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.
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. ”
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.
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).
Proper Fachwerk style techno from Roberto with vocals by Envoy. Comes with remixes by Mike Dehnert and Roman Lindau.
Token brings the 2nd single, from the debut album ‘Frames Of Reference’ by Ø [Phase]. ‘Dirtro II’ is definitely one of the standout cuts of the album and shows Ø [Phase] in his darkest and deepest mood. On the b-side he is joined by one of his biggest inspirations & one of techno’s most legendary innovators: Robert Hood. The result is a carefully executed yet explosive peak time cut.
Alien Rain is a tainted Techno project of Milton Bradley. Under this alias the Berlin based artist has served up disgruntled Electronics and downright deranged Acid. Panel beaten 90s tracks that pervert and pummel. Floor a-bombs that leave behind nothing but a 303 wasteland. Mr Bradley has caught the attention of Deep Sound Channel and been called upon to deliver his style of hypnotic fallout Techno. Two sealed vials of audio venom are the result. ”Acid Reign 1” is a looming beast, a corrosive creature dripping famine and pestilence from every pore. The flip is a steady builder. Slowly Alien Rain constructs an analogue scape. Bulging bass and tempered Acid annihilation threatens throughout but is kept in check. Beelzebub brutality from the warehouse warped mind of Milton Bradley.
Recorded in South Africa and featuring on vocals South Africa’s legendary artist/ producer Bantu Soul. Ngizo Ku Linda sees Alton fusing elements of afro house, jazz, funk and his signature Detroit sound with a serious groove and lush but yet wanting vocals of Bantu Soul. The release also includes a remix from Chicago’s Abicah Soul.
Yoruba serve up the second single taken from Osunlade’s album “A Man With No Past Originating The Future”. Classic co-founder Luke Solomon gets things started with a sizzling tech house make over of Osunlade’s deep gem. On the A2, the master of all things deep, jazzy and experimental Isolee delivers a stunning rework. On the flip, the third remix offering comes from long time Yoruba associate and musical brother Atjazz. With his signature sound he brings undeniable soul to the bunch while keeping the song’s integrity in tact. Our journey is completed by Yoruba’s own Rafael Moraes, one third of Nomumbah. Deep is the word for this one.
Two 707-led live jams recorded straight to cassette from Route 8. A fitting B side from Dorylus, also using a 707, this time coupled with a broken Korg Delta with only a few keys working.
… In a soft night of confusion the ape was born into his lion mother’s lair. As he grew older, he danced in countless circles around his father’s fallen empire. Spent by fires of ecstasy, the departed reptile king appeared in his sleep and told one love will show you how to fly, and he sang forget the world, ’cause no man will ever wake up from that insubstantial world of cycles…
Heavy groovin 3 tracker. New imprint run by Jay Bliss, trying to find the balance between house and techno, retro and future, art and dance.
Eklo is proud to welcome a new member in his family, Cristi Cons from Romania shows us his classy forward house music add to his classical music background & universe.
Strictly Chosen presents the sixth release on it’s sublablel Neo Strictly. This time is an EP with 4 hypnotic deep minimal groovin shit by Romanian Cally.
Chicago’s G. Marcell arrives on Episodes bringing a wealth of experience that only comes from a long, storied history with House – the sound and the scene from within the city where it all began. DJ’s all over the world are already familiar with the high quality and endearing character that every track of his embodies. Boldly take this journey into his ‘Destructured World’ which he proudly presents for us here – deep, spacious, lush, and banging!
Rising Belgian producer Innershades returns to Ukrainian label Wicked Bass for a second 12″ of the year. Given the fact That Girl, his debut EP for Wicked Bass was so popular it’s no surprise to see Innershades back and he’s laid down some serious productions. Lead track “Granuere” is banging through acid heavy techno in suitably grotty fashion, which contrasts nicely with the more electro-indebted ruffstep of “A Night To Forget”. Here Innershade’s quickly established rep for mnulti-layered synths shines, as it does on the chunky, whistle laden “Never-ending Summer” This latter track is giving a bustling house makeover from that man Dexter which sounds equally contemporary and redolent of a 90s R&S B Side.
Brand new material by Marcos Cabral following his False Memories 2xlp archive release earlier this year. On the Capri Social EP we see Cabral offering three varying tracks all touching upon the outskirts of house, techno and beyond as he captures the energy of the machines to create effective and engaging psychedelic excursions.
Rome based producer Heinrich Dressel sucks you into a movie full of pain and misery. The most sinister euro crime and giallo mixed to a heart crushing thriller filled with synthesizer suspense. Partner in crime DJ Overdose finished the job in style.
