The first vinyl release from Night Gaunt Recordings, ‘Stung’ is a presentation of 5 hard hitting EBM-infused techno tracks that are constantly churning and refuse to sit still. Exploring the function of time in relation to trauma, these recordings take from Lower Tar’s own experience of near death bodily trauma and translates it into dance music.
Willie Burns and Ron Morelli got together over a weekend or so in Paris a at the end of 2015 and busted this one out. The record includes a sonic journey, mosh pit techno, and drum circle mixing tools. This is the debut release on Burnett’s new label,”Verge of Tears”. The label will focus on his personal and collaborative output.
UK techno mastermind Luke Slater resurfaces as Planetary Assault Systems on his label Mote-Evolver, with a crisp double-package of his signature deep-rolling, hypnotic big-room churners. As its name suggests, ‘Straight Shooting’ takes no byway to get its point across.
Detroit bred / LA based producer Kenny Larkin has long been a force to be reckoned with, both in the studio and in the DJ booth. Under his ‘Dark Comedy’ alias Larkin crafted some of the deepest and most soul-searching Detroit Techno sounds. ‘Corbomite Manuever’ was originally released in 1992 and is the complete epitome of a game changer, this was Techno at it’s most sensual, intelligent and human, the antithesis of a lot of what was masquerading as the real-deal at the time.
Uncage offers some uncompromising techno from Reformed Society, featuring two originals and remixes by Bambounou and Steve Tang’s Obsolete Music Technology.
The 27th reissue in Jazzman’s ongoing “Holy Grail Series” comes courtesy of Infinite Spirit Music, an undeniably obscure, one-off project helmed by pianist, producer and arranger Soji Ade. “Live Without Fear” was recorded in 1979 and tops the “wants list” of many spiritual jazz collectors. This time round, the album – which originally ran to an hour over two sides of one LP – has been expanded to a double-album in order to guarantee greater sound quality. It sounds fantastic, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the heady bongos, rich double bass and snaking saxophone of “Children’s Song”, the gentle warmth of “Rasta” and the Afro-fired, tribalistic free-jazz experiments of “Ritual” and “Father Spirit, Mother Love”.
OK:KO is a fresh quartet from Helsinki led by drummer Okko Saastamoinen. The band’s spiritual and searching sound is characterized by their highly personal musical language and genuine teamwork, honed by continuous touring in between the band’s 2017 debut and their second album “Syrtti”, released on Helsinki’s We Jazz Records. The OK:KO band sound has its origins on the spiritual pool of jazz, historically speaking, but the band brings forth a strong personal musical statement thanks to Okko Saastamoinen’s memorable compositions and each musician’s ability to bring their own vocabulary into the common musical language. Already a live favourite on the local scene, on “Syrtti” OK:KO shows that it’s not a band of mere promise any longer – they deliver in the here and now.
“Sweet Tea (With My Sweetie)” was originally destined for inclusion on Lucky Brown & The SG’s 2018 album “Mesquite Suite”, but for one reason or another ended up getting cut. Happily, Tramp Tapes has decided to make it available as a 7-inch single instead. As with previous Brown excursions, the title track sounds like it was recorded sometime in the late 1960s, with authentically fuzzy production, punchy horns, Meters style Hammond licks and sweet, eyes-closed guitar riffs riding a loose but punchy funk-soul groove. “More Sweet Tea” sees the assembled band offer up a jazzier, solo-heavy instrumental revision of the title track that’s even dustier and heavier than the A-side.
For the second instance in their international parallel series, Into The Light Records treat us with seven lush, rich and warm recordings by currently Warsaw-based producers Sasha Zakrevska (Poly Chain) and Bartosz Kruczynski. Soon after releasing their debut albums – Baltic Beat’ and ‘Music For Candy Shops’ – and realizing similar interests and traits in their solo music, Zakrevska and Kruczynski sketched out a plan for an album and live performance. The record is to a large extent fashioned after the show, with most of the tracks performed live and edited down. ’Pulses’ is a result of hours spent in studio with a minimal set-up of Prophet ’08, Moog Sub 37 and Korg Minilogue; The work present their mutual attraction to minimal synth, repetitive arpeggios and drone music. A perfect blend of poly-rhythmic patterns, ambient textures and beat-less acid moments by one of the most fresh and unique collaborations.
‘Gulden Onversneden’ is the out-of-the-blue debut of Klein Volk, a cozy quatre-mains that used to brighten up birthdays and bedroom parties before it all got out of hand. The ten tracks of ‘Gulden Onversneden’ capture Klein Volk’s cherished naïveté during the drawling heatwave days of June 2018, when the world cup frenzy ravaged the streets, squares and minds of tiny Belgium – a brief window in time that diffracted everything unwaveringly into black, yellow and red.
If you’re in the mood for some industrial-strength dancefloor experiments and lo-fi workouts saturated with noise, this collaboration from old studio buddies Felix Krone and Yu Aseada AKA Ena should hit the spot. It’s an altogether more foreboding and paranoid beast than their previous joint excursion, hence the new “F&E” alias. After offering up a decidedly dystopian ambient intro, the duo slowly cranks up the pressure via the industrial dub techno/electro fusion of “Thesis” and the crackling lo-fi techno crustiness of “Premis I”. “Premis II” offers a more percussive and rolling take on the same murky blueprint, while “Conclusion” is a suitably hypnotic chunk of dub techno.
Metshka and Roman Delore met at the heart of vibrant Paris. One was more into Djing, the other into production, but they instantly felt a strong musical connection, sharing a common vision of underwater, detailed and a bit nostalgic techno. Here they started their collaboration then created their own label, Aperçu Records. Soon after, Stara Zagora EP was born. Strongly inspired by their childhood memories, plains of Bulgaria and warm coasts of the south of France, these three tracks are a perfect representation of their mental soundscapes.
Sound Signature presents the return of the Essential Selections series. This second studio hook-up between Detroit veterans Theo Parrish and Marcellus Pittman first appeared way back in 2002, some three years after they made their collaborative debut on Sound Signature. Listening again all these years on, we can confirm that the three-tracker hasn’t aged a bit.
Australian label Chubby! is back for a second bout that features further ruminations on how deep deep house can go. Trinidadian Deep returns, this time shoring up on the A side with some of his distinctive percussive patter and soaring, soul-drenched melodics. Vincent Floyd comes on board to deliver a classic, Chi-town flavored version that makes the perfect foil to the fluttering organic tones of the source material. Javonntte is on the B side with ”Jazzy Day,” rolling out the kind of smart, bumping house music, leading with expressive, nimble work on the keys. Patrice Scott steps up for a remix to round the EP out, maintaining the swing but edging some of his swirling, ethereal tones into the mix.
June Records latest compilation welcomes new artists on the label, the Australian newcomer Lbeeze, Raum-Zeit (Toni Quiroga & Eindkrak), Mannequin Records’ boss Alessandro Adriani, Morah (Phormix), Penelope’s Fiance and Outermost & Venus Volcanism.
Claudio Mate and Francesco Mazzocco introduce the 5th release of Dub-ito, a selection from Wolfgang Reffert’s project, from the end of the 80’s, Dark Star. ‘Mix Tape 1989 -1991’ is a exclusive collection of Dark Star past tapes works. Dark atmosphere influenced by Post Punk , EBM, Noise, Industrial, it’s Wolfgang’s trademark in over 30 years of career, which makes his debut on vinyl.
The Hipodrome Of Music 