quête:arena

After over 100 million album sales the Backstreet Boys return newly signed to RCA Records. Formats are double LP (1st Feb) and CD (25th Jan). Includes the singles "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", "No Place" and the Ryan Tedder/Shawn Mendes penned song "Chances". Radio support across R2, ILR network, plus ad campaign. Video plays at Vevo and MTV. Ads, features, interviews and reviews across all press. Online/social media activity. Recent TV performances have included Strictly Come Dancing, Loose Women, This Morning, Lorraine, ITN News, 'Stand Up To Cancer'. Sold out June UK arena dates. Poster campaign and database mailout.

From Their Unassuming Origins As A Group Of
School Friends Drawn Together By A Shared Passion
For Music To The Global Touring Force (supporting
The Cure And Editors At Arenas And Stadiums) They
Have Quietly Become, The Twilight Sad's Ascent Has
Been Forged The Old Way, With Grit, Graft And Four
Exceptional Studio Albums.
Now Signed To Mogwai's Rock Action Records, The
Band's Fifth Album Does Not Disappoint And Will
Certainly Please Fans Of Their Previous Works. It Will
Also Appeal To Fans Of The Cure, Frightened Rabbit,
The National, Interpol And Editors.

"This release is pure sundown pressure from the start. Just like the Waxing Gibbous moonrise the namesake EP transforms you ready for the descent into the dark night. A1 'Zero Gravity' launches into takeoff with a trajectory course aimed straight for the dancefloor. Sub bass and crisp percs put this track firmly in driving seat. A.2 'Tidal Wave' is flooded with 'Dub' influence. With a tape delay in full effect the low end modulates warm and easy from edge to edge. B1 'Lunar Blueprint' shifts gears and closed the EP in the Dub Techno arena. The hollow melody haunts the track and progresses through each section while spooky samples laced with reverb orbit a tepid bassline produced especially for
those dark hours.

"In 1978, Nova performed for Obama. Well, kind of: Nova was the band for the Punahou School prom in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a young student named Barack (known then as 'Barry') was in attendance.

Backtrack to 1976, and Nova was the opening band for Donald Byrd at the nearby Blaisdell Arena. The day was Sunday, June 27. The following day, Isaac Hayes would perform on island for the admission price of $1.

Nova, led by singer Checo Tohomaso, was one of several go-to party bands during the golden era of Hawaii funk and soul music in the mid-1970s through early 1980s.

The band's infectious gospel-funk-disco can be heard on their sole release, a self-titled 1980 LP that feels like one big party recorded live in the studio. (Check out the Marvin Gaye-inspired 'I Feel Like Getting Down' on the 2016 'Aloha Got Soul' compilation on Strut Records).

The story is all too familiar, however: funk band releases LP, the music goes dormant in years to follow, and today original copies sell for hundreds online.

Not long after the album's 1980 release, Checo met Marvin Gaye, who was living on Maui (where George Benson also resided). Shortly after, Marvin invited Checo and his counterparts to join his multi-city tour across Europe. Videos of Checo rocking keyboards, percussion and singing background vocals for Marvin Gaye's last European tour can be found online.

Checo, born in Florida yet raised in lush Manoa Valley as well as Okinawa, Japan, now resides in Vancouver, Canada, where he leads the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir and continues to deliver his signature sound: high energy, positive, 'sweet soul' music.

AGS-7010 features two non-stop groovers with a 7' edit by Roger Bong on the A-side. LP reissue in the works!"

