phat deep electronic / jazzy influenced

after shifting through a few different monikers the last year deepblak rhythm czar afrikan sciences returns to form. laced always with his elastic funk forward grooves the reciprocity ep continues to build on his legacy. one that has consistently morphed diasporic rhythms into new colors. creating new space on the dance-floor as well inside the mind. four independent yet intertwined tracks all meant to make you oscillate inward outward.

bursting out of oakland into the ionosphere, a hot pocket of free jazz, house, blues, african & latin rhythms, a fully shuffled deck of everything that might expand your head, all fed into the mpc, and hot-wired right into your heart. now for the first time on vinyl, cut by the steady hand of dietrich schoenemann, pressed by the fine folks at optimal in germany, and housed in a custom gatefold jacket by aybee, deepblak’s chief alchemist.

afrikan sciences deconstructs mahbunzi nahgo pihndi goes to the market using his characteristic broken breakbeat approach to create a piece of daft and extremely mode rn elect ronic funk. finally, thomas bullock modi-cuddles haya into an prolonged ambient reverie to bridge and layer between dance floor pulsations.

the second installment of uzuri’s “the wilderness sessions” delivers 3 tracks geared towards the refined dancers and listeners of the world. the idea here is slow burning broken beat tracks infused with the soul of jazz and funk. the ep opens with fox ‘n hound, a slightly menacing and equally sexy jam which ebbs and flows with a delightfully funky bass line and enough melodic accents to keep full attention. the secret here is in the details which are craft-fully manipulated by this talented duo. futonjam continues the trend of beautifully unfolding composition with its shuffled percussion and gracefully evolving melodies. a perfect track for home listening and for those deep sultry moments on the dance floor. the crown jewel of this release is certainly the near 9 minute odyssey that is zukunft/ silber. a track which entertains and pushes towards a sophisticated style which is undeniably unique in approach. using broken patterns as a back drop for beautifully orchestrated strings, micro flutes and longing horns it transforms from a sweet and delicate sound to something more demanding of our bodies movement. this release will be sure to mark the beginning of what we can expect from these two producers who clearly aim to set themselves apart from the crowd.

deepblaks left, and right arm aybee along with afrikan sciences offer up an homage to one of the greatest musical innovators of the 20th century, in miles davis. sketches of space is comprised of live jam sessions recorded over a 3 year span, and two countries . the project though named after miles classic sketches of spain is not dedicated to any of miless work specifically, but honoring his pioneering spirit from which this project drew fuel.

chris mcwaynes productions tie in his hip hop & jazz themes then pushed to the outer realms much like his friend afrikan sciences. includes the title track, and the gorgeous winding islands of dust. afrikan sciences chimes in with a remix for islands of dust.

deepblak co-head & rhythm czar, afrikan sciences (aka eric porter), returns with his second full length project. following the critical acclaim of his 2011 *means and ways* lp the oakland, ca based producer continues to push further into the realms of the rhythmic netherworlds.

three tracks by afrikan science, taken from their album of the same name. backed up with a remix by aybee.

eric porter douglass lp for pan is the labels fifth full-length album following contributions from james hoff, valerio tricoli, lee gamble and objekt. the new york artist has been putting out jazz, hip-hop and house-influenced records on deepblak

ambient stuff

a collection of 6 sonic visions in unusual forms.

stunning set of remixes from jamal moss, afrikan sciences and blood, wine or honey. serious tip!!

• special deal
• 2xgatefold lp from les graciés
• silkscreened artwork by al white & house of traps
les graciés is a collaboration in the truest sense between paris-based sound artist gaël segalen and deepblak co-founder afrikan sciences. segalen’s experiments in electroacoustic sound met the wider world this year via a debut lp for erratum, an arresting work that showcases her ability to merge hypnotic murk ala angus maclise with the hard concréte of parmegiani & reibel. segalen’s ihearu imprint / organisation is a platform for her various doings, including psychogeographical audio works and multi-media collaborations, as well as servicing as a reference point for other contemporary female artists working across various mediums. eric douglas porter aka african sciences has been deconstructing and re-building forms of contemporary black music since the mid-2000’s, through releases on deepblak (the label he co-runs with aybee) and pan. his musical universe is one of warping cadences and celestial melody, referencing the bold work of percussionists like milford graves & art jenkins, the dissonant chords of motor city techno and stripped back essence of early chicago house matched with broken hard bop sentiments: all tied together with an aesthetic that sits somewhere between sun ra’s omniverse, jean giraud mśbius and dogon cosmology. together as le graciés, segalen and porter make a wholly unclassifiable strain of music that, while containing recognisable elements of each individual s work, also creates a third entity in the process, which can be heard to stunning effect on their forthcoming debut lp ‘low doses’ for firecracker recordings.

