House News

POWER MUSIC RE-ISSUES SEX MANIA 01 BY PLEASURE DOME AKA DJ DUKE FROM 1993, HIGHY RECOMMENDED!

Australian artist Alex Albrecht debuts on A Strangely Isolated Place with Violet Visionary, a perfectly honed evolution of pictureesque downtempo and hazy, percussive Deep House. 

Alex Albrecht has refined his unique triangulation of ambient, house and instrumental influences over the years, either as one half of Albrecht La’Brooy (Apollo) or under his Melquíades alias (Analogue Attic). Combining rich field recordings and hypnotic instrumentation, Alex’s productions are often recognizable thanks to this instantly warm and welcoming combination. Percussive elements and powerful drum patterns sit amongst perfectly executed melodies and dusky atmospheres; Alex’s music is just as suited for the orange hues of dawn as the purple tints of sundown. 

A notably shorter album than we may hope, but sequenced as one complete experience, Alex is purposeful and precise in his approach, with every element completely additive to the last. Violet Visionary echoes a moment of organic evolution that disappears as quickly as it came into existence; peaking to a glowing embrace that will undoubtedly leave an impression. 

Featuring original artwork by Evie Cahir and mastered by Corey Kikos, Violet Visionary is available on Transparent Orange Smoke 12”

Marbled Vinyl
Ornaments presents the latest LP 'Tizinabi' from the skilled trio Wareika, a 45-minute cohesive album that effortlessly blends electronic and organic sounds. Despite its roots in dub and house music, the album offers a unique experience by including classical instruments such as guitar and piano flawlessly integrated. The result is a captivating and harmonious sonic landscape that stands on its
own.
Each part flows into the next, creating a dynamic that holds the listener's attention from start to finish.
Throughout the LP, Wareika masterfully combines intricate layers of sound, weaving together hypnotic melodies and smooth percussion to create a tapestry of sound that is both complex and accessible.
For fans of deeper electronic music with funk and soul, "Tizinabi" is a must-hear that showcases Wareika's dedication to pushing boundaries in the genre. With previous releases on esteemed labels
such as Perlon and Mule Musiq, Wareika's distinctive style and musical character are fully showcased on this album. So sit back, relax, and let the beautiful sounds of "Tizinabi" transport you to new and exciting places

This is it. Poly dance theatre 006 arrives. Fresh arrival. For the 6th POLY DANCE THEATRE release, androo has decided to release exclusive dubplates from NS Kroo sound system (androo & baba). Yes. 2 tracks from the smoky, always intense and sometimes very special sessions of the NS Kroo sound system over the last 10 years. Exxxperienceee. Wave Dub style is a blend of synth wave, dub stepper and club elements. A side: Fast Dub, tribute to Kitachi, (Iration steppas). Indeed, NS Kroo didn't wait for the recent re-issues to play Kitachi tracks, and has been inspired by this vibe from the outset. Club meets Dub! Fast Dub is trance, it's raw, it's sporty, it's for the legs, it's good support (aducteurs), it's for nimble feet, it's a book whose last sentence ends on the first, it's repetition, it's different style, it's dance, it's wild, it's club rhythm, it's baba operator, it's androo selector, it's sound system vibes, it's NS Kroo in 2019, it's a discreet, slightly punkish non-chalance, it's distortion, it's "we don't give a fuck about codes", it's that and lots of other things... B side: Wave Dub Style Is Back. It's all in the title. This track is probably from 2014? Wave dub... A mix of new wave/synth pop and dub, with a club mix feel. Again, trance music, the kind you play when the night never ends to end, an epic end-of-session odyssey. Soft and strange synth with strong 808 rhythm. 2 mixes. 1st mix: pop synth experience. 2nd mix: raw trance club mix. Wave Dub Style Is Back was remastered by androo in 2023 with the support of poly dance theatre compagnie.

HOUSEWAX presents another great release by Audiopath. He's back after 2018's "Gimmee That Seat" on the 10 inch series, now with a 4 tracker full of retro future classics. Highly recommended!

