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Hailing from Japan, Iori Wakasa is a name that has been gathering a great deal of hype over the past few years - and with good reason. Having built up his skills as a majorly talented DJ in Tokyo spinning a wide range of sounds and styles, his reputation continues to grow at pace thanks to a string of amazing releases on labels such as Highgrade and WirSindEins in recent years - not to mention strong support by some of the scene's biggest names. Here he proves what all the fuss is about - a stunning three track EP on Steve Bug's Dessous Recordings. 'Be There' starts things off right - uber deep vibes throughout, with bubbling synths and spacey effects, all tied together by a hypnotic Chandler-esque rhythm track. 'Give Me' continues the vibe, deep and jazzy chords punctuate the shuffling rhythm and trippy vocal samples add a layer of wonkiness that will see this get a lot of attention. 'Feel It Dizzy' strips things down a notch, a bass heavy dancefloor filler with dubbed out percussion, effects and vocals snippets. A triumphant EP from Iori Wakasa - truly one to watch.

Without sampling any breaks or loops, Funky DL has created the perfect audio tribute to arguably the best group in Hip-Hop history by remaking the beautiful sounds of A Tribe Called Quest's 1993 classic album "Midnight Marauders". This is a beautifully presented piece for keen vinyl collectors.

Bartellow has long been associated with the ESP Institute though Tambien, a trio formed alongside Bavarian cohorts Marvin and Valentino, who have released seminal dancefloor material over recent years. With his debut album Panokorama, we are invited into a completely different world of Bartellow's creation—a place where influences become a melting pot of mood, nuance and texture, and where instrumentation is abstracted from a variety of cultures, including those that exist solely within his imagination. Bartellow has found a way to merge Primitivism with Retrofuturism, identifying their point of intersection and reveling in their union across ten songs. While his academic background as a Jazz musician certainly informs both his progressive approach to composition and non-linear production, it is his obsession with electronics and synthesis that shape his current musical climate. The title Panokorama stems from Bartellow's visualization of the album, a surreal landscape with a foreign presence centrally embedded, a 'panorama' punctuated by a 'ko'—although a hybrid word that reads as nonsense, it somehow feels and sounds just right.

Ave Berlin collective AWAY ready the 4th release in their catalogue. With 001 on the label being a VA, 002 being an EP from Joe Claussell & Mr.Ties as AWAY Soundsystem and 003 being a second VA - they now present a split 2-tracker from label mainstay Move D and his pairing with Jonah Sharp under their collaborative guise of Reagenz. Whilst keeping an anchor at Berlin's About Blank, AWAY have hosted parties at numerous other venues across the city as well as Barcelona and throughout have maintained a welcoming and free spirited attitude. Harnessing this attitude and channeling the collective's Detroit influences, AWAY have developed their imprint which has so far taken shape over a set of 3 analogue-heavy VA's. Next in line follows suit in melding tough drums with Motor City pads. Natural in their progression, both tracks spark ardour as they steadily develop adding another fine addition to a blooming catalogue.

Mentha Records steps up with a various release called Into Yourself featuring four emotive compositions that span the deep house spectrum. 'Tides' by Michael Lovatt starts the 12" with lush chords and a deep baseline that gives off a warm feeling. Kareem Ali is up next with 'Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez', a sensual track that is packed full of frequencies as Ali shows off his harmonic and arrangement skills,. The flip side begins with an Anaxander piece called 'Unspoken', with an emotive motif that displays homage to a classic deep house sound. Michael Zucker is holding up the last leg with "Together", this melancholy tune seeps its way slowly into your cells through an invasion of warm tones. Into Yourself is a solid 12" for the deep house soldiers.

Making his Tortured debut is Liverpool based Techno DJ and producer, Binny with his 'Devil's Orchestra EP'.

Binny's journey as a solo artist started with a release on Orbis Records in 2012. Since then he's gone on to release a further three EPs for Orbis as well as additional releases for Monnom Black, Symbolism, CLFT, Suburban Avenue, Forte Techno, Scenery, Demarcation and Flatlife Deep plus remixes for Endlec and Fundamental Interaction. Drawn to the music of Jeff Mills, Robert Hood, Surgeon, Regis, Steve Rachmad and many others, his DJ sets and production sound is tough, hypnotic, old school and most of all, uncompromising. As a founding member of the Phantom Planet Outlaws with John Heckle and Mark Forshaw, they have produced EPs on Tabernacle and Apartment Records as well as starting the Boss Tracks label exclusively dedicated to releasing Phantom Planet Outlaws material.

