Nothing Was There Records presents The Owl: Untitled and Unknown Volume one.
The Owl – Untitled and Unknown [NWT-002]
D’Julz @ HÖR (Berlin) 27.07.2024
JR Disc – Ep 2 [DBS#2]
Detroit Basics is back with more magnificent machine music. And once again it is JR Disc who is serving up the sounds. ‘Beautiful Blue Pillow’ kicks off and sounds like Kraftwerk making funk electro complete with vocoder vocals and silky grooves. ‘Mean Mugg’ is a more rough and ready deep house sounds with frazzled synths growing ever more prominent and last of all, ‘Under The Ground’ shuts down with some stomping drums and glistening melodic pixels that rain down the face for a futuristic feel.
Jungle Wonz – Anybody Out There / 20 Paces From The Moon [NG157]
Nu Groove presents ‘Anybody Out There / 20 Paces From The Moon’, a package celebrating the work of Marshall Jefferson as Jungle Wonz, featuring two fresh mixes from the legendary Mike Dunn and Steve Mac.
NIFF – Timeless Series #47
Zenana – Witches [RHRSS37]
Originally released on seven-inch by the tiny PRM label in 1986, ‘Witches’ was the product of a sister-brother songwriting team whose music was mostly recorded in the front room of a terraced house in Nanpean, a small industrial village in Cornwall, England’s most south-westerly county. While the single was infectious, impeccably produced and dancefloor-ready, it sold in limited quantities at the time. It comes backed by a brand-new extended ‘spell of love’ courtesy of Bristol duo Bedmo Disco, AKA music journalist Matt Anniss and DJ/production partner Gareth Morgan.
Nu-Cleo – Metamorphose EP [CHIWAX031.1]
Bari-based producer Nu-Cleo AKA Michele Lamacchia returns to Chiwax, always bringing a tru-skool attitude to his vision of deep house where things can get crooked and nasty, but never at the expense of the groove. ‘Egotrip’ is a boxy, chirpy slice of acid house from the Marshall Jefferson playbook, while ‘Deep Code’ locks into a smouldering garage swing with some techy synths that wouldn’t sound out of place on Guidance. ‘Acid Excursions’ loosens up the nuts and bolts without derailing the soulful jack, and ‘Clouds’ is a heavy-lidded B2 joint to melt away to, stealing the show as the standout track of the whole EP.
Dan Andrei – Numan’s Touch [RBHLL001]
Dan Andrei’s latest outing sees him inaugurating his own brand-new label alongside Claudiu Stefan. Rainbow Hill is a platform for their more personal ideas and starts with four more of Andrei’s brilliantly deft yet dramatic tracks. ‘Numan’s Touch’ kicks off with rolling drums and bass and a fine eco-system of cosmic pads, twinkling keys and fizzing synths that are theatrical and involving. ‘What Else?’ then gets darker and more intense with heady loops and wispy pads, and again the ante is upped and the darkness pervades once more on the tense and taught dub-tech roller ‘This Is What I See’. Last of all, ‘Bluer Than Ever’ floats above the floor with airy pads and radiant chords.
Decka / Roseen – Imaginary Places Remixed [FW04]
From two recording sessions between Decka and Roseen in the summer of 2021, the results fused into an EP on Freddy Ks label, KEY Vinyl. They also kicked off a new label with an album from that same material. Now, they’ve dropped a remix EP featuring interpretations by DisX3 (aka Alexander Kowalski), Border One, and Don Williams, along with a new track from Decka and Roseen. The EP covers a broad spectrum of sounds, reflecting the philosophy that everything is a like yet distinct.
KOS010 – Dark Science Electro Episode 780
Patrick Cowley – Kickin’ In [DE-273]
Dark Entries again shines a spotlight on bathhouse disco don Patrick Cowley with a newly remastered release of Kickin’ In. Although Cowley tragically passed from AIDS-related illness in 1982, he left an extensive archive of unreleased tapes, many of which Dark Entries has had the honor of releasing. While working as a lighting technician at The City, SF’s disco cabaret, Cowley saw rising star Frank Loverde perform. Cowley asked Loverde to contribute vocals to some material in progress, and Frank, Linda Imperial, and Peggy Gibbons joined Cowley in the studio. The resulting songs included “Kickin’ In,” a 9-minute cybernetic disco stormer that taps into the essence of Cowley’s hi-NRG sound: equal parts spaced out and zoned in on the dancefloor. In May 1978 Cowley joined Loverde on stage at The City to perform “Kickin’ In” as they opened for disco diva Sylvester. “Kickin’ In” was initially released in 2015 via Honey Soundsystem who found the tapes in the basement of Megatone Records owner John Hedges. This newly remastered version was made possible due to the discovery of the original multi-track recordings of “Kickin’ In,” allowing for a fresh mixdown by Jim Hopkins as well as the creation of a new instrumental version. Also included are two impeccably sleazy Cowley jams recorded in 1980, “Thief of Love” and “Make It Come Loose.” Cowley narrates excerpts from his erotic journals on these raunchy slow-burners, capturing the vibe of SF’s leather bars and backrooms. “Thief of Love” features Cowley collaborator Paul Parker on background vocals.
