quête:craft b

'Less thought, more direction and purpose, less catering, more expression...'

This was Savile's mantra as he sculpted his 'Compersion' EP for Mike Simonetti's 2MR and it's a mantra we should all subscribe to. It's come about through his introspective analysis during the creation of his most succinct and starkest exploration date.

''Compersion' is a record about wrestling my own beliefs, both personal and political. It's about experiencing the anxiety and absurdity of loving a partner and ultimately myself. The sounds, tempos and arrangements found here are the result of further experiments with editing tracks to their absolute minimum. I tried to work these songs like I am working on me. Less thought, more direction and purpose, less catering, more expression.'

And more detail; throughout every stripped back heavily-edited sensation the conceptual EP provides, the meaning and message is palpable. Each track title inspired by Jenny Holzer and Helmut Lang's revolutionary provocative, sexualisation of the art space in Florence Biennale, 1996, there's a tangible physicality felt throughout...

The heavy breathing rhythmic elements of the electroid 'Talk Smile Bite' and its bedrock bedspring funk; the playful switch between breezy broken beats and driving techno coupled with minimal sample craft and literal message of an instantly recognisable vocal on 'Watch Scan Wait'; the much heavier, intense techno pressure of 'Tease Breathe Smell' where the heart is on the sleeve and it's palpitating wildly with direction, purpose and true expression.

A smart concept from a Smart resident, Savile has achieved something special here; a provocative model a deep self-construction and, above all, three damn fine pieces of techno.

Keeno's third full length album, 'All The Shimmering Things', is a gorgeous body of work that truly transcends the dancefloor, offering maturity and depth far beyond his years.

From the majestic flutterings of 'Light Cascading' to the breathtaking euphoria of 'Cosmic Creeper', the album elevates into a world of brilliantly constructed sonics, arrangements and melodies, seemlessly crafted with care and precision.

The journey is made complete by guest vocalists Becca Grey, Abbie Rosie and Katya, whose exquisite lyrics perfectly fuse the album's themes with notable sophistication. Such a finely balanced combination creates a collection that is guaranteed to charm loyal fans and new comers alike.

Keeno's debut album 'Life Cycle' turned drum & bass on its head with its fresh approach to compositon and instrumentation, receiving universal praise from fans and artists across drum & bass and beyond. This pinnacle moment was the start of a continuous rise for Keeno, leading him to take his music from UK festival stages to club shows in Australia and New Zealand.

'All The Shimmering Things' expands and improves on everything that we love about Keeno's music and is sure to be one of the finest drum & bass albums in 2017.

2 track EP produced by Benales. Follow up of Elements EP released back in 2016 Raw, straight techno tools inspired by the likes of Robert Hood, Jeff Mills, Surgeon. BIO: Born in Normandy (France), and now based in Paris, Benales has been honing his craft since the end of the 90s. An avid record collector and enthusiast of Techno and House - his DJ sets and tracks combine the raw, dark and deep elements of these musical forms with a firm nod in the direction of Detroit. He already played at Concrete, La Machine du Moulin Rouge, Rex Club, Batofar, 101.

* Cold Recordings is very proud to include Berlin based producer PHON.O as part of it's growing roster by means of this immaculate EP. Across the 3 tracks, PHON.O demonstrates his ability to combine UK- bass influences with techno sensibilities, ultimately crafting cutting edge music for the dancefloor.

* 'CLU5T3R' opens the EP with a swinging 132bpm rhythm that sits somewhere in between classic UK-Funky and a cracking Shed/Heads High techno anthem. The repeating riff that circles and cycles, sweeps through the frequency spectrum, energising and purposeful. Versatile and effective, this is a track to come back to time and time again.

* Flip the plate and there's another couple of gems. 'V3R5U5' continues on from where 'CLU5T3R' left off, progressing the mood into a more ethereal space, building layers of pads and texture as the track developes, rising and ramping up, before pulling back and dropping into a rolling rhythm. Closing up the EP is 'H4NDCUFF3D', which takes the mood into a more dramatic backdrop. Chilling pads swell up from the ground like mist in a graveyard, while the broken rhythm sets pace, creating a moody ambiance for those moments when you want to take a dancefloor into mystical, other-worldly territories. Dramatic and energising!

First Word Records are very proud to present an EP by Manchester's finest Hip Hop and Soul exports, Children of Zeus. This is 'The Story So Far...'

Konny Kon & Tyler Daley met back in 2005, after both performing a show near Paris in their respective crews, Broke'N'£nglish and Body Roq. The duo met up back home in Manchester, spurred on initially by a mutual admiration of each others music, and produced their first track together, aptly entitled 'Coming Home To You'.

A few years later, Tyler approached Konny about producing a full EP together. These sessions included the creation of a track called 'Still Standing', which ultimately saw the light of day last Summer on First Word. Still a highlight in their live sets, the Lenzman rub won "Best Remix" at the 2016 Drum & Bass Awards. The original has become somewhat of a British Soul anthem since its release, with people that missed it first time round still clamouring for it on wax. So we've included it on this EP.

As they've grown within the family of Manchester's music scene, they've provided a tonic to the city's bass-orientated club scene, breathing Soul back into the city, whilst maintaining their heritage of Hip Hop swagger. As an MC, Konny takes no prisoners, whilst Tyler (a prolific MC in his own right) has gained a rep as one of the UK's strongest Soul voices. Both artists have been blessed with the talent of beat-making. A combined craftsmanship upon the boards and in the booth.

From building a grassroots following of fans, they've since travelled the globe, sharing stages with giants and catching the ear of peers far and wide, from Pete Rock to Zed Bias. As well as hosting their own monthly radio show on NTS, they've collaborated with numerous Hip Hop acts, both sides of the Atlantic, as well as Soul royalty in the form of Caron Wheeler and Drum'n'Bass legends, such as Goldie (Tyler featuring heavily across his latest album).

