Suche:final effort

With 44 releases across 12 years since its inception, Butane's infamous Alphahouse imprint closes its doors this June as he welcomes long time colleagues and friends Alexi Delano and Worldline to shape up the final EP on the label 'Omega'.

Having established the imprint back in 2005, Andrew Rasse aka Butane's Alphahouse has served as an example of unapologetic underground quality and curation for over a decade. With previous releases from the likes of Ricardo Villalobos, Ryan Crosson, Ion Ludwig, Quenum, Mark Broom and of course Rasse himself, the final Alphahouse EP welcomes back another staple of the imprints success, Chilean Alexi Delano, and mysterious American talent Worldline who marks his debut on the label.

'Sometimes in order to grow, you have to leave things behind. It's time for a fresh start... the final Alphahouse record. Alpha/Omega' - Butane.

The A-side sees Delano and Rasse effortlessly re-combine and pick up where they left off in 2013. 'Bass Theory' is an energetic, blooming production that lays the focus on raw crunchy drum licks, chunky bass slabs and an ever- evolving melody that eases listeners into a state of trance, before 'Jazz Lick' reveals a lighter aesthetic with a delicate jazz-infused lead line, filtered vocal loops and crisp organic percussion that hold the production in sync.

On the flip Butane is joined by a new collaborator, Los Angeles-based underground fashion designer Worldline for two brooding cuts. 'How Deep' kicks things off showcasing eerie low ends layered beneath tripped out vocals and hypnotic, meandering chords. 'What We Do' wraps up the esteemed Alphahouse catalog in style. An underground manifesto with a trademark Butane groove and Wordline's vocals punctuating over a decade of work. That's a wrap.

In true Alphahouse style, Rasse signs off here alongside two extremely talented artists with an EP that radiates understated sophistication and intricacy throughout, whilst opening the door to his new project 'Extrasketch' in the most fitting and suitable way imaginable. Stay tuned; this is only just the beginning...

Until he was about 20, Texas-born Melvin Sparks was a rhythm & blues guitarist, backing Jackie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye as a member of The Upsetters. But Sparks gave up his seat on The Upsetters' bus in New York City, where a chance introduction to George Benson led him to a place in soul jazz history. Melvin played and recorded with Lou Donaldson, Leon Spencer, Bernard Purdie, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Idris Muhammad, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Grover Washington Jr., Reuben Wilson and so many more. Even during the quietest years of soul-jazz Melvin stayed relevant through hip-hop and r&b, a quick search at WhoSampled turns up more than 150 samples of his funky chicken scratch. And Melvin's legacy is heard in contemporary soul/funk bands like The New Mastersounds, Soulive and The Greyboy Allstars, all of whom he also guested with several times before his early departure from this realm in 2011.

This release documents Melvin's final band just months before his death. Organist Beau Sasser and drummer Bill Carbone had been working with Sparks for several years, and, despite the power dynamic - they were in their early 30s, Melvin an elder-statesmen of the genre - the unit was sharp, relaxed and performed Melvin's music with a jovial spirit. The trio played the Burlington, VT club Nectar's regularly, but this night featured two "onlys." Per the recommendation of Nectar's agent they used the "Grippo Horns," the only time Sparks used a horn section in the last several years of his life, and they allowed a multitrack recording of the show. Both were strong decisions.

The tracks on this album, lovingly mixed by guitarist, producer and Melvin Sparks fan Eddie Roberts, demonstrate that Melvin played as well in the final months of his life as at any time. Sparks counts "Whip! Whop!" off at what he said The Upsetters called a "showtime tempo," and peppers it, as well as most of the album, with quotes from jazz standards, pop songs and cartoon themes, all woven effortlessly into the bebop-funk dialect he helped create. He unfolds amiable melodies, patiently and methodically, through his several-minute lead on "Breezin'." And Sparks is audibly uplifted by the Grippo Horns helping him perform his 1973 arrangement of "Ain't No Woman" for the first time in decades.

