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Always endeavoring to drop it a little way different, Ital Counselor Records once again stretch things in a forward direction while paying full and forceful tribute to that which has come before. This heartical 7" is a tribute to the late great Prince Lincoln Thompson in the form of a reimagined take on his composition "Kinky Money Game."

It is with great honor that ITAL COUNSELOR records has been able to work with two legends of the music business on this slab of plastic. Firstly, Jeb Loy Nichols comes with a storied history in music and the visual arts. He first came to ITAL COUNSELOR’s attention upon discovering the 1981 compilation, “Wild Paarty Sounds” via Cherry Red/On-U Sound. Later would be greater, with projects skirting the realms of country, soul, reggae, and leftfield. Bands like the Fellow Travelers, solo albums with Adrian Sherwood, and more recently writing songs for Horace Andy’s latest On-U album have all contributed to an impressive body of work.

Over the years when Jeb is not making music, he can be found writing books or churning out block prints of birds, leaves, pithy phrases, and the odd sleeve art for labels like Pressure Sounds, and, yes ITAL COUNSELOR. His sleeve work on this 7” indeed captures the essence of the music hiding under the cardboard exterior. Lo-fi, retro while poignantly on time. Social commentary manifested auditorily and visually.

Jeb’s reinterpretation of Thompson's original bubbles over a slow burning one drop built by none other than Studio One, Riz Records, and Tuff Scout Records alum Gil Cang. In yet another musical first brought to you by ITAL COUNSELOR, this piece of wax represents the only time Jeb and Gil have worked together. The results are a magical mix equally at home in the hands of a sound system operator unconstrained by the current ‘steppers’ norms as it is on a home stereo where one can deeply sit with the lyrics of depth and significance. An old time something feel for these nowadays times. An ITAL COUNSELOR Records essential.

Feel the vibes…

In the early 1980s, Britain had a vibrant cassette culture that now gets spotlighted through a limited edition 12" featuring multi-instrumentalist Kez Stone's project, Imago. He was a notable name in Cornwall and the West Country's music scenes with previous projects, Artistic Control and Aaah! which have come back via reissues many times in the last ten years. Imago was a new one-ff project that first emerged with one track on the Perfect Motion compilation curated by NTS Radio's Bruno and Flo Dill and now the full LP, originally released in 1985 on the local label A Real Kavoom, has been remastered and added to with three additional gems. Stone's teenage punk influences sit next to Imago's eclectic approach to sound that blends new wave and psychedelic elements into something irresistible.

Two decades in, one of dance music’s most celebrated DJs, producers, label owners, A&Rs, broadcasters, and tastemakers has big plans for this anniversary. In June, Anja Schneider will unveil an expansive rework and remix package on her benchmark-setting imprint, Sous Music, some of her best-loved tracks are there in less familiar forms. Expect fresh takes from Anja herself on seven of her favorite tracks plus a wealth of heavyweight remixers: Paramida & E-Talking, Radio Slave, Scuba, JakoJako, Julian Muller, Cassy, Deetron, Leafar Legov, Erobique, Jaymie Silk and Ackermann all being part of the impressive collection.
“The project includes new versions of my favourite tracks from the last 20 years and remixers who have accompanied, influenced, and currently impress me. Each artist holds a special connection for me,” says Anja in anticipation of this milestone release.

Formed by LA-based drummer Tommaso Cappellato in conjunction with pianist Alberto Lincetto and bassist Nicolò Masetto, the group is known for their experimental blend of eclectic jazz, funk, downtempo beats, and vintage Italian library music. On this release, they are showcasing their foray into Italian vocals. The A-side "Luce" is a vibrant track that combines 80s jazz funk elements with a touch of boogie in an extended multi-rhythmic version that keeps the energy grooving. Flipping to the B-side, "Luna Gioia" offers a modern interpretation of downtempo Brazilian-funk and slow disco, accompanied by an instrumental version that allows the music to shine on its own.

Vaudou Game is back with a Funky Afro Cumbia 7 inch release !
First single of their 5th album, the french afro funk band's influences have spread beyond the city and country limits, crossing the Atlantic to reach Colombia and the afro latin world.
« Afro Cumbia » is one of the new musical direction took by the band.On the track «Râler» helped by the brilliant voice of the Spanish-english singer Clara Serra López, you'll hear the funky fusion between high-life guitars and typical cumbia guiro and bass. An original soulful duo sharing Spanish and Mina lyrics.
Koliko is a tribute of the west African street food and specially the sweety donuts , you can find in the morning in Lomé or Cotonou. "Nana Benz du Togo" band are invited to sing the chorus on this funky highlife dj friendly anthem .
Recorded on analog equipment at Otodi Studio in Lomé (Togo)
From the album "Fintou" (out January 15 th 2025)

This compilation features tracks released between 1978 and 1988 in Western France.

Through this compilation, we strove to highlight a little-known regional scene, characteristic of the diverse and sometimes opposing music movements of the 80s. Through this musical journey across the Brittany, Normandy, and Pays-de-la-Loire regions, we sought to showcase a resolutely indie aesthetic, sometimes conceived in some of France’s most unusual studios, such as a bunker and a caravan.

We’ve found it difficult to make attribute an established, well-defined genre to some of the tracks featured on this compilation. They draw, each in their own way, from the rock scene that dominated the 80s in France, from countercultures, from American stars who shone on the country’s radio stations and in its record stores, and even from local folk music.

While one could hear an harmony across the tracks featured on Le Grand Ouest, channeling this manifold energy onto a record required extensive research through the Brittany, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire regions’ discographies. Over the three years since the release of Le Grand Sud-Est, we have meticulously researched the references of artists, musicians, studios, labels, and publishers from each region. We sought to trace each artist to identify and listen to all their works from that period, and, when possible, collect unreleased recordings, left as demo cassettes on the artists' dusty shelves.

The synthesis of this research, presented here under the title Le Grand Ouest, hopes to remind us of the timelessness of the indie scene in our country, through the lens of the 80s Western France’s scene. Whereas Le Grand Sud-Est exhibited the funkiest sides of the Provençale and Rhône-Alpes scene, Le Grand Ouest leans towards a more mellow, introverted music, an expression of groups of friends united by the joy of playing together.

The first 500 copies of the record come with an extensive booklet with unpublished photos, press clippings, and texts for each track.

Panavision was born from the shared passion for music of Akaj, Pierro, and Brassac. After years of playing as DJs, they came together in 2023 to create a space that goes beyond dance music — a platform where producers and artists can explore creativity, freedom, and in novation.

Rooted in a diverse range of genres, we are committed to discovering and nurturing talent, both from the past and present. Our mission with this label is to bring stories to life through music that is authentic and dedicated. For our first releas e, we are thrilled to present a mini - album from S evered Heads titledOp5.

This record marks the official launch of our label, which operates between Brussels and Ljubljana — two cities that embody our ambition to explore diverse creative landscapes and push the boundaries of contemporary music. This first release is a t ribute to one of the pioneering forces in electronic music. The OP Series is one of many innovative projects S evered Heads h as produced since the late1970s.

