Review: 3 Men Gone Mad were an independent group formed in Blackburn and Darwen in the UK. They fused electronic sounds with rock and were prolific in the 1990s when they became cult favourites amongst those who know. You Try is a much sought-after collection that has been restored by Utopia Records many years after it made its way onto John Peel's 1991 Festive 50. He heard in it a mix of The Clash, Joy Division and Talking Heads and that still rings true. The main mix has a raw energy that captures the angst of Britain at the time - and still today, frankly. A spaced-out dub brings a fresh feeling of euphoria and an extended B-side mix draws out this record's undeniable pleasures.
Review: Though 420 was originally recorded and released in April of 2020, Galcher Lustwerk's pandemic project is an exercise in counting and patience. Originally from a 16 track, 69 minute release only available for Bandcamp for $69 (or $4.20 per track), the 420 project brings us practically brand spanking new Galcher EP, just under a different name. Finally at an accessible price (and including signature Galcher vocals in a majority of the tracks to boot) this vinyl release hopes to bring more fans who missed the original release to the 420 club.
Review: The Avidya label arrives with a bold new concept that sees it push itself to "step out of comfort zones to release a series of EPs of broad, challenging and deep music." The first affair is a fine one from four artists, the first of which is Lyon based procure A Strange Wedding from the Worst label. His slow trance locks you in and then Gothenburg trio Datasal come through with a prog rock and post funk and dance fusion. 84PC's contribution is peak time gold and Barcelona's Iro Aka arrive with another debut to round out this fine offering.
Review: He may be based in St Petersburg, a city not known for being a sun trap, but Mikhail Khvasko AKA A Vision of Panorama is incredibly good at making warming, summer-ready Balearic beats. Further proof, should it be needed, arrives via his latest EP for Cala Tarida Musica. In its original form, 'Unconditional' is a terrific slab of Balearic nu-disco/Balearic house fusion - all rubbery bass guitar, smooth bits, gorgeous chords and twinkling melodies. It comes backed with a breezier, breakbeat-sporting 'dub vinyl edit' (an even sunnier and more attractive affair) and an 'instrumental' pass of the more house-centric take. Rounding off another fine EP is 'Shall We', a colourful fusion of jangling house pianos, attractive keyboard sounds and squelchy synth-bass underpinned by a box-fresh, post-electro boogie beat.
Review: A Vision of Panorama and Star Creature continue their successful collaboration with another lovely 12" for lovers of classic house. Following the sold-out Fusion To Illusion LP, this new offering blends deep beats with hints of boogie and r&b in a fine showcase of the duo's signature sound, which is effortlessly cool, timeless, and trend-defying. Featuring vocal contributions from Sykes and Stacie G, the A-side delivers smooth, loungey vibes and includes the 12" version of 'Purple' which has been previously available only as a 7". The A-side also includes the instrumental track 'Ear Dreamin',' while the flip focuses entirely on instrumentals and brings a futuristic yet nostalgic edge.
Review: This release marks the return of a 1989 classic and it has been remastered for the occasion. Ace Buzz is a project by Tony Baron and Gery Francois, who are known for acts like Teknokrat's. Their track 'Moskitos' is a playful, raw example of Belgian New Beat with a slightly lighter touch than the genre's typical aggression. It features simple Balearic piano chords and samples that evoke a surreal scene of someone in a cheap, hot Ibiza hotel battling mosquitos. The B-side, 'Nuevo Mondo,' shifts to a deeper, more mellow vibe, and is followed by a remix from Anatolian Weapons that transforms the original into something entirely fresh and unique.
Review: Actress released a mix for Resident Advisor in June and to everyone's surprise, it was filled entirely with new, unreleased music. When asked if this was a new album, Darren S. Cunningham, aka Actress, responded simply, "It's a collage - Braque." Call it what you likeia mix, a mixtape, a collage, or even an albumiit's unmistakably another bold statement from Actress. Cunningham's approach defies labels and formats, creating music that exists in its own space, evolving without concern for conventional definitions or boundaries. It's just pure, unfiltered Actress, doing what he does best.
