Nu-Jazz | Broken Beat Vinyl 318 Items

Pie Eye Collective has been a part of the Albert’s Favourites family for a little while, working with Hector Plimmer and Scrimshire on studio and live performances, he has also played alongside Emma-Jean Thackray and And Is Phi. Pie Eye Collective is the solo project of sound scientist and explorer Matthew Gordon. While at its heart electronica, Gordon creates an organic collage of influences and evocative noises, even drawing from jazz and soul music. Time signatures and rhythms, sometimes hard to pin down, only lead to a more hypnotic sense of being afloat in a sea of harmonics and strangely familiar musical memories. It is music that wants you to completely free yourself and let it move through you.

Life is Worth Living, officially a second LP from El Niño Andrés, comes 9 years after its debut LP "Más Dinero Más Problemas", but sound wise it's still walking on the borderline between house, jazz and soul. El Niño's usual combination of Rhodes and Moog improvisations on top of house and jazz-funk drum-lines is present on all album tracks, with live sax additions on "Come Closer" and "Mercy Mercy". Album is an uptempo affair, but as usual with Jackie Brown releases, not your straightforward 4x4 routine - poly-rhythms and percussion drive "Wasting Your Life" and "Soul", while "The Approach of Midnight" sounds like it could have been placed straight into a Tenet soundtrack LP.

Russian duo Scruscru and Mike Fot join forces for the 'Spliff Jamz Vol.1' EP on SlothBoogie Records this September. Following a series of visits to Moscow between 2018 and 2020 to play at Powerhouse club, Scruscru would swing by Mike Fot’s apartment for a smoke and a jam session, working with a variety of Roland and Korg gear late into the night. The results of these sessions have led to a series of ‘Spliff Jamz’ EPs; with the first four tracks being presented now via SlothBoogie Records. ‘Spliff Jazz’ leads the release, as the name would suggest fusing an amalgamation of intricately processed jazz samples and off-kilter jazz-tinged drums with modulating synth swells and heavy doses of sub bass. ‘Lazy Daydreaming’ follows and tips the focus over to a soft haze of ethereal pads, acid bass, resonant licks and bumpy drums. ‘Got U’ opens the flip-side, stripping things back with a focus on crunchy electro leaning drums, a snaking elongated bass groove and wandering Rhodes like synth tones. ‘Hauz Bonger’ then rounds out the release, shifting direction to a classic organ fuelled house vibe with choppy breaks, shuffled percussion and soaring vocals throughout.

Mmyykk’s Science EP arrives at a time when the world needs it. The eponymous title track is about recognising the power and connection that we all have to the cosmos - and it feels like no coincidence that this body of work arrives in 2021.

The EP balances universal themes with playfulness; asks hard questions relating to accountability and materiality whilst remaining musically cohesive and funky throughout. An exceedingly difficult artist to pigeonhole, Mmyykk (pronounced Mike) works concurrently within the realms of soul, jazz, hip hop, R&B and ambient; his sound equally indebted to his fellow west-coast natives Thundercat and Flying Lotus as it is to synth experimentalists Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder.

Whilst Mmyykk operates as the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer & engineer across all 6 tracks, we can still hear the richness of improvisation musical collaboration involved in the making of this record, with numerous cameos from artists in Mmyykk’s adopted hometown of Minneapolis as well as a feature from London’s very own Demae.

The city of Minneapolis, whilst not addressed directly in the lyrics, provided a backdrop like no other whilst this album was coming together. Being at the epicentre of such a tragedy had a profound effect on the formation of the EP... “The City was literally burning...” Mmyykk recalls as he goes on to explain that tackling themes such as police reform, reparations and accountability in his work is his way of taking a stand in the fight for justice.

Despite the grief prevalent in the city, the EP exudes a complex “dopeness”, executed so effortlessly it belies the skill involved in the process - it’s precisely this nonchalant cool that defines what Science means to the artist.

Whilst we can dissect the inspirations and trace the lineage of this body of work- the result is singular. It’s clear that Mychal Fisher, aka Mmyykk is operating on his own terms, in a lane of his own - and making it look easy.

