we are delighted to welcome egyptology to the hands in the dark family. the parisian duo, made up of stéphane laporte (domotic) and olivier lamm have been active since the late 90s in the french post-electronica/avant-pop scene. sur les autres mondes is inspired by a publication by french astronomer lucien rudaux (1937, larousse) in which he imagined the landscapes of other planets in our solar system through scientific descriptions. partly composed for a performance at the prestigious louvre museum in paris, the album is the band’s first full length output since 2012, and we can assure you that it has been worth the wait. their sharp ear for detail and the epic worlds evoked through the album make for an auditory voyage which is as graphic as the words inked by rudaux. the duo is bringing the 70s kosmiche genre back to life in a very fresh, bold way, offering a strong shot of pure analogue sound and a fantastic, melodic approach to synth-based ambient music.

clash lion is a mix of three personalities shall ocin, terr and daniel watts. three artists with different musical backgrounds merging forces to create a truly eclectic and open-minded label. after the success of their first release from maetrik firmly putting this label in the spotlight, it was followed by releases from shall ocin and daniel watts. anna who started 2018 with the acclaimed‘hidden beauties ep on kompakt now comes back with a 3 track ep for clash lion. her debut on the label kicks off with suzi in transe, a roaring synth work drives this track into the deep and dark realms of techno, but with an acid element thrown in for good measure. ethereal yet brooding, impression is a track that grows and grows. its classical piano stab perfectly blends into the mix, keeping its dancefloor ready pace right to the end. 80s flare, break beat focused rhythms and an explosive synth riff. into the void is the most futuristic offbeat techno piece we have heard from anna, and makes for a standout new release with three varied and texturally interesting tracks.

discotheque fantastique is a musical collaboration that produces an eclectic spectrum of genres, somewhere between psychedelic rock, rare groove, funk and cosmic disco.

the first release is an ep with three driving tracks. the first track by discotheque fantastique -carnaval- has a percussive beat, hypnotic bassline, solid funk breaks with layers of tension. the second track by herr 2003 s -bourdonnement de l amour- is an amazing rework of a classic 70 s psychedelic rock tune with a groovy bass line, punchy female vocals and a shimmering arpeggiator synth. on the b side, club bizarre delivers an incredible extended version of a classic french cut from the 80 s.

organic analogue broadens its remit on this killer boogie inflected diversion from italian producer croza. where the label has been often associated with deeper techno and electro, it sounds right at home exploring the moog bass licks and snappy drum programming that pours like a fine wine out of every track. night heat is the perfect lead track, all steamy synth throb and funky guitar licks, while feel turns up the pressure with a proto house burner that would have set the paradise garage alight. also look out for a rare appearance from ad bourke, who cruises on to the record to deliver a blissed out version of night heat for the smokiest of sundown situations.

naïf 008 opens a series of five eps that will be released around the release of the dj-mix-cd also named naif which has its release in april 2018 the first strike comes with two blinding techno tracks: running man is a contribution by the gentleman of techno steve bicknell. the other comes from the young swedish producer that goes by the name of kuf and who is part of the arsenik crew. besides that we find two compositions by phillip sollmann himself that show his abstract and experimental approach. while aliasing bells is a texture of sampled tibetan bells tag3 by his side-project autolyse is a jam on a light-sensor-controlled custom-made synth. perfect for layering on top of a mix. after more then three years of silence as a producer, efdemin aka phillip sollmann returns with a striking hybrid concept that merges the album format with the continuous dj mix format, presenting completely new material in a seamless manner. the cd-mix, named naif, officially reinstates his label of the same name and is a sprawling tour of inner space featuring 19 distinct tracks from fellow producers along with an additional ten that feature efdemin himself (either as soloist or collaborator). the release condenses his decade-long dj-ing journey and evolution as a producer into a single potent elixir of contemporary techno. naïf consists of completely unreleased material from both himself and valued collaborators, all of which will eventually manifest as ep releases: five on his own naïf label and two more on curle.

the resurgence of icelandic techno continues with the latest release on ae recordings, seeing bjarnar jonsson returning to his long standing ohm project alongside emergent talent kvadrant. the pair were last seen on kvadarant s kontakt label, and their production partnership is clearly still yielding quality, dubbed out techno in the finest scandinavian tradition. even if all the tracks are built with a steely techno focus to them, the synth work and sound design scattered throughout the tracks elevates this to a higher level, not least on the bubbling geisers of signal processing that course through the middle of grip.

