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Another boom bap sure shot from back in the day as KRS One attacks the wax alongside Channel Live on the hard hitting "Free Mumia". On the flip, a stripped back neck snapper - real DJs need doubles

2025 Repress
Powerhouse performer Gretel Hänlyn today releases her highly anticipated second EP Head Of The Love Club, via VLF Records. Premiering as Clara Amfo’s Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1, focus track ‘King Of Nothing’ is a rollicking revenge track, cementing Gretel as one of this year’s most exciting breakout stories.

Gretel Hänlyn has spent the last year stamping her ground as one of female guitar music’s new frontrunners, imbued with a singular vision and wickedly unique voice. Inspired by 90s alternative artists like The Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins and PJ Harvey, Head Of The Love Club is a suitably contemporary stride forward in the hotly tipped artist's sound and marks a definitive departure from the indie-folk textures of her breakthrough debut EP Slugeye. A heady mix of hi-fi grunge, goth-pop and alt/indie ballads, the EP features previous singles ‘Drive’, ‘Today (can’t help but cry)’ and ‘Wiggy’ alongside five other tracks that candidly display Gretel’s exceptional storytelling.

Last year was vital for the rising star: she released her debut EP Slugeye to critical acclaim, collaborated with Mura Masa on his headrush of a single ‘2gether’ (9M+ streams on Spotify alone) and was also playlisted multiple times across UK radio - a rare feat for a fiercely independent artist. This year is set to be her breakout – Hänlyn has already been included in NME’s coveted NME100 list, performed live as part of DIY magazine’s ‘Class of 2023’ series and was dubbed one to watch by The Sunday Times, Metro, Time Out + more.

The mid 90s West Coast backpacker scene threw out all king od classic jams - including these 2 heaters previously unavailable on 45 before - includes acapella and instrumental! Limited to 300 copies worldwide

Looking back more than four years later at Haram, it is easier to see the forest for the trees. At the time, much of the attention fell on how this outsider duo would fare under the bright lights- which was fair, Armand Hammer had never done a single producer record before- and here they were working with a living legend. Now, with a little distance, it’s easier to see how Alchemist stepped out of his comfort zone to meet them where they were, and how all three artists then absconded for parts unknown. The flashbulb energy of “Bring The Stars Out”, asymmetric drone of “Chicharrones”, fugue-bounce of “God’s Feet”, and good luck finding analogues for “Peppertree” or “Stonefruit”. Haram doesn’t sound like anything else in the ALC discography, nor in Armand Hammer’s, for that matter. Haram was a one-shot kill that somehow contained some of the most accessible work ELUCID and billy woods had ever done, as well as some of their most experimental, and it all sounded cohesive.
Needless to say, they didn’t do this alone; KAYANA’s golden voice upps the wattage on “Black Sunlight,” while Fielded’s sultry alto gets chopped and screwed on “Aubergine”. Earl Sweatshirt’s cameo on the sun-soaked “Falling Out the Sky” is already a classic. Curly Castro, Amani, and Quelle Chris all turn up the heat when called upon.
But since we are talking about retrospect here, the thing about Haram isn’t that it still sounds as good as it did when it came out. The amazing thing is that it actually sounds even better than it did then. You don’t have to take our word for it either, run it up one time, with the lights low and something on ice, see if it doesn’t take you somewhere new, again.

The Legacy Continues… Pure Garage is back with an exclusive 25th Anniversary Special Edition, created for the true heads, collectors, and DJs who know the value of vinyl.

A Different Kind of Compilation - Unlike the landmark CD series, this anniversary edition digs deep into the underground, unearthing rarities and iconic tunes that captured the essence of UK Garage. Many of these cuts change hands for hundreds of pounds on the resale market; now they’re finally available again, newly remastered.

Vinyl, Built for DJs - Each edition is pressed with only two tracks per side, giving maximum groove depth and unbeatable audio fidelity. Designed with vinyl DJs in mind, these are records built to be worked into the mix, not just left on the shelf.

Collector’s Item Value - This isn’t just another compilation, it’s a celebration of 25 years of Pure Garage, pressed with care and purpose. Expect limited availability, high demand, and guaranteed collectability.

- Iconic Pure Garage brand with loyal following.
- Highly collectible, limited-run vinyl editions.
- Features tracks long out of print, remastered to top quality.
- Essential for DJs, collectors, and garage fans alike.

Pure Garage 25 – A tribute to the underground. A future classic in the making.

The Legacy Continues… Pure Garage is back with an exclusive 25th Anniversary Special Edition, created for the true heads, collectors, and DJs who know the value of vinyl.

A Different Kind of Compilation - Unlike the landmark CD series, this anniversary edition digs deep into the underground, unearthing rarities and iconic tunes that captured the essence of UK Garage. Many of these cuts change hands for hundreds of pounds on the resale market; now they’re finally available again, newly remastered.

Vinyl, Built for DJs - Each edition is pressed with only two tracks per side, giving maximum groove depth and unbeatable audio fidelity. Designed with vinyl DJs in mind, these are records built to be worked into the mix, not just left on the shelf.

