quête:esp

For the first release out on Entered Records it's EYA boss and London tastemaker, Jos, stepping up with four cuts of moody spirited machine sounds.

Entered, a label set up with the intention to create connection between the U.K, European and Naarm (Melbourne) scenes through music offerings. First up, the EP is full of spiraling emotive melodies and throbbing bass. This includes the introspective title track ‘Absence Of Thought’ with a refreshingly modern breakbeat rethink from Naarm based artist Dashiell alongside it.

Moving onto the B side you have rumbling 909 toms with dramatic swells of synth tension. Coiled energy in the restless amorphous zone, combining progressive elements of techno, electro, acid and everything in between. The EP closes fusing sci-fi melancholic synths, forward moving beats and a bass-line designed to ignite the dancefloor.

Heads-down, locked in music full of precision and class. A perfect alignment of analog sounds channelled from two sides of the globe. Out in July on Entered Records.

The roots of Leo Anibaldi's sound. “Pro Pop” (2023) is his first instrumental hip hop album, or an incredible mix of different musical genres, always among his favorite listens, as well as a constant source of inspiration during his 'early life' as an electronic producer. The 'second' starts now. Over the months of the pandemic, the historic Italian artist has literally centrifuged blues, funk, jazz, r 'n' b and, of course, hip hop sounds within eleven brand new songs. The idea behind the project entrusted to Neo Life Records is simple: create music that can be enjoyed by everyone and listened to in company in all circumstances. A choice that also coincides with an 'old school' recording technique with old 60s microphones and tape recorders in order to obtain an apparently 'dated' sound with a melancholy background. “Pro Pop” thus embodies a different style than the noisy glories of a rave past, revealing his desire to get back into the game once more and, above all, to continue experimenting. After branding the history of made in Italy techno, experimenting with acid, breakbeat and house sounds, here is a more intimate Leo Anibaldi and, as always, against the tide.

After the successful 7-inch release of Agip, Roman producer and composer Azzurro 80 is back on Four Flies with another triple-single that continues his love affair with dreamy synth-pop and Italian Eighties culture and society.

"Notte Inchiesta", on side A, could be the title music to an imaginary '80s investigative/true-crime program broadcast on late-night television. Clearly reminiscent in mood and texture of the soundtracks of late-70s/early-80s Italian detective-action films, it brings back the jazz-funk, post-prog and fusion overtones that characterized the music of those films. In short: a contemporary-retro sound nestled somewhere between Goblin's funk-oriented recordings, Azymuth's "Jazz Carnival", and electronic disco with a sprinkle of new wave.

Side B opens with "Equilibrio", which could serve as additional, more dynamic music for the same TV program mentioned above. The style is once againelectronic jazz-funk, but here we have abreak built upon a trail of notes chasing each other.

In contrast, "Sambuca", the single's closer, is deliberately nostalgic and melancholy. Perfectly suitable for visual narratives of an Italy that no longer exists, it sounds like one of those great Italian soundtrack themes that are able to convey tension and calm at the same time. The track is titled after the anise-flavoured liqueur that Italians often drink after their espresso, because "making references in my music to things that are part of our national popular culture is really important to me", as the artist has explained.

No doubt, Komakino´s „Outface“ has co-written the history of rave, trance and techno in the early 90s. Originally released in 1993 and produced by Detleff Hastik and Ralph Fritsch this tune was played by any DJ at any festival like Mayday, Love Parade and Tribal Gathering big time.


After 30 years it´s for sure time for a re-release and this package comes along with the remastered original G60-Mix plus next versions by the "creme de la creme" of techno universe, saying Egbert (Cocoon), Petar Dundov (Music Man) and Robert Babicz (Systematic Recordings). Enter the time machine and enjoy the good old days and futuristic sounds at the same time.

Frankfurt's celebrated producer, Philip Lauer returns to Especial, this time teaming up with Berlin based vocalist Dena for a special collaboration, covering Julie Stapleton's soulful House classic with a modern interpretation across a number of versions (vinyl and digital).

After the success of the Hotel Lauer EP on Especial way back in 2016, Lauer has continued his ascendency with albums for Permanent Vacation and Running Back, as well as releasing a string of sure-fire, dancefloor friendly EPs for the likes of Cin Cin, Futureboogie and Skatebard's Digitalo Enterprises.

Born and raised in Bulgaria, before making the move the music mecca of Berlin, Denitza Todorova has a carved a path with her electronic, dance pop stylings across releases for the likes of K7 and Kitsune Music. First appearing on Make It Stay from Lauer's last album, it jumped out as the perfect partnership to bring the raw, soulful and uplifting sounds of the cult V4 Visions label up to date. Founded by Alex Palmer, the label was part of the UK's early 90s club sound, releasing street soul, deep house and more, in Where's Your Love Gone, Palmer and 18-year-old writer/vocalist Julie Stapleton hit on the perfect marriage of Lovers Rock and Street Soul yearning with the haunting sounds of US House. Presented as a new take on the classic, but with utmost respect, the EP starts with the Club Mix, a Larry Heard bassline joins a marimba melody, lifting Dena's vocals of youth's lost love and pain. This is followed by the Demo Mix, a warm, beautiful string laden original take that Lauer and the label felt had to be included.

