quête:da

Das damals dritte Album der Punkrock- und Streetcore-Band aus dem Ruhrgebiet. Seit 2008 aktiv, hat sich das Quartett bis 2018 weiter nach vorne gearbeitet, sogar bis in die Charts, und ist kurz darauf erstmal für länger abgetaucht. Ihr "Pottcore" ist eine kompakte Mischung aus zielstrebigem Punkrock und Streetcore, wie man ihn von Acts wie TOXPACK lieben gelernt hat. Mit "Retro In Via" (von 2016) hat die sympathisch bodenständige Band zehn mitreißende, fetten Singalong-Hymnen für den gepflegten Straßenköter abgeliefert. Dabei ist die Bandbreite des Albums musikalisch wie lyrisch extrem weit gefächert: Vom schnellen Gassenhauer mit Gänsehaut-Refrain wie "Das Hat Mit Freiheit Nichts Zu Tun" über den Knaller "Punkrock Allianz" (mit Beteiligung von EMSCHERKURVE 77- und BRIGADE S-Musikern) bis hin zu nachdenklicheren Tönen über Liebe, Freiheit, Andersdenkende oder das Drama der aktuellen Flüchtlingspolitik (richtigerweise aus der Sicht der Opfer) haben HARTE WORTE einen wahren Quantensprung gemacht. Orangenes Vinyl, vollfarbig bedrucktes Insert, limitiert auf 500 Exemplare weltweit.

The buzz about the Crystal Teardrop that has been growing for the past two years looks set to reach fever pitch with the release of their debut album _IS FORMING. Featuring a dozen memorable compositions by the bands Alexandra Rose and Leon Jones, the album more than lives up to the promise of their 2024 single releases and their ecstatic live performances on stages across the UK and Europe. The band formed in Stoke-on-Trent in early 2023, "inspired," explains Alexandra Rose, "by a mutual passion for the sights, sounds and creative experimentation of the late 1960s." In addition to Alexandra on lead vocals on guitar, the band comprises Leon Jones (guitar, sitar), Stuart Gray (keyboards, Mellotron), Ed Quigley (bass, vocals), and Huw Woodward (drums, percussion). Intuitively blending elements of garage rock, folk-rock, power pop and psychedelia, the band have created an appealing concoction infused with their own perspectives and personalities. To best capture their sound, they recorded at an all-analogue facility, Tilehouse studio in North London, working closely with White Stripes producer Liam Watson of Toe Rag Studios fame.

The emblematic Chilean producer Camilo Gil tells a story of life through ink and sound. In its original version, the creativity between bass, MPC, garage influences, and Break Deep elements gives us a unique work.
In the alternate version, the legendary MARK AMBROSE takes us on a journey through space, with captivating voices, tones, and his signature sound.

On the B-side, the remix by Detroit legend GARI ROMALIS showcases the soulful, emotional side of the Motor City, featuring pianos and a hypnotic bassline that brings us closer to the 313. Closing the EP is the energetic deep jazzy minimal style of AUDIO WERNER, a track designed for the dancefloor, with a playful swing between vocals and bass, complemented by a hypnotic string that makes us want to dance at any moment.

Here’s another gem from the Made Up Records catalog, crafted by none other than Laserdance legend Michiel van der Kuy. Once again, Vintage Pleasure Boutique delivers a beautifully remastered original, breathing new life into this classic cut. But that’s not all. Thanks to the access to the original studio stems, the release also features four brand-new remixes. A.P. Mono, Electro Potato, Bellatrix, and Chris van Buren all stayed true to the essence of the original production, but each one gave “Let Me Free” a fresh twist – tweaking, polishing, and reimagining it to build a smooth bridge between the old school vibe and modern dancefloor energy, all while giving a respectful nod to today’s DJs.

Breakbeat Paradise Recordings is back with another funky edition of their Toxic Funk series – this time welcoming back a true Nu Funk legend Umbo who has cocked up 2 massive funky soul nuggets. Umbo has been around since the early Nu Funk days with releases on labels like Good Groove Records & Timewarp under his belt as well as featuring on the Christmas Bootleg Bells Vol. 4 right here on BBP. The grooves and breaks are center stage on both cuts of this Toxic Funk Vol. 18 - with No Sugar taking on a classic soul jam while the Saoco Root goes all in on jazz meets the funky drummer and catchy Beastie rhymes. The timeless sounds of both these funky bangers are sure fit in nicely in any funky DJ crate. BBP is on point once again delivering you the funky beats and breaks on the planet.

