Review: Bongo Joe and Sofa Records' third instalment of the Maghreb K7 Club Disco Single series dives deep into Algeria's vibrant 1980s scene, offering four tracks that shine a light on the region's overlooked gems. The A-side is led by two irresistible pop-boogie-funk tracks from Khaled Barkat: 'Galouli Enshara' and 'Zourini'. Self-taught and self-produced in 1983, Barkat's music was a hit at the time but got overshadowed by the rising tide of rai. His dynamic collaboration with Yazid Fentazi, Redouane Ayoub, and Mhenni Benlala resulted in a sound that blends infectious grooves with local flair. Now, for the first time, these tracks are on vinyl, offering fresh ears the chance to rediscover a key player in Algeria's pop history. Cheb Tati takes over on the B-side with 'Dub El Hammam', a heavyweight dub number that showcases his range as a rai vocalist. Tati was flown to London in 1989 to work with dub pioneer Denis Bovell, and this track is a standout from their sessions, merging the pulsating rhythms of reggae with a distinctly North African flavour. Closing out the release is the Kabyle band Asif, whose only known recording, 'Tafsut', serves as a fitting finale. Formed by three brothers in Lille during the late 70s, this beautifully crafted pop-boogie track captures the band's unique sound, bringing a sense of nostalgia and triumph to the collection.
Review: This EP is the first collaborative work by Andrea Belfi and Jules Reidy. Berlin-based and hailing from Italy and Australia respectively, the duo blends compositional precision with improvisational freedom. During a residency at Berlin's Callie's-a 19th-century factory turned arts space-they and engineer Marco Anulli crafted four expansive tracks in which Belfi's masterful drumming interlaces with Reidy's shimmering guitars and electronic textures. The opener layers just-intoned guitar figures over delicate brushwork and climaxes with a synthetic surge and tracks like 'Oben' and 'Alto' explore shifting grooves, propulsive rhythms and dynamic soundscapes.
Badia Onirica (feat Rhys Ifans - Welsh version) (6:21)
Badia Onirica (feat Rhys Ifans - English version) (6:21)
Un Adeu (feat Pep Tosar - instrumental version) (2:37)
Un Adeu (feat Pep Tosar - Catalan version) (2:42)
Un Adeu (feat Pep Tosar - Spanish version) (2:41)
Badia Onirica (feat Rhys Ifans- instrumental version) (6:19)
Review: With over 50 years of experience dating way back to the early 70s with the progressive outfit Zebra, Joan has left quite a discography that is still being discovered and enjoyed. This EP - Joan Bibloni's second appearance on the label in total - features three versions of 'Badia Onirica', two of them being language versions and then the instrumental. Overall, the song is a track fitting for the Cafe Del Mar sound - a mix of folk, electronica, house with a Latin and folk influence and versions in Spanish and Catalan. An EP for watching the sunsets, dreaming on the beach and remembering life's great time with friends and family. NuNorthernSoul continues to honor the chill out legacy.
Review: Blue Feather were a truly blue-eyed funk outfit from the Netherlands who had a prolific run in the 80s with two albums and a string of club singles to their name. "Let's Funk Tonight" was surely one of their bigger hits, and it sounds resplendent with a fresh master and the full extended version spread out across the A side here. Offering something new for the modern market, Best call upon Faze Action to flesh out this reissue with a killer dub of the track that treads softly but funks deep, just like a good dub should.
Review: Before he signed with Tru Thoughts 21 years ago, and many years before he became one of Ninja Tune's most popular artists, Simon Green AKA Bonobo was merely a bedroom DJ/producer knocking up tracks in his Brighton home. The two tracks showcased on this limited-edition "45" date from that period and have never before seen the light of day. A-side 'Brighton Tapes 01' is warming and hazy, with toasty chords, drowsy flute and female vocal samples and deep bass rising above crunchy, loose-limbed MPC-driven drums. Flipside 'Brighton Tapes 02', which contains the same high level of vintage cassette hiss, is similarly warming, with a sweet female vocal sample, snaking sax samples and rich Rhodes chords wrapping around a head-nodding hip-hop beat.