Collector’s Item Value - This isn’t just another compilation, it’s a celebration of 25 years of Pure Garage, pressed with care and purpose. Expect limited availability, high demand, and guaranteed collectability.

- Iconic Pure Garage brand with loyal following.
- Highly collectible, limited-run vinyl editions.
- Features tracks long out of print, remastered to top quality.
- Essential for DJs, collectors, and garage fans alike.

Pure Garage 25 – A tribute to the underground. A future classic in the making.

Updated remixes of two big Balearic classics on Best Record! "Describing Linda Di Franco is no easy task: a reserved, sometimes elusive artist with a career that is difficult to define. From an early age she was interested in various artistic fields. Working as a DJ in clubs, then on the radio, she took the opportunity to record her first musical demo, Stage, obtaining international recognition which quickly took her to England and to the States, where she recorded her first compositions, My Boss and T.V. Scene. The songs are of great value and achieve unexpected success, also included in The Rise Of The Heart, a milestone in the nascent revolution of club culture, a Balearic classic supported by DJs in love with the indefinable sound of Ibiza. But Linda is extraordinarily ahead of her time and despite the enormous fame has gained with her songs she is already oriented towards a career as a music video director. For this reason the Turin singer-songwriter turns out to be one of the least fruitful artists of her time, while her CV in Hollywood is impressive in various roles which she holds, in addition to that of actress and director, that of impeccable sound technique. Intelligent artist, full of good and positive feelings and certainly also ambitious, but extremely scrupulous by subjecting sounds in cinema to careful review. Yes! The "sound" is an investigative tool for her, a way of understanding art. Linda Di Franco is - willy-nilly - still the undisputed queen of the Balearic sound today. So, she decided to produce Redux, a limited edition album published by Best Record, in which her most intrepid and famous songs are re-proposed in the jazz versions edited by her friends from Turin and Los Angeles. Then she had to give in to the boundless passion of Danilo Braca, the Italian DJ based in New York, who deserves credit for the successful combination of refined and ethereal songs with the disco genre. TV. Scene - Epic Remix, TV. Scene - Costa del Sol Mix and My Boss - Remix are Danilo's pearls, created with the help of excellent international musicians who with more defined and current sounds have added their art to that of Linda."

Respect The Craft.Legacy sub-label presents its second vinyl release.

Curated from the archives of Tripmastaz, these works were originally conceived between 2002 and 2004. After remaining unreleased for over two decades, a meticulous selection was made from hundreds of early unfinished drafts, with the final versions completed in 2025.

The lead track and artwork both pay tribute to the spirit of youthful mischief — the cover image was captured in 2002 using a face pressed against a scanner.

Musically, the record delivers a slice of classic early-2000s tech house, staying true to the sound and character of that formative era. Beware of the Strainjah. The saga continues.

Dâm-Funk & Lorenzo Soria RETOUCH Elkin & Nelson's Balearic Classic "Vámonos". A Cross-Continental Tribute form the West Coast Funk to Andalusian Rhythms.
Hand stamped 10"

Two generations, two continents, and one timeless Balearic groove — “Vámonos”, the 1970s classic from Colombian-Spanish duo Elkin & Nelson, gets a retouch by the hands of Dâm-Funk and Lorenzo Soria. Infusing the track with new sonic energy while paying homage to its iconic roots, this version of “Vámonos” travels from the beaches of Ibiza to the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles and Seville.

Together Dâm-Funk — a pioneer of modern-funk and longtime ambassador of the West Coast boogie-funk sound. Known for seminal albums like “Toeachizown” and “Invite the Light” on Stones Throw Records, as well as collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Ariel Pink and Christine and the Queens, Dâm-Funk brings his signature analog synths and laid-back groove to the mix. His unmistakable style draws deeply from Prince, Slave, and the golden era of 1980s funk.

Lorenzo Soria represents a new generation of global-minded producers reshaping the electronic landscape from Southern Spain. A native of Seville, Soria’s collaborations with, Califato ¾, draws from reggaeton, EBM, punk, and traditional Andalusian folklore, Lorenzo’s rhythmic palette is both eclectic and rooted. His contribution to “Vámonos” brings percussive depth and vibrant energy that pulse with Mediterranean warmth.

Together, Dâm-Funk and Lorenzo Soria have created a two versions of “Vámonos” that is both respectful — with lush keys, hypnotic percussion, and genre-defying flair, this collaboration reinvents a Balearic gem for a new generation of listeners and dancers.

Limited Copies Available!

he next instalment from Soulfuric Recordings is the first edition of “The Sound Of Soulfuric Volume 1” taken from the vaults are four unearthed gems spanning two classics, two exclusives, and long-awaited vinyl debuts from house music specialists such as Hardsoul feat Ron Carroll, Urban Blues Project, The Thompson Project & Crackazat and Art Of Tones.