Danza Tribale opens a new chapter in 2025 with MAITAKE - ??, the debut EP from Italian sound explorer Lo.Sai. Rooted in sonic tactility and movement, the project draws from both ancestral rhythms and experimental structures to create something intimate, immersive, and future-facing.

Named after the "dancing mushroom" from Japanese folklore, MAITAKE is inspired by the interconnected growth of mycelial networks and the emotional ecology of shared experience. Developed in collaboration with choreographer Maria Combi, the EP is a meditation on collective motion - where dance, rhythm, and ritual coalesce.

Across five tracks, Lo.Sai weaves together broken percussion, deep bass, fieldrecordings, and global rhythmic language. Fragments of flamenco, muezzin prayer, and Central African everyday rhythms float through the record - artefacts gathered by the artist's close-knit creative circle in Lunigiana. What emerges is not just a club record, but a living, breathing sonic organism.

A l’occasion des 20 ans de cet album devenu culte, Record Makers réédite une version spéciale anniversaire limitée (vinyles transparents – 500 exemplaires) qui ravivera la flamme des fans de la première heure, des nouveaux fans et des collectionneurs. "Vive la Vie" est aujourd’hui un album référent pour les amateurs de rap, reconnu par ses pairs lyricistes, c’est un de ses albums qui marquent à jamais une époque, celle des années 2000 et de son rap aux rimes fines et puissantes.



Le 15 novembre 2004 sortait "Vive la Vie" le premier album du Klub des Loosers.



On ne présente plus le Klub des Loosers et son unique membre Fuzati. Pourquoi ? parce qu'on en a un peu honte quand même. Imaginez un jeune versaillais que tout prédestinait à devenir écrivain maudit ou chanteur d'un groupe de pop répétant dans le garage parental le dimanche de 16h à 20h. Le genre de type qui passait ses samedis après-midi à la bibliothèque municipale, ses samedi soir à boire de la bière dans les squats de jeunes où on recense une fille pour dix mecs et où la phrase qui revient le plus souvent est "qui roule un joint ?"

Imaginez maintenant que ce type ait une illumination, au milieu de ces jeunes que tout prédestine à la réussite (HEC, science-po) et qui lorsqu'ils se retrouvent ensemble ne savent pas faire autre chose que de se défoncer. "Nous sommes un klub de loosers".



Comme il n'aime pas trop les gens, Fuzati fondera un klub dont il sera le seul membre. Comme il n'a pas de guitare que le hip hop est son seul ami il se dit qu'il fera ça comme musique. Bah oui c'est sympa le hip hop. Comme on lui a dit qu'il n'avait pas une tête de rappeur et que les casquettes à l'envers lui vont mal il ne montrera jamais son visage et portera un chapeau. S'en suivra un parcours classique de MC underground qui rappe pour la rue (mais aussi les avenues) et représente ses refrés illégalement enfermés derrière les murs des prépas t'as vu. Mixtapes, nombreux freestyles dans l'émission Greckfrite diffusée sur la chaine internet Canalweb, concert à la MJC de Versailles mais aussi dans un entrepôt désinfecté à Dunkerque.



En 2003 Il signe sur le label parisien Record Makers parce qu'on lui a appris qu'il ne fallait pas trop se mélanger avec les gens d'autres milieux. Sortiront deux EP, "Baise les Gens" et "La Femme de Fer" qui sont déjà des classiques pour au moins 32 personnes. La même année sort également l'album de l'atelier "Buffet des Anciens Elèves" auquel il participe avec Tékilatex du groupe TTC, James Delleck, Cyanure et deux producteurs de talent, Tacteel (Lex Records) et ParaOne (Institubes). En juillet 2004 sort le maxi du Klub des Loosers où collaborent MF DOOM, légende hip hop, et Jean-Benoit Dunckel, moitié du groupe AIR.

