across the ‘hidden paradise’ lp demuja showcases his powerful and emotive production style with dusty, jazz-tinged cuts like ‘still do’, ‘hang on’, ‘you smile feat. ainy’, ‘hear that bassplayer’ and ‘my jazzy wung’ employing the producer’s signature style via soft rhodes, hooky horn samples, organic bass grooves and soaring vocal samples. ‘still do’ and ‘keep doing’ also explore a more dropped- tempo disco aesthetic on the project with funk-infused bass, infectious guitar licks and shuffled, loose drums.

2018 repress ... well. where do we start with deep inside ? originally released in the golden nyc house era of 1993, this 5 tracker literally smashed everything in sight. and still does now! the epitome of an evergreen, all-time classic release. masters at work louie vega and kenny dope were on a major roll in this era, producing, remixing, dj-ing and everything in-between, these guys put in ridiculous work. they are joined on this ep by a roll-call of names and collaborators, erick morillo engineering the title track? check. maurice joshua on co-production duties? you got it. vocals by ms. barbara tucker? they re there. killer, rock hard drums? stacks of soul? masterfully chopped up disco samples? all present. serious stuff. sometimes a record just manages to capture and distill the true essence of what this is all about and deep inside is one such record, it bears all the hallmarks of golden era maw, all the signposts of what was happening in nyc s clubs in the early to mid 90 s were there within it s grooves. you know a record is good when it s still being, quite literally, hammered nearly 25 years later! now, remastered, and reissued with the full involvement of strictly rhythm this seminal piece of nyc house history is made available again with all original, full sleeve artwork intact as per the 1993 original. this one s a straight up essential for any self-respecting dance aficionado. you know what to do!

mike huckaby, bergqvist, dj sports, raam and lns remix ‘deep soundscapes’, takecha’s album recently released on sweden’s love potion. released in march, the album incorporates takeshi fukushima’s work between 1990 to 2013 and affirms why the producer is such a respected figure within japan’s electronic music scene. now his compositions have been remixed by some of house music’s best, featuring renditions from detroit’s mike huckaby, aniara’s henrik bergqvist, the elusive raam, firecracker and regelbau’s dj sports, as well as wania and freakout cult’s lns. mike huckaby inaugurates the release with his sultry take on ‘low sentiment’, blending deep synths with murmuring vocals to forge a proper deep house cut. bergqvist then remixes ‘rhodes deep’ creating a bouncy minimal cut incorporating the original’s scintillating melody alongside meandering percussion and twisted effects, making way into dj sports’ remix of ‘gradual atmosphere’ with its intricate breakbeat drums and dreamlike atmospherics. raam then reinvents ‘calm imagination’ taking it into subterranean territories complete with infectious keys, until lns ties it all together with her mesmerising beatless reimagining of ‘factory 141’.

thoma bulwer returns with jandaze , his latest ep via parasol culture featuring long-time partner in crime anna wall. it follows parasol 001 their first joint vinyl release, that sold out on the shelves gaining support from the likes of mood ii swing and cab drivers plus on the airwaves via nts. their jandaze ep has already been doing the rounds on the dj circuit in hackney wick and beyond. ‘patience’ was the result of a late night jam session with sync boxes, groove benders and the classic tr-909. after much fine-tuning, it’s been tried and tested by cinthie on her recent australia tour and is set to be a staple club cut for this summer. although ‘insouciant’ means a casual lack of concert, a lot of work went into making this one. it’s the most laid-back of the bunch, with smallville-esque juno 106 melodies perfect for the afterparty or warm up session. this goes out to the post-nyd loft party crew in the wick where it was played for the first time. try pronouncing this one at 7am in the morning… ‘fridge speed’ is a minimal house cut influenced by thoma’s garage roots. think rudely placed analogue synth stab melodies, ‘tuff’ skippy drums and big subs ideal for early hours and “it’s a london thing” house sets. ‘egress’ was made with long jam takes from thoma’s modular system. deep, dubby beats, evolving synths and textures make up this track thats been road-tested on the world famous fabric room 1 sound system by voigtmann in his extended set before ricardo villalobos. current support comes from maya jane coles, archie hamilton franck, roger, cinthie, voigtmann, john dimas.