Taking another solo turn, this time for Billy Nasty's Tortured label, Binny delivers a refined EP from the striking and demonic strings of the aptly titled opener, 'Devil's Orchestra' via the multihued tough groove of 'Alternative Methods', before the Tech-funk of 'Roll With It' and on to the Sci-Fi tones of 'Untitled' which closes the vinyl 12"

Cosmic Club 17's in the house, and for this one Skylax have delved deep into the mystic universe of the ultra prolific photonz with a four track EP quite simply out of this dimension ! Photonz is the artist name of Marco Rodrigues, a London-based DJ and producer who's been championing the new sound of Portuguese house and techno worldwide since the early 2000s. He has done tracks for various labels such as crème organization, unknown to the unknown, hot haus, the "cult" dissident and many more. His first cut "memories of burma" that gave the title to the ep is an infinite groove that builds and builds with arabic synths, a perfect crossover between balearic & old school jackin house. "Baronrevxp" & "agape" moves into the same territories with some sharp clap, hi hats and some big retro vintage sounds. While "stealth predator" catches him at his most experimental, upping the tempo and unleashing an ambitious techno juke roller, think about drexcya, 1990s techno, Plink Plonk and you're not even close ! Photonz music sounds extremely big for the big rooms, and still very large indeed for the smaller ones.His music is praised by The Chemical Brothers, Jackmaster, Optimo, Ivan Smagghe, Daniel Avery, James Holden, Ewan Pearson, Auntie Flo, Tim Sweeney, just to name a few. 'Memories of Burma' EP is not just a cosmic experience, but a voyage into the realms of a producer in a world of his own. Must have. Essential item. SKYLAX RECORDS 4 EVER !

Limited to 500 copies with artwork

While unveiling the 'Mutant Tournament' Quartet last year, label boss Nachtbraker was quietly hunting for new music behind the scenes. Being the fine huntsman he is, he came out of the woods with sonic bits and bobs so delectable he had no choice but to spread them out over two brand new quartets. That's right, eight records in total, to be released over the course of the next 18 months. We're delighted to introduce you to Scott Franka, who's at the helm of the first missive. This creative head from Amsterdam has been making music since the tender age of 11, but it wasn't until he adopted his Scott Franka moniker that he really found his groove. His music encompasses influences from dub and dark techno to classic drumpcomputer and synth-heavy house. Franka's style takes cues from Detroit, Chicago and the UK, and yet is also very personal and forward thinking at the same time. 'The Gym' might be his solo debut, but a smattering of releases from the man is on the horizon. The best way to introduce you to Scott Franka's musicality is 'The Gym' on A1. Starting of with sweet, melancholic chords and 808 hats Scott turns your world upside down after the first break. Try to keep your head steady, and get that dirty look of your face.. doesn't work right It's just too good. 'Toenail' is up next, and its undeniable groove and incredible amalgamation of synths and strings make for an absolute early hours melter. Flip over for 'Sorry' to hear Franka knock it out of the ballpark with its heavy breakbeat and UK-style bass. Finally, there's 'Street', a mesmerising groover, rounding things off nicely. The release doesn't only mark its first artist EP, it also marks a new look for the label. Building on the muscular,pheromone-rich theme of the first Quartet, Elsemarijn Bruys developed a fresh concept for both new Quartets with a little help from Scott Franka,

Written & produced by Roboknob. Mixed by Stefan Goldmann. Mastered by Rashad Becker. Info: We've said it before: techno's vanguard can be found in the East right now. Sofia's quirky techno underground is densifying. Evolving around the Diviat Slon parties (residents: StefaK & Stefan Goldmann), the Beton nights, the indoors offspins of Artmospheric festival and unannounced appearances of KiNK under his Cyrillic guise, raw and rave-infused techno is increasingly defining the city's sound of the small hours. Roboknob are part of this movement, and this is their debut EP. A live hardware duo, Yasen and Stanislav drop rugged, noisy machine jams around the Bulgarian capital and have been regulars at Artmospheric. The EP's tracks have been distilled from their live repertoire and mixed by Stefan Goldmann into sharply defined form with added bite. 'Dexydi' is Greek for acid - the corrosive liquid, not the music. Accordingly, its heavy-handed single-note bass attack will cut through anything. 'Spellbind' is more bouncy with frantic upward movements, distorted percussive fallout and a seasick bass foundation. 'Liulka' handles two layers of time rubbing off of each other: quirky and pushing high in the sky, against the bass drum mechanics down low. A suitable acoustic symbol for Sofia's state of techno.

