Review: Moot Tapes and Made Magnetic boss Polytunnel moves away from his own labels to make a notable debut on Edinburgh-based label Stepback Records. It's a deep dive into the world of electro that showcases his melodic style and potent mix of breaks and acid. 'Of People & Place' is a roomy and atmospheric open, a slow motion groove with plaintive chords before 'Ruchill Raw' takes off into the cosmos with wispy leads darting about over twanging metal drums. 'The Last Leap' slows the pace one more for bendy acid undulations a la Tin Man and 'Lingua Acqua' is a lovely mix of squelchy acid, chatty snares and meandering basslines.
Review: The first release on this label came - as far we can tell, anyway - all the way back in 2022. Three years on, the second is another effective club weapon, this time with an electro twist. Pop Panic's 'Your Body' has mad heavy drums and maximal synth lines perfect for nice loud plays. Aut Zebel's 'Flipped Smile' takes off on a jacked up acid groove for peak time plays and DJ GLC lays in some high speed retro-future synth euphoria on 'Trance Dance' for emotional plays. G Punx shuts down with the gritted-teeth grooves and slamming bass of 'Electro Baked' for menacing plays.
Review: Portal Jams delivers a solid dose of progressive house with the '7th Day' EP on Open Channel For Dreamers records, offering three tracks that encapsulate the genre's best qualities. On Side-1, 'Brain Galaxy' stands out with its clever fusion of breakbeat and progressive house, anchored by a driving acid line that morphs into a deep, resonant bassline. The track's spacey, airy melody elevates the experience, giving it an irresistible old-school vibe with a modern twist. Side-2 opens with 'Reel Dominator,' a track that skillfully marries tech allure with a 90s progressive house feel. Its West Coast influence is unmistakable, blending creativity and nostalgia into a seamless whole. The EP closes with 'People Dancing,' a track that lives up to its name with a bouncy bassline that's impossible to resist. The futuristic elements intertwine with timeless drum patterns, making it both fun and forward-thinking. A well-crafted journey through the many facets of progressive house, with each track offering a unique yet cohesive experience.
Review: The split 12" from East London's Portico Quartet and Polish pianist Hania Rani exemplifies how simple ideas can yield remarkable results. Each artist reworked the other's track, with impressive outcomes. Portico Quartet transforms Rani's 'Nest' into a dreamy, ethereal jazz piece, featuring undulating analogue synths, immersive chords, and floaty vocal samples carried by languid jazz drumming. Rani's take on Portico Quartet's 'With, Beside, Against' is even more striking. Her version, minimalistic and sparse, introduces twinkling piano motifs and her evocative vocals, creating a slowly unfolding, cinematic jazz experience. Both interpretations are nothing short of stunning.
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The split 12" from East London's Portico Quartet and Polish pianist Hania Rani exemplifies how simple ideas can yield remarkable results. Each artist reworked the other's track, with impressive outcomes. Portico Quartet transforms Rani's 'Nest' into a dreamy, ethereal jazz piece, featuring undulating analogue synths, immersive chords, and floaty vocal samples carried by languid jazz drumming. Rani's take on Portico Quartet's 'With, Beside, Against' is even more striking. Her version, minimalistic and sparse, introduces twinkling piano motifs and her evocative vocals, creating a slowly unfolding, cinematic jazz experience. Both interpretations are nothing short of stunning.
Review: Portishead's limited edition 10" vinyl release showcases live renditions of 'Sour Times' and 'Roads', capturing the band's signature trip-hop essence. Recorded in 1998 at The Warfield in San Francisco and Norway's Quart Festival, the tracks highlight Beth Gibbons' haunting vocals and the group's atmospheric instrumentation. The minimalist red sleeve with debossed cover adds a tactile dimension, making it a must-have for collectors and fans seeking a tangible connection to Portishead's live artistry.