Solipsism is an archival release of music from Mike Simonetti's
tenure as owner of Italians Do It Better Records, spanning from
2006-2013. During that time Mike wrote a lot of music. Some of it
was used for films, some for TV commercials, some for fashion
shows and he even released a record or two.
Influenced by the intersection of 80's arena rock bands like AC/DC and Judas Priest, glam rock/dance bands like Rockets and Supermax, and especially the underground Italian producer Piero Umiliani - the album is chock-full of atmospheric rock-inspired arpeggiated riffs. The mixture of metal and chugging dance music makes for a unique listening experience. Every song has a riff, every song is heavy and dense. Only one song goes above 118 BPM. These are heavy chuggers that make for a tense emotional experience that exceeds your standard, easy-to-write-off 'soundtrack' fare, mainly because it was never written with that in mind. It was meant to be a fist-pumping arena rock inspired thumper! You can hear that in the one two punch of 'A Prayer For War' into 'Illusions", which is an outtake from his "The Magician"
sessions. Other songs like 'Solipsism' showcase the airy melodies
of that were to come with his other project Pale Blue, but that is
not typical on this album. If you listen closely, you can hear how
Simonetti's music and dark vibes inspired his then label partner
Johnny Jewel to take his own bands Chromatics and Glass Candy in a different, more cinematic direction.
This was written and recorded years before the Drive soundtrack and all the hoopla around the sudden soundtrack resurgence. In
2011 Mike was asked to submit some songs for a soon to be
released Hollywood remake. He submitted most of the songs from this album, and they were slated for release on the soundtrack,
but the project fell apart, and the film went in a different direction
and changed producers. Soon after, because of all the drama and foolishness, he left Italians Do It Better to start over with 2MR and Pale Blue. This is the nail in the coffin. Godspeed.

Solipsism is an archival release of music from Mike Simonetti's
tenure as owner of Italians Do It Better Records, spanning from
2006-2013. During that time Mike wrote a lot of music. Some of it
was used for films, some for TV commercials, some for fashion
shows and he even released a record or two.
Influenced by the intersection of 80's arena rock bands like AC/DC and Judas Priest, glam rock/dance bands like Rockets and Supermax, and especially the underground Italian producer Piero Umiliani - the album is chock-full of atmospheric rock-inspired arpeggiated riffs. The mixture of metal and chugging dance music makes for a unique listening experience. Every song has a riff, every song is heavy and dense. Only one song goes above 118 BPM. These are heavy chuggers that make for a tense emotional experience that exceeds your standard, easy-to-write-off 'soundtrack' fare, mainly because it was never written with that in mind. It was meant to be a fist-pumping arena rock inspired thumper! You can hear that in the one two punch of 'A Prayer For War' into 'Illusions", which is an outtake from his "The Magician"
sessions. Other songs like 'Solipsism' showcase the airy melodies
of that were to come with his other project Pale Blue, but that is
not typical on this album. If you listen closely, you can hear how
Simonetti's music and dark vibes inspired his then label partner
Johnny Jewel to take his own bands Chromatics and Glass Candy in a different, more cinematic direction.
This was written and recorded years before the Drive soundtrack and all the hoopla around the sudden soundtrack resurgence. In
2011 Mike was asked to submit some songs for a soon to be
released Hollywood remake. He submitted most of the songs from this album, and they were slated for release on the soundtrack,
but the project fell apart, and the film went in a different direction
and changed producers. Soon after, because of all the drama and foolishness, he left Italians Do It Better to start over with 2MR and Pale Blue. This is the nail in the coffin. Godspeed.

Slovenska Televiza Are A Two-piece Act Based In Valladolid And Barcelona. They Produce Music That Is Hard To Define With Simple Comparisons Or Oblique Generalisations, But Perhaps An Amalgam Of Minimal Synth And Coldwave Would Best Express Their 'sound'. With That In Mind, There Is Also A Melancholy Underpinning This Release, Perhaps It's The Haunting Vocals Of Lunademayo, Or The Heavily Reverb Laden Soundscapes Of Wladyslaw Trejo's Analogue Synths. You'll Have To Wait Patiently To Find Out....

Slovenska Televiza

Slovenska Televiza Is A Minimal Electronics Duo Based In Valladolid And Barcelona. Wladyslaw Trejo And Lunademayo Stays Close To Coldwave Then Expands To Avant-garde And Experimental Approaches, Reaching A Proposal As Strange As It Is Fascinating.