after putting out kito jempere s well received sea monsters album last year, hell yeah now serve up another selection of remixes of it. accomplished musician jimi tenor, plus miskotom and max essa all contribute before a 7inch, also taken from the album, lands later in summer. first up is jimi tenor, the legndary finnish musician who has released on warp, collaborated with tony allen and has his own band as well as occasionally playing sax with kito jempere band at live gigs. he flips puzzled into five minutes of stripped back and moody electronics with plenty of his own flute playing in the track. busted drum sounds, spooky sci-fi synths and scattered hits make it woozy and late night and utterly absorbing. miskotom—a newly emerging pair made up of mik and his wife andra, both based in vilnius, lithuania with credits on pleasure unit and balearic —then reimagine ampa as a beatdown but of deep house with trudging drums staying low and shimmering synths drift out in all directions. crunchy hits bring a subtle sense of funk and reverb drenched vocals bring a heavenly feel to the soul drenched grooves and summery keys. then comes max essa, the japan based brit who is a regular on this label as well as the likes of is it balearic?. his first remix is a huge one that is sure to soundtrack many a boat party this summer. it s a gorgeous rework of ampa that puts achingly blissful vocals front and centre as low slung bass and slowly turning drums sink you into a pan-pipe laced reverie. secondly, essa offers a dub reprise that removes the vocals and places all the focus on his churning drums and new age grooves. this is another perfect package of masterfully electronic horizontal sounds.

label newbie benjamin taylor teams up at the resopal label for three long session tunes. front side is a 8-minute heavy bass bomb filled with taylor’s understanding of subtle things and freaky details. flip-side comes with well-arranged drums, synths and shaking percussions for moving your butts on the floor.

losouls another picture label follows on from eps in 2017 by honesty and the label boss himself with a new two tracker by japanese artist sasaki hiroaki. the yotsume label owner is based in tokyo and his sleek sounds take cues from 80s new wave and look for a soulful vibe in electronic music. 2018 has already seen him release on open recordings and now he offers up some warm house rollers for another picture. ‘eo1 is eight minutes of rubbery drums and loose, scattered percussion, tumbling toms and clicks. dreamy chords light up the background and the whole thing drives ever deeper into the night, always evolving as it goes. on the flip, ‘plain song is just as heartfelt, but icy hi hats and metal stabs are more upright, getting you on your toes and keeping you there for another eight minutes of organic, authentic deep house bliss.

stephen malkmus und seine band haben in über 17 jahren 6 alben veröffentlicht und sich auf unzähligen touren zu einer konstante der us-amerikanischen indie-rock-landschaft entwickelt. auch auf seinem siebten album, “sparkle hard”, zeigt malkmus keinerlei kreative ermüdungserscheinungen, sondern bietet klassische stephen-malkmus-songs mit unwiderstehlicher subkultureller strahlkraft. schon 2015 begann malkmus mit der arbeit an “sparkle hard”. damals gönnte er seinem heimstudio ein technisches update, kaufte elektronische drums und arbeitete gleichzeitig an der musik für die netflix-serie “flaked”, für die er unter anderem den song für den abspann schrieb. alle demos für “sparkle hard” wurden an einem tag im april 2017 aufgenommen und nur einen monat später zusammen mit den jicks in portland im neuen studio halfling aufgenommen. letzteres gehört dem the decemberists-multiinstrumentalisten chris funk, der “sparkle hard” auch produzierte. als gast konnte malkmus kim gordon (sonic youth) gewinnen, die mit ihm das duett für den song “refute” einsang. limitierte silberne heavyweight lp mit zweiseitigem insert und mp3-downloadkarte.

stephen malkmus und seine band haben in über 17 jahren 6 alben veröffentlicht und sich auf unzähligen touren zu einer konstante der us-amerikanischen indie-rock-landschaft entwickelt. auch auf seinem siebten album, “sparkle hard”, zeigt malkmus keinerlei kreative ermüdungserscheinungen, sondern bietet klassische stephen-malkmus-songs mit unwiderstehlicher subkultureller strahlkraft. schon 2015 begann malkmus mit der arbeit an “sparkle hard”. damals gönnte er seinem heimstudio ein technisches update, kaufte elektronische drums und arbeitete gleichzeitig an der musik für die netflix-serie “flaked”, für die er unter anderem den song für den abspann schrieb. alle demos für “sparkle hard” wurden an einem tag im april 2017 aufgenommen und nur einen monat später zusammen mit den jicks in portland im neuen studio halfling aufgenommen. letzteres gehört dem the decemberists-multiinstrumentalisten chris funk, der “sparkle hard” auch produzierte. als gast konnte malkmus kim gordon (sonic youth) gewinnen, die mit ihm das duett für den song “refute” einsang. schwarze heavyweight lp mit zweiseitigem insert und mp3-downloadkarte.

after the first ep, that you must have heard in clubs across the world - laconica is back with its second. as with the first one, this release is all about the three solid cuts, which are made especially for the dancefloors. the first track “who gave you dis” is a deep groove in tandem with whispering vocals and powerful drums. “this for b” is a perfect minimalistic tool for after-hour sets. last but not least, “lil souvenir” (b2) is revolving around the chicago house feeling with some classic vocals in it.

