Broken English Club – The English Beach [LIES094]

British techno veteran Oliver Ho has released some fine material as Broken English Club since debuting the alias back in 2014. The English Beach, Ho’s second BEC full-length and first for L.I.E.S, is the audio equivalent of a trip to a run-down North Sea coastal resort on a wet Wednesday in November. Full of end-of-days electronics, stripped-back industrial techno, moody minimal wave shufflers and bubbly EBM workouts, it’s as authentic a tribute to early ’80s electronic experimentalism as you’re likely to hear all year. Highlights include the Nitzer Ebb style bounce of “Pylon”, the foreboding, desolate electronica of “Rust Ballad”, the angry electro moodiness of “Carrion” and the rolling, organ-laden autumnal bliss of “The English Beach”.

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Broken English Club – The English Beach [LIES094]

Smersh – M Appeal EP [KH008]

Archive tracks from this much revered New Jersey duo. We assume both the originals were recorded in the mid 80s. Nieuwegein’s most warped mind Parrish Smith, on remix duty. ”Smersh was the project of Mike Mangino and Chris Shepard. Together they recorded more than 30 albums throughout the 80’s and early 90’s. Their vision: rehearsal at monday night, record their improvisations, no live performances, only albums.

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Smersh – M Appeal EP [KH008]

Qual – Cupio Dissolvi [AV!046]

Lebanon Hanover’s bassist William Maybelline is back with his solo project. Qual strikes back with a three-track 12′ maxi-single. Each one of these new songs explore a different dimension of Maybelline’s approach to Body/Wave electronics. The title-track Cupio Dissolvi is what we may already call classic Qual: gloomy and throbbing, synth-driven and labyrinthine. A Bloody Blob explores new martial slants, with war-like timpani and a marching robot gait. Rape Me in the Parthenon is a 8 minute long dancefloor mayhem anthem scanned by some pounding techno drumbeat and EBM snare and pads.

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Qual – Cupio Dissolvi [AV!046]

Steffi – Fabric 94 [FABRIC187]

Given that there have been 93 previous editions of Fabric’s long-running mix series, you’d think DJs would struggle to find a new angle. Steffi, though, has had no such problems. The Berlin-based Dutchwoman has flipped the script by commissioning all 16 tracks especially for the mix. It’s a neat trick and works well, with the result being a typically impressively put-together stroll through a myriad of techno, house, IDM and electro-related sounds. There are two exclusive Steffi collaborations (one with Martyn as Doms and Deykers, the other with Shed), alongside seriously good cuts from pals Dexter (solo and alongside Virginia), Late Night Approach, Answer Code Request, Privacy and UAS.

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Steffi – Fabric 94 [FABRIC187]

Heinrich Dressel – The Styx Swamp [BAR014]

DRESSEL, Heinrich - The Styx Swamp

Roman producer (and a force behind MinimalRome label) Valerio Lombardozzi known as Heinrich Dressel returns to Barba with a second release for our label, titled “The Styx Swamp”. Heinrich has a unique way of combining classic techno and electro sounds with elements from the beloved Drexcyan universe and John Carpenter leitmotifs, and making them come together in a manner that both moves your body and pushes your mind beyond the point of awareness. “Gray Slope”, “Sailing The Nether Waterways” and “The Styx Swamp” are all quite moody and deep, rich with sound and thick with vibe. However, the tracks feel equally at home in 4 am techno situation and a heady afterhours affair. He truly is a master of crafting hybrids whose influences get so flawlessly embedded that it’s hard to point them out. If that’s not enough, “The Styx Swamp” got a treatment by Nigel Rogers aka Perseus Traxx, a multi-faceted producer and a mighty live act performer. Nigel stayed respectful to the original but made the original’s bouncy groove into something more direct and reduced, while retaining the same feel conditioned by lead synth’s hypnotic quality.

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Heinrich Dressel – The Styx Swamp [BAR014]

D’Marc Cantu – The Lodge [AMR038L]

After a quiet 2016 which saw the label release only a single EP, Altered Moods Recordings launches the first in a steady stream of releases for 2017. With “The Lodge”, AMR has joined forces with techno and jakbeat wunderkind D’Marc Cantu. On this double-12, he shows us and the world his more melodic, deeper side, while still maintaining a sense of urgency and a fingerhold on the jakbeat throughout.

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D’Marc Cantu – The Lodge [AMR038L]

Antoni Maiovvi – It Isn’t All Peach Cream Buddy [DM002]

The second Driftmusic release coming from Antoni Maiovvi. Further explorations of the deepest roots of Avrokosm, where occult still means hidden. Three cuts of electronic will, from the primordial ooze with a desire to simply be. Out of the gate, crown of light, come on, come on, this is now. Twisted 808s, melodic tripmuzik seduction, like the flares of 1000 suns. Swim through space with us.

