Review: For Record Store Day 2025, Bloom Japan presents a lovely 7" from the 45TRIO, who reimagine Minnie Riperton's classic 'Inside My Love.' This reinterpretation delivers a lush, jazz-infused instrumental take that honours the original's unique sensuality while introducing a fresh, soulful groove for modern 'floors. 45TRIO's tasteful blend of live instrumentation and vintage tones helps breathe new life into this timeless gem while the B-side offers a stripped-down version perfect for late-night spins or sample hunters. This is one to pick up and drop during those loved-up moments.
Review: On Club Tounsi, Tunisian producer Sofyann Ben Youssef, aka AMMAR 808, brings the raw rhythmic power of Mezoued-the folk music of Tunisia's working class-into a bold electronic future. Fusing pulsating synths, distorted textures and TR-808 beats with traditional instruments like goatskin bagpipes, hand drums, and the ney, he reimagines iconic Mezoued tunes for a new generation. Vocalists from classical, Sufi and Mezoued backgrounds also feature to add human soul and mean the album captures the genre's emotional depth while transforming it into something cinematic and club-ready. This LP is a bridge between past and future, tradition and innovation and one that makes you want to move.
Review: Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers come together for this most personal gospel funk album which was inspired by the birth of Frique's daughter, Jesamy. It finds the Amsterdam-based multi-instrumentalist mixing up organic funk with obscure synths, bubbly basslines that are always on the move with swirling guitars that add the colour and all make for an unusual and interesting mix of P-funk and gospel-disco. There are plenty of universal messages throughout which all emphasise the need for unconditional love while legendary vocalists like Dennis Bovell, Muriel Blijd, Mariseya, Brandon Delagraentiss and Rocq-E Harrell contribute to the powerful sound. Delagraentiss's choir, The Gospel Experience, also do their bit by adding big, rich, heartfelt vocals. It's quite the listen.
Review: Stockholm-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Art Longo impresses here with Echowah Island, a new album sure to wind its way into your affections. It was crafted over years in his home studio and is "psychotropical pop" drawing deep inspiration from late 80s music and dub. The album's lush soundscape evokes orange sunsets and ocean breezes and is layered with spring reverb, space echo and wah-wah effects that smooth out the edges as the steady pulse of vintage drum machines moves things on down low. A standout feature is Claudio Jonas, whose ethereal vocals recall classic French femme fatale singers of the 60s. Her poetic, kaleidoscopic lyrics add to a nostalgic dream world that gently bends reality and makes his both escapist and thought-provoking.
Review: Hamilton Bohannon's debut Stop & Go, first dropped back in 1973 and is a raw and essential slice of early 70s funk. Though maybe more known for his later disco hits, here Bohannon delivers something earthier-looser grooves, soulful vocals and inventive arrangements that simmer rather than explode. This album offers a deeper, more nuanced sound compared to his polished, high-energy disco work and highlights include the blissed-out 'Singing a Song for My Mother,' the deep funk of 'Happiness,' and the widely sampled 'Save Their Souls.' A crate-digger favourite and funk connoisseur's gem, Stop & Go is a percussive, spiritual, and downright nasty record that holds up start to finish.
Stop (Acid Re Solution dirtyelements & Drunkdrivers remix) (6:43)
Review: Originally released in 1983 on the B-side of a House of Music 12", 'Stop' is a raw and iconic Italo-Disco anthem that helped define an era. Now, four decades later, Stop 4 Remixes breathes new life into the cult classic with four dynamic reworks. Woody Bianchi delivers a masterclass in mixing with 'Pushed Up' while Danilo Braca (aka Danyb) offers two deep, expansive edits tailored for discerning dancefloors. Dirtyelements & Drunkdrivers bring the fire with their 'Acid Re-Solution Remix' that's full of passion, precision and some nice wild energy. These are great tributes to a track that helped launch the Italo-disco movement into orbit.
Review: Italian techno heavyweight Claudio PRC's fifth album, Self Surrender, is a meditative dive into self-acceptance that comes on Amsterdam's long-running and always top-notch Delsin Records. Claudio delivers a fluid narrative across an exploration of tasteful ambient, dub, minimal house and deep techno here, and it opens with some absorbing introspection before gradually shifting into more kinetic territory. It is driven by pulsing kicks, dreamy textures, acid flourishes and ghostly strings as a refined blend of techno and house sounds all coalesce with the signature depth Claudio has honed over years of his craft. Self Surrender closes on an ethereal note, which encapsulates its core message of letting go.
