Kinfolk Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The last we heard from Kinfolk was on the excellent "Mirage" by Kalidasa, but now the adventurous and chug-friendly label is back with this killer EP from Alterleo. "Cabriodelic" will have hips swinging at an easy tempo, not least thanks to the nagging throb of the bassline and the swaying drums shaking over the top of the track. "On The Way" takes things in a freakier direction, using ample samples and channeling a little industrial noir, while "Tour De L'afrique" focuses on craftily programmed drums and captivating melodic subtleties. "In Sands" finishes the set with a wigged out acid-trance rumination that should appeal to those who love the sound of European freak-beats before dance music got compartmentalized.

Review: Kinfolk head to Philly for Kinfolk004, welcoming committed vinyl rummager and top notch DJ Billy Werner into the fold. This two track 12" is the apparent end product of that rare occurrence where budding producer sends label unsigned tracks that are actually decent. "Kick & Flutter" is a blinky blue sunrise of a tune, innocent, euphoric and, dare we say, totally Balearic... not retro but timeless. "Where the sea meets the Stones" treads a similar line but with a more incessant acidic undertone. Both perfect for chasing sunrises and sunsets... As is traditional you get a Soft Rocks remix to boot... murmured voices, gentle pulses and psychedelic repetition. Did any of the original make it in there? Just relax and enjoy it...

Review: REPRESS ALERT: Little do people know that Coober Pedy is an opal rich town buried deep within the red and arid outback of South Australia. Lewie Day (aka Tornado Wallace) and Tom Moore may be from Melbourne, but the duo make up the Coober Pedy University Band, coining the term "Krautback" to describe this Moon Plain EP. Drawing upon italo synths and mid-tempo Balearica as inspiration, the first release comes in 12" form via Soft Rocks' Kinfolk label. The reverb washed Australian crooner Chet Faker appears on the title track "Moon Plain" alongside heavy struck piano chords, while "Sentenced Beyond The Seas" is a flow of groggy atmospheres and downtempo beats. "Oblong" is the the EPs stand out italo track with short bass arpeggios a highlight, while Soft Rocks "Acperience" mix of "Moon Plain" takes on an acidic and space western theme.

Review: It's been a while since we last heard from Kinfolk, but the broad-sweeping label with cosmic chuggery in its bones is back with this powerful dose from Ess O Ess and Saulrichards. "Totem" is an epic track that rolls around in the muck somewhere between shoegaze extravagance, post-rock heaviness and psyched-out electronics. The "Swamp Crawl" version of the track keeps the guitars bedded deep within the mix, but there's space for more expressive synth work. Hardway Brothers take the track on a similarly rockist journey, but take their time building up to a climax. Otologic wrap things up with a deadly dub that will have low tempo trippers rubbing their hands with delight.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Torn sleeve & record has light surface marks/scratches, otherwise in excellent working condition***


It's been a while since we last heard from Kinfolk, but the broad-sweeping label with cosmic chuggery in its bones is back with this powerful dose from Ess O Ess and Saulrichards. "Totem" is an epic track that rolls around in the muck somewhere between shoegaze extravagance, post-rock heaviness and psyched-out electronics. The "Swamp Crawl" version of the track keeps the guitars bedded deep within the mix, but there's space for more expressive synth work. Hardway Brothers take the track on a similarly rockist journey, but take their time building up to a climax. Otologic wrap things up with a deadly dub that will have low tempo trippers rubbing their hands with delight.

Review: New alias for Richard Gateaux (Aka Phoreski) dropping two essential jams for the Soft Rocks boys on their Kinfolk imprint. 'This Devil Can Dance' is a scary anthemic electronic dance monster from the left that will slay many a dance floor this year and has legend written all over it. Add to the mix the downtempo delight 'Lone Soldier Theme' that takes a different electronic route with it's echoes of 'Assault On Precinct 13' / 'Escape From New York' filmic vibe this makes for an essential package.

Review: From World Unknown, Magic Feet and Tusk Wax and now on to Kinfolk, Tim Rivers is marking out a place in that world of mystical grooves where acid, kosmische, new age, Balearic and wyrd pagan dance can all jam to the same beat. The title track on The Mirage is a gorgeous slice of motorik smoothness, letting sustained guitar nights ring out over a tender throb of bass. "Suni Aki" is a more dramatic piece with a healthy dose of 80s bombast poured over its loins, and then Soft Rocks grapples the B side for a remix of "The Mirage" that cuts the tow line and drifts off in the direction of the sunset.

