House News

Should we look back and bring something of the past back into the forefront of our mind?
We think yes!!!
Because Kellerkind's “Disco on the Dancefloor” remains to this day a huge milestone in Sirion Records discography and the original track is still 10 years later an absolute earworm.

Dedication, constant focus on music, care and respect for others, are attributes that continue to apply to Kellerkind and have moved us to a remake of this infamous title.

As the title of the main track says, “Disco on the Dancefloor” with its groovy basses, poignant disco stabs is ideal for the dancefloor and still perfectly suited to inspire the masses.

But Kellerkind doesn’t rest on the guaranteed success of the past, he immediately delivers a thriving remake that perfectly reflects his current musical taste. Percussive, hypnotic and an all-around successful job to dress the track in a new garb.

Fittingly, there are two remixes by 8 Bit labelhead Gorge and Bernese producer Youen, among others.
A housy framework paired with percussion, discoid bass line and the hypnotic synth surface in the usual Gorge manner, not only gets the legs bobbing and the head nodding, but animates to conquer the dance floor.
Youen's techhousy remix puts the focus more on kick and clap and therefore comes as a true stomper. Peppered with the discreetly used samples, this makes for a wonderfully danceable mix for peak time.

10 Years of “Disco on the Dancefloor” is therefore more current than ever and an absolute must in the record bag, either on vinyl or digitally.

Repress!

Afterlife Recordings welcomes back the Fideles duo for a new EP, 'Endless Sacrifice'.

The opener 'Heading North' pairs the heavenly vocals of Flu with a subtle, acid bassline and radiant melody, setting the scene for the eerie and transcendental sounds of 'Harmed' and the title track 'Endless Sacrifice'. 'Tynos' is a more hard-hitting take on the theme, primed for a night's peak hours. Fideles express a full spectrum of dancefloors moods and kick off the year in style.

Adrian Marth, based in Barcelona, comes through with his new debut EP Marthians World by Italo Moderni own imprint. His italo is infused in electro tracks that are bound with their vibrancy to make any listener dance, with a killer bassline and super spacial synths.

There is something about these tracks that bring you back with nostalgia to the 80's but without losing a contemporary feel.
Including remixes by the great Baldo, Antoni Maiovvi and Mufti.

Up next on A Tribe Called Kotori, please welcome Berlin's very own Madmotormiquel - all set and ready to storm the house after several transmissions on an array of quality outlets, including our good friends at Katermukke. His maiden incursion on the label, "Bombo", will not only be released in digital shape as per usual for the rest of our catalogue, but also in 12" vinyl format - with the special and endearingly peculiar trait that each cover is hand-designed by Chrisse Kunst and Madmotormiquel himself, making these collectible one-off pieces of art to adorn your shelves with.

Opening cut and lead-single "Bombo" sets the wheels in motion at a slow and steady rate, progressively fleshing out its initially stripped-back funkiness with a polychromatic webwork of tribal rhythms, spectral synth murk and frizzling machine talk. The quirky "Kohiko" serves up a mischievous buffet of further syncopated moves and chirpy chimes pouring in cascades as a sturdy bass unfalteringly dictates the momentum.

Shifting the scope to no-nonsense floor-busting objectives in its first stages, "Timezone Chaser" slowly evolves from sheer DJ functionality to jazzed-up abstraction through perfectly inlaid superimpositions of processed clarinets, dubbed-out drums and an overall hazy sound design to satisfyingly lose yourself in. EP closer "Rodrigues" opts for a more jagged approach, as it fuses skittish snares and hats at the fore with deep and vaporous pad tapestries in the background, resulting in the kind of heavily FX-layered, acid-leaning sleepwalker that'll keep the dancers' legs in motion even though their eyes seem shuttered.

2023 Repress

Stephan Bodzin: a classically trained musician, vastly experienced producer and master of melody. He has built a reputation through countless releases under many aliases, and through his dramatic and dynamic live set capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. For Afterlife, Bodzin bottles the infectious energy of these shows into two epic, colourful landscapes of sound, 'Strand' and 'Catamaran'.

