black acre favourites return with a new ep featuring a special remix from the one and only daniele baldelli! the original pioneer of the cosmic scene delivers a tripping dance floor remix alongside the a live 12 min version on this special limited twelve inch. taken from the second clap! clap! album, ode to the pleiades is delivered here in a way you’ve never heard before. think khidja or that amazing insanlar record on honest jon’s from a while back. rolling, tribal percussion, turkish saz, thumping modern kick drums and loads of whistle blowing. simply screams party time to us.

magnetik north is live drum electronics. drum performances are fed through processors, samplers and sequencers to produce layers of rhythmic patterns that interact with each other. other instruments are melted into different textures so that only the harmonic content remains. this is a new project from ian tregoning, engineer and producer for artists as diverse as yello and fela kuti. now working with jaki liebezeit, the legendary drummer from can, to add his endless evolving rhythms. jaki s in a world of his own as he balances technical brilliance with subtle restraint. recording started in the summer 2006 in an old jazz studio in the south of ko&#776,,,,ln. jaki arrived with a minimal drum kit including customised cymbals, a snare and a huge gretsch floor-tom from the can days. all of jaki s performances are complete takes with no drop-ins, loops or edits. the backing tracks for evolver were recorded without using key changes. each song features one key which is held continuously while other instruments and effects are blended with the key. drums (also tuned to the same key) were added last which is another unusual technique. as jaki says they re often overlooked as tuned instruments in their own right . the finished results are a minimal blend of industrial and classical. like listening to a raga in an earthquake.

chevel gives the prism-pushers at mumdance & logos’ different circles their first album release with always yours, a slanted new take on the ‘weightless’ paradigm, floating somewhere between headspaces associated with the styles of lee gamble, actress and logos. paradoxically the longest and yet most minimalistic release on different circles to date, always yours says its piece in succinct yet expansive terms, rendering precisely tooled rhythms and technoid motifs in acres of suspenseful emulated space in a way that connects the brutally efficient dynamic of late ‘90s tech-step with a raster noton-like appreciation of pointillist reduction.in that imagined space chevel moves like a soviet gymnast or prototype robot fluidly executing a demanding routine full of intricate, rigid steps. from the ambient airlock of one evening in july he pulls off the aerobic mid-air rolige of the call, which comes off like a syncopated sleeparchive workout, before twysting into the knotted quasi-step of bulletand stepping into hyperspace on arp 2600. another ambient interlude warming bath returns the lp to balmier states, before the jagged pulse of data recovery pulls back into the dance like a virulent alva noto piece, and dem drums pitch to the rave’s darker side, but ultimately the lushly self-explanatory underwater and always yours keep the lp hovering around the edge of ecstasy and the abyss with a grasp of heady, day-after feelings known to ravers the world over.•the first artist release on logos and mumdance’s different circles•floating in ‘weightless’ space between lee gamble, logos, actress and alva noto•vinyl master + cut by matt colton at alchemy.•cover photo by yusuke yamatani. design + layout by our place

following from deetrons accomplished entry in to the dj-kicks mix series, !k7 are now serving up one of the original singles from it. produced by the swiss artist and featuring soul futurist steve spacek, it comes with the original and three vital versions. entitled chose me, the single is six tender minutes of musical electronic soul. warm and supple bass, twinkling keys and smeared chords form the atmosphere as spacek delivers a dreamy and heartfelt vocal up top. its a track to get the spine tingling, while the instrumental allows the celestial keys to ring out into a night sky as the main focal point. on the jupiter version, the drums are more loose and broken up, lending a spaced out vibe that will be perfect on outdoor terraces as the weather warms up. jumbled percussion tumbles next to the chords as the vocal soars. a jupiter instrumental closes out this cosmic and cultured house ep

124 recordings know how to put together a deep house compilation, and they re sounding fierce on this latest, appropriately titled levels up. the jams come heavy and funky from a range of on-point operators, leading in with tom jay s quintessential new jersey bump n grind on hanging on. david moran is a little more shadowy but no less groovesome, while nicola brusegan takes things on a sweet and smooth tip. across the whole double pack there are classically informed jams to satisfy the most weary deep house heads, but keep an ear out for the old-school flavoured heft of freak ds power of bass, which should get some seriously jacking airtime in the right kind of dance.