Housewax031 - Audiopath - Honey Bun (12")

Repress!

In the last few years we’ve seen French DJ and producer Laroye delivering the goods time after time on respected labels such as Atjazz Recordings, Compost, Makin Moves and Foliage. His latest LP just released on Local Talk has been getting big support picking up plays on Radio 1, 6Music, Worldwide FM as well as spins from Natasha Diggs, Gilles Peterson, Craig Charles, Louie Vega, Honey Dijon to name a few. Freerange is proud to welcome him back for the follow up to 2020’s release Be The Change, presenting you with a killer 4 track EP entitled Uku Dance.

Leading the charge, Laroye is joined by influential Detroit artist, DJ, producer and vocalist Javonntte who has written and recorded a brilliant vocal for a track entitled First Sight. Laroye’s fat beats, jazzy chords and soulful touch make the perfect production for Javonntte’s vocals.

Up next we have the Percussive Dub mix of Uku Dance in which Laroye strips things back to the bare bones making for a serious percussion tool work out to spice up your sets.

On Uku Dance a bass-heavy groove is punctuated with vocal chops and deep Rhodes part which adds a moody, late night touch. Just the kind of soulful, dubby, afro track that will get the house dancers throwing down like their lives depended on it!

Closing out the release you’ll find an instrumental version of First Sight.

Part Three of Steve O'Sullivan's 'Dimensions' album series featuring collaborations with Ricardo Villalobos, Dana Ruh , Thomas Melchior and Soela.

Two leading lights of UK house join forces for a special collaboration which delivers every bit as much as you would expect from anything with the Jimpster & Crackazat stamp on. Having been introduced to Crackazat’s vocal and lyric writing on his acclaimed Evergreen LP from last year Jimpster was keen to team up to bring some of that flavour to his own sound. Born out of a desire to stretch outside of their comfort zones, and with a mutual respect for each others productions, the Natural Child EP brings us two original vocal tracks and two dub versions covering a spectrum of moods from classic soulful to deep, atmospheric, contemporary house.

Opening track Natural Child leads the charge with Crackazat’s trademark jazz-influenced piano part, swirling moog lines and vocal being complimented with Jimpster’s punchy drums and warm, rounded bassline. The result is a spacious and deceptively simple track which will wrap you up in its warm confines.

Next up we have a completely different take on Natural Child which ups the BPM and adds a more live, percussive and rolling vibe which will no doubt get the house dancers throwing down.

My Harmony comes next with its slick and soulful sound which draws inspiration from golden era NYC sounds of Blaze and Louie Vega while Nick Cohen’s live bass brings a bounce to the chunky, shuffling house beats.

Closing out the EP we have a dub version of My Harmony which loops up the Rhodes part, strips back the groove and adds layers of FX and arpeggiating synths resulting in a heads-down deep and soulful track to warm up the dance floor.

4 VINYL ONLYTRACKS // PRINTED GATEFOLD SLEEVE// CELLOPHANE WRAPPED

This Is my Journey....

A musical journey through my life!15 tracks with each one reflecting the various aspects, phases and feelings experienced so farin my life.15 years as a music producer, 15 years touring the world, 15 years of passion, encounters,memories, feelings, magic!These 15 tracks mirror what I have experienced in the last 15 years. Each one has its ownstory –of pain, emotion, learning, curiosity –the need to find and create new sounds, newbeats and this is what continues to drive me to look further, further and further....

Flying high for the tenth anniversary of "Blackbird" album, we're pleased to announce the brand new Blackbird Returns remix album descending on the breeze. Friends from around the world, Nightmares on Wax, Jazzanova, KINGS, Syrup D, Christoph El Truento & Lucky Lane, DJ Philippa, Feiertag, Marcus Worgull, The KCBS, YARNI feat. Liv East, Dub Pistols vs Freestylers and Kid Fonque have remixed their favourite Blackbird tracks.