A Crooked Stick (feat Ghais Guevera & Alfred) (4:16)
Recitatif (feat Teller Banks) (2:13)
Run, Run, Run (Pt 2) (3:08)
We're Outside, Rejoice! (3:43)
All The Loved Ones (What Would We Do???) (feat ICECOLDBISHOP & Pink Siifu) (4:43)
FFOL (feat Teller Banks) (2:50)
Listen Gentle (4:15)
Magic, Alive! (2:34)
Could've Been Different (feat Blu & Shamir) (2:54)
Review: When English producer Sam Yamaha emailed Dixon, crediting his early beats as inspiration, Magic, Alive! began. Intrigued by the mail, Dixon met Yamaha in London and unearthed a trove of beats that fit his evolving vision. Then, back in Richmond, Virginia, in mid-2024, Dixon built this resulting album from those sounds after teaming with past collaborator Koff and a vibrant crew including the likes of Anjimile, Pink Siifu, Reggie Pace, Eli Owens and more. Together, they sculpted a dreamlike world of hooks, horns and flowing interludes. Following the emotional depth of For My Mama... and Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?, Magic, Alive! is a fine sonic reinvention that's playful, surreal and defiantly alive.
Lahaina (feat Mick Fleetwood, Jake Shimabukuro & Henry Kapono) (4:17)
Review: Multi-genre acrobats and 70s American rockers The Doobie Brothers are back with more silky smooth signature harmonies from their home base in California with Walk This Road, a ten-tracker that unites core members Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, John McFee and Michael McDonald. It was produced by John Shanks and does a fine job of working each member's unique songwriting style into a cohesive collection. Themes of recovery, reflection and spiritual awakening run throughout, with Simmons describing it as "waking up to see the important things you've been missing." The title track has the legendary Mavis Staples and stands out as a fine soulful anthem of unity and hope that will resonate in any era.
Review: Dookuzot is the entrancing debut from Floid & W92 aka Woody92, and it's released on their own Omen Wapta imprint. Across eight tracks, they craft a labyrinthine soundscape full of shadowy textures, tribal rhythms and eerie, dissonant tones that feels both ancient and futuristic-an ambient-techno blend that channels family history into sonic myth-making. Standout 'Maushe' hints at dancefloor tension, while 'Veriyou' is seriously deep and heady as part of what is a haunting, high-definition journey through imagined realms and moody post-human worlds.
Review: Easy Star has a real doozy on its hands here with Off World, the third full-length album (and first on this label) from Flying Vipers. After ten years of instrumental dubwise reggae, the next chapter of the band has arrived with new addition Kellee Webb's soulful lead vocals adding depth to the Vipers' cassette-crafted sound. Flying Vipers record murky dub-inflected reggae on a Tascam 8-track in their basement bunker outside Boston, MA. Their love of Jamaican and UK 70's roots and dub is fully apparent but eclectic crates of records and a couple decades worth of DIY punk shows also bleed through. Brothers Marc & John Beaudette on drums and bass really lock-in with Zack Brines' layers of vintage organs and electric pianos in concise melodic meditations which means that Off World uses that foundation to explore "the fight or flight of contemporary survival."
Review: Following 'Happy Lovers' just over six months ago, Leo Gibbon returns with another inspiring collection. While the last EP flung its arms wide open to embrace the worlds of house, garage and soulful categories in between, this time we find him zoning in on the 140 grime vibe as he links with Trim for two exceptional messages. 'Orbit Step' is a woozy spacious stepper that gives plenty of space for Trim to flow out some ridiculously smart 16s. 'Danny & Darren' carries much more of a harder edge as Trim gets guttural and unleashes his inner yardman wisdom. Complete with instrumentals and acapellas, Leo and Trim have delivered something really special and super versatile right here.
Review: Berlin-based producer JakoJako aka Sibel Kocer's debut album for Mute - after appearances on a stream of leading German labels including Tresor - is described as a distillation of ideas that she's been exploring for many years. In reality, that means working on a minimal set up, away from the computer while restricting herself to just a Eurorack and a Waldorf Iridium Core, in the search for spontaneity. She found it, for sure, as the results - recorded in Vietnam during the Tet Lunar New Year celebrations - are a feast of glistening arpeggios and lush modular textures, stripped back but full of expression and personality. 'Ghi-ta' will appeal to fans of vintage perky ambient productions the Pete Namlook/Mixmaster Morris collaboration Dreamfish, while 'Gio' has a touch of Tangerine Dream's classic widescreen sensibilities. Bold tones, bold debut.
Review: The Magick Brother & Mystic Sister outfit is a four-piece comprising Eva Muntada, Marc Tena, Maya Fernandez and Xavi Sandoval and they craft intricate, esoteric progressive rock. Following their 2020 debut, they've gained acclaim for their immersive, mystic-tinged sound. Tarot Part 2 continues their journey and is inspired by tarot cards and featuring lush hammered dulcimer riffs and hypnotic instrumentation. From the commanding opener 'Strength' to the enigmatic closer 'Unnamed Arcane,' the album weaves a spellbinding tapestry of sound. Rich in sonic layers, it's a captivating experience for both spiritual seekers and prog enthusiasts, blending otherworldly themes with masterful musicianship.