kalbata has turned his hand to many styles over the years, not least the excellent soundsystem explorations of congo beat the drum, but on this second release for his label brush & broom, he s decided to fling himself into the fiery pit of acid while paying tribute to 90s motocross bikes. honda is dripping with 303, punctuated by a twitchy set of drums, while yamaha takes a diversion into moodier territory, letting hazy chords set the tone for an energised but defiantly heads down acid workout. suzuki is a bit spicier, capturing the essence of up-for-it early trax records but edging it into more hypnotic, looped up territory. toyota finishes the ep off with an atonal bleep out with an electro undercarriage

a year on from luigi tozzi and label head dino sabatinis collaborative manticora ep, outis return with a striking, singular solo work from tozzi. ecate ep sees the roman producer bringing three distinct slices of techno, each with its own set of subtleties and the crystal, adept sound design that defines tozzi’s work. spanning the a-side is ecate. this title track is rolling and hypnotic, with muscular, percussive bass. throughout the track, angelic chords come and go, washing the listener in euphoria. alongside, we hear a disorienting melody, grounded by the lightly swung four to the floor kick that gives this track an infectious groove. the flip opens with leto, which immediately defines itself as a club track with an unbroken but evolving set of percussion and a weighty kick. its around this kick that other elements build. we hear long, ringing, resonant string sounds, and a bell like melody morph and unfold as other percussive components come and go. the track falls away into atmospheric eeriness, which perfectly sets the stage for the eps finale. esperedes swung, panning drums give it a disorienting feeling of otherworldliness from the get go. this is before youre greeted by an alien, slightly dubbed out melody and a hanting backing drone that feels like a reference (perhaps in opposition) to the angelic chords of the eps first track. its on this closing track that tozzis delicate, expert sound design best shines through, and really has to be heard to be understood.

junction - a six track ep produced entirely by samrai & platt - features vocalists from jamaica, ireland & the uk and rounds off an excellent 12 months for the label & crew whove toured across north america, mexico and europe in 2017. the set kicks off with st favourite alexx a-game (originally voiced at his studio in kingston in 2016) urging listeners to free up their mind and souls and let the good times take control. it sets the tone for upcoming jamaican talent blvk h3ro to step up on the soulful party number cant wait (recorded at equiknoxx’s studios in vineyard town in 2016), which has been a staple in swing ting sets over the last 18 months. slowing the pace is addiction, a link up with irish artist and frequent murlo collaborator gemma dunleavy who lays down an impressive vocal over the skittering drums, muted guitar and glistening keys. the listen is interrupted momentarily for an interlude from gavsborg whose moving voicemail is accompanied by a poignant piano line from jp aka without understanding. one for the clubs turn it up features equiknoxxs shanique marie riding a stripped funky-esque riddim with ease. fittingly the set closes with contagious which finds two of manchester’s finest vocalists fox & tyler daley searching for an escape from the reality of our turbulent times over a refined yet sparkling production. the 12inch vinyl will be limited to 200 copies

bawrut has had an amazing couple of years. since kicking our label off back in 2015 with the modern acid classic ciquita (12inches of which will now set you back silly money on discogs), the madrid-based producer has gone from strength to strength. last year saw him tear down sets at sonar and farr festivals, drop a feted new ep on hard fist records, and have his music soundtrack numerous adverts for fabric events. other djs have been quick to show their appreciation, and bawrut’s unique appeal can be seen in how far and wide across the spectrum his music has featured. optimo, avalon emerson, patrick topping, jackmaster, artwork, andrew weatherall and many more have all supported heavily. were proud to kickstart bawrut’s 2018 with 4x4, a brand new ep of typically leftfield bangers. these four tracks come on like a whirlwind journey through a bawrut dj set, with something for every time of the night. ghettoscar fuses african chants with burbling acid, building the kind of goodtime dancefloor warmth bawrut is famed for. more cowbell does exactly what you’d expect, giving djs a glorious, cowbell-powered disco bomb that fuses the spirit of incredible bongo band with classic nyc house. i hear voices is a crazy ride, with an expertly cut up vocal sample repurposed into a weird, descending riff that’s quite unlike anything else out there. throw in bawrut’s trademark kitbag of carnival whistles, rattling latin percussion and a creeping acid line that works itself up into a soul-salving joy and youve got a modern classic on your hands. finally, lead track three sounds is probably bawruts biggest moment to date, a peak time jacking techno monster built from the most minimal of elements - drums, claps, a one note bass squelch and a tom drum gone wild. bawrut takes this tom sound and treats it like a 303, pushing far off the rails, working it up and up, twisting it through pitch and frequency like a man possessed, raising its pressure til it tears off the roof. theres no one else making techno quite like it - and you can expect dancefloors to be going crazy to the mania of three sounds throughout 2018 so there you have it - four more missives from the wizard of madrid. play em loud.

