Review: Jurgen Paape has a brilliantly characterful sound and wrote one of our favourite silly records in 'Ofterschwang' some 13 years ago (go check it out, it's brilliant.) We're glad to hear some new music from the long time Kompakt legend and co-founder and once again it's not what you would expect. 'Allein' is a downbeat piece with oriental melodies and gently plucked strings over warm bass. It's not for the club, that is for sure, but the flip side version 'Allein In Italien' sure is. This one is a chugging and brit Italo disco number with retro 80s synth sounds and plenty of joyous grooves.
Soleil Choco (Magic Jams extended club remix) (5:43)
Love Energy (Noema edit) (6:13)
Cha Cha (Magic Jams Rondo edit) (5:50)
Review: The Shaketown series returns with Caribbean Shaketown EP, an energetic blend of zouk classics, each track reimagined with a vibrant twist. Noema and Magic Jams guide this release, continuing the legacy of Noema's celebrated edit of Ata Kak's 'Daa Nyinaa'. The EP is a rhythmic journey across four tracks, each radiating warmth and life, making it a perfect addition to any Balearic-leaning set. 'Zisou (Magic Jams' Dub Edit)' kicks things off with smooth percussion and layered synths that simmer beneath the surface, giving just enough room for the bassline to shine. The magic continues with 'Soleil Choco (Magic Jams' Extended Club Remix)', blending deep grooves with expansive melodies to create a sun-drenched anthem, the type that transports you straight to the beach at twilight. On the flip, Noema's 'Love Energy' edit slows the pace slightly, balancing nostalgic vocals with dreamy pads, maintaining that irresistible pull towards the dancefloor. Closing things out is 'Cha Cha (Magic Jams' Rondo Edit)', a joyous, percussion-led workout that weaves playful rhythms with a Caribbean flair. Proceeds from this EP will support the Love and Hope Music School in Haiti, adding a heartwarming layer to this already exceptional release. Four tracks that deliver both musically and ethically, ensuring Caribbean Shaketown stands as a must-have for lovers of Balearic beats and zouk-inspired grooves.
Review: 1asia is a label that focusses on Asian artists from a broad array of genres and Caslean is next up with the beguiling Sweet Adventure, a remix EP that finds her work reinterpreted by an array of innovative talents. 'Munir's Bandung First Trip' is serene electronica with lush and dreamy lines and naive vocals floating up above the smooth and uplifting rhythms. 'Meng Que's Yard' brings jumbled percussion and sugar synths to a broken beat jumble and 'Mogwaa's Studio In 07307' is a retro-future cut that pairs bouncy nu-disco with dubby pads. Last of all is 'Knopha's Re-clockwork,' another innocent and pure electronic world of neon synths and intriguing vocals.
Review: The cover of this new one from Tomi Chair is a whole lot darker, more menacing and moodier than the music within. 'Waiting For The Typhoon To Pass' is in fact a beautifully plaintive sound with a slow, calming rhythm. Gentle chords are draped over the top and no one is in an hurry to go anywhere as curious synth keys come and go like passing memories. On the flip, 'Dream Universe' is a more propulsive sound with metallic drums cascading over raw hits and distant winds howling with a hint of danger.
Review: Charlie Charlie's 'Save Us' is a track brimming with raw emotion, and Mondag's remix feels like a perfect counterpart, bringing a subtle touch of melancholy with its soft saxophone solo. The track maintains its weight, but Mondag's approach gives it a dream-like quality, coaxing out the depths of its aching beauty. Bella Boo's edit brings a noticeable shift, tightening the rhythms and infusing the track with a sharper energy, but it never loses the soul of the original. Gerd Janson, meanwhile, offers an ambient version that feels like an entirely different experience - less immediate, but no less absorbing. On the other side, Hypernatural's remixes expand on the dreamlike, almost otherworldly feeling of the originals. Knightlife's take on 'Spirit Walk' stretches the song's already fluid nature, making it feel weightless, while Gerd Janson's remix of 'Stormfront' adds a darker, more reflective mood.
Charlotte & Reinhard for WeCanDance - "To Be Free Again" (extended) (5:10)
Ollie Loudon - "LMT" (extended) (6:21)
Lily Ko - "Pure Rubber" (5:58)
Biancolato - "Resolution" (edit) (5:46)
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.
