New releases last four weeks: All genres

Review: This 2024 edition marks the return of Joe Bataan, via the same track that made his name in 2004. Vampi Soul first welcomed the Latin Soul king to the label two decades back, facilitating the release of his 2005 album Call My Name. The pre-release singles for the album were 'Chick-A-Boom' and 'Cycles Of You', packed onto a single 7"; these quickly became DJs' favourites and have thus since remained long out of print. As it was twenty years ago, 'Chick-A-Boom' is a simultaneously upbeat but ghostly track, with Bataan's vocals quadrupling up in a wall of sound while providing the vibe equivalent of a Jackie Chan flick. 'Call My Name', meanwhile, goes heavy on the clavichord and synth whistle, as Bataan revels in a funereal theme, dancing, thundersticking into the great beyond.

Review: Popular Hull-based shoegaze quartet bdrmm are building up to their latest tour with the release of single 'Standard Tuning, arriving hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed second album, 'I Don't Know'. Written and recorded during those same sessions and very much similarly flavoured, it continues a fine vein of form right now, with high praise coming in from the likes of Rolling Stone and Consequence. This special 10" also comes with a remix of the live favourite 'Alps' by Ninja Tune/Cambria Instruments electronica specialist Nathan Fake.

Review: Well Curated is a series of releases and parties that - in its own words - "reflects the ethnomusicology of the last 50 years of music" - and aims to reach into all genres, merging classic styles and breaking down barriers. Steve Spacek occupies the A-side with the breezy broken beat and soul-in-space of 'Alone In Da Sun', while Lukid's 'Hair Of The Dog' is a more intense counterpart, with wobbling sub-bass and swirling, surging atmospherics hovering above.

Review: Beatconductor's Dub Spectrum EP takes listeners on a journey through Jamaica with seven tracks of dubbed-out pop covers. The EP features creative mash-ups such as The Wailers providing instrumental backing for Adele, Dua Lipa, Christina Aguilera, and Duran Duran, offering a fresh perspective on familiar tunes. Additionally, Amy Winehouse and The Pretenders unite to form a ska supergroup, showcasing Beatconductor's innovative approach to blending genres. Beatconductor's skillful reinterpretations breathe new life into classic tracks, infusing them with reggae and ska influences while maintaining their original essence.

Review: The Beatles: The Red Album: 1962-1966 encapsulates the iconic band's early years with a dynamic selection of tracks that have now all been remastered at half speed so they sound extra good. This compilation showcases the evolution of their sound from the exuberant energy of 'Love Me Do' to the groundbreaking creativity of 'A Hard Day's Night' and beyond. There are also timeless hits like 'Twist and Shout' and 'Yesterday,' which means this collection serves as a definitive journey through the first part of the The Beatles' legendary catalogue. Each song is a direct portal back to the 60s and to the vibrant era of Beatlemania at the peak of its powers.

Review: The Beatles' EP From Us To You #3 captures a 1964 BBC session that encapsulates the band's early charm and infectious energy. Featuring a whopping ten tracks, it was recorded in the BBC's Paris Studios in Regent Street, London and fact fans will note that 'Honey Don't which was later included on the album Beatles For Sale and sung by Ringo, here features John on the vocals. Elsewhere the EP captures the band's irresistible melodies and tight harmonies with three of the tunes originally penned by the band's favourite rockabilly star Carl Perkins. Each song is a testament to The Beatles' enduring influence on popular music and overall serves as a timeless reminder of the band's unmatched creativity which continues to this day with new AI-produced singles that the much talked about one earlier in the year.

Notes: Ever loved something so much you wanted to "bee-come" it? While Beetronics' circuits are primarily original, their bees had classic favourites they "Wannabee-d," so Beetronics embraced these buzzing wonders as their own hive of inspiration, infusing a generous dose of honeyed innovation to craft the ultimate dual overdrive.

The WANNABEE "BEELATERAL BUZZ" is a dual-drive pedal like no other. It combines two classic circuits, each offering three distinct FLAVORS, and lets users weave them together however they like. They can run them side by side or have one flow into the other, unlocking a world of tonal possibilities, as sweet as a jar of honey.

Circuit #0, Beetronics's Bluesbreaker-inspired creation, harmonizes vintage amp tones with crystal-clear crispness, all while preserving that beloved tube-like warmth. Plus, its three flavours give users control over the low-end oomph. Circuit #1 is Beetronics's take on the legendary Klon. All those iconic transparent overdrive tones are here, with a sweet honey twist. Unlike any other Klon, Beetronics' Circuit #1 offers a unique trio of flavours that grant users control over their clean blend level.

This pedal's core houses a truly exceptional Routing System, crafted by Beetronics' expert bees. It's the gateway to exploring unique tones. What makes it stand out is that it lets users not only choose the order of the circuits but also blend them in parallel, something other dual-drive pedals can't do.

In the centre position, users can use the volume controls to mix both circuits in parallel. And with the footswitch, they're in charge of when each circuit kicks in. Flick it to the right, and Circuit #0 flows into Circuit #1; shift left, and Circuit #1 flows into Circuit #0. When chaining one circuit into another, users can simply crank up the volume on the first to push the second into a thrilling buzz of distortion.

