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Past Inside The Present is back with another of its quietly powerful ambient records, this time from Almost An Island, which is a collaboration between Kenneth James Gibson and husband and wife duo James and Cynthia Bernard. This black version of the self-titled oeuvre drifts through ambient, Americana and experimental soundscapes with musical elegance and tasteful restraint. Muted textures, swirling guitar, pedal steel and subtle vocals create a mood that draws you in close but is also grand in scale. Tracks like 'Quadrivium' and 'What Got Us To Our Feet' blur the line between memory and melody, while 'Palo Verde' and 'Promise to Fade' linger like a half-remembered dream. This isn't ambient as background-it's a fully formed emotional landscape that is both meditative and melancholic.

naemi follows last year’s excellent Erika de Casier-starring »Dust Devil« with a genius new album of ultra-catchy, perfectly executed shoegaze diamonds, powered by Ulla on drums and additional vox, flutes and extra vocals by Baptist Goth, and fuzz guitar by Kouhei.

»Breathless Shorn« is the Berlin-based Kansas-born producer's most compelling move thus far, featuring 11 perfectly fuzzed songs that almost completely shake off any electronic remnants in favour of a light-touched act of MBV worship. naemi has long nurtured an obsession with vintage dreampop and shoegaze, but until now they mostly blurred those influences with dubby ambience and delicate, heart-slicing production. On »Breathless Shorn« they completely re-draw their outlines, bristling with a much looser energy in a mode that feels like a big step up - more impactful, full of easy swagger and a bona fide emotional resonance.

Distorted, tremolo-bent guitars, boxy drums, electric bass and delirious multi-tracked vocals are the backbone here, mostly sounding like they could have been lifted off Kevin Shields' »Ecstasy and Wine« sessions. naemi's attention to detail is remarkable; no longer leaning on electronic masking or the influence of '90s British slacker rawk or twee pop, instead deploying the genuine article, with ambient music left as just a faint note wafting in the background.

ZAHFARI RECORDINGS is the new label led by Mushrooms Project and Manu Archeo.
Zahfari Recordings is proud to present its first release, the new Album by Mushrooms Project. 9 years after their last full length, the duo returns with a lysergic and introspective journey, intertwining and digging into their thirty-year background, exploring worlds known to them between Electronica, Leftfield, Dreamhouse reminiscences, Afro and Cosmic. A journey structured in a complex way, simple to listen to, where every sound finds its place.

I know that people love to read the stories related to the background of each release on Future Retro London & how they came together, but I'll be honest, I have no recollection at all about how this release came into existence????

Sorry that I can't give much insight on anything to do with this release, I imagine that DJ Sofa pitched me the idea to get remixes done of our collab from her FR011 release and one thing led to another...

Rather than try and piece together the process of what happened to make this release into a thing, I'll just skip to the big ups. Thanks to Soeneido, Cheetah & Janaway for their remix work, to DJ Sofa for the idea (I think?) for this release and for her work on the original and to my memory for failing me in this moment where I was hoping it would come through for me.

"Summer Jam" is back! A long-awaited repress of this powerful and joyful tune described as "acid pied piper", with new artwork and new flip-side. EM Records is very happy to again bring you our favorite tune from the artist known as Tapes, here in a 10-inch vinyl/download format that, with its good vibes, positivity and major-key delightfulness, will rescue you from any doldrums you are experiencing, whether personal, societal or cosmic. "Summer Jam" is a solo recording from 2019, but it soars over the worries of the year, any year, with an up- lifting rhythmic lilt, a positive tonality, non-annoyingly catchy melodies and some lovely sonic textures. There's something here for fans of bass music, mid-80s-and- beyond electronic music, and pure toe-tapping good times. There's a sweet chord progression and background drift in the title track that are particularly pleasing, and the flip-side is a very satisfying "acid" live version with his ally, 7FO, that will lovingly catapult you to another major-chord heaven. The sun can shine anywhere, anywhen, so enjoy!

Dense, deep, drifting in the universe between dream, memory and reality.
Thought-provoking impulses with a philosophical background add an empathetic component to the power of the narrators' words in a charismatic way.
The common thread running through the four tracks like a warm red ribbon is a homage to the freedom of the individual.
A utopian sound clip that tells of acceptance and departure.

LILAS06 — FEDO
For its sixth chapter, Lilas Records shines the spotlight on a rising voice in the Eastern European minimal movement: FEDO.

Hailing from Ukraine and of Greek descent, FEDO is more than a producer — he’s an architect of acoustic space. With a seasoned background as a DJ and sound designer, he bypasses genre boundaries, carving out his own distinct path between deep minimalism and textural innovation.

On LILAS06, he delivers four original tracks that encapsulate his sonic philosophy:

Precision without coldness, groove without compromise.

Feather-light percussion meets rolling basslines, wrapped in immersive atmospheres and delicate spatial play.

Here, minimalism is no longer austere — it becomes expressive, hypnotic, and profoundly human.

Limited to an exclusive run of 200 copies, this release has already garnered fervent support from a distinguished roster of industry heavyweights including Raresh, Reiss, Ramona Yacef, NTFO, Enzo Siragusa, Silat Beksi, and more.

LILAS06 isn’t just another record — it stands poised to leave an indelible mark on the global underground music scene.

London hi-fi bar Space Talk's in-house label, ST Records, kicks off with a 12-track vinyl-only compilation featuring exclusive music from artists who performed at the venue of the same name over the past year. Crafted specifically for the unique acoustics and energy of the venue, some tracks were even recorded live or during intimate Sunday sessions. There is everything from murky dub soundscapes like Kristina May's 'Slow Down, You're Missing Out' to classic era hip-hop from The Village Fools, blue-eyed soul from Sholto's 'There Once Was A Talk Space' and plenty in between. All profits from ST01 will be donated to a UK charity supporting young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds.

