robert s delivers four acidic techno cuts. all four have an amazing drive and will surely bring lots of energy to any dancefloor.

24 detroit electro stuff on 4 vinyls... well done guys!

this time in calypso, aristidez takes us on journey trough the streets of lima peru. the chaos and the spirituaity of this old country are noticable on all of this tracks. rumbling percussions and vocals, harmony and rythm, darkness and light all come togeter through the use of samples to show the quality of this young up and coming producer. -nada nada- it s the mantra that will help you go through the morning in a grey and cloudy city. -reyerta- represents the violence of many latin american cities having a hard time. evoca its the mix between the first two where peace and violence find them selves in a catarchic release of energy. symple symmetry brings the tempo up for their nada nada remix asking everyone -what happens after death

cosmin trg is back on his white label operation, sportiv. brixtonstrasse explores an imaginary buffer zone between the urban angst of londons pirate transmissions and the warehouse logic of berlins post-iron curtain freedom and energy explosion. in line with the labels semiotics, gloria is named after the rather unsuccessful 3rd league football club from cosmins home town. its a high octane tribal workout with fuzzy chords, in the vein of 90s luminaries like sterac, bringing back hints of the eras unbridled

at the forefront of the irish electronic music scene, sligo-born berlin-based duo brame & hamo, aka tiarnan mcmorrow and conor hamilton, announce their hotly anticipated fourth ep, celebrity impersonator. via their own imprint, brame & hamo. the title reflects the duos personality and playful energy, nodding to their love of celebrity impersonators whilst growing up. we have a bit of a soft spot for impersonators as it is a pretty ridiculous way to earn a living. a bit like djing! our favs were those of tom cruise, bill gates, gordon ramsay and johnny depp. opening with ‘midnight express, the rolling melodics nod to the early sounds of prog house and italo, acting as a transitional opener to their signature trance via techno scores. on the b-side, title track ‘celebrity impersonator, is a moody four four that edges into the darker realms with their love of breakbeat shimmering through, resulting in a club ready anthem. melting down into a rolling trance groove with a late night heady feel, ‘request rhythm closes the ep. with an impressive discography of eps behind them on their own imprint - trants, club orange and the dj favourite, limewire, as well as bookings worldwide the irish pair are set to propel onwards from sligo to berlin and beyond.

kevin de vries delivers big room drama on his ‘aratak’ ep for afterlife recordings.
spirited synth lines, drum rolls, gripping moments of silence and weighty kick drums make the title track of de vries’ afterlife debut formidable club gear. ‘sciamachy’ is more subtle, centred around a euphoric arpeggio which spirals to its apex. konstantin sibold contributes a fine remix, toning down certain elements of ‘sciamachy’ to let others shine. it completes an ep that brims with energy and dancefloor dynamism, a hugely exciting first full record for de vries on afterlife.

inspired by arabic and brazilian vibe, breaking trad is a tribute to a voodoo club experience brand new record of the sheitan brotherhood, breaking trad is an apology to the shamanic side of summer. in those two new tracks, the energy is not based on the bpm rhythm but more on the vibe. when the darkness got a sunburn, breaking trad is the solar cream and the perfect medication to save you.

berlin based techno titan frank muller adopts his beroshima alias for a new four track ep that is already been hailed by the likes of marcel dettman and laurent garnier. first emerging in the nineties, muller has since become a techno great who has played from asia to south america and beyond. he’s had plenty of underground hits on the likes of cocoon and soma, and held some key residencies over the years. always one to command your attention with his multi layered grooves, this ep features an old juan atkins sample “buy some shit from detroit” that has been part of beroshima’s live sets for years. excellent opener ‘encounter’ reflects a recent idea jeff mills and muller had to produce tracks together for a not yet produced sci-fi movie. it is an eight-minute astral techno trip with smooth, driving drums and plenty of intergalactic synth lines. ‘the passion of lovers’ transfers the organic beroshima style into 2018 and shows off frank’s passion for spaced out electronica. it’s a brilliantly bumping cut with lithe synths and melodies adding that soul and colour as it races through the galaxies. the iconic ‘buy some’ with the atkins sample then surges into the future with icy hi hats dancing over rubbery drums. the warped synths take the lead and bring a real sense of off kilter energy to this most timeless bit of techno. last of all is the fantastic space mix of ‘encounter’ which is dreamy and cinematic with exquisite keys and pads colouring in a huge night sky as the drums drive things along. this is an archetypal techno ep filled with cosmic colours and serene emotions.