High Lonesome Soundsystem - "Champion Sound" (Tom dub) (7:42)
Review: Tom Chasteen is an LA-born mega-musician who is widely credited for helping to spurn the San Francisco rave movement of the 1990s, not least by founding the Exist Dance label. Masquerading under various monikers such as Eden Transmission, High Lonesome Sound System and Voodoo Transmission, many of his tracks are cemented in the rave music canon as some of the most pivotal, thanks to their pushing of a rather psychedelic sound. Suitable for the looking-back era of the 2020s, the new EP by Tom, 'Selected Productions', zooms out of that era and into the present, re-homing in on some of that artist's later works when the SanFran heyday was over. Downtempo, full of international influences, and retaining that scratchy 'lifted from vinyl and remastered' sound, this is spiritual lyrical miziricle music for the dancing astral traveller.
Review: Some 18 months on from the launch of his Better Together Records imprint, Sydneysider Chech is finally ready to deliver another expansive EP. Standing six tracks deep, Gemini Era tends towards the loved-up, saucer-eyed and gently psychedelic, with colourful melodic motifs aplenty and tons of audible references to early progressive house, ambient house and ambient techno. There's plenty to admire, from the spacey, analogue-rich dreaminess of 'XTC' and 'Gemini Era', to the low-tempo ambient techno head-nod of 'Slowride (93 Theme)' and the dusty, piano-rich deep house of 'Interstate (M1 Mix)'. Elsewhere, 'Jia's Dance' sees the Aussie explorer wrap vintage New Jersey garage-house sounds around a punchy breakbeat, while 'Birds of Prey' is a dubby chunk of sunset-ready dancefloor bliss.
Review: We invite you to take it slowly and subtly with this new deep, funky house release from Seoul-based DJ and producer Chiman. The sixth instalment in Sambo Records' 7" series, Chiman submits to us a steadily meandering flow state here, imbuing deep house with actual organic jazz-band influences though he coolly bucks the temptation to sample anything; in fact 'Bn2-20A' and its 'Realjam Dub Mix' are made entirely from scratch - clock the list of live sesh musician compadres on the inners - and each track does well to stretch quiet wonder-moods against arresting crescendos. Note the timorous high point of the latter track in its beatless section.
Review: Widescreen bass portamenti and steady-state textures predominate on this new Cleyra release through Timedance. Reflecting the Bristol artist's preference for heavyset bass and hydrop(h)onic textures, we were first turned on to their sound like heliotropic plants to red supergiants, whence in 2022 the 'Soft Bloom' EP offered our ears an ironic floral hardness. Since then, the artist has been hard at work on another five tracker of irreplicable sound, with 'Tumble Turn' and 'There's Nothing Happening Between Us' offering the best of the EP's tresillos and stereo-ecstatic percussions, which seem to paradoxically texturally vary themselves both much and not so much. How did they do it, we wonder?
The Mechanical Man - "Uncle Swing" (feat Bob Vito) (4:31)
DJ Rocca - "The Box Above" (6:03)
Lex & Locke - "Soul Escape" (6:56)
Review: Musica Solida sampler 1 marks a thrilling celebration of 40 years of Flexi, the venerable record emporium that has stood the test of time in the ever-evolving music industry landscape. As the label weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, it has remained a beacon for vinyl enthusiasts, and this compilation embodies its enduring spirit. Curated by Flexi Cuts, Musica Solida promises a series of carefully selected singles spread across multiple 12-inch samplers, showcasing the talents of cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. With a vision to cultivate a movement of sublime tunes, the compilation aims to uphold the commitment to quality that Flexi has exemplified within the Italian music scene and beyond. Musica Solida sampler one sets the stage with an eclectic lineup of artists, each bringing their unique flair to the table. DJ Rocca stands as a stalwart of the clubbing scene, while Club Soda delivers live electronic ensembles brimming with house-flavored jams. Lex & Locke bring a touch of Greek sophistication to the mix, showcasing their groovy sound destined for future acclaim. Hiroyuki Kato emerges as a Japan-based multi-instrumentalist with a punchy debut track, and The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) adds a raw, gritty energy to the compilation. For those that are adventurous in finding unique music, you will want to check out this great release.
Review: Last year long time Flower Records associates Masanori Ikeda and Takumi Kanedo (best known for his work as part of Cro-Magnon) released their debut album as Coastlines, a stunningly sunny, laidback affair that touched on everything from nu-jazz and nu-disco to dub, Latin rhythms and Balearic beats. Here they offer up a fresh double-header on a must-check 7" single. A-side "East Coast" is particularly alluring, with the duo joining the dots between Nils Frahm piano pieces, gentle nu-jazz grooves and wide-eyed Balearic ambience. The synths come to the fore on flipside "West Coast", an arguably even sunnier affair with slo-mo Latin beats, mazy solos and glistening guitars to the fore.
