14 new tracks from ben howard on black 180 gram double vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve.

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.

bte is running a vinyl label with haiku for its first release. original tracks represent two different concepts of techno minded for big sound systems, with small synthology or sequencing variations in order to get full or empty spaces and rhythms

between techno and psytrance sound explorations

7th output of the vigenere label.. pressed on 180 g vinyl

small great things is a new label from luca olivotto of endless music and its first release sees the berlin-based artist deliver an ep of modern takes on classic deep house sounds. the small great things ep kicks off with an eponymous cut with steadily unfurling pads leading to a breakdown of light, uplifting melodies while rooted to the floor with a jacking rhythm track and bottom end. sometime ibadan and b-pitch producer dos serves up a remix of -small great things- under his given name, francesco mami, where the italian producer turns in a warm but propellant version with loose, rattling rhythms and saturated stabs creating a nifty, rounded piece. on the b-side olivotto opens with -swipe out-, a gloriously detailed track that balances slick synths and gritty bass perfectly, allowing a beautiful vocal to shine through. we are treated to a stirring song on closing track -dont blame me-, where soaring detroit influenced synth pads and staccato melodies combine to create the perfect foil to the vocals. named to celebrate the little things in life, small great things is a label to firmly keep an eye on.

boris brenecki and darko kolar (aka katran) regroup as ontal for a horo ep that combines their instinctual brutality with a deeper probe into their penchant for experimentation. lead track ikaris flickering storm unfurls a rhythmic rage that rolls over you like a turbo-charged synapse exciter. at its peak ikari feels as if its about to explode into shards of jagged, forged synthesis, but pulls itself back from the brink to reignite its hostile oscillation. r-amen bends the famous breakbeat over a concentrated twin-drop, peak-time 130bpm eruption, while vigilante is a punishing machine, built to instil palpable tension. in blinding form, headless horseman takes apart ikari and reconstructs it as a hyper half-step technoid stepper, complete with a guttural drop reminiscent of the more advanced strains of 170bpm music.

stroboscopic artefacts is releasing its latest addition to the forward leaning edge of electronic music with the totem series. unfurling as a chain of transparent 10 vinyl, each of the totem releases will have a subtly divergent take on the aesthetic space defined by techno and club culture.

fort romeau returns with his first 12inch of 2018 following a string of releases on live at robert johnson, running back and ghostly international as well as appearances on compilations from rush hour, cocoon, and mule musiq. on the a side, pablo unfurls with swirling arpeggios which build to a euphoric crescendo while the more heady terracotta explores polyphonic syncopated fm sequences and ambiguous chord progressions.

after a strong start with an ep from dwayne jensen, pittsburgh-based label is / was returns with an absolute firecracker from chase smith. nous nous au danser is the kind of jam that will guarantee everyone in the room starts freaking, so infectious is the bright and bold acid strain smith offers up. orange geena is equally stunning, all warm bass and dazzling synths. work it over takes things in a punchier direction, leaving a little more space in the mix for the rhythm section to help things get really nasty. tour de trepan takes on some new beat qualities as it unfurls a noirish beat-driven fantasy to finish off an utterly flawless ep.

paris-based producer von d debuts on dub-stuy with a four-track ep of hair-raising and socially-conscious dub music boasting a cast of world-class vocalists and musicians. closing the ep is a sample of the legendary bunny lee talking about king tubby and lee perry birthing dub before von d unfurls his own studio experimentation on ‘surrealiste skank, a dedication to the timeless power of dub music. wicked scam further cements von ds talent for combining an authentic sound with a modern ear. the bass envelopes the listener without ever choking them, the melodies uplift the soul, and the lyrics feed the mind.

