cover of Paradise Sold by Steve Bug & Langenberg.

Steve Bug & Langenberg

Paradise Sold

Poker Flat

Minimal pioneer, Steve Bug returns to his iconic Poker Flat Records in toe with Max Langenberg.

The album is centred around hardware heavy production made with a blend of legendary and cult synthesizers like the Juno 60 and 106, Studio Electronics Omega 8 or the classic Roland TB 303 and mixed by legendary mixing engineer Hannes Bieger, who mixed tracks for producers like Dixon, Ame, Ben Klock, Stephan Bodzin, Ellen Allien, DJ Tennis and many more.

Neither Steve Bug nor Langenberg need much introduction due to the sizeable contributions both have made in building the European house and techno scene as we know it. Bug’s relentless commitment to quality - both in his own work and in the many producers he has championed - has made him one of electronic music‘s most revered artists and curators.


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Cover of Nature Walk EP by Marcos Cabral.

Marcos Cabral

Nature Walk EP

Dimensions Recordings

New York's Marcos Cabral steps up for his first full release on Dimensions Recordings, with the "Nature Walk EP". Following on from his epic Prochainement masterpiece on Dimensions 002, the EP provides a glimpse into the mind of a well-established and hugely respected artist. "Nature Walk" is a broad EP that demonstrates just why Marcos's records have been finding their way into a multitude of DJs' bags for the last fifteen years.
From his work with Jacques Renault as Runaway, and his coveted Hamilton Dance Records output to his more recent deeper and darker leanings for leading labels such as Clone, L.I.E.S. and Mule Musiq, Marcos has quietly and studiously worked at developing an impressive catalogue which most folks who have brushed with house and techno will have heard…whether they know it or not. The EP provides a snapshot of some of the tastes and styles that Marcos has experimented with over the years, the rolling, energetic and optimistic sounding, not quite house, not quite techno of "Wishful" gives way to the brooding, dub techno of title track, "Nature Walk".
"Cape Cod" sees Marcos in classic house mode with a cut that could easily have dropped on NYC's Nu Groove Records, whereas "Rice A Roni" is a no nonsense nugget of twisted, grinding, acid. The EP rounds off with "Let's See How The Light Goes Through It", a spacey hypnotic workout for the late hours and a fitting end to a stand out EP from the self proclaimed, Hardest Working Man!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The Dimensions series continues in earnest with Marcus Cabral the latest producer to drop some heat.

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Cover of Dance Dance Dance Dance - Inc. Lipelis / Alessandro Adriani / YPY Remixes by Capablanca.

Capablanca

Dance Dance Dance Dance - Inc. Lipelis / Alessandro Adriani / YPY Remixes

Discos Capablanca

Weird-wave leg-end and dance floor oddball Hugo Capablanca hits us with the middle leg (oi oi!) of his "Lap Top Less Dance" trilogy, inviting Lipelis, Alessandro Adriani and YPY for an international four way. Russia's alt-disco genius Lipelis opens proceedings with his Paper Sound Dub of "Lap Dance", turning out a tapey trance dance decorated with twinkling chimes, burnt out percussion loops and a whole load of wiggy fx abuse. If you chucked an Italian library LP, a NES cartridge and an ounce of Lemon Kush into a Soda Stream, you'd probably end up feeling like this sounds. Next up, Capablanca's "Track 2" gives Shit & Shine a run for his "Texan cough syrup sippin' money", blasting through some Southern States psychobilly with a tape delay pedal, pitch shifter and spring reverb. The result is a total mind-fuck that's currently got me and Kickin' Pidge going wild. From there we segue swiftly into the menacing, metronomic world of Mannequin boss Alessandro Adriani, who smears the loose psychedelia, warbled vocals and warped soundscaping all over his industrial techno groove. If you're into wall shaking bass, touch perx and disembodied vocals you're gonna love this shit. Osaka's YPY closes the set in suitably batshit fashion, flipping "Top Less" into a disorienting episode of grinding, panning distortion, molten synth blips and grumpy bass pulses. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: I've been waiting for this for about three months and it's totally justified my excitement. Without a doubt the most fucked up record of the week, this is a bit like listening to normal music at the moment when the bathsalts begin to turn you into a zombie.

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Cover of The Spaces Between by Chris Carter.

Chris Carter

The Spaces Between

Optimo Music

Originally recorded between 1974 and 1978 at Industrial Records studio in London "The Space Between" album was first released as a 90 minute cassette in 1980 on Throbbing Gristle's Industrial Records label. It wasn't until 1991 that it was again released by Mute Records on CD. Although tracks from "The Space Between" have appeared on numerous compilations since its release, the album has never been available on vinyl until now. This new vinyl edition on Optimo Music, now retitled "The Spaces Between", doesn't include all the tracks of the original album but has been enhanced and remastered from the original two-track master tapes and has new cover artwork especially for this release. JD Twitch has this to say about the release; 'The original release featured 15 tracks. As I wanted to have a reasonably loud vinyl pressing, I have picked my favourite six to appear here (not an easy task to narrow it down). In addition there is a bonus track "Climbing" which was recorded around the same time that was released by Coil's Geoff Ruston on his "Men With Deadly Dreams" cassette in 1981. One of the first ever recordings to use an 808 drum machine, it still sounds as if it is from tomorrow. In my opinion, these are some of the key recordings in the history of electronic music. They were made using very basic equipment at a time when there was no blueprint for what electronic music could and should be. There is a beauty, an emotion and an imagination present here that is lacking in a lot of modern machine music. This music is as vital and wondrous today as it was four decades ago.'

All tracks have been remastered by Chris Carter in 2009 for this release. Musically, it's an electronic soundtrack for a sleazy sci-fi movie, with moments of uplifting beauty combined with bits of claustrophobic mania. Amazing stuff.

FORMAT INFORMATION

Coloured LP Info: Limited Repress On Grey Vinyl.

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Cover of Heritage by Colophon.

Colophon

Heritage

Deeptrax Records

Bas Van Vuurde aka Colophon is a Harlem based producer who was a regular in the Deeptrax store and had an open exchange with the label. A label owner himself, his Lowercase Life has put music out by Florian Kupfer and Orson Wells. The four tracks here have been selected from his achieve by Deeptrax and see VC-118A brought in to remix title track "Heritage". A beautifully biotic interpretation of vintage machine music, the tracks have a nocturnal mood - lying in shadows but catching flickers of light as they develop momentum. Cushion soft electronics, frenetic rhythm, synthesized drums - the very definition of techno but wrapped in a sympathetic, loving patina. VC-118A's remix of "Heritage" is urgent and overwhelming, one of the centre pieces of the EP. Strictly limited to 250 copies. 

FORMAT INFORMATION

Ltd 12" Info: Limited to 250 copies with full picture sleeve.

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Cover of Ecco I - Black Spuma / Alexander Robotnik / Bottin / Oh Oh Remixes by Cristalli Liquidi.

Cristalli Liquidi

Ecco I - Black Spuma / Alexander Robotnik / Bottin / Oh Oh Remixes

Bordello A Parigi

Nuovo Italo duo Cristalli Liquidi make their long awaited return to Bordello A Parigi with a four track wax offering which boasts remixes from Black Spuma, Alexander Robotnick and Bottin as well as the sought after 12″ version of the evergreen LCD cover "Volevi Una Hit". Black Spuma start the party with the rampant electro-disco bassline, delayed vocal ping and galloping bell rhythm of "Restare Andare". Tuned to purring perfection, this HiNRG mauler finds that peculiar pocket where the coked up excess of Rimini rolls into the dark room fist of Berlin. Italo hero and acid O.G. Alexander Robotnick rocks the spot next, teaming up with Bottin for the driving 303 funk of "Q.I.L.D.E.", a rampant space disco slammer with just enough keyboard wonk to spring it from the straight and narrow. Flip it to the B1, and Alexander goes solo with his super groovy, bass heavy vocal mix, turning out a future Red Laser classic. Last but not least, Bordello take pity on those who missed their moment in 2012 with a much needed repress of Cristalli Liquidi's, sensual and smooth italo cover of LCD Soundsystem smash "You Wanted A Hit". Top stuff.

