Cerca:take that

Grammy-winner, Boz Scaggs, known for his silky voice and genre-blending style, takes a refined turn with a jazz-influenced record that showcases his deep appreciation for classic grooves and sophisticated arrangements Blending smoky vocals with laid-back rhythms, the album nods to the cool jazz clubs of the past while keeping Scaggs' signature soul intact. It's a smooth, mature work comprised of Boz's interpretation of classic standards as well as one new original track.

New York-based producer Kurilo opens Tripsitter Records’ debut vinyl with "Take the Excitement", a hypnotic blend of rumbling bass and spacey synths. It's an immersive soundscape, perfect for both psychedelic journeys and late-night afterhours.

Next up, KVRK delivers a mind-bending techno cut—an intense, pulsating ride that feels like crossing an event horizon. Relentless and otherworldly, it transports listeners into uncharted sonic territory.

On the flip, Spain’s T.S.O channels '90s tech house with a bass-heavy roller full of nostalgic flair and modern groove. It's a confident dancefloor weapon, bridging classic vibes with a contemporary edge.

Closing the release, Jubley shifts into darker territory. With punchy percussion and eerie textures, his track oozes tension and atmosphere. A bold departure from his usual style, it’s a gripping end to a standout first release.

Back again with another release for the Meeting Of The Minds series, this time with lucky number 13!

First track on this is by me & Fez The Kid, who has been regularly sending me music for years, most of which I admit to sleeping on due to the sheer volume of demos submitted to the label. But when I was able to actually check some music that he sent me, there was one tune (at the time called All Round Juggling) of his that I gave me a few ideas on how it could sound. He was thankfully up for me working on it with him & the end result is "Skin Out Crew (Magnificent Mix)", which I've been playing a lot in sets this year.

"BDC" is a track done by me & The Last Ronin (aka Stretch & Enjoy) which they had started and I was really into it because it reminded me of some of the "ruff with the smooth" ragga jungle style tracks I'd hear on labels like Slam!, Tom & Jerry, Kemet & so on. It was really fun to work on this with them & we were also able to do a 2nd collaboration, which will be coming out on the next Defender compilation on Stretch's label AKO Beatz.

Settle Down is someone that was on my list of potential collaborators for a long long time but I just kept neglecting to reach out to him about actually doing something together. I eventually got round to getting in touch with him last year for collaborating on a track for Meeting Of The Minds, so he sent me something he had started, which I added some more to & sent back to him, so that he could add the finishing touches. The end result is "Shell Of A Man", which I like because it's quite sparse & ominous, dark but not in the typical "darkside hardcore" way.

"Altitude" by me & Flex Luthor has been through quite a lot haha. He initially reached out about working on a tune together in 2021 & at the time, I was keen but already quite occupied with other artists I was collaborating with for the series, as well as contemplating ending the series on Vol. 10, due to the amount of work it takes to compile each one (which also explains why Vol. 14 is not currently ready for release yet). But around the end of 2022, he sent me a track he had done where he said that he was struggling to get any kind of bassline that he was happy with. I liked what he sent so I asked him to send the track over for me to work on, but I then sat on the track for a whole year due to other commitments before finally working on it in 2024, during a long plane ride where I had time to actually focus on it. I was able to get the track to a place we were both happy with, until it became one of the tracks of mine that got lost when my backpack was stolen a few weeks later, with my computer inside. I didn't have the backup of the project, so unfortunately, we had to master this track for release from the mp3 file of the first & only version we had of it. I think it still sounds fine though, especially as this is not the first (or only) time I've had to send mp3 files off for mastering, but yeah, what a journey this tune has had!

No Speakers scores a major coup here by signing a Detroit legend from Underground Resistance's Galaxy 2 Galaxy. This guy's shared stages with figureheads like Jeff Mills, Carl Craig and Goldie so his creds cannot be questioned. His signature fusion of jazz and electronic fire burns bright here with A-side bangers 'Layers to This' and 'Bridgehouse' primed for future classic status as well as peak-time destruction. Flip it for South London's L.A. Synthesis remix. No stranger to dropping their own iconic techno, their take twists and turns into otherworldly soundscapes. Label boss El Prevost closes the EP with a savage twist of 'Bridgehouse' that is dark and twisted in all the right ways.

DJ Feedback

Kai Alce:
"Bridgehouse is just that, a bridge to the future."

Chris Udoh:
"Bridgehouse is an exceptional cut! "

Kosh:
"Nice release."

D'Julz:
"Best EP I heard in a long time. Lovely."

Radio Slave:
"So good to see La Synthesis here !!! and another great EP. from Jon. Full support."

ICYKOF:
"This is really fun. Love the first track."

Barbara Preisinger:
"The original tracks are sounding great to me and will go into the box. Thanks a lot!"

Orlando Voorn:
"Dopeness, all killer no filler."

Okain:
"Classy stuff."

Cristi Cons:
"Very nice, thanks."

Ryan Crosson:
"El Prevost remix is great, also enjoying the la synthesis remix."

Harri:
"Nice, will play and support."

Domenic Cappello:
"Jon is Detroit royalty, love this."

DJ Hutch:
"Love this release. Bridgehouse remix is crazy."

Harvey Sutherland:
"Bridgehouse is hot, thanks!"

Colin Dale:
"Excellent EP. All the cuts rock."

Greg Gow:
"Nice soulful tracks full support."

Laurent Garnier:
"Cool deepness."

Aleqs Notal:
"Jon Dixon, always on fire!!!"

Man Power:
"Layers to this is great."

DJ Bone:
"Smooth and funky release. Very nice."

Our favourite Parisian disco maestro, Young Pulse is back on GAMM for his 9th release !

Over three tracks, Young Pulse delivers an impressive range of soulful disco, jazz-funk-disco & modern soul/disco.

On the opening track, 'Ali's Movin' On', we're treated to a special version of the Brass Construction classic together with some spiced-up "Ali bombaye" chanting...it's truly a funky rumble in the Parisian jungle ;)

The flip side begins with an uplifting and stomping jazz-funk-disco take of one of our favourite Gap Mangione (RIP) tunes.
Rounding things off, Young Pulse hits us with one of those warm and uplifting modern soul/disco jams that we all love to hear on a dance floor, but with Mr Pulse's tasteful finger on the mix, the production now sounds even stronger.