Children of Zeus have finally begun the process of crafting together their debut album. This EP is a compilation of the creations the duo have produced themselves over the past decade, put together to appease their loyal followers thus far, and as an introduction to those yet to discover their talents. A snapshot of what has been, and a mere taster of what's to come. It features brand new tracks such as 'Smoke With Me' and (vinyl-only cut) 'Tonight', the anthemic 'Crown' (featured on First Word's 'Two Syllables' compilation previously) and fan favourites such as 'No Sunshine Tomorrow' and 'Push On'. A collection of raw, gritty, Hip Hop Soul music.

The debut album will drop in 2018.
This collection signals the end of the first chapter. A prologue even.
Get on board now. The time is right. This is the story so far...

Moullinex is back with his finest album up to date, HYPERSEX, a collective love letter to club culture and its celebration of difference, freedom and love. In his third length, Moullinex reached out to several guest singers: Fritz Helder (Azari & III), Georgia Anne Muldrow (Flying Lotus, Mos Def), Iwona Skwarek (Rebeka), Best Youth, Marta Ren, Da Chick, UhAhUh and Tee Flowers, crafting a uniquely fresh piece that combines many of his musical influences, from the funk, groove and sunshine of his debut "Flora" to the psychedelia and tropicalia of 'Elsewhere'. Moullinex is the alter ego of the Portuguese producer and multiinstrumentalist Luis Clara Gomes. He's established himself as one of the leading artists in the modern disco scene, with several singles such as 'Take My Pain Away' and 'Maniac' ft. Peaches, and remixes of acts like Røyksopp, Cut Copy, Two Door Cinema Club and Grammyawarded artist RAC. The road to HYPERSEX has been paved by various singles and videos in 2017, expanding the spirit of collaboration to directors and visual artists, and gathered wide support from international tastemakers across the globe, including Vice, NPR, KCRW, Triple J, Majestic Casual, Les Inrockuptibles and Tsugi Mag. HYPERSEX is like Hypertext between humans, a system designed to multiply ideas and connections between people. The dance floor is the perfect medium.

Swedish artist UBX127 is back on Figure with what might just be his most accomplished release to date. Spanning an arc cross four diverse tracks, the story told is abstract yet full of imagination. Gently pulsating crystalline opener woid carefully sets a vast open scene, covered in gushes of interplanetary winds. First contact is made on A2, it's electro-esque drive and spiky synths hinting at its alien origins. A taste of their mighty technology is given on Watch Out Below, booming with a propulsive punch and constantly swelling in intensity. Relief comes in form of Singularity, a beautiful, long-winding closer, on which soothing arps effortlessly outweigh their beaty counterparts. Having already proven his mastery of the machines with three stellar EPs for the label last year, this record further showcases UBX127's special talent of crafting tunes that are as ripe with drama as they are ready for the floor.

We welcome back long-time First Word family, Souleance, with 'Bamboule', fresh from their respective cut-ups for our sister label, Excursions, and their recent 'Raw Funk' set, we have a 5-track EP containing something for all the family, crafted with love once again by France's Fulgeance & DJ Soulist. A truly eclectic collection, comprised of afro grooves, tropical vibes, b-boy rhymes, head-nodding shakers and intensely hype floor-fillers. A seriously fun selection.

It kicks off with 'Partay', a mid-tempo slice of bouncy tropical boogie that does exactly what it says on the tin. An effervescent synth-bassline rides on top of a delectable disco shuffle, complete with classic reggae chants.

Title track 'Bamboule' is a seriously energetic afro-funk beast. A truly infectious percussive rhythm track, laced with an immense bassline, vocal chops and synth rides, this one is 100% guaranteed to entice any dancefloor into a trance-like state of bugged-out body moves.

'That Guy' is some uptempo piano-rolling hip hop business, enlisting the help of Brooklyn MC, Von Pea, from the crew Tanya Morgan, who've been making noise on the independent hip hop scene for over a decade, as well as recently collaborating with GUTS.

We dip down to around the 85BPM mark for 'J'aime Marcher', a lounging boom bap bumper with sloppy drums, jazzy rhodes and vivacious horns.

Closing the EP is 'Brown Bags', an almost Dilla-esque cut-up, complete with rolling neck-breaking drums, sweet soul samples and stabs of prog rock. An abundance of variety, we think you'll agree.

For those that don't know, the Parisian duo hooked up just over a decade ago, and haven't stopped to rock & shock parties, clubs and festivals globally since, building a fan-base of solid party people and revered selectors along the way. As always, the wonderful Alice Dufay provides the artwork, making this an essential package for you and yours.

Released in March of 1962, Bob Dylan's debut album announced the arrival of a singer-songwriter who would change the face of 20th century music and popular culture. Though it was Freewheelin' the following year that would make him an international star and the voice of a generation, this debut is a crucial piece of folk music history and a stunning example of his early song-craft. Back in print with a beautifully redesigned cover on Wax Love.

Acid Test continues their journey with the return of Achterbahn D'Amour. On their first proper release in three years, Jool & Iron Curtis patiently craft an intricate sound world - with the opening track, major-key pads hearken towards a bright future, hi-hats rustle like leaves and on "Dehaveland," percussive elements fall into beautiful, random unison like factory machines staging an after hours dance. Samuel Van Dijk's vaunted VC-118A project steps up for a remix, turning in a taut techno version that unfurls smoke pillars of ghostly ambience. The duo wraps up the four-tracker with an unexpected dreamy electro turn, "Don't Talk To Me." Throughout Acid Test 13, they remain in lockstep with the label's ethos - to bend, hammer and flatten acid lines into new, imaginative shapes.

Following a run of local transmissions from A Sagittariun, Crump, Rob Smith and Atki2, Idle Hands turns its attention to Berlin and the straight-up, no-nonsense techno thrust of Johanna Knutsson and Hans Berg. Both respected artists and DJs in their own right, the pair have been turning out 12"s together for The Free Spirit Society, Klasse and Crime City Disco over the past few years, but most importantly they've been steering the excellent UFO Station Recordings as a vessel for their punchy, primal techno tracks.

