after a year’s hiatus optimo music disco plates returns with the first of several planned releases.
first up is long time friend phil kieran with an ep made specifically with optimo in mind. it has been tried and tested over recent months and more than ticks all our boxes. we feel confident it will tick yours too.
phil says “the ep was recorded in my house and made up of mostly live percussion performed live by thomas tettey annang. originally from ghana, he moved to belfast some years ago. it just so happens his wife is a close friend of my sisters and that was the first introduction. thomas now runs -releasing rhythms” here in belfast teaching drum classes.
we used a wide selection of traditional african drums that all have their own name, each one has a style and a sound. the rhythms used in this record would stem back to south american rhythms but using african drums. this was a sound and rhythm that influenced early post punk records in new york and still has an influence on dance music today.”

exclusive edition imprint, very different from the general style of the tochnotechno label but still in a techno acid way and includes 4 names of the biggest producers coming from eastern europe. we are calling it -acid era- in present days so why don’t we put out something provocative. we are excited about tripmastaz debut on the label who has absolute support by josh wink, dj sneak, ricardo villalobos and many more... oleg mass real techno star of fachwerk berlin and koett, rhythm composer and genius from south of russia who makes the most underground and cool party xoxo. yulia niko is dropping last track of her album she has done in 2016 at brooklyn before moving to berlin.

die letzten jahre im musikalischen leben des david kitt waren bestimmt vom touren und aufnehmen als teil der tindersticks, dem erkunden von techno, disco und house unter seinem alias new jackson, dem remixen von künstlern wie the xx oder shit robot und dem produzieren von dj-sets, radiosendungen und anderen künstlern. sein neues solowerk seit langer zeit (yous ist der plural aus dem irischen für you) ist das ergebnis ruhiger reflexion ohne druck, wie kitt erklärt: there was no pressure whatsoever with this record. no label or manager, or anyone breathing down my neck. i was happy to wait as long as it took to have the right 10 songs. yous erklingt ganz im sinne eines j.j. cale, ronnie lane und der love is overtaking me aera eines arthur russell und wurde größtenteils von kitt selbst auf einem dachboden in seinem zuhause in dublin aufgenommen

at the tail-end of 2017, xl recordings reissued jonny ls seminal d&b album sawtooth on vinyl for the first time. a move that further cemented the records game-changer status, dj mag hailed the record as being still the future, while resident advisor said 20 years later, sawtooth still sounds like an outlier. so after showcasing this 20-year-old classic, xl recordings are today releasing a 12inch containing remixes of the most iconic track from the lp, piper. with efforts from peverelist, overmono, powell and zomby, these remixes go some way towards showing the influence jonny ls music still has on a wide range of contemporary electronic artists.

strange valleys, the 2018 full-length from starving daughters, is a progression as well as a shift in sound from the la band s already-stellar previous releases. make no doubt about it that the sound of progressive rock and psychedelia still play a big role here but there s certainly a greater influence from library music on the new lp. the starving daughters vinyl impressions blog, led by chris tillotson of the band, shared the music of chris s collection of which many were library lp s. these records seemed to have seeped into the mind, body, and souls of the whole band on this strange valleys lp. everything from the instrumentation, the attention to melody, to the track-length shows the large appreciation they have for library music. that being said, this moog-heavy, psychedelic-prog-funk, california-themed record is certainly unique and adventurous. winding through the exotic roads of strange valleys is certainly a trip well worth taking over and over again.

hobie steps up for his debut ep on seb wildbloods all my thoughts.

forceful grooves and trippy soundscapes here business as usual for junes, whose latest ep adds to a string of releases getting bagged by those looking to work the floor with tight and atmospheric rhythms. the galdoors mans flair for unexpected combos is on parade in circuit rift, where a uk-style low end is flung into the mix with rough drums and 4am melodics. there s a funkier bassline and rolling groove at work in awake, this time with rich layers of pads and blips. brass hand uses a different palette a sparkling, loopy riff and crisp drums though its still signature junes

for the second release on their black series, ravage invited electronic music veterans al matthews and patrick walker to team up under their forward strategy group moniker. the last release of these legends was quite a few years ago, but the wait was worth it. their east port rangers ep kicks-off with nine and one, a hypnotic, heavy-loaded stomper containing some uplifting, loopy vocals. following is the most minimalistic track of the ep, lisp your way, yet it still has a lot of substantial punch and lash to it. the b-side starts off with heavy broken beats, combined with a classic rave sound, taking the listener back to the blistering sound of the nineties. finally, the ep oozes down with the track in abeyance, a haunting, down-tempo track with a melody to send shivers down your spine, which could be deemed a real creeper.

