module werk continues his fine form of recent releases with another fresh sounding production for lime street music. slabs of raw drum patterns meet jittery acid and nervy cold synths resulting in four different trips for varying moods. jeremiah r appears on remix duties and turns out a real late night driving track in his usual signature style.

hugo manuel is better known by his musical alias chad valley. a product of oxford’s prolific creative community, chad valley has amassed a catalogue that spans four studio releases, numerous collaborations and dozens of remixes. his 2010 debut — a self-titled exploration in swirling synths and sunburnt melodies — laid the groundwork for 2011’s equatorial ultravox, which gave his downtempo productions a decidedly more pop-leaning twist. it was with equatorial ultravox, and his 2013 album young hunger, that chad valley’s profile sprung forward, strengthened by a string of key touring slots supporting the likes of erasure, chvrches, active child and passion pit, and by his collaborations with el perro del mar, glasser, totally enormous extinct dinosaurs and twin shadow. after releasing 2015 s sparkling entirely new blue and continued touring extensively, as he now prepares to release his third full-length album in 2018. imaginary music includes the previously released singles “up again” and “la in august,” both of which bolster one of the strongest batches of material chad valley has yet delivered. the vinyl release includes a download code.

over the course of four unforgettable eps released on throne of blood since 2013, hardway brother sean johnston has cultivated a broad international following for his singular brand of dancefloor fodder. best known as one half of legendary dj team a love from outer space alongside the one-and-only andrew weatherall, johnston’s roots in the dance music scene include a clutch of leftfield 90’s era bangers on labels like sabres of paradise and flashcomm. beyond his original output, johnston has also remixed the likes of man power, the asphodells, museum of love, split secs, clandestino and many more. the laser ep is peaktime hardway bros business. friedman feedback loop revision (a nod to tob boss james friedmans highly-valued opinions) is a masterclass in efficient simplicity, elevating a few basic loops into an exhilarating 8 minute monster. the laser rounds out the a side with a classic electro rhythm/bass/vocal sample combo could easily have landed in retro territory. instead, hardway bros easily flips a clutch of oldschool tricks into an utterly modern execution. the b-side finds tobs label manager max pask injecting friedman feedback loop revision with his love for all things analog and italo. with his impressive collection of synths brought to life by chinatown records brennan green, the song is transformed into an epic set closer thats already devasting dancefloors like berlins panorama bar. the ep closes with afro sirene, a midtempo groover with melodic arpeggios built for the discerning djs warm-up set.

the next offering on crosstown rebels comes from italian trio pastaboys, who gift us with a rhythmic and hypnotic three-parter. they invite the inimitable rebolledo to take on remix duties to complete this package. the ep is a trance-inducing affair. the trio lure us in with opener kolo kolo. its funky rhythm sets a precedent as its trance-inducing power builds layer upon layer into an intoxicating and hypnotic groove. abbassa is up next. heavy on the bass, with a sensuality that is palpable. the african vocal adds a tribal touch before the track tumbles into a crescendo of urgent synths. rebolledos version of abbassa is a more cosmic affair, staying true to his psychedelic inclinations and with an added a bass guitar groove. pastaboys have been releasing music since the dawn of the new millenium. they’ve showcased their tasteful and highly refined productions on imprints such as 83 west and defected. releases such as born again, body resonance, limit, hozho, deep musique prove that their music is timeless and that dance music is still a matter of groove and soul.

from tillburg to hamburg, from the brutal techno of drvg cvltvre to the distorted synths of fallbeil, that new avengers split ep is an acid trip into the raw sounds of northern europe s diy rave scene some hard stuff for the 21st century punks!

after a quiet year jan hendez is back with new textures for this 4th output on lumbago’s imprint. this release, built around different construction and moods, welcomes 3 originals and a clever equation of those joints by the infamous professor le loup. welcome in the geeky cave! a1 is composed of strong, deep basslines that melts with beautiful synths and twisted rhythms that will bring you directly to space. a2 jan hendez achieve a really interesting mix of his influences with a track that we have difficulties to categorize, breakbeat oriented, also electro, but with his minimal touch. ravy and deep. b1 is the more housy oriented, a great tool for djs with a good drop of acid on the middle. b2, le loup used elements of the three originals to mastermind a clever track between minimal house, and electro.

