the latest offering in the ever so refined gost zvuk series is a full length album (2x12) by russian master of all otherworldly sounds nocow.
“ledyanoy album” is an ethereal feast containing orchastrated textures and thumping cuts alike. the winter theme of the album is easily recognized through the icey synth sounds and the beautifuly array of bells and fx which blend this lp to a cohesive collection of heart wrenching ambiances.

manchmal ist eine rückbesinnung hilfreich um sich neu zu orientieren. im falle von booka shade ist ihnen dadurch vielleicht ihr stärkstes album ihrer gesammten karriere geglückt. wir sind sehr stolz auf all das, was wir mit unserer elektronischen clubmusik erreicht haben. mit movements 10 haben wir dann im letzten jahr dieses kapitel abgeschlossen. 2017 bedeutet für uns eine musikalische veränderung.(walter booka shade) ich mag die vermischung aller unserer einflüsse wirklich sehr 80er synth-pop, 90er manchester sound, bis hin zu aktuellen klängen von the weeknd und ähnlichen acts ist alles dabei und verbindet sich zu einem modernen und einnehmenden ganzen. (craig walker) galvany street ist das album, was wir schon sehr lange machen wollten. mit der stimme von craig walker war jetzt endlich die konstellation perfekt.(arno – booka shade)

following on from his release on beneath s mistry imprint, webstarr inaugurates his de grey label with a three-track collection of bass-flecked techno. opener we can t have nice things evokes punch drunk and the bristol sound as skittering beats deliver a two-step-like rhythm, propelled along by a synth melody that teases a potent breakdown. meanwhile warsaw bumps along with a brooding bassline that gives way to multi-layered percussion direct from an eastern bloc steel mill. closing track exit changes gear to play to the floor as a piercing kick and clap drum pattern combines with the subtlest of sub-bass and sharp synths that probe behind your eyes to lift the track effortlessly in a 2016 nod to detroit.

after more than 2 years of waiting berlin-based artist fabian dikof is back with a new release on best works records his ep the who his trade-mark sound remains: catchy arpeggio-sounds with tech-house synth usage. with these elements he creates a very mature tapestry that gives the tune great dynamic play in its rhythmic morphosis. the track camouflage features berlin-based vocalist ann weller from the band ann & bones. last but not least remixer dubspeeka reworks the original giving it a more minimal techno-flavour and with its tool-character it hits the dance-floor full on. the who ep is yet another great stepping stone for fabian dikof. there is more to come from this gifted producer.

lessismore record label, founded in 2003 by the dutch dj and producer alexis tyrel together with mbc, has been home for mostly his own releases under all his monikers and various artist compilations. “return to planet alpha” continues in this tradition, being a second long-player of alexis tyrel after his debut “newtradition” from 2011.
“return to planet alpha” is a collection of elegant techno tracks which instead of following the now so popular dark and destructive path focuses on daily moods and airy atmosphere, which is closer to open air and lounge than to sweaty pits of contemporary rave. but that doesn’t mean that the twelve tracks are just indistinctive background music. for one thing, tyrel is a master of slick and tight beat foundations of kick drums and bass, often smoothed out with cool synth pads, onto which he layers all kinds of rhythmical chains, subtle melodic ideas and sounds ranging from vintage synths and industrial bits to organic textures and even field recordings.

‘mind fiction’, kaczor s first release, comes with organic artwork such as a growing plant cover and simple yet sleek thai design inspired by a recent tour to southeast asia. the ep serves as a perfect example for kaczor s own artistic vision: moody textures and mellower grooves meeting his trademark raw and gritty, forceful attack-laden release of rolling drums, bass and percussion, pointing to kaczor s own roots in the more stormy outbacks of broken beats or uk bass. first track ‘balance’ starts off with a softer, textured soundscape, nicely balancing melancholy synth waves and drum rattles into an atmospheric opener with a slowly oncoming and unfurling, melodic twist. the title track ‘mind fiction’ more closely follows kaczors very own signature formula of a simple and driving bassline followed by an evocative build-up rushing into an emotional, cathartic breakdown. ‘asta’ might be kazcor s most daring and trippy production to date: an intense mixture between hypnotic, hard hitting thumps and thunderous rolling drums taking the listener into the electrifying whirl of a night-time storm, where the tense and dense, humid atmosphere culminates in a monsoon-like rainfall of spiralling reverb – marking a fitting crescendo for this impressive debut on kaczor s now very own sonic ground.