DJ Slyngshot is welcomed to provide a deep, tech remix. A name to watch via his releases on his YAPPIN label and recent EP for Workshop, his remix is an analogue twist of hypnotic, raw dub techno percussion and counter breaks builds as string and piano join. The EP ends in the Synthapella, as bongos, cowbell and whistle are added to create a drifting Balearic version for late summer nights and dawn that highlight Dena's vocals in a 'sunrise' light.

Paul Hammock es el artista por todos conocido como Cignol, sin lugar a dudas uno de los genuinos revolucionarios dentro del sonido electro de la última década y media. Sus trabajos llevan surcando nuestros Technics desde 2008 a través de los sellos de vanguardia electrónica del nuevo milenio.

En su decimocuarta referencia en vinilo, el sello Valenciano HC Records, tras una imparable y ecléctica línea editorial, publica el nuevo trabajo del genio de Dublín titulado Binary Choices. Un maxi en el que nos domina un profundo sentimiento de melancolía cósmica a través de cuatro cortes que nos sumergen en una odisea espacial.

Adentrarse en cada corte del vinilo es como viajar hasta diferentes cuerpos celestes y dejarse sorprender por su atmósfera ensoñadora, y es que solo es necesario que transcurran 58 segundos de Binary Choices, primer corte de la cara A, para sentirnos arropados por un sentimiento de suma nostalgia, alegría y futurismo. Una inteligente combinación de pads, sintes y brillantes percusiones que nos adentran en un astro inexplorado repleto de extrañas vegetaciones, increíbles seres multicolores y horizontes infinitos que activan nuestra sinestesia.

Un emocionante, decidido y contundente ritmo 4x4 a baja velocidad nos traspasa el alma al surcar la superficie de Broken Circle. Un recuerdo olvidado en forma de aterciopelado sonido se crea frente a nuestros ojos en la consecución del compendio de melodías intimistas que componen sus 4:14 minutos, en los que encuentra sosiego nuestra mente y bálsamo nuestro alma.

La cara B del vinilo regresa al cristalino, eléctrico y veloz ritmo roto con Momentum Gateway, track en el que sus dominantes y ácidas cadenas de bajos se enrollan y juegan en sincronía perfecta con sus diferentes capas de teclados y su vibrante e iridiscente pad.

En el último planeta al que nos transporta Cignol, suena en cada uno de sus parajes Validity Movement, track con el que nos dejamos guiar por su grueso y áspero bajo principal, que contrasta con los delicados sintes y atmósferas que lo rodean. Una experiencia sónica tan delicada, íntima y eficiente que podría servir tanto como banda sonora en la creación de un nuevo universo como en la contemplación de su ocaso final.

Finalmente, por un lado, el trabajo de master del lanzamiento ha sido llevado a cabo por Steve Voidloss en Black Monolith Studios en Londres y, por otro, Dani Requeni completa esta obra con la dirección del arte gráfico de la misma.

Dancing as an act of rebellion is the first Abraxas LP in collaboration with the Valencian label Soil Records. A compilation of the first project recordings released between 2020 and 2021 plus some new tracks and, in addition to this, a second vinyl by other darkwave electronic artists remixing the first one: Geistform, We Are Not Brothers, Ober Dada, Melting Dogmas, SMforma, HBK1, José Rodríguez, SOJ and PanDemian.

Abraxas is a halfway project between dark dance electronic music, philosophical reflection, socio-political activism and musical entrepreneurship. Its main goal is to shake bodies and minds by spreading messages of individual and social self-criticism from the point of view of duality, extremes and contradiction, inherent to the human being and capitalist society.

KINGUNDERGROUND TO RELEASE A SET OF 45s, FROM
CAVENDISH MUSIC CATALOGUE. PAYING HOMAGE TO
LIBRARY MUSIC, FURTHERING ITS EXPOSURE TO A NEW
GENERATION OF LISTENERS.

Library Music experienced its heyday in the 60s and 70s, as
thousands of instrumental tracks were produced by musicians and
composers for the purpose of placements in radio, television, and
film.

The second record in the Cavendish Music series is classified as
‘Frantic’ and features 2 compositions by Sam Fonteyn. Frantic
energy is no doubt present in the horns and percussion on the A
side of the 45 “One Way Trip (Warm)” but the high energy gives off a
dancehall vibe, leaving you in a sweat as if you were in the club.
Fonteyn was a key contributor to the Boosey & Hawkes Music
Library. His output held a strong presence amongst other
composers, there’s an “it” factor or a swagger to his productions.
The compositions are timeless and feel hip in any era, especially on
“One Way Trip (Cool)”. Which is appropriately titled because it
doesn’t get much cooler than the feel on this track!