The inspiring DJ/producer, RISE founder and integral Watergate resident has carefully selected and curated a vibrant house mix that touches all corners of the genre and refreshingly showcases artists
outside the normal European hotspots.
The second sampler opens with Super Flu’s ‘Effreticon’, a track with the right amount of energy and tweaked-out synth touches to keep your listeners guessing. Pablo Fierro shares his ‘Reincarnation’, filled
to the brim with tropical flavours. Floyd Lavine features again, following up his collaboration with Hyenah on the first V.A sampler. This time the Cape Town-born, Berlin-based artist has re-worked Kerri
Chandler’s ‘Think of Something’ into a tribal monster, after the original first featured on Watergate Records back in 2014. Lyon artist and former RISE guest Manoo’s ‘De’s Lullaby’ is awash in a river of
silky synths and uplifting rhythms.

repressed !

With his upcoming Keinemusik release, &ME is kick-starting the time machine, beaming you right into the year "1995". You know, the year in which Microsoft released Windows 95, Miguel Induráin is winning the Tour de France for the fifth time in a row and Robbie Williams quits his job at the Take That enterprise. In addition to those crucial events, that time also sees the rise of Two Step and Garage in the UK underground. Now play the eponymous tune on the A-side and you'll feel beamed right back into these days.

We commence with a warm and bouncy UK acid house vibe. We conclude with a beguiling 'Boards of Canada' style electronic bubble bath. We're treated to an array of flavors and an outstanding S.O.N.S remix in between. It can only be MUSAR and another compelling collection from Ricardo Tobar.
With a discography that started on Border Community and includes the likes of Co-coon and ESP Institute as well as MUSAR, Chilean Ricardo's credentials speak for themselves.
His music does, too. Constantly playing with themes of displacement, disorientation and delight in his fusions, 'Our Violence' was inspired by the ongoing discussions of cultural appropriation. At its heaviest, on tracks like the Isolee-esque 'Our Vio-lence' and S.O.N.S's SYO rolling breakbeat remix of 'La Femme Aux Masques', we're thrust deep into the most hypnotic of dances. At its most esoteric and experi-mental, tracks like 'Mineral' and 'La Femme Aux Masques', we're taken to places we didn't even know existed. Places that refuse to accept current formulas or standards and take us outside the box - where MUSAR always loves to be.

Clear Vinyl

Paula proceeded to question each dot down that wave and each answer led her back cross the river, up the ruler which measured her life.

Remixes by Cignol, Vertical67, Sound Synthesis, 36

Four afro house gems collected for MoBlack Gold series Volume V.

For this album Ghetto Kumbé has enlisted an all-star roster of artists from four different continents, they’ve put together a fresh version of their debut album that’s been specifically geared to the world’s diverse slate of dancefloors, whether at home or in the club, this double 12” 45 RPM is the perfect format to experience this music. There's no denying the power of the drum. It's primal, it cuts across borders and most importantly, it makes you want to move. Ghetto Kumbé don't just understand that they celebrate it, and it's why the tambor was at the heart of the Bogotá-based trio's 2020 self-titled debut album. Rooted in mysticism and the Afro-Caribbean rhythms they'd grown up with all their lives, the critically acclaimed LP thrillingly updated the traditional Latin template, folding in elements of modern hip-hop, house and bass music while also delivering a transportive Afro-futurist vision. On Clubbing Remixes, that vision has been further amplified, as Ghetto Kumbé who were already one of Colombia's most prominent alternative acts have now gone fully global; enlisting an all-star roster of artists from four different continents, they've put together a fresh version of their debut album that's been specifically geared to the world's diverse slate of dancefloors. As the title implies, the new LP is meant for the club, which is why Ghetto Kumbé have turned to Latin music heavyweights like Trooka a multiple Grammy winner whose resume includes work with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Residente and Monte (a.k.a. Bomba Estéreo founder Simón Mejía), along with top-shelf DJs like Nickodemus and Uproot Andy, two NYC artists who've spent decades championing Afro-Latin rhythms. True to the LP's global spirit, the record also includes reworks from batida maestro DJ Firmeza, fellow Afro-Portuguese outfit Studio Bros and Parisian house groovers Les Enfants Sauvages, plus genre-blurring remixes from sonically adventurous Colombians Montoya (himself another ZZK artist) and Cero39. Even the artwork on Clubbing Remixes is a remix, as Ghetto Kumbé have tapped Uganda's Denzel Muhumuza to transform the cover of their debut album into a new, explicitly Afro-futuristic illustration. Depicting a strong Black face and glowing neon fauna beneath a sparkling moonlit sky, the fantastical image speaks to both the ritual magic and Afro-indebted heritage of Ghetto Kumbé's music, and thanks to Clubbing Remixes, the group's passionate, drum-fueled sounds will soon be blasting out of soundsystems around the globe.a