Part Two of Steve O'Sullivan's 'Dimensions' album series featuring collaborations with Steve Rachmad, Mark Broom, Markus Suckut, Vince Watson, Exos, Soela, Derek Carr, Conforce and Prince Morella.

The third release on this white label series brings together some key members of the Aniara crew. Bergqvist returns with a magnificently minimalist track: a drum machine, a 303 bassline and resonating arpeggios swirling to the moon and back. Dorisburg follows up with an angular, spiraling beat where the devil is in the sizzling details. Genius of Time close out the record on the flip with another one of their signature organic drum workouts.

.Soundscape Versions pres. its fifth release from Italian producer Antonio Marini.
The EP called "Primitivism Masks" leads a synergy between the electronic matrix and the darkest Dub textures. Irregular rhythms will be perceived, accompanied by various pulsating bass riff and frenetic percussions, of African derivation. King Tubby, Lee Perry, African Head Charge are some of the references of the release that will be heard. A "smoky" and introspective spiral, from the beginning to the
end of the project..

Since first joining forces in the studio at the dawn of the 2000s, Danielle Baldelli and Marco Dionigi have released countless collaborative singles and albums, each showcasing distinctively different take on the “cosmic sound” that Baldelli did more than anyone else to define in the early 1980s.

Alloteva marks the pair’s first joint release for Leng Records, and Baldelli’s return to the label following last year’s acclaimed full-length collaboration with Marco Fratty, Oil Painting. It boasts a quartet of cuts that further refine the pair’s now-familiar joint style, which combines elements of dub disco, space rock, Italo-disco, funk and Afro-cosmic (another style which Baldelli arguably created via his DJ sets at the legendary Cosmic Club).

Those who’ve followed the experienced Italian pair’s career over the last two decades will enjoy the heavy and sweaty title track, a cowbell-sporting chunk of funk-fuelled cosmic disco decadence piled high with loose-limbed drums, throbbing synthesizer arpeggio lines, flanged guitar riffs and rubbery, low-slung bass.

The pair’s love of dub disco is further explored on the deliciously deep and warming ‘Deflector’, a pitched-down delight in which intergalactic chords, snaking saxophone motifs and echoing percussion hits rise above a metronomic beat and another headline-grabbing bassline.

‘Sonora’, which opens the flipside of the vinyl version of the release, is arguably even more cosmic and spaced-out. Light and airy thanks to a sparse, clicking drum machine rhythm, hypnotic bassline and gently pulsing synth chords, the track is marked out by some near horizontal, echo-laden jazz guitar solos that seemingly tumble down across the sound space.

To round off a strong EP, Baldelli and Dionigi deliver ‘Time is Plastic’, whose icy ambient intro and blazed spoken word samples quickly segue into another elastic cosmic funk groove. This time round, the star attraction is the duo’s classy combination of liquid bass guitar and excitement-packed slap-bass. Throw in some gnarled, flash-fried funk guitar riffs and a heady, hypnotic mood, and you have another deep space gem from the most cosmic duo in the business.

Zongamin returns with dubbed-out reworks of his 'O!' EP. Cult artist Susumu Mukai brings us into the fun-house of his musical process, re-playing and reworking his EP back-to-front, a far-out journey to the beginning of his last EP, an elliptical meditation on creation itself.

Giving space to the strangeness, allowing the music to bend and warp while somehow managing to hold the centre. These are cosmic explorations, as inwardly rewarding as they are outwardly groovy.

Second album by Vril on Delsin Records. A deep excursion for mind and body, combining his trademark dub techno grooves with experimental ambient trips.

Wait, what? A new Quince? Call the newspapers! It has been YEARS since the Dutch techno producer from Utrecht found the peace of mind to actually release something.

In fact, the Anthology of Interest EP on the illustrious NOWHERE series is his first proper record in eight years. His daytime job as a medic kept him rather occupied. You might remember those times when there was a pandemic around? We missed Quince, even though his sound is rather timeless.