bondage-music head honchos pornbugs prep the labels next release for early april comprising three original tracks and a remix from mihai popoviciu. since 2006, german duo pornbugs have been pushing their minimal yet ambitious dance floor orientated house music through clubs across the globe, with their label bondage-music acting as a catalyst for forward thinking music. bondage-music also works as an outlet for other talented producers including romania’s mihai popoviciu and inmotion music signee markus homm to further develop their sound. fresh from a string of early 2017 digital releases from frink and sous sol, april sees bondage-music’s first vinyl offering of the year, kick started with the subtle and melodic cut “when you are gone“, which takes a deep groove and laces it with a plethora of soft synths and atmospherics. mihai popoviciu then reworks “when you are gone“ into a different entity, rewiring a headier groove into the track with raw-defined hats, building further tension with tight synth stabs and ethereal pads. vinyl only track “innocent“ then takes tribal tinged percussion to new depths, fuelling it with booming kicks and flourishing chords, further intensified by swirling vocals. a pure dub aesthetic then shines through “maritza“, as saturated drums and a rumbling low end provide the skeleton for swelling synths to meander alongside spiritual vocals, closing out the package.

r&s welcomes back space dimension controllers jack hamill for a ep of his trademark future-funk, his first for the label since 2013. the exostack ep marks a welcome return from hamill to the kind of astro-boogie that made him a unifying favourite in any discerning dj’s record box. the title track is a masterclass of wide-eyed astral disco - cycling euphoric arpeggios underpinned by dubbed out bass riffs and swooning pads. unfurling over a sizeable 8 minutes, hamill justifies every second with a beguiling arrangement that takes the listener on a groove excursion of epic proportions. on the flip, red hot swede kornél kovács delivers a tuff rerub that jacks up the drums, and cools out the chords, twisting the original into a classic house roller. sdc original biopan finds hamill in more contemplative mood - pulsing drums, a subdued bass figure and woozy synth melodies combine to haunting effect.

toby tobias can be found in the shadows of south london. this is his first offering for the esp institute. on side a, gravitator evolves slowly over ten minutes from a somber intro of supernatural sighs, pulsing machine feedback and techno squelches into an ethereal landscape peppered with dissonant fragments of synth. with side b’s right turn to nowhere , toby stretches out even further, flexing a tasteful programming of the 808 while taking the long road to a reverb-drenched crescendo of distortions and expansive string swells. after a prolific output of material for other quality labels around the world, toby tobias has undoubtedly re-focused his point-of-view upon his induction to the esp institute. these two songs will have you locking up your children at night.

brand new anatolian psych-pop sensation ! 4 heart-melting gems where turkish folk meets groove and electric action! young singer/multi-instrumentist derya y&#305,,ld&#305,,r&#305,,m teams up with fantastic drummer greta eacott (g-bop orchestra / one-take records) and 3 quarters of catapulte records orchestre du montplaisant (antonin voyant, graham mushnik, andrea piro). with members originating from turkey, germany, france, italy and great britain, grup &#350,,im&#351,,ek (pronounce shimshek) encapsulates the outernational generation. their debut ep kicks off with legendary a&#351,,&#305,,k mahzuni &#350,,erif s nem kald&#305,,, a groovy lament with killer melodyline, where saz and synth wave through a stream of wah-wah guitar arpeggios. graham mushnik-penned instrumental 3.2,2.3 is a 5/4 psychedelic mover lead by the acid sounds of the organ - a subtle tribute to the architects of anatolian rock mo&#287,,ollar ? on side b, derya delivers a splendid interpretation of Özdemir erdo&#287,,an s song gurbet. gurbet is a turkish word describing a particular form of homesickness: watching from afar as things turn bad in your homeland. davet, a grup &#350,,im&#351,,ek composition, is a dancey, saz-lead song likely to shake many dancefloors with emotion. the lyrics are drawn from a poem by naz&#305,,m hikmet, father of modern turkish poetry. grup &#350,,im&#351,,ek have already hit the stage in germany, uk, france, italy and switzerland (f.k.a. intercommunal orchestra) and are planning some more. anatolian invasion on its way!

