House News

Stefan Schwander of course is a man of many names and visions (such as Harmonious Thelonious, Repeat Orchestra and A Rocket in Dub) and here's his latest one: While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps comes up with "OK" on new Hamburg-based label Unsure. As While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps Schwander strips down his equipment even further and refines his longstanding idea of creating reduced minimalistic tracks radiating warmth, digging deep and delivering the groove.

The five tracks on "OK" all follow one basic flow: big basslines, elegant chords and transparent arrangements, rhythms as compelling as unobtrusive. Schwanders love for dub shimmers through the tracks, just as his pop-trained flair for seductive harmonies.
Beautiful groovy music from Düsseldorf to the world. On and on and on.

FUSE head honcho Enzo Siragusa drops his first EP of 2023 with the long-awaited release of ‘Laughing Tones’, backed by a remix from Subsequent boss Voigtmann.

It’s safe to say that every time FUSE founder Enzo Siragusa steps out on his home label with fresh music, it’s an event that carries a lot of attention and for a good reason. His last EP on the label ‘Dreamscape’ celebrated the imprint’s 50th EP release, while stand-out releases and records dating back to his very first on the imprint back in 2011 have continued to shape and evolve the label’s core identity, pushing the sound forwards while still bringing that trademark ‘FUSE aesthetic’. Returning to the label for his first release of the year, mid-July sees the renowned selector and producer unveil his latest EP ‘Laughing Tones’ as he uncovers a pair of heavily-requested productions that showcase his diverse production range backed by a driving remix from Voigtmann.

“While many people know about the influences I draw from jungle and hardcore, my sound has always been routed within house music. The inspiration behind ‘Laughing Tones’ comes from the house music from the late 90s; Mood II Swing, Inland Knights, the dubs and those deeper b-sides.. this record is a bit of a modern twist on that influential sound” - Enzo Siragusa.

A production drenched in rich melodies, title cut ‘Laughing Tones’ is a bright and lively production as the vibrant, sweeping leads and delicate chords meet a zigzagging, engrossing bassline and skippy percussion arrangements for a deep and bubbly trip through all hours of the night. Next, ‘Blossom’ enters the fray built around killer breaks and subtle low-end evolutions, all accented by jazzy tones and hazy textures, before Voigtmann’s vinyl-only remix of the title cut takes things into more off-kilter territories as eerie interludes, sharp hats, and cosmic tones take hold of things and dive deep into the early hours.

As a DJ, producer and person, Mas O Menos founder Levi Love is larger than life. He picks and makes music that celebrates the fulness of our existence. What happens when that beaming light is confronted by death, though? It’s a question Levi found himself forced to answer on his new cassette A Tribute To Magriza, made in response to the passing of the primary figure in his life: his mother. “At its core, this is a musical rendition of grief and also a tribute to a remarkable woman” he says. “It’s a collection of music produced whilst processing her passing.

Boaksi’s first EP “Under the Pavilion” builds upon the productions of his debut album by featuring a combination of more club oriented elements together, often characterised by layered synth patterns, breaks and textured percussion. As the second release on Small Steps, Boaksi looks to create an ethereal and refined sound to follow the labels dreamy ambience. Sometimes melancholic, sometimes upbeat. The EP reminds us with its mellow vocals of warm bright summer days.

Breakbeats and magic. dot13 and friends!

DAWL is a champion in the studio with releases on many top tier labels including Tone Dropout, Further Electronix and Klasse Wrecks. His EP on the Acid Boom’s sister label Amen brother was our biggest seller of 2022 on the label.

Acid Boom is about capturing that early 90’s acid sound before it transitioned to rave. Raw warehouse vibes using many Roland machines during the production process (and plug ins!) This is authentic acid music that was made by kids in their bedrooms, pushing their equipment to extremes it was never originally intended for. That is why we made contact with DAWL as he grew up from that era and could emerge himself completely into the writing process to make it fully retro.

This release is following on from Tone Def and X—Plode … and its HEAVY!

Limited to 300 copies that comes in a hand stamped sleeve.

From the artwork to the vocal stamps to the beats themselves, this is a brilliantly retro-tactic release that brings plenty of nostalgia to the dance floor. Ursula 100 serves up the goods with 'Movin' 2 The Sound' - a dense and intense cut with vocals musing on drum beats and rocking the house, electro-tinged bass and lashings of acid with plenty of analogue percussive sounds. The Acid Jerks Refix strips away some of the noise to focus on the 303 and loopy vocal fragments and Fort Knox 5 up the acid-electro vibes on their rework. Last of all, the DJ Absolutely Shit remix brings some big jungle breakbeats and lively sax. A fun and destructive EP for sure.