A pioneering force in African music, Jo Tongo has always been on top of the game. Since the late 60s he has been recording music under his early Jojo L'Explosif moniker. His debut album "Jo Tongo" was released 1976 on Fiesta/Decca and features classic tracks like Jangolo and Piani. Now, after decades of underground influence and global recognition, his second album Sa Discossa (1980) is re-released for the first time. Being an electrifying fusion of African rhythms, disco, makossa, reggae and funk it is reflecting his lifelong journey of musical exploration and cultural storytelling and claims its place as an essential recording in the Afro-disco movement.
Jo Tongo's music is inseparable from his life's story-a journey that spans continents, struggles, and victories. From his early years as a leading African musician before the global rise of Afrobeat, to his deep roots in classical training, and his time performing in France and Germany, his sound is shaped by a rich blend of influences. Having played in bands across Europe, from American military bases in Germany to the jazz and soul circuits of Paris, he absorbed the pulse of multiple musical worlds, creating a sound uniquely his own.
"My music is my life. I never saw it as a way to become a star-I am a simple man," Tongo explains. "I came into music to say something, to tell about life, to share my experiences with the world." His perspective on fame and artistry is deeply rooted in his Cameroonian background. "I wasn't interested in business. I wanted to build something with music, to create a sound that was mine."
But Jo Tongo's music has always carried a deeper message. His work reflects his strong political stance against colonialism, social injustice, and oppression. "I cannot stay silent while my people suffer," he says. "Music is a way to resist, to stand strong, and to remind people of their dignity and their power." Throughout his career, Tongo has used his platform to advocate for African identity and independence. His songs, layered with messages of social consciousness, have continued to resonate with younger generations who recognize the relevance of his words even today.
Sa Discossa is more than just a disco record. It embodies Jo Tongo's philosophy of resistance, identity, and celebration. The title itself is a blend of "disco" and "makossa," reflecting the seamless fusion of African groove and the dancefloor energy that defined the era. Tracks like Bunya, sung in his native language, carry messages of love, gratitude, and resilience-sentiments that remain as relevant today as they were nearly 50 years ago. As Tongo describes it, "Every day, give thanks and praise to your Lord. Every day, show me your love. Every day, let me show you my tender love."
Tongo's musical journey also took him through the world of reggae, inspired by his exposure to American and Caribbean artists. "At first, I didn't like reggae-it was too slow for me," he admits. "But then I heard Bob Marley, and I realized the power in its simplicity. The rhythm, the
message-it was all connected to something bigger." He later found himself embracing reggae as an essential part of his musical DNA. "I realized that my music and reggae shared the same roots. We are all connected, all telling the same story in different ways."
Having spent much of his career performing across Europe, Jo Tongo reflects on his connection with international audiences. "I've played everywhere-from Africa to Germany, from Paris to other cities in France and what I've learned is that music speaks a universal language. You don't need to know the words to feel the message."
Despite taking a step back from the stage in recent years, he remains open to new possibilities. "Music is like a fire-it never truly dies. I have a lot to say, and music is the best way to say it."
For Jo Tongo, music is more than entertainment-it's a language of truth, a testament to history, and a bridge between cultures. The rhythm of Sa Discossa lives on, stronger than ever. With Sa Discossa returning under the African Edge series on The Outer Edge label, Jo Tongo's legacy continues to resonate, proving that real music never fades.

No Drama, the label helmed by Roy Rosenfeld, reflects his musical vision and personal philosophy, showcasing artists whom Roy respects not only as innovators of new sonic landscapes but also as individuals of character. The imprint proudly introduces its third release: a two-track offering by Khen.
Known for his groovy and melodic house sound, Khen has earned international recognition for his unique style.
The opening track, Back in the Days, introduces modulated deep vocals that stamp the composition with a signature sound. Intelligent, percussive, and hypnotically repetitive, the piece maintains a poised charm, deliberately breaking rhythmic expectations through carefully crafted and precisely timed shifts.
The second track, Usual Madness, stretches the emotional range, layering buoyant basslines with arpeggiated melodies and textured and evocative background elements that enrich the arrangement with thoughtful sonic choices. As the piece unfolds, sound effects and an evolving sense of joy coalesce into a meditative structure that seamlessly weaves musical elements with emotional nuance. After a brief moment of calm, the track builds into a commanding crescendo, delivering a final, cathartic release.
Together, these two works represent an essential addition to any discerning playlist.

Vibes Addikt, N.O.B.A’s label — supported by renowned artists like Charlotte de Witte, Amélie Lens, Klaudia Gawlas, Thomas Schumacher, and Mha Iri — presents Addikted 02, the 2nd edition of the Addikted series. This compilation brings together various artists from diverse backgrounds.

Each track delivers raw intensity and fierce energy, embodying the label’s signature blend of punchy techno and trance influences.

Available as a limited yellow and black "splatter" vinyl and digital release, this drop targets DJs, collectors, and dancefloor thrill-seekers.

A bold new chapter for Vibes Addikt.



Français



Vibes Addikt, le label de N.O.B.A — soutenu par Charlotte de Witte, Amélie Lens, Klaudia Gawlas, Thomas Schumacher ou Mha Iri — présente Addikted 02, 2? édition de la série Addikted. Cette compilation regroupe plusieurs artistes aux univers variés.

Chaque morceau mêle intensité brute et énergie ravageuse, incarnant la signature du label : techno percutante et influences trance.

Disponible en vinyle édition limitée jaune et noir "splatter" et en digital, cette sortie s’adresse aux DJs, collectionneurs et passionnés de sensations fortes sur le dancefloor.

Un nouveau chapitre audacieux pour Vibes Addikt.

Equally adept on the decks and in the studio, Victor Calderone has travelled the world playing for thousands and created some of the electronic music industry’s most seminal tracks and remixes. His new double sided release on Nervous Recprds is a collaboration with highly respected producer / DJ Mykol. They have a created an EP that has the driving percussive force needed to move a dancefloor in 2025, and through its inspired usage of vocal and musical elements highlights their background as born and bred New Yorkers who grew up enmeshed in New York’s nightlife and musical culture.

'What You Want' features the legendary Byron Stingily, a Chicago house singer and Ten City vocalist with a famous falsetto. Here he serves up a moody spoken word sermon over chunky house drums with a dark energy and late-night sense of soul. Electric synth patterns wave in and out to bring great drama to this full-flavour groove. 'What You Want' also comes as a more pared-back but still jacking dub with plenty of smart studio effects.

'Take You Back' is a surging house sound with deep bass and drums and whimsical synth patterns that dance over the beats. Analluring female vocal pulls you in ever closer to a track that is both emotive and physical, steamy but sensuous.

»White Noise« is a cooperation project between raster-media and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. Artistic sound projects generated in the context of the scientific research institute will appear at irregular intervals. The themes and questions of empirical aesthetics research are taken up, questioned or challenged in very different ways. »White Noise« is conceived as an audio archive of the MPIEA artists in residence which records the artistic works on vinyl and documents the respective concepts and working methods in text form.

Victioria Keddie’s »Pshal P’shaw« (white noise #002) is a multimedia exploration delving into phonetic expression’s auditory and rhythmic nuances of phonetic expressions through an amalgamation of text, sound, video, data, and customized learning software. Drawing inspiration from the painter and architectural theorist Hermann Finsterlin who made speculative architectural renderings, the project originated during a residency at the Max Planck Institute of Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt in 2023.

The project’s engagement with the sonic landscape of the eight diphthongs in US English, documented through recorded sessions at EEG labs with participants of diverse international backgrounds, is not just a technical analyses. The applied script for the recording session, infused with a contemporary Western US dialect, ventures beyond, exploring the primal essence of phonetic expression and its impact on the oral landscape of mouth, throat, and tongue.

This work focuses on the spoken aspect of language: the art of oration, conversation, and mimicry. It reflects the beauty of our perpetual change, speaking directly to our humanity and the raw, tender moments of existence. It embraces the awkward, beautiful and vulnerable essence of our shared human experience.

Victoria Keddie is a multidisciplinary artist delving into sound, video, installation, and performance. Her work uncovers hidden narratives within ordinary artifacts and spaces, emphasizing their role in shaping our collective story. The examination of acoustic phenomena and language is a recurring theme in her artistic work. Keddie’s current projects navigate the acoustic complexity of language and dialects.

For over a decade, Keddie was co-director of E.S.P. TV, exploring the televisual medium for performance and sound. Keddie has performed and exhibited internationally. Recent fellowships include the NYSCA/NYFA for Music/Sound (2022), the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (2023), and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Sound Art and Experimental Music Fellowship (2024).

