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PRAED return to Discrepant, after their 2017’s entry Fabrication of Silver Dreams (CREP44)

Known for their signature blend of Egyptian Shaabi, free jazz and improvisation, the Lebanese duo behind PRAED - Raed Yassin and Paed Conca - now assemble a full orchestra for the second time taking the music to a deeper, rooted level.

Following their 2020 release Live in Sharjah, also under the PRAED Orchestra! moniker, the duo now revisit their unique blend of Arabic heritage and free jazz sensibilities with an album that keeps pushing further into strange and unexpected directions.

The Dictionary of Lost Meanings is just that, seven fully composed pieces and large-scale improvisations, performed by an expanded ensemble of musicians from across the globe. The result is dense and playful, unpredictable but familiar, a record where Arabic rhythms and microtonal melodies collide playfully against electronics, warped vocals and orchestral textures.

It’s less about genre than about memory — like tuning into a radio station broadcasting from somewhere between the past and the future.

PRAED continue to blur the line between popular culture and experimental music in ways that feel both grounded and completely their own.

PRAED ORCHESTRA! are
Raed Yassin: Synthesisers, Vocals, Beats
Paed Conca: Clarinet, Electric bass
Alan Bishop: Alto saxophone, Electric bass, Vocals
Andreas Bral: Harmonium, Electronics
Elisabeth Klinck: Violin
Christian Kobi: Soprano and Tenor Saxophones
Hans Koch: Bass Clarinet
Martin Küchen: Alto and Sopranino Saxophones
Maurice Louca: Synthesizer, electronics
Stan Maris: Accordion
Radwan Ghazi Moumneh: Buzuk, Vocals, Modular Synth
Youmna Saba: Electric Oud, Vocals
Sam Shalabi: Oud, Electric Guitar
Els Vandeweyer: Vibraphone
Khaled Yassine: Drums, Percussion
Michael Zerang: Drums, Percussion
Recorded by Jasper Jan Peeters at the Summer Bummer Festival, DE Studio,
Antwerp August 26, 2022
Mixed by Adham Zidan
Mastered by Mark Gergis
Produced by PRAED
Photos by Geert Vandepoele

After five years of activity, Orion Records is proud to present its first various artists release. “Horizon Begins” is a collection of tracks from artists connected to the Orion universe, encountered in clubs and festivals over recent years. The compilation aims to tell a complete story through its tracklist, moving from ambient to deeper shades of techno, with interludes of classic club sounds. An unknown project opens the record with an intro that sets the overall mood of the release, before giving way to deep and rhythmic moments by artists such as Martinou and Ateq & Orion. Skyra from Tbilisi closes side B with the unmistakable sound of Georgia. The second part of the release shifts towards a darker, more hypnotic direction with two key figures of the Swiss scene, Ben Kaczor and Lb Honne. The final chapter of this story is entrusted to Hame and Soela, a perfect soundtrack to close in a special way.

DJ Balaton continues to carve out his part in the puzzle with a fresh 4-tracker on LQL <3. With a nostalgic nod to Frankfurt, the producer shows that it doesn't take much, just the right touch, to install a badass groove. Spacious arrangements and carefully placed synths turn the EP into an echo of a different time in the club.

The title track "Back To The Mood" orbits around that secret open-air energy - one of those full-circle cuts for the crew. You are missing the water, baby is all there is to say about "Flow Key", rolling away at 127, disguised but with energy. "Reso 02" is the track we all wanted to finish but never did, grooving along with restrained intensity, shaping the EP into something personal and unique. Closing off, "Push Yourself" is Geoff White meets Herbert in a club-ready outfit.

All tracks produced by Julian Mosch, Master by Moomin, manufactured at intakt!, cut by Manmade, distributed by Wordandsound.

Artwork by Hannes & John & Printready by John.

A duo concert featuring universal artist and activist Moor Mother and Archie Shepp was planned for October 19, 2023, at the Enjoy Jazz Festival. However, a spinal disc operation on the then 86-year-old saxophone legend led to the cancellation of this eagerly awaited world premiere – and to a spontaneous demonstration of respect.
To honor the great Archie Shepp, one of the most influential intellectuals in jazz, an Enjoy Jazz all-star cast spontaneously recorded a tribute song during the festival – organized by festival director Rainer Kern. The line-up consisted of Nicole Mitchell, the most important flutist in the history of jazz, as well as the Enjoy Jazz “Artists in Residence” for 2023 and 2024, Moor Mother (spoken word) and Nduduzo Makhathini (piano).
In her lyrics, the poetess creates a powerful linguistic monument to Archie Shepp, whom she greatly admires, by playing with the titles of the saxophonist's legendary recordings (instead of with him himself). The title “One For Archie” is an allusion to Shepp's 1964 Impulse debut, “Four For Trane,” which, according to “Jazzwise”, is one of the “100 Jazz Albums That Shook The World.” In her moving text, Moor Mother also celebrates Shepp's political and social commitment.
The way Moor Mother rhythmically and aesthetically picks up on Shepp's unique playing style, which oscillates between rugged clarity and deep humanity, begins to improvise on it, and thereby creates new connections, is impressive proof of her masterful artistry. Her recitation is peppered with haunting dramatic climaxes that give listeners goosebumps due to their authenticity.
The B-side features “They've Got A Plan,” a song that is like a beacon. An intense and powerful invocation of “Agenda 2063,” a master plan of the African Union to transform the continent socially, economically, and politically.
Both tracks are available on vinyl for the first time.

The high point of Willie Colón's ongoing collaboration with Rubén Blades (and close to a career peak for both artists), Siembra exploded on the salsa scene in 1978 and has never been forgotten by fans. Beginning with a minute of playfully deceptive quasi-disco arrangements, Colón and his band slip into a devastating salsa groove for the opener, "Plástico," on which Blades first criticizes America's throwaway society and then brings all of Latin America together with a call to unity.