xxx006 is created by the upcoming duo younger than me. with stellar releases on bordello a parigi and tusk wax with diverse music that ranges from disco to new wave to what they call themselves 90s rave euphoria. xxx006 can best be described with one word rave. artwork by raymond teitsma. played by: marvin & guy, job jobse, jennifer cardini, roi perez, discodromo, vladimir ivkovic, franz scala, perel, pional musiq, sean johnston, prins thomas, curses, simple symmetry, jason kendig, severino

„spectral decay” is a collection of musical reflections about the paradoxical contemporary state of humankind, whereas its own technological, social, cultural and economical development seems to entrench the possible points of a structura downfall. the narrative of „spectral decay” starts with heavy, mesmerizing industrial vibes. due to the notable sound design techniques of japanese artist tetsumasa, his hefty piece „nex” evolves into a harsh but still amazingly cinematical music sculpture. subsequent mid-tempo composition „onzour shayatini” by meer dynamically follows the dark, experimental path of drone and noisy structures. violent accents smoothly lead to the deconstruction of drum & bass patterns and turn into strident 90s metal riffs. the track progressively penetrates obscure subterranean abysses and becomes a perfect introduction to the next theme by yuji kondo – „hades”. in greek mythology hades was the ancient god of the underground kingdoms, darkness, death and metals. therefore, kondo’s music piece turns into an infernal portrayal of the underworld where tenebrous layers of bass frequencies, raw textures and drexciyan sounds build up an enormous and lasting tension. side b begins with the track „anthropocene” produced by arboretum co-founder – mogano. the whole composition refers to the present geological epoch we live in, characterized by environmental pollutions, depletion of fossil fuels and accelerated urbaniza- tion of the world. it is a deeply conceptual soundscape of a powerful system, that incorporates both – the destructive forces of technology and the infinite energy of the whole universe, that interweave in a devilish dance of post-techno, breakbeat and dub tones. thereafter, ~raw in his piece „poly bios” pictures the interference of human structures in the nature. creating a mosaic from indus- trial and tribal, organic sounds, he tells a mystical story of fear, hope, escape and primeval instincts. the narration concludes with an atmospheric composition of nwrmntc – solo project of ana quiroga from experimental ambient duet lcc. „beyond” is a boundless, spectral reflection on collective human consciousness, where haunting vocals evoke a recon- dite, ineffable pain, leaving the listeners in a profoundly meditative state. laura polan&#769,ska

aos’ boundless love for music is apparent in everything she does. as a producer, a dj, and an event organizer with seattle’s secondnature and tuf collectives, kayla waldorf’s vision eschews traditional categories and genre boxes in favor of an ecstatic spontaneity. her dj sets are well known for their playful energy and narrative threading between many different styles. violent light is aos’ first offering on secondnature’s own label, and it captures this playful essence. the title track’s stomping groove (complete with rave whistle) sets the tone, while lullaby and what/why move into headier territory composed of dusty synths stabs and clouds of vocal effects. finally, secondnature’s own fugal delivers a remix that flips what/why into a rolling depth charge.

this va release is a result of good relations and work with friends. it’s been a while we were preparing it and it’s the most long-awaited release of the label. 50-50 ukrainian and russian ideas, absolutely east energy. very good for the dance floors.

ron trent & trinidadian deep present the new label native rebel music. sonic love & compassion is expressed through the energy of trinidadian deep with the jazzy musicality of native travels, lights off & native force. deep pads, chords & percussion throughout

international deejay gigolo records presents its second remix package from the single i want u of label boss dj hell. the original gets a new twist with the reinterpretation of darren emerson. his own view on the track has a high intense energy and a pumping upfront attitude. french techno head the hacker reworks his own remix and gives it a dark & playful 2018 facelift.

strategy (100% silk, kranky) arrives on the nite owl diner serving up 4 rave inspired cuts. strategy channels early beltram with driving energy & recontextualized sounds as well as layers of lush pads into an epic emotional experience. the future shock ep is a future electronic classic

new york city label and party jack dept. enters a new era with their first vinyl release. volvox (discwoman) and john barera (elsewhere) have tapped the mysterious japanese producer hoshina anniversary who has provided 4 party-ready tracks that are laser focused to get bodies moving. acid, techno and electro are all represented in this high energy ep which touches upon elements of classic dance music with a decidedly modern feel.