Sheffield's thatmanmonkz is quite the sonic force to be reckoned with. With an impressive discography across the board, dropping his most recent album "Columbusing" on Delusions of Grandeur in 2016 and running his own successful imprint "Shadeleaf", we're very happy to welcome him to Dirt Crew and present his latest EP "Shade Throw". Kicking things off rough and ready in true Detroit "Hight Tech Jazz" style, "Manna for Poppa" is a Saxed up dance floor bomb ready for the taking. "Intrinsic Divine", a sonically soaring breakbeat outing lightens the mood a little, think classic trip hop meets modern deep house. The cinematic string arrangement is accompanied by freestyle piano and licks of ad-libbed sax over a steady kit. "Space Jam 2017" sees thatmanmonkz team up with New York City's Clyde Phalanx to create a pure psyched up space house outing. We can picture this one over a sun-drenched Balearic scenery or deep in a dark and smokey basement somewhere. Jazzy freestyle drums underpin a live guitar improvisation that gets truly nasty on this interplanetary journey. Slow and sexy is the tempo for the closing track. "Evolver" is a soulful disco burner reminiscent of Idjut Boys, grooving along with smooth RnB vocals and salacious keys while intoxicating strings lift the energy to pure cosmic goodness.

Dilated Pupils is a collective group of likeminded friends from the Netherlands each with their own influences and style, whom together have a distinct flavor in productionconsisting of analogue machines, tape noises, and raw one-take jam sessions. Each of them have their own solo productions as well as other collaborations, but when united as Dilated Pupils prefer to be known jointly as one entity with their own unique and distinguished sound.

Since 2014 the group has developed an interesting discography with releases on labels such as Fear of Flying, Sol Asylum, Mode of Expression, Tabla, Music is Art, Dorcas, Make Sense and Mayak.

Now, the group takes the next step and created their own playground ''DPBEATS''.

Be sharp and keep your ears open, because the beats are loaded!''

The Willow Band were singers and musicians under the direction of Jesus Alvarez of the group Shirley & Company. As 'Alvarez' his Polydor his rare groove Sooner Or Later' was on the Step inside My Soul' CD collection, but this much sought after funky project with The Willow Band' has not been reissued since the original Epic 7' came out in 1976.

High Plains is the duo of Scott Morgan and Mark Bridges.

Morgan, based in the Canadian Pacific Northwest, is predominantly known for his drifting, textured soundscapes released under the pseudonym LOSCIL.

Bridges is an accomplished, classically-trained cellist residing in Madison, Wisconsin.

The two met in Banff, Alberta while they were simultaneously there on residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 2014. They first collaborated when Bridges contributed cello parts to Morgan's generative music app ADRIFT, recorded in Seattle in 2015.

In early 2016, the duo embarked on a collaborative set of compositions in the oxygen thin air of Wyoming, spending two weeks holed up in a refurbished school house in the town of Saratoga, where this album was recorded.

Inspired by Schubert's Die Winterreiseand the rolling landscapes of
their surroundings, the collaboration culminated in a collection of recordings that evoke a shadowy, introspective and dizzying winter journey.

Cinderland takes cues from classical, electronic and cinematic
musical traditions but is mostly a product of the rugged, mythic landscape; vast and sprawling with a wild, uncertain edge.

The recording was made with a portable studio and all sounds were sourced on site, most notably from Bridges' cello, the resident Steinway D piano, and field recordings collected from the local soundscape.

The results are a site specific, wide scope view of thehigh valley terrain the duo worked in, a mix of analog and digital, neoclassical and modern electronic sounds, a complemental series of tracks to become absorbed in, a truly deep listening experience.

The cover art forCinderland was created by London-based artist, Peter Liversidge.

Following the massive success of Another night Stepart is back on Stand High Records with his debut LP Playground takes listeners on a deep bass journey and presents exclusive tracks crafted with the Parisian producer's subtle mixing technique and attention to detail. Recorded between 2014 and 2016 the LP is a tribute to the golden era of dub influenced dubstep with ten instrumental tracks as well as a vocal by Pupajim. Playing with styles, Stepart elegantly breaks the rules and invites you to settle in his Lost World Studio.

The album was produced by John Congleton (Blondie, Sigur Ros), Greg Saunier of Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu's own Angela Seo.

It features guest appearances by fabled minimalist composer Charlemagne Palestine, L.A. Banjee Ball superstar commentator Enyce Smith, Swans guitar virtuoso Kristof Hahn and legendary drag artist and personal hero of Xiu Xiu, Vaginal Davis.

FORGET was recorded during a period of epic productivity for Xiu Xiu. While writing FORGET, they released the lauded Plays the Music of Twin Peaks, collaborated with Mitski on a song for an upcoming John Cameron Mitchell film, composed music for art installations by Danh Vo, recorded an album with Merzbow and scored an experimental reworking of the Mozart opera, The Magic Flute. All of this frantic, external activity lead to a softly damaged dreaminess and broadened intent that has not been heard before in other Xiu Xiu works.