It Must Be Said That Slovenska Televiza Is Not Only Limited To The Musical Arena, Its Commitment Extends To Other Artistic Facets As Already Shown With Their Very Special Debut, A Performative Action Implemented In Latvia, Where They Traveled To Leave Behind The Entire Output In Several Locations.

lovely Mystical Electronics!' (richard Dorfmeister / Tosca / Kruder & Dorfmeister)

Ah! Kosmos - Das Ist Ein Beständiges Wunder, In Dem Wir Hier Mittendrin Stecken. Beim Hören Ihrer Tracks Bleibt Immer Wieder Nur Stauen. Den Soundtrack Zu Love & Awe Spielt Seit Einem Halben Jahrzehnt Basak Günak, Sound-designerin, Produzentin Und Multi- Instrumentalistin Aus Istanbul.

Auch Auf Ihrem Zweiten Album - beautiful Swamp Verbindet Sie Elastische Bis Hart Knisternde Percussions Mit Melodischen Soundlandschaften. Dabei Gehören Der Universalismus Der Musik Und Persönlicher Freiheit Untrennbar Zusammen: Tief Im Gewebe Ihrer Tracks Aus Downbeat Und Deep House, Aus Türkischen Klangtraditionen Und Exotischen Revieren Stecken Auch Ängste, Glück Und Düsternis: Günaks Musik Fängt Auf, Was Sie In Ihrem Leben Zwischen Istanbul Und Berlin Verarbeitet Und Überwindet. Den Hörenden Bleiben So Nicht Nur Soundscapes Zu Erkunden, Sondern Vielschichtige, Emotionale Kosmen, Die Mit Jeder Neuen Klangschicht Ihre Widerhaken Ins Hirn Schlagen.

Schon Mit Ihrer Ersten Lp bastards' Bewies Sich Günak Als Grenzüberschreiterin, Oszillierte Zwischen Dem Mut Zum Glückseligen Flow Und Avantgardistischem, Düsteren Post-rock. Mit Ihrem Neuen Album beautiful Swamp', Das 2017 In Berlin Und Istanbul Entstanden Ist, Be- Wegt Sich Ah! Kosmos Weiter Jenseits Aller Genre-grenzen: Günak Baut Aus Polyrhythmen Und Folktronischem Instrumentarium Eine Mystische Klangwelt, In Die Man Hineinsinken, In Die Man Sich Forttragen Lassen Kann. Für Ihre Organischen Klang-cluster Hat Sie Auf Diesem Album Ihre Eigene Stimme Als Material Entdeckt, Wird Als Person Greifbarer.

Ihre Musik Ist Körperlich, Trägt Würdevoll Spuren Von Auseinandersetzungen. Die Transzendenz Von - beautiful Swamp Ist Eine Flucht, Ja, Aber Eine Nach Vorne. Der Titelgebende Sumpf Vielleicht Auch Eine Ursuppe, Aus Der Immer Neue Klangwesen Schießen. Mit Dem Druck Gelebten Lebens Und... Es Sind Überirdisch Schöne, Allesamt.

Ah! Kosmos Arbeitet In Erster Linie Allein. Wenn Günak Sich Auf Musikalische Begegnungen Einlässt, Dann Auf Besonders Intime Und Intensive. Wie Die Mit Der Jazzsängerin Elif Çaglar, Die Im Song - beyond Dreams Zu Hören Ist, Oder Mit Dem Gitarristen Özgür Yilmaz, Zu Hören Auf Dem Track - wide . Selen Ansen, Eine Der Wichtigsten Türkischen Intellektuellen Ihrer Generation, Hat Für Günaks Neues Werk Ein Gedicht Verfasst, Mit Dem Passenden Titel in The Dark Woods'.

Ihr Wichtigster Partner Aber: Das Publikum. Ah! Kosmos, Das Ist Genauso Sehr Ein Live-projekt - Und Eines, Bei Dem Die Musik Unmittelbar Auf Die Stimmung Im Floor Reagiert. Bei Jedem Ihrer Auftritte Nehmen Ihre Klanglandschaften Eine Neue Gestalt An. Sie Performt Solo Oder Begleitet Von Einem Gitarristen, War Bereits Support Für Acts Wie Sigur Rós Und Jonny Greenwood's Junun Project (barbican Hall) Und Spielte Auf Wichtigen Festivals Jenseits Aller Schubladen, U.a. Auf Dem Sónar Festival Barcelona Und Dem Venice Electro Festival, Dem Tokyo Electronic Music Of Arts Festival, Dem, Prague Quadrennial Und Dem Arena Theater Festival Nürnberg.

