Nu-Jazz | Broken Beat Vinyl 142 Items

Steve Spacek returns to Eglo Records after making his label debut with the summer smash 'Follow Me'. The Lewisham born singer/producer continues to innovate, utilizing the latest technologly (he made these two tracks on an ipad) to push his unique London style from his new home in Sydney NSW. 'If U Wan 2 Find Me' is a celestial slice of vocal footwork/soul, with Spacek offering his own zero gravity take on the chicago sound. Bside 'Time Is Running Out' completely switches up the tempo, this stripped back techno bubbler feels like the soundtrack to a late night cruise around the red planet. Signature Spacek swing and acid bounce througout. Steve Spacek remains one of the most unique and versatile artists from the UK, born out of Londons soundsystem culture his fearless and forwarding thinking approach to music and technology has made him impossible to pigeon hole. Consistently on the cutting edge of new evolutions in sound and style.

Step Time Orchestra was the collaborative work of producers Jori Hulkkonen and Toumas Salmela, who began producing music together in the nineties whilst studying in Oulu, Finland. Whilst all their friends would be getting up early to go to university, they would only just be going to bed, having spent the night listening to house records from New York, drinking Whiskey and programming their MPC 2000!
Step Time produced a slew of tracks during this time, some of which were licensed and pressed on 12" singles during the late nineties/early noughties on labels operating in North America and Europe, but not everything they made saw the light of day. Heavily influenced by labels like Ibadan and Spiritual Life Music at the height of the New York House Scene, 'Jazz Error NYC' and '2am in Africa' were never signed, not fitting the profile of their other releases at the time, they were left in the drawer and sadly forgotten!
Skip forward to Winter 2016, and FBNM's Lorenzo, whilst over on a DJ excursion, visits Jori in Finland. Keen to keep working together, he presses him for something uniquely special. Magically, the Ajos E.P jumps out of the drawer into Hulkkonen's hand, and as it turns out, it has aged with a rather remarkable grace. Written using a combination of MPC sequencing and an Atari ST powering vanilla Cubase for some midi programming duties, it features the sounds of the Italian made Siel Opera 6, an Alesis S4 Rompler and other vintage Roland, Yamaha and Kawai Synths. They went full out on this one, even finally learning to play keys for that jazzy piano action. It was recorded live through a soundcraft analog board with outboard Fx, creating a sound that transcended it's time to feel remarkably fresh today!
The Ajos EP is named after an area in their native city of Kemi, Northern Finland, which is where they wrote and produced it in 1999.

One per customer!

POI rolls the beats..nostalgia in the house. One sided. Blink, miss, gone! TIP!

Manchester’s Walton returns to Tectonic following last year’s explorations in grime flavoured house/techno offshoots on the killer “Bulldoze EP”. This time Walton leads with a dance floor crushing anthem that cruises a cool line between grime and tribal dubstep. Featuring a looping Riko Dan sample, “Gunman” sets a stone cold tone from the offset, hi-hats setting up the groove before a grime flavoured melody cuts in preparing you for the drop. When the bass and drums come crashing in they bounce off each other to produce a disorientating tribal rhythm that will set the dance floor alight!

London-based artist, musical director and producer Amane shares ‘Moments Of Solace’ via Música Macondo. Introspective and contemplative from the outset, the 6-tracks EP meanders between the hypnotic pulse of electronic percussion, nocturnal pads evoking elated epiphanies and calming synths. Echoes that fade and return, an ecstatic wave of sound. For Amane, the music collected on ‘Moments Of Solace’ is the physical answer to a world that seems to become darker every day. A creative way out, a sonic world where ambient excursions à la Boards Of Canada coexist with thumping beats that could have rolled out of a Floating Points’ set at Plastic People. On ‘Moments Of Solace’ Amane distills ambient electronica, idm, jazz, crafting music that reflects his global pursuit - a non-stop touring creative able to soundtrack night drives on the Pacific coast highway, clubbing in London or a meditative trip on the Shinkansen.

The release comes on 180g vinyl. For the second 12” of the series we’ve enlisted two of the most on-fire producers in Germany: Max Graef and Glenn Astro, along with one of the UK’s brightest ascendant producers. Back fighting, kicking and beating as strong as or perhaps even stronger than ever before, Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti is releasing a brand new solo album next year. Now fitted with a new iron hip- thanks to the immense generosity of his fan base who crowdfunded the operation – the Azymuth drummer still remains one of the greatest and outright funkiest drummers alive anywhere in the universe as he enters this new bionic era. As people of earth are not yet quite ready to hear the explosively ethereal cosmic samba of his new album just yet, we’re easing into it with a series of appropriately propulsive percussive jazz-headed remixes. For the second 12” of the series we’ve enlisted two of the most on-fire producers in Germany: Max Graef and Glenn Astro, along with one of the UK’s brightest ascendant producers.

Fresh new Wrong Notes release with the label's head Reekee. A very tastefully release to seduce you into merriment and dance, with a house attitude and unmistakable style. For modern floors!

Combining machine-like accuracy with jazz-influenced improvisational sensibilities, Richard Spaven's
drumming has landed him gigs with vastly varied artists such as Flying Lotus, José James and
Mala, as well as recent recordings with Jordan Rakei, Alfa Mist and Sandunes. Unveiling his
forthcoming EP 'Spirit Beats', Spaven's musical talent is further demonstrated beyond his world-class
performance abilities, weaving his incredible technical skills into unique textured productions and powerful
compositions.

First single 'Hoodie Beats' begins amidst instant urgency. Atmospheric in mood, whilst relentless with its
accuracy, sub-bass locking into place with tight drums for a euphoric dance floor drop. Second single
'Nova' sees a continuation of the collaboration between Spaven and Jordan Rakei. Soul and substance
abound. Jordan delivers a delicate performance over the captivating harmony. Spaven says 'this is a
crazy beat to play. If you want to get technical - call it micro timing. If you don't - just call it hip hop'. 'Icarus
'88' brings a MC Barney Artist into the mix. Barney flows effortlessly over the micro shifted groove as
the tale unfolds. - synonymous with previous Spaven records, this ancestral drum beat of 'Spirit Beat'
soundtracks the sonic journey through this spiritual piece the harmony takes form, carrying the listener to
higher ground.

Spaven Will Release "Spirit Beats" Via Fineline Records On 25th of March 2022

PR Handled by Josh Byrne (DeepMatter, First Word, Gondwana...)

