Hello,
The resurgence of classic electro was a surprising trend this month - check Instra:mental's stunning album below - but really fans of all styles and genres should have something to drool over, with Robag Wruhme, Kode9, Panda Bear, Art Department, Burial, Yelle, Who Made Who, Nôze, and many, many more delivering the goods. |
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TECHNO / HOUSE EXCLUSIVES
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4Lux head Gerd drops on Clone's impeccable Basement Series with 'Time & Space' being critical principles. The original a bolshy futuristic electroid stomper gliding over frictionless synths, the 2011 rub slickly preened and two mighty remixes from Rotterdam's Duplex duo. Stellar material.
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Reggie Dokes delivers authentic house deepness with 'Haiti' and 'God Of House', which interweave sparse up-tempo grooves with virtuous arrangements of piano, Rhodes and strings. The Netherland's Morning Factory (2020Vision, Yore) complete the EP with a delicate remix. Sweet.
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TECHNO / HOUSE ESSENTIALS
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The album following up Robag Wruhme's exquisite split single with Isolée from January, the enigmatic DJ and producer creates an album weaving ephemeral textures from field recordings into his thoughtful dancefloor-oriented tracks, bridged with beautiful ambient spaces. Outstanding, spine-tingling listening.
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Kenny Glasgow and Jonny White's incredible lonely dancefloor hit 'Without You' grabbed just about everyone last year and now appear with an album which doesn't lose any of that essence. Excelling in their unique sparse and funking melancholy house with appearances from Seth Troxler, Soul Clap & Osunlade.
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Venetian house don Rabih Beaini (Ra.H) slips into his Morphosis guise for his debut album on Delsin. 'What Have We Learned' compiles ten hypnotic analogue techno jams, imbued with a sense of experimentation derived from free jazz, but also taking occasional cues from other sources, such as Lebanese folk music.
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Following on from the lush 'How To Spread Lies' EP on Dial, Roman Flügel continues in his impeccable style this time with timeless synth-heavy house. 'Dishes & Wishes' and 'Mulish Crease' plucking out nonchalant melodies, 'Iron Curtain' casually bleeping and soaring and the retro-charm of 'Lovedancing'. Brill.
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Over 50 releases Freude Am Tanzen have been cultivating their own brand of deep minimalism. '5zig' features amazing contributions from all of the labels mainstays: Brittle electro by Robag Wruhme, wobbly house by Mathias Kaden, deep techno by Daniel Stefanik, Taron-Trekka, Monkey Maffia, and many more!
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The sixth Historia Y Violencia instalment has David Alvarado (Ovum, Peacefrog) join the fray. His 'La Soledad' is a mightily peaking dub techno bomb, while Santiago Salazar drops a fantastic UR-style deep techno track with 'Caja De Luz'. Absolutely spectacular release.
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Compilation released 11-04-2011 on Echocord
Danish dub techno giants at Echocord celebrate their jubilee with this premium grade compilation of ten exclusive tracks. All deep, dreamy, dubby killer and no filler from the likes of Fluxion, Deadbeat, Luke Hess, Mikkel Metal, Quantec, Onmutu Mechanicks and Echospace's Stephen Hitchell. Bravo!
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With another EP on Art of Vengeance, Aril Brikha's timeless soulful techno still rules strong. In the vein of his epic 'Winter EP' on Kompakt back in 2007, 'Forever Frost' tingles cold synth melancholy, 'Tundra' pulses shimmering melodies and 'Glaciär/For Minou' plugs smoothly deeper. Completely lush.
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Brendon Moeller emphasizes the dub in dub techno under his Echologist guise, but don't expect just pleasant chill-out sounds from this album. Despite its lack of a straight kick-drum, 'Subterranean' is more at home on a strobe-lit dance-floor than on a Caribbean beach. Massive.
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Album released 04-04-2011 on CLR
Tommy Four Seven comes armed to the teeth when it comes to technique in the studio. Utilizing a host of found sounds and vocals from field recordings to cultivate his distinct sound, T47's debut full-length for Chris Liebing's CLR, 'Primate', displays the muscle and depth of field that comes from a mastery of his tools.
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Nôze return with a new album since 2008's 'Songs on the Rocks' and in their inimitable style they weave trombones, guitars, saxophones with rugged vocals, in their unconventional house music. With guest appearances by Riva Starr, Wareika and dOP, it's a vivacious and hugely enjoyable listen.