blacksilk s fourth release features the emerging italian producer unconscious. four relentlessly sophisticated electro tracks infused with a taste of ebm constitute the framework of this record. unconscious stands out as a refreshing surprise, enriching the complex structure of his work with a powerful dark veneer. a remarkable remix by violet poison is an added value, both the artists hailing from a country where the vatican s influence still pervades every level of social and public life, molding a pervasive hypocritical morality.

it is melodies internationals greatest pleasure to bring forth its latest reissue comprising two stripped-back, reflective pieces of us folk soul. largely forgotten for the past forty-odd years, bobby wright (now abu talib)s blood of an american and everyone should have his day resurface as politically-infused works that shine bright and still hold meaning to this day. the 60s and 70s constituted an exceptional era for its unique blend of popular culture and political radicalism

after a track, a tape and an ep released on acid waxa, opal tapes and dream ticket, respectively, binary digit logically sees his first lp, 38000 summer hits, released on stochastic releases.
this new album comprises 6 tracks of edm: emotional dance music. they were made and recorded during the hot summers of 2016 and 2017. everything you need then is freshness and coolness and this is exactly what they are giving. they combine the overall positivity of the summer and the melancholy caused by the insistence of the heat, of the light, of the endless nights. they were played directly from the machine to a 1/4’’ tape, which explains their very natural and direct development. 303-like bass, gnarly hi-hats, heavy kicks and digital licks are still to be expected here.

violet and bleid met last year in lisbon, at the radio quântica studios. in the very same day, they impromptu started working together on a track: a cover of underground sound of lisbon’s so get up to celebrate international womens day. together, alongside a crew of young lisbon djs and activists, they also run the queer techno party mina, one of the most vital things going on in the city’s nightlife - the picture in the artwork was taken in the backstage of one of those infamous, dark-room-equipped parties.
bleid remixed naive001’s togetherness by violet, and that dope rework made it to rroxymore’s bag (as heard at berghain) and was played on bbc radio 6, rinse fm and +++. the pair became friends, started bouncing ideas about production techniques, rap skills and the importance (or lack thereof) of the classics in dance music. making more music together happened naturally.
naive002 feels like a continuation of naive’s first release in some ways: the jungle-inspired chopped breaks, sonic synth work and oneiric pads are still there but gain a heavier, perhaps more somber tone at times, exploding into depth or ecstasy at others.

following mor elian s cymatic ring ep, fam02 is coming up by rhyw, a 4 track ep following his most recent release on avian, rhyw, (also one half of cassegrain) presents a different side of himself while reinforcing his approach to techno. this ep is directed at the dance floor while still maintaining his signature sound design and raw sound combining broken beats and subtle melodies. written, produced and mixed by alex tsiridis

1996 analogue techno that will still rock dance floors today. crazy warehouse find... original sealed copies!

omerta inc will be bringing bodega bamz to vinyl for the first time ever, with a high quality pressing of this classic tape. limited edition pressing onto 180gm double transparent tan vinyl, each copy will come individually hand numbered and housed in a high quality matte sleeve with full original artwork. the pressing will feature all 15 tracks from the tapes original release, plus two bonus tracks navy and the don francisco remix featuring french montana.

a timeless collection of 19 soulful ballads that define the genre.

privately pressed to lp in 1978 under the name j. jasmine and made especially for the ann arbor film festival, with artistic collaboration from the festival’s founder and once group artist, george manupelli, my new music is the debut album by jacqueline humbert and david rosenboom. featuring a cast of mills college personalities like david behrman and sam ashley on backup vocal duties, this song cycle is at every turn boundary-pushing and gender-busting, yet still hilarious, sweet, and genuine, all delivered in a post-genre, art-song, cabaret musical style that happens to boast some serious avant-garde chops, courtesy of rosenboom. if it weren’t so spot on, you’d swear it was a guilty pleasure. as j. jasmine writes, my new music is a collection of personal stories and private desires, exposed, articulated, performed and dedicated to the hope that one person’s fantasies can contribute to another person’s freedom. get lost in j. jasmine’s world for a little long while, and be free.