Stepping up first is Hardsoul featuring the legendary Ron Carroll with “Back Together” (Main Classic Mix) a track that should be found in every soulful house DJ’s set, with Ron’s alluring vocals this one is definitely made to keep the dancers moving and in case of dancefloor emergencies reach for this record.

Up next is Urban Blues Project featuring Bobby Pruitt “We Are One” (Art of Tones Extended Remix) which is being brought out for the first time on vinyl, the original mix was first released in 2001 and the now the Art Of Tones Remix has breathed new life into it making it a must have for anyone who is a fan of the original.

Flipping over to the B side, Urban Blues Project return once again with Love Don’t Live (The U.B.P. Classic Club Mix) with Michael Procter. A Soulfuric classic that has been championed time and time again, first released in 1996 and now being revived almost 20 years later on fresh wax.

Rounding off Volume 1 The Thompson Project & Crackazat featuring Gary L with “Messin’ With My Mind” (Crackazat Extended Remix) this has also never been on vinyl before, released earlier this year this soulful house banger got the touch-up from Bristol’s finest Crackazat who adds his touch to the Florida duo’s offering.

House heads can come together once again and seize the opportunity to get their hands on this outstanding EP.

We’re excited to present the first release of Hakke!

For the label’s debut, we have Alcyone, an Italian DJ and producer, bringing us a 4-track record. A retro sound blending techno, electro, and synthwave, including a special track dedicated to the freetek and rave scene. The track UFO Raider is a tribute to a classic ’90s video game and features its original vocals.

kuniyuki takahashi – new single on studio mule studio mule is proud to announce the latest release from one of japan’s most respected producers and musicians, kuniyuki takahashi. this new single was created with the atmosphere of our listening bar studio mule in mind, and showcases kuniyuki’s unmatched ability to bridge dance music with sophisticated musical expression. the a-side, “open window,” is a modern classical piece inspired by the light and breeze flowing into his sapporo studio—an uplifting, deeply moving composition. on the b-side, “tobira” offers a dreamlike journey of ethnic new-age jazz, evoking the sensation of stepping into a new world. kuniyuki is a rare artist who has continued to push boundaries across genres, and this release is no exception—a future classic in the making. the artwork has been designed by yoshirotten, a leading figure in tokyo’s contemporary art scene. with this release, studio mule delivers an inspired response to the timeless legacy of ecm, while continuing to explore new musical horizons.

Geese kehren mit ihrem dritten Album „Getting Killed“ zurück. Die Aufnahmen mit Kenneth Blume fanden in zehn temporeichen Tagen statt. Mit wenig Zeit für Overdubbing entstand eine chaotische Komödie, chaotisch in der Struktur, aber leidenschaftlich vorgetragen, geprägt von einer präzisen Vision. Kräftige Riffs überlagern Chorsamples; leise pulsieren zischende Drum Machines hinter kreischenden Gitarren. Sie balancieren entwaffnende Zärtlichkeit mit gesteigerter Wut und tauschen ihre Liebe zum Classic Rock gegen eine Verachtung der Musik selbst.

Following on from the super-fast stock sell-outs of the 2LP of joyous Alfredo selections, Rebirth follow up with the first of the sample EPs of rare, cherished and formerly unreleased gems. Deep Joy of Brainiak (and Mo Wax) fame had their stunning “Fall” track remixed by lord Sabre, Andrew Weatherall himself; an often-missed indie-chug delight from the early 90’s. The Thrashing Doves and their scene stamping classic Je$u$ on the Payroll, needs very little introduction, but this Unreleased Instrumental Version, like it states, has never been on vinyl before. Flip over for another hip hop/club hybrid of a track with KC Flightt’s “Lets get Jazzy”, and its iconic sound which was remixed by the legendary Blaze; then finishing up with sunrise/sunset jamm, “Blinky Blue Eyed Sunrise”, by The Metaluna Mutant. A must for any lover of the white isle and it’s heritage.

Berlin’s Tal Fussman returns to Rekids with the ‘Walking on Mars’ EP, releasing 7th November 2025. It follows the Survival Tactics boss’ recent album on Binh’s Time Passages, as well as his ‘Definition’ (2024) and ‘I Feel’ (2025) EPs on Rekids, with Fussman’s fresh spin on classic House and Techno winning support from the likes of Raresh, Cromby, DVS1, Saoirse, Carista, Honey Dijon, and many more.

The ‘Walking on Mars’ EP opens with ‘Crystallized’, a cavernous cut exclusive to 12”, where Tal Fussman pares back his signature percussive style in favour of a rolling groove set against a deep, atmospheric backdrop. ‘Who’s Who?’ follows, its wild sequences and skewed drumlines colliding in restless motion. The title track, ‘Walking on Mars’, drives forward on hard-hitting drums that gradually unfold into a soulful house melody, setting the stage for ‘Knowledge < Machine’, a razor-sharp electro finale of snaking synths and an apt robotic vocal. Fussman’s versatility shines throughout, with the EP already winning support from Antal, Rene Wise, Marcel Dettmann, and Fred P. Founded in 2006, Radio Slave’s Rekids has since launched the Techno-focused Rekids Special Projects in 2017 and its latest sublabel, REK’D, in 2024. With Matt Edwards as the sole A&R, Rekids has been instrumental in developing emerging artists and remains a trusted home for House and adjacent sounds, recently featuring names such as Hilit Kolet, Frankey & Sandrino, Mathias Kaden, Huxley, and many more.