Skylax Records is proud to welcome one of Germany’s deepest and most respected producers to the family: Sascha Dive, with his stunning Cosmic Ritual EP, featuring house music legend Robert Owens and Zimbabwean vocal virtuoso Vusa Mkhaya. From Frankfurt to the world, Dive has spent nearly two decades carving a unique space where deep house, Detroit techno, and spiritual soul converge—this new release is a testament to that lifelong mission. On A1, Owens delivers an uplifting sermon on the irresistible "Don’t Let No One Or Nothing Stop You", a timeless piece of motivational house drenched in analog warmth. A2’s “Deep Connection To Detroit” is exactly that: a hypnotic, percussive journey into Motor City groove science. Flip the record for “Take Your Time”, another Robert Owens collab that slows things down into deeper, more introspective terrain. Then comes "Cosmic Ritual (Vocal Mix)", where Vusa Mkhaya’s voice channels ancestral energy over shimmering pads and tribal percussion—pure transcendence. Closing things off is “Ultimate Mind”, a stripped-back, late-night cut for meditative floors and after-hours revelation. All tracks are deeply rooted in the vinyl tradition, made for DJs, dancers and dreamers. With this EP, Sascha Dive reaffirms what real house music is all about: soul, message, rhythm, and ritual. Limited 12” vinyl – no repress.

Crossroads return with with a two-tracks vinyl release, showcasing again the amazing vocal talents of Cler.
On the A-side, they breathe new life into an '80s classic with their modern soul rendition of "What's On Your Mind," originally by the legendary George Benson.
The B-side offers a fresh take on a rare R&B gem from the late '80s, transforming it with a contemporary groove and Cler’s uniquely soulful voice.

“Daniele Baldelli: A Cosmic Life” is a documentary that tells the life and career of Daniele Baldelli, a pioneer of Italian and international dance music. The film pays homage to the creator of “cosmic sound,” a musical genre that revolutionized club culture in Italy and worldwide. It traces his career through archival footage and testimonies from artists and producers, showcasing how his vision influenced entire musical scenes.

The film, along with its soundtrack, highlights Baldelli’s ability to blend electronic, funk, Afro, rock, ethnic, and experimental music, creating a unique sound that has made four generations of young people dance in iconic venues around the world.

The record primarily includes new tracks specifically created for the film and the dancefloor, alongside his classics such as “Isotropo Funk,” “Funk Me Again,” and “Diffrazione” which are now difficult to find on vinyl. It also features an unreleased track produced for the film by his trusted collaborator Marco Dionigi.
– Lose yourself in the Cosmic Sound –
LP with insert.

Edition of 200 hand-numbered records, each housed in a custom Rosy womb French paper jacket with letterpress + a unique hand-cut found photo memory fragment on each cover with newsprint insert. Every copy has a different cover.

An archival release by short-lived post-punk, Brooklyn duo Möthersky. Xander Hing, with South African origins, vocals and guitar on Side A, bass + vocals on Side B. Richard Vergez, visual artist and Noir Age label owner, fuzz bass + drums on Side A and guitar + synths + drums on Side B. Played the Nothing Changes party in 2013. Shared bills with acts such as Cindytalk, Black Rain, Eric Random, Das Ding, and Drew McDowall.

Reviewed in The Wire magazine:

First single by this Brooklyn based duo named after the classic track on Can's Soundtracks LP. Their basic approach remains bottom-heavy in the vein of early Factory and 4AD units, but the guitar angles up top have gotten more slithery. Far less doom-ridden than their earlier work, this still stirs up dark waters aplenty. And it has a lovely package of which I think Peter Saville would approve."

-Byron Coley, The Wire

The second volume in a two-part collection of pirate radio adverts & idents, taken from recordings of London stations between 1984 & 1993.
Many thanks to Wayne Anthony, Simon Reynolds, Stephen Hebditch & The Pirate Radio Archive.

Detroit's MotorCity Wine offers a uniquely histaminergic POV on dance music, doubling as a one-stop wine shop, record label and vinyl store, and in so doing highlighting a real economic reality: music often really does sound best when paired with powerful, sense-boggling beverages. Here they welcome local Eddie Logix for a thematic chuggers' chaiiwala, from the laggard and slap-happy homebrew 'Moonshine Mandala' to the background noisy, bustling B-side blear, 'Brooklyn Street Sunrise', which works street sounds and knowing urban chant-murmurs into a serious post-Afro stew.

An’archives is proud to present Hanabi, a compilation of material from legendary Japanese folk singer, actor and writer, Kazuki Tomokawa. Hanabi draws from Tomokawa’s three most recent albums, Vengeance Bourbon (2014), Gleaming Crayon (2016) and Going To Buy Squid (2024), all released in Japan only on the Modest Launch imprint. Pulling together highlights from these three extraordinary albums, Hanabi collects ten songs of shattering intensity, with Tomokawa performing at an ecstatic peak, a mere six decades into his musical career.

Tomokawa’s life story is one of change, risk and dedication. He appeared on the Japanese folk music circuit in the early 1970s, performing at such significant events as the legendary 1971 Folk Music Jamboree. Over the second half of the decade, he released five stunning albums that cemented his reputation as an expansive, lyrical singer-songwriter and performer whose music jack-knifed between pensive melancholy and righteous fury. His recorded output slowed in the 1980s as he became immersed in theatre, acting and painting, but his connection with the sainted Japanese label P.S.F. led to a prodigious burst of albums across the 1990s and 2000s.

Some of those albums had Tomokawa playing alongside free jazz musicians, such as his long-standing collaborator Toshiaki Ishizuka (Brain Police, Vajra, Cinorama), and late double-bass improviser Motoharu Yoshizawa. Some of that spirit can be found amidst the songs on Hanabi, leavened by a more romantic sensibility on a song like “Night Play”, where Tomokawa’s impassioned vocals and guitar swim and bob amongst a drifting string arrangement. The ferocity of “To The Dead Man” is reinforced by a guest appearance, on saxophone, by upcoming free jazz player Harutaka Mochizuki; the two spar with each other while Hiromichi Sakamoto’s cello and electronics swarm under the surface.