ant plates vinyl only ventures continue unabated, taking a break from the yse saint laur ant releases and turning to minus the majors instead. whether its just plate in another one of his guises or not is unclear, but the music certainly fits in with the more exploratory, downtempo nature of previous vinyl only releases. he looked is an especially funky number that revolves around crafty beats and warm moog-esque synth ripples. things get more broken on jizz jazz, and then drongo manages to go even further out to sea in its quest for the perfect balance between funk and freakiness.

luciano continue his newly launched basaec imprint with * saved & slaved*, a two-track release featuring collaboration with argenis brito. swiss-chilean producer and dj luciano has been at the forefront of underground electronic music for quite some time now, heading up the infamous cadenza imprint and releasing material for some of the industry’s leading labels such as perlon, desolat, cocoon and poker flat amongst many others. here we see luciano back on his recently launched basaec label, delivering some of his signature stripped-back, dynamic and emotive material ‘lost in lymbo’ takes the lead and sees luciano offer up a typically intricate twelve-minute excursion with subtly modulating and evolving percussion, spiralling synth swells, sporadic vocal chants and a smoothly unfolding aesthetic resulting in an archetypal and intriguing production from this forever forward-thinking artist. the latter half sees luciano paired with fellow cadenza artist argenis for ‘pato’s track’, stripping back the vibe to a raw cowbell and rim shot percussive-led state whilst lumpy subs, vocal murmurs and subtly unfolding flute like melodies ebb and flow throughout the composition.

making more and more noise everyday. zinc records are proud to present to you their debut vinyl release. receiving respect and support since birth for its carefully picked catalogue of house music its a pleasure to announce that zinc will be releasing the highly demanded -make luv- by emery warman on 12 inch. make luv proved to be a marco carola anthem in 2016 as it continuously shook dance floors across the globe with its powerful energy, special vocals & signature drop. the b side alright is a perfect modern sounding contrast with its groovy bassline and unique synth that takes you on a journey alongside the textbook emery groov

we are proud to announce that andreas tilliander is back on echocord after 15 years. this march sees echocord release the ofog ep comprising three original productions from swedens andreas tilliander. stockholm based andreas tilliander is a name thats been synonymous with the underground electronic music scene for a while now, from his contribution to the glitch genre in the early 1990s through to winning a swedish grammy and producing under various monikers creating a variety of sonic art. this includes his previous echocord released lowfour alias, the raster.noton seminal moikra cliphop album and his more recently explored tm404 project which has seen him release on skudge and kontra-musik. tillianders ofog ep kicks off with an upfront and club leaning track entitled storet, which is driven by deep kicks and crisp hats that both sit tightly at each end of the mix, leaving room for twisted chords and delayed synth swells to fill the gap. next up comes the fine dub-tinged and spacious aesthetic of oliveros, where ethereal textures glide freely alongside the live-sounding tape delayed drums, accompanied by a deep, weaving sub. closing the package is risset, in which a half time bass line chugs alongside vibrantly saturated percussion escorted by dubby chords and glitchy atmospherics.

tenax recording is proud to present the second installment of the anniversary ep series signed by two of the most representative artists of the underground scene both coming from italy: nightdrivers and bassa clan. the first duo (mass prod and rufus) under the nightdrivers moniker deliver two outstanding tracks in order to survive that will drive the floor crazy thanks to its hypnotic and percussive groove & strong and deep vocal. the second track scudiscio beat is a loopy groove with a whistling synth line that evolves from the beginning to the end. the second artists to feature are bassa clan (dino angioletti and fabrizio maurizi) they have released on their own imprint bassa clan, howl, rebirth amoungst others & will appear on tenax with time in a bottle and endless three. time in a bottle is a perfect mix between house and techno while endless three is a magical trip with an infinite change of rhythm based on a chopped up synth line from the beginning to the end. a record ready to be dropped at the peak of any set.dj support: nastia, honey dijon, marco faraone, joris voorn and nic fanciulli…

steve monite’s album, only you, is a prime slab of nigerian boogie. it’s sinewy, compact and sexy, a little bit of disco mixed with a big dose of funk. loose and groovy, it’s a sonic seduction from another dimension. with legendary producer tony okoroji at the desk, and influential musician and sound engineer, nkono teles, creating magic on the synth, the title track is raw and melodic, dark and sweet at the same time.

