Martin Heimann – Salto [CO008]

Frankfurt based producer, DJ and music lover Martin Heimann presents his debut single Salto’ on Carry On 008. Remaining faithful to its name, the small label puts out another piece of limited wax every once in a long while. Enrooted in the soundscapes of 80s proto house the original version of Salto’ is a thriving piece of octave liberation. Consistent changes between harmonics break up the repetitive structure, while FM pads and the 303 are performing a little duet. The release is ennobled by two proper remixes from Moon B (Peoples Potential Unlimited) and Jex Opolis (Good Timin’). While Moon B keeps it bubblin’ with some extra analogue funk bounce and subtle Italo dance floor energy, the B-Side is Jexi-fied with some embellishment to the cords, change in the bassline and a nice 808 snap. On top Mr. Opolis adds some mysterious but cheesy vocals samples that match perfect with the moody 80s orchestral stabs.

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Martin Heimann – Salto [CO008]

Faze Action – Mangwana [FAR029]

Faze Action return with a brand new 12”, teaming up with Zimbabwean born Zeke Manyika to create ”Mangwana”. Sung in Zeke’s native Shona, and taking influences from Mory Kante, South African Kwaito to early house, Faze Action manage to create a record that harks back yet still has a modern and contemporary feel and is set to be the soundtrack to countless festivals and outdoor parties this summer. The title track is followed by the stunning ”Chiiko”, featuring Zeke’s vocals enriched by Rob’s ‘cello’s with African rhythms floating you away to another tropical world. A Vision of Panorama turns up the dial with a stunning mix on the flip side. A new bass line adds to some quality keyboard work. Finally the brothers deliver are more stripped out dub ”Paradise ’89 Mix” tailored for the peak time.

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Faze Action – Mangwana [FAR029]

UFOCUS – Guidance For The Puzzled [NW009LP]

Danny Wolfers aka Legowelt with a new project UFOCUS on his own label Nightwind Records. 11 Tracks with a mix of electronix and more club ready tracks, typical Legowelt style. A double-album set that explores the paranormal themes that were once a major part of the early ’90s ambient techno scene. Musically, much of Guidance For The Puzzled recalls those halcyon days, with Danny’s drawing inspiration from a mixture of classic Detroit techno, intergalactic electronica, intelligent techno, stargazing ambient house and – on the fine “Archetypes & Myths” – dreamy deep house/acid house fusion.

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UFOCUS – Guidance For The Puzzled [NW009LP]

Marcello Napoletano – The Neroli EP [NERO031T]

Marcello Napoletano is an artist gifted with a special raw energy and his talent is shown on this debut EP for Neroli. Four tracks with that ‘Music Box’ swing only few producer have. The Neroli track in particular is set to jack hard any dancefloor.

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Marcello Napoletano – The Neroli EP [NERO031T]

Hunee – Hunch Music (Mick Wills / DJ Fett Burger Remixes) [RHM021]

Lengthy and weighty “Hunch Music” remixes by Mick Wills and DJ Fett Burger. After Hunee’s celebrated debut album “Hunch Music”, it’s time for these two remixes here… DJ Fett Burger inserts “Crossroads” into Boss Brian’s computer and takes it to an extraordinary new level, Mick Wills transforms “Hiding The Moon” into a throbbing and grinding floor cracker.

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Hunee – Hunch Music (Mick Wills / DJ Fett Burger Remixes) [RHM021]

Ghost Culture – Safe / Multiply [PH052]

Ghost Culture returns to Phantasy with ‘Safe/Multiply’. An unashamedly club-rooted double single, both tracks find Ghost Culture’s expert electronic manipulation in more direct mode. Killer openings track somewhere between bleepy UK rave techno, Detroit techno and mid90’s trance, flip side is a heavy pulsating trancey cut that will cause damage on the dancefloors.