The fourteenth effort in the Attic Music series is a full EP by Roman artist Cristiano Balducci
under his Black Catcher alias. ''Gossip'' is a firm and futuristic sounding bundle of modern day
Techno which spans 3 tracks. On the A-side we find the title track Gossip which is a scorching haul
of tough drum sounds and hypnotizing arp sounds that build throughout.
The opening track on the B side is a remix of the track by Cristiano Balducci himself of more acidic
proportions. The final cut on this 12'' is the original ''Into The Void'' which showcases a deeper
side of Black Catcher. This track is built around a misty atmosphere and soaring synth patches.

Over 3 years ago, Casey Tucker was thrust into the limelight after 15 years in the shadows. Never truly getting the recognition for is Detroit influenced and post rave sound in the 90s, For Those That Knoe reissued some of Casey's classic material and unearthed some gems on DAT in 2013. Fast forward to the current day and a recent treasure trove was uncovered and some fresh DATs untouched since the late 90s were discovered! Ben promptly bought a DAT player on Ebay and shipped it to Casey's home for the un-dusting to commence. FTTK has worked with Casey to present another round of authentic material spread across a further three EPs.The track Carpet Dancer has been in demand since the Fine Balance Recordings gained deserved attention. Originally featuring as the A Side on the very first fine Balance EP, it evokes all of the emotions that Casey's music can muster.Juxtaposition is a slower groovy effort with meandering chords, trademark fizzy percussion and topped off with a lush string finale.Whatever Comes to Mind rounds off the EP with a rolling percussive bassline, delicate arps and smooth sweeping pads.

Label owner Kastil comes up with the fourth 12'' in the Stale series. After imaginative releases by Irazu, Deapmash together with a string of underground cassette releases it's finally time for the man in charge to step back up with a very versatile and well balanced outing called ''The Sadistic Abbess''. The opening effort on the A side ''YD33'' is a modular sounding Techno cut that comes through as a robust and assertive opening track, showcasing Kastil's expertise in creating hazardous ambiances and programming rough drum patterns. ''Sphere of Influence'' is an intergalactic offering that is hard to pin down. The craze of FX on this cut is wide and thorough leaving the listening in somewhat of a frenzy. The built is strong and the effort develops into a monstrous buldger that balances smartly between different sides of electronic music. ''Bastardos'' is an emotive piece of cinematic proportions that serves as the outro for the A side. Wonderfully orchestrated pads and gloomy vocals. ''Variable Penrose'' opens up the B side. This cut will ensure some peak time dancefloor action due to it's structured nature. Serbian producer ''Lag'' offers an energetic remix of another Kastil original named ''Gold Coal''. ST171 will be available through all specialized retailers early 2017.

Our friend Carli Löf - true musical genius, master producer of everything from rugged & raw grime scorchers to straight up Eurovision goodness - finally debuts on Barnhus, with nothing less than a timeless, laser-soaked rave hymn. On the flip we have our very own Pedrodollar Nordkvist flexin some serious remix muscle with your choice of contemplative comedown house and/or solemn ode to ancient trance gods. In the words of a friend-of-a-Scottish-friend: Oh aye - that's a fuckin 3am punch yer mate in the face with joy effort. Well intae this! Just out of jail after 20 years and first night out with the old crew. Take a few eccies and that tune comes on and you turn to your pal, put your arm round him all sweaty and say it's just like a remembered it. I'm gonnae be awrite.

Cologne based artist 'Adryiano' has finally threaded into label managing waters. Ever since the emerge of his multi functional platform 'Cestraw' back in 2011 Adryiano has been twisting and thinking on when to launch the label side of things. After the humble success of his latest "Down South" effort on Soul Notes it felt like the right time.

CR/001 turned out to be an emotive dance floor record that touches several different modes within the spectrum of underground dance music. From the straight forward 303-anthem "Break Module" to the uplifting yet deep, Chicago-ish tones of "Path Of Yours" - Adryiano's "Default EP" is set to unfold just in time for the cold, dark days before Christmas.