For this special release, we’ve carefu lly selected six original tracks out of fifty from the Op Series releases of the early 2000s and curated them into a thoughtful sequence to form this mini - album

After showcasing intense, edgy breakbeats on previous releases with Scuffed Records, FeverAM, and early reflex, Kyoto-based producer Naco returns with "Snakey," his first release in two years and a long-awaited comeback on his own label, 85acid. This essential collection features four cutting-edge bass mutations that push boundaries once again.

The EP opens with the title track “Snakey,” a minimal piece featuring a relentless, serpentine bassline that slithers beneath, grounding the sound in a hypnotic groove. It’s followed by "Anolon", a potent and minimal dubstep mutation, pulling the listener back to a sense of calm. In “Ows,” the energy intensifies with a stripped-back, industrial breakbeat that takes the BPM up to 155, where raw machine-like precision takes center stage. Finally, the EP closes with “Mappy,” a dancehall and hardcore-inspired offering where a simple yet addictive rhythm is layered with amen breaks and echoes of raves past.

Embracing a dangerous yet lush minimalism with an intentionally restrained sound, this release also marks a first for 85acid with the label's first vinyl pressing!

“Raggamuffin Soldier” was recorded at Channel One Recording Studio in 1983 with Soldgie as engineer and a rhythm track played by Jolly Stewart and Daniel “Axeman” Thompson. Growing up in the Waterhouse neighborhood of Kingston, Jolly Stewart obviously developed this singing style and gave us a killer early digital dancehall missile with pure conscious lyrics “Raggamuffin soldier, big ina your area...me no deal with badness, me nah deal inna war, me is a raggamuffin soldier...mi raggamuffin ina foreign, raggamuffin sit down pon di riddim...how you know the raggamuffin? Me no wear no gold chain, me no wear no gold ring...”. “Raggamuffin Soldier” was produced by Fitzroy Peterkin who also produced the digital lover tune "Angie".
The Waterhouse style is a particular style of singing that emerged in the late seventies and early eighties within the Jamaican reggae scene. The Waterhouse style is commonly described as a plaintive, groaning and fluctuating vocal style, often nasal and strident, characteristics that will give it a sound that is distinct from the rest of the reggae singers. The commonly recognized founders of the Waterhouse style are the singers Michael "Mykal" Rose, Junior Reid and Don Carlos. The name derives from the famous neighborhood of the same name in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, the place where the three pioneers were born and emerged. The Waterhouse style influenced many dancehall reggae artists of the eightiesvsuch as Tenor Saw, Half Pint, Nitty Gritty, Anthony Red Rose, King Kong, Yami Bolo, Andrew Bees...
Vincent Stewart aka “Jolly Man” is a reggae singer from Kingston 11, born december 16 1960 at Hunts Bay Lane, 4 Miles, Jamaica. Jolly started singing at age 13, he was placed in an approve School for 3 years and at the age of 16 he was released.
He started his musical career in the late 70's with Ossie Thomas, Phllip Morgan and Tristan Palmer from Black Solidarity label. Jolly Stewart recorded his first song entitled "Money Pyaka" on the classic "Pretty Looks" riddim which was recorded for Oswald Thomas on Ganja Farm label and released in 1979. Tristan Palmer who has another tune "Disappointed Lover" on the same riddim backed by The Soul Syndicate made the link with Jolly Stewart because he liked his style of song writting.
Jolly Stewart wrote three songs for Black Solidarity label: "Collie Man", "Bad Minded" and "Symbol Of Justice". All three tracks were covered by Triston Palmer. As a song writter, Jolly Stewart is behind Yami Bolo's hit on Stalag riddim “When A Man Is In Love” released on Winston Riley's label Techniques.
Jolly Stewart then decided to move on with his singjay career. He ventured to Tuff Gong studio where he met two producers. One was Prince Jazzbo from Ujama label, and the other was John John who owned the Bun Fi Bun label. He recorded "Praise jah" for Ujama and "Poverty Rush" for Bun Fi Bun. Still not satisfied with how his career was heading, he moved on to Lannaman's Preparatory School. There he learned to play guitar from a man named Fred McMurray aka Faf and Donald Jackson. Later he learned to play the keyboards by watching other musicians.
In the late 80's and early 90's, Jolly Stewart recorded many songs for various labels such as “Do Me Like So” for Bunny Gemini's label “Bun Gem Records” in 1987, “Late Last Night” and “War” for producer Zelma Rust and his label Myotta Ruff.
He also recorded for Augustus Pablo on his label Rockers International just before he died in the late 90's but we never heard about this release so probably Addis Pablo have it on old master tapes in the Rockers International archives....only Jah knows!

Safecall Records proudly presents their debut EP by Christian F. & Arsenic Affair. Hansaring, a train station in the heart of Cologne, is where the idea of Safecall was born and where we capture the vibrant pulse of our city. This EP is dedicated to dancefloors around the globe and to a dear friend, who will hear this soundtrack beyond the boundaries of life. Luke, this is for you.

Layers of fog, hazy synths, solid percussion, and liquid basslines – Esaïa's debut album Mindscapes invites listeners into a dreamlike soundscape. A sonic experience where Berlin’s Berghain meets the vibrant streets of Kingston, Jamaica.

With its cinematic chiaroscuro lined with sub-bass, the album blurs the boundaries between genres. Inspired by the pioneers of dub, Esaïa seamlessly blends hybridisation and experimentation, pushing musical limits to carve out her own sonic space.

An album designed for both the dance floor and introspective listening, 4-to-the-floor techno-driven beats fuse with blissful instrumental flows. Paired with Madame Ipsum’s luminescent visuals, Esaïa’s work creates a multi-sensory experience that sparks the synapses.

Arriving on a limited 200-copy translucent orange vinyl, 'Dark REM' on Cuddling Monsters’ second release on Mask Records is a hunched-over and direct dub techno cut with forceful drums and deft percussion, adding texture next to warm, sustained pads.

There's a real sense of urgency in this most frictionless groove, which means it cannot fail to cast a spell on the dance floor. The fantastic 'Event Horizon' is then infused with the aura of deep space - sustained chords with a cosmic edge add vast scale to the well-programmed deep techno drums. 'Monster Talk' is a mid-tempo dub track with underlapping drums and rattling, rusted chords that disappear to infinity. It's cavernous and evocative, with myriad little details occupying the mind. 'Temporal Aura' is another standout sound that blends deep techno, dub, and minimal into a serene soundtrack that encourages inward reflection while driving onwards through the cosmos.

Mask Records founder ZentaSkai and his creative partner Laura Merino Allue are Berlin mainstays helping shape the underground. Cuddling Monsters is a new project that debuted on the label in March. It is all about crafting music with analogue instruments, which they believe "offer distinctive sonic qualities, creative constraints, and genuine sound reproduction”. They explore Detroit-infused house, dub techno and minimal soundscapes with raw edges and a great sense of atmosphere. Cuddling Monsters'

Cameron Jack returns to Crosstown Rebels as he delivers his first EP on the label with ‘The Late Shift’. The release, set to drop on 6th December 2024, delivers a standout offering featuring two collaborations with vocalist Liz Cass and two solo productions from the fast-rising house music talent.