La Guitarra (Danilo Braca Deep In Brooklyn remix) (10:20)
Review: Ibiza legend and all round well respected industry man Chris Coco is back with more of his seaside sounds. This time his Mediterranean magic is cast over 'La Guitarra' which as the title hints has Flamenco style acoustics (from Micko Roche) with tropical house drums and heartfelt synths. There is a pair backed and delicious dub also, and then modern disco don Rune Lindbaek comes through with a mesmeric take that is laidback and lush in its design. Last of all is Daniel Braca with a Deep In Brooklyn remix thing brings some fine Latin house styles.
Review: The furthest-flung nether regions of outworld electro teem with unsung, immortal voices, yet unhazarded terrains in which undiscovered dialects remain yet unlinked to the mass. Or so it sounds to be implied on this latest more-melter, 'The First Word', from young experimental electro outfit Coduality. First released in 2022 as the result of neighbourhood friends from Minsk, Tsyd and Kayssych meeting, sharing in and relishing the alien imagos projected by their electro predecessors, their debut 'The First Word' is back by popular demand; we're unsurprised that, despite the apparent extraterrestriality of sound, the artists drew this set of productions from inspirations derived from their local environments, responding to a series of collaborative music-making experiments taking place in the countryside. Opener 'Sacred Walk' is an incredible would-be horror-sci-fi soundtrack opener, its uillean emulations and harp synths riffing against gizmo and ASMR sound effects to terrifically audiovisual effect. The three dance ensuers go from there, though not without ample grounding in the EP's must-listen introduction; the A1 truly is the highlight here.
Peter Seiler - "Timebend" (feat Sheryl Hackett) (4:32)
Eoism - "Ultraverse" (5:00)
Voertuig - "Cego" (5:19)
Voertuig - "808 Ambient Jazz" (3:45)
Eoism - "Even Flow" (5:45)
Review: Colkin from Raw Soul and Mauke Club sets the tone on this new FUTUR compilation, which has been curated by Benedikt Meger with a spherical acid house meditation. Peter Seiler's track, a standout from the reissue of his debut album Flying Frames, features Sheryl Hackett's soulful vocals and merges song structure with jazz improvisation. Eoism from Pulse Drift, Undersound, and Inch By Inch delivers low-swung electro flavours perfect for sunset vibes while the B-side opens with Voertuig of Tonal Oceans and Cobra Club who presents a seriously raw acid jam followed by an experimental, jazzy piece, reminiscent of the 90s downtempo era. 'Eoism' closes things with a floating, futuristic banger, going to make a well rounded (in more ways than one) and ultimately very useful piece of vinyl.
Review: This 12", a third release from the freshly minted (and relatively mysterious) Private Post imprint, arrives with little or no information about either the EP or the artist behind it, Conny. We think (though it has not been confirmed) that it's the same Conny who put out a fine EP on Krystal Klear's Cold Tonic imprint back in 2018. Either way, opener 'Bongo Groove' is attractive, undulating and dancefloor-ready in equal measure, with heady hand percussion, layered drums, marimba melodies and new age bells rising above a deep, warming bassline and metronomic kick-drums. On side B, he delivers a genuinely revolutionary rework of Steve Reich's American minimalism classic 'Music For 18 Musicians', wrapping elements of that outstanding piece around lo-fi, slow-motion hip-hop beats and trippy electronics.
Review: Acclaimed Japanese artist Cornelius is back with a new three-song EP, Bad Advice/Mind Train, featuring a collaboration with Arto Lindsay. The EP's first single, 'Mind Train,' is an epic nine-minute track inspired by Yoko Ono which blends ethereal space-pop with minimalist structures and bursts of exhilarating chaos. Cornelius describes 'Mind Train' as a symbol of spiritual and inner exploration that is designed to prompt self-reflection. The accompanying video, created by renowned visual stylist Keita Onishi, enhances this journey with stunning retro-futuristic graphics that allow you to explore your own interpretations.
Review: JIN09 marks a significant step forward for Cosmo, one of Seoul's most dynamic DJs and producers. Since her debut in 2017, she's become a fixture in the city's vibrant club scene, holding residencies at BBCB: Beton Brut + Concrete Bar. On her first solo EP for the Jin Records label, Cosmo weaves a dreamy, ethereal sound that taps into the traditions of house and balearic music. The A-side opens with lush, flowing melodies that gently chug along, creating an atmosphere that feels both expansive and intimate. These tracks, with their atmospheric textures and hypnotic rhythms, encapsulate a sense of cosmic journeying. On the flip, Cosmo delves into grittier, more tech-focused territory. Here, the beats take on a harder edge, with driving rhythms and a rawness that pushes the energy forward. While maintaining the ethereal quality that runs throughout the EP, the B-side brings a sense of tension and release that's sure to resonate on dancefloors. With this release, Cosmo demonstrates her versatility, effortlessly blending contrasting styles while retaining a cohesive, signature sound. It's a confident, forward-thinking EP from a rising star, and one that signals even more exciting things to come from this talented producer.