Fluid Detroit infused techno with pulsating rhythms, alluring keyboard stabs and sultry basslines, like on Ghost In The Machine and the extremely funky The Butterjunk Effect.

Opening track Meanwhile has that hazy peak time feel you love so much while dancing with your eyes closed. But the winner of this very versatile EP may just be Space Pilot 3000. A futuristic and jumpy electro-track where the worlds of Drexciya and Juan Atkins collide in a blinding orange supernova. Can someone call a doctor!

Ivano Tetelepta's third album Veldhuizen is another masterclass in deep, shrouded in smoke, spaced out electronics. Touching all half spaces in between dubby minimal, ice cold techno and hazy deep house - the prolific Nijmegen based producer shows on Veldhuizen he's more on point than ever before. Starting the journey with the lush ambiance of 'Sterkenburg' via the deep dubbing 'Opveld', Tetelepta shows his trademark minimal grooves on tracks like 'Langenhorst' and 'Tolhuis'. But there's more, there are multiple efforts in deep hypnotic techno -- 'Halsterenstraat' is one of these impacable hypno grooves that get you locked in space. Together with 'Balearenstraat', 'Klepperheide' and 'Toekomst' it makes this one of the most techno focussed albums of Tetelepta to date. A well balanced pack of deep electronics, influenced by its many branches and restructured with a very personal touch by Tetelepta himself.

For some, melancholy is the joy of being sad. But for A Rocket In Dub, the reawakened project of Düsseldorf producer Stefan Schwander, also known under pseudonyms like Antonelli Electr. or Harmonious Thelonious, Viktor Hugo's famous saying always applies. Two years ago, the Düsseldorf producer and musician released a 4x 7" box set on Krachladen Dub, his first release after a break of 17 years at the time. Now, two years later, 9 new tracks follow as a longplayer on double vinyl and music cassette. Even more experimental, more playful, more hypnotic and with a trombone! Monotony is nice! The rocket is back in the club, teaching genres like house and minimal Jamaican dub deepness again.

2023 repress

New heavyweight Moonshine 12" comes courtesy of Italian Numa Crew known mainly for their set of bootleg releases on the ERBA imprint and recent full length album 'New Underground Massive Alliance' released on LionDub International.
This set of 3 deep dubwise killers will bring the heat to any dance.

Supported by the ones of Radikal Guru, RSD or DJ Madd just to name a few.

The third album of the amazing dub duo NORMAL BIAS, consisting of YAC (Piotr Krupiński) and 77 (Tomasz Karczewski). "LP3" is a kind of closure to the trilogy started in 2016. By inviting Dariusz Dudziński (drummer of the legendary Polish indie band Ewa Braun, currently Titanic Sea Moon) to participate in the recordings, the Normal Bias musicians create a symbolic loop centered on the hometown of all three artists - Słupsk - the place where it all began, where Tomek and Darek years ago they shared their bands' rehearsal space in the famous "independent garage" - a city whose spirit naturally became the leitmotif of the entire "LP3".

The album was mixed again by the duo themselves under the reliable supervision of Kwazar, and the mastering (including cutting the lacquer!) was entrusted to Stefan Betke - co-founder of the famouse ~scape label from Berlin, which can also be treated as a symbol. The graphics based on Martiszu's design were completed by a Znajomy Grafik.

Heavy collection of west coast house classics and unreleased tracks produced by Jay Tripwire in early 00’s.

Exquisite choice of underground grooves that were played over the years by Ricardo Villalobos, Raresh, Margaret Dygas to name a few.

Following on from the warm reception to Hell Yeah and Music Conception reissuing Calm's cult Before album, the labels have come together once more to offer up a reissue of the Japanese master's highly sought-after long player Moonage Electric Ensemble. The hard-to-find original has been given an all-new mixdown from original stem files and then re-mastered by Calm himself, and the double LP will also come with a bonus 12" featuring his very own Daydream Dubs plus an obi-strip and original artwork by FJD.