Honing your skills is under-appreciated in times of instant gratification and the continuous stream of music. Rotterdam-based producer Kofi The Unknown subverts this idea and took time for spiritual introspection, studying rhythms and sound production. Where being a late bloomer normally is seen as a sobriquet, the producer, composer and beatmaker wears it as a badge of honour and solidifies it as an honorary title by pinning it to his debut EP on Wicked Wax: The Late Bloomer. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Kofi The Unknown shares his journey that led to The Late Bloomer, an emotional journey through sophisticated dance music, straight from the heart, aimed at the soul and feet.

Highly influential to Kofi’s sound and this EP is London’s Broken Beat scene. Syncopated drums, soulful chords and heavy bass lines work in tandem to emphasise the danceability the genre is known for. This is further solidified by the track Kofi released leading up to this release: One for Motet, an ode to the Broken Beat MC and Jazz Refreshed host Jason Hicks. The Late Bloomer further develops Kofi’s ode, but provides his Rotterdam flavour and brings his Hip Hop and Funk lineage into the mix.

Embrace Mistakes sets the stage for what’s to come in various ways. It is a textbook case of how dance music can tell a story and be introspective. Kofi’s honesty shines bright on the entire EP and strikes from the first kick drum on. It also shouldn’t be hard to recognise and feel the emotion the producer shares on the title track The Late Bloomer. The emotionally-laced chords and crushing drums are reminiscent of late nights at a warehouse or emotional sequences from a dystopian movie.

Staying true to his ethos ’exploring the university that music holds’, Kofi finds this beyond music production as The Late Bloomer provides an audible experience through creative mixing. Stuttering analog synths, enveloping leads, multiple percussion rhythms and off-beat snare rolls hit from all directions of the stereo spectrum, further underlining the sophistication of his merit. While the EP follows the Broken Beat accents on dance, it is an equally mindful listening experience.

Kofi The Unknown is a Rotterdam native producer with a knack for rhythms. His keen ear is informed by mentor and Dutch enigma Trian Kayhatu. While Kofi has taken the time to perfect his skills under the guidance of Trian, the two are simultaneously working on the exciting follow-up project to this debut EP. Without looking too far ahead, enjoy The Late Bloomer. It’s not only a crown jewel Kofi proudly wears, it is also establishing him as a future household name in the sophisticated dance scene. "

South London-based 8-piece band Don't Problem is proud to present their their new album ' Liminality' planned for October 2021. With their new album, the combo challenges the common perception of a "covers" brass band, exclusively writing original material and adding electronics, synths & strings, a reflection of their wide encompassing interests. They introduce us to a very personal journey; the moment in time where a brass band affirms their love for club culture and delivers an album that travels from heavy funk to psychedelic jazz and UK dance music. "As 8 people writing music together, sometimes it can take a while for a tune to fully take shape. This tune came into itself in the studio which gave us the space to explore the production, sonic possibilities and instrumentation. The opening section leads to a beautiful first-take flugelhorn solo driven by lush strings, pulsing horns and electronics before reaching its soaring conclusion. The title ‘Whale’ is in reference to the Whale emoji which we use as a way to express a greatness or joy for which words can't be found." Don't Problem's debut 'DP EP' combined the heavy funk and raw psychedelic sound of brass and drums with ferocious grime-inspired improvisation to deliver original and fresh music, aimed squarely at the dance floor. The band is comprised of 8 musicians who've played with everyone from Tenderlonius, Emma Jean Thackray, Alfa Mist, Tom Misch and Ruby Rushton to Riot Jazz.

The sound of deep, soulful electronica resonates throughout the genres with As Valet creating beautiful yet sometimes dark house and soul gems with his trademark abstract flourishes providing perfect sound beds for guest vocalists LaNote and J.Mcfysian to weave their magic touches. LaNote recently released her debut album on Futuristica with As Valet also orchestrating the production throughout where as J.Mcfysian was a featured vocalist on the album ‘Music 4 Alternative Souls’ by Dj Simon S in 2018. As Valet’s work is informed by the greats of the modern deep house era, think Theo Parrish, Andres, Osunlade and Kyle Hall but also the likes of Flying Lotus, Ras G and Madlib, prominent names on the West Coast Hip-Hop and Beat scenes. Virgo Stellar is another great album that continues the Electric Conversation legacy, a group for which As Valet and LaNote were both founding members.