Following his award-nominated and critically acclaimed 2023 album Until Then, Danish guitarist and composer Rasmus Oppenhagen Krogh now presents his fourth album as a bandleader. "The title refers to the pillars that life and existence rest on," Krogh explains. "The moments, feelings, and meetings that form us as human beings, and that follow us the rest of the way. Snapshots that become defining for how our life develops." Musically, Pillars balances clear song structures with rich, intricate harmonic foundations. Krogh draws on influences from jazz, indie, rock, film scores, electronic music, and pop, creating a genre-fluid universe in which the ensemble"s improvisational voices shape each piece. Krogh"s guitar takes the lead, acting as a melodic guide, while the production - crafted alongside longtime collaborator Rasmus Juncker (Yör, Anna Roemer, Little North) - adds depth and texture, highlighting the album"s bold and multi-faceted sonic identity. As on previous releases, Krogh is surrounded by some of Denmark"s finest musicians, all longtime collaborators whose personal voices and improvisational approach have deeply influenced his musical development. The ensemble includes Anders Christensen on electric bass (Paul Motian, Jakob Bro, The Raveonettes), Jakob Hoyer on drums (The Raveonettes, Jakob Bro, Nikolaj Norlund), Lars Greve on reeds and effects (Resonerede Rum, Girls in Airports, Peter Sommer), Simon Toldam on piano and synths (Simon Toldam Trio, Han Bennink Trio, Efterklang), and Victor Dybbroe on percussion (Girls in Airports, Teitur, Blomsten). Their interplay and openness create a living, evolving sound world, with Krogh"s guitar at its emotional center. Beyond his own projects, Krogh is a sought-after guitarist, working with artists ranging from Guldimund to Takykardia and Emil de Waal. Pillars underscores his identity as a deeply personal and forward-looking voice in contemporary instrumental music.

Peach Discs’ last EP of 2025 comes from DJ & producer Leibniz. Hopefully you can hear why we chose to wait till club season is fully upon us to put this one out – "Corridor" is a deeply heads-down, groove-forward record that casts an enveloping atmosphere across its minimal, tunneling arrangements built for dark rooms and long nights.

Across the EP's four tracks, Leibniz (real name Moritz Paul) picks a vibe and runs with it – themes persist, the focus narrows and what we get is something approaching a mood. Drawing inspiration from early 2000s techno records from the likes of Archetype while combining the ambient warmth of Kompakt’s Pop Ambient compilations and GAS releases with the clarity and weight of early dubstep and 2-step, he dived into a process of self-sampling, resampling shorter demos and ideas into full arrangements, or "making in-between tracks that help make the tracks.”

The pair of tracks on the record's A-side are made up of little more than razor-sharp percussion, billowing, restless pads and an infectious bassline, but it's the way these carefully considered elements are put together that do the damage on the floor.

Flip it over and Ten Ten breaks the 4x4 spell for a moment, leaning into a heavily swung, garage-indebted sound inspired by the king of swing himself, El-B. "If my drums resemble just a bit of the ones of El-B, I‘m happy." We reckon he can be happy. Finally, TTL takes us back to the persistent, driving energy of the A-side, with just a hint of hardgroove flavour and the kind of wonked-out fx that always suits the B2 of a record.

Straight out of the local mud of the city of Antwerp comes dancing this next Souvenirs from Imaginary Cities slab of free-flowing bits of electronic wonder : Schönen Abend by Simon B. Just in time to ease you out of this endless winter and right into springtime. Like the previous hit by Purple Uncle, this flower takes some time to bloom and fill up your head and body with it's ear wormy fragrance.

It's hazy and cinematic, makes you think of Italian electronic pioneers and their library magic, Patrick Cowley's School Daze and Haruomi Hosono in some kind of gothic manner. It's quite stripped and lush at the same time, rhythms like minimal mechanics make you fly above the river and land just outside reality. It's a nice place where soft jazz tingles right around the dark corner, and that particular mix of exotica and melancholia — the trademark of this port city's best electronic auteurs is definitely in the air. The river still shines, but she’s deeply poisoned. The old town has lost every bit of fresh air but keeps on digging for old gold. This bitter pill is served with delicacy and lightness, the wound is dressed up seductively — feet in the mud, head in the air. Stuff is sensuous, with quiet places reminding of the good side of those times when the big wheel stopped turning ever so madly. A strange quietness whistles through the leaves. Some things take time to unfold. In or out of C.

Four years in the making, this is the solo debut LP of Simon B, a longtime contributor to Antwerp's improvised music scene (Groovecats Deluxe, Wij Blij Trio ). Primarily a double bass player, he also has a deep-felt passion for offbeat electronica and the rainbowy side of American minimalism, which takes front here. The smoky voice on the last track belongs to Nina-Joy Thielemans, Nina-Joy is part of Particals, a trio working with live electronics and field recordings, releasing an lp on Ultra Eczema later this year. Furthermore, you can hear the tenor and soprano saxophone of Adia Van Heerentals on 4 tracks, deepening out Simon's naturally flowing compositions and playing around with his melodies. You may know her from Bodem and her strong presence in the Belgian jazz scene lately.

Simon's electroacoustic experiments — using a clarinet and some outboard effects — were important tools in finding the very specific colour of this record. There's this airy character, like wind blowing through old layers of bricks and over the river, anchored with a deep sense of bass, gathering ages of dust and memories in these eight elegantly wobbling tracks, forming a perfect whole that’s really coming together in one deep listening from A to Z.

The centrepiece is perhaps Come to Me, instrumental and reprise with vocals, but no fillers on this one. Every part of the mystery is needed to come to its end and back again. It's a record that works in the morning, to open up a day and in the quiet corners of the night, with it's sleazy quirkiness, smiling towards you from the right corner of the eye. A perfect compagnon for your long-form wandering habits, light reflections on a wet surface obsessions, coffee slurping in the morning and the forgotten art of beachcombing. Quite essential these days, witnessing a world going apeshit.

Previously we’ve mentioned influences from the 1970s self-reflective work of Nick Drake & John Martyn to the lovelorn tragedy of troubadours such as Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley creating a fusion of 1960s/70s folk and blues.

Now Cardiff-based indie folk singer-songwriter Ivan Moult returns with his most personal work to date, Stood Out In The Storm, due to be released on November 7th through Bubblewrap (home to The Gentle Good). The album follows the acclaimed Songs From Severn Grove (2023), which drew praise for its warmth, intricacy and timeless songwriting, cementing Ivan’s reputation as one of Wales’ most compelling contemporary voices.

While Songs From Severn Grove captured moments of renewal and joy - written in lockdown and
during the early days of fatherhood - its follow-up takes a braver, more vulnerable step. Stood Out
In The Storm was written in the aftermath of a personal crisis and charts Ivan’s gradual process of
healing and recovery. The record traverses darkness and light, despair and resilience, offering a
deeply honest exploration of fragility, survival and hope.