Review: Italian producer Domenico Camarilla has hit a rich vein of form under the Jose Manuel guise of late, supplementing output on his own Black Pepper label with feted appearances for Tusk Wax, Is It Balearic?, Lectric Sands and Citizen Kane's Disques Sinthomme. Given his profile, a union with the Soft Rocks affiliated Kinfolk label makes utmost sense and Jose Manuel fans will find much to enjoy about Ajna. Both the title track and "The Clear After The Storm" are steeped in Eastern mysticism and feature heavy percussion from the man Manuel, whilst the accompanying Soft Rocks remix will appeal to fans of Rabih Beaini's "Tanki Tanki" edit.

Review: The Soft Rocks camp launches a newly minted label in the shape of Kinfolk, whose intention is to showcase rising talent and fully indulge the experimental. The first release from Maurice & Charles smacks it right in the spot - you may have enjoyed the loose vocal acid throb of A Side hugger "Moroder In Milan" on Sir Wevver's recent 6 Mix show. There isn't a recommendation that comes any higher than that! On the flip, Mo & Charlie indulge their floaty Balearic side with "Underneath The Universe" which also contains a pleasant undercurrent of bubbling acid. The same track is twisted inside out and taken to the New Forest by the Soft Rocks crew themselves on an expansive dubbed out refix notable for some rather tasty metallic 808 hits!

Review: After the last 12" from Nick Murray and Kris Baha landed back in 2016, Kinfolk finally makes a welcome return with a surefire Balearic tumbler from Sundown Drive, a project purportedly presented by Golf Channel and Rogue Cat cats Mind Fair. "Sunset Over Santorini" is a gorgeous, 70s-tinged jam with pattering percussion, loose and easy bluesy guitar licks and a slinky bassline to die for. It's cool as a cucumber and twice as loose. Mustafa Ali's Nad project takes the reins on the B-side with an electrified remix of the track that heads into wonderfully tweaked out dubwise territory for the trippers.

Review: Continuing the Soft Rocks anglo-Australian exchange program we are very excited to announce Kinfolk number 9. This comes from our Melbourne homies Nick Murray of Animals Dancing / Otologic and Power Station's Kris Baha. A1 cut 'Besom' comes out with all guns blazing with a guitar fit for leaping around your bedroom with an old broom, whilst 'Bonzai Sunset' finds the boys in a more reflective, dare we say, tropical mood. Flip over to the B and we've got another banger in the shape of 'Third Wish' and we've even chucked in a gnarly remix from Portugal's finest Tiago. BOOM!

Review: Room 315 step up to the fledgling Kinfolk imprint for three tasty psyche-edit numbers; opener "The Eon Men" sets the standard with its robust bass pulse driving a slow beat forward on a flurry of digitised synth solo and live guitar action, whilst "Night On The Shore" begins as a sinister number with lurching bass, but soon opens itself up with its solitary guitar line and floating synth pads which recall the end credits to an 80s thriller, all driven along with minimal 808 percussion. On the flip, edit masters Soft Rocks provide their own version of "The Eon Men", taking the grizzled quality of the original and creating their own minimal wave inspired reworking, with a brittle bassline joined by shady echoes of dub music in its cavernous backdrop and savage low end.

Review: Heavy release from newcomer therarelowry on the Soft Rocks 'Kinfolk'imprint. 'Nightshift' is a meandering acid tinged trance-dancer with a nord-esque bassline under pinning it.'The Morning After' goes on a heavier route but the mournful strings keep it on the light side of the dark with great intensity. On the flip side Soft Rocks take the 'Nightshift' into their specially designed 'acid fuzz' room to deliver a pounding percussion filled remix....all trax are receiving support from the Alfos duo of Andrew Weatherall and Sean Johnston.

Review: New Yorker Elliot Taub graces this 8th Kinfolk release with 3 trax of varying intesity. 'Do That Dance' is an uptempo melodic bass and synth heavy dancefloor jam. 'Thirteenth Roll in A Bakers Dozen' takes a slower spaced out route. '10 Dollars' conitnues in the same mode but this time with guitar and a super heavy synth line pushing the driving force along and finally Soft Rocks grab a hold of '10 Dollars' and turn it into a John Carpenter-esque electro groover.