Mephis is back with All Killer No Filler Vol. 2; yet another faithful compilation of the eclectic Uruguayan underground sound.

Elias brings the timeless, hypnotic and energetic loopiness. Stonem comes with the intense and tense, acidic and robotic electro breaks.

Alfalfa serves an introspective acid trance bonanza extravaganza and Two Phase U delivers a majestic and melancholic acid-tech-dubby masterpiece.

If you don't have enough cash for holidays in Montevideo, feel free to get MPHS004 and have a nice little mind trip to the south.

1st Science (Henrik Helenius) Has Been An Online Man Of Mystery For Some Time, And You'd Better Believe He Supplies The Goods Whenever He Resurfaces!

In The Early 1990s, Out Of The Uk's Rave Scene, 2 Genres Known As Breakbeat Hardcore And Jungle Were Spawned. A Decade Later, And A Modest Online Community Began To Try And Revive The Genres In The 2000s Within A Scene Dubbed "Hardcore Breaks". Henrik Became One Of Its Most Influential And Creative Contributors, Bagging Himself Appearances On The Likes Of Right Touch Records, Bat Beat Recordings (The Precursor To Renegadegenius's Paranoid Recordings) And Hardcore Lives, As Well As Becoming One Of The First Serious Juggernauts Of Sharing Music Online.

Based In Stockholm, In The Words Of Strictly Nuskool Blog, Henrik Swiftly Earned Himself The Title Of "The Swedish King Of Hardcore" Amongst Junglists... And That's A Tough Title To Pinch!

Skip Ahead To The Year 2023, And 1st Science Is Far From Done. Hell, Didn't You Know He's Only Just Started Tuning Up The Bunsen Burner? From The Ones Who Brought You "You Time" And "First Sign Of Trouble", Yes Yes, Erupt Proudly Presents A Shiny New Ep From The Man, Featuring 5 Of His Finest Tracks On Wax For The First Time. If You're Familiar With The Earlier Digital Release Of This Ep, Don't You Worry, For Being Patient You Get The Exclusive Bonus Track "Everlasting Night" Here.

So What Are You Waiting For? 1st Science Invites You To Participate In An Experiment Which Requires Your Subwoofers. An Absolute Treasure Trove For Any Techno, Breaks, Or Uk Retro Rave Lover.

The first vinyl release from the Crate Classics label. Celebrating the success from the Rose Tinted digital release featuring Eliza Legzdina and a remix by DJ Haus. The vinyl also features the original instrumental used for Rose Tinted as well as an exclusive Crate Classics

2024 Repress


Laurence follows up the 2019 ‘The Sun Is Warm And Directly Above You’ EP with another cut of pure happiness and good vibes. This four tracker delivers the exact message that’s portrayed in the title, positivity, faith and the ability to change a persons mood. Laurence's use of graceful chopping and cutting, blended with some of his more down tempo style productions creates a real treat of a record.

A Love Letter From The Circuit Board

Humanity Adrift In The Constellations Of Data

In the post-apocalyptic world of JTEKKEN 3, life as we know it has almost disappeared. Not so long ago, was an electric and violent atmosphere, full with the sweat of dancing bodies and the scent of alcool and other substances. This world is now dead. The horrible Covidos boss has wiped it out with the back of its clawed hand and has placed the rare survivors under his yoke. Turned into slaves, they only survive as shadows who disappear at night with the last rays of the sun…
But! A handful of heroes is refusing to let the world in the hands of Covidos and has decided to fight for the rescue of the planet. They compete against each other in a final mortal kombat in order to select the one who will have the honor to stand up to Covidos in a final showdown to end its evil reign. Their weapons: powerful and destructive gravitationnal sound waves called Musique. Join the Frappé Guild, select your weapon and your hero and add your name to the legend.

Madre Lingua is a collection of songs born via the constant interactions among the Artists that gravitated around Mother Tongue in the first two years since its opening.

On the back of this continuous exchange of musical ideas and vibes MT’s own Patrick Gibin full time coordinator and producer of many of the songs here worked on this project like painting a blank canvas inviting Tiombé Lockhart, Kaidi Tatham, K15, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Tommaso Cappellato, EDB, Gary Superfly and the mysterious 黒舌 (Infectious Madness) to bring their colourful and heartfelt contributions to this unique collection of songs.