Take It Easy! We need more taglines like these in such trying and self-recriminatory times, where the stresses of a part-imagined urgency prevent us from decompressing in the way our social lives really should allow for. But is dance music, whose traditional motto is to "jack", compatible with such a mantra? DJLMP shatters these apparent antinomies of relaxation and danceability with three new edited heaters here, designed for triumphant joie de vives of the kind that do not poke, prod or demand too much from us. A later Diana Ross sample is put on heavy opening rotation on 'Diana's Loop', while similarly echoic verboffs are exchanged on 'Spring Touch', where dub delays haze the mix into something a little more convulsive. Space for wonky downtime is reserved on the B's 'Reggatronic', in a rare case of hip, lo-fi breathing room reserved for a dance record.

The third installment of To Pikap's retrofuturistic series entitled ''Remember the future''. A compilation of various styles with heavy 90â??s influences. From the euphoric Rave tunes of Quazatron and Dj Tsoug to the dystopian Electro of BufoBufo and NOT_MDK and from DimDj's leftfield House to the quirkiest IDM of Damage Per Second. Limited pressing, including download code and sticker. No re-press!

OVERVIEW: DUB TREES is one of Youth’s most revered dub projects, it helped define the Liquid Sound Design sound that fans around the world hold dear. This project is the third in a triptych of albums Youth has made with a specific Celtic / Hindu fusion. Starting out with the classic Celtic Cross ‘Hicksville’ 20 years ago, featuring the mythical Simon Posford (Shpongle) through to ‘East of the River Ganges’ (ft Klaus Shultz / Tangerine Dream amongst many others) in 2004 followed by the last piece of this mystical puzzle ‘Celtic Vedic’ ,released on compact disc only in 2016 , which charts the journey of the Celt from Northern India to Snowdonia. The idea stems from Youth’s firm belief that there is a strong correlation between Celtic and Vedic cultures and their Northern Indian roots. Youth has assembled a host of collaborators to weave their labrynthine magic on ‘Celtic Vedic’: Jah Wobble (PiL) on bass, Matt Black/Coldcut (Ninja Tunes) on warped soundscaping duties, Galician Celtic pipe and flute player Daniel Romar, Bollywood contemporary Indian singer Shridevi Keshavan and Elfic Circle. It features many field recordings made by Youth on his various Indian odysseys and is all harnessed together with cutting-edge electronica that the Liquid Sound Design team pioneered 20 years ago. The team today are still pioneering new directions within ‘Downtempo Electronica Music’ and beats that create 3 dimensional landscapes for the helioscopic imagination to explore and psychoactive maps for the inner astronaut in all of us. ‘Celtic Vedic’ promises unchartered bass annihilation and heliotropic soundscapes, pounding basslines overlayed on 3D holographic beats and wrestles with serpentine melodies and psychedelic textures.

The House phenomenon of recent years captured in a very nice double vinyl package - Featuring some of the greatest artists of the genre: Kosheen, With U, David Guetta, Bob Sinclar, Themba, Pat Thomas, Ebo, Taylor Sasson, Armin Van Buuren

Cyphon is excited to announce the release of an amazing new EP from Domenic Cappello. Titled Galactic Praise, this four-track masterpiece pays homage to the rich heritage of Detroit Techno while seamlessly incorporating Cappello's innovative sound design, displaying his golden ear for what makes a discerning dance floor tick.

A key figure in the electronic music scene through his long-standing residency at Glasgow's legendary Sub Club, Domenic captivates audiences globally with his unique blend of tough, pulsating beats, heartfelt melodies, and deeply immersive soundscapes. His position as booker and resident (alongside Harri) at Sub Club has allowed him to hone his craft and connect with some of the finest talents in House and Techno, influencing his distinctive style. With Galactic Praise, he takes listeners on an exhilarating journey through the heart of techno, inspired by the pioneering music that emerged from the golden era of Motor City sounds.

Dat Thing sets the tone. A driving house track that encapsulates the raw energy and spirit of Detroit, featuring hypnotic synth lines and robust bassline that give a hint of melancholy whilst maintaining a stripped back groove for maximum club impact.

Niamh’s Song is a deeper exploration of melody and rhythm, showcasing Cappello's masterful ability to weave complex harmonies into an intoxicating, otherworldly groove.

Flip over for Galactic Praise, a tribute to the roots of Techno, this track combines classic 909 and 303 elements with ethereal pads creating a heavier, timeless sound that will resonate with both longtime fans of the genre and newcomers alike.