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Running Back showcases the housier side of Scandinavian disco hero Todd Terje with 'Ragysh', a long, sun-drenched piece of epic build-ups and progressive grooves. 'Bonysh' shines with more experimental and minimalistic percussions, while two versions of 'Snooze 4 Love' deliver cosmic melodies galore. Sweet.
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On 'Perfume' Tin Man reaches a middle ground between his extensive explorations of analogue acid house and his song-oriented electronica recordings. His laid-back singing is more present then ever, but at the same time the album's tracks have a distinct house music feel. Unique and recommended.
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On the concert stage Elektro Guzzi take their unique brand of live-played acoustic techno to a whole new level, and 'Live P.A.' does a great job in capturing this experience. A 45 minute live recording is complemented by four new tracks, making for an excellent demonstration of the Viennese trio's proficiency.
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A wonderful EP by Heidelberg's deep house king Move D: 'Your Personal Healer' is almost exclusively driven by rhythmic piano chords, interspersed with subtle guitar licks, 'Things Will Come...' is a short, percussive jazz house interlude, and 'Sur un Bateau' features Eric D. Clark for a funked-up piano acid epic. Great!
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This distinct release on Innervisions sees Âme hook up with the global ambassadors of South African music, Amampondo. Across two versions of 'Ku Kanjani' Âme's hypnotic brand of techno meets Amampondo's characteristic Xhosa chants. Post-modern world music, impeccably executed.
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Hot Creations are on a winning streak at the moment, and Clockwork's latest EP is further proof to the fact. Title track 'It's You Again' succeeds in injecting a sexy funk into minimal house music, and an all-star team of Art Department, Lee Foss and Robert James adds plenty of lush synths to its excellent remix.
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dOP's Damian and Clement team up with vocalist Brian Brewster as Aquarius Heaven. Their debut EP for Circus Company sets the mood with four deep and polished tracks that span Basic Channel / Rhythm & Sound style electronic dub, deep house, and even some electro flavours on closing track 'Universe'. Recommended.
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Julio Bashmore manages to surprise us once again, this time with a deep vocal house vibe on 'Father Father', the inaugural release on Bristol's new Futureboogie label. An instrumental edit and the 808-powered 'Craboon' complete the package, the latter switching back and forth between house and r'n'b grooves.
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Two mainstays of the Swiss techno scene team up for this two-track EP on Music Man, and interestingly the combination of Ripperton's playfulness and Deetron's Detroit roots results in two bouncy and minimalistic jackers that should work wonders when used as laid-back, bassy DJ tools.
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Maxi-Single released 18-04-2011 on Tresor
A new release from former techno powerhouse Tresor is always a nice surprise these days, especially if its such a strong one as Psycatron's 'People In Glass Houses'. Belfast's Planet E duo unleashes a storm of lavishly filter chord-techno, including a beatless tool ideally suited for on-the-fly remixing. Strong!
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On the 10th volume of Get Physical's Body Language series M.A.N.D.Y. live up to their legend with an inspired selection, complementing obligatory floor fillers with a wealth of unusual choices - from Brandt Brauer Frick's jazzed-up opener to the inclusion of Nicolas Jaar, Model 500, and DJ Koze's brilliant 'Der Wallach'. Sweet!
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Poker Flat is feeling the old-school vibe with 15 brand new and exclusive tracks from the likes of Kink & Neville Watson - hitting it Sheffield bleep style - Deetron - taking cues from Derrick May - and Redshape - with a nod to Wolfgang Voigt's Love Inc. project. Plus Steve Bug, Ribn, The Revenge, Sasse. Excellent.
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Heralding the arrival of GusGus's seventh studio album, 'Arabian Horse', the band's two masterminds Biggi Veira and President Bongo present two instrumental versions of their hypnotic glissando stomper 'Magnified Love' and the echoing dub house workout 'Within You Dubs'. Unmistakably GusGus!
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Frederic Moering-Sack & Christian de Jonquières aka Piemont return with their second long-player on their own Suchtreflex imprint. Their slick and sturdy techno house reaches out to grainier terrains, incorporating field recordings and instruments in this solid yet tactile album.
