Optik – Music, Harmony & Rhythm [MBG291]

OPTIK - Music Harmony & Rhythm

Groovin Recordings introduce the release of Optik Music Harmony & Rhythm, another great EP originally released in 1991 under MBG International Records. Optik is the alias of Giorgio Canepa and Ricky Montanari, two of the most talented italian producers from the early ’90s italian underground-house movement. In this EP we find two killer deep-house tracks, Music Harmony And Rhythm and Illusions, two great examples of the italo-house touch of the early ’90s that we found in a lots of other productions by MBG, Don Carlos and Key Tronics Ensemble, to name a few. Illusion is also sure an epic track, it was the last disc played at Vae Victis (Misano, Italy) and the first disc played at Novenove (Gradara, Italy), two of the most famous italian after hours of the 90’s era.

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Optik – Music, Harmony & Rhythm [MBG291]

Clarence G – Hyperspace Sound Lab [CAL006]

Before his untimely death in 2002, Drexciya member James Stinson recorded a number of killer solo records. Hyperspace Soundlab, initially released in 1991 and credited to Clarence G, is undoubtedly one of his best. It’s long been something of an in-demand gem, with copies changing hands for several hundred pounds. Here, Clone have done us all a favour and given it a much-needed reissue via their Aqualung series dedicated to all things Drexciyan. As you’d perhaps expect, all four tracks explore the Detroit elecro sound Stinson did much to develop, with the producer adding his own rap vocals to the killer “Clarence G’s Club”, and the ghetto-influenced bounce of “Cause I Said It Right”. Elsewhere, “Turbine” is an exercise in industrial-tinged drum machine abuse, while “Data Transfer” sees Stinson doffing a cap to classic Chicago acid.

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Clarence G – Hyperspace Sound Lab [CAL006]

Candido – Dancin’ & Prancin’ [SA8520]

Candido Cameron was a Cuban percussion maestro who had played with luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Count Basie throughout his illustrious musical career which started in 1952. Fast forward to 1979 and Candido finds himself caught up in the Disco boom that had engulfed his adopted New York City. Feeling he could add his trademark quick-fire Conga and Bongo playing to Disco’s straight 4 x 4 syncopated rhythm he cut some records with legendary NYC label Salsoul. The fruits of this partnership were 2 full length LP’s and a handful of 12″ singles that changed the face of underground Disco. The first of these two LP’s made for Salsoul was the truly epic “Dancin’ & Prancin” containing the all time classic “Jingo” which has been sampled, edited, re-configured and coveted by too many names to mention! It’s a killer funky Disco version of master Nigerian drummer Olatunji’s 1969 percussion suite of the same name, Salsoul style. The LP also contains one of the deepest Disco records of all time; “Thousand Finger Man” a testament to Candido’s percussion prowess and a spacey, beautiful voyage that has left more than an indelible mark on modern House music, often being cited as a huge influence by artists such as Masters At Work and more.

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Candido – Dancin’ & Prancin’ [SA8520]

Kirlian Camera – Eclipse [NTNO7871]

Norton North presents a collection of deluxe re-releases by Kirlian Camera: after 26 years the best-seller album Eclipse is again available on vinyl with the original tracklist and artwork. This record is one of the most representative albums of the 80’s, with his icy and pop style at the same time, a monumental classic for the synthpop and electronic scene, but also darkwave and experimental (the title-track “Eclipse” is a real classic for each underground club worldwide). Original released by Rose Rosse Records.

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Kirlian Camera – Eclipse [NTNO7871]

Steve Poindexter presents Kareem Smith – N B Battle Track [S3004]

Co produced by Steve Poindexter this EP presented Kareem Smith to the world. All superb deep cuts here from 1991 full of soul and attitude. Re-released in conjunction with Trax 2015.

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Steve Poindexter presents Kareem Smith – N B Battle Track [S3004]

Laurent X – Machines [TX163]

Made by Mark Imperial & Vinnie Devine as Laurent X, ‘Machines’ was conceived in a 16 track studio with an unquestionable Roland TB-303, but also a TR-808, TR-909, a Juno 106, some FX and a bucket of rib tips. According to Mark Imperial, he and his friends (specially Vinnie Devine) had a mad fun playing with gear.