auke riemersma (aka aux tha masterfader). erio simonini and gilberto caleffi (aka disco doubles). together this partnership from the netherlands and italy form light cycles, a trio raised on sci-fi sound tracks and smouldering synth anthems. these influences are omnipresent in the group s debut 12-: flowing. addictively catchy hooks and clean beats are central to the light cycles sound with their dazzling melodies glimmering across the 12-. elements of disco are folded into these spirited compositions as this forward-looking triumvirate marry past inspirations with a hope-filled future. seamless radiance. simply put, flowing.

up next on wolfskuil records and as the title suggests we find some of shlomos finest cuts on the dutch imprint reworked by oscar mulero, johannes heil and tripeo. spanish techno master oscar mulero takes over the a-side, keeps the heat of the original and adds extra tension to offer a stand out rendition of obsession, while in vanished breath he goes deep and delivers fine electronica and a sophisticated, experimental remix where broken beats and haunting synths seamlessly blend to create ghostly atmospheres. on the flip side johannes heil transforms the beatless, synth-heavy beauty m.u.m. into an euphoric, driving techno track, right before tripeo proves ones again his strong command on the dancefloor with a solid, twisted version of avadon part 1

to those familiar with the output of cologne-based imprint firm from back in the early ‘00s, the name of geiger, alias nass, shall undoubtedly ring a bell. herald of an hedonistic melange of funk-soaked electro pop and guitar-riddled synth music, sitting somewhere close to acts like ween and junior boys, alexander geiger is about to break a eight-year hiatus with the drop of his debut album under the newly-founded moniker of fahrland. a release that both encompasses a healthy dose of the discoid tropes from the firm era but also aspires to split with a segment of it, geared towards exploring further undisclosed fringes of his shape-shifting sound universe, ‘mixtape vol.1’ is the fruit of a decisive move from the sleepless berlin to the peaceful countryside landscapes of fahrland – a lushly forested area near potsdam which you’ll have understood played an essential role in geiger’s longed-for return. the vinyl lp includes a download code.

to those familiar with the output of cologne-based imprint firm from back in the early ‘00s, the name of geiger, alias nass, shall undoubtedly ring a bell. herald of an hedonistic melange of funk-soaked electro pop and guitar-riddled synth music, sitting somewhere close to acts like ween and junior boys, alexander geiger is about to break a eight-year hiatus with the drop of his debut album under the newly-founded moniker of fahrland. a release that both encompasses a healthy dose of the discoid tropes from the firm era but also aspires to split with a segment of it, geared towards exploring further undisclosed fringes of his shape-shifting sound universe, ‘mixtape vol.1’ is the fruit of a decisive move from the sleepless berlin to the peaceful countryside landscapes of fahrland – a lushly forested area near potsdam which you’ll have understood played an essential role in geiger’s longed-for return. this limited edition bundle includes the vinyl lp plus mc and download code.

tommy mandels mello magic on invisible city editions is a compilation of personal synth-laden pop songs created between 1980-87 in nyc. big big tip!

having recently signed to brownswood recordings, announced via new track ‘i’ll be on your mind’, skinny pelembe’s first single proper for the london imprint, ‘spit / swallow’ spans pastoral pop, psychedelic textures and hip-hop-tipped, chopped and spliced guitar, interlacings samples with rolling drum breaks and echoed falsettos. b-side ‘toy shooter’ follows in similar fashion, bridging psych-rock exaltation with beat-head, synth-jamming production.

adam beyer s drumcode closed out another hugely successful year in 2017, with a non-stop release schedule showcasing some of the best techno on offer from both the labels roster of artists to some fresh new names popping up on the scene. now in its 21st year, the label announced its drumcode festival later this summer, that will only contribute to solidify their position as the world s no.1 techno label. making his debut on drumcode in 2017 with his track fake featured on the a-sides vol 6 compilation, one of brazil s much loved exports wehbba brings us his first full ep this february with eclipse . a no nonsense 4 track offering, and all thoroughly road tested by adam, they have gained much support from longtime drumcode fans. eclipse, delivers a low end rumble along with a modulating synth line. reigning high throughout the track, is the undeniably catchy and unique synth. leaving this track one to be recognised on dancefloors all over the world. ‘protocol doesn t turn down the pace, straight into a chugging hypnotic drive, this track leaks with attitude, along it s eerie undertones. probably the most acid influenced track of the ep, glasswerk has a futuristic modular synth riff which thunders along a hypnotic bass line which flows nicely into framework to close out the ep. its punchy and powerful kick sits alongside the cleverly crafted synth pattern, taking this track into a dark zone with a groovy element still resonant.

