DJ Spinn - U Ain't Really Bout Dat Life

DJ Spinn returns to Hyperdub with a new EP release and pays homage to his crew and homebase with this big time anthem.

Sound Of The Mountain With Tetuzi Akiyama And Toshimaru Nakamura - Amplified Clarinet And Trumpet, Guitars, Nimb [Mystery & Wonder 008]

Put on the circuit via Mystery & Wonder on October 3rd, 2k19 is "Amplified Clarinet And Trumpet, Guitars, Nimb" - the new two track album joint venture effort created by the duo that is known as Sound Of The Mountain in conjunction with Tetuzi Akiyama and no-input mixing board specialist Toshimara Nakamura. Spread over a total of roughly 36 minutes we see the four artists provide two extended compositions which combine their individual strengths to create an experimental, slightly distorted take on what might be called off-kilter Post-PostRock intermingling with Electroacoustics of different intensity levels, partly accompanying the tender guitar play delivered in the first  part of the album, partly disturbing and disrupting the tunes flow to a great effect. Part two on the other hand starts out in a deeper, darker, more atmospheric ambience fashion somewhat reminiscent of Village Of Savoonga's legendary PostRock classic "Score" released on Hausmusik back in 1997 whilst weighing in a little more of a subdued FreeJazz attitude towards the last third of the compositions runtime which adds a dark, yet strangely dystopian liveliness and melancholia to the tunes attitude and makes it a clear favorite out of the two pieces featured on this longplayer.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Pet Shop Boys feat. Years & Years - Dreamland (Official Lyric Video)

The longtime standing purveyors of SynthPop are still on it. And they're still the masters of catchy hooklines with their trademark uptempo dancefloor sound.

HXXS - Year Of The Witch [Captured Tracks Promo]

Scheduled for release via Captured Tracks on October 18th, 2k19 is "Year Of The Witch", the debut album created by Jeannie Colleene and Gavin Neves a.k.a. HXXS. Initially created in a camper van throughout a six months lasting tour effort the duos longplay firstling caters a menu of twelve tracks which later had to be re-recorded from memory due to a harddrive theft, starting with the harsh, unsettling, polyrhythmic cut "Last Days Of Magic" sporting intense, haunting and poly-layered vocal tracks for dark nightmares whilst the follow up "Double Down" weighs in elements of Future Tribal and PostPunk whilst "Hail Mary" even introduces an otherworldy take on harsh Industrial Funk of sorts. "Learner" takes us back to the Leftfield / Alternative Electronic Pop movement of the early 90s, "Up South" caters an amalgamation of fever'ish Industrial (Rock) madness and an echo of what once was known as Ingenious Dilletantes genrewise whereas "No Price On That Power" pairs innocent, child-like vocals with a rhythm section somewhat reminiscent of Germany's Einstürzende Neubauten ca. "Kollaps" but on a computer processed level. "This Loss Of Blood Has Me Feeling Some Type Of Way" gets into aggressive riot girl territories whilst staying in true HXXS fashion, "Their Satanic Majesty's 3rd Request", a collaboration with Kyp Malone of TV On The Radio-fame, could be described as a love child of Leftfield Pop, Freak Funk and Industrial Desert Blues before "Hard To Tell" tears advanced dancefloors apart with a raw and untamed uptempo attitude. Introducing the "Year Of The Knife" could easily become an underground dancefloor hit of sorts due to its unique, repetetive nature and distinct heavy, distorted riffing whilst "Full Health" is on a full on psychotic downward spiral and the final cut "Build A Fire" sees HXXS at their most playful, yet defo not user friendly, tip on this album. Let's hope in a parallel universe they do play HXXS on daytime radio - and let's all move there!

Proc Fiskal - Prop O Deed (Official Video)

This is why Proc Fiskal is the ruling master of Future Grime. Period.

Distribution Update: Intrauterin Recordings And Related Labels Go Word And Sound

Yes, it is true - about a year after the Intrauterin Recordings label group came back from a long release hiatus is about time to go global in terms of expanding our distribution network. Therefore we've teamed up with our friends at Hamburg-based vinyl distribution company Word And Sound to make our releases available to vinyl and cassette tape lovers and record stores worldwide.

And the best thing - before we're unleashing a new and exciting 7" vinyl piece later in 2019 the three releases we've put out since late 2018 are available via Word And Sound right now - so if you wanna grab a copy, let your local recordstore of choice know about these news.

Check these links to (pre)order:

- Combat Dubs [Intrauterin Recordings 006]
- baze.djunkiii - The Gangster Files [Intrauterin Tapes 009]
- No More - 123456789 *baze.djunkiii & Herr Brandt Dream A NuDream Remix [El Caballo Semental 001]

12.10.2019 Sound Sculpture by Masary Studio presented by Mutek @ Wunderbar Together Pop Up Tour / Portland, USA

light installation sculpture:
Craig Dorety

decks:
baze.djunkiii [Intrauterin Recordings]

playing a special vinyl selection of curated experimental electronic music from Germany

Event starts at 1830 PST

Wunderbar Together Pop Up Tour
Pioneer Courthouse Square
701 SW 6th Ave
Portland
OR 97205
USA

Various Artists - Interactions: A Guide To Swiss Underground Experimental Music [Buh Records Promo]

What a combination it is when an experimental electronic music imprint based in Lima / Peru goes on a journey to explore the experimental underground scence of a small European country like Switzerland. A thing one wouldn't even imagine to happen in one's wildest dreams but this exactly what went down with "Interactions: A Guide To Swiss Underground Experimental Music" which was released via Buh Records on September 13th, 2k19, presenting a whole of 27 tracks - and a massive range in terms of variety of what experimentalism in electronic music can be. From the intense, alerting, electroacoustic sci-fi droning mixed with Field Recordings of flowing water that's to be found in Rudolf Eb.er's "Tod Am Bach" to the lush Ambient score of Martina Lussi's "Pool" via esoteric, yet brooding naturalisms in Therminal C's "Sputnik Crash" as well as extreme guitar manipulation performed by Flo Stoffner in "Carmensac (For Anna)" and beyond the story goes on the first part of this double album. The second CD provides Jazz-infused turntablism and historical voice audio in Joke Lanz' "Dutschke", twisted SpaceFunk in Tout Bleu's ethereal leftfield Leftfield Pop outing named "Souviens-toi" whilst Dave Phillips' philosophical title musings in "Categorical Thinking Doesn't Do Justice To The Complexity Of Life" bring forth intense sonic eruptions, cut-up madness and a threatening kind of Industrial brutalism of sorts and Francisco Meirino's "Hear After: Introduction To Matters Of Auditory Paranoia" waves goodbye in a truly harsh and devastating fashion just to pick a few out of many great cuts on this unprecedented, highly recommended collection and documentation of Switzerlands's underground music scene.