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Cover of Lady Killer - Inc. AD Bourke Remix by Croza.

Croza

Lady Killer - Inc. AD Bourke Remix

Organic Analogue

Organic Analogue broadens its remit on this killer boogie inflected diversion from Italian producer Croza. Where the label has been often associated with deeper techno and electro, it sounds right at home exploring the Moog bass licks and snappy drum programming that pours like a fine wine out of every track. "Night Heat" is the perfect lead track, all steamy synth throb and funky guitar licks, while "Feel" turns up the pressure with a proto house burner that would have set the Paradise Garage alight. Also look out for a rare appearance from Pic fave AD Bourke, who cruises on to the record to deliver a blissed out version of "Night Heat" for the smokiest of sundown situations.

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Cover of Leviathan / Electricsheep by Dali.

Dali

Leviathan / Electricsheep

Hobbes

Following the massive buzz a round the label's last release, Hobbes Music kicks off 2018 with a heavy slice of warehouse techno backed with deeper electro flavours, a second double-A-side 12" outing by the anonymous DALI.
You may remember DALI (NB all caps in the spelling) released a debut 12" around this time last year. Support came from Ben UFO, Laurent Garnier, Domenic Cappello (Sub Club), John Heckle, Chris Duckenfield, The Revenge, Tom Findlay (Groove Armada), Sean Johnston and XDB (among others) and a repress happened swiftly, with Laurent Garnier and Avalon Emersonalso supporting most recently (on WWFM and at Berghain, respectively). DALI has a passion for analogue synths, abstract, hypnotic dance music and all things psychedelic. Don't bother looking her up on the net, social media etc. DALI is eschewing all that, to let the music do the talking for now.

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Cover of Marry Me EP by DJ Call Me.

DJ Call Me

Marry Me EP

HIGHLIFE

The Kwaito train continues to gather steam amongst new kids and seasoned professionals alike, Highlife getting in on the action with a piece of Kwaito from South Africa’s DJ Call Me.

A track sweeter than Irn Bru, "Marry Me" was championed by New York DJ, Sadaf. Already with over a million youtube plays, and declared 'track of the Summer' at the start of the decade, the track wasn’t available to buy in any kind of format, and so began an elaborate quest to track down the artist via his defunct Facebook page. After many an unanswered email and a couple of years persistence, Highlife finally managed to track down a manager still in touch with DJ Call Me, and sealed the deal via an exchange of WhatsApp messages!

Decorated with marimba, powered by a typical Kwaito riddim, it contains this heart wrenchingly powerful and wonderfully childlike vocal (unaccredited) which opens it up to a vast range of audiences. Its pop like charm but in vogue palette mean this could well be the 'tune of the Summer' OVER HERE.... ten or so years after it was originally released... Ridiculously good! It comes boosted with another, more experimental track - "Dictionary" which touches on EDM vibes with its stadium-filling sound and euphoric crescendos but I reckon it'll be the A-side you go to ever time... Every home needs one! Most recommended.


STAFF COMMENTS

Sil says: 'Marry Me' hides no secrets. All the clues are in the title. A song with a clear message to the listener. Heavy bass, slight tinges of reggaeton (nothing major but it is there) and catchy vocals that a toddler can sing-a-long. On the flipside we carry on with similar vibe regarding the beat but we go a bit more ravy and hands in the air. Feel good track for the summer lurking around the corner.

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Cover of Pick Up by DJ Koze.

DJ Koze

Pick Up

Pampa

Gliding in on wave of summery shimmer, DJ Koze heads up his own latest 12" on Pampa, just in time for those feel good moments of house hedonism throughout the holiday season. Both "Pick Up" and "The Love Truck" should transport the listener to carefree moments dancing next to big speaker stacks while crepuscular rays shine warmth on face and feet, Joyful and redolent, "The Love Truck" is the slightly more mellower of the two, destined for late afternoon / early evening when a red hue tinges the air and the hustle and bustle of day gives way to a more languid and atmospheric mood. "Pick Up" on the other hand is a spellbound piece made up of intricate disco loops and reinforced with house drums; one to get the whole field rocking towards the end of a headlining set; a closing centre piece to elevate them into the sky.

STAFF COMMENTS

Sil says: Refreshing and a glimpse of hope shines through the boxes of records we open on a daily basis when you know that Stefan Kozalla is there. I have been in love with this man's music since I was 22 and I purchased a mixed CD by him convolutingly called 'Music is OK'. He brought humour to electronic music, hip hop and later on onto house! You can't go wrong with the house experimentalist that is DJ Koze. A true provocateur and gender bending master. On this supwerb 12'' you get two cuts of the highest caliber (those who stand the passage of time gracefully - not many do!) on the also great Pampa label. Years pass by, the man gets older but also wiser. A Side offering 'Pick Up' is peak time disco house tune, but me, the introspective and complex soul I am, I lean towards 'The Love Truck' with its atonal and asyncopated sensual beats that bar Dj Koze few tend to play with. Ladies and you too, gents... this is my 12" of the week.

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Cover of Love/Hate by E Myers.

E Myers

Love/Hate

Dark Entries US

After setting the cat amongst our very own Kickin' Pigeon with last year's single-sided sell-out smash "Home", the mysterious E. Myers returns to the vinyl world with two more tracks of intense analogue action. Picking up the proto house baton from where he left it at "Home", Mr Myers marshalls the Roland rhythm crew for a hard hitting excursion into Chicago house on A-side cut "Love". Rattling rim shots and tumbing toms inject some neccessary groove into that stiff 4/4, while bittersweet synth strings, glistening sequences and a sublime sax riff top a deep and round bassline. Proper end of night / end of season tackle from the mystery producer. Over on the flip, Myers opens a porthole into the darker side of the club universe with the psychotropic, EBM driven "Hate", a raucous banger propelled through the smoke and strobes by a particularly Belgian synthlead. Not for the faint of heart, this retro techno tonker could put the frighteners in anyone. In limited supply with the promise of no repress, this is another buy-on-sighter from the mystery man.

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Cover of Macht by Effet Rose.

Effet Rose

Macht

Rattleznake

Hard edged EBM and industrialized stomp here on the newly minted Ratteznake records. First single also by Effet Rose. "Los" sounds like it's been ripped off a lost Medusa edits twelve, its mix of Nitzer Ebb, Ministry and Severed Heads rippling off the wax with a ferocious intent. "Warschauer" sees concentric dark acid mixed with incomprehensible vocal utterances, recalling some machine darkness from Glasgow's Clan Destine Traxx. Finally, "Dance For Me" sees the gremlins' battle cry eeked out of a frazzled outboard, drawing out all the mutants for a techno moshpit of destructive proportions. Head for the bunkers!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Colon-busting biznis here from newly minted Rattleznake. Tuff enough to blow even the most hardened new beater a new orifice or two. Yowzers.

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Cover of Connection - Inc. I-Cube Rework by Future Four.