The blissful yet soul-stirring Moonage Electric Ensemble, which landed first in 1999, was Kiyotaka Fukagawa's stunning sophomore album and the one that kept the bar high following his debut Shadow of the Earth. It investigated all new worlds of future jazz, ambient and downtempo and has since become a cult classic that often fetches three figures on secondhand markets. He has released over 18 albums since including Before which was reissued in 2022, though Moonage Electric Ensemble remains a favourite with those who enjoy the most accomplished and innovative sounds from the first wave of chillout.

This escapist charmer opens with the suspensory synths and piano keys of 'Unseen Small Steps' featuring spoken words from Dan Gamble, then 'Light Year' has gently tumbling rhythms and shimming synth moving about the soothing mix. 'Noon At The Moon' brings gorgeously fizzing future jazz drums and mellifluous piano playing full of subtle joy, and 'The Other Side Of The Moon' then layers up melancholic chords and chunkier rhythms that are detailed with gorgeous persuasive details and mystic flutes. 'Tsukiyo' is a new age charmer with paddy hand drums and romantic interplay between sax and trumpet, 'Between Worlds' is an ambient interlude with distant winds blowing and intimate whispers from Gamble before closer 'Authentic Love Song' rides on dusty trip hop breaks as lazy piano chords melt the heart and Gamble serves up another aloof monologue.

This is another welcome reissue of a sublime album that is not only one of Calm's finest but also a true gem in the wider world of downtempo music.

The mysterious trio Pandilla LTD provide the first release on Ozy, a new sub-label run by Miguel Melo from Lisbon’s Carpet & Snares family. Never ones to tread the easiest path, Pandilla show off their full range of moods and tempos on this 4-tracker, opening with the jazzy and glitchy breaks of vignette ‘Beat Untitled’. This leads into ‘aWARe’, a downtempo epic of cinematic ambience and released tension that contrasts with the more dancefloor-ready cuts on the B. With its patient dubby tick-tock, ‘Mind Trick’ feels like a long-lost Basic Channel side-project, while the more extrovert ‘Trying To Go’ closes things in style with a shimmy and a shake.

Este quinto lanzamiento amplía el entretejido musical del distintivo “sonido borde”. Borde05 sigue sorteando los lugares más comunes de la música electrónica actual, expresándose en texturas deli y ritmos refinados. El álbum se convierte en un diálogo múltiple que entremezcla ambientes y conecta pasajes vocales tanto indefinibles como reales.

Evocando una especie de lenguaje antiguo en “Sucre” y su rito extrasensorial, el tema en manos de Vince (UY) abre el lanzamiento de forma dinámica y un tanto impredecible, de esqueleto mínimal pero con el alma house, este track es ideal para el comienzo de cualquier dj set. Inmediatamente después, los acordes junto a unos sutiles hihats dan bienvenida al tema “BeB” de Antonio Lentini alias Ezzy (ITA), cargado con una vibra de influencia electro y una progresión de acordes que destila una especia de nostalgia positiva, es la pausa meditativa necesaria para el cierre del lado A.

Al comienzo de la cara B, “Global Heat”. La voz de Camilo Castaldi alias Tea-Time (CHI) tratada con efectos y sobre-grabaciones, habla sobre la sociedad actual y su relación tóxico-dependiente con la tecnologia, animales encerrados y contaminación infinita, invita a la reflexión y toman por sorpresa cualquier pista. Esta composición de ritmo dub pero de pulso uptempo ha sido producida por el dúo chileno Area 51 (Rodrigo Valdivia & Camilo Gil). Eso nos llevará al final de este V.A,"See You" es una conclusión ambient con matices IDM y unas progresiones melódicas en eterno ascenso en una amena despedida del disco, ideal para el cierre de cualquier set, una obra hermosa creada por el artista Sasha Nevolin (CZ).

Assured UK house producer Andy Ash takes care of the next EP on SAFTX while the equally esteemed Mark E steps up to remix.

