Back catalogue:

Review: We're promised Mellow Magic and that's precisely what we get, across four tracks emerging from disparate corners of the globe but united in a common mission to provide beats that work on the more relaxed end of the dancefloor. Belgian duo Charlotte & Reinhard of Rheinzand fame kick things off with a slow motion Balearic version of a well known 80s MOR classic. Ollie Loudon's 'L.M.T.' finally makes it to vinyl after long being a secret weapon in Gratts' DJ sets, where handclaps and languid strumming meet a gentle but infectious groove. Flip it over for the more tracky affairs, as Japan's Lily Ko makes an impressive debut with 'Pure Rubber', an original mix of disco foundations and always snazzy but never showy 80s synth play. Melbourne's Biancolato finishes things off with understated deep house shuffling that adds just a touch jazzy keys and dreamy, wispy pads.

Review: Arjuna Oakes' Abbreviations on 7" vinyl is a delightful journey through jazz and soul. Side-1 features 'The Love That I Feel,' a soulful track brimming with emotional depth and vibrant energy. Oakes' expressive vocals and the band's tight performance, especially with the legendary Nathan Haines, create an uplifting and captivating experience. On Side-2, 'Mallet Groove' offers a contrasting, yet equally engaging, experience. This downtempo track is soothing and gentle, with beautifully played keys that set a relaxing mood. The groove is soft and inviting, drawing listeners into its calming embrace. The emotional drive within the music is palpable, making it a deeply compelling piece that encourages introspection. Overall, Abbreviations shows Arjuna Oakes' ability to blend soulful performances with smooth, relaxing grooves, making it a standout release in contemporary jazz and soul.

Review: Murray Clark, Chris Deverell, and Robert Ellerby have been responsible for some genuinely inspiring electronic music over the years, their instrumental approach to downtempo and avant garde synth stuff originating in and among the fertile bounty of new ideas that was the early-1990s. On Hear My Mind, the trio - AKA Opik - take us deep into their DAT archives to see what's hiding in the darkness. Two tracks, both equally stunning, 'Hear My Mind' opens the pair with a slow burning, jazz-influenced atmosphere builder, reversed-out harmony floating over stepping bass loop and distant ethereal vocals. 'Kaulsoum' goes for something even more late night and subtly euphoric, growing and developing into a bold and beautiful slice of rave-hued ambient.

Review: Baz Bradley and A Girl Called Kate team up to make Orbs Of Light, cementing their decades-long collaborative synergy with a slice of contemporary Balearic beat. 'Billion Days' hears Kate loll through a resolute vocal line, as its production opens up an ever-expansive beach-bound vista, whether by sequenced steel pans or synths. The 10" also includes remixes by 40 Thieves and Mind Fair, who add their own twists to the original.

Review: There are not very many labels that are as successful and revered in electronic music as Mood Hut is, coming up with gem after gem after its inception in 2012. 'Water Seeds' by Oro Azul offers four tracks that range from sub-aquatic, mellow and relaxing to tribal percussiveness that really takes things to another level. A little more chilled out than their normal output, perhaps, but certainly not a massive departure, there are some serious island vibes here.

Review: The latest missive in the evocative and open-minded Late Night Tales series comes from Agnes Obel, a Danish singer/songwriter whose fragile, pastoral songs seemingly join the dots between traditional folk music, neo-classical and early music. Fittingly, Obel's selections, while more diverse than many may have expected - see the soulful reggae throb of Nora Dean, the creepy jazz of Yello's "Great Mission" and the whispered synth-pop shuffle of Lena Platanos - are every bit as atmospheric and ethereal as her own work. It helps that she's included several of her own compositions, alongside inspired cuts that touch on Berlin School ambient, hazy easy listening, neo-classical, psychedelia, lo-fi art rock and, of course, folk.

Review: Ocean Moon, the alias of Cornwall-based producer and Lo Recordings founder Jon Tye, presents his latest offering, an ambient electronic work imbued with a gentle positivity. Tye, also known for his work with the UK ambient duo MLO, explores themes of artificial intelligence and consciousness evolution throughout the album. Side one delves into AI through a philosophical lens, drawing inspiration from Buddhist perspectives and texts like 'The Physics Of Immortality' and 'Novacene'. Tracks such as 'Ways To The Deep Meadow' and 'Souls Fall Away' offer a refreshing counterpoint to the often-negative portrayals of AI, radiating a sense of optimism and possibility. Side two features two extended compositions created for visual projects. 'Made In Dreams', utilising AI technology, creates an ethereal, warm atmosphere and 'An Ending Full Of Light', composed for Vix Hill Ryder's Wild Edges film, evokes a sense of serenity and resolution. Subtle melodies and delicate touches help craft music that truly nourishes the soul here.

