Suchergebnisse: Dance Music

Review: More proper tacker makes it way to vinyl here courtesy of the blow label who enlist four more producers of this latest various artists EP. Kitchen Plug's 'Cheat Code' marries the best of tech, garage, dub and house into a kinetic bit of body music that oozes warm and lo-fi soul. CYMKA brings kaleidoscopic colour and squelchy acid to 'Sweet Peach' then it's all pout old school piano rave madness from Batenko on 'Inside Summer 21'. Last of all is the searing electro funk of Les Hauts with 'Passing Clouds', a blisteringly quick trip into another dimension with some rueful chord work. Sensational EP.

Review: The debut album from Amsterdam-based muso Donald 'Donny' Madjid (a member of The Mauskovic Dance Band) came after an unusual break in his often hectic touring cycle, largely thanks to the pandemic. Keeping himself sane with a plethora of vintage synths as well as a 60s era drum-machine, the resulting experiments gave way to 2021's retro-fitted disco meets new wave opus Pure Donzin. Now that tour-life has resumed and his schedule chock-a-block yet again, it's taken three years for another dose of pure Donny with the release of his follow up Zonder Pardon EP. Authentic swathes of machine-percussion, thick synth-lines and Madjid's own disarming croon (sung almost exclusively in his native tongue) channel the sonic iconography of Talking Heads or Roxy Music, yet transported by way of an Italo-Disco rave to the funkiest spots of inner-city Holland.

Review: Limpe Fuchs is most known for being something of a percussive genius. Here though she surprises in all the right ways with a trip into her classical roots and a pair of tracks played on the piano. Though her musical journey has been vast, recorded piano performances have been rare. Yet, on this 45rpm, she defies both time and anticipation, delving deep into the piano's soul. With rhythmic finesse honed as a percussionist, each keystroke bears her unmistakable imprint. Join Fuchs on this captivating late exploration of the piano world and you will be savouring every note of a distinct and unfiltered artistic encounter.

Review: Watergate, the cult Berlin club known for its riverside location and legendary LED ceiling above the dancefloor, is also a reputable tech house label that deals in fresh names only. Here it is 8Kays that makes a debut with Falling Down, a selection of superb collaborations including 'Matematica' with Glowal which is tense and electric tech with indie vocals and with Juan Hansen he cooks up the medically hopeful 'Falling Down' which then gets two remixes. Colyn & Beswerda make it into a moody and deep groove, Chris Avantgarde brings some peak time prog energy and solo cut 'Lyra' has a warm, paddy broken beat to cruise on through the stars.

Review: There is scant little information out there about Yoanson & Karamie. What we do know is that they were young artists from the French African diaspora who met with Nessim Saroussi and his label Ness Music in the late 80s and were encouraged to record the music presented here. It is their only official EP and it is a brilliant mix of Afro-tropical percussions, disco, electro and vocals that call to mind the likes of Arthur Russell. Philippe de Lacroix-Herpin is the man festered here as Prof Jah Pinpin and he brings some of his signature saxophone brilliance to flipside jaunt 'The Final Bird (Le Temps D'une Vie)'.

Notes: DJ SHADOW collaborates with Dr Suzuki slipmats, in conjunction with the release of his album "ACTION ADVENTURE"

DJ SHADOW's uniquely cool slipmats, which are based on the jacket design of "ACTION ADVENTURE".

Since its release, Dr Suzuki slipmats have gained support from various DJs beyond the boundaries of genre, and have become synonymous with high-performance slipmats.

The moderate thickness has been adjusted to the optimal slippage for scratch play, normal mix play, and play with control vinyl, etc.,

Each piece is made with careful attention to detail, using carefully selected materials selected from years of experience, and using Dr Suzuki unique lamination technique that cannot be imitated anywhere else.

The high anti-vibration properties allow the stylus to trace the record groove without wobbling, reducing noise, and the anti-static property keeps out dust and reduces sticking to the record.

This is a Dr Suzuki masterpiece where you can feel the pride of its craftsmanship.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box opened, product in perfect working order***


Two decades in the game and the mighty MicroKorg remains a classic. Crystal version celebrates the anniversary with a fresh new look and the same punchy sound.

Supplier's Notes:
A shining homage to two decades of microKORG legacy

The microKORG was originally released in 2002 and has remained strong for two decades. Countless tracks and artists have made use of the amazing possibilities it offers and it continues to be one of the most popular choices for musicians on stage and in the studio.

The instruments that musicians recognise as "classics" are those that are loved and always in use, regardless of times and trends. The word "classic" symbolises musical instruments that are revolutionary in their field. There may be imitations of a classic, but the distinct character of the original shines more brilliantly and is only enhanced by time.

Two decades ago, the portable, battery powered microKORG was born with a radical new micro-keybed, a powerful Vocoder and ready-to-use sounds ideal for contemporary genres delivering countless hit performances, and instantly revolutionising the way musicians played. This compact sound monster introduced synthesis to a vast number of non-keyboard playing musicians and created a way of making music we now take for granted: a small keyboard resting unassumingly atop a larger one onstage, made for use by hobbyists and pros alike and finding itself front and centre of studios worldwide from the smallest bedroom to the largest pro recording facility.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release, the special edition microKORG Crystal offers a unique and stunningly stylish take on this beloved synth - now a classic in its own right.

The microKORG was originally released in 2002 and has remained strong for two decades. Countless tracks and artists have made use of the amazing possibilities it offers and it continues to be one of the most popular choices for musicians on stage and in the studio. microKORG Crystal is the ultimate reincarnation of this iconic synth.

"Skeleton" type semi-translucent chassis, with matching knobs and controls

Previously unchanged, the microKORG Crystal features a new take on the structure of the microKORG, with a semi-translucent chassis that lets you see the electronics and internals. Even the controllers are semi-transparent, including the knobs, dials and wheels. As a commemorative model, the microKORG Crystal is great fun to look at from any angle, and as its name suggests, it "crystalizes" the energy and feelings of the KORG team behind its birth.

A panel with a beautiful sheen

The microKORG Crystal features a stainless mirror-finish front panel that blends perfectly with the semi-translucent knobs and dials, blurring the limits between you and your instrument and providing a cosmetic impact never seen in any other musical instrument.

Aluminium side panels for a sturdy feel

The original microKORG featured wooden side panels that suggested a retro feel, serving as an elegant accent to the analogue modelled synth engine. This new special microKORG features sleek aluminium side panels for a clean and depurated look.

Dedicated transparent carry bag

The microKORG Crystal features a stainless mirror-finish front panel that blends perfectly with the semi-translucent knobs and dials, blurring the limits between you and your instrument and providing a cosmetic impact never seen in any other musical instrument.