Closing out this special EP we have Neon Skyline, a pumping yet reflective piece that captures the essence of late-night drives through urban landscapes blending chiming arpeggios, a driving synth bassline and tough beats making for an immersive experience.

As Domenic puts it: 'This EP is a tribute to the roots of techno that have inspired me since my formative years. My experiences at the Sub Club have been crucial in shaping my sound and approach to my own productions, inspiring me to create something that captures the energy and emotion of that packed dance floor and incredible sound system. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!'

[e] A5 Emotional; Producer – EasyFX; Producer [Vocals Produced By] – Patrik Berger; Written-By – A. G. Cook, Charli XCX, Finn Keane (2), Fredrik Berger, Martin Stilling, Patrik Berger

b A2 Let's Try = Let's Try!; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo
[c] A3 お花畑にて = In The Flower Garden; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo

[e] A5 対クッパ戦 = Battling Bowser; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo

[g] A7 Super Pipe House = Super Mario House; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo








[p] B7 ごきげんスター = Irrepressible Star; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo









[z] C5 ねぇねぇジーノごっこしようよ = Play "Save The World" With Me!; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo



[xd] D1 土管からコンニチハ = Greetings From The Pipes; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo






[xk] E1 Long Long Ago… = Long, Long Ago...; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo
[xl] E2 ちょっとドキドキ = A Little Anxious; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo







[xt] F2 対 クリスタラー戦 = Battling Culex; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Nobuo Uematsu
[xu] F3 クリスタラー戦での勝利 = Victory Over Culex; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Nobuo Uematsu
[xv] F4 クリスタラーの会話 = Conversation With Culex; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Nobuo Uematsu





[yb] G5 オノレンジャー参上 = The Axem Rangers Bust In; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo
[yc] G6 クッパ城（其ノ弐） = Bowser's Keep (Second Visit); Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo





[yi] H5 お・し・ま・い・! = The End!; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo


[b] A2 Let's Try = Let's Try!; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo
[c] A3 お花畑にて = In The Flower Garden; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo

[e] A5 対クッパ戦 = Battling Bowser; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo

[g] A7 Super Pipe House = Super Mario House; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo








[p] B7 ごきげんスター = Irrepressible Star; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo









[z] C5 ねぇねぇジーノごっこしようよ = Play "Save The World" With Me!; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo



[xd] D1 土管からコンニチハ = Greetings From The Pipes; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo






[xk] E1 Long Long Ago… = Long, Long Ago...; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo
[xl] E2 ちょっとドキドキ = A Little Anxious; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo







[xt] F2 対 クリスタラー戦 = Battling Culex; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Nobuo Uematsu
[xu] F3 クリスタラー戦での勝利 = Victory Over Culex; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Nobuo Uematsu
[xv] F4 クリスタラーの会話 = Conversation With Culex; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Nobuo Uematsu





[yb] G5 オノレンジャー参上 = The Axem Rangers Bust In; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo
[yc] G6 クッパ城（其ノ弐） = Bowser's Keep (Second Visit); Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo





[yi] H5 お・し・ま・い・! = The End!; Written-By [Original Score Written By] – Koji Kondo

This is certainly both a mysterious one and an elusive one! Who were Grupo Natureza (Nature Group), and why is this release such a rarity? ‘Pode Acreditar’ was pressed on Som Livre Records in 1981 and it is believed very few copies were released into the commercial market. Those familiar with the productions of Lincoln Olivetti and Robson Jorge will no doubt recognise their hallmark sound here and that this single is ‘probably’ the work of the pair or one member at least. They were a regular in-house production team at Som Livre at the time, and there is a definite resemblance to Adriana’s song ‘Sei la Amor’ from 1978 which Lincoln Olivetti was involved in. Very little information is available about this release. A tantalising comment by Brazilian collector ‘bargainvinyl1’ on the original release’s Discogs page suggests ‘Pode Acreditar’ was a reaction to the Baby Consuelo and Pepeu Gomes pro-marijuana song ‘O Mal o Que Sai da Boca do Homem’, which caused controversy with Brazil’s governing military dictatorship at the time. Though condemning marijuana’s use, the word “baseado” (joint) is mentioned in the song, and this could be the reason behind the release being pulled by the heads of Som Livre and consequently it becoming one of the rarest releases on the label. Whilst its backstory is not crystal clear, it is an undeniable sun drenched, laidback boogie groove with AOR touches by the clandestine group. Pure 80s Riovibes, super-catchy and an earworm that sticks with you throughout the day.