Review: Vibe is back with more versions of Portishead classics from the mysterious Portishedd moniker. This latest 7" is a green slab with 'Glory' and 'Roads'. The A-side, like the B-side, is a remix from Kero Uno and it brings a swaying Latin feel and broken beats to the classic original vocal which rings out with a pained soul next to the eerie synths. 'Roads' is then a more late night and deep sound with the uneasy vocal whispers unfurling over lurching beats and swooning string sounds. It's a fine rework that is brilliantly atmospheric.
Review: Following up some great releases by Voiron and Betonkunst, Parisian label Nocta Numerica returns with PQ17, a Russian producer said to be returning from a long hiatus. He shows huge potential and an inexhaustible amount of energy on his vinyl debut, "Somnus Ambulo", where he provides some immaculate and majestic perspectives on the electro sound. From the sublime cyborg romanticism of "Organismus", futurist electro-bass noir of "Disambiguation" packing just the right amount of punch for the dancefloor to the evocative neon-lit drama of "I'm All Right", which takes a more synthpop oriented route akin to Visonia.
Fall In Love In Outer Space (Turbotito rework) (5:21)
Fall In Love In Outer Space (Blank & Jones Ride A Sunbeam rework) (5:00)
Fall In Love In Outer Space (Chuggin edits rework) (4:25)
Fall In Love In Outer Space (Those Guys From Athens rework) (4:32)
Fall In Love In Outer Space (Vibes4YourSoul rework) (4:37)
Fall In Love In Outer Space (HOLDTight rework) (5:19)
Review: Prime Time Band's 'Fall In Love In Outer Space' is one of the undoubted highlights of the latest Too Slow To Disco compilation - a quirky, 1985 curiosity that blends AOR, soft rock and spacey, synth-laden disco. Here the track is dragged into the 21st century by a sextet of remixers, most of whom treat the original with due reverence. Turbitto kicks things off by adding layers of tactile electronics and echoing effects to the obscure outfit's sumptuous, soft-touch vocals and instrumentation, before Blank & Jones re-imagine it as a dreamy Balearic disco chugger. The Chuggin' Edits tweak is tactile, groovy and super-slow, while Those Guys From Athens beef up the beats and add a touch of low-slung dub disco haziness. Meanwhile, 'Vibes4YourSoul' drop a warming, Rhodes-heavy interpretation and HOLDTight deliver slo-mo disco-funk vibes aplenty.
Review: Prince De Takicardie delivers a new four-track set of tachycardial heart-racers as reinforcements to his own Prince's Castle, which is both a label and a proverbial princely citadel. This is also the Barceloni producer's second edition to the powered 'Force Bleu' EP series, matched colourfully by the equally propulsive 'Force Rouge' counterpart, for which there have also been two records so far. Increasing in both pace and intensity, this raw and jammy follow-up reaches its crescendo at the rough 15-minute mark with the hypnotic 'EX-ecute (Execution Mix)', which conclusively yields to mesmeric acid and mystical three-tone entrainments, contrasting the first three track's relative utilitarian sense.
Review: Sometimes we get some wonderfully enigmatic notes with new releases and this is one of them. Rather than share them all, enjoy this one line - "Protecting the past by projecting it into the future, preserving identities, encouraging conversations across generations, and above all, safeguarding the island of Procida's vast intangible cultural heritage from extinction." Now you can ponder the meaning of that while getting lost in a collection of global grooves that span dub, downtempo, ambient jungle, Balearic and more with plenty of humid atmospheres, whimsical melodies and a general sense of mystic aura that will keep you coming back for more.
Review: Promising/Youngster and Sound Synthesis take charge of one side each of this new outing from Maltease label Wave Modulation Series. Lush, high-grade electro is the order of the day and 'Eleoky' soon sweeps you off your feet and up amongst astral motifs where the zippy synths provide the movement. 'Theryneas' has an organic piano line to offset the synthetic synths and corrugated rhythms, then 'Wunterbow' cuts loose with spiralling synth arcs and kaleidoscopic colours. On the flip, Sound Synthesis goes more direct with zippy electro rhythms on 'Nature Of The Dreamer' and serene acid on 'Tifkira', before a closer full of lament sends you off wanting more.