Zudem Komponiert Sie Für Zeitgenössische Tanz- Und Theaterproduktionen, Kurzfilme Und Perfomances. Im Frühjahr 2018 Nahm Sie An Dem Projekt sonár Calling Gj273b' Teil Und Schickte Eine Elektronisch Verfremdete Version Ihres Songs i Don't Belong Here' Ins All. Wahrscheinlich Fühlt Man Sich Ihrem Sound Sehr Verbunden, Dort Draußen.

Recorded during Spring 2018 as Marc and Dave collaborated on the tracklist for their career box set, 'Northern Lights' and 'Guilty (Cos I Say You Are)' represent the first new music from the ever-fascinating Soft Cell. This limited edition double-A-sided 7' single features special radio edits created by Dave Ball. Original versions can also be found on the 1CD collection 'The Singles - Keychains And Snowstorms' also out September 28th.

Paying tribute to the Northern Soul scene which had such a pivotal influence on British electronica's most influential and fascinating band, 'Northern Lights' is the brand-new single from Soft Cell - their first since 2002.

Featuring all the magic and class of vintage Soft Cell, the track has an interesting origin. At the beginning of 2018 Marc Almond and Dave Ball dropped the bombshell announcement that they would reform for one night only at London's O2 Arena. In April it was also revealed that the September 30th gig would be preceded on September 7th by a 10-disc career retrospective box set, titled 'Keychains & Snowstorms'.

A Love Story. 3 Tracks Made Over A Period Of 3 Years Finally Coming Together For Release. For The Third Instalment Oloo Db Takes The Hypnotic Sounds Away From The Darkness Of The Previous Records And Into A More Textured And Melodic Arena. One For Long Summer Days, And Warm Floaty Nights.

In Sudan, the political and cultural are inseparable. In 1989, a coup brought a hardline religious government to power. Music was violently condemned. Many musicians and artists were persecuted, tortured, forced to flee into exile — and even murdered, ending one of the most beloved music eras in all of Africa and largely denying Sudan's gifted instrumentalists, singers, and poets, from strutting their creative heritage on the global stage.

What came before in a special era that protected and promoted the arts was one of the richest music scenes anywhere in the world. Although Sudanese styles are endlessly diverse, this compilation celebrates the golden sound of the capital, Khartoum. Each chapter of the cosmopolitan city's tumultuous musical story is covered through 16 tracks: from the hypnotic violin and accordion-driven orchestral music of the 1970s that captured the ears and hearts of Africa and the Arabic-speaking world, to the synthesizer and drum machine music of the 1980s, and the music produced in exile in the 1990s. The deep kicks of tum tum and Nubian rhythms keep the sound infectious.

Sudan of old had music everywhere: roving sound systems and ubiquitous bands and orchestras kept Khartoum's sharply dressed youth on their feet. Live music was integral to cultural life, producing a catalog of concert recordings. In small arenas and large outdoor venues, musical royalty of the day built Khartoum's reputation as ground zero for innovation and technique that inspired a continent.

Musicians in Ethiopia and Somalia frequently point to Sudan's biggest golden era stars as idols. Mention Mohammed Wardi — a legendary Sudanese singer and activist akin to Fela Kuti in stature and impact in his music and politics — and they often look to the heavens. A popular story is of one man from Mali who walked for three months across the Sahel to Sudan because the father of the woman he wanted to marry would only allow it if he got him a signed cassette from Wardi himself. Saied Khalifa is said to be the one of the few singers to make Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie smile.

