Amp - Entangled Time [Sound In Silence 060]

Released via the Greek Ambient staple Sound In Silence on January 18th, 2k19 is ""Entangled Time", the second album outing created by the 1992 formed project Amp for the label. Founded by Richard F. Walker a.k.a. Richard Amp and operating as a duo consisting of its founder and London-based Karine Charff we see Amp catering a menu of five brand new tracks, opening with the 10+ minutes cut named "Drifting", a wonderful, elegic composition somewhat in between panoramic Ambient and echoes of score'esque (Neo)Classical string arrangements before slowly fading into the washed out sound of crashing waves at the very end of the tune followed by "Will-Oh Dreams" which combines drifting Ambient pad structures, brutal, partly reverberating background beats and dreamy, blurred vocals to create a fascinating lullaby for Industrial headz. Within the short "Playing Time" Amp is exploring timeless, ever pulsating and dubbed out dream states, "Opal Tears"brings forth a shoegazing take on beauteous, autumnal Post-PostRock and the concluding "Will-Oh Dreams (Extended Mix)" presents an alternative, yet not less drifting variation of the original cut, weighing in additional layers of low frequency PostRock chords and an extended playtime of 16+ minutes for all fans of Deep Listening Music. Great stuff. Check.

Laibach - The Coming Race (Official Video)

Taken from the forthcoming album - and film - "Iron Sky: The Coming Race" this new musical outing defo proves that Laibach have a thing going for Blues and highly dramatic Soul. Quite a surprise, this.

Labrecque / Barakat - Terminal Desert [Karlrecords 064 Promo]

Scheduled for release via Karlrecords on March 15th, 2k19 is "Terminal Desert", the new two track album collaboration created by Paul La Brecque and Ghazi Barakat. With both artists coming from a rather Rock-infused background looking for a new aesthetic in this conjunctional effort we see the opening tune "Jajouka Pipe Dream" fusing obvious oriental / middle eastern influences with a dreamy, slightly psychedelic and endlessly meandering take on contemporary Krautrock - if this is a thing - whereas the second cut, the also 17 minutes spanning "Planet R-101" starts on an amalgamation of a droning electric buzz accompanied by minimalistic DesertBlues guitars only to evolve into a beautifully floating piece of Post-PostRock meets (Neo)Cosmic meets Ambient over the course of its runtime, well able to fully please all those longing for soothing, ever evolving sounds as well as fans of Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze et al. for a reason before adding a slightly oriental touch after passing minute 10 or so. "Planet R-101" wins.

Rian Treanor - Ataxia [Planet Mu 405 Promo]

Scheduled for release on March 15th, 2k19 via the renowned and critically acclaimed Planet Mu-imprint is "Ataxia", the full length nine track debut album created by Rian Treanor who has released acclaimed singles on labels like The Death Of Rave and Arcola previously. Whilst the album title refers to 'the loss of full control of bodily movements' we defo see the musical outings on this longplayer, cheekily all named "Ataxia" and defined by their placement within the vinyl album version with Treanor's intention being '...to make people's bodies move in unpredictable ways', move bodies, opening with highly hypnotic and abstract polyrhythms paired with intense Spoken Word repetitions presented in "Ataxia_A1" whereas the follow up "Ataxia_A2" strips things down, bordering Phonk, Glitch, IDM and echoes of Breakcore before "Ataxia_B1" indulges in a cold, yet atmospheric scifi future with its deep melodic intro elements and expertly sculpted beats. With "Ataxia_B2" we see Rian Treanor exploring highly cut-up realms of FuturePop and experimental PostGarage for buzzing dancefloors, "Ataxia_C1" can be filed under the flag of thrilling FutureGrime abstractions and "Ataxia_C2" brings forth a sweet, seductive take on ElectroPhonk for advanced late night sets. Furthermore "Ataxia_D1" caters to the needs of all Breakbeat ravers with killer bleep melodies, advanced rhythms and distinct, highly ecstatic stab sequences, "Ataxia_D2" gets down in a bouncy, positive and slightly tribalistic fashion, once again delivering a massive dancefloor impact before the final cut "Ataxia_D3" provides a fascinating amalgamation of early 90s IDM Rave in a B12-reminiscent way and cut up, multilayered Future Soul-vocals for a massive closing. Highly recommended.

Intrauterin Recordings Feature @ Slackjackerz.com

The Swiss-based blog portal Slackjackerz.com has just released a sweet little feature on baze.djunkiii's label Intrauterin Recordings which, despite some hibernation periods in between, is going into its 20th year in 2k19.

Here it is!

Donna Missal - This Time [Harvest / Frank Records]

Already out on the digital circuit and set for physical release via Harvest / Frank Records on April 26th, 2k19 is "This Time", the debut album by rapidly rising artist Donna Missal which interestingly describes herself as 'emotional wreck with solid self-control' in her Instagram bio. Serving a set of eleven brand new songs within a total playtime of roughly 42 minutes we see Donna Missal exploring a reflective, expressive, yet oftentime considerate and inward looking take on Alternative Pop garnished with quite a lot of soulfulness and a certain way of evident brokenness to be felt in both classic songs as well as in more Future Soul-oriented musical outings like the emotional FutureSoul referring jam that is "Driving" whilst tunes like "Jupiter" seems to ooze sweet, yet distinct 80s influences with its characteristic midrange synth bass motif and somehow Miami Vice'esque vibe evoking memories of Kavinsky's epic classic "Nightcall" for some reason. With "Metal Man" the artist brings forth an athmospheric slow jam of a power ballad for sure, "Test My Patience" comes with quite a bit of a crackly vintage feel - think early Portishead having a lovechild with killer 90s R'n'B in a smoky saloon here, "Thrills" goes down the sexy, intimate and highly dramatic ballad alley, "Keep Lying" takes the Vintage Soul vibe to another, most fascinating power level and looking at the "Skyline" once again showcases Donna Missal's ability to build up from tender and loving to highly dramatic vocalwise within only one song seamlessly and effortlessly. Furthermore "Transformer" is build on a foundation of raw Soul and dope Funk to provide a killer backdrop for bourbon-fueled, emotional late night sessions, "This Time" is the panoramic ballad every album needs and the final cut "Don't Say Goodnight" well caters to needs of those still loving their Easy Listening-infused, widescreen TripHop / Downbeat enriched with highly expressive, broadway'esque vocals for an excellent closing. Good stuff.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - Crowbar (Official Video)

High-octane, Blues-infused Alternative Rock for jumping, banging, partying pits - we're defo in for this!