Future Four

Connection - Inc. I-Cube Rework

Phantasy Sound

Initially paying tribute to the analogue absurdity, sonic diversity and sheer imagination of the early 90s dance music landscape, Future Four returns after a hiatus of several years, pushing into new eras, machines and ideals with 'Connection'. Initially a solo project of Andy Meecham, the brains behind Emperor Machine, Chicken Lips, and Bizarre Inc., 'Connection' is the first Future Four release to feature the contribution of Erol Alkan as a permanent member, and is a coupled with a remix from I:Cube.
A veritable powerhouse of synths, vintage drum machines and all manner of effects, 'Connection' unfolds with minimal tempo and maximum impact, as sequences of unexpected electronics gradually build from every direction, each landing with the razor sharp precision associated with their composers. Cascading synths overflow like fizzy drinks, pro-pelling the track along an electronic patchwork of FM synthesis and psy-chedelia.
On the remix, I:Cube takes the unpredictable rhythm of 'Connection' and coaxes it’s versatile, multiple elements into a timeless slice of boogie house. Nurturing the outsider Casio feel of the track under a musical heat-lamp, the always forward-thinking Frenchman emerges with a cut that could easily soundtrack both sun deck and space station.

STAFF COMMENTS

Sil says: Electro good times yeah! Rawish menacing beat accompanied by some wacky synths on A Side will open proceedings for the big act on the B Side (at least for me). Good old reliable I Cube cranks up things couple of notches. It makes the original more palatable and dreamy for your punters while keeping the essence of the original present. I Cube loves synths and so do I.

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Cover of Ransome (feat. Alice Higgins) by Hunrosa.

Hunrosa

Ransome (feat. Alice Higgins)

Wah Wah 45s

Sam Vicary A.K.A Hunrosa (meaning "to dream") is an electronic music producer capturing the wild organic senses of his childhood and anchoring it with a darker 2am undercurrent. Based in Manchester, he is principally a bassist and currently a member of The Cinematic Orchestra, Paper Tiger and The Dominic J Marshall Trio, as well as performing with Manu Delago, Imogen Heap, Matthew Halsall, Anil Sebastian and Stuart Macallum.

His latest offering 'Ransome' is a heavily rhythmic journey, full of textured hand percussion and soaring strings, accompanied by the beautifully melodic vocals of Alice Higgins drifting overhead. The Clap Clap remix sees the Black Acre mainstay exploring expansive territories, polyrhythmic hand percussion and textured electronica perfectly intertwine, drenched in dub ambience, heightened by scattered arpeggios and swirling synths. The music is inspired by a coastal upbringing, represented in the music via field recordings, as well as being aided by visual stimulus throughout the writing process.

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Cover of Fluids by Jesse.

Jesse

Fluids

Hoga Nord

Finnish band Jesse makes unsentimental and innovative music. What you hear on “Fluids”, released as a picture disc album on Höga Nord Rekords, is the sounds of four creative brains’ journey into the music universe of the future. Their music is influenced by earth and space: Jesse’s astral and cosmic disco is prospective, totally boundless, and vibrant of life and blood. The production sounds luxurious and helps the psychedelic qualities to shine through the sound. Jesse, who with their first releases some ten years ago played fast and arrogant synth based music, now picks up influences from afro beat, funk and ambient but they’ve kept the electronic core of their sound - simple chord structures rest upon cool synthesized waves of sound, like a glider carried upwards on the thermals between the summits of the Andes. Soft, pliable and mighty! Jesse's music is dreamy but not unworldly and one thing that makes them special is their ability to place the listener on the edge of their safety zone. There, in the frontier, they explore the possibilities of cross over music. 

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Cover of Yamaha Acid by Kalbata.

Kalbata

Yamaha Acid

Brush & Broom

Kalbata goes full-acid with this snappy 303/808/909-driven four tracker. In a homage to 90's motorcycles, Kalbata whips up four jacking warehouse tweakers, wrapped in thick-smoke and crisp primal beats. A second release on his own Brush & Broom label. A slightly more tamed and well mannered sibling to Super Rhythm Trax, Posthuman, I Love Acid etc, but don't let that delude you - Kalbata's control of his machines is more than impressive; like when you when best mates younger brother beats you at Tekken 3....

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Cover of Mountains Of Dew by Kiwi.

Kiwi

Mountains Of Dew

Disco Halal

New release from Kiwi and Disco Halal. London mainstay Alex Warren has been in a bit of a purple patch of late, his cover of "Throw Down" (Optimo Music) went onto receive critical acclaim while two twelves already released this year on Moda Black and 17 Steps have both gone on to do 'nuff damage in the club.

Exotic flavoured electro-disco is order of the day here. "Pine Martin" begins the journey in beguiling and peregrine form, it's tentative arps plotting a path through new and vast landscapes."Daubenton's Bat" is a shuddering, druggy trip into tribal lysergia - a wavering vocal chorus contrasting against electric rhythms and foreign instrumentation. Finally, "Pine Martin" gets a club friendly rub down which really bring out the jarring electro-disco arpeggios and driving, heads down groove. It's another doozy from this multifaceted producer and another winning release from the omnipresent Disco Halal. Top one! 


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Cover of Momentum by Klauss & Craig.

Klauss & Craig

Momentum

Planet E

    Planet E make an inspired return with "Momentum", a two-track collaboration between Carl Craig and Argentinian live electronic collective Klauss. A result of an unplanned production session at the Klauss' Buenos Aires studio in February of last year which I presume saw Mr. Craig drop in unannounced. Each track runs at over ten minutes long, brimming with tension and utilizing analogue-formed grooves to form a grounding for meditative loops and mind-bending sonic processes to wander. It's a steady, deliberate piece of music quite detached from the label's usual output but nonetheless arresting and should keep die hard Carl Craig fanboys more than happy... Top stuff!

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    Cover of Disco Music by Klic.

    Klic

    Disco Music

    Hometaping Is Killing Music

    Home Taping dropped this killer, Medlar-penned track back in 2011. Now the imprint's shining new light on it by drafting in some top drawer remixers to work their magic. Tuff City Kids' 'Acid' mix sizes up the stems before unleashing demolition ball kicks and explosive 303s onto the mix; causing a whole manner of destruction onto the original theme. TCK stay on the attack through track two, their 'Garage' mix equally as destructive but characterized by deep techy stabs, intricate SFX and searing strings rather than the lashing 303s of previous take. The beautifully poised and well constructed original version gets a second outing, reminding us just how clever this Medlar alter-ego is as it effortlessly skirts between house, disco and electro-funk like a pixie at a free party. All that's left is for Dicky Trisco to drop a house flavoured rubdown, with rolling congas and squelchy B-line...what a package!

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    Cover of X-Enter-O EP by L/F/D/M.

    L/F/D/M

    X-Enter-O EP

    Midnight Shift

    Exceptional return of L/F/D/M aka Love’s Flacid Disco Muscle on Midnight Shift, with a remix by Nick Dunton of 65D Mavericks, resurfacing under his latest moniker D-56M. Abrasive acidic trax from the edge from this mainstay of machine music. "Sixteen Snakes" is an all out sensory assault, not a million miles away from the darkest of Ste Spandex's Cerberus output - rattling metallic perc, buzzsaw distortion and flailing sine tones combining like a battering ram of hardware tekno. "X-Enter-O" is characterized by growling, low-tuned LFOs that spit analogue phlegm over static hats and incessant modular rhythms; an expert display by a producer with a total grip on his instruments. "Silver Grain" sees aerial-born leads circle above crackling electronic discharge for an experimental but nonetheless engrossing piece that concludes the EP on a high. Wonderful stuff here.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Martin says: Midnight Shift continue their interstellar war cry with hardware molester L/F/D/M on the guns for this latest campaign.