hot on the heels of mays ambivert tools volume one lone aka matt cutler delivers the second instalment of breezy atmospheric house, stacked with floor ready trax, inspired by his red hot magic wire imprint. first up is the tropical percussion and telescoping arpeggios of a minds eye melody, displaying cutlers talent for a nagging melody it comes on like tangerine dream remixed by 808 state pulsating drums, hymnal chords and gooey sub bass. looking glass calls to mind a mood ii swing dub - truncated stabs and jacking rhythms overlaid with shimmering resampled piano chords that give way to a slashing fm riff that contrasts sweetly. in the b2 slot cutler unfurls a hushed, 6 minute balearic reprise of the a minds eye melody, heartstopping emulator ii chords and harp glissandi wash over a wistful flute figure pedal to sweetly memorable effect. ambivert tools finds cutler a true master, at the top of his game - taking all he’s learned over his many years of beat exploration and condensing it down into rugged house stacked full of nagging melody / harmony that feels fresh and vital to 21st dance floors.

its clear from the opening seconds of tu fawnings debut full length, hearts on hold, that theres something very, very different about this portland, oregon band. the two note trumpet refrain of >multiply a house< that echoes like the distant sound of a battlefield, the ghostly chanting writhing around it as though in a trance, the funereal drums that boom in the background and the harmonies emerging as the chorus unfurls: these are not the sound of your everyday indie rock act.

ambient power duo anjous sophomore statement continues in the vein of their 2014 debut, unfurling a full hour of mesmeric synthetic drift and veiled melodic undertow. comprised of mark nelson (of pioneering post-rock experimentalists labradford and pan american) and robert donne (of labradford, aix em klemm, cristal), the group work largely in long-form suites of sound, alternately spacious and dense. the new lps six pieces embrace flux and ambiguity: drones swell and shudder, hushed currents of noise glitch and dissolve, atmospheres congeal and liquify. as with the participants prior projects, anjou evoke a shadowed, mysterious mood, variously melancholy and transcendent. the album is an accumulation of craftsmanship and experience, blurred forms traced in light and fog.

astropolis records brings out its 7th release, welcoming a distinguished guest from scotland. vince watson, the glasgow-based producer, chose the french melodic techno label to release elektrik. his previous productions saw the likes of cocoon, planet e, ovum, tresor and very soon transmit or rebids ... granting him worldwide reputation.
elektrik is a deep, emotional piece of melodious techno that can be relished at home as well as on a massive dancefloor. dark chords, enticing bassline coupled to downy reverb progressively unfurls vince watson’s flair, grasping the audience for a 9-minute journey to a crepuscular, hypnotic and colourful universe.
the b-side highlights one of astropolis record’s cornerstones, frenchie techno activist madben. restyling vince watson’s climb on a dancefloor-powered techno track, whirling and effusive, tenderly shady and mysterious, madben brings the audience to an intense flickering excursion tinged with a smooth groove.

futureboogie open their 2017 account with a new release from lizards, the newcastle based duo otherwise known as lee forster and james hadfield. after appearances on labels like leng records, join our club and not an animal records, lizards strut their stuff across two original tracks, whilst man of the moment lord of the isles weighs in with a superb remix. the percussion driven house of “tzatziki” kicks of the release, wrapped in warm and inviting pads and piano riffs. shades of old school chicago house meet sun-kissed balearic vibes on this early morning riser, as the heavyweight bass sounds curl around the raw drum programming and illuminating keys sprinkle over the production. on “aloof”, the tempo is taken down somewhat, as a bass line wanders over a steady kick and otherworldly ambient sounds and hushed vocal clips lazily glide over the 4/4 arrangement. as the track unfurls, more melodic and percussive elements come into play, blossoming into a something quite epic and unique. with a slew of releases for quality imprints like permanent vacation, firecracker, mule musiq and esp institute, neil mcdonald, aka lord of the isles, serves up a deliciously chugging version of aloof. gurgling bass and marching handclaps are dowsed in dramatic synth sweeps and glacial tones, as the good lord takes us on a monumental ride.