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Ghost Culture – Safe / Multiply [PH052]

VA – X [KM043]

To celebrate Kontra-Musik Records hitting the ten-year mark, founder and label owner Ulf Eriksson has put together a collection of some of our finest releases. This has been a daunting task, for we are happy to announce that we could easily have made several very different compilations that we would have been equally contented with – there are so many superb tracks we had to leave out. This has, however, been a labour of love. Much like the label itself. Eclecticism has always been a lodestar for Ulf Eriksson, as we hope this collection gives testimony to. The label has always been moving freely between techno, house and more experimental sounds. Kontra-Musik intends to show different angels of perspective, not to convert you to a new Religion or Ideology. Being open to a broad variety of sounds and rhythms – judging them not solely by their functionality but rather by their personality – has been the Kontra-Musik way from day one. While it has been a crooked and sometimes exceedingly hard road to follow, we’re hoping to carry on for several years to come. After 10 years, the label still feels meaningful and current to us – in short: it’s still worth it. Kontra-Musik would like to thank everyone – from contributing artists to faithful friends of the label who have supported us all these years. None of this would have been possible without you.

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VA – X [KM043]

Doms & Deykers – Dedicated To Those Who Feel [3024026]

Dutch power duo Doms & Deykers a.k.a Steffi (Steffie Doms) and Martyn (Martijn Deykers) step up to the plate with a brand new action packed offering. Following up their “Fonts for the People EP” and their track “Whirling” on Ostgut Ton’s Zehn LP, the two take their continuous collaboration to a new level. The three tracks on “Dedicated to those who feel” see Steffi and Martyn recognizing their respective strengths, combining their 90s heritage with a vision of the future, modern techno soul with all its flaws and bright euphoric moments. “Dedicated to those who feel” serves as the introduction to a full length Doms & Deykers LP, scheduled for later this year.

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Doms & Deykers – Dedicated To Those Who Feel [3024026]

Stephen Lopkin – Meal a Bhuiridh [MOSDEEP027]

LOPKIN, Stephen - Meall A Bhuiridh

Having already released on MOS Recordings’ sub label MOS Deep before now, Stephen Lopkin is now back with a second four track effort. The Scottish artist has been making prickly house and techno for almost a decade now, and on the four cuts here he once again showcases a serene and slick style. Opener ‘Och Aye’ is Detroit styled cut with rich synths dancing about above rubber drums. It makes for a shiny, electrified atmosphere that is clean and sleek and emotive. ‘Weegie in Wigan’ is a much more peak time cut of cackling percussion, sombre chords dampening down raw drums and a wild FM baseline that adds an old school feel. On the flip, ‘Ball & Chain’ is another busy house effort that has hi hats spinning like plates, thudding kicks and whole eco systems of synths darting about while ‘Meall’ ends the EP on a masterfully melodic and heavenly groove that journeys through the starry night sky, wired up with electronics and stuffed with machine made soul.

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Stephen Lopkin – Meal a Bhuiridh [MOSDEEP027]

Chinaski – Rivers Edge [UV035]

Chinaski’s first solo EP for Uncanny, the Dresden based label. “Rivers Edge” is one hell of a ride through the nightmarish and schizophrenic side of House and Disco music. “Disaster” is a journey through Dark House territory with its Italo-sounds and that catchy synth spiral along the way while “Cash” leans more to the Chicago side of things to merge into a true dance floor killer. The flipside starts things off with “Lifetime” and an uncompromising bass line. When the beat finally kicks in you’re in the game for anything. “Street” hits the same atmospheric spots but with a slightly sweeter topping over it. Finally, the stomping “Never Look Back” is a fun example for that typical neon-shimmering flavour that shines through all of Chinaski’s productions.

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Chinaski – Rivers Edge [UV035]

Fabio Monesi – Pipe Dreams EP [WLS013]

Fabio Monesi makes a return to his own Wilson Records after last year’s album “Parasol Dance’. From the raw beat of Mirage’ to the smooth and jazzy sound of Pipe Dream’, this EP encloses the versatile approach of Fabio Monesi to the music, in which analog recordings and warm sounds are a must.

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Fabio Monesi – Pipe Dreams EP [WLS013]