Specifications

Sound generation:
Analogue Modelling Synthesis System

Synthesizer program:
Multi Timbral: 2 (max, Split/Dual Mode)

Voices: 4 voices

Sound source:
2 Oscillator + Noise Generator
Multi Mode Filter (-24dB/octLPF,-12dB/oct LPF/BPF/HPF)
EG×2
LFO×2
Virtual Patch×4

Voices: 4 voices

Vocoder program

Voices: 4 voices

Sound source:
1 Oscillator +Noise Generator
EG×1
LFO×2 8
Channels vocoder
Level and pan of each channel can be edited
Formant Shift function

Programs: 128
Effects: Modulation effects (3 types), Delay (3 types), Equalizer
Arpeggiator: 6 types

Controllers
Real-Time control knob X 4 (3 level Selection),
Arpeggio ON/OFF

Keyboard: 37 Keys (mini-keyboard, keyboard has velocity)
Inputs: AUDIO IN 1,2, Level switch LINE/MIC, [AUDIO IN 1, 2 (LINE) ], [AUDIO IN 2 (MIC)]
Outputs: L/MONO, R, Headphones
MIDI : IN, OUT, THRU
Display : 3 characters×1 line with 8 segment LED
Power supply: DC 9V (AC adapter)
Power: 6.4w Max
Dimensions: 524 x 232 x 70mm
Weight: 2.4 kg (instrument only, without batteries or microphone)
Included items: AC adapter, condenser microphone, dedicated transparent carry bag

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Item refurbished, repaired and in perfect working order.***


Killer digital drum machine from the excellent Modor. Six instruments, 128-step sequencer and some of the freshest, most innovative drum sounds we've heard in a long time.

*** New upgrade - July 2023 ***

Introducing this new upgrade for the DR-2, OS010. Built in cooperation with Berlin-based Canadian electronic music artist Nicolas Bougaieff!

Bougaieff frequently uses polyrhythmic structures, dividing bars or musical phrases of different instruments into different numbers of steps. Have one instrument play 17 steps in the time another instrument plays only 16 steps, or 8 steps in 5 steps, or... Like stretching N steps of one instrument over M steps of a second one, giving them an N:M speed ratio.

He felt that there were only rather limited possibilities in hardware sequencers and drum machines to achieve this.

The process of achieving this was quite challenging, but the result was worth it! This is a very intuitive way to work with polyrhythms, making use of stretched clocks. It is ready for download now on Modor's download page on their site!

Apart from the main sequencer clock, the DR-2 now has 2 polyrhythmic clocks (or 'polyclocks'), called polyclock A and B. Each of these 2 clocks relates to the regular 'main' clock with a certain N:M ratio. The polyclock takes N steps in the time the main clock takes M steps.

Next, every instrument can separately choose a clock:
the main clock,
the A polyrhythmic clock,
or the B polyrhythmic clock.

This means, you can let, for example, a snaredrum play 7 steps while the rest of the instruments plays 8 steps. The 7 steps are stretched equally in time over the 8 steps of the other instruments.

How is this done?

Keep the A or B button down, and set the N:M ratio using the SELECT/BPM (for N) and VALUE/SWING (for M) knobs.

Keep an instrument button A...F down and hit the A or B button to assign that instrument to one of the polyrhythmic clocks. Hit it again to return to the main clock.

Supplier's Notes:

The DR-2 is a 6 instrument digital DSP drum synth, with a built-in 128-step drum sequencer. At first sight, it will feel recognizable in some ways. There are sounds that will remind you of the good old classic drum machines, and the step sequencer will get you building drum riffs from the first second you touch it. But Modor uses digital sound synthesis to get beyond the possibilities of a classic drum machine, and the step sequencer does more than just hitting drums...

First of all: although it's digital, the DR-2 is not about sampling. It's a drum synthesizer, like a classic analog drum machine, but it uses digital sound synthesis algorithms instead of analog circuitry. There are no samples in the DR-2, and there's no sample memory.

Just like the Modor NF-1, the DR-2 is not built to recreate the classics of the past. The DR-2 uses digital sound synthesis to innovate drum sounds and rhythms. Many sounds will be recognizable. It is possible to make classic sounding bass drums, snares and rimshots. It's not difficult to program classic floorfillers with the DR-2. But with 12 synthesis parameters per drum, you'll easily find yourself creating your own individual sound.

The DR-2 has 6 drum 'channels', drumsets made of 6 drum instruments. These channels don't have predefined instruments. You can choose freely which instruments you want in your 6-channel drumsets. The DR-2 works with drum 'models', of which you can pick one for every channel. You can consider these 'models', or synthesis algorithms, as a collection of small but dedicated drum synthesizers, of which you can pick 6 to form a drumset. There are models for bass drums, snares and cymbals, but also for some more unusual drum sounds, clicks and ticks.

Every model has up to 12 sound synthesis parameters: Pitch with pitch decay, curve and amount, amp volume with panning, amp decay and curve, and parameters X, Y, Z and T that have a different function in every model, see the table below.

The DR-2 has an output jack connector for each of the 6 channels A-F, and 2 master L/R outputs. If there's no cable connected to a channel output, the corresponding channel is sent to the master L/R outputs. The individual channel outputs are mono, but have a panning parameter to give it a stereo position in the master mix.

But there is more! The A-F output connectors are actually insert points, you can use 6.35mm (1/4") TRS jack connectors to route a channel out of the DR-2, and send it back in if you want. This way, you can use external effects, equalisers, compressors, ... on each of the 6 channels individually, and still have them panned and mixed in the master outputs of the DR-2.
Next to the audio connectors, the DR-2 has 6.35mm (1/4") TS connectors for 24PPQN clock input and output, and has classic din-5 MIDI IN, OUT and THRU connectors.

The sequencer of the DR-2 has a lot more options than just the classic 16-step sequencer. First of all: you can use 32nd notes, so the DR-2 doubles the resolution of a classic 16-step sequencer. The DR-2 has 16 step buttons but you can see 32 step leds on the front panel. Keep the '16/32'-button pressed to access the steps-between-the-steps.

A pattern can use up to 4 of these 16/32-step pattern parts, these can be accessed with the 1-16/17-32/33-48/49-64 buttons. Using SHIFT + one of these buttons sets the pattern length. So, it's actually a 4x32 or 128-step sequencer.

But there's more: each instrument has it's own Accent, Flam, Tuplet, Break and Reverse patterns. Keep the ACC, FLAM, SHIFT+FLAM, BREAK or REV button pressed while using the step buttons.

MEASUREMENTS
Width: 440mm without rack ears, 480mm with rack ears (19")
Height: 267mm (10.5"/ 6U)
Depth: 40mm (front) - 80mm (back)
Weight: +/- 6kg

CONNECTIONS
9V, 600mA adapter connection, positive voltage on center pin
MIDI IN/THRU/OUT connections, 3x 5-pin DIN connection
Clock In/Out connections, 2x 6.35mm mono jack
Audio Instrument Outputs/Inserts, 6x 6.35mm TRS or mono jack, unbalanced
Audio Left/Stereo output, 6.35mm TRS or mono jack, unbalanced, capable of driving headphones
Audio Right output, 6.35mm mono jack, unbalanced

Notes: Whether you're about to become a content streamer or beat maker or anything beyond - with Neva Uno you're ready to go instantly.

Coming at a super affordable price, Neva Uno offers superior audio quality, elegant design and an extensive software package while retaining a compact form. Equipped with professional pre-amplified microphone and guitar inputs as well as two line inputs, it offers everything you need to get started right away. The USB-C port makes it easy to connect to your computer or mobile device. Neva Uno comes with professional ASIO drivers including DirectWIRE loopback function and more, so you can focus on your creativity.