untamed love is an ufo in peter hunnigale’s career, recorded at omega studio (london) and originally released on the cosmic label in 1986. some people have no words to describe it. you can call it brit boogie, rare funk, sick jam, musical bomb, or god jam, whatever it’s typical mid 80 s tune with a rythmic backgound sound that is captivating and memorable, thanks to heavyweight synth and awesome vocal. the original 12’’ vinyl record is still very hard to find and expensive nowadays. if you are about to discover this song, make sure you are sit down when you listen to it because this song will blow you down « hey girl i like the way you smile ».

new uk based imprint aiming to bring you atmospheric and emotional treats that toe the line between bass heavy, electro leaning, house & techno and everything in between. the label’s first outing comes from the duo thread. tabor kicks of the release and it’s a motorik workout that combines elements of minimal techno and acid, with a squelchy bassline and moody synth melodies all carried along by tight percussions. dalling is a straight up electro jam, a galloping start/stop percussive pattern, ever-present pads with more layers of squelch added for maximum effect. on the flip brackenbury picks up a couple of notches on the bpm counter - driving proceedings to 130+, a proper heads down techy number with elements of micro house, filled with quirky sounds and lush pads layered on top of syncopated percussive patterns. the final cut on the ep conningham does away with all pretences and hits you in the face with another dose of unrelenting space music. heavy bass line, crunchy electro percussions and sci-fi atmospheric pads rounding off the first release in style.

modularz welcomes back spanish producer kessell who has released on modularz in the past with his joint project exium. we are huge fans of what he does and support his take on techno. straight up tracks for mixing with elements of tribal drum rhythms and analog synth based sequences. don t sleep on this rhythmic gem!

iuly.b returns to visionquest this march with the surreal experience ep accompanied by a remix from bass cultures djulz. romanias iuly.b is rapidly becoming a household name in the realms of stripped-back, immersive house music of late, a regular feature on hectors vatos locos imprint and at the labels events, as well as releasing material on bouq, claque musique and of course visionquest where he returns to here following his observatory ep in november of 2016. this time round iuly.b launches the surreal experience with a murky, dub-tinged composition entitled sci fry, laid out over eight minutes with snaking synth whirrs, sweeping dub echoes and tumbling sub bass tones before bass culture head-honcho djulz reworks the original into a more robust, groove-drive interpretation via swinging rhythms, stuttering sample chops and a thunderous low end drive. moonberry opens the flip side on a more reduced tip with bumpy organic percussion, rounded sub swells and an amalgamation of sonar blip melodies to create a dynamic and hypnotic workout, time traveller then closes the release via expansive atmospherics, subtly evolving acidic synth licks and loose shuffling drums

the always wonderful begin returns after a very balearic absence ! and what a return ! let s talk eases us in with some trademark begin style mid-tempo mellowness, as undulating melodic elements are carried straight to the beach on gently lolloping beats aight adds a little more anticipation, with a syncopated backbone and some mesmerising carl craig style synth cycles... on the b, the cut the paste is a burly, new beat inspired chugger, which manages to sound exactly like an early morning, strobe-lit boccaccio moment, while simultaneously basking in the midday sun

known for their take on the gentler side of house music, jazz pianists, electronic enthusiasts and label founders of the analogue attic imprint, albrecht labrooy have joined night tides family with their latest sojourn emissary ep. the release began with a concept from the artists, who asked for field recordings taken by night tides eluize from around her adopted home in berlin. sounds from parks, gardens, trains and stations that make up the local, everyday sonic landscape made their way across the atlantic to arrive in albrecht labrooys studio, where they were used as inspiration for the three outings on this record. the melbourne duo’s live approach to programming and arrangement can be heard as the tracks ebb and flow effortlessly. in tempelhof sub swells and a throbbing kick accompany delicate leads and lightly touched drums. the more uptempo hinterhof pulses and sways with lively percussion, crystalline bells, euphoric strings and softly spoken melodies that float in and out of view. u-bahn/s-bahn begins with glistening top lines and panoramic chords over a growling bass and a steady groove. as the journey rolls on from the underground into open-air window-gazing territory, the piece takes an ambient, beatless turn. contemplative synth lines and arpeggios play while the station announcements drift somewhere in the distance. photograph by christophe mauberqué.