Monika Kruse's iconic classic is back incl. new Joyhauser remix. As bonus please enjoy Ilija Djokovic's remix for Monika Kruse & Timmo's 'Violet'

Domenic Cappello has prepared an oasis of electronic style through “The Retroactive Future” for Analog Concept Records.

Side A doesn’t hesitate to show a deep mood, via the therapeutic sun pads, jamming New Beat House hybrid that is Hutt’s Groove, followed up by the cinematic late nite synth progressions and the delicious electro techno that thrives in Midnight Drive.

On the flip, we are welcomed to Time, an ethereal trip of aquatic electro, complimented naturally with cloudy synth vibes and charming acid lines.

The dynamic EP affair concludes with the timeless Detroit attitude, sharp percussion, and meditative sunset to lucid nite sky auras that are shining from Constillation Fela.

Analog Concept Records is delighted to bring you this vinyl selection suited for your tastes in classic future House to Techno, “The Retroactive Future” by Domenic Cappello.

Cybernetic disco maestro Patrick Cowley graces Dark Entries once again with Hard Ware, an LP of far-out funk and synthpop celebrating what would have been Cowley’s 75th birthday. Best known for his chart-topping disco anthems, Cowley left us with an incredible body of work before his tragic death in 1982 due to AIDS-related illness. Since 2009, Dark Entries has been working with Cowley’s friends and family to uncover the singular artist’s lesser-known sides, including his soundtracks for gay pornographic films, which the label chronicled on compilation albums School Daze, Muscle Up, and Afternooners. Hard Ware presents the closing chapter in a trilogy of unreleased Cowley dancefloor bangers that began with 2022’s heavy-hitting Male Box and was continued with the soul and garage-inflected From Behind in 2024. The most expansive release in said trilogy, Hard Ware delivers ten tracks of pure, uncut Cowley: sultry, psychedelic, sarcastic, and just a bit sleazy. Cowley devotees will delight in “Tech-No,” a sparse instrumental demo version of his epically dystopian “Tech-No-Logical World.” You could soundtrack your next aerobics session with cheeky numbers like “Pajama Party Massacre” or “Shake It Up,” both of which feature Cowley himself on vocals. The frenetic “Big Ass in Motion” is built around samples from Rudy Ray Moore and The Madam’s infamous “Sensuous Black Woman,” an X-rated comedy record that would later feature in classic booty house records. Mid-tempo cosmic groovers are well-represented with jams like “Hellfire” and “Megablue,” which perfectly capture Cowley’s bathhouse-in-outerspace sensibilities. No collection of Cowley’s work would be complete without an interstellar floor-filler, and we’ve got quite a few here, like “Jungle Jump,” which pits whirling beats with dub-laced swirls of synth, or “Spellbinding Lover,” a Donna Summer-indebted melancholic boogie masterpiece that features Sylvester backup singer Jeanie Tracy. Hard Ware closes with the chilling synth-hymn ”Ice Age,” in which Loverde vocalist Peggy Gibbons sings of a coming frosty apocalypse. The story told in “Ice Age” mirrors the coming AIDS crisis and feels like a haunting premonition from Cowley. The record comes in a sleeve with a hand-airbrushed circuitboard-inspired design by Gwenaël Rattke, and includes lyrics as well as liner notes by Andrew Ryce and Peggy Gibbons. Hard Ware is another crucial document of a tremendous talent taken too soon.

Repress 2025

Classic Drexciyan dance floor moment like 'Digital Tsunami' is considered as the signature track of the 'Harnessed the Storm' album. It is accompanied here by three titles that are not present on the 2LP vinyl version of the album.

Originally released in 2002, 'Harnessed the Storm' was conceived as the opening chapter of the legendary seven Storms - a series of seven albums created within a single year and released via several labels under different names.

'Harnessed the Storm' was the sole one in the series credited under the main Drexciya project.

This 12' also includes 'Aquatic Cataclysm' which ranks with the most abstract, alien and stark in their catalogue.

Another masterful lesson in futurist dance music from one of its strongest forces.

Tesfa Williams' La Clique EP is a masterclass in house music's evolution - a sprawling, intricate journey that seamlessly connects the genre's past, present, and future.
Drawing from a well of deep musical knowledge, the Londoner continues to push things forward, offering a stunning five-track release that moves effortlessly through Deep, Afro, Bassline, UK Funky, and everything in between. He's also brought a few friends along for the ride: Zansika, Obi, and Tendai, each adding their own unique touches to this sonic exploration.

