Claremont 56

Review: New to Claremont but certainly not new to composing; Denis Leonvich has been writing for screen for over a decade and has amassed an impressive collection of heavier floor friendly cuts on the likes of National Techno. If these two rather warm and woozy Balearic debuts are anything to go by, his future cosmic output will be just as impressive; "Sunset Sparks" sways with a balmy mysticism with folk singing, an alluring hang drum and hazy pads while "Boma" takes a slightly darker route with psych sinewy arpeggios and a subtle but unforgettable brassy bass texture and sleazy guitar plucks. We look forward to Alterleo's next adventures...

Review: As Claremont 56's superb Originals series of crate-digging compilations tiptoes towards the final curtain (a celebratory vinyl box-set is due later in the year), label boss Paul Murphy hands the reigns over towards longtime pals DJ Spun and Ben Cook, the men behind San Fran/New York imprint Rong Music. If you've heard either DJ, you'd expect their selection to jump between a myriad of dubby, stargazing styles, and that's exactly what they deliver. From the intergalactic ambience of Space Time Continuum's "Transmitter", to the low-slung dub disco of Futura 2000, via the Balearic house shuffle of FM Inc and spaced-out punk-funk of Big Boys, it's a treasure trove of thrillingly atmospheric obscurities. Recommended... as usual.

Review: "Blue River" is a beautiful collaboration between Paul 'Mudd' Murphy and the mysterious Mr Smith, classically trained guitarist and member of rock band, Movedrill. The album also features some incredible guitar work from Bob Klose, a founding member of Pink Floyd.

Review: Claremont 56 continue to disregard the genre boundaries - preferring instead to give good music the attention it deserves - as their latest looker of a twelve inch presents us the sounds of Torn Sail. Fronted by Smith & Mudd vocalist Huw Costin, Torn Sail go all 60s West Coast rock on us with the gloriously rich sounds of "Birds". From its acoustic beginnings the track gradually unfurls into a delightful groove embellished by soothing vocal harmonies. It's almost a thankless task enlisting anyone to try and remix what sounds like a perfect song, but Claremont 56 obviously chose right in requesting the services of Tiago. In the Portuguese producer's hands "Birds" is transformed into a heavily psychedelic freakout which gently develops into a kraut rock behemoth filled with swathes of heavy organ vibes. Containing several shifts in momentum - including a glorious half speed finish - this is a truly stunning remix which left our jaws occupying the floor!

Review: Paul 'Mudd' Murphy has form when it comes to putting together must-have vinyl box sets. A few years back, he brought the Originals series of Balearic compilations to a close with a fine box set. Now, to celebrate the 10th birthday of his Claremont 56 label, he's put together another lavishly produced, five-vinyl set, this time made up of brand new or previously unheard material. As you'd expect, highlights come thick and fast, from the dubbed-out quirkiness of Holgar Czukay's "Music To Be Murdered By" and the rubbery electrofunk of Phil Mison's remix of FreshRo's "Pacific State", to the samba-boogie of Jex Opolis's remix of Paraiso, and deep space Balearic bliss of Leo Cecranti's "Andromeda Bound". Throw in killer reworks from Lexx, Bjorn Torske, Ron Trent, Larry Heard, Emperor Machine, and Murphy himself, and you have an essential collection.