Selador Recordings return with the third instalment of their acclaimed Magic Black Plastic series bringing together another quartet of favourite tracks from the UK label, helmed by Dave Seaman & Steve Parry.

This time the EP comprises of Joyce Muniz’s perfectly executed update of the Just Her & Kieran Fowkes classic ‘On The Low’ and André Lodemann’s beautifully crafted rework of Carlos Barbero & Dom Fricot’s ‘Closer To Closure’.

Plus, two evergreen bestsellers from the digital catalogue pressed to wax for the first time in the form of Luke Brancaccio & Gai Barone’s majestic ‘J’aime L’Amour’ and Adam Ten & Dor Danino’s stand out ‘Zurnita’.

It’s another awesome foursome but don’t just take our word for it though, hear it straight from the DJing elite…

Early DJ Feedback:

Solomun - Great Vibes!
Horse Meat Disco - Yes. Yes!
Blond:ish - Oh yes, thank you!
Sobek - Mastervibes!
Coeus - Really nice!

Ukranian artist Azotti delivers four tracks from his catalogue on 140g single 12 inch vinyl release courtesy of Blackhole Recordings. These are full length versions.

Due to the current situation in the Ukraine, both The Record Republic and Blackhole Records will be donating their shares of the profits directly to Azotti so he can purchase essential items and directly help those that are in the most need.

Evasione Digitale is a new label devoted to the Italian Progressive sound of the 90’s. The label is kicking off with the reissue of "Punto G,” the sought-after Italian Techno 12” originally released on Spock in 1995, under the umbrella of Leo Mas, Gemolotto and Fabrice. The "Triade,” with their influential labels, coined a trademark sound for the city of Udine, creating a solid acid kingdom and giving space to modern experiments.

Produced by Fabrizio Vascotto (Skeela) and local dj Marco Bellini, resident in cult clubs like Area City and Aida, "Punto G" sees the light again via Torino and Berlin.

An avant-garde maestro from Valencia, Upercent fuses classical instrumentation with electronic equipment to create a sound that is totally unique. He tantalises the dancefloor with sultry rhythms, infectious melodies and weaving narratives that buck the trend for simplicity. Upercent’s music tells a story, it captivates and entices, creating unforgettable moments. There’s melancholy, euphoria, moments of high energy and an energy that is hard to resist. With releases on Kompakt, Watergate, and Diynamic, he has a first-class reputation and we’re proud to welcome him on board here at TAU. The ‘Regal No Material’ EP features three distinct cuts that further demonstrate Upercent’s production prowess…

On side A we have ‘Malson’, a sombre production with simmering energy and a level of depth that is rare to find in most of today’s club music.

The persistent thud of the drums feels tribal, while Upercent steadily builds the atmosphere with intelligent programming. A stepping beat keep this cut moving forward, while the menacing allure is second to none.

The second cut is a collaboration with British group Stereo MCs. ‘Endless’ keeps things dark and deadly, with an ominous instrumental supporting the prophetic spoken word. Upercent’s production is exceptional here, creating a piece of music that transcends the dance floor and stands alone as a piece of art in its own right.

