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.
Review: DJ Mitsu The Beats summons up a mellow, jazz-tinged spin on Norah Jones' early classic 'Sunrise', following a plucky piano-studio sesh shared with Takumi Kaneko of Cro-Magnon. After a cannonballing digital release, the "instrumental chill" track now takes shape as a 7" single, suturing Mitsu's laidback bop to Kaneko's smooth, sunspot piano lines. With cover photography by surf documentarian Atsushi Kumano, the single was in turn singled out for the surf music compilation Salt Meets Island Cafe: Sea of Love 2, curated by new lifestyle magazine Salt. Balancing beachside ease and unsurpassable musicianship, this track hankers at the title for next best surf-chill anthem.
Review: Senking and DYL reunite after their notable collaboration back on 2020's EP Uniformity Of Nature, this time going long on their first full-length, Diving Saucer Attack. This new work spans a total of six tracks, two of which have been produced individually and so highlight their shared passion for dub-heavy and adventurous electronic music while also bringing out the subtle differences in their styles. The album opens with 'Six Doors Down', a track featuring throbbing bass and haunting synths while subsequent cuts like 'A7r380R' explore intricate soundscapes before culminating in the sombre closing piece, 'Not Just Numbers.'
Review: ?aru is a non-profit label from Romania that sits at the sharp edge of the minimal underground. This new double pack of striped back tech gems will see all proceeds donated to dog shelters and NGOs supporting stray pups. Sensek opens with a slithering and groaning groove, 'Machine Morality,' for shadowy afterparties and Gringow brings a haunting melody to 'Towards The Dark & Cold.' Broascka's 'Epitelius' is an abstract affair with microscopic details scattered over a deep, dubby grove and Dragomir closes with two cuts - 'Alone With You' is a woozy late-night roller and 'Illusions feat Adina Oros' is a blissed out downtempo sound for the post-club hours.
Review: In the late summer of 2019, DJ Rocca and Chris Coco spent time together at the intimate La Casella festival in Umbria, Italy, where they chatted about Italo disco, the Rimini/Riccione riviera in the 90s and classic Italian clubs. Inspired by their conversations and imagined memories of scenes they weren't part of, they set out to make the music which over time, evolved into CocoRocca DiscoTeca, an imaginary retro-futuristic club blending past influences with future possibilities. It draws on dub, house and disco and is now resented on this wonderfully escapist full length which starts slow and dreamy, raises the pulse then slows down to a nice emotive finish. A fine reimagine of some classic sounds.
Review: Darkside - the duo of visionary producer Nicolas Jaar and guitarist Dave Harrington - have brought their touring drummer Tlacael Esparza into the recording process for this third album of theirs and he's now a full-time member. The songs for this album, which were recorded in Los Angeles, the south of France and Paris, came out of a series of improvisational jam sessions and they transport you into their swaggering and inventive universe where anything goes. The sheer joy of 'S.N.C' brings to mind Jaco Pastorius in terms of taking the bass guitar to new heights and the funk keyboard is a throwback to the 80s Casio era. 'Graucha Max' is a lot darker and twisted, delving into psychedelic rock with distorted lines, but then splicing it with sub-heavy bass that would ignite any club dancefloor. Darkside are right up there with the best the Los Angeles scene has to offer right now.
Review: While it's not officially a remix album - both label and artist are quite keen that we all know it is a bit more than that - Datasal's latest full-length excursion is a deliciously dreamy, spaced-out and borderline Balearic re-imagination of 'E-Numbers', the most recent album from fellow Swedes The Embassy (an indie-pop duo who love jangly guitars and soft-focus textures). Re-framed as 'D-Numbers', Datasal's version is sprightly, sonically detailed and quietly colourful, drawing influence from mid 80s New Order, 21st century nu-disco, the immersive sound worlds of The Durutti Column, the neo-Balearic epics of early noughties Balearic outfit Studio, sparkling late 80s Mediterranean house and spaced-out dub disco. A genuine delight!