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Moustache Records start a new techno subsidy and unleash an infuriating EP by the mysterious Gesloten Cirkel, who already kicked up some dust with their previous release on Murder Capital. Four dark techno tracks sitting somewhere between Moscow subways and Chicago basements. Big EP!
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Member of the seminal 3 Chairs, Marcellus Pittmann's solo work is equally as essential. Three tracks for Seventh Sign begin hot and heavy in 'The Mad Underdog', soothed by lush soulful house grooves in 'You Want Me (Never)' and sparse, shuffled house abstractions rounding off a brilliant EP.
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On a roll since his brilliant Emerald Fantasy Tracks album last year, Lone appears with more old-school electro inspired tracks with a ravey UK edge on R&S. Rich and grainy synths, gently primed house beats and his knack for effortlessly blissful moods prevail. Dynamite release, don't miss!
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Chilean-born Panorama Bar resident Dinky serves up two luscious slices of floor-filling deep house. 'Take Me' rotates hypnotic vocal loops over warm bass and experimental jazzy designs while 'Polvo' features a more haunting vocal with a delicate piano over a brassy bass. Stylish moves.
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A few weeks after Steffi's album release were treated to the digital reissue of her original 'Yours' white label, featuring the instrumental and a cappella versions not on the album. Whichever version you choose, this is one of the nicest chord-powered techhouse tracks we've heard this year, so get it if you've missed it.
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Maxi-Single released 11-04-2011 on Phonica
Fresh from touring the world with Carl Craig, Paul Woolford unleashes a stunning single on Phonica. Incorporating sounds from UK funky and dubstep, 'Can't Do Without' is a killer skewed house number with a cheeky bassline while 'Bareback' is a crushed-up moody rhythm driven jam. Heavy!
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Audio Werner returns in 2011 on Hartchef Discos with this slick and grooving single. 'Can you scratch' is a reduced shuffly house track with a driving bass force and a cheeky bit of scratching whilst '?' is a smooth, jazz-sprinkled deep house number. As ever, wonderful top-notch productions. Hit!
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Philpot Records is one of those buy-on-sight labels for us, and 'Fear Diluted' by Lump's Arttu Snellman is certainly not a record you'll regret blindly purchasing: Two super-minimal and immensely funky Chicago jackers, built from hard-hitting 909 drums, bleepy analogue synths, and sparse vocals. Fantastic.
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Maetrik makes his debut on Cocoon Records with a dark, dubbed out house monster. Both tracks represent Estornel's unique style, using hallucinogenic vocals, hypnotic beats and a power that is deep and latently noisy at the same time to put the dancefloor over the edge of insanity.
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Dresden's Uncanny Valley crew strike again, One Day In Metropia in a slow-rolling synthetic electro funk, Credit 00 dishing out some Drexciyan moves, Stefan Lohse going deep with a bubbling acid tinge and the mysterious 'Projektname Unbekannt' rounding off with a very fine space rhythm jam. Brill!
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Soul Clap are a perfect choice as remixers of Laid Back's legendary 80s sound, treating 'Cocaine Cool' and 'Bakerman' to fittingly cool and laid back house mixes that keep the originals' funk intact. Nice.
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DUBSTEP / HIP HOP / 2STEP EXCLUSIVES
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Vienna's Martin Stepanek (of Cheap Records and Rondy 550 fame) lays out his blueprint for abstract dubstep on his brand-new Sounding Functions imprint. From 'Introspective's harmonic drones to the sparse, wobble bass meets electronica vibe of 'Skeleton Dub' this is a unique trip. zero" exclusive!
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Responsible for some of fiercest rhythms in Detroit bass music, Erik Travis is a somewhat unsung hero of Motor City electro, receiving some well deserved recognition here with this four-tracker on Clone. From the classic 'Make You Rock' to the raunchy 'Phone Sex' this is perfect, gritty ghetto funk.
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DUBSTEP / HIP HOP / 2STEP ESSENTIALS
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After a stunning split-single with Anstam, Phon.o releases a further single on 50 Weapons. 'Slavemode' a broody, crisp, growling bass-stepper supplemented with euphoric chords while 'Abbey Road' sees tensely ebbing synths, teased with micro-sampled UKG vocals. Big tunes!