London-born, Ibiza-based DJ/producer Cameron Jack has quickly become a name on the up, having been championed heavily by Crosstown Rebels’ founder Damian Lazarus, as well Blond:ish and Lee Burridge. While still young in his musical journey, 2024 has seen him sharing stages with heavyweights such as Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones and DJ Tennis. His five-show residency at Hï Ibiza coupled with appearances at Extrema Outdoor, PHAEX Festival, Get Lost Mexico and Fabric London as well as an upcoming Asia tour to round off the year, has cemented his rise as one house music’s most in-demand up-and-comers. Having previously appeared on the label as part of Crosstown’s SPIRITS VA series, and adding to releases via Knee Deep In Sound, Abracadabra Music, and All Day I Dream, Cameron now returns to Lazarus’ brainchild with his first EP on the label as he unveils a refined exploration of his late-hours sound with ‘The Late Shift’.

The EP kicks off with two collaborations featuring singer/songwriter Liz Cass, whose vocal talents have graced tracks from Hot Since 82 to Nora En Pure. The opening track, ‘Dusk Till Dawn,’ pairs deep, rolling grooves with Liz's seductive spoken word vocals, setting the tone for the late-night atmospheres that define the release. ‘Move Your Body’ follows, with driving rhythms and infectious energy, inviting listeners to get lost in dancefloor moments. On the flip side, Cameron showcases his prowess further with ‘Get High And Dance’, bringing a captivating fusion of rolling percussion grooves and playful tones, before ‘Won’t You?’ rounds out the EP with another drum-led workout perfect for keeping dancers in motion.

(2LP gatefold vinyl, 21 unmixed tracks) Dimitri Vegas, half of the world-renowned DJ duo & brother pair Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, went “solo” at Tomorrowland last summer. He played an exceptional 'vinyl only' set there. It was greatly enjoyed, which is why Mostiko and Smash The House have teamed up and immortalized this historic set.

Introducing Access All Areas - FLO’s debut album. A body of work imbued with the girls unapologetic, contagious force.

Blending the rich tones and luscious melodies of R&B and soul with pitched up original samples, futuristic production,

contagious hooks and candid, relatable lyricism, the project feels like yet another arrival for the group.
Featuring songs such as ‘Walk Like This’ and new single ‘Check’, plus many more.

1 x 140g Crystal Clear Vinyl.

To coincide with its 20th anniversary, Clint Mansell's haunting score to Darren Aronofsky's 2000 film, Requiem for a Dream, performed by Kronos Quartet, returns to vinyl. This was Mansell’s second of several collaborations with Aronofsky, following 1997’s π, and features arrangements by David Lang of Bang on a Can. The film stars Academy Award-winner Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans, and was adapted from the 1978 novel by Hubert Selby, Jr. (Last Exit to Brooklyn), who also wrote the screenplay with Aronofsky. Set on the rusted mean streets of Coney Island, Brooklyn, Requiem for a Dream tells the parallel stories of four people pursuing their dreams of better lives. The reissue features the original soundtrack, plus two bonus tracks.

Clint Mansell, a musician, composer, and founding member of the band Pop Will Eat Itself, first worked with Darren Aronofsky on the score for his 1998 film π. Also released by Nonesuch are Mansell’s scores for Aronofsky's The Fountain (2006), nominated for a Golden Globe, and Noah (2014). His other scores include The Wrestler (2008), Moon (2009), Black Swan (2010), Filth (2013), Stoker (2013), High Rise (2016), for which he received an Ivor Novello nomination, and Loving Vincent (2017).

For more than 40 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet – David Harrington (violin), John Sherba (violin), Hank Dutt (viola), and Sunny Yang (cello) – has combined a spirit of fearless exploration with a commitment to continually re-imagining the string quartet experience. In the process, Kronos has become one of the world’s most celebrated and influential ensembles, performing thousands of concerts, releasing more than 50 recordings, collaborating with many of the world’s most eclectic composers and performers, and commissioning over 850 works and arrangements for string quartet. A Grammy winner, Kronos is also the only recipient of both the Polar Music Prize and the Avery Fisher Prize. Most recently, in 2019, Nonesuch released Kronos’s ground-breaking collaboration with composer Terry Riley, Sun Rings, and, in 2017, Folk Songs, featuring Sam Amidon, Olivia Chaney, Rhiannon Giddens and Natalie Merchant.

‘The Gods We Can Touch’ is an elegant and celestial but provocative album about shame, desire and morality, all seen through the narrative prism of Greek mythology. In each of the album’s fifteen songs we meet a different god. In AURORA’s own words, “With every album I try to figure out what music means to people and why it’s so important,” she says. “I ask myself: ‘What would people wish to hear right now? What words do they need to hear? What could do good?’” In answering that question, she’s recorded an album that celebrates how spectacular each of us can be, by reminding us how unspectacular we also are.

We are excited to announce the release of the Complete James Brown Christmas Collection, a three-LP set featuring music from 1966-1970.

You absolutely don’t need to be a holiday music lover to fall in love with the music spilling out over these James Brown records, as most of the tracks are original compositions that hold their own against many of the grooves that Brown was recording during this high-water mark of his career.

With bonus tracks galore and fantastic liner notes by Alan Leeds (former James Brown publicist and tour manager), and mastered/cut by legendary mastering engineer Kevin Gray, this is a must-have even if you have to give yourself a well-earned, early musical present this year!

Adam Beyer continues to push techno’s boundaries with diverse elements while staying true to the beat, with his new EP ‘Don’t Go’.

Picking up where he left off with previous acclaimed solo EP ‘Ghost Kiss’ and his recent knockout debut Vintage Culture collaboration, the Swedish producer and Drumcode label boss delivers a two tracker of epic proportions, marked by a creative use of vocal samples and vocal processing, creating an extra layer of rampant power which can be both spacey and machine-like, yet organically human.

We're thrilled to welcome Shimpei Watanabe to the label as we continue to build on the Tokyo-Cologne connection. Bringing his versatile talent from Tokyo, he delivers three fresh tracks. This limited vinyl release opens with No Cab Around Here an acid piece in true 303 style, enhanced by deep dub chords. A2 highlights Shimpei Watanabe's signature funky basslines and groovy drums, creating a lively atmosphere. On the flip, B1 introduces a smoother, Chicago-style groove adding a refreshing change of pace. The record’s finale features an energetic remix by Cologne's own Stikdorn - an analog dub techno jam that seamlessly aligns with the label's early releases.

Roddyrod is a key player in contemporary hip-hop who gained recognition alongside East Coast pioneers like Kev Brown and Oddisee as part of The Low Budget Crew. His new release on Dirty Tech is a fine testament to his genre-blending skills as he combines hip-hop, broken beat, deep house and soul with real studio finesse. The standout track for us is 'Servant Royal' with unquantized drums and a jazz-inspired piano riff that will capture the attention of house heads everywhere. 'Fendi Foot' expands on his earlier work, while 'Skin Pride Deep' features Grammy-nominated Wayna and offers a powerful exploration of self-love and empowerment to add depth to the EP's overall sound.

