Back catalogue: All genres

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


The Avidya label arrives with a bold new concept that sees it push itself to "step out of comfort zones to release a series of EPs of broad, challenging and deep music." The first affair is a fine one from four artists, the first of which is Lyon based procure A Strange Wedding from the Worst label. His slow trance locks you in and then Gothenburg trio Datasal come through with a prog rock and post funk and dance fusion. 84PC's contribution is peak time gold and Barcelona's Iro Aka arrive with another debut to round out this fine offering.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Risquée is going back to the beginning and brings us four powerful cut-up tracks from two talented Russians who chill in New York.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


For a four track electronic music EP, there's a lot here. Opening with 'Burning Fields' by Aphonia, the uninitiated might expect the whole package to nod to that classic electro sound, highly detailed but lo-fi, packed with dark atmosphere but all about dance floor energy. Skip to track two, though, and Angles of Pompeii present mutant indie-punk-dance in the vein of Detroit Grand Pubahs at their most guitar-y, and minimalistic.

Elsewhere, 'Retreat' is a slow mo maximalist triumph, acid lines flailing over the top of a muffled cacophony of noise that places the emphasis on a lunging, head-nodding bassline. Add 'Athma', Odopt's sinister low end and drum machine tune up that could almost be an accidental piece from the movie They Live and you've got not only a complex release, but one boasting replay value set to last for years after the investment.

Review: Italian DJ and producer Reekee is normally found heading up his Wrong Notes label, but he's also dropped deep house heat on Sistrum, Roots Underground and Uzuri in his time. After inaugurating the Time To Play label last year, he's back on the label with an astounding new single, 'No One'. The track stretches out on the A-side like a song of this quality should, featuring Anna Cavedon delivering a striking, soulful vocal over some truly blissful chords that come on like space-age Rhodes soaked for months in the sweetest chorus. On the flip, Gary Superfly delivers a smoky dub mix of the track which adds some sizzling, raw drums and tripped out, dirty reverb chords that call to mind STL. If you want to zero in on Reekee's production, the instrumental is also on hand. This is real deal deep house with all the personality you could wish for - don't sleep.

Review: Soul Clap have always dealt in their own brand of funk no matter whether they are serving up house or disco. They of course call it e-funk - a nod to their heroes George Clinton's p-funk - and it also provides their label with its name. This second volume of Detroit leaning e-funk is a faultless four tracker. Rick Wilhite's signature lo-fi sounds define 'Cheetah', the vital Ladymonix then brings the party, Soul Clap themselves join up with funk master Amp Fiddler and Jon Dixon completes the quartet with '4ever Searchin.'