Such is the stature of Sudanese singers and the reputation of Sudanese music, particularly in the "Sudanic Belt," a cultural zone that stretches from Djibouti all the way west to Mauritania, covering much of the Sahara and the Sahel, lands where Sudanese artists are household names and Sudanese poems are regularly used as lyrics until today to produce the latest hits. Sudanese cassettes often sold more in Cameroon and Nigeria than at home.

But years of anti-music sentiment have made recordings in Sudan difficult to source. Ostinato's team traveled to Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Egypt in search of the timeless cultural artifacts that hold the story of one of Africa's most mesmerizing cultures. That these cassette tape and vinyl recordings were mainly found in Sudan's neighbors is a testament to Sudanese music's widespread appeal.

With our Sudanese partner and co-compiler Tamador Sheikh Eldin Gibreel, a once famous poet and actress in '70s Khartoum, Ostinato's fifth album, following our Grammy-nominated "Sweet As Broken Dates," revives the enchanting harmonies, haunting melodies, and relentless rhythms of Sudan's brightest years, fully restored, remastered and packaged luxuriously in a triple LP gatefold and double CD bookcase to match the regal repute of Sudanese music.
A 20,000-word liner note booklet gives voice to the singers silenced by an oppressive regime.

Take a sail down the Blue and White Nile as they pass through Khartoum, carrying with them an ancient history and a never-ending stream of poems and songs. It takes two Niles to sing a melody.

Funky DL steps into the arena with his highly demanded album 'Blackcurrent Jazz 3'. Seamlessly weaving his boom-bap style with jazz breaks throughout every track and topped with his smooth and often intense flow, his lyrical ability is top shelf and the beats are at an unequalled standard of excellence. The album showcases some of the finest Jazz Hip-Hop in the scene as it shifts through varied styles of Jazz and Jazz moods. With features from the Nujabes collaboratives Cise Starr and Substantial, the entire set oozes with golden droplets of musical magic moment after moment. The tone is set immediately as the album starts and continues an incomparable and superb standard of quality music right up until the final track.

* Pioneers of the electronic music scene, Music Producer and Finiflex Studio Owner, John Vick and DJ, Davie Miller are working together on a new project . . . . FINIFLEX

* TA TA OO HA was the first single to be released from the much anticipated forthcoming album SUILVEN, slated for release in May 2018.

* FINIFLEX have been playing the new material live since the end of 2016 with gigs in Edinburgh (Neu Reekie), Glasgow (Let's Go Way Back) Skye (Non Stop Easter Weekender) Barcelona (Kosmopolis), Dundee (Carnival 56) and the TA TA OO HA Single Launch Party (TRANSMISSION) in Glasgow.
The show itself is an immersive experience featuring lights, live projections and video graphics, basically a super slick production rammed with back to back bangers.

* These new releases may by the first in 20 years but in reality it's not been such a long period of silence. The almost a secret FINIFLEX Studio Complex (FINIFLEX HQ) based in Leith, Edinburgh has continued to work away with some of the best in the genre including the likes of Justin Robertson, Lord Of The Isles, DJ Rolando, Andrew Weatherall, Sparks, Billy McKenzie, Jon Pleased Wimmin, Paul Oakenfold, Dave Ball (Soft Cell) to name a few.
It's a given that their past assures their pedigree within the electronic music arena but with the release of TA TA TA OO HA . . . . . FINIFLEX brought it all rushing into the future. . . . . .

Born in Cameroon, Vicky began banging the drums at the age of 9. By 13 he had moved onto bass and within a couple of years he was playing every night from 10pm to 5am in the Castel Douala Cabaret. At the age of 19 Vicky moved to Paris to study Banking and Commerce and cram in even more music. He took classes at Épinay-sur-Seine Conservatoire music school and it was here that he met Bandmates of his Dikalo project.

Word spreads and he soon becomes one of the most sought after bass players in the Afro arena. His session work features on many scenes stars, Manu Dibango, Eko Tala AM, Kemayo, Sammy Massamba, Toto Guillaume and many more. A chance meeting with the Gibson brothers also see him play on two of their hit albums. In the 80's Vicky moved to the US for spell and excels as a session bassist and touring musician.