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Vienna's finest beatsmiths unite on this fine volume for local label Affine: Dorian Concept, Ogris Debris, and The Clonius team up in various incarnations, including live band JSBL, with additional input by Paul Randolph, Cosmin TRG, and Cid Rim. From abstract downbeat to wonky house, this is excellent!
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Mesak has been at the forefront of the Nordic Skweee movement lately (which crosses over dubstep, r'n'b and funk), but for 'Cycle of 12' he returns to his classic electro roots: Eight tracks of bouncing 808 beats, spluttering synth lines and dystopian sci-fi moods. Essential album for all electroheads.
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Two years in the making, Citinite finally releases its prominently helmed tribute to Cleveland's electro-funk pioneers Sexual Harrassment. Dam Funk, Sweat.X, Jimmy Edgar & G.Rizo, and Robert O'Dell all deliver distinct versions of all-time party classics such as 'I Need A Freak'.
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Maxi-Single released 22-04-2011 on Tectonic
It remains to be confirmed whether Tony Williams has actually visited the Windy City or not, but he undoubtedly captures the essence of Chicago's hyperactive street sounds. Tectonic is the next in a series of high-profile labels to showcase his unique take with 'This Is It / Make Um Bounce'.
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Even after releasing five albums, Warp Records artist Bibio still has quite a lot to say when it comes to expressing his expansive sonic vision. In his sixth complete full-length, 'Mind Bokeh', Bibio wears many different hats shifting into personas varying from folky to funky and drenching every moment in blissful haze.
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zero" podcast #023 artist, CosminTRG, has delivered a series of highlight releases on Hemlock, Tempa and 50Weapons, developing his own unique strain of bombastic, bass-infused house and techno. Follow his latest exploits here in this essential 4-tracker for Rush Hour's Direct Current series.
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Jahcoozi's Robot Koch meets Scienz of Life's John Robinson in a brilliant fusion of Robot Koch's sci-fi dubstep productions and John Robinson's futuristic hip-hop narrative. Flowing with the energy of an intergalatical stream of consciousness, bass explorations to shake your world. Highly recommended!
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Dutch-born, London-based drum'n bass producer Icicle was never one to rely on the same old formulas that are a rampant in the crowded genre. Here in his debut full-length for Shogun Audio, 'Under The Ice', he proves himself to be one of the most original and innovative talents operating in bass music today.
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ELECTRONICA / AMBIENT ESSENTIALS
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Warp reissues 11 EPs from Autechre's early career. If you're in any way susceptible to the legendary duo's pioneering brand of broken beat electronica and are missing some or all of these gems, here's your chance to fill those glaring gaps in your collection. Fundamental material.
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Derived from Stefan Goldmann's commissioned ballet 'The Grand Hemiola', the title track sees dramatic orchestral and percussive fragments formed into winding complex rhythms. The remainder are excellent delicate and hypnotic rhythmical compositions, emphasizing the fine acoustic textures. Superb.
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A remarkable and quite unexpected album by techno producer Argy, who teams up with Permanent Vacation to release this tribute to Berlin's legendary 1960s krautrock venue Zodiac Free Arts Club. Nine mesmerizing tracks of free-floating electronica and meandering cosmic disco jams. Highly recommended.
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Recorded in 1978 by Tangerine Dream's Peter Baumann, 'Ballet Statique' is yet another rediscovered masterpiece from Conrad Schnitzler's vast and adventurous body of work. Reissued by the highly collectible m=minimal label, this is pure reductionist synth goodness for fans of Oneohtrix Point Never and the like.
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Hamburg-based Martin Stimming turns from his tight and bouncing minimalist techno productions with his latest album, tastily entitled 'Liquorice'. Melancholic melodic tones and unusual recordings give his sound a rough-textured edge and a freestyling character, an intriguing and excellent album.
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German collective Tied & Tickled Trio, with members of The Notwist and Lali Puna, combine forces with legendary jazz drummer Billy Hart (who has played with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis). 'La Place Demon' is a stunning album of free-flowing jazz with diverse influences.
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Stockholm's Roll The Dice are the latest signing on Leaf, and their live EP debut serves as a clear indicator of the duo's influences: Two minimally pulsing bass arpeggios serve as the backbone for two long and slowly building krautrock jams that should intrigue all fans of Cluster and early Tangerine Dream.