When has Tatham, Mensah,Lord & Ranks let you down?
When?
If you love boogie, funk and that good groove then the answer is never.
Yet another twelve inch proving their consistency.An obvious buy on sight release.
Includes the cover version on Grace Jones's 'Private Lives' where the quartet expand on the original for a soulful dubbed out trip plus 'Simmering' for funk bass line enthusiasts.

Produced by Kaidi Tatham,Matt Lord,Mr Mensah & dego.

Part Two of a very special Reloved installment dedicated to Alessandro Alessandroni's Tema DI Susie masterpiece. With his characteristic style, enigmatic French producer Mounika has spun Alessandroni's dreamy melody into a remix that resonates with the soul.

Cratere Centrale are back from Etna for the second chapter of the ‘Excursions’ series of 7" EPs. On the Aside "What You See", a bonus track of their first Ep called "Cratere Centrale", with the help of the beautiful, warm & deep vocals of Derane On the Bside the remix of "My Guitar" (original version included on their debut ep) by producer and musician K15 who gives us a bruk banger!

Welcome back our longtime friends on Mule Musiq.

Finland born now Berlin based producer Freestyle Man aka Sasse and no explanation needed, German house music producer Henrik Schwarz teamed up for their collaboration 12inch.

A side “Moat” feat veteran producer Jimi Tenor is elegant deep house and b side “dub 5” is German style dubby minimal House.

Hope you enjoy.

First release from Ten Lovers Music in 2023 is from Stefano De Santis with a superb 7″ featuring two tracks Barra Nova and Partido#2, Barra Nova is an up-tempo Brazilian Broken Beat Fusion piece carrying on from where his last tack on Ten Lovers Music “Song For George D.” Tlm030 left off. The AA side drops a few gears for some slow Broken Beat action with the track Partido#2 but still retaining his unmistakable sound, keeping it jazzy. Stefano is a multi instrumentalist, playing the Rhodes Piano, Moog, Prophet 5, Solina Strings Ensemble, Juno 6, Upright Piano and Percussion on both tracks. This 7″ is release 40 number on Ten Lovers Music, so this a very proud time for us to be able to put out such amazing music.

Serbia's Disco Fruit crew has been putting out lush sounds that take in funk, breaks and soul influences on top of their bread and butter disco grooves for years now. This time they welcome back a label regular, Loshmi, who has put out plenty of edits here before now. His new one 'Dark Night' is a 60s-tinged high speed spy theme with funky brass and bristling drums all overlaid with rock-styled vocal yelps. The instrumental on the flip is a more paired back but just as hustling groove.

Future Jazz Ensemble is a project from multi instrumentalist Nicola Penna. With Future Jazz Ensemble, Nicola is exploring of the intersected sonic paths of jazz, ethnic and electronic music; trying to recall the past and evoke the future. His previous two Future Jazz Ensemble releases; The Mankind's Place 12" LP and Art For Art's Sake 7" were limited runs and are now very sought after. We are very proud to have Nicola releasing music on Ten Lovers Music and look forward to future projects.

Sounds Familiar returns with the latest instalment of 7InchNails - its home-grown series of 45s, filled with unique jams from some of the most exciting producers around.

Following on from releases by Kaidi Tatham and Dego, up steps London-based DJ and producer K15 for two timeless and sophisticated pieces of future jazz. On the A side, ‘Demo Of Heart’ opens with a dazzling keyboard riff, recalling the sunset vibe of fusion giants like George Duke, Herbie Hancock or Azymuth’s Jose Roberto Bertrami, before breaking out into a syncopated, serpentine jam that feels just about ready to melt into the horizon. On the B Side, K15 brings a Latin heat to the table, with clipped and skittish percussion dancing around a set of lush chords that open into a lysergic stepper, buoyed, as the title ‘Tomorrow’s Promise’ suggests, by a sense of hope and moving on.

Marc Mac back with another high grade Bruk, Electro Boogie monster. This is the fourth and final piece of the series. From Africa to Jamaica, Brazil and now Japan Marc Mac has explored the international fusion and cultures that has been an influence on his style of Broken Beat. The four track EP is under-pinned with Jazz/Funkiness and a hint of Jungle in the subs can be felt on "Kambei". 'Yasuke Soul" and "Tokyo Nightlife" feel like a head nod to Ryuichi and Akiko, so buckle up and get ready for a Journey eastbound. Brilliant cover art is supplied by Mitchy Bwoy.
arigatō

Tawoyame Orquesta celebrates their 15th Anniversary with new 7inch release from their new project! The guest remixer features Takeshi Nakatsuka. The band's signature song "Suteki na Ongaku", which was included on their first album, is newly sung by the leader Tomoko Okamura on the original track from 10 years ago!! The flip side features a remix track for the first time. "odo Latin" from the latest full-length album, "Shukuen Fifteen" (urdc82) is remixed by Takeshi Nakatsuka, a wizard of live sound. The remix is a swingin' and breakin' floor-ready tune!!

In 2002, New York producer Ursula 1000 released his groundbreaking, genre-busting album Kinda' Kinky, meshing groovy retro sampladelic licks with modern breaks and beats. For its 20th anniversary this year, Ursula revisits the 60's swinging London mod shaking title track with his own 2022 redux. UK breakbeat master A.Skillz remixes the flipside into a relentless, giggling funky disco monster! The cover design is by world renowned space-age bachelor pad artist Shag.

Initially planned as a trilogy, given the success of this project, the series of 12” EPs featuring reinterpretations of tracks from the album “People Need People” - the brilliant work by Nicola Conte and Gianluca Petrella released in 2021 - closes with this fourth chapter, with the excellent contribution of Fred P. and his Interpretations. Artist, DJ, Producer, Remixer and A/V Designer - born in New York and now living in Berlin - Fred P. has encompassed what it truly means to be an artist in the 21st century. With a discography growing exponentially year after year, he continues to push forward in his sound and his mind. These two new interpretations of his constitute a little jewel in which Fred P. offers us a skilful blend where afro, jazz and house music create a cosmic spiritual journey at times nocturnal, suitable for the most sophisticated dance floors - in both cases with different rhythmic patterns, broken-afro for “African Spirits” and cosmic-house for “Tribes”, Fred creates here an open space, deep and simply at the centre of the music!