astray is the sublabel of away, berlin.having showcased his more experimental on-edge techno design with his first two astray releases, discrete circuits control zero ep marks his most straightforward installment yet. the title track gets down to business without detours by growing into a powerful drum avalanche that combines bone-dry kicks with a frenetic atmosphere - point-blank: peak-time techno for the dance floor. ed davenport completes the a-side with a remix from his dj and production alter ego inland, who adds more muscle to the lower frequencies in order to retell a darker tale unfolding a cutting groove. although both tracks on the flip pick up the pace and intensity, they venture out into less dense, more emotional directions. dimensional equivalent embodies a no-nonsense rollout that builds an icy groove with a kick drum that, only blended by alerting, dream-like synths, never lets up. conjugate works with similar vocabulary while repeating bleep sounds, that are buried underneath the pounding grid, shift the focus towards both the varied percussion and the narrative progression.

matt edwards newly launched reissue label, r-time records, prepares its third release, the second instalment of sir lord comixx retroactive. r-time records shines a light on classic tracks that didnt always get the recognition they deserve, with the labels first two releases coming from sir lord comixx and fbk. real name amoon andrews, sir lord commix’s discography has been in high demand for many years, evident by soaring market prices. the a-side of retroactive (part two) features two tracks from a rare untitled release on hard up, whilst the b-side is made up of chicago jazz from the funk box ep on eukahouse (under his a.moon moniker in 98) and motionvibe from azid jazz ep on cynic in 05. cosmic synths join wonky arps in ur my omen before moving into the more up-tempo fog horn with its robust drums, off-beat bleeps and filtered effects. chicago jazz takes things into deeper territories with crystalline rhodes and jazz-influenced samples until motionvibe concludes the package with its syncopated structure comprised of twisted sounds, murky atmospherics and effervescent nuances.

georgian producer hamatsuki appeared on gasp last year with the uncertain loops cassette release, but makes his vinyl debut on this damn fine 12- for the recently minted sensu label. -remember- is a rich, undulating swirl of deep house laden with melancholic pads, while -rett- sports a sunnier tone for its own arsenal of soft, rounded synth tones. dj sports comes on board for a remix of -rett- that plays with said synths and creates springy, computer jazz melodic threads out of them. -inexplainable inner sadness- completes the set with another trip into warm, chicago-indebted house tones for the introspective dancer.

second ep from raär on his own label, with his recognisable sound signature he continue to show us his vision. from the delicate and lush pads of the side a to the gloomy and noisy synths of the side b.

mechatronica launches their new white series, dedicated to limited edition white label records across synth, wave, ebm and italo with a va release featuring inhalt, violet poison, sneaker and daniel holt.
mechatronica white 1 opens with sneaker’s gloomy remix of german synth-pop band opus leopard, followed by the electrifying instrumental version of “alles” - a relentlessly progressing piece of body music from san francisco trio, inhalt. on the flip, violet poison summons a fat, trippy ebm-leaning groove, before daniel holt finishes off the record with anthemic synths and a ticket to the cosmos on “floating mansions”.

spanish techno artist aiken is back on his own timeline label with another ep that offers up four more of his evocative takes on the genre. it comes after previous outings on non series and semantica and is his label’s first release since 2016. “basic principles” is up first and mesmerises with a pulsing lead synth line that forever changes shape. pummelling drums power along below and add up to a disorientating and hypnotic overall effect. “theory” is deeper and more rubbery, with manic synths and pads all racing along and pilling on the pressure while “midline” is right out fo the jeff mills playbook with its molten sci-fi synths journeying through outer space. clean, crips drums are upright and taught and get you on your toes, then “restriction” closes things out in superb minimalist fashion. this ep covers plenty of ground, and all of it is utterly compelling.

vactrol park are kyle martin and guido zen. besides responsible for 2 unforgettable eps on esp institute in 2015 & 2016 under this alias, kyle and guido are prolific producers, with kyle being part of spectral empire (alongside black merlin), as well as half of land of light (with johnny nash) and more, while guido has been producing under the alias of brain machine amongst others. since malka tuti has been a fan of all of the above, it is no surprise the duo found its way into the ever growing family. with an lp scheduled later in 2018, this ep, self titled, is a door into the sound of vactrol park and its evolution - ever deeper, abstract, and mature. always clear, coherent and flowing, never boring. expect big things from this duo, as their live show, incorporating self-built modular synths and effects is destined for greatness…

amir alexanders 2nd full lp lands, this time on the powerhouse of just jack recordings providing a journey through techno, acid and house. from the space-age melodies and overdriven synths of lemmings off a cliff!, to the pounding acid & infamous my house vocal on in the beginning!, the lp starts with a bang. halfway through the broken beat and blippy rude boy! stands out, along with the big room gospel house gold of blessed are the meek! weep not! takes it full circle matching a similar distorted bass to the opener with some exquisite synth work. no wonder all the titles have exclamation marks this is 8 tracks of serious tackle!