sanskrit scriptures mention the term vimana as flying vehicles or temples. consequently, the sound of this ancient ufo has been captured into the grooves of this vinyl record. the soundscapes of rukma vimana dig deep into the dirty history of raw and hypnotic industrial techno. nobody said that spiritual journeys are a clean endeavour. a1 marches forward into the dark lands of dirty drums and urges you to follow it, as it’s your duty to dance hard in this life. flip the vinyl and the needle will tickle your subconsciousness. excavating deep tantalizing melodies and dusty basslines, one should not get lost in the palace of this unknown god. closing with a meditative sketch, b2 leaves us puzzled about the vortex of energy we’ve just been through.

after the sublime triple 12inch re-issue of the sonar bases 4-10 album on deeptrax records, it s now time for the second installment in the sonar base transmissions series: the album dark matter . all 6 tracks were produced by frank de groodt around 2004/2005 and were only released in the inner circle, never released on vinyl. this mini lp still sounds as fresh as it was produced 13 years ago, experimental on the drums and synths. when listening to sonic discharge and velvet sky of sonar 6 , the link with drexciya is easily made. sonar base takes you further into outer space territory with the dark sounds of polygone suffering and the title track dark matter there is the clear idm feel of tracks like meet you at tower 3 on sonar 7 . dark matter is a hypothetical type of matter distinct from baryonic matter (ordinary matter such as protons and neutrons), neutrinos and dark energy. dark matter has never been directly observed, however, its existence would explain a number of otherwise puzzling astronomical observations the mini lp is limited to 400 black versions and 100 on limited edition purple marbled vinyl, pressed by deepgrooves and fully remastered by thee j johanz. you know the drill!!

meditative and off-kilter, dubkasm’s new 12” is, unsurprisingly, completely unlike any other tune out there, and pays tribute to a too-frequently overlooked part of reggae tradition: dub poetry. originating in a collaboration between dubkasm and their long-time friend, norway-dwelling heavyweight bass guitarist, bajan steppa, enter the gates is a discomix built on a tuff bassline, skittering drums and retro synths, and features reflective, courageous lyrics about the enduring power of black liberation movements and consciousness, from gloucester vocalist rider shafique. the b-side contains an upfront instrumental cut, followed, in true dubkasm style, by a collaboration with a musical titan. mad professor’s incredible dub flips the original into a propulsive soundsystem killer, retaining the tune’s heart and spirit, but driving and percussive where the original is deep and soulful. mastered on to 1/2” tape at stardelta studios, and pressed on 180g vinyl.

virage records is back with another house oriented 4 tracker, welcoming artists new to the family : german duo das carma and french house producer nephase. a side is warm and deep with an outstanding piano sample (a1) and bubbly basslines (a2), while b side is energic and groovy with punchy drums (b1) and jacking rhythms (b2).

the four tracks and the interlude represent the personality of louis dauvergne: original, a bit messy, but always with the idea to find the new era of jazz-fusion. the drums and the funky spirit tracks, create a solid ep. this record is a tribute to gta vice city.<br< this record is a wonderfull piece of modern jazz-infused house music.

milan is a parisian based producer, providing sweet house, dance and hip hop music, flirting with some jazzy and soul influences.to date, he released on labels like banoffee pies, beat x changers, quartet series and skylax records.setting obvious foundations into house, techno, disco, funk, hip-hop and soul, tell’s music incorporates many elements from his musical past. his journey began playing drums and piano in bands as a teenager, which manifests itself in the raw, live sound he strives for in his productions.

richy ahmed has been steadily building his four thirty two label over the last 12 months, introducing talented artists such as jansons and senzala to the fold. the imprint is fast becoming a go to label for those who like their house music uncomplicated and hype free, ensuring the chicago and detroit house sound burns bright with new music indebted to the roots of the music. after recent releases on seth troxler’s play it say it label, and remixes for london grammar, richy brings the goods back to home on this latest four thirty two release. on cant stop us, chunky stabs incessantly jab at meaty drums, as a female vocal loop rides on an opening filter. the good vibes build to a classic house piano crescendo that marshall jefferson would certainly approve of, as the soaring strings and evolving drums raise the rapturous mood to dizzying heights. on the flip, the percussive disco drums of dials mavis are bolstered by a booming sub bassline whilst deft keys and deep rhodes chords deliver the infectious melody on this bumping jazz ride.