The sound on this EP taps into the pure form of stern, dark dancefloor tackle favoured at Idle Hands - no extraneous filler, plenty of space in the mix, but equally built with warmth and personality rather than monochrome functionality. If you need further proof, just look to the fact the EP is named after a Swedish soap opera from the 90s.

The bleeps and bass tones that pulse through "Taggen" are so finely crafted they need not skip and dance around the arrangement. The melodic interplay on "Klimax" is subtle but ultimately uplifting and optimistic where so much techno concerns itself with oppressive gloom. "Bimbo" finds the pair embracing a more psychedelic approach, but even here the modulating effects processes are kept within certain boundaries so as to not dilute the impact on the floor. After all, this is music to dance to, to be felt over a large system (where possible).


Moving from leftfield bass excursions to minimalist 2-step, UK techno and now onto this much more continental sound, theMälarviken EP continues to widen the range of Idle Hands' musical tastes without losing sight of the complete picture.

Lithuanian Alex Krell rides the new wave of deep and dark techno straight into the Sodai fold, delivering a comprehensive and cohesive four track EP for Gardens Of God's respected imprint.
Enticingly deep and dubby, title track Parallel Seduction sets the tone with a rumbling bass and reverbing stabs. Optyx picks up the pace, with driving percussion and shimmering synth soundscapes. The subtle distortions of Wiemar are next up, conjuring a deep brooding atmosphere. Lastly, Knocturne is expertly crafted for the dancefloor leaving us fully immersed in a flawless EP.
' I find it difficult to finish tracks, so most of mine are made in just one session' Alex reveals. 'I also avoid listening to electronic music when spending time in the studio, because with all those sounds stuck in your head it's hard to keep your originality.'
Alex Krell is a DJ, producer and petrolhead who lists Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Queen as his influences. Now living in the capital, Vilnius, his background enhances his productions with a uniquely dark and earthy energy that makes his techno stand out from the crowd and proves he is one to keep a close eye on.

Berlin native Florian Kruse has been a key part of the underground house and tech house scene for years now, and his productions have rightfully been bringing him plaudits for their emotional maturity. Finding a kindred spirit in German vocalist Hendrik Burkhard, as TheGround the pair have crafted a killer new album - 'Dediction', including these four exceptional tracks that will appear on the vinyl edition 'Dediction EP'. 'Homeless Hearts' exemplifies the duo's effect on each other - the slick, nuanced and spacy production gives way to a powerful groove, providing the perfect backing for Burkhard's dreamy vocal. 'Undercover' is a clear dance-floor killer, with Kruse's exceptional flair for programming meeting Burkhard's understated delivery. Co-written by Raphael Hofmann 'Silence' explores some melancholic terrain before finding its way back to the floor via Kruse's & Burkhard's lush production. The EP is concluded with 'Creature' - featuring a thick growling bass and precise, arpeggiated synth lines that cut through the mix like lasers.

Four years since the release of their last full-length All Pigs Must Die have returned with Hostage Animal, a 10-song album that distills aggressive music to its purest tenets.

The band, now a 5-piece with the addition of Brian Izzi (Trap Them) on guitar, is comprised of some of the most well-seasoned musicians on the eastern seaboard —Kevin Baker (The Hope Conspiracy), Ben Koller (Converge), Matt Woods, and Adam Wentworth (both of Bloodhorse). 

 Hostage Animal is their most dynamic collection of work thus far and the album's first single, 'A Caustic Vision,' is an aural representation of the record as a whole; concise, intense, aggressive and carrying a bleak world view.

APMD unleashed their first full length in 2011 with God Is War, and the 30-minute rip was a nod to primeval disdain and anger. Exploring facets of human conflict one track at a time, God Is War introduced the world to a whole new spectrum of rage.

In 2013, APMD upped the ante with Nothing Violates This Nature. Honing their craft with more speed and filth, APMD pushed their sound closer to the edge of the cliff. Now, in 2017, the band is gearing up for the release of Hostage Animal which, like its predecessors, was recorded at Kurt Ballou's GodCity Studio. But that is where the similarities end; Hostage Animal ushers in 10 new songs that pulverize, gnash, and whirl with the band's most punishing delivery yet.

Hostage Animal showcases that All Pigs Must Die are far more than the sum of their parts, and their fusion of crust punk, hard core and metal is more ferocious than ever before.

***Strictly Ltd Edition (500) 12' Blue Colour-In-Colour Vinyl & Limited Edition Matt Sewell Phenakistiscope Print With Initial Copies***

Matt Sewell's A Crushing Glow' was a great success upon release in spring 2014. A Compilation album like no other it was lovingly curated & designed by Matt. A most carefully crafted & truly genre-blending collection, it was valued & appreciated by many including Lauren Laverne on BBC6 Music. Recognising the magic within Matt's unique design package, she awarded the
collection her coveted compilation of the week.

Sequentially, last year followed the 50 minutes of The Gayatari Mantra on a golden 12'. Performed by Bollywood playback singer Anuradha Paudwal & her daughter Kavita Paudwal, this holy mantra drew plaudits & acclaim including BBC6 Music plays from Jarvis Cocker & Soho Radio & love from tastemakers Test Pressing & Vinyl Factory.

Now, CTR is proud to offer a brand new A Crushing Glow collaboration with esteemed London based producer DrumTalk, whose output has graced labels such as Tru-Thoughts, Soundway & Huntley & Palmers. Matt has curated this release & created, once again, very lush sleeve artwork.

Speaking of the 12' Matt suggests that Commissioning DrumTalk to make some new music for A Crushing Glow Presents was a crystal clear choice to make. He continues: Those that are down
with his house trax will be aware of a depth that runs through his music. I've known DrumTalk for years and I know that current runs deep. Surfing on synth waves of endless barrels of cosmic
vibrations, DT takes us on a journey from the blackness into the blue and beyond.

DrumTalk himself describes A Crushing Glow imprint as: A series that has been continuously loved by many. Variously described as 'cosmic', 'spiritual', 'joyful', and indeed 'transcendental'.