dj-kicks start 2018 in fine style with another vital entry into their long running series. the latest comes from swiss dj and producer deetron, and features an exclusive solo track as well as exclusive collaborations with steve spacek, jinadu and jamie lidell. as one of the other most famous musical exports from his swiss homeland, he has pretty much done it all from fabric and balance mix cds to running his own label, from essential albums like twisted and music over matter on music man records to club focussed 12”s on will saul’s aus music and french label circus company. after 20 years in the game, he is still in demand at key clubs around the world, and is sufficiently respected as to be able to call on big names like seth troxler, cooly g and ben westbeech for collaborations.

sudd records make the leap to vinyl with the help of detroit champ gari romalis. abstraxx (linear mix) kicks off the record in a heady fog of undulating pads, the smoke positively drifting out of the speaker cones over a simple, deep-as-you-like drum pattern. dark ryda (sunset mix) gets a little more funk in its rhythm, but the same mellow mood prevails, almost reaching dub techno levels in its atmospheric chord swells. heat (bout that life mix) takes things out of the darkness and into a lighter frame of mind, but romalis is still firmly in the deep end of the deep house pool with this final cut on the record.

those wizards of digging psychemagik doing the business once again. hot on the heels of last year s monstrous gotta hold on me / wildman they re letting folks know that they were still out there searching in the darkest recesses of the last 40+ years of popular and unpopular music, and boy oh boy are they good at it! the trip lives up to it s name. the track kicks off with some ultra beefed up psychedelic shenanigans, swirling, cacophonous sounds whirl and sweep and gradually drag us into the holographic tunnel, gradually giving way to some heavyweight drums and percussions and unfurling into a muscular psych-discoid beast. this one will send the kids crazy and will undoubtedly cause some damage in the club, both sonically and mentally. but what is the original? we hear you say... answers on a postcard please. sisters of the moon on the flip-side is a very different animal - all laid back, laconic steel-guitars and thundering slo-mo drums and percussion. the dark side of a rural witchcraft dream exposed here, almost menacing... and then? those vocals spring out of the mix amidst the throbbing sexually charged atmosphere and drag us back into the realm of near reality with sultry moans and groans. this one s woozy alright, but in the best possible way. so wrong, it s right and possibly the natural soundtrack to too many of those strange shots that that guy in the weird hat gave us earlier when we entered that country pub. what guy? i hear you ask.... ultimate freak-disco and deepest druid funk for the discerning and psychedelically inclined record consumer.

ltd 2018 repress !!
the mysterious donnie tempo has been producing house music for over twenty years. his first release as donnie tempo was back in 2001 on larry heards alleviated records, demonstrating his old school acid inspired productions. donnie tempo unleashes the systems on ep due for release in september on mamsw. the ep drops two previously unreleased tracks recorded between 1989-91 and one new production tcb, that shows that the original chicago house sound still runs deep. finally, donnie has found a new home to release the uncharted authentic house jamz that hes created. stay tuned.

by popular demand future retro brings 4 of the most demanded remastered classics on 12” vinyl. now one of the real international superstars of drum & bass, netsky had one of his first releases on future retro. now remastered for 2018 this classic is sounding heavier than ever. bcee’s “glitter balls” still sounds as fresh as it did when it was originally released and this lenzman & redeyes remake is a match made in heaven. random movement & mutt round up this ep nicely with remastered versions of their tracks “ain’t going nowhere” and “the motions” which both ooze soul.

mayak’s resident anton kubikov returns with a new very moody, percussive and melodic house track on a-side. for remix duties we invite dubtil, who makes a complete rework, dark, pushy, but still very groovy.

waggons marks the third motip white release on dorfjungs. after the two previous eps »lywer bent« and »the white ep« this one feels drunken yet still more defined. motip white delivers four thrilling tracks composed of colourful and warm techno, house and electronic hybrids. his ep contains bass driven dance songs as well as cautious and charming anthems. while every song has got its special elements with the typical motip white sound, they all work equally well on the dance floor and at home. the smooth and calm fourth track ends the vinyl but is actually caught up by the euphoric digital bonus »simia«, which brings the ep to a surprising though satisfying (digital) end.