hybris is a state of dissoluteness, of loss of control, of greed and of lustfulness. following that motto, wice takes his listeners on a journey through a hybristic process on his second steinlach ep, which chooses an enchanting and euphemistic entrance into hybris with absent (no aggression). gentle pads create a peaceful and dreamy world that is turned into a fascinating landscape of sound by trippy drums and dopey synths and so pushes wide open the gate to hybris. the threateningly booming hb11 then finally enters the state of hybris: synths and drums pump adrenaline in heads and bodies, dancing turns into greed, the complete lack of control sets in. that lack of control riots towards its peak with the eponymous hybris, which tears the listener in technoid and gritty manner into the abyss of hybris and holds him captive down there. hybris is followed by nemesis, the divine punishment ending in death: wice interprets this transition towards nemesis with hertz, a playful and breaky good-night kiss, which feels pretty damn good and resonates bittersweetly.

a native of the caribbean coast of colombia, abelardo carbono achieved legendary status in his country’s storied ranks of musical icons by combining the homegrown sounds of cumbia with the chiming guitars of west african soukous, enormously popular with the local tropical sound systems, and drenching the whole thing in his off-kilter, surreal and slightly psychedelic sensibility.
with the exception of a well-received compilation of songs from his 1980s heyday, carbono has been rarely heard from outside the sweaty dancehalls he still commands in his hometown of barranquilla. now, names you can trust has welcomed the reclusive guitarist and singer back to the vinyl format with a simmering afro-carib beast of a cut, recorded with the assistance of will -quantic- holland on rhythm guitar and mario galeano frente cumbiero, ondatropica on keys and in conjunction with lucas silva of palenque records & polen records. it’s a true cross-generational and international collaboration that is uniquely possible via colombia. the first release of this expansive & power packed studio session is a cover of vallenato pioneer guillermo buitrago’s la piña madura. this updated take veers heavily towards africa on a rock solid foundation of bass and drums, with abelardo’s trademark guitar and quirky vocals leading the way.

stallone the reducer is back. stallone takes you on a one way trip that will make your head rattle, clattle and clank. indecipherable robot voices guide you, while the busted up drums and industrial strength synths push you back and forth. this one is for the brave. lock in.

all things are one! riccardo in the next chapter of metropolita offer spatial environment accompanied by incisive drums, enjoy it!

nice price deal !!! nice price deal !!! the third release on volphonie is resolutely techno, with three ultra dancefloor tracks from the french artist sØlaxid, completed by a remix from children of tomorrow label head arnaud le texier. moon light opens this ep with a deaf and martial bass drum, a binary rhythm and a heady melody. sense of life and cultura are based on powerful loops and twisting bass drums. the remix is totally electric and will certainly be one of the most played tracks of the record…

mihai popescu kicks off a new label, steppin motion records, with two of his own brilliant tracks. the romanian artist has been a key part of the scene since 2012, releasing on labels like soulsity, rora and bass culture. he has a slick electronic sound that is here for all to here on these two new cuts.

steppin motion is a record label based in paris and managed by swoop. it aims to promote music as an art, as something beautiful that gets your body and soul in motion. this first ep is in two parts, showcasing both sides of the label: the first part is the most dance oriented, whereas the second part will be more soul / beauty oriented. the amazing artwork comes from vesod, who is an italian street-artist painter from turin.

selfsuficient is first and is ten minutes of slippery house music with lovely chords and melodies all making for a warm and infectious groove. it is colourful, loose and rhythmic stuff that oozes a futuristic sense of soul. neasteptat is deeper, with rubbery drums and woodpecker like sounds all weaving round each other to cast a spell on those who hear it.

these are two terrific tracks that connoisseurs of minimal house are going to lap up.

eshu, the production collective and record label from nijmegen are back with their next offering. their 12th release is a various artists release that features blm, joburg and steven siwalette alongside label members ivano tetelepta and jocelyn abell. it comes on the heels of teteleptas absorbing dub techno album, senang, and is another high class offering. nijmegen based siwalette is first, previously contributed to the label as part of sys. his stragglers is a sparse but atmospheric track with industrial drones and slowly turning drums taking you through a desolate factory late at night. his second offering is alien encounter which is just as it sounds - a spooky, unsettling bit of cinematic sound design with menacing bass and icy pads all growing in loudness until they eventually consume your mind. lastly on the a-side, uk producer and fear of flying label boss blm lays down a skeletal groove thats embellished with beautiful, yawning synths. scattered little details and fx making this a cavernous piece that encourages your mind to wander and get lost. on the flip, jocelyn abell and ivano tetelepta cook up a heavyweight, mid tempo bit of dub techno with sharp hits and rolling kicks lulling you into a trance. last of all, the emerging j?burg picks up the pace with a perfectly chiselled bit of rock solid dub with looping drums and icy hi hats sinking you deep into its midst. this is an excellent ep that packs in a range of fascinating sounds for both the home and the club.