as half of teengirl fantasy, logan takahashi is best known for making glassy, expansive tracks. on his debut solo album nogeo, however, he creates an intimate world of fertile, furtive rhythms. throughout the album, techno-tinged patterns unfurl with zeal and digital melodies slowly rise and fall. if the music of teengirl evokes widescreen, technicolor club scenes, nogeo is a zoomed-in study of timbre, rhythm, and melody.
the vinyl release includes a download code.

to celebrate record store day 2016, claremont 56 is proud to present something rather special – a killer single-sided release whose origins are shrouded in mystery. “tropic of capricorn” arrived at c56 hq with little or no information. while its’ humid sound effects and glistening, unfurling melodies evoke hazy memories of mediterranean sunsets and adriatic sunrises, the track’s creators live east of ukraine, in the colder surrounds of the russia. regardless of who made it, you’ll struggle to find a single that’s quite as warm, tactile and seductively groovy. built around a hypnotic, slo-mo groove, “tropic of capricorn” soothes and sedates from start to finish. its’ ingredients are relatively sparse – think gently undulating beats, toasty chords and an electric harp that gently ebb and flow like the waters of a mountain stream – but the results are nothing less than stunning.

*bapteme de l air* keeps the pressure up throughout as it steadily rolls out its sharpened kick and thick, propulsive snare before reaching its rattling, mechanical apogee. *ready pour le tour* unfurls behind off-kilter clicks, tightly swung hats and sax stabs while astute dynamics build a rich and cavernous atmosphere. the disco tinged *plein les mirettes* sets a rousing warm-up tone from the off with a dense kick and clap pinning down flecks of crowd chatter and shimmering metallic signals before dana ruhs spectral revision of ready pour le tour casts a murky glow over the original, blooming until its close with thickening strings and addictive knocks and claps.

as bass culture proudly reaches its 40th release, it gives us great pleasure to welcome back john jastszebski after he last turned out an ep for us back in 2012. releases for phonogramme and robsoul in the past two years have confirmed that he is a force to be reckoned with in the booming parisian house and techno scene. his approach on the would be back e.p fits in perfectly with the bass culture aesthetic, delivering tracks with a simple immediacy, always loaded with soul in just the right places, but never shirking the all-important groove. > would be back< s sturdy beat leads neatly up to a colourful burst of piano chords and rousing strings that make this into a perfect summer house cut. > fevrier< comes on with an entirely different season in mind, as mysterious and dubby tendrils of synths and samples unfurl around each other with a distinctly wintry mood. > my girl< meanwhile keeps the energy levels up with a stripped back, punchy beat, filling the space in the mix out with rousing pads that soothe and uplift.for a remix of > would be back<, we decided to turn to a long-time legend of the uk house scene, nail. his remix takes a more emotive approach to johns original, dropping in some playful synth lines and dreamy effects with stunning results. reaching across all seasons, situations and times of day and night, the would be back e.p delivers just the kind of versatile house music that sets our souls alight here at bass culture

nach seinem vielbeachteten einstand 2010 mit *holkham drones* liefert der engländer luke abbott nun den langerwarteten nachfolger auf border community ab. dabei erzeugt er aus improvisierten liveaufnahmen eine stürmische bewegung, die *wysing forest* zu einem album macht, das größer ist als die summe seiner einzelteile und auf jedem fall in einem lauf durchgehört werden sollte.