dj, producer and rex club resident molly presents the third ep for her rdv music imprint, drawing on talent from across her native france, featuring fellow parisian aleqs notal (clek clek boom, sistrum) and 1977, as featured on syncrophone s for those who know imprint. while each side and artist offer their own distinctive flavour, percussive, classy late-night house music is the main course ideal for late nights under dim red lights.aleqs notal pays tribute to the timeless appeal of spinning analogue wax throughout opening track, sweet rotation a simple hymn to the essence of house music, bubbling gently on bright keys and woozy basslines. hands on follows, offering a more nocturnal angle on this enduring aesthetic, reducing the energy but enhancing the atmosphere even further, both on-record and across any packed dancefloor.the more southern sensibility of 1977 brings drumwork to the fore, weaving an exotic, patient tapestry of bubbling, alluring synths and analogue feedback across two confident, percussive jams. while vodoom indulges in tension and intrigue, ep closer jdlf is pure, unwinding pleasure, across which each of 1977s influences and instruments are offered freedom to breathe and evolve.with this installment of emminently classy and supremely confident house, rdv music continues to prove itself as one of the most worthy musical institutions on the contemporary parisian scene.

berlin based jens dohle is a man of many talents. an accomplished composer and arranger for theatre productions across europe, classically trained multi instrumentalist, explosive live drummer for ye:solar, munk, hot coins, sado opera. longtime collaborator with danilo plessow aka mcde and noema from african shakedown fame. remixer for jazzanova and 4 hero. there s not enough room here to list his amazing work. 2018 ushers forth a new identity to his already enviable c.v with his first ep as james dole (a jokingly anglicised version of his birth name). the 3 tracks here all showcase his ability to create a strong mood and use great splashes of melody and rhythm but without ever losing the groove. written during a period of introspection in deepest, darkest berlin, each one tells a different story. ex is a moody monster of a track. it builds and builds into a pounding nightime symphony with a kind of epic-ness which hints at many years spent mining the highs and lows of music, love and life. big room yet with a gut wrenching soul beneath the slightly flamboyant majesty. made in east berlin and well road tested in the cities debauched nightclubs. fantasia shows off mr doles jazz and broken beat background with rolling, funky drums sashaying with hip hoppy live jazz keys. then those signature euphoric yet melancholic synths appear halfway through the track to create an emotionally halcyon mood. wibes. the ep closes with grande. super melodic yet cinematic with amazing synth work and a sophisticated arrangement showcasing james s well trained musicianship and artistry. an opus of melody and longing built for italian arthouse films about unrequited love. dj support from - midland, honey soundsystem, sandrino, jimpster, ame, dvs1, shadow child, joe goddard, red rack em, futureboogie, soft rocks, domenic cappello, downtown party network, danny russell

the finnish tropical troupe maajo is back with a two-track ep. in contrast to the afro-balearic sound of their 2016 debut tropic of tulli, the new defo / mansaba ep is a step in a deeper and sometimes darker direction. defo kicks off the ep with a driving 5/4 rhythm. reminiscent of mark ernestus’ ndagga sounds, it is a tribal tune with maajo’s signature ethereal disco elements. trevor deep jr.’s version straightens out the original’s unconventional time signature and focuses on a four-to-four beat and plenty of berliner dub. the remix is a solid dancefloor tool, traversing the original like a train making its way through a dark rainforest. the b-side is entirely covered by mansaba, a 14-minute long journey into inwards. this studio jam, recorded largely live, is a wild mixture of polyrhythmic sequences, krautrock guitar licks, equatorial forest percussion and violin synths. the trip starts slow and soothing, sneakily picks up pace and keeps grow and growing, eventually exploding into a full-on tribal dance.