deepartsounds may be a sublabel of moto music, but it s achieved so much on its own terms over the past decade. now joe lewis is joining the esteemed ranks of the label with even more experience behind him he was recording for the likes of relief records and peacefrog way back when. its no secret when you listen to his jams on back 2 live, where rugged and raw synth lines sit atop tough machine beats. love mystery is plenty tender where it counts, but 9 lives and confused house head towards a rougher end goal for the nastier kind of party.

molten moods releases another finely curated various artists record with tracks by skee mask, kessel vale, jonas yamer and konrad wehrmeister. kessel vales opening track -voguing geisha- is an unconventional breakbeat masterpiece following his sense of harmony and rhythm already shown through previous releases on tanstaafl records and rhythm nation. as the track unfolds it reveals musical storytelling by integrating a technoid polyrhythmic loop structure into melodic synth figures, slowly deconstructing in the end. skee mask collaborated with molten moods labelhead and carl gari member jonas yamer on -fanta ocean-, it being the first release ever outside of his ilian tape homebase. the outcome is a moody idm piece with cinematic qualities, complex but soothing. the b-side begins with -xenomorph- by konrad wehrmeister, who is known by his releases on public possession and svs records. this trancy yet distorted and detailed electro banger surely takes on the role of the records dancefloor highlight. the closing track -insgeheim- is delivered by molten moods head honcho jonas yamer. here groovy kicks, distorted chords and a psychedelic pad are woven into one compelling 10 am techno track. the common thread of molten moods 4 is four young munich artists going on a joint trip into idiosyncratic electronic music. the resulting tracks intertwine as one modern and diverse techno record. out on 12&#8243,, vinyl and wav by the end of march 2018. in the tradition of molten moods cost-conscious design strategies by paul bernhard, the record comes with a xeroxed low budget sticker set. mastered by manmade.

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.

nice price deal !!! another bomb on uncage! this ep is heavily influenced by that berlin techno modular sound, kicking off with >terraforming< and its percussive swing coupled with synthetic percussive riffs twisting in and out the mix. >monastero< is a slow builder of a track, a haunting synth line accompanies firing hi-hats. head down late-night moments are to be had with >exoplanet< with a low key acid line slicing through the background, leading us into >solar shade<. the lead track has a low-end rumbling sub, deep and powerful with an eerie vibe.

simoncino returns to uttu with 4 synth led electronix cuts - super deep introspective techno & house from one of the best to do it!

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.

delicate wash, a new label for edits, is run by anonymous vinyl enthusiasts craving to deliver the gems for all the discerning djs and collectors out there. these gems are cut and polished following very high quality standards! this debut release is a synth-heavy selection, with a definite cosmic vibe throughout. in short: ultimate killer edits, four diverse and at the same time perfectly matching tracks that are sure to be ace cards in your arsenal.

currently generating some serious heat and momentum amongst dance music aficionados, man power rocks up with a single for futureboogie that further cements the reputation of this rising british producer/dj. the two original tracks are also backed with a remix from ruf dug. alongside his own very excellent me me me label, man power has been delivering diversely epic releases for labels like esp institute, optimo trax, and correspondant. in its original form, barranquilla trifle features rave-lite stabs and deliciously sweeping pads over woody percussion and an omnipresent studry bassline. a dash of acid darkness only energizes the mood, for what must surely be one of the best ‘sunrise moments’ tracks of the year! ruf dug takes barranquilla further on its trajectory towards summertime vibes the sounds of the ocean sea gently breeze over the soca beat, as the ruf kutz main man adds splashes of percussive hits, huge m1 pads, and melodious keys to the party. more 303 business coats kaon from its opening bars, as man power delivers his second original track on the release. an urgent breakbeat and wandering mega-bass soon evolve into thunderous beats and heady synth arpeggios, an almost post-punk funk atmosphere creeps into the bustling yet succinct ambience.