milan, italy, 1983. in the midst of the 80s economic boom, which gave an injection of optimism after the heavily political 70s, a group of young local musicians meet every night in a basement to rehearse and record a peculiar breed of italian disco music. originated from the ashes of various other projects, and rooted in the broader jazz-funk tradition, the group creates music which is equally inspired by contemporary fusion as well as by the first wave of the italo-disco sound. over approximately 3 years the band has recorded and played live, until the dismantling of the project towards the mid 80 s. fast forward 35 years and the genuinely mediterranean flavor of qvark s demo recordings are still enjoyable, both for the actual resurgence of the italian disco tradition and for the groovy quirkiness of a project which has been too long forgotten. after an intense work of audio restoration of such tapes, heavily affected by time, early sounds is pleased to present a compilation which is an important find to define the sound of late 70 s and early 80 s italian club sound.-

andrew scott, aka nyak, scott has remained a consistent representative of the music scene and we re delighted to have him on board for the first release of 2018 on local talk, bound ep. we re treated to four tracks, the opening track bound is a cut up, soulful disco house slammer. next up we got dancing, a perfect example of andrew s skill when it coms to slowing down the tempo but still letting the track have enough character to keep you dancing. on the flip we got see more which takes you straight to a dark and gritty club with it s stuttering chords, tight drums and pulsing bass. last but not least we got sandwiches which features long time collaborator ian blevins. a stunning low deep groove for any theo parrish or marcellus pittman fans out there.

flawless, direct , pure techno

sis, the alias of burak sar, returns once again to crosstown rebels. following on from releases such 2012s round pen, 2015s sombra india and last years the blindside, the german-born producer heavily influenced by his turkish roots- presents us with this tribal triple-threat. sis explains that it was sending his first ever demo tape to crosstown rebels in 2004 that initiated his relationship with the label and tells us to expect some rolling dance floor breakers. karmir nur gets the ep underway. sensual strings abound with a heady, tribal chant that lulls you into a state of hypnosis. tima rolls along, building slowly as the layers pull you in deeper still towards those familiar strings. dandini brings back the tribal chanting. the vocals are backed by mesmeric drums, perfect for an intoxicating, dance floor procession. burak sar has released a number of records on renowned imprints such as get physical music, mobilee and cocoon recordings as well as running his own successful label, cocolino records.

beware, discomatin is back. in 2018, the parisian crew of diggers and dj’s originally known for their edits goes official with fully licensed and remastered reissues. for this new adventure, they chose an incredible in-demand french boogie ep from diva, an eighties funk band from bordeaux. diva only released one ep with la nuit, a sentimental, almost poetic boogie banger with great synth, guitar and vocal parts. the track could honestly have been a radio hit in the eighties with some real promotion. today, it’s still time to make it right and it is already an anthem in the french underground disco scene. originally on the b side of the 1985 original release on cactus, la nuit is here available with its two different versions (12inch and 7inch mix) and comes also with prise au piege, a more synth-pop influenced funk track which gave its name to the original release. the band was formed by gabrielle andriampanana, alex louisor and olivier renoir. before diva, these last two already played together in the local new-wave band bolton which was one of the first of the area to use synthetisers. even if they had a small recognition at the time, the original release stood quite underground. thanks to discomatin, its now available to the real connoisseurs and still with the fantastic illustrations of french artist camille de cussac on the back cover.

when daniel kyo was producing galaxy in his studio he stood up and felt it. following several months of what he calls a -musical reset-, he knew he d hit something special. after releasing music for a decade, core might be the boldest step in his career. a new identity in which all his influences finally come together into an absolutely fresh perspective. melodies are still the main driving force of the five cuts in galaxy , but the approach is more raw and heartfelt, injecting the kind of vivacity that determines if a track it s simply a product of it s time or if it becomes timeless. borrowing elements from the cosmic side of techno, the darkest corners of trance and the glacial atmospheres of synthwave, all of the tracks in this ep ooze the kind of immediacy and transcendence you can only find in the best 90 s dance music. driven by is interest in astronomy, daniel says he tried to achieve an -outer space feeling-, we can only add that embracing the void was never so gratifying. the 12- comes housed in a sleeve designed by barcelona-based artist alicia carrera.