RY X - Unfurl [Infectious / BMG]

After being featured on these pages extensively over the past months with official audio postings for his tunes "Yayaya" and "Untold" as well as the video for "Foreign Tides" it's now about time to dive even deeper into the musical realms of RY X who's been releasing his sophomore album named "Unfurl" via Infectious / BMG on February 15th, 2k19. Over the course of thirteen tracks and approx. 51 minutes we're drawn into tender sonic spheres of inward-looking, pad- and 4/4-driven Indietronics which both work for focused homelistening as well as hyper-romantic closing tune for early morning DJ-sets, especially in songs like "Bound", whereas "Body Sun" delivers a touching, beautiful take on longing piano ballads and "Coven" is another perfect crossover between folksy, intimate IndiePop and the club music world, in this case floating, crystalline (Neo)Trance structures. With "Hounds" we see RY X fully entering fragile Folk / Singer-Songwriter territories for a mid-album breakdown, "The Water" is the most uptempo and dancefloor friendly, yet  most emotionally touching affair on this album and "Mallorca" is a sweet and easy little summer tune for chill moments on mediterranean terraces, hanging out with a loved one. Furthermore "To Know" brings out a more autumnal, melancholia-driven side in RY X's very distinct and unique musical approach, "Sun (Ambient)" provides a (Neo)Classical interlude of sorts before the final "Fumbling  Prayer" waves goodbye in a solemn, tender and caressing member like a beauteous closing tune should do. One album to listen to with your significant other over and over and over again.

Odd Nosdam - Cookies

A first, dark and dope as fuck preview on what's to expect from the forthcoming Odd Nosdam album named "Mirror" which is aboutto hit the stores via the Alien Transistor imprint in mid-March, 2k19.

Sascha Müller [Supersix Records Extra 080]

Coming back with his 80th - sic! - untitled album release on his very own Supersix Records-imprint is our man Sascha Müller who's about to unleash another set of eleven brand new tracks with this one. Opening with "Android Wargames" we see Uelsen's finest going deep into the realms of super dry, bouncy, stripped down MinimalTechno with a slightly retrofurist sci-fi twist whereas his interpretation of the "Arctic Summer" turns out to be a captivating DubTechno-infused SloMo Rave experience whilst the "Audio Buzzer" wakes us up with a highly seductive low end melody atop a busy, fast-paced killer Electro foundation and the "Audiogramm" fully caters to the needs of all original Ambient and ChillOut heads with its ever floating, morphing pads and subtle clap / percussion arrangements. Following up is "Bahnexpress", an excursion into pumping, tool-oriented Tribal- meets DiscoHouse, "Bankok" caters a psychedelic Electro vibe that vinyl lovers might've heard already on Sascha Müller's 2012 12" release "Sommernachtsträume" and "Bass Damage" is done by hard, overly compressed Techno bassdrums, razor sharp hi-hats and a  raw banging, tool'ish overall approach. Furthermore the "Beats Wars" are fought with the help of more harsh, brutally distorted bassdrums, space bleeps and spiralling synthesizer loop arrangements, "Beefcake" pays homage to dreamy, complex productions by the likes of Move D throughout his "Kunststoff" era, "Bits And Bites" provides a friendly take on ChillOut / SpaceElectro whilst focusing on warm pads and a lo-fi, yet playful and melodic main motif before the concluding cut named "Black Day" serves more of a reduced, stripped down abstract motor city vibe for a closing.

ViVii - Love Love Love

A quite subtle little earworm of a tune delivered by the Swedish duo ViVii which are about to release their self-titled album debut via Dumont Dumont / Rough Trade on March 15th, 2k19.

Various Artists - Far Away But Even Closer: Young Lithuanian Composers Abroad [Music Information Centre Lithuania]

Recently released via the ever active Lithuanian label outfit that is the Music Information Centre Lithuania, the main hub for the countries Contempory Classical and experimental music scene, is "Far Away But Even Closer: Young Lithuanian Composers Abroad", a nine track compilation album focusing on the musical works of Lithuanian expats and their role in the countries widespread cultural diaspora in a globalized world. All composed in the years 2017 / 2018 the selection of pieces starts off with Andrizs Arutiunion's "Armen", a glitchy, busy, bleepy and somewhat friendly tribute to both the early days of experimental electronic music composition, tape manipulation, glitched out modular synthesis and even echoes of 60s Psychedelic Rock whilst Gediminas Zygus' "Delirium" takes us deep into heavenly Ambient spheres and "Nice To Meet You" by Jura Elena Sedyte amalgamates (Neo)Classical composition techniques for piano and strings with elements of Jazz Noir and electronic textures to a calm, stripped down, yet thrilling effect. Following up we see Donatus Tubutis exploring intense, buzzing repetetive electronic pulses with his minimalistic, electroacoustic composition named "Tracer" which turns out to be our favorite cut on this album, Juta Pranulyte's "Intus" seems to play around with several ways of experimental brass and wind instrument abuse, bringing forth haunting, klaxon'esque pulses and other ghostly, brooding and partly even intensely threatening layers whilst "Going In" by Justina Siksnelyte creates a vibe of deep meditation and Ritualistic Ambient with its floating, ethereal gong / gamelan layers. Furthermore Aurimas Bavarskis' "V.A.L." meanders in between Drone, manipulated Field Recordings and scraping, fluttering Noize garnished with occasional retrofuturistic Ambient chords, Aiste Noreikaite deals with "Digital Empathy" in a symbiotic manner, fusing calm Ambient flows and computational sounds with experimental eruptions of electroacoustic nature, evoking memories of the legendary German "Abschied Aus Berne" compilation and Vitalija Glovackyte's closing contribution "Tender Volts" caters to the needs of all lovers of traditionally fuzzed out, blurry Ambient structures worldwide. Highly recommended, this!   

Album artwork on Instagram!

The Cinematic Orchestra feat. Roots Manuva - A Caged Bird / Imitations of Life (Official Audio)

Has it really been 12 years since The Cinematic Orchestra has released its last album? Now they're about to make a comeback with a new one in March, 2k19.

Echo Chamber - Antinodal [Aut Records 043]

Released via Berlin's Aut Records on December 1st, 2k18 is "Antinodal", the four track EP debut by the musical triumvirate which is Echo Chamber, a collaborational project formed by Davide Lorenzon, Michele Pedrazzi and Chris Hill. Opening with the 9+ minutes tune "Jabazzu's Dream" the trio paves ways for things to come, providing a well fascinating, cinematographic approach in terms of fusing lively, yet decent Jazz percussions with captivating vintage synthesizer works and a distinct Future Jazz feel whereas the follow up "Passo Navene" provides a Clicks'n'Cuts-infused electronic rhythm signature as a foundation for score'esque synth pulses and a great homage to classic espionage movie themes and soundtracks. Furthermore the groups "Treppenwitz" is a playful, frolicking variation on free floating, organic Jazz experimentalisms with a certain inherent touch of melancholia, working towards a hounded, fast-paced FreeJazz climax and the concluding composition "Risorgiva" provides a grande finale in amalgamating crystalline 80s synth melodies with a quirky, raw low end and an Easy Listening-infused, high class 70s BarJazz vibe for an excellent closing. Check! 