Review: Ninja Tune's Odesza return with a brand new album (and not to mention world tour), 'The Last Goodbye', owning their long-held standing in the progressive, ambient house netscene they occupy. Every end of musical history is traversed in this emotive future downtempo release; the title track is emblematic of this straddling, sampling and licensing an incredible old recording of soul vocalist Bettye LaVelle against a funking, flourishing instrumental backdrop.

Review: Ninja Tune's Odesza return with a brand new album as well as a massive world tour to match. 'The Last Goodbye' is another record to heighten the band's their long-held standing in the progressive and ambient house netscene they occupy. Every end of musical history is traversed in this emotive future downtempo release which sinks you into deep to its mellifluous world of sound. The title track is emblematic of this as it straddles, samples and licenses an incredible old recording of soul vocalist Bettye LaVelle against a funking, flourishing instrumental backdrop. It is one of the many gems that make this so essential.

Review: "To follow this rainbow of silky sounds is to reach a point of no return," the release info for the latest from French electronic musician Offline reads. "[A place] where the last person on Earth you'll be able to communicate with will be a 1970s synthesiser." If that's not a statement of intent, we don't know what is. Arriving on the Delodio France label - an imprint you should get to know if you don't already - Timeless Echoes lives up to its name. Glistening and shimmering like a satellite reflecting the sun's rays back out to the eternal darkness of space, tracks veer between the authenticity of 'Idle Dreams' and 'Sunset Reset', two slow burning retro sci-fi steppers, to the closing breaks-y-tech-y hued '24/7', 'Ignite's electro stylings, and 'All Gone' with its beat-free electronic overture.

Review: A Strangely Isolated Place has secured this second most captivating album from One Million Eyes. They impressed many with their magical debut album Drama back in 2021 and once again reach new heights in the world of ambient here with Iris. Their brand of ambient is relatively fulsome, with lots to focus on from the smeared and pastoral chords to the muted synth modulations, the vinyl crackle, distant vocal cries and the heavenly backlit glow. It is an absorbing and positive place to be with a sense of optimism colouring the airwaves thought.

Review: Orboretum: The Orb Collection is a comprehensive 2xCD set curated by Dr Alex Paterson, showcasing the evolution of The Orb's sound across three decades. This collection not only revisits classic tracks from their pioneering days but also highlights recent gems from Abolition Of The Royal Familia (2020) and Prism (2023), acclaimed as some of their finest work. This "director's cut" reimagines The Orb's extensive catalog, juxtaposing tracks from different eras to reveal a continuous thread in their music. Known for their ambient house and psychedelic influences, The Orb's work has consistently pushed boundaries, from their groundbreaking 1991 debut album to their latest releases. This collection serves as both a tribute to their past and a celebration of their ongoing innovation in electronic music.

Review: On 2013's History of The Future, Alex Paterson looked back at The Orb's most productive and critically acclaimed period, between the ever-changing band's formation in 1989 and the end of their 'major label adventure' at the tail end of the '90s. This second instalment - released ahead of a new album in the summer - brings the story bang up to date, gathering together Paterson and company's best productions since the turn of the millennium. For the most part, it's business as usual, with the former Killing Joke roadie and longtime production partner Thomas Fehlman joining the dots between sample-heavy downtempo grooves, dub, melodious techno and '90s style ambient house (the second disc, which focuses mostly on this style, is particularly enjoyable).

Review: Marysia Osu's debut album, harp, beats & dreams, is a stunning example of her musical evolution and innovative spirit. Known for her role in Levitation Orchestra and as a Brownswood 'Bubblers' graduate, Marysia blends her classical roots with contemporary exploration in this enchanting release. Originating from Poland and enriched by her musical education in London, she has embraced the harp with profound artistry, now intertwining it with electronic elements and personal introspection. The album opens with the hypnotic 'seatime,' a journey through coastal reverie that celebrates self-acceptance and inner harmony. It continues with 'care to care,' where Levitation Orchestra's Plumm adds ethereal vocals, advocating for self-care and personal space. The track 'memento mori' features YUIS's illuminating flute, echoing stoic reflections on life's impermanence. Marysia's return to the piano and spontaneous clarinet experiments, inspired by a vivid dream, add depth to her soundscape. The clarinet's breath symbolises life's essence, bridging body and mind, enhancing the album's introspective quality. Marysia Osu's debut is a an exciting debut, offering a serene escape thanks to her talent and unique vision.