For those who’ve missed the three albums that Tomokawa has released across the past fifteen years – understandably so, given the relative impossibility of finding them outside of Japan – Hanabi is a welcome re-introduction to one of Japan’s most significant, poetic and quixotic folk singers and songwriters. As Michel Henritzi notes in his typically perceptive liner notes, capturing the oneiric and unique spirit of Tomokawa’s song, he is nothing less than “a poet who cries out, opening the darkness and shadows with his song, throwing handfuls of ashes from lives that have fled into the wind, to us, his fellow human beings.”

Blue Hour presents TERRA – a carefully curated selection of original works from artists shaping the current landscape of modern techno. Bringing together eight unique voices, the compilation continues Blue Hour’s reputation for thoughtful curation, revealing an immersive journey through rhythm and sound

Feel Fly, the alias of Perugia-based producer Daniele Tomassini — a visionary force in Italy’s electronic music scene and co-founder of Afro Templum — debuts on Taste Rec with his new EP.
Titled Festina Lente — an old Latin saying that means "make haste slowly" — this release invites listeners to surrender to dance, movement, and the flow of energy in a timeless space, untouched by the idea of an ending. A space that feels magical.
The EP is sincere and atmospheric, moving through the artist’s deep musical roots: progressive rhythms, cosmic moods, and a touch of lightness drawn from Italian dance culture.

The A-side opens with the title track: spacious arpeggios and dreamy textures create a soundscape that invites you to get lost in the music — a tribute to the carefree spirit of the ’90s.Techla follows with a more minimal, introspective vibe. Its hypnotic bassline feels like a journey into the unknown.
The B-side starts with Somo, a bright and catchy track full of sunny melodies and feel-good energy, evoking Italo disco moods. Finally, Flusso Libero closes the EP with elegance and depth. It features a unique vocal sample that stands out in Feel Fly’s style, tying everything together with a nod to ’90s nostalgia.
This is a musical story that blends sacred, dreamy visions with raw rhythmic sequences and warm, synthesized basslines.
A futuristic soundtrack for an ancient ritual.

An exclusive collaboration lands on Drumcode, with Bart Skils linking up with rising German artist A.D.H.S for the divine ‘Can’t Hear You’. Fresh off the excellent ‘Torn Clouds’ single with Weska on Drumcode, Bart Skils is on-point as ever with his production output. The Dutchman has enjoyed a strong summer highlighted by Awakenings and a sunrise set at the iconic Fusion Festival. Meanwhile A.D.H.S is no stranger to Drumcode, having shared slick contributions to past A-Sides compilations including ‘Razor’ and ‘2Step’. He’s otherwise dropped strong releases on Exhale, Spannung and Electric Ballroom. “Can’t Hear You” was born during a Sri Lanka holiday after A.D.H.S injured his back and spent time sketching ideas on his phone. “I started playing around with samples on my phone and found this beautiful vocal and just started sketching some ideas. No pressure, just emotions,” A.D.H.S explains. “Back at the little jungle studio I had set up, I kept working on it – really taking the time to find the right chords to match what I was feeling at that moment. It’s a bit of an unusual track, and I had no intention of ever releasing it. It was just for this moment,” he shares. A.D.H.S begun testing an early version at open airs and festival, later uploading a teaser clip onto Instagram. When Skils heard the track’s unique vocal line, he was hooked. “It was a no-brainer for me to decide to work on the track with Bart, I’d been a big fan of his for years. He brought in his ideas, worked on the mix and arrangement, and together we shaped it into a version that we both absolutely love.

It’s one of those rare tracks that just capture a moment.” Indeed ‘Can’t Hear You’ is an emotional behemoth; one of those rare tracks that sounds genuinely unique and is simultaneously a banger and tear-jerker in one. “When I first heard the clip Michael (A.D.H.S.) shared of ‘Can’t Hear You,’ I was hooked by the infectious vocal. We decided to craft a full collab blending both our signature sounds, and the result is a rolling party weapon that’s become my go-to closing track,” shares Bart Skills.

Simon Popp is back on Squama with his fourth album Trio.
At its heart, Trio is a work about collaboration, playfulness and unification. It is music as a means of coming together, a sonic equivalent to the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, in which broken ceramics are repaired with a visible golden lacquer. Rather than hiding the breaks, Kintsugi embraces them, making them part of the story, a form of delicate transformation. Popp and his collaborators Flurin Mück and Sebastian Wolfgruber take a similar approach: three distinct drummers, three different temperaments, three personal styles. Fused together into a single expressive instrument.
The album is a celebration of timbre, texture, and touch, its sound palette drawn from across continents and traditions. Human beings at all points of time, across all cultures and continents have used music to celebrate, mourn, worship and bond. Along with our voices, creating rhythm with our bodies. Clapping, stomping, hitting with sticks. A celebration of rhythm as both a shared human memory and an audible expression of close bonds.
Trio is a reflection of the beauty of imperfection and the timeless pull of rhythm as a shared human force. The cracks are not hidden. They are filled with gold.

dxrvo, hailing from Hannover, Germany, has made a name for himself in the electronic music scene by creating hypnotic, minimalist, and atmospheric techno sets. His music takes the dance floor on a captivating journey, characterized by driving beats, rhythmic basslines and repetitive sounds. With performances at renowned venues such as Tresor Berlin, PAL Hamburg, Doka Amsterdam, Watergate Berlin, and Terminal Lyon, he showcases his presence in theinternational techno landscape. As a founder of the Kollektiv Synergie, dxrvo is committed to inclusive events and the promotion of diverse artists. His production skills are evidenced by successful releases on labels like SYXT, Room Trax, Modern Minimal, and NYXII. More than just a DJ, dxrvo is an architect of sonic experiences, continuously redefining the boundaries of electronic music.