Album artwork on Instagram!

RY X - Foreign Tides (Official Video)

The next smash hit taken off of RY X's forthcoming album "Unfurl" which is about to hit the stores on February 15th, 2k19.

Various Artists - This Is Frafra Power! [Makkum Records 024]

Scheduled for release on February 22nd, 2k19 via the Dutch imprint Makkum Records as their cat.no. 024 is "This Is Frafra Power!", the latest selection of African, specifically Ghanaian music from the countries Bongo-region to be released via the label. Inspired by a vast selection of recorded music handed to Makkum Records head honcho Arnold De Boer by King Ayisoba-drummer Francis Ayamga the compilation reflects on the regions vast music scene which tends to record their songs in the local language that is Frafra. Opening with Fausty Amoa Mabile's "Nosonayine" the album draws us directly to the center of steamingly hot African dancefloors fueled by stripped down, repetitive electronic rhythm signatures and captivating chants whereas "Seero" by Awudu Messenger brings forth more fever'ish electronic pulses and a taste of well-syncopated dancefloor heat. Furthermore Linda Ayupaka serves a massive AfroPop-banger with "Ndaana E'era Ymah", Atiah Mba's "Hunanki" mixes up traditional African music and drums with a stripped down and distinctly compressed UK urban swingbeat before Ragizeer's "Matala Ligiri" somehow meanders between Reggaeton and TropicalHouse to a killer effect. Following up is "Bonboriga N Lobema" by I Remember Yesterday, another sweet excursion into synth-heavy, melodic AfroPop greatness, Bid Gad's "Socre" caters lo-fi polyrhythms and a classic, soulful Kologo-feel and the final cut "Sugri" by Sugri Hajia Zenabu caters a traditional work-related call-and-response chant stretched out over 8+ minutes without being tiring or too repetetive at any given second. Highly recommended, this.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Minx / Zimmerman - Minx / Zimmerman [Espacial Discos Promo]

Already put on the circuit via the Spanish label Espacial Discos on November 15th, 2k18 is the re-release of the self-titled, rare debut album of Dutch duo Minx / Zimmerman which they originally released on their Freudian Backroom-imprint back in 1985. With the original six track piece being a sought after collectors item amongst Minimal Wave- / SynthWave-fans as well as those following catchy, well-uplifting SynthPop / 80s music in general we clearly see this one taking over dancefloors of dedicated underground venues once again as the opening cut "Song For Alice" is quite a smash hit in its own right whereas the follow up "Dreams That Money Can Buy" employs a moodier, yet not less melodic vibe whilst delivering a slight nod to capitalism and love before "Days On A Mountain" are well spent in terms of dancing to a beatless killer cut based on dark'ish vocals and a simple, excellent and ever repeating Synth motif. Furthermore the "Good Old Days" indulge in full on kitsch and artificial, over the top plastic romanticisms, "Tearoom In The Rain" serves hypermelodic SynthPop and a bop of a lo-fi vocal performance whilst the concluding cut "Batavia" dabbles with fascinating filter- and echo-works in a sweet, synth-driven ballad fashion. Recommend stuff, this.

Promo artwork on Instagram!

Munchies On Flowers - Munchies On Flowers [Switch Music Recordings]

Scheduled for release via Switch Music Recordings on February 18th, 2k19 is "Munchies On Flowers" by Munchies On Flowers, the new solo project brought to life by producer Riccardo Gorone. Inspired by a BBC documentary on butterflies he started to work on this open format album which isn't held back by any genre restrictions or musical specifications. Beginning the seven track journey into what the promo sheet refers to as non-methodical music with "Cantatrice Chauve" we see Gorone exploring a realm set somewhat in between Ambient, Indietronics and deep Post-PostRock with a hint of Clicks'n'Cuts whereas the following cut named "Encore Aujord'hui" seems to be influenced by both electroid Phonk as well echoes of UK-bound bass music and Post-Dubstep before going off on a 4/4 Techno route, "Giullari - Part II" brings forth dream IDM for 2k19 and "Azazel Boogie" tells tales of more Detroit- and DubTechno-infused Phonk and bouncy Post-Dubstep for advanced late night dancefloors in intimate underground venues. Furthermore going full "Camouflage" results in well dreamy, tripped out Armchair Techno with the potential to end up as a massive future classic, the "White Rabbit Of Calypso" floats along spiralling, soft Ambient / ChillOut structures into peaceful, exotic heavens and the final cut "Ocean In One Drop" takes a soft turn into dry, well-abstract rhythm signatures and more chill, caressing melodic textures. Sweet one. We like.

Album artwork on Instagram!

baze.djunkiii Chart Haul 02/2019

Roger Rota - Octo [Aut Records 042]

Coming in only recently despite already being released in November 2k18 as cat.no. 042 of the Berlin-based label Aut Records is "Octo", the latest album piece realized by sax player and composer Roger Rota who's diving deep into the realms of Contemporary Jazz with an eight piece group of musicians over the course of this longplayer. Opening with "Cordes" the group sets the bar high in terms of creating an amalgamation of Jazz Noir and monster grooves whereas the follow-up "Nine" leaves the aspect noir behind and paves the way for things to come with an even bigger wave of killer grooves that seem to be the trademark specialty of Roger Rota and his fellow contributors on their mission to bring Jazz with all its facets back to the dancefloor, even in its most improvisational moments. With "Star" we see the group start out on a calm, slightly Balearic tip only to experiment with variations in tonal and pitch shifts as well as seemingly electroacoustic background movements as a foundation for a deeper, dramatic BarJazz attitude, "Two" weighs in more of a hounded Rock meets Klezmer meets espionage flic vibe before taking a surprising turn breakdownwise mid-composition whereas "Inda Trio" keeps up with its predecessors pace albeit being on a more uplifting, 80s infused tip, "Fro Be Ach" employs a classy, widescreen panorama approach for broadway soundtracks and romantic black-and-white movie productions of yore before "Ten" brings forth hints of high class 70s Psychedelia for contemporary Jazz heads. Furthermore track eight named "Eleven" weighs in a calm, autumnal, yet touching take on deep emotions, "Liturgic-Lale" brings on a solemn, yet spring-like and frolicking naturalistic Folk-infused feel whilst "Cose Preziose" brings back an excellent BarJazz vibe for sipping on classy cocktails and the final cut "Gidambaa" caters a surprising serving of thrilling JazzFunk for a closing. Highly recommended, this.

Dizzee Rascal - Quality (Official Video)

The man Dizzee Rascal is paying respect to the oldskool in sampling Nookie's alltime classic "Sound Of Music" in this one. Huge.