In all there will be 8 individual 45s, licensed from Cavendish Music
Library & released by KingUnderground. Including compositions by
Tony Kinsey, John Scott, Sam Fonteyn, Ray Davies, and more.

An aura of mystery is hidden on this magnificent album released on EMI Nigeria in 1974 and today a collector’s cult object was the only one named Moonrakers Band.

Steve Black tells: “We were the original members of The Moonrakers and were based in Zaria, then in 1972 we left band management and started The Elcados. The original management of The Moonrakers sold the name to his elder brother who had a club in Kano and they brought Prince Bola Agbana to get other musicians to continue The Moonrakers while we moved in as The Elcados.”

Moonrakers Band and Elcados were the two bands that inflamed northern Nigeria in the early 70s with a more rocking and virtuoso sound, and especially with tons of rare grooves, then everything else around it.

Coming to the album content tracks like Wait For Me, Cut Your Coat According To You Size, Yara Manyan Gobe, but also Enia Sa Pele and Move on, will make floating camels appear on the dancefloor, or in your house.

Robert Babicz started his musical career under the Rob Acid moniker in 1992 and this triple 12“ vinyl pack is a compilation of 12 of his most essential tracks of all times. In this bundle you can find the iconic club tracks like „Homeless Part 1“ and „Android“, rare material like „Herz aus Gold“ Rob released on Force Inc. and his melodic acid UK chart hit „Happy answer“. But also Rob´s collaboration with Marc Romboy „Wall of sound“ and of course the deep, dark and pumping Detroit techno influenced „Acid Warrior“.

This vinyl package was drafted in collaboration between Rob, Marc Romboy and their Marotopia community who were responsible for the tracklisting and name of this release.

Leaving established paths to explore mysterious spaces below the surface.

Connecting with the elements to escape the hypnosis.
Drifting on a psychedelic trip to wake up the warrior.

• Gil Scott-Heron’s “Pieces Of A Man” is one of the most important albums in the history of black American music. Although it didn’t set the charts alight, it stands as a masterpiece alongside contemporary works such as Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, Curtis Mayfield’s debut LP, Funkadelic's “Maggot Brain” and Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft”. All were brilliant in their way, but lyrically Scott-Heron was on a different level from almost every other writer.

• It was a landmark album with its bold, poetic lyrical content allied to progressive and melodic music, and it saw producer Bob Thiele help Gil and his musical partner Brian Jackson paint the picture they needed to get their message across. Thiele put Gil and Brian together with Ron Carter, Hubert Laws and Bernard Purdie, giving them the musical heft they wanted.

• For many years the focus was on ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’, which was included in the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2014, but this focus sometimes overshadowed the heights which Gil reached throughout the album. Today ‘Home Is Where The Hatred Is’ and ‘Lady Day And John Coltrane’ are also considered standards, whilst the album’s title track is a prescient and heart-breaking warning about the way in which big business dehumanises its workers.

• The album reached its landmark 50th year in 2021 and we decided that we would create this special edition to celebrate its incredible sound. The original master tape was taken to Frank Merritt at The Carvery in London, who cut it as a double disc 2 x 45 RPM record, in an all-analogue chain. The original record - especially side two - was long, and serving it up this way allowed the music a greater level of fidelity.

• The release is packaged in the original album’s gatefold sleeve.

Home is a powerful concept with an abstract definition. This solo album takes those subjective ideas and unifies them under one roof. Evolving from Jerve’s #dailypiano posts in 2019, ‘The Soundtrack of My Home’ relays thoughts and improvisations that trace his journey from childhood home to adult and now, father. Nurturing a mood or feeling, each song begets a sonorous story of someone close to him, expressed through the language of piano playing.

Jerve makes use of his hands as a human step sequencer, often programming two or more motifs of varying lengths in a polymetric fashion. These melodic patterns and arpeggios evolve at varying rates but grow around clear progressions with standard 8-bar forms.

The first track - ‘Kjetil’ enters with an earnest, gentle and endearing character - like a young river near its source. As with such a river, it will grow to varied sizes throughout the album but must begin as a humble expression from the source. The following titles sketch his interpretations of the people that have made up his home.

There is a theme across the album that unites the songs, so much so that differentiating tracks can at times be difficult. Though, Jerve punctuates this overarching mood with a few distinct structures, as found in tracks ‘Karoline’ (wife), ‘Espen’ (brother) and ‘Sven’ (father). ‘Turid’ (daughter) and ‘Jon Eirik’ (brother) seem less directive and welcome more intrigue, reminiscent of a curious child wandering through the dappled light of a forest.

‘Iben’ (daughter) and ‘Eivor’ (daughter) have a hypnotic, three-pointed melodic structure that leaves the listener suspended; transfixed - while ‘Sussi’ (cat) carries unique momentum and suitably feline autonomy. ‘Mette’ (mother) has a mood of ascending, like that of a child's upward gaze at their maternal carer. Utterly nuanced in structure, Jerve leaves ample space for subjective interpretation and allows the listener to weave their own life into the tones.

