VA – Momentum: 10 Years Of Token [TOKEN78LP]

Over the last 10 years Token Records has grown steadily, both in size and stylistic breadth. The aptly-titled Momentum comes as a celebration of the close-knit family of artists amassed throughout the label’s running. The record is a fitting collaborative project, with every track on the album produced by two longstanding and well-respected artists from the label’s roster and especially commissioned for the release. This type of collaboration is intended to showcase the specific sound of the label, developed through 10 years of careful curation, as well as bringing out the individual identities of the artists involved.

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VA – Momentum: 10 Years Of Token [TOKEN78LP]

C.P. Smith – DJ Tools Vol​.​1 – 808 Tracks [CPU00110110]

CPU’s homage to the Roland TR-808, the drum machine ubiquitous on binary imprint. CPU label boss Chris Smith has meticulously rebuilt the drum tracks of classic electro funk records known for their pioneering and influential use of the 808. Strictly for DJs and MCs, this is an essential tool for remixing, looping or laying vocals over. Cut loud and ready for battle.

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C.P. Smith – DJ Tools Vol​.​1 – 808 Tracks [CPU00110110]

Nackt – Private Property Created Crime [LHP003]

San Francisco label Left Hand Path’s latest record is a contemporary techno opus, featuring four tracks, each with a distinct sound and feel, designed to set off a dancefloor and invigorate your stereo. Cool dripping Electro cuts from Johnny Igaz aka Nackt.

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Nackt – Private Property Created Crime [LHP003]

Guy Contact – Guy Contact [BF001]

Bitterfeld is most known for their production of drain-pipes, paper-roofing and it’s amazing chemical production industry but it’s a little known fact that Bitterfeld are also responsible for the production of amazing music. Some 900 years after the city’s foundation they’ve finally found the time to establish a music label to reflect the city’s rich musical heritage. The first release comes from Guy Contact. Expect chemical influenced electro, acid and house.

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Guy Contact – Guy Contact [BF001]

CN – The Expedition Beyond [FPR003]

Future Primitive is back with an immersive new LP from CN, whose approach to electro comes loaded with analog fuzz and a wistful vision of science-fiction sounds. Originally a cassette release on Wil-Ru Records in 2011 ”The Expedition Beyond” is a musical narrative that chronicles the astral travels of a star-craft and it’s crew through the outer reaches of the Galaxy. 10 tracks of cosmic acid funk, drifty nebulous synth-scapes and robo-centric electro.

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CN – The Expedition Beyond [FPR003]

Neil Landstrumm – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon

CPU and dance music’s polymath Neil Landstrumm share a love for classic bleep techno, hence Landstrumm has brought to the table four superb reminders of the criminally short lived genre. With spine tingling melodies reminiscent of 808 State’s best work, and sub-bass worthy of LFO’s bass-bin shaking reputation – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon perfectly encapsulates not only Landstrumm’s influences but also his deep seated love for bleep. A labour of love which the Sheffield based imprint has been only all too happy to encourage and hopes will keep the genre alive for generations to come.

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Neil Landstrumm – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon

Further Reductions – Disparate Elements [KH011]

New York City based Further Reductions is the live project from husband and wife Shawn (aka Vapauteen, 400ppm, Let Er Est) and Katie O’Sullivan (aka Rose E Kross, ppG). Back in 2014 they released their gorgeous debut album on Cititrax records. The album was an adventurous trip, where they pushed forward a unique sound. After all those years there will be a follow up to this EP on Knekelhuis. Expect a fusion of different sounds, grimy and pretty at the same time.

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Further Reductions – Disparate Elements [KH011]

6D22 – Dragons Path [MNSX011]

Enter the Dragon. Adding mystique to the techno are these pulsating, arpeggiated, snarling beasts from the Italian producer with an ominous-sounding remix by Heinrich Mueller aka Gerald Donald of Drexicya. Track titles refer to the journeys of the Sky Dragon (A1), Yellow Dragon (A2) and Dragon King (B1/B2) as they soar and serpentine majestically underwater and beyond the clouds.

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6D22 – Dragons Path [MNSX011]

Spencer & Saginaw – Real Talk [PGS002]

The second release from Hamtramck, Michigan’s Portage Garage Sounds is an acid/ambient EP by Detroit’s Bill Spencer and Zachary Saginaw (also known as Shigeto), featuring narration by Walter Williams (also known as ZelooperZ).

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Spencer & Saginaw – Real Talk [PGS002]

Middle East Travellers

We are taking a week off and escaping the cold Romanian weather to enjoy the warm climate of the Middle East. We will do some travelling around Israel and Palestine (the West Bank), visiting some remote locations, the Dead Sea, the desert and also cities.

Continue reading “Middle East Travellers”

Middle East Travellers

VA – Africa Airways Four: Disco Funk Touchdown 1976-1983 [ASVN040]

To date, each volume in Africa Seven’s thrilling Africa Airways compilation series has been little less than essential. It goes without saying that this fourth installment is also exceptionally good. Whereas previous volumes have focused on Afro-funk and “Afro-psych” (think Sly Stone, Nigerian style), this set drills down into African disco-funk released between 1976 and ’83. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the solo-laden, slap bass-boasting bounce of Tala AM’s “Get Up Tchamassi” and Charly Kingson’s squelchy, synth-laden Blaxploitation number “Nimele Bolo”, to the righteous, piano-driven thrills of Kemayo and K-System’s brilliant “Biram” and the superior boogie business of Jake Sollo’s “Tinini Yasana”.

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VA – Africa Airways Four: Disco Funk Touchdown 1976-1983 [ASVN040]