Standout track, Wondering' is one of the catchiest boogie pop gems in the Xiu Xiu catalog, but like much of FORGET, it still bears an underlying tension that manifests differently in each piece. From the haunted guitar duet of "Petite", the hilariously fraught lyrics of "Get Up," the advanced industrial boxing match of "Jenny GoGo," or the experimental goth explosion of "Faith, Torn Apart", all the songs, in their own ways, build to a roiling boil of a fate in vanishing.

The calligraphy on the cover translates literally to "we forget." It bows to the universality of everything and everyone's inevitable decline and foggy disappearance. Regarding the album title, Xiu Xiu singer Jamie Stewart said, To forget uncontrollably embraces the duality of human frailty. It is a rebirth in blanked out renewal but it also drowns and mutilates our attempt to hold on to what is dear.' FORGET is both the palliative fade out of a traumatic's past but also the trampling pain of a beautiful one's decay.

Xiu Xiu is Shayna Dunkelman, Angela Seo and Jamie "Butch Jenny" Stewart.

Omar has a totally unique, individual style and sound still marks him out as a future thinking and utterly unrivaled artist, who has collaborated with so many legendary names that it would be foolish to deny his worldwide reputation - who would dare contradict the likes of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Carleen Anderson, Angie Stone, Common and fellow fans and followers like Maxwell and Jarrod Lawson

Following on from 2013's album The Man, 2016 sees his new long player further cement this undeniable reputation. Love In Beats is Omars' 8th studio album of his long, illustrious career and may just be the most eclectic & varied to date. Somewhat more electronic in it's conception and sound than it's predecessor, Love In Beats incorporates soul, Caribbean rhythms, an undercurrent of funk, with touches of zouk, a jazzy waltz, spoken word and also features collaborations with Us soul legend Leon Ware, Blue Note pianist Robert Glasper, grime MC Ty, Guadeloupe born singer Jean-Michele Rotin, and Uk soultress Natasha Watts, The Floacist and Mayra Andrade, the Cape Verdean born singer who lives and records in Paris.

Co produced by Scratch Professer, Omars Grammy winning brother,this collection should create excitement worldwide, the sounds are varied - but all have Omars' unique fingerprint on them, style and substance beautifully merged!

For their next release, Freeride Millenium once again link up with Pauls Musique for a perfectly formed new EP from Raphael Danilo feat. George Pappos. Both Danilo and Pappos reside in the rough edges of the greek mountain Parnassos, their musical approach takes cues from their proximity to the ancient sanctuary of Delphi and sees them cook up one fine cut which then gets remixed by Innellea and Nikkname. That lead single is 'Strangers', eight spiritual and spooky minutes of spine tingling and eerie synth music that really takes you on a trip. It operates on another dimension, with pixelated lines and undulating pads all suspending you in space. Perfect for an epic set opening or to really reset the dancefloor with an attention grabbing and emotive piece, it is a truly classy track full of musicality and suspense and atmosphere. German pair Innellea then step up to remix and brilliantly flip the cut into something just as epic and enchanting but with a mid tempo, rubbery house beat down low helping you slip into the deep and colourful groove. Last of all, Nikkname then re-works the whole thing into something minimal and absorbing. The whole thing is riddled with intricate sound design, tender piano keys and the sound of static. It is a real symphony of the organic and the electronic and as such cannot fail to make its mark. This is an artful package that demands close listening with suitably eye catching visuals supplied once again by artist Daniel Rajcsanyi. Thanks for purchasing a real copy!

12 with printed inner-sleeves; handcrafted covers: manually stamped, numbered and printed (silk-screening) in Berlin, 180g Vinyl.

'Soul Jazz Records' new journey into the mighty vaults of Clement Dodd's Studio One steps once more into the fertile musical environment of Jamaican music in the late 1960's and early 1970's, from the sweet harmony vocals of seminal 1960s Rocksteady right up to the nascent birth of Reggae and Roots music at the start of the 1970's. Sleevenotes to this album are by Steve Barrow, author of 'Rough Guide to Reggae' as well as Soul Jazz Records' own 'Reggae Soundsystem Cover Art' books.

While Ska at the start of the 1960's had taken American Rhythm and Blues as its main influence, Rocksteady focused on the emergence of American Soul music - with Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, John Holt & The Paragons, Carlton & The Shoes showing a particular fascination with the close harmonies of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions and other US Soul acts. Here The Heptones even feature with a cover of Bob Dylan's 'I Shall Be Released'.