Review: Exotic Illusions marks the debut album of Sydney-based duo D.D. Mirage, delivering a multifaceted blend of global sounds through a distinctly antipodean lens. Drawing from their background in the indie-psyche and punk scenes, Josh Dives and Disky Dee have crafted a record that is as much about atmosphere as it is about movement. From the opening track, 'Exotic Illusions (Feat Hotel)', the duo's signature approach to Balearic, disco, and funk takes shapeiits infectious rhythms paired with tropical melodies evoke the feeling of both familiarity and foreignness. The Neapolitan funk influences are most evident on 'So Hot', where the rhythm section, recorded with the help of Daniel Monaco and Andrea De Fazio, drives the track forward with a punchy, danceable groove. Meanwhile, 'Piranesi' infuses a South American shuffle into boogie, layering it with smooth percussion and fluid synths. The collaboration on 'Antenna (Feat Jofi)' channels '80s drum machine bossa nova with a certain European elegance, while 'Feel It' pulls the listener into a laid-back, sunset-driven groove that gradually shifts into the lighter, more experimental textures of 'Cat's Cradle (Feat Jermango Dreaming)'. On tracks like 'Livin' Upside Down' and 'Night Time (Feat Private Joy)', D.D. Mirage explore an Aussie flavour within the sonic blend. 'Night Time', with Private Joy's smooth street soul vocals, delivers nocturnal warmth, demonstrating the duo's uncanny ability to merge genres and influences into a distinctive whole. The album's diverse set of tracks highlights not just their broad musical influences but also their nuanced ability to make each track an immersive journey.
Review: While he's still associated with the club-ready 'French Touch' sound he helped develop in the late 1990s, Etienne De Crecy has always had a much wider musical palette - as the legendary Super Discount series of albums proved. On Warm Up, his first new album for six years, the French veteran has leaned into this, delivering an album of songs designed to be listened to at home during the day. Of course, there are still nods to his dancefloor roots, but more pop hooks, nods to hip-hop, electro-pop and the lower tempo end of the nu-disco spectrum. More significantly, there are vocals throughout, delivered by an impressive cast list that includes Damon Albarn, Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor, Sports, Frank Leone and Kero Kero Bonito.
Review: Dead Sound is collaborative project featuring Marco Sterk (aka Young Marco) and Berlin-based pop-auteur John Moods, two artists with existing links to the Music From Memory label, Sterk being part of the trio Gaussian Curve and Moods released the 2022 album Hidden Gem with The Zenmenn. The eight tracks here are delicate and atmosphere-laden, drawing on everything from reverb-soaked, harmonic folk - 'Eye In Disguise' - to the Geiger counter rhythm and low-in-the-mix mutters of 'Force of Nature', like an understated Throbbing Gristle if such a thing could be imagined. If you enjoyed Trentemoller's recent reinvention of shoegaze, Scandi synthpop and post-punk on Dreamweaver, then this will be well up your street.
Review: Released in 1994, Deee-Lite's follow-up to their colossal hit 'Groove Is In The Heart' and the World Clique album that contained it finds the trio taking a more adventurous route of funky rhythms, electronic experimentation and blissful psychedelic vibes. Tracks like 'River of Freedom' tap into a carefree dancefloor energy, while 'Picnic In The Summertime' evokes sun-soaked nostalgia, its bouncy beat an effortless backdrop to the dreamy, carefree lyrics. Deee-Lite's willingness to explore genres and sounds is evident throughout, with samples from The Orb and Carl Craig, among others, meshing seamlessly with live instrumentation and infectious grooves. One of the album's defining features is its ability to balance quirk with cool. The smooth transition in 'Somebody,' where the track slows down into a human beatbox rhythm, exemplifies the experimental nature of the band. And then there's the entrancing 'Party Happening People,' a track full of playful vibes, layered synths, and an unmistakable 90s energy. This isn't just for fans of the groupiit's a record that captures the essence of the 90s club scene. A perfect soundtrack to the era's fashion and carefree spirit, its sounds still hit fresh today, reminding us of the euphoric, experimental days of early electronic music. For anyone who has ever found themselves lost in the vibe of house, techno, or the club, this collection is essential listening.