Standing Waves - The Wave [Standing Waves]

Scheduled for release on February 15th, 2k19 is "The Wave", the self-released seven track album piece created by the Marcus Davidson- and Robert Huckle-led project Standing Waves which was realized with the help of Kat Kleve and Jayson Stilwell on vocal duties. Produced with no musical preconceptions the journey starts with "Tabla Dance", a quite confusing mixture of WorldMusic elements, fiddles and electronic textures before "Elegy" dives deep into kitsch-dripping, highly dramatic piano romanticisms and the "Frog Chorus" delivers a sterile, generic, cliche, pseudo-oriental feel which might not even be able to impress those who've never been exposed to authentic music from the region ever. Furthermore "Hildegard's Dream", an interpretation on a piece written by Hildegard Von Bingen, dabbles in EthnoAmbient for a little more than eight minutes, the two parts of the title track "The Wave" go down a highly exaggerated (Neo)Classical meets Ambient / WorldMusic route and final cut "Sky Of Consciousness" once again brings fake melancholia and romantic elements to table without really striking a chord within the listener for more than one reason. Totally over the top. We don't get this at all.

Album artwork on Instagram!

DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess - Two Walls [Jahmoni Music]

Coming in from Munich's Jahmoni Music-camp only recently is the latest 10" outing produced for the label by the prolific Dutch artist known as DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess. Providing the original version of the title track "Two Walls", a head-over-heels trademark excursion into dry, super fast paced Future Tribal bordering Tribe Tekno with an ever repeating vocal sample seemingly stating 'Mark E. Smith' as the most dancefloor-friendly DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess production so far, as well as five additional remixes we're exposed to quite a range of variations including a short oriental excursion evoking memories of producers like Muslimgauze or Mutamassik, mechanical, probably Rhythm Industrial-influenced Dub journeys as well as full on freeform experimentalism which is a quite logical progression of DJ Marcelle / Another Nice Mess's former output for sure.

Ake Hodell - Verbal Brainwash And Other Works [Fylkingen Records]

Honoring the 100th birthday of Swedish experimental text/sound composer Ake Hodell we see the label Fylkingen Records putting out a reissue of the originally 2000-released 3CD box anthology "Verbal Brainwash And Other Works" which covers 29 compositions out of Hodells' entire body of work, covering the period from 1963 to 1977. Approved by the artist only three days before his death in its entirety the box set is an quite impressive legacy featuring the threatening, brutal anti-war piece that is "Structures III (Part 1)" which, as well its subsequent parts, focuses on long sequence of firing arms on the battlefield which well shocked the audience on the occasion of its world premier according to the extensive liner notes, various voice only pieces seemingly emulating the sound, athmosphere and sharp communication of war the former fighter pilot was well accustomed to, calm Field Recordings mixed up with repetetive Spoken Word patterns like the ones to be found in "The Voyage To Labrador" as well as experimental, Post-PostRock-infused and score-informed pieces like the great "Orpheic Revelations" on the first CD of this box. Furthermore CD2 offers great imaginative compositions like the dark, intense and atmospheric radioplay'esque "The Djurgarden Ferry Across The Styxx" which takes the listener into large, psychedelic underground vaults, to farthest shores, Dark Ambient realms and widest oceans and causes goosebumps even for those who don't understand Swedish at all whereas the "Road To Nepal" weighs in a naturalistic intro sequence before extremely cut-up vocals start meandering through the stereo field in a quite hypnotic manner, later accompanied and erased by multilayered Field Recordings, sequences of electroacoustic rhythm patterns and trippy episodes taking us deep into jungles and rain forests of Asia to describe two out of the four compositions on this disc. Finally CD3 brings forth another five pieces, with "Introduction To 'Mr. Smith In Rhodesia' By The Composer" featuring the morse-code- and naval- and advertisement-transmission heavy "USS Pacific Ocean" as well as Ake Hodell's view of and intention for the subsequent "Mr. Smith In Rhodesia", before the final cut "Spirit Of Ecstasy, Racing Car Opera" provides quite a collage'esque approach over the course of 24+ minutes, employing cut up- as well as early pitch shifting techniques to create a fluxus- / dada-influenced piece for an epic closing. A highly recommended box set for all those interested in the early years of electronic and experimental Scandinavian composition and beyond.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Various Artists - Powder In Space [Beats In Space 036]

Scheduled for release on February 15th, 2k19 is "Powder In Space", the latest continuous DJ-mix compilation crafted by Momoko Goto a.k.a. Powder for Tim Sweeney's Beats In Space-label. Within a runtime of 70+ minutes we see the Japanese artist blend together a selection of 18 tracks, opening with Ambient Techno and dubbed out, slow-motion Breakbeat / Jungle by the likes of Samo DJ & Hidden Operator as well as Tornado Wallace, drifts off into dreamy MinimalHouse, explores the groovy DeepHouse realms of Daphne's "When You Love Someone (Groove Instrumental)", meanders towards experimental Electro, weighs in Lo-Fi Funk / Beatdown by Tiago, thrilling, intense Techno by Karamika and raw technoid abstracions brought to us by The Sun God, incorporates a hint of slightly jacking Acid produced by K-Line and even goes down in a Latin Tribal DeepHouse fashion with Jules Etienne's "Cuban Omelette" just to name a few tracks picked from this musically wide-ranged mix effort. A pretty eclectic selection reflecting an intimate underground club setting packed with a small, yet highly dedicated crowd of music lovers and well-schooled nightlife regulars.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Paal Nilssen-Love - New Brazilian Funk [PNL Records 042]

The second project initiated by Paal Nilssen-Love for the Roskilde Festival 2018 also resulted in an album, this one named "New Brazilian Funk", which also has been co-produced by Noize-legend Lasse Marhaug as well as put on the circuit via PNL Records on January 25th, 2k19. This time collaborating with the likes of Felipe Zenicola, Frode Gjerstad, Kiko Dinucci and Paulinho Bicolor we see Paal Nilssen-Love deliver a seven track menu on this album, opening with the unsettling FreeJazz / NoiseRock excursion that is "Biggles And The Gun-Runners" which is offering an uncomfortably wobbly, off-kilter bass foundation alongsite haunted, full-on madness and insanity as its main features before "Beating Back Pain" is building quite a lively bridge between FreeJazz, classic Rock'n'Roll riffing and driving Funk Psychedelia whereas the "Rural Riders" get into intricate guitar feedback and distortion details, providing a wild, yet extremely groovy background for a killer lo-fi vocal performance which takes us straight back to the most drug-infused 70s sessions ever. Elaborating on "Five Dollars And A Jug Of Rum" we see the group moving into a deep, fever'ish and slightly ritualistic state of trance, "Restless" is string torture and nightmare fuel par excellance, the "Fruit Of The Lemon" brings forth more ritual fever and thrilling musical voodoo and the final cut "Pick A Time"  waves goodbye with a stripped down monster groove sax solo evolving into a maximum Noize Funk crescendo over the course of 9+ minutes. Highly recommended and maybe the best PNL Records release we've reviewed up to this date.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Paal Nilssen-Love - New Japanese Noise [PNL Records 043]