Features

2 input / 2 output 24-bit / 192kHz USB 3.1 audio interface with USB-C connector
XLR combo microphone preamp with +48V phantom power support
Hi-Z instrument input with 1/4" connector
USB bus powered (no additional power adapter needed)
line output with unbalanced RCA connectors
headphone output with 1/4" connector
ADC with 97dB(a) dynamic range
DAC with 107dB(a) dynamic range
Zero latency hardware direct input monitoring activated by switch
Master output volume control
Supports Windows 10, Windows 11 with ASIO 2.0, MME, WDM and DirectSound
Supports macOS via the native CoreAudio USB audio driver from Apple
Stereo hardware loopback channel for internal recording
Includes Bitwig Studio 8-Track DAW
Includes Steinberg WaveLab LE audio editor license
Works with Cubasis LE from Steinberg for iPhone / iPad
Includes 3 month (up to 9000 minute) subscription to JackTrip Virtual Studio
Dimensions: 10.5cm x 9cm x 4cm


Connectors & Functions

+48V PHANTOM POWER SWITCH to provide power for a condenser microphone.

LINE HI-Z SWITCH for input 2 to switch between Line level and Hi-Z guitar signals.

DIRECT MONITORING SWITCH to enable or disable input monitoring to listen to the input signals.

GAIN KNOB 1 to change the input gain / input level for input 1. The LED ring indicates the signal level.

GAIN KNOB 2 to change the gain / input level for input 2. The LED ring indicates the signal level.

VOLUME KNOB to change the main output volume for connected headphones and speakers.

XLR / TRS COMBO INPUT 1 to connect a microphone via XLR cable or a line signal via 1/4" TRS connector.

TRS INPUT 2 to connect a line via 1/4" TS connector.

HEADPHONE OUTPUT to connect headphones.

LINE OUTPUT 1/2 to connect the stereo master line level output signal via RCA cables for left and right channels.

USB-C CONNECTOR to connect the audio interface to a PC, Mac, tablet or mobile phone.

Small, portable and perfect for your podcasting or live streaming applications

This stylish 24-bit / 192 kHz USB-C audio interface is so small, it will instantly become your new companion on the go and in your studio. Neva Uno is USB bus powered and Plug & Play, just plug it in and start working! It works with any modern Mac (Intel or M1 CPU or better), PC (Windows 10 and higher) and with many portable devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.). One XLR/jack combo input will take either your microphone or line signal, while the second 1/4" jack input accepts line or Hi-Z guitar signals. The inputs feature a mic preamp with up to 50dB gain and 48V phantom power support and the analog-to-digital converter provides 97db(a) dynamic range. On the output side, there is an integrated headphone amplifier and stereo line RCA outputs with a digital-to-analog converter with 107dB(a) dynamic range, allowing you to connect a mixer, amplifier or active speakers. You can monitor incoming audio signals with zero latency, just push the direct monitor button.

Neva Uno is compatible with virtually all common audio software thanks to the professional low latency ASIO 2.0 driver for Windows and CoreAudio compatibility on the Mac. There is even a DirectWIRE hardware loopback function that allows you to route and mix different sound sources internally: perfect for podcasting or live streaming applications.

All this turns Neva Uno into an ideal device to get started in the world of digital audio recording, no matter if you create your own music, if you want to mix and edit audio, if you work on your podcast or even for live streaming. And yet there is more: Bitwig Studio 8-Track and Steinberg WaveLab LE are included. On the iPhone and iPad, you can use Cubasis LE from Steinberg.

An alternative to Neva Uno is ESI's larger model Neva Duo with two microphone preamps.

Review: This live album captures Slade at the peak of their rock 'n' roll prowess. Recorded in 1978 at the New Victoria Theatre in London, the album showcases the band's electrifying stage presence and raw energy. With anthemic hits coming thick and fast, Slade ignite the crowd with their infectious hooks and raucous performances. Frontman Noddy Holder's powerful, ultra-distinctive vocals and guitarist Dave Hill's blistering solos drive the show, creating a memorable concert experience that can be enjoyed all over again here.

Notes: Unleash your creativity!

Whether you're about to stream your story, build your beat, track, or do anything beyond that - with Neva Duo you're ready to go instantly and as easy as never before.

Coming at a super affordable price, Neva Duo offers superior audio quality, elegant design and an extensive software package while retaining a compact form. Equipped with professional pre-amplified microphone and guitar inputs as well as two line inputs, it offers everything you need to get started right away. The USB-C port makes it easy to connect to your computer or mobile device. Neva Duo comes with professional ASIO drivers including DirectWIRE loopback function and more, so you can focus on your creativity.

Features
2 input / 2 output 24-bit / 192kHz USB 3.1 audio interface with USB-C connector
2x XLR microphone preamp with +48V phantom power support
2x Hi-Z inputs with 1/4" connector
USB bus powered (no additional power adapter needed)
Line output with balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS connectors
Headphone output with 1/4" Stereo connector and separate volume control
ADC with 97dB(a) dynamic range
DAC with 107dB(a) dynamic range
Zero latency hardware direct input monitoring activated by switch
Master output volume control
Supports Windows 10, Windows 11 with ASIO 2.0, MME, WDM and DirectSound
Supports macOS via the native CoreAudio USB audio driver from Apple
Stereo hardware loopback channel for internal recording
Includes Bitwig Studio 8-Track DAW
Includes Steinberg WaveLab LE audio editor license
Works with Cubasis LE from Steinberg for iPhone / iPad
Includes 3 month (up to 9000 minute) subscription to JackTrip Virtual Studio
Dimensions: 13cm x 9cm x 4cm

Connectors & Functions

LINE HI-Z SWITCH 1 for input 1 to switch between Line / Microphone signals and Hi-Z guitar signals.

LINE HI-Z SWITCH 2 for input 2 to switch between Line / Microphone signals and Hi-Z guitar signals.

+48V PHANTOM POWER SWITCH to provide power for condenser microphones.

DIRECT MONITORING SWITCH to enable or disable input monitoring to listen to the input signals.

GAIN KNOB 1 to change the input gain / input level for input 1. The LED ring indicates the signal level.

GAIN KNOB 2 to change the input gain / input level for input 2. The LED ring indicates the signal level.

HEADPHONE VOLUME KNOB to change the output volume for connected headphones.

MASTER VOLUME KNOB to control the master output volume of the main line output signal.

XLR / TRS COMBO INPUT 1 to connect a microphone via XLR cable, a line signal via 1/4" TRS connector or an electric guitar with 1/4".

XLR / TRS COMBO INPUT 2 to connect a microphone via XLR cable, a line signal via 1/4" TRS connector or an electric guitar with 1/4".

HEADPHONE OUTPUT to connect headphones.

OUTPUT LINE 1/2 to connect the stereo master line level output signal via 1/4" TRS cables for left and right channels.

USB-C CONNECTOR to connect the audio interface to a PC, Mac, tablet or mobile phone.