09.10.2019 Vernissage Photo Exhibit “Hommage A Feininger" By Karl Lagerfeld - Curated By Gerhard Steidl @ Wunderbar Together Pop Up Tour / Portland, USA

Everyone knows of Bauhaus legend Lyonel Feininger and his famous paintings of ships and cathedrals. Far less known are his paintings inspired from his earlier caricature works. In this photo exhibition, Karl Lagerfeld pays homage to Feininger, an artist Lagerfeld considered an inspiration. Rather unlike the typical staid one-dimensional retrospectives, this exhibition seeks to interpret Feininger’s works through different and modern techniques and forms of expression.

decks:
baze.djunkiii [Intrauterin Recordings]

playing a special vinyl selection of curated electronic music from Germany

Vernissage starts at 17oo PST

Wunderbar Together Pop Up Tour
Pioneer Courthouse Square
701 SW 6th Ave
Portland
OR 97205
USA

Syer B - Dippy

A killer take on highly stripped down Instrumental Grime. We do approve of this.

Ayler's Mood - Combat Joy [Aut Records 051]

Set for release via Berlin's Aut Records label on November 8th, 2k19 is "Combat Joy", a live recorded concert album performed by the trio that is Albert's Mood at the Jazzincantina in Rome. With this album we see Pasqualle Innarella, Danilo Gallo and Ermanno Baron focusing on what they see as the very essence of Jazz musically, a vision inspired by no-one less than the genre great that is Albert Ayler. Opening on a classy, smokey and vintage laid back Jazz tip the trio is soon carried away by what they describe as a pure organic flow, keeping up with a classy vibe but giving way to more and more layers of improvisation only to be falling back into a stripped down, intimate approach perfectly suitable for contemplating over a classic cocktail or two whilst dancing to thundering re-interpretations of oldtime rhythms becomes a thing only minutes later before these are, once again, stripped down, deconstructed and turned into the next, exciting variation of what Jazz can be - both from a modernistic, contemporary standpoint as well as from a Jazz standard perspective. What an arc this album provides.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Felix Lee ft. Ecco2k + Whitearmor - KOH (Official Video)

The future of hyperchromatic Urban Bass Music is now. Check our album review here!

Love Fame Tragedy - I Don't Want To Play The Victim, But I'm Really Good At It [Good Soldier Records Promo]

Fresh on the circuit and released via Good Soldier Records on September 27th, 2k19 is "I Don't Want To Play The Victim, But I'm Really Good At It", the first ever outing by Love Fame Tragedy - the new solo outing created by Matthew 'Murph' Murphy who is better known to a wide audience of Indie fans as the lead singer of The Wombats. With his new project he's not necessarily dancing to Joy Division but employs a straighter, slightly more dancefloor-focused Pop meets Indie approach with extremely catchy chorus lines like the one showcased in "My Cheating Heart" which we've already featured on these pages earlier this year. "Backflip" on the other hand pulls off more of a bluesy late night vibe that one defo could see being aired on FM radio whilst the "Pills" don't work anymore but surely do work on the dancefloor with their muscular beats, touching emotional string arrangements and overall uber-Funk before the "Brand New Brain" relies on solemn minor chord pianos and swinging snaps as an intro for a captivating crossover between R'n'b'-ish vibes and large scale romanticism in IndiePop crafted for intimate moments with a loved one. Good stuff.

Havington - Places Where

What's sweeter than a neat, simple and yet catchy Folk love song with a unique twist? Nothing.

1naud1bl3 - Weltformel [Farmersmanual Generate And Test 013]

Released recently via the Farmersmanual Generate And Test-imprint is the "Weltformel" created by 1naud1bl3, a world- and universe-explaining formula which surely is coming from a dark and twisted place. Build on a somehow collage'esque frame of mind we're exposed to a set of thirteen sketch-like tracks / pieces /compositions which mostly incorporate some Field Recording bits or samples of sorts which are embedded in everything from distorted Punk meets Electronic crossover tunes, quirky, highly exaggerated Songwriter UltraPop, echoes of Industrial and PostPunk, lo-fi German ArtSchool Easy Listening sounds and way beyond in terms of even touching base with dark'ish, psychedelic Metal riffing at some point, all mixed and mingled to create an obviously puzzling, confusing and irritating effect. This is more like a collection of raw, obscure, unmastered - and unstructured - home studio demos than a fully fledged album. And a truly challenging one for sure.

Dog Dimension – Area Of Outstanding Beauty (EP Teaser Video)

As we've already reviewed this release in late September we defo want you to take a look at the teaser video for this one as well. Enjoy!

Kablehead / Letters [split tape]

The third in a series of incoming, slightly mysterious split releases on cassette tapes of unknown origin contains music by Kablehead and Letters with each of the artists / producers seemingly covering one side of the release. First we see Kablehead's "Cavonism" bringing forth a stripped down and slightly electroid take on MinimalTechno with a bit of a live-jam twist whereas Letters' "Nice Habit" on the flipside introduces more of a dry take on Broken Techno meets Electronica and Phonk, slightly reminiscent of early releases on labels like Skam or Marco Passarani's efforts in terms of balancing Electro and Electronica for highly advanced dancefloors before drifting off into more technoid, yet still super dry, musical realms and beyond in what seem to be short, live recorded jam bits. Defo an interesting format choice for a club music focused release, this.

Tape artwork on Instagram!