dropping on rekids this may, butch remixes good luck - basement jaxxs ubiquitous 2004 single featuring lisa kekaula. appearing on kish kash, basement jaxxs third studio album, the unforgettable single was nominated for a grammy in the best dance recordings category and also reached number 12 on the uk singles chart and number 2 on hot dance club play in the us. good luck also featured as the opening theme of 2004 anime movie appleseed, victoria’s secret fashion show in 2003 and 2005, and a version without lyrics was used for the opening sequence of bbc’s uefa euro 2004. real name bu&#776,,,lent gu&#776,,,rler, german producer butch has been a formidable force within house and techno for over two decades, enchanting crowds from all across the globe with his technical performances. highly regarded for producing compelling grooves, his releases have appeared on labels like desolat, cocoon, rekids and sei es drum, not to mention collaborating alongside virginia, c. vogt and ricardo villalobos (as butric). receiving regular early support from villalobos, butch has provided three different renditions of good luck and the remix is a rhythmic roller from the off, featuring numerous elements from the original whilst generating a cacophony of percussion as kekaula’s iconic voice is chopped and looped – the result is highoctane and geared for the dancefloor. the dub strips things back, purely using segments of the vocal for instrumental purposes as a whirring bassline joins deep synths and mesmerising effects. tying it all together, the drum tool is a high-tempo percussive cut produced for peaktime dj sets

vinyl-only ep with tracks taken from debut album, discovery in the atomic garden - previously releasing as community corporation on argot and crisis urbana recordings. like changing the channel, changes in one’s life can suddenly bring about a new perspective. after moving from detroit to seattle, producer taylor hawkins suddenly found himself on flora fm. previously recording as community corporation, this fresh beginning in emerald city brought new sounds into hawkins’ repertoire. where he was once surrounded by cheap boogie and disco records in detroit, seattle’s used bins were full of uk imports, early 90s ambient techno records and the idm that followed. these new influences injected judicious breakbeats and top notch electro sensibilities into his already adventurous midwest techno aesthetic. it’s as if his music has come alive, each song a new sound world abuzz with fluttering synths, nimble percussion, and soaring melodies. recorded as single live takes using an mpc to control his drum machines and synthesizers, the flora fm music flowed quickly from hawkins and needed only gentle edits. the eight tracks on his digital debut album, discovery in the atomic garden, document his experience finding his way in seattle and in life, all through the lens of a fantastic and somehow futuristic musical viewpoint. the vinyl-only ep atomic garden includes four of the album’s most danceable tracks, all wrapped in gorgeous artwork by patrick savile

deepartsound, perpetual rhythms, osunlade s -yoruba-, and many others – -about u- is trinidadian deep s first release for croatian label burek.

born and raised on the island of trinidad and tobago, today a place this producer calls -home- is found on various locations scattered all over the globe and a variety of influences is what is immediately evident by rich sounds and textures engraved onto this piece of vinyl.

a side, -i want- is the most laid-back moment, in lack of a better term. warm-sounding tribal percussions supporting the interaction of deep chords and wonderfully lush synths running thought the whole track only to get enriched with a beautiful piano line in the 2nd half. if there is track fitting to represent the sunset, that transition from day to night moment – -i would- is the one.

b1 -ghost- is the track on the record with the most forward-momentum. deep tribal rhythms and lush synth lines are a sort-of a leitmotif on this record and are present here as well, with an occasional vocal snippet that only deepens the magic.

b2 -abourisha- makes good use of those leitmotifs in a similarly effective but overall quite different manner. broken rhythm gives it a slightly different energy, making it an ideal track for those 5 am moments when a track like this marks the night.

around 6 months after the success of the first lateral fragments vinyl, pjotr g & dubiosity return for part two. they continue where they left off, serving some deep, melodic vibes on tabula rasa and outage. with turmoil, the duo takes a bit of a different approach. the warm synths make way for some more hypnotic, raw vibes. petter b delivers a truly grand remix for turmoil, which is as fitting to lateral fragments as it is to your sets.

another fierce and unique act from the depths of the glasgow underground appear on optimo music with their debut green door studios recorded four track ep. keyboard player jim mckinven was previously in altered images, worked for many years in martin rushent s genetic studios, was in one dove and previously appeared on optimo music as one half of organs of love. he is however but one component of this transgenerational band. they describe their music far better than we could - “seedy electronica, consisting of 2 basses, electronic drums, synths and dark vocals. inspired by the avant-garde that influenced the electronic music scene of the late 70’s and early 80’s.”