- Next installment in BRAZIL45 Series.
- One of the rarest releases on the Som Livre label.
- Pure 80s laid back boogie grooves.

Big up to northern powerhouse Burnski for steering his Constant Sound label to the not-so-insignificant feat of release number 50. More importantly, the sounds remain as vital as ever and always evolve into subtle new sound worlds. The mantle for this one is taken by Locklead who brings some fine drum patterns to 'Backup' and pairs them with sliding hi-hats and bubbly synth motifs. It's garage-infused but utterly fresh. 'Wizzord' is a darker tech house with searching lead synths and plenty of pent-up energy, and 'Motherland' brings nice jazzy chord work and atmospheric samples. 'Pink Skies' is a bright closer with contrasting synths - some farting, some smooth - and more high-speed, catchy drums that span house and tech.

Pilot is one of the many labels in the orbit of the irrepressible James 'Burnski' Burnham. Its next outing is from M High who perfectly slots into the label's classy minimal and tech sound world. Things open up with 'Same Routine' which is a turbocharged sound with frazzled bass and thumping kicks. 'On My Own Supply' has a touch of the old school to it with the unbridled joy of the dancing piano chords and big, bulky beats. 'Same Routine' then gets a space-tech rework from Wodda and Hatori's live Bass remix brings some lush cosmic synth swirls and bumping drums.

The record is largely sung in Scots language, one of Scotland’s three official languages along with Gaelic and English. “Scots gives me a way of expressing myself which is connected directly with the landscapes I love. It brings the songs alive and it is a fascinating language. The name of the record is in Scots - Forefowk means the people who came before, or ancestors. When we say ‘mind me,’ we can mean a few things- remind, remember, watch over or care for me. The record explores how tradition needs to be constantly reconnected with, built upon, looked after, and shared.”
Quinie sings with a style inspired by Scottish Traveller singers. “I began singing unaccompanied Scots Song in 2015 after hearing Scots Traveller singer Sheila Stewart on the radio. Initially I felt like I shouldn't sing these songs because I'm not a Traveller, and I saw people around me doing that in a way that made me uncomfortable. But on the other hand this music made sense to me and I felt driven to learn. Over the years I have met Traveller friends who taught me that settled people sharing these songs could contribute to raising awareness. Scottish Travellers are marginalised and discriminated against in modern Scotland, despite being custodians of so many of our important traditions. So I started to perform them and tell this story. From there I built on my repertoire and started writing my own songs”.
To develop this record, Quinie travelled across Argyll with her horse. They went on a pilgrimage of sorts through the ancient landscapes of the West of Scotland to explore the interconnected relationships between people, ancestors, animals, and place. The album’s vinyl release is accompanied by a book and film, documenting this unusual research process.
Forefowk, Mind Me was recorded in August 2024 at The Big Shed in Highland Perthshire with support from Creative Scotland. Quinie is accompanied by an ensemble of musicians: Ailbhe Nic Oireachtaigh (viola), Oliver Pitt (duduk, bouzouki, percussion), Harry Górski-Brown (small pipes, violin), and Stevie Jones (double bass, recording, and mixing). Each of these artists brings their own distinctive voice, bridging contemporary experimental practice with worlds of traditional and early music.

On limited double vinyl (500 ) with a download -

With Limited Edition A4 Heavy-Weight Space Art print (First 100 Copies Online) Signed & Numbered By Jon Savage (CTRUE48) Original Cover Artwork By Matt Sewell.

Jon Savage's Space - An amazing musical voyage through the theme and idea of Space - music for Space - Space - Music - Through West-Coast US Rock , Techno, Post-Punk , Jazz, Ambient & Experimental sounds-this is a journey like no other .. From Sun Ra to Mr Fingers and way beyond.