The WANNABEE draws inspiration from Beetronics' favourite overdrive circuits and then elevates them to a whole new level, enhancing their tone with a touch of honey and introducing innovative features. It unlocks a world of possibilities by blending both circuits in the most unique ways. Beetronics hopes this can be the ultimate overdrive tool to help users truly BEE THEMSELVES.

Product specs

Pedal Dimensions 5.5" x 4" x 2.5" (including knobs, switches and etc)
Pedal Weight - 1.1 lbs / 0.5 kg
Package Size - 6" x 5.25" x 3"
Requires 9VDC power supply (Centre Negative)
*Does not include power supply

Review: Black Carbon by Akae Beka featuring Chronixx delivers deep Jah vibes and chilled reggae rhythms that capture the soul of Jamaican life. On Side-1, the track unfolds smoothly, blending reggae and dub elements into a mesmerising sonic experience. The lyrics delve into profound themes, reflecting on societal issues and spiritual insights. On Side-2, the dub version amplifies the instrumental aspects, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the rich layers of the music. Overall, Black Carbon is a captivating release that shows the talents of both artists and offers a refreshing take on contemporary reggae music.

Review: Way back in 1993, when his career was still in its infancy, Chicago great Roy Davis Jr donned an alternative alias, The Believers, and delivered a 12" on Strictly Rhythm: 'Who Dares To Believe In Me?' It was something of a club smash, with Ministry of Sound issuing it in the UK a year later with a swathe of new mixes. This Groovin' Records reissue boasts a trio of mixes from the original U.S 12". On the A-side you'll find the original mix, a warm, spine-tingling slab of piano-rich New York style house topped off by snaking, delay-laden saxophone lines and an inspirational spoken word vocal courtesy of Davis. Over on the reverse, Davis' own 'Just Living High Mix' - a breezier, jazzier and more colourful affair - is followed by Mind Readers' tougher, chunkier and heavier revision, which is in effect a proper dancefloor dub.

Review: Scottish party starter Sally C is behind the bolshy brilliance of the Big Saldo's Chunkers label. So far the releases have come at a steady rate but have always been of utmost quality. Bella takes care of the label's fourth outing and it's another peak time outing full of big fun. 'Note To Self' is a mix of potent breaks, trance chords and rave energy where 'Orchestra Spring' is more direct and bouncy with a rugged bassline pumping the breaks and 'Odd Symphony' then slips into a deeper vibe still but one that is no less dynamic. An Olsvanger remix of the same tune takes it into mind-melting late night afterparty territory.

Review: Hot Creations has now put out well over 225 records, which is no mean feat, but even more impressive is that it still very much sets the conversation for a certain section of the house world. This new EP pairs off Beltran with Harry Valencia and offers some interesting fusions of tribal, Latin, house and tech. There is a wonky feel to opener 'Origins' (3AM Tusi mix) with its characterful vocal chants and percussive grooves, while Beltran's solo cut 'Tira A Roupa' (feat Mc Jajau - Putaria mix) has a Spanish feel and a fat bass guitar riff that brings rubbery funk to the crisp tech drums. Last of all, Harvy Valencia goes it alone on closer 'Brut' which is more steamy and sweaty and ready for some sun-kissed open-air deployment.

Review: Bruno Berle hails from the coastal Brazilian city of Maceio, and he charmed the world in no uncertain terms with his 2022 album No Reino Dos Afetos. Berle's music is steeped in the tradition of MPB and Brazilian music overall, but he combines dreamy songwriting with an artful kind of lo-fi production which makes his sound all the more charming. This follow-up record once again finds Berle working closely with Batata Boy, drawn from the same seven-year period of developing ideas while moving from Maceio to Sao Paulo via some recording sessions in Rio de Janeiro. It's diaristic and scrapbook like, but rendered with such conviction it swoops in around your grey matter and carries you off to somewhere very pleasant indeed.

Review: Interplugreaction is a track from Beroshima's 2007 album Real To Reel, but it's wasn't until 2023 that we (now get to) hear the cream of its reinterpretations. If only every track in the world could hear a remix from the likes of Marcel Dettman and Rodhad! Perhaps this calls for an entirely new industry - in fact, let's lock the artists in a room just so they can churn out the music and nothing else. Actually, a whopping four techno heavyweights (also including Frank Muller and Henning Baer) to reinterpret the classic track, with the new mixes ranging from stuffy and oppressive to airy and stark. Certainly not one to miss.

Notes: Studio headphones for recording and monitoring purpose (closed).

Limited special edition circumaural studio headphones
For a range of devices thanks to a flexible STELLAR.45 driver
Includes detachable cable with mini XLR connector
Extremely comfortable, even after hours of use
Made in Germany

The next chapter of a studio legend

For 100 years, Beyerdynamic have been driven by the pursuit of the best sound. Thanks to numerous innovations such as the first dynamic stereo headphones DT 48, the robust studio legend DT 100, and the globally renowned DT 770 PRO, Beyerdynamic are now considered to be a reference for professional studio headphones.