For well over a decade now, Andy Ash has been turning out high-quality house music on a range of labels. Last year he served up a tasteful full-length on Quintessentials, the year before he dropped a double 12" on Still Music and he is also a regular at the likes of Delusions Of Grandeur. From deep and dusty to disco-tinged and dynamic, he has a stylish sound that is well-versed in the classics but always his own twist. He shows that again here with four fresh tunes which cannot fail to make you feel good.

Opener 'You:Me' features Faber and os brilliantly warm house groove. The drums and hi-hats are prefectly designed, the vamping chords bring a playful funk and swirling pads add diffuse late-night energy. It's timeless cut with nods to the US midwest and subtle vocal sounds.

Remixer and Merc label boss Mark E has a rich history of edits and originals on the likes of Running Back, Delusions Of Grandeur and Studio Barnhus. On this version, he lays down hazy, heavy kicks for a beatdown workout that comes alive with gorgeous synt work akin to all the best Detroit dons.

Ash's 'Momentary Days' is a slow and roomy, dubbed-out house swinger. Well-placed samples - vocal coos, guitar riffs, jazzy chords - all peel off the loose drums and can't fail to get you moving. 'Reach' is another humid house cut for cosy back rooms and basements. The Scruffy drums have frayed edges while dreamy melodies loop up top. It's a heartfelt sound that slowly turns you to deep inward reflection.

Last of all is 'Rico! Rico!', a downtempo jazz-funk jam with crisp broken beats, keys that take you to the Riviera and strings so lush you can almost feel the sun on your face.

This deep house music as it should be - raw, expressive and full of human soul.

Setting the tone in a similarly deep and heady post-rave delirium as RBI's Disseminate and in-house group Sleep D's latest album, the spectral dub techno of Unsolicited Joints slips in perfectly to the Butter Sessions 2023 vibe.

Unsolicited…no one asked for these joints, yet here they are. Salvaged from many spontaneous late night jams over the last few years in a darlinghurst studio with only the mood in the room and the spirit of fun as guides. It's all here really - Convextion-esque Midwest futurism, spiralling pads and woodblock style percussion mixed with the kind of borderless deep house timbres that nod more to Sprinkles, Regelbau and Acido than the watered-down, commercialised monotony. Elements of bleep, golden era 90s progressive house and even dubstep ('Joint 5') coalesce to prove a distinct UK influence, though Sydney brothers, Cousin & Ben Fester, combine them with ease.

'Joint 2' manages to at once subtly unfold yet rapidly ascend into peak-time 130 territory, knowingly crafted with the DJ in mind. Meanwhile 'Joint 3' gathers momentum through a shuffling, almost European minimal sort of groove, equally floor friendly but with less of the intensity. The aforementioned bleep tropes poke their head out on the latter half of the opening cut, while across the whole thing is a sense that the Fester's are as voracious listeners as they are talented producers. An exciting collection of tracks that wear their stylistic influences on their sleeve but are deep in the knowledge of those that have come before them.

On the A SIDE: Dreems has taken a little wander over into the Pinchy patch with three mental head spinning tracks that defying categorization.

And on the B SIDE: Dreems meets dub legend Scientist for three mixes from the desk. Each track was reimagined and re-recorded before Scientist took control of the faders to dub them in to oblivion.

Creative offspring of Tushen Rai and Cornelius Doctor’s musical fantasies, Hard Fist has been a non-profit project encompassing producers, graphic designers, djs and dreamy party worshippers since its inception in 2017.

“We would never have thought that this collective story would bring us this far, that it would take such a place in our lives and that it would bring us so many beautiful encounters. It was only possible to celebrate our 5th anniversary with the unreasonable idea of making something out of the ordinary.

So we thought big, a digger’s dream: a double vinyl in limited edition with 20 artists from 17 countries gathered around exceptional collaborations: producers who have marked the history of the label these last 5 years, friends, but also peers, people who inspired us and gave us the desire to create Hard Fist.