Opening track 'Beat & Break' is a perfect introduction to what the La Clique EP has in store, Tesfa leans heavily on a classic house sound and keeps the momentum with 'Don't Stop' featuring Obi Franky. 'Brain' is a rich and bass heavy swinger while 'Gonna Get Through' featuring Zansika hits all the right notes for an anthem in the making. Last but not least there is 'Shake It Up' featuring Tendai, a pairing that is a good as it gets when Tesfa's signature Uk house goes full into swing.

Each track stands as a distinct creation, unique in its flavour and style, but all delivering the same high level of quality we've come to expect from Tesfa Williams.

Terry Francis makes his debut on Pariter with a rare and essential reissue from one of the UK Tech House's original pioneers. A cornerstone of the London scene, long time Fabric resident and a driving force behind the early Housey Doingz and Wiggle movements, Terry's influence runs deep in the foundations of underground house music as we know it today.

This is the second instalment in a short-series showcasing carefully selected tracks from the legend's archive. Took From Me, on the A side is a raw, old school UK tech house classic, an all time favourite of Andrew Weatherall (rip), Richard Fearless and Craig Richards, who also featured it on his first Fabric mix CD. On the flip, Little 'N' Large and an unreleased version of Furry emerge as two massive, hidden monsters. A vital document from a pivotal era.

Our friend DJ Asparagus (aka Coral) returns to GAMM after a few years of absence with two killer Drum 'n Bass reworks that are destined to raise some eyebrows.

On '500' the WT Killa Beez join forces with that infamous Nautilus bassline for supa-funky mash up of D & B, Hip Hop and R & B (check the drop!!).

On the B side we're going deeper with a classy D & B re-rub of Mischief's classic.

Hip Hop and D & B truly works...proper mash up business!!

SUBURBAN BASE RECORDS PRESENTS BOOGIE TIMES TRIBE – ‘THE DARK STRANGER’ – REMIXES

The Dark Stranger by Boogie Times Tribes is one of the most iconic anthems from the evolution of Drum & Bass. The Dark Stranger now returns for Halloween 2025, with an incredible new double-vinyl package featuring brand new remixes alongside long-lost classics. Pressed on a stunning glow-in-the-dark vinyl and housed in a specially illustrated sleeve depicting the mysterious Dark Stranger character, this release is as collectible as it is powerful.

The package contains eight mixes of this legendary track, cut loud for maximum DJ impact with just two tracks per side to ensure the heaviest playback. Brand new 2025 remixes come courtesy of Crissy Criss (mixed and mastered by TC), Marvellous Cain & DJ Choppah, Metrodome & Sl8r, Exile & Mark XTC, AKAS, and Freeze UK, all reimagining the anthem for today’s dancefloors.

To complete the set, the original 1993 remixes from QBass and the classic Origin Unknown Part 2 Remix are included, both made available here for the very first time since their original release in 1993, having never been repressed or released digitally until now.

This release is already generating massive buzz across the scene. At the recent D&B All Stars event, Andy C dropped the Crissy Criss remix, sparking the only rewind of his epic set. Other versions are already receiving huge support on Kool FM, Rinse, Pure FM, and across clubs and festivals nationwide.

A true piece of legendary Drum & Bass history reborn, The Dark Stranger returns this Halloween 2025! A must-have for DJs, collectors, and D&B fans worldwide.

SiriusB002 is here—deep, raw, and full of soul. This time we welcome Albert Azar, a Lebanese producer based in Spain, known for crafting emotionally charged soundscapes that blur the line between rhythm and melody.

From bass guitar beginnings to cinematic electronic journeys, Azar brings a timeless touch to minimal music. Influenced by Pink Floyd and classic ’70s rock, his sound tells stories that stay with you.

Backed by Jay Tripwire and Herman Saiz, curators of SiriusB, this release keeps the bar high—stripped-back, expressive, and cut for the vinyl selectors.

The prolific, party-starting Det Gode Selskab collective continues to strengthen its wax artillery with another spaced-out exploration from label affiliate A:G. Based in Oslo, the label and artist have built a strong affinity over the years, with DGS regularly releasing his music and inviting him to perform at a host of events. His “Time Factor” EP is essential electro listening, wandering between rippling shades of acid and tripped-out minimalistic movements, synonymous with the Norwegian beatmaker’s sound. It’s a hazy quest through four original cuts, packed with raw and gritty attitude.

The slinky first outing of the EP goes by the name “Crash.” Anticipation builds as the winding bassline and quirky drum patterns create a sense of retro gaming exploration. “Sleepwalking” is another diverse entry from the talented producer—a pensive yet driven motion propels the track’s energy, laced with slick hi-hats and acid-laden beats.

On the B-side, outer-galaxy transmissions go full steam ahead with the title track “Time Factor”, animated grooves and continuous evolution, climaxing with bright, uplifting synths. Plucky, tight drums lead the way in the final frontier, “Cognitive Resonance”—another classy dance floor outing from A:G, once again showcasing why he’s a producer to keep close tabs on.

Striking while it’s hot, A:G delivers another heater on a label that shows no signs of slowing down in the years to come, and if their previous releases are anything to go by, this one will be moving fast!