Deep within the freeway buzz of dystopian Los Angeles, there exists an unstoppable sonic gathering of minds, who call themselves “Fast At Work” and abide by a belief in the deeper potential of higher tempos. However, lately, there has been some debate about the true existence of the Fast At Work mantra. Just as the debate was reaching its climax, seemingly out of nowhere, a helicopter emerged containing a musical capsule from the future (or possibly aliens).

The group accepted this music as scripture, and coined it “Soft Fascination,” – naming group member Carré as their chosen matriarch. Through the title hymn “Soft Fascination,” Carré preached a proto vision of a classic dubstep bassline and tender pads. With “Cute Mad,” Carré magically induced a sense of positivity and bubbly bass. And with the third offering, “Glowing,” she pushed her audience closer to understanding simplicity and space.

Finally, in an effort to expand their gospel to the furthest realms of their musical world, she recruited Priori and James Bangura to create their own missions, rooted in the original offerings of the alien helicopter’s capsule disc. While Priori expertly rearranged “Soft Fascination” into a shiny mind-melter, James Bangura expanded on the lightness of “Glowing,” creating his own lucid dreamscape of deep melancholia.

Mitch Wellings invites you on the fourth outing of his interplanetary travel service. Flanked by Jhobei of Felon5 at the controls, they journey to the exploding planet, loaded with weapons of mass abduction.

Bass Tours brings all the swagger of a live band on acid, setting the tone for a groove driven trip.

Jhobei delivers a classy approach to the remix, continuing with the fun of the original, splashed with new flavours and intelligent arrangement.

Space Wars dishes up more odorous bass guitars and spaced out acid lines, served up with an in your face vocal, sitting on chunky but funky breaks.

Whether hurtling through space or sailing the high seas, Speed Boat is guaranteed to rock any ship at high speeds. All aboard.

How I Feel, takes you on a deeper journey to round off the trip. Intricate drums, gliding pads and that signature Space Tours B side depth.

Another planet visited and another swiss army knife to add to the record box of any discerning selector.

For this first hard copy from KNOWN ARTIST, they honour their CLUBMIX imprint’s 3rd release.

Dancefloor bombs only! The piano house ecstasy EP makes a come back!

Joyful keys, sharp basses, cerebral acid lines, thumping drums and gated vocals.

On the remix side “X83” becomes a punchy acido-base roller in the hands of Jex Opolis, while “I Need” gets a trippy 90s dance reshape from Rosa Red.

2022 Repress

HQ Gatefold, 3x12 140g Vinyl, black innersleeve, download code
EXTRAWELT are back! Although in fairness, they were never gone. On the contrary, since their first release on James Holden's Border Community Label dropped in 2005, Arne Schaffhausen and Wayan Raabe have been responsible for a plethora of classics including "Schöne Neue Extrawelt" and "In Aufruhr", their two seminal albums on Cocoon Recordings. The duo are one of the most booked live acts worldwide, commanding a huge fan base. Their performances are the stuff of legend, making them the absolute highlight at every club and festival they play. So it's with great pride and respect, that we can announce the release of Extrawelt's third album for Cocoon Recordings. "Fear Of An Extra Planet" completes the Cocoon trilogy and the excitement growing among their fans represents a new high in the history of EXTRAWELT!
Musically, of course, there's enormous pressure on EXTRAWELT to deliver, but this is dismissed with a playful disregard and they are clearly focused on the job in hand. The album title "Fear Of An Extra Planet" sounds cinematic, like some art-house science fiction film, without giving too much away.
However, from the first seconds of the opening track "Superposition", the album title makes 100% sense and sets the scene for the rest of the trip. We are immersed in wide open spaces and invited to explore dark and dusky worlds that transport us back to their Border Community years. Timeless and elegant, "Superposition" perfectly captures the epic, dream like quality that made James Holden's label so influential.
New Release Information Second up, "Gott ist Schrott" takes a much more minimalist approach with its retro 80s drum programming, monster bass lurking in the breaks and playful Rhodes/synth riffs that span the divide between early German techno and deep Detroit electro with a distinctive film soundtrack aesthetic. "Oddification" continues this theme, adding extra spice reminiscent of the techno-synth vibe of Detroit with a punchy, almost Prodigy-style breakbeat complete with shredded vocal samples that gives us a taste of what's in store. "Gentle Venom" then takes the breakbeat motif to the next stage. The main focus here is the classy sprinter of a bassline, peppered with a flurry of intricate and subtle effects and modulations, that immediately trigger an intense, movie-like 'in pursuit' feeling.
With - Das Grosse Flimmern" we cautiously approach the album's high point. It's still in keeping with the soundtrack aesthetics, but faster and with more urgency. Almost hypnotically, Extrawelt invade us with an energy and impetus that always radiates from their music. Next in line is "Silly Idol" and here Arne Schaffhausen and Wayan Raabe opt again for a more minimal tack, focusing even more intensely on the dance floor to reveal a pulsing, twisted heart to the album.
"Punch The Dragon" is the hidden gem of the collection, utilising and melting together the most bombastic and playful elements. This one is totally off the hook, a sensory overload in an acoustic widescreen format! Then we have the title track "Fear Of An Extra Planet" which perfectly sums up the album concept. It opens up like a film score, with minimal passages following dark sequences that morph into dreamy melodies, all grounded by cool, constantly alternating analogue drum patterns. If you're not listening closely, you might get the impression that three or four different titles are mixed together; such is the effortless flow of the album.
As we near our destination, "The Friendly Coroner" really does honour its name. The morbid charm of the title is captured by a fluid bassline and melodic arrangements that border on the absurd, until the funky drum beat finally drops. In our mind's eye we see a cheerful medical doctor removing his bloody gloves, hanging his smock in the closet and vibing out in his neon drenched workspace. And there we sit, glued to our cinema seat, submerged in the different textures EXTRAWELT have conjured up on "Fear Of An Extra Planet". Over the course of the last title, the strings usher in the final acknowledgments as the credits roll. The dramatic end of "2084" leaves us transfixed in front of a black screen in a large, dark room safe in the knowledge that we've just witnessed a science fiction epic.