joseph white aka joe white is a foundation of jamaican music. he started singing in the late 50 s and did his first recordings for duke reid in the early 60 s. while disco sound was bumping into jamaican people mind, he formed the group roots, trunks & branches to release several tracks on the label splendour heights. “rising / power disco power” is taken from the album the weak will be strong released in 1978. a beautiful extended disco reggae tune mainly played by joe white (drums, piano, vocal). this issue was fully remastered on a disco 45 vinyl record to give respect to the dynamic. on the other side you will get the reggae lovers roots rock tune “ain t no way / the monster”, an extended version with deep dubwise. you ve got it!

parisian djs duo cléon & jazzy pidjay are back as last bongo in paris, with a hot new 7inch filled with latin & brazilian soul-funk vibes... with raw drums, heavy breaks and jazzy flavor, these 2 new tracks should please all groove lovers for christmas!! cléon & jazzy pidjay have been united through their love of music and hip-hop culture for a while. dj cleon is one of the finest producers in france for breakdance battle breaks, also known as a fine wax digger, mixing all kinds of music together, such as disco, funk, soul, jazz, break-beat, hip-hop and more old and new records. alongside his mate jazzy pidjay and his great production and mixing’ skills, they give a new dancefloor life to hidden and forgotten musical treasures, through funky uptempo tracks.

parisian dj & producers duo, cleon & jazzy pidjay, are back as last bongo in paris, with a hot new 12inch filled with latin & brazilian soul-funk vibes. with raw drums, heavy breaks and jazzy flavor, these 5 tracks ep should quickly become a hit for all groovers and dancefloors!! cléon & jazzy pidjay have been united through their love of music and hip-hop culture for a while. dj cleon is one of the finest producer in france for breakdance battle music, also respected as a fine wax digger, mixing all kinds of music together, such as disco, funk, soul, jazz, breakbeat, hip-hop and more old and new records. alongside his mate jazzy pidjay and his great production and mixing skills, they give a new dancefloor life to hidden and forgotten musical treasures, through funky uptempo tracks

omplimenting the long-awaited release of sophomore lp, song for alpha, daniel avery presents the projector ep. taking its title from one of the album’s spectral highlights this additional trio of original productions expands on avery’s regenerated sonic vision. leaning further towards the rhythmic and propulsive intent behind his recent, marathon dj sets, the record serves to delve further still into his unfolding, ever-deepening sound. following the lead of ‘projector’ itself, the record transitions into the first exclusive cut, ‘shadow mountain’. soft in texture and bathed in ethereal feedback, a glitching, transfixing synth line gradually reveals itself as the spine of the piece. throughout ‘glass’, an intimate, breathy vocal sample contrasts with a more industrially tinged base of heavily processed drums. influenced by song for alpha’s embrace of the small hours, “the light emerging from the darkness”, both tracks conjure an almost overwhelmingly tender atmosphere, rich in the hazy strains of rave history. on the more experimental rehbgbv4367, the seams of avery’s influences lap against one another in a steady crescendo of beautiful yet beatless noise, dissipating into ambience. expanding on the delicate core ideas at the centre of his creative ethos, the ep invites listeners on a further excursion of transient, psychedelic bliss.

pushing movies is a collaborative project from jeffrey sire and dimitri soemotional that celebrates the vintage tones of italo disco, synth pop and all things slick and 80s. -thinking about you- does indeed sound like it could have been made 30 years ago - from the slap bass to the reverse drum fills, plastic fm synth lines and overall aspirational tone, it s the consummate extended 12- mix track. lauer takes the original and smacks it up sharp with some tougher drums and a greater sense of urgency, and then fort romeau takes a subtle approach that keeps much of the original spirit of the track intact while honing the edges for maximum club play and using some cosmic synth flourishes to devastating effect.

it s the fourth go round for monsieur blue, who steps back up to the plate with another three surefire jams from the slinkier side of the minimal house spectrum. -track 1- is an exquisite trip through blue-hued keys and shuffling drums, striking a fine balance between the lounge and the dancefloor. -track 2- takes a moodier approach, eking out mysterious chords and injecting a little juice into the low end to suit a more rugged situation, and then -track 3- jettisons the ballast and pings off into a dubbed out sphere of house music perfectly crafted for the times you want to get lost at sea.

pattern repeat ready the next release on their self-titled label with two solid cuts of techno this may.
the project which was started back in 2009 by the two danish producers, dennis bøg better known as resoe, owner of baum records and its off shoot baum limited picture edition, and kenneth christiansen owner of echocord records. each of their releases move into different realms of techno,and have gained support from the upper echelons of dance music, from the likes of rodhad, levon vincent, and dario zenker.