The ever masterful London based DJ/Producer Shy One is back with a new 5 track EP titled From The Floor To The Booth. Following on from the fuzzy, acidic haze of the vinyl only Crumb Trail 7 inch the new EP encompasses futher rich and eclectic sounds of Shy's musical heritage, London leaning from Broken Beat to Soul, Garage to Grime. The record journeys through and abstracts a variety of styles, tipping its cap to the archtectics of Londons musical underground from Soul II Soul and 4Hero to Loose Ends and Roll Deep. A notion every bit apparent in Shy's eclectic bass heavy, hi-energy club selections. The record is Shy One's most in-depth and ambitious release to date. The artwork is created by Herald Essuman of Artbox London. An incredible London based charity that supports artists with Autism and learning disabilities.

For a prolific artist as Gerardo Frisina, almost two years without a new release from him seems like an eternity: this brand new 12" EP entitled 'Soul Drum' breaks the silence, giving us three new works composed by Gerardo, made up of four recordings if we consider the two versions of the title track.

This EP anticipates the full album already in the works, scheduled for release at the end of 2022.

Without losing his Latin trademark, Gerardo continues his research into hypnotic and pulsating rhythmic patterns in both acoustic and electronic form, which are now a fundamental stylistic element of his. As on his previous album 'Moving Ahead', the rhythmic style blends naturally with echoes of tribal voices, piano keys and wind instruments (trumpet, saxophone, flute), creating the 'Joyful Sound' (title of the forthcoming album) that reverberates on the surface. With an artist as meticulous as Gerardo Frisina, it is to be expected that even the simplest beat has been deeply thought out and chosen from a potentially infinite sound palette, and this can be heard perfectly in the depth of sound of the four tracks of this release. "Soul Drum" is dedicated to the loving memory of bassist Enzo Frassi, who contributed to this EP - along with 'usual guests' Fabrizio Bernasconi, Gendrickson Mena, Alfonso Deidda and Ernesto Lopez.

"Resonance" is the latest offering from K15, arriving on 2000Black. Resonance opens with a meditative chord arrangement that gets subtly layered with percussion and programmed drums, creating a song of depth and richness.Within Reach is the most playful track on the record. An uptempo ride, filled with class and flair and demonstrates K15's evolution of ambition and composition. The EP closes with the militant groove that is Resistance. The heavy bass, the wall of synths and the floating shakers create a track pulsing with life. "Resonance" is filled with life and rhythm, making it a fitting addition to the 2000Black catalogue.

Yellow Jackets number 6 pushes things forward with two exceptional pieces by Byron The Aquarius and Deenamic. The modern jazz funk of the american keyboard wizard meets the relentless electronic futuristic programming of the elusive Deenamic! Like Yin and Yang meeting this release fuses the best of both worlds, keeping Yellow Jackets’ now notorious boundaries pushing edge on a phat loud vinyl, only 12’ inch!

Running Back regular Feater aka Daniel Meuzard puts his newly-transplanted studio through its paces for the first time since relocating from Vienna, swapping out the bustle of the city for the fresh mountain breeze of the West Alps. The Positive People EP proves that a change is as good as a rest, as the wide open nature not only had some rejuvenating effects on the creative process - it also gave Feater some room in his head to ponder questions about nature, nurture, and whether our inner morality is externally programmed. The taut jazz funk of opening track Coding springs into action like the montage music of a lost ‘70s TV show, while the title track Positive People plays on the ambiguity of its title, with cascading synth notes, tastefully dubby 303 stabs, and an afro-cuban drum figure that forms the foundation for a spaced-out dancefloor workout. It's a combo of tracks that should appeal to chat room moderators and serotonin programmers alike. Expensive Zeit kicks off sounding like grime maverick XTC had been brought up on Murder Capital electro rather than East London garage - before it morphs into a bumpin electrofunk and percussion session, with its sights set firmly on an aquatic worm hole. The EP rounds out with Decline All Cookies, which breaks out of a flanged-out half-time drum 'n' effects intro to reveal a lush chord progression, flipping a soul jazz piano mood into a trippy slice of modern instrumental funk. Can man be the master of his own destiny? It seems with this change of location and musical direction, Feater might just have figured out the answer.

Fresh off the back of his highly acclaimed debut album on Astral Black, Footshooter returns to the WOLF Music pack following his ethereal remix of Velour last year, with an exquisite six track journey through his signature sound.

An amalgamation of genres, ideas and vibes blend seamlessly together throughout the record, showing a wealth of knowledge, alongside a production prowess to match. From the cinematic opener 'Welcome In' to the soulful, synth-laden broken beat of ‘Turning’ and 'Archetype 7' on the A side. Samples dance next to magical playing and programming, with hats tipped to legends of yester year whilst keeping things completely fresh at the same time.

Flip it for the B, where UK Funky feels mix with bumping house for the fresh to death, dress to impress 'Dojo'. Footshooter then dips the lights down low and and slows the tempo with the beatsy, piano shimmering brilliance of 'Angel(s)' and the eyes closed, soul healing sounds of 'Hold On'.

Six shots, no misses, Footshooter gets deep into the heart of what’s bubbling in London town right now.

EDB’s follow up of his 2021 debut ‘True Stories’ is finally here, and shows once again his skills for all things funky, quircky and some basslines to die for! There is a whole range of vibes here from the astro funk of the aptly titled ‘Progressions’ to the Detroit echoes of ‘Not A Choice’, the modern twists of ‘Nothing is Wasted’ till the beatless opus ‘Masquerade’. But make sure not to miss this special collaboration with Kemetic Just’s own Just One on the anthemic ‘The Rhythm Got Me Way Up’. ‘The Long Way Up’ its another testament of EDB’s never stopping brilliance!

The fourth instalment of Best Of Various sees Marcello Cassanelli join the TLM family with Fantasia. Marcello is joined by Blake Franchetto on Bass, Giulia Barozzi on Vocals and Antonio Rapa on Drums. Next up is good friend of the label Zarenzeit with Deep Work featuring Roger Versey on vocals, a very deep track for the dancefloor. Onto the AA side and another new member to the TLM family, Stefano De Santis has some broken beat action for us with his tribute to his hero George Duke. Future Jazz Ensemble are back on TLM after their Rough Time EP earlier this year with a track called Freeway, it's a sample of what to expect from their forthcoming TLM album early next year. FJE are now a three piece with Guido Tabone on Saxophone and Michele Macchi on Percussion, the sound of FJE is ever evolving with more members joining the Ensemble for the album. Final track is from the unreleased vaults at TLM, Caruso with Vestimenta, originally recorded in 2015 and restored by Jose Rico.