louie vega joins forces with the martinez brothers and revered salsa singer hector lavoe this february for shut the door. the martinez brothers have rapidly become two of the most in demand djs and producer across the globe and here we see them make a welcome return to their cuttin headz imprint for one of their most accomplished projects to date. collaborating with the infamous house aficionado and one half of masters at work, louie vega whilst the vocal additions come courtesy of puerto ricos hector lavoe, one of the most revered salsa singers in the history of the genre. the tmblv main mix of shut the door opens, offering a refined house feel fuelled by smooth chord swells and organic percussion as hector lavoe’s vocal contributions ebb and flow through the rolling groove. a tmblv main instrumental follows, stripping away the vocal contributions to the heady groove alone. the martinez brothers up-tempo energy fuelled production then shines through on the tmblv beats mix offering their dynamic and intricate drum arrangement style whilst the processing the latin vocals from hector lavoe showcases louie vegas finessed additions to the composition. lastly a tmblv beats instrumental closes, again tipping the focus solely over to the swinging drums and snaking subs

originally released on anthony shakirs frictional recordings in 97, fbks knobs & switches is set to drop on rekids newly launched re-issue label r-time records. since his debut fbk has had a prolific career spanning a number of decades, releasing on rekids, barba records, and the now defunct diametric. this release follows on from the sir lord comixx re-issue, giving classic tracks the acknowledgement they didnt initially get first time round. the release starts with the robust kicks and stuttering hats of rollin on 6/4 as murky notes make their way into the mix, making way for the sci-fi inspired synths and infectious claps of reservations & misgivings. packed with fast paced drums, feedback employs a sultry bassline and euphoric harmonies until skipping percussion and echoing effects conclude the package in the tet offensive.

damian lazarus magical live project the ancient moons returns today with their new single five moons. the band led by lazarus, is comprised of ben chetwood on drums, rob gentry on keyboards, and new vocalist j appiah. on five moons they are also joined by the australian punk sensation chela for a dubbed out, soulful excursion into the darker recesses of the dancefloor. the ancient moons first debuted in 2014 with lovers eyes, and followed that with the acclaimed album message from the other side, dubbed a a journey into technos dreamiest recesses by the fader and a psychedelic masterpiece by vice. since then the ancient moons have travelled the world with their highly immersive live show, supported roisin murphy on tour and played at glastonbury festival and melt! amongst others. last year the band resurfaced, after locking themselves away to record in the italian countryside, with i found you, which nabbed a bbc essential new tune and stunning remixes from black coffee and patrice baumel. today five moons offers another glimpse into this summers forthcoming album.

following hammer s stand out release on loft records last year, canna gets the remix treatment by four killer producers. first up, lauer adds his trademark flavour to the already outstanding title track canna , bending the mind with an acidic top line and classic korg m1 bells.the a2 sees supreems take the techno edge off man ray replacing the drums with a more electro tinged style of rhythm, whilst echoing the synths into the back of the mix to let the drums take the foreground. flip it over and you get two reworkings of manaka . firstly, domenic cappello switches the breaksy flow of the original for a more club ready kick to compliment those stabs, in turn elevating the breakdown to greater effect. in contrast, lord of the isles dives deeper into the breaks feel of hammer s original, adding glitchy samples and oddball synth lines to take this one an even more interplanetary tip.

strictly confidential: we write to you with alarming news about the extra-terrestrial specimen discovered in the forbidden forest in july 2017. this lifeform, code-name darling, escaped from the top-secret safe trip organisation holding facility late last night. all that was left inside the subject’s enclosure was a pressed polyvinyl disc containing two pieces of electronic music. the first, which we have titled when she hates me, sounds like a call to a distant mate or partner, composed at sunrise and shot through with blissful positivity. the other, now known as isle of red, combines surging drums with poignant and melancholic sounds that are clearly unearthly in origin.

the ‘matière obscure ep’ is the first in a two-part series, whereby each composition was made using only recordings from one specific material (metal, glass and wood). the process involved taking everyday objects and making them resonate in every way possible, such as striking them with mallets or using a violin bow, and building up a sample library. ‘weld (metal_01)’ kicks off the release with its syncopated percussion and gritty groove before moving into the cavernous ‘molten (glass_01)’ that’s composed of rolling drums and sinister atmospherics. ‘carve (wood_01)’ is a lot bouncier by comparison, with its fidgeting bassline and murky tones until the menacing ‘cast (glass_02)’ concludes the package with machine inspired effects and a cacophony of stabs.

roza terenzi is the latest convert to the kalahari oyster cult, the australian producer debuts with four tracks showcasing her unique sound. influences come from far and wide, shifting between electro, house, techno and even early rave anthems. the space bleeps of -gigi- are soon interrupted by shouldering kick drums. samples stagger and stumble before key stabs cut through beats in this hazy piece of early morning elation. -mwah- maintains those euphoric moods. snapping snares slice through shimmering synthwork and soaring strings to keep the night grooving. darker tones enter with -rare high-, but these shades are soon brightened by arcing notes. acid lines squeak and squirm in this balancing act of disparate colours and chords. distant lands and exotic encounters are conjured for -soft-, perfumed percussion and meandering melodies mingle and merge for head swimming close of aromatic audio.