Kid Machine – Italoheads / Tutti [EIR1]
Kid Machine presents two Italo mid-tempo slammers for his brand new label ‘Electro Italo’. These are tracks from the extensive archive which were made in 2020 and originally played as demos on the No Strings Attached Mix.
LVRIN b2b Roma Nemov @ No Wave! Night 01.06.2024
DRMR @ Intergalactic FM Festival 2024
Mark Grusane & Eric Schwab – Midwest Rhythms Vol. 2 [DMLP03]
Chicago icon and Disctechno label head Mark Grusane teams up again with Detroit-based Eric Schwab for a second volume of the Midwest Rhythms series with four versatile house tracks. The A1 ‘Easy Strider’ uses low-slung skittering drum patterns, a classic FM bass walk and a touch of 303. ‘Acid Hole’ layers a tension-building acidic pulse over a jacking 707 beat and spacey effects and fills. On the B-side, “You’re In Danger” combines dissonant pads, plucky synth and bass lines, and warbled verbal warnings. The record concludes with Eric’s reconstructed version of the title track from Mark’s 2023 album, “A House of My Own,” using assorted gear to bring new colors to a modern Chicago house classic.”
VA – Shipwrec Electro Sampler 2 [SHIP074]
Volume Two in the Electro Sampler Series of Nijmegen’s finest Shipwrec. The genre bending Ian Martin opens with the frigid funk of “Metaphysical Travellers.” Stripped back, the track is bare in terms of its elements. Despite such meagre ingredients, Martin concocts an engaging and rich work of darkened grooves and sinister undercurrents. o-0._.0-o is the playful pseudonym of acid freetekno enthusiast Owen. His contribution, “Acidrobotik”, releases a free and wandering 303 lines that forges a bubbling path through crisp percussion. The flip brings an artist better known for his work in techno. Cliche Morph delves into the clinical side of his palette and emerges with the stunning “Placebo.” Balancing alienated and arctic blasts with a thawing warmth, the outcome is pure classic electro. A rising star of machine music follows, Fleck E.S.C. A dirty bassline is further sullied by layers of gritty distortion and glitched vocals in this re-wired work of ghetto. A legend of electronics closes, Kirill Junolainen. Under his lauded Konerytmi moniker, this synthesiser shapeshifter delivers “Kuva Alkio.” Stuttering bass and tight drums are the foundation from which sci-fi inspirations take hold, sailing strings tethered by a terse snare as SES2 is brought to a triumphal close.
Aquatronics – Sunset Streams EP [CLS001]
Aquatronics AKA Datawave, Is Gaétan Votion of Brussels. The “Sunset Streams” EP immediately became highly sought after and revered, after selling out 200 copies in just under 3 months in 2021, quickly making an imprint on the electro scene. 3 years later, 200 crystal clear records have re-incarnated for everyone who couldn’t get a copy the first time.
VA – Various V [USR031]
“Transference of Energy” by Wedding Acid Group opens the EP in perfect Undersound style. Following that, comes Albert Ess with “Do As I Say,” a crunchy electro beat that will hypnotize your brain. Next, Syntelman presents “Singlestranded,” showcasing his darker and melodic musical vision. Closing the EP, J. Mono returns to Undersound after three years with “Love2.” This track is an ode to resilience, reminding us to stay strong in our darkest moments and that we can overcome anything, no matter what.
AUX88 – Alpha Waves [ESTK-004]
On “Alpha Waves”, AUX88 ventures into uncharted sonic territories by subtly incorporating 432 Hz alpha wave tones. This forward-thinking approach to sound exploration is a testament to their creativity and commitment to pushing the boundaries of electronic dance music. It is believed that 432 Hz is the healing frequency of the universe and has the power to improve our bodies’ natural healing abilities. Similarly, alpha brain waves are associated with restful, meditative states and are believed to reduce depression, combat anxiety, and increase creativity. By blending these healing frequencies with their classic techno-bass fusion, AUX88 offers listeners a unique auditory experience that is both soothing and energizing, especially powerful during their all-sensory-consuming live performances, where fans can fully immerse themselves in the music and experience its transformative effects.
Black Dot – Love At Glance [IM017]
Black Dot lands on Italo Moderni with a cult futuristic gem on vocals by Le Chocolat Noir and hardware wizard Christian Kroupa, three obscure killers bangers ready for the dancefloor, last but not least with an epic remix by the king Marcel Dettmann.
The Hipodrome Of Music 