Kaidi Tatham returns to 2000black with R&B and boogie offeringsin his own distinct style.'Galaxy' features Lola who soulfully sings about escapism and hope through the stars.'A Message From Above' sounds like the gods themselves have passed on a messageto Mr Tatham to tell us all. Take heed to the sound of jazz boogie via Jamaica.The Ep is signed off with 'Ergonomic Structures' the sound of a hip hop 2 step tune that we all wish existed in '87 (soundman know wha we a chat)

To celebrate the 3 years anniversary of Mother Tongue and remind us all the sheer quality of the Madre Lingua album project from last year, MT’s own Patrick Gibin curated this special remix double A-sider! Patrick himself teamed up once again with Kaidi Tatham to refreak the EDB & Gary Superfly collaboration ‘Pressure’….the result is pure nasty and rude house vibes aimed at the dancefloor! On the flipside Mark De Clive Lowe gave a spacey and beatless twist to the electronic opus ‘Apollo 3000’ [another big favourite from Madre Lingua] moving things into more abstract territories! The best of both worlds on a single phat 12 inch!

Retromigration returns to Ravanelli Disco Club with a brand new broken beat chanelling track 'Jeffa'. None other than Ron Basejam steps up on remix duties in signature disco don style. He didn’t come alone though, bringing his friends Nephews to the dance on the B side who deliver sunset house grooves in the form of 'Reingelaxed'. To complete the EP Jkriv remixes 'Reingelaxed' into a synth swirling Balearic gem.

The one and only MdCL - Mark de Clive-Lowe - is back with a batch of Midnight Snacks fresh out the oven. The third installment in his series of instrumental broken beat, jazz-fused tastiness features four new tracks of Mashibeats dancefloor goodness. "Musashi 2474” kicks us off with the bruk grooves, imagining a sci-fi future where the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi travels the spaceways. “Journeyman” follows, taking us into downtempo, head-nod, boom bap territory built around an MdCL piano sample. The EP’s flipside starts with “Third Plane” - a soulful broken beat jam, twisting and turning through a synth and keys drenched soundscape. We close out this snacks session with “Orbits” - a jazzy house inspired roller to take us home...

2000black returns with two slices of ’23 grooves.’Soursop-Mango’ is afro beat house funkified the mr ranks & mr mensah way. Whilst ‘Straight Forward Side Steps’ is the minimal techno runnings that dj’s love to ride in the mix.

Earth Is Not For Humans' is the funk definition of its not a God given right! The interstellar groove brings the outer world timing to the third planet. Be warned humans you are merely temporary visitors on the miraculous terraferma. What can be deemed more different than 'Uniquely Fresh' a jazz fusion boogie combination set in the year 2055. Lastly Shokazulu warms us down with Seeing Is Believing. Only Shokazulu Will Protect You.

A few copies arrived with a damaged Cover. We're therefore selling it on a reduced price.

„One day I was on a visit sitting in his kitchen and when we decided to change to the sofa in the music room, his girlfriend proposed to listen to these old recordings, as maybe I would be weird enough to like them. „Recorded in my homestudio, low budget style with a cheap microphone, a sampler, drum machines, vinyl and a few borrowed synths. … A commitment to the funk, a raw analogue sound and also a dedication to black music and its architects.“ the artist comments on it. I immediately dug the rather short demos a lot. As I had to swallow the information that there never were real plans to release them, I later decided on the bus home, I just had to puke out a „label“. Soon I asked him to extend some of the songs and let me do some mixing and here is the album.“ Cid Hohner

An entire long-player on hair, representing the complete Illwig catalogue. Beautifully raw electronic funk. Obscure, bouncy and atmospheric. Right. This is F.B.Illwig with the first official release on Moonwalk X Records after a singlesided promo 12“ sporting the extended version of „Why Do My Hair“.

Robert Matos returns to Ocha with an Afro-jazz house burner feat. the voice of Deep House legend RON Trent reminding us that House Music needs soul. Afro House phenom Carlos Mena drives the message home with his club worthy remix, while Coflo delivers signature percussive deepness with his remix. Tracklisting:

Soulful, jazz-infused broken beats from Berlin! Incredibly talented jazz pianist and producer Yoofee debuts on Casa Voyager! A must-have for both: sensitive souls and sophisticated groove lovers. Tested and approved.

Following a collaborative release on Sherelle and Naina's Hooversound Recordings and EPs on Sneaker Social Club, Wncl Recordings and his own Club Glow (ran alongside Denham Audio, LMajor and Borai), contemporary UK breaksmith Mani Festo readies four typically lairy cuts of gun-finger, rush-in-the-rave energy.

Mani Festo has become something of a breakbeat assassin in recent years with a deserved spotlight being shone on the producer as one of the brightest artists to emerge from within the dark 'n' dutty UK breaks and electro scene. What you see is what you get from Mani Festo; what you're getting is a screwface and a smacked jaw.

'Leviathan' kicks things off with its stripped-back, grime-like textures - distorted kicks, frantic claps and growls from the belly of the beast blend on a minimal-breaks sequence that packs quite a punch despite its uncluttered soundwaves. 'Tethys' follows in a similar vein; distorted screams come from a brass-creature deep in the darkness, scattered percussion and step-tipped production blur the lines between garage, breaks and electro.

Large wubs and basslines guide the listener front left (just make sure you've got your protective earplugs in!) on 'Night Drive' before 'With U' strays down an emotional and introspective route with its otherworldly atmospherics, jungle tones and contemplative stillness - a creative combining of both heaven and hell.

This record is a soundtrack for imaginary movies, private documentaries and unreleased TV-series. Let yourself go and unleash your fantasies. Someone calls it library music

The third release in the series of 12” EPs featuring reinterpretations of tracks from the album “People Need People” - the brilliant album by Nicola Conte and Gianluca Petrella released in 2021 - features the excellent collaboration of two American artists from the Detroit scene Tall Black Guy and Andrès. Terrel Wallace AKA Tall Black Guy, raised on bread, Motown, jazz and early hip hop... he has become a standard bearer of the current hip hop beat scene. With a steady stream of sample-filled productions and clever flips, he has won fans all over the world. His production skills are showcased in his own rendition of “Nigeria”, where he calls on Broken Keys AKA Tommy Sheridan DJ, producer, vocalist and multi-Instrumentalist from Cleveland, Ohio. On side AA instead, DJ Andrés, now a revered figure of the Detroit scene praised by the eclectic Moodyman and Carl Graig among others, delivers a house version of “African Tribes” worthy of the most important dancefloors, in which he mixes soul-jazz parts with fragments of vocal samples and spoken words, all sublimated into a musical mixture with a strong deep house impact, with rhythm and mood typical of the black culture. Originally conceived as a trilogy, this successful reworking series will eventually embrace a further fourth chapter including two new Fred P. interpretations of the tracks “African Spirits” and “Tribes