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    Cover of Alkebulan Republic by Philou Louzolo.

    Philou Louzolo

    Alkebulan Republic

    Lumberjacks In Hell

    Marcel Vogel's mighty Lumberjacks In Hell imprint takes a break from their trademark edit offerings with this original Afrobeat banger from Philou Louzolo and Villy. The release is dedicated to the Amsterdam based Alkebulan Project, an organization aiming to bring artists from Africa & the African Diaspora together to change the perception of the continent and its citizens. A-side cut "Africa Rising" finds Philou expressing his Congolese, Nigerian and Sierra Leonean heritage in collaboration with Nigeria's political funk outfit Villy & The Xtreme Volumes. Recalling Fela Kuti at his most hypnotic, The Xtreme Volumes drive through warm organ riffs, hot horns, restless percussion and groovesome bass, while Villy calls out for revolution across the continent. With Philou working spiritual magic behind the desk, the cut sounds warm, full and big enough to bring it to any soundsystem. There's a shorter instrumental version for anyone who doesn't dig on the lyrical fire, but unless you intend to get creative with two copies, I reckon you're missing the point. The deep, dancefloor vibes continue on the flip with the horn heavy assault of "Kinshasa Anthem", a floor filler if ever I've heard one. The rhythmic guitar riffing weaves a hypnotic spell through the midrange, the booming drums and beefy bass pack a serious body moving punch at the bottom end and mysterious, melodic flute poses the perfect reposte to Villy's half-spoken, half sung vocals. Melody comes to the fore on the EP closing "Queens Of Zomba", a guitar led journey through the afro-disco cosmos alive with spectral synth fx and drifting melodies - proper Body & Soul tackle.


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    Cover of UK Steel EP by Ludgate Squatter.

    Ludgate Squatter

    UK Steel EP

    West End Communications

    Ludgate returns to West End Communications (following the wonderfully named Perth Drug Lord...!) with a high energy, maximum impakt, club record. Ranging from fast paced techno to distorted electro, showcasing a diverse pallet with a more ambient cut to finish. All round 12/10!

    West End Communications continue to spearhead the dirty tekno frontline, RIYL: June, Powervacuum, Midnight Shift, LIES etc.

    **TIP - check out "Huh?"!! ;)


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: More ridiculously named but hard hitting techno from the West End Communications camp. Ludgate Squatter joins Perth Drug Lord as best named techno act in 2018. His beats ain't bad neither!

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    Cover of DS1 by Made In Thailand.

    Made In Thailand

    DS1

    Made In Thailand

    Audio contraband from a mysterious Southeast Asiatic connection. Info is light but vibe is heavy! A-side touches on that eastern-cosmic style that seems very in vogue at the moment, as producers look even further afield for inspiration and sounds. Side B takes it back to Europe though with an Italian sounding shuffle and shoulder roll with sparse arrangement decorated beautifully with space vocoder. Exotic and enjoyable flavours beamed directly to your lughole! Do not miss!

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Sil says: Electro with heavy Asian influence on A side and a more chilled discoid version with a bit of vocoder included on B side that will smoothly oil up your dancefloor. I am lovin' it.

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    Cover of Human Behavious - Inc. Clandestino / Mushrooms Project Remixes by Jose Manuel.

    Jose Manuel

    Human Behavious - Inc. Clandestino / Mushrooms Project Remixes

    Clandestino

    For Clandestino's fifth offering Berlin's Italiano in residence José Manuel drops his unique strain of exotic club music; once again exploring deep, ritualistic and tribal influences to great dramatic effect. Opening cut "Human Behaviour" is a woozy nine minute opus, rich in shamanic atmosphere, ritualistic chants and ethnic flutes. Clandestino's remix refines the track for the dance-floor, retaining the atmosphere and injecting a driving 303 line and jamming Afro keys. Upping the tempo on 'Bangalore', a great ethnic guitar hook drives the groove into a dervish whirl while disorienting chants and tribal percussion flutter underneath. Finally, Mushrooms Project turn out an essential blissful sundown version by extending out the pads and adding gentle warm keys.

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    Cover of Sutekh's Mirage / Donna, Don't Stop by Max Abysmal.

    Max Abysmal

    Sutekh's Mirage / Donna, Don't Stop

    Safe Trip

    Young Marco's Safe Trip are back with another high-grade heater for all the microdosers out there, this time courtesy of shadowy Dutch figure Max Abysmal. In keeping with the label's dreamy aesthetic, the mystery man treats us to a pair of hypnotic, exotic and esoteric house jams perfect for sunset, sunrise and fireside romps. On the A-side, "Sutekh's Mirage" moves through circular chimes, airy flute licks and warming bass tones while keeping the mechanical percussion restrained and dynamic. Beautiful and hallucinogenic, this is perfect material for either side of the peak time. On the flip, "Donna, Don't Stop" moves further into the shamanic house territories, teaming woody pipe riffs with clattering beats, hypnotic bass and cascading keys. Whether they're quaffing mushy brew, riding the rainbow highway or experimenting with letters and numbers, Safe Trip spangle you sweetly.


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Patrick says: The mysterious Max Abysmal takes to Safe Trip, donning druid's robes and conducting an ayahuasca ceremony with a DX7 as his assistant. Hypnotic, organic and entheogenic house music here, perfect for the naturists on the dance floor.

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    Cover of Domino by Noche Espanola.

    Noche Espanola

    Domino

    Highwood Recordings

    Now we're talking! After an endless winter of doom, gloom and cold war revivalism, Noche Espanola is here to herald the return of warmer days, white sands and primo pingers (our current batch are windmills - reassuringly expensive). The man behind the music, Balearic legend, production whizz and melodic maestro Phil Mison, forgets the stress of current affairs and takes us back to the glory days of Balearic house. The Outdoor Mix of "Domino" locks into a precise 4/4, flirts with some gorgeous conga rolls then lets Phil take it away with breesy acoustic guitar licks. From there we feel the force of a girthy synth sequence, delivering the neccessary bassweight to balance out the pitched down vocal sample - the crowd will go wild! On the flip, the Indoor Mix ditches the acoustic guitar, pushes the synths to the forefront and slots into heads down groove mode, additional cowbell and crystalline keys an added bonus. Phil drops a beatless synth outro as the umbrella in our cocktail then takes his lilo elsewhere - job done.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Patrick says: It's always a good day when a Highwood box arrives, and Senor Mison's latest EP offers a much needed dose of dopamine in these uncertain times. This is Balearic house at its best, effortless, melodic and totally evocative of carefree days on the dance floor.

    FORMAT INFORMATION

    12" Info: Limited Hand Stamped 12" + Sticker

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    Cover of Gentrified Love Part 4 by Theo Parrish.

    Theo Parrish

    Gentrified Love Part 4

    Sound Signature

    New Theo featuring Amp Fiddler, Randolph, Ideeyah, John Douglas & Katy Kosins. Much like the three installments proceedings it; "Leave The Funk To Us" features a live and jazzy set of sound sources but it also harks back to classic Theo - niggly, trickski grooves decorated with hand claps and finger snaps but given extra life through stylized MPC programming. "Be Like Me" applies the breaks for a proper languid summer jam. Like sprawling across freshly cut grass as the Sun beams warmth onto your face, the track's midday haze and swelter is reinforced by powerful vocals and phat synth lines. In undeniably Theo and resplendent with soul. A sure fire jam for the holiday season.

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    Cover of Hermetica by Perel.