title track >lasers are forever< combines arpeggiating analog squelch, lush synth atmospherics and subtle percussion sequencing to lend itself an uncommon sense of drama, the effect of which is both compelling and visceral. on the flip, >hello darkness< takes a somewhat different approach: an imposing arp 2600 bassline pulses along front-and-center with a relentless acid-tinged snarl, while pounding drums and swelling pads complete this most banging of danses macabres. on remix duties are throne of blood alumni remain & mlle caro, who retain the key elements of their source material only to reveal an entirely different beast lurking beneath: the parisian duo take down the tempo a few notches and let swelling analog filters and unfurling lfos do the rest. meanwhile, get the curse music boss clement meyers deformhaus remix of >hello darkness< tightens the originals percussion to an industrial stomp and introduces a spooked-out synth line every bit as funky as it is uncanny- the end result lands somewhere between the boneyard and the discothèqu

tronic continues its roll out of summer bombs with the >origin / freed< two-tracker from dosem, an artist who has previously made a name for himself with sterling output for technasia sub-label sino. >origin< is the first of the two tracks and it opens proceedings with an epic, synth heavy vibe. filtered, impeccably programmed drums gently unfurl into a persistently padding groove that kicks on a big system. as the track opens up to drop, metallic synth chords shimmer out of the groove and deliver a massive punch. the intensity grows continually throughout and the melodies are pushed to their maximum, making this an unashamed anthem. the flipsides >freed<, while more heads down than its counterpart, is certainly no shrinking violet. driving drums are topped with long, building vocal screams and rising synths create a feverish atmosphere that, added to a pulsing and brutish bassline, goes off.

green splattered vinyl

dancefloor shaman barac joins the ranks of our label. his signature sound has accompanied us on countless night-time adventures already, providing a unique space of mind to lose ourselves in. here, we are treated to three slowly unfurling pieces, each approaching the mental plane on its own terms. >beyond the gates, they were free< spreads over the full a-side. drop the needle for a playful affair, with lush modulations calling back to the glory days of goa trance. it is a mesmerising track, geared towards renewing the heady communal experiences we have come to miss. the flip side takes us further still, with two stripped-back and deeply dubbed workouts: >i shall not be taken< homes in on baracs inimitable sonicalia, seamlessly fusing the psychedelic with the sublime. >the fall of man< closes things out in fine style, as a sidewinding drum circle entrenches itself into our minds with each rotation. not to be taken lightly, this one.

reissued version of the 80s soundtrack

certain feelings, visions, and sounds recur to us as if in dreams. flashes of recall, hints of remembrance, suggestions of what could have been, or what may yet still be. a spark — a glimpse — a glimmer. we gaze into the abyss, fearless, the abyss gazes back, familiar. cognition — recursion — immanence.
left hand path presents the second full-length lp, idol collapse, from forests &#26862,&#26519,. written by jon du, kuo-hung tseng, and zun long in taipei, taiwan. eight songs in 36 minutes that unfurl like a flower and expand like a mushroom cloud, designed for utter osmosis and total absorption. the helix twists, the loop is closed. the cycle begins anew.
mastered by mark pistel at room 5 studios, san francisco, california. produced in a deluxe gatefold vinyl edition with artwork by wang yu and design, layout by nathan rickard and allen chiu.

boris brenecki and darko kolar (aka katran) regroup as ontal for a horo ep that combines their instinctual brutality with a deeper probe into their penchant for experimentation. lead track ikari’s flickering storm unfurls a rhythmic rage that rolls over you like a turbo-charged synapse exciter. at its peak ikari feels as if it’s about to explode into shards of jagged, forged synthesis, but pulls itself back from the brink to reignite its hostile oscillation. r-amen bends the famous breakbeat over a concentrated twin-drop, peak-time 130bpm eruption, while vigilante is a punishing machine, built to instil palpable tension. in blinding form, headless horseman takes apart ikari and reconstructs it as a hyper half-step technoid stepper, complete with a guttural drop reminiscent of the more advanced strains of 170bpm music.

