Stump Valley – Natural Race [DKMNTL072]

Stump Valley now pop up on Dekmantel. The committed Berlin based studio outfit head into new areas after their previous work on Uzuri, Off Minor, Dopeness Galore and No ‘Label ( that already had them jumping around styles and influences). The label say ”Stylistic, enigmatic, and effortless. Stump Valley’s Dekmantel debut EP is a smooth melange of glossy soul, jazz, and serene house. Produced by the mysterious, and ultimately under-the-radar duo, the extended EP breezes through tropes of balearic analogue, warm Chicago sounds, yet remaining ultimately Italian. The duo, originally from Turin, prove their skills as true alchemists, as their forge hypnotic house and tropical flare through their array of drum machines, synths, and informed artistry derived from their deep stockpile of assorted records. Debuting they may be, but the Italian duo are no strangers to Dekmantel, having played at Dekmantel Festival, Selectors, and Lente Kabinet. Having released groove tracks across a whole spectrum of labels, Stump Valley’s reputation even precedes them. Throughout the EP, their sound echoes that of Prins Thomas, Larry Heard, and other select funk-driven Italian live producers that are making waves in the current scene. It’s a sound that’s permanently upbeat, radiant, and filled with joy. Berlin based vocalist and Max Graef collaborator Wayne Snow collaborates on vocal opener ‘Natural Race’, creating a slow groove, and funk-driven tempo. The music then veers into equatorial territory, as the duos’ uses of classic 707 and LinnDrum sounds evoke a sense of sunset grooves; the sound of Theo Parrish slowly winding through an Adriatic cocktail party. Further on and ‘Proletarians In Space’ reflects the producers’ more Detroit-like influences, with oscillating machine music. ‘Zoo Planet X’ takes the sound further, with dubby pads, and old-school kicks and hats, that transport the Turin-based artists across the Atlantic with their out-of-time sonic aesthetic.”

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Stump Valley – Natural Race [DKMNTL072]

Lisière Collectif – Unknown Credentials [PRTR17/18]

Sushitech’s sub label Pariter presents the Romanian group Lisiere Collectif. “Unknown Credentials” is a project of 5 tracks released on 2 single records. A sides on both parts are absolutely massive, acid lines and hypnotic chords peak time tracks that will shake any proper sound system with some serious bass extension! B sides are deeper and have more modern, fresh electroish vibe that we love!

part I / part II

Lisière Collectif – Unknown Credentials [PRTR17/18]

Stiletti-Ana – Ab Ovo [HNR018]

Producer, drummer and sound engineer in all forms Stiletti-Ana aka Ilari Larjosto is known for his wide output in the world of cosmic, techno, leftfield, disco and ambient music. Stiletti-Ana keeps the main focus rather on timeless quality releases than searching for the hype. His new solo album “Ab Ovo” is the first full length Stiletti-Ana LP and represents his discoveries in the world of heavenly cinematic arpeggios, conga driven ambient and physical 3D drone compositions.

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Stiletti-Ana – Ab Ovo [HNR018]

Afrodeutsche – Break Before Make [SKALP035]

Afrodeutsche’s debut album ‘Break before Make’ comes on Skam label. Her polyrhythmic compositions integrate a wide array of musical genres, including Afrofuturistic electro and techno, classical solo piano and Detroit legacy house; all memorable journeys into deep, abstracted sound.

vinyl / CD

Afrodeutsche – Break Before Make [SKALP035]

Newworldaquarium – The Dead Bears [APE-LP02]

As Jochem Peteri returns his attention to the jewels buried in his back catalogue, including last year’s reissue of the 154 LP Strike, it’s a relief to know this understated rough diamond is getting the appropriate reissue treatment.

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Newworldaquarium – The Dead Bears [APE-LP02]

Newworldaquarium – Mercury / Levels Halo [APE06]

Newworldaquarium adds to his small but perfectly formed discography two unreleased extras from his Dead Bears album, and describes them as “early 2000s minimalism trying to survive in today’s maximized society.” ‘Mercury’ is a ten minute epic that journeys to the stars. Cosmic melodies shimmer in expansive skies as rubber kicks speed up and slow down back on earth. Synths twinkling and change shape, grand pads wash over you and the whole thing is utterly beautiful and hypnotic. ‘Levels Halo’ is a vastly spacious cut with arcing pads reaching up to the heavens as super deep kick drums gently thud way down below. Part dub, part ambient, part soundtrack, it is a truly cathartic listening experience. These are two more devastatingly deep and emotive cuts from Newworldaquarium.

