Back catalogue: All genres

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Berlin's Cocktail d'Amore and Tokyo's Ene Records have come together once again to present the music of Solidair. The duo of Cocktail alumni Luigi Di Venere and Jules Etienne present three tracks aimed to induce a dance floor hypnosis. Orgonite (Riding the Waves) does just that, a slow build awash in the ebb and flow of acid tinges, just enough to wet your whistle on a Saturday night. The original mix keeps the skeletal support but throws in a life preserver of 8 bit gaming synthesis. Frisky arps call and respond to each other before making way for sinewy pads to lift off. Tiger's Eye sets itself onto cruising speed incorporating elements of late 90's acid techno with the sleek and smooth clubbing aesthetics of modern day Berlin.

Review: Berlin party crew Aller Ende Anfang presents their debut release, featuring five diverse and energetic tracks. The first side begins with the bass-heavy computer funk of 'Hyperdrive' by Icelandic producer Jadzia, followed by Bielefeld Murder Boys' peak time techno remix of Lord Pusswhip's 'Sveigth' and Unwucht's 'Back Da Fuck Up' - and catchy mixture of donk and ghetto house tropes. Over on the flip, Crouds goes for a bass-heavy and off-kilter UK sound on 'Splinters' and one more sci-fi beat programme courtesy of Hungary's LAU om 'Hangover'.

Review: Returning after a four year hiatus from production, Glaswegian producer Jasper James presents the next release for Lovefingers' ESP Institute. As stated on the cover, James 'fights for what he wants to be cuz function is the key. These two songs will ping your pong and pong your ping'. On the A side you have the playful and swing-fuelled stomper '0141' that's certainly geared for the peak of the evening ,followed over on the flip with the heady minimal funk of 'E-Maniac'.

Review: Swiss minimal techno imprint Relikt is back with its first release for 2023 and another various artists sampler that once again showcases a fine curation of all things minimal and deep. On the A-side, you've got Jan Dro with the swing-fuelled tech house groove of 'Through The Tunnel', followed by Alexander Matchak's late night mood music on 'My Favorite Game'. Over on the flip, Mathii similarly nails that classic Cabinet Records sound of old on the sensual 'Motions' followed by Dajku Twins with the feelgood boompty vibes of 'Blue Light'.

Review: For its sixth releases, the always funky DOBRO label has called up Dutchman Jan Janssen. He serves up a trio of gloriously sunny and slow motion house cuts with some top shelf remixes from Lay-Far, Scruscru and Juravlove. 'Architecture Of Happiness' opens in heart melting fashion with shuffling drums and atmospheric vocals next to leggy drums and warming bass. 'Sense Of Wonder' is another jazzy and soulful house cut with skip in the drums. 'Where Have You Gone' ups the pace but is no less loved-up before the remixes add extra funk, club beats and blissed-out deepness.

Review: Hand stamped limited press and as always vinyl only, Hut Vibez Records returns, Jase is back with a dreamy trip of lush minimal electronic on the new 12'', The full A side Metanoia is a stomper for anytime of the day or night and a joy on the ears with big kicks, catchy riffs & a neat bass.....B sides, Law of Nature takes a minimal 90s approach with a tight groove to keep you well locked in, and second track of the B side Nubigavant is a bassy, heavy breaks track, high above the clouds, with bass, dirty breaks and trippy vocals perfect for late mornings, the music speaks for itself & will put you in a good place.

Review: Steve O'Sullivan invites a trio of artists to lay down some serious head nodding beats for 'Rhythm Method Vol.4'. Calling on one of Canada's trusted talents and solid purveyors of deep grooves Jay Tripwire leads the charge with 'Mung Bean Medley'. There's simply no messing: pushing through a taught rhythmic workout, incessant toms and metallic tones etch deep into the mood - awash with dubbed out atmospherics and crafty touches that more than a give a nod to the dark house dubs of yesteryear. On the flip, 'Hidden Sequence' inject their creative flex, demonstrating the all important art of minimalist bounce with 'Synchro'. The kind of fully swung beats and tripped out twinges that brighten the groove more often than not when 7am comes calling. The svelte bustle and soothing tones of 'Makka' from Fletcher by contrast, soothe the mind and leaves plenty of room to kick back as weary limbs take their toll: a fine tonic indeed.