Released only recently via his very own PNL Records-imprint is "New Japanese Noise", one of two new projects crafted by Paal Nilssen-Love as commissioned works for the 2018 edition of Denmark's famed Roskilde Festival. Produced alongside Noize-legend Lasse Marhaug and with contributions by Akira Sakata, Kiko Dinucci, Kohei Gomi and Toshiji Mikawa the Danish artist caters a menu of five tracks on this one, opening with the ten minute stretch of "Stiff Upper Lip Jeeves", a thundering, ultraviolent excursion into brutal FreeJazz territories followed by "Up The Line To Death" which slows down things significantly, focusing on a deeper, more accessible and obviously melancholia-driven side of FreeJazz, even bringing forth echoes of tongue-in-cheek romanticism and - sic! - tenderness. Furthermore "Eats, Shites And Leaves" borders, despites its title, on a score'esque, stripped down Jazz Noir vibe for those who know whilst working towards a thundering, feedback-heavy climax, "The Bone People" is an intense take on spine-tingling vocal-led brutalism and sonic anger and the final "Birdsong" once again employs a wall-of-sound approach which, like the whole longplay piece, is not made to be enjoyed by the faint-hearted listeners out there.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Ciastko - Ciastko [Gusstaff Records]

The Polish Gusstaff Records-imprint is on a reissue tip with the only and same-titled album of one the countries first NoiseRock outfits - Ciastko. Originally put on the circuit as a critically acclaimed cassette-only release back in 1992 the band and its eleven tracks spanning musical legacy vanished into relative obscurity up until now, with this re-release bringing forth a dark'ish, desperate feeling as well as an apocalyptic greyscale atmosphere to a new audience consisting of NoiseRock-fans as well as followers of DarkWave and experimental PostPunk. Despite being remastered from DAT the lo-fi sound aesthetics of the era and the vibe of a supposed full-on DIY attitude remain prevalent, especially in the cold war- and concrete wall-infused 7 minute epos that is "Reissen", the spiralling, psychedelic, militant dancefloor smash "Spokojna Niedziela" or the thundering drum-inferno "Sucker" which defo harks back to the underground Punk / Hardcore movement for a little less than three minutes. Furthermore songs like "Hymn" tell tales of teen angst, PostHardcore and intense Spoken Word performances, "Cito Et Veni" weighs in a SkateMetal-informed whirlwind for heaving moshpits and the final song "Nobody" dramatically and theatrically unfolds over the course of 7+ minutes, redefining excessive madness and insanity for the early nineties, just to name a few songs from this well-interesting piece of lost Polish music history. Check.

Album artwork on Instagram!

09.02.2019 WAX UNLIMITED @ Beat Boutique / Hamburg

decks: baze.djunkiii [Intrauterin Recordings]

file under: Minimal / Electro / NeoDetroit

doors open: 10 pm

Beat Boutique
Max-Brauer-Allee 219
22765 Hamburg
Germany

baze.djunkiii Charts 02/2019

01. Schulverweis [Neoprimitive 003]
A hand-numbered, limited to 100 copies four track release from the relatively fresh Neoprimitive label that switched to lo-fi, underground PostPunk and (No)Wave with this one after dabbling in DarkAmbient / Drone territories with its first two outings. Defo a killer release, especially for the massive dancefloor smash that is "Clouds On Heroin" which will cause havoc in every underground batcave around the globe as well as the lovely, minimal PostPunk slow-jam "Kaputt" which is our favorite cut on this 7".

02. Various Artists - Breakin Bass [Breakin Bass Records]
A thrilling nine track vinyl compilation focusing on the well-varied bass music scene to be found in Spain which many people might be unaware of. The selection of tunes is as diverse as bass music can be with "Bloodclat" by S Curro & Manul covering a dark'ish crossover of Dancehall and Grime, The Gardener feat. SKLT SKLT's "Nube Negra" exploring laid back Catalan vibes and a killer slow motion groove, Flat Erik's "Matrix *Lost Twin Remix" bringing forth brooding, stripped down Grime flavors and the collaboration of BSN Posse & Jayeem resulting in "Calabria" even rips a well-known sax sample nicked from a House hit of the past to present an over the top GhettoBass vision just to name a few cuts featured on this recommended longplayer.

03. Various Artists [Destroy Oh Boy 002]
DarkJungle rules big time with this four tracker featuring tunes by Dr. Colossus, Aaron Spectre, Kingusi as well as General Waste & Complicit on a limited yellow vinyl 12" pressing with naturally the Remarc remix of Dr. Colossus' "Iron Dub" being the one tune that's about to receive wild crowd reactions as it delivers an excellent take on Max Romeo's alltime Reggae-favorite "Chase The Devil". Massive!

04. Breaka - Swinging Flavors #7 [Beat Machine Records]
Another sweet little 7" release on blue vinyl which caters to the needs of the very underground in terms of Bass Music and especially Jungle / Drum'n'Bass. Bouncy stuff with epic Detroit-flavored pads which will appeal to fans of the Western Lore-imprint as well as to Juke / Footwork lovers although the mastering and pressing quality of both mixes of "Damn Hot" is quite low and the vinyl itself way too lightweight and skimpy.

05. Fracture - Soundboy Get Nervous [Exit Records]
Exit Records has become, alongside the mighty Metalheadz, one of the driving forces in terms of Drum'n'Bass innovation and class and Fracture's four track EP defo proves why they've taken the scene by storm. The title track "Soundboy Get Nervous" is nothing short of a stripped down, bass heavy Halftime Drum'n'Bass banger surely made to stand the test of time, "Turbo Toms" dabbles with amalgamation of Halftime and banging 4/4 TribeTekno, "Makes Me Wonder" fuses high tech production values and a reprocessed Soul sample and the final cut "No Screwface" combines Halftime steppper vibes with a mid-90s will to experiment. Excellent stuff!

06. Various Artists - Death To Digital EP Volume Three [Kniteforce Records 088]
The legendary home of Oldskool, Breakbeat and Happy Hardcore is still alive and kicking - and they do love vinyl for sure. With artists like Wislov, DJ Deluxe, Abyss and Shoeman the Kniteforce Records-camp proves that this oftentimes overlooked branch of the electronic music scene is buzzing still and there's pretty much room for some well over the top productions for the candy raver and whistle crew. Nice.

07. Dub Phizix vs. Fixate - Hotfoot / Babalugats [Exit VS. 008]
A new round in the limited Exit Records whitelabel series and once again the artists featured on here know well how to slay, bringing forth two massive, stripped down, highly detailed and bass heavy Halftime Drum'n'Bass bangers as a blueprint for what the new school of Drum'n'Bass is all about these days - a forward thinking approach and the exploration of new levels in sound design. Great.