To celebrate their 100-year company anniversary, Beyerdynamic are releasing the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition, a time-limited special edition of studio headphones. They combine the reference-setting features of the DT 770 PRO with the flexibility of the dynamic STELLAR.45 driver system and a detachable cable. Made in Germany, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition opens a new chapter in the successful Beyerdynamic DT series.

A tried-and-tested acoustic signature

The DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition circumaural studio headphones feature the tried-and-tested acoustic signature of the DT 770 PRO. Powerful basses, detailed trebles and first-class impulse behaviour - professional musicians, producers, studio operators and sound engineers have been trusting in these qualities for decades. Flexible and powerful, the studio headphones are perfect for recording and monitoring purposes thanks to their closed-back design.

The reference for a range of playback equipment

Thanks to their dynamic STELLAR.45 driver (48 ohms) with its broad frequency response of 5-40,000 Hz, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition headphones deliver studio reference sound on a wide range of playback equipment.

Stellar.45

For this, the sound transducer uses a neodymium magnet and a voice coil made from copper-plated precision wires. The resulting high conductivity of the driver system at low weight is the reason for its high performance. The driver system keeps distortion extremely low, even at high sound pressures. The Stellar.45 has an impedance of 48 ohms and proves that low-impedance sound transducers can deliver excellent studio-quality sound.

You want it, you get it- a detachable cable

As requested by a number of users, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition headphones now offer even more flexibility thanks to their detachable cable. The headphones come with a 3m-long straight cable with lockable 3-pin mini XLR connector. This can be connected to a variety of devices thanks to a 3.5mm stereo jack including a screwable 6.3mm adaptor.

The most comfortable 770 of all time

For decades, the studio headphones in the DT range have not only been classified as a sound reference, but also a benchmark in comfort. In addition to the robust spring steel headband construction, it is the iconic velour ear pads that ensure the headphones are comfortable even for long studio sessions. The soft memory foam used in the headband means it ergonomically adjusts to the shape of the head. One new feature is the integrated fontanel recess. Both the headband and the ear pads can be replaced if necessary.

Professional headphones- made in Germany

Made in Germany, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition headphones are characterised by the high production quality that Beyerdynamic has stood for over many decades. The driver system is manufactured within extremely tight tolerances and measured several times during the various production steps.

The combination of robust metal parts and impact- and scratch-resistant ABS plastic make the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition a long-lasting companion for everyday studio use.

For sustainability reasons, almost every part of the studio headphones can be replaced.

Applications
The DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition is a closed studio headphone suitable for professional recording and monitoring in the studio as well as on the move.

Due to the low-impedance STELLAR.45 driver, the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition delivers studio reference sound on a wide range of end devices.

The detachable, single-sided mini XLR cable makes it easier to handle the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition when it has to be used frequently.

The rugged headband made of spring steel gives the DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition a secure fit and the mechanical reliability needed for daily use.

Soft ear and headband pads contribute to a high long term comfort when wearing. If necessary, headband and ear pads can be replaced.

The connection cable is provided with a gold-plated mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm) with a 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm) and can be connected to all common headphone outputs.

Technical specifications

Transducer type: Dynamic
Operating principle: Closed
Wearing type: Over-ear
Frequency response: 5 - 40,000 Hz
Nominal impedance: 48 O
Sound pressure level @ 1 mW/500 Hz: 98 dB
Sound pressure level @ 1 V/500 Hz: 112 dB
T.H.D. @ 500 Hz: < 0.05
Maximum short-term power handling capacity: 210 mW
Ambient noise isolation: 16 dBA
Nominal headband pressure: 5.5 N
Weight (without cable): 305 g
Length and type of cable: 3 m / straight cable, detachable, single-sided
Connection: Gold-plated mini stereo jack plug (3.5 mm) & 1/4" adapter (6.35 mm)


Supplied accessories

1 x Straight cable, 3-pin mini XLR (lockable) and mini stereo jack (3.5 mm), length 3 m
1 x Screw-on adapter 3.5 mm to 1/4" (6.35 mm) stereo jack
1 x Drawstring bag

Review: Beyonce's Cowboy Carter is a bold and poignant exploration of American roots music, marking a departure from her previous works while asserting her dominance across genres. Inspired by her 2016 experience at the Country Music Association Awards, where she faced criticism and racism despite her Texas roots, Beyonce delves into Louisiana Cajun country, the rivers of Alabama, and the streets of Memphis, reimagining Americana, folk, and country in her own image. The album serves as a powerful statement on the erasure of Black contributions to country music and American culture, with Beyonce reclaiming her rightful place in the genre's history. Through collaborations with legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, as well as emerging Black country and rock musicians, Beyonce highlights the enduring legacy of Black artists in shaping these musical forms. Cowboy Carter is both a sonic journey and a cultural commentary, blending elements of folk, country and rock with Beyonce's signature style and vocal range. From the haunting cover of the Beatles' 'Blackbird' to the electrifying trap beats of 'Ya Ya,' the album showcases Beyonce's versatility and musical dexterity. No doubt, 2024 will be another strong year of Beyonce led by this album.