    Perel

    Hermetica

    DFA

    Shrouded in mystery, the Hermetica are a series of Egyptian-Greek didactic texts, meant to help the willing student better understand the cosmos, divinity, and nature. On her debut LP for DFA Records, German producer Perel takes the listener into deep space and explains it all. Over the course of nine tracks, she shares a striking amalgamation of house, new wave, and kraut motifs that crystallize to form a unique sound.

    Born in Saxony, Annegret Fiedler ventured into the realm of songwriting at the age of eight, composing her first songs on her grandmother’s piano while listening to Eurythmics and 2 Unlimited cassettes in her spare time. Moving to the East German city of Halle to study in the mid-aughts, she was heavily influenced by the multifaceted alternative music scene there, and the parties people threw in post-Berlin Wall abandoned buildings. Fiedler went on to develop her craft as a formally trained singer, co-producer, and multi-instrumentalist in several bands, covering a broad palette of styles ranging from punk rock to electro pop and honing her performance skills. A move to Berlin (and the city’s club landscape) inspired her to start recording solo productions under the moniker Perel.

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    Cover of Come Into Knowledge by Planty Herbs.

    Planty Herbs

    Come Into Knowledge

    Intimate Friends

    Bobby Van Putten's Planty Herbs project has been active since 2010 albeit with an annoyingly scattered and scarce output. Now he offers fans a fully fruited tree of musical pleasure; 12 tracks across two discs that show exactly what Putten is made of. From the mellow soul food of "Nothing Lasts" to the laidback hip hop funk of "Downgrade", the dusty house experiments of "Akustika" to the poppy overtones of "Follow Me Now,"this is the sound of an artist with a rich musical gift and a soulful instinct. 

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    Cover of Watch Your Step - Inc. Ladymonix Remix by Preslav Featuring Natalie Rogers & Kenny Peagler.

    Preslav Featuring Natalie Rogers & Kenny Peagler

    Watch Your Step - Inc. Ladymonix Remix

    Love What You Feel

    Feel good soulful house music here from Preslav and Natalie Rogers. "Watch Your Step" is house precision mixed with an almost pop like sensibility. Riding in on a wave of jubulation and sunshine, the track's destined for massive crossover plays across the board over the next few months. Comes with a tasty instrumental version then it's onto Ladymonix for an incredibly tasty, Hacienda-flavoured house re-rub, big and bouncy and super super smiley - avee iiichh! The 'Sport' remix concludes, a shoulder swinging number you might catch Karizma making use of in the mix. It retains elements of the vocal, looping it up for maximum impact and pairs it with a squelchy bass and techy stabs before fading in some lush and dreamy keys. Awesome!

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    Cover of Windbreaker Riddim / Warming by Roska.

    Roska

    Windbreaker Riddim / Warming

    Byrd Out

    This release sees Roska dropping some new, serious fun, with the pad-tinged menace of "Windbreaker Riddim" and the carnival flavoured chaos of "Warming", it finds Roska is excellent form - poised, classy and undeniably FUNKY! Two cuts ready to rock the dancefloor and the field over the coming months.

    Released via the impeccable Byrd Out which has previously released killer twelves by DMX Crew, Andrew Weatherall and Mad Professor.


    Limited copies! 


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: Byrd Out continue to proove their diversity, enlisting UK funky pioneer Roska for a double header of carnival presha. Big ting!

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    Cover of Aphelion EP by Ross From Friends.

    Ross From Friends

    Aphelion EP

    Brainfeeder

    Fresh on Fly Lo's Brainfeeder comes this lo-fi stalwart with four tracks of decidedly more experimental styling's than the usual bit reduced 4/4 house he's become famous for. An obvious choice for this pioneering LA-based label, RFF is both taste-defining, on trend and cutting edge, all at once; barging his way into the hallowed halls of this iconic label and finding confidence next to label mates like Kamasi Washington, Daedelus and DJ Paypal. The four tracks here are multi-textured and detailed, languid and emotive. As much in tune with the mind and soul as the body and butt, it marks an exciting new direction for this talented producer who's obviously still got lots of tricks up his sleeve. From electronic soul of openers "Don't Wake Dad" and "John Cage" to the adventurous, swirling deep house of "There's a Hole In My Heart" and the stuttered glide of EP closer, "March"; every track has manipulated vocals and a distinctive sound palette, demonstrating the exquisite skills of this producer wonderfully.

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    Cover of Velvet Pony Trax 2 by CJ Scott.

    CJ Scott

    Velvet Pony Trax 2

    Velvet Pony

    Next up to bat on Art Alfie’s Velvet Pony is Stockholm talent and Karlovak alumni Cj Scott who hits way out of the park. This EP includes the highly anticipated track "Peaktimekatten", already featured on Baba Stiltz Resident Advisor mix along with two more house bombs both bearing CJ´s signature touch of speed and urgency stretched out over the full length capacity of a record's side.

    "Mixed Emotions" utilizes a traditional funky house sound at full throttle, landing somewhere between Subliminal Sessions and Hot Haus Records! Meanwhile "CJ's Flyby" introduces itself through head turning fx and enveloping beats, galloping into a peak time house frenzy that recalls the steam train power of Delano Smith! Finally, the aforementioned "Peaktimekatten" is the most abstract yet hard hitting of the three, long percussive passages giving way to skeletal stabs and a squashed, low end rumble.

    His previous release on Karlovak gained huge support from the likes of Martinez Brothers and Cassy and this one looks to be equally devastating across clubland... Of you like your house music fresher and hotter than a noontime This & That off Mo, this bad boy burner is surely for you. T I P!


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Matt says: It's funny, I always end up falling for Art Alfie related stuff. I never realised this was his label and I was already going nuts for this full throttle deep house bulldozer.

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    Cover of I Love You Mum by Mike Simonetti.

    Mike Simonetti

    I Love You Mum

    Correspondant

    Fresh shit from everyone's favourite New Yorker, moonlighting here on the Correspondent label. Four tracks more in line with the psychedelic house and techno output of his 2MR label. Stripped back and with a strong, clean signal path M-Sim conjures up expansive digital soundscapes, peppered with intricate perc and interesting sounds. Perfectly suited to both home, club and car play, I can see this simultaneously soundtracking ketted-up after party shenanigans, driving moments of nightclub power and spot lit cruises through nocturnal cityscapes. It finds Mike in good form, effortlessly turning his hand to futuristic grooves and spangly new textures.

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    Cover of Gravitational Pull Vs The Desire For An Aquatic Life - Reissue by Stars Of The Lid.

    Stars Of The Lid

    Gravitational Pull Vs The Desire For An Aquatic Life - Reissue

    Kranky

      Vinyl edition of Stars of the Lid 2nd album in print for the first time in over 20 years.

      The release of Music for Nitrous Oxide, the 1995 debut album by Stars of the Lid, heralded a new strain of the american underground music scene, one borne of the heat and humidity, boredom, and the insular, constipated, rockist music scene of Austin, Texas, the home of the duo of Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie. It was a muffled lashing out against surrounding musical conventions, a small middle finger to the local dominant “americana” scene, but one that nobody could see outside the shack of a house in which they recorded or at their occasional sparsely populated live performances. It was as punk a move as anyone could make at that place and in that time. But in a surprise to the two members of SotL, people took notice, as related rumblings and grumblings were taking place simultaneously in other parts of the american landscape.

      Coming quickly on the heels of that release was our current subject, Gravitational Pull vs. the Desire for an Aquatic Life, released one year later. This is a transitional release that travels from the scruffiness of the debut’s ambiance to more extended and subtle undulating tides of assembled sound, yet still dominated by processed guitars as the primary sound source. It also serves as an omen to the mini-orchestral works to come beginning with the Avec Laudenum album a few years later. Gravitational Pull... is a small masterpiece.