As expected from the founder of Dugnad rec - this album signifies a deeply personal sentiment. Sometimes we are forced to confront the music and other times, we are left to wonder. Here, we find a balance and unity that allows little thoughts and worries to drift away, bringing us warmly to rest in the present. The LP edition's bonus track features producer/performer extraordinaire Stian Balducci, drawing a line to the next chapter of piano-based music from Dugnad rec: TOKYO TAPES: PIANO RECYCLE.

This boxset features remastered versions of all of Sade’s studio albums to date, on pure 180 gram black vinyl the first complete collection of their studio work up to the present day All six of the band’s acclaimed albums Diamond Life 1984 Promise 1985 Stronger Than Pride 1988 Love Deluxe 1992 Lovers Rock 2000 and Solder Of Love 2010 are packaged into the beautifully finished, white case bound box Revisiting the audio, the band worked from high resolution digital transfers of the stereo master mixes, from the original studio recordings, remastered at half speed at Abbey Road Studios The elaborate, half speed mastering process has produced exceptionally clean and detailed audio whilst remaining faithful to the band’s intended sound No additional digital limiting was used in the mastering process, so the six albums benefit from the advantage of extra clarity and pure fidelity, preserving the dynamic range of the original mixes for the very first time The six album sleeves have been meticulously reproduced in exact detail with authentic paper and printing methods, perfectly replicated for the first time since their original release.


Over an exceptional career spanning more than three decades, Sade’s six albums have amassed over 60 million worldwide sales and have been certified platinum 24 times over Producing singles such as ‘Your Love Is King’, ‘Smooth Operator’ and ‘By Your Side’, Sade have gone on to achieve Number 1 albums across the world, collected several Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, and a BRIT Award along the way, quietly taking their "place in the pantheon of cultural influence” New York Times, October 2017. Their most recent studio album, Soldier Of Love, charted at number one in 15 countries, including the US, upon release in 2010.

Mint Condition - A record label focused on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics, overlooked gems and never heard before material, mined from the last 30+ years of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. From Chicago, Detroit and New York to London and beyond. Mint Condition have got their digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been in your wants list for years.

Dig in...

East Midlands house legend, Charles Webster, relocated to San Francisco in 1992, setting up Spirit Studios in the heart of the city and a highly productive period ensued. The 'White Powder' EP released in 1995, under Charles' Presence moniker is widely regarded as a classic of its genre, up there with any of its contemporaries on Prescription or Murk. All 4 tracks are flawless and groundbreaking in their ability to to draw together elements of soulful deep house, tribal percussion and the deep melodic tech-house sounds emerging from Europe and America's midwest into a unique whole.

EP opener 'Heart' features the haunting vocals of Sarah Jay, the track builds delicately, adding dark bass, before soaring strings lead into a melodic breakdown. $10's deftly programmed drums really deliver the funk, the deep melodic synth and pad progressions are mesmerising, whilst an unforgettable bass-line underpins the journey. Over on the flip 'Giving Love' intro's with gorgeous pad before shuffling percussion and an uplifting piano turn this track into a joyous ride. Lastly 'Powder Chords' sets the controls for heart of the dance floor, heavy kicks launch a much more techno influenced affair, it's dark and brooding but no less effective in its atmosphere and execution.

'White Powder' is all killer, no filler, a highly sought after slab of wax that has achieved cult status amongst the most discerning DJs, record collectors and music heads alike. Legitimately re-released with the full involvement of Charles Webster, lovingly remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original sources especially for Mint Condition. 100% legit, licensed and released. Dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your favourite reissue label - Mint Condition!

Mint Condition - A record label focused on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics, overlooked gems and never heard before material, mined from the last 30+ years of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. From Chicago, Detroit and New York to London, Nottingham and beyond. Mint Condition have got their digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been in your
wants list for years. Dig in....

Back in 1997, UK house legend Charles Webster, this time under his DJ Profile alias, unleashed these killer tracks. Originally released on the sorely missed London nightclub The End's label, this fine 12" set a benchmark for what would become a very exciting time for the UK's underground scene, both tracks are widely considered to be up there with Charles' most sought after work.

A-side 'Prove It' kicks off with swinging drums that deliver the funk, percussive elements rattle & shake and the low slung bass line keeps the track firmly on the dancefloor. The soothing chords, acid overtones and the evocative vocal hook are mesmerising and soulful.
Over on the flip, 'Realization' is a bumping analogue monster. The kicks are solid, the snares swing and an infectious rolling bass line carries the track throughout. Darker acidic touches sit alongside delicate synth riffs and emotive chords that lift, drift and lose you in a world of wonderfully woozy deep house sonics.