Review: Couple Looking is a brand new project that brings together the Funnuvojere label head Massimiliano Pagliara with his Berlin-based mate and fellow DJ Chris Cruse, who is known as the force behind the LA queer party Spotlight as well as being involved with the legendary Club Toilet in Detroit. They have plenty of studio skills between them as this EP shows with its mix of raw lines and silky synth-scapes. 'For The Remote' is caustic and acidic house music from the old school, 'For A Snack' then builds the pressure with a taught bassline and twinking keys over more jacked-up drums. 'For K' is an uplifting house sound and 'For You' is balmy and dreamy chug-house.
Review: Coyote release the second instalment of their continuing journey into all things Dub. 2 heavyweight tracks with their own unique expression of Dubness. Always ever-present in Coyote productions in some form or another here its front and centre.For big speakers and squidgy black.'Light like a feather-heavy as lead'
Review: Coyote drop a special 7 inch single. Inspired by recent events over the last 2 years and their continuing love affair with all things dub and reggae sound system.related. They have been playing lots of this type of stuff at their monthly night at The Bodega in Notts. Apparently causing some heat at recent ALFOS parties too. Bubble Up!
Review: It is time to succumb to the sounds of the Magic Wand label once more and this eighth sonic spell is another one that will leave you happily helpless. It finds the Coyote lads step away from their fine work on Is It Balearic? to cook up two top edits. First up they offer 'Lonely' - a broody, steamy and shimmering tropical Balearic workout and then comes the organic and lazy drums of 'Western Revolution' with an iconic gravelly vocal. There are folk-tinged Americana sounds on 'Love Home' and laid-back disco licks on the seductive 'Luca' to make this a summer party essential.
Review: Coyote and Peaking Lights form a perfect pairing on this latest drop of bliss from Is It Balearic? They are artists who are drenched in dub influences and that comes to the fore on this direct collaboration which marries swirling dub with dreamy vocals and ghostly acid arpeggios to bring to mind a serene sunset after a long, hot and lazy day. 'Love Letters' is pure horizontal bliss, 'So Far Away' gets even slower and will drown you in synth succulence and Coyote's dub mix is laden with soothing delays and warm bass that transports you to an exotic world of weed-laced wonderment.
Review: Coyote team up with Quinn Luke Lamont for a one off collaboration. Quinns vocals add a distinctly yachty feel to Coyote's chuggy early evening acid groove. Project Sandro tighten up the percussion and strip the vocals back and create a dreamy more contemplative warm weather shuffler.
Review: Beyond the Outer Limits by Cult of the UFO is a new solo recording produced by Anthony Barker of Overlords of the UFO.
Due to Anthony being an integral contributor to the music of Overlords of the UFO, the four tracks maintain the trademark retro analogue sci-fi vibe of Overlords of the UFO, although with a more contemporary edge.
Review: Cool story: 60s psychedelic folk strummer Cutter was spotted busking in an LA subway by Claremont 56's 40 Thieves. Instantly submitting to his acoustic charms, they strike up a creative relationship. Recruiting the writing skills of Jum Jum Records founder David Harks, they create the cosmic beauty that is "Strutting Serpent". Sitting somewhere between Cat Stevens and Paqua, it's the epitome of Balearic timelessness. For added psychedelic majesty flip for a future version of Cutter's classic "Gift Of Our Fathers". Stunning.
Southern Coastline (Jack Lever Northern mix) (4:05)
Southern Coastline (Inhmost Coastal mix) (6:27)
Southern Coastline (Synkro remix) (5:39)
Review: Inspired by "slow and quiet life on the southern coasts of England", the debut from CVOIA - a new collaboration between producers and Captured Visions label founders Adam O'Hara and Tom Parker - offers gorgeously lolloping, lazy beats and expansive, cinematic orchestration. There's the brittle, slow motion breakbeats and woozy instrumentation of the duo's original, then remixes from four of their favourite acts: Awakened Souls, Inhmost, Jack Lever and Synkro. All the tracks are about as strenuous as an afternoon on the beach, and equally nourishing, with Synkro's rich, synth-soaked near-ambient mix a dramatic, undisputed highlight. Jack Lever's Northern Mix, meanwhile, wouldn't sound out of place nestled somewhere in Mo'Wax's first dozen or so releases. High praise indeed, but much deserved.