Small, flexible and ideal for entering the world of digital audio recording

This stylish 24-bit / 192 kHz USB-C audio interface is so small, it will instantly become your new companion on the go and in your studio. Neva Duo is USB bus powered and Plug & Play, just plug it in and start working! It works with any modern Mac (Intel or M1 CPU or better), PC (Windows 10 and higher) and with many portable devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.). No additional AC adapter is needed. You can use the integrated 2 preamps with 48V phantom power for condenser or dynamic microphones with up to 50dB gain using XLR inputs or connect an electric guitars via 1/4" Hi-Z inputs. On the output side, there is an integrated headphone amplifier and there are stereo TRS outputs with master volume control allowing you to connect a mixer, amplifier or active speakers. You can monitor incoming audio signals with zero latency, just push the direct monitor button. The total of 2 inputs with 97dB(a) dynamic range and 2 outputs with 107dB(a) dynamic range can be used for line level signals as well.

Neva Duo is compatible with virtually all common audio software thanks to ESI's professional low latency ASIO 2.0 driver for Windows and CoreAudio compatibility on the Mac. There is even a DirectWIRE hardware loopback function that allows you to route and mix different sound sources internally: perfect for podcasting or live streaming applications.

All this turns Neva Duo into an ideal device to get started in the world of digital audio recording, no matter if you create your own music, if you want to mix and edit audio, if you work on your podcast or even for live streaming. And yet there is more: Bitwig Studio 8-Track and Steinberg WaveLab LE are included. On the iPhone and iPad, you can use Cubasis LE from Steinberg.

An alternative to Neva Duo is ESI's even more compact Neva Uno with one microphone preamp.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Item refurbished, repaired and in perfect working order.***


Six segment generator. Looping or one shot envelope generator. Chainable, so it can be expanded to link multiple units.

An exact hardware replica of the Mutable Instruments Stages.

Dimensions
14 HP
25 mm deep

Current Draw
80 mA +12V
20 mA -12V
0 mA 5V

Review: Colemine Records has devoted itself to releasing top notch soul music for close to 20 years now. Those who follow the label closely trust the purveyor of the label (Terry Cole) enough to blindly pick up each and almost every release. The label's knack for finding and sharing some of the best versions of soul music is clearly evident from the latest by a group called The Splendids. Originally recorded in 1961, these two songs were destined to launch this talented ensemble. Two things' happened in 1962 though. Beatles music made Doo-Wop almost irrelevant overnight. In addition, members of the group got called into Vietnam. 63 years later after originally forming, the surviving three of the five members recording once again. The result is phenomenal and makes us feel like we are back in the 1950s. Only 500 copies in total have been pressed.

Notes: Excellent studio-quality sound in a compact package from this clever PreSonus design. 4.5-inch coaxial drivers deliver point source reproduction, for precise imagine and off-axis response.

Supplier's Notes:
The Eris Pro 4 reference monitors employ a single point-source coaxial design for clear and accurate sound reproduction. This design provides superior phase alignment between components and delivers a wide sweet spot, precise stereo imaging, and symmetrical dispersion patterns - unique advantages for Dolby Atmos immersive rooms as well as stereo mix environments.

The Eris Pro 4 also delivers finely detailed transient response, and stunning dynamics that create a natural and less fatiguing listening experience. A 1-inch ultra-low mass, silk-dome tweeter ensures snappy, accurate transient reproduction, while a 4.5-inch woven-composite woofer offers tight, clear bass, with plenty of punch and no flab. A ported enclosure and 80 Watts of power allows the Eris Pro 4 to reach down to 55 Hz.

Acoustic tuning controls let you configure the Eris Pro 4 for your room and three-way Acoustic Space tuning can compensate for the effects of speaker placement against a wall or in a corner.

Flexible input options let you connect almost any line-level source, from mixers to audio interfaces and more. You'll have no problem hooking your Eris speakers up to virtually anything. Lastly, provisions for wall and ceiling mounts make it easy to integrate Eris Pro 4 monitors into any stereo or multi-channel system.

Specifications

Series: Erisr
Colour: Black
Country of origin: CN

Electronics

Voltage: 220-240V UK
Wattage: 80 Watts
Input impedance: 10 kO

Performance
Peak SPL: 99 dB (@ 1 meter)

Speakers
Crossover frequency: 3.4 kHz

Hardware

Cabinet material: Vinyl-Laminated, Medium-Density Fiberboard
Audio controls: Volume High Frequency (+/-6 dB, centre 10 kHz, continuously variable) Mid Frequency (+/-6 dB, centre 1 kHz, continuously variable)
Audio switches: Acoustic Space (Flat, -2 dB, -4 dB) Low Cut (Flat, 80 Hz, 100 Hz @ -12 dB / octave)
Monitor inputs:1- Balanced XLR, 1- Balanced 14" TRS, 1- Unbalanced RCA
Power amplifier type: Class AB

Measurements

Dimensions: 8.50x7.00x5.00 IN
Shipping weight: 9.04 LB
Product depth: 8.6" (21.8 cm)
Product height: 9" (22.9 cm)
Product width: 7.5" (19 cm)

Shipping length: 5.00 IN
Shipping height: 8.50 IN
Shipping width: 7.00 IN

Accessories
Footswitch: N/A

Miscellaneous
Power cable: IEC

Protections:

RF interference
Output-current limiting
Over-temperature
Turn-on/off transient
Subsonic filter

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


Rosie Gaines will also be synonymous with her smash hit single 'Closer Than Close' (also the name of her fifth album) which now gets reissued by the Demon Record Singles Club. Gaines actually started her career back in 1985 when she perfumed and recorded with The Curtis Ohlson Band but it was when she was a member of Prince & The New Power Generation that she really got noticed. Her Closer Than Close album came in 1995 and soon after she was dropped by Motown, but a remix of the title track a year so so later arrived in club land on bootleg and sold over eight million copies around the world.

Review: The TBN Trio features pianist, keyboardist and composer Takeshi Ohbayashi alongside Ben Williams and Nate Smith, and between them they have some mad jazz skills. The Big News is their new album on Eight islands and it finds the ensemble merging virtuosity with innovation as each member brings a unique flair. The absorbing record blends Ohbayashi's intricate piano melodies, Williams' pulsating bass lines, and Smith's dynamic drumming and their synergy creates a captivating tapestry that effortlessly traverses various tempos and moods with effortless precision. The album showcases the trio's collective prowess with a rich tapestry of harmonies and rhythms that solidifies their position as a formidable force in the modern jazz landscape.

Review: In the mid-80s, Svitlana Okhrimenko, Oleksandr Kohanovs'kyi, and Tamila Mazur, students at the Reinhold Glier Kyiv Academy of Music, formed the foundation of Cukor Bila Smert. Their blend of music and camaraderie led to the addition of Eugene Taran, who further helped shape the band's vision. Dubbed Sugar - White Death, their ironic moniker challenged media sensationalism and amidst endless musical exploration, they crafted two albums in 1988 and 1989. The band's unique "sugar calypso sound" emerged, a blend of Kohanovs'kyi's music and lyrics by Okhrimenko and Taran. A significant studio session in 1990 yielded tracks featured on the Mannered Music compilation which sparked international interest. Their journey concluded in 1993 with the release of "Selo" by Koka Records, and now some of the best bits make it onto this new collection.