Linear Phase
With a two-decade career in music production, Carlos, better known as Linear Phase, has become an established artist in the global techno scene. His eclectic sound proposal, ranging from ambient / drone, through minimal / deep / hypnotic, to raw techno, has earned him the recognition of both critics and the public. His prolific career is reflected in the more than 50 releases under his belt in the last 5 years on several internationally renowned labels such as Molecular, Planet Rhythm, Newrhytmic, Drumcode LTD or Edit Select, to name a few, thus consolidating his presence in the global scene. His 5 years of experience in the world of modular eurorack has allowed him to develop a unique and personal sound, characterized by its depth, textures and enveloping atmospheres. In addition to his role as a producer, Linear Phase is co-creator of the Barcelona Modular Society, a space dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of experimental electronic music. Linear Phase is currently developing the creation of both its own label and its new studio, which will become a creative hub oriented to host all kinds of activities related to techno production. This space will feature the participation of renowned national and international producers, consolidating his commitment to the scene and his vision for the future.

Innmenal
Innmenal is a DJ and producer from Pinamar, Argentina. Resident from FAS Producciones he focuses into hypnotic sounds and chaotic rhythms. He has been playing across the Argentinian coastline spreading his sounds characteristics. With continous work and dedication Innmenal's tracks can be found in labels such as Concepto Hipnotico, Apical Records and Diffuse Reality. His first album called Metatron's Cube was released this year on the Diffuse Reality's Label. Another album is planned over this year along other releases on other labels. His last track Winds Of change was released on the label Modern Minimal with some support coming from Rødhad, Svreca, Developer, Richie Hawtin, Slam, Justine Perry, Arnaud Le Texier, Distant Echoes, Dax J, Hugo Rolan and more. He has shared the decks with Mariano DC doing warm up during last year. With more than 10 years behind the decks he's still digging into the deep hypnotic sounds with some agressive percussions to give the listener a journey through his cosmic sounds. So far Innmenal has been active in various labels like Diffuse Reality, Modern Minimal, KPLR, Space Travel, Rowan Underground and Habitat Musical.

Qaypz
Qaypz is a DJ and producer hailing from Arlon, Belgium. As a child of the 90s dance music era, his journey into electronic music began in 2000, ignited by his first I Love Techno Festival experience in Belgium and the underground rave scene that was thriving in his hometown Liège, where Jungle and D'n'B from UK were dominating. This era made Qaypz start mixing on turntables and embracing vinyl culture in 2003. Today, he's versatile, seamlessly transitioning between turntables, CDJs and DAW-based setups, incorporating hardware and controllers for a hybrid mix performance style. In his early years, he organized local rave parties and later moved to Eupen, the capital of East Belgium, where he founded the collective Krank'm'Haus. Qaypz's passion for underground sounds is evident in his productions. He crafts dark, industrial tracks characterized by powerful kicks, somber melodies and a driving rhythm. His performances have graced notable locations such as The Ground Club in Luxembourg, The Liquid Club in Malta and The Kulturzentrum Alterschlachthof in Eupen as well as underground events like La Nature, Eupen Musik Marathon Festivals in East Belgium and the Rummelstilzchen’s illegal rave party in Berlin-Rummelsburg just before the building demolition the day after. Qaypz is currently focusing on his label development and continue producing and mainly releasing his music on Krank'm'Haus Records.

Earwax brings on Tar Hallow 4 dope & effective grooves.

Evissimax and Protopapa present a "double face" vinyl record that reimagines the 70s and 80s sounds of one of Italy's musical legends: Loredana Bertè.
"Fare l’amore" comes from Bertè's scandalous and psychedelic debut album (1974). Evissimax's unique style preserves the song's message of freedom, bridging generations united by shared ideals and explosive energy.
Protopapa, a DJ and a key figure in Italy's LGBTQIA+ community and electronic music scene, has previously remixed tracks by Raffaella Carrà, Ricchi e Poveri, and Ornella Vanoni. His remix of "La goccia" is a return to his roots, giving the track an electro makeover that blends with the original's rock essence. The remix incorporates hints of UK garage and classic house samples, staples of his DJ sets.

Tired of it all? Dreading your routine? Try the all new second set of ears by Hayter! Contains eight unique treatments against fatigue and low excitement disorder. Ranging from Electro Groove to bit-crushed Industrial. For side effects, consult your sound engineer.

Italian leftfield funk heat reissued on Best Record, with artwork by famous cartoonist Jacovitti! The link between music and art has always been constantly renewed! Even when the union between these profound expressions of the soul manifests itself in an eccentric, surreal way, as happened in 1978 with Kamasultra a downtempo, vaguely funky that only the courageous record producer, talented musician and conductor Aldo Pagani had the courage to release. Nando De Luca, a Milanese composer and acclaimed jazz musician, who 10 years earlier, had arranged Paolo Conte's Azzurro for Adriano Celentano, accepted the strange recording project as a joke, or rather for fun, strongly influenced, like co-author Roberto Rizzo, by Jacovitti' s cheeky and impertinent artwork. Danilo Braca' s restoration and editing work, well supported by talented musicians, reestablishes the balance between music and art. It is also worth his respect for the two original versions of Kamasultra and Kama Kama just extended for the DJ's work in the club. Then the New York-based Italian DJ - known to his friends as Danyb - performs two robust house-style arrangements, evoking memories and emotions, making this reissue unique and rich. Best Record 's main aim is to make us smile and reflect on the talent of Jacovitti, able to assert his own style without indulging in conformism.

Love International launch new vinyl-focused imprint with a 12" from Adam Curtain including a remix from Mr. Ho.

Revered party crew Love International expand their enterprise, channeling the buzz from another stellar year into a freshly minted sub-label: the 'Love International Floor Series'.

As the name suggestions, the series zeroes in on the dance floor, giving some form and shape to misty memories forged across protracted sessions at Barbarellas, The Olive Grove and The Beach in Tisno.