voiski embarks on the third expedition into the cosmic lands .a collection of singular and utopian ambient, electronica and techno tracks illustrated by spectacular picture of layla kerley and bruno compagnet. cosmic adventure is an honest portrayal without fabrication or pretense. too often electronic music is subjected to the damaging opinions of others and categorized in a movement or a trend, choking the freshness out of the sound. cosmic adventure provides a platform of creative energy, a unique platform for unique artists who search nothing except discovering new landscapes and inspiration.

pushing at the edges which define techno, afro and deep house these three tracks bring fresh heat to the dancefloor, creating an ethereal mood whilst delivering maximum power and energy. if paired down, minimal electronic percussive sounds are your thing, lead track ligai will tick all the boxes. stina follows with driving, syncopated beats and a killer pan-pipe riff to hook you in. closing the record sand brings a deeper, atmospheric track loaded with floating m1 textures, warm bass and spirited percussion fills. all in all a highly effective and inventive slice of wax with a voguish twist to groove to.

a much in demand reissue of two of nyc born-and-bred, pal joeys, classics from his joint label with reynald deschamps, loop dloop. first up, party time which harnesses that 90s nyc underground house energy with a rawness that was to emanate through many of pal joeys subsequent productions. scalpel in hand, joey expertly crafted this sample laden groover, his trademark stuttering, off-kilter rhythms, loops and fills keeping listeners on their toes throughout, never knowing how the next phrase might unfold. on the flip, raw love utilises a seminal disco classic as its main sample source, looping it in a way only pal joeys mind knows how, adding percussive hits and extra effects to create an innovative, animated and exhilaratingly rhythmic dancefloor bomb. both tracks are perfect examples of the simplicity and seeming effortlessness that pal joey maintains in his productions, adhering to the mantra that less is more but with a resonating rawness that touches deep down in the soul.

the very best of dream dance volume 13 - 16 on double vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve.

dark entries are honored to reissue the 2nd full length from carolyn fok / cyrnai, an asian-american female solo artist from the bay area. originally released by ladd-frith in 1986, this reissue adds 4 unreleased bonus tracks recorded during the same period. each copy includes a 16-page zine with lyrics, photos and notes by carolyn. all songs have been remastered by george horn at fantasy studios.

hilltown disco are back with another attention-grabbing release. the a-side sees the return of the duo who can do-no-wrong, crossmods with an electro-masterclass that takes you on an out-of-this-world journey, followed by a clean-cut, snappy remix of the crossmods track by the belgium act, datawave. flip-over the record and we have acid-genius chris moss acid contributing a re-mastered version of his beautifully-chaotic acidic-banger, the mossquito. continuing the acid theme, dundee producer ansata gives us a real 303 work-out that is guaranteed to fill any dance floor. last but not least, crossover network join the hilltown disco family with a high energy, banger with an iconic old-school electro vocal though out to complete the release.

hailing from wellington, aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, scent is a newcomer to the scene but long time gc of modern hypnosis. his first sighting featured a track ‘devils dread’ on indigo movement’s 5-year digital compilation december 2017. heaving at 140 beats per minute, ‘trax’ creates a certain energy similar to early jungle riddims. chopped percussion, giant synth stabs, weighty driving kicks with underlining sub bass and the odd flute build the track to a halt before commencing it’s minimal technoesq break down. ‘just a dream’ a rooted scentimental dub which takes you deep into a place amongst your rem sleep with sparse whaling strings and swinging percs. scent debut solo release. one to watch.

we could say that with this sixth studio album anthony joseph is back to his roots. indeed, it was recorded on his native island of trinidad. but it is more of a continuation, of a culmination. as the caribbean music has strongly infused the music of anthony since its inception. this album entitled people of the sun is a tribute to port of spain (pos), this bubbling port, meeting place of many cultures and a door open on south america. this energy is found throughout the album with many stars of the island (3 channel, brother resistance, ella andal, boogsie the king of steel pan) and pays tribute to rapso, a mixture of protest poetry and soca / calypso created in the 80’s. as always the verb remains in the spotlight with anthony joseph.