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Antoni Maiovvi – It Isn’t All Peach Cream Buddy [DM002]

DECA – Alkaidb [DECA002]

Originally released in 1986, “Alkaid” was the first solo release of DECA following his debut appearance on the cult various artists compilation “Angelo Segreti”. The original edition was published in a tiny edition on the independent Italian label Videoradio and to this day remains a rare and sought after album. Following Mothball and Bordello’s continued work with DECA, they make this diverse and fascinating collection of music available to a wider audience. On this instrumental LP we can hear elements of modern classical, synth-pop, dark ambient and even some middle eastern influence.

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DECA – Alkaidb [DECA002]

Carl & Carol Jacobs – Yonge Street Jam Band [ERC042]

An update of Robot Jam’s music and riddim in a true Caribbean sense, Yonge Street is a freestyle remix and comes in the original’s Parts 1 & 2, plus a special Discomix by rising tape manipulator, Jonny 5. Following Robot Jam on Crosby Records, the Jacobs’ husband and wife team released a series of soca 12”s for Eddy Grant’s Ice Records in the following years. However, come 1988 and they decided to return to the electro flavours that had garnered considerable interest, reworking the Robot Jam tapes to create a new version for release on Straker’s Records in Brooklyn. Running for over 30 years from the early 70s to late 90s, Granville Straker’s label was a cornerstone of the soca scene releasing main stays, reggae stars and what have become highly sought rarities such as Yonge Street and The Rebles’ Sweetest Taboo. In Yonge Street again the cut-up samples are there, topped with a fresh bass line and Carl’s own rap attack. While Part 1 acts as straight up vocal version, Part 2 swerves towards scat-megamix stylings that work in their own right. However, as with the ”Disco Giant” series of 2015, this one-off return hands the tapes over for a modern reinterpretation. With acclaimed releases for Bahnsteig 23 and Power Cuts, plus an upcoming EP for Pleasure Wave, Jonny 5 has finally made the leap from respected CBS Forum oracle, DJ and collector with a penchant from dub to obscuro European cold wave and post punk oddities to finally sit in the producer’s chair. After sending the label a personal mix made for his own use, he was hauled in to the studio to officially cut, mix, arrange and dub a long-form Discomix in the truest sense that perfectly creates a dance floor retake that might well be heard from boat parties off the Dalmatian cost to the open air street parties of Sao Paulo and all over festivals across the green fields of Europe.

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Carl & Carol Jacobs – Yonge Street Jam Band [ERC042]

Francisco & Cosmo – Lineabeat Vol. 4 [SLOMO031]

The fourth volume of the strictly for retro club use series Lineabeat sees two of our most prolific producers deliverer the goods on a double a-side release. A pair of slick electro-disco chuggers that blend the familiar with contemporary and will fit into a wide variety of DJ’s sets.

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Francisco & Cosmo – Lineabeat Vol. 4 [SLOMO031]

Baaz – Two (For You) [OFFICE011]

Baaz from Berlin gives us further insight into his diverse musical interests with his ‘Two (For You)’ EP on Office. As the title suggests the talented producer splits his musical activity into two genres on this record: One is deep and moody Techno with a knack for strong sub bass and soft pads. And the other one is striking Ambient with a wonderful appreciation of moving melodies and mellow chords combined with touching vocal parts. What is remarkable how well these four carefully building tracks go together and how effortless they further underline Baaz’ artistic vision of reduced and understated electronic music which unfolds slowly but emphatically. A respectable new record which is well worth opening yourself to.

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Baaz – Two (For You) [OFFICE011]

VA – Musica Per L’Immagine [FBNMLP001]