Review: Japanese stars Akiko and Yukihiro Fukutomi came together to cover SADE's anthem several years ago but it now makes its way back to fresh wax courtesy of Record Store Day 2024. They infused it with dark, mysterious jazz and contemporary influences and Akiko's enigmatic vocals intertwine flawlessly with the minimalist arrangement. On the B-side, their original 'let GO' offers a spiritual journey through dub-techno realms where the synergy between Akiko's emotive delivery and Fukutomi's masterful production creates a captivating sound. This release epitomises the pair's creative chemistry and innovative approach to blending diverse musical elements into a seamless, immersive new realm.
Review: AkizzBeatzz and Lego Edit join forces to mutually reinforce what they both do best: making disco edits and reworks of classic funk, soul and Afrobeat, and occassionally offering up the odd original track. The 12" 'African Groove' is a downtempo and weighty meditation on what it means to hail from the continent, with Akizz' A-side 'I'm An African' playfully laying down a diasporic big beat excursion, replete with regional instrumentation and defiant political vocal samples. Lego Edit's 'Sahara Adventures', meanwhile, works a chugging beat around a central algaita line.
Review: Following up the first release quickly with Detroit native Paul Alan, who now resides on the sunny west coast. Paul Alan aka DTCHPLNES, delivers the smooth latin driven car cruiser "Provider" and the sun blissed slow skate vibes of "Charlevoix", which also sounds great on 45. The two track 7 inch is wrapped in a treasure map jacket with a compass foil stamp and includes a postcard.
Review: The Analogue Attic microverse is defined by a unified commitment to the deepest ideas of where house music can head, and no one embodies that spirit better than Alex Albrecht. On this latest 12" he's heading into the velvet folds of low tempo chugger 'The Blacksmith' and downtempo dream state 'Coles Ridge' with elegiac piano sparkling atop fathoms-deep pads and the softest of percussion. This is house music as a vessel for pure relaxation and sentimental meditation, and across six tracks Albrecht offers up balm after balm to soundtrack oceanic realms of calm - a much needed tonic for the frenetic pace of modern life.
Review: Bristol's Dream Software collective (and label) have long been fans of the mid 1990s work of Alex Silvi, best known for his releases as Alien Signal. So much so, in fact, that they reached out to the Italian producer and asked whether they could put out an EP of some of their favourite back catalogue tracks. That's what they've done here, flitting between the chiming melodies, warped electronics and shuffling beats of 'North Polar Stars', the chugging dream house-in-space flex of 'Brilliant Evening Planets', the stargazing proto-trance (with jazzy solos) of 'Quantum Limit', the intergalactic, acid-flecked dancefloor psychedelia of 'Violent Volcanoes of Lo' and the bleeping lead lines, immersive chords and bustling beats of 'Atomic (Esoteric Mix)'. An expertly curated and beautifully presented retrospective
Review: Altone, an emerging talent in dub techno, delivers the Invincible Nature EP on Denmark's Echocord Records, a label revered for over two decades. The EP showcases Altone's knack for crafting deep soundscapes. Side-1 features 'Naturally Unnatural,' presenting two distinct takes: the first is sparse and minimal, epitomizing classic dub techno, while the second version is more techy and aggressive, adding an edge to the composition. Side-2 brings remixes of 'Unnaturally Balanced.' Thomas Fehlmann, a legendary producer, lends his expertise to the 'Naturally Flowing' remix, infusing it with a fluid, dynamic quality. The 'Another Channel' version rounds out the EP with a quintessential dub treatment, staying true to the genre's roots. Invincible Nature EP is a compelling showcase of versatility in dub techno and Echocord's enduring influence in the scene.
Review: It's good to have this one available again. Dorothy Moore's 1976 soul classic, featuring vocals from Taka Boom, Chaka Khan & Mark Stevens, 'Misty Blue' became an Ibiza chill-out anthem in 2002. As 'Misti Blu' it got high-profile plays by Mary Anne Hobbs, Pete Tong and Mixmaster Morris and even David Mancuso charted in his end-of-year highlights. Now the sundown gem gets reissued here on a tidy 7" as a superb rework from Claude Money. The crooning vocals remain the highlight with sultry trumpets and lavish downtempo rhythms. What's more, we're told that a new live disco and house version are also to come this year.