Pique-nique Recordings is proud to present People’s Dream, the latest solo release from NYC-based vibraphonist and electronic producer Will Shore. Inspired by Francis Bebey and Don Cherry’s electronic music from the 70s and 80s, People’s Dream draws heavily from modal jazz, minimalism, and dance music. It blends tightly composed percussive phrases with freely moving melodic improvisations that feel as much at home in a DIY loft space as they do on a custom-built sound system at Nowadays. Shore says: “The vibraphone is the thing that I know best, but I’ve always found the instrument quite limited. Its pure bell-like tone can seem too pretty to evoke a wide range of feelings. I normally find ways to obscure that pure sound: I distort it, pitch it down, or layer rougher textures over it. But for People’s Dream and Lucid, instead of obscuring the sound quality, I decided to embrace it. I used the vibraphone for not only melodic parts but also as a driving rhythmic element. I let the entrances and exits of melodies appear and disappear in a dream-like way, and added electronics and percussion as texture, to create a more cinematic atmosphere.” On the B-side, UK producer and label-head Tom Blip (Blip Discs) flips Lucid into a driving, bass-oriented club track, fit for vibrant dancefloors this summer. On the back of successful collaborations with East African artists Swordman Kitala and Mubashira Mataali Group, Blip unleashes a trademark peak-time drum track designed to elude any dream-like state.

This is the second in the 12” EP releases series featuring reinterpretations of tracks taken from the People Need People album, Nicola Conte & Gianluca Petrella’s brilliant collaborative jazz dance album released in 2021. After Joe Claussell’s fantastic work on “Inner Light” on the previous 12”, the same song gets here a further interpretation by the great Anthony Nicholson, one of the most respected producers and key characters in the tribal / afrocentric house scene, with more than 30 years of experience in the field. We also asked DJ Spinna to put his artistry on “New World Shuffle” and the result is uplifting: Bridgette Amofah’s original vocals shine over a sunny house groove full of keys and moog lushy layers, in a distinctive ‘Spinna feel’. Yet another meaningful perspective on the “People Need People” original release, which will soon receive another significant treatment by none less than Tall Black Guy, Andrés and Fred P! Stay tuned!

Mad genius and longtime member of Urban Tribe, Kemetrix unleashes eight tracks of pure, raw, anthemic, futuristic techno from the streets of Detroit. A clinic in the sacred and profane, the horror and the beauty, that can only be brought to you by someone that has truly lived it.

Meeting Point bring us four slices of moody but musical experiments from the point at which broken beat and bass culture meet. The slow motion of skeletal skank of 'Brass Beat' shows that the duo are capable of tempting plenty of character out of their machines, while 'Morning Air', with its highly pitched synth glories and stop start drums, also show they're not in the least bit bothered about fitting into existing genre frameworks. Fascinating stuff.

The Mechanical Man is something of a hero amongst deep house heads, so US label Selections are rightly buzzed to have him on board. He opens up with a lively broken beat number lavished with a superb r&b vocal sample and sunny chords on 'Be Down.' He sinks into a more cuddly and smoky house groove on 'Let It Ride' and allows the pensive leads to take over as you head through the stars. 'The Night In The North Area' has a fresh bassline darting about underneath muted chords that bring a Detroit feel. Last of all is the soulful joy of 'You Know It's True', another one with a classic sample smartly worked into a scuffed-up deep house shuffle.

A little masterpiece brimming with exoticism, whimsicality and psychedelia, presented here in two different versions recorded by Enzo Minuti and his group in 1981 – an afro-dub one propelled by sax, synths, percussion and weirdly processed choir vocals (side A), and a tropical-downtempo mix with claves and flute exuding Caribbean/cinematic vibes (side B). Both perfect for a sunset DJ set.

Artwork insert, in PVC outer sleeve.

Awanto3 (also known for his work with Aardvarck and Kid Sublime on Rednose Distrikt) returns to Rush Hour with "Party" Volume 1. Moody and rolling MPC work outs with live accompaniment from a solid cast (Jos De Haas (New Cool Collective) on percussion and Stefan Schmid (Zuco 103) on keys). Broken Beat heads look out .... this really smacks. TIP!

Backstory: Party was born in a small village located in Wallonia during a period of house-sitting for a family on holiday. Initially my mother was asked to take care of the chickens, goat, dog and donkey but eventually I decided to take care of them to relieve my mother. This week turned out to be a small nightmare, because I think the house was being possessed by a spirit that I had to deal with night and day. The vibe of the house was so grimy, due to the fact that there were calendars with all kinds of weapons and dark oak furniture, interspersed with a huge flatscreen and blinds at the ready to be rolled out when the sun started to go down (by request of the paranoid owner). This setting affected my sketches; a dark side that was looking for contra light weight. After I took care of the animals, I had an energy to escape to my MPC to make the basis for a possible new album. When I got back in Amsterdam, I started to work out some of the sketches I’ve made in the ghost house together with Stefan and Jos in Studio K at Sloterdijk.

Gilles Peterson : "Love this!"

Californian funk collective Banda Maje put their spin on “Wait For Me”, a disco-funk track by Canadian multi-instrumentalist Franky Selector. The full, vocal version of the re-edit, on side A, sees Franky Selector himself sing in perfect Neapolitan amidst irresistible backing vocals, while the instrumental version is provided on side B. Both versions brim with joy, funk, and Salifornian energy, bringing Italy and Canada closer than ever. Infectious groove has no boundaries.

Butterflies go through a four-staged life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa (chrysalis) and then adult as a butterfly. The transformation from caterpillar to butterfly happens in the chrysalis where the caterpillar body dies to give life to a new, beautifully winged body. This album is an ideal soundtrack to this amazing phenomena, a representation to inner transformation and deep evolution.

Here comes the 2nd release on our imprint from the classy duo, this time on vinyl. The Robinson continue their personal voyage into the shades of house never forgetting their roots deeply linked to the second wave of Chicago House and the distinctive sound of Italo House. This new effort consists in two tracks per side: two original cuts and in as many powerful remixes by the U.S. legends of the game Fred P and Trinidadian Deep.

Taste Rec. keeps the pressure high with an EP that unleash pulsating beats and groovy bass lines merged perfectly with soulful melodies, tribal percussions and a special Kora solo recorded live. Dreamy atmospheres alongside a four to the floor rhythms is the philosophy we chase and we prove it still delivering a record suitable both for clubs or private underground events.