Review: This project stems from the mutual admiration between Daru Jones and Devonne "DJ" Harrison who, upon discovering their collaborations with Jack White, had the idea of blending rock with jazz. DJ Harrison's vintage keyboard skills and Daru's versatility made them perfect for such a rock-influenced project. Legendary guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, a longtime friend of Mr. Mandel, was ideal for the guitar role and after several years they finally got together to record this album in 2022. The result is a first 12" single, mastered at 45 rpm for exceptional sound. Here's hoping there will be more to come.
Awakened Souls - "Yet Today Is All We Have" (1:04)
Benoit Pioulard - "A Heart Mirrored" (3:50)
Benoit Pioulard - "Our Era" (3:58)
Zake - "I Saw An Angel" (5:29)
Zake - "She Walks In The Sun To Me" (3:22)
Review: Zake's Drone Recordings label offers up this heartfelt collection in celebration of the label head's wife on a milestone birthday. Next to the man himself, awakened souls and Benoît Pioulard also feature with the former offering 'Valleys and Peaks' from Julia's poem which blends Cynthia's ethereal vocals and James Bernard's bass with swirling synths and guitar. Benoît Pioulard's lo-fi folk-pop 'A Heart Mirrored' and dreamy 'Our Era' reflect his signature style while Zake's cinematic pieces, including 'I Saw An Angel,' pay tribute to the inspiration of his wife. A lovely listen with a great concept
Review: Cosmic disco legend Daniele Baldelli is enjoying recognition these days like never before, and now he's back alongside Marco Fratty with his first album in five years. As you would expect from something with Baldelli's magic touch, there's a warm '70s flavour to the music on offer here, but it's also rendered in pristine modern production quality. Particular highlights across this two disc set include the sweet flute-riffing of "Jasmine Flavour" and the freaky vocoder trip outs of "Slinky Funk", but truthfully the bar remains high throughout this impeccably executed slice of spaced-out disco business.
Robert Williams - "I Believe You're The One" (4:59)
Lee Ryda - "Electro Eyes" (8:30)
Francisco - "Heal Yourself" (4:36)
Vidderna - "Villfarelser" (5:13)
Meo - "Cikuana" (5:02)
The Emperor Machine - "Dying By Wits" (3:17)
Tri Atma - "Yummy Moon" (long version) (4:31)
Pressure Drop - "Unify/Rip Up" (instrumental) (4:54)
Enzo Carella - "Malamore" (3:19)
Ad Vissar & Daniel Sahuleka - "Giddyap-A-Gogo" (4:52)
Le Couleur - "Underage" (2:59)
Sunshine Jones - "Fall In Love Not In Line" (extended vocal version) (10:41)
Car Crash Set - "Fall From Grace" (6:54)
Len - "Steal My Sunshine" (Idjut version) (8:35)
Mcraft - "She Sells Sanctuary" (3:56)
Review: Balearic Mike and Kelvin Andrews are onto a good thing with their Down To The Sea & Back series, returning for a third round of Balearic dreamscapes on one of the loose-fit genre's leading outposts, Music For Dreams. It's 10 years since the last collection graced our terrazas, and in that time there's been ample opportunity for the esteemed duo to burrow even deeper into the nooks and crannies of musical ephemera to find those rarified nuggets which conjure a thousand sun-licked reveries, whether under the auspices of outsider pop, bossa nova, new wave or proto-techno. Those tags might well throw you off course - it's safer to trust in the expertly curated vibe, which will wash over you like those balmy Mediterranean waves.
Review: The Ballistic Brothers' London Hooligan Soul, originally released in 1995 and now reissued in 2024, is a timeless masterpiece that effortlessly blends trip-hop, acid jazz, and downtempo vibes. From the smooth vocals of 'Portobello Cafe' to the funky horns of 'Soho Cab Ride,' each track delivers a unique sonic experience while maintaining a cohesive soulful atmosphere. 'I'll Fly Away' seamlessly combines breaks and killer basslines, while 'Jah Jah Call You' dives into dub territory with a steady groove. 'I Don't Know' adds a touch of strange easy listening by roughing up familiar samples, while 'Sister Song' infuses rhythmic excitement inspired by Brazilian beats. 'A Beautiful Space' oozes with downtempo funk, while 'Steppin' Into Eden' smoothly transitions into breakbeats. The old-school dub of 'Peckings' exudes joy, while 'Uschi's Lament' closes the album on a mellow, jazzy note. With its eclectic grooves and soulful funk, London Hooligan Soul is a brilliant album that captures the essence of 90s music.