sam vicary a.k.a hunrosa (meaning “to dream”) is an electronic music producer capturing the wild organic senses of his childhood and anchoring it with a darker 2am undercurrent. based in manchester, he is principally a bassist and currently a member of the cinematic orchestra, paper tiger and the dominic j marshall trio, as well as performing with manu delago, imogen heap, matthew halsall, anil sebastian and stuart macallum. his latest offering “ransome” is a heavily rhythmic journey, full of textured hand percussion and soaring strings, accompanied by the beautifully melodic vocals of alice higgins drifting overhead. the clap clap remix sees the black acre mainstay exploring expansive territories, polyrhythmic hand percussion and textured electronica perfectly intertwine, drenched in dub ambience, heightened by scattered arpeggios and swirling synths. the music is inspired by a coastal upbringing, represented in the music via field recordings, as well as being aided by visual stimulus throughout the writing process.

we are more than pleased to present the new counterweight artist, our new family member directly from aarhus/denmark. we adopted antn and his synthesizer army right after listening to his kickass techno. his brutal kicks, cut up voice samples, relentless hi-hats and aggressive synths convince from the very first second and you will easily understand, why we ve chosen him. to round up this release we are glad to have this massive rave mix by under black helmet... a dancefloor destroyer.

its taken almost 3 years to get the man like medlar back on delusions following his 2015 release with dan shake but finally its come together. that release, along with his regular output for wolf, riverette and for discos only has helped cement medlars reputation as one of the leading uk underground house producers and led to official remixes and approved edits for legendary labels tk disco and west end no less! the medlar seal of quality has led to support from such influential heavyweight selectors as dj harvey, gilles peterson and dj koze. kicking things off we see medlar in straight up dance floor mode on title track nrg, coming through with a drum-heavy workout that utilises a gnarly bassline, echoing synth stabs and rasping hats to excellent effect. flip over for his own dub version which strips things back further placing all the emphasis on the bassline and going heavy on the space echo for a tripped out, dubby warehouse vibe tailor made for the freaky hours. closing the ep we have the aptly named tripped which drops the bpm’s for a low-slung mood-setter to warm up the floors with. a simple groove lays the foundation for a rolling bassline while chiming synths weave in and out of the spacious mix.

american producer dustin zahn readies the next release on rekids special projects this april with four vigorous cuts entitled take the throne. dustin zahn has been flying the techno flag for two decades, releasing on labels like rekids when not helming the berlin-based enemy records, a label which has released music from artists like fellow us techno stalwart ambivalent, arts boss emmanuel, and innervisions producer yotam avni. zahn is also respected for train wrecks, his weekly podcast series inviting members of the house and techno community to discuss a wide variety of music and industry related topics and stories. the release opens with the thumping kicks and sci-fi melodies of take the throne before rolling into the dubby tones, infectious claps and rattling white noise of decorum. the atmospheric nameless midnight then follows, packed with echoing synths, tantalising effects and a twisted vocal sample that weaves throughout, arriving at the final track subtle flex where escalating synths meet syncopated percussion.

initially paying tribute to the analogue absurdity, sonic diversity and sheer imagination of the early 90s dance music landscape, future four returns after a hiatus of several years, pushing into new eras, machines and ideals with connection. initially a solo project of andy meecham, the brains behind emperor machine, chicken lips, and bizarre inc., connection is the first future four release to feature the contribution of erol alkan as a permanent member, and is a coupled with a remix from i:cube. a veritable powerhouse of synths, vintage drum machines and all man-ner of effects, connection unfolds with minimal tempo and maximum impact, as sequences of unexpected electronics gradually build from every direction, each landing with the razor sharp precision associated with their composers. cascading synths overflow like fizzy drinks, pro-pelling the track along an electronic patchwork of fm synthesis and psy-chedelia. on the remix, i:cube takes the unpredictable rhythm of connection and coaxes its versatile, multiple elements into a timeless slice of boogie house. nurturing the outsider casio feel of the track under a musical heat-lamp, the always forward-thinking frenchman emerges with a cut that could easily soundtrack both sun deck and space station.

chris romans has been rolling out crucial electro jams for a number of highly regarded labels since the early 00s. amongst them are touchin bass, shipwrec, frustrated funk and central processing unit, so that tells you everything you need to know about the level he s operating at as 214. now he comes to 20/20 vision with some body-poppin jams of the highest order, broadening the tech house label s remit to embrace the thriving electro scene with one of its most vital practitioners. potential events is a brooding, atmospheric affair while windeye draws on a more playful, detroit indebted palette of sounds. radioactive man remixes windey- with a steady, finely detailed approach, and then back to sine finishes the record off with another snappy salvo of funky drums and bubbling synths.