Review: A captivating blend of electro, IDM, and braindance influences, showcasing the artists' ability to merge melodic richness with experimental sounds. 'Critical' opens the EP with driving rhythms and a punchy bassline, while 'Rewind' brings a smoother, more atmospheric vibe, featuring lush pads and steady percussion. 'Shadow Phase' introduces a darker tone, layering glitchy textures with hypnotic beats. The final track, 'The Bike Ride,' offers a complex arrangement that ties the EP together, featuring intricate rhythms and emotive melodies that evoke both energy and introspection. This EP highlights their skill in balancing cerebral soundscapes with dynamic rhythms, making it a standout release for fans of forward-thinking electronic music.
Review: Electro brain-frazzler Pthgn has a keen ear for the deranged, as evidenced here, their latest EP 'Binary Operation'. The German producer offers up four neo-Drexciyan flavours, with the likes of 'Binary Operation' and 'Cyber NetiK' assaulting the senses with overdriven drums and ghostly pad movements, while the B-side gets a bit snappier with it, moving into surreal baller tech on the ultimate track 'Won't Stop Tippin'.
Review: A stunning showcase of Pu Poo Platter's ability to craft infectious, captivating grooves, Funk Night Records proves again here that is never disappoints in delivering top-tier funk from all eras. The A-side, 'Pbppbp,' features loose, live-sounding drum breaks paired with haunting chords creating an eerie, late-night vibe, complemented by soulful guitar lines. On the B-side, 'Pbpbppbb' slows things down with a laid-back groove, offering a relaxed, rolling rhythm enhanced by exquisite keys and smooth chords. This 7" is a perfect blend of energy and soul.
Review: You can never go wrong with the music put out by US label Funk Night. It covers all aspects of funk from across the ages and here we have some hot shit from Pu Poo Platter. First up on the highly effective 7" is 'Pbppbp' with its loose, rolling, live-sounding drum breaks and rather haunting chords which bring an eerie late night edge next to the soulful guitar lines which worm in and out. 'Pbpbppbb' then cuts back and chills you out with a more lazy rolling groove and some exquisite keys and chords.
Review: Parchi Pubblici is an Italian hardware specialist who usually makes music by doing one-take recordings. This is his debut vinyl EP and it features four original tracks with the first three designed as peak-time club anthems, all powered by roaring analogue machines. These tracks are built to make dancefloors sweat and they surely will. The title, 'Pressed Trouble', perfectly encapsulates the EP's energy. 'Clogged Key' is all bleeping synths and rugged low ends, 'Cautela (feat Delia Derbyshire)' is more funky and bouncy, 'Error504' is acid laced and dirty and 'HTSG' is lit up by superb synth arps and cosmic adventuring.
Review: Oyster Ass return with their Italian brothers for a third round of mind-bending techno. This EP is a retreat into altered worldsirigidly organised, timeless and often inescapable trance-like states. Public Request and WAS take charge of the correction, guiding listeners through a sonic landscape of hypnotic rhythms and disorienting soundscapes. 'C'MON' by Public Request sets the tone with its pulsating energy and infectious groove, while WAS's 'Spoon My' dives deep into a hypnotic abyss. 'Ego' and 'Tunnel' further explore the depths of this sonic odyssey, each track offering a unique perspective on the theme of mind-body dislocation. This is one for those who like their techno with a touch of the surreal and a healthy dose of sonic exploration.