Closing the EP is ‘Theremite’, which works around a techno trope, utilising a hefty kick drum and grainy industrial effects. Like the rest of this release, Upercent incorporates a variety of unusual sounds and layers to create an unnerving atmosphere that gets the body moving while provoking the mind and lifting the spirit.

There it is… A wonderfully dark, quirky and utterly contagious release from one of the most progressive artists around today. Wonderful!

Energy 52’s Café Del Mar has come to represent the most euphoric and hedonistic pleasures of dancefloors - in Ibiza and all around the world - and has been remixed by some of the biggest names in electronic music. Known for its infectious melody and its strong impact on dancefloors around the globe it charted multiple times around the world and won countless awards. Now, 30 years after its first original release, Superstition Records issues a new series of releases, with brand new remixes as well as some of the many remixes from across the last three decades.
The third part in the series features remixes by Tale Of Us and Paul van Dyk, some of the most prolific electronic producers and DJs. First up are Tale Of Us, one of the biggest names on the dance circuit of the moment. Their “Renaissance Remix” was first released in 2018 and has already become one of the most popular remixes of Café Del Mar.
DJ Kid Paul and Paul van Dyk were close DJ buddies in the early Berlin Techno scene, and played around a hundred DJ gigs together, all around Germany and Europe, before they moved on in different directions. Now nearly 30 years later Paul van Dyk finally got the chance to remix the iconic Café del Mar. His XOXO remix slows the tempo slightly and employs crisp percussion and deep, pulsing bass while still maintaining the out-and-out exhilaration of that epic breakdown. Originally released in 2021, the Paul van Dyk remix appears here on vinyl for the first time.

Global Underground präsentiert die neueste Ausgabe der Select-Reihe mit Musik von Kölsch, Rodriguez Jr., Frankey & Sandrino, Patrice Bäumel, Yotto, Tinlicker, Booka Shade, Cubicolor, Captain Mustache, Einmusik & Solee und vielen mehr. 33 Tracks auf 2 kontinuierlichen
Mixen mit herausragendem melodischem Techno, treibenden progressiven Grooves und tiefem, dubbigem House. Erhältlich als farbiges Deluxe-Doppelvinyl und Doppel-CD.

Seasoned style master general, Argy joins Afterlife with this two-track expedition.

Argy’s credentials demonstrate his diversity and innate talent, which is evident here on the Tataki EP. The title track opens the release, Argy demonstrating his dexterity with a mesmerising looped vocal clip and mystical atmospherics. On the flip it’s ‘Magic Order’, a driving cut with beautifully haunting choir-esque vocals played backwards, emitting a spinetingling aura of sound.

Welcome to Retropolis! Known for the inimitable Can’t Stop with Coloray, an unhealthy obsession with vintage music machines, a baroque style in the use of synthesizer melodies and a forewarn-looking approach to the past, Chris Barratt’s music as Eagles & Butterflies can be as fun-loving as melancholically beautiful. For his long overdue debut on Running Back, the english man dishes out a bit of both in a healthy bowl of broth.

Retropolis is not only the direction giving title, but bold and bonny at the same time. That its working title was Italo should tell you all you need to know. Suitable for big rooms, major moments, minor miracles and sophisticated car chase scenes alike. Faster takes off in another direction. Imagine two people falling in love during a bumper car ride – heartfelt vocals included.

On the flip side E&B follows a similar state of equilibrium. Like the highs and lows and ups and downs in a John Hughes movie, it also showcases the characteristics of two synthesizer classics: the exuberant piano version of Juno Ninja (please look at the digital release for a version devoid of it) offsets the poignant and plangent vibe of CS-80. In summary: made with lots of synthesizers and for fans of keyboard music. And always keep in mind: the future sounds and looks better than you think!

The increasingly vital Jorkes makes a big step up to the acclaimed Live at Robert Johnson label with her standout Sweet Dreams EP. As with all Jorkes EPs, the artwork features photography shot by Daniel Rajcsanyi.