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"We are taken to less familiar musical quadrants-fascinatedly & instructively so"

(Roy Wilkinson - MOJO Feb 2025)

Khadim is a stunning reconfiguration of the Ndagga Rhythm Force sound. The instrumentation is radically pared down. The guitar is gone; the concatenation of sabars; the drum-kit. Each of the four tracks hones in on just one or two drummers; otherwise the sole recorded element is the singing; everything else is programmed. Synths are dialogically locked into the drumming. Tellingly, Ernestus has reached for his beloved Prophet-5, a signature go-to since Basic Channel days, thirty years ago. Texturally, the sound is more dubwise; prickling with effects. There is a new spaciousness, announced at the start by the ambient sounds of Dakar street-life. At the microphone, Mbene Diatta Seck revels in this new openness: mbalax diva, she feelingly turns each of the four songs into a discrete dramatic episode, using different sets of rhetorical techniques. The music throughout is taut, grooving, complex, like before; but more volatile, intuitive and reaching, with turbulent emotional and spiritual expressivity.

Not that Khadim represents any kind of break. Its transformativeness is rooted in the hundreds upon hundreds of hours the Rhythm Force has played together. Nearly a decade has passed since Yermande, the unit's previous album. Every year throughout that period — barring lockdowns — the group has toured extensively, in Europe, the US, and Japan. With improvisation at the core of its music-making, each performance has been evolutionary, as it turns out heading towards Khadim. “I didn’t want to simply continue with the same formula," says Ernestus. “I preferred to wait for a new approach. Playing live so many times, I wanted to capture some of the energy and freedom of those performances.” Though several members of the touring ensemble sit out this recording — sabar drummers, kit-drummer, synth-player — their presence abides in the structure and swing of the music here.

Lamp Fall is a homage to Cheikh Ibra Fall, founder of the Baye Fall spiritual community. The mosque in the city of Touba is known as Lamp Fall, because the main tower resembles a lantern. Soy duggu Touba, moom guey séen / When you enter Touba, he is the one who greets you. After a swift, incantatory start Mbene sings with reflective seriousness. Her voice swirls with reverb, over a tight, funky, propulsive interplay between synth and drums, threaded with one-two jabs of bass. Cheikh Ibra Fall mi may way, mo diayndiou ré, la mu jëndé ko taalibe... Cheikh Ibra Fall amo morome, aboridial / Cheikh Ibra Fall shows the way forward, he gives us strength, he gathers his disciples... Overflowing with grace, Cheikh Ibra Fall has no equal.

Interwoven with Wolof proverbs, Dieuw Bakhul is a recriminatory song about treachery, lies, and back-biting. Over moody, roiling synths and ominous, lean bass, Mbene throws out fluttering scraps of vocal, as if re-running old conversations in her head. The music shadows her despair to the verge of breakdown, at one moment seemingly so lost in thought and memories, that it threatens to disintegrate. Bayilene di wor seen xarit ak seen an da ndo... Dieuw bakhul, dieuw ñaw na / Stop judging your friends and companions... A lie is no good, a lie is ugly.

Khadim is a show-stopper; currently the centrepiece of Ndagga Rhythm Force live performances. The song is dedicated to Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, aka Khadim, founder of the Mouride Sufi order. Serigne Bamba mi may wayeu / Serigne Bamba is the one who makes me sing. The verses name-check revered members of his family and brotherhood, like Sokhna Diarra, Mame Thierno, and Serigne Bara. Though Islam has been practised in Senegal for a millennium, it wasn’t until the start of the twentieth century that it began to thoroughly permeate ordinary Senegalese society, hand-in-hand with anti-colonialism. The verses here recall Bamba’s banishment by the French to Gabon, and later to Mauritania, in those foundational times. During exile, his captors once introduced a lion to his cell: gaïnde gua waf, dieba lu ci Cheikhoul Khadim / the lion doesn’t budge, it gives itself over to Cheikh Khadim. Deep, surging bass, steady kick-drum, and simple, reverbed chords on the off-beat lend the feel and impetus of steppers reggae. A reed plays snatches of a traditional Baye Fall melody; the dazzling polyrhythmic drumming is by Serigne Mamoune Seck. Mbene compellingly blends percussive vocalese, narrative suspense, exultant praise, introspection, and grievance.