»White Noise«, 40 p. magazine English/German, vinyl LP, cardboard box

OiOiOiOIAiAiAiIAiÆÆÆÆÆÆIIIIII!!!! The new Cucum45 EP dares to speed off from the endpoint of the two previous outputs Something Weirdcore and Cyclops í poka and off the edge of the record at 1000km/h. With a hardcore opening track titled “IIIiiiIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIiiiiiiiIIIIIiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIiiiiiii” (I added several more I’s in there for dramatic effect) that clocks with everything it needs to say at under 2 minutes, it’s safe to say that Cucumb45 aka Bjarki in this EP is WIDE AWAKE, YES!

Take “OpxThermin” – it’s straight up full-bore hardcore cartoon-pyrotechnics in overload, skipping and skedaddling over the turntables. Flipping out in a wild cocktail rush of hardcore ruffidge and smudged breaks that’s all smacked out on sugar frosted meth, listeners are gonna need some surgery to remove the smiley gurns from their faces. “Get Slothered 6even2” effectively can’t keep still as a track. From the collapsing rhythms and the pinging sound effects, it then decides what’s needed is a little bit of hip-hop flow in the background. Many hardcore rave re-treads (sorry, “deconstructed rave music”) often forget what this track seems to do at ease, and that is get you goddamn moving.

"Rathakrem" might have glitchy ambient Nintendo 90s vibe checks, but it is VERY un-chill. Stressed out hard drives grind to dust and distressed sounds of arcade dynamics mean that what you hear is the sound of Mario bricking it through all those haunted castle sections. Ironically the last track, “Crying Indian and Laser Horse” is the EP chill out tune, aiming instead for a nice, soothing, bottoms out disco-fister oompa-loompa warehouse techno track with auto-tuned cats, gunfire, orgasms, and
horses. A fine soundtrack for the morning commute!

** Cassette release

""A Synonym for Repetition" weaves together a tapestry of parallels, all intricately linked to Japan. The project initiates with a collaboration with a Tokyo-based musician, which ultimately fails to materialise during Jason Kolar’s recent visit to the country.

From an original approach that has to mutate in its starting phase, the record was conceived from the beginning to embody a sincere homage to Ryuichi Sakamoto, also a Tokyo native. Shaping ideas within the context of a city with a vibrant soundscape, through an exploration where tradition and modernity intersect in an ongoing quest for correspondences.

Yet, the barriers of language and cultural disparity emerge, casting a veil over the perceived connections and rendering them more projection than reality. This dynamic delineates the space observed from an external perspective, perpetually distant from true understanding, framing it in the fields of imagination, both Japan and Sakamoto. Nonetheless, Kolar tries to pay an honest ode to the artist and its scenic background, with all the implications and contradictions of this kind of process, even with the risk of falling into clichés, pastiches, and Eurocentric bias.

Connecting it to ‘vertical listening’ rather than to an obvious tribute exercise, he has morphed his sound to a synthetic and midi approach, aiming to set an ironically fictitious stage, one that resembles something, but it’s not really it."

To continue the around the globe VA series “Untitled III” is here. As per usual 8 different artists with different musical backgrounds, inspired by different melodious influences which has resulted in this VA to take shape. All of the tracks featured on this double are in line with the label’s vision and demonstrate a vast range of sounds that can be used in many different settings. The art theme as always done by the legendary bad boy graffiti artist Gkoner, this time takes a theme of garden and its mysteries where he drew an inspiration from. The plants are overtaking giving their roots and even sometimes can absolutely capture and possess the host while trying to look so innocent. We know what you are up to plants and you cannot fool us.

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib release their new album, Bandana, via Keep Cool/RCA Records and MadlibInvazion/ESGN. The album includes previous releases "Flat Tummy Tea," "Crime Pays," and "Giannis" featuring Anderson. Paak. The album is the pair's follow up to their 2014 critically-acclaimed debut Piñata, and includes additional features from Pusha T, Killer Mike, YasiinBey, and Black Thought.

The duo's seamless collaboration juxtaposes two giant talents: Madlib,the prolific producer with a record collection spanning all genres and eras, an adept sampler, peer to the late J Dilla (his collaborator on Champion Sound and his musical soulmate), foil for DOOM, hip hop's Charlie Parker, with whom he created the landmark album Madvillainy. Freddie Gibbs, the gravel-voiced braggadocios rapper, a vocal athlete, a star-on-the-rise knocked off course who refused to give up and has since offered some of the most compelling rap music in the past ten years.



On Piñata, Madlib offered Gibbs, then a gritty street rapper from Gary, Indiana, a chance to expand his captivating storytelling, giving him the dramatic backgrounds for his brutally-honest, soul-scraping lyrics. As a pair, Freddie and Madlib exude a natural chemistry and craft an alchemical music, appealing to everyone on the hip-hop spectrum.



Freddie Gibbs and Madlib are also set to play a string of shows in the U.S. and Europe this summer, which kicked off earlier this week with a sold-out, two-night residency at The Roxy in Los Angeles. They're set to play at MoMa PS1's Warm Up series in New York, Paredes De Coura Festival in Portugal, and Made in America in Philadelphia later this summer before heading off to Europe again in the Fall. Additional dates to follow soon.

Daryl Systems: The Wall Street Investor Turned Synth Maestro_
Daryl Systems, a former Wall Street stockbroker, found his true calling in music after a successful career in finance. Born and raised in the heart of New York City, Daryl made his fortune in the high-stakes world of stocks during the booming 90s. By the mid-90s, he had amassed significant wealth, allowing him to retire early and turn his attention to his lifelong passion: music.
Daryl relocated to Sweden, a country known for its rich history of electronic music, and began amassing a vast collection of vintage synthesizers. Inspired by the analog sounds of 70s and 80s synth music, Daryl became deeply immersed in the world of electronic production, creating lush, nostalgic melodies with a modern edge. His music blends the warmth of classic synths with innovative soundscapes, capturing a sense of retro-futurism.
Daryl's work is rooted in the tradition of vintage synth music, drawing influences from early electronic pioneers, while adding his own contemporary twist. He quickly gained a reputation within the underground scene for his impeccable taste in synthesizers and his ability to weave intricate, atmospheric tracks. His unique background and sound have made him a sought-after producer within the global electronic music community.

Mr. Fantasy: The Latin Italo Lover and Synth Collector
Mr. Fantasy is a true embodiment of the Italo disco movement, with a deep love for the genre and a keen passion for synthesizers. Hailing from Latin origins, Mr. Fantasy’s music is a vibrant tribute to the golden era of 80s Italo disco, blending nostalgic melodies with rich, rhythmic layers. With a particular obsession for collecting vintage synthesizers, Mr. Fantasy's music brings the analog warmth of the past into the present, creating a captivating blend of melodic hooks and captivating synths.
He grew up listening to the Italo disco classics, developing a fascination for the genre's distinctive sound, which he now incorporates into his music. Mr. Fantasy’s tracks are filled with pulsating beats, dreamy synths, and smooth basslines, all influenced by the golden age of Italian disco and electronic music.
His passion for synthesizers is matched only by his dedication to creating the perfect track. By blending his Latin roots with the shimmering sounds of Italo disco and the energy of modern electronic dance music, Mr. Fantasy has carved a niche for himself in the underground electronic scene.