We pick up the story in 1981. With his stature as a musician and bass player riding high he takes a detour to Nigeria to record with the Afrodisia label in Lagos. The "Thank U Mamma" album is the result. It is repressed for the first time, here in 2018 on the revitalised Afrodisia label.

Musical proceedings open up with the heartfelt ode to his mother "Thank U Mamma", smooth pop meets afrobeat boogie. "Marina Drive" slows things down with its smoldering jazz. Side Two opens with "Its Not Serious" a catchy vocal number underpinned with funky guitars and striding basslines. "Stormy Rain" is lazy guitar jazz swansong. We close off the album with the ever so funky "You". Slick funk grooves powered along with a dose of slap bass. As a side note Vicky actually plays left handed but with a "upside down" right handed bass. This upside-down precursor making his effortless slap playing even more impressive.

Vicky went on to record a two other albums and still tours and plays as an ever-in-demand session musician.

Pioneers of the electronic music scene, Music Producer and Finiflex Studio Owner, John Vick and DJ, Davie Miller are working together on a new project . . . . FINIFLEX

Bonus Freaks is the second single to be released from the much anticipated forthcoming album SUILVEN, slated for release in May 2018.

FINIFLEX have been playing the new material live since the end of 2016 with gigs in Edinburgh (Neu Reekie), Glasgow (Let's Go Way Back) Skye (Non Stop Easter Weekender) Barcelona (Kosmopolis), Dundee (Carnival 56) and the TA TA OO HA Single Launch Party (TRANSMISSION) in Glasgow.
The show itself is an immersive experience featuring lights, live projections and video graphics, basically a super slick production rammed with back to back bangers.

These new releases may by the first in 20 years but in reality it's not been such a long period of silence. The almost a secret FINIFLEX Studio Complex (FINIFLEX HQ) based in Leith, Edinburgh has continued to work away with some of the best in the genre including the likes of Justin Robertson, Lord Of The Isles, DJ Rolando, Andrew Weatherall, Sparks, Billy McKenzie, John Pleased Wimmin, Paul Oakenfold, Dave Ball (Soft Cell) to name a few.
It's a given that their past assures their pedigree within the electronic music arena but with this NEW release 'Bonus Freaks'. . . . . FINIFLEX brings it all rushing into the future. . . . . .

Sorceror's 'Dream Season' defines the Dreamtime sound even further with it's journeys through psyched out space surf sounds with disco grooves.5 tracks dreamed from a moody moment in time and space, to the tape head in the Berkley Arena in San Francisco.

The chorus: that moment where everyone connects and participates in unity. A moment anyone who's shared a dancefloor can recognise whether it's a festival arena, subterranean dark room or an illegal rave in a field, warehouse or any abandoned canvas between... Like the ones Cologne's Julian Stetter has come from. Inspired by subversive communities, all pulling together for a greater cause, his background in underground parties can be felt in everything he's done so far: his work with the Ancient Future Now label, his vast imaginative techno constructions and now his work with Jennifer Cardini's long-standing community Correspondant with the widescreen odyssey that is 'Chorus' Six slices of evocative narrative-rich electronic soul inspired by his on-going international experiences on the road; loaded with poignant introspection, thunderous rumbles and playful theatrics, the EP is bookended by two versions of 'Chorus', a vision of scorching hope and lift that can seize a full floor's attention in seconds and full live up to the track's title, message and meaning. By far Julian's most significant solo EP to date, this is a moment for us all to connect and participate. Join in if you know the chorus...

