DECA – Alkaidb [DECA002]

Originally released in 1986, “Alkaid” was the first solo release of DECA following his debut appearance on the cult various artists compilation “Angelo Segreti”. The original edition was published in a tiny edition on the independent Italian label Videoradio and to this day remains a rare and sought after album. Following Mothball and Bordello’s continued work with DECA, they make this diverse and fascinating collection of music available to a wider audience. On this instrumental LP we can hear elements of modern classical, synth-pop, dark ambient and even some middle eastern influence.

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DECA – Alkaidb [DECA002]

Carl & Carol Jacobs – Yonge Street Jam Band [ERC042]

An update of Robot Jam’s music and riddim in a true Caribbean sense, Yonge Street is a freestyle remix and comes in the original’s Parts 1 & 2, plus a special Discomix by rising tape manipulator, Jonny 5. Following Robot Jam on Crosby Records, the Jacobs’ husband and wife team released a series of soca 12”s for Eddy Grant’s Ice Records in the following years. However, come 1988 and they decided to return to the electro flavours that had garnered considerable interest, reworking the Robot Jam tapes to create a new version for release on Straker’s Records in Brooklyn. Running for over 30 years from the early 70s to late 90s, Granville Straker’s label was a cornerstone of the soca scene releasing main stays, reggae stars and what have become highly sought rarities such as Yonge Street and The Rebles’ Sweetest Taboo. In Yonge Street again the cut-up samples are there, topped with a fresh bass line and Carl’s own rap attack. While Part 1 acts as straight up vocal version, Part 2 swerves towards scat-megamix stylings that work in their own right. However, as with the ”Disco Giant” series of 2015, this one-off return hands the tapes over for a modern reinterpretation. With acclaimed releases for Bahnsteig 23 and Power Cuts, plus an upcoming EP for Pleasure Wave, Jonny 5 has finally made the leap from respected CBS Forum oracle, DJ and collector with a penchant from dub to obscuro European cold wave and post punk oddities to finally sit in the producer’s chair. After sending the label a personal mix made for his own use, he was hauled in to the studio to officially cut, mix, arrange and dub a long-form Discomix in the truest sense that perfectly creates a dance floor retake that might well be heard from boat parties off the Dalmatian cost to the open air street parties of Sao Paulo and all over festivals across the green fields of Europe.

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Carl & Carol Jacobs – Yonge Street Jam Band [ERC042]

Francisco & Cosmo – Lineabeat Vol. 4 [SLOMO031]

The fourth volume of the strictly for retro club use series Lineabeat sees two of our most prolific producers deliverer the goods on a double a-side release. A pair of slick electro-disco chuggers that blend the familiar with contemporary and will fit into a wide variety of DJ’s sets.

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Francisco & Cosmo – Lineabeat Vol. 4 [SLOMO031]

Baaz – Two (For You) [OFFICE011]

Baaz from Berlin gives us further insight into his diverse musical interests with his ‘Two (For You)’ EP on Office. As the title suggests the talented producer splits his musical activity into two genres on this record: One is deep and moody Techno with a knack for strong sub bass and soft pads. And the other one is striking Ambient with a wonderful appreciation of moving melodies and mellow chords combined with touching vocal parts. What is remarkable how well these four carefully building tracks go together and how effortless they further underline Baaz’ artistic vision of reduced and understated electronic music which unfolds slowly but emphatically. A respectable new record which is well worth opening yourself to.

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Baaz – Two (For You) [OFFICE011]

VA – Musica Per L’Immagine [FBNMLP001]