Review: As the artist alias kind of suggests, Abyssy takes a deep dive into the unknown depths of the human spirit. It finds the artist returning to Simona Faraone's label after several years and finds him exploring electronic sounds of the 70s and 80s, blending Berlin school minimalism with Detroit techno's soul and funk. It is a record that ranges in mood and tempo as it heads into oceanic depths where wispy pads and chattery percussive patterns collide in unusual ways. It's a largely abstract album of unusual sound designs and genuine electronic discovery that often has you wondering just how certain abounds have been made.

Review: A Special Radio: TV Record No 23 is a deep dive into the eclectic world of Belgian radio and TV music from the 1980s and is exactly the sort of esoteric record that we nerdish collectors fawn over owning. Arriving on limited transparent yellow vinyl, it features a diverse selection of tracks ranging from funk and jazz to synth-pop and electronic experimentation. Each song is a snapshot of the vibrant and innovative music scene that thrived during that era and comes with some nice infectious grooves, catchy melodies, and nostalgic charm that all serve as a delightful homage to the golden age of Belgian broadcasting. It's a must-have for those who seek out hidden gems and forgotten treasures.

Review: Sound Of Thunder outta France lands at release number ten here with another gorgeous slice of lovers rock on 45rpm. It features contemporary producers and vocalists Loic Paulin & The SOA offering up A-side single 'Jason White'. At less than three minutes it is the definition of short but sweet but in that time it manages to make its mark with the yearning vocals really hitting home next to nice heat-damaged organ chords and a classic reggae rhythm. On the flip, Mellowmood spins out the sounds via plenty of mixing desk tweaks on his version 'Poor Jason Dub'.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Dent on the side, product in perfect working order***


This long-awaited FM voice module from Jomox is a self-contained synth in Eurorack format, patchable and compatible with other modules but capable of creating eight-voice polyphonic patches all on its own. Vastly powerful.

Supplier's Notes:
The Mod FM is a completely self-contained 8 voice FM synth in eurorack format, which can create powerful sounds out of the box without lacking the commonly provided CV modulation possibilities.

It provides 4 Operators and 2 LFOs/VCOs per voice. Additionally it has 2 analogue filters and analogue VCAs per voice which apply analogue warmth and depth to the Mod FM, although the FM engine is digital of course.

Each voice has own CV/Gate inputs and an individual output. There is a mix output which separates even and odd voices. Here you can mix internal effects like delay and reverb to the stereo output signal.

Next to the CV/Gate control, the Mod FM has Midi in and out in TRS type A format and a USB C connector which handles Midi too.

Even without diving too much into complicated modular setups you can create extremely good sounding and metallic FM sounds, snappy bases but also soft and deep sounding analogue style sounds.

Furthermore, the Mod FM offers a variety of external cv modulations in order to e.g. modulate each operator individually or control the FM envelopes.

The Mod FM is fully multitimbral, i.e. each voice can play an own sound in Multi Mode which gets stored as a complete multi set (not only vectorized). That is, you can copy a single sound to the desired multi, but editings made on that particular multi get stored along with the multi set.

Hence, we have the biggest advantage of the hybrid approach:

Modular is great but can be very complex, and you might be trapped in a system where you never reach again the desired sound of the latest session. Storability certainly helps.

The different sections in more detail:

Matrix FM:

4 operators are arranged in a matrix, in which every operator (= sine oscillator) can be modulated by each one of the other three.

The 16 endless potentiometers of the matrix adjust the modulation amount (FM amt) and the base frequency of the operators.

For each operator you can change the base frequency by the diagonal knobs.

There are several overtone modes that determine if one operator is controlled by the keynote (or CV) = base operator, or if it's locked in as overtone (= overtone operator) to the assigned base operator. For the base operator, the number resembles xxx semitones added to the keynote.

For the overtone operator, the adjusted number is the xxx = Nth overtone or harmonics to the base operator frequency.

The locked overtone operator tracks the base operator and is still able to modulate and being modulated.

Each operator has an ADSR envelope. This envelope can also be used to frequency-modulate the operator.

Algorithm:

The algorithms from the known FM synthesis are actually special cases to the whole matrix.

Because it gets pretty quickly uncontrollable if you turn all the knobs because of the feedbacks, Jomox have decided to implement the algorithms. There are 26 algorithms, that are derived from the DX9 with its 4 operators.

At this menu it's even possible to change the frequency mode of each operator to a fixed frequency that is edited in single Hz and which does not follow the keynote, but only modulation. That makes sense for e.g. percussive sounds.

LFO/VCO:

Each voice has 2 LFOs which can modulate either the frequency (FM) or the amplitude (AM) of an operator. Every LFO addresses 64 different wave forms that are displayed in the right OLED display.

There is another feature: each LFO can be switched into a VCO that covers the whole audio range. You can even mix it into the signal chain and it tracks to the keynote. The former LFO rate parameter turns into a detune parameter. That is, you can create classic sounding rectangle/sawtooth analogue basses or string pads - and much more of course.

Filter:

Each voice contains an analogue filter which is build up with the chip SSI2140 from Sound Semiconductor, which is an improved modern version of the old SSM2040, designed by Dave Rossum, and which had been used in Oberheim synths and the early SCI Prophet-5.

The filter has a classic 24dB output and a 12dB state-variable multimode-filter. The three basic characteristic outputs LP/BP/HP can be cross-faded continuously with one parameter called shape.

Both filter outputs 24dB/12dB can be mixed independently.

The ADSR for the filter is fast and cuts in very quick and directly, the resonance is well adjustable.

The filter section contains an own LFO for the cutoff which is independent from the digital sound engine and has also 64 waveforms.

The VCA is a fast transistor-VCA which is important for snappy sounds. The same transistor-VCA is used in all Jomox drum products. Therefore the ModFM can be used as a rich source for technoid drums and percussions of any kind.

Review: Soffplaneten takes us deep into a world of downtempo delight with the Samlar Damm LP on Sunken Rock Recordings. It is an eight-track odyssey that veers from the gentle rhythms of the opener to the languid dub rotations of 'Kom Till Mitt Talt' complete with twanging guitars and soulful vocal seductions. 'Hoga Mamma Moln' is a more percussive and upbeat cut built from loose drums and tin pot percussion but held together with smeared and heat-damaged chords. 'Tunnelbanan' is a whacked-out and laid-back stoner joint while 'En Suddig Musik' gets more experimental and unusual in its sonic collage. A wonderfully irreverent new take on Balearic overall.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box damaged, but product is in excellent condition and in perfect working order***


Professional mobile digital recorder for perfect shots "on the road"

Recording your own concert or conference call, recording professional sound during interviews or preserving the ambient sounds of your favourite place: the application examples of handheld recorders are extremely versatile and have absolute justification even in the age of high-end smartphones.

The user interface of the Mobile Digital Recorder is optimized for simple and fast operation. The main functions such as recording, playback, cancelling, noise suppression, sound split. In addition to recording with the internal microphone, an external microphone (not included) can also be used.

Recordings can be made in mono or 2-track stereo at 32Kbps, 64Kbps, 128Kbps, 192Kbps, 512Kbps, 768Kbps, 1024Kbps and 1536Kbps, with 512kbps as the default. The user has an Auto Gain function and eight effect preset modes at his disposal, including rock, funk, hip hop and jazz.