Jorkes has been making big and bold moves recently. She is the co-founder of the unique Freeride Millenium label which is a hotbed for queer dance music. German-born but Austria based, she has an influential residency at Radio 80000 alongside ParisBöhm and is a resident at Stuttgart's Romantica where she plays a thrilling mix of disco, house, techno and everything in between. She is someone who always serves to highlight the importance of the dance floor as a place of sexual and cultural liberation and this new EP is another innovative statement that comes as she rides a wave of high profile radio, DJ and media support for recent outings on her own label.

Opener 'You Will be Mine' is a song about obsessing after an unattainable stranger on the dance floor who disappears into the night. It's a silky disco house sound with chords that sing and a floating bassline that lifts you off your feet. The melodic motifs bring charm and cosmic energy and the whole track has a lush, musical feel. The equally excellent 'Robot Lover' muses on human detachment in this technological era of internet porn, dating apps and screen obsessions and how a robotic lover might be a better fit than a real life partner. It is another elastic and disco-tinged rhythm, with elegant chords and dancing keys over a suspensory bassline. Intimate vocal whispers bring tenderness to this timeless track.

On the flip side, 'Sweet Dreams' layers up infectious claps and tinny percussion over an irresistible deep house groove. It's a widescreen, symphonic sound that brings very real but subtle joy and closer 'CDEvaLo' is the name of a crossdressing male-to-female and sex-worker friend of Jorkes. She sings the introduction lyrics in Greek and they translate as "It was a very beautiful day, while we were sitting at the park we thought of going out for a coffee and realized we have no money and are absolutely broke. So we discussed about who is gonna put the wig on to "go and make a visit“ Greek slang for sex work so we'll have money again." It is a comment on the number of young people who arrived in Athens over the years to do cross-dressing sex work after being kicked out by their Orthodox Christian homes. The track flips the script with a more playful disco sound, characterful vocoder vocals and glossy synths over a jacked house beat.

This is an expansive EP that shows off the different sides to Jorkes's unique sound.

The prodigiously talented Tim Engelhardt returns to Watergate for his third EP outing.

The young producer has been industrious throughout 2020; he released a new album ‘Idiosynkrasia’ on Stil Vor Talent, remixed Trentemøller and gifted Watergate another excellent EP, ‘Rooted’, among other activities.

‘Prophecy’ EP continues his touch for crafting exquisite compositions that evoke a warm cocoon-like atmosphere. The title track places his sound design skills at the fore, as tender melodic flourishes run
alongside a hummed vocal line, piano and swelling pads. ‘Polygon Particles’ is an intricate acoustic jam centred around a chunky bassline, lilting synth and keys, which builds towards a feel-good finish. The evocative ‘Connected in Silence’ rounds out the trio of tracks, driven by a crisp percussive core and wistful widescreen soundscapes.

Reissue of this neo trance classics from 2006!

Do you remember Groove la Chord Well, we dive into similar Rave territories with Johannes Albert and his Generators . Some might call it peak time stormer. Endless arps warped into nasty basslines is what we manage on Minilogue . Yeah it's kind of a tribute to a silver machine. Please wait for the break, though. Calming things down with a skit of Ambient. Well, 2018, bring it on!

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Applescal is the next in line for a release on DGTL Records, seeing as he has been part of the crew since day one, with multiple appearances at their shows to his name. The Atomnation label-head crafts out three tracks all coming from one single studio jam, aptly naming them Harmony One, Harmony Two and Harmony Three. The record is a special one for Applescal himself as well, as it's his first full EP in two years.

The EP starts off with Harmony One, a dubby and bass heavy track with a subtle vocal sample. It steadily builds up towards a more energetic part with synth stabs and heavy snares, while the pads in the background still make it keep its atmospheric feel. As all three tracks come from the same studio jam, it's obvious that this was the start of the jam, serving as the basis for the other two tracks. The second one, Harmony Two, was previously part of an Atomnation sampler and received a lot of great feedback, as well as airplay from a few big names in the industry. It builts around an arpeggio that playfully progresses and intensifies towards the break, where a raw synth is layered on top for the climax. With a more subtle bassline, but multiple rhythmic elements that add a proper swing, it makes an essential peak-time tune.