the identity of belgian mystery man beton is a complete mystery to us. what we do know is that twin turbo owner/assistant webmaster tiga has called this record the best release of the past five years. even when you consider that tiga believes he experiences time differently from the rest of us, that still means the soundtrack of your life for the past half-decade has been straight-up garbage in comparison. since most djs wont even listen to a record if they dont like the track descriptions, we realize a lot is riding on the next paragraph. acid-electro bomb directions is a collaboration with wevie stonder, who call themselves an absurdist electronic music collective, which youd have to agree sounds like a lot of fun. meanwhile, keep breathin completely redefines the term pump-bumpin pumper, and features vocals from dance mania ghetto house legend dj deeon. twin turbo keeps puttin hot mp3s in your pocket, offering maximum value for your hard-won digital nickels. as far as we know, youve earned it.

len faki isnt showing any signs of slowing things down over on his special edits-platform, already lining up the second round of 2018 and thus bringing the catalogue total up to lfrmx006. alex danilovs inside comes in two new versions here, both of which build upon the russian producers trademark filter action, making for a groove that funks as strongly as it remains subtle. first off the charming deepspace mix patiently unfolds into crisp breaks and lush strings, followed by a remarkably atmospheric hardspace mix, which soon steps it up a notch and gets smacking in order to get that floor chugging away to its choo-choo-chimes. meanwhile on the other side, developers steaming lost moments is treated to an array of additional elements, the outcome sounding razor-sharp and agile as ever, yet still channeling a considerable amount of propulsive force. as with all releases of lf rmx, the proceeds of this record will be donated to the berlin charity project straßenkinder e.v. to be used in actions against child poverty.

direct from havana, cuba daptone records is proud to present the debut single by orquesta akokan. featuring some of havanas most formidable musicians playing with a groove, a tumbao, that hasn t been heard for decades, orquesta akokán is a classic mambo-inspired force of nature. mambo rapidito, a lively up-tempo one-chord vamp in the vein of prado or more, boasts an undeniable energy ripe for a freshly polished dancefloor! on the flip, un tabaco para elegua, describes a tambor (an afro-cuban religious ceremony) over a slow, bubbling groove a perfect compliment to sipping distilled sugar cane. the two massive sides offered up were recorded at the pre-revolutionary 1940s era areito studios in centro havana where the spirit of aragón, tata güines and elena burke still reverberate through the walls.

formerly of france, now based in brazil, d3 elements returns with their second instalment of the beatz series, this time with jazz artist, bruno e, also hailing from brazil. bruno, who has been producing and performing since the late 90s, has worked with and remixed the likes of silhouette brown and gilles peterson, as well as releasing albums in his own right. this limited colour 10inch release features three versions of the track ventos do outono, (loosely translated to autumn winds). first up is drummer, composer and producer, pat van dyke, taking a break from composing the soundtrack to jerry seinfeld s comedians in cars getting coffee, with a breezy, laid back version of the original. featuring lush horns and flutes, along with vintage keyboards, the track urges us to get down, while straddling the boundaries of jazz and golden era hip-hop. still on the a side, it s bruno s turn, delivering a wonderful broken beat track. full of beautiful keys, strings and intricate rhythms, this track is reminiscent of the sound championed by kaidi tatham and nu era. flip over to the b side, and techno legend, kirk de giorgio takes us on a deep, futuristic ride. the track starts off with banging drums and a pulsating bass line, priming us for the cosmic pads and keys to come as the uk producer takes us on a journey to outer space and back. another quality release from bryan hervieus label, with three diverse versions of the same track, sure to appeal to a wide variety of tastes

the shadows is the new album from leeds-based six-piece tomorrow we sail. building on their debut release for those who caught the sun in flight (gizeh, 2014) over the course of three years, this new work combines perfectly the soaring atmospherics, gorgeously intertwined vocal harmonies and dramatic shifts in tone and dynamics that have come to characterise tomorrow we sail’s sound. yet, there is a new sense of urgency here. very much an album of its time, the shadows draws upon the same sense of connection to both past and present that defined its precursor but features storytelling that’s even more defiant and deeply personal.