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Laurent X – Machines [TX163]

Shinichi Atobe – Ship Scope [DDS014]

Hugely sought-after techno classic  – the precedent to ‘Butterfly Effect’, originally released on Berlin’s legendary Chain reaction and out-of-print for 15 years, now newly remastered from vinyl by Matt Colton at Alchemy. A massive personal favourite of Demdike Stare’s, Shinichi Atobe’s ‘Ship Scope’ was Chain Reaction’s penultimate release in 2001 and, with the benefit of hindsight, also one of the legendary label’s most sublime offerings.

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Shinichi Atobe – Ship Scope [DDS014]

Imre Kiss – Midnight Wave [LT013]

Imre Kiss finally lands back on the Lobster Theremin mothership, this time with a reissue of his seminal tape album Midnight Wave. A seminal, bold and instantly nostalgic LP, Midnight Wave showcases Imre’s immense ability to craft vivid landscapes of ethereal sound, infused with layers and years of emotional content. Culled from live-to-tape synth sessions in his once London abode, these tracks are the result of melancholic and restricted surroundings and trappings. What has emerged is a body of crackling, warm ambient and techno with a vast, cinematic scope. A sonic portrait of an alienated moment in London, told using industrial visceral tools and visualised through the cutting figure of a lonely individual boarding the 5am night bus home.

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Imre Kiss – Midnight Wave [LT013]

Splash Band – The Music Of John Carpenter [ZYX210611]

A few weeks ago, John Carpenter released his first solo-album. Reporting about this release the media used to mention also the Splash Band. Now, the Splash Band is available again. On this CD you can find the 1984 released album “The Music Of John Carpenter” as well as six bonus track. The bonus tracks are the ultra-rare single version of the songs Philadelphia Experiment, Christine, The End, Die Klapperschlange, Starman and Big Trouble In Little China.

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Splash Band – The Music Of John Carpenter [ZYX210611]

Shoc Corridor – Experiments in Incest [DE100]

SHOC CORRIDOR - Experiments In Incest

Dark Entries Records reissuesthe LP ‘Experiments in Incest’ from the  80s UK-based Minimal Synth band Shoc Corridor. The founders of this project, Chris Davis and Israel-born Nogi Prass, who eventually had to leave the band because there were problems with her Visa, started making music in 1979, influenced by German electronic bands Kraftwerk, Neu! and recent developments in UK Post Punk like Public Image Ltd., and formed a band, adding by Paul O’Carroll, Paul Humphries and Andy Garnham to the line-up. The departure of Nogi and Chris, who left with her, from the UK in late 1982 made it virtually impossible to continue with Shoc Corridor, but despite that, they released two LPs in 1983 and 1984 (Experiments in Incest and Train of Events). The band eventually disbanded after the suicide of bass player Paul Humphries following the release of Train of Events.

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Shoc Corridor – Experiments in Incest [DE100]

Smackos – The Age Of Candy Candy [BH018]

Smackos is one of Danny ‘Legowelt’ Wolfers lesser-known aliases. It was first used in 2004 for The Age of Candy Candy, a suitably eccentric experimental electronica full-length that was only ever released on CD in limited quantities. Here that album finally appears on vinyl thanks to the efforts of Berceuse Heroique, and it’s every bit as weird, wonderful and out-there as you’d expect, with Wolfers pursuing his passion for spacey, weightless electronics, far-out soundscapes, occasional skuzzy rhythms and dystopian synthesizer workouts. It’s previously been something of a hidden gem in his vast discography, and should be an essential purchase.

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Smackos – The Age Of Candy Candy [BH018]

Fingers Inc. – Another Side [ML9001LP]

Some 17 years after it’s original release, Fingers Inc’s expansive debut album, Another Side, remains one of the greatest deep house full-lengths of all time. Here, the album gets the re-master and re-issue treatment, with the original double vinyl set being expanded to a triple to guarantee loud cuts for club play. While there are plenty of well-known Heard and co classics present – “Mysteries of Love”, “Bring Down The Walls”, “Can You Feel It” etc. – it’s actually the long-forgotten album tracks that really hit the spot. It’s on these moments – often influenced as much by ’80s soul and synth-pop as acid and Chicago jack-tracks – that Larry Heard, Robert Owens and Ron Wilson really cut loose.

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Fingers Inc. – Another Side [ML9001LP]

Gene Hunt – Living In The Land Part 2 [MD6002]

Killer Gene Hunt double pack from 1995, with 9 killer tracks spread across 2 discs. Heavy duty jackers. Released in conjunction with Trax and MAAD records.