      Context:
      The Stars of the Lid’s second full length album was originally published on vinyl by the Sedimental label in 1996, and then issued on compact disc by kranky the following year. It has now been out of print on the vinyl format for more than 20 years and that matter is now rectified with this release. The original album mix has been remastered by Pieter De Wagter, lacquers cut by Chicago Mastering Service and vinyl pressed at Quality Record Pressing in Salina, Kansas. 


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      Cover of Mwah EP by Roza Terenzi.

      Roza Terenzi

      Mwah EP

      Kalahari Oyster Cult

      Roza Terenzi is the latest convert to the Kalahari Oyster Cult, and the Australian producer debuts with four tracks showcasing her unique sound. Influences come from far and wide, shifting between electro, house, techno and even early rave anthems. The space bleeps of “Gigi” are soon interrupted by shouldering kick drums. Samples stagger and stumble before key stabs cut through beats in this hazy piece of early morning elation. “Mwah” maintains those euphoric moods. Snapping snares slice through shimmering synthwork and soaring strings to keep the night grooving. Darker tones enter with “Rare High”, but these shades are soon brightened by arcing notes. Acid lines squeak and squirm in this balancing act of disparate colours and chords. Distant lands and exotic encounters are conjured for “Soft”, perfumed percussion and meandering melodies mingle and merge for head swimming close of aromatic audio.

      STAFF COMMENTS

      Matt says: Dreamy, warm, textured breakbeats here from Roza Terenzi plus the odd seretonin-flooded cliamx. Sterling stuff for the old school inclined.

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      Cover of Kickrock / Blue Call by Bjorn Torske.

      Bjorn Torske

      Kickrock / Blue Call

      Smalltown Supersound

      Norwegian house and techno producer Bjørn Torske started experimenting with electronic music in the late '80s in his hometown of Tromsø. As a teenager he was inspired by other Tromsø musicians, especially Geir Jenssen, the musical prodigy later to be known as ambient pioneer Biosphere. Torske started releasing minimalist techno in the beginning of the '90s, primarily under the name of Ismistik.

      Very interesting but "Kickrock" is anything but minimal techno! Featuring that patented Torske sound palette - centred around cowbells and squelchy synth - the track marches on with a focussed but carefree attitude. deploying full rhythm section breakdowns at will and adding vibing keys and guitar sections as the track nears its conclusion. On the flip "Blue Call" sees a more tropical house flavour jam slowly permeate through the sweltering midday fug and slowly encapsulate us in some tribal flavoured firepit dancing. As usual a hallucinatory and totally engrossing affair from (one of) our favourite Norwegians... Recommended. 


      STAFF COMMENTS

      David says: If I could put Kickrock on a 5 hour loop I would. It's one of those house records that sounds so simple but increasingly grooves and grows into a hypnotic monster guaranteed to leave any dance floor in a hot wet mess.

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      Cover of Metaphysical Lives by Uni Omni.

      Uni Omni

      Metaphysical Lives

      Vivod

      Kicking off Vivod's new 'Pheasant' series (!!!) and making their debut on the label, UNI.OMNI are a Glaswegian duo comprising of MWX and Wave Energy Converter. Inspired by feelings of duality and the unpredictability of our dynamic world, UNI.OMNI respond with challenging dark electronic notes, driven vocals and expansive percussive backdrops. Their tracks emit contradictory feelings of chaos and calm, motion and stillness, frustration and excitement, whilst using the energy and turmoil of big city life as motivation for their first EP. "Acceptance Resistance" kicks things off with an experimental, cavernous foray that shifts to the rhythmic, subliminal undertones of "Metaphysical Lives". Both "Sequential Self" and "Viral Dread" are attuned to empowerment, exacerbated by the strains of the modern world, with strong vocals reiterating the need for resilience in the forgotten generation. As usual, uncompromising and empowering stuff from the Vivod label - techno punks, neo-industrialists, interstellar fugitives and free-party mavericks need only apply.

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      Cover of Edelweiss Reflection by Vakulism.

      Vakulism

      Edelweiss Reflection

      Bandura

      Vakulism - here's Vakula in the continuation of his metaphorical ideas embodied in a new alter ego and unifying combination of different genres which makes Vakula as always unique. In fairness, it's not a million miles away from his previous incarnations - but that's alll gravy with us as we heart Vakula through and through! Those dizzyingly hypnotic odes to organic deep house are still as tantalizing as ever, congas patterns, warm bass and reverb heavy hats sitting in a celestially-tuned mix full of darting leads and voluptuous pads. Bits of spoken word float through tracks like audible hallucinations along with bird sound and a rich sonic fauna. There's moments of serene Reichian repetition, and moments of driving deep house pleasure a la Ron Trent - that's the Vakula blueprint, and it's still as killer as ever. Highly recommended!

      STAFF COMMENTS

      Matt says: Beautifully serene collection of Krauty house minimalism here from our favourite Ukranian. It's been a long while but its worth the wait!

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      Cover of No. 4 by Christina Vantzou.

      Christina Vantzou

      No. 4

      Kranky

        Belgium-based composer Christina Vantzou’s fourth full-length for Kranky ventures further into the uniquely elusive and evocative mode of ambient classical minimalism which has become her signature: a fragile synthesis of contemplative drift, heady silences, and muted dissonance. In regards to the new album she speaks of focusing particular attention on the effects of the recordings on the body, and of “directing sound perception into an inner space.”

        No. 4 took shape across roughly two years, incorporating a diverse array of musical and conceptual collaborators, including fellow Kranky artists Steve Hauschildt and John Also Bennett (of Forma) as well as Angel Deradoorian (ex-Dirty Projectors), Clarice Jensen, Beatrijs De Klerck, and members of Belgium’s Echo Collective. During the creation process Vantzou wanted to “blur lines of hierarchy,” and thus allowed all ensemble members and technical assistants to add or delete elements. Despite such a spectrum of input the eleven tracks feel distinctly cohesive, weaving elegant textures and resonant open spaces within a twilit landscape of eclectic instrumentation: piano, harp, vibraphone, voice, strings, marimba, synthesizers, gong, and bells.

        Vantzou describes the recording process as one of prepared spontaneity: that is, “having plenty of ideas ready to explore going into the session, but with enough time to depart from those ideas and see what happens.” This mindset of premeditated exploration informs the album’s emotive textural intuition, with hushed drones and delicate gestures eliding in the periphery of the mix. She cites sleep and “the loosening of time” as two formative practices in her private and professional life, which manifests in the quietly hallucinatory properties of Vantzou’s music. No. 4 feels both endless and ephemeral, immersive and immaterial. It’s a music of horizon lines and half-light, mapped with feeling and foresight.

        Recorded in New York City and Brussels. Mixed in Berlin.


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        Cover of NS-20 by Levon Vincent.

        Levon Vincent

        NS-20

        Novel Sound

        Two killer cuts from the recent Levon album re-pressed for our pleasure - and on a full side of wax each for maximum fidelity! "Kissing" is the slow, steady, smoke and strobe flicker; a powerful, tectonic sway pushes things forwards as the thick, heady atmosphere engulfs the floor; one simple strobe flash signaling it's separate kick drum beat. Like the beating heart of the dancefloor enshrined in fog. "Only Good Things" is a technoid glider, peppered with modular perc artifacts as a hi-tek bassline wraps itself around angelic pad stabs and suspended strings. Both tracks epitomize the NJ producer's idiosyncratic style at the top of his game; amazing stuff do not sleep!



