Underground electro-cult figures, ALIEN FM (Anthony ‘Blaktony’ Horton & Keith ‘K-1’ Tucker) return to the reactivated Puzzlebox label for 2020…and beyond.
The Hidden Figure – Finality EP [EXALTSPECIALEDITION02]
Building on the outright success of his previous outings for the label, The Hidden Figure return to deliver a cutting edge EP of beautiful acid for Exalt Records. 4 acid tracks in various styles, this EP seems a fitting end to a stellar run for this shadowy and mysterious pseudonym of super producer Paul Cignol.
Alessandro Parisi – Galactic Funk Podcast 005
VA – Upward at 33 1/3 Degrees – Höga Nord Rekords Singles Collection Vol.3 [HNRBOX003]
The Mothership has come! It has arrived in the form of the strictly limited collection box “Upwards at 33 1/3 Degrees” (50 copies), containing all singles released on the label between 2017 and 2020. The Höga Nord – galaxy resounds of all good between strict electro and loose jams, fluffy krautrock and moist world music to underwater techno and space funk. Although, what it is that defines the Höga Nord sound is not genres, instead it is, to cite Mathias Nilsson, founder of and boss for the label, music “strongly connected to fantasy, to the creative world.” The collection is an overview on Gothenburg’s underground music and on an international scene that breathes similar air as the local Swedish acts that Höga Nord Rekords has chosen to highlight.
Mameen 3 – Incunabula EP [PT004]
PT004 sees a Belgium via Morocco friendship and studio collaboration Mameen 3 take the reigns for Planet Trips fourth physical release. A group made up of much loved and respected DJ, digger and curator of the always on point Elsewhere comps soFa, connecting with innovative producer Reda Senhaji aka Cheb Runner, whose refreshing approach tips the no boundaries no borders sound only few can uniquely pull off. The Incunabula EP spotlights 4 club focused jams from the groups recent heavy output, channelling influences from their diverse tastes and effortlessly marrying hypnotic percussion, Middle Eastern rhythms and machine funk psychedelia into their very own style no style.
Nadia Ksabia – Virtual Lover (Jordan’s Nocturne Edits) [PH28RMX]
On PH28RMX, Jordan refreshes the energy of ‘Virtual Lover’ by Nadia Ksaiba with two additions to his already beloved series of Nocturne edits. With an analogue touch, Jordan deftly shifts the casual call of the original into a lean slice of brooding freestyle electro, transforming Ksaiba’s charming vocals into a robotic paen, yearning across a futuristic grid of deeply satisfying bass. ‘Jordan’s Nocturne Dub’ achieves a similar effect driven by a frenetic, chopped-up vocal amid cybernetic flourishes.
Chino – K-Hole Mixtape 17
Cutting Room – The Night Chemist [BT48]
Cutting Room disembark on brokntoys for an EP of techno abstractions. Breaking their hiatus after their celebrated Steeplejack debut, ‘The Night Chemist’ follows up on their previous outing – and the beast has evolved. Across 4 tracks the Australian trio, formed by Connor Gibson, Eugene Brockmuller and Cosmo Feltham, distill foreboding atmospheres, crushed mechanical beats and turbulent Ballardian passages. The EP closes with a remix from Spanish legends Esplendor Geometrico demolishing Always Rock.
Crushed Soul – Family Of Waves [DE-276]
Dark Entries unveils the debut of Berlin-based, Dutch-born Steffi new project Crushed Soul, a moniker she had used only once in 2013 for an Ostgut Ton compilation track. ‘The Family of Waves EP’ represents both familiar and novel pastures for Steffi. While her love of electro and classic Detroit techno have been oft-evident, here we witness the darker shades of new wave and industrial creep to the forefront. This turn for the twisted feels not just natural, but predestined, an inevitable succumbing to morbid forces.
Mesmé – Steel City Dance Discs Volume 17 [SCDD017]
Iran-born, Los Angeles-based Mesmé casts her first EP with a 5-track tangle of Acidtinged exo-House riddled with contorted IDM atmospherics. Mesmé traps you in a web threaded with warped synth lines, chugging breaks, hefty lows and her own distorted vocal venom. This release will have you caught, instinctively trying to gyrate your body free as the sound descends upon your psyche…
Dona – Mindscapes [MNQ138]
Dona Aka Dj Plant Texture’s debut on Mannequin is the result of an effective true love for the early Chicago Acid and Jackbeat, mixed with textures of EBM and Cold Wave.
“Mindscapes”, featuring the haunted vocals of Aloth, represents a trip into states of consciousness and psychiatric diseases. Ispired by some reports describing America’s Mental health System during the latest 70’s, the EP is a blend of analog machines, forced to create the perfect jam session.
DeFeKT & Extrawelt – Field Day / Off Planet [FMB018]
Feel My Bicep steps it onto its next release with the debut of two established acts, linking up for the first time. DeFeKT and Extrawelt combine their formidable talent and years in the game to bring us a two-tracker entitled Field Day.
Boo Williams – Tribulation [BMM90]
Chicago veteran Boo Williams presents his latest limited-edition missive. Opener ”Tribulation” is sweet and spacey, with Williams wrapping fizzing, techno-tempo drums and bubbly bass in intergalactic synths sounds and chords so emotive you might start blubbing on the dancefloor. It comes accompanied by a deeper, acid-flecked flipside dub that also boasts some exciting new synth solos (track three) and a slightly slower, but no less energetic or musically positive, bonus cut called ”Mental State”. Predictably, this is every bit as alluring as the EP’s other tracks.
Summer Break
We are taking a well deserved Summer break.
Rees – Feel My Bicep #150
VA – Soul Love Now: The Black Fire Records Story 1975-1993 [STRUT238LP]
Black Fire was an influential spiritual jazz and conscious soul label that is now the subject of a first ever compilation. It has been put together by Strut and covers the years 1975 to 1993, showcasing a rich mix of jazz, deep African polyrhythms and empowering lyrics across plenty of classics and rarities. The highlights are plentiful and the comp also comes with extended sleeve notes around the black-owned label’s rich history, as well as a reprint of one of the original Black Fire magazines published by founder Jimmy Gray. This is a real piece of black music history.
Marcel Dettmann @ HÖR (Berlin) 15.08.2020
Morphology – Qualia [EXALT005]
Much talked about project, now release is finally coming into fruition. Morphology approached Exalt with the idea of releasing one of their tracks. Roll forward a year and this 4 track EP comes with 2 brand new original Morphology tracks and stellar remixes from John Shima and B12 legend Steven Rutter.
Interrference (I-F) @ Panama Racing Club 07.08.2020
VA – Apocalypse Domani [GDD2]
Emerging like the blind dead from ancient tombs hidden amongst the seemingly lost ruins, connected by ley-lines and mystical signet rings comes twenty-three undead club-hits from across the globe from Giallo Disco alumni past, present and future. Electro meets Dark-Ambient via Low-Motion Techno and styles in-between, Giallo Disco is proud to present a digital only V/A for your late night summer walks or woodland rituals and remember… always aim for the head…
The Hipodrome Of Music 