DâM-Funk – Architecture II [SAFT18]

DâM-Funk has left his LA home for another DJ tour across the European continent. What better way to celebrate this than to release a follow-up record to the infamous Architecture release from 2016. Architecture II is an up-tempo, dreamlike journey through the sonic palette of the Los Angeles based producer. The 12” contains four tracks that are carefully crafted to co-exist on the same record. ‘In The City’ is a drum oriented breeder with a constantly evolving bass line, that supports the cheerful and breezy melodies. ‘Best Weekend’ is dripping with lush synthesizer tones and meaty drums. DaM-Funk knows how to set a hazy atmosphere, the conflicting tones of the sophomore effort are impressive. ‘Best Weekend’ is a must hear for lovers of the DF repertoire. The B-side is opening up with the warm sounds of ‘Bounce’. The artist’s signature basslines thump away whilst a breezy chord and some exceptional FX work help to achieve a sense of lightness. ‘Don’t Give Up’ is a work of challenging Piano riffs and splashy synthesizers that evolve through and sometimes come together in an abundance of modulation and joy.

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DâM-Funk – Architecture II [SAFT18]

Reedale Rise – Luminous Air [KONDI019]

Kondi welcomes Reedale Rise to the imprint with his debut album. The Liverpool wonder AKA Simon Keat has impressed almost everyone with his unique take on classic house and techno compositions in a wide range. Beautiful synth pads, punchy, crunchy and groovy electro beats arranged around a good old fashioned analogue synth bass with a characteristic bending synth lead sound on top is really hard not to love and pretty much sums up what Reedale Rises electrofunk journeys are all about. Luminous Air is one big lush, joyful and emotional ride throughout the late summer breeze and is a sure hit whether you go for a party on the beach, a nighttime drive on HWY1 or just need an easy night with a drink on the balcony.

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Reedale Rise – Luminous Air [KONDI019]

Timothy J Fairplay – DX Marks The Spot [BODYWORKS1]

New US label Bodyworks kicks things off with Timothy J Fairplay. 4 tracks of electro madness with influences ranging from new wave, italo, gigolo/ebm, chicago (acid house & early industrial) & 1890’s haunted brothel vibes.

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Timothy J Fairplay – DX Marks The Spot [BODYWORKS1]

Abby Echiverri – Ab Initio EP [BK032]

From the very first track, it’s clear that Abby Echiverri’s debut, the “Ab Initio” EP is something different and rare: a polished and fresh interpretation of electronic music that incorporates classic electro squelches with intricate broken beats and expansive synthesizer zone-outs.

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Abby Echiverri – Ab Initio EP [BK032]

VA – Compact Wrecks [COM1]

Klasse Wrecks present the first release in the new Compact Wrecks series, a new set of releases coming on Compact Disc. Compositions on COM1 come from label founders Luca Lozano and Mr Ho in addition to producers associated with the label, namely Omega III, Fett Birger, Privacy, Your Planet Is Next, Dawl and Alphonse. The compilation, which clocks in at just over an hour, ranges from frantic jungle and breakbeat-infused acid to chilled-out trance, making time for forays into bleep, electro and house

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VA – Compact Wrecks [COM1]

Autre / D_Roots – Prima / Asmr [AU002]

The second release of the relatively newborn, Berlin-based Italian label Autarchy Records offers yet another various artists release, as for the first output, the label gives light to Autre and D Roots – both producers are near to the label – and invites relevant figures of the scene to reinterpret the original tracks, specifically Hiver and Juju & Jordash.

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Autre / D_Roots – Prima / Asmr [AU002]

Cold Beat – A Simple Reflection [DE223]

Cold Beat is a San Francisco-based quartet fronted by Hannah Lew (synths, vocals) with Kyle King (synths, guitar), Luciano Talpini Aita (synths) and Sean Monaghan (guitar). Formed in 2013 the band has released three albums and two EPs. ‘A Simple Reflection’ is a 7-song collection of Eurythmics covers, yet feels just as personal as any of their original material. While digging through a collection of 12?s for her record shop Contact Records, Lew stumbled across the earliest Eurythmics B-sides and was floored. This lead to the discovery of their debut album ‘In The Garden’. Annie Lennox’s abstract and poetic lyrics really struck a chord with Hannah. What had started out as a single cover quickly snowballed into a full blown obsession. The synth and drum programming resonated with her songwriting process, so reimagining them was very creatively fulfilling. The covers on this EP are simultaneously dynamic and atmospheric post-punk that plays to Lew’s ethereal vocals and King’s crystalline guitar.

