Back catalogue: Balearic/Downtempo

Review: New Zealand's Strangelove crew serves up this brilliantly wide-eyed and genre non-specific album from CCCVVV to take you back to warmer days as winter really hits. The Brussels based duo of Clara Vellin and soFa Elsewhere have a retro-future take on electronic music that takes in slow motion sounds, comforting ambient bliss, lush downtempo instrumentals and plenty in the weird and wonderful spaces in between all that. There are decidedly cosmic affairs like 'Generationen' with its lush chords and pillowy pads, and more sun-kissed and beachy pieces like 'Bacin Bacetto' with its gently breaking waves.

Review: Two years ago, the fabulously named DJ F16 Falcon debuted with a seven-inch single that pulled dub in twisted new directions. There's a similarly oddball feel to the up-and=coming French producer's first mini-album, a seven-track selection in which pitched-down, dancehall-influenced rhythms and mutant dub grooves are cannily combined with vibrant, Pilotwings style Balearic synths and other ear-pleasing, retro-futurist sounds. Our picks include sleazy opener 'You Make Me Feel So Good', the Tolouse Low Trax-goes-synth-funk eccentricity of 'Love Blow Dem 40', the feverish downtempo creepiness of '1Tension' and the deliciously immersive, loved-up bliss of 'Would You Like To'.

Review: The acclaimed Kito Jempere joins Cherrystones and DJN4 on the label for 2020, with an album full of international minds. Working with array of collaborators across a cast of friends including Jimi Tenor, Wolfram, Hard Ton, Lipelis, Rich Thair (Red Snapper), Ruf Dug, Cedric Gasaida (Azari & III) and many more, presenting this, his third long play.

A hail of freedom of thoughts and voices before these changed times, recorded and shared across continents. Kito - following releases with DFA, Lo Recordings, Bordello A Parigi, Hell Yeah and Duca Bianco - acts as curator rather than conductor, the idea not to transform the contributions but allow them absolute.

Sending music and receiving back, nothing was touched to keep the truth and honour. From Tokyo to London, Berlin to his base in St Petersburg, trusting the chosen artists led to a broad palette, as his 4/4 driven funk expands with Jazz horns to Motorik percussion, Avant-Reich vocals to White Isle melodies, J Pop Balearics to Chanson stories wrapped around Club memories.

A true world meeting, crossing borders and genres. An eye on the dance floor and week long chill outs. With remixes from the likes of Samo DJ, Lipelis, Cable Toy and more to follow, this is more than Yet Another Kito Jempere Album.

Review: Johannes Kolter is Kolter, an artist formerly known as DJOKO, and now a hotly tipped breaks and garage head who has already got plenty of attention. Here though he makes a grand and widescreen statement with the first release on the all-new Pilot label. It is a stylish and adventurous record with plenty of killer cuts from the downbeat hip hop opener to the deep house delights of 'Journey' via the elastic and energetic future house kicks of 'Roboflow.' Showcasing both a knack for well craft synths and expert drum programming precisions, this record plays out like a mini DJ set with all the twists and turns you need to keep you on your toes and fully engaged.

Review: Rubicon marks the first physical edition of Galcher Lustwerk's driving-themed alias, Road Hog. Collecting tracks from seven releases spanning from 2014 to 2021, Rubicon serves as the project's Greatest Hits (for now). Including tracks from the Cleveland-dedicated album 'Tour De Hog' as well as the sharp toothed 'Spares' and 'More Spares' the pithy 'Haul Ass' plus some cinematic favorites from 'DWB' and 'On The Lam'. Originally meant to be digital only and listened to while driving, demand for certain tunes to be pressed to vinyl has risen with each release. From the Road to the Club, Lustwerk's got you covered.