a crawling filtered synth opens ‘009a’, murky kick drums and syncopated high-hats join it, to create a long winding warehouse melody, these are then exchanged for the hazy sounds of white noise of ‘009b’ packed with cold eerie drones, that are met by charged hums that fizz away and bring the release to a close.

milan based collective just this are proud to present the ‘absolute infinity ep’, a joint release from netherlands-based producers sinfol and octual. featured in this package are two remixes from gerd janson prescribing a heavy dose of acid. title track is a stripped back groove with a looping synth lead that wanders through ricocheting drums. for his first remix gerd muffles the framework of the original, making room for a floating melody and warm lead, whilst the ‘acid only’ version takes the components of the original and throws them into a bath full of acid. closing off the ep is ‘wire’, a moody dancefloor cut for the after-hours.

farron gets back on shaw cuts with his fourth record, invincible shaolin a tale of double-dealing, rivalry, royalty and bad blood. manchu general pus evil quest to eradicate the shaolin tradition unfolds, cunningly pitting north and south shaolins against each other. spring break ya neck opens the clash with its rhythmic shifts and whirling synth pads. the northern masters prevail. after pus henchmen secretly kill the southern shaolin, the general blames the masters from the north, unleashing chaos. cosmicaph restores order, its pounding drums and floating melodies giving new strength to the southern shaolin. revenge must be taken. to prepare for conquer, the southern master sends three of his disciples to three masters to learn their secret weapons. sir hatch sets the pace with rolling punches, dirty synths and sharp percussion as the three disciples transform into lethal fighting machines. just before the final encounter between the shaolin, leibniz lands on the scene with his fresh interpretation of spring break ya neck, revealing to both schools that they have been deceived. joining forces, north and south battle the general and his men, led by leibnizs funky drum patterns and turbulent synth action. and the shaolin spirit lives on

amsterdam-based artist and format-label honcho juan sanchez himself delivers a quartet of tracks carrying his signature sound for the label’s thirteenth release. never one to settle for the ordinary, juan sanchez’ latest outing follows a more conceptual approach to techno. each track adds its own flavor to the mix, with the ep as a whole being a combination of dubby and dancefloor-fused material. synth and bass arps, stripped grooves and driving drums are the main ingredients of juan’s sound, all of which come together across this ep’s four-track canvas. the result is a balanced mix of both dubby and dancefloor-tinged techno laced with experimental twists and turns. with his new release, juan adds another quality slice of techno to the format roster.

born in cameroon, vicky began banging the drums at the age of 9. by 13 he had moved onto bass and within a couple of years he was playing every night from 10pm to 5am in the castel douala cabaret. at the age of 19 vicky moved to paris to study banking and commerce and cram in even more music. he took classes at Épinay-sur-seine conservatoire music school and it was here that he met bandmates of his dikalo project. word spreads and he soon becomes one of the most sought after bass players in the afro arena. his session work features on many scenes stars, manu dibango, eko tala am, kemayo, sammy massamba, toto guillaume and many more. a chance meeting with the gibson brothers also see him play on two of their hit albums. in the 80s vicky moved to the us for spell and excels as a session bassist and touring musician. we pick up the story in 1981. with his stature as a musician and bass player riding high he takes a detour to nigeria to record with the afrodisia label in lagos. the thank u mamma album is the result. it is repressed for the first time, here in 2018 on the revitalised afrodisia label. musical proceedings open up with the heartfelt ode to his mother thank u mamma, smooth pop meets afrobeat boogie. marina driv slows things down with its smoldering jazz. side two opens with its not serious a catchy vocal number underpinned with funky guitars and striding basslines. stormy rain is lazy guitar jazz swansong. we close off the album with the ever so funky you. slick funk grooves powered along with a dose of slap bass. as a side note vicky actually plays left handed but with a upside down right handed bass. this upside-down precursor making his effortless slap playing even more impressive. vicky went on to record a two other albums and still tours and plays as an ever-in-demand session musician.

for this release we present patrick chardronnet s masterfully crafted cover version of jean-michel jarre s unforgettable classic oxygene part ii that dares dive into the beautifully ethereal moments we find ourselves in when lost in sound. it s techno that spans genres and defies age and era. with lush dreamy sonics, warm rolling drums and a plot that unfolds into an impassioned story, patrick chardronnet turned a timeless piece of music into an instant techno classic. and to commemorate this one we are releasing it as a special coloured vinyl with exclusive artwork making it a must have for every dj and music lover.