Social Alliance Warriors (Political Greed mix) (5:53)
Review: Detroit electro investigator MICRO4CE delivers a no-compromise double pack here across two EPs packed with nine tracks of raw electronic futurism and imaging. It is all rooted in classic Detroit electro and so-called hi-tech-funk so the sound channels early 80s influences like Nucleus and Mantronix while carving out its own cyborg-driven edge. 'Bass Situation 313' gets underway with swampy low ends and far-sighted chords then the likes of 'Borg Fightz' bring unrelenting coruscated drums and 'The Greed' is a more minimal sound with zippy synths and dehumanised vocals. This is seriously high-grade electro for heads who like gritty, futuristic and fearless sounds.
Review: New World makes a strong return to Riotvan with three fresh tracks that build on his previous EPs without repeating them. Blending romantic 80s disco vibes with a modern edge is his MO, and here he does that again with a knowing smirk rather than full nostalgia. Playful and lightly cheesy, yet always sharp and cool, the music avoids gimmicks or empty retro pastiche. 'Stay' has irresistibly sugar synth loops and a retro-future magic, 'Mariage' is a cool and breezy cosmic jaunt and 'Tempus Fugit' brings a snappy kick and clap combo with lush arpeggios reaching for the stars. New World sounds refined, confident and better than ever here.
Review: A wet dream by any other name, Nocturnal Emissions first gave us Innovation of the Beast Gods in January 1989. A year that would wind up changing the very face of the world and global order, it's fitting that we should be returning to it at a point when history seems to be getting made in some rather overwhelming ways, and established structures are again being called into question and actively dismantled. Enough politics, though - Innovation of the Beast Gods is disinterested in the discourse of artificial power and resolutely committed to a more natural world. Tracks are more collages of layered sounds, recordings of creatures that come out as the sun goes down and humans tend to take more of a back seat. Bats, owls, marine life, foxes, and insects all contributed to the aural tapestry, captured noises augmented by synthesised and electronic tones completing a deeply textured and immersive experience.
Review: US-born, Germany-based Oshana's solo debut on Altered Circuits is a notable one for peak time party people with high-impact jams that also bring plenty of subtle detail. The tunes are rooted in the vibe of her live sets and fuse classic and contemporary club sounds with razor-sharp studio precision. From the tense, acid-laced drive of 'Above We Soar' to the cavernous, Chicago-flavoured bounce of 'Space And Time Dimensions,' Oshana balances groove with atmosphere perfectly. 'Girls In The Front' is another gem and hypnotic, bass-heavy workout with anthem potential, while closer 'Origins' explores trance-tinged territory before diving back into genre ambiguity. It's a refined, energetic statement from an artist in her element.
Review: Funk. Soul. Psychedelic. And good old rough and ready rock 'n' roll. There are plenty of ways to interpret and categorise Jeannie Piersol's music. None come close to hitting the nail on the head of this enigma: a woman shrouded in the thick haze of weed smoke and LSD vapour. A key artist in the 1960s San Francisco counterculture, very little is known about her, but she rose to prominence with Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Big Brother, before exiting via the backdoor as the hippy dream died at the heel of conservatives and capitalists. The Nest brings together all Piersol's 1968 singles for the Chess label, alongside bits by Yellow Brick Road and Hair, studio outtakes, demos, and live recordings from some of her legendary shows of the time. Complete with 16-page booklet and 7,500 word essay by Grammy-nominated producer Alec Palao, this is more time capsule than album really.
Review: Blanco Y Negro continues to unearth and reissue Italo-disco and Euro-disco gems from the mid-to-late 1980s, frequently breathing new life into them via fresh reworks and colourful vinyl pressings. That's the case here, as Eddy Mi Ami and DJ TinTin take it in turns to rework both tracks from the Italian twosome's 1986 debut single on a rather fetching splattered red and white vinyl pressing. On side A it's all about title track 'Coming Up'. Eddy Mi Ami steps up first, adding a touch of Italo-dance energy while retaining many of the elements from Ross's original mix, before DJ TinTin delivers a warmer, glossier and more melodious Italo-disco take. Over on the flip, Eddy Mi Ami turns original B-side 'Buscame' into a bleeping, surging and fizzing Italo-dance stomper, while DJ TinTin provides a smoother and more sun-soaked interpretation of the same track.