Review: Anatolian Weapons' 'Beyond' EP delivers six tracks that expertly blend vintage techno with a futuristic edge, reminiscent of a sci-fi film soundtrack. Opening with 'Just Dance,' the EP hooks listeners with an addictive groove and a techy, 90s vibe that sets the tone. 'All The Bones' dives into progressive house territory, offering lush, evolving soundscapes. 'Ego Naked' stands out as a fusion of EBM and darker techno, injecting an intense, moody atmosphere. 'Reality Check' plays with an 80s aesthetic, striking a balance between nostalgia and forward-thinking production. 'Acid Grind' slows the pace with a deliberate acid chugger, featuring a liquid acid line that oozes depth and intention. Closing out with 'STR,' the EP peaks with a powerful, sci-fi-influenced track that feels otherworldly, pushing the boundaries of techno. Throughout Beyond EP, Anatolian Weapons navigates through various electronic styles while maintaining a cohesive, futuristic vision, making it a compelling addition to any techno enthusiast's collection.
Review: Ahead of an oncoming Tbilisi party set to be thrown by the Sameheads crew, their latest 7" appears ahead of time as the latest offering by fellow friends, Andrea & Alexander. With just 300 copies available, this dreamy duo share a juxtaposed space with a more esoteric, gritty B-side, occupied by TINA's 'Vacation', which breaks from the usual Sameheads sound, almost entirely, to indulge a massively wonky inhumation. The A's own 'Olias', by contrast, is light and sixteen-thy, dotting along with detuned Italo saws and descending cadences of relief. Once performed live at the fabled Sameheads festival, City Of A Thousand Suns, the label here celebrate its recorded version for the world to hear on repeat.
Review: DESU Clothing "Fashion Show" - avant-garde electronic music with modern street fashion.
Bali Based progressive streetwear brand Desu Clothing present stylish fashion music release.
Renowned artists, who share a passion for Desu Clothing innovative style, have composed exclusive tracks that embody brand concepts.
Aquarius Heaven, eclectic singer, and stylish performer Monoplay, remarkable duo Kurt & Dj Nils, and outstanding downtempo artist Silas Hoppe, all contribute to the first of ten collectible EPs.
Each composition reflects a seamless blend of intellectual music and cutting-edge fashion, showcasing the subtle and profound synergy between sound and style.
Collectible Record. 300 copies. Limited Edition. White Vinyl.
Envisioned by Ekaterina Arshanitsa, designer and founder Desu Clothing Cover Photo by James Heal, made in Bali in 2010, fashion model Elise Nieuwpoort is wearing a Desu Clothing leather capsule collection.
Graphic design by Eldar BadaevMastering by BarBQ Music Studio.
Selected by Artem Arshanitsa, Human Resources Records. (C) (R) 2024
Review: There can be no questions about the intention of the Garries label given its name - to make music for the more out there moment son the dance floor. And the first Ep certainly lives up to that with a pair of weird and wonderful jams by mysterious artists who go only by, we assume, their initials. AR's 'Comin' Apart At The Edit' is a cosmic world of slow motion rhythm and live drums with warped efforts and whirring synth sounds that all take you into another dimension. BS's 'More BS' is a mix of astral synths squelch and slow motion chug with a soft-rock vocal bring plenty of emotional impact up top before some prog licks ring out to add further unusualness.
Review: Baia Club is a new collaboration between Really Swing label head Quiroga, vocalist Whodamanny and Dario Bass. They serve up a low slung boogie-down beat with "Shine On" on the A side, in all its neon-lit early '80s glory that's sure to get 'em moving on the dancefloor. Over on the flip, the House mix does exactly what it says on the tin; classic early '90s vibes with some awe-inspiring piano solos, sparking chord progressions and cool rhythms - like the label's name suggests!
Review: Balam's new single 'Caravana Planetaria' has already been widely tested on dance floors across the world and has reportedly never failed to make a mark. First up on the 12" is 'Caravana Planetaria' (club mix) which rides on raw drums with slapping hits and has darkened vocal loops adding the character next to spangled pads. 'Caravana Planetaria' (Guitar mix) brings more freaky energy and tense textures for the dark, later nights in the club and 'Caravana Planetaria' (Guitar instrumental) then closes out with an extra edgy sense of uneasy melody.