oaklands aybee will make his debut on mollys newly launched rdv (recit de voyage) with the labels second release. the nexus ep follows the dj/producer/filmmakers 2016 lp the odyssey on his own deepblak imprint and recent 12inch the motion syntax for londons dmk. having established a reputation as one of electronic musics foremost innovative and versatile musicians with a freeform, jazz-influenced approach to production that has lent itself equally to a prolific solo output under various guises and collaborations with afrikan sciences, ron trent and jerome sydneham - the nexus finds aybee again mining a deep & hypnotic house sound to maximum effect, employing the tribal drum patterns, hypnotic synths and signature grooves that helped establish the deepblak sound. the trio of tracks make for a perfect follow-up to rdvs debut from prophets of a new generation, and fit beautifully within the trademark deep, subtle & groovy style of the parisian dj & rex club resident molly, who herself is quickly establishing herself as a label owner with her own unique vision.

special backstock .. in musik und text verschmelzen über alle titel hindurch stimmungen, eindrücke der sub-sahara konzert-tour von b.friedmann 2013 und fetzen von erinnerungen an eine imaginierte zukunft. sie reagieren auf reale -kpafuca- - -things falling apart- - zustände afrikanischer metropolen und kollabieren zu grooves und phrasen, die an chris marker s science-fiction-apokalyptik ( -la jette-/ -sans soleil- ) erinnern. in dieser polyphonie der un-orte schwingt auch der geist reisender klangabenteurer, zb. der musikethnologischen praktiker hartmut geerken und roman bunka (embryo), deren visionen und musik-wirken sich gegen reduktionistische, essentialistische inszenierungen sträubt. gegen jene kulturellen landkarten, die in die musik immer wieder zwanghaft hineingezeichnet werden, setzt friedman auf -cease to matter- im intuitiven modus die befreiende kraft des rauschens, der Über-mensch-maschinen-musik, der krummen beats und des technischen zufalls-defekts, kurz: das -un-gehör-sam- (johannes ismaiel-wendt) gegenüber der normativen deutungshoheit musikalischer weltkarten. die stimme des aus texas stammenden in berlin lebenden performers und vokalisten daniel dodd-ellis wirkte bereits 2007 auf burnt friedman s album -first night forever- (non22). die lyrics stammen von beiden autoren und wurden von friedmann während der produktionsvorgänge 2013 bis 2014 mehrfach zerlegt und neu zusammengesetzt. die zeile -sky is blue inside of you- ist dem 1932 erschienenen roman -brave new world- von aldous huxley entnommen. tracks 04 und 09 (-cease to matter-) enthalten ein piano sample edit basierend auf einer komposition von georges invanovich gurdjieff (1872-1949).

the mighty shadeleaf pull in a seriously strong u.s team for their twelfth release damon bell from oakland, is a chief connoisseur at heralded deepblak recordings, and stands strong offering a complex variety of sounds that ebb and flow through all of his productions. known for his polyrhythmic, organic, and soul-filled musical releases on deepblak recordings & sound of speed records japan, he has also scored critically acclaimed releases recently on burek, meda fury, and don t be afraid. this collaborative ep with the vocalist (good friend and former oakland, and now berlin resident) khalil anthony, features a production collaboration with shadeleaf s own thatmanmonkz, and a remix from the mighty afrikan sciences as always, top drawer isht another shadeleaf sureshot

meda fury welcome back oakland resident damon bell for another accomplished ep of rugged cosmic grooves and tribal pressure. bell is riding a rich wave of form with a killer recent release on don’t be afraid, and even more fire on the burek label, not forgetting his impressive debut last year on his regular home, the mighty deepblak - he’s a proven master at fusing afro-centric rhythms, rich keys and off-kilter pads into an urgent and contemporary form of house music that deftly eschews cliche. ‘akebu-lan’ commences the ritual with a gospel vocal loop over pumping 808 kicks and tranced out swollen pads, giving way to ecstatic fender rhodes chords and climatic piano, reminiscent of robert hood - is this bell s fastest bpm track yet? loose/live jazz keys riff throughout ‘ether’ creating a warm rich miasma of sound against the distressed percussive gyrations and sinister drones. hypnotic synth riffs tumble over the powerful drum-track in ‘altered visions’ creating a deliciously hypnotic chug. drawing the ep to a close, deepblak and pan cohort african sciences joins bell for the sizzling ‘kinetic energy’, a sleazy, skronking cut of slurred moog bass and atonally pitched toms wrestling with thumping kicks and whispered vox pummel the listener

a humid 3 tracks scorcher from sirius type and mcdoo. “odd food”, originally released by dave sector through sector 1212, is fossilized next to “wow”. on the flipside, sirius type delivers a plaster shaking ko with “thankyousphere”. sirus type is a collaboration between eric douglas porter (afrikan sciences) and tom mcconnell.