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Cold Beat – A Simple Reflection [DE223]

Polaroid – Senza Respiro LP [DE219]

Polaroid were an Italian post-punk/new wave band, formed in Turin in 1981. The original lineup of the band consisted of Marcello Zavatto (voice, guitar), Massimo Vagnarelli (bass, drum-machine), Evandro Fornasier (guitar), Claudio Vagnarelli (synthersizer) and Marco Farano (Drums). Polaroid made their debut with the cassette 6-track EP ‘Senza Respiro’, self-released in 1984. Influenced by Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, Pere Ubu as well as Chic and Talking Heads. The music was dark and cold, but also melodic especially with regards to guitars and voices. At the end of 1984 the band added vocalist Michele Cantoblundo while drummer Marco left and was replaced by a Roland TR-909. With Michele began a period of very dark and poetic music, influenced also by bands like Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and The Sisters of Mercy. The band peacefully broke-up in 1987. This vinyl re-issue of ‘Senza Respiro’ contains all 6 original songs with 4 bonus tracks from the band’s later period.

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Polaroid – Senza Respiro LP [DE219]

VA – Pubblicazione 002 [458695.002]

The second instalment of the ongoing Pubblicazione series serves up a triple-header of dark, intense and otherworldly experimental treats. On the A-side Italian artist Violet Poison invites us to “The Drome”, a place where druggy EBM arpeggio lines, throbbing synth motifs, discordant female vocal samples and thrusting industrial funk drums fight it out to the death. Over on the flipside, Diana Berti gives us a glimpse of her “Spider Pit”, an altogether more melodious and crystalline place laden with glistening synthesizer motifs, bustling machine percussion and raw arpeggio bass. To round things off, Opfer Der Hingabe channels the spirit of the Duratti Column on the slow and seductive bliss of “The Victim (1990)”. Progressive industrial to cinematic ambient, via new beat synth explorations.

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VA – Pubblicazione 002 [458695.002]

EchoDroides – Glowing In The Dark [KODE07]

ECHODROIDES - Glowing In The Dark

EchoDroides is a collaboration between Chicago natives Frank De La Mora & Miguel Martin. Their sound can be described as a trip through space with analog synthesizers and drum machines. They came together in 2011 first working on remixes then shortly after decided to work on original material. Their music has been featured in TV shows, movies, promotional videos from Peugeot, fashion labels and the Ubisoft video game, Watch Dogs. For this special and limited release they re-created a track from 80s US studio project, Experimental Products, – paying tribute to “Glowing In The Dark” original and an instrumental. “Experimental Products has always been a massive influence on us from the very 1st time we heard them back in the 80s. Glowing in the Dark, in particular changed everything for us. Mark Wilde and Michael Gross were way ahead of their time. We wanted to pay tribute to them by re-creating this song from scratch.”

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EchoDroides – Glowing In The Dark [KODE07]

Doris Norton – Artificial Intelligence [MNQ121]

Mannequin Records present a trilogy of reissues from the avantgarde Italian-born producer Doris Norton, ”Norton Computer For Peace” (1983), ”Personal Computer” (1984), ”Artificial Intellingence” (1985). Apple’s first music ”endorsement” and Roland affiliate, Doris Norton is one of the most important women pioneer in the use of synths and in the early electro / computer music.