Captain Raveman - Bashed

Define: Brutalism.

baze.djunkiii Charts 10/2019

01. Chavinski - I'll Keep Her Safe Boy [Sneaker Social Club]
Not much to say about this but this is the best update and revival record the genre known as SpeedGarage could've hoped for. Keeping things real on an original uptempo House Music referencing vibe of which the genre originated from in the 90s and adding some great cut up wizzardry in terms of vocal abuse all of the three tracks on this stamped 12" whitelabel are levels with the A-side immediately taking the throne in terms of being an alltime SpeedGarage favorite of mine. Get.

02. TV Victor - Moondance [Tresor Berlin]
TV Victor. A name that stuck deeply engrained in my memory ever since my teenage me couldn't afford his "Trance Garden 1-3" back in 1994 just because my allowance wouldn't allow for it at the time. His "Moondance" album even harks back further, originally released back in 1989 as an essential piece of ProtoAmbient which even incorporated elements of Dub and echoes of echoes of PostPunk as well as a certain Tribal element in its production and therefore is not only a great album in its own right but also an essential piece of electronic music history for a reason. Get.

03. Toni Moralez - Nawty Trax 2 [Falling Apart Records 008]
The return of GhettoBass / Ghettotech is nigh and Toni Moralez' "Nawty Trax 2" are as naughty as the title of this five track EP suggests. This is sex music and pure sex music alone, even though the booty take on Kelis' "Milkshake" is quite a cheeky, popping party track as well.

04. TV Victor - Back To The Moon [Lullabies For Insomniacs 015]
It's rare that two records, don't even speak of albums, by the same artist make it into a single top ten list of mine but there's always an exception to the norm and as the Lullabies For Insomniacs-imprint has unearthed and remastered a bunch of four extended cuts from the unreleased archives of German Ambient hero Udo Heitfeld a.k.a. TV Victor there is a pretty good reason to employ this specific rule. Deep, slow moving and slightly tribalistic natural Ambient sounds and rhythm signatures, an overall organic feel, dubbed out cymbal crashes and a dissolving effect on space-time is what Ambient floors missed out on in 1994/1995 when these tracks were originally produced and it's a pleasure to finally listen to these gems more than two decades later.

05. EYKKDARMX [REMI 001]
Another quite mysterious - and one-sided - bootleg 12" whitelabel release here which is bringing forth a slightly UK-influenced take on growling, yet tool'ish TechHouse sounds paired with fragile, tender Indie(Pop) vocals of unknown origin with these elements falling perfectly together to provide a tune that might be the ultimate revelation and climax of an otherwise tight and super dark primetime set or an anthem for all lovers out on the dancefloor due to its piano induced beauty.

06. Andromeda Orchestra - Don't Stop [Faze Action Records 040]
Disco. Nothing but Disco. This what's to be found on this massive 12" release which defo is harking back to the underground hey-day of the genre despite delivering a new and authentic 2019 production - including a so-called 'Special Extended Mix" on 33rpm to keep things real for real. Great stuff.

07. Phuture - Acid Track [Afro Acid Plastik]
Let's set thing straight first: the world doesn't necessarily need a set of 35 remixes of Phuture's "Acid Track". Yet it still seems to be a nice concept to celebrate DJ Pierre's 35 years anniversary behind the decks with a set of seven coloured 12" releases, each of them hand-numbered and limited to 500 vinyl copies worldwide. On this first part of the series we see KiNK providing a super solid uptempo Acid affair, Bloody Mary's electroid interpretation makes the deal as it evokes great memories of Wink's epic Breakbeat Acid affair that was "Higher State Of Consciousness" and Analog Kitchen on B2 adds a unique take with adding Spoken Word interview snippets by DJ Pierre to his interpretation of the classic which adds quite a but of historic weight to the re-imagination of "Acid Track".

08. Dub-Stuy meets Jahdan Blakkamoore - The Linkage [Dub-Stuy Records]
Dope beats, HipHop vibes, deep basslines and Reggae / Raggamuffin-referencing vocals - that's quite an explosive mixture and this is exactly what this 12" EP is delivering over the course of five tracks and each one is a banger in its own right that takes us back to a mid- to late 90s freestyle vibe without sounding dated or dusted at all. Especially "Round Of Applause" is a humungous killer tune and demands a rewind or two each time it's blasted through a massive system.

09. Cosima - Ploaia [Pingipung / Future Nuggets]
Probably this one can be referred to as a Novelty Record of sorts but it's a well seductive one, pairing longing Romanian Pop- and Vintage-referencing vocals as well as dreamy guitars with an electronic take on Dub to create something new and fascinating, taking what might be called Leftfield Pop by some to a next, exciting level.

10. Pharmacom - Switched On Game Boy (The Complete Concert) [Pharmacom Records]
See review for details...

Natura Est - Second [Mahorka]

It's been about a year since Andreas Davids and Tony Young, both known as solo artists under their guises Xotox and Autoclav1.1 respectively, joined forces for the first album of their conjunctional project named Natura Est and now they are back for a second longplay shot which is aptly titled: "Second". This time put on the circuit via the Mahorka-imprint we see the duo catering a selection of six brand new productions spread out over the course of 37 minutes in which they're well following the path they started their journey on. The opener "The Peat & The Fog" brings forth an unexpectedly busy take of cold Ambient movements and a multilayered feel of hollow desolation followed by the icy, glacial movements of "Lowland" which surely is bordering the DeathAmbient genre before "The Flawless Shore" provides a combination of bass-heavy drones and misty, mystical atmospheres for moments of deep contemplation and total inner silence. Furthermore "Carbon Emission" indulges in a cold, more sci-fi leaning atmosphere with its brooding bass movements, unsettling crackles and undeniably intense vibe evoking memories both of the still unbeaten 'Alien' trilogy as well as the classic 1995 debut "Dead Vent 7" produced by Single Cell Orchestra whilst "Disaster In Slow Motion" presents a slowly evolving take on, again, glacial Drone Ambient and the final "Deluvium" sees Natura Est embarking on a journey leading them even further into the lands of dreamy, slow moving Ambient sounds. So if this is your preferred musical playground go check this out.

