New releases last four weeks: Footwork/Juke

Review: Dark Vektor's 'Universos Infinitos' was first released a couple of years ago via HC, and the label have now resolved to reissue the record, by popular demand, on vinyl. Privileging a full-throttle, cosmic electro sound - one that makes full use of the digital medium's spectral potential, yet still echoes something of the imperfect medium that is space-time - 'Universos Infinitos' invites us to consider the vast expanse of the cosmos through a chrome-tinted radio telescope. From the off, of the title track, we hear analogous readings of vocoded pulsars and sidereal stabs, both of which are received loudly and clearly by our technilicious giant satellite dish. 'Darkness Around Me' is more an intermittent sound-source, perhaps signalling the cosmic presence of a partially botched nova - or even a Dyson sphere - through its equally ecstatic square waves and washout vocals from singer Marinetta. The Lost Boys deliver a rogue and vampiric schranz version on the B, shortly followed by an even archer footwork remix from our newest favourite outer-space visitor, Kaxtelian.

Review: Into The Cosmos kick off their label with a promising start, demonstrating rather than describing their stated sonic mission with a rivetingly unusual fusion of footwork and fourth world; nu-house in a new age. Drum Dance's 'Zani!' is zany enough, sparring subtle sonic mysticisms contra hard-driving synth and drumwork, with the titular opener recalling the subtleties in the work of Machinedrum, albeit excepting the latter artist's technical itches for a calmer sonic drapery of tropical, topical balms and salves. 'Body Heat' goes housier, fusing the chromatic electric piano chords common to the voguish, incantatory ends of UK funky with the whispering yet determined hollers of a female vocal dance-guide. The B-side moves much more Balearic, preferring detuned, overtonic tremolos and slow ataraxic fruitions, ending on the calmly carpet-squatting jazz suspension that is 'Adan On Dot Soley'.