having recently been remixed by radio slave, ozel ab and fc kahuna on phantasy, james welsh returns to the label with zurich/a65. anoth-er expertly executed two-track primed for the club but infused with detail and sheer personality, it further cements his idiosyncratic and forward-thinking interpretation of techno, industrial and experimental electronic styles. opening the ep, zurich takes an infectious, urgent bassline and gradu-ally expands into a weightless landscape. slowly revealing it’s rhythmic intent, it seamlessly blends a distinct melancholy with intensity, which, like the best of welshs work so far, is both wistful and physical. appropriate to its namesake, a65 sets the scene by sampling the un-mistakable sound of speeding yorkshire traffic, opening up a breathless musical autobahn, driven by luminescent synths that pulse with euphoria and energy.

three superbly crafted techno tools from nihad tule, with plenty of energy and impeccable attention to detail. resurface offers trippy chords and ever changing patterns on top of a driving beat. on the flip, passing is built on a deceivingly simple hook, sparkled with drones over a pounding 909. ascend brings it all home with a gradually evolving hook, stripped down to the bare bones yet still offering a powerful crescendo.

it’s 1977. there’s a chill in the air, like on a usual december evening. it’s cold, but the night is fraught with a strange ferment, a mysterious energy that seems to announce a revolution.

berlin producer kevin de vries has emerged as one of the capitals most hotly tipped newcomers since his track eternity appeared on adam beyer’s drumcode label in 2016. besides such luminaries as beyer, sven väth and richie hawtin, tale of us have also recognised his talent, paying de vries the compliment of featuring his track path to immortality on their fabric 97 cd this year. if thats not enough theyve also given kevin a place of honour on their very own afterlife label compilation in the form of magoa. which brings us to the matter in hand. de vries debut for cocoon is characterised by significantly higher levels of impulsive energy without ever losing sight of his instinctive feel for harmony.

our brand new series systematic soundscapes is for fans of club music made with highgrade and original synth sounds and without many times used vocal or sound sound samples. all tracks come along with fresh and unheard vibes. for the first volume which was compiled by marc romboy, sascha braemer celebrates his label debut with the moving butterflies, followed by high energy rhythms by spirit catcher from belgium who have already produced many tracks on the label. roy rosenfeld contributes distorted reality, which is in the best tradition of his music released on kx and systematic, straight, powerful and touching. and also thyladomid has his debut with devils dance, musical stuff as we know it from the label.

catch recordings return with their 13th release, this time from dj najaora. hes an emerging talent from the ever growing techno region in georgia who s mature, fully formed sound is showcased here across three innovative left-field techno & electro tracks. the excellent night dreamers takes the a1 spot. its an analogue electro cut throughout. with forceful broken drums accompanied by electric lead lines that provide a powerful energy for the dance floor. space call is a more cerebral and less dance floor affair that has you day dreaming amongst the meandering pads and classic detroit electro vibes. a soft acid line runs throughout, while the whole cuts creates nostalgia of old warp records last of all simulaq which takes the b-side has wide and vast rubber kicks alongside booming bass. making this side a merge of bass and electro. trippy stabs and dark energy pervades the whole thing, making it track for the late hours. while 13 is an unlucky number for some, this certainly doesn t seem to be the case for catch recordings.

myor are massively proud to finally welcome tim reaper to the family. on the a-side tim and coco team up for two darkish-yet-uplifting hardcore cuts in the best of 92/93 traditions: one version for the pleasuredome and one for the thunderdome. on the flip the darkness is left behind altogether. e is for energy, euphoria, ecstasy, or in the case of sonar s ghosts sublime remix, elevation, to a higher level of junglism

tropical disco records are back with their fifth release of the year, bringing you four killer edits from the tropical disco volt. moodena introduces volume 5 in fine style, mustering another spellbinding composition with gils groove. sounding as swagged out as ever, its evident form & flair comes naturally to the artist. td comrades moodena & sartorial present their first collaboration on turn it up, neatly entwining their distinct styles, rolling basslines, cascading guitars and sultry sax. the result is a piece of pure energy, its hard not to do exactly what the track tells you. the disco wizard, sartorial continues his ever growing solo output with 6 million, a righteous slab of soulful dance music that can make a dancefloor bang, as well as weep. feel the heat rolls effortlessly with a lush vocal that melts the loins and lays out a sonic smorgasboard of what epitomises tropical disco records - soul!

like a bright winged bird! with coquettish grin sirisins rave their path through nowadays unwinding roads of harmonious seductiveness and hardcore narcism. but as whimsy and changeable their personality may seem, they are probably just as confused as everyone else. their weapon of choice resembles a powerful energy source that luminously sparkles between the rising abysses of the universe. this may not be the rear window to all satisfaction, but open it, and you might fly high to the friendly sky.