Never has the late night dance floor sounded so good, and this slab of wax is a must have that typifies a halcyon period in underground house history. The tracks themselves have remained exciting and relevant, achieving cult status amongst the most discerning DJs, record collectors and music heads alike. Legitimately re-released with the full involvement of Charles Webster, lovingly remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original sources especially for Mint Condition. 100% legit, licensed and released. Dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your favourite reissue label - Mint Condition!

Among those who have written the history of the Italian House is certainly Carlo Troja, aka Don Carlos. In 1991 Irma Records released her first single Alone which immediately became a cult record for DJs across the Channel and especially American DJs. Its particular soft and ambient sounds defined a genre that was then called Paradise House.

And it is precisely from this genre and from this Dj that Irma Records began the celebrations of its thirtieth anniversary a few years ago by
proposing a selection of its catalog chosen by Don Carlos, trying to dig among some of the pearls of the genre but above all among some
songs that featured in his evenings but were less popular at the time of their release.

This compilation had a great response and it was decided to make a volume 2, always selected by Don Carlos. Also this compilation, like the first one, consists of two compact discs and a vinyl version this time with a selection of only 8 of the 20 tracks contained in the CD and Digital version.

All the tracks on the double vinyl have been re-edited by Don Carlos for the occasion. The double cd is in a limited numbered edition.
Among the artists and producers included are: Don Carlos, Lust Unlimited, Subsonic Posse, T.M.V. (Marco Trani, Moz-Art and Maurizio
Verbeni), The Sweatbox Orchestra, Aritmya, Deep Aural Penetration, Be Noir, Love Nation, More Heavy Soul, Outdance, F.I.T.Z. and many
others

Three years after he released the incredible New Experience EP (picking up plaudits from Bill Brewster, Tim Sweeney, Laurent Garnier, Horse Meat Disco, Leo Mas & 6Music’s Tom Ravenscroft, among many more), Tokyo’s Kota Motomura returns to Hobbes Music for his debut LP, Pay It Forward. This is the first vinyl release on Hobbes Music since the much-loved ‘Aranath’ EP by Leonidas & Hobbes last Spring. While the label maintains the level of quality control for which it has become recognised, the artist continues to subvert electronic and dance music norms in his iconoclastic way on this extraordinary record.

He’s a mysterious character with an ear for idiosyncratic music that runs the gamut from ambient, exotica and jazz to disco, house and techno via post punk, new wave and funk. It’s highly original and all adds up to a confection perhaps best described as ‘Balearic’.

Album opener Paradise is a certified jazz-funk JAM. Destined for dance floors worldwide, this one’s been dropping well with DJs, Motomura demonstrating his piano chops alongside Mutsumi Takeuchi’s sax. Tropical pushes the boat in a more rhythmic direction, some pretty wild drum programming laced with more sounds of the, um, tropics, before mad vocal yelps suggest something yet more tribal. To Be Free initially resembles early 90s progressive house (pulsing bassline, synth-driven melodies), before the arrival of some new wave guitar licks a la classic Talking Heads/David Byrne and ooh ooh vocal chants take it to another dimension altogether.

B-side opener Emotion features Takeuchi again (on flute this time) and more vocal chants before things take a dramatic turn, threatening to open up into a full fanfare before calming and then bursting into wild life again with the exhortation that “C’mon, everybody dancing!” Rhythm flirts with an energy and pace more akin to a techno record: drums, drums, more drums plus a fair few yelps and chants - the kind of DJ tool that will send a simmering dance floor wild in the right hands. Flower closes things in a more melancholy style, familiar to fans of ‘Aboy’ from the New Experience EP, with plaintive acoustic guitar (performed by Akichi), birdsong and big piano chords.

Support from Bill Brewster, Leo Mas, Al Kent, Red Rack’em, Nick The Record, Phil Mison, Phat Phil Cooper, KZA, Sean Johnston (ALFOS), S/A/M, Dribbler, Joe Muggs, Monolith Cocktail and more…

‘Gonna review in MÜ mag... very fine stuff!’ JOE MUGGS
‘Will be reviewed on the blog’ MONOLITH COCKTAIL 
BILL BREWSTER played Flower on the DJ History podcast #641 (25.3.22)
'I really like this album, Flower and Paradise are my favourite' LEO MAS
‘I like Paradise’ AL KENT
‘Woo this is tasty. DEFO playing on my next radio show. The label’s A&R is defo getting better and better. HM has been putting out some dope stuff and this one seems really good quality’ RED RACK’EM
‘Paradise and Flower sounding good’ NICK THE RECORD
‘Tunes sound great!’ PHIL MISON
‘Going to include Paradise and Flower on my Sunday Ibiza global radio show PHAT PHIL COOPER (Nu Northern Soul)
‘Very nice album with influences from many different genres. I especially like To Be Free with nice synths and guitar cutting, and Flower, which is a chill vibe’ KZA (Mule Musiq, Endless Flight)　
'100% correct about the ALFOS potential of To Be Free!' SEAN JOHNSTON (A Love From Outer Space)
'Stunning, will fit perfectly with the vibe of my radio show’ S/A/M (Music For Dreams, DK; Playa Del Sol, Ibiza)
'Stellar work, i'll make a bet that Flowers is a Balaeric classic this summer' DRIBBLER (Breakfast Club, Ibiza)
‘It's cool in a nice smelling psycho sense, it was a very DEEP sound that I couldn't produce. Congrats!’ ALTZ (Altzmusica)
‘Paradise is my jam, it's deep, sunny and never boring. I'm interested to see how this will work on the dance floor. Overall a great album with solid composition and impressive use of live instruments!’ SOBRIETY (fka Chloé Juliette)
'Very tidy selection' ASTROJAZZ (Kelburn Garden Party, Wee Dub, Samedia Shebeen, Disco Makossa)
‘This is a lovely release. Follows on from New Experience in the best way possible. It's got lots of vibes going on but holds together as a cohesive piece of work. Love it’ JAMIE THOMSON (La Cheetah, Glasgow)
‘To Be Free is a track i could imagine Andy Weatherall playing in one of his sets at A Love From Outer Space’ KIRSTIE PATON aka She-Bang Rave Unit (Threads Radio, Radio Magnetic)