returning with his signature sound, cuartero is releasing his moon crash ep on the revered hot creations. two high-paced, underground rollers to energise and hypnotise, completed by a masterful groove-heavy remix from dj sneak & tripmastaz. moon crash combines a sturdy, looping low-end and rhythmic, mid frequency percussion. a playful mix of synth and vocal chops, stabs and blips, transform into an invigorating ride. the legendary dj sneak and fellow house gangster, tripmastaz, combine forces on their sp1200 fire mix, turning the original moon crush on it’s head with affected vocals, a rejuvenated bassline and a jackin’ house beat. cuartero hails from malaga, spain, and has been releasing music since 2009 on labels like desolat, moon harbour and saved. in 2015 he was named best newcomer dj at the dj awards and in 2017 he won best tech house artist and artist of the year at the vicious music awards.

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.

500, 12inch 180g, hand stamped, individually numbered records, single press only. tusk s old pal cyclonix follows up his horn wax record with a full release on the main label. justin strauss & bryan mette provide a whatever/whatever remix

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.

torino label we play the music we love has already made a strong start with some immersive turns by trevor deep jr and rills, and now they provide a platform for italian duo luminer. -indaco- is a charged up dub techno excursion with crisp percussion to propel the classic chord shimmer that course through the centre of the track. -canadian- takes a deeper direction with a crafty tapestry of synth flares and a more understated rhythm section. hiver s reconstruction of -indaco- opts for a crooked electro foundation, nimble acid line and a shapeless swell of pad tones as the key ingredients, and then icelandic techno champ thor whips up a sharp-strutting dub techno variation of -canadian- that sits comfortably with the luminer tracks.

brazilian born producer and self-confessed studio freak terr will be making her debut with have you ever on permanent vacation. she found recognition with her creative, quirky electronica productions, said to be heavily influenced by her use of analog gear, her sound is a combination of techno, house and disco with futuristic textures and elements. throwback disco meets techno, alongside a scintillating synth in have your ever, not forgetting the mesmerising robotic female vocal hook. a thunderous kick drum bass line combo takes the dub version into a more late-night dance edit of the original. hauntingly cinematic with its hook line, memoir hints on some intergalactic synthetic inspiration, which builds into a nearly disco-esque breakdown. this track lends well to roll into twenty thousand leagues metallic and bubbling with its multi-layered textures. its delicate and finely tuned.

first release of label la casa tropical, two south african nuggets. especially smile is a sought after tune by satari. the flip might even be better. tip! synth heavy south african disco boogie from the mid 80s. first issued near the end of the synth-pop era that gave boom to the local record industry, this release takes the b-sides off the mysterious groups first 2 singles recorded at johannesburgs legendary satbel and ovation studio. combining live instruments and an embrace of the electronic gear that was already standard in all studios city wide, the newly formed supergroup was able to create a unique sound at a time the word disco was starting to be associated with a different emerging movement.

vision songs vol. 1 (1984) is the laraaji album like no other, located at the intersection of new age and gospel. it is both his outlier and magnum opus, the feel-good diy tape of the century. discovered busking in washington square park by brian eno in the late 70s, engagement with the eternal flow has led laraaji to, seemingly by magic, emerge as the most beloved avatar of the unstoppable new age music revival of recent years. now vision songs rewrites laraaji’s musical history. unlike the many instrumental, free form albums upon which his reputation was built, this is an album of songs, with lyrics, verses, choruses. vision songs is literally a revelation -- of a master songwriter whose unbelievably catchy best compositions such as “we shall be lifted”, “all of a sudden”, and “is this clear?” belong in any great american songbook. casio synth jams recorded at spiritual retreat guest rooms and a tiny bedroom on the upper west side, lysergicallyspectacular anthems for a continually arriving new moment, “channeled,” as laraaji states in the album’s eloquent liner notes, “from the sky,” previously available in an edition of 100 cassettes sold at yoga retreats and on the streets of new york city, vision songs is humbly offered on vinyl, cd, and streaming for the very first time. this is where this is going on, this is where this is taking place, this is how this is going on. is this very clear?