08. W/V - W/V [Silken Tofu 060]
See review for details...

09. Boys Noize - Killer [The Vinyl Factory / Boys Noize Records]
The remake of a classic. We all fondly remember Adamski's "Killer" and Seal's classic, goosebump-inducing vocal performance which ruled dancefloors and mainstream radio in the early 90s. Now we see Alex Ridha a.k.a. Boys Noize coming forth with an update that stays pretty close to the original cut, yet delivers a little more punch to level out with today's production and mastering standards for those willing to incorporate the occasional classic tune in their sets. Charming and useful.

10. Dave Angel - Belle Ame / Let The Sun In [Rotation Records]
Dave Angel has been a staple in the Techno world ever since and both tracks featured on this inside-out cut 12" prove that he's never lost it over the course of nearly three decades since he emerged on the scene in the early 90s. Deep, intricate, melodic Techno with a touch of Trance and a fair share of tender, floating Detroit beauty is what's to be found here and what will be loved amongst a wide range of DJ's in the future due to its timeless quality for a reason.

Makh - Motion EP

Deeply touching large scale panoramic Ambient, dark Techno melancholia and beautiful Electronica straight outta Lebanon. Great stuff!

Saba Alizadeh - Scattered Memories [Karlrecords 060 Promo]

Announced for February 15th, 2k19 via Karlrecords is "Scattered Memories", the debut album of the Iranian artist and composer Saba Alizadeh who has been masterfully embracing the traditional local fiddle named kamancheh as well as electro-acoustic composition techniques throughout his career. Opening his ten track album with "Blood City", a highly dramatic variation of score'esque Desert Ambient, Saba Alizadeh paves the way for things to come, following up with the full-on, inward-looking romanticism that is "Dream" before "Colors Wove Me In Teheran" explores haunted, outerworldly tonalities alongside ancient non-vocalisms and "Would You Remember Me?" answers its question in bringing forth an most beautiful array of slowly moving Ambient pads alongside altered, morphing voices from another dimension. The following "Elegy Of Water" presents more intensely droning pads, scraping sounds, humungous background shifts and the occasional, field recorded sound of flowing water, "Scattered Drops" weaves in dreamy, balearic guitars into Saba Alizadeh's ambient'ish sound amalgamations evolving into a proper DesertBlues vibe for fans of dry and hot sunset sessions in the middle of sandy oceans whilst "Ladan Dead End (Kamancheh Version)" unleashes more highly dramatic Ambient waves emerging from the planets deepest vaults, captivating fans of Ritual Electronica, Noize and Illbient alike. Furthermore "Fever" combines a folk'ish Post-PostRock variation with most minimal Indietronics, "Greetings To Earthfire" harks back to touching Desert Ambient-vibes and the final cut "Fluid" waves goodbye in a calm, peaceful and melancholia-infused manner, being as settled and beautiful as Oriental-infused Ambient can be.

Klangwart - Bogota [Staubgold 150]

Scheduled for release on the widely varied Staubgold-imprint in February 15th, 2k19 is "Bogota", the new album outing created by notorious experimental electronic music duo Klangwart comprised of Timo Reuber and Markus Detmer which has been making waves since the release of their first album "Köln-Olpe" back in 1998. With raw material for their recent longplayer recorded in the Colombian capital of Bogota back in 2014 and featuring quite a bunch of influential protagonists of the local scene we see the duo opening with "Porro A", a lively, well groovy percussion workout followed by "Level 4" which goes even deeper into Latin grooves and adds a bit of Future Jazz melancholia to the mix whereas "Rico" harks back to an early 'Future Sound Of Jazz' Downtempo-vibe and the "Blind Date" goes deep into spaced out uptempo territories for highly advanced late night sessions before employing a significantly slower, kinda Dub-driven musical approach. The follow up "Improv 1" brings forth more deep Latin dance grooves, "Monserrate" explores territories somewhat in between Balearic, TripHop and Downtempo whereas "Chocolate" focuses on dry, tribal'esque percussions and a raw, seductive vibe for steaming hot summer nights. Furthermore the "Drum Battle" goes down in a fever'ish, tribalistic manner, "Improv 2" fuses military snare figures with large scale grooves and the final cut "Porto B" is another frolicking, ecstatic dance piece with a slightly tongue-in-cheek side note. Highly recommended and quite a musical development from where Klangwart originally came from at the very beginning of their career.

Kel Assouf - Black Tenere [Glitterbeat Records Promo]

Soon to be released on the ever active Glitterbeat Records label is "Black Tenere", the latest album by the 2016-founded Touareg Rock outfit known as Kel Assouf. Influenced by classic Rock outfits like Led Zeppelin, Queen Of The Stone Age and Black Sabbath as well as the life of the Touareg / Kel Tamashek people the group provides quite a listening experience over the albums course of nine tracks and 42 minutes runtime, drawing heavily from the raw, heavy and slightly psychedelic 70s vibe of their Western predecessors, especially with most fascinating songs like "Tenere", the highly energetic, polyrhythmic "America" or the dark slow-jam "Amghar", catering to those Rock Music fans all over the globe who are looking for takes on the genre that go well beyond classic American Rock traditionalisms. Check.

Sascha Müller - Traxxx Vol. 9 [SM Traxxx 32-2019]

Scheduled for release via SM Traxxx on February 14th, 2k19 is this new digital two track single by Uelsen's Sascha Müller which brings forth more stuff for electronic dancefloors worldwide. The opening tune "Track 17" caters to the needs of all underground clubbers with a spiralling, hypnotic and well dark'ish attitude whereas the subsequent "Track 18" engages in raw, metallic technoid tribalisms and piercing Acid modulations for peaktime workouts. Good stuff.

Gemini 4 - Gemini 4 [Gusstaff Records]

Put on the circuit via the Polish label Gusstaff Records on January 25th, 2k19 is the new self-titled album by Gemini 4 which is the conjunctional project run by Hugo Race and Michelangelo Russo. Both prolific musicians in their own right and joined by keyboard player Julitha Ryan as well as Andrew 'Idge' Hehir on percussion and engineering duties the members of Gemini 4 provide an eleven track journey with their newest longplay piece which comes in an excellent space age / space art digipak cover which speaks of psychedelic greatness and a retrofuturist attitude even before one has listened to any of the projects music. Opening with "Unicorn" the group paves the way for things to come with a sweet, slightly kitschy take on (Neo)Cosmic-influenced sound whereas the follow up "Aspartame" employs a soft, padded Armchair Techno / Ambient House attitude, "Blueboy" brings forth spaced out ProtoElectro and melancholic guitar works reminiscent of Cybotron's "Industrial Lies" vibewise before "Ephemera" gets deep into Ambient / ChillOut territories over the course of 8 minutes. Furthermore "Mercury Rising" provides a lesson in contemporary Synth / (Neo)Cosmic for fans of Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and the likes of, the "Dream Machine" follows on a slightly darker, brooding path, providing banging 4/4 drums for advanced late night dancefloors whereas the "Twins" are grooving along to floating Synth pads and space guitars and "Minus 3" caters more cosmic melancholia with quite a bit of a retrofuturistic touch as well as interesting backward motifs for those who know. Following up is "Pop Nostromo", a perfect example of Space Electro meets ChillOut, "Afterbirthing" brings on a slightly ceremonial Synth feel and the final cut named "Rosebud" seems to be meandering between wobbly IDM and ancient Australian dreamtime tonalities and rhythm signatures usually brought to Western ears via didgeridoo recordings rather than via electronic instruments. If you love space, this one's for you.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Sarah-Jane Summers - Kalopsia [Eighth Nerve Audio 005]