This latest release in the series, we suggest, is no exception...

DrumTalk aimed to craft a 12' that would unravel gently & then encapsulate the very unique essence of A Crushing Glow. Decide for yourself if you consider this done.

Caroline True Records are very proud to present this deep and lovely work - housed in lush artwork conceived & produced by Matt especially for this release.

Some songs comes along that you seem to know the moment you hear it, even though it's for the first time. In the case of Spark The Universe it had exactly that impact. A mixture of late-60s psychedelic homage, early 80s new wave, white boy soul, plus a good dose of dub, all wrapped around a killer hook and super tight production and a hit was surely made.
The fact there are many deserving records that don't become a hit doesn't mean some are better than others and in fact, the joy in collecting and reissuing is finding amazing songs and bringing them back.
Increasingly heard in the sets of the more discerning DJs, Spark The Universe has become a cult play and with second hand prices now in three figures, a reissue is timely. As the label oft says, no one owns this music other than the writers, musicians and producers and their craft deserves to be appreciated.
Before going on to carve a successful career in 'electronica' project, Euphoria, Toronto's Ken Ramm had shown his considerable writing and playing ability with the 1981 debut LP Dragon and this 1983 follow up, known simply as Ramm.

Coming together through a meeting with a then relatively unknown producer, Daniel Lanois, via a mutual interest in tape loops and dubbing, it was the suggestion to bring in local vocalist Lorraine Segato that Ramm formed.
Recording at Lanois' Grant Avenue Studios, his interest in mixing past and present technology, with multiple digital delay units, harmonizers and other effect processors allowed Ramm and Lanois to explore using the studio as an instrument alongside real musicianship.

Backwards guitars, tremolo bar dives and guitar harmonics are incorporated with the vocals and percussion to perfection. With a 'Dance' and alternative 'Dub', the song's hypnotic and dreamy feel superimposed over beats pin-pointed to the later Euphoria project and with the addition of a latter day 'Discomix', from the labels' own Chuggy, Spark The Universe deserves it's place on contemporary dancefloors.

Autotomy is a collaboration between Belgium's Sleeperhold Publications, Brooklyn-based musician Patricia (Max Ravitz) and the Dutch artist Louis Reith. This output is the result of a long process of contemplation, discussion and elimination which gave us a record that encapsulates both Patricia's sense for hardware production and dance floor rawness. Describing this release is not a simple task. So we'll just tell it like it is: it's a record that slows down and, in this process, reveals its mystery. Referencing the title of this release, wunderkind Max Ravitz seems to provide the listener with the possibility of transformation, a way to shed part of your own being.When running though the tracks, one discovers the essentials of Patricia's sound architecture: the presence of lightness, of longing, mixed with the ability to deny it in the next instant. Sonically, there's a careful balance in these productions that belies their fundamental function as body music. It's ambient yet danceable, approachable despite it's often deconstructed layout, and ultimately warm and inviting.The entire record is made using Ravitz collection of hardware, which gives it its uncompromising texture. The presence of kicks, beats and soundscapes does not originate from a clean digital source but from a physical action, an excerpt of movement, a tick of the human hand. It is floating versus rhythmical movement, visceral versus strict. But above all, it is alive.The artwork used for Autotomy's sleeve design and the etching on the B-side was provided by Louis Reith. (All three tracks feature on the record's A-side.) Just as Patricia, Reith tries to resist technology in favour of physical and craft-based media, though the contrast between digital and analog is always present.Dutch artist Louis Reith produces works through a variety of different media, ranging from collages to wood sculptures, to paper objects and ink on paper works, always keeping an interest in simple abstract shapes and their combination. With an interest in materiality Louis resurrects found footage and creates new landscapes of shape and color, celebrating the human hand at work. Deliberate compositions form an illegible visual language where hidden words are portrayed as abstract sculptures.Reith also co-runs Jordskred, an independent publishing company worth checking out.Ravitz certainly is unstoppable and releases in a relentless and uncompromising fashion.Besides many collaborative projects with an array of artists (released under monikers such as Masks, Pulpo, Inhalants, DSR.MR...) he's released music on labels like Opal Tapes, L.I.E.S., Russian Torrent Versions, Ghostly Intl.,... 2017 has been quite a year for him so far. He not only founded his own imprint, Active Cultures, but also released a triple LP. Ghostly Intl. describes the release as a 'kaleidoscopic, a multi-faceted techno trip' and we couldn't agree more.

Sparse and reflective, the Chicago native's work occupies a curious space on the periphery of the Techno genre. By stripping back the music to all but its most vital elements - most notably the Sequence, but at the same time maintaining a sense of urgency in its articulation, Litüus crafts exquisite, ghostly shadows of busier, more fleshed out material. Neither intro nor outro, but rather suspended in some middling point of formation - what remains is a remarkably pure examination of minimalist, experimental synthesis.

The enigmatic producer first appeared on the label with19805.-19905 - a collection of reduced hardware sequences released on cassette and 12" in 2015 and 2236 s Wentworth ave continues in much the same vein, though perhaps exploring a marginally more traditionally 'musical' sentiment. Nods to 1970's sound designer Irv Teibel's Environments series sit alongside more overtly contemporary structures, and the mood shifts gently across the recordings - from a low slung, pulsing anxiety to a gentler serenity via heavily ring modulated bells and spring reverbs, softly warping percussion and careful bandpass filtering.

Litüus creates music that is geared neither towards home listening nor the dance floor, but that exists somewhere in between - quite where exactly remains part of the the artist's undeniable allure.