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Doris Norton – Artificial Intelligence [MNQ121]

El Deux + Martin Kraft – Nur Fur Madchen LP [DE218]

El Deux is the Swiss electro-pop trio of Gutze Gautschi (guitar, vocals), Steno Onetz (bass), Martin Kraft (vocals, drum machine). Formed circa 1981 in Aarau by Gutze and Steno who played together in punk/New Wave band Fresh Color aka Frische Farbe featuring a pre-Yello Dieter Meier. Gutze’s minimal electronic compositions did not fit the concept of Fresh Color, so they formed a new project with their live mixer, Martin Kraft, on vocals. The group was quite successful with many concerts, mainly in southern Germany and various TV appearances in Germany and abroad. Between April/September 1982 they recorded and mixed their debut album ‘Nur Für Mädchen’ in 15 days at Powerplay Studios, Zurich. The LP was released later that year on Gold Records. Influences at that time were of course the NDW “Neue Deutsche Welle” movement and also from Gutze’s time as a musician & guitarist since 1965. Their step up for recording was a Moog Prodigy, Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55), Simmons Drums, Casiotone 202, Guitar and Bass.

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El Deux + Martin Kraft – Nur Fur Madchen LP [DE218]

Umo Vogue – Just My Love EP [DE217]

Umo Vogue formed in Bristol by Stig Manley, Russ Crook and Neil Deamer who were in Bath based ska rock outfit ‘The AT’s’, along with Bristol based singer Debbie Marlow. Neil’s Brother Clive joined the band bringing a fantastic new dynamic to the band on drums, percussion and heavy artillery. The band name is a deliberate misspelling of the ultra-chic Italian fashion magazine ‘L’Uomo Vogue’. After winning the Bristol ‘Battle of the Bands’ in 1982 they were signed to Phonogram and dropped a few months later. They then signed to EMI in ’83 and released their first single ‘Just My Love’ released in early 1984. The second single was ‘Make It Real’ and was never released as the band were culled from the EMI roster in late ’84. For this reissue of their debut single we’ve added 3 bonus tracks, a demo of “Just My Love”, the unreleased follow single “Make It Real” and a bedroom demo “Erotica.” Each song displays ridiculously catchy melodies and innovative electronic rhythms. The drum tracks, a combination of rhythm machines and hand percussion, were mixed down from the 4-track tape used as backing on stage, with the rich slap bass and Roland SH09 synths weaves fluid lead lines in between the harmony vocals.

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Umo Vogue – Just My Love EP [DE217]

Ultra Satan – Freedom Rock / Anti-Clock [HNR026]

On Ultra Satan’s second 7inch release on Höga Nord Rekords, the band is developing a new genre and concept. Ultra Satan is like a space being, living alone in an enormously big and empty space station, orbiting our planet. With mathematical precision this genius creates music that effects us earthlings on a transcendental plane and shakes the foundation we lead or lives upon.

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Ultra Satan – Freedom Rock / Anti-Clock [HNR026]

Orbe – Hohenheim EP [LR007]

Fernando Sanz has been steadfastly dedicated to the craft of beats and breaks, under the imprint Orbe Records, he has cultivated his own thriving techno community as artist and label head. Sanz forthcoming 3-track ‘Hohenheim’ EP for the Barcelona label, Lone Romantic, keeps the Orbe buzz rolling. ‘Hohenheim’ kicks the record into motion with the resounding thuds of a multilayered big-room kick while bright synths and sharp edged sci-fi machinery climb the walls in obscure and narcotic patterns. ‘Shimano’s Tribute’ is a study in the fundaments of techno that lull the listener with an extended 4X4 intro into a state of high mental absorption, just in time to drop the centre piece of the track, an eloquently ovular stutter sliced percussion sample. ‘Edelweiss’ sets the record on a outward course for somewhere between the hypnotic dance floor bliss of a pre-dawn Sunday morning and the impending angst beholden to glimpsing the dystopian sprawl of civilisation when flying out Monday morning.

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Orbe – Hohenheim EP [LR007]

Crotocosm – Setting The Scene For An Island Battle EP [RHD-034CROTO]

Crotocosm is an occasional collaboration between Jordan GCZ and Willie Burns . Tracks were recorded together live in Amsterdam and Brooklyn between 1996 and 2017.

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Crotocosm – Setting The Scene For An Island Battle EP [RHD-034CROTO]