The focus for this TLM 7" is on SofaTalk from Italy, on the A side we have a superb track called Organica with main man Piero Paolinelli on Roland V-Drum, Arp Odyssey and Juno 106 with Marcus Horndt on Fender Rhodes and Edoardo Ruzzi on the Electric Bass. On the AA side Piero goes solo for Untold Stories, another superb track highlighting Piero's talents. Piero runs his own label Cognitiva Records and has had releases on deepArtSounds and Anma Records amongst others, we are very proud to have him onboard for this release.

Regrowth' by Sampology is an album that his last two EPs 'Natural Selections' & 'Mt Glorious' have built towards. Despite his love for sampling - with the exception of the Mariana Ingold sample on the opening song on 'Regrowth (Peace Lily)' - all of the samples you hear on the album are recorded from scratch either in his home studio or on his travels over the past four years. Regrowth has string quartets, woodwind, full 20-piece choirs, vibraphones, double bass, various pianos and synths. Vinyl package includes a die cut 3mm spine outer sleeve revealing a beautiful foliage wrapped inner sleeve which includes full liner notes For every 500 copies of vinyl pressed, Middle Name Records will commit to planting 100 trees through the fantastic work from ReForest Now. www.reforestnow.org.au

Ltd Black Vinyl Gatefold edition + 32 Page Booklet + Download Code The LP contains original compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pascal Comelade, Laurie Spiegel, Lyra Pramuk, Chassol, Nicolas Godin and Pierre Rousseau, Pedro Vian and Pierre Bastien, Visible Cloaks, Kelman Duran, Raul Refree, Lucrecia Dalt, Lafawndah. + a booklet with writings by contemporary thinkers like Shumon Basar, François J. Bonnet, and pictures by, Araki, Juergen Teller, Elizaveta Porodina, Dani Pujalte, P Jack Davison, Zhong Lin, Alessandra Sanguinetti, Adrià Cañameras, Javier Tles among others. Lacquer cut by Josh Bonati & Mastered by Rashad Becker ‘prsnt’ is a unique global artistic project combining the input of artists across the worlds of music, video and written word which acts as a statement on how we, as consumers, engage with music in the 21st century. Vital electronic musicians including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lafawndah, Lyra Pramuk, Lucrecia Dalt and Visible Cloaks have each contributed tracks, which are approximately 32 seconds long. The concept was devised by Created By Us and the Barcelona-based label Modern Obscure Music. They read a study which identified that the overwhelming volume of instantly accessible information online is shortening attention spans and altering how audiences engage with music digitally. Their curiosity about the state of online consumption developed further on discovering that around a third of all listeners using digital platforms skip to the next track, within the first 30 seconds of playing. Each musician was given a fascinating challenge to create engaging compositions with real artistic merit, inside the confines of this shortened span. Akin to Brian Eno’s famous Windows 95 start-up music, the time constraints are crucial, and the compositions are deceptively complex and more substantial than expectations of their nano nature would suggest.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Blameful Isles returns with his next full length LP, Ereeséon. The album, written during a period of intense transition, marks an abrupt change in Blameful Isle's sound. Where his previous work was rooted in spiritual jazz, Ereeséon takes root in the sound of late 80s and early 90s IDM and the golden age of electronic music. Created fully with hardware sequencers and all analog gear, Blameful worked within the restraints of this minimal setup to push his music as far as he could. By forcing himself into a new and uncertain creative realm, the resulting music is mysterious, minimalistic and intensely emotional in its simplicity, echoing the artist's experience while preparing for fatherhood. Ereeséon explores themes of innocence, nostalgia and exploration; a monumental work sure to please listeners of all varieties.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Blameful Isles returns with his next full length LP, Ereeséon. The album, written during a period of intense transition, marks an abrupt change in Blameful Isle's sound. Where his previous work was rooted in spiritual jazz, Ereeséon takes root in the sound of late 80s and early 90s IDM and the golden age of electronic music. Created fully with hardware sequencers and all analog gear, Blameful worked within the restraints of this minimal setup to push his music as far as he could. By forcing himself into a new and uncertain creative realm, the resulting music is mysterious, minimalistic and intensely emotional in its simplicity, echoing the artist's experience while preparing for fatherhood. Ereeséon explores themes of innocence, nostalgia and exploration; a monumental work sure to please listeners of all varieties.