Review: Balthvs' second album, Cause & Effect, marked a significant evolution from the chill psychedelic vibes of their 2020 debut, Macrocosm. Rooted in Colombian rhythms, the album explores deep house, Turkish music, Vaporwave, trip-hop and disco, all while maintaining the band's signature psychedelic essence. This eclectic mix takes listeners on a dynamic journey through time, space, cultures, and eras. The songwriting and production are praised for their excellence, making Cause & Effect a worthy successor. Tracks like 'Turkish Coffee' and 'Light It Up' are standout favorites, with listeners highlighting the album's dreamy, Latin-infused psychedelic sound. The music of Balthvs resonates with those who appreciate a nostalgic yet fresh vibe, reminiscent of the lost sounds of the 1970s. The band's unique blend of cool grooves and shoegaze elements has created something truly special, earning accolades for their accomplished musicianship and strong, hopeful vibe.
Sounds From An Unforgettable Place #1 (UV remix) (2:48)
Unspeakable Visions (3:48)
Review: Dutchman Banabila's second studio album on Knekelhuis once again affirms his status as a boss-level operator among ambient music fans. The eleven-track record explores soul-stirring, krautrock-tinged, and avant-garde electronic landscapes that are all rooted in emotive expression. His compositions feature ethereal voices in the form of fictional characters chanting in a language of their own creation, resonating with a captivating essence that transcends linguistic boundaries. The record also showcases Banabila's mastery of sonic textures as he weaves a narrative of layered complexity and emotional depth while some tracks like 'Rattles' hark back to his earlier work on Knekelhuis.
Review: Toby Marks aka. Banco De Gaia is one of the foremost producers to ever operate in the crossover of breakbeat and 'tribal'. That pairing of associations might seem naff to some music fans now, but no performative dismissal on the grounds of any connotative problematic can ever detract from the inpourings of ardour and talent gone into his albums. Trauma is Marks' first record in nearly ten years, following on from The 9th Of Nine Hearts, and hears the esteemed trance-gressor continue to eke a sound rooted in the oblique, yet inspirationally powerful themes of global sufferance and idealism, both of which find their expression in the weighty, acidic dreamworlds of 'War' and 'The Dying Light', which are complex in mood and express a real ambivalence through their concurrent use of deep stereo padwork and poignant vocal sampleage. Far from indulging a mood of pure resignation, Marks crafts a dance-musical dreamworld that demands analysis, through which Trauma refers not to a wound, but to a dream.
Review: Banks arrived shrouded in mystery a year or so ago, the lack of information surrounding her contributing to an enigmatic aura that functioned as a kind of feedback loop for an instant fanbase entranced by her confessional, razor-sharp avant-soul torch songs. Although the enigma may have slightly lessened, the LA singer's sultry talents sound just as powerful as they did on her emergence, and the release of Goddess sees them crystallise into a confident statement of intent that establishes her as an artist worth taking very seriously. Emotionally raw yet seductive in their electronic soundscapes, these songs pack a punch that belies their smooth surroundings, and her deep, sophisticated voice always sounds engaging rather than overly stylised. That album title may just be less cheeky than it seems.