Deko Depp / Letters [split tape]

Sitting in our postbox only recently was this mysterious split tape cassette release put on the circuit by an unknown source, probably even the artists themselves. With the A-side "Schwärmen / Schweigen" seemingly produced by Deko Depp we're exposed to a take on collage'esque slow motion TripHop and Phonk somewhat reminiscent of raw twisted sound experiments once committed by labels like Hotel Lotte or the likes of, plus more cut up sample layers, whereas the flipside by Letters is titled "Bitter Engine" and brings forth more of a clean, dry and well thought out Electro / ElectroPhonk attitude which surely is about to be appreciated by all those loving labels like Pharma, Central Processing Unit or long vanished projects like Freddy Fresh presents Nitrate to bits up to this day. This is real underground.

Tape artwork on Instagram!

Sascha Müller - Meat Kills Earth [Pharmacom Records Ltd.]

Incoming from Uelsen's most creative production force Sascha Müller is "Meat Kills Earth", a new, limited to 20 copies cassette tape album packaged in a silver anti-static plastic bag in which the long time standing producer sonically deals with the currently ongoing discussion about appropriate nutrition and, of course, climate change. Released on his very own and recently more active Pharmacom Records-imprint we see this album piece cater an overall run of five extended tracks which present themself in an alarming, well unsettling manner, bringing forth approximately one hour of sonic distress signals, cold, post-apocalyptic atmospheres, unsettling rhythm pulses, piercing feedbacks, computational bleeps, short-circuit buzzing, overall desolation and well obvious references pointing towards underground subgenres like ritual Rhythm Industrial, Noize, lo-fi Bleeptronica as well retrofuturistic machinery on overall tilt mode and experiments in modular synthesis. Intense and highly recommended. Check.

Skarbø Skulekorps - Skarbø Skulekorps [Hubro Music]

What happens when a band-leading drummer is facing the fact that the singer of his former band waves goodbye after a little more than a decade and is not to be replaced? Well, he starts to approach music composition from a totally different, not necessarily drum-focused angle and forms a new project. At least this is what Øyvind Skarbø did after his former outfit 1982 fell apart, only to come back with his seven member strong Skarbø Skulekorps for a debut release on Hubro Music which was also the previous home to his bands releases. And Mr. Skarbø is coming back big time for sure. Whilst the opener "1-555-3327" evokes memories of super slick 70s Yachtpop before giving way to occasional bits of wild Jazz we see the follow up "Turnamat" bringing forth a spaced out, vintage and slightly tongue-in-cheek UltraFunk attitude mixed in with a bit of a Novelty Music aspect whereas "Pillabue" is a deep and caressing take on Easy Listening Space Jazz. "Four Foxes" is going down in a super seductive 80s manner, immediately evoking memories of Miami Vice, VHS tapes, wild hair and filters as well as then cool animal print lingerie for a reference as blueprint of what truly can be defined as bedroom music even though the mid-track breakdown might cause some short lived irritation before "Farrier And The Hoof" introduces a dangerous crime scene vibe before taking a turn towards big time drama and the definition of cool whilst "Lysets Hastighet" is an instrumental fest for fans of anything Yacht-related for a reason. Furthermore "Kado" provides loads of good vibes with its well positive, twisted and playful Dancefloor Jazz attitude, "Gliploss" even introduces bits of a Folk vibe in a very special and ultimately unique way which finally results in a future hit to be on highly advanced, open minded dancefloors before "50 MB RAM" sends us off with a melancholic take on spaced out Future Jazz only to provide some surprising muscular 80s Rock drumming throughout the tunes very last minute. File under: Essential goodness.
 
Album artwork on Instagram!

Babymetal - Shanti Shanti Shanti (Official Video)

Is incorporating Banghra elements the next step in the evolution of Babymetal?

The Way Out - Yes We Are [Insula Music 018]

To be released on the Danish label Insula Music as their cat.no. 018 is "Yes We Are", the third album effort put together by the Jazz quartet that is The Way Out, comprised of TS Hawk, Mads Egetoft, Jonathan Aardestrup and Jens Lopes. Coming at their fans and an ever growing audience with a total of 14 new tracks and a beautifully designed cover artwork the four musicians present a storming, fast-paced approach towards the avantgarde-oriented side of genre with the hounded, head-over-heels opener "The Fly" which defo is bordering FreeJazz at times and paves the way for things to come although the group isn't necessarily keen to focus on one aspect of their work solely. The follow-up "Oh C Parade" is aimed at swinging uptempo dancefloor audiences with a percussive, yet slightly stripped down approach whilst tunes like "A Pretty Wrecking Crew" bring forth a droning, klaxon'esque and yearning short piece of sorts, "Freeing The Old Masters" caters the most laid back, smokey and vintage vibe to be found on this longplayer before moving forward into breakneck speed territories, insane duo sax interactions and a complex percussion climax whilst "Scratch" takes on a special repetetive swing and well captivating groove for b-boys and fly girls just to name a few. Check this one out if you're a Jazz fan from the heart.

Letters - Humersbotle [self-released tape single]

Coming in alongside a bunch of other mysterious cassette tapes sent straight to our postbox by the man known as Thomas Janitzky, who seemingly is the creative mastermind behind this project, is Letters' "Humersbotle" - a beautiful orange / green cassette single without further information on track titles or label information. Relying on and referring to the tapes musical content only the A-side provides a take on beautiful classic Electronica sounds in the vein of Move D's seminal "Kunststoff" album before taking a turn towards cut up R'n'B-references atop of classy, electroid beats with a dancefloor moving swing, experimental loop techniques and more abstract beat goodness as well as bits of syncopated UK Urban / Post Garage whereas the flipside goes even deeper into a collage'esque vibe with short rave signals, low end 808 loops, multiple layers of surface noise and more musical eclecticism for those who can handle it. We love this.

Dog Dimension - Area Of Outstanding Beauty [Bohemian Drips 011 Promo]

Scheduled for release on October 4th, 2k19 via Berlin's Bohemian Drips label is Dog Dimension's second musical outing, the roughly 28 minutes spanning "Area Of Outstanding Beauty EP" which will be a musical fest for those still missing the well funky, raw and untamed era of 90s Alternative Rock and Crossover fused with bits of Grunge and stripped down electronic textures. Still didn't get it? Think a love child of Garbage, Pop Will Eat Itself, Rage Against The Machine and the likes of, bringing forth a greyscale dystopian vision of a non-existing future, adding elements of PostPunk and Indie to the mix whilst shattering dancefloors with stripped down beats, heavy riffing, loads of high-octane energy and an undeniable riot girl attitude which makes songs like "Franks Fungus Exchange" or "Afterlife / Assembly Line" essential dancefloor smashers in your local alternative joint of choice. Good stuff.