following the massive buzz a round the labels last release (voted the record of 2017 by some 400+ international djs and tastemakers on bill brewster s dj history podcast/poll (2017 furtive 50), hobbes music kicks off 2018 with a heavy slice of warehouse techno backed with deeper electro flavours, a second double-a-side 12inch outing by the anonymous dali. you may remember dali (nb all caps in the spelling) released a debut 12inch around this time last year. support came from ben ufo, laurent garnier, domenic cappello (sub club), john heckle, chris duckenfield, the revenge, tom findlay (groove armada), sean johnston and xdb (among others) and a repress happened swiftly, with laurent garnier and avalon emersonalso supporting most recently (on wwfm and at berghain, respectively). dali has a passion for analogue synths, abstract, hypnotic dance music and all things psychedelic. don t bother looking her up on the net, social media etc. dali is eschewing all that, to let the music do the talking for now

discobar re-launches in search of other galaxies with its second outing from toulouse-based duo zendid. they take us on three voyages through the electro-infused house grooves they made their name with, while still finding time to bring in mayaan nidaam for a remix. space has us seeing stars right from the start, with an alien menagerie conversing over a strict-form beat. the bassline on virgin virgin is big enough to give you butterflies, tempered by stellar synths and wordless vocal clips. berlin 6 takes the bass for a lighter walk and finally, mayaan nidam remixes space into a nebulous and reflective place, pads breaking through the thick atmosphere mid-track for a moment of zero gravity meditation.

three years since profane’s seminal album v.illan mills was recorded for inperspective and it’s long overdue that he returns to the label. this canadian native’s unique style that somehow fuses the hip hop sensibilities of j.dilla, the jazz/funk ideologies of danny breaks and the experimental truth of squarepusher has been a breath of fresh air in recent years on the underground d&b scene and these two new cuts from him are no exception. the experimentally epic breakbeat off tempo monstrosity of drughmada is a heady, giddy tapestry of beats and breaks with a sleazy sample and panic led overtones. west newton views is a darker more minimal affair. a clunky, dubstep vibe which maintains moody intensity throughout. tense and suspenseful. the other side sees the triumphant return of rome’s lynch kingsley. this young, precocious talent has been a good friend to the label for a number of years and after making waves with his debut eden ep it was only a matter of time before his return. we are pleased to present void , a dark journey through the breakbeat, sci-fi escapism of early 90 s d&b which in time develops into a deep, break laden workout with gorgeous synths and fantasy atmospheres. a joy to behold.

mannequin records is proud to present a trilogy of reissues from the avantgarde italian-born producer doris norton, -norton computer for peace- (1983), -personal computer- (1984), -artificial intellingence- (1985). . apple s first music -endorsement- and roland affiliate, doris norton is one of the most important women pioneer in the use of synths and in the early electro / computer music. norton is the wife of antonio bartoccetti, progressive rock guitarist, and mother of the musician and techno producer rexanthony. as a teenager, she was drawn to medieval, renaissance and baroque music, not to mention quantum physics, differential equations, organic chemistry, the experimentalism of john cage and animated movie soundtracks

broken district is a new label launched by the creative minds of jus jam, momla and antwan. the project is born with the idea of exploring alternative music styles that blend the influences of the label s creators, including jazz, house-music, hip-hop, funk, soul, and experimental music. in order to give a global overview of the label s territory, broken district is kicked-off with a series of va eps. momla inaugurates the label s first release with an instrumental funk ballad. he is using soul samples, synths and an electronic piano to create a smooth vibe, led by a catchy bassline. up next, hip-hop producers yepes & plae casi are stepping out of their favourite field to incorporate house-music rhythmic elements over an old-school r&b flavour. berlin-based producer marian tone is closing the first side with a laidback, jazzy hip-hop instrumental. the other side opens with the copenhagen-based talent jeppe wolmer. -normal position- is a modern take on disco & boogie, with a rhythmic bassline and reverbing rhodes, ending with acid infused synths. concluding this first release, label s co-founder jus jam gives us another glimpse of his musical talent through a dreamy journey that blends house-music, hip-hop and jazz together. welcome to the broken district.

the uk based label will offer up several releases throughout 2018 and yama music 001 perfectly sets the tone of what’s to follow. taking the lead here is ‘margaret made me do it’ which lays down woozy synth tones and modulating glitches alongside a snaking sub bass groove, shuffled minimalistic percussion and an amalgamation of contemplative spoken word vocal cuts to create a tripped-out opening to the record. ‘ddderlooon party’ follows and retains a similar aesthetic with swinging drums and ethereal atmospherics at its core whilst hypnotic, billowing synths ebb and flow dynamically across the composition, again creating something raw yet refined. then lastly to round out the package ‘moon boots’ tips the focus over to a more straight percussive groove and stirs in vacillating low-end pulses, murky, evolving stabs and mind-bending electronic blips.