The flipside brings Harmony Three, which distinctly sounds as the final part of the studio jam. Hard hitting synth stabs and a rolling bassline set the track apart as the heavier hitter of the three, while still clearly building on the overall theme. It features an arpeggio that progresses along the break and into the main part, with sharp drum samples and tense synths. It wraps up this release perfectly.

Rufus Du Sol gehören zu den spannendsten Electro-Acts unserer Zeit - erst im April wurde die Band mit einem Grammy in der Kategorie "Best Dance / Electronic Recording" ausgezeichnet, für den Song "Alive" ihres aktuellen Albums "Surrender". "Surrender" stellt ein neues Kapitel in dem Universum dar, das die Band seit ihrer Gründung geprägt und gepflegt hat: Die Platte präsentiert einen mutigeren und kühneren Sound - das Ergebnis einer Kulmination von Einflüssen von Trent Reznor und Nine Inch Nails bis hin zu Moderat und Jon Hopkins.

Rüfüs Du Sol schlagen dabei gekonnt die Brücke zwischen ihren elektronischen Wurzeln und ihrem Können als Live-Musiker.

Mister O/Y from Berlin finally releases his very first solo EP on Underyourskin Records - including a Remix by Kerala Dust.

Satori´s latest Album "In Between Worlds" gets its second round of Remix Treatments. First Mix is coming from Satori´s good friend and former release partner El Mundo who turned "Compulaire" into a hypnotical tech house version. Second is Just Emma and the duo made a perfect dancefloor suitable mix of "Pink & Orange Sky" - likewise Britta Arnold did this to "Compulaire" and spiced it with a acidish bassline. Norwegian duo Of Norway have chosen "Tuti" and mixed it with groovy and relaxed beats - perfect for the morning after hours. For the way home Alexander Christian´s Remix of "Ehsan" is the best companion. Last but not least we have Joney who turned "Pink & Orange Sky" into a powerful crossover Mix somewhere between Broken Beats and Electronica.

A now hugely sought after collection, with copies of the first and second editions lessening in numbers, the Black Hole 'Special Collector's Edition sees a return courtesy of The Record Republic, bringing you massive classic tracks from the Black Hole Recordings Catalogue.

In keeping with tradition, we are happy to bring you 4 tracks (a single track per side) in full, extended mix glory in a fantastic reverse stock printed, 5mm sleeve, housing 180g black vinyl.

YEAR 000.000.001 identifies an endless year and a conceptual ongoing voyage in borderless spaces. Hence, the fourteen artists, ten tracks and five colors of this second installment are not to be considered a compilation but a continuous metamorphosis of the label's core vision, curated by Toto, Pepe, Carola and Giammaria.

Repress.

Rising from the dark streets of Cairo we proudly present you the first release of the new label from the land of the pyramids: THE MAGIC MOVEMENT.


On the "In Between Reality E.P." Noema invites you to an unheard psychedelic trip: Like through a reverse prism, he melts down Kraut Rock, Afro-American House drums and cosmic Jazz into forbidden sounds of frenzied dancefloor rituals. Outside traditional paths, these driving grooves and polyphonic structures take the adventure seeking dancer to Dionysian highs and places never been before.

You might know Barnt as one of the people behind the idiosyncratic imprints Magazine and Schalen, through which he released his most of his EPs and the incomparable 2014 debut album, Magazine 13.; or maybe you know the thread of beautiful, unpredictable club hits he’s woven with labels like Cómeme and Hinge Finger.

Despite living in Cologne, and being friends with the label, Barnt has not put out anything on Kompakt yet, apart from an one-off appearance on Pop Ambient 11 over a decade ago. An EP had been in the air for several years, but it took Barnt a bit of time to get into the right state of mind, because he wanted to make sure the music paid tribute to “the ceremonial, emotional, grand sprit” that he connects with Kompakt.