Following almost two years of driving bass music promotion, in the form of compilation albums, free download round-ups, reviews, guest mixes & mix series CDs, the time has come to transcend from what first began as an online blog into our very own music label. After working with renowned artists such as El-B, Quest, BunZer0 and Phaeleh, as well as fellow promotional platforms FatKidOnFire & Deeper Vibrations - the Albion community has developed and grown to become recognised across the board of the bass music spectrum. This extension of our brand will help in pushing this music even more, enabling us to curate a fundamentally diverse sound beside the culture that we so passionately enjoy.The launch of Albion Collective Recordings is to be set in motion with In Pieces, a collaborative down-tempo effort conceived between Vaun and Jafu which is radiant in textural soundscapes. This particular piece has been doing the rounds as a clip on Deeper Vibrations' YouTube channel since 2013, inducing longing excitement for the song to finally surface.
Bristol based Daniel Brown, aka Vaun, has prospered into one of the scene's most prolific producers, covering multiple styles and turning out numerous releases for MindStep Music, Redshift-One and Soulstep Records. After recently hinting at the imminent release of an album, Brown can also reap in the keepsake of ALBION001 alongside Canadian artist James Fuller, aka Jafu, who likewise has blossomed astutely alongside his soulful Chord Marauders collective.In Pieces falls somewhere amongst immersive trip-hop and jazzy 2-step, an affectional arrangement that makes wonderful use of Marvin Gaye's a cappella in his classic Sexual Healing. The composition will certainly induce healing of the cerebral kind, with its stripped and delicate percussion work, dubbed out horns and soothing string sections. Encapsulated within Vaun & Jafu's musical offering is our label's statement of intent. That is, to champion unique music that emanates elegance such as this collaboration - and such as J.Sparrow's remix treatment. Ryan Wild aka Jack Sparrow, a Deep Medi Musik signee and one half of dubstep extraordinaire duo Author, has granted the scene with his tenacity to build profoundly stunning electronic music. Wild has the tempo notched up for his In Pieces edit but remains true to Vaun and Jafu's approach in the sense of its lavish spatial touch. The atmospherics breeze over with a soft vibrancy, as the electronic guitar solo recording from the original plays over the initial main section charmingly. This is all resulting in a simply sumptuous mix which goes right up there with his top drawer remix work for Annie Drury and De Niro & Y. To compliment J.Sparrow's sublime contribution and to also complete the package, the Black Butter Records assosciated and Bristol-based outfit Sly-One have whipped up an outright banger of a remix. Joe Cannon, Dave Constant and Oliver Read can already boast an admirable set of releases in the four years since they've joined forces, featuring on Shifting Peaks, Lost In Translation and 877 Records. Add that to a rude collaboration with fellow Bristol head & rasta emcee Buggsy and a remix for Bad Mojo on Meanbucket, Sly-One had clearly meant business from the offset - and have shown absolutely no let up for us at Albion Collective. Served with a side order of the trio's classic subtle cowbell hits, their 2-step/bassline fusion works wonders with the vamped-up vocal sample and is ready and waiting to rumble clubs & festivals for this summer and beyond. Early DJ support for the release has been noted from artists including Phaeleh, Quantum Soul, Thelem, J. Robinson, Walsh, K-Man, Nanobyte, Syte, Trashbat, Majora and D-Operation Drop & Foster. Radio airings to date stand at Sub FM on the BunZer0's legendary FOB Show, BBC Introducing showcased the release and Monki played the Sly One Remix on BBC Radio 1 Extra. The almighty
Dubstep duo Truth added the J.Sparrow Remix to their recent 'Chronicles' mixtape on Soundcloud, which was posted to their 75,000 plus following, Biscuit Factory Records owner and dubstep legend Walsh opened the edit on his latest podcast and J.Sparrow is set to showcase the version in a mix for the iconic Deep Medi label. Support is confirmed from digital publications such as FatKidOnFire,
GetDarker, Trusik and MTV Wrap up, which will involve a number of featuresm reviews, track premieres and artist spotlights. A review will also be printed in November's edition of Mixmag on Tomas Fraser's Grime/Dubstep page

Finally repressed!