London based multi-instrumentalist and beatmaker Wonky Logic drops 6 track EP “Transdimensional Fuunk (Transposed for Human Consumption)”, on July 30, 2021, marking the 14th release of Super-Sonic Jazz Records. Also, save the date for the first two singles on May 21 and June 25, 2021. Last year, producer and multi-instrumentalist Wonky Logic released his debut album “0113”. Now, he continues to showcase his passion for wonky beats and swirling synths with his follow up “Transdimensional Fuunk (Transposed for Human Consumption)”. As a service to clubbers and dancers of Planet Earth, he translated his banging space funk for human needs. From steamy and dangerous to subtle and soulful, it’s all on his extraterrestrial palet. Ain’t no denying that, with these 6 tracks he establishes himself as one of the more rebellious beatheads in the UK Jazz scene, with strong connections to Super-Sonic Jazz and Summer Dance Forever. Wonky Logic started out at the age of 11 on his mum’s computer and made his journey onwards from Leeds College of Music to jamming with Nubian Twist and GEO, into becoming a founding member of Steam Down. He collaborated with Nubya Garcia, Theon Cross, Wiyaala, Afla Sakey, K.O.G., and broken beat icon I.G Culture, for which he did Musical Direction of “Earthbound” (Super-Sonic’s ninth release). His current projects include his own band with Nache (Sons of Kemet) as well as The General Elation Soundsystem, alongside Brother Portrait and Nadeem Din-Gabisi. He plays keyboards for Bryony Jarmon-Pinto, synth bass with afrofuturism band Onipa and has recently played on Emma Jean Thackray's project Um-Yang alongside Soweto Kinch. However, this Summer will be all about his own brand new EP, which will be warmly welcomed by beatmakers, clubbers and dancers alike. Hopefully, they can do so in the freshly reopened clubs across the globe, where this piece belongs.

Glenn Astro returns to Tartelet Records with Purple, a four-tracker of minimal slow burners and futuristic dance music, marking the label’s 50th 12-inch release. Since releasing his second album Homespun in late 2020, Glenn Astro has been quietly channeling his funky instincts towards new production approaches. Purple, a four-piece compilation of mutant future-boogie daubed in Rogers-Nelson hues, comes through with emotional heft. It also marks the 50th 12" release for Tartelet Records. “Following up on Homespun, I wanted to try out some more dancefloor- oriented tracks again,” says Glenn Astro. “Keeping it simple and practical, while not being too predictable. I incorporated a lot of modular synth bits and experiments, with ‘Flux’ being an almost exclusively modular-based jam.” Incorporating tricky sound design and fluid structures, Astro’s new lines of enquiry never come at the expense of the groove. From the opening thump of ‘Penduloop’ onwards it’s apparent that his rugged rhythmic kinks are present and correct to hook in the dancers, while the melodic drops later in the track edge in a little melancholic flavour to take the mind somewhere else entirely. On this opening track, the artist explores new territory with his version of early naughties minimal house – a welcome slow burner. The EP title track ‘Purple’ slaps with purpose, not least in the Linn-esque drums and melodic bassline, but it’s a positively dreamy piece which skips on crooked beat formations and floats upwards via a multi-timbral tapestry of yearning synth shapes and robotic vocals. On ‘Out Of Office’ Glenn Astro provides a generous dose of electro nostalgia when he amps up the heavy-hearted feeling with aching string pads and electro-informed machine logic. The track becomes alive with its deep un-synced rhythms and dark bass notes, pushing further into the abyss. ‘Flux’, with its tooly feel, takes the electronic mantra further and sheds light on the source of much of Astro’s new sound palette. Crucially, even in its techiest moments, an irrepressible humanity shines through across Purple. Glenn Astro’s soul is the binding agent which links his early, sample-heavy house to his more explorative new angles, and it comes through in abundance on this fully-formed release.