Ivan’s signature sound remains at the core: a seamless blend of 1960s/70s folk and blues infused
with modern textures, drawing influence from John Martyn, the late great Terry Reid and Ry
Cooder. On Stood Out In The Storm, that familiar intimacy is expanded with a greater presence
of guitars and organs, adding new depth and urgency to the sound. As with his previous records,
Ivan wrote, played, recorded and mixed the album at his Cardiff home studio, and the record sits
as a companion piece to Songs From Severn Grove.

Over the years, Ivan has gained support from BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales and KLOF
(Formerly Folk Radio UK), earned festival slots at Cornbury Festival, Festival of Voice and Sŵn,
and shared stages with the likes of This Is The Kit, Becca Mancari and Willy Mason. Now, with
Stood Out In The Storm (out November 7th), he offers his most powerful and affecting work yet –
an album born of struggle, but defined by resilience.

“Exquisite”- Folk Radio UK 

“Beautiful” - Huw Stephens, BBC Radio

“Utterly wonderful” - Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales

”There is a wonderful delicateness that resonates through Ivan’s heartfelt lyrics, deamy music and vocals. Ivan is able to take listeners on their own journey of growth through his soft melodies and blissful atmosphere”
- Amplify The Noise

Known to fans simply as The Blue Album, Adolescents' self-titled debut album captured the raw pulse of Southern California's teenage rebellion at a time when hardcore was beginning to take shape yet still holding onto the infectious urgency of punk's first wave. Few records from the American punk underground have echoed as far and wide-or as enduringly-as the Adolescents' self-titled debut, first released by Frontier Records in 1981. Formed in Fullerton, California, Adolescents brought together members of earlier OC punk outfits like Social Distortion and Agent Orange, fusing their varied influences into something uniquely their own. With songs like 'Amoeba,' 'Kids of the Black Hole,' and 'No Way,' the album offered more than just speed and volume-it spoke directly to suburban alienation, youthful frustration, and the search for identity in a world that felt increasingly hostile and conformist. This new edition offers longtime listeners and new fans alike a chance to revisit-or discover-an album that helped define the West Coast punk sound. From its striking blue cover to its mix of melody, defiance, and urgency, "Adolescents" remains a vital listen, as relevant today as it was over four decades ago. It's an album that didn't just reflect its moment-it shaped what punk could be: loud, smart, emotional, and unflinchingly real. Reissued with care and respect for its original spirit, The Blue Album stands not only as a milestone in punk history, but as a testament to the enduring power of youth in revolt. This reissue includes a repro of the original insert and poster.

It's taken over two decades, but at last, the wait is over: Sevan Mater has unleashed the first- ever vinyl pressing of Live Damage , the iconic live performance by DARK TRANQUILLITY, captured during their "Damage Done" era. Pressed on Gold and Black swirl vinyl, limited to just 500 copies, and housed in a stunning gatefold cover, this reissue is nothing short of melodic death metal heaven. Originally released in 2003 as a DVD, Live Damage immortalized one of DT 's most intense and electric live shows - recorded in Krakow, Poland. Now, for the first time ever, that raw energy, that iconic Swedish aggression, and that perfectly balanced blend of melody and brutality has been etched into vinyl grooves for audiophiles and collectors alike. From the soaring leads of The Treason Wall to the punishing drive of Final Resistance, every track explodes with clarity and presence on wax.

The vinyl mastering brings new warmth and immediacy to the performance, giving fans the closest thing to being there, without the sweat and flying beer. And the packaging? Absolutely elite. Sevan Mater delivers a luxurious gatefold, featuring rare tour photos, liner notes, and an aesthetic drenched in cold, melancholic elegance. If you're a fan of At The Gates, In Flames, or if Damage Done was the soundtrack to your early 2000s fury, this release is a must-own. More than just a live album - it's a time capsule of melodic death metal at its peak.

It has been said of Hiroshi Suzuki, one of Japan's leading trombonists, "If you want to sound good, you need to have him as a member of your group”. Suzuki moved to the U.S. in 1971 when he was invited to play with the Buddy Rich Orchestra, and had been living in Las Vegas ever since. The album Cat was recorded when he returned to Japan for the first time in about four years, and released on Nippon Columbia in 1976. The musicians are the same as in Freedom Unity, the group Suzuki had been a member of until his 1971 departure – consisting of pianist Hiromasa Suzuki, drummer Akira Ishikawa, bassist Kunimitsu Inaba, and saxophonist Takeru Muraoka.

Cat is a kind of second chance for that group, which once had a promising future but came to a premature demise. Based on the synergy that they had cultivated together in the past, the players brought their individual technical and musical growth to the album and collectively refined their efforts even further. Each of them had been active on the front lines of the jazz scene, and the quality of their compositions, arrangements, and performances here are extremely high. Cat is one of the most revered albums in the extraordinary Japanese Jazz discography and an essential piece of any music collection.

(Text by Yusuke Ogawa - Universounds)

Following last year’s CD release that generated tremendous response, Days of Delight is proud to present the analog edition of a long-hidden treasure from Three Blind Mice.
Motohiko Hino Quartet + 2 – Flying Clouds (recorded in 1976).
Just three months after the legendary album Ryuhyo (Drift Ice) was captured in Nemuro, Hokkaido, this fiery performance was recorded with the addition of Yuji Imamura, expanding the group into a sextet.
The source is a newly digitized transfer from the original 2-inch master tape. Supervised by TBM founder Takeshi Fujii and track-downed by Yoshihiko Kannari—the “guardian of the TBM sound” who also engineered the original live recording—this release faithfully revives the sound of Three Blind Mice nearly half a century later.
A rare document that vividly conveys the intensity of Japanese jazz at its peak in the 1970s.

For SEVEN's first anniversary, we've brought together a roster of talented artists, each with a distinct style, to reimagine CRYME's hit "London Boy" originally released on The Backroom EP in 2024. This 5-track remix EP features a remastered version of the original alongside fresh interpretations by none other than Ghettotech heavyweight MCR-T, Prog House queen Roza Terenzi, modular wizard JakoJako, and Amsterdam's legendary Stef de Haan as a digital bonus. The vinyl will be limited to 500 copies.
With full marketing and PR support around the anniversary SEVEN7000LTD is set to be SEVEN's biggest release of the year.
A1 - CRYME - London Boy (MCR-T Remix)
CRYME's 808-driven electro, ghetto house hybrid "London Boy" gets the MCR-T treatment, spiced up with a dose of Garage. The Berlin-based artist reshaped the bassline into a gritty reese bass and put in the iconic UK hardcore vocal "your name is not down, you not coming in," perfectly amplifying the track's original UK flair.
A2 - CRYME - London Boy (Roza Terenzi Remix)
Roza Terenzi joins the "London Boy" Remix EP with a sleek, modern tech house cut. Flipping the distinct 808 cowbells into heavily processed percussive elements that bounce through the mix while carrying a melodic line. Her remix is packed with her quirky yet precise sound design and kinetic frequencies. The original vocal phrases are creatively chopped up into fragments and reassembled so they become part of the rhythmic backbone.