Another one to be released via the Norwegian Eighth Nerve Audio label on February 11th, 2k19 is Sarah-Jane Summer's new album "Kalopsia", an 14 track affair on which the Scottish artist based in Norway explores the musical possibilities opened up by an instrumentation of viola, fiddle and the classic Hardanger fiddle without sticking to traditional contexts, song structures or compositional restrictions. This said, the opener "Lypophrenia" takes us fully by surprise with its dramatic, spiralling nature whereas the following "Scintilla" reveals a more theatrical, fairy-like take on Sarah-Jane Summer's work before "Oneirataxia" digs deep into dystopian, Dark Ambient-resembling atmospheres and "Widdendream" touches base with a lively, yet desperate and somewhat alienated variation of Contemporary Classical in terms of composition and structure. With "Petrichor" we see a century old Nordic Folk tradition coming into play beauteously, "Sussurus" seems to be harking back to early ElectroAcoustic music with all its scraping and hissing atmospheric background noise as a foundation for the artists experimental string works and "Meraki" provides a frolicking, waltzing approach towards uplifting, syncopated repetition of uptempo string motif alterations. Furthermore the subsequent "Hiraeth" indulges deeply in elegic, autumnal sorrow and melancholia, "Reveille" brings forth naturalistic Folk traditionalism once again whilst "Sciamachy" combines distortion, madness and fairylike tonalities within 105 seconds only before "Phosphenes" focuses on creaky, cantankerous grumpiness musically and somehow brings up a picture of a hungover string instrument waking up on a very bad monday morning. Towards the end of the album "Kenopsia" goes down an alley of ultimate fragility whilst coming back to a trance-inducing spiralling musical nature, "Lethophobia" unveils more creaky noises and raw, unprocessed insanity and the final cut "Tacenda", a 62 second spanning miniature, sees Sarah-Jane Summer explore minimalistic Cold Ambient for a goodbye. Check!

Album artwork on Instagram!

Orfeon Gagarin - Orfeon Gagarin [Verlag System 017 Promo]

Scheduled for re-release on February 23rd, 2k19 is the self-titled debut album of Spanish electronic music pioneer Miguel Angel Ruiz, better known under his artistic alias of Orfeon Gagarin to those digging deeply into the early years of the scene. Originally put on the circuit in 1986 as a tape release on Toracic Tapes in 1986 the album is comprised of thirteen tracks based on an arrangement of Korg synthesizer, sequencer, organ and tapes as the foundation for Ruiz' compositional work. Starting with "Not Is Possible Landing" we're drawn straight into a sonic realm of quirky, yet clearly Contemporary Classical-influenced synth movements and early text-to-speech experimentation whereas "Traumatoid" drifts into dreamy, spaced out sci-fi territories, "Eucarystics" predates minimalism in Ambient / lo-fi IDM by several years and "Gulag" elaborates on mechanical, multi-layered percussions and distorted bleeps at high speed levels. The follow up "Voces Mauritanas" brings forth a collage of brooding, fever'ish experimental SynthWave and crackly Field Recordings of seemingly arabic chants and music, "Teatro Sucio" follows the raw, experimental path of SynthWave / Ingenious Dilletantes and "Proceso In Vitro" provides a blueprint of swampy, hypnotic loop techniques in combination with retrofuturist synth sweeps, clunky rhythm signatures and processed non-vocalisms. Furthermore "Omsk 1939" evokes memories of DubTechno-infused Ambient created years before the mentioned genres where even invented, "Necrontocratycs" caters to the needs of fans of highly experimental music resembling wildest modular synthesis on overdrive and seems to predict and depict an early and pioneering variation of beatless, yet grinding MonoAcid way before this style skyrocketed in Techno clubs around 1993/1994 whilst "Ultima Instancia" provides an early take on Ambient purism. Finally "Geriatrol" combines tweeting birds and running water with beauteous, highly melancholic synth harmonies, "Ulan Motor" harks back to swampy Ambient territories which will be highly appreciated by fans of Future Sound Of London and the concluding cut "Canada Dry" provides a feel of desolation and post-apocalyptic greyscale for all those with a dystopian mindset out there. Interesting stuff that surely was ahead of its time when originally released.

Stephanie Pan - Have Robot Dog, Will Travel [Arteksounds 004]

Put on the circuit via Arteksounds as their cat.no. 004 only recently is Stephanie Pan's first ever longplay album named "Have Robot Dog, Will Travel" which the accompanying promo sheet describes as 'a song cycle for the technological age'. Providing a bunch of nine brand new tracks over the course of 54 minutes Stephanie Pan starts her journey with musical elaborations "On Handstands", bringing forth booming, 808-heavy Electronica and a solemn, elegiac LeftfieldPop attitude whereas the "Song For Being Alone #1" relies on Noise / Rhythm Industrial eruptions for a rhythmic structure and layered melodic antigrooves as a complex, yet repetetive and floating foundation for the artists distinct vocal performance before "Song For Words Unsaid" fully goes down an experimental, yet meditative and ritualistic alley for fans of non-vocalisms and oscillating Asian percussion vibes. With "Arbitrary Failures" we see Stephanie Pan exploring more Phonk-driven territories musically, catering to fans of early Autechre or twisted Skam-releases, the "Beast" provides klaxon'esque drones and expressive vocals meandering in between full-on mystique and Experimental Opera over the course of 11 minutes before the albums title track goes down an alley built out of lo-fi electronic buzzing and what seems to be modular, vintage modulation resembling the early days of experimental electronic music production. Furthermore "Residue" , our favorite cut on this unique longplayer, serves more brooding, threatening modulation works paired with large scale bass harmonies for dark, outlandish rituals performed in alien swamps, "Bitter Dust" harks back to a fusion of highly digital Electronica fused with zither chords and a dramatic, ballad'esque take on Leftfield Pop before the concluding cut "Ron Adams" brings forth a maelstrom of dark low frequency Noize and unsettling climaxes to inject Stephanie Pan's distinct vocal style into the sonic score of the listeners nightmares for a finish. 

Album artwork on Instagram!

