Review: Berlin's Exit Strategy began their 12"s game releasing EPs in browned sleeves, shortly before branching out into digital-vinyl combo releases with original artwork in the 2020s. Now with over ten years of experience under their belts, they welcome five new artists for a playful bricolage in deep and minimal techno, privileging elite, razor-sharp additive sound design and future-soulful vocal tasters. Ivory's opener 'Rain' epitomises this, while Jimi Jules squelchifies the same formula, and Aera's 'Future Holdings' rolls out the same logic to its ultimate conclusion, veering towards complex, 3D-graphic melodic techno composed entirely of climbing saws.
Tomoko Kina - "Tie Island" (No Man's Island mix) (5:08)
Review: Japan's Fourth Wave Record Factory sure does know how to serve up brilliantly beguiling sounds that ate you well out of your here and now. Next up is this, 'Dondon Bushi' 7" by Shoukichi Kina, Champloo and Tomoko Kina that explores a mix of Okinawan traditional sounds and modern grooves. The Mbira dance mix of the A-side jam is a bubbly rhythm with worldly percussion and soulful melodies that echo folk majesty and are topped with a wonderful weird vocal from Shoukichi Kina. On the flip, there is a more lazy and downtempo style dub rhythm, 'Tie Island' (No Man's Island mix) which is another worldly trip.
Saturday Night (Dr Packer dubstrumental mix) (6:34)
Review: After they relocated to Miami, Florida, in the early 1970s, Bahamas band T Connection recorded a string of disco and disco-funk anthems for local label T.K. Amongst their most admired and played releases - the peerless and extra-percussion 'At Midnight' excepted - is 'Saturday Night', which here gets the remix treatment courtesy of popular Aussie disco/house fusionist Dr Packer. He provides two peak-time-ready rubs: a jaunty, rolling, full-vocal A-side remix that lightly straightens and tools-up the groove while retaining the horns, strings, guitar and bass from the band's superb original mix, and a flip-side 'Dubstrumental'. Almost entirely free of singing besides some whispered and yelped backing vocals, it allows the original disco instrumentation more room to breathe while rolling out the band's killer groove.
Review: Released as a special picture vinyl, this collaboration offers two versions of the track that reimagine its infectious energy. Talla 2XLC, a celebrated figure in uplifting trance, teams up with Fragma (Ramon Zenker) for a stunning rework of the iconic trance anthem 'Toca's Miracle'. The A-side features the Extended Mix, a high-octane, 138 BPM version that drives with relentless basslines, booming kicks and tight percussion. The uplifting Ibiza-style piano synths combine with balearic percussion and bilingual vocals, creating an instantly euphoric vibe. As the breakdown introduces the signature Balearic guitar riff, the track builds to a peak of vocal trance intensity, leading into a powerful instrumental finish. On the flip side, the previously unreleased RRAW mix adds an exciting twist to the classic, presenting a fresh, dynamic take on the original. 'Toca's Miracle' continues to resonate as a timeless anthem, evoking memories of beachside raves and sun-drenched nights. With this new release, Talla 2XLC and Fragma successfully reignite the spirit of the track, breathing new life into a classic.
The Great Marmalade Mama In The Sky (Yage remix) (5:15)
Wooden Ship (Yage remix) (5:37)
Review: This package of remixes of tunes from Translations is a real gem for lovers of Future Sound of London. plenty of familiar samples and textures are worked into the five Yage remixes as are cosmic overtones, sitars, drones, backward guitars and more. 'The Big Blue' is a woozy intergalactic sound on slow-mo beats, 'Requiem' is a worldly dub, 'The Lovers' has psyched-out lead riffs that bring prog energy and 'The Great Marmalade Mama In The Sky' has drunken tabla drums and mesmeric strings for a perfect retro-future comedown. 'Wooden Ship' is a spine-tingling sound with choral vocals bringing the celestial charm.