Emerging from the Toronto warehouse scene, Tush is a rising electronic music act powered by Kamilah Apong and Jamie Kidd. Taking inspiration from electro funk, early disco, post-punk and '90s house; their debut album 'Fantast' embodies the rawness, vulnerability, and intimacy of the dancefloor.
'Fantast' kicks off with the slow burning 'Wavy Baby', an invitation to get close, get intimate and submit to the groove: "Vulnerability is the key to us getting to that next step of intimacy". Up next is lead single 'Chrysalis', a high octane ride through a technicolour fantasy world of heady synths and driving rhythms that propel Kamilah's voice into an erotic stratosphere.
'Don't Be Afraid' is about having the courage to love defiantly, urgently, and with intention. Driven by Jamie's infectious bass lines and FX blasts, it smoothly transforms into an uplifting gospel-infused track.
Two high points of the album, 'Jessica F***' and 'Marathons', highlight Tush doing what they do best. These tracks are the sound of the warehouse scene that birthed the project in the first place and the late night jam sessions that were full of possibility pre-pandemic. Here, Tush really stretch their improvisational muscles - the interplay of raw soulful vocals, hypnotic basslines, synth pads, and heavy disco rhythms is at the core of what makes them so invigorating.
'Fantast' closes with the uplifting sunrise energy of 'My Joy', the light at the end of the tunnel. "This song is enchanted by the backing vocals of my friends and chosen family, who are my cornerstones to working through the wonderful mess that I am". Kamilah adds "The track gives me this feeling that - no matter how hard the world tries to beat it out of me - I can and I have had to work hard to cultivate my own happiness in my own sacred spaces - one of those being Tush. Ultimately, this is all I really need".

Jason Hogans follows releases for Planet E, Moods & Grooves, & Third Ear with his dedut 12" on the mighty Sound Signature.

Audio premiere for Povratak na Parni Pogon on Monday 24th of May via Music is my sanctury
Video premiere via Clash or Twisted Soul
Airplay - dom servini (soho radio), Wyep Pittsburg (dubmission), Wkdu Philadelphia (eavesdrop radio), Jocks & nerds (soho radio), Basic Soul Show, Bondfire Radio NYC + many smaller stations across EU, UK & US
LP review - Mojo, Songlines agreed so far
Key selling points:

Kozmodrum are pioneers of the Croatian nu-jazz scene

Kozmodrum's second albumGravitywon the highest award in Croatia, Porin

Individual members of Kozmodrum as well as Kozmodrum as a collective are acclaimed musicians in the Balkans and have won numerous prestigious awards for their work

Their music is like a DJ set played live - as all the music is played live with 'traditional' instruments by the Kozmodrum ensemble

numerous great reviews, but not many in English - we're looking to introduce the band to UK audiences with this release -- this is one review in english for their album Gravity:https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kozmodrum-gravity Our PR for this 3rd album by Kozmodrum is done by Francesco Soragna (Jus Like Music) with specific focus on UK market. BIO:
Kozmodrumhave been pioneering a new approach to electronic music in Croatia, often described by the band as Organic Dance Music. Techno, House and Dub styles intertwine through a continuous set, played by a live band on guitars, drums and keyboards.Simultaneously, the tradition of jazz ensemble performance is stitched into the architecture of music itself.
Kozmodrum have released 2 albums, 'Na Tragu Satelita' in 2016, and 'Gravity' the following year, receiving a Porin Award for the latter (the Croatian Grammy). Individual band members also received numerous awards for their accomplishments and are considered by many to be pioneers in the Croatian nu-jazz scene. Kozmodrum's main influences are Tycho and Elektro Guzzi, as well as Jaga Jazzist with whom they performed live. The band have played numerous festivals and concerts, with Kozmodrum's members performing with Hans Joachim Roedelius, noise/art/sound figure Sunao Inami, as well as jazz masters Reggie Washington, Peter Erskine, David Liebman, Alan Broadbent, David Murray and Saskia Laroo.
Onstage, Kozmodrum is a five-piece ensemble that adds a third dimension to their music, written and produced by the band's founder Janko Novoselić. Using the framework of a DJ set, the compositions are made to be played openly, where the beat is 'looped' until a cue is given to make a change or switch to another part. The pieces are often minimalistic to start with, but evolve over the performance into more complex patterns, harmonies and melodies. With constant shifts between the natural and the artificial, organized and improvised, quiet and loud - Kozmodrum create an unforgettable, mantric performance.
Kozmodrum are:
Goran Delač - bass
Hrvoje Galler - keyboards
Ivan Kapec - guitar
Elvis Penava - guitar
Janko Novoselić - drums, percussion, synths, sounds & fx