surely one of the finest operators in the uk underground, miles atmospheric released his last album under his own name miles sagnia back in 2014, and now he finally returns to the long player format to unfurl his vision of deep, driving techno. this time he s appearing on finale sessions, and it s the perfect home for his thoughtfully sculpted cuts. there are more outwardly mellow moments such as mensura, and the utterly gorgeous-peace but there is also plenty of space afforded to the sharper end of his creative transmissions. elysium is a dense, rippling throwdown that touches on many different aspects of contemporary house and techno, while rise offers up a refreshing variation on the acid house template. once again, miles atmospheric demonstrates why he s such a vital, if sometimes overlooked, force in the uk underground

highly synergistic split from eleh/caterina barbieri featuring two sides of similar audio dimensions. these two electronic sound poems slowly unfurl rich timbre and harmonics with an austere stillness that is, somehow, ever-changing. it hardly matters whose side is whose.

anyone who’s followed maurice aymard’s galaktika label over the years will be all too aware of the imprint’s leaning toward eclectic sounds. it’s an ethos that mirrored in the work of aymard himself and regardless of whether he’s turning his hand to tech house sounds or more straight-up techno jams, his is a way of working that’s endeared him to many over the years. his latest is a case in point. the 75th chapter in the galaktika discography, the into the night ep serves up an array of sounds that are enticing as they are upbeat and intriguing. getting us underway is the sounds of the title track. an unfurling beast of a track that’s loaded with dramatic tension throughout, it’s an eerie cut that’s characterised by its clever bells and some incessant percussion. a full on track that’s not to be handled lightly, it’s repetitive nature and sporadic vocal charms is indicative of levon vincent at his best. ‘shinning’, a more progressive cut, follows after. another track that’s notable for the suspense that lingers throughout, it serves up a nice stylistic alternative to what’s arrived before. aymard then goes all out on the frankly astounding sounds of ‘rage’. a propulsive gem of the type that sees the producer greatly rewarded for trying something that bit different, it’s a special sort of track that takes on various tones throughout but always stays captivating. seeing us out soon after is eduardo de la calle’s remix of the latter. the cadenza man is well versed in all things deep and dextrous, and his interpretation serves up a fitting example of his talents. although it starts on a melodic tip, it too soon brings the listener on a thoroughly captivating but unexpected journey. much like the rest of this ep, de la calle’s remix is full of surprises from the off.

emile facey (plant43) has been at the forefront of electronic for more than twelve years. during that time the british producer has released on a host of seminal labels, expanding his style and sound in new directions. although plant43 is typically classified as a purveyor of electro, behind those driving rhythms and steely percussion a tenderness has always been present, an emotion expressed in lilting melodies and complex harmonies. it is these melodies and harmonies that come into focus on plant43s debut ambient album. on from deep streams is a rich and textured tapestry of synth work, a soundtrack that organically unfurls from nightime woodland walks and city stargazing to mindful solitude. the eight tracks offer the listener a calming journey into stillness, an excursion through gentle audio currents and a moment to pause and take in an inspiring vista of sound. recorded over the space of 3 months, this album gives the quiet, the subtle and the sometimes underappreciated centre stage whilst casting light on yet another side of emile faceys ever-evolving musi

monday off is a vinyl only record label from brooklyn, new york, founded by mary yuzovskaya. its ethos is to showcase artists that explore techno s hypnotic side, specifically where trippy and dark music goes deep yet dynamic. for the third release, nyc/berlin/washington dc transplant arthur kimskii dives in with a heady trio of his productions. title track -verbal variance- slowly unfurls with a myriad of textures and sounds to both confuse and delight the senses, while -swan an ocean for you- takes on similar terrain albeit kicked up a notch and warmer in tone. -basement moves- is an emotive and partially beat-less affair steeped in layers of noise, and moff favorite stephanie sykes strips the a-side down for a sinister and chugging remix.

edwards graceful take on modern house and techno is a perfect fit for trelik, and the german producer sounds comfortable as he unfurls swooning threads of otherworldly music for the tripped out dancefloor. the ogermania mx of mikko is a hazy, string soaked affair pitched somewhere warm and dreamlike, but there s plenty of energy churning away in the lower register. lottery is a more twitchy affair for darker times, all moody bass bounce and looming drones around a shuffling set of percussion. groaning ghosts is the techiest of the bunch, and theres a whole lot of freaked out sound design swirling around in the mix as well. this is simply stunning, highly advanced dance music from a modern day maestro.