Review: "I'd prefer it to be called just a country album," said TORRES of her collaboration with Baker, nearly a decade in the making, "but I'm proud to have made a 'queer country' album." TORRES had the initial idea to turn to the genre, inviting Baker to collaborate not only because of her shared southern roots but also because she'd also had a similarly religious upbringing that ultimately saw sexual orientation judged and condemned. The result is some deeply autobiographic songwriting on tracks like 'Tuesday', about a traditional family's rage at discovering their daughter was gay, the lilting 'Sylvia' and 'Sugar In The Tank', with pedal steel meeting acoustic guitar strum and very intimate sounding vocals. Bound to cause controversy in certain areas of the US, but it's got the quality and distinctive flavour to stand its ground.
Review: Rhode Island post-metal avant-garde duo The Body have made a name for themselves due to their caustic maelstrom of harsh, brutalist experimentalism as well as their prolific output and collaborative nature, releasing collab albums with the likes of Full Of Hell, Thou, Uniform, and most recently, Dis Fig. Their latest endeavour sees the pair link up with another duo of musical extremity, Toronto, Canada's recently reformed industrial two-piece Intensive Care. Was I Good Enough? has been on the cards since the artists first began making plans as far back as 2018, trading, warping and ruining mutual sessions with layers of loops, distortion, samples and even dubs, constantly striving to find the ideal haunting balance between both of their sonically hideous, oppressive worlds. For all of our ears' sakes, they just might have succeeded.
Review: Before Marc Bolan's untimely passing in 1977, T. Rex was a cultural whirlwind, an electric force that blurred the lines between glam rock and larger-than-life mythology. The band's influence during the early 70s reached levels that not only defined a generation but also cultivated the feverish phenomenon known as "Trextasy," rivaling even the mania of Beatlemania. Amid the hits that catapulted them into superstardom, hidden on the flipsides of their most famous singles, were some of Bolan's most vivid and unpredictable musical momentsitracks that now stand as an alternative narrative to the T. Rex story. This collection brings together 27 of these gems, charting a journey from the swaggering energy of 'Telegram Sam' to the reflective tones of 'Celebrate Summer.' These B-sides, often overlooked in favour of their A-side counterparts, show a different side to Bolan's genius. Many of these tracks, such as 'Cadillac,' 'Thunderwing,' and 'Lady,' could have easily stood on their own as hit singles, their impact only diminished by their position as B-sides. 'Born To Boogie' gets a newly discovered single mix, while 'Sunken Rags' offers an introspective side of Bolan that feels like a hidden treasure. The inclusion of Gloria Jones adds a fresh layer of soul to the proceedings, her voice a perfect foil to Bolan's otherworldly swagger. These tracks, strung together in one place, feel like an alternative history of T. Rex, highlighting the artistry that was often buried beneath the mainstream success. They not only reaffirm Bolan's stature as a visionary, but they also open up new pathways for the listener, offering an alternative lens through which to understand the full depth of his music.
B-STOCK: Sleeve torn at the top but otherwise in excellent condition
Talk Talk (3:18)
Today (single version) (3:12)
Have You Heard The News? (5:03)
It's My Life (3:52)
Such A Shame (4:09)
Dum Dum Girl (3:45)
Life's What You Make It (4:21)
Living In Another World (single version) (4:14)
Give It Up (single version) (5:10)
April 5th (5:47)
Time It's Time (8:05)
I Believe In You (single version) (3:43)
Eden (edit) (4:13)
Wealth (6:19)
New Grass (9:28)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve torn at the top but otherwise in excellent condition***
Few bands have undergone as profound a transformation as this British group, and this collection carefully traces that evolution. Spanning five albums, it highlights both their early synth-pop success and their later, more expansive sound. The journey begins with 'Talk Talk', a defining moment of the early 80s, followed by the powerful 'Today' and the reflective 'Have You Heard The News?'. 'It's My Life' remains a landmark, its reputation only growing over time, while 'Such A Shame' solidifies its status as an essential deep cut and cult favorite. The second half of the set balances the band's shift toward a richer, more organic approach. 'Life's What You Make It' bridges the transition, blending anthemic hooks with a more intricate sonic landscape. 'Living In Another World' and 'Give It Up' further explore this textured sound. By the time the collection reaches 'April 5th' and 'Time It's Time', the songwriting has taken on a deeper, more atmospheric quality. 'I Believe In You' stands as one of the band's most emotionally powerful moments, reflecting their ability to craft songs with immense depth. The final stretch features 'Eden' and 'Wealth', leading into 'New Grass'ia stunning closer from their final album, widely regarded as a masterpiece. Thoughtfully sequenced, this compilation works as both an introduction and a celebration. A perfect update to their best of - Natural History - from way back in 1990.