like its predecessor, the record features seven songs but from the chiming guitars of opening track side by side it is clear that the stately pace of for those who caught the sun in flight has made way for a far more dynamic and driving energy, perhaps best captured in the righteous anger of the ghost of john maynard keynes. tomorrow we sail still invoke a keen sense of measured grace in their songwriting - from the sweeping, elegiac title track, through to the sparse, restrained, yet haunting beauty of winifred and to sleep. urgent, yet assured, the shadows demands your attention.

erst unplugged zeigt sich, was eine band wirklich auf dem kasten hat und ob ihre songs auch vor intimer kulisse bestehen können – dort wo jeder ton, jede melodie und auch jedes wort genau gehört wird.

2018 will see the ever-influential acid jazz records celebrate thirty years at the forefront of the uk soul jazz scene. with co- founder eddie piller still at the helm the label continues to stride forwards both with new artists whilst also uncovering old classics. following the recent and definitive career spanning compilation anthology: 1972 -1984, acid jazz are pleased to announce details of two further leroy hutson albums, the reputation enhancing hutson and hutson ii will be available for the first time in over twenty years on vinyl.

2018 will see the ever-influential acid jazz records celebrate thirty years at the forefront of the uk soul jazz scene. with co- founder eddie piller still at the helm the label continues to stride forwards both with new artists whilst also uncovering old classics. following the recent and definitive career spanning compilation anthology: 1972 -1984, acid jazz are pleased to announce details of two further leroy hutson albums, the reputation enhancing hutson and hutson ii will be available for the first time in over twenty years on vinyl.

autodidact ventures into the area of jungle/dnb music with the first part in a series of two by selva massiva, a project by roger gerressen and alex jansen. on the b-side chris geschwindner takes both tracks and makes sure the ep is still suitable for dance floors with two excellent remixes.

the empire line present six cyclonic episodes for confined spaces on their debut album, rave. comprised of posh isolation s christian stadgaard (damien dubrovnik, vanity productions), jonas ronnberg (varg), and with isak hansen (iron sight) on tantrums, the trio s marauding live shows have been translated into a slippery set of pummelling techno works, watermarked with florid noise. rave is a celebration of contemporary rave culture, focused on the everlasting and transcendent as the night slips out past the day. with living-for-the-weekend hedonism irretrievably converted into a manicured, violent cliche, building new worlds and forging new modes of intimacy takes an exceptional sincerity. naming some of the crews closest to the empire line in the album s titles, their spaces are examples of just how rave culture persists as a transgressive stronghold in people s lives. ranging from k-hole anthems to jacking, close-range sessions, rave still bears the traces of the group s experimental background, ensuring the tension is kept up through the catharsis.

an essential 2 x 12- overview of some of the legendary frankie knuckles trax classics.
what else needs to be said? one of the godfathers of our scene, a true classic himself, frankie behind the wheels or behind the boards was simply top shelf all the way down the line. a real original whose influence and touch can still be felt today. his releases on trax at the time were the hottest things ever and they still resonate on the dancefloor today with equal measure. featured here are some of the best tracks fusing frankie s love of disco, euro-pop, italo and more produced in his initial mid to late 80 s golden period. cuts like baby wants to ride , bad boy and more, featuring the unmistakable vocal talents of the equally legendary jamie principle. it s all here. the perfect starting point for those who have recently discovered the man and his body of work, or equally as stimulating for those who wish to have some classics in their collection. each track is a classic, each one stands up today and effortlessly rocks the club. remastered in conjunction with trax, repressed from the finest audio sources available. often imitated, never replicated!

late eighties, early nineties. a back-alley studio in antwerp where new beat and detroit techno lingered. trance was still in the house. electronic body and mind music, fuelled by common sense and primitive artificial intelligence. there was a buzz about wonka. elektrons revolving around atom. humanity firmly on the mappa mundi. labels and sub labels, one-off projects and alter egos, unsung heroes and soon-to-be stars. laurent garnier pushing ludovic navarre to pass on his tapes. all-night light from koenie’s basement. sven van hees entangled in liaisons dangereuses. jan van den bergh before lounge. jan vanneste spreading the news. jan berquin and nicolas rosquin going quadratic. usa import was ready to export its own music. antwerp bio techno. homegrown and uncut. these tracks are evergreens from that place and time.