Bond commander ''Petter B'' lands on Planet Rhythm with a bombshell record that contains 3 staggering originals
and a fierce Re:Axis remix. The opening effort ''CC21'' is a rough repetitive pacer that will definitely turn some heads.
''Transporter'' serves as a vibey yet evolving piece of work that builds up the tension but let's go every now and then.
Protoportal is yet again a repetitive grower with a somewhat less dark build as the opening tracks. ''Re:Axis'' closes
down with a robust rework of transporter. Belter record.

Originally released as a strictly limited 10-inch vinyl record exclusive on Record Store Day 2012, this long sold-out must-have for fans of these two artists will finally be re-issued - this time in 12-inch format!
Erased Tapes label mates Ólafur Arnalds and Nils Frahm recorded and mixed their first collaborative record between Reyjkjavík and Berlin as a surprise release for label founder Robert Raths.
The ambient/electronic work 'Stare' is a true family effort with long-time collaborator Anne Müller joining in on cello and all graphics created by close label-friend and designer Torsten Posselt of FELD Studios.

Words by Nils Frahm: 'I heard 'Eulogy For Evolution' for the first time six years ago and I was totally captivated. Impossible to know back then that I was supposed to meet Ólafur many years later as my label mate. Later when he took me along a tour of his we also noted that we kind of like hanging out together, doing important things like cover versions of long forgotten songs or eating veggie pizza. Also he would join my live set for a jam and I would return the favour by playing along with his set.

All in all, I fell for Óli and after one memorable jam session we had in Berlin at Roter Salon in 2011, he finally proposed the idea to visit me in my studio in Berlin to work on 'some music'. I was happy and delighted about that idea, so we got together in April 2011 and after having a big pizza, I plugged in some old analogue synths and we played for four days until late in the night. Also queen Anne Müller stopped by after a show with Agnes Obel to record some cello at 5 am in the morning for 'b1'. Making music together with people is lovely!

The time I spent with Óli in Berlin made me very happy and the music wasn't like anything I have heard before. It was all very reduced and minimal and I felt like I couldn't have done this alone. So we decided to do another 4-day jam at Óli´s E7 studio in Reykjavik. So I flew there in the end of October 2011 to repeat the trick and record some out of this world ambient music. It didn't take us too long to write 'a1' and 'a2'. I can't wait for the follow up!'

Hot on the heels of killer releases by label heads Ryan Crosson and Shaun Reeves, the latest Visionquest release sees the label turn its head to Deadbeat aka Scott Monteith. The Berlin based Montrealeler has been putting his own spin on house and techno for some time now, putting his stamp on esteemed labels such as Cynosure, Echocord and Wagon Repair. The Jacks EP continues his fine tradition of putting out discerning fare, as he conjures up a new EP package that remixes his classic track, Mecca Drum Track (originally released on Wagon Repair), from 2008. Striking in its many intricate and delicate production wares, it's a polished effort from the outset.

The Jacks EP gets going with the suitably titled ''Berghain Drum Jack'', a suitably raucous and out-there slice of tribal tech that pays homage to the Berlin club and is notable for its banking percussive elements and its propensity for surprises. Starting off on an unrelenting tip, it gets even more off-kilter the longer it stretches out, as the drums become even more pronounced and the baseline finally enters the fray. Dark but dexterous, it's a thrilling track that's sure to more even the most ardent and discerning of dancefloors.

Middle track ''Mecca Drum Jack'' sees the producer opt for a similarlly-inclined vibe, as the drums play a similarly pertinent role. A fitting tool with which to light up your set, it's more dextrous in nature than what's arrived before but another altogether engrossing effort. Rounding off the weighty three-tracker is ''Acid Dub Jack'', which sees Deadbeat really go off on a frankly mental course that's littered with atmosphere from the get-go. Once again, Visionquest and Deadbeat have reminded us why they're both so cherished in the techno world.