Somne debuts on Just This.
The Italian producer, whose real name is Federico Maccherone, presents his first release of 2017 - a solo EP marrying the same ethereal, wide-angle synthesis and intricate drum programming that appears on standout work for Boddika's Nonplus imprint and the Afterlife label. More than ever, Maccherone shows his range - rolling, meditative recordings sit comfortably alongside some more overtly dance floor material, with both approaches bound by the same high-end production values listeners and DJ's alike have come to expect from the Somne project.
In various ways, the EP offers a certain degree of insight into Maccherone's dual identity as a producer of both clinical, dance-floor fare as well as a cerebral, leftfield work - and in turn, how the artist draws together these two strands of creative endeavour to craft unique and profoundly emotive electronic music. Nods to classic IDM and Ambient sit at the periphery of the recordings, although the main focus is on the propulsive, contemporary Techno derivatives - from warping, half-time opener Divided Love, with its crisp, white noise washes and clinical use of distortion - through to Endgame's exacting, peak-time drive. And whilst the form shifts across the EP from half-time, polyrhythmic work to more direct 4x4 compositions - everything remains bound by the same exquisite, otherworldly atmosphere that touches on the grandiose whilst maintaining a gloriously introspective bent.
Balance comes across as a principle theme on the record, both in terms of production aesthetic and track sequencing, but there is a wonderful contrast between the elements - with the sounds ringing strong and true. The two versions of lead Metropolis that perhaps appear to illustrate in the best way the powerful dichotomy within Maccherone's work, with the A side version conjuring up a distinctly brooding sentiment - a quintessential example of rolling, contemporary Electronica, whilst the Alternate Mix of the B side offers a more direct, cathartic interpretation - expertly executed for maximum dance-floor effectiveness.
Mature and accomplished, Metropolis is a fine addition to the growing Somne discography. The record paints a picture of a producer in full control of his art, definitely working to create a powerful three-dimensional space of his own within the genre.

Infused with minty flavours this next blend brings raw grooves, warm baselines and uplifting melodies. Crafted with love they make the perfect accompaniment to twilight settings, tracks supplied from Mattiik (UK), Slim Steve (Italy), DOS (Austria) and James Henry (UK).

Ressort Imprint comes up with the second V/A to celebrate the tenth release entitled More Cuts On Loving Part II. This release comes with a deeper touch to it than the first, much heavier V/A. Music crafted by Friends for Friends - a truly heartwarming story.

After showcasing his knack for emotive productions via various EPs throughout his career, including chart-topping singles on Hot Since 82's Knee Deep in Sound and Dave Seaman's Selador, the Swiss artist Several Definitions now reveals his first full-length album. It should come as no surprise that the artist found familiarity in what he calls the Berlin style' of electronic music and notably, that of Oliver Koletzki's Stil vor Talent. Reborn After The Road is an intense and emotional affair, consisting of 14 tracks crafted using field and live recordings, switching between analogue and digital to mould a sonic atmosphere that emblazons the artist's core ethos. Although the personal experience that sparked the inspiration for the LP is far from pleasant, Several Definitions' style is audibly resolute. Reborn After The Road, the album's eponymous track, creates a fitting intro for the healing process that is to follow. Its airy pads and majestic strings sonically stand at the epicenter of the expressive album. Several Definitions continues to explore these sounds on vaporous slices like Pontceard 32 or the more acidical Last Breath. The mellifluous, feminine vocals of LaMeduza on Learn To Feel and Her, as well as Spanish singer Goldsun's crooner talents on the introspective Trust, on the other hand, showcase Several Definitions' ability to work the human voice into his musical explorations. Taking introspection one step further towards darker realms, Senelity then feels like a rite of passage into the deeper and more intense segment at the album's core. Over You briefly signals a turning point, with its alarm-like synths and grave leads, which is then followed by the glitchy resistance on Modular Spaces. The Escape

Figure Jams is back with a another fresh and exciting pairing of artists. This time the record is a collection of pure analogue goodness, sparkling ripe with synthesizer magic. The A-side comes courtesy of duo-of-the-moment TWR72, who happen to distill perfection through simplicity in their stripped-back productions. While ‚Polished' is a pulsating bit of beatless yet captivating clean-cut loops, their other contribution shows their talent at crafting something lean, dry and punchy, which is still undeniably driving and hypnotic. Picking up on the synth-heavy theme of this release is St. Petersburg's finest Aleksey Niktin aka Nocow. Inspired by the endless baltic winters, the producer packs his tracks with emtions that feel cold but not icy, engulfing the listener in winching waves of melancholic Electronica.

Back after a short break, Bass Cadet Records' Orbit series continues with a 3 tracker from US legend Alton Miller. On the A-side lays 9 minutes of pure Detroit House bliss, with a version of his classic track "When Morning Comes" that has only seen light on a japanese special limited edition until now. The flip offers two brilliant club crafts that sparkle Chicago soulful Deep House in the vein of Ron Trent, Glenn Underground and co.

The sub label of Sonic Groove, 'Sonic Groove Experiments', returns after a 4 year hiatus with a stellar re-release of the Electrowave classic 'Eruption' by Beta Evers. Originally released as a Limited Edition 12' back in 2005 on Beta's own Kommando 6 label. Now in 2017 the original pressing goes for quite a fortune on the record collecting market. Often exceeding €60 for a mint copy. For the first time in a dozen years this release is available on vinyl in its original running order but with very sleak new artwork for the normal asking price of a new store bought 12'.

Beta Evers is Brigitte Enzler from Augsburg, Germany. An artist with a substantial amount of accomplished work to her credit including an early release on the storied Hague label, Cre`me and her side project Black Spider Clan. After ceasing Kommando 6 operations, Beta Evers continues on independently releasing music on her other labels Bodyvolt and Venus Noir. Her most recent release is the 2016 awesome 'Delusion' album on legendary Industrial/EBM pioneer Dirk Ivens prestigious Daft imprint.

The opening track's title serves as a warning, titled 'Don't Be Afraid', a cold introduction led by sinister synth lines soliciting our attention to expertly crafted true analog electronic percussion in the EBM/Dark Electro disciplines. Surreal, deep and seductive vocals lie in the wake at the center of the composition giving us a melancholic piece worthy of deep contemplation during listening on or off the dance floor.

The following track 'Move In My Body Rhythm' continues in the same sinister and dark aesthetic in a more driving manner, this track continues to bring forth energy with a precise beat and rhythm accompanied by acidic synth modulations.