Review: Mark Barrott's Everything Changes, Nothing Ends is a heartfelt journey through life, loss, and love. Released on Anjunadeep Reflections, the album follows his 2023 record Johatsu and sees Barrott channelling his grief into a meditative, moving collection of tracks. Written during his wife's illness, the album reflects the overwhelming sense of isolation and sorrow he felt following her passing in January 2023. "It became my way of coping," Barrott shares. "Coming back to an empty house after a day at the hospital, music was my only comfort." Across Everything Changes, Nothing Ends, Barrott weaves together orchestral, ambient, and jazz textures. Each track, like an audio diary, captures specific emotional moments from those final weeks. There's a tenderness to the arrangementsipeaks of intensity balanced by gentle, soothing passages. Far from simply wallowing in grief, the album embraces acceptance and gratitude, focusing on the beauty of life and its fleeting nature. The result is a deeply personal, genre-blurring record that showcases Barrott's unwavering creativity over a career spanning nearly four decades.
Review: Scottish artist Barry Can't Swim has made big moves in the last year or so and finally, he capitalises on his ever-growing momentum with a debut album on the mighty Ninja Tune. The multi-faceted talent explores his most broad and diverse range of sounds to date here with 11 sublime tracks that move from deep house to jazz, heavy and percussive Afrobeat to lush ambiance. Each of the tracks feels like a fine technical achievement with complexity at its core but never at the expense of good vibes, such as the choral harmonies on 'Always Get Through To You', smart samples of Brazil's Trio Ternura on 'Dance Of The Crab' and digital and organic blends on 'Woman.'
Review: Images And Anthems - Book I is an album by Lars Bartkuhn from back in 2008. The artist who is also known for his work in Passion Dance Orchestra and as Laurentius is a master of super cool jazz and laid-back lounge electronics that have hints of 80s nostalgia without being too slavish. Originally this one came only on CD and digitally and now it makes its first foray onto vinyl thanks to First on Vinyl out of Japan. Tracks like the lush 'Pulse' are gloriously airy and spring-like montages while there is a little woozy romance to 'Before It Enters My Mind'.
Review: Andy Bell is a blessed man: he had none other than Neu!'s Michael Rother supply guitar parts to the opening cut 'I'm In Love' (a cover of The Passions' post-punk classic). Moreover, One Love's Dot Allison is guest vocalist and supplies ethereal tones to the breathtaking song. It opens the gate beautifully for the heady collection of entirely new material that follows. It's an album that navigates Stone Roses grooves and Arthur Russell style experimental textures and works just as well for close listening as it does moodily-lit dancefloors. The Ride guitarist is on the form of his life here and you could do far worse than letting this wash all over you.
Review: We get it - there's a lot of music released everyday and it can feel overwhelming to sort the wheat from the chaff. There's no doubt, however, that Ride guitarist Andy Bell has delivered the goods here. His latest solo effort is helped by some influential collaborators. Proto-shoegaze cut 'I'm In Love...' features none other than One Dove's Dot Allison and Neu!'s Michael Rother. It's a beautiful reworking of The Passions' 1981 hit, certain to strike a chord with those who love the dreamier side of shoegaze. Bell has mixed and produced this record himself and proves himself to be a tireless conduit for beautiful ideas and sounds. Long may he keep producing music this good.
Review: Experimental deep house superstar Bella Boo returns to Studio Barnhus for her latest album DreamySpaceyBlue, and expands outwards into a more varying tempo range in the process. If album titles are anything to go by, this one should give you an indication of the kind of sonics you'll hear when popping this 180g cream vinyl record on the belt-driven plate. Moving in more bittersweet, heartstring-tugging directions after a jankier set of EP movements years prior, the likes of 'Can't Stop' and 'Heartbeat/Into The Night' move through every influence from Jersey bounce to breaks, pitting deeply affected vocals and spacious synth bubblings against a thematic backdrop of "dark times (demanding) love, healing and forgiveness."
Review: Having previously reissued cult Spanish combo Belver Yin's 1991 debut album Luz Bel - an ethereal affair variously informed by shoegaze, ambient, Cocteau Twins and the Duratti Column - Efficient Space were in pole position to sign this surprise comeback set. Now a solo project of founder (and lead singer) Pedro L Ortega, the set was inspired by a promise he made to his dying mother to record more music. It's a gloriously summery and sun-soaked affair all told which subtly expands Ortega's musical horizons to include more jangly guitars, multi-coloured, Gigi Masin style keyboard textures, glistening, guitar-led ambient bliss reminiscent of Jonny Nash, and sunrise-ready soundscapes that recall the beauty and brilliance of modern Balearic heroes Seahawks.