The clear folder structure and an encryption function for the recordings make the management of your own recordings clear and secure. The Mobile Digital Recorder can be operated via the integrated lithium-ion battery or directly USB bus-powered.

The internal storage capacity is 8 GB. In addition, flash cards are supported.

Properties:

Mobile digital recorder with metal housing
Recording formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, APE, MPC, AIFF, FLAC
8GB internal memory + MicroSD card slot
Dynamic noise cancellation ensures high-quality recordings
Up to 580 hours of recording time
Supports line-in recording (phone, smartphone calls, etc.)
Voice
Automatic storage when the battery is low
A-B loop points, real-time monitoring
Two microphone capsules - also suitable for recording over longer distances
1.8" TFT colour display
Intelligent folder structure
Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
Battery life: up to 10 hours
Incl. USB connection cable and lavalier microphone

Review: Dragutesku's deft take on minimal is a mix of the abstract and the surreal if this EP is much to go on. 'Ecliptic' comes first as a vocal mix and is all backlit synth glows, fizzing synths and distant, heart-aching hooks with thumping drum loops front and centre. It is pure passion but also comes as a dub for more late night sets. On the flip is a Traumer mix that rewires the track into a rickety and loopy rhythm fleshed out with smeared pads and last of all is 'Jazzofil', a more downbeat and experimental cut full of weird and wonderful sound sources.

Review: Bong-Ra's Bikini Bandits Kill! Kill! Kill! commemorates two decades of groundbreaking electronic music with this special 20th Anniversary Edition. Originally released in 2003, this reissue showcases the Dutch producer's mastery of breakcore, jungle and hardcore techno. With its relentless energy and intricate rhythms, tracks like 'Miss Strap-On USA' and 'Blood & Fire' deliver sonic assaults that defy convention. The album's fusion of aggressive beats and cinematic samples creates a dystopian soundscape that is both exhilarating and unsettling. Bong-Ra's visionary approach to sound manipulation shines through each cut and means this anniversary edition a must-have for fans of experimental sounds.

Notes: Unearth the Walrus Audio Silt Harmonic Fuzz, a collaborative creation with tube expert Jim Hagerman.

Wielding an internal pre-amp tube, the Silt is a two-in-one fuzz that creates massively rich fuzz tones perfect for chords and rhythmic parts or with the press of a switch, adds uniquely harmonic overtones to the signal before hitting the tube. Crafted specifically for those seeking a harmonically rich fuzz experience, the Silt boasts an analogue circuit with the distinctive warmth of a 12AU7 tube as its drive section, letting you explore a unique and wild sonic landscape.

Main Features:

1. 12AU7 Tube Drive

The Silt's 12AU7 tube section drives the warm, bone-rattling fuzz. We unearthed this sonic fossil to encase your sound in an amber warmth, while still providing the grit, growl, and harmonically complex textures that only a tube-driven fuzz can provide.

2. Harmonic Mode

Harmonic Mode acts as a frequency doubler before the drive section of the pedal. This produces crispy, octave-like sounds, lending a unique edge to your lead tones. Try this with your guitar tone knob rolled off.

3. Contour Control for Precision Tone Sculpting

Refine your fuzz tones with the precision of the Contour control to achieve a wide spectrum of timbres.

Toggle between highpass, flat, and lowpass curves in the pre-tube EQ stage, like uncovering layers of sonic strata. Especially helpful when switching between different styles of pickups. Whether you're chasing searing leads or wooley rhythm, the Silt adapts to your style with roaring precision.

4. Designed for Operation at 9v-12v for Plenty of Gain

Supercharge your fuzz experience by operating the Silt anywhere between 9v and 12v. Running the pedal at 12v will give you an extra gain boost, letting you push the primal boundaries of fuzz to deliver the searing tones you've been searching for.

5. True Bypass Circuit

Maintain the integrity of your original tone with the relay bypass circuit. When disengaged, the Silt ensures your signal remains pure, allowing your guitar's natural voice to shine through undisturbed.

Controls:

Volume: Control the output volume level of the pedal.
Tone: Sculpt your output tone with a lowpass/highpass tilt tone control.
Gain: Control the input gain into the fuzz circuit, from subtle, distortion-like crunch to full-throttle fuzz.
Contour: Toggle between highpass, flat, and lowpass curves in the pre-tube EQ stage.
Bypass Switch: Enable or disable the effect with the relay bypass switch, preserving your original signal when the Silt is not in use.
Harmonic Switch: Activate or deactivate the frequency doubler circuit before the clipping stages, infusing your sounds with octave-like textures for a unique sonic edge.

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


Given his chosen moniker for this project, you'd expect the music on Robert Dietz's DJ Discipline records to be stern, aggressive and angry. This particular EP - his second under the name for Osman - is certainly tough, but it's actually far funkier, melodious and considered than you might expect. For proof, check out opener "Hysteria", where busy, bouncy beats come cloacked in starry synths and supersonic synthesizer motifs, before admiring the glacial, deep space shimmer of the analogue-rich, hybrid electro/techno number "Just Some". Dietz flips the script on "Merry Crisis", which cleverly wraps bleeping melodies reminiscent of The Age of Love's "Age of Love" around a loose-limbed electro-breaks beat, whole closing cut "Nu Leaves" is a dashing slab of retro-futurist sci-fi techno rich in chiming melodies and ear-pleasing riffs.

Review: Soft Cell's Non Stop Erotic Cabaret & Other Stories: Live is a different and thrilling way to experience the band's iconic debut album. Recorded during their farewell concert at London's 02 in 2018, the album - with superb neon artwork - captures the essence of their groundbreaking synth-pop sound with electrifying live performances. Marc Almond's haunting vocals and Dave Ball's innovative synth melodies shine throughout the setlist, including classics like 'Tainted Love' and 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.' With raw energy and nostalgic fervour, Soft Cell delivers a mesmerising experience that pays homage to their legendary career while showcasing their enduring influence on the electronic music landscape.

Notes: Xkey37 LE- 37 reasons to go (slightly) bigger.

One more octave.

Same beautiful design... but longer.

20% lighter than a 11-inch MacBook Air!

New Xcable means more exciting possibilities.

MIDI OUT. Sustain and expression pedals inputs

Enough room for two-handed playing.

Portability meets functionality. Awesome!

Xkey 37 LE sets you free!

Real Keys- 37 full size keys. Shut your eyes and you'll think you're playing a regular piano.

Portable- Lightweight and tough. Xkey is the perfect traveling companion.

New Xcable- The Xport connector now gives you access to MIDI OUT, sustain & expression pedal inputs. With just one cable!

Slim Design- Main aluminium body is only 3.9mm high. That's 36% less than the new iPad Air.

Aluminum Body- Robust, high quality construction. Looks great. Same finish as a MacBook.

100% MIDI- Use Xkey with your favorite music apps on your favorite devices. Works out of the box.

Polyphonic Aftertouch- Your pressure on the keys controls the effect individually. Professional studio standard feature.

Customizable- Download the free Xkey Plus application. Configure your keyboard how you like it.

Velocity Sensitive- Play loud with one hand, soft with the other. There's 128 levels of sensitivity.

USB Powered- No battery needed. The Xkey is powered and upgradable via a single USB cable (provided).