Press Release:
see B2C notes :)

‘saturday Specials’ sees the legendary Bristol drum & bass don Clipz remixing Everything Is Recorded’s acclaimed second album ‘Friday Forever’ in its entirety. Released Digital on 29th January via XL Recordings, ‘saturday Specials’ is Clipz’s first album length project and is a drum & bass masterpiece, split across three 12” vinyl editions. The album features a host of the original album’s vocalists and collaborators (including Berwyn, Ghostface Killah, Aitch, Sampha, Flohio and A.K. Paul) weaving in and out of Clipz's trademark future-facing productions.

‘saturday Specials’ sees the legendary Bristol drum & bass don Clipz remixing Everything Is Recorded’s acclaimed second album ‘Friday Forever’ in its entirety. Released Digital on 29th January via XL Recordings, ‘saturday Specials’ is Clipz’s first album length project and is a drum & bass masterpiece, split across three 12” vinyl editions. The album features a host of the original album’s vocalists and collaborators (including Berwyn, Ghostface Killah, Aitch, Sampha, Flohio and A.K. Paul) weaving in and out of Clipz's trademark future-facing productions.

‘saturday Specials’ sees the legendary Bristol drum & bass don Clipz remixing Everything Is Recorded’s acclaimed second album ‘Friday Forever’ in its entirety. Released Digital on 29th January via XL Recordings, ‘saturday Specials’ is Clipz’s first album length project and is a drum & bass masterpiece, split across three 12” vinyl editions. The album features a host of the original album’s vocalists and collaborators (including Berwyn, Ghostface Killah, Aitch, Sampha, Flohio and A.K. Paul) weaving in and out of Clipz's trademark future-facing productions.

Taking in sultry synth-pop gemz, cryptic house numbers and tropical trouser-movers sung in French & Japanese, Marseille based producer/performer Musique Chienne is one of the most colourful & charismatic new artists to join the Acid Waxa stables and her latest EP Acidebout (a clever doggo-related play on words en Francais) sees 4 of her greatest hits to date pressed onto loud-cut vinyl and given the techno/d&b/rave treatment from fellow label dons Roy of The Ravers, Lesinge & Aftawerks.

Velour’s highly praised debut album on Wolf Music sees four of its standout tracks remixed from Wolf family old and new. Mainstays of the label Frits Wentink and Hulk Hodn join forces with new link ups, Footshooter and 20/10, for this crispy 10 inch. First up to bat, German beatsmith Hulk Hodn fires up the MPC and chops ‘Tom’s Garage’ into a hazy, head nodder before South London’s Footshooter takes ‘Into The Blue’ through a synth heavy whirlwind of broken beat grooves. On the flip, and fresh off the back of his Dekmantel release, Frits Wentink stamps his idiosyncratic expertise on ‘Pose’ for a walking bass bubbler. Closing out proceedings, Velour’s very own Vinzent Wirth, under the moniker 20/10, reworks ‘Luminate’ into a Detroit influenced, jazz tinged, sunset house gem.

Hard to pigeonhole and constantly fresh the sound of Dego is as real as it gets…..and once again he shows it in this new offer 'The Negative Positive' album! A balance between inspired ballads like 'Recovered Memories' featuring 2000 Black's new artist Samii and subtle instrumental pieces like 'She Is Virgo' or anthemic jams like 'This Is A Message To You' [this time featuring Nadine Charles] till futuristic opuses like 'Stained With The Tears On Their Faces'.