Pioneering new music from members of the iconic and legendary funk band Parliament Funkadelic. Detroit Rising is an exciting artist collective created by 10 groove masters including the current and original members of P-funk, Prince, Public Enemy and Mary J Blige. Taking a break from relentless touring, the musicians step out in a whole new direction, creating a hybrid sound of funk-jazz with injections of soul and hip hop. The album, “A Cosmic Jazz Funk Adventure” was recorded live at the world famous Motown affiliated United Sound Studios in Detroit and studios in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Baltimore and Florida. For this remix release a handpicked selection of some of the top DJ producers in the UK have been brought together to create a soulful house and nu-jazz hybrid record: Jimpster, Kaidi Tatham, Sean McCabe with Z records (Dave Lee) and Evm128 – with mastering by UK wizard AtJazz. First up, Jimpster remixes the Detroit Rising space opera, ‘Rocket Love’ – showcasing two funk-fused house tracks with guitar licks from Duminie Deporres (Public Enemy) and bass lines courtesy of Kern Brantley (Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin). The vocal remix is expertly laced with parts of the original P-funk instrumental and hip-hop vocals, with the dreamy Dub version letting that infectious hook and melody hit hard. Next up, Sean McCabe was brought in by Dave Lee of Z records to remix the original Detroit hit ‘Little Bit of Love’ into a fast-paced dance heater. King of the keys Kaidi Tatham is then welcomed to remix two different Detroit Rising tracks, creating a double dose of signature, broken beat infused cuts. ‘Our World’ stars P-funk vocalist and keyboard wizard Danny Bedrosian, alongside granddaughter of George Clinton, Tonysha Nelson. The emotive, soulful broken brilliance of ‘Peace & Harmony’ also gets the Kaidi treatment starring Sue Ann Carwell and Steve Boyd, vocalists for Prince and Kool & The Gang respectively. Evm128 of Coop rounds off the package presenting a fast futuristic Bruk beat from the romantic Detroit Rising song called ‘Gorgeous’.

Afrotronic is the new album by legendary Dutch dance pioneer and producer Eddy de Clercq, inspired by African rhythms and atmospheres.

All songs on the Afrotronic album are influenced by music from Southern to North Africa. Largely recorded in South Africa, not only electronically but also with an instrumentation of typical African instruments played live, such as the mbira (kalimba) and traditional drums and percussion. Exotic instruments adding a fresh characteristic sound to the music, not programmed via any existing electronic soundbank.

The plaintive vocals of a muezzin on 'Ibrahim' and the melody of 'Topaz' are unmistakably North African. The funky dance track 'Miss Ghana (Afro Baby)' is sung by the Ghanaian singer Consular. Although not typically African in origin, the didgeridoo, perhaps the oldest wind instrument on earth, plays the leading role in the North African-inspired instrumental 'A Track Called Africa'.

Inspired by his travels through South Africa and his love for the African languages of that country, Eddy wrote texts that he had translated into Xhosa. 'Coral Reef' was the first song recorded with South African singers Yemu Matibe and Alungile Sixishe, supplemented with classical arrangements for cello and piano. The original English text describes the loss of coral reefs worldwide due to climate change.

Afrotronic has ultimately become an adventurous, electronic, jazzy album, in which influences can be heard from Afro-pop, Dub Step, Deep House and South African Amapiano.

Gayance joins forces with Rhythm Section for her debut album ‘Mascarade’ - a swaying dance that moves between poetic, soulful odes to the past, accounts of the Afro-diasporic feminine experience and playfully energetic dance floor grooves.

Mascarade is a collection of dancey, broken rhythms, interwoven with heartfelt stories and bright, unapologetic outpours of joy. In her own words, “It's the story of my 20's. I wanted to pay homage to this kid everybody knew, but not deeply. It's about taking back a power that is mine and was always in my hands...It's about making peace with the past and moving forward”.

Gayance (real name Aïsha Vertus) takes her alias from the Haitian creole word for joyfulness.Based in Amsterdam, born and raised in Montreal-Nord, she started as a DJ in 2013, and has toured the world with shows in Paris, Brooklyn, Marrakech, Berlin, Sao Paulo and more, bringing electrifying and contagious energy wherever she goes.

Her own production is influenced by underground UKG and the respective house scenes of Detroit and New York, with nods to the vivid, sun-soaked colours of Latin America. Shades of blues, jazz and gospel can also be heard in her newest project, pulling together styles from each corner of the world. Following her catalog of entirely self-released projects, Gayance announces her full-length debut album on Rhythm Section, bringing some fellow Montrealers along for the ride.

This winter, Detroit techno pioneers Octave One re-establish their introspective side-project Never On Sunday with a fantastic new double EP, Contemplate. It follows some taster remixes earlier in the year and shows another super side to the brothers’ famous sound. The Burden Brothers have been as busy as ever in 2021 with a third volume in their Locus of Control series, some new reworks and first Never On Sunday tracks since the 90s.

It is a project reserved for more pensive atmospheres and deeper grooves, so naturally came back to the fore during the quiet months spent at home during the pandemic. Although the iconic Octave One live act is back on the road, the pair have also found time to craft this first full Never On Sunday release in 30 years. ‘The Bearer’ (main mix) opens up in beautifully melancholic fashion. A wistful lead synth hangs in the air while a crisp breakbeat powers the groove along, but it’s Karina Mia’s stunning and tender vocal that really tugs at the heat. She again lights up the tumbling breakbeats of ‘Contemplate’ (main mix), her aching voice providing the centre point amongst the cosmic melody all around. Closing out the Side A, ‘Enterstella’ is an intriguing three minute ambient piece with gurgling machines and slithering synths taking you deep into another world. The fantastic ‘Price We Pay’ (main mix) is another celestial excursion with bright, lush cosmic twinkles and Mia’s heartfelt voice soothing your soul. The broad bass adds real weight then ‘A Moment of Truth’ slows things down to an absorbing and atmospheric pace. Majestic string sounds, astral lights and a gentle breakbeat sink you into a pensive headspace, then closer ‘Metal Forest’ leaves your brain feeling cleaned with its watery sound effects, glass tinkles and heavenly atmosphere punctured only occasionally by big, sonorous bell hitsThis cinematic EP proves that Never On Sunday is a perfectly thoughtful yin to the more energetic techno yang of Octave One.

