VA – WhyPeopleWar – Fundraiser for Ukraine

“Over one hundred artists from all over the world and various disciplines joined forces to raise funds for Red Cross Ukraine and help the innocent. After three days of no sleep, we are proud to present you WhyPeopleWar Vol. 1 and 2. fundraisers with more than 100 tracks! We want to thank all artists who participated and the studios that helped us master the tracks in record time! Let this symbol be the message we send out there with this fundraising compilation. Let this music uplift the human condition and do its part in dragging us out of this situation. From Lithuania with love! Slava Ukraini, Heroyam Slava!

Absolutely all proceedings will be donated to redcross.org.ua/en

VA – WhyPeopleWar – Fundraiser for Ukraine

Shkema – Kronikos Pt. 1 [GS002]

SHKEMA - Kronikos Part 1

Shkema’s debut EP ‘Kronikos’ is a double release with four originals and four remixes. The author describes it as ‘world news show, where each song represents a different story’. Some of them he has experienced himself, some are hearsay from TV news programs, and some are actually imaginary. Stories are not really related – just like in the news. ‘Ispanija’ was created during a friend’s band rehearsal. Psychedelic vocals sounded interesting in Shkema’s headphones while he was watching soundless singers and the muted musicians. The true reason why this track is called ‘Ispanija’ is still unknown to this day. According to Shkema, ‘Ola’ is an allegory of Plato’s cave. It’s a story about prisoners, chained in the cave and the only moving thing they could see was a passing shadow – quite deep, uh? Justin Strauss and Max Pask recently have joined up to form new project Each Other. True dance floor legends delivered bass-busy remix of ‘Ispanija’. It could probably be best described as ‘juicy distorted badboy from New York you don’t want to mess with’. Moscow’s finest – Simple Symmetry – joined the pack and went back to the roots. Their remix for ‘Ola’ is future clubbing classic, four to the floor banger with a drop perfect for pogo.

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Shkema – Kronikos Pt. 1 [GS002]

VA – Correcciones Calypso Vol.2 [CC002]

After the sold-out first edition of Correcciones, Mexican label Calypso returns with Volume 2 of the series, unveiling four strong contenders for Edit of the Year. Starting things off, Calypso co-label boss Thomass Jackson has his way with a weirdo Polish jazz/fusion/funk track that keeps turning left while continually finding the right direction. Russian label regulars Simple Symmetry join forces with co-label boss Inigo Vontier to deliver a ”monster peak-time mantra” that’s as perfect for morning rites as it is for nocturnal adventures. On the B-side, New York’s Facets slows down the tempo of an old goa gem. Volume 2 closes out in the hands of Italian dandys Marvin & Guy, who offer a magnificent take on a forgotten disco classic.

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VA – Correcciones Calypso Vol.2 [CC002]

Simple Symmetry – XXX002 [XXX002]

The Russian duo, Simple Symmetry, delivers the second EP on Holland’s XXX label, unveiling a trio of new cuts. They begin with the curious but entertaining Italo disco-deep house fusion of “Chemical Wedding Of Christian Rosenkreutz” before moving into deeper, more tactile territory with the Steve Hillage guitars, dreamy chords and chugging grooves of “Best Ice Cream In Guwahati”. The latter is remixed by Public Possession’s Marvin & Guy, who emphasize the track’s sleazier elements. Arguably best of all, though, is “Whip Me In The Saloon”, which sounds like a cracking tribute to mid-80s Chicago house with added piano solos.

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Simple Symmetry – XXX002 [XXX002]