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Gene Hunt – Living In The Land Part 2 [MD6002]

Wish Key – Orient Express / Last Summer [DE95]

Wish Key was an Italo Disco duo of Manlio Cangelli and Lorella Ghilardi in Milan. Their first single “Orient Express” was released in 1983 by Discomagic Records. It begins with a rolling baseline, bright synthesizer stabs, and a sampled train siren. The double-tracked male/female vocals compliment each other perfectly, heightening the dramatic tension. On the flip is “Last Summer”, a slower paced affair with Silvia recalling a dream of lying on the beach and having a good time.

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Wish Key – Orient Express / Last Summer [DE95]

The True Underground Sound of Rome – The Bermuda Triangle (1992 – 2005) [VIBR001]

TRUE UNDERGROUND SOUND OF ROME, The - The Bermuda Triangle (1992-2015)

Despite only a few releases, the Electronic deep house sound of Vibraphone Records and the production team behind it had a major impact on the international 1990’s dance scene. The original 90’s vinyl are now considered precious collectors items. Revitalized by an increasingly new young audience interest this label has reached a cult status and it is now been re-launched via Juno Records. Produced by The True Underground Sound of Rome team all the tracks included in this re-released are characterized by a heavenly atmosphere and a cinematic sound. This 2 X 12″ EP contains the analog re-mastered version of the original 6 tracks first released in 1992 plus 2 new bonus tracks.

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The True Underground Sound of Rome – The Bermuda Triangle (1992 – 2005) [VIBR001]

Clay Pedrini – New Dream [DE094]

Dark Entries Editions announce the next reissue in their series of rare Italo Disco club hits. Clay Pedrini is a musician and singer from Milan. He released his only single, New Dream, in 1984 on Sensation Records.

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Clay Pedrini – New Dream [DE094]

Blue Russell – I Wanna Fly Away [DE093]

Dark Entries Editions announce the next reissue in their series of hard to find Italo Disco club hits. Blue Russell was the husband/wife duo of Manlio Cangelli and Lorella Ghilardi from Milan. Cangelli was a session musician and composer for many Italian singers, making music for commercial TV and working long days in the studio. He had a strong passion for the analog synthesizers of the time and discovered the latest drum machines.

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Blue Russell – I Wanna Fly Away [DE093]

Tala A.M. – Arabica [ARTREC002]

Andre-Marie Tala is one of the father figures of African music. Born in the western Provence of Bandjoun, Cameroon, his early years were plagued with tragedy. He lost his mother at 4, his father at 12 and then when on to lose his sight 15. Thankfully, the love of music stayed with him throughout his career and with the help of Manu Dibango he made his first recordings in 1972 and had two hits in Cameroon with Sikati and Potaksima. He created a group, the Rock Boys, later the Black Tigers, with Sam Fan Thomas as guitarist. At this time, Africa was immersed in music from overseas and many American acts toured all over Africa. Whilst touring Cameroon, Tala handed James Brown a demo of his song ”Hot Koki”. Seemingly, the Godfather liked it a lot, he actually re-recorded it and released it as his own song, entitled ‘Hustle’. In doing so, he took all credit for composing, which meant Tala had to sue Brown and luckily he won the case! We had so many great LP’s to choose from Tala but we decided to start with ‘Arabica’ where we find Tala in experimental mode. We hit the ground running with the lead track ‘Arabica’, disco drums, phased guitar licks and sweet soulful backing vocals, what’s not to like? ‘Black Gold’ takes the same path as laid out on ‘Arabica’ but we see the introduction of the Moog Synthesizer and the funky Rhodes Piano. ‘Sugar Lump’ is once again up-tempo and has bassline to get your body moving in the right direction. ‘I know what you want’ has a more traditional song approach Tala simply asks his love interest ‘not to let him down’. ‘Soweto’ is a Balearic DJ classic! Beautiful layers of guitar and flute ease you through this one. Soweto was a troubled place and high on the thoughts on African people around this time, this song reflects that. We end with ’20 ans’ a more tradition song with some Hammond organ and super sweet guitar playing from Tala once again. This record demands a high fee for obvious reasons so don’t miss your chance to own this official reissue which has been made with love.

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Tala A.M. – Arabica [ARTREC002]