The influence of Soul music on Jamaican Rocksteady and Reggae is almost palpable, so much so that one wonders how much more successful singers like Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, Slim Smith and John Holt would have been had they been born in Chicago, Detroit or Memphis. Artists such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson and Owen Gray defined the era - a slowed down beat as Jamaican political and social heat slowly increased when the 1960's progressed into the start of the 1970's - and the music evolved further from Rocksteady into Roots Reggae. This album is released on heavyweight gatefold sleeve double vinyl (plus download code), CD with slipcase and digital album (ex-North America).

Aketi Ray / Alpha & Omega - Mirror / Reflect & Rise

*Singer-songwriter Amelia Harmony is a welcome addition to the Partial Records roster. Although relatively a new comer, over the last few years, Amelia has been playing with bands of varying genres and styles in and around her native Derby, as well more roots reggae-orientated releases on labels such as King Earthquake, Instrument of Jah, Mellow Vibes and her own recently established Soulshine Music label.
*`Fear and Love' is an uplifting rootsy steppers rhythm with a positive message and soulful vocals topped off with some tasteful acoustic guitar licks. Amelia's delivery oozes cross-over appeal. We will be hearing lots more from her.
*Produced by Liam McGurk for his own well-established Partial Records label.
*The Dub version is mixed by UK dub master legend Dougie Wardrop at Conscious Sounds studio, London

An object resists changing its state of motion with inertia. What pushes back must then be even more vigorous in order to create a uid movement. An example of the force that embodies this dynamic can be found clearly on the appropriately titled Inertia, Aiken's much anticipated return to Chronicle. The Spanish artist has been spending years honing his craft, focusing on sharp, distinct sounds that create a pure sense of kinetic energy. The title track of
the EP bolsters a erce disarray of carefully (de)constructed atonal synthwork and a rhythm section that is set to detonate. It is then followed by 'Axial', a track that stays as true to modular miscalculations as it does to stripped down techno, combining both in a subliminal cessation of sanity. However Aiken isn't done there. He continues with 'Magnetism', which throws a brick in the glass of conventionality with its earth-shaking layers of textured momentum. Phased pads then wash over 'Soul Drama', bringing the entire experience

to an emotionally laced denouement. After the potency of his last record on Chronicle as well as his releases on imprints such as his own label Timeline and the Spanish powerhouse Semantica, Inertia marks a de nitive step forward for an already exceptionally de ned artist.

Repress

After last years slick selection for the series from MCDE, Young Marco steps up with a great set of obscurities. Top Tip!
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Born Marco Sterk, he certainly doesn't come from a standard DJ background. A former skate rat who grew up loving American post-hardcore and '90s hip-hop as much as early Warp Records, he's been affiliated over the years with Amsterdam institutions such as Rush Hour, Red Light Records (where you'll find him most weekdays!) and, of course, Dekmantel itself. Still, there's no question that he's always followed his own path, even during the years that playing his favorite records meant that he was occasionally clearing dancefloors.

Things are different these days, of course, as Sterk now regularly plays around the globe and has been widely hailed not just for his DJ talents, but also for his digging prowess and uncanny ability to pluck jams out of genres, eras and geographies that even veteran DJs will often ignore.

Still, Marco's entry in the Selectors series isn't some soulless collection of 'Holy Grail' rarities. 'Where's the fun in that' he explains. 'Anybody with an internet connection can check what flavor-of-the-month records are in demand.'

Just like the first Selectors compilation, this is not a mix CD, but a collection of hand-picked, unmixed tracks that Sterk has personally chosen from his own vinyl archives. Moreover, Marco has put together a collection of tracks that represent not only how he plays music, but also how he makes music himself. The songs here are melodic, electronic and bound together by a refreshing sense of naiveté. Nothing sounds overly calculated; the tunes here span several decades and include dollar-bin records, avant-garde records, club records and yes, a few things that collector types have likely been looking to get their hands on. It's not meant to be a grand statement, as Marco would rather provide an honest snapshot of his musical tastes and share a few of his favorite tracks and artists in the proc

Jerome Meyer AKA Von D is a master craftsman, well-known for releasing dubstep and bass music since 2009. On an increasingly prolific trajectory since last year, recent 12's on Infernal Sounds, Trojan Audio and Scotch Bonnet have signaled his renewed focus on dubwise productions. We are proud to say that Von D's Khaliphonic debut sees him fully committing to reggae and dub - in his words, going back to my musical roots.'

Politricks' is a masterwork, cut from the same living rock as the classic Cuss Cuss riddim, a simply huge bass and drum workout that is truly one for the ages. Politricks is an anthem for now, a call to avoid the dead-end of politics-as-usual and a warning to beware of the lies politicians tell to keep themselves in power - full of promises but changing nothing. Von D says that working with Don Cotti was very natural,' and their easy relationship is audible - the tune fits the vocal like a glove, and Cotti's instantly-recognizable singjay style gives even more gravitas to an already heavy track. The dub version spools out Von D's signature saturated echoes even further, and opens up spectral chambers of reverb that shimmer and glow.