140-gram vinyl plus full sleeve. globally recognized and respected remixers and producers frank lorber and marcus fix are pair up with producer and live specialist filou to launch inter zero ep on resopal. the two remixers are known for numerous releases on cocoon as a bunch of production credits on different labels while filou debuts with his 12-. here, they evolve to focus on minimal reduced techno funk. two original tracks and two remix works on this 12-. rubbery and direct, with clacking perc, freewheeling synth lines, and bubbly, roaming drums. a must have.

following his first ep for accidental jnr in the summer bambooman is now back with something entirely different. the downtempo experimental designs of the ‘feel ep’ give way to his latest offering ‘shudder’. available on 12” and digital the 4 tracks of shudder weave through a club music tapestry like a chainsaw through custard. the opening and title track is hard to describe, a mix of off kilter synth stabs and hammering snare that routes you to the floor - it’s one of those tracks to whip out of your bag to remind the crowd they have no idea what is coming next. track 2 ‘grasp’ with a blissful detroit groove under deep rich melting chords is a perfect blend of early funk house style and super crisp new production. side b opens with ‘m1’ a lazy floor track with washes of bells, static and detuned synth above a bed of solid kick and shuffling bass. finally ‘kyrian’ closes proceedings, another club friendly slice (despite being in a 7&#8260.8 time signature), the track could have led the ep in its own right but feels like the perfect bookend with its shifting almost garage like 2-step feel and glancing vocal hook.

sixth ep on firescope records the new sub label of the legendary b12 records. this release is by b12 ft yonii, uk techno fused with wonderful pure and beautiful vocals. b12 established early 90’s with a multitude of releases appearing on warp records uk, b12 records, soma records, delsin records, firescope records, art , buzz, de:tuned. the ep entitled in vain is the first ep featuring b12 and the wonderful singer songwriter yonii. these are real songs, with real meanings and are the the result of a pure and wonderful collaboration. the tracks tell a story, and with open ears and heart they will deliver the message clearly. “sympathy” a very acoustic sounding drum and percussion arrangement held together with glorious b12 esq pads is the opener here. the vocals elevate this track to another level, with a dangerous equilibrium of vulnerability and distain. “shotgun” straight in with a heavy synth baseline and lyrics. a menacing track featuring a vocal that floats effortlessly on a downtempo b12 vibe. an exposed interplay of rhythmic melodies and dark imagery. “moth” a busy beat and synth driven backdrop provide the platform for yonii to tell her story of love and pain. is it all in vain? why must we gravitate towards the flame that ultimately extinguishes us…. “sympathy (beatz)” & “moth (beatz)” just the beatz of the main tracks :-) finished in glorious white and green splatter vinyl with exclusive full colour artwork by the wonderful catherine prendergast aka cellar doo

mihai popoviciu has carved out a reputation for being one of the most innovative producers of electronic music active in europe today. the man from romania has established himself both as a highly respected producer releasing on labels such as highgrade, international gigolo and dessous and as a killer dj performing all over the world. fiction is his 4th release on poker flat recordings, and delivers four distinct flavours to sink your teeth into. i should is a slinky groover, with a slippery, evolving bassline, tight, funky percussion and a sultry female vocal. working just as effectively early in a set as a peak time moment, its bound to get rinsed in the coming months. twisted is a little harder - a straighter beat signals a more heads down approach, and the bassline is sure to trigger some dancefloor scenes wherever it gets played. next up is title track fiction which perhaps makes a reference to mihai’s background, with fragments of eastern european melodies woven into the beautiful synth work, all tied together over a spacey yet driving rhythm track. last but by no means least is interconnected - a straight up deep bomb with echoes of classic chicago deep and acidic house in its warm and sensual vibe.

a regular contributor to figure spc, it was jeroen search who both started the series and also put an end to its story. with this creative chapter neatly closed, he is now bringing his ever-impressive work back to the main label. across the ep the dutch artist doesn’t stick to one style, instead he lets his infamous machines roam about freely. they take us for a smooth ride along swaying dub chords and gentle ripples until bellowing eches slowly rise above a hypnotic groove.?on the b-side search then pulls out all the stops and barges right in with fidgety claps and whirling bleeps, leaving the track itself gasping for air. this is the renowned ferocity of his live act - carved into wax! ensuing the sonic assault, a simple synth figure emerges stoically over an almost housy bounce as nostalgic rave strings bring the ep to an epic ending. firmly rooted in the past while always looking forward, jeroen search clearly is still on the top of his game. he simply keeps coming up with timeless techno - time and time again.