decks tipp!!
ichisan s 2017 aperitiv was so good that we ve decided to return for a second helping from his sumptuous album. four choice cuts have been selected and reworked with a specific instrument focus. the harpsicord version of -hotel- keeps the intoxicating melody of the original but allows beats to relax as notes shine with an incandescent brilliance. drums put their feet up for the rhodes version of -modri tunel.- deep stings and lounging lines mingle in this work of smoke swirling seduction. -kozmetika (trumpet version)- dances to a different tune. rich bass is again central but this time brash and bold brass intertwine with funk filled bars. the last waltz arrives with the piano version of -terminal e.- alluring notes ascend, rising and falling against heartwrenching guitar strings for a finale to end this ballroom inspired beauty.

das dritte album der in berlin ansässigen postrock-band cavern of anti-matter der beiden stereolab-mitglieder tim gane (frontmann) und joe dilworth (drums) und des synth-spezialisten holger zapf erscheint ebenfalls auf dem eigenen duophonic-label. auf hormone lemonade erzeugt das trio aus modularen synthesizern und selbstgebauten drum-machines hypnotische soundstrukturen, die, angereichert mit minimalen gitarrenmelodien und live-schlagzeug, ein reichhaltiges gesamtwerk aus experiment, improvisation und raffinesse ergeben. das doppel-vinyl erscheint inklusive downloadcode.

amsterdam based label anagram readies label co-founder sinfol s first solo release in three years entitled pull back . the release, which features four passionate tracks, sees the light of day in the beginning of april. since the launch of anagram three years ago the label has put out a steady flow of releases from artists such as anetha, octual, stefan vincent, elad magdasi and haze. however, the imprint has also acted as the main platform for sinfol s own productions. blurring the line between various subgenres, the dutch artist is an eclectic one and meanders between acid, house, techno and more. the chords and arpeggios set the mood in life off measure where robotic elements rise to meet them, carving the way for result with its oscillating tones, clap fueled percussion and three-o-three licks. pull back is packed with a thunderous energy that s intertwined with sinfol s soulful vocals and ethereal synths, before swaying into deep house territory with exhale . the track s rolling bass, broken drums and twinkling melodies round off the latest instalment on the rising amsterdam label off in a graceful manner.

taking advantage of his first japan tour, ortella is back with a strong ep rich in styles. believe is mixing memories and fantasies, each track gives a deeper journey with a panel of emotions and feelings, keeping the french man own solid base with dance-floor oriented drums and enhancing them with some cosmic trippy loops, a very special romantic mood and a drop of acid : the perfect formula for evasion. dancing is great, tripping is better!

a zonked-out, spectacularly fun, and dynamic ep from the australian producer whose previous efforts have appeared on lobster theremin s distant hawaii and seb wildbloods all my thoughts. lively, punchy drums throughout, splashes of tropicalia here and there, smatterings of dubby strangeness sprinkled across, and wash upon wash of pads everywhere. a jolly good time to be played in big and small rooms alike.

german producer markus suckut returns with a mesmerising techno release entitled ‘new life ep’, a precursor to his forthcoming album on rekids. first appearing on rekids in 2015, markus suckut has since become a vital member of the rekids family when not running his own labels sckt and pattern research. pounding drums and atmospheric effects initiate ‘new life’ before a groove laden bassline and scintillating synths ebbs into the mix. ‘mistakes are for everyone’ then generates an oscillating aesthetic whilst syncopated kicks join echoing nuances, leading into the rattling sounds of ‘shimmer’ with its ghostly chords and tantalising melodies. with suckut having released two albums already the du&#776,sseldorf artist is no stranger to the long player format making his forthcoming album on rekids all the more exciting.

in a much anticipated return, one of the scene’s most esteemed producers davide squillace is back with a ten track album. to be released on crosstown rebels. once upon a time in napoli provides an eclectic range of both hard-hitting and introspective productions. this release paves the way for an exciting year ahead with several more releases in the pipeline.

keeping up a high rate and high quality of release, dan mela and dodi palese s what ever not label serves up a second ep of 2018, this time from the esteemed simone gatto with a special remix from voiski. italian gatto is now based in lecce, south italy, where he co-runs his out-er label, which since 2010 has become synonymous with house and techno that challenges the norm. his own productions find new life in the underground, roaming between labels like night vision, raw waxes and his own pregnant void. most recently he served up a two-part album, heaven inside your frequencies , which combined dark ambient, techno and abstract sound with his professional work as a researcher and came with a book that offered a theoretical and practical analysis of the use of sounds and frequencies. this new ep is another arresting affair that lays out gatto s unique and varied vision for club music across three very different tracks. it opens with no regrets , which pairs blissful ambient synths that lift you up into the skies with busy, bristling hi hats and gnarly bass. thumping drums drive the whole thing along, and the interplay between coarseness and serenity is truly original. frenchman, dekmantel and sheik n beik records man vioski then brings all his scintillating techno skills to the table for a remix. it journeys deep into a cosmic night sky, with sheet metal percussion peeling off the groove as an uplifting synth brings a subtle sense of euphoria to the mix.