With Fly by Night Music now celebrating their fifth year of operation, Lorenzo has marked the occasion by assembling his biggest project to date – an impeccably curated collection of obscure Italian production music circa 1974 – 1985. The project, nearly a year in the making, has been very close to Lorenzo’s heart – beginning unexpectedly in the record fairs of Buenos Aires and leading him on several trips to Rome and Milan, tracking down the original musicians and licensors. ”In this compilation, I have tried to include some of the most interesting cuts I have collected over the years. Tracks like the entirely electronic ”Nitrogen” from Alberto Baldan Bembo’s ”Sound Orchestra” LP on Star Track Records, featuring a wild evolving bassline leading us through frantic rhythmic experimentations. ”In the Space”, by French born composer Albert Verrecchia and taken from Italian poliziesco drama ‘Il Tempo Degli Assasini’ (Season for Assasins), tells the tale of wistful longing, played out with serenity on strings and keys, but unexpected interruption from its stop-start arrangement brings an unforeseen tension into the mix… And how could I not include the wonderfully charming ”Screw Driver” by Fabio Fabor, from his collaborative album ”Superman” with a young Antonio Arena. Featuring an orchestra of beautifully programmed ARP and Oberheim sonorities alongside the Commodore 64 programmed graphical artwork by Antonio Arena himself.” The music itself was partly sourced from Lorenzo’s own collection, archived and then restored especially for this release. Where possible, tracks (such as ”Vision”, ”Nitrogen” and ”Blue Magnolia”) have been lifted directly from the original master tapes kindly lent by the repertoire owners. Every track, however, has been carefully restored, remastered and cut for vinyl by the cautious hands of Andreas [LUPO] Lubich at Calyx Mastering, Berlin.

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VA – Musica Per L’Immagine [FBNMLP001]

Joao Donato & Seu Trio – Muito A Vontade [GB002LP]

Go! Bop! present a reissue of Joao Donato & Seu Trio’s Muito À Vontade, originally released in 1962. Joao Donato is a legend of Brazilian jazz and Latin music and this is his legendary debut album. The well-skilled performance speaks of a great routine each musician has, but there is so much fire and hunger to be found within the compositions. The listener will experience rather relaxed slow jazz tunes with an obvious bossa nova groove and a leading piano that takes off from the backing rhythm of drums and standing bass. On the other hand, there are tunes with wicked piano staccato lines and a powerful rhythmic drive that is rooted in Latin music, but shoots forward on a ray of energy. The tunes are well composed and have a memorable structure that distinguishes them from the beginning free jazz hype back in the day. Joao Donato and his mates in the trio were jazzy boys, but they were also songwriters. Catchy melodies were as important as a great and skillful performance. The combination of both sides of jazz, and the crossover with Latin sounds, makes Muito À Vontade a special album, with other greats to follow. Muito À Vontade stands out as a landmark. If you feel that it is time for an equally relaxed, but exciting jazz record to enchant you, here you go. A sweet reissue of a classic from the early ’60s. Joao Donato and his trio play it rather smoothly but their passion hits you automatically after a short while listening. Even the slower tunes offer twists and turns that leave you feeling amazed.

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Joao Donato & Seu Trio – Muito A Vontade [GB002LP]

Marvis Dee – Midnight Dreams [VG003]

Although best known for producing alien electro, Jeremiah R also makes evocative deep house under the lesser-known Marvis Dee alias. Here he pops up on Voodoo Gold with a mini album’s worth of woozy goodness. The Rotterdam based producer brings us again a record full of warm, tape driven tracks. Highly recommended for lovers of a mixture of lo-fi 80’s cassette machine funk and groovy synth boogie.

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Marvis Dee – Midnight Dreams [VG003]

CCO – Road To The Stars [PF014]

Photic Fields usher a new name into the fold, Switzerland’s Contra Communem Opinionem aka CCO. The Lux Rec and Mathematics alumni arrives with The Road to the Stars, five tracks of his trademark acid elegance. The ferocity of the 303 has been sheathed, percussion pared down with lush chords and deep warmth being the focus. House is the foundation from which CCO builds. Those time honoured sounds support cascading melodies and fragile keys for a 12″ that borders between armchair abstraction, floor funk and the night sky.

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CCO – Road To The Stars [PF014]

Massiande – Freedom EP [PHONICAWHITE016]

Phonica’s white label series returns with a real deep house excursion by Chilean producer Massiande in the form of his ‘Freedom EP’. The title track ‘Freedom’ launches the EP attempts to recreate an aural scenery of flying exploration centred on a spacey synth line and an almost Detroit techno bassline. ‘Be With Me’ starts with an almost Mr Fingers-esque groove before melodic elements take over.’Straight’ is more of a straight-up dancefloor track with obvious elements from US house from the 90s, clipped Chandler-esque beats, nagging stabs and a vocal sample ‘Gonna take you to another land, where there is no race’, going straight to a place where you can allow yourself to be free on the dancefloor. Many ’90s U.S. American House and Garage influences go through this track, which brings us to the final track, the epic ‘Ode To A Tortured Soul’. Deeply melancholic with an end-of-night feel with its own flute solo, channelling Frankie Knuckles ‘The Whistle Song’ or Flow’s Bottom Line classic ‘ Another Time’.