Side B continues to hold the heavy weight of this extended player with the track 'Eruptive' This reference track to the title of the EP. is an electronic/vocal robotic analog circuit breaker suitable for dawn light on the floor. Traditional arsenal of classic analog sounds are arranged and rearranged with sonic manipulation at the test. Mutant dance music for cosmic venues.

The closing track, 'Destination Lost' is comprised of lyrics of urban angst and disturbance whispered out through sultry vocals. Dark minimalist and cinematic cyberpunk breaks reinforced by low drone synth waves and crystals of lysergic analog bleeps drifting along the perimeter. Dead serious wave infected electronics.

This sonic document also serves as a good example of a roots approach to creating music whilst at the same time giving us something entirely innovative. This is as futuristic as it is timeless and that reflects the elements of a masterpiece.

REPRESSED !
Bristol based producers Behling & Simpson take on remixing some Kerri Chandler classics this August with the 'Heaven' EP, set to drop via Kerri's very own Madhouse Records
imprint.

Madhouse Records boss Kerri Chandler needs no introduction having been one of the most prominent names in underground house music for over two decades now. While rising talents Behling & Simpson's collective output has been championed by the likes of Claude von Stroke, Derrick Carter, Ralph Lawson, Modeselektor and many more over the pairs 100+ previous releases between them (under various guises), this stands as testament to their undeniable ability to craft forward-thinking electronic music.

First up on the release we have 'Heaven' featuring Christopher McCray on vocal duties, Behling & Simpson's prevalent low-slung, dropped tempo rhythms take the lead, alongside hypnotic lowend tones, while the duo capture Chandler's warm musicality with style utilizing the original's bright chord progressions and smooth vocal licks, creating an intricate, intelligent slice of house. 'Peace Of My Mind' follows on the flip side, a track originally released on Madhouse in 2011, though returning to the label in 2014 with an intriguing reshape courtesy of the Behling & Simpson, again taking on the pair's niche slo-mo feel, setting the tone and radiantly showcasing why their sound stands tall above many of their
contemporaries in such an effortlessly cool way.

Edanticonf's music feels perfectly crafted for the brooding atmospheric venues he so often performs in. Both the aforementioned adjectives can be attributed to his style of techno too, one that places the focus less on the technical side and more onthe human one, aiming to reflect his emotions and state of being through the hazy soundscapes that draw influence from the natural scenery around him.His concise back-catalogue features releases on revered labels such as M¦REC LTD, Trolldans, Phorma and Silent Season - the imprint which released his debut LP, 'Forest Echo', in 2012. On each release, Edanticonf's work sonically varies, from the more ambient compositions present on his 'Planet' EP for Silent Season to his dub-infused techno release on Italy's M¦REC LTD, but each offering never compromises on its quality, something which sits at the core of this project.

Kicking off the EP is the title-named track, 'The Mind Power', a hypnotic techno number that blends atmospheric textures and arpeggiated synth patterns with industrial-inducing pad tones, gradually introducing further elements throughout its eight minute duration.

'Interlude' follows, a song that much like the rest of the EP focuses its attention on the refined nuances of the analogue synthesiser, blending this with more delicate synth passages and other shadowy digital effects.

Closing this excellent three-track EP is 'We Dance Together', a dazzling, almost trance-like closer that fuses these soaring atmospheric elements and delicate synths with gritty, lo-fi drums to great effect.

The MLH crew brings House music tracks based on raw rhythms, infectious stabs and hard hitting grooves, written somewhere between Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Paris.
After their first solo EP, MLH bring back the 90's New York vibe with two veterans of this sound : The Dat Project aka William Rosario and Transitive Elements aka Enrico Mantini

Roman producer (and a force behind MinimalRome label) Valerio Lombardozzi known as Heinrich Dressel returns to Barba with a second release for our label, titled "The Styx Swamp". Heinrich has a unique way of combining classic techno and electro sounds with elements from the beloved Drexcyan universe and John Carpenter leitmotifs, and making them come together in a manner that both moves your body and pushes your mind beyond the point of awareness. As with the previous record, "Lurking Underwater", here he pulls off the move with the same efficiency and without sounding like he's repeating himself. "Gray Slope", "Sailing The Nether Waterways" and "The Styx Swamp" are all quite moody and deep, rich with sound and thick with vibe. However, the tracks feel equally at home in 4 am techno situation and a heady afterhours affair. He truly is a master of crafting hybrids whose influences get so flawlessly embedded that it's hard to point them out. If that's not enough, "The Styx Swamp" got a treatment by Nigel Rogers aka Perseus Traxx, a multi-faceted producer and a mighty live act performer. Nigel stayed respectful to the original but made the original's bouncy groove into something more direct and reduced, while retaining the same feel conditioned by lead synth's hypnotic quality. We're known to give a little bit of extra love to our releases so (as all before) this one's pressed onto a heavy duty 180 gram vinyl and beautifully packaged in an original artwork by EmaEmaEma.

On EP5, legendary German musician Burnt Friedman makes his Dekmantel Records debut with 'Monsun'. The Berlin based artist, who built a reputation for himself through his explorations into obscure, finely-tuned, experimental dub through his label Nonplace, alongside his collaborative relationship with the late Can drummer Jaki Liebezeit, is one of the crucial, sonic manipulators of our time. 'Monsun' finds Friedman crafting flowing, percussive, dub techno that is both esoteric, and progressive. Befitting of a Dekmantel release. Alongside Friedman sits legendary Detroit act Ectomorph, aka. BMG & Erika, also making their Dekmantel inauguration, with a record that surmises' the group's anologue, style of Motor City beats.
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There would be no Dekmantel celebration without longtime family members, JuJu & Jordash. With three LPs and countless EPs released on the imprint to date, alongside a sleuth of festival, and party appearances, the improvisational duo have become masters of off-kilter, and poly-rhytmic electronic funk, of which 'Neon Swing' -a fast-paced and extremely invigorative cut- is of prime example. And then there's Dekmantel favourite Fatima Yamaha - an artist who has a keen ear for gentle, analogue hooks that have gone to become ample festival fodder. The Dutchman maintains an ear for the serene with the track 'Platforms', a sullen, yet beautiful ambient track, the drives deep into the emotive world of soft, tender, heartfelt music.