something happening somewhere returns with a new collection of stories unified under the brand new nowhere compilation series. shards of tales long forgotten are told and retold by a group of fellow travellers, exploring sounds in many shapes and forms. sailing towards an unknown destination, revealed here are the hymns luring you into the abyss… the nowhere 01 vinyl sampler is a carefully curated selection of freshly crafted propellants pressed on wax for the very first time. quince gives us a saturated electronic work-out, combining gritty drum sounds with bass guitar and odd timed synth zaps. kurt baggaley’s detect was a digital exclusive from his remembering infinity ep, now finally available on black gold! it features a similar electro groove but uses artificial intelligence to add vocoder sounds and digitally aliased robot tears. fader from borneo takes a more frontal approach providing a catchy bass riff with warm pads and synthesised strings to guide you in a comfortable trance.

as the lead singer of george darko s legendary burger-highlife hit-band, lee dodou became the number one voice of 80 s highlife. born in kumasi, the epicenter of ghanaian highlife, he came to berlin in the late 70 s - by then the uprising epicenter of burger-highlife - to work as a back-up-singer for pat thomas. after joining and leaving georg darko and running his own band -kantata-, he stopped releasing music in the early 90 s. now, philophon is proud to present new recordings of his soulful genius to the world of 2018. basa basa is a song in the classic -concert party- style, as it was played in the glorious 60 s. after a firey horn introduction lee takes over in that funny and entertaining manner typical for -concert party- music. buzz duncker joins lee s phrases with some gentle clarinet. highlife at its best! sahara akwantuo is anything but a classic: it s the start of a kind of philophonic highlife, labeled as kraut-life. ghanaian love of life meets german romantic melancholy. happy rhythms meet mysterious synth landscapes. eternal summertime and mangos are meeting a wet winter world and roast apples. kraut-life at its best!

for the first time iron curtis enters the ring over the full ep length for uncanny valley. there hasn t been much of a discussion whether or not this is something for uncanny valley when iron curtis approached the four label heads with this new pile of dance floor material. these tunes are too good. iron curtis must have been particularly inspired by the muse while producing these four outstanding house tracks. you ll feel a comprehensive knowledge about dance music s history when listening. no doubt, the franconian who is now based in berlin has spent a good time of analysing house music s techniques. -sweet romancer- is the best example for his studio eloquence. modulated synths, a classic bass line and a whole batch of drum ideas are combined into a wonderful track. the interplay between subtlety and vitality characterizes -nixdorf danse-. plus, you won t forget those strings. on -triroom- he proves that he has a knack for melodies as well. finally, -take me home- should provide a lot of emotional moments on the dance floor with its dramatic piano and crescendo-like synth line.

after the stunning meteor ep (af006 / 2017), james shinra returns embracing his classic trademark of electro, acid braindance and addictive synth-laden tracks. supernova ep is operating in new, and uncharted ways. classical future sound.

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.

emanton (dann abala) is an argentinian producer, electronic musician and thereminist. after studying with synth maestro ernesto romeo, dann began producing under emanton and also has an experimental alias as turvia. here we have what emanton perfectly describes as hard esoteric/mystical/ mega darkness sound. four dark and pounding tracks with leanings toward industrial in uences and maintaining a consistently propulsive sound-design techno vibe. carefully crafted with a diverse spread of analog gear/synths and modular instruments. absolutely perfect example of the transfusions aesthetic.

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.-

trinidadian producer and long respected deep house soldier damien lee ah yen aka trinidadian deep returns on the legendary shelter label for an ep of sun drenched, soulful sounds entitled tribute songs . this ep marks the start of a new run of releases for the newly regenerated ny house label that has long been at the forefront of the deeper end of house and garage for over 2 decades. trinidadian deep s latest effort see 2 brand new cuts - dear owen & snake hips cover a wonderfully emotive and rhythmically driven pair of cuts that can work on the dancefloor at any time of the day or night! on dear owen gorgeous melodic pads envelope around recordings of children playing far off in the distance, weaving guitars and live percussions drive us into a dreamlike state, a truly sublime and blissed slice of music indeed. snake hips sees things move in a more stripped back, techy direction that still maintains the td trademark deepness, a blend of detroit leaning synth notes and live cowbells combine to create a joyful mood that will undoubtedly take the dancers off into a new cosmos, heads down and hands up to the sky. a truly original 12- here and one that sees the shelter label heading off into a new and exciting direction for the future, essential house music.