Review: Deep Dish is one of these acts that made a huge impact in their early years before members Sharam and Dubfire went their separate ways and had just as accomplished solo careers. Fans have long clamoured for them to get back together and though there have been the odd DJ set together, there hasn't been the new music many would love to hear. Instead, this 20th anniversary edition of their George Is On album makes its way to vinyl for the first time for Record Store Day. It includes smash global hits like 'Flashdance' and 'Dreams' as well as 'Say Hello'. It's a great blend of sleek electronica and proper songwriting from the AIranian-American artists.
La Lune Se Bat Avec Les Etoiles (Transition 2) (2:29)
Forest Power (3:50)
Media Luna (4:33)
Review: Deep Forest's third studio album, Comparsa, released in December 1997, presents a vibrant blend of world music and electronic elements, with a strong emphasis on Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Now available on translucent green vinyl, this album showcases the group's signature fusion of global sounds, featuring contributions from musicians across Cuba, Belize, Mexico, and Madagascar. Comparsa's 13 tracks are a journey through diverse musical landscapes, with highlights like 'Noonday Sun' and 'Tres Marias' highlight the album's dynamic energy. The group's founders, Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez, craft lush soundscapes that are rich in texture, combining whispered vocals with rhythmic beats and vibrant instrumentation. Tracks like 'Madazulu' and 'Radio Belize' illustrate the duo's skill in blending traditional sounds with modern electronic production, creating a sound that is both innovative and accessible. Comparsa remains a well-produced and exhilarating listening experience, perfect for those seeking a musical escape to far-off lands. Now on translucent green vinyl, the album's rich textures and global rhythms are given new life, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection.
Review: The third instalment in Quattro Bambole Music's Moderna Sonorizzazioni series is anotther doozy that explores instrumental hip-hop as a contemporary form of library music. Created by Roman producer Delphi, the album blends raw beats, nostalgic loops and samples to craft cinematic sketches. It captures moments tied to football and sports and evokes memories of family Sundays, street games and stadium atmospheres that you may not have actually experienced. With 12 introspective tracks, this record offers a more conceptual and emotional narrative than danceable rhythms which makes it all the more crucial.
Review: Pierre-Alexandre Busson, a producer known for his multifaceted talents in both music and photography, steps further into his Destiino alias with a darkly ambient collection that stretches across downbeat house, industrial electronica and melancholic disco. Having made his name in the world of French electro, Busson's transition to Destiino was marked by an exploration of improvised compositions following his participation in a sound installation at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017. This shift from his previous styles allowed him to dive deeper into moody, atmospheric landscapes. The current project, released under CHLOE's Lumiere Noire imprint, comes as a continuation of this artistic exploration, breaking from the dancefloor-driven energy of his past work to embrace a more introspective and expansive approach. Opening with 'Yokohama,' Busson sets a pensive tone, layering soft synths over a minimalist beat. 'My Crush' follows with a reflective yet upbeat mood, while 'Somlake' (feat. Inigo Vontier) weaves light, meditative textures. 'Transe Has No Speed' dives into dense atmospherics and 'Imagery' introduces a rhythmic, bodily groove. The second side offers 'Musique Electronique Repetitive,' using looping motifs to create a trance effect, while 'La Houle' brings fluidity and 'Morning Routine' soothes with its gentle vibe. 'Pulsar' (feat. Inigo Vontier) pulses with cosmic rhythms, and 'No Pain' closes with a melancholy, reflective note.
Review: Andrew PM Hunt returns once again as Dialect with Atlas Of Green, determinedly expanding the artist's idea-oeuvre with a brand new concept album. The album imagines a young musician named Green, working in a "dawning future era where lost signals and enduring impulses are unearthed from the sediments of technology and time." Its description sounds at once illusive yet still rings out as meaningful, recalling the collective post-apocalyptic utopia outlined in Ursula Le Guin's Always Coming Home; both works deal in themes of recovery, of unearthing old technologies from sedimented layers of workable soil. Green's dozen tracks weave through malfunctioning but still usable scrap metals or "vaporware" of sampled sound, its chirrupy latent folkishness, its sound effects-laden lollops, making up the confluent, but still contingent, cochlear canards of lost - but non-linear and thus still salvageable - time.
