VA – Palette EP [BBR15]

While perfectly fitting the deep house cabinet, this EP taps on various styles within this genre. Jayson Wynters sets the pace with Sherella’s Kiss; a powerful groove and beautiful chord pads embedded in an upbuilding percussive atmosphere. This is a very personal track from Jayson and this dedication to ‘Sherella’ is testimony to the immortality that can be found in the power of a soulmate. Italian artist Duccio delivers a melodic track with mediative vocals while Ukraine’s Kiddmisha gets his well deserved second appearance on Batti Batti with an immersive electro cut. Hailing from Chicago, the artist Weakmassive makes his debut to the label with a smooth acidic track which could be a perfect opening or an encore to a long night out.

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VA – Palette EP [BBR15]

The Working Elite – Bumper Cars [BIS035]

The Working Elite are Berlin-based spark plugs Thomas “Saap” Sabrowsky, of Extra Producktion, Terre des Pommes, ex-marine soldier, seasoned cook and barkeeper; and Daniel ”D´Lonely Al” Nentwig, who moonlights as The Whitest Boy Alive, co-directs Extra Produktionen, plays keyboard and electric bass for various outfits, and engineers at Berlin’s Butterama Recording Center. Suffice it to say, the pair have named their collaborative project suitably. The Working Elite create recreational music for dancers to shimmer through the days and nights of balmy season.

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The Working Elite – Bumper Cars [BIS035]

Jack Roland – Control: Applications [NATURAL022]

Jack Roland pulls apart the control mechanisms of the club environment and the way this living and breathing installation can be a tool of elevation or suppression. Using club sounds as instruments for this idea, ‘Control / Applications’ is a split release born out of Amsterdam’s warehouse scene, fusing together electro matrix rhythms, IDM, with warped hums and breaks used by dancers and performers heading up the rave. With a track on our Future Works III comp last year, this is his debut record on the label: a release challenging superstructures buried among the sweat particles of the floor.

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Jack Roland – Control: Applications [NATURAL022]

King Ende Shneafliet – Dimension Mix 01 [AD004]

Having previously released some rare solo material from Ende Shneafliet member Hanjo Erkamp AKA Dr. C. Stein, Artificial Dance is now serving up something special from the cult Dutch minimal wave band’s lesser-known side project, King Ende Shneafliet. The result is the first ever vinyl release of tracks from the outfit’s cult Dimension Mix series.

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King Ende Shneafliet – Dimension Mix 01 [AD004]

VA – Dynamics Of Pressure [VO001]

Vague Output is a party, collective and label out of Baltimore that opposes any teleological understanding of underground electronic music. The label debuts with a perfect collection of EBM, Italo, Synthwave, and Proto-Techno from Veleno Viola label head Francesco Baudazzi’s alter egos Violet Poison, Bakunin Commando, and Diana Berti.

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VA – Dynamics Of Pressure [VO001]

Innsyter – Magnetic Healing [CYN002]

Rough and ready machine tracks from Brazilian producer Innsyter (LA Club Resource). CYN002 picks up where Coletivo Vandalismo left off, channeling that same wild, DIY bedroom studio spirit across nine individual recordings. Opening with sprawling synth motifs fighting against a steady rhythm track, ‘Desintegrado’ sounds like an industrial dub punk trying to channel early Cluster or Moebius and strangely succeeding. The rest of the LP treats us to vaguely Drexciyan, subaquatic electro (‘Bries’) and twisted lo-fi minimalism with bonus eerie monologue samples (‘Superficial Love’). The one recurring theme on Magnetic Healing is Innsyter’s clear love for mournful, post-punk inspired melodies. It comes across loud and clear on almost every track yet never sounds tired. Things eventually draw to a close with the hopelessly romantic new wave instrumental ‘Forest Shaman’ – a short ballad for all those weary-eyed party-goers who stuck around til the sun came up.