groovy minimal house tools split with boniface and clébert. vinyl only.

driven by a vicious and visceral soul, the buttshakers are known for their fierce and fiery music. yet after nearly a decade of touring and recording, it was with a different musical vision that they approached sweet rewards, their first collaboration with underdog records. accustomed to the raw, primitive sounds of 60s garage rock and the crude sexuality of premotown soul music, a sound they could have continued to dig into again and again. instead, they decided to take another route: a creative shift, a return to a style of soul music that no longer has to rely on pure energy alone. exceeding the limitations imposed by their tight yet powerful six person lineup, they opened up this studio session to fully accommodate their ideas and concretize their musical ambitions: a larger horn section creates a richer, scintillating sonority, a touch of slide-guitar opens their creative universe to the open spaces of the far west, the organ vacillates between psychedelic drapery and heartfelt gospel tones, all of this supported by the wicked groove of a percussionist driving the beat on. their sultry and soulful frontwoman, ciara thompson, is here for the first time supported by backing vocalist. an occasion for her to indulge in a few call and- response chorales, a reverence to a gospel background instilled in her from her native st louis (missouri), a still vibrant heritage from the city that cradled jazz, blues, country and folk music. ideal for a sound that never lets down yet remains intuitive to the gradual rise of emotion each song demands. with each new listening, sweet rewards reveals something new to the listener: another dimension, a hidden layer.

reissue der i always say yes ep von glass candy (aka johnny jewel & ida no), die 2006 auf troubleman unlimited erschien und ein definitives statement in richtung italo-disco und synth-pop war (und ist). limitierte neuauflage auf rosafarbenem vinyl.

raw, soulful and agitating: glenn astro, the humble house sorcerer from berlin, produced four tunes and a sweet interlude for mule musiq that point out: house music is still heading for the future.

lillygood party! is returning with the 3rd instalment of their officially licenced re-edits.
both tracks here are classics dancefloors tunes , nothing rare, just favourite tunes that alex and stéphane played for many years.
on the a side the two tons version is much longer than the original, and remastered for a full effect on the dancefloor. we love this tune so much, we played it a lot already and its still rocking so we thought we share it with you on a fat 12inch for more disco soul gospel pleasure.
the b side is an amazing track from seawind that everybody who is into jazz funk or latin jazz with vocals will dig it. this version is different than the original, we kept only the more dancefloor friendly parts and we extended the beginning and end of the track with only drum rhythmic reprogrammed for mixing easily in your sets with other tunes. please enjoy as much as we do because we love those edits, we love those tunes, we love music we are very happy with this release because its really really good!

mondo groove celebrates italo-disco in fine style delighting us with the most important tunes from the legendary phantom records a ride deep into the world of the label that has not only produced renowned music, but has been acknowledged as a serious influence on modern disco sounds. emerging in the late 70s to early 80s, italo bridged the gap between disco and house, and was a staple of seminal chicago djs like frankie knuckles (who pioneered many of the drum machines and synths that are still in use today). i-robots, a true connoisseur of the genre, hailing from the piedmont area of italy, curated and carefully selected the tracks on this compilation. this eleven track collection features originals and rarities, officially repressed here for the first time, and 2 tracks re-edited by i-robots. the lp comes with the original phantom records logo on the front, scans of original 7-inch and lps covers, as well as photos of the era on the back.

the torben unit band from berlin returns more experimental than ever whilst still being rooted between jazz and rock. after the self-titled first lp on money $ex records, the second album -sawaasch garahsch- will be out in winter 2017. no label – self-released. the new album consists of many episodes telling a story that couldn t be purer nor rawer. jazz-rock is the genus when modal madness meets electronic soul and psychedelic spheres. the spectrum of instruments being used is huge: from bouzouki to pearl s syncussion, there is no limit of instrumentation whilst the core of e-piano, guitar, bass and drums mostly remains. torben unit s concerts as well as the records are a guaranteed jazz-rock party with never ending feeling.

karl neumann: keys & vocals georg seibt: drums ludwig labuzinski: synths & effects valentin handrick: keys & percussion gerry franke: guitar & bouzouki max graef: bass & rhythmguitar