Review: Contemporary French touch legend DJ Cam occupies an impressive emulsion of styles on his latest picture disc LP for Diggers Factory, fusing soul, dub, trap, future garage, dancehall, easy listening, chopped n' screwed, and even "eccojams", in a refreshingly nonessential tour of just about every offshoot genre one could possibly think of having emerged from soundsystem culture, however tenuous each link. As Cam puts it, this record is "like my Blue Lines by Massive Attack' and the concomitant attention to detail is obvious. Coolest of the bunch are the sullenly dubious dancehaller 'Feels Like Love' and the 808-packed anode 'Without You', while the record is almost equally charmed by the sampled, presumably French lounge interludes heard throughout.
Review: While he's released music under many aliases over the last decade - Arctic Attack, Fidelio Cubico and Haga Central included - Johan Norling has delivered his best work as DJ City. He's been backed to the hilt by Public Possession, who here serve up his long-promised debut album. Beginning with the dreamy, opiate deep house headiness of 'Cities In Dust', Paris Rome sees the Berlin-based artist wrap bright, colourful and loved-up musical motifs around vintage-sounding drum machine beats and on-point basslines. There are a few rougher and more raw-sounding excursions - see the acid-fired, cowbell-driven jack-track 'Oh Ah' for starters - as well as subtle nods to the dreamier end of the Italo-disco spectrum, but for the most part it delivers an immersive and vivid take on nu-dusco-tinged deep house that sounds as good at home as it does in the club.
Wie Schon Du Bist (feat Arnim Teutoburg-Weiss & The Dusseldorf Dusterboys) (3:46)
Tu Dime Cuando (feat Ada & Sofia Kourtesis) (3:38)
The Talented Mr Tripley (3:13)
What About Us (feat Markus Acher Of The Notwist) (4:46)
Unbelievable (feat Ada) (3:31)
A Donde Vas? (feat Soap&Skin) (1:29)
Vamos A La Playa (feat Soap&Skin) (4:35)
Die Gondel (feat Sophia Kennedy) (3:37)
Brushcutter (feat Marley Waters) (5:19)
Buschtaxi (album version) (7:20)
Aruna (3:48)
Umaoi (feat Marewrew) (3:43)
Pure Love Day (feat Damon Albarn) (4:30)
Pure Love Night (feat Damon Albarn) (5:00)
Review: DJ Koze's brings his signature blend of hypnotic rhythms and whimsical, melodic structures into full focus. The opener slowly unfurls, with a spacious, groove-driven beat that evolves into a richly textured arrangement. Tracks like take on a playful tone, using infectious percussion and subtle vocal samples to create a joyful, almost surreal atmosphere. Throughout the album, Koze's production is masterfulieach element serves a purpose, from the deep basslines to the delicate, almost orchestral flourishes. The record's unique mix of electronic dancefloor sounds and emotional depth ensures it resonates long after it ends.
Wie Schon Du Bist (feat Arnim Teutoburg-Weiss & The Dusseldorf Dusterboys)
Tu Dime Cuando (feat Ada & Sofia Kourtesis)
The Talented Mr Tripley
What About Us (feat Markus Acher Of The Notwist)
Unbelievable (feat Ada)
A Donde Vas? (feat Soap&Skin)
Vamos A La Playa (feat Soap&Skin)
Die Gondel (feat Sophia Kennedy)
Brushcutter (feat Marley Waters)
Buschtaxi (album version)
Aruna
Umaoi (feat Marewrew)
Review: The new album from the German producer offers a captivating auditory journey, blending unique and genre-defying styles that transcend trends. Described as a 64-minute return trip to space, the album mixes psychedelic, unconventional elements with a rich tapestry of sound, showcasing the artist's ability to create his own musical universe. The work draws on a deep synergy between the producer and collaborators, offering slow grooves, treated vocals and passionate declarations in tracks like the flamenco-esque 'Pure Love'. The artist's approach to production is a slow-cooked, evolving process, allowing the music to transform over time. Known for his career in hip-hop and his involvement in electronic pop, the producer's distinctive style continues to shine, offering a profound and cerebral dance experience. Following a successful collaboration with Roisin Murphy, this new album promises to be another standout project in the artist's esteemed catalogue, delivering music that is both deeply personal and universally appealing.