foxy red recordings is proud to announce their first vinyl release consisting of four deep & funky house tunes by titlez! if you re up for the warmth, depth, and feel of the classic house sounds of chicago – look no further! titlez s new ep delivers the goods while going for a diverse, organic, and eclectic production approach. you can expect punchy drums combined with live(ly) percussion samples, jazzy piano chords, and spacey pads, among other studio trickery.

matt edwards newly launched reissue label, r-time records, prepares its third release, the second instalment of sir lord comixx retroactive. r-time records shines a light on classic tracks that didnt always get the recognition they deserve, with the labels first two releases coming from sir lord comixx and fbk. real name amoon andrews, sir lord commix’s discography has been in high demand for many years, evident by soaring market prices. the a-side of retroactive (part two) features two tracks from a rare untitled release on hard up, whilst the b-side is made up of chicago jazz from the funk box ep on eukahouse (under his a.moon moniker in 98) and motionvibe from azid jazz ep on cynic in 05. cosmic synths join wonky arps in ur my omen before moving into the more up-tempo fog horn with its robust drums, off-beat bleeps and filtered effects. chicago jazz takes things into deeper territories with crystalline rhodes and jazz-influenced samples until motionvibe concludes the package with its syncopated structure comprised of twisted sounds, murky atmospherics and effervescent nuances.

aus music follow up a string of exclusive releases from primitive trust with tee mango (one half of pt) having released on clone in 2017 tee mango comes back to aus for his second ep in as many years. ep#2 carries forth much of the the same classiness hes well know for. a side ‘come a little closer samples a personal favourite make it last forever by inner life which is paired with playful drum rhythms and smooth rhodes chords. prototypical opts for punchy drums and a swinging bass, a track that would work as well peak time as it would warming up. wazoo rounds off the perectly balanced ep a deep cruiser with a pinch of acid.

* there is a way* opens with a soiree of shuffling percussion, which drives it forward throughout. the tune holds its nerve and refuses to cash in, constantly bubbling and building as layer upon layer unfolds almost to breaking point. an exhilarating statement of intent. never looking back. side a comes to a close with * tricks*. it confidently boasts a heavy hitting kick drum, set to shake speakers and alter heartbeats. a relentlessly positive guitar sample and buoyant bassline set the mood of a lively cut, which builds to a pay-off that brims with shimmering brass and crisp hats. a sunshine filled stormer, sure to get even the most cynical city worker moving. drums, drums, drums. as * mistakes* begins we’re swept away by salary boy’s effortless command of groove, before a booming bassline snatches back at our attention. “everyone makes mistakes” is the refrain from the vocal sample. i’d usually agree but our hard hustling, hi-hat wielding hero hasn’t put a foot wrong so far. an evocative piano loop anchors ‘cry’, a tune made to define the early hours. equally adept at touching the heart, as it is at moving the feet. endings are important, and this is as strong as they come.

spanish techno artist aiken is back on his own timeline label with another ep that offers up four more of his evocative takes on the genre. it comes after previous outings on non series and semantica and is his label’s first release since 2016. “basic principles” is up first and mesmerises with a pulsing lead synth line that forever changes shape. pummelling drums power along below and add up to a disorientating and hypnotic overall effect. “theory” is deeper and more rubbery, with manic synths and pads all racing along and pilling on the pressure while “midline” is right out fo the jeff mills playbook with its molten sci-fi synths journeying through outer space. clean, crips drums are upright and taught and get you on your toes, then “restriction” closes things out in superb minimalist fashion. this ep covers plenty of ground, and all of it is utterly compelling.

in the 5th installment of our various ep series, we continue our journey through both international and georgian soundscapes. put the needle on the a side, and you’ll find yourself in a melodic electro labyrinth. the journey goes on with the hypnotizing grandezza of a big room. the a-side closes with a spaced out sketch, deeply dedicated to rave reminiscences. what happens when electronic music resonates with eastern territories? flip the record to find out. distorted kicks and dirty drums, like ruins of an empire long gone, clash with house samples. our second georgian artist keeps it dirty: intertwined melodies tell fairy tales of landscapes both familiar and foreign.