B1 - CRYME - London Boy (JakoJako Remix)
JakoJako shows off her genre diversity with a steezy Tech House flip of "London Boy." The talented Berlin-based live act lays down a solid drum foundation and a bouncing bassline - no frills, just a steady groove built for the dancefloor. The composition stays laidback, leaving space for a raw synth melody and her reworked, chopped-up vocal layers that add just the right touch of playful silliness to the track.

B2 - CRYME - London Boy (Original Mix)
On the B-side you will find CRYME's remastered original "London Boy", first released in 2024 and featuring ANTICALM, a British rapper, vocalist, and songwriter whose "You Don't Want This" vocal sample takes center stage. Merging 808-driven Electro and Grime with a touch of Ghetto House, the track reimagines a genre-bending battery of block-party energy in the club setting. With its driving rhythm and unmistakable vocal hook, it remains a powerful tool for DJs and a highlight on any dancefloor.

The debut from Berlin's Misere is a new jewel in the modern post punk crown. Sit back, relax and let the darkness engulf you with their primitive and sparse sound. Standout "Prickelnd" starts with the pounding floor tom and snare and slightly flanged bass before the guitar kicks in and the song takes twists and turns. It’s like a minimal sounding Xmal Deutschland and Blood and Roses with a vocalist that sings with a deadpan delivery. Another standout "Dracula" has the sound and spirit of the first Kleenex single down to a tea, but adds a hint of classic early 80’s goth. Final track "Abrieb" sounds like it could fall apart at any moment, in all it’s glorious chaos. It’s the sound of what UK Decay would have sounded like, if they were women. A superb release that shows the sound of Berlin in 2025.

Sean Forbes, Rough Trade

Welcome to a musical spectacle that surpasses the boundaries of time - the „Medieval Rock Festival“ on vinyl!

Immerse yourself into the fascinating world of medieval markets and let yourself be enchanted by the unique sounds of bagpipes and rocking melodies.

The lively sounds of bagpipes and traditional instruments merge with modern rock elements to create a unique sound spectacle.

Each of the 14 songs on this record is a masterpiece , played by the most successful bands of the genre , such as In Extremo , Letzte Instanz , Schandmaul , Feuerschwanz , Versengold , Faun , Subway To Sally .

With this record you get the lively atmosphere of the medieval markets directly into your home. Close your eyes and let the sounds take you back to times of the distant past.

Isao Suzuki Quartet + 1 – Blue Road (recorded in 1975).
A month after the recording of his masterpiece Orang-Utan, Suzuki and his fellow musicians delivered this powerful performance at the “5 Days in Jazz 1975” festival—a rare document of the group in its prime.
The source comes from a newly digitized transfer of the original 2-inch master tape. Supervised by TBM founder Takeshi Fujii and track-downed by Yoshihiko Kannari—the “guardian of the TBM sound” who also engineered the original live recording—this release faithfully revives the sound of Three Blind Mice nearly half a century later.
An invaluable record that vividly captures the raw energy of Japanese jazz at its peak in the 1970s.

Bars & Noble, the latest release by Black Soprano Family affiliate Heem, is a hard-hitting album steeped in the gritty realism and lyrical finesse that define Buffalo's hip-hop scene. Heem brings raw storytelling and powerful street narratives to the forefront, offering an introspective look at survival, loyalty, and ambition.

The album features an all-star lineup of collaborators, including Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher himself, Jae Skeese, Boldy James, Jay Worthy, and Illy Foo, each adding their signature styles to the mix. With sharp bars and dense production, Bars & Noble is both a nod to classic hip-hop authenticity and a fresh take on the genre’s modern evolution. This project cements Heem’s voice within the underground rap echelon, balancing moments of vulnerability with defiant bravado.

For the first time ever, Marcal's "Thought Control" is available on vinyl to commemorate Enemy Records' 20th anniversary. Previously only available digitally, the EP figures some of Marcal's biggest tracks such as "Seroto"and "Manta Ray." This ep is part of a limited series of reissues and first pressings from the label's back catalog, headed by Dustin Zahn.



"Thought Control" takes on a slightly deeper and heady direction than his previous output for Rekids or Uncage. However, the drums are still slammin' and every detail is crystal-clear. Marcal's natural progression shows he is more in control of his sound than ever before.



Manta Ray starts the EP with swinging drums and shots in the dark that will keep people marching through the night. Nevoa is the most melodic cut on the record. It's moody, wandering, and tripped out enough to disassociate you from reality. Robotic Thinking is as rigged as it is funky. The strong, pedaling, unified groove is laced with vowel formants and pulsing sinewaves. Closing out the EP is Seroto, a steady headsdown tribal workout for those trying to find their way through the late-night fog

Dennis van Aarssen gibt uns einen Einblick in seine Gefühlswelt des neuen Albums 'Souvenirs': „Dieses Album ist mein bisher ambitioniertestes Projekt. Die Songs auf diesem Album sind allesamt musikalische Souvenirs, die ich im Laufe meines Lebens gesammelt habe. Jeder einzelne davon ist mir wichtig und weckt wertvolle Erinnerungen. „Souvenirs“ ist mehr als nur eine Sammlung von Songs, die mir etwas bedeuten; es ist ein wichtiger Teil meiner Mission, die großen Crooner am Leben zu erhalten. Ich habe all das, was ich über die Jahre gelernt habe und all mein Herzblut in die Musik dieses Albums einfließen lassen und versucht einige meiner Lieblingslieder, meine liebsten musikalischen Souvenirs, im Crooner-Stil in die Gegenwart zu bringen. Mit meinen Versionen wollte ich diesen Geist aufgreifen und ihm eine neue Note verleihen. Strahlender. Swingender. Als würde man an einem sonnigen Morgen die Fenster aufreißen und sagen: „Her damit, Welt!“. Alles, was man hört, ist echt. Eine Live-Big Band, Weltklasse-Musiker, kein Schall und Rauch. Nur Handwerkskunst, pure Freude und jede Menge Herz. Eine Hommage an die Großen, die vor uns kamen, aber mit einem jungen Geist und meiner eigenen Stimme.“

South Africa Amapiano powerhouse, De Mthuda, releases “world’s first major amapiano release on vinyl”.

“The Landlord – Vinyl Cuts” is a carefully curated selection of 6 of De Mthuda’s best tracks, released during ‘The Landlord’ era from 2021 – 2023.