Regular Updates- Benefit from upcoming new features. Upgrade your Xkey online!
Smart Buttons- Octave Change, Pitch Bend, Modulation, and Sustain function buttons.
Controls- 37 full-size keys (3 octaves).
100% MIDI compliant.
Velocity sensitive.
Polyphonic aftertouch.
Pressure sensitive Pitch bend and Modulation buttons, with continuous MIDI control data.
Octave +/- push buttons.
Sustain button.
USB Powered (no external power supply needed).
Firmware upgradable via USB.
Configurable via Xkey Plus free app for iOS, Mac OSX, and Windows.

Connectors

Micro USB connector (cable provided).
Activity indicator LED.
Xport connector (proprietary Xcable provided)
MIDI OUT (DIN-5 through Xcable).
Sustain Pedal input (6.35mm (1/4") jack through Xcable).
Expression Pedal input (6.35mm (1/4") jack through Xcable).

Dimensions
Width: 553 mm (21.77 in)
Height: 135 mm (5.31 in)
Depth: 16 mm (0.62 in)
Weight: only 880 g (1.94 lb) - 20% lighter than a 11-inch MacBook Air!

Power consumption
~ 125mW / 25mA

Included in Package
Xkey37 / Xkey37 LE (37 keys)
Xcable Included with Xkey37, optional for Xkey37 LE (with MIDI OUT, expression and sustain pedals inputs)
Micro USB cable.
Quick Start Guide.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box opened, product in perfect working order***


Trying to find your gateway into modern DJing? Look no further than the MDJ-600 Professional Media Controller. It may be small, but this mighty unit has plenty of capabilities without the need for external software with its USB, MIDI and CD compatibilities.

MDJ-600 - Tiny, Yet Fierce:

A large 4.3-inch vivid full-colour screen is the brilliant focal point of this unit, providing real-time visual feedback of your tracks. Full track information including Title, Time, BPM, and Pitch are clearly displayed alongside the precise full-size waveform window. You'll appreciate the additional visual feedback for Slip Mode, Hot Cues and active Auto/Manual Loops meaning you can confidently use scratches or hot cues without ruining your mix. The 100mm pitch fader ranges pitch from 4% to 100%; you'll mix with surgical precision.

Fast Learning, Faster Results

The MDJ-600's intuitive interface will have you spending less time learning and free up precious time for you to experiment with the 4 Hot Cues, 8 Auto Loops, and the 5-inch touch-sensitive jog wheel with LCD display and resistance control to Slip and Scratch. Bonus MIDI capabilities mean you can even control the parameters of your favourite DJ software directly from the unit, routing your audio through its 24-bit/192kHz soundcard. Of course, the MDJ-600 is fully compatible with our V-Case Library Management Software, which offers users a faster, easier way to manage their music libraries.

Review: A two-EP bundle by the band now reissued via 4AD, Dry Cleaning's 'Boundary Road Snacks & Drinks' and 'Sweet Princess' were first released as promo EP CDs, first sold at standout early gigs, such as their nascent May 2018 debut live show at the Shacklewell Arms in London. 'Sweet Princess' came first and laid claim to a simple but shrewd crock of DIY, post-punk jump-ups, in which a mood of bemused postirony abounds by way of relentless four-string accelerations and which are undergirded by gallowsy stories told of childhood pets dying, indirects at Meghan Markle and recollections of suffering the mockery of others. 'Boundary Road' followed as the tribute to the road near which bassist Lewis Maynard grew up; both records complement each other well on this new pairing, looking back on a well-ridden comeup.

Review: Savor Music is fast approaching its quarter century but just ahead of that milestone comes another timeless EP from Alexis Cabrera. Everything from Chicago jack to Detroit soul is referenced in these well-crafted and club-ready cuts, starting with the cosmic cruise that is 'Funkhouser'. 'The Next Tomorrow' throws it back to the 80s in its bright synth chords and 'Guitars On The 5th Cloud' sinks into a nice deep and heady mood with its melancholic bassline and skittish synth-guitar sequences panning about the mix over a soft acid gurgle. 'Don't Give Yourself Away' brings a touch of silky electro rhythm though a menacing bassline keeps things firmly rooted on the floor.

Review: The mighty Dubforce served up his essential self titled solo album back in November of 2020. It packed a punch across the eight tunes and immediately sold out despite the import price. One of the standouts from it now makes its way on to its own 7". That tune is 'Liar Dub,' the sort of fat and heavy but tulles tune that could be from a mixing desk in 790s Jamaican or made in a hi-tech studio in Japan next week. The sub bass is all comforting, the hi hats leaving snaking tales and twisted vocal sounds add extra hooks. On the flip, 'Track 2' is a nice bit of contemporary Japanese roots.

Review: The gloaming allure of Coil's Musick To Play In The Dark albums hasn't dulled one jot in the 20+ years which have passed since their release. Dais recently reissued the first volume in the midst of a steady stream of Coil works - classics like Love's Secret Domain sitting alongside niche artefacts from the cutting room floor. There's something sparkling and bright about the sound Sleazy and Balance sculpted at this point, despite the creeping unease which lingers in the distance wherever you are in the Coil back catalogue. On Vol 2 the subtly twisted balladry and spectral sound design gives rise to yet more spine-tingling musical experiences - 'Ether' and 'Where Are You?' especially wriggle under the skin with that uncanny sensation only Coil can conjure.

Review: Released three years after the disappointing commercial success of Cats Without Claws (which has since received the acclaim it deserves) All Systems Go was the thirteenth album by disco icon Donna Summer, which once again saw her collaborate with Harold Faltermeyer, co-writer of the hit single 'Hot Stuff' and her successful Bad Girls LP. The album birthed two singles, such as the romantic RnB song 'Dinner with Gershwin' gave Summer her highest UK chart placing since the '70s, and the second was the bittersweet 'Only the Fool Survives' featuring Mickey Thomas.

Review: The second part of the Dancefloor Records reissue series on Emotional Rescue comes in the form a true house classic - Chicago legend Andrew Komis' 'It's You' is an original deep house bomb. It's essentially a cover/updated version of ESP's track of the same name, but this 1989 version is tougher, heavier and deeper with a variety of mixes - the New York-London, acid-infused Free House and drum heavy NU Style Mix - all designed to rock big sound systems.

Review: Baby Buddha was Charles Hornday, David Javelosa, Meg Brazill and Todd Rosa, a band that released just one album in 1981 then a second in 1987. Their debut is a cult classic that brought new ideas to the world of no wave and synth, electro and rock. With its chilly minimal computer beats and post-punk vocal deliveries, it makes for a still future-sounding world of sound that is danceable and atmospheric as it covers classics like 'Stand By Your Man' and 'All Shook Up' in a hugely idiosyncratic fashion. This is weirdly wonderful, playfully scary and artfully DIY music that manages plenty of reference points and ends up sounding like nothing else.