berlin based jens dohle is a man of many talents. an accomplished composer and arranger for theatre productions across europe, classically trained multi instrumentalist, explosive live drummer for ye:solar, munk, hot coins, sado opera. longtime collaborator with danilo plessow aka mcde and noema from african shakedown fame. remixer for jazzanova and 4 hero. there s not enough room here to list his amazing work. 2018 ushers forth a new identity to his already enviable c.v with his first ep as james dole (a jokingly anglicised version of his birth name). the 3 tracks here all showcase his ability to create a strong mood and use great splashes of melody and rhythm but without ever losing the groove. written during a period of introspection in deepest, darkest berlin, each one tells a different story. ex is a moody monster of a track. it builds and builds into a pounding nightime symphony with a kind of epic-ness which hints at many years spent mining the highs and lows of music, love and life. big room yet with a gut wrenching soul beneath the slightly flamboyant majesty. made in east berlin and well road tested in the cities debauched nightclubs. fantasia shows off mr doles jazz and broken beat background with rolling, funky drums sashaying with hip hoppy live jazz keys. then those signature euphoric yet melancholic synths appear halfway through the track to create an emotionally halcyon mood. wibes. the ep closes with grande. super melodic yet cinematic with amazing synth work and a sophisticated arrangement showcasing james s well trained musicianship and artistry. an opus of melody and longing built for italian arthouse films about unrequited love. dj support from - midland, honey soundsystem, sandrino, jimpster, ame, dvs1, shadow child, joe goddard, red rack em, futureboogie, soft rocks, domenic cappello, downtown party network, danny russell

after recent outings from the likes of felix leifur and tlim shug, frits wentink is back on his own bobby donny label. his previous releases have been solo affairs but this time he is in collaboration with tristan hallis aka dj boring. the origins of london based dj & producer lie in australia, where he was raised and cultured amongst some of the most interesting musical phenomena of the 21st century a1 is an inventive tune with bristling drums and break beats run through with warped vocals, razor sharp hi hats and mellow padts deep but dynamic and will get you on your toes. b1 then chops up more trippy vocal samples and curious synth sounds with elastic, pinging kick drums and makes for something woozy yet groovy and full of intrigue. last but not least, b2 channels classic deep house vibes with balmy pads, garage style percussion and more slick drum work that really brings something fresh. this is a trio of cuts that bring the best out of each producer and results in truly original music.

another fierce and unique act from the depths of the glasgow underground appear on optimo music with their debut green door studios recorded four track ep. keyboard player jim mckinven was previously in altered images, worked for many years in martin rushent s genetic studios, was in one dove and previously appeared on optimo music as one half of organs of love. he is however but one component of this transgenerational band. they describe their music far better than we could - “seedy electronica, consisting of 2 basses, electronic drums, synths and dark vocals. inspired by the avant-garde that influenced the electronic music scene of the late 70’s and early 80’s.”

mikkel metal returns to copenhagen’s echocord this may with his new mini lp ‘just enough light’, comprising six originals from the danish artist. copenhagen based producer and dj mikkel metal has been a beacon of light in the danish electronic music scene and further afield for nearly two decades now, with the dub techno imprint from his hometown, echocord, being the predominant home for his output, whilst also releasing material on cologne’s kompakt, tartelet, semantica and avant roots, a telling sign of the quality embodied in his work. here though we see mikkel deliver a mini album concept in the shape of ‘just enough light’ and opener ‘awake’ perfectly sets the tone with emotive, dynamically unfolding atmospherics, tension building bass drones and spiraling dub chords subtly easing us into the project. ‘bregnan’ then stirs in some classing dub-techno tropes with billowing stab sequences, lumpy subs and off beat high hats carrying the hypnotic groove for six and a half minutes. ‘jech’ then strips things back to an almost beatless amalgamation of murky chords and modulating synth whirrs. opening the flip side of the release is ‘include’ which embraces a brighter feel via ethereal pad swells, jazztinged synth melodies and bumpy 909 rhythms before ‘konkin’ edges back into the eerie, brooding aesthetic with bubbling echoes, broken drums and menacing bass swells at its core. ‘restore’ then closes the package on a stripped-back vibe, laying focus on an ever- eveolving singular dub chord to ebb and flow around thunderous subs, kicks and bright hats.

ndatl continues with new hot tracks from the label’s creator kai alcé. while mr alcé has been remixing on the regular, his own output has been minimal so it’s refreshing to hear new material from the man himself. alcé offers up 4 dope tracks “back in this shit” the title track reminiscent of 90’s with updated flavor “not” with it’s warm keys & driving drums, the sheed’s move ft rasheed ali on flute is underground like only mr alcé can provide & “jam tight” is a detroit flavored burner! this 12&#8243,,,, has something for all the vinyl pushers out there!

hell yeahs next project is to revisit a collection of jazz covers of dance classics. back to new roots (serotonin fuelled jazz covers) was first released in 2011 by 3io, a band lead by double bassist manuel moretti and including richard maggioni on piano and matteo giordani on drums. they were veterans on the italian jazz circuit and put out a couple albums, but they are no more

brazilian girls return in 2018 with let’s make love, their first album since 2008. formed in 2003, the group—sabina sciubba (lead vocals, electronics), jesse murphy (bass, vocals), didi gutman (keyboards, vocals), aaron johnston (drums, percussion, vocals)—was born after the four members crossed paths at east village club nublu. “somehow we all ended up at nublu on a sunday and it all came together,” says johnston. the band began playing nublu weekly, embracing a free-form ethos that helped shape their kaleidoscopic sound. “a lot of the spirit of the band comes from being so open to improvise like that,” says murphy. fast earning attention for their euphoric live show—and winning fans like zach galifianakis, who later cast sciubba as a regular on baskets—brazilian girls released their self-titled debut in 2005 and sophomore album talk to la bomb in 2006.

