Mick Wills @ Outline Festival 2023
Hipodrome Selectors @ Aethernativ (Timișoara) 20.04.2024
Rodion & Mammarella – Musica E Computer LP [SLOMO052]
‘Musica E Computer’ is a momentous release from Slow Motion label head Fabrizio Mammarella and Rodion recorded in the legendary Marche Synth Museum (Museo Del Synth Marchigiano). A fully functional recording space that houses a fusion of several private collections of Italian electronic musical instruments gathered over the many years since their creation. The Marche region, being home to some of the most ground-breaking and foundational instruments, has created the likes of Crumar, Farfisa and Elka with innovative use from the likes of Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd and Vangelis.
Lectromagnetique – Simulation [LCTR011] FREE DOWNLOAD
Lectromagnetique dystopian soundscapes are a reflection of the nature of radioactive Chernobyl, poisoned by humanity, it still looks deceptively alive, but invisible acid flows easily cause side effects.
Siegmar Fricke – Commercial Breakdown EP [CMF003]
From home recorded tapes in the 90s to a newly released vinyl record in 2024, The Comfort presents their third release, Siegmar Fricke’s Commercial Breakdown. Back in the year 1990, the working method of Siegmar Fricke and his contemporaries was one best described as a DIY recording process. With spare tapes, glue, scissors, and sheer determination, Siegmar sought to share his music with an audience hungry for adventurous electronic music. In an era of limited access to labels and platforms, those not conforming to commercial trends had little choice. Thus, tapes like this one, dubbed simply as “home-recordings,” circulated among DJs and friends, embodying the playful experimentation of musicians exploring unconventional sounds and even dabbling with mainstream pop sounds.
Christopher Rau – Blade EP [PHONOGRAMME43]
Christopher Rau unveils his latest four-track EP, “Blade,” out on esteemed Parisian label Phonogramme Records. Rau’s signature deep, soulful sound shines through on the EP, infused with elements of jazz and funk. Each track is a captivating journey, transporting listeners into Rau’s world of emotive and atmospheric productions. Opening track “Blade” sets the stage with its pulsating bassline and hypnotic melodies, while “Alfred” delivers a soulful and groovy groove. “Comet” takes things up a notch with its energetic and upbeat tempo, while “Lee” concludes the EP on a dreamy and introspective note. “Blade” is a must-have for house music enthusiasts and is sure to solidify Rau’s position as a genre pioneer.
Terrence Dixon – Studio Space LP
New self-released album from the Minimal Detroit Audio mainman, Terrence Dixon. Recorded at 3rd floor studios on the West side of Detroit.
VA – Togo Soul 2 [HC79LP]
Hot Casa Records present Togo Soul 2: Selected Rare Togolese Recordings from 1974 to 1989. A treasure-trove of rare and unusual recordings mostly recorded in Lomé during the 70’s and 80’s. A fusion of traditional voodoo chants, raw soul and even Electro Funk . Finding these tracks and their rights holders hasn’t become any easier even after few trips all over this west African country bordered by Ghana , Benin & Burkina Faso. Hot Casa Records, with the kind help of Roger Damawuzan, selected thirteen tracks, a snapshot of some hundreds of rare and often forgotten tapes from the most prolific, professional and exciting phase of the country’s recording history included international stars like Akofa Akoussah, Gregoire Lawani to Roger Damawuzan compared as the James Brown from Lomé to forgotten tapes and brilliant songs in Mina, Kabyié and Fon language. Many of the tracks featured here are peppered with innovation and experimentation highlighting how diverse, the music scene in Togo was at the time even if the political context influenced their creation. Many of the original albums these tracks are taken from high prices online due to their rarity and so it’s with great pleasure that we present a selection here that evokes a golden boomtime in Togolese music history.
Lafayette Afro-Rock Band – Soul Makossa LP [STRUTLP300]
Second in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Record is Lafayette Afro Rock Band’s elusive funk/Afro original album, ‘Soul Makossa’ originally released in 1973. Drawing inspiration from Motown’s work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango. Rechristening themselves Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group’s musical direction shifted towards predominantly instrumental compositions, characterized by a weightier, more intricate Afro-funk sound. Their debut recording under this new moniker, ‘Soul Makossa,’ made a powerful impact with a dynamic rendition of Dibango’s classic, coupled with the intense break of ‘Hihache’ and the contagious ‘Nicky.’ Initially released by Musidisc in France and later in the U.S. via Editions Makossa, the album omitted the title track due to publishing clearance issues.
