Internasjonal Norway Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Philip Leroi has had many musical lives over the years, variously recording as Linntronix and alongside Danny Sugarman as Stylus Heat. Atlantic Brain is his latest project, with the EP for Prins Thomas's Internasjonal label being his most high-profile to date. The key cut is 'Brother', a sparkling, melodious and attractive slab of electro marked out by squelchy bass and star-fall melodies. Rising star Alan Dixon delives two takes: a gorgeous, largely beat-free 'Piano Reprise' that sits at the rhythmic end of the ambient spectrum and the squelchy nu-disco-goes-deep house 'Love Attack Mix'. Elsewhere, 'The New Normal' is a shuffling and ghostly electro-not-electro number and 'Sticky Fingers' is a pleasingly wayward acid excursion.

Review: Following a run of quietly impressive singles on Boitte Music, Nicolas Saavedra brought his Kabinett project to Internasjonal back in 2022. A couple of EPs later and the Bogota-based DJ/producer is ready to deliver his debut album. Taking cues from fellow Colombian Felipe Gordon, the tracks on offer blend vintage and contemporary synth sounds, electric piano motifs, MPC-driven lo-fi beats, a few choice samples and his own vocals to create a set of tracks that variously draw inspiration from deep house, lo-fi pop, jazz-funk and space disco. Highlights include dreamy pop number 'Volatile Love', the Prins Thomas-esque 'Owl Disco', the decidedly psychedelic and hard chugging title track, and stellar cosmic funk head-nodder 'Don't Rush'. An album that's well worth your time and money.