second instalment by music mania reprise gives belgian 80s synth classic crocodile tears a new life. music mania is proud to present the next instalment in their reprise series. following the highly sought after classic elle et moi (mmr001), comes the blissful belgian synth pop anthem ‘crocodile tears’ (mmr002). the track was one of the first singles of kuruki, the minimal wave project spearheaded by ghent-based musician gerry d haeyer and alain bureau (sally joy). in an age of electronic sequenced experimentation, the band managed to find a distinctive sound that easily puts them between the likes of telex. the original ep such a liar was released in 1981 and clearly echoes the new wave of its time. the scenes described by vocalist sally joy as well as the melancholic keys of the main track crocodile tears breathe tristesse. nevertheless, it has a playful sound full of catchy synths. a dualism between such beauty and melancholy: this track was undeniably made in belgium in the eighties, but should also appeal to lovers of italo disco. be aware: for their second reprise music mania managed to include an exclusive instrumental version of this belgitude. even more synths for your listening pleasure.

acid pauli and nico stojans ouïe label acts as home for left-of-centre music from disparate sources - somehow connected by a thread of hedonism with a melancholic edge. welcoming kerela dust to the imprint, this four tracker showcases the different dance floor shades the label always reaches. kerala dust are a london based trio that owe as much to tom waits as they do to four tet or dj koze, but somehow tread a fascinating line between genres and moods. mixing jazz, indie and the sharper end of the club sound, francescas frames is the perfect introduction to their vibe. ‘maria is augmented with a thick, mid tempo kick and sparse, effective percussion. the clever vocals provide the topping - showcasing the bands pop writing prowess. the track will appear as a single release on 6th aprila accompanied by a music video. acid pauli and nico stojans remix picks up the pace a little, while dubbing out the elements into deep, late night dance exploration. ‘nyla brings a new vibe, deep, pulsing synths and a bubbling baseline accompany the crisp, compressed rhythm track before eds iconic croon arrives to take the track to a new level.

kris baha is fast becoming one of the most essential operators in the deviant disco underbelly of berlin s scene, despite having landed in the city relatively recently. baha s credentials with labels like power station and parties in melbourne are all that you need to know, and now this release on the ever mighty cocktail d amore seals the deal. baha has never sounded more confident, pinging deviant synths around nasty drum bite and channeling the gods of industrial darkness to make some rugged body music for the darker kind of dancefloor. the experimental, non-party tracks are just as wild, dealing in all manner of uncompromising noise to further bahas journey to the upper realms of sonic mud slingers

the ninth release on the dsr-c series comes from rhine. a new name with his roots in atmospheric techno steps up for his first solo ep.the ninth release on the dsr-c series comes from rhine. a new name with his roots in atmospheric techno steps up for his first solo ep. de storm opens the account with a loose collage of textured drums and scuffed-up synths. it makes for a bubbly groove that journeys far off into the night while de bron is more rooted underground, with cavernous echo chambers run through by supple bass synths and icy hi hat trails. spooky and haunting, its a track to send shivers down your spine. last of all, het meer is a watery affair, with aqueous drips and drops, radiant pads and then more tightly coiled drums brushing up against one another to make for something atmospheric but also nicely driven. all three tracks are characterised by a rather tender and reflective mood that makes them all the more unique.

after the uneventful resolution of a labour dispute at assistance hq, the resident pencil-pushers turn their tempo dial to a leisurely 105bpm, at long last serving up lukewarm plates of beam-03 to the more sluggish peak-time massive. in mambala , the now-obligatory bongo jostles with squelchy synths, whilst echoed claps and ominous bells should see even the most hesitant rabbit dragged down the hole. bebny experiments with low ph levels, metallic clutter, and some surprise horn cameos.

synthonia is an electronic ambient album released only with analog synths (roland system 100, roland tb 303, roland jx 3p, korg polysix, korg ms 10, korg ms 20, yamaha cs 15, kawai 100f, teisco 100f) which refers to tangerine dream, jean michel jarre, klaus shulze and “the berlin shool” and john carpenter.

valby004 welcomes two new artists into the vr family!
the a side is 11 minutes of rolling house hypnosis delivered by mryn from france. a versatile track that suits both, the dance floor and the hazy view from a plane window.
the b is jeigo’s “pearl leaf”. an end-of-set emotional garage tune. tear-jerking pads, soaring and swelling synths, with a vocal line characterising heartbreak.