Adrian Løseth Waade - Kitchen Music [Nakama Records 018]

Scheduled for release on September 27th, 2k19 via Norway's Nakama Records imprint is Adrian Løseth Waade's "Kitchen Music", a six track piece in which the renowned Jazz musician and violin player approached music from a different angle only to deliver his first solo album ever. Working with likeminded artists like Kjartan Laegreid Gullikstad, Bardur Reinert Poulsen and Simon Olderskog Albertsen in the realisation and recording process we defo see where the albums title is coming from, diving deep into a mellow, intimate, easy variation of Contemporary Jazz which reveals mastership and advanced techniques when one listens closely, yet can also function as a soothing, organic and highly comforting background music played on repeat for hours throughout extended, deep and intimate candlelight conversations, preferably happening in your loved ones kitchen, accompanied by a bottle of wine... or many. But don't you dare to mistake this one for an Easy Listening album as highly complex, syncopated drums like those to be found in Adrian Løseth Waade's "Morning Routine" will bring shattering nightmares to those looking for easy 'easy' for a reason. And yet "Fuglens Cabaret" would be perfect complementing BarJazz score for a smokey, slightly rundown venue serving a selection of the best classic cocktails and longdrinks in town.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Bodega - Shiny New Model [What's Your Rupture? Promo]

Set for release via What's Your Rupture? on October 11th, 2k19 is "Shiny New Model", the latest so-called mini album by NYC's latest hype act Bodega. Even though the term mini album seems a little far fetched with the total of seven songs spread out over a little less than 16 minutes only the band outfit seems to have stepped up their game with their first proper studio recording and other experiments soundwise here, catering a mixture of wall of sound-oriented Indie / Alternative, a greyscale attitude borrowed from the nuclear angst-ridden 80s, echoes of Grunge and some SkatePunk as well as quite archetypical 90s American College Rock - think R.E.M. and the likes of for example -, with the 71 seconds long "No Vanguard Revival" coming across like a force to be reckoned with on the dancefloor whilst the dreamy, yet subtly aggressive "Knife On The Platter" could be a song to surely stand the test of time and even grow into a serious underground hit in alternative scenes over the course of the next years as this is a sneaky one - and so is the mechanical killer groove presented in "Domesticated Animal". Short, but good. Check.

Frode Haltli - Border Woods [Hubro Music]

Just put out on the album circuit via Hubro Music on September 13th, 2k19 is "Border Woods" , the latest album by Norwegian composer and accordionist Frode Haltli realized in conjunction with Emilia Amper on nyckelharpa as well as Hakon Stene and Eirik Raude on percussion. Opening their six track album with "Wind Through Aspen Leaves" the quartet creates something in between naturalistic Score Ambient, echoes of echoes of (Neo)Classical music and an omnipresent mythical vibe whereas the nearly 16 minutes spanning "Mostamägg Polska" resonants and vibes with ancient Folk and frolicking fiddle before turning full on Ambient over the compositions final quarter whilst "Wood And Stone" provides a short interlude catering fascinatingly raw, tribalistic polyrhythms. With "Taneli's Lament (Sorrow Comes To All...)" Frode Haltli and his fellow musicians explore deep, unchallenged autumnal melancholia , "Valkola Schottis" brings forth eleven minutes of tender intimacy only to be shared with a dear loved one by one's side and "Quietly The Language Dies"  finally waves goodbye in a slightly sad, solemn and bemoaning manner emotionally somewhat reminiscent of a rising sun over ancient, misty battlefields of yore and therefore destined to be used in the score of a future period film for a reason.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Los Piranas - Historia Natural [Glitterbeat Records 081 Promo]

Coming straight out of Bogota / Colombia are Los Piranas, a trio comprised of Eblis Alvarez, Mario Galeano and Pedro Ojeda whose third album "Historia Natural" is about to be released via Glitterbeat Records on October 11th, 2k19. A third album only as the members have been making music together since their formative high school years and have, each on their own, become internationally renowned musicians in their own right before recording their very first Los Piranas album back in 2010. And what a ride this "Historia Natural" is and has become - a super fast-paced, haunted take on warped, psychedelia infused action scene scores for espionage soundtracks, spaced out Easy Listening Super Funk from another planet like to be found in the highly seductive grooves of "Puerta Del Sol" whereas the haunting "Espiritu De Los Seres Humanos" provides a fascinating addition for DJ-sets in your local high class dance parties attended by friendly posh mutants emerging from your 70s low budget sci-fi movie of choice. "Todos Tenemos Hogar" brings on more Latin Psychedelia mixed up with twangy Western guitars, "Palermo's Grunch" goes even deeper into echo-heavy giallo party instrumentals whilst "Te Regalo Una Licuadora" speeds things up even further to near ridiculous levels somehow evoking memories of the very first Jeans Team 7" releases on their short lived Nadel Eins label and "Quedar Bien Con El Oyente" seems to be a never heard of variation of Colombian Psych Dub only to name a few killer tunes on this great album. This is wild. And unique. Get.