The B side Ygrec' is an equally massive tune, just as compelling if more meditative and mysterious, coming in both one drop and power-steppers mixes for maximum versatility and vibes. Both tunes and their versions feature an incredibly robust, warm, human sound - one that simply can't come from machines alone - live drums, bass, and kete drum among other instruments maintain the tradition of live musicians in dub - to say nothing of expert desk-based mixing and deployment of live analog effects the way the elders intended. Both tunes dial in at 140 making them perfect for roots and dubstep selectors alike.

Von D got his start as a drummer and engineer outside Paris, in the heady days of original jungle. Early releases on Disfigured Dubz, Hench, Boka, Black Acre and the seminal V Recordings, as well as his reggae-oriented Liquid Wicked project, cemented his reputation. Don Cotti is a prolific producer, DJ and MC with releases stretching back to 2006 on labels as varied as Bass Face, Studio Rockers, and Soul Jazz.

Mastered by Lewis at Stardelta. Art & design by Polygon Press.

This release - a collaboration between Ali X (Alphonse from Azari & III) and Mexico's Theus Mago - turns the heat up all the way to 'ON' and just leaves it there. The lyrical content of the title track would lead many to use descriptors like 'sexy,' 'sleazy,' and 'steamy like you wouldn't even believe,' and while the music also bears that out it's important to remember not to stigmatize something that almost everyone does at least a couple of times a week. 'Vision,' meanwhile, offers the perfect B-side accompaniment, a sci-fi techno workout where you don't even have to think about sex if you don't want to. The EP features dub versions of both tracks for more stripped-down club sets aimed at people who understandably have problems with the sound of the human voice. It also includes a remix by Curses, whom we recently 'bumped into' (he says 'cornered") in Berlin and asked if he'd provide one of his trademark eerie downtempo excursions. Long story short: he said 'yes.

Lovin' Mighty Fire' is Howard Williams' third Japanese music compilation for the Ace Records house of labels - this time, for BGP International. Assembled in between his job as a record distributor and his monthly Japan Blues show for NTS radio, the first two have taken a look at the late 50s for a blast of Japanese rockabilly ( Nippon Rock'n'Roll' CDWIKD 313), then the 60s and 70s for a romp in Japanese surf music ( Nippon Guitars CDWIKD 297). Following his retrospective of jazz singer Maki Asakawa for Honest Jon's, this new outing searches for the soul music of Japan, from the early 70s to the early 80s.

Japan has long been known as the final destination for many a collectible soul record. Yet, who suspected that some fine soul grooves were recorded for the domestic market, from ballads, to funk and disco Strangely enough, some of the busiest writers and producers in this field came from a late 60s rock band, Happy End, but on listening to their collaborations, their rhythmic, soulful feel is immediately apparent.

The bluesy funk of Lily, the soul-diva brilliance of Minako Yoshida - represented here in both slow-grind mode and epic disco, the maverick genius of Haruomi Hosono, the lively songstress Yasuko Agawa, and the sultry steaminess of Mari Natsuki, and more. This album finally plants a Japanese flag firmly on the global map of soul.

'Soak by James Hadfield, featuring Danny Linton, is one of the main reasons for the launch of Me Me Me and a record I love so much I have done my first rem ix for the label,' explains Man Power. Further remixes from Axel Boman and Bird Of Paradise cement a stellar third release on the burgeoning Me Me Me imprint.
Soak is a distinct and uncategorisable piece of electronic music, with a rich thread of emotion running through it so strongly, it remains within each remix, albeit distilled in different ways. Fellow North Eastern Englishman Bird Of Paradise (Correspondant / HAKT) turns in two differing atmospheric interpretations of the track (one appearing as a digital exclusive), while Studio Barnhus supremo Axel Boman brings his own inimitable style to his rework, and Man Power's delivers a dreamy and forlorn infusion on this magnetic record.
James Hadfield has been releasing music over the last ten years under several guises including Lizards and Elizabeth Collective, although remains an elusive figure in the bubbling underground house and Balearic scene. Soak sees him teaming up with Danny Linton , best known as post dubstep producer Funk Ethics.
Man Power's ear for the more captivating and experimental side of electronic music is being championing through Me Me Me, putting discerning dance floors to the test through its releases. 2017 contributions include Mike Simmonetti, Chida, Fort Romeau, Hammer, Rex The Dog, Daniel Maloso and many more .