brighton based analogue synth junkie and producer andrew whitwell marks the launch of his mode7 records label with a standout 4 track ep of classic u.s. inspired house music. andrew whitwell is a self-confessed hoarder of vintage studio kit and has, over the years, built up an impressive collection at his brighton based studio, much of which features on this stellar ep

arriving at their 20th release in typically eclectic fashion, nado turn from a laidback luke to a tasmanian devil, summoning synth mystic bronze savage to bring his unique electronics to their unstoppable imprint. hailing from hobart’s piers rather than pavements, the australian producer trades in a sun-bleached house sound alive with ocean spray and salty air, perfect for playing at that magic hour when the sun dips into the sea.

white material crew s galcher lustwerk and alvin aronson return under the guise of studio ost with a 4-track ep of live jams on lustwerk music. while the pair s critically acclaimed 2016 debut scenes (2012-2015) leaned towards home listening, eventide / ascension shifts the focus back to the dancefloor with two chugging cinematic house tracks. eventide is an evolving nebula of fluttering pads and lush percussion, while ascension s hot-electric drums are complimented by sharp synth chords that unfurl into controlled chaos. a beatless version of eventide and a drums only version of ascension sweeten the deal.

this release journeys to mid-80s argentina and the highly sought after 2nd solo album of carlos cutaia. inspired by the new electronic sounds emanating from europe, this multi instrumentalist offers more than a pastiche, embedding his own melancholy in a unique and classic nueva wave-album. classically trained, carlos cutaia started as a composer for dance and theatre, before spending much of the 1970s as a member of a number heavy rock, prog rock and rock-fusion bands of some note, before finally going solo with the city of distant tones album in 1983. however, by the time of his 2nd solo album in 1985, as his country finally left behind a long period of military control and enjoyed greater freedoms, carlos was fully immersed in the new electronic pop sounds imported with hungry ears from europe. teaming up with fellow composer, keyboardist and producer, daniel melero and alejandro oucinde, the futurism of kraftwerk and gary numan s tubeway army was embraced, but also adapted to fit their native land, just as it was understand a new modernity. starting with the swagger of visiones incomunicadas, the template is set. sharp drum machines, semi-nonchalant, half spoken vocals set the scene, while chopped guitar and smart synth lines fit the over riding feeling of an intelligent nonchalance. things however, do go beyond the straightjacket of euro-pop as heard on the anthemic programacion and avant twist of the first of two piano-ambient pieces aproximacion dos and its companion piece uno found on the b side). eric satie and minimalism are clearly not far away. however, it is side b opener sensacion melancolica that captures the sound to perfection. a balearic masterpiece, capturing in it s title the over-riding atmospheric of a unexplained sadness, a loss. operativo and the poem humanos de america bring things to an end of a feeling melancolica.

acid pauli is a name synonymous with certain aesthetic towards electronic music culture - both a part of the unhooked generation of that grew up experiencing his revelatory sets at places like bar 25 and fusion, and yet deeply rooted in musicality and adventurousness. bld, the second full album from martin gretschmann, (aka acid pauli), builds on his already impressive back catalogue which spans back to 2005, and includes a debut album released on nicolas jaar’s clown and sunset. over the course of the eight tracks here, gretschmann explores some of the many facets that have made him one of the most trusted artists in his field. released on his own (and nico stojan’s) label ouïe - the album is the perfect expression of the imprint’s commitment to diverse, exciting sounds, freed of the conventions of traditional club music. the album covers a number of moods and emotions, from dystopian carnivalesque vibes to moments of high intensity, through to deep melancholia and synth laden ambience. gretschmann’s well documented love of the sampler shines throughout - tracks are textured and colored with different hues from his extensive sound palette, whether it’s a part of his more psychedelic moments, or concentrated on his innate knowledge of dancefloor dynamics. as such bld sits together as a complete piece of music - to be relished just as much by blissed out home listeners as the left-field dancers.

spencer parker returns on his own imprint this march with a four-track track release as part two of the three part different shapes and sizes series. following on from the raw and stripped back house jam aesthetic as seen in part one, parker kicks off this techno release with size information a track with driving kicks, subtle atmospherics, and infectious panning percussion. next up is shape deviation, which hones in on a twisted 303 arpeggio and is saturated in white noise and backed up with entrancing drums, before shape fascination goes into full drum machine workout mode with off kilter 808 claps fuelled by a hypnotic synth bass line. size devotion rounds off the release with its raw and distorted kicks and simplistic yet effective mesmeric male vocal samples.