        STAFF COMMENTS

        Matt says: Couple of nice tunes off Levon's last album made available to those who might have missed it. Couple more on the way too so keep those peepers peeled.

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        Cover of Green Ray by Zanov.

        Zanov

        Green Ray

        Wah Wah Records

          Under the alias of Zanov we find the works of French electronic pioneer Pierre Salkazanov, who had started playing guitar in the 1960s in a Shadows styled band, Les Ambassadors. Instrumental rock was not enough for Salkazanov, he was always looking for evolution, so when a meeting with French synth player Serge Ramses (of "Secret" fame) got him into the world of synthesizers he just dived deep into the bourgeoning world of electronic music. He got himself his first syths and started producing works into a 4-track Teac tape machine. French music was at its best, it was the time of Jean Michel Jarre, Didier Bocquet, Richard Pinhas and Heldon, Alain Meunier... Even Gong's Tim Blake was living in France at that time. And so Zanov soon caught the attention of Polydor, who released Green Ray in 1976. It is a work made with minimal equipment if compared to other French sythetists, not to mention their German peers, he worked on the EMS VCS3 synth and used a 4-track Teac and a Revox A77 Mk IV reel to reel tape recorders obtaining huge sound results. You can appreciate an influence from the Berlin school, Green Ray walks the same path of what artists like Tangerine Dream and the likes were producing at the time, Zanov had felt under the spell of Ricochet, but his head was boiling with ideas which gave the recordings a very personal, unique touch. Zanov's three albums met with unanimous critical acclaim for the sound quality as well as for the originality of this very personal universe. We offer the first ever vinyl reissue of Zanov's Green Ray under license from Pierre Salkazanov himself and with his cooperation, in a limited edition of 500 copies that reproduce its original artwork, come with remastered sound and an 8 page insert with liner notes and photos courtesy of www.audionautas.com plus one bonus 7" with previously unreleased on vinyl format material.

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          Cover of In Course Of Time by Zanov.

          Zanov

          In Course Of Time

          Ondes

            Under the alias of Zanov we find the works of French electronic pioneer Pierre Salkazanov, who had started playing guitar in the 1960s in a Shadows styled band, Les Ambassadors. Instrumental rock was not enough for Salkazanov, he was always looking for evolution, so when a meeting with French synth player Serge Ramses (of "Secret" fame) got him into the world of synthesizers he just dived deep into the bourgeoning world of electronic music. He got himself a VCS3 and started producing works into a 4-track Teac tape machine. French music was at its best, it was the time of Jean Michel Jarre, Didier Bocquet, Richard Pinhas and Heldon, Alain Meunier... Even Gong's Tim Blake was living in France at that time. And so Zanov soon caught the attention of Polydor, who released his first two LPs Green Ray in 1976 and Moebius 256 301 in 1977. In Course Of Time, his third LP was originally issued in Canada in 1982 and in France in 1983, although it contains works that he had began working in 1979. The material was originally shelved due to legal matters, although he continued to add some changes even after that. The Canadian edition came out in Les Disques Solaris, a recently created label that wanted to specialise in "cosmic" music. Zanov used the same equipment he had used on Moebius 256 301, albeit this time he gave more use to the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer. Zanov's three albums met with unanimous critical acclaim for the sound quality as well as for the originality of this very personal universe. Zanov's third LP was released in 1982 in Canada on Les disques Solaris and in 1983 in France on Ondes. The distributor found a small stock of unplayed copies of the French Ondes release which we are now offering for a limited time while they last in a strict first come / first served orders policy. This is not a reissue, it is the original 1983 French edition on Ondes.Please note that these are MINT UNPLAYED VINYL copies, but they have been laying around in warehouses for long time so sleeves show the pass of time (some yellowing mainly, not bigger problems).

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            Cover of Moebius by Zanov.

            Zanov

            Moebius

            Wah Wah Records

              Under the alias of Zanov we find the works of French electronic pioneer Pierre Salkazanov, who had started playing guitar in the 1960s in a Shadows styled band, Les Ambassadors. Instrumental rock was not enough for Salkazanov, he was always looking for evolution, so when a meeting with French synth player Serge Ramses (of "Secret" fame) got him into the world of synthesizers he just dived deep into the bourgeoning world of electronic music. He got himself an EMS VCS3 and started producing works into a 4-track Teac tape machine. French music was at its best, it was the time of Jean Michel Jarre, Didier Bocquet, Richard Pinhas and Heldon, Alain Meunier... Even Gong's Tim Blake was living in France at that time. By the time of his second LP, Moebius 256 301, issued also on Polydor in 1977, Zanov had already gathered a small collection of gear, including an ARP 2600 and an ARP sequencer, his old VCS3, an RMI Harmonic and a PS 3300. Again under the influence of both first and second generation of Berlin school musicians the LP will appeal to fans of Klaus Schulze or Tangerine Dream, but they will also find a big deal of Zanov's own personal sound on it, since as the musician himself reckons he had little contact with other peers of his generation, so besides a general love for the electronic gear used and the sounds you could make out of them the creative ideas behind his works were all his own. On his second album a richer sound is found, not only due to the use of the new gear, since some of its tracks where recorded using only his old EMS, but also due to his won experience after having taken his works to the life stages in the Golf Drouot boite, the Lase Olympia venue (on the basement of the famous Olympia), the Paris Planetarium or those for planned one month tour (of which in the end only four dates were accomplished). Zanov's three albums met with unanimous critical acclaim for the sound quality as well as for the originality of this very personal universe. We offer the first ever vinyl reissue of Zanov's Moebius 256 301 under license from Pierre Salkazanov himself and with his cooperation, in a limited edition of 500 copies that reproduce its original artwork, come with remastered sound and an 8 page insert with liner notes and photos courtesy of www.audionautas.com plus one bonus 7" with previously unreleased on vinyl format material.

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              Cover of Cult Edits 001 by Various Artists.

              Various Artists

              Cult Edits 001

              Culted

              Here we have a trio of Cult Edits from Manfredas, Simple Symmetry, and Siabus guaranteed to burn the house / club / teepee down. These top-secret jams have been extensively tested, ended countless epic parties, soundtracked highlight-reel Boiler Room moments, and prompted innumerable feverish attempts at track IDs. Heard in the sets of illuminati DJs, the cult exclusivity now extends with this limited edition vinyl only release. The set kicks off with some psych funk insanity from dance floor renegade Manfredas via "Mani From The Block". Funk backbeats and a niggling bassline lay the foundations for hot horns, a soulful organ drone and some entirely unhinged vocals. Tasty! Turn it over for some post punk / freak funk attitude from Siaubus and his angular, aggro "Hare Hare", a prefect combo of rough drums, spiky guitars, low slung bass and skronking sax. Finally, Simple Symmetry play us out with "Yalla", a tribal and tirppy bit of exotic action with chanted vocals and an insistent bass throb. Drink the Kool-aid...

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              Cover of Fabric 98: Maceo Plex by Various Artists.

              Various Artists

              Fabric 98: Maceo Plex

              Fabric

                Miami-born Eric Estornel rose to fame under various monikers - Maceo Plex, Maetrik and Mariel Ito. Although ‘fabric 98’ is Maceo Plex fitting all the music he loves into 80 minutes, the mashing up of sounds gives way to the deep evolving basslines and lush soundscapes that are his defining characteristics.

                The mix includes 13 exclusives from Voiski, Orbe, Jensen Interceptor, Jon Hester, Iron Curtain, Perestroika, North Lake and Maceo himself as Mariel Ito. It is an artist paying homage to the respected mix series while staying true to his love of blending many genres into one journey-filled mix. Starting with deep electro, it voyages through new wave and techno before coming down on a reflective, tranquil note.