The Crooked Man returns to Bitter End with an 'Emotional Copy Only' limited pre-release of powerful club pieces...

Keen eyed aficionado's may spot the homage to Mel Cheron's classic US label West End Records here
But while their motto may have been 'Where The Sun Sets & The Stars Rise' Bitter End Records embarks on a distinctly more 21st century path to dancefloor salvation...

'Echo Loves Narcissus - Part 1' is the opening salvo in a sonic saga across four movements, marrying, as it does irresistibly uplifting chords and vocal ad-libs to a bass line so thick it'll rattle the windows right out of your ride and knock the tiles straight off the walls of your cerebral restroom.

Once you've adequately composed yourselves, we invite you to the 11 minute MONSTER which is 'Get The Love' on the AA...

This recalls the brief but genre defying 1990 jams from Mundo Muzique's 'Revelation' project: synth assisted house-nosis, buoyed by the mantric voice imploration to accept higher states of carnality atop an immersive blanket of propulsive rhythms.

Once again Bitter End rips up the rule book, and crafts a whole set of new, better ones in which freedom reigns


Light years ahead !

Soul Deep Recordings and Blade are pleased to present the Blackbird EP. The EP features 2 richly crafted rollers that will rock the dance floor. The title track, "Blackbird", has received support from LTJ Bukem and many other top deejays around the world. The song starts off with a heavy amen break and light background atmospherics. At each turn, the break seems to get heavier as layers are added to the mix. When the bassline drops, the groove is undeniable, and will have your head nodding in approval. The song chugs along and builds to a crescendo with it's epic pads and tasteful atmospherics. "Bella l'amour", is the second offering, and it shows a different side to Blade's diverse productions. The track begins with a light break, airy efx, and chiming keys, that set the backdrop for this tight production. At the drop, the drums fill in nicely and the warm 808 bassline punch through the mix. Overall, Blade delivers big on this release, and will surely satisfy his fans with this slice of D&B heaven.

eRRe has been doing damage on dub for some time already and is proving to be a deadly dj weapon.Robotic bleeps meet percussive beats as the intro announces the shape of things to come.The instantly recognizable "Play with us" sample gives way to a massive bassline which kicks in with the impact of a head on collision and works perfectly alongside the technoid elements.This cut succeeds in not only frying your brain with its acid synthwork but its pure bassbin pressure will also get your body shaking!

Vengeanze "T.M.A.C" starts off in outer space, gradually gathering energy as it comes closer, swirling, twisting and haunting the listener with shuddery sound effects and vocals.The massive build up finally unleashes an even bigger drop as a huge drum rollout rides over a squelching bassline.Crafty edits and techy effects manage to maintain an urgency about this track, driving it relentlessly through the system and leaving the ravers weak in the knees.Don't sleep on this one!

"MODEM:39 is booted and connected. Main task: Linking components like friendship, art and communication. This sustainable mixture results in label artist Tommes' first release on solid 180g black gold. The A.R.L.T. EP represents a thoughtfully crafted selection of analog sounds, inspired by classic house music. Tommes, being a part of eastern Germany's underground scene since 20 years, demonstrates his unique style with four timeless tracks. His passion for dubby sounds and chords echoes through the whole EP - solid deepness incoming!
"McDrive" is a bass line driven tune, full of versatile, warm synthie-melodies and catchy percussions. Its length offers great mixing possibilites. Let's get smooth and dreamy on the - StendalSunsetBoulevard'. A beautiful piece for any occasion.
Side B features two more linear and straightforward tracks. "Deeples' hypnotic dub-groove creates a very profound depths. Club approved!
Cheerful house roller - Deemin Goes" glares with atmospheric pads and a punchy bassline - perfectly rounding off an honest Solo-EP. The EP is limited to 300 editions with a handcrafted cover artwork - 50 of them comes in a special black and white edition, 250 copies in decent black artwork."

Post Scriptum is the latest artist to join the Sonic Groove Records roster.
Previously releasing on Function's legendary Infrastructure imprint, Post Scriptum changes gears stylistically in a very big way with his latest release entitled Until You Drop. Leaving his previous looped based purist Techno behind, Post Scriptum takes his sound exploration into the much darker cavernous world of Industrial Techno.


Dark As You Like starts off this musical odyssey with a fierce mid tempo, broken beat groove. The rhythm emits the real feel sensation of live played drums with its hard smashing snares and deep booming bass kicks which surely will have you play the air drums! Layered on top of this beast of a rhythm track, Post Scriptum provides the perfect lyricism with a smooth spoken narrative. Very forward thinking sound design curves its way in and out of the dark negative space the rhythm and vocals provide. Without imitation or sounding even remotely retro this evokes the feel of early Nine Inch Nails and Ministry.


Drop Zone is a highly intense workout with it's pulsing staccato bassline and crackling filtered out lead line which builds into a growling beast of riff that will completely consume the listener. You Won't Find Me (Short Mix/Long Mix) takes things further into the post contemporary realm of present day Industrialized Techno with complex, bass heavy drum rhythms, slicing and dicing their way through a darkened acidic atmosphere of time, space and sound.


The joining of Post Scriptum and Sonic Groove Records is the perfect match with this beautifully crafted Techno-Industrial hybrid EP, a banger for the dance floor but also a delicious delicacy for your home turntable or music player.

For our fourth release, we're pleased to welcome The Showfa inside the Excursions kitchen, to cook us up something sizzling for your mind, body & soul. Wielding a nifty set of disco scissors, he's selected the finest of gospel cuts and brought them neatly to the boil, serving up three delectable dishes of hot spiritual gumbo. Soul food of the highest calibre.

Taking us to church straight off the bat, 'Thankful' builds and builds along an infectiously uplifting piano-heavy hook, an edit that bubbles away effortlessly akin to a Moodyman-esque disco groove, perfectly crafted for the dancefloor.