Okayama Japan based artist Daisuke Kondo serves up a hearty dose of Detroit inspired soulful house, with a dash of jazzy broken beat on this 4 tracker from Chicago's Jitney Music. This 12" aims straight at the hearts and souls of fans of labels like Sound Signature as well as artists like Dego.

Sohan Wilson is a young composer and arranger keyboard player from Switzerland. Half of duo Keys of Lynx, Sohan sent us his album almost 2 years ago and we were totally impressed with the quality and the soulful vibe. He asked us if we were interested in releasing it and we said yes.

For this first album the inspiration came from the 70’s and the 80’s with a touch of contemporary soul and jazz. The A side holds 4 tracks entirely recorded with musicians for a total acoustic and organic experience like « in the old days « while the B side is made with Beats and a more electronic soulful approach. This album tells a story, almost like a movie and thats why its a complete album to listen from beginning to end and enjoy the full experience of Sohan Wilson first solo Long player. Featuring the amazing voices from Dwight Trible and Brian Owens this album sounds already like a future classic that you want a listen over and over again.

The first Italian adaptation of famous Brazilian song “Olhos Coloridos”, this new single by singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Chiara Civello is an irresistible eighties-inspired boogie-funk track that celebrates diversity and inclusion. The 3 remixes by eclectic Neapolitan DJ/producer Whodamanny add groovy and tribal influences to the mix and further enhance the track’s dancefloor potential.

Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson return to the Go Deep label for their third album, ‘This Bit of Earth’. Beginning work in the relative normality of 2019 and finishing over the strange summer of 2020, the resulting music mirrors the thoughts that such upheaval brings out - our world and our place in it - while also functioning as a kind of travelogue of journeys past and planned, real and imaginary.

Mixing samples with modular synths, programmed drums with jazz loops, and quirky plugins with outboard gear, the album ranges far and wide while retaining a warm, natural core sound.

The title track opens proceedings on an ambiguous note. A simple double bass motif weaves around a misheard vocal sample, layers of piano and vibraphone take up the call, and the whole thing gradually spins off axis to a distorted, disjointed finish. ‘Suburban Key’ follows on a groove of busy drum work and deep sub bass, the stately piano and strings setting the stage for an undulating synth solo.

Further in, ‘Alice on Jupiter’ takes a deep breath and blends field recordings, gently swelling pads, modular bursts and a recurring picked melody.

‘Back Trace Dub’ strolls the imagined streets of Irish author Kevin Barry’s ‘City of Bohane’, noting the “taint of badness” in the air and revelling in the tense, dub-noir atmosphere. Later on, the spoken word intro of ‘I Could See’ expresses the dread of confinement and the relief and ecstasy of release, a theme the music reflects as it steadily builds to a joyful climax.

And closing the album on an optimistic note, the languid, emotional Culatra Ferry remembers better, beautiful days in the sun and looks hopefully forward to more.

Inspired by mankind’s greatest adventure -- the Moon landing and, before that, the space race between the US and Ussr -- the LEM Tales project sees beat-maker and bass player Moonbrew join forces with organist and keyboardist Paolo Apollo Negri to create a sonic universe where hip hop meets funk, pop merges with jazz, old school interacts with new possibilities, and urban and space

Journeyman, DJ, radio presenter, beat raconteur – it’s been hard to keep up with all of iZem‘s movements lately. The innovative Lisbon-based French producer has been hard at work on his debut LP Hafa, exploring the sounds of Latin America and North Africa in a vivid analogue-digital, genre-defying soundscape that is sure to leave your head spinning. Inspired by cultural greats like Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles, Tahar Ben Jelloun and Matisse, iZem spent time soaking up the atmosphere at the inspiring Café Hafa, an idyllic cliff-pop joint overlooking the strait of Gibraltar, in Tangier, Morocco, which has formed a golden backdrop to his debut LP. Brimming with soulful exoticism, personal narratives and adventurous collaborators, Hafa has been an experiment in taking on the afro-centric sounds of his journey to-date by incorporating modern, introspective songwriting and hybrid beats.
Often writing music whilst crossing continents, the only place iZem allows dust to settle is in the heart, heat and rhythms of his local-global future sounds. A decade of nomadism between Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Ireland and Portugal made way for a series of critically acclaimed EP’s and remixes for Soundway, GAMM, Far Out, Agogo, ZZK records, Wah Wah 45s, and Mais Um Discos. Arrival on the global, forward-thinking, artistically leftfield scene was predicted by Gilles Peterson, XLR8R, Okay Player and fellow tropical hed Quantic. iZem is an acronym for “In Ze Early Morning” and his debut album “Hafa” evokes new days dawning in far-off lands and stirring horizons of the present. So if you aren’t hearing iZem’s pastiche of future tropical rhythms and organic grooves on stations such as BBC, KCRW or Funkhaus Europa, then make sure you you catch him raising the dance floor temperature on one continent or another.

Ladi6 is a singer with soul. A singer with a hip-hop background and masses of pop-appeal. A singer who first gained attention through her features with the legendary New Zealand export-band Fat Freddy's Drop, but who has also performed alongside such diverse artists as Gil Scott-Heron, Mayer Hawthorne and Mos Def. In short: A singer whose eyes have seen much and whose style is not governed by rules. As if that wasn't enough, her enormous charisma enables her to win her audience over within minutes with full support of her band of Parks and Julien Dyne (BBE).
The 30-year old has always endeavored to use music to tear down barriers and dissolve purported genre-boundaries. With her previous album, "Time Is Not Much" (BBE) which was produced by Parks and Mu (Fat Freddy's Drop), Ladi6 has already taken a perfect shot at her goal, which, combined with the interplay between the many diverse elements of the music, has a highly impressive effect. "The Liberation Of…" has already top the New Zealand independent charts for consecutive weeks and her single "Like Water" is the #1 independent New Zealand song on radio.

Ladi6, a New Zealander of Samoan origin, feels a deep connection to her homeland. And her homeland has suffered some tragic events in recent years: One and a half years ago, the South Sea paradise of Samoa was stuck by a Tsunami. Ladi6, whose real name is Karoline Tamati, was present when the wave of destruction arrived. A few weeks ago an earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, devastated the New Zealand city of Christchurch - the town in which her family lives. Again, Karoline bore witness to a natural catastrophe inflicting deep wounds on the soul of a population.

All the more surprising then, that 'The Liberation Of…' doesn't for one moment sound burdened or melancholy. Quite the contrary, in fact: It is an easygoing, feel-good album. The title of the record, however, suggests both the aim of the songs and the result, which their creation has achieved. For the album is exactly that, which its title suggests: Liberation.

