Squirrels On Film shares “Electric-Earthy-Esoteric” a haunted song cycle of kosmiche dark-wave/cold-rave sonic incantation from, Mexican born, Texas raised musician & DJ who currently resides in Vienna, Alyssa Auvinen Barrera aka LDY OSC. She uses synthesis, rhythm & voice to conjure layered compositions that draw from post-punk, techno, dub & underground synth-wave.
Pavel Fedoseev is KIKOK. As one of the few remaining members of the Komi tribe, he used the Komi words Ki (= arm) and Kok (= leg) as his brandname. Born in Kudymkar (capital of the Komi-Permyak nation) , now lives in Perm, no less than a 22-hour train journey east of Moscow, placing Fedoseev in what, he says, feels like cultural and social isolation. This 10 track album acts as a means to escape the monotonous cycle of his hometown. KIKOK works on this album with Loua (Luciana Russo) an electronic music producer based in Amsterdam. She’s taking care of vocals and voice snippets. The end result is a record that sounds both propulsive and hypnotic, an album that sounds like moving forward and in circles at the same time. Rich lashings of synthesisers pulse over beats that switch between techno thump and restrained ambience, with tracks seamlessly moving from dance floor stomp to woozy comedown let-up. Russian Rave Pop at it’s best. Perm is a disgusting city,” says KIKOK of his hometown. “It’s dirty, boring and rough. I’m afraid of walking outside; that’s why I sit at home and watch movies and make music.”
It’s a little unclear of the intentions behind London-based Japanese duo Afrobuddha’s name, but on their first release they were certainly working in collaboration with African musicians. Afrobuddha’s two previous 12”s came out in the first half of the last decade, and have since become highly sought after. Mysticisms now gathers the tracks together on this 12”, leading in with ‘Obame’, which was originally recorded with the Kakatsitsi Drummers in Accra, Ghana. Both the original and the dub mix channel a powerful Afrobeat flavour, with the source material from the Ghanaian singers and players front and centre of the mix. ‘Zone’ takes things back into a more club-oriented sphere, with plenty of synth layers and some nimble hand drumming from Davide Salvietti, which of course comes to the fore on the purely percussive ‘Drum Mix’.
American label Peoples Potential Unlimited has cared out its own superb niche in the world of heart aching, lo-fi funk. But here a new catalogue number seems to suggest a new series. It kicks off with French collective Spaced Out Krew and their timeless, boogie driven disco funk. The music was written during 2020 by Spleen3000 and Marius Cyrilou of Cee-O-Funk. There are starry-eyed melodies, rasping basslines and curious vocals that all add up to a nice cosmic disco sound.
5 tracks of pure heat of various styles from members of The Black Lodge global family. A1 is entitled “Atmospheres” from the ever-talented Michigan producer JTC aka Tadd Mullinix [Bopside/Nation/Ghostly]. A2, entitled “Arreskni” comes from newer Chilean artists MU-GA, a track we released in digital format last year from their debut EP. Finishing off the A-side is Italian super-duo Sons Of Traders [SOT/Frigio/Black Lodge] aka Tans X Mike Tansella Jr. with the acidic cut “Indianapolis” also released last year by BL on tape and digitally from their first full length album entitled “Crollo Nervoso”. Side B blasts off with the early Chicago house inspired track “Passion” by prolific Dresden producer Sneaker [Uncanny Valley/Rat Life/Frigio]. Closing off the comp is a dirty warehouse banger/burner by e-spirit, a new alias from LA producer Delivery [LA Club Resource/Valcrond Video.
Maelstrom links up with newcomer CT Kidobó for a deep exploration of raw, violent analogue electro on the fifth instalment of the Dalmata Daniel Split series. The opening track sets the tone for what to expect in the next twenty minutes: 16T50 is like the soundtrack of a spaceship escaping from a cosmic imperial incident, trying to dodge the unknown anti-pleasures lurking in every corner of the dark nebula. RSZALCAXN then creates a strong gravitational field of confidence with its heavyweight instrumentation, sending the message that the desertion mission was successful but staying vigilant is still inevitable. CT Kidobó picks up where the Frenchman named after the wild vortex left off: the ever-tense Dark City wraps itself around a single powerful and metallic leitmotif, holding our attention while William Gibson nods appreciatively in the background, on the autumn streets drenched in tired neon lights. Finally, the Primer, which starts airy and gradually thickens, brings the calm and release we have been longing for all along, but which may not last long in this universe constantly shaped by gargantuan forces.
The 303’s Third Pattern contains even more acid and acidic techno masterpieces from Unknown Artists. Although minimalistic when quickly checked, these tracks contain immense depth when given a proper listen and you know a proper soundsystem will reveal all these so important details for sure.