Review: This playfully titled release features David Javelosa (on synth and vocals) along with Meg Brazill (on bass and vocals) plus drummer Todd "Rosa" Rosencrans. Side One features five studio tracks, none of which were included on the band's 1981 Posh Boy LP, Life After Breakfast. Three of these tracks were recorded in '82; there's no information regarding the provenance of the other two songs. The records' second side collects five live recordings, capturing Los Microwaves onstage in New York City (The Peppermint Lounge) and Boston as well as at San Francisco's own I-Beam, a venue that often played host to the band. Those tracks date form roughly the same ear, 1980-83. Sonically the songs variously recall Blondie, Flying Lizards, Gang of Four and a far less dour Human League. Importantly, the band rocks, even when it's employing a spare drum kit, solid but elemental bass, and monophonic analog synthesizers. The stripped down aesthetics of the group - necessitated by its minimalist instrumental approach - are nonetheless thrilling. Even if you weren't there in 1980, this'll take you back.

Review: Although most associated with punk thanks to his now canonical history of the movement, England's Dreaming, Jon Savage has always had far broader taste than most - not to mention an acute sense that the late 1970s were aa genuinely exciting musical free-for-all that paved the way for much of what came next. This excellent double-disc compilation gives a taste of what he was listening to in that period, moving between reggae, dub (the Revolutionaries, Joe Gibbs & The Professionals), throbbing Euro-disco (Space, Giorgio Moroder), American garage-rock (Iggy Pop), spaced-out spoken word eccentricity (John Cooper Clarke), formative new wave synth-pop (The Normal, The Human League), industrial (Cabaret Voltaire), punk (and lots of it), and much more besides.

Review: Those with knowledge of rare groove should be well aware of The Voices of East Harlem's 'Wanted Dead Or Alive', a 1973 album track from the band's eponymous second album that was reissued in 1988 due to its popularity on London's rare groove scene. Here the superb, string-laden, Leroy Hutson produced classic appears on seven-inch for the first time, courtesy of Dynamite Cuts. This time round it comes backed with another killer jam from the same album: the proto-disco soul swell of 'Little People', which was famously sampled by Young Disciples on their 1991 skit 'Get Yourself Together'. Essential stuff all told.

Review: The community-based collective Voices Of East Harlem blessed the world with three albums and a whole string of funky singles back in the day. They were produced by the dream team pairing of Leroy Hutson and Curtis Mayfield and came on Just Sunshine Records over the course of five years. Many cult tracks were born and two of them get reissued here on this new and limited edition 7" for Dynamite Cuts. 'Can You feel It' is deep cut funk with steamy vocals and Part 2 is a little more spaced out and cosmic with tumbling drums and freeform synths. Superb stuff.

Review: When it comes to crafting high-quality, hard-to-pigeonhole electronic music with an immersive ambient twist, there are few better than Manchester duo Space Afrika. Honest Labour, an album crafted during the various pandemic lockdowns of the last few years, remains rooted in their trademark sound - think opaque ambient electronics, blazed beats, crackling field recordings, snatches of spoken word and snippets of sampled vocals - while also subtly expanding their musical repertoire to include stoned lo-fi soul, Cocteau Twins style guitars, occasional guest raps, pitched-down neo-soul and cascading string arrangements. Taken as a whole, it's a magnificent and enveloping musical journey that could end up being one of the strongest albums of 2022.

Review: Hivern Discs presents a very intriguing and totally unique project from Drames Rurals, a shadowy collective endeavour credited to "meritxell, oriol, ignasi and juns." Presented across three 7"s packed in a handmade sackcloth box, the careful presentation of the sounds matches up to the music, which rolls at low tempos and deals in hypnotic, ritualistic mantras with an earthen, spiritual feel. There's a dubby twist at times, and it feels like a series of happenings from an in-tune gathering rather than an over-composed project, and therein lies the magic. Who knows whether Hivern main man John Talabot is involved, but after last year's low-key Koraal project he might well be without making a big deal about it.

Review: Thanks to a swathe of superb EPs over the last few years for the likes of 2020 Vision, Lunar Disko, Further Electronix, Altered Sense and Unknown to the Unknown, long-serving electro producer Cignol is enjoying something of a career renaissance. As a result, some of his earliest releases have become in-demand and hard-to-find - hence this reissue of his long-overlooked, but utterly brilliant, 2010 debut album, Switching For a Living. Offering an attractive mixture of sci-fi seeped, far-sighted tracks informed by 1990s IDM, deep electro, downtempo, ambient and acid, it's a coherent but varied affair that has well and trily lasted the test and time - thanks, in part, to Cignol's intention to make it a genuine "listening album". Recommended.

Review: Kettel's My Dogan album was a real landmark when it was released 15 years ago. Amazingly it has never before been on vinyl, but thankfully Lapsus now right that wrong with this special green marbled version. Dutch artist, Reimer Eising, aka Kettel, has long been a key player int he IDM and brain dance scene and this album proves why. It is one of his most enduring works on the Sending Orbslabel and even now sound fresh, innovative and original. His complex rhythms dance delicate dances, the brain cleaning synths burrow dee into your mind and the reflective melodies sound straight from heaven.

Review: Redscale and Greyscale label founder and dub techno production don and master DJ Grad U takes us on a killer trip here into widescreen worlds of ambient sound. The textures are lo-fi and fuzzy around the edges as per most ambient albums, and the synths are heady and smeared to perfection. Some pieces are filled with a subtle sense of hope and optimism, others are more darkened drones that turn you in on yourself, but all of these tracks are fantastically realised and immersive pieces of ambient art.

Review: Selector, percussionist, producer and all-round legend Snowboy represents his weekly Madame JoJo's showcase in album form. Digging deep across two 12"s, Snowboy treats us to 23 undiluted funk and soul cuts. From well-known (James Brown's "Bring It Up" and Etta James' "Can't Shake It") to lesser-known (The Shirelles' "Boys", Dorothy Berry's "I Say You're Driving Me Crazy"), the whole curation rolls with emphatic consistency and attention to detail. With gems hidden around every corner, even the most ardent of collectors will find many things to love right here.

Review: Wendell Harrison and Phil Raneli's Message From The Tribe is regarded by those who know as an untouchable example of spiritual jazz. The Tribe label - run of course by the pair themselves - it came on was also one of the great of its era in the 1970s. Here the album has been remixed from the OG master tapes, all under the watchful eye of its creators, then lacquered by Bernie Grundman. It is an expansive and indulgent record that includes a vast booklet that takes us through the history of the label and touches on the story of Black American empowerment.

Review: Cult French outfit Vox Populi! have already put out a subversive and superb album this year back in April on Touch Sensitive. Here it is the good folk at Emotional Rescue who snap up another one in the form of Aither, which has been remastered and repackaged 30 years after it first landed. We're told it is the first of many to come in 2022 and that's good news because it's class - numerous musicians played as part of the band and traditional instrumental paired with folklore vocals make for a majestic melting pot of sound from the world of dub, funk, soul, psyche and oriental.

Review: Zake and City of Dawn return to their longstanding collaboration for a new album, 'Agape', delivering a slow-droning album that bucks the trend of ambient's original purpose as background music. The Texas-Indiana duo steadily eases into great time-dilated deluges of sound, slowing everything down, yet not giving into pure depth, spanning both high and low frequencies. A natural theme is unearthed across the six pieces, producing a sublime soundscape reminiscent of Steve Roach, Bvdub or GAS meeting the thematic motifs of Shelley or Wordsworth.