aroop roy has been making waves with his unique sounds for the past few years, with a wealth of successful releases and a busy gig schedule at the helm of some of the best clubs around the world. by fusing elements of jazz, afro, latin, funk and soul with the deeper end of house and disco, aroop has forged his own style with eps on revered labels including g.a.m.m, basic fingers, freestyle and lazy days. for his delusions of grandeur debut he pulled out all the stops, delivering three original tracks which further show his diversity as an artist and ability to produce left of centre, quality underground music without losing sight of the dancefloor. things kick off with save our love, a track that’s absolutely brimming with energy thanks to punchy wurlitzer chops, tension-building philly strings, and a rock-solid disco groove. next up we have what i love which sees aroop take an altogether more freaky approach flipping an uptempo rolling break, distorted synth line, cross-rhythm stabs and rasping vocal cuts into an edgy dance floor workout. closing this brilliant ep is the low-slung bump of walk that walk featuring original vocals from oakland, ca based blacktroniks who delivers his flow on top of a bass-heavy slice of deep electro boogie.

another alias returns with the second installment of white of my eyes. wome002 continues along the path laid out by 001, but takes it a step further into varied moods from the sledgehammer-esque -heave- to the melancholy -creep on the couch. while keeping with his off-kilter rhythms and erratic synth work.

groenis -nihx- entstand am fuße des mount victoria. nihx wollten sich kompositorisch und klanglich herausfordern und untersuchten die merkmale von konfliktpunkten zwischen gegnerischen kräften. wie in der vergangenheit und wie bei vielen elektronischen projekten ist die musik sozusagen -in der box- geschrieben worden. um dieser technik entgegenzuwirken, schrieben die drei mitglieder von groeni (al, mike und james) jeweils zahlreiche kompositionsskizzen, bevor sie in den digitalen bereich gelangten. mit ähnlicher inspiration wollte die band einzigartige und personalisierte sounds außerhalb des computers erstellen. die überwiegende mehrheit der drumsounds wurde aus samples von mikes immer umfangreicher werdender synth-sammlung gemacht. zahlreiche sounds sind manipulierte rückkopplungen von unter anderem gitarren oder vocals. die gesamte platte wurde in drei heimstudios in wellington, nz, geschrieben und aufgenommen und hat fast zwei jahre bis zur fertigstellung gebraucht. die limitierte vinyl auflage enthält einen mp3-download-coupon.

inspired by classical music and the film scores of sci-fi and horror classics such as terminator, videodrome and phantasm, and those of electronic pioneers tangerine dream and vangelis, comes ‘earth loop’ - the debut album from william young aka moon gangs. the album casts ambient analogue synth loops alongside cinematic drones, resulting in an evocative, nostalgic soundworld that’s as invigorating as it is foreboding.

the x vinyl series continues with label head florian meindl at the helm with the upcoming release metaphysics. synonymous with deep, dark techno, florian does not disappoint with this 4 track ep, enlisting in demand producer and rabe label boss denise rabe on remixing duties. playing live with his modular synth set up, florian began working on the concept for what would become these three original tracks while playing shows over the last month. the live jam character can clearly be felt in the first two tracks metaphysics and holomorphic function. florian s original bell s theorem has a deep melodic structure. with denise rabes interpretation, the track is contorted through some serious distortion pedals and broken beat to match her dark take on the synth line. the outcome is an impressive piece for one of those never ending nights in concrete walled rooms with oversized loudspeakers.

initially described as superlative 25th century electronic exotica by cowboy rhythmbox themselves, the fourth ep from phantasys in-house trouble and hitmakers received support from top jocks including dixon, jackmaster and marcel dettmann. now, i’s dynamic lead track is rejigged, expanded upon and shot through with analogue energy by two equally inventive producer pairings. fellow outsiders on the inside of the house of house, israels finest red axes take the first turn, coaxing the cosmos out of the original and allowing the bewildering vocal samples to lead the way through waves of more than pleasurable cosmic tension. soon, with the timing just right, feet to pedals and strobe to hand, the pair unleash a series of distorted guitar licks that blow dust off the stacks, even throwing in a sharp blast of their trademark surrealist vocals for extra freaky fx. on the flip, marvin and guy zone out and hone in on the originals ebm-indebted elements to contribute a trippy, wave-riding electro rework that oscillates irresistibly. teasing listeners with a playful, almost naive synth line, the mood shimmers instead with uncompromising acid, as the pair ultimately push the modulars into strange and hypnotic territories to get lost in.