Nimzat is a devotional tribute to Cheikh Sadbou, a contemporary of Bamba, buried in a mausoleum in Nizmat, in southern Mauritania. Way nala, kagne nala... souma danana fata dale / I call upon you and wonder about you... If I am overwhelmed, come to my aid. The town holds special significance for Khadr Sufism. An annual pilgrimage there is conducted to this day. The rhythm is buoyantly funky; the mood is sombre, reined-in, foreboding. Punctuated by peals of thunder, Mbene sings with restrained, intense reverence; huskily confidential, steadfast. Nanu dem ba Nimzat, dé ba sali khina / Let us go to Nimzat, to seal our devotion.

Mbene Diatta Seck: vocals.
Bada Seck: bougarabou, thiol, mbeung mbeung bal, tungune.
Serigne Mamoune Seck: bougarabou, khine, mbeung mbeung, tungune.
Text by Mark Ainley (Honest Jons).
Mastered by Rashad Becker.
Everything else by Mark Ernestus.

Having James Shinra back on AF is always a cause for celebration, and doubly so this time because we present 'Meteorites', his second album following the highly acclaimed Vital Heat (2018). During 2023-24, James uploaded a series of digital releases called 'Meteorites', a set of dreamy and introspective tracks where the artist showed his evolution and maturity, refining the emotive sound that's his trademark and has garnered so much praise in recent years. We should do justice to that material, giving it a worthy treatment/format, so we decided to release all together. James has revisited and reworked many of the tracks for the occasion, polishing, adding, removing... and the result is 'Meteorites', the album. A MUST for all braindance sensibilities and nonconformist electronic heads. We're sure it will remind you exactly why you loved this talented guy for so long and why he's one of the most uncompromising artists working in electronic music these days.

"6-track house finesse from Amsterdam mainstay Beraber, topped off with a killer remix by Brazilian artist Zopelar. Expect six melodic tracks for the body & mind. Beraber returns to United Identities with Gentle Actions, setting the tone for long summer evenings and sun-soaked days. The Amsterdam based producer and DJ organically blends Chicago's classically-schooled keys and machine backdrops with subtle, atmospheric textures. This long-awaited record by Beraber (Baris Akardere) is a deeply personal collection of music, encapsulating a period of creative and personal growth. Rather than a concept record, it serves as a document of the past years, bundling some of most cherished productions into a cohesive and heartfelt gift to the audience. This EP marks the first time the producer has used his own vocals in his productions, next to vocal contributions from Barcelona-based artist Ivy Barkakati, whose lyrics perfectly resonate with the journey of the EP. Gentle Actions opens with Between Us, a calm builder, gracefully layered with meandering pads. Distant Language picks us up with its dubbed-out groove, guiding our feet on a journey through melodic landscapes. It flows into Responsibility, an introspective track with a powerful message about turning dreams into reality, before continuing with Lost in Loops, a loose and soulful house cut featuring his own vocals. The journey ends with the more upbeat, instrumental Good Company, topped off with a deep, nocturnal remix by Zopelar. Written and produced entirely in his Amsterdam studio -- housed in the same building that once held De School -- Beraber continues to rely on a deeply analog and outboard gear-heavy approach. The result is a record that stays true to his soulful and introspective signature, mirroring the sonic identity of his acclaimed radio show, Gentle Actions on Amsterdam's online radio station RRFM."

7 track album featuring Indie Dance, Electronica, Funky Grooves and Hard House fused songs. Showcasing a new range of vocal agility and aura not yet displayed from the artist known as Seven Davis Jr. (Sev). A darker much more aggressive and concentrated soundscape than previous adventures. Inspired by an unexpectedly bad year the artist experienced following the successful release of his previous album, "Stranger Than Fiction”.

Erik Rico returns to Cosmocities with The Rare Groove Project, a limited-edition EP featuring funk-heavy, soulful covers of groove gems from Matt Soulie’s vinyl vault, alongside standout remixes from Gerd, DJ Nature, and Aroop Roy.

The EP opens with a brassy, high-energy take on P.J. City’s Straight Forward, followed by Gerd’s Chicago house-inspired remix and a funkier alternate version full of disco-era charm. Rico then revamps Franklyn’s Future Love into an electrified P-funk boogie blast, while NYC’s DJ Nature turns out a synth-laced, bass-driven after-hours groove.

Rico also reworks Star Lighters’ Disco Funk into a high-impact, slap-bass purple tinged stomper, with UK house and jazz funk expert Aroop Roy rounding things out with a dancefloor house flavoured summer anthem.

Limited pressing—act fast.