The Collaboration: "Sensazione Elettronica" EP
In a highly anticipated collaboration, Daryl Systems and Mr. Fantasy have teamed up to release a new EP for the Italian record label Maledetta Discoteca. This collaboration brings together their shared love for vintage synthesizers, the Italo disco influence, and a passion for deep, atmospheric electronics.
Sensazione Elettronica features four electrifying tracks that blend retro vibes with fresh, forward-thinking production. Drawing from their unique backgrounds—Daryl's transition from the world of finance to full-time music production, and Mr. Fantasy’s deep connection to Italo disco—they have created a sound that is both nostalgic and innovative.
The EP showcases their mastery of classic synthesizers, with catchy melodies, driving basslines, and smooth, atmospheric textures that transport listeners to a world of neon-lit discos and timeless electronic rhythms. It’s an exhilarating project that marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in both of their musical journeys.

fabric Records has enlisted Turkish-Italian DJ and producer Carlita for the next instalment of its prestigious mix compilation series, ‘fabric presents’. Set for full release on April 11, fabric presents Carlita will showcase her meticulous curation, featuring two new original tracks.

The double vinyl sampler features eight full length tracks taken from Carlita’s mix. Her two exclusives ‘Raf’ and ‘Stop Now’ are cut to A1 and C1 respectively.
The two black vinyl plates are 140g and are packaged in black inners, inside a matt printed reverse board printed sleeve. The vinyl package accompanies the CD, digital download and streaming of fabric presents Carlita mixed compilation across all major platforms on 11th April 2025.

The announcement of Carlita’s mix arrives alongside the release of the first single, “Raf,” a collaboration with Toronto producer Andre Zimmer, out now via fabric Records. “Raf” is a high-energy fusion of classic house and rave influences, crafted with the dancefloor in mind. The track pairs infectious, soulful vocal elements with punchy synth stabs and rolling breakbeats, all anchored by a deep, groovy tech-house bassline. “Raf,” along with an additional original from Carlita, “Stop Now,” is nestled among storied house and techno juggernauts such as Butch, Alex Metric, and Paco Osuna, as well as rising underground producers Prunk, Toman, Alinka, and more.

Beyond the club and festival circuit, Carlita is a leading figure at the intersection of music and fashion. She’s been featured in British Vogue and on the cover of Vogue Italia, performed at exclusive events for Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Fendi, and curated performances featuring The Blessed Madonna and Heron Preston at her own multi-sensory Senza Fine parties. Most recently, she collaborated with Audemars Piguet to mark the release of her debut album, Sentimental.

Carlita (real name Carla Frayman) comes from a background of musical mastery, having played classical cello for the Royal Academy of Music in London in her earlier years (after learning to play piano at age 3). Since her earliest memories, Frayman has never stopped developing her musical talent, picking up more instruments, learning music theory, and after university, saving up enough money to pursue it full time. She hasn’t stopped chasing her dreams and is now playing high-profile DJ slots (check out her Cercle set at Cinecittà in Rome), and has quickly risen as a producer with her phenomenal debut album Sentimental on Ninja Tune last year, as well as remixes for Disclosure and RÜFÜS DU SOL.

Coming up, Carlita be performing at festivals and clubs in Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Germany, and many more. On April 12, celebrating her fabric presents release, Carlita will be taking over Room 2 at fabric alongside Jennifer Loveless, Tommy Gold, and Pedrose.

Something special happens when acts like 2fox and vocalists like Laville team up. In 2024 theybrought us one of the year’s most exciting soulful house releases called 'Elevation'. The trackhit #2 on Traxsource’s Best of ADE 2024 and it was consistentlyin the top 10 of soulful housecharts across DJ retail sites. This catchy vocal floating on top of a modern Motown inspiredbass line has had crowds singing along night after night. On this vinyl and digital package,legends Louie Vega and Tommy Musto take their remix turns on 'Elevation' along with labelbosses Soul Clap plus an exclusive percapella from 2Fox.

Louie Vega’s remix turns up the tempo and swings with a heavy bass piano line, knocking percussions, sweeping synth pads. Laville and background vocalists Nandi and Beth Aggetthave plenty of space to soar and give this remix a gospel tinge. It’s a nine plus minute ceremonyof sound that will still leave you wanting more and more!

Tommy Musto’s Zero Hour Mix dials in the soulful sounds of the track, bringing the organforward for a jazzy take for those who want to feel cosmic vibrations.

Soul Clap’s remix is future forward and Detroit inspired. As it evolves over 8 plus minutes, astrong melodic build up and eventual release will leave every listener feeling elevated!

These remixes along with original extended mix are available digitally and also packaged on 12-inch vinyl with artwork designed by Noah Prebish of Unknown Pleathers. Stay tuned for a dubs 12-inch release just a few weeks from now with unique versions of these remixes

Liner Notes by Martyn Pepperell

A collection of ten hypnotic guitar renditions that dive deeply into the traditional compositional musicality that underpins Harakami’s hallucinatory beatscapes before reconsidering them under a fresh, innovative and engaging new light. River: The Timbre of Guitar #2 Rei Harakami signals a new level of awareness and understanding of both Rei Harakami’s significance and Ayane Shino’s undeniable talent.

VITAL SALES POINTS:

In 1996 Tokyo-based label Sublime Records received a cassette demo from Rei Harakami, a 26-year-old Japanese experimental filmmaker, and musician. Within one year Harakami’s debut LP ‘Unrest’ was released. As the 21st century dawned, Harakami was becoming a critically acclaimed figure, and there was a feeling in Japan that Harakami would be an inevitable successor to such luminaries as Haruomi Hosono and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Sadly Harakami passed away at age 40 in 2011, leaving behind a musical legacy that seemed to deserve more recognition. A fitting tribute now comes from the incredibly gifted classical guitarist Ayane Shino. Continuing her album series ‘The Timbre of Guitar’ (the inaugural release of which was ‘Sakura’ - a cover album of Susumu Yokota's seminal album, released through the Swiss label, Mental Groove Records in 2021), she now presents ‘River ???? : The Timbre of Guitar #2 Rei Harakami’. Ayane has reworked some of Harakami’s standout tracks into an album of tranquil yet complex compositions helping to build a new level of awareness and understanding of Rei Harakami’s significance. A collection of ten hypnotic guitar renditions that dive deeply into the traditional compositional musicality that underpins Harakami’s hallucinatory beatscapes before reconsidering them under a fresh, innovative and engaging new light.

In the years that followed Harakami’s untimely passing, Sublime Records continued to sign and support new artists emerging from Japan’s rich and fertile electronic music scene. This eventually led to a meeting with gifted classical guitarist Ayane Shino in 2020. Although a new name within electronica, Shino’s classical resume is impeccable. She has performed with a range of prestigious orchestras in concert halls and at music festivals across Japan, Europe, and South America while playing classical guitar for numerous animations, movies and television commercials and holding various educational roles. These days, she also hosts the Tokyo Harmonics radio show, which is syndicated through Hyogo prefecture’s Ashiya Radio and TJS Radio in Los Angeles.