Bringing the unique joy and spirit of Amapiano to the world - all tracks have been remastered for vinyl to present the unique bass rhythm, log drum and flow, synonymous with the genre that has taken the world by storm.

Swimming Paul’s music has always lived in the push-and-pull between euphoria and melancholy; the rare kind of electronic music that can make you cry while your body keeps moving.



On Smiling Through the Pain 2 (out October 24 via Headroom Records), the French-born, London-based producer doubles down on that emotional duality, delivering an album that feels as much like a diary as it does a DJ set.

Over the course of 15 tracks, Paul stitches together late-night catharsis, suburban nostalgia, and the jagged tenderness of early adulthood. The record is sequenced like an unbroken night out: the giddy anticipation, the sudden moments of reflection, the quiet comedown as the sun edges in. It’s an album that refuses to treat joy and sadness as opposites, they coexist here, often in the same chord progression.



“I don’t want to escape the feelings, I want to bring them with me” Paul says. “If you can’t stop thinking about something, you might as well dance with it.”

That philosophy runs through the singles: the emotional release of Holly (with Junior Simba), the aching nostalgia of Different Time, the hypnotic haze of Hard 2 Sleep, and the house-driven Drinking to Get Drunk, a bittersweet ode to nights spent outrunning your own thoughts. Elsewhere, Liza M1 folds heartbreak into an almost triumphant piano hook, while Shine a Light urges listeners to take risks and live without hesitation—as if youth’s boldness could be bottled.



Since debuting in 2023, Swimming Paul has quietly built an empire on emotional resonance: 150 million streams across platforms, 1.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 50 editorial placements (including Dance Party, Crying on the Dancefloor, Electronic Rising….), 10,000+ radio spins worldwide, and sold-out tours across Europe and North America. His sound has earned co-signs from BBC Radio 1, Triple J, KCRW, Sirius XM and a wave of DJs who value melody as much as momentum.

But Smiling Through the Pain 2 isn’t chasing charts, it’s chasing connections. Paul’s global fanbase, nurtured through a lively Discord community and nights on the road, has become a two-way conversation, with fans’ stories feeding back into the music’s emotional core.
This autumn, Paul takes the album to stages that match its ambition, from London to a string of US club dates, festivals and intimate pop ups designed for shared release.



Smiling Through the Pain 2 is an invitation to feel everything at once. To sweat through the sadness. To let your guard down under strobe lights. To realise that the best nights out don’t make you forget; they help you remember.

Zwei Meister-Improvisatoren, die ihre wortlosen Gemälde aus dem Nichts komponieren, erforschen weiter den tiefen Raum der Zukunft/Vergangenheit. Ihre kollaborativen Kräfte sind noch lange nicht auf dem Höhepunkt, und diese Reise führt sie weiter ins Unerforschte. Diese Stücke entfalten sich als offenkundige Geistesblüten. Sie schaffen einen Baldachin aus Klangformen, in dem sie die seltene Sprache der Welterschaffung sprechen. Dies ist nicht einfach nur Musik, es ist eine Reise ohne Karten, Inside. Diese neue LP führt Nelson & Kramer tief unter die Meere der Erde und zieht den Hörer an ihrer Seite hinab, während sie die unbekannten Strömungen erforschen, die die menschliche Vorstellungskraft beflügeln, flüssig, immer in Bewegung und immer im Wandel. Es ist ein Ausflug in die tiefsten Tiefen der Ambient-Musik und ein Neuanfang an dem Ort, an dem das Leben selbst begann. Der Grund des Ozeans hat einen neuen Klang, und er ist atemberaubend schön. ENG Further explorations into the deep space of the future/past by two master-improvisors who compose their wordless paintings out of thin air. Their collaborative powers are nowhere near their peak and this voyage takes them further into the Uncharted. These pieces unfold as revelatory mind blooms. Creating a canopy of sound forms inside which they speak the rarified language of world creating. This isn't just music, it's a journey without maps, Inside. This new LP takes Nelson & Kramer deep under the earth's seas, pulling the listener down beside them as they explore the uncharted currents that fuel the human imagination, fl uid, always moving, and always changing. It is an excursion into the lowest depths of Ambient Music, and a new beginning from the very place where life itself began. The floor of the ocean has a new sound, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Already championed by Gilles Peterson on Worldwide FM and DJ Koco from Japan is the newest collaboration between Wah Wah 45s & the vinyl only ,singles only label imprint Mukatsuku Records .Dele Sosimi is a modern Afrobeat torchbearer who worked with the genre's greatest, Fela Kuti. He has a varied and vital discography that includes the 2023 album The Confluence from which this new 45 rpm on Mukatsuku is taken. It is a sweet soul sound, laced with gentle jazz and warm, buttery vocals that slow your heart and mind equally. On the flip is an exclusive, never-released instrumental that allows the sax-laden sounds and virtuoso musicianship to shine. Both sides are perfectly cosy and gentle accompaniments to a lazy afternoon in by the fire as winter begins to bite.




b 02: Mo Se B'ola Tan (Unreleased Instrumental) feat. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly


b 02: Mo Se B'ola Tan (Unreleased Instrumental) feat. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly

First Word Records are proud to bring you 'Penny Ballads', a 5-track EP from Royce Wood Junior.

Royce Wood Junior is a Grammy & Mercury Award-nominated musician, songwriter and record producer from London, currently based in Brighton. As a multi-instrumentalist, he's collaborated with a litany of brilliant artists over the years, such as Jamie Woon, Nao, Disclosure, Jessie Ware, Olivia Dean, Joy Crookes, Jamie Lidell and Jordan Rakei, additionally to touring with the likes of the legendary Thomas Dolby. He's released two acclaimed solo albums to date ('The Ashen Tang' in 2015, and 'No Two Blue Ticks' in 2021).

'Penny Ballads' demonstrates RWJ's varied talents, with a collection of alternative soul compositions, each one as unique as the next. It includes the first two singles, the Poplife-Prince era flavoured 'Go Get Your Money', and the double-time future funk adrenaline shot, 'Clean Up', along with three previously-unreleased tracks. 'Beretta' is low-slung soul funk, beginning with quirky squelchy synths, before the soulful lead vocal of feature artist Lucey Way breezes in to melt everyone's hearts. 'Things' sweeps in next, an infectiously soulful midtempo heavy soul bop, with an instant earwork of a hook, like a modern-day Steely Dan / Doobie Brothers, complete with a head-nodding string section to end the track. The collection concludes on a more melancholy downtempo tip with 'Rolling'; an almost-folktronic anthem, with a key refrain that wouldn't be out of place on a 70's Stevie piece.