The train hurtled forward, rocking side to side as field after field rushed by under an unmoving sky. Her gaze was transfixed on the blurred landscape that passed her by. Behind her, she had left a city with lifelong memories, and as her mind cast back to thoughts of home, a salty tear welled in her eye. It did not fall. She yearned to go back, but her heart knew that this would never again be possible. Inhaling, she held her breath for a moment, almost unexpectedly. A nostalgia was within her, but she knew she must continue, direct her own life and maintain this motion before it dwindled into inertia. She exhaled and the tear rolled down. Looking out toward the horizon she dabbed her cheek, then gently sat upright. Her journey was only just beginning.

Tübingen born, then Frankfurt raised Berlin artist - Johannes Klingebiel, unleashes a potent and untiringly emotive work for the fourth imprint on Amsterdam’s Bloomer Records. A man of many disciplines, he combines his background in jazz drumming with an insatiable appetite for all varieties of electronic music.

Beginning with fond nostalgia that is juxtaposed by the driving motion of organic breakbeats, one is immediately engulfed. Rich synth leads play on minor chord variations to begin and work towards complex and richly cinematic compositions. After the first four tracks, ‘Break Something’ stutters in with a club-ready feel. Capable of both at-home and party environments, this thought-provoking release cannot be boxed into clear-cut categories.

Johannes Klingebiel uses delicate percussion skills to speak to his electronic orchestra. His lust for crisp, clean breaks results in an often inexorable motion that punctuates pensive chords and crescendos. Beginning with breakbeat variations the release ebbs towards half-time drum structures, IDM and experimental expressions later on. Among these quirky and often nostalgic gems, one can find a few driving and noticeably danceable numbers, offering glimpse of familiarity amidst emotive and inquisitive soundscapes.

Bloodsport is the nine track debut from K-6000. From the first to last thud, Bloodsport is a sample-soaked miasma of sonic mutations that moves the listener from head-shaking bewilderment to head nods of agreement at a moment's notice. Not much is known about K-6000. Based on this initial offering it is evident that the orbit of this group is broad.

Heralding the release of Memoirs of Hi-Tech Jazz, the forthcoming album by Detroit-born-and-based artist, Waajeed, the 12” features further examinations of the track’s motifs by the vaunted Detroit collective, Underground Resistance, Zambian producer SHE Spells Doom, and a special reimagining by Waajeed himself featuring live drums.

Alongside the LP version the three remixes further explore the links between Techno and Jazz, styles both founded on African traditions that make commentary on the present but are always oriented to potential hereafter.

On the People Mover Remix, Waajeed enlists the talents of Zo!, Tall Black Guy, Michele Manzo, and more to explore one extreme of the track’s musical heritage. Syncopated drums, driven by a full and bright snare drum, firmly place this version in the sphere of contemporary Jazz emanating from Detroit and cities across the US.

Coming from an album inspired by revolutionary efforts against oppression in Detroit and in Black locales around the world it is entirely fitting that Underground Resistance should provide their take on Motor City Madness. UR’s Mike Banks follows the lead of the original’s melange of genres. By thickening the bassline, peppering the mix with extra brass from the Mad Brass Horn Section, and adding strings courtesy of Six Mile Strings, UR further explore the dynamic intersection of music, history, and geography.

SHE Spells Doom closes the remix package with his second release on Tresor after his contribution to 2021’s Tresor30 compilation. The Zambian artist trims Motor City Madness down to the bones of the brass section and infuses them with a gqom beat, simultaneously referring to Jazz and Techno’s deepest roots in Africa, as well as suggesting where they might be headed in the future.

UCC Harlo and NY Graffiti team up for the second release on Peace Anthem Records. Alternating between bleary-eyed impressions and tightly articulated expression the artists forge a path laden with plangent sound, muted color, and circular forms. Ketamine-paced grooves, baroque miniatures, hazy-humid sonics, and dub inflections populate this domain. Each delivers one original and a remix of the other’s track.

Legendary bassist known for his work with Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, Soul II Soul and currently with Grace Jones. Soulful funky grooves with a PRINCE-like feel. 3 tracks: "robotronics", "freedom", and "falling". With Keziah Hodgson, Cleveland Watkiss, Dessy DI Lauro. 1-sided, pic sleeve.

Hand numbered, coming in a white flap envelope with info card inside. Description: Luke Beats – Nature Walk Prod & Mix by Luke Beats “Put down the phone, press play, then breathe”

Highly active in the electronic music scene in South Korea, Livigesh releases his 6th official album "303 Romance" via No Slack Records. Livigesh has immersed himself into acid house, 90's hiphop and 70's funk music while making "303 Romance." His extensive use of the 303 "acid" basslines are present throughout the album. "303 Romance" is a look into Livigesh's musical influences. Squelching acidic and funky basslines, breakbeats and abstract vocal samples present Livigesh in his most uplifting, playful and simple to date.

Freek Mulder, a.k.a. kotokid, is spreading his wings and taking to the skies with his debut release. The first EP of the producer and bass player is symbolically titled ‘Fledge’, as in the young birds’ period just before embarking on their first flight, while developing feathers large enough in order to take off. The listening experience reflects the feeling, is packed with complex compositions, yet full of light sonically and spiritually.

The intricate title is complemented right off the bat with the first track, ‘Unfreeze’, which captures the emotions of opening up again after hiding away from yourself. Recorded in the Flowriders studio with Freek on bass, along with a bunch of analog synths and drum computers, together with Jonathan Szegedi on drums, and Maarten Cima on guitar. Restoring optimism with ‘Revlead’ and ‘Glitchdragon’, inspired by late ‘70s Weather Report feels like a sonic embrace. 2 tracks on the EP feature the soulful vocalist Bahghi Yemane, on the genuinely empowering, emotion-filled ‘Neghisti’ and a thoughtful tribute to the city of arched bridges, ‘New Amsterdam’. Overall, the elements of ‘80s jazz-fusion, modern hip hop, and indie R&B shape this musical piece into a unique experience of its own kind, cleverly blending ponderous melodies and harmonies with solid grooves and sound design, while the bangin’ bassline ties everything together in the most sophisticated and delightful way. Kotokid renders undiscovered environments, with improvisation and composition existing as equals in his music.

The animation on the cover is a design by Portuguese tattoo artist Ricardo Almeida, which depicts a maybug, or a doodlebug, in Dutch often called ‘mulder’. Just like Freek’s last name and a family symbol that he carries around with him on a ring. Perhaps it’s no coincidence maybugs are attracted to light."