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Innsyter – Magnetic Healing [CYN002]

Roger Van Lunteren – Rosa Dos Ventos [SOHASO017]

VAN LUNTEREN, Roger - Rosa Dos Ventos

Dutch-born German-raised Roger van Lunteren makes his debut on SoHaSo. Rosa Dos Ventos EP is a four-track story that oozes retro vibes and nostalgia for a past that never seems to have existed. Utilizing raw 80’s analog synths and humanoid acid lines he sets atmospheres that remind of Lynchian dreamscapes. It comes with a remix from Aroy Dee.

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Roger Van Lunteren – Rosa Dos Ventos [SOHASO017]

Autre – Everybody In The Past [ESP086]

Autre fell asleep in a gondola and awoke in the Krankenhaus. This is his first offering for the ESP Institute. Side A’s Everybody In The Past is sharp techno aimed for the alleys of your mind — gritty, driving, and melodic combinations of blown-out drums and classic electro riffs that relentlessly sprint for a good 4 minutes before a squelching arpeggio and angelic solo kick in — tugging the heartstrings and lighting a beacon for those noble morning dancers lost at the front left speaker, channeling from the deep. On Side B, Frigo completely dismantles any expectations you might have after listening to its predecessor. An undoubtedly seductive Samba rhythm comprised of distant snares, rim shots and cowbells holds together an aggressively active bassline, a steel drum harmony and synth solo that crawl all over like a funky worm. This track is truly something special, a gift for the prodigious selector — when dropped in the deserved context, it has the potential to unlock unprecedented levels of euphoria. These two songs are as fluid as a paintbrush yet precise as a scalpel.

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Autre – Everybody In The Past [ESP086]

VA – Eternal 1 [ATTICETERNAL01]

INSOLATE/ABSTRACT DIVISION/CLAUDIO PRC/ALLEN - Eternal 1: 10th Anniversary

Eternal is the new VA series that celebrates the 10th anniversary of Attic Music label and the city where it was born: Rome. The first episode of the series is signed by Insolate, Abstract Division, Claudio PRC and Allen.

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VA – Eternal 1 [ATTICETERNAL01]

Neel – Transition [TOKEN086]

Neel returns to Token with Transition. Conceptually based around four elements in the group known as the transition metals and recorded live in one take, each track is a mind-bending trip through the periodic table that retains the human touch of a live performance.

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Neel – Transition [TOKEN086]

Spiral Deluxe – Voodoo Magic [AX076]

As Electronic Music knows no creative boundaries, Spiral Deluxe is clearly a profound and convincing example of what is possible in the times we live in today. Traditionally, they would be considered a musical quartet. Each of the 4 members contributing to make a special joint effort – the meeting of minds from different spectrums of the musical sphere, but if you move in closer to examine how each have modified the way they communicate in order to play with each other, its astonishing because it shows a entirely new platform on how collaborating can be from now on. A longtime vision of their drummer/percussionist and Jeff Mills – yes, that Jeff Mills! Before becoming the world renown and groundbreaking DJ, producer and artist he is recognized for, he was a drummer in his youth, which carried on up until he began DJing in the late 1970s. Since then, he had always carried idea to get back to his musical roots. This longtime dream began to surface a few years ago when Mills was bestowed a “white card” residency at the Museum du Le Louvre in Paris. It was there that he found the opportunity to form a band for one night and it opened the doors to a chance to materialize his dream. Since then, the formation has carefully evolved into one might describe as a “super band” – a group of highly skilled musicians, working together to reach a higher level of creativity. For example, although members are using electronic instruments, there is no MIDI syncing connection. Each plays their instrument un-attached as if any Jazz or Rock band would play together. Each having a vast amount of experience in live and studio projects, this release displays their wealth of skill and musical knowledge that comes from Jazz, Funk, Pop, Gospel, Detroit Techno and all forms of House Music. Yumiko Ohno – Keyboard, Gerald Mitchell – Keyboard, Kenji “Jino” Hino – Bass Guitar, Jeff Mills – Drums and Percussion.