Isan - Lamenting Machine [Morr Music 169]

Scheduled for release via Morr Music on October 18th, 2k19 is "Lamenting Machine", the ninth studio album by Antony Ryan and Robin Saville who are better known to fans and followers of quality electronic music under their nom de guerre that is Isan. Formed in 1996 and associated with the Morr Music label for two decades now the duo of Electronica pioneers opens their new eight track journey with "From A Hundred", a beautifully caressing tune which was already featured on these pages earlier this month, before "Memory Cascades" brings forth crystalline, chiming melodies floating atop of interestingly syncopated, crisp and dry beat structures and obvious, organic Indietronica influences. With "Perlon" we see Isan employing a dreamy ChillOut vibe bordering echoes of Ambient Post-PostRock and / or PopAmbient, the "Ichthyosaur" is more of a friendly, curious, playful, multilayered and polyrhythmic beast frolicking through the meadows whilst "Strix Aluco" reveals a more solemn, (Neo)Cosmic-infused side of the groups outstanding musical work. Furthermore "Ephemeroptera" brings forth more fascinating polyrhythms as well as meandering meoldies and time signatures for the musically knowledgeable follower of Ambient, Electronica and IDM, "Calliscope" is building up slowly only to create tender, fragile and scenic structures as well as a huge, slightly dubbed out bass and rhythm foundation for highly advanced late night dancefloors before the concluding title track "Lamenting Machine" seems to redefine the Ambient Rave genre for 2019 in a masterly crafted manner. Isan being as Isan as they can. Lovely.

Sascha Müller [Supersix Records Extra 090]

Supersix Records Extra 090 - this comes down to a bunch of ninety untitled album releases by Uelsen's most productive electronic music force known as Sascha Müller who's back on track with another set of eleven formerly unreleased tunes here. Opening with "Planet Erde" we see the producer paying homage to our very own planet in providing a super deep, repetetive Techno vibe whilst "Planet Wobble" moves dancefloors with beautiful, lively melodies and a warm, trance-inducing take on DubTechno whereas "Planets" indulges in floating early Ambient / IDM vibes and evokes long lost memories of perfect ChillOut floors we used to hang out in for hours in the 90s. Furthermore "Plasmids In Motion" starts out with a super seductive low end sequence before slowly evolving into a deep, groovy and surprisingly Piano driven variation of Intelligent Techno sporting some bubbly background Acid modulations, "Point Basic" is on a contrary tip in terms of hard, fast pace and highly percussive Techno for ultimate peaktime abuse somewhat reminiscent of Fabrice Lig's seminal "Interwaves EP" released back in 1994, "Pop Acid" is not that Pop-driven at all but a killer AcidTrance anthem for those in the know whilst "Preisfragen" is more of a high speed variation of gooey AcidTrance influenced by abstract 'troity arrangements, TechnoJazz and MinimalTechno alike. The "Proton Dancer" is harking back to a raw, tribalistic ToolTechno approach for most unapologetic DJ-sets, "Pulsarenergie" brings forth a distinct, yet stripped down energy with its bouncy, electroid take on MinimalTechno, "Raumtanz" provides beautifully floating, soft early morning Trance before the concluding "Rubber Forces From Planet Gum" take minimalist Acid Techno to the deepest, most hypnotic level ever. Killer stuff.

Ensemble Neon - Niblock / Lamb [Hubro Music]

Put on the circuit via the Norwegian Hubro Music-imprint on August 9th, 2k19 is the latest album effort of Ensemble Neon which are taking on two extended, droney compositions by composers Phill Niblock and Catherine Lamb on this longplay piece. Opening with Phill Niblock's "To Two Tea Roses" we're exploring a 23 minutes spanning steady flow of droning, yet friendly and organic Ambient music of a both soothing and hypnotic nature, accompanied by tender melodic textures hidden deep in the mix and somewhat comparable in its trance-inducing feel with echoes and faded vibrations of ancient didgeridoo motifs still present in rural, untouched places located deep within the Australian outback where the native dream-time is still intact and undisturbed. On the other hand Catherine Lamb's "Parallaxis Forms" stays on an Ambient-infused path, yet is bringing forth more naturalistic mystique as well as more obvious references to the ensembles background in (Neo) Classical / Contemporary Classical music due to the use of distinguishable, yet droning string movement and melody as well as ethereal, floating non-vocalisms as a part of the compositions instrumentation. Deep.

Album artwork on Instagram!

The Touchables - The Noise Is Rest [Conradsound]

Coming straight at us with a combination of octobass and piccoletto violin is the duo of Guro Skumsnes Moe and Ole-Henrik Moe a.k.a. The Touchables on their first ever conjunctional album which has been released via Conradsound on August 27th, 2k19. Stretched out over the course of 45 minutes and a total of eight tracks the duo is taking the musical properties of their respective instruments to the very extremes with the opener "Nothing In Between" rather resembling a Field Recording session featuring the faraway background hum of a helicopter flying miles away than any string instruments being involved, the "Barking Beetle Boogie" starts with an explosive, yet highly abstract FreeJazz approach before slowly fading away in a full on experimental manner, a trip to "Birdabyalullaland" reveals the true, albeit yet way off kilter nature of the instruments in use for the first time on this album before the "Blackout Lighthouse" seems to capture cold and deadly ambient sounds from a well hostile and dangerous environment in which one shouldn't leave his or her shelter without a shotgun and a torch at hand. Furthermore the "Peace Ghost" seems to have a thing for imitating intense, ancient, wobbly and decaying horn recordings bordering the edge of madness, the "Byalullulandbird" is picking up where its predecessor left off whilst adding additional layers of longing, sadness and melancholy to its well desperate vibe whereas "Unicorn Stocking" brings forth memories of wild horses indeed whilst indulging in a hectic, busy and somewhat even grotesque score-like approach well suitable for experimental art house horror flics shot in black and white before the concluding composition pays homage to a "Deserted Desert", summoning ghosts, sprites and spirits of those who lost themselves, or their minds, whilst wandering uncharted terrain in the years of yore. Intense.

Album artwork on Instagram!

baze.djunkiii Chart Haul 09/2019

Various Artists - Psycho Kidzzz Vol. 6 [Psychocandies 080]

Back for another label retrospective is the ever active Psychocandies-imprint, this time presenting their latest ten track compilation named "Psycho Kidzzz Vol. 6" which is solely focusing on the highlights of the most recent catalogue and representing the wide variety of the label sound including the deep Intelligent Techno meets Acid vibes of "Datacore 1" by Datacore Productionz meets The 808 Hillbillys whilst Sascha Müller's "Native Destruction" brings on maximum drugged out levels of Acid Techno psychosis, his remix of El Atalaya's "Respect My Ability" touches base with both banging AcidRave and Hardcore and Dize7's "Two Specifications" bring forth more Psychic Hardcore just to name a few cuts featured on this compilation album which is one recommended for the real headz for sure.