The third release on Ascorbite's own Corseque Records is not for the faint-hearted. Advance the flight and Inadequate Demeanor are clearly twins, delivered from the darkest corners of Ascorbite's mind. The bold, pounding quality of the EP brings Adam X or Grovskopa to mind but Ascorbite has a dystopian touch that's entirely his own. Advance the flight is like a battle track for an intergalactic armada being attacked by an infinite horde of swarming space ants. Inadequate Demeanor, on the other hand, is a grim steampunk fantasy of a black, shining locomotive plainly out of control, raging on red hot rails towards the end of the line. However, while both tracks are rough and unforgiving, Ascorbite manages to invigorate them by the use of subtle melancholic atmospheres - like rainy skies over a concrete desert. A balance between brutalism and vitality. A trademark of Ascorbite and Corseque Records.

2x12"

Optimo Music are delighted to present the second full-length from The Golden Filter, "STILL // ALONE".
After relocating to London and playing shows around Europe for a year and a half, self-imposed pariahs Penelope Trappes and Stephen Hindman delved into creating a two-sided existential opus by renting out old studio spaces around the UK and using mostly analog 80's instruments, machines and effects.
An album about being in love with pure solitude, when STILL // Optimo Music are delighted to present the second full-length from The Golden Filter, "STILL // ALONE".
After relocating to London and playing shows around Europe for a year and a half, self-imposed pariahs Penelope Trappes and Stephen Hindman delved into creating a two-sided existential opus by renting out old studio spaces around the UK and using mostly analog 80's instruments, machines and effects.
An album about being in love with pure solitude, when STILL // ALONE is separated into two distinct sides, record one, STILL, is a hypnotic meditation for the nightclub. Wavy patterns of sound and light bounce off of Penelope's literary vocal bursts, layered over the ominous deep synths and arpeggiators, held together only by a strict 4/4 beat. The rhythm, ironically forcing the body to move, however internally focused and mindful, still.
Record two, ALONE, takes the club offline and into the fringes of raw, odd pop.

Ever-prominent drum machine beats rule, while love and loss permeate the four atmospheric goth songs. Music for dancing alone.
"Behind the cotton wool is hidden a pattern... the whole world is a work of art... there is no Shakespeare... no Beethoven... no God; we are the words; we are the music; we are the thing itself." - Virginia Woolf

Die Musik des deutschen Filmmusik-Komponisten Hans Zimmer bewegt Millionen Menschen weltweit. die Zahl der Zimmer Fans, die seine packende Musik auch ohne die zugehörigen Filme geniessen, steigt ständig, inzwischen füllen sich nicht nur die größten Konzertsäle, sondern auch Fussballstadien mit seinen Fans. Für "Hans Zimmer - The Classics" hat Zimmer selbst seine besten Melodien aus großen Soundtracks ausgewählt und neu arrangiert. Die neu geschaffene Musik aus Gladiator, Dark Knight, Inception u.awurde mit Top-Stars aus Pop und Klassik eingespielt - ein originelles, bewegendes und mitreißendes Klang-Erlebnis. Mit Lang Lang, den 2Cellos, Leona Lewis, The Piano Guys, Maxim Vengerov, Lindsey Stirling, Till Brönner u. a.

Vlad Dinu opens Mihai Bravu's 1st release starting the audio journey with 'Deep in my house' , a track that occupies the entire A side, just like a proper tool should.
As the name of the track hints, we find ourselves submerged in deep territory : a tight and groovy bass line, laced with a steady percussion, sprinkled with some 16bit arcade reminiscent accents and soothing intermingled vocal cuts. The deep vibe is crafty perpetuated by several synths at play,
which together combine in such a way to add a wide atmospheric feel to the composition. Definitely 'Deep in my house' sounds and feels more like of a 90's tune, and while listening to it, one could easily find himself drift into the nostalgia of the good old days.
Side B goes even deeper with two tracks defined by the notion of 'head tracks' . 'Gun Zah' continues the storyline with twisty percussive rhythms and a groovy atmosphere, tailored into a bangin floor choon while 'Questions Answered' submerges the listener into layers of groovy basslines, swifty percs and milky synths, all put together into the form of a most 'alive' track.

Stepping up for its landmark tenth release is label honcho Juan Sanchez, who drops four slices of heavy techno funk.. Over the course of nine releases, FORMAT Records have established itself as a very credible source for quality techno. Its tenth release again perfectly captures that frisky FORMAT sound. First up is 'Serpent, a mid-tempo and bass-laden belter that's followed by the darker, minimal-tinged 'Qualia'. 'A Different Place' merges Detroit-esque elements with tones of European techno, after which things close with no-beatsall-fx 'Stubborn Synth'. The tenth FORMAT release is a perfect snapshot of the label's signature sound, while paving the way for many more good things to come..