Bringing together the elder statesman of the Zulu guitar Madala Kunene and internationally acclaimed Sibusile Xaba, kwaNTU pulls two generations of South African guitar mastery into a single point of focus. Under-represented on recordings outside of South Africa, Madala Kunene (b. 1951), the ‘King of the Zulu Guitar’, is revered as the greatest living master of the Zulu guitar tradition. Sibusile Xaba, whose collaboration with Mushroom Hour Half Hour reaches back to his first recording in 2017 (Open Letter To Adoniah/Unlearning), has garnered international acclaim for his unique voice and virtuoso guitar stylings, which bring together multiple South African guitar lineages in an original, spiritualised fusion. Collaborating with Mushroom Hour and New Soil for kwaNTU, the two players come together to weave a filigree sonic fabric which reaches down to the heartwood of Zulu guitar music but moves resolutely outward, building on the past to create a deeply rooted statement about present conditions and future travels. kwaNTU – which can be roughly translated ‘the place of the life-spirit’ – is also conclave of teacher and student, as Xaba has been taught by Kunene for the last decade. Meditative, rich and sonically sui generis, kwaNTU finds these two musicians linking up within the inimitable space of sound and spirit that they share through Kunene’s teaching.

The great masters of South African music have not all had equal exposure. For many years the generation of musicians who were exiled during apartheid took centre stage, as the regime made it very difficult for those at home to be heard. More recently, a new cohort of important voices, especially in jazz, has broken through to international consciousness. But for the generation of musicians in between – those who shone like beacons in the most difficult final years of apartheid and immediately afterward – international recognition has been slow in coming.

Madala Kunene, ‘the King of the Zulu Guitar’, is among this number. A revered figure for current generations of South African musicians, Kunene began his recording career in 1990, at the bitter end of apartheid, with a now classic self-titled LP for David Marks’ storied Third Ear imprint. Born in 1951 in Cato Manor, near Durban, he had determined to be a musician from early childhood, and by the time he first entered a recording studio he had already had a long career as a popular performer. His virtuoso absorption and transformation of the venerable Zulu maskanda guitar tradition and his richly spiritualised approach to music immediately marked him out as someone special, and in the years that followed, Kunene cemented his position as one of South Africa’s musical elders. He is without doubt the grand master of the Zulu guitar tradition, but his sound and sensibility ranges far beyond it into varied sonic terrain, and he has collaborated with a wide range of musicians both at home and abroad. Now in his mid-seventies, he remains a shining light for those that are making music in contemporary South Africa.

‘He is really an amazing person,’ says the guitarist Sibusile Xaba, who has been mentored by Kunene for over a decade, and now invites a collaboration with him on kwaNTU. ‘As a mentor, he's really powerful in showing us the way. For us to have this opportunity to make music together and have a project together is really a blessing to me.’

Xaba himself grew up in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, where his mother had been in a band and his father sang in a church choir, and from early childhood Xaba played homemade tin guitars. He only later realised that music was his calling. ‘I just loved music. I was fortunate. My parents loved music. And when it was time for me to leave home and go to study outside Newcastle, I knew that music was what I wanted to do. There was no second option. It was just music.’ Moving to Pretoria to study music formally, Xaba committed himself to his craft, developing a unique style that draws on both US jazz masters such as Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall, and the rich and varied heritage of the South African guitar, from inspirational jazz players such as Allen Kwela and Enoch Mthalane, to the music of the Malombo groups and Dr. Philip Tabane (Xaba has previously collaborated with Dr. Tabane’s late son, Thabang), and the Zulu guitar tradition embodied by Kunene.

‘I was really in love with the jazz guitar, I really admired it, and I was digging a lot in that direction,’ says Xaba, recalling his first encounter with Kunene’s music, over a decade ago. ‘And then one day on my timeline, Kunene popped up, and I was like – “What's this sound?” I was so connected to it. It really touched me deep. I started checking out his records, and then I found out he's from the same region as I am, which is Zululand.’ After Kunene played a show at the Afrikan Freedom Station in Johannesburg, Xaba make contact with him, and visited him at home in Durban. They struck up a friendship, and Xaba became the elder’s student, as Kunene began to pass on his knowledge and his inimitable way of playing.

kwaNTU is a tribute to this relationship and the deep learning that has defined it. The album was recorded in Zululand in the town of Utrecht, at a cultural centre called Kwantu Village, which gives its name to the album. ‘It's such a broad word,’ Xaba says, ‘but the elders teach us that Ntu is basically an energy, almost chi, an energy, a force that all living beings have within them. It's a living energy, so kwaNTU is like, almost the place of this energy.’ The two men sequestered themselves for five days of jamming, improvising and planning, and then the session was recorded in one take over a single night, with Gontse Makhene joining on percussion and backing vocals and Fakazile on vocals. Other voices and overdubs were later added in the studio in Johannesburg.