Review: This new one from Cyberlife might be rooted in techno but it is closer day a much wider world of sounds. The opener for instance rides on a nice loopy minimal rhythm you might find the likes of Batu or Pev' crafting. It comes with a lovely and dubby low end and then 'Endless Waiting' gets a little more light, with sci-fi sound effects fizzing about the mix as a dystopian automated groove takes you onwards with a hint of ancient tribal ritual to it. 'Reflexive Perspective' brings the sort of synths you'd find in some IDM over cavernous low ends and sombre, sustained chords and 'Backpropagation' shuts down with a watery and languid rhythm full of celestial depth.
Review: In late 2023, Tokyo-based musician Daigo Sakuragi moved to London where he revisited recordings made with fellow Japanese artists. Inspired by the city's energy and atmosphere, he crafted Togenkyo, a 28-minute fusion of early 2000s folktronica and contemporary ambient music that now comes as two long continuous pieces on one slab of vinyl. Layering immersive synth textures with spatial production, he grounds the piece in organic drum and bass grooves while a saxophone elegantly weaves through the soundscape. Togenkyo reflects an inner utopia that is attainable yet imperfect and is a comforting, meditative work.
Review: New heat from Datawave is always going to be worth tuning into, and so it proves with this new one on Wave Function. His signature fusion of dreamy synthscapes and kinetic rhythms shines bright from the off with 'Hyperborea' soothing mind and soul while the body shifts its behind. 'Dawnlights' has lazy acid modulations drifting between the slower beats, then 'Drifting' is as hopeful as the dawn of a new day with it arching chords and celestial synth twinkles. 'Aquila' has a more pronounced broken beat pattern and prying bass, but still plenty of deft melodies, and 'Landscapes' is a dubbed-out thinker.
Review: The Belgian label Higher Hopes is run by DC Salas who now returns to it with a new EP with the collaborative Los NiNos Del Parque project alongside Anthony Barbarich aka Mirror Minds. They say it is a release that has been 15 years in the making and has roots in their shared love of 2000s electroclash, plus new wave and new beat. They set out to make something inspired by that and have done so over the last four years with a mix of rugged and mechanical rhythms and angular synth lines. A fine remix by the assured Badaboum and Rinse France resident Belaria rounds out the package.
Review: This project stems from the mutual admiration between Daru Jones and Devonne "DJ" Harrison who, upon discovering their collaborations with Jack White, had the idea of blending rock with jazz. DJ Harrison's vintage keyboard skills and Daru's versatility made them perfect for such a rock-influenced project. Legendary guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, a longtime friend of Mr. Mandel, was ideal for the guitar role and after several years they finally got together to record this album in 2022. The result is a first 12" single, mastered at 45 rpm for exceptional sound. Here's hoping there will be more to come.
Review: London duo DDWY, consisting of first-names-only Naomi and Ronan, return to Public Possession with the hypnotic prog-zoneout dance haul, 'Spinning Stones'. An impressionistic super hat trick of soft-edged progressive house and downtempo, DDWY's implied aim is to fetter the listener as thrall, by way of mystic vocals, washout pads and weighty but firmly planted, orthopsychic kick-pulses-of-life. Described hilariously by the label as "perfect for Balearic DJs" but equally likely to be "played out in sleazy dark basements or pubs in the British countryside", the suggestion is that it doesn't matter where you are, it's what you're listening to, what you're gripped by, that counts. By far, the cake-taker here is 'Theme Of The PCCP', which, judging by the name, imagines the ploddingly blissed-out soundtrack to the outer workings of an alt-timeline, psychonautically angel dusted Chinese Communist Party.
Review: Best dig out a bona fide gem from the early days of Italian house music - a one-shot hit from the masterful minds of Alex Neri and Marco Baroni that originally surfaced in 1992 on Adriatic Club. This sunkissed classic has everything a deep house cut should - smooth piano, a splash of diva vocals, and feel-good vibes oozing from every pore. For our money the "Deep Jungle Mix" is the one - a smouldering swinger that will draw you in and keep you warm at night, but whichever twist on the '90s styles you prefer this record has got you covered.
Review: Hot'N'Spicy's self-titled series of flame hot disco and funk gems returns with a sizzling sixth instalment here and it has some big names on board. Delfonic opens up with the low slung and seductive loopy disco-house fun of 'Everything Is Love' while HOLDTight up the funk and energy with more loose and percussive grooves on 'Disco Power.' Franck Roger brings his classy French house styling to a deep and slinky number in 'Pinguino Blumo' and DJ Steef shuts down with some big camp disco flourishes and dubbed-out vocal echoes on 'Warp Odyssey.'
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