Vilhelm Bromander & Fredrik Rasten - ...For Some Reason That Escapes Us [Differ Records 001]

Incoming from the freshly launched Swedish label Differ Records and due to be released via the imprint on September 20th, 2k19 is "... For Some Reason That Escapes Us", the new collaborational album effort created and put together by the duo of Vilhelm Bromander and Fredrik Rasten, both acclaimed solo musicians as well as collaborators in their own right. Opening with "Harmony For Two Or More Voices I" the musicians create a deep, beautiful and solemn feel of inward looking melancholia whereas the subsequent "A Glimpse Through A Thousand Examples" makes the organically created soundscape of guitar, voice and double bass almost seem to emulate and recreate a feel of modular electronic composition in its tender, most ambient'ish and atmospheric vibe before diving deep into score'esque, slightly haunting, super minimalist and low end focused composition techniques whilst the subsequent "Harmony For Two Or More Voices II" picks up on the melancholy of Part I whilst focusing on a steady ebb and flow of slowly e-bowed guitars which surely is about to sit well with fans and followers of the Ambient genre worldwide. On the flipside of the vinyl LP we see the theme of "Gentle Mountains" split into three parts - "Toward", "With" and "Onward"  - of which the first two are closely connected in the use of a slowly building, yet pretty intense bass drone accompanied by tender (Neo)Classical string repetition figures in "Toward" whilst "With" emphasizes and focuses on the low frequency aspect of the drone itself before "Onward" brings out a previously unheard approach to minimalist, hollow, ritualistic rhythm signatures accompanied by plucked, slightly off-kilter guitar tones in the work of the two musicians which evokes memories of Einstürzende Neubauten's "U-Haft Musik" but without the inherent aggression and desolation. Go check.

Sirom - Svet, Ki Spece Konju Cvet = A Universe That Roasts Blossoms For A Horse [Tak:til / Glitterbeat Promo]

Released via Tak:til / Glitterbeat Records is "Svet, Ki Spece Konju Cvet = A Universe That Roasts Blossoms For A Horse", the latest and third, five track spanning album effort by Sirom - described in the albums press info as Slovenian imaginary folk instrumental trio. Comprised of members Ana Kravanja, Samo Kutin and Iztok Koren we see the band serving a five track menu stretched over the course of 44 minutes, opening with the short "A Washed Out  Boy Taking Fossils From A Frog Sack" which features ancient, naturalistic, yet far away choir and singing adventures alongside a rural, yet brooding and unsettling intense atmosphere followed by "Sleight Of Hand With A Melting Key" which indeed seems to refer to echoes of tender, traditional Folk music with a lively, playful as well as hypnotically beautiful twist before taking a turn towards a more percussive approach of multilayered nature, referencing both Arab as well as Asian influences of sorts only to end up with twangy guitar plucking and dance-inducing drums later on. With "A Pulse Expels Its Brothers And Sisters" Sirom are exploring an interesting, syncopated and somewhat mechanical take on mostly percussive, rhythm-driven sound on different time scales met and replaced by longing viola motifs and mystical melodies around mid-track, "Low Probability Of A hug" brings forth a tribalistic, ritual feel in amalgamation with ancient vocalisms and memories of Folk violas and the concluding cut "Same As The One She Hardly Remembered" finally indulges in a relaxed, solemn late afternoon rural wilderness feel of sorts. File under: World (Not World) Music.

Ben Wood Inferno - Real Thing [Sumo Rex 016]

Roughly two years after "Wilder Wilder Faster Faster", the previous album by the band named Ben Wood Inferno, sat in our postbox we see the band making a return to the Sumo Rex label with their new full length joint that is the "Real Thing", another straightforward, no compromise album piece that's stretched over the course of roughly 40 minutes. And it's the album opener "Button Down & Go" which sets the tone for things to come, immediately making sure that Ben Wood Inferno are sticking straight to their guns with a punching, raw garage-y Rock'n'Roll vibe whilst the follow up "Get Wild" weighs in a certain slack in fusing heavy Blues vibes and echoes of Proto Heavy Metal oozing the smell of oil, dust, beer and tuned cars from every note before "Howl" brings forth more raw, untamed Rock energy and dirty solos whereas "Hurts So Good" smashes dancefloors with its uptempo, rough and stripped down vibe. "Gettin' Outta Here" literally means riding a steam-driven, marching BluesRock train, "Never Enough (Herman)" is another captivating dancefloor filler with a rebellious attitude and "Unreal" tells musical tales of pain, desolation, heartbreak as well as loads of not necessarily sober night outs and a certain madness induced by a hard life on the road, travelling a mad, mad world. With "All That Fall" the band even explores a bit of Psychedelic Rock in fusion with their trademark Blues-informed sound, "Either Act Or Forget" is a high octane early HardRock update for 2k19 causing havoc and bar fights whenever this is played out whilst the final cut "Set It On Fire" waves goodbye in a proper big time stadium anthem manner, implementing thoughts of riot and rebellion in the youth of today... and for a good reason maybe. Check. 

Sascha Müller - Traxxx Vol. 16 [SM Traxxx 39-2019]

Scheduled for release on September 19th, 2k19 is Sascha Müller's new digital two-track single "Traxxx Vol. 16" featuring the subsequently named tunes "Track 31" and "Track 32". Whilst the first mentioned brings forth bouncy, distorted, grinding and slightly acidic underground Techno featuring storming filter movements and a high octane primetime attitude we see "Track 32" employing a deeper approach somewhat in between AcidTrance and early 90s ClubTechno of the specific kind a DJ like Steve Mason would've loved to play in his BFBS radio shows back in the days.

Pagna - Nuke Vol. 7 [Nuke The Planet]

Another one fresh out on the digital circuit is Pagna's new one track single named "Nuke Vol. 7" on the experimental, yet hard-edged Nuke The Planet imprint which has turned out to be a platform for new, unsigned talent since the label launched. Opening with cold, hostile, icey storm sounds we soon see Pagna switching gears towards fast paced mechanical war and attack mode, releasing a barrage of brutalized killer drums alongside deadly atmospheres, a disturbing wall of horrifying, distorted noises which to a degree of certainty incorporates mutilated scream of torture and hands on brutality whilst a distinct, yet simple synth motif completes the soundtrack to your most evil nightmares. Disturbingly good Warcore.