This is another step into authenticity in Dego's constant quest for the future of Black Music. all songs produced by degomixed by Matt Lord rhodes,pianos,analogue synths & bass by dego guitars and additional production by Matt Lordcs50 on 'The Whole Truth' by Mr Mensahflute on 'She Is Virgo' & bass on 'This Is A Message To You' by Kaidi TathamBLACK Lp007 2000black

On-Ly is the solo and collaborative moniker of pianist and producer Joshua Smeltink. On-Ly has been playing local traps since 2017, varying across numerous bands, recently settling into the second line-up for his own On-Ly band: Carl Lindeberg, bass (Surprise Chef), Henry Hicks, guitar (Horatio Luna) and Bryce Zelno, drums (Astral Flex).

“The world has never claimed louder a raise in awareness for the ecosystem, and Daykoda picked up its call with his most organic project to date. The Milan based artist presents his 2nd full album Physis; a work that aims to recall the interdependency between Nature, meant as a whole living entity where we take part into, and Art which directly originates form this union. Drawing on Dakykoda’s signature tumbling jazz drums, wonky hip hop samples and billowing beats, Physis results meandering yet cohesive, climbing up and crawling low like the alternation of events that occur in Nature.”

Breaking up South London soul man, Ashong’s vocals into a ghostly exchange with a mind-bending bass line and double-time rhythm, the 'Street Dub' is unmistakable Matthew Herbert quirkiness. DJ, producer, songwriter & Femme Culture label founder, Elkka, brings her unmistakeable energy & power to Joyfulness. What was once a soothing, mellow-soul excursion is now a direct & inspiring dance-floor cut. Thumping kick drums, swirling hi-hat rhythms, jittery synth and robotic-steel-drum melodies reform Hector and Alexa's sublime production. On the B-side, Broken Beat legend Daz I Kue delivers a squelchy sub-heavy workout, full of percussive punchiness and new orchestral dimensions. Meanwhile south-London producer and DJ Shy One takes another Andrew Ashong collaboration, formerly playlisted on BBC Radio 6 Music, and goes deep, phasey and peculiar. Chopping outcuts of chat between Andrew and Hector, ethereal vocals and synths and delivering a heavy kick drum, with a touch of broken beat magic.

Maston’s Darkland is a breezy collection of the material from the Tulips sessions that didn’t make it on to the original LP. Originally a digital-only release for those in the know in the autumn of 2018, after re-issuing Tulips in 2020 it made too much sense for Be With to give Darkland a vinyl release. Like Tulips, Darkland was recorded mostly in Hoorn, in the Netherlands, between 2015-2017 during downtime from Frank’s touring duties with Jacco Gardner’s band. Bits were also done in Los Angeles on some extended trips back home. The collection plays like an alternate view of Maston’s instant modern classic Tulips; a companion piece to the LP proper with similar mixture of shorter themes and more full length tracks.

Ltd White Vinyl Gatefold edition + 32 Page Booklet + Download Code The LP contains original compositions by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pascal Comelade, Laurie Spiegel, Lyra Pramuk, Chassol, Nicolas Godin and Pierre Rousseau, Pedro Vian and Pierre Bastien, Visible Cloaks, Kelman Duran, Raul Refree, Lucrecia Dalt, Lafawndah. The booklet includes writings by contemporary thinkers like Shumon Basar, François J. Bonnet, and pictures by, Araki, Juergen Teller, Elizaveta Porodina, Dani Pujalte, P Jack Davison, Zhong Lin, Alessandra Sanguinetti, Adrià Cañameras, Javier Tles among others. Lacquer cut by Josh Bonati & Mastered by Rashad Becker ‘prsnt’ is a unique global artistic project combining the input of artists across the worlds of music, video and written word which acts as a statement on how we, as consumers, engage with music in the 21st century. Vital electronic musicians including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lafawndah, Lyra Pramuk, Lucrecia Dalt and Visible Cloaks have each contributed tracks, which are approximately 32 seconds long. The concept was devised by Created By Us and the Barcelona-based label Modern Obscure Music. They read a study which identified that the overwhelming volume of instantly accessible information online is shortening attention spans and altering how audiences engage with music digitally. Their curiosity about the state of online consumption developed further on discovering that around a third of all listeners using digital platforms skip to the next track, within the first 30 seconds of playing. Each musician was given a fascinating challenge to create engaging compositions with real artistic merit, inside the confines of this shortened span. Akin to Brian Eno’s famous Windows 95 start-up music, the time constraints are crucial, and the compositions are deceptively complex and more substantial than expectations of their nano nature would suggest.