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                Cover of Greg Wilson: Credit To The Edit Vol. 3 by Various Artists.

                Various Artists

                Greg Wilson: Credit To The Edit Vol. 3

                Tirk

                  Legendary DJ, remixer and edit exponent Greg Wilson is back at it again with the third instalment of his hugely popular ‘Credit To The Edit’ series. Almost a decade on from Volume 2, ‘Credit To The Edit Vol. 3’, released via Tirk Recordings, draws on music from the disco and rave eras, adding a seminal hip hop cut, a Balearic favourite, as well a few contemporary tracks from the last 10 years.

                  A groundbreaking DJ, Greg played a key role in introducing black electronic dance music to the UK via his early 1980s residencies at Wigan Pier, Manchester’s Legend and The Haçienda, as well as over the airwaves on the city’s Piccadilly Radio. Working with Technics turntables, a Revox reel to reel tape machine and a razor blade, Greg carved out his reputation as a UK pioneer and champion of electro funk. Whereas, more recently, following his 2003 comeback after a two-decade hiatus, he’s gained international renown at the vanguard of a now global re-edits movement.

                  “This album mainly consists of straight up old-style edits, where I’ve worked with the stereo tracks, extending, re-arranging and sometimes overdubbing. There are also some reworks / remixes where I’ve had the stems at my disposal and been able to bring into play additional instrumentation, courtesy of remix partner Peza on a couple of the tracks - 2016’s ‘Hold On’ by Luxxury featuring The Reynolds plus the futuristic ‘70s Disco hit, ‘Magic Fly’ by Space.”

                  Kicking off with Haçienda DJ Mike Pickering’s T-Coy project, the loose-limbed Latinate shuffle ‘Carino’ is very much a cult classic. Greg’s instrumental edit of Todd Terje’s edit of ‘Glad To Know You’, 37 years on from the Chaz Jankel original, has been a big club and festival favourite, and is made available here for the first time, while Escort make their second ‘Credit To The Edit’ appearance with Greg’s remix of their 2010 release, ‘Cocaine Blues’.

                  The near-pornographic funk classic ‘Jungle Fever’, recorded by Chakachas, a group of Belgianbased studio musicians, is a playful mixture of Latin music, jazz and European-style exotica and the Fab Five Freddy hip hop landmark ‘Change The Beat’, which includes one of the most sampled phrases ever, “This stuff is really fresh!” with Greg’s edit combining the male / female English / French versions to create a unique rap combination.

                  His 2009 edit of one of the all-time rave classics, ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ by Bassheads is always guaranteed to bring the roof down, whilst he places the emphasis on the Chic-driven backing on Sheila & B. Devotion’s ‘Spacer’, taking out the verses completely and making more DJ friendly. More recent favourites come courtesy of Psychemagik and Red Rack’em, with ‘Getting Away With It’, a hidden classic of the Madchester era recorded in 1989 by New Order’s Bernard Sumner and Johnny Marr of The Smiths as Electronic (complete with Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant), bringing the curtain down on the third instalment of ‘Credit To The Edit’. A signature edit of Greg’s which slowly creeps up on you, it’s a fitting way to close the album and gets its official release here.

                  With re-edits culture continuing to grow ever-stronger and becoming a staple of the contemporary dance scene, it brings back into play a whole era of music for a new generation.

                  “To have played a part in this recent evolution fulfils my personal criteria as a DJ, which is to draw from the past whilst informing the present. I was always cautious of nostalgia traps, where DJs fall into playing the old music in the old way, whereas this was about bringing new context to what was always great music, introducing it to a younger crowd, with the re-edits movement providing the perfect connection from then to now - my role as a ‘bridge-builder’ crystalizing as a consequence.” - Greg Wilson

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                  Cover of Needs 003 by Various Artists.

                  Various Artists

                  Needs 003

                  Needs (Not For Profit)

                  'Needs (not-for-profit) is a nonprofit record label & collective lovingly curated by Bobby Pleasure. We believe in people. The concept of the label is to use music as a medium to spread love, unity and the idea of giving back. Promoting harmony and togetherness rather than isolation and estrangement, each release and accompanying event will act as a support stream to various issues within society such as mental health, homelessness and equality. For the third release we have tracks from Lord Of The Isles, Mehmet Aslan, Petwo Evans, Bartellow & Nick Gynn. Five artists from different countries of the world who all have the needs factor, and have very kindly donated their music to the dancefloor. All profits from this release will be donated to Help Refugees charity. EVERYBODY HAS NEEDS. xxx needs@bobbypleasure.com'

                  Lovely idea here which thankfully delivers musically as well as in sentiment. The team selection displays a keen ear for A&R with all five artists enjoying a relatively successful period in the meta-underground. Falling on the weirdo fringes of the modern dancehalls, these are tracks for the afterhours and red lit basements, for the lovers and movers. A beautiful record which gives back more than it takes. Get those orders in!


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                  Cover of Selectors 005 - Lena Willikens by Various Artists.

                  Various Artists

                  Selectors 005 - Lena Willikens

                  Dekmantel

                  Uncompromising, unpredictable and latterly unstoppable, German DJ Lena Willikens has carved out her own niche in the often bro-ey world of the nightclub. A key member of Dusseldorf's celebrated Salon scene, Willikens eagerly eschews genre confines and dance floor limitations to explore "different temperatures, different time zones, different moods and a healthy portion of chaos.” That willingness to buck convention also extends to this compilation, as the German DJ and celebrated Salon des Amateurs resident has elected to stock her contribution to the Selectors series with a surprising number of previously unreleased tracks. “I’ve been playing most of these songs for a while now,” she explains. “I benefit from my friends and colleagues who constantly send me their unreleased music. Now I want to give something back by sharing these tracks with everybody.”
                  Nevertheless, those looking for vintage gems won’t be disappointed, as Willikens has also included a handful of oddball favorites from her record bag. At the same time, she’s made a point to avoid notably rare and expensive tunes. “There are already enough passionate people out there doing a great job digging and reissuing,” she says. Instead, her curatorial instincts have taken her in a much more conceptual direction, which she describes as a “little trip through the dunes.” She adds, “It might be challenging to walk or dance on the sand, so perhaps it’s more comfortable to lay down and glide along without having a certain destination in mind.” 


                  STAFF COMMENTS

                  Patrick says: Sharp witted selector Lena Willikens adds her name to the Dekmantel compilation series, coming through with a set packed with unreleased gems from her underground pals. Whether it's E-bloc synthwave, industrial funk, shortwave ambient or conceptual techno, the quality never dips below the A-grade. This is as close as you'll get to hearing one of the world's best DJs without leaving your front room.

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                  Cover of Trap Configurations by Various Artists.

                  Various Artists

                  Trap Configurations

                  June

                  Our favourite noise merchants, June Records present a new compilation of live electronics and hardware dirg; featuring music from Svengalisghost, Manie Sans Délire, newcomer Bruce Roach, Trenton Chase, RR Hearse + Furnace Miskin and Zodiac Free Arts Club. As usual, it's an uncompromising, razor-sharp edged listen; industrialized, mechanized and weaponized! - head for the bunkers! Highlights include, "Static Control" by Manie Sans Delire - shuddering off the wax like a lost Throbbing Gristle number, while Trenton Chase's "Hand Of God" recalls the spiraling electro-disco of Telex or Morodor but refracted through a a scorched and fried outboard system. Strictly for the warehouse freaks and cyber-goths this one folks... proceed with caution!

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