d edges cultured off shoot olga is back with a new ep, radiolarian, from german-bulgarian stefan goldmann. again it is a perfectly well sculpted ep with deep and sleek lines that get right into your head. the man behind it is the co-owner of the excellent macro label and for more than fifteen years has released intricate house and techno sounds. he is a deep thinker and master of hi-fidelity sound design and intricate grooves, so is perfect for this label. radiolarian is first and is seven sublime minutes of tunnelling techno rippled with neon melodies and firefly like pads that burrow into your brain. it is a high tempo and high impact track but a subtle one that works its magic slowly. building to a number of peaks, it then pulls back and the whole thing starts again. on the flip, streams is freaky and unhinged, with weird synth sounds making for a trippy atmospheres as minimal beats roll below. perfectly detailed so as to work on both head as well as heel, it rounds out another fine ep.

chicago house legend mystic bill joins crimes of the future with two straight up jacking house tracks with bonus instrumental and a mind bending remix by scott fraser. bill torres needs little introduction to those fans of the original chicago movement in the late 1980 s and 1990 s, he produced a string of 12inches for the likes of trax and relief records whilst playing and holding down dj residences in some of the citties best loved venues. after remixing scott fraser s no word of truth release last year on his dx recordings label his first full solo release on crimes of the future has arrived.the a cut frequency 9 is a rolling jacker with rattling percussion and dark synth stabs to dement the warehouse dancefloor and very much in the line of bills trademark style. a2 sees fraser return the remix favour delivering a massive floor bumping remix adding all new drums, 303 and huge bassline giving a nod to the classic sound of those sex trax/ power music 12s from the 1990 s with his 11 minute mind control remix. the frequency cannot be controlled! side b has both the original and a bonus intrumental of the ship is sinking, a dark slice of jacking house complete with real tension and total mastery of the sampler for those able to spot it.

futureboogie open their 2017 account with a new release from lizards, the newcastle based duo otherwise known as lee forster and james hadfield. after appearances on labels like leng records, join our club and not an animal records, lizards strut their stuff across two original tracks, whilst man of the moment lord of the isles weighs in with a superb remix. the percussion driven house of “tzatziki” kicks of the release, wrapped in warm and inviting pads and piano riffs. shades of old school chicago house meet sun-kissed balearic vibes on this early morning riser, as the heavyweight bass sounds curl around the raw drum programming and illuminating keys sprinkle over the production. on “aloof”, the tempo is taken down somewhat, as a bass line wanders over a steady kick and otherworldly ambient sounds and hushed vocal clips lazily glide over the 4/4 arrangement. as the track unfurls, more melodic and percussive elements come into play, blossoming into a something quite epic and unique. with a slew of releases for quality imprints like permanent vacation, firecracker, mule musiq and esp institute, neil mcdonald, aka lord of the isles, serves up a deliciously chugging version of aloof. gurgling bass and marching handclaps are dowsed in dramatic synth sweeps and glacial tones, as the good lord takes us on a monumental ride.

yellow colored vinyl - deluxe gatefold sleeve - limited to 200 copies
this new album is the longest and more ambitious work they had produced to date, including up to 14 new tracks where find their usual eclectic amalgam of dance oriented darky styles, from ebm to synth pop, passing by electro beats, pure coldwave, italo disco or classical synthwave. all tracks has been recorded using only analog synthesizers captured on a external recorder without make use of daw digital conversions, excepting on the final process of digital mastering . all tracks has been mastered and remastered specially for vinyl by eric van wonterghem at prodam studio (berlin).

what can you expect? take the best fusion-band ever (chick coreas return to forever), some james brown funk, synth-fun like tangerine dream and even a bit of hardrock, and youre getting close. this is zappa, the flemish zappa: cool,funny, sad, difficult,no record for those who love the traditional verse-chorus-verse, and so probably as uncommercial as it can get

another motive launches its record label with an ep from finnish producer roope karhunen aka mirage man. mirage man has crafted a unique sound exploring a hypnotic and seductive aesthetic within house and techno. the a-side opens up with ‘hiss & hers’ , a soothing-narcotic take on techno with overtones of dub and ambience. followed by a hard-hitting ‘harmoni’, layering crisp drum machines and ethereal synths within a magnetic groove that evolves from raw to rich. the b-side embarks with ‘healing’, composed of shuffling rhythms and subtle streams of warm synth pads that grow into an esoteric climax fitting several styles within one. closing the ep is ‘harmoni’ remix by bnjmn taking the essence of the original and folding it into a kaleidoscope of fractured rhythms and surreal sounds that collide to finish the ep off with a bang