Two immensely talented musicians formally of dope soul/electronica four piece Electric Conversation from Paris. LaNote & Valet have a unique take on soul music with abstract rhythms and filtered textures yet memorable and beautiful songs with a genuine warmth of feeling, which is missing in so much contemporary music. This double album includes ‘Week-End’ which has also been remixed by the legendary DJ Spinna and ‘One Way’, blessed by a beautiful remix from Marc Rapson, both gaining support on the digital airwaves world wide. Further remixes come from the excellent aCatCalledFritz, Mecca:83, Simon S, Nicky Lars and Dusty (from Jazz Liberatorz).

Limited to 150 copies. Amsterdam-based duo Shamis & Rebiere invite you to let go of daily stresses with the four-on-the-floor groover Rock It For Ya. The beats and soulful instrumentations are enriched with the vocals by Shamis, who also adds to the theme of the track in his lyrics. “Let me rock it ’til the lights go out and the sun will rise again” reminds us of a time we possibly all long for. Reminded of something Kaytranada-esque drum programming, the harmonies and chords really keep you engaged with the track. Shake It Off takes on a modern soul approach to the theme of the EP. With a slower pace than the A-side, it’s equally as infectious to make you move. The duo’s dynamic is most clear in the way certain synth licks and horn melodies blend together with Shamis’ soothing vocals. Lush chords and laid back drums provide a care-free feeling, perfectly underlining the concept of the EP. The EP comes with a remix of each track and both are very much in line with the theme. Fouk add a house touch to Rock It For Ya with a heavy bass line, capturing (or reminiscing) a club night feeling. B.Bravo adds his signature modern funk sound to Shake It Off, making it even more irresistible to maintain your body still. It’s evident that both understood how to translate the theme of the EP to their remixes.

The Mental Traveller - A Soundtrack by Noa Erni If music can take our mind to any imaginable place, on endless individual journeys, Noa Erni’s “The Mental Traveller” is the infinite soundtrack. A soundtrack for mental wandering and soul searching, a blend of rap, jazz and hip-hop beats. “The Mental Traveller", an album assembled like a literary anthology, offers musical arrangements and unique narratives where epilogue and prologue of each track merge seamlessly. Far beyond the horizon of compiling single tracks, “The Mental Traveller” is a journey of sound and unity. Inspired by David Axelrod and William Blake, Ahmad Jamal and Flying Lotus - just to name a few - this work aims to be a tribute to these legends’ legacies of past, present and future, detached from trends, norms and classical narrative structure. Swiss-born producer and computer conductor Noa Erni has been crafting obscure jazz and hip-hop behind closed curtains (a.k.a. his flat in Berlin, Germany) for years - free from external pressure and as an adjunct to his day jobs as sommelier and co-owner of local fine wine store “Friedenauer Weinhandlung". On April 30th, 2021, Kommerz Records will release Noa Erni’s debut album “The Mental Traveller” on 12″ vinyl as well as on all digital platforms. The project features internationally renowned artists such as Count Bass D (alternative rap pioneer, who worked with Snoop Dogg, MF Doom (R.I.P.) and Retrogott), Miles Bonny (New Mexico-based singer and trumpeter), S. Fidelity (hip-hop producer signed to German tastemaker label Jakarta Records) and more. Erni’s guests meld seamingly with this unapologetic and experimental album showcasing stand out performances on vocals, instruments and production. While the album sounds like it was played by a jazz outfit with years of stage experience, the truth surprises and is even more exciting: Noa crafted the songs in countless hours of experimenting with a midi keyboard, various instrument plugins and perfected.