2010s 414 Items

'Solar Nights' is the long awaited second album from German nu-disco star Tim Bernhardt, aka Satin Jackets. Released on Eskimo Recordings this April, 'Solar Nights' follows on from Bernhardt's critically acclaimed, and Gold certified, debut LP 'Panorama Pacifico' and features 14 tracks of smooth disco and leftfield pop sounds with guest appearances from the likes of Future Classic's Panama, David Harks, Niya Wells, Emma Brammer and Anduze.

The global success of 'Panorama Pacifico' has seen Bernhardt coaxed out from his remote studio in one of Germany's ancient forests to play to fans across the world, from South Korea to Mexico and beyond, experiences that inspired both the album itself and its title, 'Solar Nights'.

"In recent years the world's become smaller, a more inter-connected place. It can be dark and cold here, with snow all around, and the next day I can be playing to people on a beach. Somewhere on the planet it's always daytime or summer, but beyond that day and night just blend into each other these days," Tim explains. "We have daytime discos so you can go and party while the sun is still high in the sky, and you can go and hit the gym at night. Beit day or night, Satin Jackets is your soundtrack."

And what a soundtrack it is, from the first chords of opening 'Welcome Back' it's clear we're in safe hands here, the warm pads, delicate guitars and pianos providing the perfect introduction to the album. Whether it's the slow burning seductive pop of tracks like 'Just Like You', piano led house tracks like 'String It Again', the Balearic haze of 'All For You' or bonafide hits like the Nordic inspired 'Northern Lights' and 'Mirage' that between them have already scored well over 10 million streams across streaming platforms, 'Solar Nights' takes everything we loved from 'Panorama Pacifico' and polishes it to an ultra high sheen.

And in an age when rough and raw production is seen as an easy shorthand for authenticity, Tim's love of über-smooth production has made him an unlikely iconoclast, "I had always been fascinated by how glossy people like Nile Rodgers made their music," he reveals. "It always sounded like the musical equivalent of a fashion magazine's cover. I'd been making more underground music for a while but really wanted to go in totally the other direction and instead create a really smooth, polished sound."

That obsession with sonic fidelity shines through across every track on 'Solar Nights', and the years since his debut was released have been well spent perfecting his craft. "Even in just the last couple of years I've made some big changes in how I produce music. Compared to my debut, everything under the hood has changed here," he explains. "Every day, with every production, I'm learning new things and when I listen to these new tracks, the depth in the mixes, the clarity, I like to think of 'Solar Nights' as Satin Jackets but in 3D."

From wanting to recreate the sound of magazine covers to appearing on them, the past few years has been quite some journey for the still enigmatic producer. The man behind the golden mask may prefer to stay out of sight but 'Solar Nights' reveals him to be fully in control, producing music that reflects the glamour and glitz of 70s Manhattan, artfully updated for the 21st century.

Benny Sings‘ first song on Stones Throw was a cover of “Passionfruit” originally by Drake. Some six years and three albums later, we’ve finally decided to put it out on vinyl. Side A is a cover of Christopher Cross’ 1979 classic “Sailing”, which Benny released late last year. Quantities are limited, so grab yours now. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

"Forever Jan" packs 25 (!) years into the most comprehensive compilation possible - and, despite all the stylistic diversity, makes the common thread of this extraordinary career recognizable in every respect. Jan Delay himself has become an icon of German pop: He has shaped how music sounds in this country, and he has inspired entire generations to listen to their raveheart and consistently do their thing.

But above all, he has always remained a fan. Anyone who has shared a dancefloor with Jan at five o'clock in the morning or discussed the latest Soundso record with him, indeed anyone who has experienced him on stage even once, knows what music means to him, how it drives him, how it defines his work. The beats, the bass, the whole boom, that's his element. And he has always transferred this passion very directly into his own projects. Anyone who hears "Forever Jan" knows that this fire will burn forever.

"Forever Jan" comes with 2 new tracks, classics, rarities and floor fillers.

Limited hardcover book in vinyl format incl. 2 new tracks: 5-fold vinyl (colored, 180g) and 2 CDs with glued-in 20-page booklet and signed DIN A5 photo

The long-awaited first analog release of the second album, a masterpiece released in 2012!

This ambitious album was produced and arranged by Kei Kono, a producer who has worked with Hikaru Utada and many other artists and bands, and was created with simplicity in mind.

The entire album was created from a demo of an acoustic guitar playing, and each sound was added on the spot to complete the work. The nine songs on this must-hear disc are highly acclaimed as a masterpiece, and the songs stand out for their soothing, faintly contoured vocals.