VA – Light Sounds Dark [LSD012]

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Light Sounds Dark continue their impeccably curated endeavours this year, with a self titled compilation put together by their ‘International Communication Network’ adding a sense of accomplishment to previous 2013 transmissions such as that collection of archival Mutant Beat Dance material and the superb Dark Matters Too compilation. Those whose pants were charmed off by that latter release will find much to enjoy and investigate on this double vinyl selection. An undisclosed international cast of record diggers from San Francisco, Chicago, London and Manerbio (that’s in Italian province Brescia in case you were wondering) have selected 16 tracks that feature Dutch tape experiments in sound, murky industrial punk, proto techno, abstract synth pop and more. Not quite sure about the fluorescent pink cover art though…..

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VA – Light Sounds Dark [LSD012]

Xiu / Spatial Relation – Split! [PM002]

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This release will be the second one from Peripheral Minimal, which is a split in between Oksana Rodinova (Xiu) and Spatial Relation (Lisette Schoenly and Jacob Schoenly). It demonstrates two vividly different, but equal tracks from the minimal synth uprising.

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Xiu / Spatial Relation – Split! [PM002]

Theo Parrish – Black Jazz Signature [SDGBJ1303LP]

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Arguably one of the world’s most important underground dance music producer/DJs lends his hands to selecting and mixing a set of jazz and funk records licensed from and originally released on the Black Jazz label 1971-1976. World renowned for his DJ sets, productions, and record label (Sound Signature), this Chicagoraised DJ is near impossible to pigeonhole. Revered by a wide spectrum of dedicated music fanatics, he is known for his edits of artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Roger Troutman, Nightlife Unlimited, as well as his otherworldly DJ sets, and his serious approach to DJ’ing as an art form. Theo gives special attention to fellow Chicago musicians The Awakening (3 consecutive tracks, 4 total on the mix), one of the best funk/fusion groups that the Black Jazz label released, and whose only output was on that label. The set itself is a masterful “2 turntables all vinyl” execution, a format that Theo is dedicated to – no mp3, no CDr, just the vinyl palette for the true aural experience. Sit back and be drawn into his world, hear things his way.

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Theo Parrish – Black Jazz Signature [SDGBJ1303LP]

The Trash Company – Modern Love [THUG015]

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There’s a really interesting story behind The Trash Company. A synaesthesia-affected solo artist who’s worked reclusively since the late 70s, his creations have only just begun to be discovered. Sitting right on the fringes of electro, funk and experimentalism; he is genuinely unique. Highlights across this collection of six previously unreleased tracks include the far away croons and whimsical trumpets on “Modern Love”, the sexual rhythmic moans and Dilla-style beats on “Hot Stripper” and, of course, the fuzzy lo-fi bar room blues of the title track.

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The Trash Company – Modern Love [THUG015]

VA – Omega Supreme presents Raw Silk Vol.1 [BT1008]

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A bona fide boogie buzz that whisks us right back to the synth-worshipping 80s, Raw Silk Volume 1 is a celebration of electronic music’s most formative flavours. Everything about this collection screams smoothness: from the bending synth lines and mooching squidgy bass of “Saturday Jam” to the smouldering falsettos of “Wanna Play Hooky” via the likes of “In Gear” and “Peak Of Summer”, two talkbox jams so sexy and funky they’d make Roger Troutman blush. A confident set that guarantees to warm your soul, the 80s is alive and well at Omega Supreme.

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VA – Omega Supreme presents Raw Silk Vol.1 [BT1008]

Rory Phillips – Mixed Fortunes #5 [MIXEDFORTUNES005]

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Rory Phillips’ ‘Mixed Fortunes’ singles series returns for it’s fifth outing, the penultimate instalment in the series. Opening track ‘Circuit‘ is a playful piece of analogue machine music, starkly contrasted by it’s flip, the sprawling ‘Rise Up’ which begins as a basement dub jam before evolving into.. well, you’ll see.

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Rory Phillips – Mixed Fortunes #5 [MIXEDFORTUNES005]

Stephen Encinas – Disco Illusion [ICE004]

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Invisible City Edition descend to even further depths and give us a fully re-mastered issue of this mythical treasure. For many this is the ultimate Disco Illusion; a record that should have been epoch making in its day, something that would have been a staple for David Mancuso, Larry Levan & Ron Hardy had it ever gotten distribution when it was originally released 34 years ago. Somehow time passed it by and it was only re-discovered in a warehouse in Trinidad last year. Since then it has been gaining momentum fast, with DJ support from Moodymann, MCDE, Floating Points & Kon, as well as original copies selling for four-digit sums. Part of the illusion is in the structure of the record. The A-side begins with beautiful, but relatively normal disco song, but suddenly an Egyptian sounding bridge turns the things inside out and the song opens up into a proto-house jam complete with bubbling Sun Ra synths and Black Ark tape delay action. The there’s the b-side, which sounds like Bob James after he had a taste of callaloo, with deep electronics and a mind-melting steel pan solo. Finally, thanks to Invisible City this record is getting the life it has always deserved. ”

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Stephen Encinas – Disco Illusion [ICE004]

DMX Krew – Hot Punch [FRESH012]

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The latest strictly limited edition 7” and digital release from Fresh Up Records, a label specialising in brand-new, old-sounding synth funk, Moog disco and library sounds. This time, Fresh Up founder Ed DMX brings us two synthy jams using his original DMX Krew name and 80s feel. ”Hot Punch” is just what you need to get your party started: an intoxicatingly spicy blend of vintage synths and catch melodies. ”My Metro” is a slightly slower laser-boogie instrumental featuring heavy drums and bass backing up some sweet synth and Rhodes grooving.

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DMX Krew – Hot Punch [FRESH012]

VA – EPM Selected Vol.2 [EPM032]

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Now a fully-fledged music label with over 30 releases to its name, EPM counts albums from Paul Mac, Carl Taylor, Kristian Heikkila, Lee J. Malcolm, Luis Martinez and The Third Man to its ever-expanding roster. ‘EPM Selected Vol 2’ is the second label snapshot, focussing on the techno side of the label’s output so far (with a couple of rare exclusives* thrown in for good measure).

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VA – EPM Selected Vol.2 [EPM032]