italian duo hiver present the spiritual machines ep, their debut on obscura. inverted scale brandishes a hypnotic synth lead that swirls into a formidable energy. the title track is a meditative ambient cut immersed in deep waters, whilst glass effect? exposes a similar form with radiant sonic properties. on the b side, orbe turns the title track into a low slung basement workout, whilst crossing avenues rework of rj45 channels psytrance and rave sentiments.

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.

deeptrax proudly present the first various artists sampler on deeptrax records called deep series 1. after receiving demos from artists all over the world we found beautiful tracks that would fit perfectly together on a great sampler for home listening or proper dj massacre.
mcm starting off with a minimalist analogue techno groover. that flows into a great atmospheric acid track from lowe ake user. next to that, the mysterious 1989...
the b side of this ep is more focussed on minimalistic house music. one half of tsempoo named tserg already did his wonderful debut ep on deeptrax. together with a friend he releases music under his second alias named tsempoo. rich p, who will do multiple releases on deeptrax ending the ep with a simplistic though wonderful handcrafted techno. an ep full of heavy drum rhythms, moody synth lines and ambient soundscapes throughout.
limited to 250 copies pressed at deepgrooves!

the tireless and titanic dance figure that is dj t. is next up on seth troxler’s essential play it say it label. dj t. has done it all in his long and storied career, from setting up one of the most influential labels in get physical to founding groove magazine via opening the monza club and, of course, serving up always inventive eps and lps on the best labels of the day. his sound has evolved through many house, disco and tech styles and has kept him an in-demand dj for more than 25 years. these new missives are yet more proof that few know how to work the floor as well as dj t. the perfectly menacing keep it close kicks things off with a dark, snaking bassline underpinning freaky synth stabs. the pressure builds throughout and will have the crowd locked in before it pulls back and builds again with a masterful grasp of mood. hitting much harder is the excellent the day it all started, a more physical house track with solid kicks is designed for maximum impact in the club. tumbling bass and gurgling synth riffs flesh this one out and ensure it is a real piece of dynamite. last of all is the retro-tinged 1988, with its tightly programmed drums, slick claps and spraying acid line. its a wild track to get the freaks out of the shadows and on to the ‘floor. this is a fresh ep that offers three very different but equally effective club tracks that are sure to blow up in the coming months

after last year s stellar ep on l.i.e.s. records, veteran, brooklyn-based producer and dj jake reif (savage hymn, upsetting keys) continues to make waves with his device control brand. the first side of the new ep2 begins with silhouettes: a robotic, techno-funk work out with a nasty kick drum, swirling modular sounds and a timothy leary inspired vocoded vocal. an instrumental version has been included for selectors who prefer tracks to songs. on the flip, joystuck continues the aural assault with a slightly more stripped-back approach. hard-hitting metallic percussion and screaming, alien-esque synth bleeps are all that s necessary here to decimate a dance-floor. finally, divisive rounds out the ep with a stomping vengeance, its jacking claps and dissonant harmonics have been carefully designed to deliver a sonic gut-punch, taking no prisoners when played on a club system

2017 saw the first two stunning instalments of lone aka matt cutlers ambivert tools series - breezy atmospheric house, stacked with floor ready trax, inspired by his red hot magic wire imprint. it also saw him present an inspired instalment for the venerable dj kicks series. (mixmag number 2 compilation 2017) now freshening up for 2018, volume 3 finds lone in vintage form - temples reconciles his love of heavy breakbeats with the nagging euphoric melodies, tracer thin synth lines and angular bass for which he is so beloved. hyper seconds once again displays cutlers ability to channel the grooves of classic us house with a banging rhythm track and glistening gated arpeggios contrast perfectly for a rugged peak time bliss out. with this latest instalment of ambivert tools its fair to say that cutler has proved himself one of the most consistent delivers of quality dancefloor tackle that perfectly balances the need for radiant melody harmony with tough grooves and psychedelic experimentation.