bedrock returns with a stunningly designed and expertly produced 12 inch from eagles & butterflies vs john digweed & nick muir. crazy diamond opens up proceedings, coupling pulsating bleeps and percussive synths alongside a hard hitting kick. soon you re swept up in swarm of strings that elevate this track to new heights big room at it s best. flip it over and divenire sucks you into a web of arps and pads woven behind a pounding kick and disorientating panned snare samples, that ll entice you in until you re completely lost in those hypnotic rhythms

a 4track ep from the allergy season boss physical therapy that will make you fly off from the love zone into a celestial and dreamy horizon. a cocktail of stirring drums and emotional synths.

vigram, a new viennese label, debuts with a strong three track ep by dan lodig, also known under his lok 44 moniker and as one half of /dl/ms/. dan s ms-45 ep features two hazy and playful original cuts on the fringe of techno and electro. pinn 487 builds tension with doomy sci-fi synths, welcome repetitions are broken up by frantic hi-hat patterns creating a dialogue, while watery acidlines support the beat. can t stop breaks with the four to the floor paradigm and delivers raunchy electro rhythms with intersecting acid lines topped by ethereal sounds for the curious minds. comes with a massive spesimen remix on the flip!! essential stuff..

jonah sharp & dj spun pair up as the loose control band to drop a punk-inspired single on rekids with remixes from label founder radio slave and shut boss ryan james ford. having released a large body of work as spacetime continuum (astralwerks) or alongside david moufang as reagenz (workshop), not to mention significant collaborations with the likes of terence mckenna, haruomi hosono and bill laswell, jonah sharp is unquestionably a highly respected producer. his seminal label reflective played an important role in the experimental ambient and techno scene during the ‘90s, whilst as a remixer he’s worked with music by nine inch nails, meat beat manifesto and matthew herbert. meanwhile, jason drummond has long been a commanding force within new yorks electronic music scene, such as running his prestigious warm up music series or his all night rong parties with regulars like dj harvey. hes also been djing and producing as dj spun for two decades, appearing on golf channel recordings as well as his own illustrious imprint rong music, which used to release music collaboratively with dfa. i dont understand sees a raw and uncompromising side to both artists as they layer a cacophony of murky bass, twisted melodies and mind-bending bleeps whilst drummonds turbulent vocals bellow throughout the mix. staying faithful to the original, radio slaves remix incorporates a heady rhythm with its rolling beat as screeching effects join a moody bassline. moving into techno territory, ryan james fords akihabara remix features rattling percussion and crystalline synths whilst his hope remix is built on an intricate drum sequence as soaring pads and echoing keys contrast with the originals piercing vocal.

repress , originally pressed in 2013 this 12” sat undiscovered for a good year , until vol 2 came out and people found it, then started charging silly money on discogs. this really raw piece of vinyl features just the owners of tone dropout records - sweeney and dawl. trk 1 from dawl is a pounding pulsating rhythmic banger with bleeps gliding through the track with the help of sharp snares and claps, real atmospheric track. then next comes strange world with all its space aged laser bleeps and busy bass line running through like a freight train, as always sounds moving and changing throughout the track both these are bleep tastic, paying much homage to our heroes from the warp days. boom check it then on side b sween comes in with a totally different track, another atmospheric track with military style snares and a moving acid line going in and out over the moody baseline and rising synths. an all round complete e.p kicking off our tone dropout sound, breaks ,bleeps, acid and boomy busy baselines and synths.

arkvs are well known faces to us and have been shifting gears throughout 2017. this year will be no different as they deliver yet again with “texture ep”. four easy going techno tracks that bring in the vibes just right along with some spacey synths.

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

hypnotizing nostalgia that dictates the dance floor. with previous releases on rythm section, echovolt and les yeux orange, earth trax & newborn jr. are unapologetically consistent in building a legacy. the maze ep is the fourth collective delivery of the duo, sent off into the world by dopeness galore. while hypnotizing synths dictate the dance floor, it is hard to resist the balearic arrangements of new wave nostalgia. the record elevates through soothingly repetitive ambient dreamscapes, while minimalist entrancement pulls us right back into underground territory. the ep represents a side a. meant for club settings and a more ambient side b. once the vocals on a2 set the tone, we bear witness to what seems to be the true ethos of the maze ep: where theres a will, theres a way