During her time completing a masters at Tokyo’s University of the Arts, Shino became fascinated by Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Oneohtrix Point Never, Steve Reich, and, closer to home, Harakami and Susumu Yokota. ”I found myself in an environment where I was surrounded by fellow students who produced computer music, live electronics, and installations,” she explains. Following her meeting with Sublime, Hideoki Amano, the producer and owner of Musicmine, the parent company of the label, asked Shino if she would be open to transcribing and recording an album of covers of the late, great composer, producer and DJ Susumu Yokota’s music in incorporate into then-upcoming events commemorating the 5th anniversary of his death and reissues of his past works. “Yokota made music with the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer and samplers, not in a way like a conventional instrumentalist, so I was aware it might be more of a challenge for her,” Amano explains. Fittingly, Shino was up for his suggestion, leading to ‘Sakura: The Timbre Of Guitars #1 Susumu Yokota’. Song by song, Sakura highlighted Shino’s free-flowing playing and prowess at translating electronic music into classical guitar shapes.
After considering Harakami’s background as an instrumentalist, Amano felt revisiting his catalogue should be the next step for Shino. Well-versed in how often classical versions of electronic music tend to fall flat, he asked her to examine Harakami’s songs closely, select the musical phrases suitable for guitar and create arrangements that would sound interesting to music listeners with a deep engagement with ambient, techno and electronica. In Harakami’s discography, Shino discovered “a sense of simplicity, warmth, moisture and a floating sensation.” “I was gripped by his songs, which had an array of sounds that gave me a sense of mystery but also coexisted with a sense of familiarity,” she explained. Moving beyond his official releases, Shino began digging through YouTube to find live recordings, radio appearances and obscure outtakes. Within her mind’s eye, imagining playing his songs on guitar was effortless. On her approach to the album, Ayane explains: “For this album, I succeeded in spinning some exquisite, silk thread like delicate tones, interwoven with human warmth, gentleness and simplicity. And I was also able to rework Rei Harakami's distinctive sound with a floating feel to it and transform it into a very classical guitar sound. I hope many people will be able to receive this group of sounds that I created in this album that I played with all my heart.” A record of limitless innate beauty, ‘River ???? : The Timbre of Guitar #2 Rei Harakami’ is a delicate and thoughtful body of work. A true masterclass in deconstruction and subsequent rebuilding, and an eternal lesson in how the art that we leave behind can outlive us all.

”Operation Timeframe” is a fusion of styles between two artists who have made waves in their careers: Franco Falsini and Saverio Celestri. On one side, we have a pioneer of electronic music; on the other, the product of years of evolution.

Franco has a rich musical history and a diverse array of influences: starting from progressive rock and arriving at electro-pop, he approached electronic music with a substantial musical background. After founding and participating in various bands across the United States and England, he collaborated with the renowned record label Polydoor. In the early 1990s, he combined his skills as a guitarist and producer, beginning to perform worldwide. In track A2, “A Molecular Affair,” you can clearly hear this blend, which transports us back a few decades and lets us savor a gem deeply rooted in a quality-rich past.

Saverio also had an initial approach to electronic music partly rooted in rock, though more toward alternative rock. Moving to Berlin at a young age, he developed his sense of electronic music in a city teeming with inspiration. Here, he combined his background in electronic, pop, and rock to create brilliant tracks that captivate dance floors worldwide with his Electro, EBM, Synth-Pop, and more. With the B1 track “Veleno,” Saverio follows in the footsteps of his friend Franco, closing the album with “Traveling,” a track structured in Synth Pop, enhanced by the crystal-clear voice of Brazilian artist Lourene.

This is a record that focuses on that frame in which the two artists perfectly align their past and future, projecting it directly into the present, as only two geniuses can.

Black Vinyl Repress

We have a proud introduced 4th vinyl-only release from our original series, featuring Romanian artists Funky Trip with two original cuts and Barac on remix duties. Titled “Alpha EP”, the record delivers a solid dose of inspiring minimal rhythms mastered by Mike Grinser at Manmade Mastering Berlin.


Funky Trip stands out from the Romanian new wave of electronic music producers, exploring an endless universe of distinct sounds and emotions reflected on his releases with Rawax, Nazca, Stamp Records, Artreform and others. On this EP, he invites acclaimed local artist Barac of Moment Records to join in and leave his fingerprint on the title track, laying out a soothing rhythm influenced by psychedelic elements.

Side A opens with the title track, “Alpha”, an immersive minimalistic composition powered by dreamy background atmospheres, swinging drumming patterns, a solid wobbling bassline and mysterious vocals that seamlessly intertwine with tension-building chords and breathing moments. Following, “Dreams” gets a bit more groovy, focusing on the percussion, the punching keyboard stabs and the phased effects that run throughout the track, all while having a subtle touch of melancholy radiating from the piano and complementary layers.

On the flipside, we find Barac‘s reinterpretation of A1 dropping a twisted progressive sound that constantly evolves as wave upon wave of spiralling synths and chugging drums mix in a massive dancefloor tool perfect for peak-time moments at any party.

Artwork by Jose Alvarez


Early support by Gescu, Sepp, Nu Zau, Mihai Pol, Sublee, Charlie, Lumieux, Tania Vulcano, Costin RP, Iuly.B, Crihan, Primãrie, Zenk and more..

Portland's finest practitioners of Great Black Music offering to the planet! All Is Sound could not be a more apt title for this. Through saxophone, cello, piano, and flutes The Cosmic Tones Research Trio created a truly beautiful record. All Is Sound breaks new ground. At its heart, it's healing/meditation music, but the Gospel and Blues roots are in there too...as well as hints of forward-looking Spiritual jazz.

As sincere a record as you could ever hope for. Music is indeed the healing force of the universe. Formed by alto sax player and composer Roman Norfleet, cellist and multi-instrumentalist Harlan Silverman, and pianist Kennedy Verrett—who also plays a wide variety of wind instruments—, The Cosmic Tones Research Trio focuses on healing music. In All is Sound, delicate, profound melodies create peaceful, immersive soundscapes, which the group develops through their combined background in acoustic ecology, sound meditation, mindfulness, and active community involvement.

A noteworthy follow up to Norfleet’s first length with Mississippi Records (the self-titled Roman Norfleet and Be Present Art Group, from 2023), All is Sound offers the chance to engage with songs intended for healing. Following the steps of musicians such as Sun Ra, Alice Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders, The Cosmic Tones Research Trio delivers music that is both restorative and sonically rich—each tone falling into perfect place, as if by magic. Praise for Roman Norfleet and Be Present Art Group: “A free-flowing suite.” — The Quietus // “Life-affirming music.