RWJ (aka Jim Wood) says of this project… "Back in the 17 and 1800's Troubadours and minstrels would go from Tavern to Tavern selling Penny Ballads, single sheets of music and lyrics written quickly and frivolously to make a quick buck.. It strikes me that we're in a similar phase in the way we value music in 2025. An old Penny Ballad was cheap and dog-eared, ink-smudged, sung aloud by firelight, Now songs live in the digital ether, dissolved in the air, a ghostly breath paid in micro cents. The new era of Penny Balladry is here, and weird.

This EP is a snapshot of my writing over a two year period. Focussed on minimal recording styles, one mic on the drums, generally first or second takes on parts and vocals, I wanted the music to feel like small moments with lyrics that talk about the weird nuances of being alive as a latter stage human on the cusp of the Ai revolution. Culturally so evolved, but physiologically still just a bunch of mammals walking about with primitive fears and needs. Just trying to reconcile it all moment to moment…"

Previous support for Royce's music has included Radio 1's Future Sounds, BBC 6 Music's New Music Fix, Annie Mac, Clara Amfo, Jo Whiley (BBC Radio 2), Mary Anne Hobbs, Jamz Supernova, Tom Robinson, Huw Stephens (BBC 6 Music), Zane Lowe and MistaJam. There have been sessions previously for the likes of Red Bull and press from Huck, Line of Best Fit, Clash, Aesthetica & DIY magazine.

Entirely self-written and self-produced, this EP gives a solid taste of RWJ's talents. A deeply funky diverse set of music from an immensely talented individual.

'Penny Ballads' is due to be released on vinyl & digital, 24th October 2025.

The vinyl version also includes an exclusive additional mix of the first single 'Go Get Your Money'.

»Chronotopia« is the second album by composer-performer Elisabeth Klinck. After collaborating closely with artist Oscar Claus to blend her violin playing with electronic soundscapes and field recordings on her 2023 debut Picture a Frame (Hallow Ground), Belgian electroacoustic artist Elisabeth Klinck now turns inward. On Chronotopia, she takes a more song-oriented approach, embracing her voice as a vital counterpart to her violin, intertwining their sounds like threads in a dynamic, multicolored fabric. The record marks an essential turning point in her artistic evolution and opens up a rich internal world. It is a tapestry of sound, emotion, and curiosity spun from—both literally and figuratively—her growing voice.Klinck, who works as a composer and performer in theater, wrote the pieces between tours and recorded the album in the same place as its predecessor, the Spanish Pyrenees. Though the outside world isn’t as explicitly reflected in the recordings as it was the case on »Picture a Frame,« her sophomore album responds to the outside world by capturing both the expansive serenity of the mountains and the frenetic pulse of life on the road. Eschewing her previous, more atmospheric and abstract approach, Klinck creates a landscape that is built on the song and filled with intimacy. Her music feels at once vulnerable and deeply human, balancing the rawness of improvisation with the careful precision of melody-led composition.Klinck describes »Chronotopia« as a playful exploration of time—its fluidity, its constraints, and its influence on how we navigate the world. These notions reverberate through her melodies and lyrics, which dance between moments of shimmering clarity and messy, beautiful chaos. These contrasts are further accentuated by the cunning interplay of voice and violin, which itself reflects the artist’s fascination with duality and transformation. Recorded in both organic and controlled environments, »Chronotopia« blurs the lines between intuition and design. The »time space« into which Klinck invites her audience is a place where sound becomes touch, time bends like light, and every moment carries the thrill of discovery

Serenity Now returns with the next dose of bangers from DOC ’N ’ P1LL in the form of RX
PRESCRIPTIONS Volume 2.
Following last year ’s widely appreciated debut, the Stockholm-based duo is back with four
brand new club-oriented tracks, once again rooted in their self-made genre Synth-Tech – a
fusion of
synth-driven techhouse, melodic tech and deep house, built around a sound that ’s cerebral
and deep. With their unique sound, DOC ’N ’ P1LL mix snappy drums and percussive
elements with hard-hitting melodies, creating tracks that hit with precision and energy.
Volume 2 explores a wider range of moods while keeping things direct and floor-focused.
From the bouncy opener to the more hypnotic and stripped-down moments, each track
reflects the duo ’s long-standing experience both behind the decks and in the studio.
If Volume 1 laid the foundation for Synth-Tech, this second installment takes it further –
deeper, weirder, and even more confident. Four new flavours. Same prescription. No filler –
just four cuts made for peak-time impact.

2026 Repress

In our era of post-truth & questioned realities, tin foil hatted folk project their insecurities onto the puppet masters, those holding the strings to us all, the endless psy-op at play. For those opting for psychedelic enlightenment over psychological terror, we find solace in the dance, especially when the music is from heads such as Jeku.

‘Peyote Trance’ follows the Helsinki based artists journey into the “trip”, where mother nature instead pulls the strings. A sound of trance often not followed, continuing the work of forebearers such as eXquisite CORpsE; where the zap of the synapses in the brain connect with the bubble & squeak of electronics. Creating a sound advanced by nature, yet resonating within the concrete walls us ravers know and love. All 4 tracks harness a kinetic energy that nudges you to ascendance, not desperately reaching for it like the heavy handed aesthetics of the genre can. Instead, the heads down motion of the music can take you there, and well, a little bit of Peyote might just help, as mother nature intended.

Anthology 4 - Triple LP. The new volume from The Beatles Anthology Collection.

Anthology 4, is newly curated by Giles Martin, including 13 previously unreleased demos, plus fascinating session and other rare recordings dating from 1963 to 1969. It also includes the band’s final single, ‘Now And Then’, released in 2023, and new mixes of The Beatles’ Anthology-associated hit singles: the GRAMMY-winning ‘Free As A Bird’ and ‘Real Love’, given new life by their original producer, Jeff Lynne, using de-mixed John Lennon vocals. Furthermore, Anthology 4 presents 26 tracks that have never previously been released on vinyl.

The track notes are written by Kevin Howlett with an introduction compiled from 1996 interviews recorded with The Beatles’ close friend and adviser Derek Taylor.

Pressed on 180g black vinyl, the triple LP is housed within poly-lined inner bags and a triple gatefold sleeve.

Moving freely through time and space via experimental DIY recordings since 2009, Joasihno return with their fourth album "Spots".