Repress.

Griffé is hyped to announce the return of P.O on the label! This record brings together everything that makes the producer's sound so distinctive: a dark & melancholic technoish vibe filled with 80’s new wave sounds, breaks & spooky pessimistic vocals. Welcome to the Void Gardens.

Floating above the clouds you’ll find some extra silky producers making their beats. Specialising in smooth, sunshine coated dancefloor flavours; they are individuals who like to put a smile on your face and make you feel warm inside. For the inaugural release, Velvet Velour’s new outlet; Silky Beats, invites three of the smoothest operators around- B.Love, Bowyer and Astral Wayne to the platform, and contributes a track from himself for the B2. Enjoy!

Following 2 heavy reissues of “Silver Mirror Of Her Eyes” and “Heavy Water” from original works on D*Fusion Records in 1994-1997, Howard Dodd aka Anoesis returns to physical in 2023 for a new full feature-length album via Australian based imprint Paper-Cuts. Selected works between 2010-2022 “Memory On Memory” offers a modern take from the underground UK artist, spanning refined breaks, playful tech-house and modular experiments stretched across this 9-track LP.

Originally released in 2001, Omni AM's highly sought after 'Kastmaster' EP reappears for the first time with all the tracks in their OG context.

This EP perfectly encapsulates the US duo's vision to challenge the conventions and boundaries of what defined house music throughout the late 90's.

First up, 'Tubes for Allah', is characterised by heavy driving bass and sub-aquatic sonics. Punchy kicks drums drive the track forward, whilst swinging snares create a skeletal jack that underlies the track's eerie synths and haunting vocals.

Berlin favourite 'Chill New Body' is up next. Out of print for over 20 years this track is slightly more restrained, the dub bass-line interplays with a hypnotising and unforgettable organ riff, until deftly programmed chords send the track off on a remarkable late night mission, with no less energy and atmosphere than its predecessor.

On the flip, 'Beat Dis', is one of Adam & Marky's most highly revered and well-known productions in all it's full glory. Opening with a wailing guitar, this broken, breakbeat Tech-House masterclass, builds with an incessant acidic bass, there's additional percussive effects and a repetitive vocal to keep the track moving but it's those sparse beats and bottom end that are the hook, a perfect example of how 'less is more' can be so effective. This track became such a firm favourite with Craig Richards & Lee Burridge that they included it on the 2nd instalment of their Tyrant compilations.

This is another essential release from the Omni AM and Euphoria catalogue, lovingly remastered from the original sources by Lawrie at Curve Pusher
for the new generation's hearts, minds and dancefloors.

Bassline technicality and production prowess by Fader Cap on his return to Craigie Knowes. 4 tracks that combine club-sensibilities with width and melody to transcend dancefloors to the outer realms. Echo Chamber provides DJs with a mix of club-focussed beats for all times of the night, strap in.