Juhani Silvola - Post-Biological Wildlife [Eighth Nerve Audio 003]

Coming in from straight from the headquarters of the relatively young imprint Eighth Nerve Audio is "Post-Biological Wildlife", the recent album by Norwegian composer Juhani Silvola which is scheduled for release on February 11th, 2k19. Based mainly on an electro-acoustic approach towards composition the album opens with "Ritualrytmikk", a truly mystical piece based on multilayered (hand)claps, subfrequent bass movements, echoes and haunting atmospheres with a twist of experimental Jazz Noir before the "Machines Of Loving Grace" explore dark, cold sci-fi Noize territories and a brooding, well dystopian future vision whereas "Vaster Than Empires" weighs in an amalgamation of (Neo) Classical / Contemporary Classical string sections and scraping shifts of electronic background layers to create a tense, grinding whole which might be called out as one of the most demanding cuts on this album. Furthermore we see "20th Century Meditation" indulge in more retrofuturist sci-fi sounds, crystalline melodies and a distinct Tribal Electronica foundation for highly advanced dancefloors, the title track "Post-Biological Warfare" fuses tweeting birds, swampy, detailed modular movements and dark'ish Noise shifts with ethereal backward beams and the final cut named "Speculative Photography Pt. 1" is literally playing with fire before unleashing ghostly, outerworldly choir climaxes, Noize eruptions, droning bass pulses and further digital micromovements alongside echoes of Rhythm Industrial to form an intense closing that might reveal spine-tingling, fear-mongering score-qualities when abused as a future score for sci-fi body horror movies to come. Intense.

Belp - Crocodile [Jahmoni Music / SVS Records Promo]

Put on the the circuit as a collaborational effort between Munich-based labels Jahmoni Music and SVS Records on January 25th, 2k19 is "Crocodile", the new album effort created by Jahmoni head honcho Sebastian Schnitzenbaumer a.k.a. Belp. And although the album-definition is up for debate with a ten tracks release covering a very limited runtime of roughly 27 minutes only, meaning that quite a few tunes are falling short of meeting the three (... or even two) minutes mark we see Schnitzenbaumer provide a logical continuation of what he's done with his 2018-released "Hippopotamus", in terms of eclecticism that is. Opening with the short, brooding Dark Ambient- / Drone-piece "Lurk" Belp drifts off, seemingly erratically, into fully developed tracks as well as raw miniatures exploring realms of clunky antigrooves drowned in beautiful Ambient layers, glitched out Electronica modulations with a jazzy twist, African-influenced Future Tribal abstractions, twisted TripHop / Downbeat, full on panoramic Ambient compositionally harking back to the likes of Satie or Francis Lai, stripped down Post Dubstep and more but despite this vast diversity still manages to deliver a coherent listening experience and well-rounded atmosphere which is something not many producers would get out of an eclectic approach like this. Proper.

Bloom Offering - Venus Shrugged (Official Video)

Bloom Offering : Venus Shrugged from helen scarsdale on Vimeo.

The most seductive glitch eroticism around. Epic.

Sascha Müller [Supersix Records Extra 079]

Fresh on the circuit via his very own Supersix Records-imprint is Sascha Müller's latest digital twelve track album, bringing us new and previously unheard tunes from his studio vaults. Opening with "The OS Tracks 16" the Uelsen-based producer delivers a crisp, swinging take on Minimal Techno with a bleepy, lo-fi main motif whereas "The OS Tracks 17" caters a warped variation of harsh, Industrial Broken Techno also messing around with lofi bleepisms and "Hydrotherapy" weighs in a buzzing, sped up and quirky Minimal Techno approach for those who like to party north of the 130 bpm mark. Following up is "Paramite", a tune staying on a stripped down, yet more hypnotic minimal tip, "The Work" brings forth a hard pumping HardHouse / Techno crossover for all oldskool ravers out there and "Perfusion" introduces more of a raw Acid meets Intelligent Techno groove and the subsequent "aa1" explores epicly beautiful ElectroTrance realms for extended sunrise sessions. Furthermore "Acid Junkfood Part 01" provides the very best of jacking, stripped down Chicago Acid for those who know whereas "Acid Junkfood Part 02" is more of a slow, gooey and well hypnotic AcidElectro workout, "Algorythmus" is back at sharp hi-hats and brutal, highly compressed and therefore slightly distorted Techno before "Alpha Centaury" turns out to be the albums Ambient / ChillOut main piece spanning roughly 12 minutes whilst the final cut "ANC" caters more fast paced, stripped down, ElectroPhonk-infused Techno with a tongue-in-cheek twist to punters on advanced late night dancefloors.

W/V - Concave

This is the A-side of the recently reviewed self-titled album by W/V. Be ready to be surrounded by darkness.

Junius Meyvant - Across The Borders [Record Records]

To be released via Record Records on January 25th, 2k19 is "Across The Borders", the sophomore album by Icelandic artist Unnar Gisli Sigurmundsson, better known to fans of the islands thriving music scene under his artistic nom de guerre Junius Meyvant. Born and raised on the small 4000 people island of Heimaey his soulful 2016-released album "Floating Island" was praised and critically acclaimed all over the place and surely his new eleven song elaboration will strike a chord within both fans and critics as will. Rich, luscious orchestration, a touch of Soul, Junius Meyvant's smokey vocal performance  and - most importantly - a massive vintage vibe are bringing us back to golden 70s Californian sunsets, endless rides on American highways, a general feel of ease and unlimited possibilities and a glorious future to come with its soundtrack being tunes like "High Alert", the sweet late night jam that is "Holidays", the Yacht anthem "Let It Pass", the dancefloor filling Uptempo Soul killer "New Waves" or the Country-infused "Carry On With Me". Good stuff, this.

Alina Kalancea - The 5th Apple [Störung 013]

Put on the circuit as cat.no. 013 of the Störung-imprint on December 21st, 2k18 is "The 5th Apple",  the eight track album debut created by Romanian sound artist / producer Alina Kalancea who is setting out to fuse Spoken Word with rich electronic textures on her first longplay piece. And although the artists obvious accent and pronounciation alongside the reprocessing of her voice in itself make it quite hard to follow and embrace the deeper meaning of the vocal performance when one is not fully focused on the intertwined layers of vocals and music it is easy to get lost in Alina Kalancea's compositional work which is generally based on deep, steady, organic bass pulses as a basic structure, oftentimes accompanied by cold, buzzing, scientific drones of sorts, a general feeling of darkness and desolation albeit crossing over into Ambient territories every now and then or providing tense, fully instrumental cuts like the title track "The 5th Apple" which both evokes memories of early Senking productions or a beatless Crooklyn Dub vibe whilst stimulating our senses in a special way that makes it, alongside the hyperminimal, yet spine-tingling Dark Ambient tune "Fears", our favorite cut to be found on this album whereas the "Poisonous Girl" even touches on Morricone'esque score qualities, Opera and (Neo)Classical composition. Quite an interesting one, this.

Album artwork on Instagram!