Because of their mix of hellified gangster shit and progressive compositions, I once jokingly called Clipping "Deathrow Tull." Well, it's not a joke anymore. While Clipping's last few projects have been record-long concepts like classic prog rock, their cyberpunk-infused new album Dead Channel Sky is mixtape-like, a carefully curated collection in which every track is a love letter to a possible present. It sounds crisp and classic at the same time. When something strikes us as retrospective and futuristic at the same time, it's a reminder of how slipshod our present moment truly is. Juxtaposing high-tech, corporate command-and-control systems (the "cyber") with the lo-fi, D.I.Y. underground (the "punk"), cyberpunk proper starts in 1982 and ends in 1999, from Blade Runner to The Matrix. Concurrently, hip-hop matured, went through its Golden Era, then melted into further forms: it went from from Fab 5 Freddy to Public Enemy to Missy Elliott. While other genres flirted with it, hip-hop was fickle and fey. Rap and rock birthed mutant offspring maligned by most, and hip-hop's relations with electronica rarely fared any better. What if someone explicitly merged hip-hop and cyberpunk - those twin suns of the '80s and '90s - into one set and sound? After all, both movements are the result of hacking the haunted leftovers of a war-torn culture that's long since moved on. On Dead Channel Sky, Clipping texture-map the twin histories of hip-hop and cyberpunk onto an alternate present where Rammellzee and Bambaataa are the superheroes of old; where Cybotron and Mantronix are the reigning legends; where Egyptian Lover and Freestyle are debated endlessly, and Ultramag and Public Enemy are the undeniable forefathers; where the lost movements of 1980s and the 1990s are still happening: rave, trip-hop, hip-house, acid house, drum & bass, big beat-the detritus of a different timeline, the survivors of armed audio warfare. Clipping are no strangers to sci-fi: two of their records were nominated for Hugo Awards (one of science fiction's top literary prizes), and a novella spun-off from their music was nominated for a third. On Dead Channel Sky, Clipping's co-conspirators include everyone from the guitarist Nels Cline, to their labelmates Cartel Madras, rapper/actor Tia Nomore, and wordsmith Aesop Rock. Diggs is known for intricate lyrics and rapid-fire rapping, and the tracks that Snipes and Hutson build in the background are no less complex. All of the above serves to give us a glimpse of an adjacent possible present, where hip-hop and cyberpunk are one culture. Binary stars are often perceived as one object when viewed with the naked eye. Like those twin sun systems, it'll take some special equipment and some discerning attention to pull the stars apart on this record. As Diggs barks on the fire-starting "Change the Channel": Everything is very important!

‘Nothing Iz Sacred’ is a statement, a collection of tracks that resist the pull of the fleeting, throwaway nature of today’s music scene. In an age where everything is often stripped down, consumed, and discarded, this 8-track LP stands as both a nudge and a reminder—a poke at the culture that surrounds it - it isn’t here to blend quietly into the background, nor to satisfy the urge for quick hits and shallow thrills.

Each track on the LP is woven with the sounds and textures Workforce has become known for, yet there’s a rawness here—a willingness to push boundaries, to blur the edges of genre and style. The LP is a blend of the familiar and the experimental, where thoughtful moments meet jagged beats, and where soulful undertones collide with darker layers. It’s a space that resists easy categorization, daring listeners to explore without expectation, to find meaning in the spaces between the sounds. This isn’t a record designed for the disposable playlists of tomorrow; it’s for those who know that music can mean more, and who understand that it is meant to live with us, to grow, and to shape the communities around it. This record isn’t about the chase for the next hit or the endless scroll; it’s for the ones who value artistry, who find culture in the smallest details, who want something real to hold onto.

‘Nothing Iz Sacred’ is brought to life with the voices and musicality of some incredible collaborators. Tyler Daley’s unmistakable warmth, Bobbie Johnson’s sharp lyricism, Tamara Blessa’s haunting soul, Leroy Horns’ textured brass, and Ed Zuccollo’s nuanced piano work all carve their own paths through the record. Together, they amplify the album's heartbeat, adding layers of richness and depth.

Marbles is the legendary 1970 proto punk / dance classic from John McLaughlin’s US debut album 'De?otion', recorded at the time in which he played on Miles Davis' Bitches Brew and taped the Record Plant session with Jimi Hendrix.
Marbles didn't just deliver jazz rock's most danceable 4/4 beat, played by Band of Gypsies / Electric Flag drummer Buddy Miles. It is also centered with a once-in-ageneration bass line performed by Billy Rich. Larry Young's otherworldly Hammond textures predate a lot of what synthesizers were about to do much later, and the blowtorch energy emanating from John McLaughlin's cranked amp went beyond what most would had dared during the defining era of heavy rock guitar. An apex achievement at the intersection of jazz rock, guitar rock and dance music without parallel, before or since.
Background: John McLaughlin arrived in New York in 1969 to join Tony Williams' new group Lifetime which also featured Larry Young and eventually Jack Bruce (of Cream). On the second day in town he found himself in the studio with Miles Davis, recording 'In a Silent Way.' His playing would also take center stage in Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, On The Corner and several other Davis key works of his much beloved first electric era. In between a busy schedule with Lifetime and Davis, McLaughlin also recorded two solo albums in 1970, 'De?otion' with an all-electric group and ‚'My Goa|’s B?y?nd' as its acoustic counterpart. By the time he formed his group Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1972, John McLaughlin was firmly established as the most important practitioner of his instrument of his generation within and well beyond the emerging jazz rock / fusion genre, and he has continued to evolve and surprise until today.
Here, a thorough remaster is supplemented by a new and throbbing techno version by Stefan Goldmann.

Refracted's "In Veil" materialises as the third emission in the Titrate series. A gradual unfolding across six passages, each step a study in the dissolution of boundaries.

Here, time becomes elastic - synthetic textures breathe alongside captured moments of reality, neither demanding prominence nor seeking refuge in the background. Percussion appears as memory rather than rhythm, while drones hover like fog over unknown lands.

Cut to 180g vinyl and embraced by 350gsm reverse board, "In Veil" doesn't announce its presence but rather seeps into awareness.

Born in 1989 in Bamako, Mali, Nfaly Diakité is a member of the Donsow, Bambara animist hunters. Nfaly Diakité is named after his grandfather, the late Nfaly Diakité, one of Mali’s most respected donso chiefs. His grandfather did not play, but as a leading figure in the donso brotherhood, he was always accompanied by musician Yoro Sidibé. Nfaly grew up alongside Yoro Sidibé, who became his first master of the donso ngoni, a type of eight-stringed antelope skin harp. After leaving school to devote himself to his instrument, Nfaly continued his apprenticeship with Diakaria Diakité and Oumar Sidibé, two donso masters from the Wassolo region.

He quickly made a name for himself in the donso community and was much asked to play at the traditional ceremonies of his brotherhood. He then met percussionist Ibrahim Sarr and joined the BKO Quintet, with whom he recorded an album and toured Europe and the United States. His virtuosity on the donso ngoni soon attracted attention, and he took part in numerous music and dance festivals in Mali and abroad, with the aim of raising awareness of this little-known traditional instrument.

Nfaly Diakité is also a Kônô, meaning that he is responsible for passing on the history and culture of the Bambara people through music and song. He pursues his mission by combining tradition with more contemporary sounds and by collaborating with artists from a wide range of musical backgrounds. For him, music is a means of conveying messages of peace, love and harmony, and his compositions evoke the values of respect, tolerance and open-mindedness.

‘Tribute to Toumani Koné’ is Nfay Diakité’s first solo album, recorded in Bamako in June 2020. On the album, Nfaly is the only singer, providing backing vocals and playing the donso ngoni and keregne. The album is a tribute to the storyteller and poet Toumani Koné, the greatest donso ngoni player since N’gonifo Bourama. Nfaly Diakité is a representative of the new generation of donso ngoni players and he wishes to pay tribute to Toumani Koné, who throughout his long career has been a symbol of courage, daring, loyalty and honesty.