Review: First Word Records thrill us with a brand new album from present-day jazz legend Kaidi Tatham. Miles Away marks his sixth solo full-length for the award-winning London label, with ten fresh tracks all performed by the multi-instrumentalist himself. This is a masterclass in forward-thinking, genre-blurring electronic jazz; Rhodes keys, pianos, synths, strings, horns, and flutes flow floridly over roomy percussion and drum intricacies, representing Kaidi's unmistakable sound. From the smooth funk of 'Misty Garden' to the infectious 'Sweet Cherry Punch', the album redshifts a kaleidoscope of styles: bruk, boogie, soul, and even reggae-steppers on the closing 'Ku Deh'.
In Which The Lines Are Drawn/The Larder Is Emptied/The Air Resounds To Akina Glass/While Two Of The Pipes Remain Silent (17:45)
And Thereafter A Minor Prang Occurs At 5-22-9/Cool Air Yields To The Last Strings/And The Fifth Floor Awaits Silence/As Inundation Draws The Curtains (16:45)
Review: An'archives introduce the debut from Tete de Chou, the quietly adventurous trio of Mark Anderson (Greymouth, Suishou No Fune), Kurumi Kido, and Arlo Wynks. Emerging organically from informal sessions and shared yakitori nights, their music developed in intimate settings; home shows in tatami rooms, improvised studio jams, long-distance collaborations. Sessions between Japan and New Zealand carried over the album's dialectic of place and movement, described by Anderson as "almost a travel diary." Dulcimer, ichigenkin, glockenspiel, reeds, and homemade electronics interlace like a five-ply plait, causing an unfixed yet deeply affecting effect.
Review: R&b duo They - songwriter Drew Love and producer Dante Jones - re-radicalise their sound with a passionate new album-length tribute to Black love and culture, following up nearly a decade chopping and reconstituting 90s r&b, new jack swing, and hip-hop to produce an essential but style fusional core. Gone are the big-name features and major-label pressures; Love.Jones reshapes itself with defiance, channelling the golden era of neo-soul with a pure, low-key but high-energy intimacy. Inspired by the 1997 romantic drama Love Jones, directed by Theodore Witcher, the themes across the record are similar: interpersonal poetics, navigation of trust issues, and candid portrayals of intimacy in urban settings.
Review: In 1970, soul icon Carla Thomas recorded a full album at Memphis' American Sound Studio for Stax Records. While two tracks were released as a single, the complete project was shelved and remained unreleased until it surfaced in a 2013 compilation. Now, 55 years later, the long-lost album finally sees its vinyl debut. Featuring songs penned by songwriting legends such as James Taylor, The Bee Gees and the duo Goffin and King, this record offers a long-overdue spotlight on a hidden gem from one of Stax's most beloved voices and captures a soulful moment in time that nearly slipped through the cracks.
Review: Also known as "Portland's Pillar Of Soul", Ural Thomas is a widely esteemed Portland based r&b singer-songwriter and musician, active since the 1950s. Still going strong over almost three-quarter century's worth of performing and releasing, Thomas' breathtaking oeuvre comes to a recent head on this latest LP+7" via Cairo, 'Nat Ural'. Eschewing his latest incarnation with backing The Pain (making up Ural Thomas and the Pain), which was formed after a long hiatus, we return to Thomas' solo sensibility here. A new LP backed up by a sneaky extra 7", Thomas' distinctive, homely brand of strutting vocal soul is once more put on display here.