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Spiral Deluxe – Voodoo Magic [AX076]

The Lewis Express – The Lewis Express [ATA011]

Released on Leeds Jazz & Soul label ATA Records, the debut LP from The Lewis Express takes the rich legacy of the soul-jazz outfits of the 1960s as the initial blueprint of their sound. They present a collection of tracks that range from introspective spy film themes to burning Brazilian jazz. Primarily based in Leeds, The Lewis Express is comprised of many of the musicians that have graced previous ATA releases: George Cooper, Piano (Abstract Orchestra) Neil Innes, Bass (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill), Sam Hobbs, Drums (Dread Supreme, Tony Burkill, Matthew Bourne) and Pete Williams, Percussion (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill). Recorded over an intense two-day session by the band of the same name, “The Lewis Express” is a nod to the classic soul jazz recordings of The Young Holt Trio / Young-Holt Unlimited and Ramsey Lewis, from who this group take their name. But, delivered with a distinctly European feel. As with many of the classic Ramsey Lewis cuts, this album was recorded live, capturing the rich inter-relationship between the players.

vinyl / CD

The Lewis Express – The Lewis Express [ATA011]

VA – Convenanza 2018 [HNRBS001]

Last years (2017) edition of Convenanza festival featured Swedish band Fontan, who have released material on Hoga Nord Rekords, and that set the ground for a collaboration between the record label and one of the most interesting festivals around. The joint forces has resulted in the compilation album ‘Convenanza 2018’ containing this years (2018) acts. The contributors are: electro oozing duo The Woodleigh Research Facility, consisting of Andrew Weatherall and Nina Walsh, etno-minimalists Komodo Kolektif from Glasgow with, among others, Gordon Mackinnon who’s running the top quality label Invisible Inc. The more rock oriented side of ‘Convenanza 2018’ contains Berlin based Die Wilde Jagd, whose sound can be defined as some sort of post punk where strong chorus drenched basslines float upon a smooth electronic soundscape with both live drums and drum machines as the back bone to the beat. Wild Woman & The Savages could best be described as the result of an orgy between PIL and The Birthday Party! The Liminanas, with special guest Anton Newcombe, contribute to the collection a garage psych rock track suited for long hot drives through the dessert.

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VA – Convenanza 2018 [HNRBS001]

Blakk Harbor – Madares [BH001]

Debut double LP album from Blakk Harbor the Greek Berlin based artist and sound designer behind Native Instruments, Angelos Liaros. Soaring drones, dark ambiences and expertly crafted sound design. ‘Madares’ title derives from the actual dune mountains of Crete. This moonlike landscape a sacred land of ancient ceremonies and the main inspiration for the album concept, cover and artwork. Percussive samples and drones are created from traditional custom Cretan instruments (lute, skin drums, lyra, tsabouna) & world instruments (Tibetan bowls, gongs, dungchen horns) granulized to death drones through modular synths and hardware samplers. A black hole soundtrack that sucks you in tearing the fabric of space and time. Enter a ritualistic occult trip to the unknown.

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Blakk Harbor – Madares [BH001]

Savage Grounds – Es Un Flash Electrónico [FMR005]

SAVAGE GROUNDS - Es Un Flash Electronico EP

The new Femur release features the Swiss duo Savage Grounds, agents of a dirty, raw and miserable sound. ‘Es un flash Electronico’ is a true exercise of proximity and freshness combining mid-tempo landscapeses with stimulating accelerated bursts. The release consists of 3 original tracks and a remix by Esplendor Geometrico, which elevates the original called Ultima linea to another dimension.

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Savage Grounds – Es Un Flash Electrónico [FMR005]

Kluentah – Muskelbein [PSR004]

In the latest release from Public System Recordings, Kluentah (one half of Fallbeil) delivers a chalky electro smash with elongated snares and eerie chords passing from one end of the brain to the other, and to the floor. There is smooth vocal play as well as allowing for incoherent out of context speech samples that stab through minimal jumpy drum work. As diabolical and heavy as the hits and bass is, this enters the swath of dance floor records with a distinct flavor that sets itself above others’ execution. Full of sludgy breaks, there is a constant reduction even as sounds and samples are introduced, they enter the roving mulch in a stylish slide.

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Kluentah – Muskelbein [PSR004]