label stalwart jubei returns to the label alongside long term friend tyrone for ‘the arcane ep. taking its name from the club night where they first met, ‘the arcane ep is partly a follow up to 2015s ‘out of sight with the duo now delivering a full 4 track collaborative release which has garnered support from goldie to chase & status and shy fx to break, with loads more in between. jubei & tyrones concept for an ep was triggered by the creation of ‘stabs, which since its inception has undoubtedly become one of the most asked about metalheadz tracks of recent times and was an obvious choice to headline an ep full of energy and accomplishment.

cassegrain announce collaborative ep. the berlin based duo of alex tsiridis & hüseyin evirgen will release new work recorded alongside dj nobu, tensal & lady starlight via their own arcing seas imprint in september. leaning towards the more heady, high octane end of the genre - the three track ep showcases the duos natural affinity for collaboration, maintaining evirgen & tsiridis characteristic finish and atten-tion to detail, whilst providing ample space for the guests to properly colour the work. ct01, alongside tensal, marries caustic drones with a potent lead sequence to produce a perfect peak time roller, whilst cn01, with dj nobu, riffs on a more melodic, stepping approach - maintaining that same rousing energy, but with a more psychedelic bent. cls01, the duos collaboration with la-dy starlight comes in at almost 11 minutes, an ambient techno journey that warps and shifts organi-cally across its extended run time - complete with beat-less intro and multiple segues that work to bind the piece and its different sections into one, cohesive narrative. effective and impeccably produced - but with a keen ear for new & exciting sonics within the genre - this first collaborative outing proves an enviable addition to the duos already impressive discogra-phy.

for over 18 years, spectral sound, the dance music imprint of ghostly international, has thrived at the forefront of techno and house. it has been a source of support for numerous djs and producers during that time, from matthew dear and benoit & sergio to avalon emerson and hieroglyphic being. now, spectral brings the past alongside the present with its latest release, a compilation that offers a vibrant cross-section of the current moment in underground dance music. despite the wide-ranging selections on spectral 139, a throughline of classic style and infectious energy emerges from the up-and-coming and established artists alike. rising talents such as minimal violence, russell e.l. butler, and earth trax x newborn jr. bring unique perspectives to their hardware-centric productions. veteran producers bring their own edge as well: d marc cantu blows the roof off with the outsized funk of regularly people, and nigil caenaans januarys end, a low-key detroit classic from the late 90s, closes spectral 139 with a whirlwind of manic rhythms and sedate synths. gunnar haslam opens the tracklist with his acidic mindbender, versione antica. and ghostly regulars like tadd mullinix, who drops a lush jtc remix of his new x-altera alias, and matrixxman, who collaborates with riccardo limiti on the cavernous inferno, tie everything back to the label s roots. the double 12 compilation, as well as each individual single, features original work by los angeles-based artist nina hartmann. her designs have appeared on releases from labels such as ascetic house and big love, and the pieces for spectral 139 continue to develop her cryptic aesthetic. the marriage of hartmanns striking, high-contrast symbols with such bold dance music speaks to a collection that aims to stand out.

ltd repress !! contrary to the songs name, this interpretation of a traditional afro-brasilian candomble song, appears to be forged from mythical lost amazonian gold. recorded in sao paulo with an allstar cast of arteria fm (on vocal duties), salvador araguaya (caressing the viola caipira) & spaniol (stroking the baixo), steered by nicola s production prowess, this quartet delivers a melodic enhancement to the summer sun. as if the sun wasn t shining bright enough already, the single comes backed by a remarkable remixer ensemble procured from their duties as fellow sun-worshippers: xique-xique s dragonfruit mix is a wondrous journey full of surprising leaps and bounds, alternating between hypnotic electronics and organic song structure. saving the best til last he raises the energy whilst keep the beats low and the vibes ecstatic. hit ! crussen s creamy cocodub raises the energy whilst concentrating on a dubbed out groove, (that) classic crussen bassline and carefully sliced & re-appropriated vocals. finally in-house poster-boy carrot green s granola mix combines disco, deep grainy bassines, juicy bells and signature flourishes into a bowl of magical mind-whirling hip-spinning edible sex.