Review: Breton artist Yann Tiersen's new album is divided into two distinct parts, each with its own identity. Rathlin from a Distance features eight introspective piano pieces named after locations Tiersen visited during his 2023 sailing tour, such as the Fastnet Lighthouse and the Faroe Islands. The music evokes introspection and tranquillity throughout and creates a meditative atmosphere that makes a lasting and cathartic impact. In contrast, The Liquid Hour is an expansive blend of electronic and psychedelic rhythms born from Tiersen's reflections on political and social change during his time at sea. The section's haunting melodies and Emilie Quinquis' vocals make a great counter to part one.
Review: Mille Plateaux and Raster hero Andreas Tilliander meets Fire! Orchestra's Goran Kajfes somewhere deep - and we mean DEEP - in the jazz cosmos. The farthest reaches of a universe far, far away, but one that still seems to understand how joyful vast can sound when pierced by the haunting yet strangely alluring sound of brass. But simply defining this as jazz misses a point, then throws us well beyond the pale. In Cmin would be nothing without the electronic tricks and gadgetry that first made us feel as though we'd space-walked off the edge of the known galaxy, out past the Milky Way's stardust. Echoes, tape delays, things that add mood and timbre without necessarily shouting their presence. There's magic at work here. And, contrary to the 21st Century's obsession with under-the-hood, not knowing the how is the reason why you want this.
Review: More of a refinement than a total reinvention TOKiMONSTA's latest sees her subtly shifting her sound while retaining its essential character. While collaborations are present, they serve to highlight rather overshadow, her distinctive production style. This is a curated journey, moving fluidly between moments of quiet introspection and bursts of dancefloor energy. 'On Sum', the much-anticipated link-up with Anderson.Paak and Rae Khalil, is a clear standout. The established chemistry between TOKiMONSTA and.Paak is undeniable, their styles meshing seamlessly. Khalil's smooth vocals provide a captivating entry point, giving way to.Paak's effortless flow. It's a lesson in modern r&b, where soulful vocals meet TOKiMONSTA's signature rhythms and shimmering synths. This double LP isn't confined to 'On Sum', however. It explores a wider landscape. 'Corazon / Death By Disco Pt. 2' is pure kinetic energy, a samba-infused track built for sweaty dancefloors. But the album also makes space for quieter moments, with tracks like 'Eternal' and 'Reverie' offering a chance to breathe. It's here, in these more contemplative moments, that the intricacies of TOKiMONSTA's production truly come to the fore. This release is a statement, showcasingTOKiMONSTA's continued artistic growth, her ability to weave diverse influences into a cohesive and compelling whole. From the high-octane energy of 'Corazon/Death By Disco Pt. 2' to the understated beauty of 'On Sum', this is a journey worth taking.
Review: The debut album from Margate-based dream pop sorts Tokyo Tea Room. Singer Beth Dunn has a soulful voice that conjures images of a perfect sunset and complements the understated live instruments and steady beats. One of the bands biggest draws is the way Dunn's voice works with synth player Daniel Elliot's. 'There's a Place' and 'I Would' have moments that aren't unlike The xx. And like their UK counterparts, they've crafted an album that works when you want something a bit downtempo. It's meant for slowing things down a notch and letting our minds wander; a balm for the chaos of the rat race.
Review: Oakland culture hub Cone Shaped Top, boost Tomu DJ's sophomore album to the world and it's an absolute bounty of flavours, ideas, textures and tales. At its most urgent and fast-paced, it takes the form of dubwise, reggae influenced drum & bass ('Tortfeasor'), at its most stripped back it's the hazy psychedelic rock of 'Window'. Elsewhere we're struck by lo fi house ('Flowers'), ESG-style post punk funk ('New Groove') and full-on psychedelic soul ('Distant Memory'). And that's not even half of this beguiling adventure. This really is an exceptional body of work.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.