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KIKOK – Seedway [MAG182]
Pavel Fedoseev is KIKOK. As one of the few remaining members of the Komi tribe, he used the Komi words Ki (= arm) and Kok (= leg) as his brandname. Born in Kudymkar (capital of the Komi-Permyak nation) , now lives in Perm, no less than a 22-hour train journey east of Moscow, placing Fedoseev in what, he says, feels like cultural and social isolation. This 10 track album acts as a means to escape the monotonous cycle of his hometown. KIKOK works on this album with Loua (Luciana Russo) an electronic music producer based in Amsterdam. She’s taking care of vocals and voice snippets. The end result is a record that sounds both propulsive and hypnotic, an album that sounds like moving forward and in circles at the same time. Rich lashings of synthesisers pulse over beats that switch between techno thump and restrained ambience, with tracks seamlessly moving from dance floor stomp to woozy comedown let-up. Russian Rave Pop at it’s best. Perm is a disgusting city,” says KIKOK of his hometown. “It’s dirty, boring and rough. I’m afraid of walking outside; that’s why I sit at home and watch movies and make music.”
Afrobuddha – Obama / Zone [MYST012]
It’s a little unclear of the intentions behind London-based Japanese duo Afrobuddha’s name, but on their first release they were certainly working in collaboration with African musicians. Afrobuddha’s two previous 12”s came out in the first half of the last decade, and have since become highly sought after. Mysticisms now gathers the tracks together on this 12”, leading in with ‘Obame’, which was originally recorded with the Kakatsitsi Drummers in Accra, Ghana. Both the original and the dub mix channel a powerful Afrobeat flavour, with the source material from the Ghanaian singers and players front and centre of the mix. ‘Zone’ takes things back into a more club-oriented sphere, with plenty of synth layers and some nimble hand drumming from Davide Salvietti, which of course comes to the fore on the purely percussive ‘Drum Mix’.
Spaced Out Krew – PPU S.O.K 1 [PPU-SOK-1]
American label Peoples Potential Unlimited has cared out its own superb niche in the world of heart aching, lo-fi funk. But here a new catalogue number seems to suggest a new series. It kicks off with French collective Spaced Out Krew and their timeless, boogie driven disco funk. The music was written during 2020 by Spleen3000 and Marius Cyrilou of Cee-O-Funk. There are starry-eyed melodies, rasping basslines and curious vocals that all add up to a nice cosmic disco sound.
VA – Spirits of The Black Lodge Vol. 3 [BL005]
5 tracks of pure heat of various styles from members of The Black Lodge global family. A1 is entitled “Atmospheres” from the ever-talented Michigan producer JTC aka Tadd Mullinix [Bopside/Nation/Ghostly]. A2, entitled “Arreskni” comes from newer Chilean artists MU-GA, a track we released in digital format last year from their debut EP. Finishing off the A-side is Italian super-duo Sons Of Traders [SOT/Frigio/Black Lodge] aka Tans X Mike Tansella Jr. with the acidic cut “Indianapolis” also released last year by BL on tape and digitally from their first full length album entitled “Crollo Nervoso”. Side B blasts off with the early Chicago house inspired track “Passion” by prolific Dresden producer Sneaker [Uncanny Valley/Rat Life/Frigio]. Closing off the comp is a dirty warehouse banger/burner by e-spirit, a new alias from LA producer Delivery [LA Club Resource/Valcrond Video.
DJ Steve – Secret Touch EP [WRECKS036]
The question ‘Who is DJ Steve?’ gets closer to being answered with the exciting release of his second EP on Klasse Wrecks. WRECKS036 brings more of the heat that DJ Steve is becoming known for. Direct lines are traced to back the formative years of UK Rave and Bleep music, production techniques are kept stripped back and faithful to the classic combinations of those numbers 808, 909, 303 and 101. ‘Secret Touch’ is a melting pot of acid lines, perfectly placed chord stabs and atmospherics that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Sheffield warehouse in 1992. The three original tracks are backed up with a hypnotic and perfectly grooved-out remix from Klasse Wrecks boss Luca Lozano.