In to inaugurate the project is London based Adam Curtain - an artist focused on flexing the boundaries of UK club music who has been gathering steam as a nifty selector and a talented producer. A familiar face on both sides of the booth at Lion & Lamb, Fabric, Gottwood and of course - Love International - Adam nails the brief in delivering a record that is sharp, direct and eminently playable.

Musically - the tunes bridge old and new, nestling in that sweet spot between Breaks, Electro, UKG, Acid and Minimal. Stepped grooves, crisp snares, angular synths and oozey bass lines all unify to render a sound that's simultaneously psychotropic and crystal clear.

The cherry on the cake comes as a remix from the venerated Mr. Ho of Klasse Wrecks fame. Often paired with Luca Lozano, Mr. Ho is a master of organising chaos and here he does exactly that - rousing his machines and churning the original into a sludgy, fractal brain scrambler.

M Salaciak’s Unit Cell EP channels the sounds of buzzing electronics into a pulsing framework of techno and warehouse rhythms.

Platipus 30 Years – Volume 7 is finally set to drop, continuing the acclaimed anniversary vinyl series that celebrates the legacy of one of the UK’s most iconic electronic music labels. This latest edition brings together a collection of timeless and highly sought-after tracks from the legendary Platipus catalogue, including Union Jack’s unforgettable “Red Herring” (Original Mix), Art of Trance’s hypnotic “Kaleidoscope” (Oliver Lieb Remix), Simon Berry’s powerful “Maelström” (Torsten Fassbender Remix), and Moogwai’s classic “5 Wishes” (Original Mix). A must-have for collectors and fans alike, Volume 7 delivers a perfect blend of history and timeless trance energy.

Original released in 1961

It's been over 60 years since the original recording, and now, this classic masterpiece is back in a monaural version with fantastic sound.

Hideo Shiraki, a key figure in Japanese jazz, left his mark with unique music and a strong presence. One of his standout works is "Matsuri no Gensou," recorded in 1961. This incredible piece takes a Japanese melody and transforms it into a cool jazz style, using a special arrangement with the koto. The collection also features exciting tracks like "Just One Or Eight" and the dynamic "Cherokee" with an amazing solo. Contributions from experts like Hidehiko Matsumoto and Yuzuru Sera add to the greatness. Even after 60 years, the music still feels fresh and passionate. Now reissued in monaural for the first time, this work stands as a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Enjoy the overwhelming sound of this significant piece in Japanese jazz history.

With their musical roots deeply immersed in the fertile soil of Afro-American music, the Buttshakers have found a new direction for their nostalgia-heavy soul music. With Lessons In Love, their third album on Underdog Records, their early heartaches and furies have faded in favor of a more composed harmony – a sound enveloped in love and soaked in the blues. Guided by their singer Ciara Thompson, the Buttshakers have taken a more intimate path, whose compass, in the chaos of emotions and the modern world, points only in one direction: the light.



Seen from the sky, the view appears limitless. Accentuated by the sun, the ochre and sandy hues of the open road only reinforce this feeling of immensity. The sky stretches and the green stands out in striking contrast. In lighter tones, a road is drawn -- without bends or contours. This is the worn and weary road of soul music, which The Buttshakers explore on each album in new and unique ways. Soul music – a rare place to find a French band.

Vast, the musical direction could have taken them to lighter pastures. Yet the Buttshakers chose to evolve in a different way; to take a heavier load. Two paths – one sparked by social unrest, the other purely sentimental, Lessons In Love explores the deep roots of soul music, in the steps of Curtis Mayfield or Al Green. It is here that the heart and mind cross paths, merge, and become one. A weary road -- that brings together the agitation of a world where good intentions never rise above the level of digital outrage, and a faith in love which, however it manifests and expresses itself, remains the only truth that never loses its power.



Less rage and more compassion, it is through the haunting words and now tempered inflection of Ciara Thompson's voice, which opens to distinct emotions and perspectives, that the listener is guided. With its gaze fixed on the horizon, the acoustic guitar of Gotta Believe invites us on an intimate stroll through the open plains, while Dream On carries us away with a clavinet riff and a possessed saxophone; reconnecting the electric heat and neurosis of a city full of dreams. The senses are moved by the conjuring potion of the guitar which distills throughout Troubled Waters; the body is brought back into a visceral dance by the keys and brass section that are put to the test by Sure As Sin and its irrepressible rhythm. Passing through clouds of dust and sand has left a bluesy imprint on their groove: the miles travelled became hundreds, then thousands.



All of this leaves the listener bewitched by the halo of resilience that now surrounds Ciara's performance, as the ten tracks let the light fade. But certainly not hope in a better day. Like the sunflower that always lifts its head towards the sun’s rays, the Buttshakers continue to resource their sounds in the deep roots of soul music. Into the rich layers of African-American music of the 60s and 70s, The Buttshakers capture the spirit as much as the musical aesthetics of the epoch. A sound that reaches into the meanderings of the soul, bringing light to dark places and hope for all. A sound for the most parched of hearts, living in a damaged world, Lessons In Love confirms that even the tiniest beam of light can illuminate one’s path.

BAR Musica is proud to introduce a new, exceptionally talented artist: Gargiulo.

At BAR Musica, one of our core values is providing a platform for emerging talent to share their unique sounds with the world. Gargiulo, hailing from the serene countryside of Tuscany, Italy, has spent years honing his craft—creating music purely out of passion, without ever releasing a track. Until now.

We’re thrilled to finally present his debut: three mesmerizing tracks that showcase his trippy, dark, and hypnotic style. This is just the beginning.

Gargiulo is definitely an artist to keep an eye on.
Welcome to the BAR Musica family, Gargiulo!

pictured cover sealed in shrink wrap (first time ever on Samosa)



Samosa Records comes back with a real summer bang in the form of the ‘Afro-Ritmo EP’ – a four-track journey into afro soaked vibes courtesy of Anura & Sr. Lobezno and featuring label boss De Gama!

