Brina – Stranamore [DSM002]

The second release of Disco Segreta – catalogue number DS M 002 – is titled “Stranamore” and comes after the successful release of the first label imprint “Andromeda”, already turned into an underground disco classic. Sung in italian by mysterious singer Brina, “Stranamore” and “Per Te” are two italo-disco tracks written in the ’80s by Mario Baldoni (aka Miro) of the “Safari of Love” fame: a teenage girl shares her heartbreak, then it’s just the instant magic of italo, italian language and those synthesizers, in a freeze-frame taking back to that spring of 1984 with the car windows open, listening to the radio, waiting for summer to arrive.

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Brina – Stranamore [DSM002]

Massimiliano Pagliara – Connection Lost Pt. 2 [UV038]

For the second part of his “Connection Lost” series Massimiliano Pagliara teaches a lesson in how to translate Disco music in a modern language of sound. Without further ado “Trying To Hide But Then I Cried” comes across as pure dance floor material. Above a drum-fueled foundation various synths swell up and down while the bassline is pumping steadily for an irresistible groove. “If You Were Here” on the other hand benefits from similar ingredients but has a rather dreamy feel to it. Thanks to its elegiac pads and pensive synth melodies. “Ukulele Groove” takes its time to build things up but when the bassline and those distinctive synth stabs come in you can’t help but hope for a never ending summer. The final word here is “No More Love To Follow” featuring the vocal talents of Matthew Morris, a slow progressing, gloomy Disco ode to the ups and downs of love.

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Massimiliano Pagliara – Connection Lost Pt. 2 [UV038]

DimDJ – DimDJ TH04 [TH004]

DimDj has no control over his life. Machines, records and noise boxes took over years ago. This is more than confirmed by this 5-track journey from acid techno to the old-school electro and further to Kuno’s dystopia, who delivers a complete acidic rework over PTN1.

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DimDJ – DimDJ TH04 [TH004]

Dexter St. Jacques – Ancient Way of Knowing [SEQ013]

Solo outings from Africans With Mainframes member Noleian Reusse are relatively rare. Here he dons a brand new alias, the Eddie Murphy-referencing Dexter St Jacques, and sets off on a techno trip into the ether. Opener “Laamb” [sic] is a curious but alluring beast, with undulating synthesizer and acid lines riding a fizzing, almost bubbly drum machine rhythm. It feels like electronic jazz with techno drums, yet it’s not overtly jazzy. There’s a similar feel about the more distorted “Temporal Understanding”, where rising and falling melodies lines and winding electronics compete for attention over a hissing drum machine groove.

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Dexter St. Jacques – Ancient Way of Knowing [SEQ013]

Konstantin Tschechow – Alpha Omega [RAT008]

Little is known about Konstantin Tschechow, the first and last time we met was around the turn of the millennium in the small city of Koenigsbrueck in the far east of Germany. It was during one of my regular night strolls through the countryside, when I ran into him accidentally. He was standing there in the middle of nowhere leaning on the fence of a train yard where he was, as he said “recording silence”. I found that very interesting and we got to talk to each other. After a long conversation about everybody and his dog we found out that we were both Grandsons of Afrika Bambaataa. We planned to hang out more often so we exchanged phone numbers and he gave me a CDR with some of his recordings before he disappeared. A couple of weeks later I called him up to ask if we could meet, but he told me that he had to leave the country because the local authorities found out that he illegally immigrated from Aldebaran. Before I could say “to hell with this fascist state!!!” the connection was interrupted. I tried to call again, but he must have dumped his phone to make sure nobody could track him down. That was the last time I ever heard from him. A few years ago, there were rumors of him being the sound man for reincarnated John Lennon on various tours around Galaxy Mt23, unfortunately I could never afford tickets to find out. One lucky day in 2015 I found the CDR that he gave me on our first and only meeting ever. I discovered 5 tracks and instructions to release them in the year 2016 during a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.

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Konstantin Tschechow – Alpha Omega [RAT008]

VA – Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016 [BP20167]

VARIOUS - Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016

Founded 20 years ago, Blueprint Records has remained one of the true driving forces behind British techno. To celebrate this special anniversary label founder James Ruskin and Blueprint friends have created a compilation of brand new music to celebrate this landmark. These exclusive tracks are released here as the ‘20 Years Of Blueprint Compilation’ limited edition box-set, with a collection of four clear vinyl records as well as poster and sticker inserts.

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VA – Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016 [BP20167]

VA – Infrastructure Facticity [INF022]

Function & Inland’s Infrastructure introduces its next milestone – Facticity. A 4×12” vinyl box set, CD and digital compilation featuring 15 tracks by key artists, label colleagues and new faces. Function, Inland, Campbell Irvine, Post Scriptum, Cassegrain & Tin Man, Rrose, Efdemin, Vatican Shadow, Silent Servant, Blue Hour, Steve Bicknell and Cleric all feature, spinning a narrative ranging from lush, ambient electronics and post-club diversions, to contemporary club techno and back again. Carefully curated as an album, Facticity represents the foundations of what Infrastructure stands for – a manifesto for 2016 and beyond.