As part of the legendary Canadian label Unidisc’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, Lime’s 1983 HI-NRG masterpiece is back with a super-fresh 2021 re-rub from the one and only Tiga.’Angel Eyes’ was a hit notched up by husband and wife duo Lime (aka Denis & Denyse LePage), a driving vocoder heavy synth fest with whiplash electronic drums and serious attitude to boot that can turn any discotheque into throbbing sweaty hysteria. Rounding up the release is Tiga, whose darker edged and chopped up poppy remix takes ‘Angel Eyes’ into altogether different territory.
Craft Recordings and Soulwax celebrate Pride by producing a fresh and joyful remix of Sylvester’s 1978 disco classic, ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’.
Deep down in the sediment – you will find the element – of human being error. CLEAR006 is the cure. The next edition of cooperations, cross-overs and contemplations on current events brings you the soundtrack for the basements in which you will be allowed to go to again soon. Enjoy this blend of dystopian funk, battle ship movements and laid-back tributes while it’s still cold (-80°).
Captain Mustache is stepping forth with a new release on Return To Disorder, kicking off with the massive ‘Danger’ featuring certifiable legend Paris The Black Fu on vocal duties. ‘Floorwax’ is also packing some club scene clout into its electro fantasy, with the mighty Foremost Poets sneaking some spooky lyrics into the mix. On the flip, ‘Floorwax’ gets remixed by Cardopusher and Hrdvision, who respectively jack the track up and freak it right out, widening the scope of the record without leaving the seedy ambience Return To Disorder prefers to lurk in.
Cosmic disturbances cause emotions to run free throughout the local system on Cignol’s acid-laced Craigie Knowes debut. ”Misaligned Logic” is shaped in Cignol’s signature electro sound across the 4-track EP.
7 piece instrumental soul group from Melbourne, Australia featuring members from Karate Boogaloo, Surprise Chef and Saskwatch. Produced by Henry Jenkins, the recording mind behind Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, Waiting Room moves deftly through moments of fuzzed-out psychedelia, dusty deep soul backbeat and incendiary minor key funk.
The first new album from Les Filles de Illighadad in four years At Pioneer Works is the highly anticipated new album by the Tuareg Avant-rock group. Les Filles de Illighadad recorded the album in Brooklyn at the tail end of a two-year-long world tour. At Pioneer Works finds Les Filles at the height of their powers, creating a sound that transcends all known genres. This is a heavy and meditative set of music from one of the world’s most exciting bands.
The question ‘Who is DJ Steve?’ gets closer to being answered with the exciting release of his second EP on Klasse Wrecks. WRECKS036 brings more of the heat that DJ Steve is becoming known for. Direct lines are traced to back the formative years of UK Rave and Bleep music, production techniques are kept stripped back and faithful to the classic combinations of those numbers 808, 909, 303 and 101. ‘Secret Touch’ is a melting pot of acid lines, perfectly placed chord stabs and atmospherics that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Sheffield warehouse in 1992. The three original tracks are backed up with a hypnotic and perfectly grooved-out remix from Klasse Wrecks boss Luca Lozano.
Here we have the 3rd & final installment of Windy City (Feat. Moot Booxle) “Acid Funk” series. Once again, Moot lends his amazing keyboard skills to Windy City’s space disco excursions.
Gensi AKA András Genser deploys a trio of smooth and inspiriting cuts on the ‘Primavera 707’ EP. The title track gets the remix rub from British brothers Decius. ‘Primavera 707’ is tinged with a gloss and sheen, and a pop edge, that stays on the right side of classy. Heavenly melodies skit around an effervescent vocal, as Gensi distributes bubbly acid lines and expansive synths that elegantly crescendo.
Oráculo Records joins forces with Wrong Era to release the vinyl debut of the Lithuanian young act Ton Globiter. In between techno, ebm and new beat, his sound is fresh and overwhelming, ready to fire up any dance floor. It includes remixes by Kris Baha and Synths Versus Me to complete a ballistic weapon EP.
ABRAXAS is the activist techno side project of Damià Llorens , alma matter of We Are Not Brothers. Self-defined as “activism trough music, promoting social, political, economical and environmental changes in our fucking capitalist society towards a greater good”, his vinyl debut is about real punk attitude on the 21th century. Including collaborations by Nightcrawler, Univac and José Rodríguez”.
The debut album of the Greek one-man project HERE-X contains everything we could expect from a leading modern post-punk act. Cold wave ambiances fulfilled with sumptuous guitar riffs and beautiful synth lines surrounded by exuberant vocals.
The Hipodrome Of Music 