First up on side A is the EP’s title track, the mesmerising ‘Afro Ritmo’. Anura & Sr. Lobezno announce their arrival on Samosa Records with this spicy West African rhythm bomb. Kakaki trumpet fanfares meld with intricate synth stabs and ethereal Oja flute, whilst the solid tribal beats and rolling bass dictate the dance moves. And dance you must…

Track 2 is the deliciously glitchy, conga bonanza ‘Sungu Sa’. Make no mistake, ‘Sunga Sa’ is out to get you from the very first beat – tempting you to go behind the curtain as the haunting guitar lures you ever closer to its secret door. Dark, uplifting and ritualistic, the chant of ‘Sunga Sa’ will live in your head rent free well after the sun has gone down. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Over on Side B De Gama takes the title track ‘Afro-Ritmo’ and applies his unique sonic rubs, balms and enhancers to create a pulsating after hours jam full to the brim with Afrotropic sparkle and magic dust. Like an unstoppable chugging train steaming through a savanna, De Gama is the conductor supreme as the raspy synth, bluesy guitar riff and uplifting brass fanfares entwine around that pounding beat.

Finally, Track 4 gives us the seriously powerful Javier Morrilas remix of ‘Afro-Ritmo’. The original is stripped right down and given the Big Beat treatment for this insanely good take – a peak time switcheroo of a track that keeps you guessing as to where it’s taking you. As the flutey breakdowns and broken beat madness get you, you will fall in love with this one instantly.

The ‘Afro Ritmo’ EP is a powerful, masterful four tracker from Anura & Sr. Lobezno which is well at home in the Samosa Records cooking pot. Spread the word, buy the vinyl. You won’t be disappointed.

• Reviewed with love by The Black Light Disco

Written, Produced, Arranged and Mixed by Anura & Sr. Lobezno.
Keyboards & Percussions: Anura.
Trumpet: Jimmy Garcia
Sax & Flute: Carlos Ligero
Trombone: Prudencio Valdivieso

*Remix and Additional Productions by Stefano Gamma aka De Gama for De Gama Rec - Rome.
Jazz Guitar & Acoustic Bass by Pietro Nicosia.

** Remix and Additional Productions by Javier Morillas.

All tracks mastered by Francesco Pierguidi at L’n’P Studio – Rome.

Artwork and computer graphics by Nerina Fernandez.


SMS038

A cafe in Paris, a cocktail lounge in Palm Springs, a beachside bar in Rio De Janeiro, a lokanta in Istanbul. Jill Barber’s French repertoire is played around the world and has earned her a following that transcends language barriers. Her music has become the soundtrack to an experience. It is a surprising achievement for an anglophone artist who only began her affair with the French language in her late twenties, following a moment during the Montreal Jazz Festival, where she sang a few notes of French to an enraptured crowd. Inspired by their reaction, Jill enrolled herself in an immersive French school in the South of France, eventually emerging with her own recordings of the songs and poets that inspired her most: Piaf, Gainsbourg, Aznavour. The album "Chansons" was released in 2013 and has since become Jill's most globally successful record to date, having been streamed over 120 million times - with more than 35 million listens in the past year alone. A full decade later, Jill has reunited with Grammy Award-nominated producer Drew Jurecka and the musicians that accompanied her on "Chansons" to produce "ENCORE!", its long-awaited sequel. "ENCORE!" is a delightfully arranged and lushly orchestrated album, featuring all new interpretations of classic songs by Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, Blossom Dearie, Django Reinhardt, Robert Charlebois, Josephine Baker, and Barbara. “For me, singing in French is an embodied, sensual experience… it’s a new language in which to explore and express myself artistically- and be vulnerable.” The French have a saying for a particularly pleasurable sensation that is so unique, it’s difficult to put into words- when Jill Barber sings in French, there is a pleasing quality, a “Je ne sais quoi” that is hard to describe, but easy to enjoy. And now she’s done it again - ENCORE!

Yosuke Yamashita, Itaru Oki, Yuji Ohno, and Kimiko Kasai. An astonishing jazz workshop with a never-before-seen encounter. Japanese jazz was so sharp and original.

Yosuke Yamashita Trio, Itaru Oki Trio, Yuji Ohno Trio, and Kimiko Kasai. Three trios and one vocalist, Trio by Trio Plus One. This is a live recording of a jazz workshop held in 1970, and the original was released as part of Victor's "Japanese Jazz" series. Just looking at the lineup of musicians gives off an extraordinary atmosphere, making this a special work.

Yamashita was a leading figure in the scene as the darling of the times. Oki came to Tokyo from Osaka in the mid-1960s and attracted attention. Ohno was a man of supple musicality who played everything from modern jazz to new jazz. And Kasai is just about to blossom. Needless to say, each performance is powerful and fascinating, but this album also features a performance by a unique seven-person group consisting of the Oki Trio, Ohno Trio, and Kasai. This is a two-disc set of super-class that reminds us once again just how original Japanese jazz was.

Text by Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS / DEEP JAZZ REALITY

"I want to hear more of Ryo Fukui's performances." The dream of listeners around the world has now become a reality. A spectacular live performance full of the charm of the mature Fukui who has been with .This is what an unexpected joy is all about. The appearance of Ryo Fukui's "new work". Recorded on June 26, 2004. This is a live recording of a live performance commemorating the 9th anniversary of , the jazz live house that Fukui presided over and used as the base of his activities.



The members of the trio were Fukui, Kosuke Sakai (bass), and Yoshito Eto (drums). Fukui was 56 years old at the time. His performance was powerful and large-scale, yet delicate and sharp. In terms of the balance of energy, stamina, and technique, he was just approaching his prime. He spins heavy yet elegant renditions of his beloved Phineas Newborn Jr. and Tommy Flanagan, and thrillingly plays Wayne Shorter, who he was a huge fan of in his youth. It is a spectacular performance that reflects the fulfillment of Fukui's time. , which opened in June 1995, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.