Typical to the producer’s modus operandi, ProMetal Fan Decor Only Product spins out a surprising narrative, catching the listener unawares, while remaining fundamentally Barnt. After the elegiac opener “Fan”, stately in its melancholic, epic flourish, “You Know What’s Gone” stomps into earshot, the pounding thud of the drums pinning clanging patterns to the dancefloor, a Sturm Und Drang symphony, the tones all clashing metals and silvers.

After that, there’s release – the hypnotic psychedelic reels of “This Is For Decor Only” are Barnt gone trance, a sensual glide of a track that pirouettes out an eternity of sizzling hi-hats and strip light melodies. While you might want to be alone when listening to “Fan”, you might have the time of your life dancing to “This Is For Decor Only”, played by your favourite DJ at your favourite festival this Summer.

With ProMetal Fan Decor Only Product, wrapped in a sleeve by artist Lukas Heerich, Barnt and Kompakt finally come together, equal parts refined elegance and sweaty fervour.

Dieses Vier-Track-Vinyl-Album enthält die ersten beiden Singles ('Sway' & 'To The Light') des aufstrebenden Acts Lufthaus und die entsprechenden Remixe von Dense & Pika bzw. Fideles und ist voller Underground-Allüren. Mit auffälligen Vocals, ansteckenden Beats und ausdrucksstarken Melodien eignen sich alle Tracks dieses Albums hervorragend für die Tanzfläche und jede On-Demand-Hörsession.

Essex-based producer Ruffien returns to Deeptrax with his debut album – To Win in Silence. Though made in just under a year, it is a collection spanning a decade’s worth of personal growth culminated into one package - documenting the meandering highs and lows of his own private metamorphosis, as he blends impulsivity with styles contemporary, soulful and nostalgic.

For the first time, Ruffien features his own vocals on some of the tracks, which makes the album feel more like several torn journal entry segments falling into place. His intent is to be as unambiguous as possible to get his points across – regardless of how grand or intimate they may be; To Win in Silence doubles down on that intent.

Damian Lazarus’ imprint Crosstown Rebels will release a solo EP by German DJ and producer Jonathan Kaspar in August. Transcending melodic techno and sultry house, the 4-track Overfree release echoes the cinematic but club-driven aesthetic of the Bonn-born artist.

Enter the rabbit hole through the title track and its constellation of starry synth notes and a chugging bassline. Magic. Ten floats in next as a slow-burning melody curls around a bleepy percussive pattern. On the flip, Kaspar goes deep via Piece Of, as staccato piano notes and a soft kickdrum evokes ethereal textures, the kind that marks the end of an all-night-long DJ set. Kaspar collaborates with Canadian singer and songwriter Graham Baxter on the closing track Unify. It's a sublime meeting of the minds as Baxter’s ghostly vocals collide with Kaspar's dreamy grooves and rippling bassline. Surreal synergies, made with the dancefloor and introspective listener in mind.

Jonathan Kaspar is a Cologne-based producer and DJ with an evolving collection spanning Cocoon, Innervisions and Kompakt. Kaspar's roots in dance music stem from his student days studying medicine, when he promoted parties in his native Bonn, Germany, to fund his studies. After graduating, he followed a winding road in producing and DJing and delivered his debut release on Upon You Records in 2015. A slew of solid releases followed suit on Objektivity, These Eyes, ouï and Kompakt. Like his productions, Kaspar's DJ sets convey stories, stitching a range of atmospheric tones and tingling melodies that capture his audience's imagination. He garners a residency at Cologne's esteemed Gewölbe club and enjoys curating all-night-long sets and inviting international names to play alongside him. Beyond Cologne, Kaspar's played at German institutions Watergate, Kater Blau and Fusion Club, as well as Volt Club in Milan, T7 in Paris and Extrema Open Air in Hasselt

Focus on your steps for this 3/4 sample-based tune by Rubini, the psychedelic cactus “San Pedro” will bless you with a magic trip.