The enigmatic label from Berlin, Schakal Recordings is back with its fifth release and young DJ Lorenz Lepus is next in line. The Lepus project has gone through many guises, finally Lorenz settled on making music as a solo artist under the Lorenz Lepus alias in 2014. While still studying at school Lorenz became a resident at Chalet's Tuesday sound Department parties, cutting his teeth in the cities clubs he has played in venues including Hoppetosse, Sisyphos, Arena and many more. This dedication to his music was not without some confusion, being aware of the melan- cholic minimal tendencies of his productions he has always been loathe to pin himself to a particular genre.What with the success of his career so far.. perhaps this isn't a bad thing.
'Feral Child' is made up of two original tracks and two remixes.The title track's melody swells until it breaks down into a pulsing and rolling rhythm. 'Lost' is more immediate in its dance-floor compatibly, maintaining the rolling style Lorenz imbues his take on deep house with an emotional poignancy rarely heard. Floyd Lavine steps up for the first remix on the EP, Floyd is a resident at the legendary RISE par- ties at Watergate, with one foot in Berlin and the other in his native Cape Town Floyd delivers a beauti- fully loopy and oddball twist on 'Feral Child' adding crunching static sounds. Providing a harder take on 'Feral Child', Italies VII Circle change the rolling melody into a slow techno heater.

Searing platter of krautrock with scorching doses of The Stooges & Judas Priest. Another ripper from this legendary Finnish horde!

Circle are the very definition of genre-defying, a rare feat for any band, but effortlessly achieved by this prolific Finnish collective. Circle's latest album Terminal is pure hedonistic pleasure. Never content on staying the same, they have created an idiosyncratic cocktail of sonic fusions, conjuring an impulsive, dizzying energy that stirs a spirit of curiosity within the listener, and has the ability to possess all who encounter them.
Whilst many would run out of creative steam (certainly after 30+ albums), Circle continue to boldly explore sonic soundscapes, venturing curiously into terrains of Stooges-esque swagger, trance-inducing kraut rock mantras, beautiful electronic ambience, psychedelic rock noodling, arena storming AOR weirdness, 70s prog rock extravagance, glam pop pomp, and of course their core sound, heavy metal, not to mention other peculiar and daring sounds that simply cannot be pigeon-holed. Terminal is gloriously fruitful in tones, shapes, colours and sounds. Eccentric, accessible, delightful and thrilling.

Fabio Borgazzi - aka Fabio Fabor - played literally every known style of music, from baroque to 'satanic' electronic, in his library music albums released during his career which lasted almost seven decades. Born in Milan in 1920, Fabor was one of the great artisans of post-war Italian popular music. Author, arranger and conductor with a classical background, he started writing songs (in the 1950's and 1960's) for popstars such as Nilla Pizzi, Johnny Dorelli and Milva; he then turned to music for theatre, cinema and tv, to which he dedicated the rest of his career. In 1981, when he released 'Galassia M81, Fabor was a veteran in the scene of library music, both as an author and an editor. It was the so-called golden age for the genre, just a moment before the advent of MIDI - which made everything easier, but flatter too, putting an end to the 'Italian Touch". The tracks featured here (credited to the fictional combo The Astral Dimension: Fabor together with his friend Antonio Arena) still have a definite Seventies taste, reminding the wave of German kosmische musik (especially the Darmstad school), but they also reflect the Moog-mania raging in pop music after the big success of Walter/Wendy Carlos with the 'Switched On' series. Avant-garde and kitsch hand in hand, ambient for documentaries and background music for horoscopes... all in sequence, with the only purpose of being used and generating royalties.

Finally, the battle is about to reach its thrilling finale after three exhausting rounds. Our pugilists are staggering on their feet and the bookies are running around frantically, taking the final bets. Will the Bad Guys suckerpunch the Good Guys into oblivion, or does team Good have an epic deathmove in store for its malevolent adversaries Amsterdam native Nachtbraker steps back into the arena for the fourth chapter in the saga. The Quartet Series label boss and Heist and Dirt Crew mainstay has defected to the bright and sunny Good Guys. Piano chords, chopper effects and toms are the main ingredients of his funk-laden and groovy energy drink. Better than steroids they say. Laurence Guy (Church, Rose Records) joins forces or heads in this particular case with a much-needed supplement that tugs on your heartstrings with its lush keys and deep pads. This London lad has been stirring up the scene with his flawless and addictive chords, not to mention the big support he's getting from maestro Move D. Will this dapper duo be strong enough to floor the misfits featured on the flip Great precaution is imperative with two heavyweights in the other corner. First mr. Tommy Vicari Jnr (Cabinet Records, YAY Recordings, AMMO84) comes barging in. This Sheffield veteran has been making killer cuts for years now and is about to step into the ring with his slamming snares, and wonkly wobbly bassline swinging around a phat kick. To keep both The Bad Guys feet on the ground LK (Shall not Fade, Hokkaido Dance Club) adds some extra meat with a deep, heavy bassgroove, while a sexy vocal and steady chords create that gangsta vibe that will boost the Bad Guys' confidence.