Text by Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS / DEEP JAZZ REALITY)

To mark 10 years since SOPHIE’s game-changing singles collection PRODUCT, Numbers are celebrating with a special edition featuring 11 songs across Deluxe Vinyl and Compact Disc.

This anniversary release includes bonus tracks, track-by-track slide posters, and a SOPHIE PRODUCT Card. Physical editions are now available for pre-order and released on 11th July 2025.

SOPHIE classics ‘BIPP’, ‘LEMONADE’ and ‘VYZEE’ are joined by two immaculate PRODUCT-era songs ‘OOH’ and ‘GET HIGHER’ recorded and produced at the time, each with colourful single artwork completing the set.

‘OOH’ is one of SOPHIE's earliest productions that has been through several revisions since 2011. It was one of three original tracks that Numbers had signed when SOPHIE uploaded the song alongside 'BIPP' and 'ELLE' to her Soundcloud, and while it had been through several iterations and speed changes, this finalised version was completed by SOPHIE in 2019.

SOPHIE once described ‘OOH’ as “hi tech club dance pop”. Musically speaking, the earworm hook is carved out by her signature portamento-infused synths and candy-coated lyrics, a firm cult classic approved by AG Cook and Charli XCX. Initially titled 'MAKE RESPECT', the track was first performed live by SOPHIE in 2011 to a handful of lucky people at a beach afterparty surrounding Sonar Festival, Barcelona and later that year at Manhattan's New Museum. The vocal was recorded as the first track in the same one-day recording session as SOPHIE's debut single 'NOTHING MORE TO SAY', released on the Huntley & Palmers label, where Sophie's songwriting was performed by the London vocalist Jaide Green.

The genesis of the ‘OOH’ and ‘NOTHING MORE TO SAY’ recording session is lore-worthy in its own right: after watching Jaide Green perform live with Olly Murs during the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009, SOPHIE reached out and invited Jaide to record in her home bedroom studio.

‘GET HIGHER’ was born during joyous sessions in 2013, when SOPHIE’s beat was introduced to the vocalists Cassie Davis and Sean Mullins. The track feels like a visionary precursor to ‘Vroom Vroom’, and doesn't sound out of place next to the sub-clang intensity of SOPHIE’s ‘HARD’ and ‘MSMSMSM’. Striking a playful balance between blissed-out hyperpop and club-ready Atlanta trap, it showcases SOPHIE’s signature, laser sharp sound design. Originally released as a bonus track on the Japanese CD edition of PRODUCT, ‘GET HIGHER’ has remained a hidden gem.

A groundbreaking producer, songwriter and performer, SOPHIE's visionary approach reshaped the landscape of pop and electronic music. Emerging in the early 2010s, SOPHIE introduced a hyper-detailed, futuristic sound defined by metallic textures, elastic basslines, and an uncanny blend of synthetic and emotional tones. Collaborating with artists including Charli XCX, Madonna, Vince Staples and Arca, SOPHIE helped pioneer a new pop movement while challenging conventions around identity, genre and production. SOPHIE's work continues to resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impact on a generation of artists and listeners alike. Discography: PRODUCT (2015), OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES (2018), SOPHIE (released posthumously, 2024).

The Danish/Norwegian duo of Ida Urd and Ingri Høyland believe that music is an extension of one’s immediate sensory environment. Duvet, their collaborative full-length debut, explores the way that creating sounds together is intertwined with various quotidian actions: establishing surroundings, rearranging furniture, moving towards the light, collecting flowers or other objects for aesthetic and sensuous impulses. Through a quiet and attentive process, music becomes a way of nurturing space: a soft architecture for play, writing, care, or simply rest.

Sonically, Duvet feels like an extension of Høyland’s last album, 2023’s Ode to Stone, which also featured Urd along with ambient musician Sofie Birch and visual artist Lea Guldditte Hestelund. But where that album, created in response to an open call for work themed around Denmark’s national parks, suggested rolling landscapes and endless horizons, Duvet turns inward, countering chill winds with glowing warmth. Its eight tracks seek a balance between abstraction and melody, intention and happenstance.

“We had a truly inspiring and rewarding process working with Birk Gjerlufsen Nielsen from Vanessa Amara, who co-produced and mixed the album with us,” Ingri adds. “He approached the material with great care and sensitivity, while also bringing his own distinct presence and creativity into the sound.”

Høyland and Urd both studied at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, which has turned out many acclaimed artists over the past few years, including Erica de Casier, Astrid Sonne, and Smerz. Over many years, the two composers have developed a collaborative method based on connection and trust. A practice, they write, “where composing, or rather suggesting, sounds and melodies for one another is a way of carefully talking, mending emotions and obstacles. Saying yes to one another. The compositional space becomes a nest for entangling whatever emotions, thoughts, or barriers one of the composers brings to the given day or moment.”

Quiet and contemplative, Duvet is simple on the surface but rich in timbral, textural, and emotional complexity. Høyland and Urd sourced their sounds from an array of instruments and techniques—electronic devices, modules, pedals, and also electroacoustic treatments of various wind instruments.

Mixing primarily through analog tape units added further mystery and depth, weaving together wordless voices and unknown sounds—breathing, rustling, perhaps the coppery gleam of Urd’s electric bass—into a dynamic matrix. Like a nest, pull one twig and the whole thing unravels.

In the winter of 2023, Ingri Høyland and Ida Urd retreated to a summer house along the coast to create the album. Picture the scene: an abiding quiet all around. Gardens carpeted by snow; beach grass silvery against the silvery sky; a tendril of smoke rising from the chimney. Not another soul in earshot. This sanctuary was the perfect setting to yield this meditation on shelter, trust, and communication. The two composers hope the album can be a similar space for others—a temporary space of residence, it can represent a summerhouse, a cabin in the woods, your favorite bench or wherever you need to go. “The album also works really well when picking out apples in the supermarket” Urd laughs.