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Newworldaquarium – Mercury / Levels Halo [APE06]

Jeff Mills talks about Sight, Sound & Space

His knowledge of electronic music is unrivaled, yet it’s his understanding of how we’ve barely scratched the surface of techno that separates him. The genre, in essence, has no boundaries, so why should we apply them, why can’t we foresee a future in which electronic music is tapping into technology and human psyche that we never thought possible? Why can’t it be a vessel that transports a viewer to a character in a film, or a link through time? A look back can often pave the way to the future, one in which we can see and hear beyond the final frontier. 

Interview and text by Lee Shields

Continue reading “Jeff Mills talks about Sight, Sound & Space”

Jeff Mills talks about Sight, Sound & Space

VA – Djax-Re-Up Vol. 2 [DKMNTL063-2]

The second edition of Dekmantel’s foray into the era-defining, trans-Atlantic, cult techno label that is Djax-Up-Beats, comes another re-issue of classic 90s cuts. Founded in Eindhoven at the turn of the 90s, Djax-Up-Beats quickly earned an international reputation for being a key source of Chicago house, acid techno, and floor-filling, heavy-hitting, straight up underground 12”s. It’s a sound that spawned the sonic aesthetics of today, and can be heard in the left field techno productions of the likes of Bjarki, Salon des Amateurs and other erstwhile analog junkies.” The second re-issue EPs, offer a more introspective look at the label’s earlier releases.

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VA – Djax-Re-Up Vol. 2 [DKMNTL063-2]

Random XS – Centrifuge [MOS027]

Dutch underground acid-techno act Random XS strikes again with two rugged and authentic dance floor rockers. After a long awaited re-release of their Djax-Up-Beats classic ‘Give Your Body’ last year on Delsin, they return with a pair of fresh and unheard acid jams on the closely related MOS Recordings. Both tracks recorded in the early ’90s, but only recently finalized and improved for heavy club impact. It’s an EP full with gurgling 303 grooves and raw energy in the traditional and energetic Random XS way.

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Random XS – Centrifuge [MOS027]

De Ambassade – Duistre Kamers [KH025]

Something was brooding in the furthest outskirts of Amsterdam. The isolated concrete suburbs of the western part of the city constituted the ideal dwelling place for the writing of De Ambassade’s debut album Duistre Kamers. Pascal Pinkert, accompanied by bass player Timothy Francis, searched for new horizons and managed to find them on this next chapter in the evolution of De Ambassade. Icy electronics display a love for NDW, ragas and raves. Beneath the surface lies a deeper Dutch language narrative celebrating free speech and thought, starkly in opposition with a world where alienation and solitude create ever more distance between all beings. After releasing two, by now classic 7” ep’s, a long player will shine brightly. The album release will feature a long awaited live performance with additional band member Mian.

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De Ambassade – Duistre Kamers [KH025]

VA – Ombra Festival Unusual Sounds Gathering Vol. 1 [OR64]

Oráculo Records presents “Ombra Festival Unusual Sounds Gathering Volume 1”, a vinyl compilation created to celebrate the very upcoming second edition of Ombra Festival, that will take place next November 29th and 30th in different spots of Barcelona. Released in a one-off limited edition of 300 copies it includes unreleased material by some of the artists that joined Ombra Festival project and that majorly will be part of the scheduled Ombra Festival live shows. Featuring new music by The Present Moment, Celldöd, Psyche, RNXRX and We Are Not Brothers, “Ombra Festival Unusual Sounds Gathering Volume 1 Limited Edition EP” will be fully unveiled and shipped out next september 27th, coinciding with the press presentation of Ombra Festival 2019.