alma negra are back on heist! after their much applauded 2017 release with that great soulphiction remix, theyve been rather busy taking over the scene. they started their new label alma negra records where they released 3 eps in quick succession, with new as well as older material that showcases their tropical roots and keen ear for clubby reworks. they launched their live show, doing gigs across europe with a highlight at one of londons more intimate live venues: the jazz cafe. their latest outing making their release count a total of 4 in only 8 months was on marcel vogel’s lumberjacks in hell and explored the more live / rework side of their project. now theyre back on heist with 3 new tracks, supported by an awanto 3 remix. conversation is a track we wanted to put out on heist badly, simply because it’s a beast of a track. it sits somewhere between a live african drum track, percussive techno and moody midwest electronics, with pads and strings coming in and out of play while a relentless kick drum keeps the energy on a haunting level. this track is alma negra at their filthiest, and it feels like they’ve taken a next step from last years dark and heavy luanda dub, bringing it from an intimate dreamy stage straight into the main room. this is the place shows a different side of the house spectrum with the alma’s love for dreamy deep house. the track flows up and down, with soothing rhodes chords, arpeggios and mumbling vocals setting a summery mood thats perfect for your warm up or daytime party. meanwhile, their third original track from the heart goes even deeper and navigates around a smart vocal loop topped with strings, bleeps, claps and rimshots that just keeps going.

planet e are proud to present aw18 collection, a 3 track ep from british producer tom flynn. drawing upon a broad and learned musical understanding, aw18 collection fuses disparate strands from the worlds of fashion, club culture and sound design to forge a highly atmospheric, singular release. packard, the title of which is inspired by parties in the historic detroit power plant of the same name, establishes an unrelenting energy from the get go. a bouncing kick lays the foundations for rolling synths, unnerving vocal samples and delicate piano refrains to wander. anna is an indulgent nod to the catwalk, marching with intent amidst immersive chords and subtle melodies. the b side hosts a trippy cut full of interplanetary glitches and melancholic harmonies. drawing upon hints to the extraterrestrial, marx creates a dizzying swirl with glistening textures. carl craig was sold straight away: when tom sent me his demo of packard i knew i wanted to release it on planet e. the mix of looped electronics with soul of the piano brought me back to when i first heard the post-disco classic beyond the clouds. i can imagine the kids on the scene rockin hard to this.

preceding the release of his debut album, curses presents gold & silber, a five track ep led by a hypnotic, post-punk leaning roller, as well as four additional remixes from antoni maiovvi, chinaski and fango. for the title track, berlin based artist perel provides cathartic vocals on top of a drowsy rhythmic framework drawing influence from early ebm, synth music and new wave. fango provides a more angular, computerised take on the original, whilst antoni maiovvi raises the heat to a peak time flow. across two interpretations, chinaski provides maximal 80s synth work on the painkiller bonus vmix and trippy dancefloor energy on the tech noir remix.

after two years unearth noise returns with a second dosage on lfi. and the light beams will guide the way arrives as a double lp with one disc from unearth noise and the other from his collaboration with vocalist myrh, together they are dreamspeak. unearth noises solo works delve into familiar territory. at times reminiscent of his debut on the label -prayer and resonance his signature, dense and mesmerizing sound world develops on this second outing, harnessing a frenetic energy that dissolves like devil dust. dreamspeak create a transcendental experience that beguiles listeners one that is equally as haunting as it is enchanting

phaedrus is the monikor of dutch dj and producer joris kamma who currently resides in seattle. drawing from multiple techno and house influences in the early nineties, joris developed his own unique aesthetic best described as deep and quirky sounds always combined with a strong groove. for this special transfusions release, joris has crafted 4 minimal yet powerful techno weapons that are sure to bend the minds and heighten the energy of the crowd in the way that only perfect techno can. simply put, this is classic techno at it s finest!

infernal sounds reaches a milestone by welcoming one of their previous family members, sepia back onto 12”. this time though, he plates up an emotion packed four tracker which delivers all the bass-fuelled brawn you’d come to expect, with a dusting of pure bliss and musical energy. it’s a journey from start to finish, and a collection of tracks which can change any dynamic within the club depending on the vibe you’re looking for. the release will be on 180g vinyl and it’ll be the first in the series to feature full sleeve artwork, designed by emily dayson.

nikolajev hits hard with his new 12 inch release retta on päästevest. tallinn lekker club co-founder robert nikolajev channels raw grit and pulsating energy in retta (dance mix). the flip side houses an internal dialogue of unnerving tension. limited 300 press. all tracks produced by robert nikolajev. mastered by alex gordon. pressed at deepgrooves.