The second offering from Mud Trax, a division of MixCult Records is a compilation to remember.

With Dub Tech laid out in all its many forms and moods by a dynamic assortment of rhythms, it is nothing less than exquisitely fresh pop manipulative.The album features contributions from Kirill Matveev, Ataneus, Genning and Etzu Mahkayah. With an electrifying mix of dub's sprawling scope and acid's driving rhythm, even a record that pushes sound the way this one does can come off totally funky.

Kirill Matveev & Wiklauri's Ioli (Kirill's Version) makes for a promising opening, melding into deep dub its ethos of acid, a psychedelic blend that touches the nerves of those who love to dance. Ataneus takes it further on A2 with Napolitaner, a track that is like nothing else: dense, dub-coloured layers of sound, which create a steadily seductive momentum able to steal listeners away into temporal plunge.

On the other side, B1's Red Lights by Genning is at once a punchy piece and a dancefloor phalanx of sound. A work meticulously sculpted by the speakers, yet redolent with natural energy-Geistgemäss.
The journey is brought to a close by Etzu Mahkayah's Cs-137 on B2, hypnotic grooves offering equal parts reflectivity and pumping energy.

Taken together these tracks provide an experience that is euphoric yet absorbing, each not only embodying Dub Tech but also pushing it in new directions.

Schlammpeiziger, who had previously only been known to us for his top hits and T-shirts, burst upon us like a wild boar in search of affection in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown. He nested in our fully vaccinated home, drank our Eversbusch, ate from our plates, slept in our bed (wait - wrong fairy tale) and repeatedly urged us to organise egg runs with his testicles (after some contortions, we gave up trying). Childish faecal humour, far-fetched obs(t)enities, juicing, a desire to dissolve, composting of thoughts. In excesses of lack of concentration, the chains of associations curled and meandered like Jo's famous curlicue drawings. Every evening, after we had forcibly levered him out of our flat, he would ‘walk’ home to put together very unique , dreamy pieces. In the blissful brainfog of those days, for example, ‘Handicapfalter’ was created, for which the congenial °Bär° made our flat into the corresponding video. Among other quirks of the little gut-breather, we were fascinated to observe his phobia of literature and books. Just hold a printed page in front of his face for a few seconds and he writhes on the floor crying. A level of phobia that only my own laughable disgust and fear of writing myself can compete with. Jo shudders at the thought of reading sentences that build on each other in a meaningful way, and I shudder at the thought of having to write them down because I have something ‘to say’. A certain affinity cannot be denied. We are much, much more pleased by snatched-up, misunderstood or misheard snippets, hollow but unforgettable phrases, the diamond stoner humour of our ancestors. ‘From one turn/ I stop/ to walk on/ in all directions’ (as it murmurs in “Selten Gesehenes”), describes the process quite nicely. After all, Jo is ahead of me in that he can simply break off every tedious sentence and let it fade into music. Back to the essentials. It's five to 12 for the Schlammpeitzger (scientifically Misgurnus). The shy goby is under threat from climate change, so perhaps this vinyl is the last expression of life of the specimen that we have been allowed to look after sporadically since the lockdown phase of the corona epidemic. And it's turned out pretty. Even the aesthetically gutted like me and my beloved husband can THINK about sex when they see these sublime, silvery fart bubbles! It's tender as a fart. Make love!!!!!

Schamlose Dubtöse: Do you have words. Do you have sounds. Impertinently harmless piano tinkling turns into tugging zounds of increasing severity. It is not dubbed (would be unethical) but dubbed. Sounds dubby, as you can imagine. (Instrumental)

Loch ohne Licht: Possibly vaguely misogynistic. Could also be that there was simply no light in the hole. The sparse snippet of lyrics (‘du biss mir och esu e Loch ohne Licht’) sounds like one of those stroppy Cologne replicas whose anti-charm is hard to resist. Buzzing and grooving.

Selten Gesehenes: Casual. Confident. Soft. Fragrant. Thoughtful but lively.

The Arabian Vietmanese (instrumental) is probably the food we trust in the case of the munchies we get when we watch other people smoking weed. Transcendental and psychedelic states casually permeate the humdrum of everyday life. Klar Knuspermarsch: Marches and floats at the same time. Klebt Runner: Soundtrack to the cult film of the same name. Tyrrell Corporation loosens up. Ungenutzte Sätze: Stinks somehow, because there is dangerous proximity to comprehensible and then also critical statements here. Instead, the sinister electronic cheapness of Carpenter soundtracks can be heard. Parzipan: Actually, the time of origin was not so roaringly funny and simple, but for Jo it was also a gruelling, slow letting go of his brother. Here he sends him off with a gentle nudge into the vastness of a hopefully happy beyond.

Clara Drechsler

Schlammpeiziger, der uns bislang nur durch seine Top-Hits und seine T-Shirts bekannt gewesen war, brach mitten im Corona-Lockdown über uns herein wie ein wilder Eber auf der Suche nach Zuwendung. Er nistete sich in unserem durchgeimpften Zuhause ein, trank unseren Eversbusch, aß von unseren Tellerchen, schlief in unserem Bettchen (Moment - falsches Märchen) drängte uns wiederholt dazu, mit seinen Hoden Eierlauf zu veranstalten (nach Verrenkungen gaben wir den Versuch auf). Kindischer Fäkalhumor, weit hergeholte Obs(t)zönitäten, Entsaftung, Auflösungswunsch, Gedankenkompostierung. In Exzessen der Konzentrationsschwäche ringelten, kringelten und schlängelten sich die Assoziationsketten wie bei Jos berühmten Kringel-Schlängel-Zeichnungen. Jeden Abend, nachdem wir ihn gewaltsam aus unserer Wohnung gehebelt hatten, „ging“ er dann heim, um dort sehr eigene, verträumte Stücke zusammenzubasteln. Im seligen Brainfog dieser Tage entstand z.B. „Handicapfalter“, für das der kongeniale °Bär° aus unserer Wohnung das entsprechende Video machte. Neben anderen Marotten des kleinen Darmatmers beobachteten wir fasziniert seine Literatur- bzw. Bücherphobie. Halt ihm nur sekundenlang eine bedruckte Seite vors Gesicht, und er windet sich weinend am Boden. Ein Grad an Phobizität, mit dem sich nur meine eigene lachhafte Abscheu und Angst vor dem Selberschreiben messen kann. Jo schaudert beim Gedanken, sinnvoll aufeinander aufbauende Sätze lesen, mir wiederum beim Gedanken, sie hinschreiben zu müssen, weil ich irgendetwas „zu sagen“ habe. Eine gewisse Verwandtschaft ist nicht zu leugnen. Viel, viel mehr freuen uns aufgeschnappte, falsch verstandene oder misshörte Fetzen, hohle, aber unvergessliche Phrasen, der diamantene Kifferhumor unserer Vorfahren. „Aus einer Drehung/bleibe ich stehen/ um in alle Richtungen/weiter zu gehen“ (wie es in „Selten Gesehenes“ raunt), beschreibt den Prozess schon ganz schön. Immerhin hat Jo mir voraus, dass er jeden leidigen Satz einfach abbrechen und in Musik ausplempern lassen darf. Zurück zum Wesentlichen. Es ist fünf vor 12 für den Schlammpeitziger (wissenschaftlich Misgurnus). Die scheue Grundel ist von Klimawandel bedroht, vielleicht haltet ihr mit diesem Vinyl also die letzte Lebensäußerung des Exemplars in Händen, das wir seit der Lockdownphase der Corona-Epidemie sporadisch betreuen durften. Und die ist hübsch geworden. Selbst aus ästhetischer Erwägungen Entdarmte wie ich und mein geliebter Mann, können bei diesen sublimen, silberhellen Pupsbläschen DENNOCH an Sex denken! It´s zart as a fart. Make love!!!!!