afrikan sciences returns lush, and rhythmic as ever with his latest offering “boss nova’s second pass ep”. continuing to push into spaces of other-world sonic’s, afrikan sciences locks together groove palettes that inspire, and challenge. four tracks all worlds within themselves filled with soul, imagination, and freedom.

fatdog records returns after a break, offering contributions from 3 artists new to the label - the rutan, tom mc connell and mark hand. fdr003 offers a development from the deep house template on the last ep, this time taking us further into deeper detroit territories. mark hand offers us drexciyan techno in the form of cold feet. the rutans fable sits somewhere between vakula and some of henrik schwarzs earlier dub-house experiments, while fat dog takes us to the murky back alleys of his mind with jaffa cakes. finally tom mc.connells juniper takes us into wonkier groove rhodes stylings which rounds off the ep very nicely indeed. support by john heckle, afrikan sciences, lay-far, enrico (neroli), sonars ghost (2000 black), burnski, wolf music

deepblaks chief connoisseur could be considered as the third leg of this mighty tripod (with aybee and afrikan sciences). originally from san diego, where he and former crew partner ikah love held a residency for 6 consecutive years every tuesday at bar dynamite, under the famed name four corners sound system. known for his polyrhythmic, organic, and soul-filled musical releases for deepblak, sound of speed, meda fury and do over records he now presents his first full-length, which further grows his afro-inflected house vibe into spiky new directions featuring the compelling vocals of khalil anthony and some assistance from afrikan sciences.

nous come with a mystery release ... tracks from the nous catalog you might recognise re-flipped by producers you most certainly would. limited summer action.

deepblaks chief connoisseur weaves his jazz, funk, & soul influences into deep delicacies. sprinkled with warmth & atmosphere, damons rhythms have the tendency to invite. afrikan sciences joins on *babylonian spliffs*.

ethereal sound welcomes on board erevan based producer tommy finger jr. with hot single >into you<. on the other side remixes from afrikan sciences and kotzilla!

the multi-talented vanese smith aka pursuit grooves makes her debut on deepblak under her new 91 fellows moniker. after establishing herself in recent years with pursuit grooves outings heavy in beats and bass, smith turns her talents to more open sonic landscapes. >91 fellows< represents as she terms her push into cinematic dub leaning heavily on her collegiate film major roots. the project was inspired as a dedication to her grandfather who passed on in 2011. through a myriad of ambient textures, and percussion she invites the listener to join her as she weaves through different emotional headspaces. six tracks that run like chapters of saga accompanied by two remixes by deepblak chief alchemist aybee, and resident rhythm czar afrikan sciences.

s the deepblak ten year anniversary continues, its time to revisit prof. delacroixs deep classic >build her. initially released in 07, >build her< received massive support from deep selectors across the field. finding its way onto dj deeps >tronic jams vol.1<, and a permanent place in the crate of osunlade. for this outing, fred p. and afrikan sciences provide added perspective, as aybee takes a new look himself.

les graciŽs is a collaboration in the truest sense between paris-based sound artist ga‘l segalen and deepblak co-founder afrikan sciences. segalenÕs experiments in electroacoustic sound met the wider world this year via a debut lp for erratum, an arresting work that showcases her ability to merge hypnotic murk ala angus maclise with the hard concrŽte of parmegiani & reibel. segalenÕs ihearu imprint / organisation is a platform for her various doings, including psychogeographical audio works and multi-media collaborations, as well as servicing as a reference point for other contemporary female artists working across various mediums. eric douglas porter aka african sciences has been deconstructing and re-building forms of contemporary black music since the mid-2000Õs, through releases on deepblak (the label he co-runs with aybee) and pan. his musical universe is one of warping cadences and celestial melody, referencing the bold work of percussionists like milford graves & art jenkins, the dissonant chords of motor city techno and stripped back essence of early chicago house matched with broken hard bop sentiments: all tied together with an aesthetic that sits somewhere between sun raÕs omniverse, jean giraud mÏbius and dogon cosmology. together as le graciŽs, segalen and porter make a wholly unclassifiable strain of music that, while containing recognisable elements of each individual s work, also creates a third entity in the process, which can be heard to stunning effect on their forthcoming debut lp Ôlow dosesÕ for firecracker recordings.