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VA – Infrastructure Facticity [INF022]

Omar-S – Desert Eagle [AOS902]

New Omar-S 12″ on his own FXHE Records. Side A, “Desert Eagle” is the type of melodic track that just makes you feel good, with floaty keys over a consistent bass line to keep the feet moving. On the flip is, “Cry Me A River” – a simple yet effective house track that relies on 909 drums, a dusty vocal sample, and strings to put you over the edge.

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Omar-S – Desert Eagle [AOS902]

VA – First Chapter [VM001]

YAKINE/TELURIC/SUCIU - First Chapter

Vade Mecum is the latin for a handbook that is intended to be carried at all times. The new Bucharest based label, a sublabel from Stomping Grounds curated by Jay Bliss, aims for the same thing, putting together for the first release three tracks that trancend time and genres. Tracks by French producer Yakine and the Romanians Teluric and Suciu.

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VA – First Chapter [VM001]

Benales – Elements EP [SINO031]

Born in Normandy (France), and now based in Paris, Benales aka Benjamin Morales has been honing his craft since the end of the 90s. An avid record collector and enthusiast of Techno and House – his DJ sets and tracks combine the raw, dark and deep elements of these musical forms with a firm nod in the direction of Detroit. Now he brings his debut release, a 4 track EP, featuring raw, straight techno tools.

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Benales – Elements EP [SINO031]

Steven Tang – Infintesimal [EMP017]

TANG, Steven - Infinitesimal

Surprisingly, this is Steven Tang’s first 12″ in some two years (under his own name), and marks his first appearance on Emphasis Recordings (an imprint he founded way back in 1998) since 2011. Happily, it was worth the wait, because Infintesimal is amongst the Chicagoan’s best worth to date. Heavily influenced by vintage Detroit techno, its’ four tracks take in rolling creepiness (“Approaching Theory”), shimmering blends of Larry Heard style deep house and Motor City futurism (“Escaping Thoughts”), deep and spacey dancefloor bliss (“Verged (Obsolete Mix)”), and retro-futurist techno sweatiness (the undulating chords and hissing cymbals of title track “Infintesimal”). In other words, it’s a fine EP packed full of floor-friendly gems.

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Steven Tang – Infintesimal [EMP017]

Nick Anthony Simoncino – Isole Del Tramonto EP [VIBR004]

ANTHONY SIMONCINO, Nick - Isole Del Tramonto

Vibraphone Records is releasing a record by the Italian DJ/producer, Nick Anthony Simoncino. For the production of this record, Isole Del Tramonto (Sunset Islands) Simoncino uses a selection of strictly old school analog synthesizers, and drum machines, which takes you on a charming magical journey through the Mediterranean Sea with pulsating minimal deep bass lines, oneiric harmonic textures, exotic tom tom patterns, hypnotic sexy and catchy grove beats. Isole Del Tramonto is a record that connects and combines the essential elements and spirit of deep house music along with providing its visionary future…

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Nick Anthony Simoncino – Isole Del Tramonto EP [VIBR004]

Billy Bogus feat. Kasillen – Svengali [PN045]

Pizzico Label head Billy Bogus is back on track, this time joined by Kasillen , mysterious producer and sound designer who comes from a hip hop and black music background, and is behind Italian pop projects. Bogus & Kasillen come up with two original tracks with the consistent help of a MPC 1000, blending old Italian horror soundtracks with dubby/cheesy analog sounds so to convey the sense of discomfort you feel while watching a thrilling Italian b-movie, but in a clubby way. The final punch comes from the acid psychedelia of a different version of the same track by In Flagranti and the 80’s space-like vibe of homeboy Ma Spaventi.

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Billy Bogus feat. Kasillen – Svengali [PN045]

VA – Snare Tapes 001 [SNTPS001]

Module Werk kicks off proceedings with ‘On The Verge’, one of two tracks by the elusive Russian. Warm, yet brutal sound design underpins ascending chords, whilst percussion leaps in and out of the track to complement its narrative, before an acid-esque line, leads the way. A2 sees Drummond’s next outing on vinyl, with ‘Concentric Rinds’. Here the versatile producers track is centred around a bass line that has dynamic range from the playful to the wonderfully aggressive. Embedded underneath is a sonic remit that is as nostalgic sounding, as it is forward thinking. The second offering from Module Werk has more of a direct approach than his A1 track. A straight up acid line gets thrown around the track, while snares and kick drums dance directly with it. It’s tension never wavers. The B2 side is by Leeds and Mint Club resident Bobby O’Donnell. His track ‘Repartition’ is circled around a warm bass line while stabs, synths and hi pitched melodies happily jostle with each other throughout the track.

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VA – Snare Tapes 001 [SNTPS001]