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Massiande – Freedom EP [PHONICAWHITE016]

Florian Kupfer – Post Present [PRIVATEPERSONS003]

Florian Kupfer returns with a three track EP on Private Persons. This 12inch tells us the story of the beginning of Florian’s career – his travels, dreams and of course love. Title track ‘Post Present’, recorded for the first time five years ago get’s its first cut into wax. Eerie, other-worldly voices reach over a kicking, distinctively Kupfer-esque rhythm track. ‘ I Can’t Love Life Without U’ is a dub drive through retro-futuristic heartbreak and ” an ambient tip into the subconscious.

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Florian Kupfer – Post Present [PRIVATEPERSONS003]

Jasen Loveland – Acid Series Vol.1 [IT038]

Jasen Loveland is a doctor of medicine, with interests in house music and computer dating. This is his recorded debut. Recorded in LA and mixed in Detroit at the IT studios. To celebrate 10 years of No Way Back (a regular party in Detroit…and beyond), the label is launching the Acid Series, a series of records on Interdimensional Transmissions inspired by the No Way Back parties.

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Jasen Loveland – Acid Series Vol.1 [IT038]

DMX Krew with Yuri Suzuki – 7777-013 [7777013]

DMX KREW with YURI SUZUKI - 7777 013

7777 presents its 13th release featuring DMX Krew and Yuri Suzuki. Side A brings you straight house attitude. B side strips it down and adds the acid. These songs are perfect for your record bag.

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DMX Krew with Yuri Suzuki – 7777-013 [7777013]

VA – Import Export [CHALICE002]

After a long hiatus the Fasaan Recordings crew finally emerges from their basement to break out a second volume of their Chalice imprint. Functioning as a looser side vehicle to Fasaan, Chalice is a home for rawer and more uncompromising side projects of the Fasaan crew and their extended family. Honing in on a murky zone of cheap-sounding machine rhythms and punchy boogie-influenced proto-house sounds, the Chalice style is in your face and then out the door “just like that”: take it or leave it. As the title “Import/Export” suggests, the contributions for this installment have been gathered from such foreign places as Copenhagen, Bandung, Tallinn, Manchester and Dublin.

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VA – Import Export [CHALICE002]

Black Devil Disco Club – Berlin Disco Club EP [CTC369.002]

BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB - Berlin Disco Club EP

One of the most unconventional techno tracks which were released during the last years. Catchy pop like and unbelievable dark at the same time. H-Friend starts at the peak and then progressively reduces itself into an intro that is actually the outro of this song. (Black) Devil like totally reverted – the start could be the end, the end could be the start. Remixed by Benedikt Frey. A typical project by Berlin based label Private Records that results in a lot more than the single ingredients. A fantastic follow up on the new Closing the Circle label. Get some magic as long as it is available.

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Black Devil Disco Club – Berlin Disco Club EP [CTC369.002]

Elitechnique – Disco D’azur / Riva Riviera [BAP094]

The Rotterdam duo Elitechnique arrive at Bordello A Parigi with two cuts of groove dipped electro disco. “Disco D’Azur” starts as it means to go on. Juddering bass and crystalline synth lines open into astral avenues, chords cascade and flow before they build into triumphant highs. The flip keeps the party fires burning. “Riva Riviera” takes its cue from “Disco D’Azur”, bold and broad bars with clean percussion with just a touch more mirrorball romance. Keys intertwine, embrace and twirl away as Elitechnique lead you from dusk to dawn.

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Elitechnique – Disco D’azur / Riva Riviera [BAP094]

Holy Ghost Inc – Walk On Air [ISLE003]

Originally released in 1990 the Sun & Moon Mix of ‘Walk On Air’ has taken on near mythical status as a benchmark record that brought together strands of Ambient, Deep House, Techno and Trance. The B side sees the original Amphibious Carbine mix joined by two previously unreleased Dubs unearthed from the original DAT tapes.

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Holy Ghost Inc – Walk On Air [ISLE003]