In this Unidentified Noisy Object (U.N.O), you can expect borderless music flirting with Nu-Rave and No Wave, Cosmic Dub and Post-Punk, a slice of Psychedelic Electronica, a lot of Acid and a bit of Slow Goa Trance. As well as some beats of Krautrock played with an Afrobeat groove and a few Darkwave’s synths. But not only that. It’s never only that. But what is it then? Just a label without label, to dance and to explore.

We are more than excited to announce Ben Kaczor’s album Petrovo Uho.

After his debut LP Sun Chapter One on KCZ, Ben Kaczor presents eleven brand new tracks. The digital release on November 18th will be followed by a vinyl edition, coming out in late winter.

“For the album, an important conceptual thought came from encountering a rare ear-shaped seashell called Petro Uvo (Peter’s Ear). I found it while diving in Dubrovnik, Croatia in the summer. Inspired by the sound of a foreign language, I decided to keep all the tracks in Croatian, some of them in the dialect of the town of Dubrovnik, because the atmospheric soundscapes of the tracks reflect memories and feelings of traveling through Croatia, the force of the sea and wind, the play of lights and moods.”

Ben Kaczor, 2022

Lovers Rock at its finest with a beautiful cover version of Merlyn Brooks' "You'll Never Need Somebody". Originally released in 1981 this release is the work of Reggae heavyweight Geoffrey Chung (who also worked on Dhaima with Phillip Michael Thomas, previously released on MISSYOU). This release features the original 7" version along with a small collection of other new mixes.

On the A side, the Dub Organiser skillfully extends the original 3 minute track into a 7 and a half minute long trip along with a new "Dub" version, respectfully re-mixed from the original multitracks 40 years later.

On the B-side, the mixing console is handed over to a dedicated student of Dub, the Swiss Androo who's clearly no stranger to studio work when it comes to dubby landscapes. Elegantly walking the tightrope between traditional approaches and raw experimentation with 3 new mixes, each with very unique feelings.

For Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber, the idea of rebirth is a creative driving force – an artistic device which not only informs their work, but anchors it.

As the avant-garde electronic group Tosca, the two artists have lived many musical lives, from their early electronic experiments with tape decks to the blissed-out dub compositions with which they have made their name.

Their most recent album, OSAM, takes this idea of renewal even further. Now they have reworked the source material from their ninth record and selected some of their friends to help make MIRAGE: The OSAM Remixes.

Fans rejoice - Lord Echo's limited vinyl-only singles are compiled on a vinyl album presented in an embossed Japanese printed sleeve and obi strip While we patiently await new music, we can revel in versions that escaped the typical overthinking that occurs during the album process, instead refecting the spontaneity and freedom of a touring artist. All tracks bar one ('Thinking of Dub') were initially released on short-run 7" singles for Echo's early Japan tours, made only available to dedicated fans who attended the live shows. The country holds a special place in his heart thanks to the warm hospitality of its citizens, in particular tour organiser and label owner Kenji Sakajiri from Wonderful Noise (with whom Soundway is co-releasing the vinyl album). That said, cultural differences made for unforgettable if not unique experiences of performing in Japan - from DJ etiquette which compelled him to stay to the end of the party no matter what, to a near- religious moment of dancing to Pat Metheny around a bonfire in the woods. A regular visitor to Asia will also be familiar with the concept of "lose- face", and in the case for Lord Echo it was processing the crushing shame of DJing a digital set alongside heavyweight Japanese collectors or next to signage stating "REAL DJ VINYL ONLY". Humbling moments aside, the Japanese obsession with detail and quality can also produce a high level of experience, one that left such an impression upon Echo that the track 'Nightclub Daydream' is inspired by the near-utopian clubs he visited and the sound systems that drive them. Unexpected perhaps that such an atmosphere of perfectionism also unleashed creative bursts, resulting in a heavy, subby version of "In Your Life" with Lisa Tomlins taking over vocals, an upbeat reggae cover of William DeVaughan's "Be Thankful For What You Got", or a version of "Woah! There's No Limit" with infuences of soul and early hip- hop amen breaks. Without further ado, Soundway presents Lord Echo's 'Rarities', a collection of sought-after singles now made very much accessible to you the people.