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Karsten Pflum's 'Slaphead Faun' was one of our surprise electronica favourites of 2010. Now signed to the prestigious Hymen label he delivers a worthy follow-up: 'No Noia My Love' puts an even more prominent focus on experimental drum'n bass, interspersed with moments of fragile acoustic beauty.
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Album released 25-03-2011 on MiG
The latest volume in MiG's monumental series of Klaus Schulze reissues, 'La Vie Electronique Vol. 9' once again compiles almost four hours of music from the German synth pioneer's vast body of work. Epic pieces, highly recommended.
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ALTERNATIVE / POP / DISCO ESSENTIALS
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Album released 03-05-2011 on Kompakt
Copenhagen's Who Made Who debut on Kompakt, showing a more sober side to their usually tongue-in-cheek electronic no-wave hotpot. Maintaining their intense energy and admirable song-writing skills, the album certainly has a melancholy feel, with a great video to demonstrate this too! Ace.
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Vienna's Wolfram Eckert strides fully into the limelight with his self-titled debut album. Guests include Hercules & Love Affair, Sally Shapiro, Patrick Pulsinger, Holy Ghost! & Legowelt not to mention euro-dance legend Haddaway (yes, that one!). A heady elixir of pure unadulterated disco-pop genius!
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Robert Johnson main man Ata compiles a volume for the LARJ series, and from the outset this was going to be something special. It's best described as '1983 seen from 2011' - 12 rare tracks from the era of new wave disco and early electro that still sound as futuristic today as they did 25 years ago. Killer!
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Richard Dorfmeister lifts the curtains to his private collection, compiling a lovely volume of smooth jazz, blues, and dubby slow rock greats. A wonderful soundtrack to both making out and spacing out, following the advice of Harri Stojka's closing track, 'Bau No Wos Au' - Viennese slang for 'roll another one'.
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Six years after his last album under his real name Jason Forrest returns with 'The Everything', an album that refines his anything-goes sample based approach without abandoning his legendary sonic anarchism. From easy listening jazz core to garage rock techno breaks, this album has... well, everything!
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France's Bernard Fevre returns with a brand new album of his signature dark disco sound on Lo Recordings. Featuring high profile guests such as Nancy Sinatra, Jon Spencer, Afrika Bambaataa and Claire Evans of YACHT in some poptastic, dusky italo-bass driven steamers. Recommended!
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From subtle disco pop tracks like 'Hex' to cosmic synth-strumentals like 'Solar Flares Burn For You' London's Gatto Fritto knows how to arrange his densely layered pads and rhythms, finely balancing balancing pop appeal and complexity, while always maintaining a distinct melancholic mood. Fine album.
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London-Nairobi team-up Owiny Sigoma Band releases the second single from their (also excellent) debut album: 'Wires' is a sweet afro-wave-pop tune that receives a stunning remix from Theo Parrish, who dissolves the song in dense layers of percussions and eerily flanged guitars. Amazing.
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Album released 29-04-2011 on Gomma
French house music legend Dimitri From Paris releases this irresistible EP on Gomma: 'I Love New York' is saxed-up 90s NY house with a Bones & Musto style breakbeat, 'Downtown' delivers classic boogie funk, and 'A Reason For Living' is a great Bobby O tribute featuring italo king Fred Ventura. Pure class.
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Album released 01-04-2011 on Dug Out
Dug Out continues to unearth long lost gems from the immense Black Victory label - this time it's Nitty Gritty's 'General Penitentiary' album from 1987, a dream combination of Studio One and Bullwackies musicians, with the young sing-jay already at the top of his game. Superb rhythms, killer dubs, essential!
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Album released 12-04-2011 on Strut
Ghanaian highlife guitar legend Ebo Taylor teams up with Strut to release a definitive compilation of his seminal 1970s recordings, 'Life Stories'. With such irresistible afro-beat gems like 'Love And Death' or 'Aba Yaa' this compilation showcases some of the genre's finest works and comes highly recommended.
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Worst Friends follow up their recent outing on Future Classic with 'Billiards with a Midget', a wonderfully chilled-out disco song with a slow and dubby vibe. Internasjonal label head Prins Thomas supplies one of his fabled Diskomikses in a funky cosmic vein, and Dr. Dunks brings out the track's housier side. Excellent!
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