'He'll Answer' drops the tempo and tone to something slower & lower, lending its sound to that of the most proficient beat-masters, incorporating moody synths and haunting strings, in a true future gospel style and pattern.

The last serving on the plate is 'Jus' A Little Talk' - a cheeky flip of a classic that's destined to make the AOR diggers and connoisseurs salivate profusely. This retro yacht rock bumper closes out this joyously ethereal platter perfectly.

Already finding its way into the crates of selectors such as Gilles Peterson, Horse Meat Disco and Patrick Forge, it's also received love in Mixmag and across the airwaves, from NTS to Mi-Soul to Rinse FM.

Another essential Excursion on wax, and one that will never leave the box.

Dark Entires is honored to reissue the long out of print debut album Elevator to Eden by LIVES OF ANGELS. Lives of Angels was the brainchild of GERALD O'CONNELL from London, England. In 1974 he worked at CBS studios mastering recordings from tape to disc. By 1977 he joined his first band MYSTERY PLANE, led by school mate Mark Harvey and later joined by his soon-to-be wife Catherine. Gerald branched off in 1980 forming Lives of Angels as an outlet for his own compositions. He recorded, produced and played all of the instruments on Elevator to Eden' between 1981 and 1983, using a primitive set up of drum machines, one keyboard, guitar and a tape echo. Influenced by the Krautrock sounds of Neu! and Amon Duul II as well as US psychedelic rock, Lives of Angles crafted their own unique post-punk sound. Elevator to Eden was originally released in 1983 on cassette by Color Tape Records, the label started by Gary Ramon of Modern Art. Then in 1986 Fire Records remixed and re-released the album on vinyl but the band was not happy with the mixes. This reissue features the original 4-track cassette mixes of Elevator To Eden on vinyl for the first time ever. The LP includes 9 songs featured on the original Color Tapes release. All songs have been remastered for vinyl by GEORGE HORN at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley directly from the original master tapes. Each LP comes with unreleased photos, original artwork and a lyrics for all songs.

'Great Many Arrows' is the 6th studio album from Damien Dubrovnik, the Danish duo of Loke Rahbek and Christian Stadsgaard. It is also the 200th release on their Posh Isolation label, marking 8 years for both the label and project. The label's inception came with Damien Dubrovnik's debut album, and since then the two have been inseparable. Without Damien Dubrovnik there would most likely have been no Posh Isolation, and vice versa.

'Great Many Arrows' is undoubtedly a high point in the varied discographies of both Rahbek and Stadsgaard. It is the most realized Damien Dubrovnik recording to date, and a standout in Posh Isolation's troves.

As a record, 'Great Many Arrows' manages to translate the intensity of the duo's often unrestrained live shows in to carefully crafted studio productions. Unlike the pair's earlier and largely electronic recordings, the compositions on 'Great Many Arrows' set organs, cellos, violas, wind and other acoustic instruments against the backdrop of an electronic landscape.

The new toolset is as apparent on the surface as it is in the enclosed detail, taking the project further from its noise roots than it has ever been. This is not to say that Rahbek and Stadsgaard have traded ferocity for formal constraint. It is rather the opposite. While 'Great Many Arrows' is certainly the pair's most 'musical' work to date, its veneer of accessibility might also make it their most terrifying.

The strength of the recording lies here in the interaction between the melodic, acoustic instrumentation and the bulldozing electronics. Moments of beauty and light are transfigured into utter chaos and rage, the mesmerising change an expression of the equal and opposite form's natural sway as it beckons and slips between its own passing.

'Great Many Arrows' takes its name from a historic archery competition in Kyoto, Japan, in which archers would shoot as many arrows as possible for a 24 hour period. On April 26, 1686, Wasa Daihachiro from Kishu successfully shot 8,133 out of 13,053 arrows, averaging 544 arrows an hour, or 9 arrows a minute, becoming the record holder.

Celebrating the imprint's 10th anniversary, Mike Dehnert returns to his own Fachwerk label with a new full length LP available in 2x12" and digital, following a striking 12" on DJ Koze's Pampa Records at the end of 2016. Across 10 tracks, here Dehnert explores new territory with a restrained and subtle sound while retaining his commanding touch when it comes to creating deep club music. Intro sets the tone of the album, providing an profusion of tidal tones and textures that soak the listener in sound. Before long though, you're listening to the percussive stabs and pensive drums of Between No Words. Here we hear for the first time on the record the subtle but remarkable vocals of Albert Vogt, who returns throughout the LP. Listeners will also be reminded of Dehnert's skill for crafting complex and emotional music with very few elements, which becomes only more evident as this LP opens up. From here Dehnert traverses through dubbed out techno, deep house and downtempo, all with an experimental playfulness and a lightness of touch that only a producer with his talent and raw experience could pull off. The album peaks with the storming Providing Home 2. With swirling, unpredictable arpeggios, hard hitting drums and a sparingly used vocal hook, this is the track that'll ignite ecstasy across dancefloors for years to come. From here, Dehnert quickly cleanses the palette with the beatless Starground, a ringing and pulsing synth piece, pierced by all manner of klangs and bleeps. This perfectly sets up the album's final epic, Laxwax. Another one aimed squarely at the club, but this time it's for darker dancefloors. In stark contrast to its predecessors on the record, this track is insular, hypnotic and raw. Not content to end on such a note, Dehnert provides one last exertion. Outro is bombastic and pounding, with a rave inspired synth line and heavily swung percussion. Topped with cut up and percussive vocals, the track lives up to it's name summing up the LP and adding to it at the same time. This thoughtful record takes elements of modern pop music and extrapolates them with a patience rarely found within the genre itself. Backed by Dehnert's exceptional experience when it comes to producing club music, the result is an album that's simultaneously poppy and experimental, yet fundamentally rooted in techno. It's for that reason that this will surely be such a crossover hit; it has a palette that is broad yet refined, that will undoubtedly reach new ears while appeasing and surprising familiar ones.