Schamlose Dubtöse: Hast du Worte. Hast du Töne. Impertinent harmloses Klavierplätschern geht über in ziepende Zounds von zunehmender Strenge. Es wird nicht domptiert (wäre unethisch) sondern dubtiert. Klingt dubtig, wie ihr euch vorstellen könnt. (Instrumental)

Loch ohne Licht. Möglicherweise vage misogyn. Könnte auch sein, dass im Loch einfach kein Licht war. Das sparsame Textfetzchen („du biss mir och esu e Loch ohne Licht“) klingt nach einer jener pampigen kölschen Repliken, deren Anticharme man sich schwer entziehen kann. Schwirrt und groovt.

Selten Gesehenes: Lässig. Souverän. Softig. Duftig. Nachdenklich aber beschwingt.

Beim Arabischen Vietmanesen (Instrumental) gibt es wahrscheinlich die Speise unseres Vertrauens im Falle der Munchies, die wir kriegen, wenn wir anderen Leuten beim Kiffen zusehen. Transzendentale und psychedelische Zustände durchziehen beiläufig den schnöden Alltag. Klar Knuspermarsch: Marschiert und schwebt zugleich.

Klebt Runner: Soundtrack zum gleichnamigen Kultfilm. Tyrrell Corporation macht sich locker. Ungenutzte Sätze: Stinks irgendwie, weil hier gefährliche Nähe zu nachvollziehbarer und dann auch noch kritischer Aussage gegeben ist. Dafür klingt die sinistre elektronische Billigkeit von Carpenter-Soundtracks an.

Parzipan: Eigentlich war die Entstehungszeit gar nicht so brüllend lustig und einfach, sondern für Jo auch ein zermürbendes, langsames Loslassen des Bruders. Hier schickt er ihn mit sanftem Schubs hinaus in die Weiten eines hoffentlich schönen Jenseits.

Clara Drechsler
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NOTON is pleased to announce the release of Xerrox Vol. 5, the final installment of Alva Noto’s Xerrox series.

For anyone who has been following the series since its inception in 2007, the concept of Xerrox no longer requires introduction. Originally, it aimed to create copies of images—both visual and acoustic—that are more memorable than the originals. The exploration of the relationship between the original and the copy, along with the invention of the copier, not only inspired the series name but also informed its underlying concept. In 2024, this series comes to an end, marking the culmination of a journey that began with the first recording in 2005/2006. Over nearly two decades, the five albums in this series have accompanied the artist's evolving perspective and conceptual approach.

Initially characterized by rawness and a conceptual focus on seeking resolution in white noise, the later works engage with themes of dissolution while shifting their emphasis toward acoustic particles. The copying process is now less visible through software manipulation; rather, it unfolds as the artist describes melodic and acoustic images that are then manipulated, copied, and transformed into new patterns during composition.

Nicolai describes this evolution as a journey encompassing buildup, exploration, and resolution, drawing parallels to the Odyssey and the stories of Jules Verne, particularly those featuring Captain Nemo.

The conclusion of this album holds a sense of finality for the artist. “I aimed to create a whole cycle of tracks that frame both the beginning and the end,” Nicolai explains. “The motif of the journey continues, but this time, the story reaches a dissolution through a conceptual object that embarks on its own journey into infinity. The word “dissolution” (“Auflösung” in German) is a wonderful concept. On one hand, you can solve a riddle, on the other hand, a pill can completely dissolve in water. Here, I am deliberately describing the process of dissolution.”
In crafting Volume 5, Nicolai has evolved his compositional process, eschewing samples in favor of original melodies. “This album probably took the longest to complete,” he reveals. “I first created melodic sketches, which became the foundation for the pieces. These recordings are created entirely from scratch. Based on these sketches, I constructed the process of copying, manipulating, and reshaping.”

Drawing from his recent experiences working with film and larger ensembles, Nicolai's approach to composition reflects a growing influence of classical instrumentation. “This experience of working with acoustic classical instruments has flowed into the compositional process for Xerrox Vol. 5. Certain instruments are designed with potential orchestral translation in mind.”

The sonic atmosphere of Xerrox Vol. 5 is one of profound dissolution. “I wasn’t initially interested in strong, emotional melodic aspects,” Nicolai shares, “but I realized that the fragment plays a central role.” This shift leads to an emotionally charged experience, imbued with melancholy and the bittersweet essence of farewell. The passing of Ryuichi Sakamoto, an admirer of the series, has further deepened the album’s emotional resonance.

“Xerrox Vol. 5 has a lot to do with farewell,” the artist explains. "Not only the farewell to the series itself, which I’ve nurtured for almost two decades, but also there have been many farewells to people who were close to me. I believe these people are recognizable in the music. It’s a very emotional, personal album.”

Listeners can expect a visual dimension to the music, though Nicolai intentionally leaves this open to interpretation. “I prefer to allow the music to evoke personal experiences and images rather than dictate a specific narrative,” he states. The result is a layered listening experience that invites tenderness and introspection.

Gospel melts into Soul in this dazzling collection of sides originally released by the Chess subsidiary.


Devised by the same team supporting the likes of Muddy Waters and Etta James at Chess, the vintage of Checker Gospel celebrated here is distinguished by its expertly raw, rugged, live feel — thumping bass and pounding drums, bluesy guitar and horns — and its keen engagement with contemporary realities and politics, with an underlying, unwavering commitment to the Civil Rights movement. Not forgetting its sheer, startling, richly diverse soulfulness.

Key architects of the Chicago Sound and Motown are amongst the scores of contributors: Charles Stepney, Gene Barge, Eddie Kendricks, and Leonard Caston Jr. are in the house… Morris Jennings, drummer on Curtis’ Superfly and Terry Callier’s What Color Is Love… Louis Satterfield from The Pharaohs and Earth Wind & Fire… Ramsey Lewis’ guitarist Byron Gregory… Phil Upchurch… Laura Lee…

Producer Monk Higgins joined Checker in 1967, bringing his experience of R&B and Gospel hit-making for the labels One-derful and Satellite, together with a loyal cohort of musicians. A protege of Willie Dixon, engineer Malcolm Chisholm set up the Ter Mar studio as if preparing for a live gig, carefully teasing measures of bleed into the microphones. With Ralph Bass from King Records running A&R, they knew exactly what they were after. ‘I’m using horns and an R&B sound in gospel recordings,’ said Bass. ‘We have no charts. All the musicians are given the chord changes. I want the cats to think when we’re cutting. I want spontaneity, and that’s what we’re getting.’ And: ‘There is more to gospel than just finding solace in the church. This follows the same message of Martin King, who was fighting for a new way of life. Kids are tired of hearing Jesus Give Us Help. They want a positive message.’