Propan - Trending [Sofa Music]

Put on the circuit via Norway's Sofa Music label on September 6th, 2k19 is the sophomore album by Norwegian duo Propan, comprised of Natali Abrahamsen Garner and Ina Sangstuen, who are creating their music based on vocals and effects alone. Named "Trending" the longplayer caters a menu of 13 tracks which, in their entirety, is described in the press info as 'post-apocalyptic club album of sorts' , a well-fitting definition when it comes to the hollow, Psychedelia-infused Minimal Techno / MicroHouse experimentalisms of "Berlin Clubbing" which suddenly and unexpectedly turn into a desolate Ambient piece before "Jupiter" fuses cascading, frolicking synths with micro-cut non-vocalisms, "Aiaiai" presents intense, unsettling choir-like layerings, "A Beauty" is an Ambient beauty indeed and "Smack On The Back" brings in hollow, abstract, electroid Phonk for highly advanced late night dancefloors able to handle most yearning, slightly Morricone'esque string arrangements in a vantablack, strobe-lit environment. With "The Warmest Kiss" Propan do make a return to more naturalistic Ambient realms, "Laurie" brings forth the soundtrack for your most frightening, horrific and psychotic nightmares whilst "Always The Same" introduces a playful, positive yet off kilter approach to trippy, drugged out Leftfield Pop and Gospel loops in a well fascinating manner. "Heismusikk" caters less than two minutes of dubbed out, folk'ish Electronica sporting multi-harmonic nonvocalisms, "She Sings Like A Fairy" pairs more pain and longing with rhythmic electronic distortions and a certain art school attitude, "Meditation Tape: The New Beat" presents a unique, psyched out take on dark Rhythm Industrial / Unformatted Techno pulses accompanied by Propan's ethereal vocal usage and the concluding cut that is "Ariel" waves goodbye in terms of pairing a static feedback signal with ethereal choirs reminiscent of vintage opera recordings. Thrillingly interesting.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Mars Eilertsen - Reveries And Revelations [Hubro Music]

Released via the Norwegian staple Hubro Music on August 9th, 2k19 is "Reveries And Revelations", the latest album by the countries acclaimed Jazz musician Mats Eilertsen who, in opposite to his usual work flow, created his new, 35 minute spanning ten track longplay effort through employing cut, paste and layering techniques with the help of contributing, yet not live performing guest musicians like Geir Sundstøl, Eivind Aarset and others who either added their own touch to raw sketches sent to them by Eilertsen or had independent sketches of their own embedded in pre-existing compositions - all made possible through the incredible powers of the internet without the artists ever meeting up in person in one studio space for a dedicated recording session. The result of this wondrous approach which is technically amazing still for those remembering pre-internet days and fax machines as most high tech means of communication is a deep, score'esque and full on organic, homogenic album of tender Jazz-referencing late night and early morning music bringing forth exciting FutureJazz basslines as a foundation for melancholia-infused atmospheres in tunes like the captivating "Bover Blues", experimental, reprocessed Field Recording resemblances in the brooding, lurking "Signal" or even reveal an otherworldly take on stripped down minimal percussion vibes with the "Polynesian Pluck" which could've come straight from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop or a super rare, quirky Library Music record of the 70s just to pick a triplet of highlights on here. Interesting stuff.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Felix Lee - Inna Daze [Planet Mu 410 Promo]

Scheduled for release via the ever active Planet Mu-imprint on September 27th, 2k19 is "Inna Daze", the album debut by artist / producer Felix Lee whose other musical alias Lexxi might ring a bell for some as he's used this since 2012. Bringing forth a full body of work of thirteen tracks Lee presents a sonic universe best to be described as Futuristic Leftfield Pop heavily influenced by Synth and (Neo)Cosmic, a, well..., futuristic score attitude slightly reminiscent of musical works created by Ikonika or Fatima Al Qadiri in its neon'esque gloominess, echoes of inward looking Post Bass Music, decaying remnants of Trap and much more, presenting a wide array of vocal contributors like Yayoyanoh, Oxhy, Gaiko and others as well as masterly crafted instrumental cuts. Our favorites include the intimate underground hit to be that is "Iywata", the super seductive autotune joint "Like A Stain", the slo-mo Emo Rave smasher "Still Torn" or the dystopian, brutal Industrial Bass madness of "Smoke" which even might cause havoc on Future Pop and EBM floors for a reason. Check.

Sweet Anita - Ever Get That? *Tracer Flick

Tourette's Rave is gonna be the next hype. Period.

Bon Iver - i , i [Jagjaguwar]

Coming in as quite a surprise these days was "i , i", the fourth longplay outing by the highly and also critically acclaimed band outfit that is Bon Iver. Having made major waves since their originally self-released debut "For Emma, Forever Ago" the band is coming with a fully fledged set of 12 new tracks plus the experimental, highly cut up album intro all crammed into roughly 40 minutes on CD brought to us in an artsy, extremely thought out as well as super tight and slightly impractical packaging all designers will love anyway. Musically, the content of "i , i" is as complex and multi-layered as its cover and defo not an easy one to love on first sight. Electronically created beats and atmospheres, elements of Musique Concrete and echoes of Indietronica clash with classic, inward-looking Indie, dramatic falsetto vocals, bits of Jazz, reminiscent of Gonjasufi, and hyperemotional fragility, some tracks suddenly disappearing from a songs overall mix only to pop up later totally out of time and rhythm like they were recorded on crumbled and destroyed magnetic tape, innocent, frolicking solo piano meets uplifting singer-songwriterism with a Gospel-infused attitude, DesertBlues and processed wind instruments meet Outsider Blues and ever present is the spirit of Alternative Rock and Indie. This is not an album that wants to be loved. You gotta take your time and work your way through it in quite a few multiple sittings to fully embrace its unquestioned complexity and craft although we bet even after these you won't be able to find a well obvious hit on this one which probably will rather resonate with die-hard fans than broaden Bon Iver's overall audience.