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

design default makes a contemplative debut lp blending ambient soundscapes with electronica & jazz hints. entitled dawn chorus, the record sounds like a reflexion on awakening to new feelings and ideas as well as reminiscing and looking at those that came in the past. the lp opens in a playful and harmonious way with bells play, bringing forward the idea of awakening. the rest of the record designs a world in which slow unfurling soundscapes with heavy bass like the forest or two mirrors consistently stand alongside glitchy atmospheres like the distorted ecce or the celestial escale. tracks like peaks and notes or wood caving put the accent on harmonic and textural content. overall, the record is rooted in a cosmic almost new age ambient tradition, but focuses more on the idea of renewal than vagrancy and languishing. if ecstasy and euphory do not describe the feeling here, darkness doesnt either. the result is a balanced, mature and diverse lp, bringing many beautiful sonic atmospheres to life, and telling a journey of wonder of openness.

the prolific mc, producer and musician oddisee’s new album ‘the iceberg’ is a plea for humanity to dig deeper in search of understanding and common ground. his third release in just 12 months, ‘the iceberg’ is a distillation of stereotypical tropes in hip-hop and beyond, 12 tracks about money, sex, politics, race and religion that appear superficial until his multi-dimensional lyrics unfurl to expose the complexities of individuality and identity: how we see ourselves and how others see us. deeply soulful, and shot through with jazz, go-go, gospel, thick r&b and hard beats, the album is a timely, poetic statement.
lead single “things” acts as a mission statement for the album, a deep dance groove with lightning-quick lyrics about “things” he’s going through. says oddisee, “we all go through the trials & tribulations of life. why is it we feel the need to individualize our shared experiences? if only we could see our concerns as others do, maybe they wouldn’t be so serious.”

shipwrec is delighted to welcome an electro pioneer into the fold. larry mccormick has been at the coal face of machine music for two decades, carving razor sharp cuts under his exzakt alias whilst spearheading future funk on his exemplary monotone records. intelectro exemplifies twenty years of experience, twenty years of music production and twenty years of talent. banger does exactly what it says, a crunching work that breaks with millisecond-perfect precision before deeper layers are unfurled. vibes feels like three compositions combined. from its spacious intro the track dives into acid chords before resurfacing in refined warmth. vintage grooves open rocker with some extra muscle added through heavy kicks as samples circle to an ever tighter noose. styles shift and strafe across the quartet leaving the lines of set expectations to blur and ultimately disappear. ride low is the final proof of this, understated percussion leading to sky soaring sytnhlines and free flowing harmonies. a 12 that melds disparate sounds with frightening ease, an artist bridging electro past, present and future.

acid test continues their journey with the return of achterbahn damour. on their first proper release in three years, jool & iron curtis patiently craft an intricate sound world - with the opening track, major-key pads hearken towards a bright future, hi-hats rustle like leaves and on dehaveland, percussive elements fall into beautiful, random unison like factory machines staging an after hours dance. samuel van dijks vaunted vc-118a project steps up for a remix, turning in a taut techno version that unfurls smoke pillars of ghostly ambience. the duo wraps up the four-tracker with an unexpected dreamy electro turn, dont talk to me. throughout acid test 13, they remain in lockstep with the labels ethos - to bend, hammer and flatten acid lines into new, imaginative shapes

deepchord co-founder mike schommer is back from a 15 year hiatus with an entrancing 12 on steve o sullivan s mosaic records. after withdrawing from production for an extended period, the enigmatic producer revives his legacy with an unrestrained session using analog synths, drum machines and cavernous sound manipulations. invitation to love uses minimalist 4/4 percussion and unfurling delays whilst remember when explores echoed synth stabs in a broken beat framework. lastly, tranquil stepper into the night carries floating chords and cyclical melodies through airy acoustics. anamnesis presents three quintessential dub techno methods - offering a masterfully engineered package by one of the genres most revered figures