After whetting our appetites with the new italo "classic" Volevi Una Hit repress, Bottin and his Cristalli Liquidi project team up with the French-Italiano electro pair Deux Control (aka Justine Forever & Rodion) for a double take of this sweaty song about the colour red and the gentle carnal forces of nature. You might want to pick up some Italian to enjoy the lyrics. Along with two entirely different main versions, Bottin's sped-up dub and Deux Control's vocally sparse mix will serve electro-funk heads and low-cheese/high-energy italo lovers alike.

Dusky’s music has always been built on the pleasure principle, but JOY – as the title makes absolutely clear – takes that to new levels of purity and intensity.
Looking back to more innocent times and to rave music’s halcyon days, the duo of Alfie Granger-Howell and Nick Harriman have tapped into that special moment when raving was still a voyage into the unknown.

This project is a distillation of the spirit of people coming together in hard times, forgetting their troubles and celebrating life. All of the core elements here are familiar from the peak rave era and the birth of hardcore – the cascading pianos, the infectious bleep melodies, the Chicago and Detroit grooves, the rugged Belgian techno riffs, and the proto-jungle break beats – but retooled, rewired, and refreshed for this brave new world.

It’s both a natural development and noticeable evolution from the pair’s previous work. Natural, because these musical elements have always been apparent in Dusky’s sound, but a clear evolution in they way they are presented, with such an unreserved and joyous tone.

The result is a celebration - and expression - of the communal ecstasy of the dance floor experience. An expression of 18 months yearning to be back out there communing and celebrating. An expression of everything that dance music - and dance culture - is about at its very best.

JOY brings together all the finesse and subtlety that Dusky have honed while traversing the various corners of clubland over the past decade, all their understanding of fundamental dance floor dynamics, and channels it all to a single, unified purpose. At a time when we’ve all suffered, we’ve all struggled, and we’re all uncertain, we’ve never needed this sense of unity more. All the release we’ve so badly wanted is here: we all need JOY.
credits

Mighty fine collaboration release from Qeta & Inkipak on Sound Synthesis own imprint. Signal II Signal EP deliveres 3 tracks from each artist of high quality timeless electronix sounds. Limited pressing of 200 copies and comes with a printed sleeve.

Reba's 858 Ass marks the first trip to Transarctica. Precise percussions, ethereal pads and voices, textures and breaks, 858 Ass is a 4tracker deconstructing influences like bass, breaks & jungle. The first EP sets the tone and direction for the new label, that will explore a broad musical aesthetic with the distinct “Transarctica” touch.

Strong acidic electro from the master of Malta!

Anthea & Velasco steer the Partisan project in a fresh direction curating another label: PARTI PILLZ. Heading up the inaugural release is the Mexican producer in fine form - Pily.

Known recently for her hypnotic and entrancing sound this super talented newcomer stamps her mark with this four tracker, wandering between innovative strains of minimal, electro and breaks. It's mind stretching material, telling the tales of a low end bouncy saga with vocal snippets sampled from interviews of Miss Kier & Deelite: This is “Orca”.

Vinyl Only. Limited.

Panna Cotta Music as MixCult Records sublabel returns with the second vinyl release with a virtuosic display of melodic musicianship. It’s a four track EP that wiggles around spatiality and blissful atmospheres. Joss, Ilya Schulz, Etzu Mahkayah and Gjidoda Jr. definitely come and hold many dubby techno wonders in this release.

DJ Steve's third EP for Klasse Wrecks delves deeper into the sonic universe of the Sheffield producer's arsenal, a slow but deliberate progression can be traced from the previous EPs. Whereas 'Secret Touch' and 'Mainline' ploughed a path made more by the lighthearted genres of UK Hardcore and Yorkshire Bleep, 'Reality' sinks lower into heady vibrations of psychedelia and heavy acid hallucinations. The producer again shows off his musical flair and control of his machine kingdom, every sound perfectly placed on the sound canvas. Classic 303 lines writhe under 101 basslines whilst 808 hihats shuffle over recognisable breakbeats, proving some things never go out of style.

The sixth UFOs outing is another intergalactic adventure in sonic form and this time at the buttons it's New Balaance, a Mexican artist at the heart of a new wave.

Space Jungle though is an apt title for this EP, which kicks off with some stylish breaks and nimble basslines overlaid with lush cosmic arps. 'Space Jungle' (feat Parallax Modulators brings a more pensive mood thanks to the sustained chords and deeper grooves, but subtle acid and chattery perc bring it to life.

'Grantourismo' is a lively and dynamic cut with more swirling synth work while 'Redemption' closes down this quartet of excellent explorations with a mix of 90s prog, techno and breakbeats all imbued with plenty of colour.