Review: Luv Shack's compilation style 'Disco Biscuits' series is the very definition of reliable, with each new EP delivering killer cuts aimed at the more cosmic end of nu-diusco dancefloors. Volume five in the series arrives with four more tried-and-tested workouts and little in the way of forgettable filler. Check first Rising Seed's 'Back For More', a driving slab of spacey dub disco/cosmic disco fusion in which intergalactic electronics and samples sitars ride a Prins Thomas-esque bassline and beats, before admiring the chugging and squelchy nu-disco shuffle of 'Suffering of K.P' by B.Visible. Over on the flip, Peletronic's 'Drifting' is a glassy-eyed slab of immersive deep house/nu-disco fusion, while Jon Gravy's 'When U Leave' is a stomping slab of peak-time house headiness rich in bustling beats, memorable melodies and hands-aloft riffs.
Review: Banging electrobass from Spain's Masa Series, mooting six of their roster artists for an incendiary exercise in grit and vibrancy. Having already invited a slew of artists for individual releases, the Cluster series here aims more at collectivity. All the tracks here nail the label's signature smushing of heavily heat-glued sound, moving between everything from electro to breaks, landing somewhere in the synaesthetic register of an earthen sonic purply-brown. The highlight here, though, has to be Anna Kost's 'Conjunction', which breaks this general rule through a fast dubstep-ish 150BPM exploration in nervous respiratory pad design and glance-off percs, making for a bracing potential set intro.
Luc Ringeisen & Funk E - "Treinta Y Siempre" (7:33)
Polyfan Polyphenix - "Polymorph 2" (7:02)
Review: The cultured Movida label rolls out more of its tasteful tech and minimal jams with the Water Drop EP Part 1. Somfay opens up proceedings with 'Arborvitae' (A Voice Like Water) which is a zoned out roller with chords that encourage you to gaze off to the future. The b-side starts with Luc Ringeisen & Funk E's 'Treinta Y Siempre', a tender electronic lullaby with gently broken beats and then things get much more scuffed up and dubby with Polyfan Polyphenix's 'Polymorph 2' which is a languid rhythm that makes you want to move nice and loose.
Review: Ian Weatherall and Duncan Gray's Sons Of Slough project has done plenty of tinkering in the intersection between club and dub music, and somewhere between all that Scottish rock perennials Primal Scream often find their own comfortable nook to stretch out. As such, this 12" seems like a natural course of events, even if it came about through the pure whimsy of a day-dreaming muso (Weatherall) wondering what would happen if an obscure bonus track got stripped down and sent through the echo chamber. Bobby Gillespie was into the idea, and this record was the end result. One for all Balearic head nodders and soundsystem meditators alike.
Review: It's rather hard to nail the Halloween dance vibe and yet also keep things light and jumpy, but the latest 'Out Of The Crypt' V/A compilation by the sweet folks over at Spooky Wooky have done just that. In fact, they're an entire label dedicated to the cartoon vampire-batty, kitsch smiling pumpkinned, brains-starved nuts-and-bolts-Frankenstein'ed theme: the propulsive monster-mashes therein are just as wicked and weird, with opener 'Je Suis Dans La Nuit' deploying reflective eskimo synths and crepuscular bass progressions; Phase O'Matic's 'Diskotech' making use of raw, flitty bleep leads and dead-of-night screams; and Lazer Man's 'Ozonar 12' opting for hollowed-out dub techno stabs and slinky minimal movements down below.
Review: A quick piping of ultrafast space-techno comes as a six-track aural electro-techno drip, courtesy of Berlin's Mechatronica Music. The second in their 'Constellations' series of V/A EPs, this is an exodic exultation, charting top farings from the likes of Umwelt, Ben Pest and Viikatory. Umwelt's opening charge 'Stellar Oscillations' is a warpsped drive back to the retrofuture, with punctured stabs and fractal chord efferents propelling a lengthy trance crissing 'cross the milky way. Pest's 'Shodan' takes a detour, recharging at an interstellar traction substation specialising in sputtery, kilowatted electro. And 'Be Scared Of Clowns' is the titular highlight by Prz & Ori bringing a different spaceship to the same docking bay; it is the comparative Borg cube to the A3's Romulan craft, lessening any residual humanity for a shocking laserdesign B cut.