“Find your spot in the shade,” a truly laid-back and incredibly soft-spoken MC once advised, yet in a world that seems to get shadier every day, it’s probably time to finally get out and face the sun. Southern German experimental pop duo Joasihno – initial solo founder Cico Beck (The Notwist, Aloa Input, Spirit Fest) and drummer/composer Nico Sierig (Instrument, Fehler Kuti) – seem to know exactly when it’s time to shine. Idiosyncratic genre tweakers since day one, they have been operating at their own pace, mostly staying in their own shady corner. Yet, almost a decade after their most recent “Meshes” (an album that came with a whole legion of tiny music robots), it’s high time for them to take over more corners, to reclaim even more spots between lo-fi and sci-fi, retro electronica and contemporary classic. Drawing upon influences as varied as Reich, Riley, and Ryuichi, múm, Meek, and Moondog, while also nodding to other experimental twosomes (e.g. The Books), the duo’s fourth full-length “Spots” is set to arrive via Alien Transistor in late 2025.

Leaving soulless automation and all things artificial to others, Joasihno launch the latest record on “2 Squares” that feel like a peaceful, almost bucolic version of retro space age: lights blink ever so softly as easy-going bass tones point at today’s introspective flight arc. Electronic shapes align and things lift off – with a majestic 8-bit sunrise soon appearing right in front of us. Whereas playful title song “Spots” is a miniature Rube Goldberg kind of device, with quirky plucked strings and glitches setting off more and more contraption layers, “Crackleboom” is uncharted energy, an open landscape, an expanding bonfire that leads to a long-forgotten piano, all dust-covered in some kind of saloon. Space might be only noise to others, here, it’s foreboding screeches (“Dizzle Whistle”) that make room for A-side center piece “Forest Lights”: a steady beat that lures us to a clearance in the woods. Things break and shatter in the distance, but this spot right here is for hypnosis, dancing, sylvan spirits. And yeah, it’s surprisingly hot down here in the undergrowth…

Opening side B with a fun banger that takes the unhinged dancing to the playground – “Characa Orb.” feels like French kids on swings going crazy, a tipsy, tongue-in-cheek electro blow-out between Oizo and Orbis Tertius –, things get even more cinematic throughout the second half. Even the cheapest, lo-fiest gear is sufficient to make “The Slow Hour” glow like true, timeless pop royalty. In fact, the very same pop spirits roam and celebrate freely in the chirpy coves of mesmerizing “Detune Lagoon” – more hand-crafted sci-fi/lo-fi loops you’ll only find after facing the ghosts of Lynch or Sakamoto on those night-time trails under the “Deep Moon”. It’s all DIY spots, spots that leave room to dream or dangle, drape yourself over or dive into. Returning to the leafy bower on a melancholy post rock tip, we eventually learn that “Death Is Real” – and so we’re left with a laterna magica that turns and turns and turns. It’s a beautiful spot where light and shadows keep on dancing, just like they’ve always done, ever since the dawn of this madcap universe.

»La Traversée« (»The Crossing«) is Matthias Puech’s second album for Hallow Ground and follows up on 2023’s »Mt. Hadamard National Park.« Profoundly inspired by re-reading »The Odyssey,« the French composer, instrument designer, and scholar used a Eurorack modular synthesizer to create four pieces that are by far the most intuitive and emotionally charged in his ever-expanding catalogue. Puech’s masterful command of sound comes to the forefront with even more urgency on this record. A wandering meditation on the human condition, »La Traversée« is an album that is constantly in motion—complex electronic music at its most gripping and evocative.

The foundation for »La Traversée« was laid when Puech prepared a live set for a tour organised in collaboration with Hallow Ground in support of »Mt. Hadamard National Park.« Before writing the first three pieces—»Ennosigaios,« »Polyphármakos,« »Nekuia«—the 18½-minute-long »Ithâké« was composed in near-total isolation in the South of France at the end of 2023. Puech performed the material live several times before taking a step black from it for a while. He revisited the pieces when preparingthem for a release. »I was struck by how the technical process and the intention behind the music had completely vanished from my memory,« he says.

What remained intact, however, was Puech’s association of the material with one of the most influential texts of Western literature. Reading a graphic novel adaptation of »The Odyssey« with his two four-year-olds, he noticed the effect that it had on them and himself. »Its themes of longing, fear of and attraction to the unknown, unresolved quests, and the struggle for control felt topical,« he says. »I was completely taken. Every story ever told seemed contained in this ancient tale; every story I have ever tried to tell as a composer seemed inscribed in this framework.« This also extended to formal motifs such as the repetition of incidents, narrative developments, or dramatic effects that also mark »La Traversée.«

Puech says that he perceived Homer’s writing as musical, »like an old Delta blues or a Renaissance counterpoint,« which inspired his writing process. »With a couple of knobs on my Eurorack system, I could control the unfolding of a story,« he notes. »This made me pass through different emotional statesand led to moments in which everything made sudden sense—when you as an artist get a glimpse atsomething essential, can touch upon something universal.« This shines through »La Traversée,« a wildly imaginative album that is deeply personal while also telling a story far more wide-reaching than that of its creator.

France's most unique fire-driven hard psych duo return with their sophomore masterpiece. Written between 2022 and 2024, "DEUX" marks a bold evolution in Moundrag's sound - nine meticulously crafted tracks that balance raw power with intricate storytelling, creating their most ambitious work yet. What makes Moundrag special: Two brothers. No guitars. Just vintage organ, thunderous drums, and hypnotic call-and-response vocals that forge epic soundscapes. Drawing from Deep Purple, King Crimson, and Emerson Lake & Palmer while channeling modern acts like Motorpsycho, they've created something fiercely contemporary. From the hard-hitting assault of "Stormdrummer" to the psychedelic crescendos of "Take Me To The Stars," DEUX is both a nostalgic nod to 70s prog and a modern manifesto. The album blends dystopian fantasy, sci-fi, and Celtic myth into a cry against old patterns - an invitation to reshape a freer world. Featuring stunning cover art by contemporary Polish artist Justyna Kozikzak - a surrealist interpretation of Dante's journey through hell. Co-released with our friends Spinda Records

Silat Beksi is back on Afterhours. with Infinite O’Clock, the labels eighth release — an assured statement where minimal house, tech-house, and groove converge. Over recent years, the label has consistently delivered stripped-back club tools with subtle depth, and Beksi’s latest reinvigorates that tradition with fresh energy rather than repetition.

The EP opens with Infinite O’Clock, a hypnotic minimal-house piece built from syncopated rhythms, deep, lush pads, ambient vocal samples, and a groovy low-end that perfectly fits the early club hours — those moments when the light begins to cut through the windows. On the Flip Side, Beksi shifts into early-00s micro-house mode: shuffled hi-hats, crisp claps, and playful, wonky grooves take the lead, while warm aerial pads reminiscent of 90s video games and acid-tinged basslines elevate the track with sophistication. Closing the record, Godbrother turns up the jacking energy — metallic and robotic samples, an infectious bassline, spatial pads, and delayed vocals give it a menacing, dancefloor-ready drive that ends the EP in full swing.