The result is a rich and meditative recording that finds two generations in a deeply engaged dialogue. Teaching and passing on his knowledge, the elder Kunene has brought Xaba into a space of sound and knowledge that they now share; Xaba’s own practice of deep communion with nature and his dedication to his musical craft make him the perfect interlocutor for Kunene. The result is an album that foregrounds the two musicians engaged at the highest levels of responsive listening, sympathetic unity, and collaborative concentration. Bringing an elder statesman of South African music to an international listening audience for the first time in decades by pairing him with one of South Africa’s most important new voices, kwaNTU is a meeting of generations and a powerful demonstration of musical lineage and continuity.

‘Before music, there is sound,’ Xaba observes, speaking of Kunene’s unique approach to music. ‘And sound is like a common compartment…it's not restricted to particular people or particular geographic places, you know what I mean? It's sound. Everybody can hear it. So when he constructs that sound into music, I think everybody resonates with the energy behind his construction of sound into song. Here at home, we really love him for preserving our history through the guitar, through his stories as well the music, the songs that he writes. We really, really admire him.’

Leeds based IMAGINARIUM announce their record label delivering a four track EP featuring music from residents Pete Melba (Planet Orange), Phil Warner (Plant & Deck / Pic N’ Mix), and Roya Brehl (Creatures of the night / Last days of Rome). Joining the crew is rising star and one half of duo Le Frequency, James Geeson.

Pete Melba kicks things off in his signature style of groovy tech house with skipping percussion, twinkling melodies and a touch of darkness. Phil Warner takes the A2 into techno leaning tech house territory sporting spacey pads, acid licks and spooky vocal snippets. On the B1, Roya Brehl moves into darker realms utilising cascading synths, eerie vocals and jangling percussion. Closing out the EP James Geeson continues the dark theme of the B-side warping the classic moonraker vocal into a deep dance floor chugger.

A well-rounded EP for cultured diggers bound to scintillate dance floors and after parties across the globe.

We have a truly hero of classic house music, for the 10th FRL Classic Edition instalment. Mr. Kerri Chandler returns with this classic from 1994. All four tracks feature the trademark Chandler bassline, jazzed-out trippy chords, and chopped up vocals. Pure deepness musicality with an oldschool twist.

Danou P Serves Up Deep, Funky Heat with his 'In The Brine EP' on Definitive Recordings.

Rotterdam-based producer and DJ Danou P delivers a standout four-tracker with 'In The Brine EP,' released on Definitive Recordings. Known for his warm, soulful and funk-infused take on house music, Danou channels raw rhythm and musical flair into a collection that feels both classic and freshly personal.

Opening track 'The Flex' sets the tone with stomping deep house drums, playful chord stabs, and clever vocal sample play that gives it a raw, jacking feel. It's got attitude and groove in equal measure. 'On My Own' keeps things rolling with a classic deep house bassline, gradually introducing a soulful vocal loop that blossoms with the arrival of shimmering synth layers. Danou brings emotion without ever losing grip of the dancefloor.

Next comes 'Spirit', flipping the rhythm into broken beat territory. Another catchy vocal sample rides alongside vibey, jazzy stabs, offering a breezy, uplifting moment that's both heady and driving. It's the kind of track that sneaks into your set and ends up stealing the show. Rounding out the release is 'Bronstige Bakvissen', a deep and moody closer built on a heavy, rolling groove and rich classic house chords. It's stripped back but full of warmth, closing the EP with a nod to soulful late-night sessions.

Best known for his work alongside Jamie 3:26, and with releases on Glitterbox, Tru Thoughts, and Soulfuric Trax, Danou P is steadily building a solo catalogue that's as musical as it is danceable. His 'InThe Brine EP' is a bold step forward, out on Definitive on July 25th 2025.

FreedomB Delivers Timeless Groove on 'Essence Of Soul EP'. FreedomB is an artist defined by groove and movement rather than place. Drawing influence from jazz, funk, soul, and the earliest house and electronic rhythms, his sound is rooted in timeless dance music traditions and built for long, immersive nights on the floor. Focused on rhythm, flow, and emotional energy, FreedomB's productions exist to make people dance without compromise. With releases on labels such as Knee Deep In Sound, Roush, Toolroom, Sola, ElRow Music, and Flashmob Records, FreedomB has earned support from leading names including Hot Since 82, Supernova, Hector Couto, Solardo, and Flashmob. Now joining the Definitive Recordings catalogue, FreedomB presents 'Essence Of Soul EP', a two-track release that captures his deep-rooted love for classic house, disco, and soulful dancefloor energy. On 'Mi House Es Tu House', FreedomB delivers pure house nostalgia. A groovy beat and subtle bassline form the foundation, joined by classic piano chords that immediately set the tone. As the track unfolds, disco samples, a 90s-style synth melody, and a soulful female vocal sample build toward a powerful breakdown before dropping back into full groove, introducing a second timeless house synth theme. It's uplifting, energetic, and perfectly designed for any house music dancefloor. The title track 'Essence Of Soul' shifts into a deeper, more disco-infused direction. A straighter, nu-disco- inspired rhythm sets the pace while layered synths evolve throughout the arrangement. An 80s-style bassline anchors the groove, accompanied by filtered vocal chants, disco effects, and a spoken-word vocal reflecting on the meaning of music and the dancefloor. As the track progresses, rich piano chords and classic high house strings lift the energy into an emotional, late-night crescendo. 'Essence Of Soul EP' is a celebration of groove, soul, and timeless house energy. A release that lets the music speak and invites you to dance.