The nine-track of this solo album leaves no room for hesitation. Three instruments (donso ngoni, voice and keregne) manage to carry one into another dimension without ever tiring. The fitting and precise rhythm is a deep but melodious transe. Nfaly’s voice plays between expressive urgency and calm wisdom, and the choruses with his own voice multiply the planes of dimension of the music. The donso n’goni, of which Nfaly is an excellent player, sounds rough and earthy but always clear and sharp. All the strength of a music that does not belong to a single musician but to a long cultural tradition of which he is the spokesman is expressed here. The young Nfaly, thanks to his experience and sensitivity, succeeds on his own in pushing us into this world without feeling the weight of tradition but only the liberation of music that sounds all the more contemporary. This album is to be listened to in its entirety as one tight journey between repeated formulas, highlights and moments of rest within the same relentless rhythm. The densest moment is probably found in the heart of the album, between the tracks Nankama (the predestined one) and Mogote Diabeye (no one can please everyone). Here, the message, which can be deciphered from the translation of the lyrics, seems to transcend language barriers and intepret us directly about our human condition, urging us to move our bodies to the dense rhythm of life.

Scanning Backwards, Phase Fatale’s second full-length album originally released on Berghain’s in-house label Ostgut Ton in 2020 is now reissued via his label BITE on limited edition pink marble vinyl after being long sold out and sought after. Using the connection between weaponized sound and psychological manipulation as a conceptual foundation, Hayden Payne explores the ways in which music – and sub frequencies in particular – are used to influence thinking and to synchronize emotions and behavior: from military technology to sound systems and the physicality and sexuality of queer techno culture.

Known for his innovative post-punk takes of dance music as featured on EPs for unterton and Ostgut Ton, the Berghain resident draws on his background as both a guitarist and sound engineer to create a heady mix of broken rhythms, noise-, and shoegaze-inflected techno, often at slower tempos. The result is music with space and pace to expand, highlighting the intense rushes of frequencies found in both sonic warfare and functional dance music. Over eight tracks named after a combination of historical and fictional narratives from literature and science fiction, Payne’s rhythmic excursions explore different manifestations of sound as power – specifically within the context of seeing Berghain as an instrument itself. This is also reflected in the album artwork, taken from an early flyer for the SNAX party series and an obvious ode to the fetishization of power dynamics.

In his own words: “All tracks on the album, no matter the style, were tailored to sound a certain way in Berghain – something I figured out through years of dancing in the middle of the floor, DJing as a resident and investigating what frequencies really penetrate the body. This includes speech and high-frequency, brain-penetrating instrumentation and drilling textures that I had not utilized so often before, but which I think also have an effect on thought and memory. It’s especially true in a space where gay and fetish roots combine with music in unexpected ways, almost in a cultish manner. A musical and physical deprogramming and reprogramming, psychic driving and de-patterning, the erasing and replacing of memories.”

Ultimately, Scanning Backwards surveys not only the manipulative properties of electronic music (mantras, loops, subliminal messages) but also how rhythm facilitates both moving and thinking in synchrony; a pulse of coordinated sound- and brainwaves.

The time has arrived for the release of the long awaited EP by LEBA, with the prolific title - Into The Lights.

Carefully and thoughtfully crafted over two years, the legendary record producer of High Power Music, General Lee, teamed up with the magnificent Legends Sly and Robbie, to produce the daughter of legendary Jamaican Icon Toots Hibbert: LEBA.

This LP features 7 songs including a feature from Jamaican Portland deejay Blackout JA, on track "No one loves you like me", which was released in 2021. These songs carry you on a musical journey of time and space, on a dub and reggae background, which soothes the ears of its listeners, and gets them grooving to the bassline of the late Robbie Shakespeare OD and Sly Dunbar OD and Taxi Gang.

The songs paint a picture through conscious words and messages, heavy and spacey instrumentation, recorded & mixed at One Pop Recording Studio Kingston Jamaica by Rorey Baker. An atmosphere that will surely transport its listeners into the calm and relaxing space of reggae and dub music.

The combination of their musicianship and the cutting-edge technology at the studio resulted in a masterpiece of pure, state-of-the-art funk and boogie. The album features all the hallmarks of great 80s music: fresh synths, drum machines, and powerful lead vocals from John Davis. Upbeat tracks like "The Cat (Puma)" and the title track sit comfortably alongside more soulful songs like "Tears" and "Hearts of Gold," while "Dancing Shoes" remains one of the era's catchiest dance tracks.

Still, Shake It - Make It Loose holds a few mysteries. Why was it released under the unusual name J.D. (Puma) Lewis? And what's the story behind tracks like "The Cat"? While J.D. Lewis stood for John Davis Lewis's full legal name, Hudson sheds light on the "Puma" connection: "At the time, I was working as a promotions manager for Puma sportswear. Jörg Dassler, son of Puma founder Rudolf Dassler, was a friend of mine and financed our studio sessions." As said, these sessions took place at Hartmann Digital, a state-of-the-art studio in Untertrubach, Bavaria, where iconic artists like Nena, Yello, Visage, DAF, and Soft Cell recorded.

The use of such an expensive studio would have been out of reach for the two musicians without Puma's backing, which also explains why there is a title like "Dancing Shoes." When we had licensed the track for the Boogie On The Mainline compilation in 2018, we had the chance to speak with John Davis (who sadly passed away in May 2021 due to COVID-19). Davis revealed that there were plans to make a video for the song in collaboration with Puma, but those plans fell through. In the end, the album was signed to the Deggendorf-based Metrovynil label.

Interestingly, the original contract reveals that the first version of the album only contained six tracks. Metrovynil added two more: "Sexy Highschool Lady," a track Davis recorded solo, and "Party Rap" by The Dynamite Two, which had no connection to Davis or Hudson at all. The album's credits also list a "Fred Fiore" as the person "who made all of this possible." Hudson, who sees himself as the producer, has no idea who Fiore was - likely another fabrication from the label. "That's just the kind of thing Metrovynil did," Hudson comments with some regret.

Despite the behind-the-scenes confusion, the music spoke for itself. The original pressing looked and sounded fantastic, featuring a stylish cover shot of John Davis in a sharp suit. Now, with this first-ever vinyl reissue, we're thrilled to include additional photos and more background information in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

This reissue includes all six tracks from the original Hartmann Digital sessions, plus two bonus tracks. From the original reel tapes, we unearthed additional material that Hudson and Davis produced together in the early to mid-80s. We're excited to share the previously unreleased tracks "Life's A Party," and "Walk Out On Me." The digital version of the reissue will also feature two more songs: "Red Drops" and "Pick It Up Off The Ground."

Shake It - Make It Loose is a classic boogie-funk album that belongs in every serious funk and disco collection. It showcases the undeniable talent of two true musicians and stands as a testament to the friendship between Reg Hudson and John Davis.

Repress!