Review: Kalahari Oyster Cult sub label Mineral Cuts returns this week with a new release in conjunction with Oklahoma City's Fixed Rhythm by debutante Jdotbalance. The Chicago-based via Texas producer serves up four tracks here full of a futuristic mix of sexy, raucous club and fast techno propulsions.From the full throttle peak time energy of 'Let's' on the A side, to the mind bending B -ide cut 'Willin' which is as off-kilter as you like and 'Whippit'. Tip!

Review: Boss Tracks gets ignited as a vessel for the work of three nefarious cartoon individuals who may or may not relate to three Liverpudlians with a penchant for jacking hardware tackle. John Heckle, Mark Forshaw and Binny are formidable enough on their own, so combined as Phantom Planet Outlaws there's no shock to hear the acid raining down in a most expressive of ways. "Hybrid 1" finds Heckle squeezing atonal hooks out of his gear like a free jazz maverick while Forshaw fires off the whipcrack tones on "Flash Back". Binny meanwhile brings a malevolent twist on searing loopy techno to bare on "The Return" making this a record for only the toughest heads to drop.

Review: Second time around for Jean-Michel Jarre's 2022 album Oxymore, a loving tribute to French composer and 'music concrete' pioneer Pierre Henry. As the title suggests, this version features new remixes of album tracks (all of which feature sounds originally created by Henry) by a disparate group of musical talents. That makes for an interesting mix of interpretations, with armin Van Buuren's sizable trance translation of 'Epica' rubbing shoulders with a trippy, off-kilter electro take on 'Sex In The Machine' by Nina Kraviz, a moody Martin Gore interpretation of 'Brutalism', Irene Dresel's raw techno revision of 'Zeitgeist Botanica', and ambient pioneer Brian Eno putting his spin on 'Epica'.

Review: The acclaimed Kito Jempere joins Cherrystones and DJN4 on the label for 2020, with an album full of international minds. Working with array of collaborators across a cast of friends including Jimi Tenor, Wolfram, Hard Ton, Lipelis, Rich Thair (Red Snapper), Ruf Dug, Cedric Gasaida (Azari & III) and many more, presenting this, his third long play.

A hail of freedom of thoughts and voices before these changed times, recorded and shared across continents. Kito - following releases with DFA, Lo Recordings, Bordello A Parigi, Hell Yeah and Duca Bianco - acts as curator rather than conductor, the idea not to transform the contributions but allow them absolute.

Sending music and receiving back, nothing was touched to keep the truth and honour. From Tokyo to London, Berlin to his base in St Petersburg, trusting the chosen artists led to a broad palette, as his 4/4 driven funk expands with Jazz horns to Motorik percussion, Avant-Reich vocals to White Isle melodies, J Pop Balearics to Chanson stories wrapped around Club memories.

A true world meeting, crossing borders and genres. An eye on the dance floor and week long chill outs. With remixes from the likes of Samo DJ, Lipelis, Cable Toy and more to follow, this is more than Yet Another Kito Jempere Album.

Review: RTS (Real Time Solutions) is a young but promising outlet that hands control over to JONGPADAWAN here. The artist is said to be exploring "how ideas and concepts relate, intertwine and affect each other" on the three tracks he cooks up, but even without that backstory they make a mark. "Believe" is an old school breakbeat with new school production and dreamy ambient pads that leaves you loved up, before "Face Time" sinks into a shimmering groove with busy, bristling drum programming that feels militant yet spaced out. After the bumping, straight ahead Stallion mix of "Believe" comes the suspensory ambient of "Geometry Revisited". This is fresh indeed.