Review: Hilltown Disco have been nurturing their own micro scene up in Dundee, bringing a punchy, gnarly strain of electro to the Scottish city and creating a strong community around it. Now that community comes out in force to celebrate five years of the label and club night, presenting a cast of underground operators singing from the same hymn sheet. Whatever stripe of electro you're into, you're sure to find something to sink your gnashers into here. Keep an extra attentive ear out for the opening track from W1BO, the sadly departed Wibo Lammerts, who the five-track release is dedicated to.
Jay Sound - "Reflections Of Love" (feat Josefine) (6:33)
Review: Fusion Sequence is a new offshoot from the Mellophonia label that kicks off with a heavyweight release both literally - its 180g vinyl - and metaphorically. It features seven different artists offering up one track each on what is a widescreen exploration of fresh deep house. They are A Vision of Panorama, Eternal Love, Pool Boy, Wolfey, Laseech, Larry Quest and Jay Sound and between them everything from cuddly depths to more moody late-night deepness is covered on an EP that brings plenty of new perspectives. A fine inaugural 12", then.
Review: Released to acclaim in 1985, The Falcon and the Snowman recounts the extraordinary true story of Christopher Boyce (Timothy Hutton) and Andrew Daulton Lee (Sean Penn), childhood friends who betrayed their country by selling U.S. satellite secrets to the Soviets in the 70s. The film's score, crafted by jazz virtuoso Pat Metheny alongside pianist Lyle Mays, is a masterful blend of tension and melancholy, enriched by orchestral arrangements from the National Philharmonic Orchestra. The standout track, 'This Is Not America,' features lyrics by David Bowie and became one of his notable hits of the decade, reaching No. 14 in the UK. All in all, an exclusive collector's box set.
Review: Chestnut People finds NAFF champ Priori teaming up with Ludwig A.F. for some deep-diving trips somewhere between ambient, trance, deep house and techno. It's a sweetly melodic space where immersive beatdowns can sit comfortably alongside blissfully beatless meditations, leading in with the dreamy breakbeat roll of 'I' and the snappy drum blasts of 'II'. It's the B-side where the project's sound really deepens, finding new scope for aqueous sound design and fragmented electronica on 'III' before the pure, new age leaning melt-out of 'IV'. It's a sophisticated record with a sound that should draw in a huge spectrum of machine dreamers.
In Light Of That Learnt Later (Purelink remix) (7:04)
In The Dust And The Haze (4:44)
Review: The fables around this one are strong. To say the least. Corker & Conboy's album, In Leith of that Learnt Later was apparently recorded in a converted carpark in Battersea. Melding together cinematic post-rock, adult lullabies, dub-by folk, and new age, it's a marvel of escapist listening that transports you far from the brutality of the concrete London it was born into, out to some field in England or other, and then onwards to plains we are yet to become familiar with. On this two-tracker that sense of adventure remains very much in tact. Purelink steps up with a remix that could be the soundtrack to your next sensory depravation tank prep or cacao ceremony. All earthy bubbles and light, loose, tribalistic percussion. On the flip, find one of the originals from the LP - the lackadaisical guitar motifs of 'On The Dust and The Haze'.
Review: Never heard of Zoroastrianism? Nothing to do with Zorro, this ancient religion is still practiced by a comparatively small number of people today, and has its roots on the Iranian plateau. Hugely overlooked in the modern world, not least given its incredible influence over may of the tropes we associate with recognisable creeds - heaven, hell, good, evil - here M Geddes Gengras and Psychic Reality pay homage to the history of what might be Western Asia's most mythologised and yet misunderstood nation, while also introducing modern sonic elements and effects.
The result is something that's unarguably original. Ambient work that is vivid and transportive, it's highly rhythmic stuff from start to finish, with tracks like 'The Incremental Spirit' taking that format to the nth degree, while the likes of 'Wilde Pastures' break with a more abstract idea of what these sounds can be.
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