Louie Vega remixes the seminal Sam Records Disco hit 'Bourgie', Bourgie'' by John Davis & The Monster Orchestra.
12' vinyl release on Nurvous Records on Sept 9, 2016
House Music legend Louie Vega continues to light fire to select tracks from the Sam Records 1970's Disco Catalogue. He previously remixed Vicky D's 'This Beat Is Mine' and Convertion's 'Let's Do It.' Now he has added his unique and legendary production skills to a remix of the Ashford & Simpon penned 'Bourgie', Bourgie'' by John Davis & The Monster Orchestra.
Originally released on Sam Records in 1979, 'Bourgie', Bourgie'' also features background vocals by Ashford & Simpson.
Louie Vega continues to be one of the most dynamic and respected dance music producers in the world. With a body of work that combines his timeless and trend-settings production with Kenny Dope as Masters At Work, and his own distinctive and equally impactful Louie Vega productions, he has always had a great knowledge and respect for the R&B and Disco music that laid the foundation of the current soundtrack of nightlife. The Sam Records catalogue is owned and administered by Nervous Records, with which Louie has a long history, dating to his creation with Kenny Dope of the label's signature tune, The Nervous Track by Nuyorican Soul. The distinctive string sections of 'Bourgie', Bourgie'' along with the Ashford & Simpson lyrics caught Louie's ear, and he has created a remix that has been destroying dancefloors and festival summer.

You Are The Morning was formed amid personal upheaval in 2021. "I came out as trans to my nearest and dearest," she says, "Some did not accept me, but some did." Jasmine got divorced, and a difficult home life meant she was writing while experiencing homelessness and precarious housing, sleeping on friend's couches and relying on community support. Despite the pain of some of its background, the record is an uplifting look at t4t love. Jasmine describes her first trans romance as the first time she experienced joy in a deep sense, because of her experience of living as a woman. First single `Skin on Skin' explores the new joy of physical touch. Usually a quick writer, it's a rare song that grew over time, during which a close connection with a friend began to form. "Sticking to the physical boundaries we wanted to have with each other became increasingly difficult. We were spending lots of time together, then falling in love. This song became a celebration of healing and physical catharsis found through unrepressed queer love." The first UK signee on Saddest Factory Records, the album was produced by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Jasmine and her band travelled to L.A. to record at Sound City Studios. It was made across 12 days in a highly collaborative and emotional process, and because Jasmine sees her songs as fluid and ever-changing, the recordings carry that free and spontaneous spirit. jasmine.4.t is supported by an all-trans band, Phoenix Rousiamanis contributes piano and strings, with Eden O'Brien on drums and Emily Abbott on bass. With Jasmine's voice and songwriting at the centre, the record incorporates a wider cast of voices. `Best Friend's House' features a chorus including her bandmates, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus ("the girls and the boys"), Saddest Factory Records label-mate Claud, Becca Mancari and E.R. Fightmaster. The song carries the communal spirit of the record's creation. On the closing track, `Woman', she is backed by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, a cross-generational group of trans singers who, like Jasmine, use their voice as a source of communal power. The song blossoms from solo performance to wider group catharsis. All the while, Jasmine sings unwaveringly about the power of knowing yourself at a core level: "I am, in my soul, a woman". The writing of You Are The Morning pulled from dark moments to tell its story. Surrounded by friends, the recording process was full of light. Through her performances, activism and artistry, jasmine.4.t is ushering in a new dawn.

Soul Brother Records present two rare Scepter/Wand disco classics on one limited edition 12” single for Record Store Day Bobby Moore was a singer, musician and bandleader from New Orleans. He worked as a writer and arranger from the 1960s to 1980s, “(Call Me Your) Anything Man” one of only a handful of solo 7” single releases. The 12” version has never been commercially released before, it’s prior existence in this format has only been on acetate. Legend has it that the one acetate was cut at the time because when Tom Moulton mastered the record in 1975, the studio had run out of 7” parts so made it a 12”. The quality sounded so good the 12” single was born!
Sweet Music were the vocal trio who sang background vocals with KC & The Sunshine Band. This is one of the few records ever remixed by West End legend Mel Cheren.

Crackazat seamlessly blends contemporary electronica with dancefloor euphoria on his new record “In the sky”

Crackazat has had quite the run of amazing releases on Heist since his first outing back in 2021. Alfa, 2022 follow up Demucha and his mini album ‘Senses’ released last year have shown that Heist is the perfect label for him to show off his keyboard wizardry and broad musical influences. Whether he’s doing his ‘Monday Jams’ from his home for his dedicated Bandcamp followers, or he’s on the road to South Africa where he has a huge following, Crackazat always brings something special with his music. ‘In the sky’ hits you right in the feels and sees the talented musician navigate from synth-happy dancefloor cuts to electronic & jazzy deep house.

What might stand out most on his new record is how Crackazat feels totally at ease with all these different styles and how he blends his voice seamlessly in the tracks to add depth, meaning, and energy. This might be most apparent on the title track, which is built around a syncopated ‘Alfa-esque’ key loop (Crackazat fans will know what we’re talking about here). There’s gorgeous vocal chops and warm arpeggiated synths in the background that give the track lots of texture, while the percussion shuffles along in perfect swing with the song’s energy. Add some lovely strings, leads, and a moody breakdown, and you’ve got yourself a fine piece of dancefloor magic.

On “Burnin’”, Crackazat channels his inner raver with 90s inspired percussion, a honky
piano loop, and some very catchy & quirky vocal chops. He freely sprinkles claps and snares around like it’s Christmas and the big breakdown has the kind of madness-inducing energy that gets every clubber going!

EP closer ‘Dark’ is Crackazat in his most contemplative mode; a vibe he always loves to explore on his Heist outings. The bass is deep, the kick heavy, and the synth licks are mellow but powerful. His voice and effects give this track a beautiful extra dimension that would even make Fred Again jealous. The stripped-back percussion has clear influences from contemporary African dance music, which adds yet another layer to Crackazat’s broad sonic landscape. All in all, Dark is a track that makes you want to close your eyes and just sway into oblivion.

Crackazat once again manages to take us on a deep trip into his sonic world and showcases a level of craftsmanship that most of us can only dream of. ‘In the sky’ is a lovely end to our 2024 releases and we hope you enjoy the music.

As always, play it loud and dance, dance, dance!

Maarten & Lars

We are proud to bring you part II of the CEP VA series, featuring six tracks that span a wide range of genres. Each track brings its own signature to this release, making it truly one of a kind.

Beta.V opens the A-side, fusing self-sung vocals with multiple synths that harmonize beautifully together to create a timeless track. This is followed by SWART's 'Eternal Raver', much akin to old-school trance thanks to hypnotic synths and dreamy textures creating a meditative state. A3 introduces ETERA’s 'Classic Shit', a dancefloor weapon with stomping beats and crisp, background drums signaling the signature sound of ETERA himself. On the B-side, SZG stands out with its gated synthline, pounding bass, and catchy vocals from Brazilian MC DDSV adding that unique energetic spin to this release. DJ HENNE’s 'Roboter' on B2 is a hard house slayer featuring a deep mid-track breakdown and self-sung vocals - a DJ HENNE classic. Wrapping up the release, Pōnky combines groovy, funky plucks with a smooth finish, closing the EP out on a playful note.

'Pursuit Of Change' drops via CEP Records on 29th November 2024.

The second release of Diggers Society Records is signed by an artist who has distinguished himself both for his compositional skills and as an excellent selector. NND takes us on a journey through his diverse musical worlds, track by track, revealing his deep musical background. The A-side stands out for its dark atmospheres, supported by strong rhythms and deep grooves. The B-side takes us back in time, offering a production inspired by the iconic soundtrack of the cult '80s TV show, followed by a production with a celestial and deep atmosphere.

Artwork by @designattitude_graphic