for years nathan church has been cutting up floors in his native bilbao. recently the basque man s attention has turned from the dj booth to the studio. under his wldv (we love dolce vita) this iberian electronic inspiration has cast long shadows and brightened rooms with his blend of horror score intensity and disco exuberance. wldv arrives at the bordello with a four tracker of serious intent. sepulchral and sinister synthlines characterise a dying feast, nowhere more than in the haunting samples and clean drums of -a bucket of blood-. cold chords gleam with icy menace while crisp claps punctuate the entrancing funk of -danza macabra-. ecclesia toys with set parameters, exploring what lurks in the twilight between terror and titillation. this flirtation with the divine and the profane is plain to hear in the uneasy elegance and uplifting elation of -far, far away-, a work of steady kicks, unsettling extracts and soaring strings. this -feast- ends on a delectable note. keys dance and spiral in the intoxicating -laying down on cosmic dust-, an enthralling end to and enthralling ep.

chubby has already earned its stripes as a podcast and party in australia dealing in connoisseurs deep house, and their leap to the world of vinyl is no less classy. the first release splits a 12- between four esteemed practitioners of true skool beats for switched on heads, leading in with antipodean maestro ewan jansen. after delivering the plush tones of his -plants,- moods & grooves label boss mike grant pops up to remix jansen with stunning, understated results. trinidadian deep takes over on the b side with the typically shimmering melodics and dextrous drums he s much loved for. mr yt then serves up a final remix, nudging -move me- just a little up the energy scale with the help of a killer organ line placed at the front of the mix.

japanese guitarist kazumi watanabe has been a treasure of leftfield music in the far east since the 70s, and jazzy conscious are doing a great service in highlighting the delicate talents of this gifted artist for a new generation. there s a new age lilt to the looped up melodic chime patterns that course through -garuda- as they flirt with watanabe s effervescent playing. kuniyuki then hops on the b side to deliver a contemporary remix of the track that shapes out a brooding, immersive atmosphere populated by earthly drums and looming reverb.

rudy returns to faze action records with an all-new collection of atmospheric and evocative tropical sounds. last august saw the release of the by nature ep that encapsulated the steamy and exotic textures of the balearic sound. this time, midnight safari takes up where on the beaches of formentera, where the last ep left us. this time setting sail on a midnight safari with marimba s and chugging rhythms underpinning sophisticated piano melodies. following this we drop anchor and appreciate the evening breeze of in the air with its haunting cello, endless drifting arpeggio s and tropical percussion with a hint of north africa. reach backless points the way squarely to the dance floor with chunky drums and synth bass, synth hooks galore and that piano solo that launches into starry evening skies. it s back down to earth with the settled quiet bass guitar harmonics of windchimes before heading into the more soulful and synth melodic territory of solar plex.

milos arrives with his fifth release on his receptive visions label. two techno cuts with plenty of energy and emotion, aimed directly for the dance floor. contact high with it’s swirling sounds, moving in and out of this rather tasty techno groove. priming on the other side has solid drums with rave style stabs, that adds a different feel to this vinyl only release.

framework recordings continues to establish itself as a key new label, with a fourth great ep, this time with swiss artist o’hana delivering the beats.
this house music lover - real name adrien o’hana - hails from lausanne in switzerland and is a well-established dj in his home country playing regularly at clubs like folklor next to djs such as san proper. he’s also released on grand cru paris and has an accessible, heartfelt house sound perfectly exemplified here.
he opens his account here with the lovely ‘i tried’, a tieless bit of classically informed house music. it has rolling kicks and choppy percussion all run through with warm, streaming chords and a joyful feeling. ‘just 4 her (vox)’ is another lovely jam, with boom bap kick clap combos, dusty hi hats and feel good pianos fleshing out the beats with real soul.
on the flip, ‘dream on’ is another mid-tempo gem with roughhewn drums laying down a heavy groove as soulful male vocal samples and big strings burst through and bring the whole thing to life. it’s house music for cosy, happy dance floors and the final track is a dub version of ‘just 4 her’ with no vocals and more emphasis on the breezy grooves and summery flutes. this is authentic house music that brims with charm.