Windy City – Acid Funk Vol. 3 [NYC010]
Here we have the 3rd & final installment of Windy City (Feat. Moot Booxle) “Acid Funk” series. Once again, Moot lends his amazing keyboard skills to Windy City’s space disco excursions.
Gensi – Primavera 707 [FBR081]
Gensi AKA András Genser deploys a trio of smooth and inspiriting cuts on the ‘Primavera 707’ EP. The title track gets the remix rub from British brothers Decius. ‘Primavera 707’ is tinged with a gloss and sheen, and a pop edge, that stays on the right side of classy. Heavenly melodies skit around an effervescent vocal, as Gensi distributes bubbly acid lines and expansive synths that elegantly crescendo.
Iron Curtis – Weather Repost EP [CTX011]
Krokakai – Poisoned Well [HIGH001]
Krokakai is an emergent Glaswegian producer with a penchant for hardware – largely using an MPC2000XL, SH09, MS20 Mini, TT-303, Roland Alpha Juno and other trusted tools. He’s already turned heads on labels such as Invisible Inc and PowerStation Records. Right here he lays down the label’s parameters with four unique, far-reaching escapades.
Dan Piu – Modern Utopia Thoughts [HST002]
Human Sense Technology returns for their 2nd entry; this time from the man of many styles, Eastern Zurich’s very own Dan Piu, with Modern Utopia Thought EP. Dedicated to his youth and influenced by future visions of creation, the atmosphere and arrangement on this EP permeates into the imagination with colors of suspense, harmony, and spherical textures showcasing the finer lines of deep frequency. Courageous indeed as this EP embraces the mysterious in an eccentric bliss that charms the listening experience in a way that grooves the body as much as it moves the mind. Imaginative bleep infused mix of IDM, trance and braindance.
Jayson Wynters – The Affect Heuristic [147DSR]
Delsin welcomes Jayson Wynters into the fold for a four-track EP that embodies techno as a vibrant, expressive artform with the ability to uplift. On The Affect Heuristic, Wynters strides forth with an electrifying machine language, calling to mind the feverish, psychedelic tweaking and layering of visionaries like Dan Curtin and Lee Purkis (In Sync). Across four tracks, Wynters pivots between distinctly Motor City-indebted funk, springy electro-techno and vivid, immersive soundchasms.
L.D.F. vs Javonntte – Tales From The Space [DMX010]
DOMINA TRXXX welcomes Lello Di Franco & Javonntte, with the 10th edition “Tales From The Space”. Vocoder dreams.
David Vunk @ Dekmantel Selectors 2021
Shriekback – My Spine Is The Bass Line [GR-1283]
Groovin Recordings presents the reissues of the “My Spine Is The Bass Line” EP released in 1982 by English post-punk band Shriekback.
Andrew Weatherall – Vol. V [DISDAT005.1]
DISDAT returns with its 5th release by a true pioneer, Andrew Weatherall. There is not much to say that has not already been said about the Governor, so we will just give our respects and let his music do the talking. On the B-side Rhadoo’s remix is built on a mellow and powerful bassline, sprinkled with sounds oddities, and micro textures which keeps the mind occupied while the body surrenders to the groove.
Danilo Plessow (MCDE) @ Dekmantel Selectors 2021
Odracir – Atmos EP [PTN018]
Made in Sicily, and created for the dancefloor the “Atmos” EP fully embraces the Partisan high definition charm; boasting three bulky cuts, structured around emphatic drums, transcending melodies, and squelchy acid lines. Odracir’s cosmic and functional effect makes for an irresistible EP.
basiC realitieS – Summer Love / Desert Valley [VIBR023]
Vibraphone presents the upcoming release by basiC realitieS – Sommer Love/ Desert Valley. An incredible release by Stefano Curti including two remixes by Master Larry Heard aka Gherkin Jerks.
Oshana – Disciples of Dystopia [PSI004LP]
Channeling her innermost depths, Oshana reveals her widest body of work to date, “Disciples of Dystopia;” a multi-faceted expression of the emotions, influences, and sounds that have guided her on her musical journey. The album aptly marks the fourth release on her very own, Psionic label, and is the first double 12” in the catalogue.
The Hipodrome Of Music 