Skint Records kündigt mit dem Album "The Invention Of Loneliness" von Sailor & I eine spannende Elektro-Dance-Pop-Veröffentlichung an. Der schwedische Sänger, Produzent und Multiinstrumentalist Alexander Sjödin stellt jedoch nicht den klassischen Archetypen eines Musikschaffenden in der elektronischen Musikwelt dar. Vielmehr begibt sich der Schwede unter dem Namen Sailor & I in das Territorium von Sigur Ros und Bon Iver, die für ihr anspruchsvolles, fein abgestimmtes und melancholisches Songwriting bekannt sind.

VENT present the next step in Tolga's journey to explore the peripheral edges of consciousness and experience - a mental expedition beyond the fringes of reason into dark borderlands of cognisance. Swedish black metal band Totenwelt contributed to 'Illa Ki' providing vocals for the track. Our wish for this release is to help guide the listener to a stripped down state of being, free from thoughts and emotions, alone with nothing but one's living breath.

New Order Presents Be Music is a compilation of productions by members of iconic Manchester group New Order, including classic dance and electro tracks released on Factory Records between 1982 and 1985, as well as more recent remixes for current artists such as Factory Floor, Marnie, Tim Burgess and Fujiya & Miyagi.
The generic tag Be Music was first used in 1981 and covered studio production work by all four members of New Order: Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert. Sumner often teamed with Donald 'Dojo' Johnson of A Certain Ratio, including the pioneering electro cuts featured here by Quando Quango, 52nd Street, Marcel King, Paul Haig and Surprize. Morris and Gilbert worked with Thick Pigeon, Life, Red Turns To and also 52nd Street. Although more rock orientated, Hook proved he was no slouch on the dancefloor either with the mighty Fate/Hate by Nyam Nyam.
'Producing was a really important sideline,' recalls Bernard Sumner of the Factory era. 'It's OK doing it because although all the groups are skint, you learn a lot and you're helping somebody.'
After 1985 the band focused more on producing their own records, both as New Order and solo projects such as Electronic, Revenge, The Other Two, Monaco and Bad Lieutenant. However in recent years Stephen Morris in particular has remixed several newer artists, notably London industrialists Factory Floor, as well as former Factory workers A Certain Ratio and Section 25.
Bonus tracks on the 3xCD box set include Knew Noise by Section 25, produced by Ian Curtis and Rob Gretton of Joy Division way back in 1979, and the complete 22 minute version of Video 586, recorded by New Order themselves in 1982.
 All tracks (12 on vinyl, 36 on the CD) are newly remastered. The liner notes feature commentary on the tracks by the artists and the members of New Order. Design and packaging are by Matt Robertson/Peter Saville Studio.

Bastardo Electrico is a techno night and label based in Cork, Ireland. It's run by Jamie Behan, a veteran of the scene and one half of Flexure alongside Stephen Mahoney. Both have been DJing since the mid-'90s, but Flexure is a relatively new hardware-based project that sounds like a mashup of techno, acid, electro and Chicago house. Shadow Puppets is Flexure's debut EP, a collection of unhinged machine bangers fans of Tinfoil's and On The Hoof's weirdness will likely appreciate.

Modulated noise drills through the centre of "Blizz," getting more rancorous as the track steams on. "Callmecrazeey" is less abrasive but boisterous and more energetic, like a mound of Mexican jumping beans, complete with cartoonish xylophone notes that give it a cheeky twist. The cheekiness continues on "703 39flr," which teems with homemade sounds between the kicks, giving you plenty to home in on even if the track doesn't make you want to dance. The hypnotic "Piltrafiltra" is more likely to get you moving with its slender '90s trance hook. It's the most functional track on the record, but who needs functionality when you can be ricocheting off the walls with "Callmecrazeey'"s oddball jive.

Hot on the heels of System of Survival's latest album and exclusively on vinyl comes the D-Votion EP to Get Physical Music. The influential House duo present cuts from the album, 'D-Votion' and 'No Time To Waste', 'D-Votion' is laid out first; a deep and groovy dancefloor track with low end grit and a funky swing it its step . A collaboration with Salvatore Stallone the track is very moving and nearly impossible to resist. 'No Time to Waste' plays a hypnotically rhythmic synth over a steamy stage of sweaty percussion. Next we turn to the brand new vinyl-exclusive acid house number 'Phantom Power' for a heavy dose of midnight action. With a very technoid feel, the acid's presence suspensefully builds a tension throughout while the bassline chugs the track further. Next SuRFBiT joins to present 'Searching for a Wave', another track featured on the album. This one shines more sun with warm synths, soft vocals and gentle melodies. The collaboration ends the EP on a warm note, a special sound for a special dancefloor moment.