Amazing remix capturing the style of 2000 D&B with a modern twist. Madcap's on fire right now smashing out serious quality tracks that are being hammered by all. This remix is getting a lot of attention since being announced.

Pete Cannon (93 Amiga mashup) of The Core.

Pete on a pure 93 jungle darkside tip. Classic Mirage samples with Amiga breaks and edits ensures this is a must play if you are into your 93 Darkside. Pete has smashed it out the park again.

Nookie (Dark rolling 2025) remix of Terminate.

What can we say... Nookie always plays the original of Terminate and has rolled out a D&B deep building head nodder that takes you in. This just rolls and rolls. Get it mixing in a set and take them on a journey of deep darkness.

Vinyl Junkie and Sanxion (Jungle Techno) remix of Terminate.

The final remix... a fierce jungle techno workout with amazing stabs and drums. Four to the floor with Amen always works alongside a nice deep sub to keep you bouncing, add some classic stab workouts and you have an anthem in the making. A perfect nod to 93 Jungle Techno from two amazing producers.

4 tracks, 4 different flavours to suit all types.

This CLASSIC EP, much sought after by Dj's and collectors alike, has been remastered and repressed for the first time in its original, four track, classic format! Unmissable by any standard!

But rest assured - it's still the same excellent band from Ruda ?l?ska, only this time instead of a forest full of ghosts or a land of fairy tale creatures like a Fruwajacy Przestepca the duo of producers takes us on an interstellar journey!

The artists' third album, just titled KOSMOBOTANIKA, is an over forty-minute work skillfully composed from a multitude of various samples, and genre-wise presenting the sounds of deep house, trip-hop, breakbeat, ambient and even jazz. This is electronic music with a very cinematic, visual and imaginative character, something at which ETNOBOTANIKA has undoubtedly achieved mastery confirmed by their first two very well-received albums. This cinematic style (electronic concept album?) is reminiscent of the classic albums of the genre's progenitors from the UK like The Orb (first releases) or The KLF (the iconic "Chillout" album), but also the French Motorbass.

The Silesian duo does it their own way, of course, with a local twist. Thus, in the cosmic journey our guides will be in-sampled familiar voices from Polish television, cinema, radio and dusty vinyls (yes - samples from Mr. Kleks in Space had to be on the album, of course :) ).
There is no shortage of atmosphere-building instrumental fragments here, but also quite song-like tracks with catchy melodies and vocals. Fans of the band will certainly be satisfied.

What is there to say - ETNOBOTANIKA has created another classic, which simply must be on the shelf :) Trust them and let yourself be taken on a cosmic journey - satisfaction guaranteed!

These incredible remixes come in and tear the whole place up! Blame brings his classic old school sound to his remix, combining his huge talent for melody with rough bass and breaks. Altern-8 and Shadow Child serve up an absolute classic mix of Don't Stop, and Nebula 2 take the X-Treme Theme to new places with rolling breaks and clean, perfect production.

Dj Junk returns with a 4 track EP featuring Le Voie Le Solei, Rave / breakbeat hardcore piano track with Classic piano, tuff breaks, atmospheric synth and mentasm noises to make a rave banger. So Many Times, a 90's style jungle techno rave track with big piano and full vocal with some hardcore rave noises over slamming break beats.
The Flipside features The Landlord, an old skool style rave / break beat hardcore track with the landlord piano sample, vocals, mentasm noises with tuff break beats, and finally, Spellbound, a 90's style rave / hardcore breakbeat piano track with a classic piano sample with some 91 rave business and super tuff breaks.

When The Information Centre first dropped on the pirate radio airwaves in the ealry 90's, there was nothing like it. It was at the birth of Jungle, and the track was a slow but immense classic, spreading accross the UK from its London Roots to become one of the most influential tracks in jungle's long and storied history.
Here we have four of the classic remixes from back in the day, lovingly remastered and made available for the first time since those early days...

Birchy is a relative newcomer to the Kniteforce label, although his previous release (KF266) that played with the Terminator theme tune was a big seller. It's not overly surprising, as Birchy may be new to the label, and a new name to many old skool heads, but he is an experienced producer who has been around for decades, with releases spread far and wide...
This EP samples the classic news broadcast surrounding the famous Castle Morton event in the UK, and the whole EP is deeply old skool and classic in feel. Full on breakbeats, pianos and authentic rave sounds are the name of the game here, and Birchy creates a timless feel to all of it!

Piano contemporary classical music.
Innovative approach to composition is a bridge from classical music traditions to modern sensibilities.
Inspired by: Debussy, Ravel, Glass, Sakamoto, Jarrett, Morricone, Tiersen.