Lafayette Afro-Rock Band – Malik LP [STRUTLP299]
First in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Record is Lafayette Afro Rock Band’s elusive funk/Afro original album, ‘Malik,’ originally released in 1974. Drawing inspiration from Motown’s work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango. Under the new moniker Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group’s music transitioned to predominantly instrumental compositions, featuring a denser Afro-funk sound. Their inaugural recording with the new name, ‘Soul Makossa,’ included a compelling rendition of Dibango’s classic and the impactful break in ‘Hihache.’ The subsequent release a year later, ‘Malik,’ refined their sound with the percussive Afro party jam ‘Conga,’ the atmospheric vocoder and piano-led piece ‘Djungi,’ and the robust funk of ‘Darkest Light.’ Despite a limited impact upon its initial release, ‘Malik’ found appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the ’80s, establishing itself as a rich source of samples and riffs. ‘Conga’ was featured in the ‘Ultimate Breaks And Beats’ series, while the opening horn line from ‘Darkest Light’ became a pivotal hip-hop motif, employed by Jay-Z, Public Enemy, Wreckx ‘N’ Effect, and many others
Konerytmi – Robottidisko LIVE [Spring 2024]
All tracks written & produced by Kirill Junolainen and performed by Konerytmi
Setup: Roland mc707x2, Roland mx1, Roland SH-01A, Roland T-8, Dreadbox Medusa, Flame mono talking synth, Akai mpx16, Elta music console, Shiftline astronaut v2
Armonics – Future Echoes EP [BAP196]
Four years ago, Francesco Strippoli debuted on Bordello A Parigi. Once again, donning his Armonics alias, the Bari based producer returns with four tracks for “Future Echoes”. The synthesizer warmth that has characterised past releases is immediately present. At the heart of “Floating High” is Strippoli’s keyboard work. Beats are crisp and understated as waves of melodic murmuration bob and weave to perfectly complement each other. A steady kick introduces the textured title work. Warbling notes give way to bolder chords, chords that are blurred by shimmering arpeggios as layers of harmony expand and unfold. Nostalgia meets the needle on the flip. “Retrospectiva” blends subtle shades with brassy extravagance, the sun and romance of southern Italy radiating in tempered brilliance. The energy of “Music and Lights” closes. Throbbing keys are further fortified by swirling synth stabs, the intensity being ratchetted up to boiling point in this dancefloor delight.
Timothy J. Fairplay @ Soup (Manchester) 02.02.2024
VA – Many Shades Of House (Selected By Lea Lisa) [FVR192]
Favorite Recordings and Lea Lisa present Many Shades of House, a personal selection of House music tracks that have a very special place in Lea Lisa’s heart and in her record box. Amongst this selection, Many Shades Of House is including many very rare and hard to find titles, mostly never reissued on vinyl until now.
DMX Krew – Spiral Dance LP [HYPELP026]
DMX Krew returns to Hypercolour with a new long player. ‘Spiral Dance’ comes stuffed with wonky and futuristic synth jams.Having honed a style that has endured over an illustrious career, DMX Krew continues to immerse his productions in luscious analogue electronica, touching on the many bases of electro, Detroit techno, synthpop and dreamwave. With previous albums for Rephlex, Permanent Vacation and Balkan Vinyl, amongst others, ‘Spiral Dance’ becomes the fifth album for Hypercolour, following on from 2021’s ‘Loose Gears’.
Konerytmi – Saaristo EP [EWX-03]
Dimi Angelis – ANGLS 013 [ANGLS013]
The 13th release of Dimi Angelis on his ANGLS label. The A side of this EP consists of two tracks, “Shadowland” and its spatial nuances catch one right at the beginning with its lasso-like loops, who won’t let go too easily as the track evolves. Highly dancefloor oriented is the track “Intergalactic”, with its mechanical noise attack, using the 909 to create suspense paired with punchy inductions. On the B side one is encountered with “Crionics”, a track which transports into a deep sonic hole, an access to full immersion, giving both tension and resolution to the listener. The strength of “Ice Warrior” resonates through voltaic frequencies and is the abstract yet wholesome conclusion to this work of art.
Space Program – Scientific Side EP [FAUT059]
Lewis Fautzi’s new alias, Space Program, debuts in the scene with a deep dive into the edge of his creative and artistic mind, where new visions and ideas have been boiling for so long. A futuristic and spacial sound, emerges from psychedelic soundscapes and places the audience in an expedition to unexplored galaxies and alternate realities. Scientific Side EP is the first outcome of years and years of methodic experiences in his studio and awakens a profound sense of vitality that goes beyond the basic comprehension of music.
JTC – All Access No Excess EP [BOPD18]
JTC returns with a four-track EP, a mint encapsulation of his signature, decades-established style, machined from original remembrances of the Midwest’s party heydays and future visions of jakbeat tekno and underground acid-house progenies. ‘All Access No Excess’ is the first release in 2024 from Tadd Mullinix (Dabrye, X-Altera, Charles Manier) under his techno guise JTC, following his 2023 Album, Intra.Actae
Members Only – The Worst Edits Vol.6 [MO022]
Members Only is back for 2024 with another entry in what must be one of the most creatively off-the-wall series of edits ever committed to wax. The 4 cuts on offer here deftly blur the lines between disco, house, and EBM reminiscent of The Music Box or Medusa’s.
The Hipodrome Of Music 