Flits & Isaiah present Roll The Dice, the third release from our TOBAS series. A four track vinyl, crafted with unique energy and groove to raise the tension in the room. From now on, this vinyl will always be in your bag!

Meet Dr. Brown, a world-renowned astrophysicist who arrives with a ten-pound bag of gummy bears and a DVD box set of a reality show about competitive dog grooming. Before she loses herself in the flamboyant world of puffed poodles and outrageous hairdos, she organizes the gummies by color...

Judge White, on the other hand, unboxes a newly released LEGO set. But he isn't building a replica of the Supreme Court; he is constructing a bright pink, glitter-covered unicorn palace.

Opera singer Miss Black... growls along at the top of her lungs to Chesney Hawkes' "The One and Only", standing on a chair in a red-and-white striped bikini, using nunchucks as a microphone.

And finally, Mister Red, the MIT professor, known for his ironclad logic and severe demeanor, brings a collection of classic comic books. He isn't interested in modern, gritty superhero stories. His joy comes from the simplistic, colorful tales of superheroes with outlandish names like bqdp and ridiculous powers like the ability to selectively negate gravity for objects weighing exactly 13.37 kilograms (but only when standing in moonlight).

They are all members of a club where the rules are simple: no judgment, no professionalism, and no apologies. They understand that the most infamous guilty pleasures aren't those that are truly bad, but those that remind us that we are all, at our core, just human - finding joy in the simplest, most wonderful things, no matter how silly they may seem.

pdqb and DMX Krew gift you with six minutes of pure, unadulterated pleasure. You'll feel like you're locked inside an 80s mall with your best friend, free to do whatever you want. And you'll never want to leave.

Braiden, an artist synonymous with the UK’s underground continuum, makes a powerful return after his hiatus with Raindance, a four-track EP of original productions on his own Off Out imprint. First emerging during the post-dubstep era with standout releases on Joy Orbison’s Doldrums and iconic Dutch imprint Rush Hour, Braiden carved a unique path as both DJ and producer through long-standing residencies on Rinse FM and NTS, where his boundary-pushing selections became essential listening.

The record channels the energy of the club and the scene he emerged from, blending freshly explored influences into a focused yet diverse body of work.

The EP opens with its title track, an unruly and visceral cut that channels early grime’s skeletal power into a hypnotic techno landscape. Clattering claps, cascading strings and a guttural bassline drive it forward, shimmering with movement and wired with an unpredictable edge. Touch The Sky, featuring a vocal contribution from multidisciplinary artist KESH, follows as a meditative centrepiece — a weightless, emotional interlude hovering with restrained melancholy and awe. X5x ramps up the energy again, urgent, euphoric, and devastatingly effective, its acid-licked synth line and thunderous kicks recalling the vastness of late-night warehouse catharsis. Lagrangian Point closes the EP on a different axis altogether; a time-dilating drone that strips away the percussion entirely while retaining the physicality and ethereal tone that runs through the EP.

Also a visual artist and photographer, Braiden’s finely tuned aesthetic runs through the record, with him self-designing and photographing the artwork printed on a full colour sleeve. Raindance arrives as a meticulously crafted statement: fierce and cinematic, a notable evolution from his earlier single-led releases, with additional mix engineering support from friends Joy Orbison and Objekt.


b A2. Touch The Sky ft. KESH

Valerie is not just a name. She is a bridge connecting two boundless realms: music and the cosmos. She is like a vibration of an otherworldly frequency, transmitting to humanity the elusive revelations of the Universe. Through Valerie, music ceases to be mere sound - it becomes the breath of galaxies, the pulse of distant stars, the whisper of infinity. In her presence, time loses its linearity, and space fills with mystery. Valerie is the moment when notes flare like supernovae, and melodies unfold like spirals of the Milky Way. She is living proof that music is the language of the Universe, and the human soul will always strive to be part of it.

This 4-track EP showcases Robot84’s eclectic and diverse taste in editing, as well as his unique skill in finding those somewhat forgotten underground nuggets and expertly reimagining them. From the classic ’80s sound of FGTH to jazz-infused reworks of Public Enemy and Angie Stone, and the disco fuel of The Supremes, Robot Edits Vol. 1 sets the tone for a series made with serious selectors in mind.

Hard Times welcomes back Alex Arnout and his BLACK LOGIC project, following their recent ‘Pull Up’ EP with a second installment of new music from collective - The Illusions EP.

Hailing from West Yorkshire, Arnout spent his formative years on the Hard Times dancefloors, absorbing the beats and vibes that would later shape his own productions. His journey with the label reignited when he was invited to remix Michael Watford’s classic 'Love Change Over' and Steve Silk Hurley’s fresh hit 'All I Need'. Now, he returns with something truly special.

“Black Logic was born out of the pandemic,” says Arnout. “I wanted to move away from drum machines and synths, getting back to sampling jazz and the deep house sounds of the ‘90s - taking inspiration from artists like Bugs in the Attic, Jazzanova, and Ernest Saint Laurent.”

What began as a solo project soon evolved into a collective effort. Bassist and guitarist Alan Riggs, a former member of Delta 5, joined the sessions, bringing warmth and groove to the productions. Vocalists Tempo O’Neil, Anthony Beckford, Mariana Orsho, and Sophie Barker added their distinct voices, completing the vision

Across four tracks, The Illusions EP pulls us deeper into Black Logic’s rich, live-wired universe. The title track pairs Tempo O’Neil’s vocal with a grooving, low-slung bassline, whilst “Dusty” drifts in on brushed snares and ghostly Rhodes, its saxophone lines curling through the mix like smoke. “Chasing Daze,” analog synth shimmer and Tempo’s velvet tones, is a track suspended between head-nod groove and astral lift.

The curtain falls with “Disco Down,” a jubilant ensemble of Hammond organ, flute, guitar, bongos, and horns locking into joyous conversation.