Focussed on the late sixties and early seventies, the twenty-five recordings here are all killer no filler, but try these four, random entry points: the heavy funk ostinato of the Violinaires’ Groovin’ With Jesus, working itself up into a post-James-Brown brass frenzy, sure to knock your socks off; Cleo Jackson Randle’s title track, for those who like their Gospel straight-up and hard-core; Eddie Kendricks’ achingly timely choral call-to-arms, Stand Up America, Don’t Be Afraid; the East St Louis Gospelettes’ heart-stopping, fathoms-deep rendition of Bobby Bland’s I’ll Take Care Of You.
A beautiful gatefold sleeve; a full-colour booklet with excellent notes by Robert Marovich; top-notch sound. Another knockout selection by Greg Belson and David Hill.

A shoo-in for soul compilation of the year.

Two And Half Records returns with the third Release!

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new V.A., Each artist brings their own unique style, resulting in six tracks that are distinctly different from each other.

French producer Akyki, opens the DANCE with a wicked funky beat and catchy sounds. His music is a real injection of good vibe.

Cene & Esqueena, this Italian duo continues to make us dance with energetic Synths, captured during a live jamming. Every note is a pure groove feeling.

The young french talent HRM concludes the DANCE side with edgy electro sounds and seductive vocals, perfect to spice up the dancefloor.

Alex Vincent, German producer opens the LISTEN side with a mix of gentle electro sounds and IDM influences, sweetened by warmly snuggly melodies. A deep journey of sound to be shared intensely.

Jonny3snareS live performer from the UK, invites us to “escape” into a parallel dimension with his magical music, Synths and Drums run hand in hand harmonizing perfectly.

Foreign Sequence, from France, concludes with an IDM track with full and powerful sounds enlivened by delicate acid melodies. It is the perfect ending that encapsulates all the emotions of this EP in one track.

Misto Kay is a rising artist/producer from Amsterdam aiming to combine jazz elements and electronics into a sonic listening pleasure. His first appearances were on the Super-Sonic Jazz compilation and on Mo Wrights' 'things2proof' EP with a feature and a remix. Being a multi-instrumentalist, with a focus on jazz piano, you will find playful and melodic elements join forces with surprising rhythms in his music. His broad musical interest is clearly expressed in his productions, given that they can vary heavily in mood, tempo, and genre. House, broken beat are at the core of this debut solo release, but soulful hip-hop grooves are present as well.

DJ’s Project was a collaboration between Italian vocalist Silvano Pulignano and German DJs/composers André Schmechta, Bernd Schöler, and Claus-Christian Pesch. In the 1980s, the group released three singles that garnered quite a success, with production by the legendary Mike Mareen and distribution through his Night’n Day Records label.

The standout track from their catalog remains the highly sought-after single “Vision Of Love.” This breezy, well-crafted euro disco gem captures everything that defined the genre in its heyday, with its light melody and polished production.

During the recent digitization of Night’n Day Records’ original master tapes, unreleased material was unearthed, including the previously unheard instrumental version of “Vision Of Love.” This fresh reissue not only includes that rare version but also features a special DJ Edit, making it an essential addition for collectors and DJs alike.

Ute co-head Oprofessionell crafts expansive soundscapes for the adventurous listener, weaving together analog ever-evolving textures, with bouncing basslines and cathartic breaks. Expect wooded psychedelia combined with introspective trips and euphoric highs from the Ute mainstay.

We're back with another heavy release for the soundsystems.

This time we welcome Boomarm Nations own Gulls to the label.
Hailing from his dojo in Portland, Oregon, Gulls delivers us a
meditative dub hybrid, combining elements of dub, hip hop and contemporary electronica. The tune is called ''So Blessed'' and is topped by the fine voice of Wayne Daniel outta Kingston, Jamaica.

''So Blessed'' got exactly the vibe you'll need in this challenging time. Keep your head up, feel gifted for what you've got and give something back to the people around you. This tune's backing you up.

If that wasn't enough, the Portland rapper Madgesdiq steps pon the mic for some blazin' bars in his signature conscious style.

Get lost in this wicked production while heading right into the dub version to exceed the border between music and meditation.

To feel the sound through your body and soul, LXC lifted the frequencies again.