With Infinite O’Clock, Silat Beksi builds on Afterhours.’ reputation for club-focused minimalism and sound-system fidelity — a release that reaffirms the label’s consistent quality while confidently steering its sound forward.

Originally released in 2005, Supernature was Goldfrapp’s era-defining masterpiece, a multi-layered sonic-pop thriller that shattered the electronic rulebook, replacing it with a radical, high-gloss vision of pop music at its most seductive and strange.

Supernature catapulted Goldfrapp into the pop stratosphere, spawning now-classic singles like “Ooh La La”, “Number 1”, and “Ride A White Horse”. The album topped charts worldwide, earned multi-platinum sales, garnered multiple BRIT and GRAMMY nominations.

Now reissued for its 20th anniversary, the deluxe edition offers fans the classic original album alongside B-sides, classic & brand new remixes, unreleased live radio session recordings and an Audio Blu-ray 5.1 surround mix. The release is presented across 3 CDs (2CD + Audio Blu-Ray) in deluxe packaging, alongside a stunning peacock-coloured double vinyl edition (the second disc being a remix 12” single EP), with everything cut at half speed for enhanced sound quality.

The new edition includes two brand new Goldfrapp remixes by Alison Goldfrapp & Will Gregory, with exclusive reinterpretations from Richard X, Sun’s Signature (Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) & Damon Reece (Massive Attack, Spiritualized).

With the release of this deluxe edition, Goldfrapp don’t just revisit Supernature, they reaffirm its enduring influence in 2025’s musical landscape and beyond.

"PROG-ROCK LEGENDS SPOCK’S BEARD ARRIVE ON MADFISH WITH NEW ALBUM THE ARCHAEOPTIMIST. GATEFOLD 2LP VERSION, PRESSED ON RED VINYL. “mad time signatures, impossible harmonies, intense arrangements…sensational”
THE PROG REPORT “a true heir of the legacy of bands as Yes, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd & old Genesis…a truly fascinating voyage.” METAL TEMPLE If Spock’s Beard have taught us anything over their 30+ years in the business, it’s that they have no interest in becoming their own tribute act. The Archaeoptimist - their latest offering & first release on Madfish - is not a retreat into old habits, but a recalibration. Just when you think they’re settling in, they kick the walls out instead. At the centre of this particular storm is Ryo Okumoto, whose fingerprints are all over the album - not just as a performer, but as a driving creative force. Teaming up with co-writer Michael Whiteman (I Am the Manic Whale) & longstanding bandmembers Alan Morse & Ted Leonard, Ryo has helped shape an album that is undeniably Spock’s Beard with a characteristic wry smile to boot. The album was produced by Okumoto & recorded at each band member’s respective home studios. Esteemed producer Rich Mouser (Dream Theater/Weezer) takes up the mixing & mastering duties. Over more than 30 years, Spock’s Beard have established themselves as one of modern progressive music’s most exciting & consistent acts, with live shows as renowned as their studio work & tours that draw sold-out audiences across the globe. Their albums regularly chart worldwide, with 2018’s Noise Floor reaching #3 on the UK Official Rock & Metal Chart & #6 on the Official Progressive Albums Chart.

"Raise your swords up high: BLOODBOUND march into a powerful future with Field Of Swords, out November 21st via Napalm Records. Twenty years after the release of their debut album, the Swedish warriors stand taller than ever on the front line of epic power metal, delivering their most modern work yet. Most recently drawn to the Viking era, the latest concept album Field Of Swords turns the page to another chapter in history, moving past the year 1066 and into the Middle Ages. As warfare evolves and the significance of forging iron with carbon leads to superior swordsmen, the bloodstained battlefields show new, grim faces, leaving room for more of BLOODBOUND’s vivid storytelling that continues to thrill audiences at countless live shows around the globe. BLOODBOUND’s first release with Napalm Records adds another 11 captivating battle hymns to their repertoire. A diverse record with aggressive songs and epic tracks alike, their eleventh album also contains some of the band’s fastest material ever written. The opening title track, “Field Of Swords”, immediately storms into BLOODBOUND’s signature sound, braiding stories of glory with a sweeping blend of melodic and heavy power metal. The dominant “As Empires Fall” follows the crusaders east and powerfully depicts said glory in epic battle in contrast with sacrifices made on the way. “Defenders Of Jerusalem” cleverly expands on the topic of loss, leaving listeners to wonder which side is holding their heads up high in the face of imminent defeat. Catchy flutes have the heroes take heart in “The Code Of Warriors” to guide them into the “Land Of The Brave” and Field Of Swords to new heights at the same time. “Light In The Sky” further illustrates BLOODBOUND’s battle scars turned electrifying sound, while the mature “Teutonic Knights” opens up the bleak reality of the tragedy that undoubtedly accompanies this battle-torn era of history. Yet, “Forged In Iron”, “Pain and Glory”, and “Born to be King” hold their ground as equally unforgettable tunes, all leading up to the brilliant finale: Brittney Slayes of powerhouse Canadian band UNLEASH THE ARCHERS joins “The Nine Crusades” as another valuable fighter to lead Field Of Swords to greatness. BLOODBOUND’s latest triumphant march impressively illustrates the importance of purpose and perseverance with heroic tales in shining heavy metal armor.

Interstitial Spaces is Martin Brandlmayr’s debut release on Faitiche. In this award-winning radio collage, the well-known drummer and composer (Radian, Polwechsel) explores the quiet moments in music and film recordings.

The last notes of a piece of music fade out in the space. The pianist and the violinist remain frozen in place, holding their breath. The sound engineer sits silently at the desk. Once he has switched off his tape machine, the dull drone of a ship’s horn is heard in the distance. Otherwise, not a sound. Or was there something else hidden in the white noise?

Interstitial Spaces is based on short excerpts from music recordings, films, TV adverts and field recordings. Brandlmayr takes these quiet scenes, intervals in which nothing seems to happen, and brings them into the foreground, subjecting them to a microscopic spotlight. Moments in which one hears only the space itself, or the subtle presence of someone in the space: faint breathing, footsteps and the soft creak of a chair. We also hear preparations for an orchestra rehearsal: the musicians are all busy tuning their instruments, talking to each other, the concert has not yet begun.

This leads to a shift in perception: incidental details hidden in the hubbub of voices or in the silence suddenly take on a leading role. In the empty spaces, we discover various shades of noise, sharpening our awareness of sonic peculiarities. In a gentle rhythm, Brandlmayr’s radio collage offers a sequence of strange, not immediately identifiable sounds that are woven in the second part into a dense structure. At the end, the carefully captured sounds are released back into the empty space. Interstitial Spaces is a bold spectacle that celebrates the eventful uneventfulness.