Review: DJ Motive hails from he charming city of Gifu, Japan, and has spent 20 years crafting a signature blend of Latin, jazz and hip-hop both solo and with DeadBundy. His latest release draws on all that experience to cook up a tasteful soundtrack that will transport you from dawn to dusk. Tracks like 'Sunrise' offer dreamy broken beats and nostalgic samples, while 'Chill On A Lotus' melts vocals and chords into an ambient haze. Jazz drums meet Balearic vibes in 'Howling 2 You' while 'Walker grooves with squelchy synths. This reflective, escapist trip rewards deep listening and is another high class album from sophisticated Italian label Hell Yeah.
Review: This debut album is sure to prove a solo breakthrough for DJ Narciso. It taps into Lisbon's rich reserves of kuduro and puts a devastatingly fresh new spin on the sound in the wake of pioneers like Nidia, N Fox and P. Adrix. Narciso pushes drill-adjacent rhythms and tresillo syncopations here and creates a unique European counterpart to Havana's wild sense of rhythm that is, at its core, deeply rooted in West African traditions. Tracks like 'Ziu Ziu (Reprise)' and 'Cabelinho' explore quirky textures and unpredictable grooves while 'Vai Estragar a Camera' echoes early Nazar's cantankerous vibe and '5 Do Jo' and 'Jogo' deliver heavy basslines and experimental sounds that cement Narciso's distinctive style in Lisbon's unique landscape.
Review: TrioRox is a new project uniting three prominent Italian music figures namely pianist Giovanni Guidi, bassist Joe Rehmer, and electronic musician DJ Rocca aka Luca Roccatagliati. Guidi, a jazz piano prodigy, has recorded for ECM and collaborated with Enrico Rava and Ricardo Villalobos before now while Rehmer, an American bass player based in Italy, has worked with jazz greats like Bob Mintzer. Here they combine their skills with Rocca on a record that is a mix of electronic, dance, jazz and pop styles, all with some sleek underlying grooves and hints of electro, classical and minimalism that add up to a real melting pot.
Review: In the third instalment of Whispers of an Ancient World, the legend that is DMX KREW brings his personal vision to Jorge Luis Borges's story The Library of Babel. Inspired by Borges's universe, DMX KREW explores the library as both a physical and symbolic space and one that houses the vast sum of human knowledge. This library is far from static; it's alive, buzzing with activity and guarded by librarians who are also seekers each interpreting the infinite knowledge within its endless hexagonal rooms. Outside of the concept, the tunes are superbly cinematic, with narrative-field ambient soundscapes and deft synth modulations all triggering plenty of emotional responses.
Review: Cincinnati-based producer Doctor Bionic (Jason Grimez), known for his work with the 90s rap group MOOD, delivers a seamless fusion of jazz, hip hop, funk, soul and reggae in his latest project. As an executive producer and DJ, Grimez continues to tap into the sonic textures of the late 60s and early 70s, sampling and recording with analog gear to recreate the authentic sound he's always admired. Collaborating with local musicians like Jonathan Luck Spaulding and Josh "Mojo" Cole, Grimez brings his vision to life with a rich blend of instrumental layers that transport listeners to a different era. This release, part of a larger series, exemplifies Grimez's ability to curate smooth, captivating radio mixes that cater to fans of classic, groove-heavy sounds. As always, Doctor Bionic's releases come with a distinctive visual touch, this time working with Israeli artist Refael Idan Suissa to craft an eye-catching album cover. Perfect for setting the mood, this latest project promises to be another standout in his growing catalogue.
Review: Vienna's Johannes Auvinen, aka Tin Man, and Mexico City's Gabo Barranco, aka AAAA, make up DOVS. Their second album together moves in the direction of retro aesthetics, harking back to a time where charting the "out-there" psychogeographic terrains of life might have been simpler. Billed as a "strictly ambient" affair - contrasting to their last collaborative record Silent Cities, and its dance focus - this quaint synth-driven LP is demonstrates how one might use melody and gear-born timbre to flesh out an open, point-blank theme. From allusions to architectural design to nature to the Islamic philosopher Rumi, this record is a soft-spoken yet eloquent dalliance with simplicity, inviting us listeners to step out into the open.
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