Collecting Eddie Ruscha's cassette recordings over two compilation albums has been one of the highlights of the
label, so it seemed right to hand over the choice tracks to a set of his contemporaries from the City of Angels.First up is rising star Suzanne Kraft. The alias of Diego Herrara, very much a young man to watch. With releases for Running Back, Young Adults and Noise In My Head, as well as possibly EP of the year already as Dude Energy, while holding down being a member of The Pharoahs (ESP Institute / Not Not Fun) and not forgetting, one half of Blase with Mr Ruscha himself, he's a busy man so getting this remix took some effort! However, it was all worth
it, as Diego takes the crazy afro-stylings of Afrobotics and pulls it towards the danceflor, adding percussion and sirens, forging the originals vibes in to a ethno-beat club jam that is all about that heads down moment. Next up is the quirksum individuality of The Samps. The project of one of LAs fiest, but hidden musicians,
Cole M.G.N. Working with Nite Jewel, Ariel Pink and Puro Instinct is cool enough, but his solo Samps project is another level, with a mind-altering exploration of funk warped electronics. Sure enough then, his take on Shockers is just that, a mash of beats, bass and sample cut ups. This is pyschedelic dance music for the mind.
Flipping things completely is LA's Mr Funk himself, Tom Noble. Taking the laid back grooves of Underdogs, Tom does his trademark good time, party vibes with a killer boogie style remix. Letting the groove do the work, keys and a good deal of wiggle just led it all ride home. Finally then is something Emotional Response is all about, highlighting producers the label is fans of, but letting them explore alternate spheres. While Cameron Stallones' Sun Araw project has become one of the names in
modern psychedelic experimentation, little is known of the alter-ego Aristrocrat P. Child. With just one cassette of warped disco edits to his name, here he closes the EP with exactly that, a re-edit of cut up irreverance, twisted and looped to distraction - an ethereal experimental and modern musical genius...just like Mr
Ruscha.

So it seems that 2013 was the year Skudge team decided to camp by the pressing plant! The Skudge imprint is indeed growing along its artists as we're now ready to embrace longer formats, a testimony to the future and most than anything a continuous effort to grasp the present's relevancy.
After their wonderful EP from a year ago, the Fishermen are ready to take you on a diving trip with their very first album, an accomplishment in itself With 'Patterns and Paths', Thomas Jaldemark (YTA) and Martin Skoggehall (MRSK, Smell The Flesh) have crafted a rather mesmerizing story of abstract and figurative tropes altogether, and eerie is probably the best word to describe the general mood of this, but hard and raw eeriness! The affair starts with 'Green Horn', a gentle foreplay setting the tone for an imminent journey into the lightless abysses. 'Hope Is gone' further enhances the incoming grim turn of events in a coil-like fashion before 'Serpents' makes our feet and hips take over our fear of the unknown. The trance has indeed begun and we're soon entering a hidden warehouse rave cave of un-earthy shamanism, the unforgiving stomp of 'Get None'. 'Dyspnea' manages to find a path into deeper regions the groove shift towards a darker funk with 'Lost Teeth', a caribbean techno banger that'd wake any zombie in the making! 'The Four Skulls' suddenly hints of a safer journey with healing percs and melancholic pads, but 'Rise' soon shatters those false hopes with an evil lurking motoric groove. Then, you hit 'Scurvy' where the pace slows down a little only to introduce the seductive side of this gloomy adventure, a challenge to you feet inducing lascivious moves. Keeping you in trance, 'In Solitude' kind of combines both previous tracks strengths with an added Twin Peaks value. Now finally reaching the far bottom of the ocean, the mood gets even more claustrophobic with 'Sunken Mosque', the last stage of this trance before maybe getting back to the surface. Indeed, if 'Torments' might let you catch a breath of air, it is filled with minerals, the world above has changed, and you might very well feel safer back under the water, a reverse mirror to Mike Ink's old Gas project. While this tour guide concludes his narration, the Skudge camp proudly hopes to see you embark on it very soon!