We’re excited to announce our first vinyl release on STAR BLAZER by the talented mexican producer Cupido.

Vinyl only - Limited copies - No repress

For its 10th album, Blundetto drops his first soundtrack on LP, an ode to road trips and 70’s scores. VTC is a Canal + mini series and features Golshifteh Farahani as Nora, the main character. This soundtrack is the most « urban » and « electronic » work from Blundetto to date. 33 mins of funk grooves, hypnotic atmospheres and psychedelic landscapes. This is the first release of Blundetto’s new label: Les Rythmes Ruban

Los ingenieros oníricos se sirven de los artefactos para poder manipular su conciencia y diseñar mundos oníricos por los que viajar. De origen incierto, los artefactos se encuentran dispersos entre planos y han intentado ser rediseñados en nuestro mundo mediante el uso de frecuencias, convirtiéndose en elementos de estudio plenamente funcionales para el ingeniero onírico del plano físico. La correcta correlación de uso entre artefactos permite al onironauta saltar entre los diferentes estados de la experiencia para la formación de universos.

El artefacto ​Onirógeno ​es capaz de inducir al sueño. Sirve de puerta de enlace al mundo onírico y está presente en un estado de semi-consciencia. Dicho artefacto esférico, de naturaleza cromada, reproduce de manera cíclica el proceso de encendido de la máquina de sueños por un operador en un espacio ilusorio. El ingeniero sucumbe a un estado aletargado que permite el vínculo con otros artefactos al ser testigo de una de estas reproducciones.

El artefacto ​Hipnagogia ​es capaz de provocar alucinaciones visuales de intensidad creciente. Permite formar protomundos inconexos. Es un artefacto propio del plano semi-consciente. Debido a lo efímero de los protomundos formados, el ingeniero es incapaz de controlarlos y dotarlos de sentido.

El artefacto ​Efialtes ​es uno de los más inestables y volátiles. Este ente del plano semiconsciente provoca la incapacidad transitoria para realizar movimientos voluntarios durante la transición entre el sueño y la vigilia. Permite al ingeniero crear un canal al plano transitorio. Su presencia o interacción puede darse en los primeros o últimos estadíos. Está muy presente en el mundo semi-consciente y puede ser atraído por el uso de otros artefactos. Emite un zumbido muy característico cuando interacciona.

El artefacto ​Proyector,​ ​toroide derivado de Efialtes, solo presente en el plano transitorio. Crea un canal y permite al ingeniero ingresar, precediendo a la separación física, y materializar la consciencia en el nuevo plano.

Extracorpóreo ​es un derivado del artefacto Proyector, presente en el plano transitorio y con influencia en el plano físico. Permite a la conciencia materializada del ingeniero comunicarse con los impulsos básicos motrices y órdenes cerebrales del plano físico, traduciendo los diferentes protocolos implicados.

El artefacto ​Vacío ​es un espacio unidimensional que interconecta el plano transitorio con el plano onírico.

El artefacto ​Arquitecto,​ presente en el plano onírico, forma y diseña espacios acorde con las órdenes del ingeniero onírico en el caso de que el canal de comunicación sea lo suficientemente consciente. Es una pequeña recreación esférica del universo elevado a infinito en forma de fractal.

El artefacto ​Escultor,​ de hormigón y presente en el plano onírico, crea las diferentes imágenes e inteligencias que habitan el mundo onírico en construcción. Aunque puede ser controlado, a menudo actúa con un mayor libre albedrío, creando imágenes recurrentes.

El artefacto ​Programador,​ de código en cascada y presente en el plano onírico, es la inteligencia encargada de dotar a los mundos oníricos de acontecimientos.

El artefacto ​Devoramundos ​es el artefacto más inestable conocido y con mayor rango de influencia entre planos. Destruye el mundo creado como un agujero negro engulle todo a su paso.