lady blacktronika : she needs no introduction to the usual skylax heads, after last year’s killer ‘it’s a blacktronika world’ ep, the queen of beatdown returns to the skylax fold with a packed eleven track lp for us. it has got her signature slo-mo grooves, as well as a couple of housier cuts on the back-end of the record. naturally, a lot of these tracks are perfect for the club on their own, whether it’s an early set or a late one, but the lp really stands up on a full run through for home listening too. on the topside of the record, there’s the chugging vibe of “who doctor”, with its whirling synth and sizzling hats perfect for that low light, early mood. then you have the likes of “how i miss my x”, and titular track “a lonely space program”, that both raise the tempo into housier territory. all bases covered, really. this record is a slice of beatdown history, one you’d be a fool to sleep on!

middle eastern edits of the highest order. while there’s the obvious choice of pyramid disco as the official dancefloor slayer, there are plenty of flavors to savor in this thick stew of arabic scales, authentic darbuka breakbeats and psychedelic synth meltdowns.

“mirror test” conjures that rare mood between darkness and elation, contemplation and celebration, and drives it home with an infectious, jacking rhythm section which recalls the late-80s ny club music of boyd jarvis and paul simpson, and labels like easy street and fourth floor, but imbues the sound with a toughness and precision only possible today. analog synth figures, glassy and angular, ricochet around the track, trading jabs with funky snare work and robotic, stabby chord patterns to create a hook-laden machine groove which demands repeated listening.
the record’s b-side feature, “replace yourself,” is the subtler, dreamier, more futuristic of the two. unmistakably urban with its swinging, bottom-heavy groove and strange, architectural chord work, it seduces and transports. “replace yourself” dares you to do exactly that.

for the first release in 2017, echovolt draws from the canadian continent to bring an ep from mysterious producer from the west coast.an inventory of thoughtful cuts bringing dubby motifs, early italian house elements, and moody synth-work. a diverse expansive 12- presented with an all around deep, straight to tape sound quality.

this collection of demos and live recordings from amsterdam/dutch post-punk bands capture the early 80s sound and offer a unique insight into the spontaneous, diy music style of the time. wide representation of styles on here - from driving guitar punk to weird minimal synth, deluxe 180 grams vinyl edition w/ two page insert with info & pics of the bands.big tip for the nl punk collectors and beyond!

mechanisms industries owner fanon flowers extends the prrukblk catalog with a slice of wax in his signature style. vivid synth work with repetitive sequences that linger through the listeners mind long after the initial listen. “strong interaction” ep is combined of 4 dancefloor cuts on the moody side of things. beautiful patches and lucid hats come together in a wash of dancefloor oriented techno.

this ep s lead track comes in form of a deep dub techno aesthetic at an adequate 128 bpm while not neglecting warm and melodic elements. “box drop” stands in the tradition of höppner s interest in musical detail rather than blatant functionality: aside from his recognizable kick drums and basslines nick lays out plenty of harmonic layers and effects such as string arrangements, leading synth pads, now trickling then rotating sound patterns, making this cut as elegiac and frisky as it’s muscular and straightforward.

early pioneers of the german new wave music scene, din a testbild were formed in 1978 by mark eins and gudrun gut (former member of einstürzende neubauten, mania d. and malaria!). din a testbild played a significant role in defining the avant-garde music of berlin. legendary is their partecipation at the festival genialer dilletanten- in 1981. programm 4 is their fourth album. mixed and auto-produced by mark eins near the wall in west/berlin in 1983, the album was rejected at the time by innovative communication, considered too much synth/punk/techno, while the new label managers were looking more into new age stuff. in fact schulze eventually sold the label in 1983, which started to release a plethora of acts loosely grouped around the nam genre.

‘dazzle ship’ comes from the mysterious moniker of donald dust, switching the script for no bad days into something more cosmic, with five skyward songs of variety and velocity. think italo tinged burners, the greatest 80s sci-fi soundtracks that never were, and beatless drift with a synth bought off demdike stare to close.
dazzle by name, dazzle by nature…

for release number four octo champ brings his not quite here yet ep to the table and hits a house music home run and then some. two part summery club jams, two part dreamy morning after grooves, packed with deep synth swells, diva-esque vocal samples and sultry basslines. this one’s bringing the summer to winter 2017.