As the tenth candle flickers atop the torta alla panna, Archeo Recordings play the Uno reverse card, breaking with tradition to give us a gift in celebration of its birthday: the first in a series of exquisite EPs on which the label's favourite contemporaries pay homage to past masters. Each re-polished gem is plucked either directly from the beatific back catalogue of the fine Florentine label or is at least Archeo-adjacent, perhaps a sign of future wonders to come. Like a musical version of Janus, who can be found at the heart of Bertoldo di Giovanni's frieze in the Medici villa, Archeo Recordings will continue to look forwards and backwards to provide sublime sounds for us all.
Pepe Maina officially joined the Archeo family in 2019 with the much-needed reissue of his 1979 masterpiece Scerizza (AR015), but his astounding music has been a constant companion to label head Manu for much longer. An inter-dimensional, multi-instrumental maverick, Maina weaves the frayed edges of prog rock, new age, organic jazz and global minimalism into a shimmering tapestry all of his own. The results are spread across fifty years and almost as many albums, largely self-released and always absolutely untarnished by commercial concerns.
Based in a small village in the hills of Brianza, just north of Milan, Maina translates the beauty of his surroundings into transformative tone poems, and the folkloric fusion of "The Infinite", originally released on his 2014 CD Tales From The Hill, is the perfect example of his practice. It opens with a recitation of Giacomo Leopardi's 1825s poem "L'Infinito" by famed Italian actor Vittorio Gassman. A leading figure in the romantic movement, Leopardi explores the idea of time and space within the natural world, and the peace that comes with an appreciation of the immensity of eternity. Manu, longtime digger and now a burgeoning producer, expands upon the original with tribal percussion, chirping electronics and a spheric bassline, folding Maina's elegant strings and gossamer pads into a new arrangement suited for a slow dance under the stars.
Unless you had a well-trained ear tuned to Italy's avant-jazz scene, chances are your first encounter with innovative flautist Roberto Aglieri came via the 2017 Archeo reissue of hisalmost untraceable LP Ragapadani (AR011). It's a true testament to Manu's digging credentials that he snatched this masterpiece out of the esoteric atmosphere and brought it attention it so richly deserved. A delicate union of digital synthesis and versatile flute - be it soft and silvery or
brilliant and clear - the 1987 album was a shapeshifting masterpiece, replaying scenes from Virgil, Verdi, Visconti and Pasolini with a neon glow. Quintessentially Italian, but uncanny and previously unimagined - Penthouse and Portico perhaps. Powered by a percolating prototechno sequence, cascading keys, hallucinogenic vocal snippets and a variety of tonal timbres from Roberto's reed, "Danza N. 1" long deserved the praise reserved for Jean-Luc Ponty's pinnacle, so many thanks to Manu for our collective introduction. The tall task of reinterpreting this particular paragon falls to Perugian polymath Daniele Tomassini AKA Feel Fly, whose peerless skills as both producer and musician have delighted DJs and dancers alike. Hot on the heels of his diverse and definitive remixes of Tony Esposito for AR027, Daniele delivers a radical rework of "Danza N. 1" perfect for both day rave sunshine and full moon party alike. Enhanced by snapping breaks and a rattling kick, the bassline gurgle emerges as a progressive powerhouse, laying the foundation for the trilling flute and circular keys to cast a psychedelic spell. As the slow-Goa revival picks up pace, this one is way ahead of the pack.
Archeo take us all the way back to the start of its story here - well almost. Though it bore the stamp AR001 (2015), this Radio Band reissue actually hit shelves months after Tony Esposito's "Je-Na' / Pagaia"; a false start perhaps but a true classic all the same. Radio Band were a group of DJs from Florence who all sailed the airways of Radio Fantasy in 1984 and whose one and only release was this super groovy slice of Italo-boogie. Following the example of Milanese DJs Band of Jocks but far surpassing their formulaic funk fizzle, Radio Band employed an intergalactic bassline, cosmic keys and that undeniably Italian style of rapping to deliver a sophisticated party-starter which even found its way to disco deity Ron Hardy. Back to the here and now, and if you've found yourself pumping an ecstatic fist to a supercharged Italian epic of late, chances are its from the mind of the mysterious Radiomarc. Operating on the ascendent Popcorn Groove imprint, this shadowy figure steers his country's lost classics into peaktime territories, finding a sweet spot between late Italo-disco, early Italo-house and contemporary cool. Pushing the tempo with a club-ready 4/4, setting the sequencer to stun and supplementing the original melodies with a series of synth riffs, the mystery producer send this one into orbit. Radio Band - Radio Rap - Radiomarc, the circle is complete.
Few have done more to develop cross-cultural musical exchange than Futuro Antico. A collaborative venture from musician, archeologist and ethnomusicologist Walter Maioli, keyboardist and tonal theoretician Riccardo Sinigaglia and multi-disciplinary artist and composer Gabin Dabiré, Futuro Antico formed in Milan in 1979, combining ancient international folkloric traditions with otherworldly electronics. The result is an arresting melange of Mediterranean, African and Asian instrumentation, mimicked by esoteric synth tones and hypnotic minimalism, which the group perfected on their acclaimed 1990 LP Dai Primitivi All'Elettronica. The meditative and transportive "Pan Tuning" belongs to their largely overlooked 2005 CD only release Intonazioni Archetipe, and has been amongst Manu's most loved tracks from the first moment he heard it. Who else is better placed to reshape this evocative opus into an immersive, transcendental dance floor journey than label favourites Mushrooms Project? The duo sows the original elements into a sprawling fifteen minute fusion of séance and science, at times propulsive with a ritualist rhythm of tuned percussion and crunching drum machine at others drifting off into ethereal ambience. Mushrooms Project continue to push the boundaries of the Afro-cosmic style, and this remix marks a new zenith.

2025 Repress
Sublunar is proud to present the next release from its label head Sciahri and Hertz Collision.
Following the success of their collaboration on Clergy, the two Italian artists return with Axis Mundi, a sophisticated techno EP rich in texture and nuance. The journey begins with the title track Axis Mundi, an electrifying opener with razor-sharp sounds anddriving rhythms, setting the pace for the EP. Next comes Drifting, where hypnotic grooves and floating synth lines take the listener on a captivating sonic voyage.
On the B-side, Entropia shifts gears with a mind-bending synth that propels the track into another dimension, while Silent Pulse closes the vinyl edition with its minimalist yet refined touch, perfect for any moment of the night.

This release holds special significance as it captures MC Conrad’s final recording session, completed just days before his passing. On the day of the session, Conrad and DJ Prime Cuts laid down the chorus for Together, with plans for further writing that tragically never came to be. This release is both a tribute and a responsibility for DJ Prime Cuts, honoring Conrad’s last creative contribution and sharing it with the world.

Proceeds from the single will go toward the MC Conrad Foundation and a GoFundMe campaign, supporting Conrad’s son and continuing his legacy.

A-side Together is a vibrant electro-funk track combining chopped vocals, jazz-infused loops, and MC Conrad’s legendary voice. DJ Prime Cuts’ production masterfully blends the soulful essence of Roy Ayers with innovative, future-forward rhythms. The 130 BPM tempo breaks from Conrad’s typical work, but this track pushes beyond genres, creating a timeless piece that speaks to both artists’ versatility.

The B-side, Our Time Is Now, stands as a high-energy tribute to Roy Ayers. It showcases DJ Prime Cuts’ prowess as a producer, blending deep basslines with techno-infused elements to create a track that’s both innovative and nostalgic. Originally conceived as part of the tribute to Ayers, the track celebrates the present moment and is a powerful homage to one of music’s greatest legends. With its infectious rhythm and dynamic production, Our Time Is Now is a must-listen for electronic music fans and Roy Ayers. "

Roberto Musci, born in Milan in 1956, studied guitar, music and electronic instruments. From 1974 to 1985 he traveled the world studying African, Indian, Arabic and Oriental music, recording ethnic music “in the field,” studying and collecting ethnic musical instruments from all over the world. His self-produced debut album, “The Loa of Music,” is a seminal work of staggering originality and extraordinary beauty in which field recordings, musique concrète, electronics, synthesis and instrumentation are interwoven, drawing on the countless musics from around the world that he has recorded. The subsequent “Water messages on desert sand,” composed with Giovanni Venosta, was nominated for a Grammy in the UK in 1987. In the 1980s and 1990s he broadcast ethnic and electronic-experimental music from Rai and Radio Popolare radio stations. He has also composed and played music for videos, commercials, dance, poetry, theater, composed soundtracks and accompanied silent films live. From 1980 to the present, he has played with many Italian and European musicians: Giovanni Venosta, Claudio Gabbiani, Walter Prati, Giorgio Magnanensi, Massimo Cavallaro, Massimo Mariani, Moni Ovadia, Roberto Zorzi, Chris Cutler, Jon Rose David Moss, Steve Piccolo, Elliott Sharp, Keith Tippett and the Third Ear Band.

The theme of travel, ethnicities and mysticism are a pivotal point in this new album of his as well, demonstrating once again how music needs absolutely no sharp lines of demarcation. The music is one.