Review: Dynamic house duo Steffi & Virginia are back with a new album Patterns of Vibration and once again deliver real freshness on Dekmantel. The eight tracks were all crafted over three months at their Candy Mountain studio in Portugal and perfectly capture the duo's signature sound-a mix of emotional depth and dancefloor energy. From the tribal mood of 'Nightflight' to the euphoric chords of 'Stab Stealer,' the album channels years of experience and joyful moments, and of course does a fine job of blending Virginia's radiant vocals with Steffi's precise analogue production. Their chemistry shines through here on a set of effective, emotive cuts will turbocharge any set.
Review: Stray Voltage is not for the faint of ear. This is triple-A rated Sun Ra at their best, namely audacious, aggressive and adventurous. Forget melodies or sing-along hooks-this collection dives deep into Sun Ra's unissued electronic explorations from the 70s and 80s when, using synths and keyboards as his tools, the one and only 'Ra didn't just play, he assaulted, provoked, and moulded raw sound into wild and unimaginable sonic landscapes. These are not songs in the traditional sense, but abstract journeys full of texture and tension that make for a thrilling glimpse into Ra's boundary-pushing experiments where structure gives way to sensation and the sheer power of cosmic expression.
Review: New York City's underground stalwart Sweater On Polo returns with the debut release on Signal Route. His Mechanical Confusion EP draws inspiration from early 90s Chicago techno and basement house so it echoes the gritty, raw style of labels that dealt in that sort of stuff, like Dance Mania and Relief Records. Across the six cuts there is an intergenerational dialogue between past and present with acid house, techno and synth punk all capturing a familiar old-school angst and texture but with a fresh twist. 'Land of Code' is one of our favourites with its rising percussive tension, deeply buried bass pulse and dusty analogue drums.
Review: And now, for the first time everrrrr... two of Swollen Members' most iconic tracks are available on 7" courtesy of FlipNJay Records. These standout singles from the Canadian hip-hop group's early 2000s era left an indelible mark on underground rap. 'Fuel Injected' delivers high-octane thrills with its hard-hitting beats, while 'Lady Venom' delves into Swollen's darker, more introspective lyrical style. Both jams reconnect with the raw, groundbreaking sound that defined Swollen Members' swift rise in the scene.
Review: Blanco Y Negro have dug into the archives again for another timely reissue of some classic hi-NRG disco. Thomas & Schubert very much fit in with the camp Euro-dance sound on the late 80s and early 90s. 'Little Flowers' features their thin, icy vocals soaring over super happy chords and bright, dazzling synth smears that light up the airwaves with an Italo touch. As well as an extended version of the original, the MYOM version tweaks things for modern dance floors and a 7" version and instrumental complete this fulsome package.
Review: Captured on the opening night of their US tour in support of 1985's fifth full-length Possessed, this live performance from Newcastle Upon Tyne first wave black metal pioneers Venom showcases the legends as they ripped through Santa Monica, California on March 28th 1986, delivering an early career-defining set including vital blueprint malevolent thrash bangers such as 'Countess Bathory', 'Buried Alive', 'Teacher's Pet', and of course, the song that would ultimately birth a genre, scene and wave that would eventually take Scandinavia (particularly Norway) by storm, 'Black Metal'. Where bands like Metallica and Megadeth were busy bringing metal to the masses and Slayer were experimenting with just how far the evil envelope could be pushed while maintaining lucrative success, no other metal act in the 1980s showcased such ample disregard for commercial compromise than Venom, maintaining their place as underground forebears for decades to come.
Review: Cha Cha's latest drop revisits some essential roots reggae with the original 12" mix of the late 70s classic 'Very Well,' which is a standout track dripping in Channel One's signature so-called 'ruff & tuff' style and rich Jamaican soul. Complementing it are two heavyweight cuts of 'Kunta Kinte,' the iconic original dubplate version and a previously unreleased mix from the same era. These selections are packed with deep rhythms and militant vibes with signature production that is alive and raw. This reissue harks back to a golden moment in roots history and also offers fresh depth for collectors and selectors alike.
Review: Over two decades since their initial formation, Idag serves as the seventh full-length from Swedish occult rock/proto-doom metal legends Witchcraft, marking their follow up to 2020's sombre, acoustic dark folk, ironically titled Black Metal. Speaking on the project, founding guitarist/vocalist and sole original member Magnus Pelander states: "This album will reap souls and destroy wicked minds. And perhaps mend a couple of broken ones." Astute rock occultists quickly surmised the nod to Chicago psych rockers Coven's 1969 debut album, Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls, which marked the deepest foray into all things gloom and doom the rock scene had witnessed up until that point, even birthing the "sign of the horns", with Witchcraft doing their best to honour the pioneers with an all-encompassing work. From the monolithic, eight-minute opening title-track to the swaggery, 70s-indebted progressive rock and metal roots of 'Irreligious Flamboyant Flame', all underpinned with delicate folk pieces to provide vital respites, Witchcraft have ultimately delivered an awaited full accounting of who they are as a band.
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