El artefacto ​Cordón​, de plata y presente en todos los planos, sirve como nexo entre el cuerpo físico y la consciencia materializada. A menudo, debido al influjo de otro artefacto, o a la inestabilidad en el canal creado por correlación, es capaz de obligar a la regresión, clausurando el canal de comunicación. Existe un artefacto Cordón que une cada una de las conciencias proyectadas con sus correspondientes cuerpos así como del cuerpo físico. Se desconoce que ocurre en caso de fisión.

El artefacto ​Regreso,​ presente en el plano transitorio-semiconsciente permite al ingeniero recuperar la consciencia y restablecer sus signos vitales.

This year marks 3 years of Needs.

From humble beginnings in 2017, the label has since gone on to release tracks from some of our favourite artists in the scene, curated events with essential charities and initiatives, and in the process raised over L10,000.

To mark this special occasion we're back where it all started, raising money and awareness for mental health. October 10th marks World Mental Health Day and this year's theme set by theAWorld Federation for Mental Health is suicide prevention. To recognise and promote this occasion we've brought along another all-star cast to help us spread the message far and wide.

Needs 008 is a double vinyl compilation which features the talents of Shanti Celeste, OCB, Michelle, Bobby., Peder Mannerfelt, Yu Su, Adam Pits and DJ Sports.

Stay tuned to the Needs channels during our birthday month for regular updates, plus panels and artist features.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported us this far: especially Juno Records, For The Record PR, all artists that have kindly donated their music, and of course the music lovers, dancers and forward thinkers that have supported us on this wonderful journey <3

The Liverpool-based DJ and producer ASOK returns to DVS1's Mistress Recordings with his most diversified EP yet: "Mistress 14" unfolds ASOK's raw, analog-heavy sound aesthetic full of broken kick drum patterns, stepping basslines, and lush synths.



With 25 years of record collecting, DJing, and promoting parties around the UK, there is little of the dance music spectrum that Stu Robinson has not been involved with. The Liverpool-based artist has amassed a fine understanding of a wide array of scenes, styles and sounds from drum & bass to electro-funk, disco to house and techno – underpinned by a love of breakbeat. The music under his alias ASOK is an amalgamation of this diversity that has found favor with labels like M>O>S, Lobster Theremin, Crème Organization, and Mistress Recordings.



"Mistress 14" opens with "Space Rockets" which is a nod to his breakier love affairs without using actual breakbeats. While second track "Is Anyone" displays his take on classic Chicago House with a little Roland JD-800 euphoria thrown in. On the flip, "Last Refuge" explores driving, rhythmical techno with ASOK's typical ravey pad-like break in the middle until "The Alchemist" closes the 12-inch by laying more focus on melody and texture with a growing, always changing bassline and an ethereal synth that carries the track's energy. The digital bonus track "Apano Sin" concludes the package with a scruffy somewhere in between everything vibe.



ASOK about Mistress 14:



"Mistress 14 is probably the most important EP I have ever made in terms of showing all the different things I am into. I’m difficult to pin down because I’m not really a techno DJ, or a house DJ, or anything like that. I like all forms of electronic dance music. As a DJ, I mix up old and new, familiar with unfamiliar, playing everything from Italo disco to really dark high-bpm breakbeat. As a producer, it’s not easy to put an EP together that covers a little of everything, yet still sounds cohesive. Especially considering that all my tracks were recorded in long live takes, then edited down with no ability to change parts. Sometimes that requires some pretty heavy editing, but that’s one of the good things you get when making music this way. I’m in control of the creative process, rather than feeling like some kind of colored block administrator drawing blocks out on arrangement view of my computer."

German-Syrian band Shkoon will release their long-awaited debut album “Rima”, sending out a message of cultural diversity to the world. Shkoon’s concerts have attracted a diverse audience for many years, bringing together people of all religions, colors and backgrounds. For their album-tour through Germany and Switzerland, stops in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Zurich are planned.

Musically, the album is situated between influences of electronic downbeat, deep house, dub and hip-hop. The band members come from a variety of different musical backgrounds and have created their very own sound with a mix of influences between the Arabic and Western world. Piano, violin, synthesizers, percussion and vocals merge oriental melodies with western electronic beats, taking the listener on a journey that blurs the boundaries of cultures.

Shkoon is more than a German-Syrian live act with Arabic lyrics. In addition to their own lyrics, the band uses traditional musical folklore elements of the Arab community, which today appear more relevant than ever. The title song of the debut album is inspired by a story from Arabic folklore, in which a mother tells peaceful tales to her child as the world sinks into chaos. This song is accompanied by the singer and rapper Tareq Abu Kwaik, also known as "El Far3i", by the band
47Soul.

After the war in their home country drove the two Syrians to relocate to Germany, Ameen, Thorben and Maher met in the hanseatic city of Hamburg in 2015. During a spontaneous jam session, an unexpected energy and thus the project Shkoon emerged, which was soon followed by the release of the band’s very first EP a few months later.