It goes from the search for deep meanings in a time spent in a Hindu monastery (Ashram) listening to mantras and studying Buddhist philosophy (The Principle Of Things) to space explorations and human settlements on the Moon or Mars wondering how man will live and what he will bring to the new worlds imagining that Sufism, an Islamic mystical religion, will accompany him in the discovery of new worlds (Derviches On Mars). In Goodbye Monsters, harmony and peace are sought. Memories Of A Piano Player is a tribute to Keith Tippett, a great pianist (King Crimson , Centipede, Mujician) with whom he played in several concerts and with whom I spent evenings talking about music, food and Italian wine. Quantum State focuses on how quantum mechanics is creating a revolution in the way of thinking and dividing reality into infinite Parallel Worlds. Panthalassa is the vast ocean that surrounded Pangea and blends South American marimba music and traditional Chinese music. Burn The Shadows is a tribute to the fascinating Indonesian shadow theater, from the stories told and the atmosphere created during the long plays told in the sacred Indian texts of Ramayana or Mahabharata. Shadows are also more or less pleasant memories to which one is attached, and to burn them is still to move on with one's life.

Torajan Funeral Chant: The Toraja are a people living in Sulawesi (Indonesia) who have a special worship of the dead. Funerals are festivals that last several days, the corpses are protected by Tau-Tau (small dolls that watch over cemeteries), and over the years, they exhume the corpses of their relatives and keep them in their homes with them for a time to remember them.

The experimentation goes all the way to modern Artificial Intelligence that 'interrogated' to create something new by inserting conflicting inputs joins them together but nonsensically creating interesting insights; hence A.I. In Confusion. Pangea, named after the continent that contained all the land that emerged between 540 and 200 million years ago, in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods, imagined as inhabited by man without divisions created by borders, wars, religions or ethnic groups, is also a tribute to Steve Reich, one of the fathers and a great musician of minimal music. Prophecies, a reading of sacred texts and religious songs from evangelical sects in the United States filtered into granular synthesis with percussion music from South India, closes.

Colombian-born artist Juan Carlos Torres Alonso, aka OKRAA, presents his third sonic exploration on A Strangely Isolated Place titled, La Gran Corriente. This album marks a profound shift in Juan's creative journey, where themes of portals, the illusion of time, and the paradoxes of self-discovery converge into a powerful auditory experience.
Following a transformative visit to Bogotá in May 2023, Juan underwent an introspective journey that inspired a new direction in his music. This experience, which he describes as an encounter with "an infinite current behind or inside of everything," led to a complete reimagining of his work. Abandoning previous demos, Juan embraced a liberated creative process that was both challenging and exhilarating. 
La Gran Corriente is characterized by its innovative production techniques, eschewing fixed grids and BPMs in favor of fluid, organic structures and combining influences from Juan’s other production alias, ‘Laudrup’. This approach not only opened up new creative possibilities but also led to numerous "happy accidents," resulting in a body of work that is as unpredictable as it is cohesive.
At the heart of the album lies a poem written by Juan during production, a text that echoes the themes woven throughout the music. Translated loosely to English, the poem reflects on the nature of reality and time, with lines like "the land of oblivion is not real" and "the great current reminisces; time is an illusion." These words serve as both a guide and a reflection of the album’s deeper meaning.
La Gran Corriente is a record that invites the listener to unlearn and to immerse themselves in a sonic current that is both infinite and transformative. It’s a testament to the power of creative reinvention and the relentless pursuit of deeper truths through music.
Featuring artwork by Peter Skwiot Smith, La Gran Corriente is available on gatefold colored vinyl 2LP, mastered by Taylor Deupree / 12k Mastering.

Leo Gibbon debuts his first solo release, as the first release on his own Mudline label with Happy Lovers, a four-track EP that immerses listeners in a sonically rich exploration of love’s complexities. Weaving a tapestry of sounds that seamlessly blends deep cuts, hard-hitting drums, and weighty low ends, creating an engaging landscape for both dancefloor enthusiasts and reflective souls alike.

From the opening track, you can feel the infectious rhythms that draw on a diverse range of influences. Glitchy house elements flirt with the raw essence of street soul, while nods to 140 UK rollers add an irresistible pulse. Each track unfolds like a chapter in a modern love story, capturing the tumult of falling in and out of love, all while maintaining a groove that keeps the crowd moving.

The EP’s production shines, showcasing a meticulous attention to detail. He masterfully balances emotional depth with dancefloor energy, making Happy Lovers not just a collection of tracks, but a coherent narrative that resonates on multiple levels. Whether you’re seeking introspection or an escape into sound, This Mudline debut offers the perfect backdrop.

In Happy Lovers, Leo Gibbon has established a strong foundation for his musical journey, inviting listeners to experience the highs and lows of love through an expertly crafted sonic lens. This is a compelling start for both the artist and his new label, one that promises exciting avenues to explore in the future.

Die neue Doppel-LP „All The Dreams I Share (The Vocal Edition)“ von Talla 2XLC ist jetzt erhältlich – in einem atemberaubenden transparent violetten Design und limitiert!

Diese Sammlung bringt die besten Vocal-Trance-Momente aus Tallas jüngster Schaffensphase auf Schallplatte. Fans haben die emotionalsten und kraftvollsten Tracks für diese exklusive Ausgabe ausgewählt.

Zu den Highlights gehören „Journey‘s End“, „Destined From The Start“ mit Gid Sedgwick, „Cambodia“ (Talla 2XLC Remix) von Pulsedriver, „Nothing Compares To You“ mit That Girl, „All The Dreams We Shared“, „Life Is 4 Living“ (Talla 2XLC Remix) mit Danny Fervent und Gid Sedgwick, „Omnia“ mit Junk Project, „The Spring Is My Love“, „The World in My Eyes“, „I‘ve Been Gone So Long“ mit Christina Novelli, „Shine“ mit RAM und Natalie Gioia sowie „Back To Life“ (XiJaro & Pitch Remix) mit Clara Yates.

Erlebe euphorische Synth-Melodien, kraftvolle Basslines und emotionale Vocals, die dein Herz höher schlagen lassen. Diese limitierte Vinyl-Edition ist ein Muss für jeden TranceLiebhaber und ein perfektes Sammlerstück!

Favorite Recordings proudly presents this new 7inch single release, filled with 2 beautiful tracks previously compiled on the famous and now almost sold-out, AOR Global Sounds series.

First comes “What Its Meant to Me” by Jonathon Hansen. Self-produced and self-released in 1978 by Jonathon, this is another perfect recipe of AOR soulful style. Jonathon Hansen told us a bit about its story: “’What Its' Meant To Me’ was a song I wrote about the breakup of a band. As with a lot of my songs, I always write them to be about more than one thing. Primarily relationships. The song was recorded in Costa Mesa, CA at Sunwood Sound Studios. It was recorded with fellow bandmates and other musician friends.”

Another top track from the series comes next, with “It’s Always Something With You” by Jeff Silna. Originally only released on a promotional radio compilation, it was reissued by Favorite Recordings in 2017 on the 3rd edition of the AOR Global Sounds series and is still now in high demand. Here again Jeff Silna reminds: “This track was recorded at TK Studios, credited with the inception of disco music and pumping out what were considered the first Disco hits. TK created what’s known as the Miami sound. I was fortunate to work with some amazing musicians like guitarist Sheldon Stauber and players from the U of M Jazz Band, which was tops in the country at the time. My influences were funk and soul bands like Earth Wind & Fire and Average White Band.”