the fifth instalment of the hoxton records story turns to alan castro, who has already had a busy year appearing on the likes of for club, stamp and soundterasse. the vibe is stripped down and unhinged on this record, with lead track el avion de la mentira unfurling in a strange tapestry of samples, found sounds and off kilter synth rubs strapped to a crafty set of drums. modebaku delivers a more streamlined version of the track that keeps things freaky, but much more linear than the wayward original. sequela on the flip is no slouch in the adventurous department either, with swathes of modulating tones and wild sonic matter flinging around a funky shuffle, which ted amber then dutifully bolsters with a rubbery b-line on his more functional but still daring version

having already made a strong connection with the ever-excellent udacha label, russian duo gamayun now take their talents to hesperian sound division to unfurl more of their delicate, richly musical creations. -golden ratio- leads in on stunning jazz piano refrains, edging threads of percussion into the mix with poise that sets gamayun apart from the rest of the crowd. -ascension- takes things in a more cosmic direction, all swooping and swooning synth lines beamed in from a distant star. -untitled- has a more lazy, blues-minded attitude, while -uvolnenie- edges a little more techno influence into the mix, but truly this is space-age music played by musicians with genuine chops.

reasons marks fort romeaus first full solo release since 2016s secrets & lies on live at robert johnson, having previously released records with ghostly international, running back and his own cin cin imprint. the title track sees the development of the producers interest in playing with the human voice, developing a harmonic and rhythmic hook which builds to a crescendo of wailing synths. c.e.m is a focused dance floor workout built around syncopated sequences which ebb and flow creating a constantly evolving pattern of tension and release. on the final track satellite 2 a pair of beautiful duelling sequences unfurl giving a sense of weightlessness and provide the perfect epilogue to a record that marks the continuing evolution of the producers unique sound.

‘mind fiction’, kaczor s first release, comes with organic artwork such as a growing plant cover and simple yet sleek thai design inspired by a recent tour to southeast asia. the ep serves as a perfect example for kaczor s own artistic vision: moody textures and mellower grooves meeting his trademark raw and gritty, forceful attack-laden release of rolling drums, bass and percussion, pointing to kaczor s own roots in the more stormy outbacks of broken beats or uk bass. first track ‘balance’ starts off with a softer, textured soundscape, nicely balancing melancholy synth waves and drum rattles into an atmospheric opener with a slowly oncoming and unfurling, melodic twist. the title track ‘mind fiction’ more closely follows kaczors very own signature formula of a simple and driving bassline followed by an evocative build-up rushing into an emotional, cathartic breakdown. ‘asta’ might be kazcor s most daring and trippy production to date: an intense mixture between hypnotic, hard hitting thumps and thunderous rolling drums taking the listener into the electrifying whirl of a night-time storm, where the tense and dense, humid atmosphere culminates in a monsoon-like rainfall of spiralling reverb – marking a fitting crescendo for this impressive debut on kaczor s now very own sonic ground.

r&s welcomes back space dimension controllers jack hamill for a ep of his trademark future-funk, his first for the label since 2013. the exostack ep marks a welcome return from hamill to the kind of astro-boogie that made him a unifying favourite in any discerning dj’s record box. the title track is a masterclass of wide-eyed astral disco - cycling euphoric arpeggios underpinned by dubbed out bass riffs and swooning pads. unfurling over a sizeable 8 minutes, hamill justifies every second with a beguiling arrangement that takes the listener on a groove excursion of epic proportions. on the flip, red hot swede kornél kovács delivers a tuff rerub that jacks up the drums, and cools out the chords, twisting the original into a classic house roller. sdc original biopan finds hamill in more contemplative mood - pulsing drums, a subdued bass figure and woozy synth melodies combine to haunting effect.