Review: Huw Marc Bennett takes direct inspiration from the music of Wales on his new album 'Days Like Now'. It leans heavily on acoustic for and melody as a result of being written during the pandemic on a stripped down setup of just bass and acoustic guitars. As such it has a quiet vibe, an intimacy, a late night and low-lit feel throughout that makes it all there alluring and personal. The drums that feature are lo-fi and fuzzy round the edges, the bring a happy energy to the tunes without dominating and Welsh language fans will be glad to see all the titles are native, too.
Review: Wewantsounds is set to reissue Steve Beresford's highly coveted 1985 album, Dancing the Line, originally released by the French label nato. Drawing inspiration from the fashion of French designer Anne Marie Beretta, the album features contributions from Beresford's Alterations bandmate David Toop, Alan Hacker, and Kazuko Hohki of Frank Chickens, with lyrics by Andrew Brenner. The music blends sophisticated ambient pop, driven by an RX11 drum machine, with synth funk and experimental elements. Tracks like 'Tendance' and 'Comfortable Gestures' have achieved underground classic status over the years. This reissue marks the first time the album has been re-released, with newly remastered audio by Translab in Paris, the original gatefold artwork, and a four-page insert with liner notes by nato's Jean Rochard. Steve Beresford, a prominent figure in British and international music since the early 70s, began his recording career with the Portsmouth Sinfonia and has collaborated with artists such as Derek Bailey, John Zorn, and Thurston Moore. In 1985, introduced to Anne Marie Beretta by Rochard, Beresford and Brenner crafted songs inspired by Beretta's designs. The resulting album, released in France in October 1985, features a blend of ethereal pop, funk, piano ballads and free instrumentals, making it a favourite among DJs and collectors worldwide.
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: Bruno Berle's No Reino Dos Afetos is a stunning example of modern Brazilian pop, blending heartfelt emotion with a wide range of musical influences. Hailing from Maceio, Berle brings the warmth and beauty of his coastal home into every corner of this album. Released in a vibrant blue vinyl repress in 2024, the album is a journey through soft, intimate compositions that explore love, tenderness, and beauty. Berle's smooth, golden voice is the heart of the record, effortlessly gliding over songs like 'Quero Dizer', where the mix of lo-fi production, kalimba, and guitar creates an irresistible, laid-back groove. His raw emotional power shines in tracks like 'O Nome Do Meu Amor', an acoustic tearjerker brimming with sincerity. Berle's versatility is clear, moving from indie rock on 'E Preciso Ter Amor' to the sun-soaked soul of Joao Menezes's 'Ate Meu Violao', which opens the album with a nostalgic touch of 70s MPB. His take on West African highlife in 'Som Nyame' adds even more richness to the mix. Every note feels personal, capturing both simplicity and depth. This album solidifies Berle as one of Brazil's most exciting young talents.
Review: Portland-based Kevin Palmer tucks himself away in a shed to make his music, so the myth goes. Wherever he makes it, he has always cooked up something special in the in-between electronic worlds. Now he lands on Blundar with a brand new album on numbered and heavyweight translucent green vinyl that offers up 12 tracks of ambient, dub and downtempo experiments which are at times intriguing and cosmic and others laid back and beautifully lazy. Each one is deftly detailed with myriad synth sounds, and atmospheric motifs and they all add up to a perfectly deep, dreamy and immersive listen.
Review: Research Records once again hooks up with Melbourne's Big Yawn who return with fourth full-length NGBE. Known for their intricate rhythm sections, catchy basslines and playful sampling, the quartet delivers their most sophisticated work to date here on a record named after their cherished but lost warehouse space, the National Gallery of Brunswick East, where much of the album was recorded. It finds them exploring a diverse range of soundscapes with mutated drum 'n' bass, subtle grime, rap, and dub influences all enhanced with rich FX. The nine tracks also hint at a subtle evolution both in the studio and on stage as best highlighted by the collaboration '2Stroke' with Melbourne's Teether.
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