2022 Repress

OGE007 Unknown Artist , 12" Vinyl Only

Dubbed out, unique, leftfield House blends

4 VINYL ONLY TRACKS // 180G VINYL // CELLOPHANE WRAPPED

Markus Homm unveils his twelve-track debut LP ‘After Dark’, set for release on German imprint Bondage-Music.

An artist with a rich history within deeper house spheres and minimal territories, Markus Homm has been a fixture of the scene for over twenty years with a long list of appearances at renowned institutions, including Panorama Bar, Watergate, Kater Blau and Tresor.

Whether releasing stand-out solo material via Hive Audio, 8Bit and Cyclic Records or collaborating with fellow countryman Mihai Popoviciu, Homm’s continual evolution and development have seen him become a staple name within sets of the industry’s leading talent. A regular on the imprint with a string of releases dating back to his label debut in 2012 as remixer for Miguel Lobo – Atemporal, the Romanian-born, Nuernberg-based talent returns to Bondage-Music as he presents his first album on the label,

"The album came together over the period of the last few years. I wanted to find the sweet spot of timeless music you can listen to at home or in a club. A few tracks have been completed also during the worldwide lockdown 2 years ago, such as the track ‘After Dark’. 
Most of us had the feeling of being in a dark place in life, for myself I always knew things would get better and I was looking forward to the moment, that motivated and inspired me to make my first artist album. After these difficult times, ‘After Dark’, just look forward again, and feel new joy." – Markus Homm

‘After Dark’, a rich collection of eight productions on the vinyl, ‘he album is a carefully crafted project. Starting with the vinyl version’s A1 ‘The System’, Homm delicately introduces the deep and dubby textures he’s so well known for and sets the tone for what is to come.



‘Generator’ builds upon this foundation with a selection of deep, aquatic tones, while B-side productions’ Trespasses’ and ‘Grauzone’ subtly pick up the pace and energy while guiding listeners down equally hazy and captivating trips.

‘Blue Mountain’ welcomes the first of four tracks on the 2nd vinyl, harnessing skipping drums alongside resonant chords, while title track ‘After Dark’ is an exemplary display of the Romanian’s ability to fuse delicate layers of misty pads, intricate percussion and resonant stabs.

On the flip, ‘I Wish’ is a spirited and breezy journey through rich soundscapes guided by floaty vocals, while ‘Who Are You’ concludes the physical package with a twisting production crafted for the after-hours. A display of deep textures, ‘After Dark’ marks showcases Homm’s signature sonics while offering new shades to his sound, marking his return to
Bondage-Music in impressive fashion.

Repress!

Vessel Records celebrates its milestone 10th release with a four tracker from one of the UK's finest producers of high quality house and techno, Mark Ambrose. Founder of Crayon Records and having released on far too many reputable imprints to name, Mark is a stalwart of the scene and has contributed three brand new original tracks as well as an old favourite of many for VES010 titled 'Mystery Club House Trax'.

The EP kicks off with 'Space & Sound', a bubbling opener with a pulsing dub horn and transcending tones that build into a killer acid hook. Catchy guitar lines and a punchy bassline are the foundations of the next track 'Barn Dance', which when flowing into the peak time percussion could lend itself well to those moments that turn the dance floor into a frenzy.

On the flip side we have two darker tracks for those later hours, the first being a re-release from 1997 from Aubrey's Solid Groove imprint. 'Redial' is going for silly prices on Discogs at the moment which will make this EP one to want for the old techno heads, who have followed Mark's music from the beginning. Finally the closing track is 'In The Basement', a spooky finisher layered with eerie synths and a sample that some may recognise...

Mark's signature syncopation and decades of experience pull together what is perhaps the most exciting and notable record in Vessel's back catalogue so far, very fitting for the 10th release!