spatial cues is a series of split singles sounding out main(void)s and kon jansons shared musical space. operating out of berlin and london, the two artists join forces to showcase their mutual vision of techno music. cues004 accelerates the series to 133 bpm and ramps up intensity with thumping kick drums and uncompromising arrangements that revolve around ceaseless chord stabs. with its hypnotizing chord pattern drifting in and out of arced echoes and subtle shifts in timbre, cues004 as haunting atmosphere radiates a surreal sense of weightless pressure, paradoxically soothing and violent at the same time. based on a divergent theme that contrasts upfront chord stabs and ruthless 909 cymbals with easeful pads and finespun textures, cues004 b builds up to a transition that disrupts the deeper elements with a stripped-down pattern, fully carving out the track’s inherent grittiness.

after the soft landing of banoffee pies records latest sub label venture otaku, the imprint continues following the theme of subtle compositions with the second edition, this time from swedish born vilhelm with mermaid porn. a five tracker starting with an aquatic feeling on the title track mermaid porn with bubbling effects rolling into the a2. entitled kirchner with more with positive and patient melodies. standing to attention in the spaceships cafeteria, the a side comes to a close with always in costume. the b side opens with saturday bossa - drums inspired by the brazilian music wave of bossa jazz with a slight twist. the b2. track, skopje blends off beat percussions with a cutting snare and a more electronic 4/4 direction. the general expression being, music for home. with love from banoffee pies. x

nero recordings releases nero002 (ne003), nero021 & nero032 all bundled up for one speciqal price!

tenderness is four cuts of emotional dance music from super tuff label head, m. vaughan. with galloping shakers underpinned by a weighty sub-bass, the a1 cut moon river is a blue-eyed peak time anthem. turn around! is an a2 track with heavy duty low end and a tender pitch shifted vocalia wonky patchwork of melodies that sums to something reminiscent of early herbert. for the b-side, tenderness at 117 bpm is a soft, opening tune that serves up a breaky drums, liquid pads, and a well-placed harp solo. -when it all happens. is a dj aakmael inspired groover that leaves the ep with a driving kick, chunky moog bass, and a vocal sample wailing out from the pains of heartbreak. dont cry! get intimate with a brand new copy of m. vaughans tenderness from super tuff.

rising greek producer g.u.s steps up on equivalence with some pumped up vintage techno sounds that take more than a few cues from the uk.shelf cloud strikes a fine balance between tough and dreamy, using a twitchy set of drums moving at a decent pace and flooding them with atmospheric pads and a slice of vocal that forms a central hook to the track. halo goes even deeper into british territory with its chopped up breakbeat funk calling to mind the dexterous sample magic of stasis, and then haze phenomenon heads into deep tech house territory riding a pumped up shuffle beat and swooping pads.

chris romans has been rolling out crucial electro jams for a number of highly regarded labels since the early 00s. amongst them are touchin bass, shipwrec, frustrated funk and central processing unit, so that tells you everything you need to know about the level he s operating at as 214. now he comes to 20/20 vision with some body-poppin jams of the highest order, broadening the tech house label s remit to embrace the thriving electro scene with one of its most vital practitioners. potential events is a brooding, atmospheric affair while windeye draws on a more playful, detroit indebted palette of sounds. radioactive man remixes windey- with a steady, finely detailed approach, and then back to sine finishes the record off with another snappy salvo of funky drums and bubbling synths.

losoul returns to action with his first long player in almost ten years, and delivers a stunning collection of compositions for the hypercolour released island time. otherwise known as peter kremeier, the german producer has mesmerized us for many years with his organic and emotive house music, largely released on the influential playhouse label, but of late has seen him release singles for karat and tardis records, as well as his very own another picture label. fans of losoul wont be disappointed, as a diverse yet utterly familiar sound aesthetic pours out over the albums seven tracks in his own inimitable style. the jazzy broken beats of gold tooth shine with their micro-sample chops, whilst mean time is a dense and dubby slow stomp, teasing the drums with space echo and injecting sparse bass work where it matters. inventive, spongy house grooves are delivered on boppin lower and square down smoother whilst the album closer, lava in you is a master class in ambient sonics and shimmering keys over a lo-fi swinging groove. its been over 20 years since losouls signature single open door, and the german producer continues to pour out honest and rewarding music.