Review: Brighton's Balearic Jukebox share their two latest blissouts, an original and alt version of 'We Love Spacemen'. It's as though a simple breakbeat hardcore tune made of vestigial Britpop sample-memories had been slowed to a festive amble, and yet still worked in the 'theque. Decisive bassline resolves and laid-back djembe meld with hollering loom-calls on this lei-donning saunterer. The Pianopella Mix is the highlight, amping up the ultra-echo'd piano to ecstatic effect, and pairing it with fervent "let's go" samples and power chords of the ichorous variety.
Review: This compilation captures the essence of the Balearic sound, offering a sun-drenched journey through diverse electronic styles. 'Stay Cool (& Less Horny)' sets the tone with its laid-back groove and infectious melodies, while 'Ketkeys' adds a touch of psychedelic flair with its swirling synths and hypnotic rhythms. On the flipside, 'Chug Love' delivers a dose of feel-good energy, its pulsating bassline and uplifting chords guaranteed to get bodies moving. 'Tiny Nancer' closes out the compilation with a dreamy atmosphere, its ethereal textures and Balearic-infused melodies creating a sense of blissful escapism. This is a must-have for those seeking a sonic escape to sun-kissed shores and blissed-out vibes.
Review: Long-serving scalpel fiend Beatconductor is in old-school mash-up mode on this tidy seven-inch single, which serves as the third release on his freshly minted GATT imprint. On 'Human Emotions' he cannily combines two classic cuts: the instrumental of Human League synth-pop classic 'Don't You Want Me' and the full female acapella from a loved-up, glassy-eyed soul/R&B gem that should be familiar to most. He does something for more revolutionary on the surprisingly brilliant 'I Can FIXX A Hole', where the acapella from a Pepper-time era Fab Four favourite rises above a tweaked, slightly dubbed-out version of a vintage, Rhodes-sporting Hall & Oates groove. It shouldn't work, but it genuinely does!
Review: This is the fourth in a new series of stamped 7" releases from Gatt artist Beatconductor. There is nothing smart about the work on 'sink About It' which simply brings a classic vocal to a big beat. It's an easy way to get any party going. On the flip is 'Let It Happen' (unreleased 7" mix) which his more nuanced and interesting, with funky bass lines, loose limbed percussion and gorgeously twinkling keys all raining down from above.
Smells Like EPA Dunk(limited hand-stamped heavyweight coloured vinyl 12" (comes on different coloured vinyl, we cannot guarantee which colour you will recieve))
Review: Italian disco don and funk flexer Belabouche has landed on the likes of DiscoDat, Spare Change Disco and Gimme! Gimme. His edits and remixes are always in hot demand but here he offers up four original jams that show off his studio skills on the JDP Disco label. Flautist George alla Dispari features on 'Brooklyn', the full flavour funk fuelled opener that bustles with joy and good time vibes. 'I Gonna Miss You' is a more spaced out disco cut from the deep and 'Ikeja' then pumps the floor with squelchy bass and astral chords. 'Country Headquarters' lows to a seductive crawl to close things out.
Review: This EP is the first collaborative work by Andrea Belfi and Jules Reidy. Berlin-based and hailing from Italy and Australia respectively, the duo blends compositional precision with improvisational freedom. During a residency at Berlin's Callie's-a 19th-century factory turned arts space-they and engineer Marco Anulli crafted four expansive tracks in which Belfi's masterful drumming interlaces with Reidy's shimmering guitars and electronic textures. The opener layers just-intoned guitar figures over delicate brushwork and climaxes with a synthetic surge and tracks like 'Oben' and 'Alto' explore shifting grooves, propulsive rhythms and dynamic soundscapes.
Review: Celebrated composer, producer, techno talent and ambient craftsman John Beltran is a real Detroit don and now he is back on one of the city's own labels, Motor City Wine, with Volume 4 of Back To Bahia on 7". This one finds him going even deeper than before, starting with 'Laguna', which will soon uplift you with its Afro-Brazilian drums and live bass from James Simonson next to lush keys. 'Just Beyond The Sun' then gets fully Balearic with its mix of sultry trumpet, shuffling and Latin-tinged rhythms and wispy cosmic chords. A real delight.
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