During the first performances of Shkoon, a spark quickly jumped over to the audience, which soon allowed the group to play major festival stages all over Europe. Even as Shkoon’s musical expression knows no boundaries, it is not easy for the band to travel other countries, as Ameen (the vocalist) and Maher (the violinist) consistently face difficulties of getting visa documents due to their refugee status.

This is particularly lamented in Arab countries, where the band has long been celebrated as stars, for example when they played a sold-out show in Beirut for an audience of more than 3,000 people. But also in Europe, especially in Germany, there is immense enthusiasm in their fans-base is huge.

Celebrating a Decade of Dark Entries with a compilation titled ‘Tens Across The Board’. We revisit our roster and chose 10 songs from 10 bands from 10 different countries spanning the years 1981-1993. The songs flow in chronological order and have never appeared on vinyl, with 7 of the songs previously unreleased.

The compilation begins in 1981 with Parade Ground from Belgium, the duo of brothers Pierre and Jean-Marc Pauly with help from Patrick Codenys and Jean-Luc of Front 242. “The Light’s Gone” was one of their earliest experiments and employs a stark minimalism with modular synthesizers, guitar reverb and tape delay. Next we venture to Granada, Spain in 1982 to meet the trio of Diseño Corbusier. Influenced by Cabaret Voltaire and Dadaism, “La Esperanza está en Antenas” was the band’s take on melancholic pop fueled by a robotic DR-55 bass-line. Sailing the Mediterranean Sea to Athens to meet Greek electronic goddess Lena Platonos who shares a demo from 1983. “Μια Γάτα Σασ Περιμένει Στη Γωνία” translates to “A Cat Is Waiting On The Corner” and is possibly the witchiest sounds we’ve shared yet, ending with a blood curdling scream. Frozen in 1983 we cross Ionian Sea to Messina, Italy and visit Victrola, the duo of Antonino “Eze” Cuscinà and Carlo Smeriglio. They’ve unearthed a melodic instrumental version of “Luca” fueled by a Korg Polysix and TB-303. Traveling across the Adriatic to Slovenia circa 1984, where Borghesia are working on their album ‘Ljubav Je Hladnija Od Smrti’. “Magla” translates to “Fog” fitting for the thick, somber electronics of Aldo Ivancic providing a dense atmosphere for the baritone vocals of Dario Seraval.

On Side B we go down under to Sydney and excavate a hidden Tom Ellard song recorded in 1984 under the alias Lord Metal, an anagram of his name for copyright reasons. “Ga Duum Blitzfonika” is a slow-motion, unadulterated dance groove originally released on the cassette compilation "Independent World”. Skipping ahead to 1986 in Tours, France we salute X-Ray Pop the minimum new wave duo of Didier "Doc" Pilot and Zouka Dzaza. They contribute the hypnotically fragile “Corto Maltese” that originally appeared on the cassette compilation ‘Plop’. Crossing the German boarder we arrive in Dortmund at the apartment of Andreas Sippel of Second Decay who recorded the instrumental demo “Lübeckerstrasse” in 1988 with partner Christian Purwien. Utilizing an TR-808, SH-101 and Arp Odyssey this cold slice of futurism was named after the street Andreas lived on. Traveling westward to England, specifically Basildon, Essex to the teenage bedroom of From Nursery To Misery, the trio of identical twin sister vocalists Gina and Tina Fear and keyboard player Lee Stevens. “Contentment” is an introspective, ethereal pop song with child-like vocals that originally appeared on the Belgian tape compilation ‘Heartbeat Vol.4’ in 1989. Finally, we return home to San Francisco and close out the compilation with Cyrnai the moniker of multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Fok. “Digital Grit Box (Demo)” was an outtake from the ‘Transfiguration’ album sessions recorded in 1993, utilizing dark dance drum beats made with MIDI sequencer programs Studio Vision and Sample Cell.

All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. The vinyl is housed in a custom designed jacket by Eloise Leigh featuring our label’s colors black-white-red with connect-the-dots pattern linking the 10 songs via maps/timeline/location, all relating to the reissue process, plus source images from San Francisco, our hometown. For this landmark release we've also printed a 2-sided fold-out wall poster that includes every artist we've released in our first 10 years 2009-2019 in black, red and silver metallic ink, plus an 8x11 insert with lyrics, notes and photos.

No Spiritual Surrender, AKA Spanish techno producers J.C. (Deeply Rooted/Tresor) and Kastil (Esperanza/Wilson Records) return for a four-track EP following their self-titled, debut album late last year.

A1 'Ez Du Axola' portrays rampant synth based percussion, dominating the mix while A2 'The Shakes' is a paranoid, DnB roller for the eyes down crew.

For more pleasant surprises, flip for the B1 'T.Y.S.R.' which is an abstract and disjointed collage of radio samples that massage the ears, before B2 'XXX' closes out with distorted kicks that have enough torque to shatter any system.