famous for their matching, colourful suits and always-happy smiles, beyaz kelebekler (white butterflies) were a mixed-gender turkish band very popular during the 70s. they released one album plus numerous 45s in turkey and other countries like holland and italy. in 1976 during the last day of their european tour, just after one gig in cologne, beyaz kelebekler visited a studio of a friend which was still in construction. they decided to record a few songs, just for fun and for testing the new studio equipment. it was a very basic, one take recording, using an 8-channel mixer, a few mics and a reel-to reel tape machine. the result was an amazing example of anatolian psych-funk, featuring wah-fuzz guitar, flute, heavy drums, joyous male / female vocals. unreleased until now, here is the first ever release of these surprising recordings, rescued from the only surviving cassette tape.

on this 12- album engraved on 140gr. black wax, the two benelux rave veterans, x&trick and drvg cvltvre are heading back towards hangarsploitation yet without forgetting modern navigation techniques. black metal and punk multiple faced artist vincent koreman s (alias ra-x) vessel totes two low tempo tracks that are dropping doomish, grainy, noisey and caustic drums constellated with distorded and reverberated subterranean squeeking tb s howls. slightly faster and sprouting out of a rather recent analog ship, the two pieces from bug klinik s overlord are yielding cold, severe and daring drum programmation while some of the purest hooverish neo rave secretions are poured over and tightened through sick tb s laments.*as the mastering was done at wax moth audio studios* be sure this wave torpedo is ready to stick high voltage in your technics needle!

for brainstem casino s take off, strictly hardware voyager *sour* generated «quantum process», an ep that comprises four, rather spartan yet not the current i-put-three-sounds-so-it s-minimal, haunting and deepseated downtempo tracks. the first segment of the (limited to 300 copies) 12-, 140gr. polyvinyl chloride chunk, which extends to 9:22 minutes commences with muffled and fathomless pads. then a three steps acidish build up subtely incises through like a reptilian sword coming out of an another dimension. the next track is in a similar vein, however, uplifted presence of cowbells and tight repetitive drums sways towards a house/funk guidance. side b s a staggering 12:19 minutes crepuscular descent into crying structures referencing to 90 s sci-fi universes. additionally coming along with the digital download, is a downreaching, abysmal ambient track called «cleavage». yes, either in your confortable conapt or in a decaying, technological dystopian, space-cargo style gig, this will drive your audience to definitive brain melting!

babe roots are a relatively young duo from turin, italy, making a unique brand of atmospheric, techno-infused dubwise. on our radar since their splendid debut 7 inch on rohs! records in early 2016, we are very pleased to invite them into the zamzam fold with two mesmerizing and contrasting tunes. * be still* is a deeply meditative yet driving dub techno trek in classic fashion, featuring rastaman kojo neatness intoning on righteous living, working the land, guarding the tongue, and avoiding babylonian schemes and traps laid by the wicked. maternal bass and shimmering reverbs envelop a heartbeat rhythm of kick, shaker and distant snares for a timeless vibe that shows mastery of the idiom while updating it for contemporary sound systems. * rawness* is an extraordinarily deep 140 journey that opens with rich pads and swirling atmospherics, creating a psychoactive ambience that builds into a steady kick. the full riddim hits and plunges us even deeper with restrained, syncopated drums and percussion. churning bass powers us through the dense, hallucinatory fog as tendrils of electricity probe and zap, and serrated snares cut through the tape haze and studio clouds in the last third. carving out a gorgeous edge between deep dubstep and dub techno, * rawness* hits all the marks and will find a home in a huge range of sets.

sha d underground trax comes forward with his first private pressed release, hailing from birmingham with a passion for basslines and vocals, the scalpel ep aims to deliver just that with a mix of electro, freestyle & boogie cut up, chopped and reworked focusing on the drums and raw basslines while bringing the silky vocals to the fore and removing all the cheese, for those of you who buy records looking for the dub versions or step pettibone remixes this is the perfect record for you, built by the dance floor for the dance floor, late night low slung sleaze business.

detroit duo ataxia offer up their kodak moment ep via visionquest this march, accompanied by an edit from label co-founders shaun reeves and ryan crosson. eric ricker and ted krisko aka ataxia have been at the forefront of the contemporary house and techno scene for some time, racking up releases on some of the leading labels across the globe such as leftroom, nervous, culprit and play it say it, making the duo one of detroits finest exports in recent years. here we see them making their debut on visionquest, the label of fellow detroit natives ryan crosson, shaun reeves and lee curtiss. vhs leads the package with murky synth swells, resonant synth sweeps and fluttering square wave bass tones at its core as shuffled drums carry the ever-evolving hypnotic groove along. the original mix of kodak moment follows, shifting the focus over to snaking bass lines, mind-bending, modulating synth whirrs and dynamic, choppy percussion throughout. reeves & crossons edit of kodak moment then rounds out the release, stripping things back to ethereal atmospherics and shuffled drums whilst subtly stirring in the original’s hooky bass groove as the interpretation unfolds.