when looking for music to be released on magazine, our guideline has always been energy. the key question remains the same: does the artist have something important to say? does it have a sense of urgency? alex played us these tracks while visiting the magazine studio in cologne earlier this year and we were consumed by unadulterated rage. this is anything but a conceptual release, alex has not released this kind of music before. a side of alex manifests itself through these techno tracks, that most might not have known before. brutal yet beautiful, furious yet fragile. a berlin native who shaped his sense for techno by striving through his hometown and its infamous raves, alex is now one of the prominent protagonists of that scene – not only when regularly playing at berghain. the ep harnesses this experience perfectly, fully preserving the energy of the creation process by recording directly to tape. most productions may have suffered from this primitive method of locking sound into position, but not these tracks from a techno master.

it is a pleasure to work with david granha and to present his 2nd release on noir music. not only is he a super talented producer but he is also open to taking his tracks a step further and in the process evolve as an artist and producer. i have been playing these 3 tracks a lot in my sets around the globe and almost each week discussed change of details with david. it makes me proud to have this “savala” release on noir music cause you can hear from the title track “savala” is an extension of his previous release on the label and with “balea” and “mortal sins” he moves his sound-design to new ventures and a more minimal, raw approach to the final outcome. exactly what i wanted from david. exactly what i hoped for and well…… even better. these 3 tracks just sounds amazing and they have been crafted perfectly step by step over a long period of time. a lot of passion, energy and love have been put into this release. on top of that the titles of the tracks also have sentimental value to david, so there is also a deeper meaning with this release. give them a spin and experience how powerful these tunes are.

free your mind and float away, you’re now entering the mode of the growing bin. hamburg’s centre for audio enlightenment is back with another sublime sensory experience, this time from the land of the rising sun. . keen to get another stamp on his passport, basso reached out to japanese duo singu, two open minded cats who just love to jam. marrying kiyo’s free drumming with keta ra’s melodic mastery of keyboard and guitar, the two-piece fuse free jazz, post-rock, kosmische and ambient into immersive and esoteric improvisations. free from any compositional concerns, the hiroshima outfit trade in energy, emotion and expression

...comes with an inlay
umeko ando (1932-2004) was a folk singer from japan. she was a representative of the ainu culture on the hokkaido island in the north of japan. “ihunke” is her first album which was recorded with the ainu musician and dub producer oki kano in 2000. it was released on cd in japan only and is finally available on vinyl (2lp + linernotes, dl included). “ihunke” is following last year’s single “iuta upopo” pingipung 58, incl. m.rux remix which had been received with overwhelming enthusiasm and was quickly sold out. the 16 ainu songs on “ihunke” are delicate, natural gems. they are built on oki kano’s tonkori patterns (a 5-string harp), over which umeko ando develops her repetitive, mantric vocals, often in a call-response manner. oki kano is one of very few professional tonkori players who performs worldwide with his oki dub ainu band. the songs possess a mystical energy – when crows call accurately with ando’s brittle voice in the first song, it seems like natural powers join in with her music. her voice sounds like animals of the sky and the forest. oki kano: “it was a lot of fun to record with umeko ando. many ainu hesitate to break from tradition - if umeko hadn’t been so flexible to work with the younger generation and recording technology, this album would never have happened. our sessions were intense, and we were proud and happy about making such beautiful music.” upcoming in autumn: remixes of “ihunke” by tolouse lowtrax, m.rux, dj ground, el buho mark peters, gama, andi otto, and dreems. historical background: only recently (in 2008) have the ainu officially been acknowledged as indigenous people who are culturally independent from japan. this record is an example of how their music has been passed on through generations in the underground ainu communities while it was oppressed by the japanese hegemony. it deserves a huge audience. follow kompakt

a-ton is proud to announce panama / suez, the first ep by trio oren ambarchi, konrad sprenger and phillip sollmann (aka efdemin). the three multi-instrumentalists collaborated with the goal of creating subtly shifting musical passageways: sonic routes that run between continents of musical category. the results are two variations of kraut-y, groove-based post-techno that unfurl through mutating polyrhythms and chiming, ethereal guitar play – a rare moment of guitar and techno in deep embrace. with a potential to sustain energy on experimental dancefloors, panama / suez lives from ambarchi, sprenger and sollmann’s diverse input while reflecting a common penchant for both pop and the hypnotic.