After a highly-regarded debut single on Names You Can Trust back in 2014, Combo Chimbita returns, expanded and transformed into one of the most original and wild ensembles currently cutting their teeth in the New York City live arena. Their latest 4-track studio effort, EL CORREDOR DEL JAGUAR, co-produced by NYCT's Greenwood Rhythm Coalition and featuring the powerhouse Carolina Oliveros on lead vocals, is an explosive tour de force of unbridled psychedelic energy and futuristic fire with firm roots in the ritmo of the African diaspora. With connections and inspiration drawn from the vast sea of Caribbean music - specifically the band's native Colombia - these transplanted first-generation New Yorkers have carved a unique corridor in the thriving underground jungle of the big bad city.

Ever since the debut, 'Communication EP' which also marked our 50th release, Alexander Lay-Far has a special place in the Local Talk family.Since then things have been going well with plenty more releases, tours, the launch of his label In-Beat-Ween Music plus a new full length album done.
With so many things on the go we're of course very happy to welcome Lay-Far back and with him this time, two UK house legends that need little introduction, Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Together the trio produced an EP that embraces the charms of both disco and house and we think it hits on every level. The A-side is dedicated to 'Doctor Feelgood', which is just as the name suggests, a delicious disco house cut that will make you feel good.Extra bonus points for the wonky bassline.
On the flip, you'll find two versions of Slope. The first one is an easy / breezy number built around jazzy drums, warm chords to catch your breath for a minute or two, lovers of rhodes should lend the track an extra ear, it's pure bliss. After those 5 minutes and 14 seconds has ended Lay-Far steps into the remix arena, turns up the tempo and sends the track straight to the dance floor. No need to fiddle around too much, he just sprinkles some extra touches of Lay-Far magic to the original and voila, it's done.

We celebrate our number 30 with a double pack, featuring one of the creators of techno in Spain: Groof.

Roberto Gemelin, from Madrid, is Groof. He's Robert Calvin too. No matter which of his alias you know him by, he's one of the most active producers in the Madrid arena.

Aka Robert Calvin, he released materials with Turbo (Tiga's label) in 2004, having previously collaborated with Star Whores in a joint release with Alek Stark (2002).
Also important are the remixes he did for Disko B or for Sindicato Records and MSX, paying tribute to Megabeat with his recreation of the great classic Strange.

His background as Groof is even more extensive, as his early steps go back to the times of Minifunk (the cheeky and shameless label from Barcelona that was then managed by Omar and Dj Loe). With them he recorded Mambo! (1999) and I want you (2000). He has also recorded with WarmUp, Fieber, Rainwaves or Shareware Records.

At the end of the ninetees Groof shared Quite Unusual with Oscar Mulero: the start of a deep friendship that nowadays brings us WU30 mini-album.

'Angel exterminador' is on the A side; modern and dark techno, based on cemented beats and deep synth work. A track that is constantly growing and evolving; quality and punch in one track.

'Diagrama esporadico' goes next: relaxed BPM, 909 beats, spacey arpeggios, and analogue synth percussions for a mental feeling.

'Gummy' starts with weird flanged noises, fed with distorted drums and drones that create an elastic feeling, hence the gummy name. Scientific techno.

'Amb' goes back to darkness, subtle ambiences and drones, fixed sequences and a clever arrangement.

'Vac 04' continues on the same mood: obscure synths, classic drum machines, sharp hats and white noise.

Closing the release, 'Islands' is a liquid track based on lush keyboards, and a dubby feeling with those endless delays. A classy number.

A nice mini-album which is diverse, complex, classic and futuristic at the same time.