yeelen is a brand new project forged in the heart of a forgotten past. joe drive, of lux rec fame, and maurizio martinucci aka tez aka pragma have joined forces to sculpt, in their own words, -sonic constructions that transcend the canons of electronic music.- a bold statement, but then again this is a pretty bold ep. -techno tribalism and ritualistic soundscapes- are the bedrock from which this partnership cultivate their sound. figures and forms of a bygone time are conjured through intoxicating drum patterns, lost lands of dense jungle and windswept hills summoned through loops and samples to ensnare and entrance. polytheism explored through the prism of a polyphonic synth, mysticism born from machine drums, -ethnosonology of the future.-

remastered von den originalen tapes, downloadcode inklusive. -future days- aus dem jahre 1973 ist das fünfte studioalbum der band und zugleich das letzte album mit dem japanischen sänger damo suzuki. auf dem album herrschte eine für can bis dahin ungewohnte lyrische atmosphäre, insbesondere bei den stücken -future days- und -bel air-.
credit:
irmin schmidt - keyboards /
jaki liebezeit - drums /
holger czukay - bass /
michael karoli - guitars, violin /
damo suzuki - vocals

after gunnar haslam inaugurated kalvanic languages with his deep-minded techno styles, now it s up to supposed newcomer bill westerby to follow up with another round of elevated machine learning. k-stream was a smart choice for the lead track, bubbling along on a warm acid line and shuffling a wealth of dubby processing around in the middle distance. down a back alley in cholon is a slightly more wound up affair with a bleepy lead and a firmer jack powering the drums, but the end results are actually more meditative than that description might have you believe. caye de crabe is a more overtly tripped out affair with polyrhythmic phrases weaving in and out of each other while westerby lets rip on the parameter tweaks in a fine display of machine wielding prowess.

as part of the ten-year anniversary dekmantel presents the final record in a ten-part-ep series. split into two parts due to its immensity, the final instalment is a re-issue of tony allens asiko (in a silent mix) originally released in 1999 and remixes by motor city drum ensemble and ricardo villalobos. the first part features a grandiose 29-minute ricardo villalobos version of the afrobeat masters cut. a true collaboration of giants.having been a regular at the festival for several years now, villalobos delivers a remix, one of his longest to date, that only he can produce. allowing the percussion to breathe into a monumental rhythm, villalobos warps the vocals, restructuring the bass and drums into a rolling dub-fusion of techno that is characteristic of his remixes to date, yet still breathtaking in its execution. afrobeat-minimalism, with dub-infused fire, and near psychedelic ambience that perfectly synchs the worlds of tony allen, and ricardo villalobos, two legends who’ve helped re-shape the face of music. highlighting the diversity of sounds that have come to represent the dutch label and festival series, the eps to date have encompassed a range of artists and genres, featuring label favourites, as well as whole bunch of debuting artists. the ep series kicked off in march 2018, and over the course of a year featured the likes of gigi masin, lena willikens, burnt friedman, donato dozzy, the egyptian lover, palms trax, and more.

official mr bongo reissue. replica original cover artwork. recorded in 1978, this is a latter-period gem from the larger than life legend, combining the glitz and glamour of disco’s heyday with maia’s raw funk and soul roots. for “disco club”, maia left his usual band and went into the legendary estudios level with an ensemble of rio’s finest including paulinha braga on drums, jamil joanes on bass, robson jorge on clarinet, hyldon de souza on guitar, sidinho on percussion, trombonists edmundo maciel and darcy seixas, and juarez assis on tenor sax. arranger and keyboardist lincoln olivetti was a crucial presence during these sessions – he added the all-important string flourish and brassy joy to the uptempo tracks, leaving maia enough room to express himself.

mysterious berlin imprint mask preps its second release with four more untitled tracks this march. continuing the theme of the first release, noah has been produced and recorded live in one take using a selection of analogue gear, including an emu sp 1200, mutual instruments ambika, nord rack 2x, octatrack, vermona action filter 4. a soothing synth line sets the tone of the a1 before implementing sporadic drums and squelchy notes, making way for the melodic chords and a wall of sub bass in the mesmerising a2. murky atmospherics and a medley of percussive hits generate a dusty aesthetic in the b1 until the organic beat and distorted robotic sounds of the b2 provide an otherworldly conclusion to the enigmatic release.