With Fly by Night Music now celebrating their fifth year of operation, Lorenzo has marked the occasion by assembling his biggest project to date – an impeccably curated collection of obscure Italian production music circa 1974 – 1985. The project, nearly a year in the making, has been very close to Lorenzo’s heart – beginning unexpectedly in the record fairs of Buenos Aires and leading him on several trips to Rome and Milan, tracking down the original musicians and licensors. ”In this compilation, I have tried to include some of the most interesting cuts I have collected over the years. Tracks like the entirely electronic ”Nitrogen” from Alberto Baldan Bembo’s ”Sound Orchestra” LP on Star Track Records, featuring a wild evolving bassline leading us through frantic rhythmic experimentations. ”In the Space”, by French born composer Albert Verrecchia and taken from Italian poliziesco drama ‘Il Tempo Degli Assasini’ (Season for Assasins), tells the tale of wistful longing, played out with serenity on strings and keys, but unexpected interruption from its stop-start arrangement brings an unforeseen tension into the mix… And how could I not include the wonderfully charming ”Screw Driver” by Fabio Fabor, from his collaborative album ”Superman” with a young Antonio Arena. Featuring an orchestra of beautifully programmed ARP and Oberheim sonorities alongside the Commodore 64 programmed graphical artwork by Antonio Arena himself.” The music itself was partly sourced from Lorenzo’s own collection, archived and then restored especially for this release. Where possible, tracks (such as ”Vision”, ”Nitrogen” and ”Blue Magnolia”) have been lifted directly from the original master tapes kindly lent by the repertoire owners. Every track, however, has been carefully restored, remastered and cut for vinyl by the cautious hands of Andreas [LUPO] Lubich at Calyx Mastering, Berlin.

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VA – Musica Per L’Immagine [FBNMLP001]

Joao Donato & Seu Trio – Muito A Vontade [GB002LP]

Go! Bop! present a reissue of Joao Donato & Seu Trio’s Muito À Vontade, originally released in 1962. Joao Donato is a legend of Brazilian jazz and Latin music and this is his legendary debut album. The well-skilled performance speaks of a great routine each musician has, but there is so much fire and hunger to be found within the compositions. The listener will experience rather relaxed slow jazz tunes with an obvious bossa nova groove and a leading piano that takes off from the backing rhythm of drums and standing bass. On the other hand, there are tunes with wicked piano staccato lines and a powerful rhythmic drive that is rooted in Latin music, but shoots forward on a ray of energy. The tunes are well composed and have a memorable structure that distinguishes them from the beginning free jazz hype back in the day. Joao Donato and his mates in the trio were jazzy boys, but they were also songwriters. Catchy melodies were as important as a great and skillful performance. The combination of both sides of jazz, and the crossover with Latin sounds, makes Muito À Vontade a special album, with other greats to follow. Muito À Vontade stands out as a landmark. If you feel that it is time for an equally relaxed, but exciting jazz record to enchant you, here you go. A sweet reissue of a classic from the early ’60s. Joao Donato and his trio play it rather smoothly but their passion hits you automatically after a short while listening. Even the slower tunes offer twists and turns that leave you feeling amazed.

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Joao Donato & Seu Trio – Muito A Vontade [GB002LP]

Marvis Dee – Midnight Dreams [VG003]

Although best known for producing alien electro, Jeremiah R also makes evocative deep house under the lesser-known Marvis Dee alias. Here he pops up on Voodoo Gold with a mini album’s worth of woozy goodness. The Rotterdam based producer brings us again a record full of warm, tape driven tracks. Highly recommended for lovers of a mixture of lo-fi 80’s cassette machine funk and groovy synth boogie.

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Marvis Dee – Midnight Dreams [VG003]

CCO – Road To The Stars [PF014]

Photic Fields usher a new name into the fold, Switzerland’s Contra Communem Opinionem aka CCO. The Lux Rec and Mathematics alumni arrives with The Road to the Stars, five tracks of his trademark acid elegance. The ferocity of the 303 has been sheathed, percussion pared down with lush chords and deep warmth being the focus. House is the foundation from which CCO builds. Those time honoured sounds support cascading melodies and fragile keys for a 12″ that borders between armchair abstraction, floor funk and the night sky.

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CCO – Road To The Stars [PF014]

Massiande – Freedom EP [PHONICAWHITE016]

Phonica’s white label series returns with a real deep house excursion by Chilean producer Massiande in the form of his ‘Freedom EP’. The title track ‘Freedom’ launches the EP attempts to recreate an aural scenery of flying exploration centred on a spacey synth line and an almost Detroit techno bassline. ‘Be With Me’ starts with an almost Mr Fingers-esque groove before melodic elements take over.’Straight’ is more of a straight-up dancefloor track with obvious elements from US house from the 90s, clipped Chandler-esque beats, nagging stabs and a vocal sample ‘Gonna take you to another land, where there is no race’, going straight to a place where you can allow yourself to be free on the dancefloor. Many ’90s U.S. American House and Garage influences go through this track, which brings us to the final track, the epic ‘Ode To A Tortured Soul’. Deeply melancholic with an end-of-night feel with its own flute solo, channelling Frankie Knuckles ‘The Whistle Song’ or Flow’s Bottom Line classic ‘ Another Time’.

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Massiande – Freedom EP [PHONICAWHITE016]