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VA – Ombra Festival Unusual Sounds Gathering Vol. 1 [OR64]

V.C.V.S – Hum [VODKAST003]

V.C.V.S. was founded by Irakli Shonia and Sandro Kozmanishvili in Tbilisi, in 2016. After spending considerable time together in the studio, the debut CD album ‘Sections from the Imaginary Future’ was released in May 2017 on label ‘Hanker”, containing more ambient/experimental music. After two intense years, Irakli and Sandro found new inspirations and ideas, which led them to return to the studio and record the EP called Hum in August 2018. DJ Sotofett made a variation of “Trapped in the Corner” together with Kalifornia Keke.

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V.C.V.S – Hum [VODKAST003]

AIR LQD – Repeat Itself [PRECEPT017]

Long overdue, here comes AIR LQD’s first full-length player, “Repeat Itself”, making up for the direct follow-up of his acclaimed vinyl debut released on the label in 2016. Mixing science fiction, social criticism and punk ethics in the most cryptic fashion, the latest entry in the discography of the taciturn Belgian groove-maker sees him pushing further his electronic experimentation. Delving into the meanders of the human consciousness through hazy and abrasive rituals, brainpowered by robotics, artificial intelligence and urban metamorphism. The weird looping echo of a man-machine drifting through a vortex of feral scratches and overworked machinery. Slowly moving towards the event horizon of a supermassive black hole, leading to unexpected aural aberrations full of hidden, past and new meanings. Giving a last disillusioned glance at our human condition facing technological progress and the toxicity of the outside world.

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AIR LQD – Repeat Itself [PRECEPT017]

Kris Baha – Palais [CDALP003]

‘Palais’ is a 12 track multi-faceted exploration of Kris Baha’s musical sensitivity. The one man band’s namesake LP title, ‘Palais’ is based around the concepts of alienation, detachment, melancholia and lust. All songs written, performed, recorded and mixed by Kris between 2015 – 2018 in Berlin, laced in his signature industrial sound. ‘Palais’ encompasses a range of shades from dance-floor works ‘ Living Nothingness’, ‘Brink Reality (Part 2)’ & ‘Non For The Sane’ to experimental cinematic undertones ‘You Told Yourself This Would Get Worse’. Also embodied are modern classics like the machine funk metallics of ‘Steel Sands’ and ‘Defied’, a year 2042 cyber punk hit. There’s even a dark room inspired theme for the black leather lovers. From his own batch of psychedelia to post-punk and electronic romanticism this album is full of surprises and we at Cocktail d’Amore Music are absolutely proud to present this outstanding work.

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Kris Baha – Palais [CDALP003]

Cosmo Vitelli – Un Episode Psychotique EP [DLM024]

Les Disques De La Mort presents the meaner side of Cosmo Vitelli. The aptly titled “Un Episode Psychotique” is disco gone wrong, italo with neurosis, straying from polished clichés, musical yet strangely anxiogen. This is turned into an Eighties monster by GOTT aka Sneaker and Scannoir. Their Creatio Instrumentalis is a cold funk monster.

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Cosmo Vitelli – Un Episode Psychotique EP [DLM024]

Jeremiah R – Tales from the Dark Reef [DW002]

Long before the electro revival sent producers scurrying into the studio to create their own Drexciya-inspired jams, Jeremiah R was ploughing his own intergalactic furrow for labels including Tabernacle, BAKK and Voodoo Gold. As this fine mini-album shows, he remains one of the most consistent electro producers in the business. The genius of “Tales From The Dark Reef” lies in the long-serving producer’s ability to craft shimmering, sci-fi focused electronic music that takes the aesthetic appeal of the best electro records – the intergalactic aural textures, sci-fi intent, skittish rhythms and futuristic synthesizer sounds – and applies them to a variety of Detroit and Chicago-influenced grooves and soundscapes.

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Jeremiah R – Tales from the Dark Reef [DW002]

The Hacker – Nancy [EE027RTM]

The Hacker needs no introduction. The 4-track 12-inch ‘Nancy’ on Electronic Emergencies finds him at his best – oscillating wildly from electro to new wave, his true musical roots. For the title track, he collaborated once more with post-punk hero Michael Zodorozny, vocalist of Crash Course in Science, resulting in a slippery wet dance floor killer. The three instrumental tracks have a gritty feel, breathing over the cold wave atmosphere.

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The Hacker – Nancy [EE027RTM]